Sovereign Of The Three Realms Chapter 451-460

 

Sovereign Of The Three Realms

(SOTR)

Chapter 451: Wait For Me to Behead Sunchaser’s Dog of a Head

Dan Chi sank into deep thought, simulating the three matches. If the Precious Tree Sect was unable to win theirs, then it was very likely that they’d lose the bet.

“Well? Dan Chi, I’ve heard that you’ve quite a bit of charisma in the Myriad Domain and are full of drive and ambition. If we lose the bet of three matches, the Sky Sect promises to no longer interfere in the alliance between the Precious Tree Sect and Regal Pill Palace. If you lose, you go back wherever you’ve come from!”

The look that the tenth rank inspector was shooting over was overbearing with provocation.

He and Sect Head Zhu of the Tristar Sect had coordinated from within and without in order to create an atmosphere forcing the Regal Pill Palace down the path of no retreat. They could only answer the call of battle.

This kind of method was much better than simply attempting to bathe the Regal Pill Palace in blood.

The Sky Sect was strong, but not invincible. Their foundations weren’t particularly strong in the Myriad Domain. If they fought head to head with the Regal Pill Palace, they would face pressure from the other sects when they tried to make a move into the Myriad Domain.

The Regal Pill Palace was the local snake—the regional tyrant of the Myriad Domain after all. It was said that even a strong dragon wouldn’t suppress a local snake.

If the Sky Sect engaged in a bloody fight with the Regal Pill Palace, they would absolutely pay a heavy price. This was at obvious odds with the Sky Sect’s plans.

Not to mention that the Regal Pill Palace must have a patron backer if they dared act as such.

Dan Chi sank into a dilemma.

Ye Chonglou’s ears suddenly twitched as a trace of surprise appeared on his face. Following that, he walked up and spoke a few words next to Dan Chi’s ear.

Dan Chi’s expression froze momentarily, revealing a look of inquiry.

Ye Chonglou nodded very firmly.

Dan Chi thought briefly and suddenly laughed heartily. “Alright, we’ll settle on three matches then. However, how do I know if your words can represent the Sky Sect?”

The tenth rank inspector was contemptuous when he saw Dan Chi and Ye Chonglou’s surreptitious actions. He smiled proudly. “I am Feng Beidou, a tenth rank inspector of the Sky Sect.”

“Alright, since this is so, it is indeed a pleasant matter to have the issue settled through force. Who will you send out to fight?” Confidence was writ all over Dan Chi’s face.

Dan Chi’s change of expression was just a show to maintain his calm in Feng Beidou’s eyes.

“You and I are both the heads of our groups and naturally need to take the field. In addition, this ninth rank inspector is the heart of my Sky Sect and will of course rightfully be taking place. As for the Purple Sun Sect, Sunchaser is the obvious representative.”

Sunchaser had kept quite a low profile this time as he kept to the rear of the entourage. He was well aware that in a situation like this, he was just a hangers-on.

Even the one he was afraid of, Zuo Lan, was a mere follower. How much of a right to speak did he have then?

Sunchaser’s heart trembled with emotion when the inspector said that he would be participating. The eagerness was apparent on his face as he looked forward to achieving certain triumph in this battle and winning Master Feng’s favor.

Sunchaser had had a long-nurtured confidence that he would be able to come out on top against the Precious Tree Sect. Even Thousandleaf had long been weaker than Sunchaser, and quite obviously weaker at that.

As for the others, such as Ye Chonglou, they weren’t on the same level as Sunchaser at all.

Dan Chi smiled faintly when he heard this and surveyed those behind him. “Who is willing to fight with me from our Regal Pill Palace?”

Several senior executives immediately stepped forward to express their intentions.

They were all top cultivators in the Palace, with all of their cultivations exceeding the origin realm, placing them in the mortal sage realm.

Dan Chi was very satisfied to see that everyone had a strong desire to do battle.

He selected one of the strongest, “Xuan Zhen, you accompany me.”

The called-upon Xuan Zhen was one of the vice heads of the Regal Pill Palace, boasting of the second level sage realm, the highest cultivation amongst all of the Palace’s mortal sage realm cultivators.

His cultivation was second only to Dan Chi’s, an earth sage realm expert.

Xuan Zhen had a head adorned with silver hair and a face as expressionless as a zombie’s, giving off an exceedingly frosty air.

“Haha, there is an abundance of talent in the Regal Pill Palace. Good, good!” Feng Beidou smiled faintly. “I wonder who are you sending out to do battle from the Precious Tree Sect side?”

The senior levels from the Precious Tree Sect all looked at each other. Who would be able to stand up against old monster Sunchaser?

A distant voice sounded from the air at this time. “I will.”

When those words rang out, a golden silhouette suddenly appeared, as if a beam of sunlight shooting down from the high skies.

Feng Beidou’s forehead creased as he looked at the newcomer.

This person was young, his brows well-defined. Starry, iridescent pair of eyes sparkled on his handsome face, and his chiseled face looked like a masterpiece. It was exceedingly stereoscopic, giving one a firm and indomitable feeling.

“Jiang Chen!”

Exclamations sounded forth from the Precious Tree Sect.

Forefather Thousandleaf was also a bit surprised. Ye Chonglou however, was unfazed. Jiang Chen had walked out from the Precious Tree Garden a moment ago and sent a message to him.

Jiang Chen had learned of all that had happened, and decisively asked to take the field when he heard of bet of three matches.

Feng Beidou frowned, looking at the subordinate next to him in obvious inquiry of who this young man was.

Zuo Lan hastened to say, “Master Feng, this is Jiang Chen.”

Feng Beidou’s gaze focused and a sharp light surged out from his eyes like lightning. It shot towards Jiang Chen, attempting to see straight through him.

Jiang Chen remained as unmoving as a mountain, slightly lifting an eyelid slightly and unconcernedly glancing at Feng Beidou.

Although he could feel the immense pressure of earth sage realm aura, Jiang Chen’s strength of heart had advanced more than five times over since breaking through to the origin realm.

Add to that the Evil Golden Eye and the God’s Eye, Jiang Chen was able to ignore all arts of the eyes.

Feng Beidou’s gaze was like a rock thrown into a golden-colored ocean, causing not even the slightest of splashes.

“Mm?” Feng Beidou was enormously surprised. His glance just now had contained only twenty percent of his aura. He’d thought that he would be able to see through Jiang Chen with but a glance, and perhaps even have Jiang Chen make a fool of himself.

He hadn’t thought that it would be as ineffective as a rock sinking into the ocean.

A trace of surprise surged into Feng Beidou’s eyes.

He’d heard of Jiang Chen’s name before, a fellow who had defeated some gray-clad inspector. Standing from the height of Feng Beidou, he couldn’t be bothered to even contemplate a spirit realm fight.

Therefore, he didn’t have a deep impression of Jiang Chen.

However, after this glance, he knew that this name would be deeply branded into his consciousness.

Eyes turn bloodshot when enemies meet.

Sunchaser cackled, roaring out, “Jiang Chen, has everyone in the Precious Tree Sect died? A mere spirit realm cultivator such as you dares take the field? That’s fine as well. It’s to my taste that you’re courting death! I vow that I am less than human if I don’t kill you this time!”

Hatred soared up to the skies. Anyone could make out the vengeful spite in Sunchaser’s tone.

It was obvious that after coming off worse for the wear after multiple engagements with Jiang Chen, Sunchaser’s hatred for Jiang Chen wouldn’t abate until Jiang Chen was dead.

Everyone was filled with anxiety in the Precious Tree Sect.

Forefather Thousandleaf urged in a low tone, “Jiang Chen, Sunchaser is one step away from breaking through to the earth origin realm. You…”

“Indeed Jiang Chen, don’t bite off more than you can chew.” Ye Chonglou was similarly deeply concerned.

“Forefathers, the grudge between Sunchaser and me needs to end someday. I’ve just entered the origin realm and need someone to test myself against. Sunchaser would do so wonderfully.”

“What?” Thousandleaf was dumbfounded, astonishment blossoming on his face as he stammered, “You… you broke through to the origin realm?”

Jiang Chen nodded lightly.

Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou looked at each other, uncertain what to say in that moment. The speed of this breakthrough had been simply too astounding.

Jiang Chen hadn’t even entered the earth spirit realm when he participated in the initial selection.

He’d continuously broken through in less than two years, reaching the skies in a single leap by entering the origin realm!

One had to know that whether it was Thousandleaf or Ye Chonglou, they had both built up to the step for far, far too long and had waited countless of years before taking it.

Ye Chonglou in particular had almost despaired before Jiang Chen had enlightened him with a single phrase.

However, Jiang Chen had easily stepped across the juncture to the origin realm just like that!

As the saying went, making comparisons would be the death of one.

It was a good thing that Jiang Chen was one of theirs and part of the Precious Tree Sect.

The two forefathers could see delight in the other’s eyes. They knew that the enormous gamble they’d taken with Jiang Chen had paid off in spades.

Sunchaser had no patience for the Precious Tree Sect to catch up with each other. He hopped straight into the ring.

A murderous aura flared as his eyes were shot through with red. He roared, “Whoever is representing the Precious Tree Sect, come swiftly to your death! Jiang Chen you lowly crossbreed, aren’t you trying to pretend that you’re all that? Get the hell in there!”

Jiang Chen suddenly glared with his God’s Eye when he heard these words, killing intent exploding within him.

“Forefathers, please allow me continue this chat with you later. Wait for me to behead Sunchaser’s dog of a head first!”

The word “crossbreed” was absolutely Jiang Chen’s bottom line.

He was extremely respectful towards his fathers in both lives. Calling him a crossbreed wasn’t just an insult to him, but an insult to his fathers in both lives.

Golden light flashed as Jiang Chen swooped to the side opposite of Sunchaser.

“Shut your mouth, old dog Sunchaser. The era of your Purple Sun Sect dominating the sixteen kingdoms is over. With our match today, let me personally end the overbearing dominion your sect has enjoyed over the years, end this era, and send you to the underworld to reunite with your old mistress!”

Jiang Chen stood with his hands behind his back as he spoke, his presence inspiring awe as he stood tall like mountain.

His vast origin power soared to the skies like a thousand-meter mountain, boundless, majestic, invincible, and imposing. There was the faint hint of thunder rolling through his words that shook the heavens and earth.

“Mm? Jiang Chen has broken through to the origin realm?”

“How is that possible? Even if he has, how could his aura be this strong?”

“This aura is absolutely on par with that of an earth origin realm expert! When did he break through to the origin realm?”

Those voicing these words were all from the four great sects in the sixteen kingdoms.

The folks invited from Myriad Domain were all grew somber when they saw this scene, whether or not they thought much of Jiang Chen before.

Even the proudest of the young Myriad Domain geniuses had to chalk up Jiang Chen as a strong future rival once he circulated his aura!

Chapter 452: Battling Sunchaser

Even the heavyweights on par with Dan Chi in the Myriad Domain were a bit moved when they saw the sudden aura rising from Jiang Chen, not to mention the young geniuses.

"Is he that Jiang Chen? Such a genius actually exists amongst the younger generation of the sixteen kingdoms?”

“Tsk tsk, incredible! This kid looks no more than twenty-something, not only has he broken through to the origin realm, but his strength is so strong as well! It looks like the sixteen kingdoms have indeed been underestimated.”

“Could it be that the legends speak truly of this kid killing the one with innate constitution and suppressing the Sky Sect?

“Dan Chi has always been one to act alone. It looks like the target of his enormous gamble this time may very well be this Jiang Chen!”

The powerhouses of the Myriad Domain were all inwardly stunned. They’d been all perplexed at first and felt that Dan Chi was playing with fire.

As for gossip in the outside world saying that he was doing so for Jiang Chen, everyone had been contemptuous of this saying and felt that he was just using it as an excuse.

However—

Jiang Chen’s entrance had changed everyone’s thoughts.

This made the powerhouses of the Myriad Domain all thoroughly understand—the greatest reason why Dan Chi had done so was indeed likely because of Jiang Chen.

“Jiang Chen… you!” Sunchaser was similarly dumbfounded at this time, mouth agape and unable to form a sentence.

He almost thought that he was hallucinating just then.

The overweeningly dominant Sunchaser had actually become ashen-faced from Jiang Chen’s aura a moment ago, unable to speak at all.

He’d requested to fight just now because he was certain the Precious Tree Sect was food in his mouth. He’d had an absolute psychological advantage over the Precious Tree Sect all this time.

He felt that he could thoroughly trample anyone who took the field.

