Suddenly arriving in this strange place, Cang Li stayed on guard, only to see a figure rushing happily toward him.
"Xiao Jin?" A flicker of joy flashed unconsciously across Cang Li's eyes.
But immediately, caution returned. Was this really Xiao Jin? Could it not be some illusion?
Yet the moment Yun Jin opened her mouth, hearing that unmistakable tone and style, Cang Li instantly discarded his doubts. This kind of uniquely conspicuous behavior—if it wasn't Yun Jin, who else in the world could it be?
"Little Junior Sister." Cang Li revealed a genuine smile, quickly pulling her behind him protectively before asking, "Why are you here as well?"
The others all glanced over quietly.
Among them, the first two to arrive here had been this girl and another man.
They also wanted to know—what exactly was this place?
Perhaps this girl knew something.
Yun Jin chuckled. "I and this Senior Di were also suddenly transmitted here."
Saying this, she suddenly remembered Di Xiao. She hurriedly waved at him. "Senior Di, come over here quickly. Did you forget? The three of us are the very best in the world."
Di Xiao's face darkened.
A moment ago it was just him and her being the best in the world. In the blink of an eye, the same words had been handed to Cang Li.
Now it had become the three of them together as the best? Was there ever a true word that came from this woman's mouth!
Di Xiao stood rooted to the spot, unwilling to speak to Yun Jin at all.
"Senior Di, what are you standing there dazing for? Hurry up and come here," Yun Jin called again.
Everyone's gaze shifted repeatedly between her and Di Xiao.
Di Xiao took a deep breath. He had a feeling—if he did not go over, Yun Jin would shout endlessly without stopping. Expressionless, Di Xiao walked over.
Seeing him, shock surfaced on Cang Li's face. Without a word, he bowed respectfully.
The King of Spirit Beasts, one of the topmost powerhouses capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with his own master—such strength deserved his salute.
Yun Jin grinned, lowering her voice. "Here there are nine roads, so there should be nine people in total. If the three of us join hands, then even if the other six unite, we'll have nothing to fear."
Di Xiao coldly replied, "Even if it were me alone against all eight of you, it would still be no problem."
Yun Jin immediately grew displeased. "Senior, whether you can win or not is one thing, but having no allies at all only makes you look bad. Unlike me, naturally likable as I am, you should all the more learn how to make friends. I am introducing my friend to you, yet you act proud and aloof?"
Di Xiao just stared blankly at Yun Jin.
He hadn't said anything yet, but Cang Li was already breaking into a cold sweat. This was the King of Spirit Beasts! One of the pinnacle beings of this realm. And yet his little junior sister dared speak so boldly, not fearing at all that she might provoke him. Strange thing was, though this King of Spirit Beasts seemed on the verge of erupting, he still forced himself to endure.
Cang Li secretly clicked his tongue. Even his master might not be able to make this beast king suppress his temper like this!
As the three spoke, Bai Yiran looked up at the sky, her brows slightly furrowed. "There are nine roads, yet only eight of us so far. Where is the final one?"
The image above remained dark and indistinct, nothing visible.
[One more has yet to make a choice. Please wait for one quarter hour. If no response is given, the ninth position will be reassigned.]
The mechanical voice rang out again.
Nine were required, but only eight had responded. Still, it was only a matter of waiting one quarter hour, so none of them were anxious.
Yun Jin glanced curiously at the other five besides her, Cang Li, and Di Xiao. Of the eight, she and Cang Li were the weakest, both only at Tribulation. The rest, even the lowest, were Mahayana cultivators.
"Senior Brother Cang, do you know any of them?" Yun Jin asked by voice transmission.
She was honestly surprised. After all her diligent efforts, she was surely a well-known figure in this realm by now.
She had even deliberately spoken aloud to attract attention. But judging from the looks in their eyes, none of these people seemed to recognize her at all. Was it that her efforts were still lacking, or that these five had backgrounds entirely beyond her reach?
Cang Li quietly replied, "Only one. That burliest one is a Xuandan Gate elder, Man Sen. Though from Xuandan Gate, he preferred fighting over alchemy. About a hundred years ago, he went traveling outside, and from then on no word was heard of him."
"Man Sen…"
Yun Jin's gaze landed curiously on the man.
A combat-type alchemist? Now that was interesting.
The other four, even Cang Li had no idea. Yun Jin looked at them one by one. Two of them appeared like normal humans. But the other two looked strange. One's body was covered in densely packed scales, his skin a dark green, radiating a faintly sinister aura.
The other, at first glance, looked human, but behind him were folded wings.
"You are of another race, aren't you?" Bai Yiran asked directly.
That man sneered. "Another race? In our eyes, you humans are the true outsiders."
Bai Yiran did not get angry. She nodded calmly. "I misspoke. Since the eight of us have all come to the same place, why not introduce ourselves? I am Bai Yiran, merely a loose cultivator."
Her reaction stunned the winged man for a moment, softening his expression.
He spoke slowly. "Feather (Yu) Clan: Yu Shiyi."
When saying his name, pride flashed across his face.
But seeing no recognition from the others, Yu Shiyi stiffened, adding, "Our Clan is among the top great clans of the Nanlan Continent. By our rules, only the top hundred strongest may be named with a number. I am Yu Shiyi, meaning I rank eleventh among all our clan's experts."
On the Nanlan Continent, simply speaking his name would command respect and awe. But here, even after his explanation, the most he got was mild curiosity. None were awed.
The scaled man spoke next. "Lan Xi, from the Boundless Sea."
His tone was cool, and with that simple sentence he fell silent.
Boundless Sea!
The most mysterious region of this realm.
Everyone couldn't help but look more closely at Lan Xi.
"An," an elderly man said with a smile. "Also a loose cultivator."
"Man Sen," the burly one followed. "A loose cultivator."
As he spoke, he casually glanced toward Cang Li. He remembered crossing paths with this Kunlun Sword Sect disciple once before. But in such a situation, he would never be so foolish as to reveal it.
Cang Li hesitated briefly, then said, "Cang Li. A loose cultivator."
Yun Jin: "…"
So be it. As long as one was human, apparently they were all "just loose cultivators."
She coughed lightly and added, "Yun Jin. A loose cultivator."
She carefully observed everyone's expressions. To her dismay, not a flicker of recognition appeared. Her heart ached—so all her hard work was still not enough? She had even given her true name, and not a single one recognized her!
It was too frustrating.
"Di Xiao," Di Xiao reported flatly, and said no more.
Yet everyone's eyes toward him grew more guarded.
Of the eight, the strongest was likely none other than this Di Xiao!
After the simple introductions, suddenly the image above changed.
All lifted their heads to look.
At last—the ninth was about to appear.