On the high platform, the group of Nascent Soul cultivators were also conversing with each other. The atmosphere was quite lively, perfectly matching the mood of the day.
A middle-aged cultivator who looked like a scholar in a red shirt smiled and looked at Li Yan.
"Fellow Daoist Li, I hear you've returned from the Forsaken Continent. It's a pity that someone like me, who has been in the Nascent Soul realm for hundreds of years, has never been there."
"Regarding that continent, I've only read some descriptions in ancient texts. Could Fellow Daoist Li perhaps give us a brief introduction to the cultivation world there, to broaden our horizons, hehehe..."
The red-shirted scholar's words immediately caught the attention of others. Many faces showed looks of keen interest, and they all stopped talking to look at Li Yan.
They had come here for two main reasons: first, to congratulate the Malevolent Spirit Sect, and second, to take this opportunity to exchange experiences and trade treasures with other Nascent Soul cultivators.
Therefore, after the Nascent Soul ceremony, they, like those Golden Core cultivators, would hold a small private trade fair.
These Nascent Soul old monsters were the ones with the truly good stuff. Any cultivation method or material they brought out would certainly be a rarity in this realm.
And the information the red-shirted scholar asked for was something the other Nascent Soul cultivators also wanted to know.
Information about the Forsaken Continent might seem ordinary to Li Yan and Zhao Min, but to others, its significance was immense.
Although many people here had also traveled across realms for training, they usually went to the Wind God Continent or other minor realms more often.
For places that were too distant, they had to consider the level of danger. After all, they were not Spirit Transformation cultivators, and the probability of perishing in the chaotic flow space was still very high.
Among the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Desolate Moon Continent, there were of course some who had been to the distant Verdant Continent and Forsaken Continent.
However, among the visiting Nascent Soul cultivators today, not a single one had been to the Forsaken Continent.
Therefore, being able to obtain information about the cultivation world of another continent, and then comparing it with the texts they had seen, would allow them to learn more anecdotes. This was extremely valuable for any Nascent Soul cultivator.
It was hard to say when it might come in handy; perhaps it could even save their life one day.
Apart from Li Yan, perhaps Wei Zhongran knew the most about the Forsaken Continent. When Li Yan and Zhao Min recounted their experiences over the years, Wei Zhongran had already heard a great deal.
When Li Yan and the other returned, Wei Zhongran had sealed a lot of their information, only saying that the two were brought back from the Forsaken Continent by someone else, and saying nothing more.
However, some people guessed that the "someone else" was likely the Wei Family Ancestor, as some people were still aware that the Wei Family Ancestor had crossed realms to search for Zhao Min.
Therefore, no one here knew that Li Yan and his group had later gone to the Verdant Continent. Otherwise, they would have been even more shocked.
Li Yan also looked at the red-shirted scholar. He was a cultivator at the peak of the initial-stage Nascent Soul, with a lean face and skin that looked somewhat dry and tight.
Through Mo Qing's earlier introduction, he knew that this person was the ancestor of the "Fire Cloud Sect," a sect under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Mystery Teachings. His name was Qi Jinghong, and he had been a Nascent Soul for over eight hundred years, yet he had remained stuck at the initial stage.
Mo Qing had also informed Li Yan via voice transmission that although this Qi Jinghong was only at the initial-stage Nascent Soul, his true strength was quite formidable.
The "Fire Cloud Sect" cultivated explosive and fierce fire-attribute cultivation methods. Within their sect, there was a method called the "Yuanyang Art," which could cultivate the purest and most yang fire under the heavens.
This fire was said to be able to incinerate all things in the world. When cultivated to the highest realm, it could even contend with the legendary Vermilion Bird.
The "Yuanyang Art" was also the greatest counter to sects like those that dealt with yin ghosts, and half of the Malevolent Spirit Sect's cultivation methods followed the path of yin and evil.
In fact, there was something else Mo Qing hadn't mentioned. Because his own cultivation was in the way of assassination, his techniques were skewed towards the sinister and deviant.
He had once fought with Qi Jinghong, but was suppressed by the other's cultivation method, which only allowed him to exert seventy to eighty percent of his full power, leaving him quite frustrated.
However, those skilled in assassination were also extremely skilled in the art of escape. The principle was to strike once, and if it missed, to immediately flee a thousand li. It would not be easy for Qi Jinghong to completely defeat Mo Qing.