In his heart, he’d never considered that Jiang Chen would be his opponent. As strong as the latter was, he was only of the spirit realm.

It was only less than a year since the trials of the Eternal Spirit Mountain.

Jiang Chen had only just entered the sky spirit realm then.

As strong as Jiang Chen was, it should’ve been impossible for him to break through to the origin realm in less than a year.

Therefore, Sunchaser hadn’t put him in the list of candidates at all.

However, his sudden appearance and assertive movements had completely thrown his plans in disarray, shattering his beautiful dreams.

Not only would Jiang Chen be his opponent, he was now also an origin realm cultivator.

It was one thing to just break through to the origin realm, but the aura that he was displaying at the mere first level origin realm was actually stronger than Sunchaser’s at peak third level!

Sunchaser couldn’t accept this at all at first blush.

When Zuo Lan saw the situation, he too was steely-faced. Despite him originally gloating, his feelings immediately sank rock bottom.

It had been he who had suggested Sunchaser fight a match, thinking that a victory was in the big. However, things had taken an unexpected turn with Jiang Chen’s appearance.

Feng Beidou hectored upon seeing Sunchaser lose his composure, “Sunchaser, is a young man who had just set foot into the origin realm enough to scare you?”

Sunchaser grew somber when he heard this and immediately reacted.

He was an old monster who’d come into his fame over a hundred years ago alright. He knew that he had no path for retreat after Feng Beidou’s words.

It wasn’t just a struggle for superiority between Jiang Chen and himself now, but one between the Sky Sect and the Regal Pill Palace.

The outcome of this match would determine his survival and the fortunes of the entire Purple Sun Sect.

If he lost, not only was he done for, but his entire sect as well.

The Sky Sect would never allow one defeated to control the Purple Light Division.

Countless thoughts spun through his head as Sunchaser slowly calmed down. He was someone about to enter the earth origin realm soon! As genius as Jiang Chen was, how strong could he possibly be?

The sudden flare of his aura just now had indeed been strong, but that was very likely just posturing. With his scant twenty years of age, how could Jiang Chen measure to someone renowned for the past hundred years such as Sunchaser?

Sunchaser felt that he would never lose when it came to foundations, battle experience, and assortment of harrowing trump cards.

Feng Beidou suddenly waved his hand and sent an item shooting towards Sunchaser. He sent a message with his consciousness, “Sunchaser, only victory is allowed and not defeat. I bestow upon you this spirit pearl of fire and ice for protection. All attacks of fire and ice in the origin realm will be nullified against you.”

Sunchaser was overjoyed and quickly accepted this item.

His hatred of Jiang Chen was as deep as the seas, and he’d naturally done a fair bit of research on Jiang Chen. He knew that Jiang Chen’s Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice was exceedingly difficult to defend against.

Since the spirit pearl of fire and ice could nullify all attacks of fire and ice, didn’t that mean the Lotus that could move like a ghost was completely ineffective against Sunchaser?

Sunchaser’s desire to fight instantly grew several times. If that eerie Lotus couldn’t do anything to him, then Jiang Chen alone was prey caught in his hands already.

Dan Chi couldn’t help but snort derisively when he saw this. “Envoy Feng, this kind of cheating isn’t fair play now, is it?”

Feng Beidou said faintly, “I didn’t send anyone to help, nor did I break the rules. How am I cheating? Bring out anything good that you have and let Jiang Chen use it. I’ll wait to marvel what you might have.”

The Regal Pill Palace naturally had their own foundations and treasures, but were truly nothing much compared to a first-ranked sect like the Sky Sect.

Dan Chi was about to speak when Jiang Chen waved his hand. “Palace Head Dan Chi, what need is there to borrow anything in order to behead a mere old dog?”

Dan Chi laughed heartily when he heard this. “Good! That’s how a young hero should be! You should let your light shine when need be. Jiang Chen, I’ll wait to drink and chat to your success in beheading Sunchaser’s dog of a head!”

Sunchaser’s face was livid as he roared, “Jiang Chen, youthful pride isn’t your fault, but to be so arrogant as to respect no one, is! I will settle our old and new grudges today! I swear I am less than human if I don’t rip you apart into thousands of pieces!”

Sunchaser made a grasping motion with his hands after speaking, producing a broadsword in his hand.

“Jiang Chen, you scum, die!”

The spirit pearl of fire and ice wasn’t just for defense, it would enhance attacks as well.

Sunchaser possessed a fire spirit constitution and had spent half his life tempering his fire cultivation. Prior to Jiang Chen’s appearance, his cultivation in the fire elemental energy had been the first amongst the sixteen kingdoms.

Dire cracks appeared in the air as Sunchaser swung the broadsword. Boundless fire elemental energy blazed forth, forming a wall of fire.

A fire dragon churned and created a sea of flames.

The sea of flames looked simple, but possessed the unique aura of the origin realm. It was as if the elemental energy had formed a cage that sealed off the air.

Once Jiang Chen was encircled by this sea, his only fate was to be refined to bits and pieces.

However, this kind of attack was simply too crude to Jiang Chen.

He opened his hands and vines from sixteen ice lotuses, astonishing in thickness and size, instantly formed and gave rise to all sorts of ice barriers. They created an ice wall as solid as a mountain in the blink of an eye.

Bam!

The flame waves instantly halted when they crashed into the ice wall.

The two enormous powers dissipated with a loud hiss, just like the powers of fire and water ramming into each other.

Jiang Chen made hand seals and transformed the waves from the melted ice wall into the force of the Vast Ocean Current Splitter, taking the opportunity to counter-attack.

The pace of the battle had moved swiftly and the shift in his technique was so exquisite that it was like the moving clouds and flowing waters, accomplished smoothly in a single breath.

Dan Chi’s face was wreathed in smiles when he saw how adeptly and easily Jiang Chen utilized his techniques.

“Jiang Chen hasn’t disappointed me alright. To speak nothing of his body condition, the usage of these techniques alone is enough to hail him as a super genius. Good, good, good! It looks like I’ve made the right bet this time again.”

Dan Chi was a very charismatic and ambitious person. Ever since he’d taken control of the Regal Pill Palace, he’d desired to spread his wings and bring the Regal Pill Palace to the peak of its glory.

He himself was a martial dao genius just as well. To be able to hold his own with the other old monster heavyweights of the Myriad Domain was a testament to his potential and talent.

It was precisely because Dan Chi was younger and possessed such charisma that he was an extraordinary sect head in the Myriad Domain. He had lofty ambition and noble aspirations, a decisive and authoritative style that enabled him to do as he pleased. He was never the sort to dither or hem and haw.

Just like how he’d proceeded allying with the Precious Tree Sect.

Dan Chi had set his eyes on Jiang Chen and proceeded forward no matter the criticism and objections from the outside world, never holding any regret.

He’d now received the return for his actions in the form of Jiang Chen!

Sunchaster snorted softly, not panicking when he saw the force from this stroke roll forth. He swept across with his broadsword and deflected the oncoming attack.

However, turbulent emotions arose in Sunchaser’s heart from this short exchange.

With his cultivation near the earth origin realm and the aid from the spirit pearl of fire and ice, he actually hadn’t gained the upper hand at all!

Jiang Chen’s rate of improvement had truly astounded him.

“If I can’t kill this troublemaker today, I may actually be the one to be trounced and killed by him next time! I must kill him no matter the cost today!”

A murderous light shone in his eyes as killing intent exploded ten times over.

“Bastard, it’s either you or me today!”

Sunchaser reached with his hand as he spoke, a string of red prayer beads appearing within.

As soon as he flung the prayer beads into the air, they actually grew bigger! Each bead actually transformed into a sinister and horrifying skull.

Sunchaser cackled, “Jiang Chen, you have the chance to taste what it feels like to be burned by heavenly fires today!”

He pointed with his broadsword as the prayer beads started rotating rapidly. The twenty four skulls hummed as they closed in.

The skulls were blazing bright, as if each of them nurtured a volcano inside that would erupt with wanton abandon at any moment.

“Heavenly fire, descend!”

The twenty four skulls seemed to be alive in that moment as their orifices lit up, shooting forth with blue flame that rumbled downwards.

With their open orifices, the twenty four skulls seemed like an endless stream of heavenly fire, shooting downwards like meteors. It was as if a pill cauldron had been overturned and countless heavenly meteors had descended into the mortal realm.

And the flames were all blue!

When flames turned blue, this entailed that the fire wasn’t ordinary, but one with extraordinary origin.

Although it was an exaggeration to call it heavenly fire, it was definitely not on the same level as ordinary fire elemental energy!

Chapter 453: Chasing Sunchaser

“Be careful Jiang Chen, these are the true origin flames, something that the flames of the spirit realm are unable to measure up to.” Thousandleaf couldn’t help but speak up in reminder from the sidelines.

Although Dan Chi hadn’t made a sound and appeared quite at ease, he couldn’t help but secretly be a bit worried.

Having received Feng Beidou’s treasure, Sunchaser’s strength was sure to have been enhanced. Otherwise, Sunchaser by himself could’ve never displayed such terrifying strength with this move alone.

If this match had occurred before he’d broken through to the origin realm, Jiang Chen would’ve never dared use the Lotus to meet these true origin realm flames.

But now—

The Lotus had had a significant breakthrough in its form after entering the origin realm.

It was a heavenly spirit being to begin with. Even that spirit pearl of fire and ice was far below the Lotus in terms of quality.

However, the Lotus was currently far from reaching the peak of its evolution.

It’s just that Jiang Chen had tapped into its strengths after breaking through to the origin realm.

He’d made up his mind to thoroughly chase after and trounce Sunchaser this time.

He wouldn’t hold back his momentum out of caution for what treasure Feng Beidou gave to Sunchaser.

A cold smile played about the corners of his lips.

Suddenly, whooshes sounded all around Jiang Chen as seventy two vines grew almost in unison around him, as if seventy two wild drakes rising up from the abyss.

Thirty six fire lotuses were arranged on the outer layers, thirty six ice lotuses arrayed inside, protecting Jiang Chen in the core zone.

The evolved Lotus had even more of a fey and unnatural presence to it.

Petals shifted as they overlapped, with the petals from the ice lotuses forming thirty six barriers around Jiang Chen in an instant.

The vines of the fire lotuses rose even higher, contending for their place in the air as if the lesser dragons were competing who’d be first

The petals of the fire lotuses opened like the bloody, yawning maws of ancient beasts as they swallowed each gout of flame as fast as lightning.

This situation of the heavenly fires reminded one of locusts filling the air, with the fire lotuses as birds devouring them, making swift and clean work of their prey.

The fire lotus vines twisted and turned, agile to the extreme. When thirty six fire lotuses all moved at once, the impressive scene of the endless stream of flames unable to break through the blockade of the fire lotuses occurred.

“Mm?”

Feng Beidou was surprised when he saw this play out. “This lotus is quite mystical and bizarre. What is it?”

“This lotus actually has attributes of both fire and ice!” Dan Chi was also slightly startled by this. Joy bloomed on his face. “He is one with great fortune indeed.”

When they saw that Jiang Chen was actually able to hold up beneath Sunchaser’s attack, the audience was just as astonished.

Thanks to the effects of the spirit pearl of fire and ice, Sunchaser’s attack was more than double what he could muster at his peak condition.

This kind of attack put him on par with an expert of the earth origin realm.

But Jiang Chen, a twenty year old young man, had dispelled his attacks with such a magnificent presence!

“What?!” Incredulity shot out of Sunchaser’s eyes. He knew that Jiang Chen had a miraculous lotus, which was why he’d put most of his strength behind this attack.

However, his true origin flames had been completely devoured by the other. This was simply too great of a blow to Sunchaser’s confidence.

This was the move that he was most proud of and one that he thought was fatal without question!

If Jiang Chen had used all of his strength and barely managed to block it, then Sunchaser might not have been as surprised then.

But to have it all swallowed up by the fire lotuses, it felt like throwing a punch at full strength only for it to land on cotton, as if a stone chucked into the ocean producing not the slightest of ripples.

Just now, out of caution Jiang Chen had deployed the Lotus with his full strength as well.

He too was secretly startled when he saw the fire lotus devour all of the flames, leaving his ice lotus defences completely unused.

Jiang Chen had only known that the Lotus has greatly increased in power following his breakthrough to the origin realm.

He never would’ve thought that the fire lotuses’ devouring abilities would rise so much all of a sudden. He’d thought that the fire lotuses would be insufficient and a portion of the fires would get through, putting the ice lotus defenses to use.

