Tyrant Sky Martial Sou
Chapter 902

Chapter 902: 902

Ling Xiao truly didn’t know that there were mysterious islands separating the Divine Phoenix Continent and the White Tiger Continent.

Ji Ning chuckled, "It’s normal that you don’t know. Martial artists from the Heavenly Dragon Continent, unless they’ve been to the White Tiger Continent, indeed know little about these islands. You only know that the Divine Phoenix Empire and the Black Crow Empire confront each other on the Divine Phoenix Continent, but what you’re not aware of is that in these seas, the truly powerful entities are neither of these two empires."

"What!"

It was the first time Ling Xiao had heard of such matters.

Ji Ning explained, "You might be surprised, sir, but in fact, besides the two empires and numerous small countries, the most formidable are the Five Great Immortal Islands!

The area of the Five Great Immortal Islands is not particularly large, each island is just one hundredth of the Divine Phoenix Continent. However, their strength is formidable to the point of instilling fear.

After the Five Great Immortal Islands, there are seven great Martial Ancestor Islands, ranked equally with the two empires.

Although the Divine Phoenix Empire has the status of an empire, it is subordinate to one of the Five Immortal Islands, the Changle Immortal Island; similarly, the Black Crow Empire is subordinate to the Blackwater Immortal Island."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao was utterly shocked.

To think that the Divine Phoenix Empire, far stronger than the current Sacred Dynasty and possessing institutions like Phoenix God College and Qingxu College, was actually subordinate to an island?

It felt almost like a dream to him.

"That war between the Black Crow Empire and the Divine Phoenix Empire, do the Changle Immortal Island and Blackwater Immortal Island simply not care?"

Ling Xiao couldn’t help asking.

"No, they, on the contrary, enjoy seeing such wars because the more wars that occur, the more exceptional martial artists emerge!"

Ji Ning shook his head, "You might not know yet, but the Five Great Immortal Islands face enemies from the White Tiger Continent; they don’t particularly mind conflicts between empires, small countries, or Martial Ancestor Islands. In fact, to select talents to contend with the White Tiger Continent and resist harassment from that side, they generally conduct a talent selection every five or ten years!

The selection process is usually through grand competitions, much more brutal than any martial arts festival you’ve previously participated in.

These competitions could even involve ferocious fights with pirates or martial artists from the White Tiger Continent.

Failure could indeed lead to death!

Yet, even so, when the time comes, young people from the entire Divine Phoenix maritime area, and even those from your Tian Long maritime area, will attend.

Because surviving in this concentrated selection will bring countless benefits, far more than those bestowed upon the Chosen Son of Heaven from your Heavenly Dragon Continent!

You might even get an exceptional opportunity to join one of the Immortal Islands for learning and cultivation, which would be truly akin to a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate."

After listening to all this, Ling Xiao suddenly realized how little he knew about the Mysterious World, feeling very much like a frog at the bottom of a well. He hadn’t known that the strongest force in the Divine Phoenix maritime area wasn’t the Divine Phoenix Empire, but the Five Great Immortal Islands.

"Have the monarchs of the Divine Phoenix Empire and the Black Crow Empire, and the Island Masters of the Seven Great Martial Islands never thought about overtaking them and reaching a strength similar to the Five Great Immortal Islands?"

Ling Xiao asked.

Ji Ning nodded, "Of course they’ve thought about it, but the Five Great Immortal Islands are no fools; they gather almost all outstanding talents under their control and hold most of the resources. Despite the huge territories of the Divine Phoenix Empire and the Black Crow Empire, they still have to tribute nearly ninety percent of their resources to them!

The Five Great Immortal Islands will only grow stronger, while the two empires and the seven Martial Ancestor Islands will only become weaker."

"No wonder the Black Crow Empire would collude with the forces of the White Tiger Continent, and the Divine Phoenix Empire would form an alliance with the True Demon Empire. It looks like they’re doing this to challenge the ruling position of the Five Great Immortal Islands," Ling Xiao said with a smile.

"Sir is indeed perceptive, hitting the nail on the head!" Ji Ning laughed, "We’re approaching Northern Desert City now!"

As they spoke, the group had already arrived at the foot of Northern Desert City.

Upon closer look, Northern Desert City appeared even more forlorn.

Amid the raging wind, the enduring city stood unyielding, akin to the Heaven Settling Divine Needle in the northern frontier of the empire.

If it were to fall, the empire’s northern gate would probably be left wide open.

"The Great General has returned!"

"He’s come back alive!"

"He hasn’t abandoned us!"

From atop the city wall, cries of ecstatic tone rang out.

These people watched with intense anticipation as Ji Ning left Northern Desert City for the Imperial City, their hearts filled with sorrow, yet they were powerless to stop him.

All they could do was pray in their hearts that the general would return alive.

When that luxurious hope turned into reality, they were moved to tears.

Yet even so, the city’s defense remained in perfect order.

The city gate was not opened, and the soldiers suppressed their excitement, acting according to military rules.

"Please present the Great General’s waist token!"

From atop the city wall, a deputy commander called out loudly.

Ling Xiao felt moved inside, truly, like general, like subordinates.

Such strict discipline was indeed admirable.

Even upon seeing the Great General himself, identification was necessary.

Who knows if the Great General might be held hostage?

Or perhaps some shapeshifting monsters have disguised themselves as the Great General?

All these precautions had to be taken!

Ji Ning took out his waist token, then activated the Heavenly Origin Power, and the characters on the token lit up.

Only Ji Ning’s Heavenly Origin Power could activate the token, so even if someone else snatched the token, it would be useless.

"The Great General! It really is the Great General; open the gates quickly!"

Upon verification, all the soldiers became excited, jumping and laughing as if they were celebrating a grand festival.

"I, Ji Ning, have returned alive!"

A shout full of excitement completely ignited the passion of the entire Northern Desert City.

The whole city began to celebrate.

In the streets and alleys, the citizens lined up to welcome him, holding the fruits they grew and snacks they made.

Ling Xiao was somewhat touched.

Their excitement was not feigned; the tears in their eyes were the sincerest.

He truly was a great general, so similar to his past benefactor Lin Ze, though much stronger in terms of power.

"Is this the General’s Mansion?"

Ling Xiao was somewhat incredulous.

Though Ji Ning’s General’s Mansion was a bit larger than a common civilian home, it was starkly humble compared to the mansions he had seen before—it was practically a beggar’s dwelling.

It was very small and barely decorated.

As they stepped into the General’s Mansion, Ji Ning instructed someone to prepare tea and snacks, then sat down with Ling Xiao to discuss important matters.

"Sir, you must have important matters to attend to, waiting for me on the road, now that it’s just the two of us in this hall, please speak freely!"

Ji Ning said with a smile.

Ling Xiao did not speak, but slowly removed the ferocious ghost mask from his face.

Under the mask, his face revealed a gentle smile, his eyes deep and wise, as if capable of seeing through everything.

"So young!"

Ji Ning exclaimed in surprise, having thought the person under this ghost mask must be at least in his forties or fifties, or even a hundred years old.

Yet, it turned out to be the face of a teenager about fifteen or sixteen years old.