A faint pressure pervaded the air. Compared with the area at lower levels, the seventh-level heaven was obviously smaller, but it was more delicate. It had a radius of several kilometers and was divided into different areas. There were few pedestrians on the streets. Many houses were empty and desolate. Any building within sight was very old, and they were full of the smell of time. Their style was simple and plain, which was popular in the Land of Infinity many years ago.
Ding Hao could vaguely feel that in the seventh-level heaven, dozens of extremely powerful auras could be felt even from a distance. They soared into the sky like pillars and dragons, and pervaded in different buildings.
“They must be the genius experts at the realm of Peak of the Martial King or Martial Emperor…”
Ding Hao had some enlightenment in his mind.
“Over 90% of the buildings here have not been used yet. They are derelict and are guarded by inscription formations and Puppet Dolls of War. According to the tradition of the Highest Heaven, after the courtyards or caves were reclaimed by some sects, if no new owner showed up when the Sage Battlefield opened twice in a row, the residence will turn derelict again.” Shen Buhui was very familiar with the Highest Heaven and explained to Ding Hao, “There are more than 1,000 courtyards of different styles in the seventh-level heaven. After the Sage Battlefield was opened this time, only dozens of star lamps were lit up in these residences.”
“Star lamps?” Ding Hao was slightly stunned.
Shen Buhui casually pointed to a stone lamp on the top of a stone pillar at the gate of a house built with blue stones and introduced it. “This is the lamp. There is such a lamp in every mansion of the Highest Heaven. Once the house is reclaimed and the new owner comes, the stone lamp will be lit, which shows to the outsiders that there is a master here…”
“So that’s how it is.”
Ding Hao nodded.
As far as the eye could see, the stone lamps of the houses on both sides of the street were almost all unlit.
Only sporadic lights could be seen in the distance.
“On the same floor, the restriction and Puppet Dolls of War in the mansions and caves in different areas are also divided into strong ones and weak ones. The area we are now is in the west of seventh-level heaven, which is the least difficult area to reclaim…” Shen Buhui gave a brief introduction. He brought Ding Hao to the western district, which was the least difficult area, because he was afraid that Ding Hao would make a fool of himself and become a laughing stock in the Highest Heaven if he failed to reclaim a residence.
Ding Hao was well aware of that, but he didn’t say anything.
In fact, he had carefully observed the restrictions of several houses nearby, which were indeed much stronger than that of the sixth-level heaven. Ordinary Martial King Realm experts could not break the restriction at all, and the Puppet Dolls of War guarding the houses were also very fierce. They were smaller and more powerful.
However, it was not difficult for him.
With the guidance of Saber Master and Sword Master, these two old monsters, there was no inscription formation that Ding Hao could not crack.
As they were walking, several people suddenly appeared in front of them.
The handsome young man among them was coquettish and had a noble temperament. When he saw Ding Hao and the others, his expression changed slightly into one of surprise. He was Lin Tianyu, one of the Twelve Prodigies of Green Cloud, who was beaten heavily by Zhang Fan in the military depot of the ancient city and fled away.
“What’s wrong? Do you know these people?” Another burly man caught sight of the change in Lin Tianyu’s expression.
Lin Tianyu instantly calmed down and said casually, “The aura of the warrior with the bronze grimace mask in the front is a little familiar, and the strong young man with the black mask behind him… Oh, I know, it turns out to be them… When I was in the wilderness, I met these two guys.”
Lin Tianyu thought to himself, “Of course, I won’t tell you that a handsome and talented man like me was almost killed by that young barbarian. Otherwise, such a shameful thing would soon be spread to the ears of all the senior brothers and younger brothers.”
“Since you know each other, why don’t we go over and greet them since we’re both human martial artists,” said Wang Linghe with a smile, the ninth prodigy of the Twelve Prodigies of Green Cloud.
“Warriors who could appear in the seventh-level heaven should not be ordinary people. If they had met before, it would be better to bond with them and prepare for the upcoming battle,” Wang Linghe thought.
“Say hello? Well… Oh, by the way, the warrior with the bronze grimace mask in the front should be Ding Hao mentioned by Ning Huxiao…” Lin Tianyu soon figured it out. He was a very smart person, so when saw Zhang Fan’s weapon and body shape, he could figure out.
Although he was beaten badly last time, Lin Tianyu was really a prideful person. When he went back last time, he only exposed Ning Huxiao’s provocation and did not mention that he was defeated by a barbarian who only had the Qi cultivation in the realm of Great Martial Mentor. Moreover, at this time, the ninth prodigy, Wang Linghe, who was the most gossipy man in the whole sect, and even in Green Province, was beside him. After thinking for a while, he decided not to make trouble for Zhang Fan for the time being. He just pretended that nothing had happened and waited for the chance to beat him in return.