Who would’ve thought that the Lotus would give Jiang Chen such an enormous surprise!

He grew more confident in that moment.

Having experienced Sunchaser’s trump card, Jiang Chen’s bearing became much more confident as he laughed heartily.

“Old dog Sunchaser, if this is all you’ve got, then a year from now on will be your memorial day!”

After the thirty six fire lotus vines had swallowed the flames, their forms were enhanced even more. Each fire lotus was akin to a gluttonous wild beast, exploding forth with overbearing momentum and pouncing towards Sunchaser amidst the blazing flames.

Sunchaser sucked in a breath when he saw the fire lotuses bearing down on him. He could feel the noticeable difference in momentum between the attack from the Lotus this time and the one he’d weathered last time.

He’d been able to hack off multiple vines when he swung his broadsword last time.

This time, the stalks had obviously improved many times over no matter the angle one looked at it.

The thirty six fire lotus vines continued to extend, twisting and turning around each other in midair, forming narrow cages in the air in the blink of an eye.

Most frighteningly, by the time the fire lotuses neared Sunchaser, he could see that they had obviously grown much thicker, as big as the girth of a grown man’s thigh.

In addition, the fire lotus vines were noticeably more tenacious than last time.

Sunchaser swiped horizontally.

One vine was severed and fell to the ground.

However, Sunchaser’s momentum too was halted. There was actually no force remaining behind his stroke after severing the first.

“How is this possible?! I could hack off multiple vines with just one stroke last time. But now, sixty to seventy percent of my strength was enough for just one vine?”

The other vines all circled around as this thought traveled through his mind, continuously pressing down on him as if they wanted to crush the very air around Sunchaser.

The vine that he’d chopped at returned to normal after flailing for shortly.

Unless the Flaming Heart of Ice was destroyed, cutting off the vines was absolutely insufficient to extinguish the life of a Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice.

A trance of fear and panic swept through Sunchaser’s heart when he saw this.

The strength and tenacity of the evolved form of this mystical lotus was far beyond his expectations.

He continued to swing his sword, severing a vine with every swing, but the speed of his movements couldn’t keep up with the fire lotuses’ shifts at all.

The air around him was gradually engulfed, forcing him into an ever-decreasing circle.

When he saw this scene, Feng Beidou’s face was as dark as the deepest water. He’d obviously witnessed the extraordinary aspects of Jiang Chen.

Sunchaser wouldn’t be able to hold up at all at this rate.

Dan Chi’s feelings were precisely the opposite of Feng Beidou’s, feeling that he’d picked up a treasure. A twenty year old young man was able to suppress an old monster in the origin realm despite having just entered the origin realm himself!

No matter whom he asked in the Myriad Domain, Jiang Chen was an eye-catching existence.

Although Dan Chi’s eyes remain firmly fixed on the battle, his awareness covered the entire area and had long since witnessed the reactions of the Myriad Domain’s young geniuses.

“Heh heh, these young geniuses in the Myriad Domain have always thought quite highly of themselves and never even looked properly at a remote place such as the sixteen kingdoms. Jiang Chen’s performance today is forcing them to set aside their egos and properly look at this genius from a faraway place!”

It was just as Dan Chi was thinking, the young Myriad Domain geniuses present were finding it difficult to recover from the shock in their hearts.

They had heard of Jiang Chen’s repute as a genius, but only now did they truly understand why his name had spread from the minor sixteen kingdom alliance to the entire Myriad Domain.

Even the most preeminent genius in the Myriad Domain had to admit that this level of cultivation would ensure that in the future Jiang Chen would be listed among the geniuses in the Myriad Domain.

Feng Beidou’s expression was dark, whereas Zuo Lan behind him felt as if he’d fallen into an icy cavern. He had a feeling that if Sunchaser failed, the Sky Sect’s plan to enter the sixteen kingdoms would be an utter failure.

He would also be affected as a result.

When his thoughts travelled here, Zuo Lan couldn’t reign his temper in as he shouted, “Sunchaser, if you cannot win this fight, then the entire Purple Sun Sect will accompany you in your grave!”

Zuo Lan no longer stayed demure at this time.

Sunchaser felt a jolt through heart when he heard this. Even though Zuo Lan didn’t represent Feng Beidou’s intentions when he spoke, he wasn’t that far off either.

“The envoys of the Sky Sect all have hearts of stone and will surely do as they say. If I lose this match, the sect will surely be done for!”

Sunchaser’s heart burned with anxiety, but all his methods were unable to break through the defenses of that bizarre lotus.

He was incredibly conflicted for a moment as the domineering Lotus had sealed off the space around him.

Scenes filled with hatred and past grudges flashed continuously through his mind.

“Jiang Chen!” The flames of fury burned within Sunchaser, his eyes turning bloodshot as he rasped out, “Don’t be too cocky so early! I’ll drag you down with me even if I die!”

The sudden thought of going down in the blaze of glory rushed through Sunchaser’s mind.

Jiang Chen snorted derisively as he waved with a single hand, sending forth an explosive ray of golden light.

The golden light coalesced into a gale the next moment, churning up a terrifying storm cloud that illuminated the entire area.

“Mm? What’s that?”

Everyone was dumbfounded by the sudden appearance of the golden light that had roiled into a golden tornado with the backdrop of a storm.

Sunchaser felt his body sink into what felt like a swamp in the next moment. It completely ignored his commands.

“No! What vile tricks did the kid use this time?!” Sunchaser roared continuously as he tried to circulate his qi in an attempt to detonate it and take Jian Chen with him in a suicidal attack.

However his wishful thoughts were all confined within the restraints of the magnetic storm.

The magnetic storm was like golden mud, opponents would be unable to escape from it unless they had a great divine art.

The golden light twisted, forming a vortex that quickly sucked in Sunchaser as if he were a leaf.

Just like a millstone, the golden light ground to a halt after swallowing Sunchaser’s body, before a ghastly cry rang out.

Blood splattered everywhere in the next second.

Chapter 454: Destroying Sunchaser, Shocking Feng Beidou

Golden light collapsed in on itself as blood flew everywhere.

Sunchaser’s cries were still echoing through the air even when his body had been churned to bits. Not even a shard of bone was left behind as he was completely ground to dust.

Suddenly, the air shifted as a strange pearl shot out from the magnetic storm.

A fire lotus happened to extend one of its petals and swallowed the pearl whole.

Jiang Chen extended his arms and all the vines retreated without a trace left behind, whistles marking their sudden departure.

Apart from a ground strewn with gore, there was no other sign of Sunchaser.

Jiang Chen’s speed, from his first move to grinding up Sunchaser, had been so fast that the eyes of everyone assembled hadn’t moved swiftly enough to follow. By the time they had reacted, there was only a puddle of blood and pieces left of Sunchaser.

The assembly was deathly quiet, even a pin drop would’ve been as loud as thunder.

Even someone as strong as Feng Beidou hadn’t been able to see what had happened when Jiang Chen’s ball of golden light burst out.

Dan Chi seemed to have a nebulous understanding of what art Jiang Chen had used.

Only when the Lotus swallowed the spirit pearl of fire and ice did Feng Beidou react, a frosty glare shooting out of his eyes.

“You vile animal, how dare you land a fatal blow?!”

He reached out with a single hand after he spoke, lunging across to Jiang Chen with a shift of his body.

Dan Chi arrived at almost the same time, a palm sending out a probing blow.

Bam!

The two earth sage realm cultivators thrust a palm out at each other, the enormous origin power churning outwards like waves, freezing the very air at the scene.

Dan Chi followed through on his palm and swept Jiang Chen out of the ring.

He then swung back and stood there gallantly, a leisurely laugh spilling from his lips, “Envoy Feng, is the second match you and me? That’s just as well!”

Although the two earth sage realm cultivators had exchanged but one palm, they’d immediately probed the depths of each other’s cultivation.

Feng Beidou was deeply shocked as he grew serious.

“Isn’t this Dan Chi only at fourth level sage realm? Why is the power behind his blow so immense? It’s absolutely not below fifth level sage realm. Has he recently broken through again?”

Feng Beidou has broken through in the past couple of days to fifth level sage realm. This strength plus his own foundations from the Sky Sect left him confident that he could overpower anyone in the Myriad Domain.

With the information he’d gathered, the highest that any of the Myriad Domain heavyweights could reach was only fifth level sage realm.

As for Dan Chi, reports showed he was only at fourth level sage realm.

But the power Feng Beidou had felt through the blow just now wasn’t in any way inferior to his.

He sank into silent contemplation in front of the proud, expansive Dan Chi.

He couldn’t afford to lose this match. If he lost to Dan Chi, it would spell the end of the entire Sky Sect’s plans for the sixteen kingdoms, not just his end.

If this happened, he would become a laughingstock within the Sky Sect no matter how high his position. He may even be punished and his future turn bleak as a result.

Feng Beidou had planned on having Sunchaser win, then send his ninth rank inspector and win out over the vice head of the Regal Pill Palace.

This way, he wouldn’t have to take the field himself after winning two matches.

However, Sunchaser’s defeat had knocked everything askew.

Dan Chi had precisely bet on this—taking psychological advantage of Jiang Chen’s victory to start the offensive and immediately gain the upper hand in terms of momentum.

The dominance of the momentum of a sage realm cultivator was wholly different to that of the origin realm.

The origin realm was a process of refining spirit power, and using the essence of spirit power to form a nascent soul within the body.

The sage realm was the ascension of the origin realm.

If the nascent soul of the origin realm was analogous to a towering tree, then the sage realm’s method of training the world within one’s body was analogous to countless towering trees forming a forest.

Therefore, sage realm cultivators were also hailed as sages of inner cultivation.

Sages of inner cultivation were divided into nine levels, but people were used to calling them mortal sage realm, earth sage realm, and sky sage realm to differentiate between the levels.

First to third level sage realm were within mortal sage realm. When one broke through to mortal sage realm, three flowers would blossom over their heads.

Fourth to sixth level were earth sage realm. Golden lotuses would surge out of the ground when one broke through, exhibiting a most impressive sight.

Seventh to ninth were sky sage realm. When one broke through to sky sage realm, the phenomenon would be even more grand. Blossoms would rain down from the heavenly maids, and the delicate fragrance of that cascade of flowers would travel for hundreds of kilometers.

Dan Chi had broken through to the earth sage realm ten years ago. At his age, he held the Myriad Domain’s record for the youngest to break through in the last millennium.

He’d halted at the fourth level for the past decade, unable to advance.

Nothing changed until a while ago when Elder Shun had traveled to Regal Pill Palace and resided for seven days, teaching Dan Chi many things and telling Dan Chi about Jiang Chen, as well as issuing a reminder regarding the Requiem Wood.

In those seven days, Elder Shun had passed on a few arts to Dan Chi according to the latter’s cultivation leanings, giving him pointers that helped him ascend to the fifth level.

With Elder Shun’s teachings, Dan Chi’s cultivation had instantly taken a step forward to a whole new step. The tutelage from those seven days had brought Dan Chi to a new world of martial dao.

Dan Chi’s worldview had been qualitatively enhanced as well, greatly boosting his confidence.

Therefore, even though he faced a tenth rank inspector from the Sky Sect at this moment, he didn’t mentally shy away in the least. He was actually the one who issued the challenge instead.

Add Jiang Chen’s utter victory to the mix and he held an absolute psychological advantage.

The ninth rank inspector wearing the three star blue robe immediately detected the subtle undercurrents of the situation. He snorted softly, and took a step forward to say, “It’s always been soldier against soldier, and general facing general since ancient times. I am a ninth rank inspector of the Sky Sect, and am willing to face any expert of the Regal Pill Palace apart from Palace Head Dan Chi.”

The appearance of this person instantly broke the odd tension of the scene.

It was apparent that this inspector surnamed Hua also knew of the great momentum behind Jiang Chen’s victory, making it so that Feng Beidou was no longer confident of a surefire win over Dan Chi.

He had to step out and shatter this odd momentum.

He was confident that apart from Dan Chi, he would be able to win out over anyone else in the Regal Pill Palace.

As long as he took home a victory, morale would swing back over to the Sky Sect’s side. Then, Feng Beidou would no longer have a psychological disadvantage if he took the field.

Feng Beidou was delighted and rather admired his perceptive subordinate. He chuckled, “Hua Qianshan, ninth rank inspector. He is my right hand man. Dan Chi, if anyone apart from you can win out over him, then my Sky Sect will concede the bet.”

Feng Beidou smiled slightly, removing himself from the awkward situation.

