Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Celestial Eagle Valley

The Southeast Domain was immense, containing dozens of countries like Yanhuang Country. Traveling to Celestial Eagle Valley on foot would take several years at a minimum.

However, riding the Black Feathered Eagle was much faster. It would only take a week to reach Celestial Eagle Valley, a testament to the eagle’s incredible speed.

During the journey, no one from the Wind Forest Sect bothered Lin Yun. ’It’s probably because Elder Wu is here,’ he thought.

The Grand Elder and Third Elder, however, would occasionally let slip a hint of killing intent toward Lin Yun. Coincidentally, their murderous aura did not escape his perception.

The rest of the journey was peaceful, with everyone meditating with their eyes closed.

On the seventh day, Elder Wu was the first to rise. Just then, the Black Feathered Eagle began its descent, piercing through the clouds. A gigantic, chasm-like valley appeared before them.

The valley stretched for thousands of miles. At its far end stood a mountain peak, its slopes covered in a dense sprawl of buildings from foot to summit.

"So this is Celestial Eagle Valley..." many disciples from the Wind Forest Sect who had never been here before murmured softly.

Lin Yun was also momentarily stunned. Staring at the massive valley below, he realized this was how Celestial Eagle Valley got its name. Legend had it that this valley was carved out during a battle between the founder of Celestial Eagle Valley and a Tier Seven Demon Beast.

Lin Yun had no idea how long ago that battle took place, but it was at least ten thousand years in the past.

A Tier Seven Demon Beast was one capable of taking human form. One could only imagine the ferocity of the battle between it and the founder of Celestial Eagle Valley.

Following the valley, they arrived at Celestial Eagle Peak. At its summit was an immense plaza, the entire mountaintop looking as if it had been sliced clean off by a sharp sword.

The Black Feathered Eagle landed in the plaza, and everyone leaped off its back. All around, numerous Celestial Eagle Valley disciples were watching Lin Yun and the others.

The Green Talent List was established by Celestial Eagle Valley, so naturally, its own talented disciples would participate. And because of Celestial Eagle Valley’s status in the Southeast Domain, its disciples looked down on people like Lin Yun, who came from smaller powers.

"Are they from the Wind Forest Sect?" a Celestial Eagle Valley disciple asked.

"Every year, very few geniuses from these minor sects make it onto the Green Talent List, and even then, their rankings are extremely low..."

The Celestial Eagle Valley disciples whispered amongst themselves. Although Lin Yun overheard their words, he paid them no mind from start to finish. ’It’s better to keep a low profile right now.’

"The Green Talent List will begin in one week. You will all stay here in Celestial Eagle Valley during this time. Someone will be assigned to take care of you," Elder Wu said to the group.

Hearing this, the Grand Elder and his two companions responded with smiles. After speaking, Elder Wu turned to Lin Yun. "You’re from Yanhuang Academy, so naturally, you’ll be staying with the people from Yanhuang Academy. Follow him in a moment; he will take you to their quarters."

Elder Wu pointed to a Steward beside him. With that said, Elder Wu didn’t linger and flew away using Sky Control. As for the Black Feathered Eagle, it flew off toward the forest behind Celestial Eagle Peak.

After Elder Wu left, only two Stewards remained. The Grand Elder’s gaze toward Lin Yun turned hostile, but he wouldn’t dare kill Lin Yun here.

"Brat, you can run to the ends of the earth, but you’ll never escape my grasp." He snorted coldly at Lin Yun, then the group from the Wind Forest Sect followed one of the Stewards and departed.

Watching the Wind Forest Sect group leave, Lin Yun’s expression remained unchanged. He followed the Steward Elder Wu had indicated toward the Yanhuang Academy’s quarters.

Celestial Eagle Valley was massive, with numerous disciples. It boasted fifty thousand Outer Disciples and ten thousand Inner Sect Disciples. Along the way, Lin Yun saw Celestial Eagle Valley disciples in twos and threes.

Upon seeing Lin Yun, these Celestial Eagle Valley disciples would all whisper a few words among themselves. From their expressions, it was clear that the disciples of Celestial Eagle Valley held people from other forces in the Southeast Domain in extreme contempt.

’How arrogant.’ Lin Yun was naturally displeased by their scorn. ’They just happened to join a better sect. They talk as if they’re so powerful themselves.’

Perhaps sensing Lin Yun’s displeasure, the Steward leading the way slowed his pace slightly to walk beside him and spoke in a gentle tone.

"You can’t really blame them. Their personalities are a product of their environment," the Steward said.

In the Southeast Domain, Celestial Eagle Valley is the only major power. With no rivals, its disciples act like local tyrants; no matter where they go, no other force dares to offend them.

Because of this environment, over time, many Celestial Eagle Valley disciples have developed arrogant and conceited personalities, believing no power in the world can compare to their own.

But what they don’t know is why Celestial Eagle Valley is the only major power in the Southeast Domain. It’s because, compared to the heart of the Eastern Domain, the Southeast Domain is simply too barren. No other major power is willing to come here.

The entire Eastern Domain has Six Great Forces, and these six control its lifeblood. Whether it’s martial strength, economy, or resources, everything is held firmly in their hands.

Aside from Celestial Eagle Valley in the Southeast Domain, the other Five Great Forces have all established their Sects in the center of the Eastern Domain. That area is the most prosperous region where Martial Arts flourish, known as the Eastern Heart Domain, meaning the heart of the Eastern Domain.

"This lack of competition naturally forged their personalities. Add to that the fact that in the decennial Green Talent List, the top ten spots are almost always dominated by Celestial Eagle Valley’s Direct Disciples. This has further fueled their tendency to look down on disciples from other forces in the Southeast Domain."

After hearing the Steward’s explanation, Lin Yun understood. As the sole hegemon of the Southeast Domain, there truly was no power that could contend with Celestial Eagle Valley.

He gave a slight smile. ’These self-important people are probably just Outer Disciples of Celestial Eagle Valley. The true Direct Disciples couldn’t possibly be so ignorant.’

’A single trip to the Eastern Heart Domain would be enough to teach them that, let alone the entire Celestial Spirit Continent, there are Five Great Forces in the Eastern Domain alone that can rival Celestial Eagle Valley.’

’These Outer Disciples have never even left the Southeast Domain, so of course, they look down on people from smaller powers.’

Paying no more heed to the mocking gazes, Lin Yun followed the Steward all the way to the Yanhuang Academy’s quarters.

It was a quaint courtyard, exquisitely arranged with rockeries and gardens. One look at its exterior was enough to tell that this courtyard must have been built at a considerable cost.

"Thank you. May I ask who is leading the group from Yanhuang Academy this time?" Lin Yun asked the Steward.

Hearing the question, the Steward thought for a moment before replying, "It’s the Academy President and the Vice Presidents. However, only one Vice President from Yanhuang Academy has come this time. The other one didn’t show up, and I don’t know the reason."

In previous years, all the major figures from each power would be present, as this event concerned the division of resources for the next ten years. And yet, this time, one of Yanhuang Academy’s Vice Presidents was absent.

Lin Yun felt a sense of unease. ’Could something have happened to Teacher?’

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