With a helpless look, Lin Tianyu was dragged by Wang Linghe to Ding Hao and the others.
Fortunately, although Ning Huxiao had also looked for the Twelve Prodigies of Green Cloud, he knew that his strength and status were far inferior to these 12 people and he couldn’t control them. Therefore, he didn’t tell Lin Tianyu and the others about the piece of map. Otherwise, the moment when Lin Tianyu saw Ding Hao and the others, his first reaction was not to greet them, but to seize the map.
At the sight of Lin Tianyu, Ding Hao and the others were also stunned.
Zhang Fan even instantly clenched the saber in his hand.
It was really a small world. Ding Hao didn’t expect to meet this arrogant and annoying guy here. The first reaction of Ding Hao was to pretend that he didn’t know him. Anyway, they wore masks. Lin Tianyu, who still wore an annoyed expression, came straight toward them and said with a fake smile, “Ding Hao, Zhang Fan, I didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”
He recognized them.
Ding Hao’s next reaction was to prepare for battle.
“Without being suppressed by the primordial inscription, Lin Tianyu is definitely a terrifying person. If I were to fight him, even if he used all his trump cards, the chance of winning would only be 50/50. Moreover, Lin Tianyu seems to have several strong helpers with him…” Ding Hao thought.
Who knew that—
“Brother Ding, I’ve heard a lot about you. I didn’t expect to see you here. Because Ning Tiger Roar sowed discord between you and me, there may be some misunderstanding between us,” the burly Wang Linghe said with a sincere smile. He pointed to Lin Tianyu beside him as he said with a smile, “My 12th younger brother is impatient and has a bad temper. Have you and Brother Zhang recovered from your injuries in the previous battle? I’m really sorry. My eldest brother has already punished 12th younger brother. Please don’t take offense, Brother Ding.”
“Hurt by him?”
Ding Hao and others were confused at the same time. “What is going on?” they thought.
When Ding Hao looked up, he saw Lin Tianyu’s face change from shame to anger. Then he gnashed his teeth and winked at him. With his keen intuition, Ding Hao instantly understood something. He immediately smiled and said, “It’s all in the past. It doesn’t matter!”
He didn’t make it clear. He just gave Lin Tianyu a way out.
“This is my ninth elder brother, Wang Linghe, the Heaven-breaking Giant Axe of the Green Cloud Sect in Green Province. You must have heard of him.” Lin Tianyu quickly changed the subject. He swore that he would have to change his bad habits of being keen on face-saving and bragging.
Ding Hao smiled slightly and said, “It turns out to be Brother Wang. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
To be honest, he had never heard of such a person.
Out of Snow Province, Ding Hao realized that he knew too little about the famous people and their anecdotes in the martial arts field of the Northern Region.
Wang Linghe didn’t take it seriously.
At this time, he found that the Qi cultivation of Ding Hao’s team was very low. Only the black-armored warrior with a mask, who seemed to be a servant, had the aura above the Martial King Realm. The rest were only at a realm somewhere near great grandmaster. He was slightly surprised that they had reached the seventh-level heaven. However, Heaven-breaking Giant Axe was a well-known figure after all, and he was born into a big sect like the Green Cloud Sect. At least, he was polite. So he did not show any contempt.
The experienced Wang Linghe knew that people who could enter the Highest Heaven were not fools. Ding Hao and the others had to have something to rely on when they came to the seventh-level heaven. In many cases, there were miracles in this world, and what they saw did not represent everything.
For example, there was a huge difference between his eldest brother’s superficial strength and his real strength…
Just as they were talking, something changed again—
A sharp and hoarse voice came from one side. It laughed weirdly and said, “Well, well, well, I really didn’t expect that the well-known Twelve Prodigies of Green Cloud in the Northern Region would actually abandon themselves to vice and get mixed up with such a group of inferior beggars. It’s really ridiculous!”
Ding Hao turned his head and looked over.
He saw a skinny, tall man wearing a black robe walking toward them with a sneer.
This person had a silver aura, giving people a feeling that he was the Saint Son of Falling Star. He looked at Ding Hao and the others maliciously, as if he was looking at weak and pitiful ants. Of course, he only glanced at Ding Hao and the others, and then immediately looked at Wang Linghe and Lin Tianyu.
“Pan Yixin, get out of here. You’re not welcome here,” Lin Tianyu retorted unceremoniously.
It seemed that they not only knew each other before, but also had conflicts.
“Tut, tut, tut, Little Tianyu, you are still so bad-tempered. Be careful that when you fall into my hands one day, I will turn you into a perfect human skin. Tut-tut…” The black-robed Poisonous Snake smiled coldly. He looked at Ding Hao and others again with his eyes full of ridicule and contempt. “Oh, a few pitiful worms, you also want to reclaim a residence in the seventh-level heaven? You are such reckless bastards!”
…