A mocking smile played about Dan Chi’s lips as he looked at Feng Beidou deeply with a meaningful gaze. He suddenly smiled bizarrely and laughed. “Envoy Feng, are you retreating from the brink of battle and sending out a subordinate instead? Doesn’t this tell everyone that you were afraid just now? A vaunted Sky Sect envoy avoiding battle, wouldn’t this damage Sky Sect’s reputation if it were to travel?”

You, Feng Beidou, want to send your man out first and avoid this awkward situation? That’s just running from battle!

Dan Chi was going to call him out on it and leave him no place to hide.

Indeed, Feng Beidou’s fan chilled. “Avoiding battle? Dan Chi, you think too highly of yourself. It’ll be all the same if you challenge me after your Regal Pill Palace has made it past Hua Qianshan.”

“Haha, aren’t Envoy Feng’s words just trying to deceive yourself? If my Regal Pill Palace makes it past Hua Qianshan, what right does your Sky Sect have to issue another challenge? Envoy Feng, by running and hiding like this in the face of the fear in your heart, you won’t have the slightest chance of winning even if there is a third match!”

Dan Chi continued to strengthen his insinuations in order to force Feng Beidou into a corner.

One had to say, his mental attacks were quite useful. Feng Beidou found himself in an awkward situation after just a few words.

Even the various heavyweights of the Myriad Domain all felt that Dan Chi was overwhelming Feng Beidou’s presence.

A mighty tenth rank inspector of the Sky Sect was being dominated? This made the scales of victory in everyone’s hearts unconsciously tilt towards Dan Chi.

Dan Chi smiled dashingly and turned to speak to Vice Head Xuan Zhen, “Xuan Zhen, it’s for the best if you win this match, but it matters not if you lose.”

Xuan Zhen nodded slightly. He felt even less pressure since Dan Chi had spoke such and only needed to give it his best.

Hua Qianshan of the three starred blue robe stood at the peak of the second level sage realm, nearing third level.

When the Sky Sect’s legacy was thrown in the mix, his strength was quite astounding. When the battle began, Xuan Zhen was forced to constantly be on the defensive.

It was a good thing that the latter was deserving of his title as a vice head of the Regal Pill Palace.

Even though he was constantly on the defensive, it didn’t appear that he would lose anytime soon.

Even though Hua Qianshan’s attacks were as numerous and powerful as the tides, Xuan Zhen’s defenses were as if a needle hidden in cotton. He would show some of his light occasionally and make a brilliant counter, not allowing Hua Qianshan to wholeheartedly concentrate on offense.

This kind of tempo utterly mesmerized the audience.

Although exchanges at this level didn’t seem as magnificent as the fight between Jiang Chen and Sunchaser, there was a lot more to this match to those in the know.

Apart from a few sage realm experts present, even those at the peak of the origin realm could only somewhat grasp what was going on.

As for the four great sects of the sixteen kingdoms, they were basically just watching a show. They only knew that the match was astounding, but had no idea what made it so.

That is, apart from Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen was focused on observing the fight, his eyes boring into every move like a torch, not willing to let a single detail escape.

The memories from his past life had already set him apart from others. Training God’s Eye and Evil Golden Eye had made his vision far surpass others.

In this way, a fight that even Forefather Thousandleaf and the others were unable to understand was highly fascinating to Jiang Chen. He could directly observe the essence of this match.

“The experts of the sage realm all have admirably wonderful momentum. At times unrestrained, at times reserved. They have a momentum that moves heaven and earth between their attacks and defenses. If an origin realm cultivator tried to partake in such a match, they likely wouldn’t even make it past one move.” Jiang Chen kept watching as he reflected.

In the world of martial dao, the difference of one entire martial dao realm was indeed a difference between heaven and earth.

Those of the true qi realm could be slaughtered in a second by spirit realm cultivators, whereas origin realm forefathers could trample all spirit realm cultivators.

Now that sage realm cultivators were fighting in front of him, it was apparent that origin realm cultivators were just as insignificant as ants as well!

Chapter 455: A Fight Between Earth Sage Realm Experts, Golden Lotuses Surge

The heavyweights of the Myriad Domain sects continuously sent hidden messages to their sect geniuses, explaining some of the key points of this battle.

The first rate sects had all brought their premier geniuses this time. Although they were quite a ways away from the sage realm, they had witnessed many things, including matches between sage realm experts thanks to being born in the great sects.

They naturally comprehended much thanks to the analysis of their sects’ powerhouses.

As for the young geniuses of second and third rate powers, their potential was a bit worse to begin with, as were their comprehension abilities. Add to that the strength of their sects’ experts being far weaker than that of the first rate sects, it was obvious that their explanations were much more crude.

Only Jiang Chen had no need for a running commentary.

Dan Chi didn’t seem inclined to pay him any attention either. Rather, he leisurely watched the match with a faint smile on his face.

Dan Chi had quite a stratagem up his sleeve at the moment.

Whether Xuan Zhen won or lost, neither outcome would affect his dao heart.

In fact, Dan Chi rather wished that Xuan Zhen wouldn’t win, so that he would have the opportunity to fight Feng Beidou.

Dan Chi deeply yearned for this battle.

He craved the challenge of facing off with a tenth rank inspector from the Sky Sect. This fight would be the one that spread his name throughout the Myriad Domain.

Suddenly, Dan Chi glanced aside, in Jiang Chen’s direction.

He noticed Jiang Chen was watching with great interest, without missing the slightest detail from the ring. Furthermore, contemplation and theorization shone in his eyes as the fight progressed.

“Mm?” Dan Chi found this interesting. “Jiang Chen seems to be scrutinizing a match between the sage realm. Could it be that he sees through it?”

Dan Chi found this incredible.

He looked again at the origin realm cultivators around him. Although they were all watching intently, the look swirling in their eyes indicated that they only understood parts of this match.

However, Dan Chi saw traces of something else in Jiang Chen.

“Astounding, simply astounding. If it wasn’t for tangible evidence, I would never believe that this genius is only twenty years old. Just what kind of feng shui does the Eastern Kingdom boast to have cultivated this kind of genius?”

Dan Chi was quite curious about Jiang Chen at this moment.

“The mysterious elder repeatedly reminded me me to pay attention to Jiang Chen. It seems like he must be a genius who the mysterious elder has personally raised and is fated to rise in the Myriad Domain.”

Dan Chi recalled Elder Shun and although the latter had never told Dan Chi his name, the mysterious senior had long-since possessed the status of a deity in Dan Chi’s heart.

Seven days worth of pointers from Elder Shun had been equivalent to more than ten years worth of effort and accumulation of knowledge from Dan Chi.

Pointers at his stage of cultivation were something that no legacy or pills were able to help him with.

It was just like how one saw vastly different scenery and worldview from a thousand meters compared to form ten thousand meters.

Increasing his martial dao cultivation was one thing, but most importantly was that Elder Shun’s pointers had improved his knowledge of martial dao.

Dan Chi couldn’t help but speculate when he looked at Jiang Chen, “Jiang Chen must have an inexplicable relationship with the mysterious senior. The senior must be a reclusive expert from the Upper Eight Regions. He might even be an ‘emperor realm’ cultivator!”

The emperor realm followed after the sage realm.

Those at the peak of the emperor realm were hailed as a Great Emperor.

Great Emperors were the pinnacle of existence in the entire Divine Abyss Continent.

Those characters almost never ventured out. If they did, a mere stomp of their foot was enough to shake the entire Continent.

From Dan Chi’s understanding of the Continent, the Upper Eight Regions were the highest existence.

Even he had only vague knowledge of the even more mysterious places beyond it. He heard of them occasionally, but didn’t know what was true or false.

“Even if that mysterious senior isn’t a Great Emperor, he is surely at the peak of the emperor realm. That I, Dan Chi, could receive seven days worth of pointers from him is three lives worth of good fortune. If Jiang Chen is the personal disciple of that senior, then his future is limitless! However, I wonder why the senior has left him in the Myriad Domain. There must be a covert reason behind this. Since the senior wishes to act through my Regal Pill Palace, then I cannot shirk from this responsibility. Not only is this my chance, it is an opportunity for the Regal Pill Palace!”

Dan Chi had long-since revered Elder Shun as a deity, and was treating Elder Shun’s words as infallible law.

Suddenly, a thought struck Dan Chi as he subtly shifted to Jiang Chen. He smiled faintly, “Young friend Jiang Chen, I am Dan Chi, the Palace Head of the Regal Pill Palace.”

A light winked through Jiang Chen’s eyes when he saw Dan Chi.

“Jiang Chen greets Sage Dan Chi.”

“Haha, no need to stand on ceremony. Everyone has been belittling, slandering and suspecting me. Or even thinking that I’ve gone mad for allying with the Precious Tree Sect. But from now on, they will envy, admire, or even hate that I’ve picked up a treasure.”

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. “Sage Dan Chi is no ordinary person and thus does no ordinary actions.”

No ordinary person and thus does no ordinary actions.

This proclaimation greatly pleased Dan Chi and he became wreathed in smiles. He looked upon Jiang Chen with a great deal more favor after these words, and he vaguely felt that someone who understood him stood in front of him.

Dan Chi had always had a unique style of doing things. He never followed protocol and often strayed from the established way.

His methods were completely embodied by Jiang Chen’s words.

Indeed, he was no ordinary person, so his actions were often unexpected and therefore extraordinary in the eyes of outsiders.

“Good, good!” Dan Chi lauded. “Jiang Chen, I have only one thing to say, and that’s that the doors of the Regal Pill Palace are always open to you. Of the talents in the younger generation that I know, if you ranked second, no one would dare rank first.”

This was an exceedingly high compliment.

Jiang Chen didn’t attempt to humbly decline the compliment as he smiled openly and then looked to the ring again.

“Jiang Chen, what do you think of this match?”

“Every move and technique of those in the sage realm are profound and trigger reactions in heaven and earth. Vice Head Xuan Zhen does not have a high chance of winning this match.”

Jiang Chen spoke candidly.

Dan Chi also laughed heartily. “My compliments! Few origin realm cultivators could have the same foresight as you. Jiang Chen, even if I were to place you in the rankings of the Myriad Domain geniuses right now, you would absolutely make it into the top thirty.”

“Top thirty?” Jiang Chen chuckled. ‘It looks like there is much motivation for me to train well.”

Top thirty?

This wasn’t the ranking that Jiang Chen wanted.

Even top ten or five wasn’t the ranking that Jiang Chen wanted, much less top thirty.

What he desired was always that highest position. If he didn’t climb to the peak of the Divine Abyss Continent, then to him that meant he hadn’t succeeded.

The son of the Celestial Emperor, a million years in his past life. If he couldn’t reach the top of a continent in a single plane of existence with these advantages, then he would’ve truly and thoroughly failed.

The situation in the ring changed as they spoke.

A loud explosion rang out.

Xuan Zhen and Hua Qianli had slammed their palms together more than a dozen times as their figures flashed to and fro. Xuan Zhen took a few steps backwards, with Hua Qianli retreating a dozen steps as well.

Xuan Zhen clutched his chest with an ashen face and sighed bitterly, “Palace Head, your subordinate is incompetent.”

Although Hua Qianli had won, it had been a hard-fought victory.

“Master Feng, your subordinate was lucky enough to not fail his mission.” Hua Qianli raised his hands in a cupped-fist salute, when suddenly both combatants simultaneously opened their mouths and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Although Hua Qianli had achieved a hard-fought victory, he’d paid the price with a mouthful of blood.

Feng Beidou nodded slightly, but he actually felt extremely awkward.

He even wished that Hua Qianli had lost in that moment. That way, he wouldn’t have to take the field.

Even when he returned to the Sky Sect, he could’ve pointed Hua Qianli and Sunchaser as the ones responsible.

But now with Hua Qianli’s victory, he had to take the field as well.

Unfortunately, Dan Chi completely dictated the mood of their match. Feng Beidou had been adjusting his mentality during the previous fight, but the crack that had appeared in his heart had yet to mend.

He knew that as long as this crack didn’t heal, he would have a slim chance of winning in a fight against Dan Chi.

Dan Chi, on the other hand, obviously planned on not giving Fei Beidou a single chance. He barked out in laughter, “Envoy Feng, it looks like our match is unavoidable. Whether it’s your Sky Sect securing a position in the sixteen kingdoms alliance, or my Regal Pill Palace successfully allying with the Precious Tree Sect, the winner of our match will determine the outcome!”

Dan Chi had a grand presence to him as he circulated his qi while he spoke, golden light flaring out behind him and soaring to the clouds. Sage realm qi currents continuously flowed out of him to form golden lotuses as he took each step.

