Duan Ling Tian nodded slightly. Although he was not particularly close to Qin Yun, after numerous interactions, he had a favorable impression of Qin Yu.

Swoosh!

As soon as Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu left the Latent Dragon Abyss, a figure flew out of the Latent Dragon Abyss at lightning speed in a different direction from Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu. This person was none other than Zhou Fei. After he saw Duan Ling Tian coming out from his closed-door cultivation, he quickly made his way to Zhou Tong's residence.

"Duan Ling Tian is out?" Although Zhou Tong was patient as he waited for Duan Ling Tian to come out, his eyes visibly brightened and an excited expression could be seen on his wizened face when he heard the news.

"Godfather, what's our plan?" Zhou Fei asked.

After Zhou Tong regained his composure, he narrowed his eyes that were gleaming coldly. "I have my plans. All you have to do is come along and watch the play."

Zhou Fei felt reassured when he heard the confidence in Zhou Tong's words.

...

Meanwhile, after leaving the County Governor's estate, Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu explored every nook and cranny in the city.

Although Duan Ling Tian had arrived two years ago, this was his first time exploring the city. He looked around curiously.

After strolling around, Qin Yu led Duan Ling Tian into a restaurant. The duo picked a table located in the corner of the room and listened to people's conversations as they drank wine. These people chatted about various things, earning the duo's attention.

All of sudden, Duan Ling Tian's attention was caught by a conversation between two drinkers.

"Did you hear? King Qing's Mansion will hold the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties next year!" One of the men said.

"Martial Competition of the 16 Counties?" It was clear this was the first time his friend had heard of it. "What's that?"

"Well, the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties is…" he began to explain the competition to his friend.

It did not take long before the attention of most people in the restaurant were also caught by this man's words. Based on this, it could be seen most people were hearing about this for the first time.

"No wonder. My brother who's a messenger in the County Governor's estate said that a place called Latent Dragon Abyss was built two years ago, and it houses 30 Golden Celestials under the age of 100. As it turns out, the estate is preparing for the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties."

"Latent Dragon Abyss? I heard about that place as well. I even heard a Golden Celestial from Bloody Specter City severed four of Zhou Fei's limbs as soon as he arrived!"

"Zhou Fei? Are you talking about the strongest Golden Celestial under the age of 100 in our Nine Specters County? The godson of Zhou Tong, the first Revered Elder of the County Governor's estate?"

"Are you joking? Like you said, Zhou Fei is the strongest Golden Celestial under 100 years old in all of Nine Specters County. How could someone from Bloody Specter County severe his limbs?"

"Well, you're probably unaware of this. The fact is this was a hot topic two years ago. However, a few people who were recklessly discussing this incident were killed by Revered Elder Zhou Tong's subordinates. Therefore, very few people dare to speak about it since then."

"Then, why are you talking about it now? You're not afraid of death?"

"Well, I… I just feel I won't be that unlucky. Whatever! I'm going to leave after I pay the bill!"

Following the departure of the individual who revealed this explosive news, the crowd in the restaurant broke out in a commotion immediately. Many people were talking about the Golden Celestial from Bloody Specter City who was less than 100 years old.

At a corner of the restaurant, Qin Yu asked with a smile, "Duan Ling Tian, if these people find out the subject of their discussion is sitting right here, what do you think their reactions would be like?"

Duan Ling Tian shrugged before he said, "I was hoping to hear something useful… However, it seems like they won't stop talking about this any time soon. We should leave."

After leaving the restaurant, Duan Ling Tian strolled around the city under Qin Yu's guide. Just when they were about to return to the Latent Dragon Abyss, they heard a voice from a deserted alley across the road.

"Keep it down! Not many people know about that place for now. If he comes over, we might be able to get our fingers in the pie!"

Although the voices had been deliberately lowered, it did not escape Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu's notice. Both of them came to a halt before exchanging a look and simultaneously gestured to each other to keep quiet.

"Does that place really have… profound-grade techniques?" A hushed voice that could barely conceal its excitement rang out.

