Even after leaving the central plaza, Yun Jin didn't dare relax for a moment.
Her mind stayed tense, chatting and laughing with everyone as if nothing was wrong, yet she kept stealing glances toward the plaza, a mix of respect and caution in her eyes.
Her performance was flawless. The four Immortal Emperors only observed her for a while before shifting their attention elsewhere.
They were Immortal Emperors, after all. For them, the beings in a mere small world weren't worth wasting much thought on. They never expected Yun Jin could evade their schemes. Once she entered the board, she was just another piece for them to move.
What the four Immortal Emperors truly feared was the sealed demon. As long as they kept their eyes on that demon, this time, they could achieve what they wanted.
"Xiao Jin, the super sect competitions of the four regions are about to start. Who do you think will take the crown this time?" Qing Yun asked.
Yun Jin smiled, "Even if Wushuang Sect doesn't participate, I think the crown still belongs to the Qingxiao region."
Several super sects in Qingxiao were affiliated with Wushuang Sect.
Even Qingxiao Pavilion itself followed Wushuang Sect.
With Yun Jin's improved cultivation techniques, Qingxiao's strength now clearly surpassed the other regions.
But.
After the demon clan was utterly destroyed, Yun Jin also passed her improved techniques to other regions. Humanity's body-refinement methods, under the guidance of the four Holy Lands, became a compulsory course for every mortal.
With this, the overall strength of the small world would gradually increase.
When a certain threshold was reached, a third-tier small world could upgrade to a second-tier, then eventually a first-tier.
Every time the small world upgraded, its peak strength would rise a level. In this way, the beings of this world wouldn't need to rush to ascend.
The peak of a first-tier small world was equivalent to the Jinxian of the Immortal Realm. If someone reached Jinxian before ascending, they'd be far safer in the Immortal Realm.
"Heh heh, much obliged," Lu Shen said proudly after hearing Yun Jin, showing the satisfaction of finally having a chance to stand tall after years under the Sword Sect's dominance.
Ji Wusi raised an eyebrow, "Wait, in the next five years, the other regions will catch up. Even then, my Sword Sect region will still be first!"
Yun Jin smiled but let out a faint sigh in her heart.
The next five years?
She wished there'd never be a next five years. When the Sky City opened again, this small world would likely face utter destruction.
She didn't let any worry show. With the demon clan gone, everyone else in this year's Sky City relaxed, enjoying the final grand festival to the fullest.
The super sect competition of the four regions unfolded in a harmonious atmosphere.
As Yun Jin predicted, Qingxiao region remained the strongest overall. But no other region complained. Compared to competition, most just enjoyed the atmosphere.
In the end, the victorious super sect was Juling Sect of Qingxiao Pavilion. The sect masters of the four Holy Lands personally awarded the prize. Then came the nonstop banquet that would continue until Sky City vanished into the void again.
Night fell, the sun and moon hung high.
Fireworks bloomed in the sky as everyone drank and laughed. Those who had fought fiercely on the arena now leaned on each other, joking. Cultivators from all four regions gathered together, and without demon clan spies, there was far less scheming. What remained was pure joy.
Ji Wusi lifted his wine jug and slapped Yun Jin's shoulder, "I'm telling you! That little punk Wan Dao, I finally beat him once! My eye for disciples is way better than his!"
Qing Yun, cheeks flushed, laughed, "Not bad, not bad. My eye for disciples is just as good as yours! That Wan Dao may have been Xiao Jin's master too, but sadly, he didn't live to see this…"
"So he lost in the end," Ji Wusi said with a smile, raising his cup and drinking deeply.
Indeed.
Wan Dao Saint had lost.
Ji Wusi smiled, but his eyes slowly grew moist. He'd sacrificed himself a thousand years ago.
Back then, no one could have imagined that a millennium later, an unparalleled genius would emerge and end the human-demon conflict once and for all. If Wan Dao had still been alive, he'd surely have been gratified.
A thousand years had passed, and no one knew if he'd already entered reincarnation.
Ji Wusi slowly drank, then looked up at the sky. Fireworks reflected on every joyful face below. For now, this scene could only be watched on Wan Dao's behalf.
Under the blanket of fireworks, suddenly, everyone felt it.
Laughter paused.
Everyone stood and looked toward the city outskirts.
Every time Sky City was about to close, the timing wasn't exact, but they could sense it in advance. Then, the entire city would slowly rise until it completely vanished into the void.
"Let's go," Ji Wusi said, "time to leave Sky City."
Yun Jin smiled and nodded, though a cold gleam flashed in her eyes.
Sky City was about to vanish into the void. The sealed demon would certainly make a move. With her five-element protection, she wasn't afraid of the demon's attacks.
But, she didn't want to reveal her trump card in front of the four Immortal Emperors just yet.
She had to fake being seriously injured to make Zi Mo and the others feel safe, giving her five years of peace.
Otherwise.
Even if she entered the void, who knew what tricks the Immortal Emperors might leave behind?
Yun Jin followed the main group as everyone left Sky City.
Ji Wusi and the others bid her farewell and returned to their own regions.
Yun Jin returned to Qingxiao region.
Everyone from Wushuang Sect looked up at the sky with her.
Sky City slowly rose at first, then faster and faster, until it became a tiny point of light. A crack opened on the distant horizon, like a giant beast slowly opening its mouth.
Sky City gradually entered the rift.
Everyone was used to the sight, chatting and laughing while waiting for the city to vanish into the void. The city slowly moved inward, the rift gradually closed, leaving only the last sliver.
"Let's return to the sect. Nothing more to see," Hong Ye said, turning to talk to Qin Ping.
Suddenly,
A terrifying sensation surged through her heart, and her pupils constricted sharply!
At the very moment the rift was about to close!
A ray of light shot from the rift, crashing down toward the mortal world!