“Golden lotuses surging out of the earth!”

“There’s golden lotuses! He’s an earth sage realm expert alright!”

Three flowers over one’s head was the sign of the mortal sage realm, whereas golden lotuses was the hallmark symbol of an earth sage realm cultivator.

Suddenly, the golden currents lifted Dan Chi’s body upwards as he shot into the sky in a beam of light.

“Feng Beidou, although we’re not of the sky sage realm, our cultivation has reached the high enough to fight in the air. The Precious Tree Sect territory is small and likely will not hold up beneath our movements. Why don’t we fight in the air for our match. Are you brave enough to take the challenge?”

Sage realm cultivators could fly through the air through their own arts.

When they reached sky sage realm, it was as if they’d grown wings and possessed full freedom of movement.

Although Feng Beidou and Dan Chi were of the earth sage realm, they too had certain capability to fly through the air. Although they wouldn’t be as carefree as those in the sky sage realm, they could still fly smoothly via certain arts.

Everyone was taken aback by Dan Chi’s proposal.

It wasn’t that no one fought in the skies, but that this was usually done through steeds.

Actual aerial combat between cultivators alone was quite rare.

It was an impossible sight in the sixteen kingdoms.

Blood thrummed through Jiang Chen’s veins and adrenaline surged as he watched Dan Chi rise into the air in a column of golden colored light.

“Sage realm cultivators can fly through the air. It looks like I still have a long path to walk until I reach that step!”

Jiang Chen sighed, full of anticipation for the sage realm.

Chapter 456: A Match Full of Suspense

The match between two sage realm cultivators had indeed surpassed everyone’s imagination. However, as the two cultivators fought, they drifted further and further away, rising higher and higher until they were eventually two black dots vanishing into the endless heavens.

This greatly depressed those who were observing the match.

The younger disciples, in particular, all wanted to summon their steeds and follow the two cultivators.

However, they were all halted by the heavyweights of their sects.

“Boss, don’t you have a Goldwing Swordbird? Let’s go and take a look!” Tang Hong walked over, his eyes shining brightly with interest. It was obvious he wanted to witness the face off between sage realm cultivators.

Jiang Chen smiled leisurely with a slight shake of his head.

His powers of understanding weren’t the least bit inferior than those of the heavyweights of the Myriad Domain. He was naturally aware that Palace Head Dan Chi and Feng Beidou had a tacit understanding.

No matter who won, this match would involve the dignity of sage realm cultivators.

Therefore, no matter who the victor was, neither cultivator wanted those beneath them to see them in such a state.

This was why the two had brought their fight away to the point where they’d disappeared into the sky.

It was apparent that they wanted to find a place where they could give free reign to their abilities and battle to their heart’s content.

If any insensible soul followed to watch the match, they would offend both parties.

Each and every powerhouse of the Myriad Domain were all slippery foxes in their own right, and naturally understood the subtleties of the matter. That was why they’d prevented their disciples from acting on their impulses to observe the match.

“Heh heh, Tang Hong, your powers of comprehension are strong, but they’re still below Jiang Chen’s. Palace Head Dan Chi and that Envoy Feng do not wish to be disturbed by the outside world. Whoever goes to watch the match will end up offending both experts.”

Forefather Thousandleaf walked over and issued an earnest warning.

Tang Hong grew thoughtful, and his face split into a huge grin. He looked up at the vast skies and sighed, “When will I, Tang Hong, be as strong as them?”

Jiang Chen laughed. “Everything is possible.”

On the Myriad Domain’s side, there were many speculations about the match.

Most still favored Dan Chi.

There weren’t any tricks to an exchange between experts. Whoever possessed a more dominating momentum would normally hold the initiative. At that point,it was easy enough to predict the outcome when one side controlled the initiative.

Although Feng Beidou hailed from the Sky Sect, it was still a large sect. Even though his position was high, he wasn’t at the peak of his sect.

There were many at his level in the Sky Sect, so even if he’d received the Sky Sect’s heritage, he wouldn’t enjoy an unbelievable amount of resources from the sect.

Dan Chi was completely different. He was the Palace Head of the Regal Pill Palace, the one who held the greatest right to speak.

Therefore, he had the first right to divvy up all of the resources within the sect.

There was also no ground for criticism concerning that. After all, his strength was the highest and he made the greatest contributions to the Regal Pill Palace. He stood as the critical factor why the Regal Pill Palace was on par with the other great powers within the Myriad Domain.

Therefore, when it came down to Dan Chi versus Feng Beidou, there wasn’t much of a difference that one was from a fourth rank sect and the other a first rank sect. The proportion of resources that both received were precisely the opposite.

Feng Beidou shared the Sky Sect’s resources with countless others at the same level as him, the leftovers of those stronger than him.

Dan Chi, on the other hand, could use whatever he wished from the Regal Pill Palace.

Forefather Thousandleaf’s countenance was grave as he gazed at the endless skies.

Although nothing could be seen, his eyes never shifted away, not even for a moment.

His posture spoke volumes about his nervousness.

This match that they could not see would determine the fate of the Precious Tree Sect.

If Feng Beidou won, the the Precious Tree Sect would forever be relegated to being a Sky Sect vassal.

If Dan Chi won, then the Sky Sect would never interfere in the alliance between the Precious Tree Sect and the Regal Pill Palace.

These was two vastly different fates.

“Jiang Chen, who do you think will win this match?” At some unknown point, Lordmaster Ye Chonglou had started to view Jiang Chen as someone on a higher plane of existence, turning to him regularly for an opinion.

“Palace Head Dan Chi has at least a seventy to eighty chance of winning.” Jiang Chen had his own judgement.

Forefather Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou looked at each other, the nervousness in their hearts abating slightly.

The two venerated origin realm cultivators couldn’t help but admire the calm in Jiang Chen’s demeanor.

Compared to his serene bearing, their mindset fell short by a wide margin.

When they looked at the location of the previous match and how only bloody fragments remained of Sunchaser, Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou were both assailed with a mix of emotions.

That overweeningly dominant Sunchaser had been annihilated, just like that.

Although they had predicted that Jiang Chen would one day end his grudge with the Purple Sun Sect, they hadn’t thought that the day would come so quickly.

With Sunchaser’s demise, the Purple Sun Sect was utterly done for.

A beam of light streaked through the sky roughly two hours later. A brilliant arc was inscribed across the skies like a flash of lightning as it swiftly descended.

The gazes of those assembled hurriedly flicked over. It was Dan Chi!

The envoys from the Sky Sect seemed to receive some sort of silent summons at almost the same time. Their expressions all changed greatly as they hastily took their leave.

Folks with faster reactions immediately understood what had happened in the face of these events.

“Sage younger brother Dan Chi, it looks like congratulations are in order.” A sect heavyweight let out a long peal of laughter.

“Indeed, sage brother Dan Chi is a young ruler of great talent and bold vision in the Myriad Domain alright, to be able to defeat a Sky Sect tenth rank inspector. Congratulations and felicitations!”

Everyone walked up to offer their well wishes.

Although these words didn’t represent the true thoughts of their hearts, such was the situation they faced in front of them. No one would possibly dare erupt in open aggression with Dan Chi right now. They would keep faking it even if it was a sham.

Those of the Tristar Sect were all completely taken aback. As a side division of the Sky Sect, they were naturally stunned to see the sect’s envoy defeated by Dan Chi.

But to maintain their cover, their reactions couldn’t appear to be out of the ordinary. They could only pretend to remain calm and walk up to tender their congratulations.

Still, there was someone who couldn’t help but ask, “Sage younger brother Dan Chi, just how did the fight between you and Feng Beidou go?”

Everyone saw that Dan Chi was still neat and orderly, not a crease out of place on his clothing. It almost looked like he’d won with ease?

This was something that no one was able to accept.

Dan Chi could win, but if he’d done so so easily against a tenth rank Sky Sect envoy, that was an entirely different matter. That outcome was no good for any of them.

Even if he’d dogged the footsteps of the Sky Sect entering the Myriad Domain, Dan Chi was a hotly ambitious fellow. There would come a day in which he was the greatest threat in the Myriad Domain.

This was quickly approaching a situation where a tiger was denied the front door, but a wolf had slipped in through the back.

However, Dan Chi was someone of the Myriad Domain. No one could come up with any reason to kick him out.

Dan Chi laughed leisurely, a mysterious smile on his face. “Feng Beidou comes from the Sky Sect and his strength is no small thing. It was difficult to determine who was more superior between the two of us, so I had to rely on my glib tongue in the end to convince him to back out.”

No one believed this excuse.

However, Dan Chi offered no other response no matter how they asked.

He only continuously brought out fine wine to treat all of the guests.

Over on the other side, Jiang Chen had become the focus of all sorts of powers. It was only natural, he had made a magnificent showing in his match.

Countless geniuses kept coming up to toast him. Jiang Chen declined no one and offered the fullest courtesies to them.

However, he also noticed that those who came over to toast him were the disciples of second, or even third rate sects in the Myriad Domain.

The geniuses of the top sects were each more diffident than the last. They would only occasionally use a sort of measuring look to size up Jiang Chen.

Some held a hint of provocation in their eyes, while other gazes burned with the desire to incite something.

It was apparent that they didn’t plan on happily welcoming his sudden appearance in the Myriad Domain.

Jiang Chen didn’t care in the slightest.

The experiences of his two lifetimes had perfected his noncommittal attitude.

He wouldn’t purposefully curry favor with anyone, nor would he purposefully take a dislike to anyone.

Whether or not someone else liked or accepted him, it mattered not to Jiang Chen. He was well aware that there would be boundless scenery in the path of martial dao, and those who would cross paths with him weren’t that many.

Everything else was but illusions of smoke, not worth paying attention to.

The banquet lasted for a few more hours before ending.

The guests didn’t wish to spend too much time in a place like the Precious Tree Sect, and so all politely took their leave.

Dan Chi suddenly started laughing loudly when all the guests had left. He rose and gazed upon the bright moon that had risen in the night sky.

“We see not the moon of ancient times, yet the moon of today has once shone upon those in ancient times. Since then, powerhouse cultivators have been as numerous as a school of silver carp moving downstream, yet how many have witnessed eternity? If those of my generation do not achieve the limitless dao, then we will one day become a mark in history as we sit drinking happily beneath this moon, destined to never keep it company. Jiang Chen, do you feel that eternity exists in the world of martial dao?”

Dan Chi suddenly felt an upwelling of emotion as he asked, gazing upon that bright crescent in the sky.

Dan Chi’s words had also triggered some of Jiang Chen’s emotions.

The moon hanging in the sky had shone upon countless years, generation upon generation, great waves washing away the sands. How many once unsurpassed experts had ultimately become a pile of white bones?

On the path of martial dao, if one couldn’t achieve eternity, it was all for naught no matter how much strength and power one possessed.

Sighing softly, Jiang Chen nodded decisively. “We seek immortality in our pursuit of martial dao. I firmly believe that if there is a peak to this path, then that peak will allow us to surpass reincarnation and obtain eternity.”

No one had more authority to speak on this matter than Jiang Chen.

This was because his past father, the Celestial Emperor, was one who had surpassed the cycle of reincarnation.

However, Jiang Chen had no clue as to whether his father was still alive after the cataclysm from the heavenly law.

But as the ultimate peak of martial dao, eternity surely did exist at the limits of the universe.

Jiang Chen had never doubted this.

Dan Chi laughed heartily upon seeing this steadfast determination. “Good! Great minds think alike. Jiang Chen, you are one of my Regal Pill Palace disciples from now on. Do you have any objections?”

“The sage one has committed such an earthshaking action for me. If I were to refuse, would that not be incredibly ungrateful? From henceforth, the Regal Pill Palace and Precious Tree Sect are both my sects.”

Jiang Chen didn’t have any lofty, stirring words, but this expression was more trustworthy than any promise.

Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou both looked at each other, deeply gratified.

Chapter 457: The Olden Times of the Myriad Domain

“When did you break through to the origin realm, Jiang Chen?” Dan Chi suddenly asked this random question out of nowhere.

Jiang Chen started, “A few days ago actually. I’ve been solidifying my grasp after my breakthrough all this time.”

In reality, he was holding back the truth.

He’d actually broken through today, and the phenomenon that occurred in the heavens was related to him as well.

Except, this matter was simply too astounding, and so he subconsciously wanted to conceal it.

Dan Chi sighed lightly when he heard this, appearing to have not received the answer he wanted. He wasn’t discouraged however, “Did you see the stunning phenomenon earlier today?”