"Well… I can't be 100% certain. Rumor has it that the place was left behind by an Overarching Heaven Supreme Celestial. It's a matter of course that Overarching Heaven Supreme Celestials have profound-grade techniques at the very least, right?" the person replied before he continued to tell his friend about the various rumors he heard surrounding the place that was supposedly left behind by an Overarching Heaven Supreme Celestial. His descriptions were vivid enough that it did not seem like he was lying.

Qin Yu glanced at Duan Ling Tian and said in a hushed tone, "Based on his words, it doesn't seem like he's lying about that place."

"Indeed." Duan Ling Tian nodded slightly. He had noticed the man's descriptions did not seem fabricated as well.

A few moments later, the two individuals quietly left the empty alley and headed to the outskirts of the city through the city's northern gates. Upon leaving the city, they continued to make their way north.

Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu who had been tailing the duo came to a halt at the city's northern gates.

Qin Yu looked at Duan Ling Tian and asked, "Do you want to go and have a look?" Then, he added, "However, if we leave the city, our lives would be at risk. Naturally, you can return to the estate and request for Lord County Governor to send an elder to accompany us. However, I'm afraid we won't be able to catch up to those two people if we do that."

Qin Yu was, naturally, aware that the County Governor of Nine Specters County valued Duan Ling Tian a lot due to the mediocre Celestial Pill, the Great Overarching Pills, that would be given the to the counties where the top three participants of the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties were from. For this reason, he was certain that as long as Duan Ling Tian said the word, the County Governor would definitely oblige and send an elder to accompany them. In fact, the County Governor might personally come along upon hearing about this. After all, this matter concerned profound-grade techniques! Moreover, based on the great importance the County Governor placed on Duan Ling Tian, if he obtained some extraordinary techniques, he would surely impart them to Duan Ling Tian to increase Duan Ling Tian's chance of winning the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties.

"If we return to the estate now, we'll definitely lose the trail. Naturally, there's always a chance that they're lying, and we would be risking our lives for nothing if that's the case. However, it seems unlikely that they're lying," Duan Ling Tian's eyes shone as he said, "I'll go and have a look. You can return to the estate first if you want. If I have the fortune of obtaining the profound-grade technique, rest assured that I'll definitely share it with you."

"If I don't go with you, I'd be too embarrassed to accept the profound-grade technique if you really were to find it." Qin Yu shook his head. It seemed like he had made up his mind to follow Duan Ling Tian.

Since they had numerous interactions after arriving in the county Governor's estate, Duan Ling Tian knew Qin Yu quite well. Once Qin Yu made up his mind, it would be difficult to change it. For this reason, he did not waste time to dissuade Qin Yu from coming along. He reminded Qin Yu, "Come with me if you want, but don't stray too far away from me…"

"I understand." Although Qin Yu had no idea how strong Duan Ling Tian was now, he knew Duan Ling Tian was definitely stronger than him.

Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu immediately crossed the northern gates and followed those two individuals. Those people were only Scarlet Sun Golden Celestials, it was only natural that Duan Ling Tian and Zhou Fei's speed was much faster than theirs. It did not take long before they caught up to those two people. They continued to move further and further away as they tailed the two people.

As they flew over a thicket, Qin Yu's expression turned grave. His instinct told him something was amiss. "Duan Ling Tian, I have a feeling that something isn't right."

At this point, Duan Ling Tian had also felt the danger. The ominous feeling in his heart intensified when he discovered the two people they had been tailing had disappeared into thin air, leaving both of them like headless chickens, fumbling around. "I'm afraid that we've fallen into a trap."

"Duan Ling Tian!" A voice Duan Ling Tian was familiar with rang from high up in the sky. It seemed like the voice was moving closer and closer to them.

Duan Ling Tian looked up and saw two figures in the sky. An old man flew in the lead while a young man trailed behind. The one who had just spoken was the young man flying in the back. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Zhou Fei! Zhou Tong!"

The two figures belonged to Zhou Tong, the first Revered Elder of the County Governor's estate in Nine Specters County, and his godson, Zhou Fei.