Chapter 291

Chapter 291: Black-White Academy, Boundless Sky Islands!

The Black-White Academy was one of the most prosperous top-tier sects in Central Province!

It is even referred to as the Fifth Holy Land!

Even the Zhengyi Holy Land must treat it with caution.

There were rumors that, in ancient times, the Black-White Academy had the potential to become one of the Four Great Holy Lands, but it ultimately chose to step back.

Because of this, the academy holds a transcendent status in the cultivation world.

It bridges the gap between Holy Lands and top-tier sects.

—

Half a month later.//

Meng Changqing finally arrived at the Black-White Academy!

Unlike ordinary sects, the Black-White Academy was located… above the sky!

Countless inverted ancient mountains float in the air like massive sky islands.

They were densely packed, forming a breathtaking celestial spectacle.

From afar, they resemble a river of stars, grand and awe-inspiring!

A true representation of a top-tier sect’s magnificence!

“Have we arrived?” Hearing the cry of the Qingyu Phoenix, Meng Changqing put away his token.

Feng Laiyi’s strange reaction still lingered in his mind.

Slowly, he rose to his feet, clearing his thoughts.

It was time to focus on cultivation!

During this period, he had encountered too many powerful figures.

His initial sense of satisfaction after reaching the Marquess realm had completely disappeared!

In Central Province, the Marquis Realm was far from enough!

At the very least…

“Quasi-Royal!” A deep gleam flickered in Meng Changqing’s eyes.

He then retrieved a new token from his storage ring.

It was given to him by the Grand Elder. It was a token from these powerful sects, carrying significant meaning.

“The academy grounds prohibit spirit beasts from flying.” As he approached the first sky island, a figure stepped forward to halt him.

The man wore a gray-and-white robe, appearing refined and scholarly, yet his aura was overwhelmingly powerful.

A Marquis Realm cultivator!

It wasn’t that Marquis-level cultivators served as mere gatekeepers.

Even in top-tier sects, especially one as powerful as the Black-White Academy, Marquis Realm cultivators remained a crucial pillar of strength.

However, sensing the presence of both the Qingyu Phoenix and Meng Changqing, he had personally come to receive them.

If they had been mere Divine Attainment or Life-and-Death Realm cultivators, it wouldn’t have been his concern.

“Understood.” Respecting the local customs, Meng Changqing naturally abided by the rules.

The Qingyu Phoenix descended onto the sky island’s plaza.

The majestic creature immediately drew countless gazes.

Some were disciples of the academy, while others were visitors from various factions.

The news of the Tower of Ascension had already attracted many forces.

“Is that a Qingyu Phoenix from the Eastern Seas?”

“What an extraordinary presence!”

“Judging by its feathers, its ancient phoenix bloodline must be quite pure. Could this person be from the Dongmen Clan?”

“Probably not. Eastern Sea cultivators usually carry a strong demonic aura, but this person barely has any.”

Whispers spread throughout the crowd.

“Even Island Lord Yu has come to greet him personally!”

When they saw the middle-aged man, many gasped in shock.

The island beneath them was one of the major floating islands of the academy, meaning a Marquess realm expert was stationed here.

However, someone of Yu Long’s status wouldn’t typically appear unless a figure of equal strength had arrived.

“You must be the Southern Region’s top genius, the one who recently defeated Feng Qingcang and entered the Marquis Rankings.”

Yu Long scrutinized Meng Changqing and then took out a portrait for comparison.

After confirming the match, his gaze slightly shifted.

“That’s me.” Meng Changqing nodded.

It seemed stepping onto the Marquis Rankings had its perks. His fame made him easily recognizable wherever he went.

“I am Yu Long, the Lord of this island.” Yu Long approached with a smile.

“Island Lord Yu,” Meng Changqing acknowledged him.

Before coming here, he had studied the Black-White Academy in detail.

Each major floating island had its own island lord, who represented a specific academic faction.

“I wish to enter the academy for study.” Meng Changqing presented his token.

Yu Long’s expression changed instantly upon seeing it.

This was the academy’s highest-ranking student token!

With this token, Meng Changqing could choose to study under any academic faction, and no one could refuse him.

“Please, come in.” Yu Long’s tone grew formal as he stepped aside.

Meng Changqing walked into the academy.

The massive Qingyu Phoenix shrank in size until it resembled a small bird, perching on his shoulder.

As the two disappeared inside, the plaza erupted into a frenzy.

“Who is this person? Even Island Lord Yu came to personally receive him!”

“He’s a Marquis!”

“A Marquis this young? He looks barely over twenty!”

“I know who he is! He’s the Southern Region’s top genius, Meng Changqing, who rose to fame after the battle at the Wild Sea!”

“He possesses three Perfection-level True Intents and even condensed Martial Dao Domain and an Unyielding Will before stepping into the Marquis realm!”

The speaker rattled off Meng Changqing’s achievements with excitement.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes filled with shock.

Any one of those accomplishments would be astounding on its own.

But to have them all concentrated in a single person?

“A Marquis at barely twenty… That’s ridiculous! Even the Zhengyi Holy Land’s top heir only reached Marquis at twenty-seven. That’s several years later than him!”

Some gasped in disbelief.

Central Province was vast, and news did not always spread immediately, even with organizations like Wanxiang Pavilion.

The battle at the Wild Sea was significant for the Four Regions but had yet to attract widespread attention across Central Province.

Unlike the famed Blade and Sword Forest, which drew the entire cultivation world’s gaze.

Thus, many people still didn’t recognize Meng Changqing or other prodigies from the Four Regions.

This was why, every generation, Four Regions geniuses sought to make a name for themselves upon arriving in Central Province.

But few ever achieved it.

Only a rare few could rise to prominence as quickly as Meng Changqing, stepping onto the Marquis Rankings in record time.

“Between him and the Holy Land’s top heir, who do you think is stronger?” someone asked excitedly.

“Obviously, the Holy Land heir! Meng Changqing’s feats were impressive, but they were before he reached the Marquis Realm. Now that both have entered the same level, the Holy Land heir has everything Meng Changqing has!”

“Unyielding Will, dual True Domains, and more.”

“Meng Changqing is just younger, that’s all.”

“I don’t believe that a Holy Land’s most prized disciple, nurtured with endless resources, would lose to a mere Southern Region genius!”

“Besides, the Holy Land heir is already ranked tenth on the Marquis Rankings!”

The speaker’s words carried a sense of superiority.

As cultivators from Central Province, they didn’t outright look down on the Four Regions, but deep down, they held a certain bias.

After all, Central Province had always been the strongest.

Both among the younger and older generations, its dominance was undeniable!