Jiang Chen grew cautious as he nodded his head. “I saw it from the Precious Tree Garden as well. This disturbance was the reason why I stopped training and prepared to leave.”

His response was flawless.

It wasn’t that Jiang Chen was a dishonest person or that he purposefully wanted to deceive anyone, but that he knew that if he admitted to have caused such a stunning disturbance by merely breaking through to the origin realm, the consequences from his words would cause utter chaos.

He would absolutely become the center of attention if he spoke truthfully.

This was an unwise decision for Jiang Chen. The more he stood in the limelight before he had enough strength to dominate the Divine Abyss Continent, the more dangerous it would be for him.

For a mere origin realm cultivator like him to have caused so much disturbance would certainly elicit the interest of many old monsters, not to mention other things. If anyone became curious and nabbed him for further study, he’d be in great trouble then.

Therefore, he decided to craft a white lie with regards to this question.

The look in Dan Chi’s eyes suddenly became exceedingly deep.

“Everyone, the current situation in the sixteen kingdoms is but the tip of the iceberg. According to my calculations, the Myriad Domain will encounter even more chaos from now on, and rough times possibly await the entire Divine Abyss Continent as well. This may be the arrival of a grand era, or the harbinger of great disaster.”

“Perhaps you might think me to be a bit of an alarmist, but the truth is, the Myriad Domain will certainly fall into chaos within ten years, and the entire Continent will fall into disarray as well.”

Dan Chi’s tone had suddenly become quite grave.

A thought struck Ye Chonglou as he heard these words, feeling that great minds think alike.

He’d spoken similarly in the Precious Tree Sect the other day, mentioning that the territory of the sixteen kingdoms was where the seal of the ancient demons was located.

“Sage Dan Chi, does the disaster you speak of have anything to do with the ancient demon race?” Ye Chonglou plucked up his courage to ask.

Dan Chi sighed. “Not just the demon race. Different races live in great numbers throughout the entire Divine Abyss Continent, split between thousands or even tens of thousands of different factions. From my perspective, I can’t tell what the future of this world will be in the slightest.”

If even an expert at Dan Chi’s level was saying so, that made the others even more apprehensive.

“Jiang Chen, I have been inferring the development of the Myriad Domain everyday for the last twenty years. There is not a single factor that I haven’t considered. You, however, are an unknown factor. I never predicted your appearance, and there is a subtle fortune about you that even I am unable to predict. If the great disaster arrives in the future, then you may be the only one in the Myriad Domain able to break the stalemate.”

“What?” Even the Vice Head Xuan Zhen beside Dan Chi was slightly surprised by his head’s words. “Palace Head, even you are unable to resolve the situation?”

Dan Chi laughed slightly. “Me? Xuan Zhen, although I am proud and have confidence in myself, I am merely the head of a fourth rank sect in the end. When this disaster arrives, even the first rank sects may not be able to remain unscathed, much less me, a mere Dan Chi!”

Everyone felt an immense weight press down on their hearts after these words. Everyone felt a stifling sensation.

Forefather Thousandleaf couldn’t help but ask, “Honored sage, just how strong is a first rank sect?”

“How strong?” Dan Chi’s tone was full of admiration and yearning. “I’m unable to describe how strong they are, but ten Regal Pill Palaces, no, even a hundred may not be enough to contend against a first rank sect. The heavyweights of the first rank sects are all Titled Great Emperors.”

“Titled Great Emperors?” Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou exchanged glances. They were wholly unfamiliar with this division.

“The emperor realm ranks above the sage realm, and only those at the peak of the former have the right to attempt becoming a Titled Great Emperor. To become a Titled cultivator, one must have two victories over two other Titled cultivators, or have four other Titled cultivators vouch for them in order to receive this title.”

Any of the Titled Great Emperors were lofty personages with unparalleled self-assurance. A group vouching for a candidate was almost impossible.

Therefore, the only way to become a Titled Great Emperor was to defeat two in battle and remain undefeated by them.

“Sage one, how many Great Emperors might there be in the many domains of the Divine Abyss Continent?”

“How many?” Dan Chi shook his head with a wry smile. “Those who are known to the outside world aren’t that many, but the true number of Great Emperors are absolutely not as few as it seems. The lifespan of a Great Emperor is at least three thousand years. Apart from those who have accidentally fallen to death, how many reclusive Titled Great Emperors might there be since ancient times? This is a tough riddle to answer.”

A Great Emperor could live at least three thousand years, at most six thousand. If they grasped more profound secrets to life, it was possible that they could even live beyond ten thousand years.

Therefore, to Titled Great Emperors, the conflicts of the mundane world were often insufficient to peak their interest.

Their pursuit lay in the even more mysterious heavenly law, garnering the ability to cast off their mortal body and peer at the heavenly law, ascending to an even higher stage of life.

The Divine Abyss Continent was as vast as the open seas, the size of its territory was far beyond what Thousandleaf and the others could imagine. Even the numbers of Titled Great Emperors couldn’t be calculated, much less the total number of experts in the emperor realm.

“Setting aside the Titled Great Emperors, experts in the emperor realm are numerous in the Continent. However, there isn’t a single one in the Myriad Domain. With this contrast, it should be enough for all of you to understand the gap between the Myriad Domain and the truly preeminent powers.”

There wasn’t a single emperor realm expert in the Myriad Domain, yet there were plenty in the entire continent.

“Ai, our sixteen kingdoms have always been frogs at the bottom of a well. We’ve always been worried that the various powers in the Myriad Domain would give up on us, but now it looks like that the Myriad Domain is in an equally awkward position in the Continent.”

Ye Chonglou was well-travelled and had seen his fair share of things. If even he was expressing such sentiment, then it was easy to imagine the emotions in the hearts of others.

“The Myriad Domain shouldn’t have been thus. We weathered a catastrophe six hundred years ago, several of our emperor realm cultivators falling at the time. The once mighty Myriad Empire also disintegrated as if a house of cards. From then on, the Myriad Domain was gravely injured and never regained its former glory. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have no emperor realm cultivators at all even if we are just a lower region.”

None in the Precious Tree Sect knew of this old history.

The Myriad Empire?

“This is to say that the Myriad Domain once had emperor realm cultivators?” Ye Chonglou was shocked.

“Naturally. There are more or less a few emperor realm cultivators holding down the fort in other lower regions. The Myriad Domain is the one that’s an anomaly. There are less than a hundred years until the redrawing of the territories that occurs once a millennium. If we do not produce an emperor realm cultivator in the next hundred years, then our downfall will be dreary indeed. We will either be swallowed by others and become their vassals, or we might even be thoroughly split up and lose our title as one of the lower regions.”

Jiang Chen found this a bit hard to believe. “None of the forces in the Myriad Domain have a hidden emperor realm cultivator?”

Dan Chi shook his head resolutely. “Absolutely not. If there was, this expert only needed to step out and raise their voice to rebuild the Myriad Empire and unite us all. We wouldn’t need to worry about losing the title of a lower region even if we don’t restore our past glory.”

“Then it looks like the Sky Sect was betting on this in deciding to make their move in the Myriad Domain, and in such an unbridled fashion as well.” Jiang Chen analyzed.

“Indeed.” Dan Chi nodded. “The various factions of the Myriad Domain now are all trying their best behind the scenes, bringing all their force to bear. Everyone wants to be the first to unite the Myriad Domain, rebuilding the Empire again. It’s a pity that the royal family has been thoroughly exterminated. If any sect boasted of an emperor realm cultivator one day, that sect would have the right to become the protector sect of the nation and would be able to suppress any other faction. Although this isn’t a written rule, everyone privately acknowledges this idea.”

Whoever first boasted of an emperor realm cultivator would have the right to speak, and the initiative to rebuild the Empire!

“Sage one, just what catastrophe did the Myriad Domain experience that year, that the royal clan was exterminated? This is simply a bit too ridiculous, isn’t it?” Ye Chonglou asked out of curiosity.

“Ai, it’s truly the shame of the Myriad Domain. When the Myriad Domain was mighty and proud, the royal sons had likely grown accustomed to doing as they would in the bordering territories. One particular royal son actually used despicable methods to sully a girl as he was traveling the Divine Abyss Continent. However, the girl had a extraordinary identity. She was the sacred daughter of a mid region who was experiencing the mundane world. The ruler of that mid region was enraged that their sacred girl had been violated and declared war on the Myriad Domain. One mid region possesses strength that is at least five times that of a lower region. He gathered the forces of some of his vassals and practically ground the Myriad Domain into the dust. If it wasn't for someone from one of the upper regions speaking out on our behalf, telling them that enough was enough, the entire Myriad Domain would’ve likely been annihilated. Even so, all of the cultivators at the sky sage realm and above were slaughtered, and the entire royal clan exterminated, not even a chicken or dog allowed to live.”

Even though it’d been six hundred years already, the matter still seemed extremely grisly when Dan Chi spoke of it.

The listeners seemed to be able to feel the tyranny and dominance of the mid region faction from Dan Chi’s words, and could almost smell the bloodshed from six hundred years ago.

The slaughter of everyone in the sky sage realm and above, and the extermination of the royal bloodline.

It was likely that all within the Myriad Domain would’ve been razed had the one from the upper region not spoken out.

This incident had always been the shame of the Myriad Domain, and all of the sects happened to act with great accordance in making this part of history taboo, completely sealing off this humiliating memory.

If it wasn’t for Dan Chi, Ye Chonglou and Thousandleaf would’ve had no way of learning about this.

Chapter 458: The Paramount Realm in the Myriad Domain

“Every powerful territory has a strong country ruling over the land. Some of the regimes hold actual power, others are just symbolic representation. But as long as there is one strong, ruling country present, that means the territories are united and stand as one. Right now, the Myriad Domain is a pile of loose sand, with no representative empire.”

“The highest form of organization we can aspire to in the lower and middle regions is that of ‘empire’. Only the Upper Eight Regions has the right to build a dynasty. What is a dynasty? An existence even stronger than an empire. A dynasty does not crumble even after weathering wind and rain. Some of the dynasties in the Upper Eight Regions have a history of over five thousand years!”

Dan Chi suddenly shook his head with a smile. “We seem to have gone off on a tangent. My greatest ambition in life is to rebuild the Myriad Empire. I don’t want the Myriad Domain to become someone else’s territory after a few hundred years, and us Myriad Domain natives to be someone else’s slaves. This is our territory, the land our ancestors have exchanged their blood, sweat and tears for. We cannot forfeit this land on our watch!”

Dan Chi had never spoken of this even in the Regal Pill Palace.

But on this day, here and now he had finally opened up his heart.

Not for anyone else, but for Jiang Chen.

“Jiang Chen, if you are willing to aid me, I will give you whatever resources you request from the Regal Pill Palace.”

Dan Chi suddenly looked at Jiang Chen with ardent sincerity.

“Sage one, I am but a youngster, isn’t it embarrassing for you to be placing such high value on me?”

Dan Chi waved his hand, “Jiang Chen, I am not one for pleasantries. Although the Myriad Domain is vast and there are many sage realm experts, there are few who have caught my eye in recent years. Less than ten have dones so amongst the younger generation, and you, you are the only one who has bestirred my heart. I have a keen eye for people and I see in you a great fortune. Your fortune and providence are absolutely enough to cleave open a new land. Don’t be in a hurry to agree either. This matter is easily spoke of but hard to attain. I hope you respond only when you’ve thought things through. Even if you don’t agree, the alliance between our sects will still be in effect.”

Dan Chi was rather open and aboveboard. He didn’t threaten Jiang Chen with the alliance.

Jiang Chen could see in Dan Chi’s eyes a true heart with great aspirations and lofty ambitions. This heart was enough for Dan Chi to place his life on the line.

Cleaving open a new land and building an empire—that was an enormous temptation to any man with ambitions and ideals.

Jiang Chen was no exception.

In the world of martial dao, it was impossible to always avoid conflict and danger.

Jiang Chen knew that if he were to proceed down this path, it would be impossible to forever pay attention only to himself. He would have to make some decisions in the face of the greater picture as well.

He could also see that Dan Chi’s goals weren’t only for himself. This was an exceedingly rare point, and one that Jiang Chen admired the most.

“Sage Dan Chi, although I am not an ambitious person, this kind of challenge seems quite interesting. If there comes a moment in which you can use my paltry strength, I will absolutely not demur.”

Dan Chi laughed heartily. “Good, good! Although I know not where that phenomenon came from, it is surely an auspicious sign that it appeared in the Myriad Domain. I believe that this is an omen that our alliance is off to a perfect start.”

