Adding Friends Can Make Me Stronger

Chapter 88: A First-Rank Sect! Xu Family, Zhan Yue Villa!

“The Xu Family of Dongming Lake.” Meng Changqing put away the map.

Dongming Lake was located at the border between the Tai Xuan Sect’s territory and the Flame Sun Valley.

The Xu Family was a subsidiary family of the Flame Sun Valley.

Members of the family’s younger generation usually joined the Flame Sun Valley.

The current eldest son of the Xu Family was named Xu You.

He had a second-rank aptitude, excellent comprehension, and was a true disciple of the Flame Sun Valley.

He was at the Seventh Stage of the Sea Cleaving Realm. He practiced the Earth-grade initial stage martial technique exclusive to the Flame Sun Valley, the “Fierce Yang Universe Palm.”

It was said that he had reached the stage of perfection.

He was among those who recently took the position of the Hidden Dragon of the Tai Xuan Sect.

He was currently ranked eighty-ninth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

“This opponent seems to be weaker, but it’s not bad to take advantage of a soft target,” Meng Changqing’s lips curled slightly.

At the same time, he remembered another thing.

When he came with the Shi Brothers, he learned from them that the two of them had been accepted as direct disciples by the old peak master of the Purple Nourishment Peak.

They became direct disciples.

“Why does no one want me?” Meng Changqing pinched his brow.

He didn’t mean he wanted to be anyone’s disciple.

With the system in place, the best way was to make friends, no need to become a disciple.

He just felt that this phenomenon was somewhat abnormal.

After all, the potential he displayed was not lower than that of the Shi Brothers.

“Forget it, it’s useless to think too much,” Meng Changqing shook his head slightly, speeding up and rushing forward.

Dongming Lake, a lake spanning nearly a hundred miles, surrounded by undulating mountains, like a natural barrier.

There were already many islands in the lake, large and small, resembling stars falling here or pearls on a jade plate.

The scenery was extremely beautiful.

The Xu Family was located in the central part of Dongming Lake, where the islands were the most densely packed.

At this time, many luxurious longboats were sailing over.

The Tai Xuan Sect’s opening of the Hidden Dragon Battle had long been announced to the world.

And so, many people wanted to come and join the fun, as well as see the strength of the young talents on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Once the Hidden Dragon Battle started, disciples on the Hidden Dragon Ranking could only stay where they were and were not allowed to leave for a short period.

This was a rule set by the four major forces.

Of course, the Hidden Dragon Battle referred to large-scale battles, not personal ones.

And the Hidden Dragon Battle couldn’t be opened at will.

It required meeting many conditions.

The Xu Family’s territory had thirty-nine islands.

It was already crowded with people.

There were members of their own clan, but more were outsiders, all waiting for the disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect to come and challenge them.

“The Tai Xuan Sect really holds grudges. Six disciples were defeated a few months ago, and they’re coming back for revenge so soon,” someone said.

“Yeah, generally speaking, they would be silent for two or three years before making a move,” someone replied.

“Do you guys know the latest gossip? Haven’t you heard of it?”

“What gossip? Come on, tell us quickly.”

Everyone immediately focused their attention and urged him.

“I heard someone say that the Tai Xuan Sect and the Flame Sun Valley both want to upgrade to a first-rank sect.”

As soon as the words fell, there was a sound of cold air being sucked in, continuously echoing.

Everyone’s eyes were filled with shock.

Upgrading to a first-rank sect… this was an earth-shattering event!

In the Tianling Prefecture, although the four major forces were equally strong, they were only second-rank in terms of rank.

Upgrading to a first rank was incredibly difficult!

Not to mention the Earth Ranking and Heavenly Ranking, just to occupy at least one-third of the one hundred spots on the Hidden Dragon Ranking was the minimum standard.

“No wonder the Hidden Dragon Battle is opening so frequently!” someone said excitedly. “But no matter who succeeds, our Tianling Prefecture will have a first-rank sect, and will no longer be weaker than other prefectures!”

For these people, it didn’t matter who won or lost. It was just the final significance that was different.

Compared to the bustling outside, it was quite quiet inside the Xu Family.

In the spacious hall, four people were sitting.

Xu Mingyang, the head of the Xu Family, his eldest son Xu You, and two others who were not from the Xu Family but had similarly high status: Cui Feiting, the master of the Zhanyue Villa, and his son Cui Qian.

“It’s all because of the Tai Xuan Sect. Brother Cui has been staying here at Dongming Lake for some time…” Xu Mingyang said with a smile.

“You’re exaggerating. It’s quite nice here. It saves me from going back to the villa and having to arrange the arena for the Tai Xuan Sect,” Cui Feiting said casually, picking up the tea next to him and taking a sip.

The situation of the Zhanyue Villa was similar to that of the Xu Family.

Both being forces on the Flame Sun Valley’s territory, both were naturally loyal to the Flame Sun Valley.

And his son, Cui Qian, was the same.

He recently defeated a disciple of the Tai Xuan Sect and was now ranked thirty-eighth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

This ranking was quite high.

Both of them looked quite young, around twenty-four or twenty-five years old.

In the sect, they were also good brothers.

The two families had a good relationship as early as a hundred years ago and had continued to this day.

“It’s because of the Tai Xuan Sect. It’s ridiculous that they want to upgrade to a first-rank sect. The Flame Sun Valley, although a latecomer, has deep roots now and is no longer inferior to the Tai Xuan Sect, even surpassing it,” Xu Mingyang chuckled, his laughter containing a hint of disdain.  “The actions of the Tai Xuan Sect today are nothing but futile efforts.”

“Indeed, the future of the Tianling Prefecture belongs to the Flame Sun Valley,” Cui Feiting nodded, putting down his teacup. “Although the Tai Xuan Sect has a long history and is said to have had dealings with the Central Province, it’s just an outdated force. Its time is coming to an end.”

“The Central Province, huh,” Xu Mingyang’s eyes flickered slightly.

That was the holy land of martial arts in everyone’s mind.

“Calculating the time, the disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect should be arriving soon,” Cui Feiting withdrew his thoughts and looked at his son Cui Qian. “Are you confident?”

“Father, do you think you’re underestimating me?” Cui Qian shook his head, his lips curling slightly. “With just a few rotten apples from the Tai Xuan Sect, I can defeat a few.”

“Hahaha, good!” Cui Feiting laughed heartily. “By holding onto this Hidden Dragon Battle, we will have contributed greatly to the Flame Sun Valley. When it is upgraded in the future, we will definitely benefit!”

As the voice fell, a voice came from outside the hall.

“Master of the family, the disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect have arrived!”