The main reason for this was that although both Qi Jinghong and Mo Qing were at the peak of the initial-stage Nascent Soul, Qi Jinghong had formed his Nascent Soul about three hundred years earlier than Mo Qing, and his magical power was much purer.
Otherwise, with the clash of yin and yang, it would be uncertain who would suppress whom.
Among these Nascent Soul cultivators, the one with the highest realm was the Sky Island Master of the Twelve Dens, Ye Fengsan, who had reached the mid-stage Nascent Soul.
The others were all at the initial-stage Nascent Soul. As for who was stronger or weaker in actual combat, Li Yan thought it was uncertain.
It wasn't just Qi Jinghong, who Mo Qing had mentioned via voice transmission. Even Arhat Yiye, who had been whispering with him just now, felt to Li Yan to have vast and profound magical power. He was likely the most durable "tank" type.
As for Mu Zuowang of the Divine Wood Family, this person was originally a powerful mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Unfortunately, his Divine Soul was severely injured in the great war with the demons.
Even though he later spent a huge price to purchase a spirit object to repair his Divine Soul, because he missed the optimal time, his cultivation eventually fell to the initial-stage Nascent Soul.
For the rest of his life, unless he encountered another heaven-defying opportunity, it would be exceedingly difficult for him to even re-cultivate back to the mid-stage Nascent Soul.
This led to Mu Zuowang being very quiet and reserved after his arrival. When others spoke to him, he would only occasionally respond with a sentence or two. It seemed this matter had become a knot in his heart.
In fact, the main reason Mu Zuowang had come this time was not to attend the Nascent Soul ceremony, but because he knew this was a rare gathering of Nascent Souls.
He hoped to get news of several rare treasures from the mouths of the various Nascent Souls, or better yet, to have the opportunity to obtain them directly, so that his cultivation could see some improvement.
Qi Jinghong's inquiry about other continents was something that Nascent Soul cultivators took very seriously. It was hard to say when they might end up on some other continent in search of an ascension node.
This was a way of accumulating their own experience through the experiences of others.
To ask at this time, although it had a hint of taking advantage, on such a joyous day, especially since they were here to congratulate Li Yan, it didn't seem too inappropriate at first glance.
"Yo, old ghost Qi, you sure know how to pick your moments. Information like this is worth a supreme-grade spirit stone. I could tell it to you for that price."
Before Li Yan could answer, Li Yuyin, at his side, spoke with a sneer on her lips and a hint of laziness in her tone.
This old fellow was clearly trying to take advantage of the situation. It was already good enough that their Malevolent Spirit Sect didn't take advantage of others, yet someone was trying to fleece one of their own.
Her words not only left Li Yan dumbfounded but also made the faces of everyone else darken.
This vixen was too ruthless. What was all this? A supreme-grade spirit stone right off the bat? Why don't you just go rob someone?
To say that Li Yan's information was valuable was true, but it could probably be exchanged for one or two hundred high-grade spirit stones. This vixen was trying to tear off a large, bloody piece of flesh with a single bite.
But everyone here was an old fox. After hearing Li Yuyin's words, they all immediately became composed and aloof. Even Mo Qing pretended not to hear, half-closing his eyes.
Since no one else spoke, Qi Jinghong had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak again with a smile on his face.
"It was indeed rash of me. I am very interested in this information and am willing to exchange spirit stones for it. Fellow Daoist Li can name a price!"
At the same time, he was cursing furiously in his heart.
'You're a newly advanced Nascent Soul and you're already this arrogant. Does the Malevolent Spirit Sect really think it's the overlord of the entire Desolate Moon Continent!'
Li Yan immediately waved his hand gently, a smile also on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Qi, you're overthinking it. Senior Sister Li was just joking, otherwise, she wouldn't have mentioned a supreme-grade spirit stone."
"Regarding the news about the Forsaken Continent, I'm sure all you fellow Daoists know a great deal already. What I have to say is probably no great secret. The main division there is between the Black and White Demon Clans. The east is for the Black Demon Clan, and the west is for the White Demon Clan..."
Then, Li Yan selectively recounted some matters of the cultivation world on the Forsaken Continent. But when it came to secrets concerning the "Sacred Demon Palace" and the like, he simply said he didn't know the details.
He didn't want people to know how much he knew about the "Sacred Demon Palace." Anyone with a mind to would surely find many problems with it if they listened closely.
