78: Chapter 78 Arrival at the Sacred Land of Mountains and Rivers, A New Chapter Begins!

As one of the Four Great Holy Lands of the East State Empire, the Mountain River Holy Land had many Disciples, immense strength, and a profound foundation.

It was located at the easternmost point of the East State Empire.

The entire eastern territory of the East State Empire was under the jurisdiction of the Mountain River Holy Land, and no power dared to disobey.

The easternmost part of the East State Empire was one of the most prosperous and flourishing regions in the entire empire.

As the overlord of this region, the Mountain River Holy Land's overall strength was evident.

On ordinary days, the number of factions visiting the Mountain River Holy Land to build good relations was as numerous as the hairs on an ox—countless.

Gradually, as Ye Chen ventured deeper, the density of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi became stronger.

The aura of power within his body grew increasingly restless, making him want to stop and Cultivate immediately.

The cultivation environment he was in before had too little spiritual energy, which now triggered a special reaction.

It was no exaggeration to say that if he stopped to Cultivate now, he would immediately achieve a Breakthrough in his cultivation.

However, he could only forcibly endure this feeling and stabilize his thoughts.

Since he hadn't reached the Mountain River Holy Land yet, he couldn't stop to Cultivate and waste time.

He believed that once he reached the Mountain River Holy Land, the density of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi would be even more astounding.

It wouldn't be too late to Cultivate after he successfully joined the Mountain River Holy Land.

At that time, with the support of the dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi of the Mountain River Holy Land, his cultivation Breakthrough would surely be even smoother!

Time passed, and the sky gradually changed, becoming even darker.

It was almost the final moment of darkness before dawn.

It was at this moment that the silhouette of a massive Sect came into Ye Chen's view.

The silhouette of this entire Sect surpassed any Mountain Gate he had ever seen.

The Mountain Gates of the Hundred Saints Sect and the Huangji Sect were already quite impressive.

Within the Tianyun Kingdom, few other Sects' Mountain Gates could compare.

But in front of the silhouette before him, they paled in comparison.

Without a doubt, the place ahead was his destination, the Mountain River Holy Land.

Seeing the silhouette of the Sect ahead, Ye Chen felt a surge of joy, and his pace quickened significantly.

He was finally about to arrive at the Mountain River Holy Land, but he wondered if at this hour...

...there were still powerful experts in the Mountain River Holy Land available to receive him.

His jade pendant should be effective enough to make the Mountain River Holy Land make an exception and take him in as a Disciple, right?

As time passed, the massive Sect ahead grew closer and closer.

Finally, Ye Chen arrived before the Mountain Gate of this massive Sect.

Before Ye Chen could even steady himself, two tall figures standing before the Mountain Gate shouted angrily.

"Who goes there? This is the Mountain River Holy Land. Unauthorized personnel, leave at once!"

Hearing the angry shout in his ears, Ye Chen stopped abruptly, a smile appearing on his face.

It seemed this was indeed the location of the Mountain River Holy Land; he hadn't taken the wrong path.

The map given by his Revered Master Niu Lengzi and Sect Master Han Hao was very accurate, with no errors.

He didn't pay much mind to the two Disciples' shouts, but instead stepped forward and cupped his hands slightly toward them.

"Ye Chen, from the Tianyun Kingdom, here to participate in the Mountain River Holy Land examination!"

As he spoke, a simple and ancient jade pendant flew out, hovering in mid-air.

Sensing the familiar aura emanating from the ancient jade pendant...

...the expressions on the two Mountain River Holy Land Disciples' faces softened considerably.

It was indeed a Recommendation Jade Pendant that only Elders who had left the Sect could possess.

Every Elder who left the Holy Land would be granted such a Recommendation Jade Pendant upon their departure.

With this jade pendant, these departed Elders could recommend prodigies to participate in the Holy Land's examination as an exception.

This was a way to grant favors to these Elders and also an opportunity for the Holy Land to recruit more prodigies.

I wonder which departed Elder recommended this Prodigy this time?

With only a first-level True Person Realm cultivation, it seems this internally recommended candidate is quite ordinary!

Although they didn't think highly of Ye Chen, the two Mountain River Holy Land Disciples didn't show it.

One of the Mountain River Holy Land Disciples cupped his hands slightly toward Ye Chen and gave a light chuckle.

"So you are an Examination Disciple recommended by an Elder. Go on in. At this hour, the Examination Elder is resting."

"But I believe once you arrive, the Examination Elder won't have any more time to rest."

"Fellow Daoist, good luck. I look forward to the day we become fellow Disciples!"

With that, the two Disciples guarding the Mountain Gate stepped aside and deactivated the Formation at the gate.

Seeing this, Ye Chen cupped his hands in thanks.

"Thank you both!"

As he spoke, he didn't hesitate and turned into a streak of light, entering the Mountain Gate.

The Mountain River Holy Land truly lived up to its name; the gate-keeping Disciples were all at the True Person Realm Peak.

Indeed, the gate-keepers just now were at the True Person Realm Peak, their auras incredibly powerful.

I just don't know if all Mountain River Holy Land Disciples are this powerful...

...or if gate-keepers require a specific cultivation level to be fit for the role?

Watching Ye Chen's departing figure, the two Mountain River Holy Land Disciples guarding the gate shook their heads slightly.

If this internally recommended candidate doesn't have any special talents, there's likely no hope for him to become their fellow Disciple.

However, until this candidate fails the examination, they should still show him basic respect.

After all, no matter what, he was recommended by one of their Mountain River Holy Land's Elders.

Stepping into the Mountain Gate of the Mountain River Holy Land, Ye Chen only felt a slight dizziness in his head.

Even his vision was momentarily lost, and he couldn't see any scenery clearly.

At this, Ye Chen was slightly surprised.

He was very familiar with this situation; it was because he had entered another space while crossing the Mountain River Holy Land's Mountain Gate.

Without a doubt, the location of the Mountain River Holy Land was not in the mundane world, but within a special space.

In other words, the Mountain River Holy Land existed within a Small World!

Fortunately, the loss of vision and the dizziness only lasted for an instant before vanishing.

The scenery before Ye Chen's eyes suddenly shifted, and he arrived at a plaza.

In a corner of the plaza, a drowsy, short old man sat cross-legged.

Seemingly sensing Ye Chen's arrival, the short old man opened his eyes blearily.

"Oh? There's still a Disciple coming at this hour?"

"Little fellow, what is your name, and which Elder recommended you?"

As he spoke, the short old man stood up, the aura of his Tribulation Crossing Realm cultivation unabashedly revealed.

Hearing this, Ye Chen grinned.

"Ye Chen, from the Tianyun Kingdom, recommended by Niu Lengzi!"

His cultivation was about to enter a new chapter!