The two sword met in the middle after beautiful arc. The movement didn't look like it contained any power but the two men were doing their best to hold their ground.

The force was bigger than what they expected. 

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The two swords continued to clash with each other. The others who were watching from the side only felt as if the two of them were having a performance. They didn't look like they were in the middle of fighting just based on the way they fought.

But the two of them knew very well the might was much more than what others could see.

Bang!

"Fuu…" Lan Qing Xi took a deep breath. "Internal power, isn't it?"

"Yes, this is the sword skill that didn't only attack the outer layer but instead the inside." Lin Xiao smiled. "You have good observation skill, Lan Qing Xi."

"It's nothing compared to you. Also, I have to thank you."

"Yes?"

Lan Qing Xi didn't say anything else but he put his sword in front of him. The Qi within his body erupted as it enveloped his entire body. 

The others were stunned but they quickly moved away in case they would end up getting caught. Looking at the power that was emanating around Lan Qing Xi's body, they all nearly cursed out loudly.

"You breakthrough to Golden Core Stage 3?" Lin Xiao was surprised.

Lan Qing Xi laughed and nodded his head. "From Golden Core Stage 2 to Golden Core Stage 3, you only need deep understanding of what your real path is."

This was the reason there were many people who couldn't breakthrough to stage 3 after they had reached stage 2. They were muddled and couldn't understand what their real goal and what was deep within their heart. 

Not everyone could found it.

Only those who stayed true to their path would be able to know what their real path in cultivation would be. And after knowing it, they had to understand, even if it was only a fraction of it, in order to make their breakthrough to Stage 3.

It was what Lan Qing Xi lacked.

"You're indeed a genius," Lin Xiao praised. Internally, he was thinking that if only he didn't have to feed the greedy dragon, he could have already advanced to Golden Core Stage 2 and then breakthrough to Stage 3 not long afterwards after consolidating his power.

Inside Lin Xiao, Lin Hu was shouting angrily, "What do you mean greedy, ah? I'm not greedy!"

"Stop reading my thought, you damn dragon!"

"Damn you! Get a lake over here and set up a formation, I swear you're going to make your breakthrough swifter!"

Lin Xiao rolled his eyes at Lin Hu's words. If only he could carry a lake around, he would have done that since a long time ago. Who would not want to summon Lin Hu out and just smash through his way to the top?

That would be the easiest method.

Not to mention, the rich resources from the lake would allow him to make his breakthrough faster.

But if he really do that, everyone would come searching for him. Those people who were far above Golden Core Stage 3 would come knocking their door and attempted to seize him because of his ability.

He couldn't do that.

No way.

Lan Qing Xi looked at Lin Xiao and smiled wryly. "Since I have already reached Golden Core Stage 3, I'll be leaving."

"Leaving?" 

"Yes. I come here to recuperate and in order to gain my strength back." Lan Qing Xi looked at his hand as his eyes gleamed ruthlessly. "Come to the 20 Years Ancient Battleground, it's the arena battle for all kingdoms to be recognized and to obtain resources. I'll help you pass and allow Sun Kingdom to soar."

"20 Years Ancient Battleground?" Lin Xiao was stunned.

Lan Qing Xi nodded. "As of now, neither one of the four kingdoms here have the qualification to even know what it is. However, once the suppression array is broken, you'll know about it, Your Highness."

Suppression Array.

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes as he could guess that it must be the array that didn't allow them to make their breakthrough above Golden Core Stage 3. 

"What do you mean once it's broken?"

"There are already some people who are working to break it. You'll meet with them soon." Lan Qing Xi looked at Lin Xiao knowingly and then laughed faintly. "Only if you enter the 20 Years Ancient Battleground and pass it would you be able to be recognized as a genius in this continent."

Continent?

The word nearly made Lin Xiao jumped in surprise. The continent was fast and Sun Kingdom… was not even 0.001% of it. If this kingdom was not even categorized as a kingdom that was deemed to be worth it to even participate, it meant that the starting point was simply too low.

Recalling Long Hao, his disciple who had already attained Foundation Establishment at the mere age of 12… Lin Xiao didn't think that it was that strange anymore.

Those from big kingdoms would be much more powerful than those with pitiful resources like them.

"The suppression array is a test and also a form of protection. Any kingdom who break the array will have to face wars against kingdoms outside, but in order for the array to be broken, there can only be one king in the entire land." Lan Qing Xi took a deep breath and cupped his hand.

"I can't thank you enough for your help but I can only give you this information for the time being. When the time is ripe, we shall meet again."

Lin Xiao nodded. "That's enough for me for now."

He knew that if he wanted to put the Sun Kingdom to be in better position, he would eventually meet with other kingdoms outside the barriers. At that time, they would have to be ready to be facing countless experts.

This was only the beginning.