Peerless Empress: One Woman, One Sword, Slaying Through Myriad Realms

Soon, Hong Qingxuan and her siblings, Duan Hong, and Shangguan Lingxi—people Ye Wuxi knew well—all successfully obtained jade tokens. However, the number of jade tokens for the competition was limited, and even those who successfully reached the third platform later failed to snatch a token.

The Heavenly Sword Sect eliminated twenty people from just the three trials at the city entrance, leaving only thirty people who could continue to participate in the competition.

"The attrition rate is terrifying!" Ye Wuxi sighed softly.

“The Xuan Domain is so vast that even a few thousand people can’t compare. We can only eliminate those below the fifth level of Earth Martial Realm, but it’s not fair to openly restrict cultivation levels. These three entrance trials are reasonable!” Yan Jingyao said with a smile.

"Senior Sister Yan is right!"

Ye Wuxi nodded. Duan Hong and Shangguan Lingxi are only at the third level of Earth Martial Realm, but they can fight beyond their level. Their strength is higher than most fifth-level Earth Martial Realm cultivators. The system that does not restrict cultivation level is designed for people like them.

"I should be able to get into the top 500 if I try my best! After this, it'll be time for me to follow Wuxi and travel around to gain experience!"

Duan Hong sighed. When they first met, he could fight Wu Xi to a standstill, but now the gap between them is getting bigger and bigger. Before, the difference was in combat power, but now his cultivation level is also far behind.

Ye Wuxi laughed and said, "You should have left long ago!"

Duan Hong possesses a mysterious bloodline, making him far more talented than ordinary people. If he were to go out and seek opportunities, his cultivation level would be far higher than it is now. However, he seems to dislike going out and, apart from the sect's unified trials, he has always stayed in the sect in seclusion.

As all the jade tokens were taken, the remaining people on the platform were teleported outside the city gate by an invisible current. Then, the two triangular dragon gates and the suspended platform sank down, returning to their original state.

The Celestial Mystery Elder leaped to atop the inner city gate and proclaimed in a loud voice, "Congratulations, young friends! Please now have your names engraved on the jade tablets!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Wuxi entered her name into the jade tablet, and everyone else did the same, causing the jade tablets in the hands of a thousand people to light up one after another.

The old man's eyes seemed to sparkle like stars. Only after everyone's names had been engraved did he continue, "Alright, the official competition will be in three days. During these three days, you may rest in the outer city. Killing is prohibited in the city throughout the entire competition!"

As he finished speaking, the outer south gate of Canglong Ancient City remained tightly closed, but the east and west gates suddenly opened. People from all the major powers were not surprised and entered the city through the side gates.

The structure of Canglong Ancient City is quite different from that of ordinary cities. It is circular in shape. Although it is divided into inner and outer cities, the entire inner city is shrouded in a magical light curtain, and only those who are competing can enter.

Within the outer city, a tall, circular observation platform was built around the inner city. This platform was much higher than the inner city wall, allowing a clear view of the competition within the inner city. A ring of buildings, intended solely for residential use, was constructed against the outer city wall.

"Those of the Xuantian Sect, follow me, Sect Master!"

"Everyone from the Hehuan Sect, come here!"

"..."

The leaders of various factions gathered their disciples and headed towards their respective residences. You can't just stay wherever you want in the outer city.

The Xuantian Sect had already occupied the most luxurious buildings. Other fifth-rank sects would then choose, and then sixth-rank sects would choose. This practice was passed down from generation to generation, and the residences were already fixed. The remaining small sects or people without power could only pick up buildings that these powerful sects didn't want.

"You all come with me!" Han Yunfei called out to Ye Wuxi and the others. "There are many participants; it won't be over in a day or two. We'll be staying here for a while longer..."

"Jane, come live with me!"

Ye Wuxi pulled Qi Jian to the side of the old man Chi Huo, and Hei Niu and Ye Xiaoxue followed him.

Qi Jian smiled and said, "Good, that's exactly what I was thinking!" This place is a mixed bag, and it's really hard to find a place to stay without power. Although killing is prohibited, fighting is inevitable.

"Miss, may I ask to stay at your place?"

The group followed Han Yunfei toward the buildings belonging to the Heavenly Sword Sect to the east. Suddenly, a young man in black robes appeared beside Ye Wuxi.

Everyone looked at her in confusion. Ye Wuxi raised an eyebrow. "It's you. You trust us so much?"

The young man in black robes smiled faintly, "We've been through thick and thin together. I'm all alone, without any sect or faction. I wonder if you could kindly take me in?"

Ye Wuxi looked up at the sky speechlessly. Did she really look like a good person? She dared to come and stay with someone she had only met once. Besides, she wasn't the one who had the final say in the sect.

She had traveled with Jian'er all the way, and Jian'er's character and integrity were reliable, but this one was a different story. However, it was undeniable that the legacy of the King of Swords had fallen into this person's hands, and she was still very interested in it.

The Black and White Kings are a couple, and each of their weapons takes a character from the other's name. It's unknown what common ground their heritage has...

"Sect Master, can he live with us...?" Ye Wuxi thought for a moment and then asked Han Yunfei for his opinion.

Han Yunfei squinted and scanned the man in black robes, but he couldn't see through him even more. "Who is your master?"

This child's skill was unexpectedly revealed. At such a young age, relying solely on himself, it's unlikely he could achieve such success. Being without a sect or school doesn't mean he has no master.

"Junior Li Ran, esteemed teacher Duan Tianya!" Li Ran said, bowing.

Elder Chen's eyes showed some shock, "Guan Shan Duan Dao, Senior Duan is actually still in the Xuan Domain..."

Han Yunfei and Ling Xuehua were also familiar with this name, "Guanshan Duan Dao," a once-renowned sword king who had long since retired. Some speculated that he was dead, while others thought he had gone to the more expansive Five Continents. Unexpectedly, he had taken on a disciple in the Xuan Domain.

"Come with us!" Han Yunfei said in a deep voice. No wonder he always felt that this boy had a special sword intent. Since he could say the name Duan Tianya, he no longer had any doubts about the boy's identity. It would be good to form a good relationship with Duan Tianya through this.

"Thank you, senior!" Li Ran said with a faint smile. He had come down the mountain alone and found the journey quite boring. He had a good connection with this Miss Ye, and most importantly, following the Sword Sect would make him much safer and give him someone to talk to.

Ye Wuxi curled her lips, "You'll cause a lot of trouble if you come with us! The Suspended Gate might be more suitable for you."

The Joyful Union Sect and the Heavenly Fiend Sect both harbor resentment towards their Heavenly Sword Sect, so Li Ran might very well be treated as their accomplice. The Suspended Void Sect Master, wielding a sword, would surely treat this disciple of the Sword King like a treasure…

"It's alright, I don't mind sharing hardships with you fellow swordsmen!" Li Ran said calmly.

"..."

Ye Wuxi and Qi Jian shared a small courtyard. The night was deep and still. Qi Jian had gone to bed early in the room on the left. Ye Wuxi, however, stood in the courtyard, silently practicing her sword.

The competition will last for a while, and she will not waste a single minute or second between the matches. Compared with the top group of people, her cultivation level is much lower. Five dantian true essences can make up for some of the gap, but it is not enough.