C2696
C2696
The influential figure, upon learning that Jiang Fann was facing the heavenly tribulation in the valley, felt quite helpless. He was wary of the experts around Jiang Fann, especially since he had previously suffered at the hands of Xiao Mo.
He cautioned the giant, saying, "Don't get close, don't interfere. If he wants to make a fuss at the foot of the mountain, let him. It would be better if he fails the trial."
The giant nodded, showing no intention of descending the mountain, but he watched the sky changing colors in the distance with great apprehension.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fann, with his cultivation improving, found his ability to handle the heavenly tribulation had also increased. After completing the Body Refinement and Heavenly King chapters, he faced the gathering storm above with remarkable composure, feeling no overwhelming pressure.
At this moment, he was more focused on using the power of the tribulation to temper his body, hoping to stabilize his realm quickly and reduce the time needed for his upcoming seclusion. Having experienced the Mortal Separating Stage before, Jiang Fann knew this retreat could take a long time.
This time, the heavenly tribulation was equally formidable. A series of thunderous strikes shattered the nearby formations, and even the safeguards left by those at the Celestial Realm couldn't withstand it.
Jiang Fann sat cross-legged in mid-air, allowing the force of the heavenly tribulation to fall upon him. His entire body glowed with a golden light as he endured the ordeal with his physical strength, absorbing the spiritual energy within.
The tribulation lasted an entire month, leaving the valley in disarray. Only after the tribulation dissipated did the valley regain its tranquility, and the barrier of the mystical valley gradually stabilized. At this moment, Jiang Fann activated a formation and entered a state of seclusion once more.
...
In the golden age of the Star Sea, prodigies emerged, and competition was fierce. The rankings on the Star Sea list changed almost daily, with the top young talents standing out as the elite of their time.
Wan Chengfeng and Xian Hu, newcomers to this environment, found it extremely challenging. Many young people with lesser cultivation levels had combat abilities that surpassed theirs, shattering their confidence from the Nine Desolations and Upper Nine Heavens. This was just the beginning of the struggle in the grand world.
The two attempted to join the Sacred Hall Academy but were unsuccessful. Gu Xie subsequently disappeared, leaving them to rely on each other to grow against the odds in this competitive setting.
Jiang Shuai, who arrived a few years before them, had reached the sixth level of the Reincarnation Stage in just over a decade at the Sacred Hall Academy, far surpassing the growth of Xian Hu and others. However, even Jiang Shuai wasn't considered particularly strong in this environment, as many surpassed his level, even within the academy.
A decade flew by in the blink of an eye.
Xian Hu was on the rise, being much younger than Wan Chengfeng and having found a promising sect. Wan Chengfeng preferred the life of a solitary cultivator, but he continued to accompany Xian Hu on adventures, gaining considerable experience. The rivalry among young talents across the Star Sea was as fierce as ever. No one wanted to be left behind, as staying strong meant access to more resources.
It was here that Wan Chengfeng and his companions realized the Star Sea was just a part of a larger world. They weren't sure what lay beyond, but for the skilled, connecting between worlds wasn't difficult. Some major worlds even had teleportation arrays, allowing instant travel to other realms. This connectivity enabled talented cultivators to engage more, with various competitions attracting the best and brightest.
However, Wan Chengfeng and Xian Hu chose to keep a low profile. They understood their current capabilities made it challenging to gain an advantage over their peers. Jiang Fann might have been disappointed.
Another twenty years passed in the blink of an eye.
News spread from a world not far from the one housing the Holy Academy. A genius ranked fourth on the Star Sea list had a sudden breakthrough, reaching the Celestial Realm. This made him the first of his generation to achieve this level, shocking many factions. They had expected the top three on the list, known for their exceptional talent, to reach this milestone first. Yet, it was the fourth-ranked genius who seized the opportunity.
This marks the beginning of a new era for the elite of this golden generation, as they step into the realm of the extraordinary. Soon after, more names began to appear on the prestigious Star River list, each reaching new heights, intensifying the competition among this generation.
Among the students of the prestigious academy, there's a mysterious figure often mentioned in whispers. Most students have never seen this person, yet the strongest among them hold this individual in high regard, making everyone aware of their existence. This has led to a saying within the academy's world: the greatest talent of this generation has yet to reveal themselves.
As more prodigies reach new levels, this legendary genius remains unseen. Many who participated in the academy's trials know who this mysterious talent is, but it's a shame that this person, once ranked 90th on the Star Sea list, has neither moved from that spot nor appeared again.
As other worlds see their talents breaking through, some can't help but mock. "Our world is falling behind. The academy's top students are stuck at the peak of their current stage, and the legendary Jiang Fann is still nowhere to be seen. It seems we'll struggle to compete with peers from other worlds in the future."
