NOVPUBChapter 1165 -1164: Azure Dragon Town, One of the Top Ten Divine Bodies
Heavenly Saint Academy was located atop Heaven Holy Mountain.
It stood independently between the two domains, boasting a long history and a powerful backing.
The academy was quite renowned across the Mortal Domain.
However, very few would willingly come to this academy, as everyone knew it sealed the Cangwu Abyss.
The dangers of the academy were no less than those of an extremely dangerous place.
When Chaos had been flying nonstop for half a month,
the two finally left the North Sea and saw the silhouette of Heaven Holy Mountain standing on the horizon.
Its presence was faint, shrouded in boundless mist.
This vast land, stretching hundreds of miles, had no other living beings apart from Heaven Holy Mountain.
“We’re here,” Xie Changliu said.
“This academy really is desolate,” Xu Zimei remarked with a smile.
“As expected. But don’t be fooled by how unimpressive the Heavenly Saint Academy seems; its backing is strong enough that few dare to provoke it,” Xie Changliu explained.
“What kind of backing?” Xu Zimei asked curiously.
“You’ve probably heard of the Ghost God Realm, one of the Nine Domains, haven’t you?” Xie Changliu asked.
Xu Zimei nodded slightly.
“The Ghost God Realm has nine Mountain Ghosts, and among them, Mountain Ghost Kui was once the most sinister and evil figure in the Ghost God Realm.
Children would cry at the mention of his name, and even the most ruthless villains would tremble in fear and not dare to offend him.
Three million years ago, however, Kui suddenly reformed and sought to atone for his past sins by founding the Nine Ghosts Academy.
The Heavenly Saint Academy is the only branch of the Nine Ghosts Academy.”
“Was Mountain Ghost really so powerful?” Xu Zimei asked.
“It’s said the nine Mountain Ghosts rank just below the Thousand Calamities Doomsday, but I’ve never been to the Ghost God Realm, so I’m not entirely sure.”
As the two spoke, Chaos had already flown to the base of Heaven Holy Mountain.
It descended slowly before returning to the Divine Continent.
Xu Zimei looked up and gazed at the massive Heaven Holy Mountain, shrouded in a faint gray mist.
The Holy Mountain soared so high that its peak could not be seen at a glance.
The mountain’s steep slopes stretched endlessly upward, its sprawling ridges connected as if bridging heaven and earth, enveloped in a perpetual veil of clouds and mist.
Beside the mountain stood a stone stele.
“Heaven Holy Mountain, approximately 888,800 meters tall, with 1,860,000 steps. Among the thousand peaks of the Mortal Domain, this mountain reigns supreme.”
Upon seeing the stele, Xu Zimei glanced further upward. The densely packed stone steps were so overwhelming that anyone with a fear of crowds would find it unbearable.
“Let’s go up and take a look,” Xu Zimei said.
The two began sprinting along the stone steps, sometimes soaring like a great roc spreading its wings, other times treading through the air, moving with incredible speed.
Soon, they reached the mountainside.
There, a bustling town caught Xu Zimei’s attention with its lively chatter.
“This is Azure Dragon Town,” Xie Changliu, who had previously studied at the Heavenly Saint Academy, explained with familiarity.
He elaborated, “To enter Heavenly Saint Academy, we have to register here.
Don’t be deceived by its appearance as just a small town; there are hidden talents here, even Great Emperors.”
“Since you were once a student here, can’t you just go in directly?” Xu Zimei asked.
“For those of us who’ve left the academy, we only need to record our identity token,” Xie Changliu nodded.
“But you’ll need to officially register to join Heavenly Saint Academy; otherwise, they won’t allow strangers to enter.”
The two walked into Azure Dragon Town. Though called a town, its scale was larger than that of ordinary cities, yet it still retained its town designation.
Passing under the dragon-shaped plaque at the entrance, they found the area bustling with lively trade and vibrant blossoms in full bloom.
“Heaven Lake Flower! High-grade Heaven Lake Flower! Don’t miss out!”
“Ghost Wood! Pure Ghost Wood! Come take a look if you’re interested!”
Many small vendors lined the surrounding streets.
Though they appeared to be simple merchants, Xu Zimei observed them briefly and noted that their bodies were brimming with spiritual energy, clearly not ordinary individuals.
“Heavenly Saint Academy maintains an open policy toward Cangwu Abyss, which has led to a flourishing trade in spirit herbs here.
Outsiders often risk the dangers to harvest them, and the market demand is robust.
The only downside is the ever-present danger.
Frequent Cangwu Abyss uprisings leave those who venture in with a mere one-in-ten chance of survival.”
Xu Zimei nodded slightly and asked, “How can I join the Heavenly Saint Academy?”
Before Xie Changliu could respond, a figure suddenly rushed toward them and collided heavily with Xu Zimei.
“Ouch,” a startled cry rang out.
Xu Zimei didn’t budge an inch, but the figure fell to the ground.
The figure was a young woman, though dressed in men’s attire. Xu Zimei immediately recognized her.
Her face was smeared with soot, her skin covered in black smudges.
However, her hair was neatly tied into a small braid.
“I’m sorry,” the woman said to Xu Zimei before hastily running off into the distance.
“Catch her!” a loud shout came from behind.
Moments later, a group of people dressed as servants appeared, wielding various weapons.
“That little girl is over there!” someone shouted.
Though it seemed like a small incident, Xie Changliu’s expression turned grim.
“Did you sense it?” he asked.
“Sense what?” Xu Zimei asked in confusion.
Xie Changliu slowly drew his sword, which trembled incessantly.
The sword’s tip pointed in the direction the young woman had fled.
“My sword only reacts like this under two circumstances,” Xie Changliu explained.
“The first is when encountering someone more adept in Sword Dao than me.”
“And the second?” Xu Zimei prompted.
“One of the ten Legendary Physiques—the Immortal Sword Body,” Xie Changliu said solemnly.
“The ten Legendary Physiques,” Xu Zimei murmured.
He’d heard tales of the ten Legendary Physiques in the distant past, though he’d never seen one himself.
“Are you saying it’s that young woman?” Xu Zimei asked.
“Shall we follow her to find out?” Xie Changliu proposed.
“What’s this? You’ve taken an interest in the Sword Body?” Xu Zimei teased.
“For anyone who practices the Sword Dao, how could they not be intrigued?” Xie Changliu replied.
“For a swordsman, though effort is important,
there’s no denying some are simply born favored by the heavens.
Those with the Immortal Sword Body are born with an innate understanding of Immortal Sword Intent; they don’t even need to cultivate. They naturally comprehend sword hearts and sword spirits on their own.
Such prodigies are truly one in ten million.”
“Then let’s go take a look. I’m curious to see this legendary physique for myself,” Xu Zimei said.
The two followed behind the group.
The young woman ran through Azure Dragon Town, heading toward the base of Heaven Holy Mountain.
Perhaps in her haste, she stumbled and eventually collapsed on the steps.
After tumbling a short distance, she slammed heavily into a nearby stone.
The woman tried to stand and flee again, but her right leg seemed to have been broken, making it difficult even to get up.
“Run! Why aren’t you running now?” one of the servant-like men sneered as they stopped and surrounded her.