Dan Chi was always that confident and so full of boundless enthusiasm.

“Gentlemen, although the Precious Tree Sect is in a remote location, this is also an opportunity for the Precious Tree Sect. You too must make a decision if you are content in exercising sovereignty over a small part of the domain, or are willing to pursue the development of the situation. It will be a bit too late to choose when the situation has already developed. However, any decision will bear its own risks. I will not force you in this matter.”

Dan Chi turned to speak to Forefather Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou.

Having weathered so many trials, the two had long-since thought things through.

Furthermore, it was also impossible to retain the rule of their own little plot of land in these times.

The Sky Sect had reached out its evil paws and the Myriad Domain was in a perilous situation. The surrounding territories were a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

Even if the Precious Tree Sect dug a hole to hide themselves in, they would be hard-pressed to remain unscathed.

They were well-aware that if it wasn’t for the Regal Pill Palace’s surprise appearance, it was unknown whether they would’ve been able to avoid this disaster.

“Sage Dan Chi, it’s impossible for the Precious Tree Sect to remain aloof in solitude as the greater picture develops. We are willing to follow behind the Regal Pill Palace and offer up what little aid we can.”

Forefather Thousandleaf said this seriously.

No matter what, their footing would be a bit firmer in the Myriad Domain with the Regal Pill Palace’s backing. They’d have the taller Regal Pill Palace holding up the skies first if the latter happened to cave in.

If it was a disaster that not even the Regal Pill Palace could make it through, then there was even less hope for the Precious Tree Sect.

Therefore, the smartest choice for the Precious Tree Sect now was to lash themselves to the Regal Pill Palace’s war chariot. They needn’t think too much or demean themselves to be a fence-sitter, swaying to wherever the wind blows.

“Alright, since you are this forthright, I too will say this. As long as my Regal Pill Palace exists, so will the Precious Tree Sect.”

This pledge was worth a thousand gold, and had much more weight than any agreement.

Forefather Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou were overjoyed to hear this.

“In addition, the various powers will converge on the ruins of the Myriad Empire in three years to hold a memorial for the glories of the late Empire. This ceremony is held once every thirty years and hailed the Myriad Grand Ceremony. A new generation of the Myriad Hidden Dragon Rankings will be produced at this ceremony, and all the genius disciples will have the chance to cultivate in the Paramount Realm in the Myriad Domain.”

“The Paramount Realm? What is that?”

“The Paramount Realm is the kind of place that almost every region has. It’s a place in which the emperor realm experts enter at the end of their lives, releasing the final essence of their existence. The Paramount Realm is where the emperor realm cultivators of our Myriad Domain have gone to await rebirth since ancient times.”

The so-called rebirth was essentially death. There was almost no chance that an emperor realm cultivator would retain memories of their past life after going through the wheel of reincarnation.

Therefore, this kind of awaiting rebirth was basically just waiting to die.

However, an emperor realm cultivator was an enormous sum of riches to those in the lower regions. It would be a pity if they were to die just like that.

Therefore, the Paramount Realm was a place in which the emperor realm cultivators could preserve the final traces of their dignity.

They could leave behind their own heritage, their life’s work, treasures, and matters of their life…

Of course, the Paramount Realm also represented a trace of hope.

If an emperor realm cultivator could receive the inspiration left by others in the same realm and break through, they might transform into a Great Emperor after being enlightened regarding the peak of the emperor realm.

Their lifespan would then greatly increase all of a sudden.

Of course, the chances of this happening were one in a million. This had once occurred in other lower regions.

However, such a thing had never happened in the Myriad Domain. No one had ever emerged, as if a butterfly from the cocoon, as a Great Emperor after entering the Paramount Realm.

Not everyone was fortunate enough to run into something with such low odds.

“Jiang Chen, you’ve broken through to the origin realm at such a young age—your potential is absolutely amongst the top in the Myriad Domain. However, your origins are a bit lower and you’re temporarily behind the top geniuses of the other sects. But, many things can happen in three years. I believe that you will absolutely catch up in three years. Your name is sure to grace the Hidden Dragon Rankings!”

Dan Chi encouraged Jiang Chen to the maximum.

Forefather Thousandleaf however, asked, “At what ranking does one need to be in order to enter the Paramount Realm?”

Thousandleaf was beside himself at the thought of the temptation of the Paramount Realm, but he knew there was no hope for him in this life. However, there were still a few young geniuses in the Precious Tree Sect.

“The top 100 can all enter. However, there are nine levels in the Paramount Realm, and different rankings will enter different levels.”

“Top 100, top 100…” Thousandleaf’s eyes swept past Tang Hong and the others.

It was more or less obvious what thoughts he had.

Ye Chonglou however, asked, “Sage Dan Chi, at roughly what level will one need to be in order to rank in the top hundred?”

“Sixth level origin realm is the lowest. Even if one reaches the earth origin realm, one needs to display extraordinary arts to have a chance to enter. However, seventh level origin realm is a surefire bet.”

“This means that the top geniuses of the Myriad Domain have all reached the sky origin realm?!”

Thousandleaf was astonished.

“If the top geniuses couldn’t enter even the sky origin realm, then there really would be no hope for the Myriad Domain.” Dan Chi sighed. “Some of the top geniuses of a few strong lower regions are at the peak of the origin realm and half-step sage realm. Some of the top geniuses in the Mid Regions are at the mortal sage realm, with the more extraordinary ones at earth sage realm. As for the ones in the Upper Eight Regions…”

Dan Chi also sighed lightly when his words ended here. His cultivation level was perversely high in the Myriad Domain to have reached fifth level sage realm in less than a hundred years.

However, if he were to be placed in the Upper Eight Regions, he would at most be on par with their first rate geniuses. Some of the better ones could even trounce him.

Those hailed as geniuses were all below forty years old.

Those over forty would usually not be placed in the same age bracket.

Thousandleaf’s expression was as if a bitter gourd as he sighed ruefully, “Could there be sky sage realm powerhouses amongst the top geniuses in the Upper Eight Regions?”

“But of course.” Dan Chi’s tone had also grown exceedingly solemn when he spoke about that area of the world. “It’s a good thing that there’s not too many of them. Take the Sky Sect for example, that Feng Beidou is pretty strong, hmm? However, he’s nothing compared to their top geniuses. It’s said that there are twenty sky sage realm geniuses in the younger generation of the Sky Sect. Those who are even stronger made it to the peak of the sky sage realm in their young years, using their momentum to make it to half-step emperor realm. The aforementioned geniuses were all born with golden spoons in their mouths; Their every step was taken in the fast lane, receiving the best of the sect’s resources and fortunes. Any one of them would grow to become personages who can summon the wind and rain in the Divine Abyss Continent a few decades later.”

Dan Chi’s words were a bucket of cold water over the Precious Tree Sect’s heads.

They’d been secretly delighted that they could strut about proudly with a genius like Jiang Chen.

However, they now knew how narrow-minded and ignorant they were in the face of the entire of the Continent.

It was rather Jiang Chen who flicked his eyebrows once after hearing all this.

“Half-step emperor realm is it?” Jiang Chen nodded his head slightly. Although he was an incredible distance away from the emperor realm, he wasn’t discouraged at all.

He firmly believed that he would reach that step sooner or later.

All geniuses would be as substantial as the clouds in front of him when he reached that step.

There was no one in the Continent who understood the heavens better than him, and no one had the right to call themselves a genius in front of him!

Chapter 459: Traveling to the Regal Pill Palace

Jiang Chen wasn’t depressed after he learned of the enormous gap he had to surmount. On the contrary, he was even more motivated to train.

“I was able to make three great strides in a few years and enter the origin realm from the true qi realm. Why cannot I continue this momentum and assail the sage realm, or even emperor realm in a few more years?”

What Jiang Chen lacked the least now was confidence.

The Precious Tree Sect had also understood this gap at the same time and would no longer stand still, refusing to make progress and clinging to their boring, sectarian views.

Forefather Thousandleaf said without hesitation, “Sage Dan Chi, my Precious Tree Sect has a favor to ask.”

“Please, speak.” Dan Chi was a forthright person who wasn’t overly concerned with details.

“Our two sects are both raising Jiang Chen, I hope to send a few more young disciples to the Regal Pill Palace for further training. With how the situation is changing, I’m worried that if these young folk will be unable to keep up with the times if they remain in the Precious Tree Sect.”

Thousandleaf pointed at Tang Hong and the others. “These are the cream of the younger generation in the Precious Tree Sect. Although they aren’t on the same level as the premier geniuses of the Regal Pill Palace, they are still the elite of my sect.”

Dan Chi had naturally since seen that Tang Hong was brothers with Jiang Chen.

As for the others such as Xie Yufan, Lian Canghai, and Iron Dazhi, they were all the best the Precious Tree Sect had to offer. Along with Tang Hong, they made up the four geniuses of the Precious Tree Sect.

Dan Chi would naturally not decline this kind of small matter. He waved his hand and smiled, “These are all small matters since our two sects have allied together. Jiang Chen, what do you think?”

It was apparent from Dan Chi’s sudden inquiry of Jiang Chen that he quite valued Jiang Chen’s opinions.

Iron Long from the Precious Tree Sect almost couldn’t sit still when he heard this question, his heart clenching with anxiety. He was quite worried that Jiang Chen was holding a grudge and would prevent Iron Dazhi and Lian Canghai from proceeding to the Regal Pill Palace.

Lian Canghai and Iron Dazhi both knew that this was an opportunity to change their fates. Their hearts shot to their throats, the very picture of anxiety as they looked at Jiang Chen nervously. Desperately worried about the outcome, they almost couldn’t bear the suspense.

Their future and destiny were in his hands at this moment, how would they not be nervous?

Jiang Chen wasn’t the sort to bear a grudge. The Iron family had been more or less sincere in their softened attitude, and they’d sent over vast amounts of resources to make up to him afterwards.

Although he hadn’t accepted them, he had no need to go toe to toe with them, not with his current status.

“It’d be more lively with more people as well. It also saves me from going to the Regal Pill Palace myself, all by my lonesome. In my view, the younger generation will need someone to keep us in line. Why doesn’t Forefather Thousandleaf hold down the fort at the Precious Tree Sect, and Venerated Chonglou lead the group to the Regal Pill Palace?”

Jiang Chen hadn’t forgotten Lordmaster Ye Chonglou.

If choosing between Forefather Thousandleaf and Ye Chonglou, he was still biased towards the latter.

Although Forefather Thousandleaf had helped him greatly and seemed to be a sincere person, all of that aid had been added grace to what was already beautiful.

Ye Chonglou was different. It had been Lordmaster Ye Chonglou who’d stretched out a helping hand when Jiang Chen was at his lowest and in need of help. He’d sent Jiang Chen the warmth of coal when he was stuck in the snow.

This kind of relationship was different.

Dan Chi smiled, “This would be for the best. I will be able to discuss with Daoist Ye if anything comes up.”

Forefather Thousandleaf naturally wouldn’t object. He too felt that it would be a good thing if Ye Chonglou went to supervise these young men.

Sage Dan Chi also arranged for the group of Regal Pill Palace disciples to take up residence in the Precious Tree Sect.

Of course, to avoid the matter of disciples not willing to spend a prolonged period of time in the Precious Tree Sect, the group would be rotated every half year.

In addition, those who came to stay in the Precious Tree Sect would see their sect benefits doubled.

This way, those who were sent to the Precious Tree Sect didn’t have much of an opinion, and were inwardly delighted instead.

…...

“We walk towards high heights. It is naturally a good thing for Sir Jiang to go to the Regal Pill Palace. Huang’er is Sir Jiang’s patient and is naturally happy for your future path.”

There was no surprise in Huang'er's tone, as if Jiang Chen leaving for the Regal Pill Palace was completely within her expectations.

“It’s just a pity that I’ll have to bid farewell to the flowersI’ve cultivated in these past couple of days. I will rather miss them.”

Huang'er sighed lightly, some yearning filling her tone.

If anyone else had said those words, she would’ve appeared quite coy and fake. However, the presence that Huang'er exuded seemed to make this flora part of her family, that her words were an outpouring of true emotion.

As for Gouyu and the others, they were long since used to this kind of migration. When they heard that Jiang Chen had a better place to go to, they would naturally follow him to the end.

Third uncle Jiang Tong and cousin Jiang Yu had long since settled into their lives in the Skylaurel Kingdom and were flourishing very well.