With his cultivation realm at the time, it would have been impossible for him to be so familiar with a super-sect, which could bring endless trouble to Zhao Min. After the crowd listened to Li Yan's simple introduction, several others asked questions they were concerned about regarding the Forsaken Continent. Li Yan, after a moment's thought, also gave simple explanations.
For instance, the "God's Road." A few people vaguely knew that the Black Demon Clan had such a place, but for most, it was the first time they had heard of it, especially newly advanced Nascent Souls like Li Yuyin and Hang Lin.
Through Li Yan's general description, they learned that it was the source of the invasion of the Desolate Moon Continent. Unfortunately, Li Yan really didn't know much about it.
Even Spirit Transformation cultivators of the White Demon Clan couldn't easily approach the Black Demon Clan's "God's Road," let alone him. Otherwise, Li Yan wouldn't have minded saying more on the matter to let them know more about the place of invasion.
To this, the cultivators here all felt a little regretful...
While the people on the stage were talking, the number of cultivators below the stage was also increasing.
Bai Rou, dressed in white, was currently sitting among several Golden Core cultivators from Four Symbols Peak. The seats for the Four Great Sects were all closest to the edge of the high platform, a point they didn't need to be concerned about anyone else over.
Sitting next to Bai Rou were Sun Guoshu and the only Wood Flow Sect cultivator she had brought with her—Tang Yuniang.
As the Sect Master of the Wood Flow Sect, Bai Rou was naturally allowed to bring some attendants. After presenting her congratulatory gift at the mountain gate, she had originally intended to find a corner to sit down casually.
However, she was spotted by several fellow sect members from Four Symbols Peak who knew her, and they immediately called her over via voice transmission. As for Tang Yuniang whom she brought, these Golden Core cultivators simply ignored her.
This, however, allowed Tang Yuniang to see the Nascent Soul cultivators on the stage from such a close distance, and she was secretly overjoyed.
At this moment, Sun Guoshu was looking up at the high platform with a face full of envy, talking in a low voice with Bai Rou.
"I never thought I would be able to be acquainted with a Nascent Soul Almighty! It seems in this life, I can only look up to the young master."
"Junior Brother Sun, why belittle yourself? How many people like him are there even in the Four Great Sects? All we need to do is take each step steadily."
Bai Rou said in a low voice, her tone still gentle, as if she were a bit timid in front of strangers.
Sun Guoshu glanced at Bai Rou again and sighed helplessly.
"Senior Sister, I was just moved by seeing how fast the young master cultivates."
"However, Senior Sister, your cultivation seems to improve every time I see you. That's what makes me feel disheartened. I fear I may never have the hope of advancing to the mid-stage Golden Core in my life."
At this moment, although Bai Rou still had that gentle and weak appearance, only after talking with her slowly would you discover a kind of indifference revealed in her words.
It was an invisible confidence born from a cultivator's own strength.
"Junior Brother Sun's cultivation progress is a bit slow. I guess the main reason is that your mind has been focused elsewhere these years."
"But then again, Mu Lian has also entered her final seclusion. As long as Junior Brother settles down to cultivate, your cultivation will naturally advance by leaps and bounds."
Bai Rou glanced at Sun Guoshu and said, still in a soft, low voice.
"Oh... oh, oh... Senior Sister is right to scold me, hehehe..."
Sun Guoshu's expression froze, and he then scratched his head in some embarrassment. He had indeed been putting all his thoughts on Mu Lian these years.
Although he cultivated daily, he had never truly entered bitter, closed-door cultivation.
However, he was also aware of his own aptitude. Being able to form his core was already a heaven-defying opportunity for him. Perhaps his future path of cultivation would be just as he had said.
Bai Rou seemed to see through Sun Guoshu's true thoughts.
"Junior Brother Sun, you've been in the sect for so many years. You should know his aptitude. Immortal fortune is everywhere; only with diligence is it possible!"
As Bai Rou said this, she lifted her head slightly and looked at the extremely ordinary-looking young man among the crowd on the high platform.
When she had come over, that person had immediately sent her a voice transmission to greet her. This had thrown Bai Rou's originally calm heart into some disarray.
She often warned herself that maintaining their current connection was the best it could be.
But every time she spoke with him, her heart would always be like a chaotic autumn lake, the zither strings strumming a disordered, melancholy melody...