The gigantic flying boat continued forcing its way forward through the raging storm that surrounded Hidden Dragon Island.

Violent winds crashed against the vessel from every direction like invisible mountains charging through the sky. Each collision sent powerful tremors through the hull, causing the enormous structure to groan heavily beneath the pressure.

The defensive formations engraved across the ship flared repeatedly.

Layers of radiant shields unfolded around the flying boat and wrapped it in circles of protective light. Yet every time those barriers appeared, they rippled violently beneath the impact of the surrounding gale, as if they might collapse at any moment.

The atmosphere on deck had already become tense.

Many ordinary disciples had turned pale from the constant shaking and pressure.

Even standing upright required them to circulate qi through their legs and meridians in order to resist the terrifying turbulence. Some gripped the railings tightly, while others planted their feet firmly and endured in silence.

Loose robes whipped wildly in the wind, and long hair lashed across faces as the storm roared around them.

The thunderous sound of violent air currents drowned out nearly every other noise.

Yet in complete contrast to the younger disciples, the elders of the Martial Ascension Gate remained calm and unmoved.

Peak Lord Shen Ming stood near the bow of the vessel with one hand behind his back. His robes snapped sharply in the wind, but his posture was as steady as a mountain.

His expression did not change in the slightest, as though the terrifying storm before them was nothing worthy of concern.

Several other elders stood nearby with equally composed faces.

To experts of their level, this chaos was merely an obstacle to cross rather than a danger to fear.

"Stabilize the third formation line," one elder suddenly commanded in a sharp and authoritative voice.

Even through the storm, the order rang clearly across the deck.

Several formation masters stationed aboard the vessel moved instantly.

They stepped toward engraved arrays built into the floor and pressed both palms against the glowing symbols. Streams of spiritual energy poured out from their bodies and flowed directly into the ship.

The vessel immediately responded.

The light surrounding the flying boat intensified, and the protective barriers thickened into several overlapping layers. Ancient runes across the hull lit one after another, while a deep humming vibration spread through the entire structure.

Then, with a thunderous burst of force, the flying boat surged deeper into the storm barrier.

Li Yun narrowed his eyes and stared ahead.

The nine dragon statues surrounding Hidden Dragon Island now appeared far more imposing than before.

Each colossal statue towered like a mountain suspended in the sky. Their surfaces were covered in weathered scars, ancient cracks, and marks left behind by countless years of wind and erosion.

Yet despite the passage of time, the pressure they emitted remained vast and overbearing.

They did not feel like lifeless carvings.

They felt like true dragons that had once guarded this place and had been turned to stone for eternity.

As the vessel drew closer, Li Yun noticed something even stranger.

The wind currents were no longer chaotic.

Instead, they spiraled around the island in countless ordered layers, rotating with a rhythm so precise that it resembled a natural defensive formation created by heaven itself.

Anyone who entered without sufficient strength or proper guidance would likely become trapped within those endless rotating currents until they were shredded apart.

No wonder Hidden Dragon Island was so difficult to reach.

The flying boat repeatedly adjusted its course.

At times it tilted sharply to avoid colliding currents.

At times it slowed to almost a halt.

At times it surged forward in sudden bursts through narrow openings in the storm.

It was clearly following a precise route known only to those familiar with the island.

Several times, enormous wind pillars swept past the vessel at terrifying speed, missing it by only dozens of feet.

Their force alone tore clouds apart for miles and left spiraling scars in the sky behind them.

Many disciples gasped openly at the sight.

Some instinctively stepped backward.

Others stared with pale faces at the destructive power passing so close to them.

Li Yun remained silent, but inwardly he was impressed.

Even entering this place required both skill and strength.

A lesser sect without deep foundations would never be able to bring disciples here safely.

Then, after one final violent tremor that shook the vessel from bow to stern, everything changed.

The crushing pressure disappeared.

The endless roar of the storm vanished behind them.

The flying boat had broken through the final storm layer and entered the calm inner skies of Hidden Dragon Island.

A collective sigh of relief spread across the deck.

Many disciples unconsciously relaxed their shoulders. Some laughed nervously after realizing they had been holding their breath, while others wiped sweat from their foreheads.

After enduring the relentless storm outside, the silence within the inner skies felt almost unreal.

Li Yun slowly lifted his gaze.

Before them, the full island finally revealed itself.

Lush forests stretched across vast lands rich with spiritual vitality. Ancient stone roads crossed mountains, valleys, rivers, and plains like the veins of a forgotten kingdom.

Towering structures stood throughout different regions of the island.

Some resembled ancient temples hidden among cliffs.

Some looked like training towers built to challenge the strong.

Some were grand halls forged from dark stone and shining metal.

Every structure carried an old and mysterious aura, as if countless geniuses from different eras had once gathered there.

At the center of everything stood the gigantic arena.

It dominated the island like the beating heart of the entire land.

Its walls rose like cliffs, while countless layered battle platforms and towering spectator stands surrounded the central combat grounds. Massive pillars encircled the arena, each carved with dragons and ancient runes.

Even from a distance, one could feel the aura of countless battles that had taken place there over the years.

The flying boat gradually descended from the sky.

Its enormous shadow swept across plazas, training grounds, and gathered cultivators from many other forces who had already arrived before them.

Figures from various sects raised their heads and watched the Martial Ascension Gate vessel approach.

Some observed calmly.

Some watched with curiosity.

Some revealed faint hostility and competitive intent.

Soon, with a deep rumbling sound, the flying boat landed upon a massive docking platform carved entirely from black stone.

The platform shook slightly beneath its immense weight.

Formation lights across the vessel dimmed one after another until they fully faded.

The great sails slowly lowered as the ship came to rest.

The journey had finally ended.

They had reached Hidden Dragon Island.

Li Yun stepped toward the edge of the deck and looked across the island with bright, focused eyes.

A faint smile gradually appeared on his face as anticipation rose in his chest.

He could already sense that countless geniuses had gathered here, and the coming clashes would shake the younger generation of the Southern Martial Domain.

"This is going to be fun," he said quietly as the wind moved through his robes.