# Chapter 588: Heading to the Mysterious City
In the early morning, a gentle breeze brushed past. On the main road outside the Imperial City of Dragon Mountain Empire, it was unusually quiet today, with very few passersby.
The reason was simple: by this time, the crowds outside the Dragon Mountain Empire's Imperial City had already arrived, completely occupying that entire stretch of land.
In fact, many of the stronger individuals had brought their own demon beasts, winged creatures capable of soaring through the void.
Aside from the crowd here, beyond the Imperial City of Dragon Mountain Empire, dust filled the sky. Steeds galloped along the main road. If one stood atop the city walls of Dragon Mountain Empire, all they would see were endless galloping horses and other beasts.
Actually, it wasn't just today. This scene had been playing out for several days already. They had set out early, all heading to the same place: Snow Domain, the Mysterious City!
The Snow Domain Grand Competition occurred once every decade. To miss it would surely be a great regret in one's life.
Of course, those setting out were all of considerable cultivation. For truly weak individuals to go to the Mysterious City was too dangerous. During this period, the Mysterious City would likely be extremely chaotic, a mix of dragons and fish, all kinds of people. If one lacked the ability to protect themselves, it was better not to join the excitement.
Besides Dragon Mountain Empire, similar scenes were playing out in the other four great empires of the Snow Domain. Countless people began rushing toward the Snow Domain's Mysterious City, that mysterious and vast city.
Outside the Imperial City of Heavenly Dragon City, on the battle platform from yesterday's battles, rows of demon beasts were lined up. These beasts included various powerful flying creatures: Black Wind Eagles, Thunder Eagles, and the rare Griffins. All were Mysterious Beasts, capable of soaring through the void, traveling tens of thousands of miles in a day.
The selected young geniuses representing the various forces of Dragon Mountain Empire stood upon the battle platform. Many had eyes shimmering with excitement.
They were setting out. How long had they waited for this anticipated Snow Domain Grand Competition? Now, they were finally heading to the Snow Domain's Mysterious City.
For many of them, the Snow Domain Grand Competition had been their goal for years. Now, that goal was finally becoming reality.
Thirty-six geniuses. But at this moment, only thirty-five were here. One person was absent: the Crown Prince of Snow Moon Kingdom, Duan Wudao.
"Is everyone here?"
The leader of this expedition was Ruo Lanshan, who had personally visited Tian Feng Kingdom and Snow Moon Kingdom before. He had met all these people, even selected them. It was most fitting for him to lead the journey. Of course, there would be no shortage of visible and hidden assistants. Although this trip to the Snow Domain was billed as a youth competition among the thirteen kingdoms, it was also an important contest among the four great empires.
The strength of these most outstanding young geniuses would reflect the power of their respective empires.
"Aside from Snow Moon Kingdom apparently still missing someone, everyone else seems fine."
At this moment, a harsh voice rang out. The speaker was from Tian Feng Kingdom.
Last time, Tian Feng Kingdom's Crown Prince Feng Chen had led the Seven Envoys of Heavenly Wind to Snow Moon Kingdom, only to be completely annihilated. This had created an irreconcilable conflict between the two kingdoms. Though both Tian Feng Kingdom and Snow Moon Kingdom were vassals of Dragon Mountain Empire, everyone knew the true nature of their relationship. If they met on the battle platform of the Snow Domain Grand Competition, it was safe to say both sides would want each other dead, showing no mercy.
Upon hearing this cold remark, the people of Snow Moon Kingdom narrowed their eyes. Tian Feng Kingdom and Snow Moon Kingdom had each planned to send ten participants to the Grand Competition. But due to insufficient numbers, yesterday's battles had supplemented five from Dragon Mountain Empire. As for who was absent, it was only Duan Wudao. He had been allocated a spot without needing to compete, yet he hadn't arrived.
Duan Wudao would head directly to the Snow Domain's Mysterious City.
"Yes, this Duan Wudao of Snow Moon Kingdom truly has eyes for no one. Everyone else is here, but he has to be special. The geniuses of Snow Moon Kingdom are truly arrogant."
Another cold voice rang out, quite piercing. On Snow Moon Kingdom's side, the two men in black robes coldly swept their gazes over the speaker and said, "If you have the guts, say that when the Crown Prince appears. If you don't, then you people of Tian Feng Kingdom are cowards."
The Tian Feng Kingdom man's gaze froze, then he snorted coldly. He had heard of Duan Wudao's reputation. It was said that Snow Moon Kingdom's Crown Prince Duan Wudao lived up to his name: ruthless and without principles. He killed anyone who provoked him, and those who opposed him died. He was incomparably arrogant.
