Before arriving in the Southern Martial Domain, they had already heard that this year’s champion of the Hidden Dragon Tournament had not even reached the Essence Qi Realm.

At first, they had been somewhat disappointed.

In their eyes, the Southern Martial Domain was already the weakest among the Four Great Martial Domains. Yet now, even the champion of the Hidden Dragon Tournament had failed to enter the Essence Qi Realm.

This naturally made them suspect that the Southern Martial Domain had declined even further.

However, the moment they personally saw Li Yun, those thoughts disappeared completely.

Although Li Yun’s cultivation was only at Half-Step Essence Qi Realm, the aura he emitted was terrifyingly solid and oppressive.

It was not the aura of a powerful cultivation realm.

Instead, it was the pressure produced by an incomparably monstrous foundation.

As geniuses who had grown up within the Eastern Martial Domain, they understood very clearly what such an aura represented.

Only true heaven-defying geniuses possessing terrifying foundations could emit such frightening pressure despite having lower cultivation realms.

At this moment, one of the young men suddenly smiled faintly.

"It seems a person truly cannot be judged merely by cultivation realm alone."

As he spoke, he looked directly toward Li Yun.

"When we first arrived in the Southern Martial Domain and heard that this generation’s Hidden Dragon Tournament champion had not even entered the Essence Qi Realm, we honestly believed that the Southern Martial Domain had declined even further than before."

"But after seeing you personally, it appears we were mistaken."

"You are clearly an anomaly."

"A cultivator with a foundation as terrifying as yours is extremely rare even within the Eastern Martial Domain."

After saying this, the young man took out the token with a sword symbol and said.

"We are disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect from the Eastern Martial Domain."

"This time, we came to the Southern Martial Domain under the orders of our sect to escort the geniuses who performed exceptionally well in the Hidden Dragon Tournament back to the Eastern Martial Domain."

"You are naturally among them."

Hearing the words "Heavenly Sword Sect," the expressions of many elders within the hall changed slightly.

Clearly, the Heavenly Sword Sect possessed extraordinary status even within the Eastern Martial Domain.

At this moment, another young man stepped forward calmly.

"Li Yun."

"You still have three days remaining."

"During these three days, you may settle any remaining matters within the Southern Martial Domain."

"After three days, come to Pound Lotus Peak to meet us."

"From there, we will depart directly for the Eastern Martial Domain."

As his voice faded, the three young men no longer lingered within the Grand Ascension Hall.

Their figures flashed simultaneously before disappearing completely from the hall.

Only the faint lingering sword intent they left behind remained within the surrounding air.

The moment the three disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect disappeared from the Grand Ascension Hall, the heavy pressure lingering within the hall finally faded away completely.

Only then did many of the elders secretly let out long breaths of relief.

Even the Sect Master himself slowly relaxed his expression.

One of the elders wiped the cold sweat from his forehead before speaking with lingering shock in his voice.

"The pressure emitted by those three young men was truly terrifying..."

Another elder nodded solemnly.

"Although they are from the younger generation, the aura they released was already far more oppressive than that of ordinary Mortal Core Realm experts."

"No wonder the Eastern Martial Domain is considered the true center of martial cultivation."

"The geniuses there are simply monsters."

At this moment, another elder could not help but glance toward the Sect Master.

"To be honest," he said with a bitter smile, "the aura released by those three youths even felt more terrifying than the Sect Master’s."

Hearing this, the surrounding elders all fell silent.

Although those words sounded somewhat shocking, nobody refuted them.

Because it was the truth.

The strength and foundations of those three young men had already exceeded the imagination of many people within the Southern Martial Domain.

At this moment, Li Yun slowly stepped forward before respectfully cupping his fists toward the Sect Master and the various elders.

"Sect Master, elders..."

"Once I leave for the Eastern Martial Domain, I hope the sect can help take care of my family here in the Southern Martial Domain."

Although Li Yun was confident in his own future, his greatest concern before leaving was still the safety of his family.

After all, once he departed for the Eastern Martial Domain, returning would not be easy.

Hearing Li Yun’s words, the Sect Master immediately laughed loudly.

"Hahaha! Li Yun, you truly worry too much."

The Sect Master waved his hand confidently before continuing.

"You are now the Grand Elder of our Martial Ascension Gate."

"The families of every elder within the sect are personally protected by a special force secretly trained by the Martial Ascension Gate."

"Your family naturally falls under that protection as well."

"As long as our Martial Ascension Gate still stands, nobody within the Southern Martial Domain will dare touch your family."

The Sect Master looked directly at Li Yun with a serious expression.

"So you do not need to worry about such matters anymore."

"Go to the Eastern Martial Domain with a peaceful and worry-free heart."

Hearing those words, the last trace of concern within Li Yun’s heart finally disappeared completely.

He immediately cupped his fists respectfully once again.

"Thank you very much, Sect Master."

Afterward, Li Yun turned toward Elder Feiyu as well.

"And thank you, Elder Feiyu, for everything you have done for me during this period."

Elder Feiyu smiled warmly.

"There is no need for such politeness between us anymore."

Li Yun nodded silently.

After exchanging a few more words with the elders, Li Yun finally turned around and slowly left the Grand Ascension Hall.

As everyone watched Li Yun’s departing figure, complicated expressions appeared within many of their eyes.

They all understood clearly.

The moment Li Yun stepped into the Eastern Martial Domain...

The true stage belonging to him would finally begin.

----

After leaving the Grand Ascension Hall, Li Yun directly headed toward Heaven Mandate Peak.

Among all the people within the Martial Ascension Gate, Peak Lord Shen Ming of Heaven Mandate Peak had undoubtedly taken care of him the most.

Back when Li Yun was still weak, Shen Ming had openly protected him multiple times.

If not for Shen Ming’s support, Li Yun would have likely suffered severe suppression from people such as Mo Xuanyu long ago.

Thinking about this, a faint cold light flashed through Li Yun’s eyes.

"That reminds me..."

"Where exactly has Mo Xuanyu been hiding all this time?"

Ever since their previous conflict, Li Yun had never encountered Mo Xuanyu again.

However, Li Yun clearly understood what kind of person Mo Xuanyu was.

A poisonous snake like him would never willingly give up resentment.

To Li Yun, someone like Mo Xuanyu was no different from a hidden cancer.

If possible, Li Yun naturally preferred to completely eliminate such a threat before leaving the Southern Martial Domain for the Eastern Martial Domain.