"The others might still have a chance to catch up, but I'm just curious about the legendary Jiang Fann. He's been missing for so long. I wonder if he's been in seclusion at the academy, or maybe the Heaven Pavilion is just bluffing."
The chapter isn't over yet. Click to continue reading the exciting content!
The young man nearby shook his head after hearing this.
"Jiang Fann is real. I was there during the trials when Fang Tong and Xiang Tianxing participated. That guy, Jiang Fann, was unbelievably strong during those trials. Even though he was at a disadvantage, he practically swept through everyone. No one was stronger than him, not even Xiang Tianxing, who was much more formidable back then than he is now."
"But it's been decades since those trials, and Jiang Fann still hasn't shown up. It's really strange."
"Maybe the academy has its own plans. They might be waiting for him to appear on his own, especially since many are keeping an eye on Xiang Tianxing and the others."
The young man was skeptical.
"I think the academy might not have confidence in him, which is why they've kept him under wraps. If he shows up and can't compete with the other world-class talents, the academy would have to admit their judgment was off and that their luck isn't as good as others'."
"That's possible. After all, it's said that Jiang Fann came from a backwater place. During the trials, he was like prey. Fang Tong and the others weren't at a high level back then, which gave him a chance. If it were an outside trial, he'd be surpassed quickly. The gap in skill level can't be bridged by talent alone. We'll just have to wait and see when he shows up."
Time flies.
In the blink of an eye, it’s been nearly forty years since Wan Chengfeng and Xian Hu arrived in the Extreme Sky Realm. Over the past decade, the younger generation in the realm has faced significant challenges. The Holy Academy sent its five strongest members of this generation to the Star Sea Trials. Led by Xiang Tianxing, along with Niu Mang from the demon clan, Fang Tong, and Yao Tianwei, they participated. Despite Xiang Tianxing having reached the Celestial Stage, they returned in defeat.
Three of them were seriously injured, and Fang Tong brought them back to the Extreme Sky Realm, shaking the prestige of the Holy Academy once again. This incident has become a hot topic among the youth in the realm.
Xian Hu’s progress in cultivation hasn’t been rapid, but his combat abilities have significantly improved. His sect has been helping him enhance his bloodline power, allowing him to grow continuously. Wan Chengfeng, a lone cultivator, has been making a name for himself in the Extreme Sky Realm. However, he has given up competing with the younger generation, focusing solely on his own growth. His progress isn’t slow, but he has accepted his limitations.
The two often try to use Jiang Fann’s Spirit Attached Jade, but despite channeling their spiritual strength into it, they haven’t sensed Jiang Fann’s presence.
One day, the two were sitting in a small tavern, drinking together.
“What on earth is Jiang Fann up to? Does he really need to be in seclusion for this long? And Gu Xie too, not a word from him.”
Xian Hu sighed, "If it weren't for helping us here, Gu Xie might not have needed to leave Jiang Fann. We could have focused on growing stronger. Otherwise, if Jiang Fann shows up, the gap between us might just keep widening."
Wan Chengfeng chuckled, "Why worry about a bigger gap? We've always had a gap, and besides, this place is filled with geniuses. Your talents aren't exactly dazzling here, and in the Star Sea Trials, you might just be a sidekick. We need to accept our mediocrity, even if it does sting a bit!"
Wan Chengfeng was quite laid-back, downing a bowl of wine before setting it on the table. He continued, "What's the deal with that mysterious guy from the Sanctum Academy? Every time I see him, he vanishes into thin air. You must have known him before, right?"
Xian Hu replied, "We crossed paths years ago, but not much. He wasn't particularly impressive back then. But to become a disciple of the Sanctum Academy, he must have something special. He's probably close to reaching the peak of the Reincarnation Stage. His growth at the academy is much faster than ours."
"Let's hope Brother Jiang shows up soon!"
...
High above, in the celestial valley, the inner valley.
Jiang Fann had just emerged from a state of deep insight, his breath steady and composed. He hadn't finished his training yet and asked, "Xiao Yu, how long have I been in seclusion?"
"Master, you've been in seclusion for a whole century."
Jiang Fann was a bit surprised. "A hundred years! In my state of enlightenment, I thought only a little over ten years had passed. I didn't realize it took so long. But it's time to leave."
With that, Jiang Fann stood up, summoned the Star River Cauldron, and entered it, disappearing into the sky.
On the peak of the innermost valley, the powerful figure sensed Jiang Fann's departure and finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had once thought Jiang Fann intended to claim the mountain as his own. Seeing him leave, he quickly set about repairing the damaged formations, eager to restore the valley to its original state.