If he really had to say that to Duan Wudao's face, he wasn't sure he'd have the courage.
"Enough, there's no need for these arguments. From now on, all your attention should be on the Snow Domain Grand Competition. This is a tremendous opportunity for you. To miss it would be a great pity."
Ruo Lanshan looked at the crowd and spoke slowly: "You've rarely had the chance to earn a spot in this Snow Domain Grand Competition. Make sure to strive hard, so that when the competition ends, you can feel a leap in your strength. That is the issue you should be thinking about."
Hearing Ruo Lanshan's words, the crowd fell silent. Their eyes flickered, a hint of anticipation emerging. The Snow Domain Grand Competition was indeed a tremendous opportunity.
"Is everyone ready?"
Ruo Lanshan asked the crowd. They all nodded. They had been waiting for this day for a long time. Finally, they could set out.
Around these young geniuses were many others, people from various major forces. For example, Heavenly Dragon City's number one family, the Tang Clan; the powerful sect Star Dream Pavilion; and many other forces. Even Tian Feng Kingdom's side had many people preparing to go. Tian Feng Kingdom's Grand Tutor Yong and experts from the Ten Thousand Phenomena Sect would personally accompany the crowd to the Snow Domain's Mysterious City.
However, they would go as spectators. Only those thirty-six youths were the main characters. Among them, some would shine with their own light in the Mysterious City.
Moreover, the crowd knew that those heading to the Mysterious City this time would certainly not be limited to just them.
That Mysterious City, standing proudly at the center of the Snow Domain's thirteen kingdoms, would enter the line of sight of all thirteen kingdoms, drawing the attention of countless people.
"If you're ready, let's set out. These demon beasts, two per person. Board as you wish."
Ruo Lanshan said to everyone. The crowd stepped onto the demon beasts, two together.
"Xiao Ya, let's go up too." Lin Feng and Xiao Ya stepped onto a Black Wind Eagle.
Yun Feiyang looked around, and finally his gaze landed on Jun Moxi. Jun Moxi had stepped onto a demon beast, but no one joined him. With a reputation like his, he must be quite lonely.
Smiling, Yun Feiyang stepped forward and boarded the same demon beast as Jun Moxi.
Aside from Jun Moxi, the most eye-catching pair was on another Thunder Eagle's back. Standing there were two peerless beauties, equally stunning but with different temperaments.
Tang Youyou and Qing Mengxin stood on the same demon beast's back.
Lin Feng swept his gaze over the crowd. Wu Qing didn't ride these beasts but instead stepped onto Qiongqi, one person per beast.
What caught Lin Feng's attention was that Di Long stepped onto a beast beside Lin Feng, alone. Some people didn't need the beasts provided here, just like Wu Qing.
Di Long coldly swept his gaze over Lin Feng, clearly still holding a grudge over yesterday's events. Moreover, after returning yesterday, he had consumed nine jugs of Fine Essence Wine, advancing his cultivation further. His cultivation at the Sixth Layer of Mysterious Martial Realm was extremely stable, nearly reaching its peak. In this Snow Domain Grand Competition, he was determined to raise his cultivation to the Seventh Layer of Mysterious Martial Realm, stepping into the high-level Mysterious Martial Realm and continuously advancing toward Heavenly Martial Realm.
Lin Feng also glanced at Di Long, a cold light flashing across his face. He thought to himself, "Better not provoke me."
Lin Feng had naturally noticed Di Long's cultivation had advanced. Not just Di Long—everyone who had gone to the Heavenly Movement Palace yesterday had consumed Fine Essence Wine upon returning. Their auras had all grown stronger. But it seemed only one person had broken through: Yun Feiyang. Even with treasures like Fine Essence Wine, breaking through cultivation wasn't easy. Many were just a hair's breadth away. Only when their state of mind broke through would their cultivation breakthrough follow naturally.
Seeing everyone board their beasts, Ruo Lanshan also stepped onto a Black Wind Eagle. Then he waved his sleeve and spoke two words: "Set out!"
As his words fell, the demon beasts took to the air. Everyone heading to the Snow Domain's Mysterious City set out together. Moments later, the entire sky was filled with vast demon beast figures, blotting out the sun, their auras incomparably powerful.
The people below looked up at the demon beasts, envy shining in their eyes.
They were setting out. Heading to the Snow Domain's Mysterious City!
PS: Still three chapters today. Broke my promise again, tragic. Why can't I manage four? One, I'm tired; two, the will is there but the strength isn't. This month has only one day left, and yet the flowers can just stop moving. How cold must my heart be? Even though this month's flowers are already of no benefit to me!