Ever since Ling Feng advanced to the Human Emperor realm, a sudden unease had taken root in his heart. He found himself thinking of the companions and elders back in Tianbai Imperial City. A faint sense of foreboding lingered, as if something major had already happened there.

Even so, he did not dwell on it too much. In the Tianbai Empire, a Human Emperor already stood at the peak. Li Bufan was backed by the Grand Commandant's family. Jiang Xiaofan had "Pill Devil" and "Sword Maniac" behind him, both peak Human Emperors. As for Yan Cangtian, his accumulated strength had long been waiting to erupt. With the complete Art of Simple Detachment in his possession, he had likely made further breakthroughs.

Given all that, there should not be many who could truly threaten them.

Ling Feng suppressed his concerns. The Sunset Heaven Selection would begin in just a few months. If he missed this opportunity, there was no telling how long he would have to wait for the next one.

The thought of competing against the top geniuses of the entire Dongling Region stirred his excitement. He also had his sights firmly set on securing a spot to enter Sunset Ancient City.

With the fate of the Heavenly Dao Clan on his shoulders, he would never let any chance to grow stronger slip away.

...

The next day.

Ling Feng made some simple preparations and set out together with Li Fei, Feng Ling, and Lin Mu, heading back to the Dongling Immortal Pool.

Chu Tiange had already left ahead of them. After gaining insights from the Hunting Battlefield, he had returned early to enter seclusion and prepare for the upcoming Sunset Heaven Selection.

"Brother Ling, I knew it would be you who took first place this time. Hahaha! Once you return to the sect, let's see who still dares to stop you from becoming an inner sect disciple!"

Lin Mu played with Ling Feng's Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes token, grinning from ear to ear. He looked even happier than if he had achieved it himself.

Ling Feng shook his head with a wry smile. Ever since Lin Mu found out about the token, he had insisted on borrowing it to admire. It had already been an hour, yet he still had not grown tired of it.

"Brother Ling, now that you are one of the Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes, why not aim for a spot among the Ten Young Emperors once you return? I have high hopes for you!"

Lin Mu chuckled mischievously.

After all, the Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes were chosen from among the Young Emperors of past generations. Ling Feng's standing already surpassed most Young Emperors by a considerable margin.

"We will see."

Ling Feng smiled faintly. He had little interest in empty titles. Still, if there were tangible benefits, he would not mind competing for them.

At the very least, that so-called Unrivaled Young Emperor had made it clear he would not let this go. In that case, it was only a matter of seeing who would come out on top.

...

After finishing their preparations, the group of four left the Hall of War and took to the skies, heading toward the Dongling Immortal Pool.

Since they had separated from the main group, they had to return on their own. Their speed could not match the flying vessel that used spatial jumps, but after about three days of travel, they would reach Iron Ice City. From there, they could use the teleportation array to return to the sect.

At that moment, a white figure approached rapidly from behind. Ling Feng did not even need to turn around to know it was Yu Qingping.

Ever since Ling Feng advanced to the Human Emperor realm and became one of the Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes, something in her mindset had begun to shift.

In her eyes, Qin Zusheng, the Unrivaled Young Emperor, had always been the embodiment of strength and genius. She had followed Ling Feng relentlessly, determined to make him kneel and apologize.

However, Ling Feng's growth had been too fast. Now that he stood among the Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes, she could no longer be certain that Qin Zusheng would win!

Because of that, she chose to keep following Ling Feng. This time, it was not to force an apology. It was to ensure that if Qin Zusheng lost, she could beg Ling Feng to show mercy.

"Senior Sister Yu."

Lin Mu and the others were not surprised to see her. She had been trailing Ling Feng all along, so her appearance now felt completely natural.

In Lin Mu's eyes, the situation carried a subtle implication. Everyone knew Yu Qingping was close to the Unrivaled Young Emperor. Now that she was sticking so close to Ling Feng, it gave the impression that someone might be wearing a rather unfortunate shade of green on his head.

Of course, Lin Mu kept that thought to himself. Besides, Ling Feng clearly had no interest in such matters.

"Mm."

Yu Qingping nodded. This time, she did not bring up the matter of apology. She simply followed behind in silence, her expression carrying a faint trace of disappointment.

The thought that Qin Zusheng might lose weighed on her mind. She did not care much about victory or defeat, but she knew it would hit him hard.

Ling Feng could see through her thoughts at a glance. He merely shrugged and said nothing.

He no longer regarded her as an enemy, but he would never lower himself for her sake. If Qin Zusheng insisted on a fight, Ling Feng would not back down.

Everything would be decided by strength!

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

After traveling day and night, the group finally arrived at Iron Ice City by noon on the third day.

"We are finally back!"

Lin Mu stretched lazily and looked at the familiar icy city with a smile.

"Yes. We are back."

Ling Feng nodded as well. When he first arrived here, he had only been an early-tier Spiritual Sea Realm cultivator. He had endured countless cold stares and was even injured by Elder Qingxuan of the Blazing Sun Divine Hall.

Now everything has changed. He had become one of the "Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes". Yet all of it had happened within just a few short months.

As disciples of the Dongling Immortal Pool, they could stay at Xianyao Pavilion for free. They headed toward the northern part of the city. After a short rest, they would use the teleportation array there to return to the sect.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of Xianyao Pavilion. Even before getting close, they heard a loud argument.

At the entrance, a servant dressed like an inn attendant spoke with clear impatience.

"I have told you a hundred times already. The Dongling Immortal Pool selection is over. If you want to join, come back next year. Stop bothering me. The people inside are all immortals from the Immortal Pool. Do you think someone like you can just meet them whenever you want?"

"I have urgent business with a senior brother from the Immortal Pool. It is extremely important. Please make an exception!"

The speaker was a ragged young man, his face filled with anxiety.

"Damn it, I see people like you all the time. Trying to rely on connections to sneak in. Forget it. You are not getting through. Look at yourself. A one armed cripple like you thinks he can join the Dongling Immortal Pool?"

Everyone looked over.

Only then did they notice that the young man's right sleeve hung empty. Below the shoulder, there was nothing there.

He had lost his right arm!