The Divine Dragon Skeleton Rises, and the Osho Divine Mountain Collapses.
Although Ming Qi and his companions didn't make a significant impression in the battle of Osho Mountain, they emerged victorious. Even after this adventure, many people still debated the identity of the Wolf Fox Prince who ultimately stole the Divine Dragon Skeleton.
In wine shops, teahouses, and wherever cultivators visited, stories of the mysterious Little Fox Prince spread. Rumors spread as far as the tribes of the Western Wilderness and as close as the cities of Xilan Prefecture.
Along with this news, another noteworthy development was the news that the renowned Killing Star City, and its powerful immortal mercenaries, had completely collapsed after the Battle of Mount Osho, which involved the vast majority of the mercenaries. The fearsome Killing Star City Lord, the powerful Martial King Yu Quanzhen, had been missing ever since. The major mercenary groups within Killing Star City had disbanded, and countless mercenaries had moved to the surrounding states, serving various factions.
Recruiting powerful networkers was undoubtedly a priority for all the major factions, and in Xilan State, this had become a top priority for the seven major mansions. Soon, the Seven Mansions Competition, a grand event for the entire state, would be held. At that event, each major faction would select its young talents to participate in the Seven Mansions Competition and seize control of the Arbitration Temple.
Numerous immortal mercenaries have poured into Xilan Prefecture. These individuals are undoubtedly the most sought-after targets within the seven prefectures, especially the young and talented. These young talents also need the support of a certain power to advance. If they can earn the attention of the Chief Consul or even a representative from the Divine Realm during the Seven Prefectures' competition, they can soar to prominence.
The immortal mercenaries' extensive combat experience, exceptional composure, and excellent judgment are the primary reasons for their popularity. Even if a large prefecture can cultivate a number of talented young men, what they lack most is practical combat experience and a stable mindset. Recruiting a few immortal mercenaries would undoubtedly give them an edge in the Seven Prefectures' competition.
Jiuyou Jue Prefecture, located north of Xilan Prefecture and adjacent to Beiji City, houses a vast city, known as Jiufang Palace, adorned with strategic formations. Surrounding it are several other cities of varying sizes. Without the strength to destroy the entire Jiufang Palace, attempting to capture it would be incredibly difficult. Jiufang Palace was once hailed as the world's finest city by Xilan Prefecture. Jiuyou Juefu excelled in offensive and defensive battle formations. While their individual cultivation wasn't top-tier, few in the entire Central Land could surpass the Jiufang Palace's master in battle formations.
Over three hundred miles southeast of Jiufang Palace lies a vast mountain called Qiankun Mountain. Dense forests teemed with it year-round, and monsters teemed in the air. Juefu originally controlled the mountain, but due to the excessive number of monsters and its distance from Jiufang Palace, it could no longer protect it, and the Juefu gradually abandoned it.
But now, Qiankun Mountain has a new owner.
The entire Qiankun Mountain has undergone a simple renovation, clearing a vast expanse of several miles on the summit. Numerous craftsmen are busy constructing within this vast expanse, and the outlines of palaces and buildings are gradually taking shape.
At this moment, at the top of the mountain, atop a protruding boulder about ten feet long, several people stood, facing the wind and gazing out over the surrounding landscape.
"Brother Mingqi, tell me how you escaped from those demonic predators."
One of these people was Mingqi, who had escaped from the battle at Mount Osho.
And the one shaking Mingqi's sleeve and questioning him was a 16-year-old girl, Molan.
"Xiaolan, you've asked me this question so many times. I've already told you, brother defeated them and then escaped."
Mingqi smiled helplessly, reaching out to touch Molan's head and said.
But after Mingqi finished speaking, Molan wrinkled her nose and said, "It's not nice to lie. Grandpa Lei said you couldn't beat them."
...
After a moment of silence, Mingqi turned and looked at the old man, about fifty years old, dressed in a plain robe, standing behind Molan.
Ming Qi also knew this person; it was the current steward of Jue Mansion, Lei Jiu.
Seeing Ming Qi looking over, Lei Jiu chuckled, ruffling his beard. "It's true you possess great luck, but where's your strength? If you could defeat those powerful beings like Martial King, led by Young Master Wushuang, I'd be a bit skeptical, haha."
"Uh," Ming Qi hesitated, then said, "I'm not in a position to explain the reason. I hope Elder Lei won't mind."
Lei Jiu chuckled and said, "Of course. I was just being bored. If there's anything inconvenient, please don't bother. Our Palace Master has already said you're Molan's benefactor. Since you chose to stay here instead of Jiufang Palace, just ask for anything you need."
"Then please, Elder Lei, take my thanks to the Palace Master."
Ming Qi bowed respectfully, then smiled at Molan, "Xiaolan, this is my fault. I shouldn't have lied. That time, it was a mysterious person who rescued me and defeated those people, allowing me to escape."
"That's more like it."
Little Molan scratched Ming Qi's nose and said with a smile.
A moment later, Lei Jiu took Molan somewhere else to play, but Ming Qi continued to gaze at the distant horizon, his brows furrowed.
Had he not revealed his identity to Meng Ling in the moment of crisis when he escaped from Mount Osho with the dragon skeleton, he would have been a dusty speck scattered among the Emperor Mountains by now.
Ming Qi still couldn't forget Meng Ling's terrified and anxious voice.
"What are you doing here? You know this will kill you?"
"I don't want to see you die!"
Those words sank into his mind, and in a trance, Ming Qi saw the surroundings instantly covered in blood.
Then he heard Master Wushuang's angry voice.
"What are you doing! Unleashing such magical power at this moment, what if he escapes?"
"Young Master, I'm sorry. I was so impatient..."
"Hmph, I'll settle with you after this is over!"
...
After a few words, Ming Qi felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his heart.
But at that moment, he absolutely dared not delay even a moment. Concealed by the shrouded blood mist, he instantly deployed his Blood Shadow Skill, at the cost of his life, escaping a hundred miles. He continued forward, and soon stumbled upon the outskirts of Jiufang Palace. During this time, Ming Qi finally manipulated the divine diagram space to place the dragon skeleton inside. While it was a bit of a struggle, it was still a hundred times better than dragging it out.
After learning that the other party was from the Jiuyou Juefu, Ming Qi produced the Jiuyou Juefu token. After some negotiation, Ming Qi did not stay at Jiufang Palace, but chose Qiankun Mountain, over three hundred miles away.
After arriving here, Ming Qi made up his mind that this would be his foundation. It would not be long before he would be born. At that time, he must take Meng Ling back from Master Wushuang!