"Then I must advise you, if you have an old connection that’s one thing, but if you plan to take a master, it’s best not to choose the Azure Dragon Temple."
"Why?"
"Because the Azure Dragon Temple is now in name only."
This statement was like a bolt from the blue, causing Zhao Ya’s face to change involuntarily.
"What’s going on? Isn’t the Azure Dragon Temple one of the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World? How could it be in name only?"
"It indeed belongs to the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World, but you can’t prevent the internal division within Azure Dragon Temple."
At this point, Xu Suanzi sighed, "About twenty years ago, Azure Dragon Temple produced an unparalleled powerful figure, who at the age of just thirty not only reached the Meridian Opening but also opened most of the meridians in the body, truly unprecedented."
"At that time, Azure Dragon Temple was at its peak, but unexpectedly the situation changed dramatically later. For some unknown reason, this peerless figure suddenly betrayed Azure Dragon Temple."
"Immediately following this, internal conflicts erupted within Azure Dragon Temple, ultimately splitting into the South Canglong and North Canglong, which are the current South and North Azure Dragon sects."
"Although their strength remains formidable, this division has led to an incomplete legacy of Azure Dragon Temple. Coupled with various other reasons, it has fallen into decline. Now, it is the weakest among the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World. During the sect initiation ceremony, some martial artists would rather join Cyan Lotus Gang or Hidden Dragon Square than enter Azure Dragon Temple."
"If this continues, without a fresh infusion of blood, Azure Dragon Temple’s condition will only worsen, so I earnestly advise you, unless there’s truly no other way, it’s best not to join Azure Dragon Temple."
Zhao Ya listened and fell silent.
He could never have imagined that the Azure Dragon Temple, which his master Lu Dingtai yearned for, would fall to such a state.
"Thank you for informing me." After a moment, Zhao Ya expressed his gratitude to Xu Suanzi.
Xu Suanzi smiled, "You’re welcome. These matters aren’t really secrets. Anyone with interest can find out with a little investigation."
"May I ask where this sect initiation ceremony is being held?"
"After leaving White Tiger City, head west for about eight hundred miles, there’s a mountain called Jade Dragon Peak. This time the sect initiation ceremony is being held at Jade Dragon City at the foot of Jade Dragon Peak. However, if you want to go, you must hurry, because the ceremony will end at the latest the day after tomorrow."
"Alright, thank you!"
"Farewell!"
Xu Suanzi clasped his hands and then disappeared into the darkness.
Zhao Ya stood silently in place for a moment before turning around and returning to White Tiger City.
Once he entered the city, he noticed that the number of patrolling soldiers on the streets had noticeably increased.
Moreover, the figures of martial artists could be seen in many key locations.
It was apparent that the previous chase had alarmed the White Tiger Hall.
However, this seemingly tight defense posed no difficulty for Zhao Ya.
With the help of the Spirit Turtle Hibernation Technique, Zhao Ya easily broke through the layers of defense and returned to the inn.
When booking the room, Zhao Ya had specifically requested one with a window facing the street, so he could return to the room through the window without alerting anyone else.
Once back in the room, Zhao Ya scanned it briefly, seeing the marks left on the door and the floor, indicating that no one had been there during his absence, which set his mind at ease.
The day’s events served as a reminder for Zhao Ya.
In terms of Body Technique, previously in the Great Yan, almost no one could keep up with him, but on his first day in the land Beyond the World, he encountered a Divine Thief who could match him in Lightweight Skill.
This showed that the land Beyond the World truly lived up to its reputation, with martial arts levels far beyond those in the Great Yan.
He should not be arrogant or complacent; everything should be approached with low-key caution.
And so, listening to the constant footsteps of patrolling soldiers on the streets outside, Zhao Ya sat cross-legged in meditation for the entire night.
The next morning, he checked out and left White Tiger City, heading west toward Jade Dragon City.
Eight hundred miles, an insurmountable distance for ordinary people of this era, was only a few hours of full-speed sprinting for Zhao Ya.
At first, it might take some time to navigate the route, but the further he went, the easier it became.
Because the number of travelers on the road noticeably increased, and most of them were martial artists.
These martial artists gathered in groups of three or five, all heading in the same direction.
Zhao Ya knew these people were likely heading to Jade Dragon City to attend the sect initiation ceremony.
So as long as he followed the direction they were going, he would surely find Jade Dragon City.
Due to the urgency of time, Zhao Ya ignored the distinction between day and night, directly using his Lightweight Body Technique, sprinting through the mountain forest along the road.
Due to Zhao Ya’s high-speed Body Technique, most martial artists didn’t notice him.
But there were a few who seemed to notice.
On the road three hundred miles from Jade Dragon City, a group of riders was moving slowly.
In the lead were several tall horses, each with a round horn on its head, clearly tamed Exotic Beast Rhinoceroses.
These Rhinoceroses were fast and had great endurance, the only drawback being their expense, which was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
At this moment, on top of an exceptionally majestic Rhinoceros sat a handsome young man.
This man looked about twenty years old, with striking features.
But if you examined closely, you’d find that he carried an intimidating aura in his every move, and was himself a Fifth Realm Martial Artist.
So when Zhao Ya sped through the roadside forest at great speed, while most people didn’t notice, this young man suddenly turned his head, looking over with a confused expression.
Yet he only saw a few branches trembling incessantly, with nothing else in sight.
The young man urged his horse alongside the central Rhinoceros and said in a deep voice, "Father, did you see that?"
The man in the center was about forty, also exuding an extraordinary aura and a certain heroic quality in his glance.
He nodded in response, "Of course, I saw."
"His body technique is truly astonishing," the youth marveled.
"Haha, Qing’Er, now you see how many heroes there are in the world, so even you cannot be arrogant!"
"Yes, Father!"
"Let’s hurry on our way then. This sect initiation ceremony has attracted heroes from all over. Even if you cannot join one of the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World, experiencing it is beneficial!"
As these men urged their horses onward, Zhao Ya had already arrived before Jade Dragon Peak.
The peak wasn’t very high, but it was strikingly beautiful, with a city built at its base named Jade Dragon City.
When Zhao Ya reached the city gates, he saw streams of people as dense as a school of fish, most being martial artists.
Among them, those of the Third and Fourth Realms were the majority, but there were many of the Fifth Realm as well.
These people spoke various dialects, chattering like a marketplace as they squeezed into the city.
Inevitable clashes occurred in the process, but these usually arrogant martial artists had suddenly become very patient.
Nobody quarreled; everyone shared a single thought—to get into the city to find a way to join their desired sect.
Anyone starting a fight risked losing their precious opportunity, as they might be expelled from the city entirely.
So no matter the grudge, it had to wait until after the sect initiation ceremony.
Witnessing this scene, Zhao Ya had a sense of déjà vu.
This scene of soldiers and horses crossing a single-log bridge, it really felt like the college entrance exam of a later era.
Though the crowd was dense, Zhao Ya, with his skill, easily squeezed through the gaps into the city.
Once inside the city, it was nothing but signs of advertisements along the streets.
"West Mountain Mansion, the next best large sect after the Thirteen Sects Beyond the World, generous benefits, once hired, you can enjoy resources only true disciples of other sects get, your best choice."
"Jade Dragon Temple, with a long legacy and vigorous top-tier sect, the Temple Master is strong, having opened half of the thirty-six major meridians. Those who join will be personally guided by the Temple Master based on performance."