Cousin Jiang Yu in particular, had earned a place among the senior ranks in the Myriad Treasures Palace, married, had children, and was living a life that was the envy of others.

Qiao Baishi was enjoying marital bliss with Elder Ning, sharing a tender love and also held a high position with authority in the Azure Heaven Southern Palace.

Everyone had their own stable lives; each with power, and status that they never would’ve thought possible in the Eastern Kingdom. This was enough.

Jiang Chen naturally wouldn’t disturb them now that they reached their own happy endings.

“Young Master Chen, are you really not taking me with you?” Old man Fei Xuan had a look of dejection on his face.

He was absolutely and thoroughly willing to go with Jiang Chen, but the latter wasn’t planning on taking him this time.

“Ole Fei, you’re an elder in the Precious Tree Sect, a position with immense authority. None of us know what things will look like in the Regal Pill Palace, so why waste time there? Why not develop with peacefully in the Precious Tree Sect and support Forefather Thousandleaf? If you still think of what I’ve done for you, then please take care of my uncle, cousin, Qiao Baishi and the others.”

Fei Xuan nodded, “But of course. Forefather Thousandleaf would’ve made sure of that even without your say so. Who would dare touch them?”

Just who would be so blind as to provoke Jiang Chen’s family?

Yang Zhao and Lu Wuji had been unable to bear up in the face of Jiang Chen’s wrath even before he’d been discovered by the sects.

Now that his name was known throughout the sixteen kingdoms, who would dare tug on the tiger’s whiskers?

Once everything had been arranged, the group set out under Ye Chonglou’s guidance to hasten to the Regal Pill Palace with Dan Chi and the others.

When a well wrapped Huang'er showed up with a cape in the entourage, Dan Chi threw a surprised look her way.

When the group passed through Myriad Spirit Sect territory, Jiang Chen thought of his brother Liu Wencai. He said to Dan Chi, “Sage Dan Chi, I have an old friend, a brother in the Myriad Spirit Sect. I know not when I’ll see him again with my departure. I’d like to go see him. Please go ahead if you have urgent matters, I’ll catch up.”

“Sure, we’ll go on ahead first then.” Dan Chi responded readily.

Apart from Tang Hong, none of the others in the Precious Tree Sect had any relationship with Liu Wencai. Therefore, Jiang Chen brought his followers and Tang Hong up the mountain towards the Myriad Spirit Sect.

Dan Chi’s gaze grew a bit thoughtful as he watched them leave.

“Lordmaster Ye, is the caped young girl a Precious Tree Sect disciple?” Dan Chi suddenly asked.

Ye Chonglou shook his head. “No.”

“Then what is her background?” Dan Chi was quite curious.

“I’ve never seen the girl before, but judging from her acting like sisters with his follower Gouyu, she is likely a friend from the Eastern Kingdom?”

Huang'er was very mysterious as she dwelled in deep seclusion and rarely emerged. The lordmaster naturally had no idea of her background.

“The Eastern Kingdom?” Dan Chi smiled wryly and dismissed that thought. The Eastern Kingdom was uncommon enough to have already produced one Jiang Chen. It seemed quite impossible for it to produce another even more mysterious young girl.

Dan Chi actually discovered a deep sense of profoundness on Huang'er that he couldn’t wholly see through.

He was unable to determine just how strong she was, just a vague sense of being unable to grasp her fully due to the mysterious aura about her.

He couldn’t help but be curious when faced with this kind of indistinct perception.

…...

After many many checkpoints, Jiang Chen made it through the restricted areas of the Myriad Spirit Sect and finally reached their inner door.

This sect’s territory was much larger than the Precious Tree Sect’s.

Along the way, the roar of tigers and the screeches of apes washed through the air. All sorts of spirit creatures bayed to the heavens, a tumultuous cacophony of noise. You could find spirit creatures in the mountain valley, on the highest peaks, as well as in and around the creeks and rivers that wound through the mountain.

Different sects had different styles, and the Myriad Spirit Sect was quite different indeed.

“Boss, what brings you here?” Liu Wencai was delighted to see Jiang Chen. “My sect head actually came out of closed door cultivation when he heard you’d arrived and is setting up a banquet to welcome you.”

Venerated Ninelion of the Myriad Spirit Sect quite admired Jiang Chen. His personality was very similar as well.

When Jiang Chen had said to Venerated Ninelion that Liu Wencai was worthy of the sect’s attention and care, Ninelion had taken Jiang Chen seriously.

Liu Wencai was now Ninelion’s true disciple, his position near the top of the sect.

He’d even suppressed those once premier Myriad Spirit geniuses.

Jiang Chen wasn’t surprised. There was an enormous power within Liu Wencai that, while still yet to be fully uncovered, was astounding enough after being catalyzed by the Redscaled Firelizard bloodline.

He would absolutely be able to dominate anyone in his sect.

“Boss, Tang Hong, congratulations and best wishes for you to realize your ambitions in the Regal Pill Palace, placing your name on the Myriad Hidden Dragon Rankings one day!”

Liu Wencai was quite forthright and genuinely happy for Jiang Chen and Tang Hong.

“Wencai, you too will shine greatly one day with your potential. Your name will appear on those rankings as well.”

Jiang Chen’s tone was firm, he thought quite highly of Liu Wencai.

The latter smiled slightly, “Perhaps we might meet again in the Myriad Domain in the near future.”

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Jiang Chen started.

“The alliance between the Precious Tree Sect and the Regal Pill Palace opened a new door to the Myriad Domain. The four families of the Great Cathedral have extended an olive branch to our sect now, and the sect head is considering which family would be more appropriate to ally with.”

The six powers of the Myriad Domain were known as one hall, two palaces, and three sects.

The ‘one hall’ referred to the Great Cathedral, the undisputed leader and strongest of the six powers.

When its four families gathered together, they possessed the strength of a third rank sect.

This was a rather surprising bit of news, but it was absolutely a good thing for Liu Wencai that the Great Cathedral wanted to ally with the Myriad Spirit Sect.

Chapter 460: The Identity of a Core Disciple

Venerated Ninelion did indeed greatly admire Jiang Chen. He even sought Jiang Chen’s opinion on the alliance during the banquet he personally hosted. Jiang Chen didn’t hold back either, offering up his analysis that with the current development of the greater picture, under the caveat that the Myriad Spirit Sect could retain its legacy, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ally with the Great Cathedral. That would be lot more palatable when compared to becoming a Sky Sect vassal.

Venerated Ninelion could also see that it would be very difficult to remain independent under the current circumstances. With the strength of those involved, only a finger would be needed to crush a mere sixteen kingdom sect. No matter how receptive or unwilling they were, the smartest thing to do in light of the circumstances was find an appropriate backer.

After catching up with Liu Wencai for a bit, Jiang Chen took his leave and descended the mountain, smiling when he left, “Wencai, I look forward to meeting you again in the Myriad Domain.”

Tang Hong also walked up and loudly smacked his fist onto Liu Wencai’s chest. “If you can’t make it into the rankings after three years, don’t go around telling others you’re my brother!”

Liu Wencai laughed heartily, “You too!”

Tang Hong cracked his knuckles, “I’ve already thought it through. If I don’t make it into the rankings, I swear to never return to the sixteen kingdoms!”

Tang Hong was brawny, quite oblivious, and direct as a cannonball. However, people like him had the most resolute determination. He would charge towards the target, taking long strides now that he had identified his new goal.

Riding his Goldwing Swordbird, Jiang Chen caught up to the entourage half a day after leaving the Myriad Spirit Sect. They all returned to the Regal Pill Palace after a few more days.

The Regal Pill Palace was located at the center of the Myriad Domain. Its territory was ten times larger than of the sixteen kingdom alliance The various large and small factions within it were as numerous as the hair on oxen. There were dozens of factions like the four great sects in the Regal Pill Palace’s territory. There were also a few sixth and fifth rank sects that docilely lived under the rule of the Regal Pill Palace.

The Regal Pill Palace complex was, at first sight, magnificent. It stretched deep into the mountains, with burgeoning flowers placed all over the central palace and residences. Yet among the beauty hid restrictions that protected everything within a few hundred miles. If it wasn’t for someone leading the way, anyone attempting to reach the heart of the Regal Pill Palace complex would be attacked at least a hundred times by the restrictions.

“Jiang Chen, holding this sect medallion will ensure that these ordinary restrictions will not attack you in the future. However, do not trespass into some of the core areas without authorization. Even sage realm cultivators might come off worse in an exchange if the restrictions activate.”

There were surely quite a few forbidden areas in a fourth rank sect.

Dan Chi brought Jiang Chen and the others to the Hall of Internal Affairs and arranged temporary quarters for them. “Jiang Chen, as new arrivals, you will enjoy the same treatment as my sect disciples receive. However, as they do to my sect disciples, the sect rules will also apply to you as well. You will all receive a status that corresponds to your cultivation level. Do you have any objections to this?”

The rules still had to be observed even after an alliance had been struck.

Jiang Chen smiled. “But of course. If us foreign disciples had a backdoor to take advantage of, it would too ludicrous for anyone to accept.”

The others all nodded as well, indicating no objection to these arrangements.

The Hallmaster of Internal Affairs didn’t dare drag his feet when Dan Chi himself had personally arrived, coming out to welcome the group himself.

Jiang Chen’s cultivation level was at the origin realm, making him a core disciple in the Regal Pill Palace. Therefore, he received a core disciple medallion. Having entered the sky spirit realm, Tang Hong received an inner disciple medallion. Lian Canghai, Xie Yufan and Iron Dazhi were all one step away from sky spirit realm and thus had to start at the level of probationary inner disciples.

No matter what, being a probationary inner disciple was still better than an outer disciple.

The Regal Pill Palace boasted an incredible amount of resources, supported by a territory abundant in natural wealth. Of that, there had been no exaggeration. Inner disciples, even probationary ones, had their own separate residences with private yards. Although the property was a bit small and close to the other inner disciples, it was still a private sanctuary. They wouldn’t have to be crammed in with others like the outer disciples. For a core disciple like Jiang Chen, the level of his residence was even higher.

The Regal Pill Palace possessed a mountain that contained Rosy Valley, in which the sect had hewn out a thousand areas in the walls as residences for their core disciples. As a core disciple, Jiang Chen had the right to take up residence in Rosy Valley. In addition, the resources allotted to core disciples were quite generous. Even though he was a fair distance aways from the true disciples [1], Jiang Chen didn’t have many requests since he’d only just arrived.

Status and benefits would be something one earned. He didn’t have to throw his weight around as the newcomer in the area. As time went on and his strength increased, these things would be naturally taken care of when his reputation was made.

The Hallmaster of the Internal Affairs had also said that the Regal Pill Palace wasn’t opposed to disciples earning resources through their own labor. Accepting sect missions, for one, was one of the best ways to earn resources. Many of the true disciples in the Regal Pill Palace used this method to acquire resources. The cultivation fanatics, in particular, were never satisfied by the regular resource allotment. They could only gain more through sect missions.

Once the arrangements were made, the Hallmaster led Tang Hong and the others to settle in. Gouyu and the other followers naturally followed Jiang Chen into the Valley. Many of the core disciples had followers. The Regal Pill Palace was theoretically unopposed to the core disciples having their followers.

There were even inner disciples who didn’t mind being the followers of some core disciples, just so they could obtain a better cultivation environment and move into Rosy Valley. With the others settled in, Dan Chi kept Jiang Chen behind and took him to the former’s residence.

As the head of the sect, Dan Chi’s residence was naturally the most sacred area within the Regal Pill Palace, located on a towering peak in the mountain valley. “Jiang Chen, you are the only one of the younger generation to enter my palace.” Dan Chi was less than a hundred years old. He was still a teenager in the world of martial dao, so he hadn’t taken a personal disciple yet.

Apart from a few medicine boys who served at his side, the entire residence seemed very quiet. Yet, Jiang Chen could see something in the layout, the terrain, and the way that spirit qi wreathed around the residence. This residence had been built according to the terrain and was absolutely the place in the entire Regal Pill Palace with the best feng shui.

“Jiang Chen, it’s just you and me here. Feel free to speak candidly of matters that you may not be able to at the foot of the mountain.” Dan Chi smiled.

“Sage one, I am very satisfied with everything, there’s nothing that I can complain about.” Jiang Chen spoke the truth.

“Haha, very good!” Dan Chi complimented. “I’d been afraid that with your youthful heart, you might feel put out if you felt that your treatment wasn’t as good as you’d thought it’d be.”

“The sage one jests. I have never complained about anything even when I was in the secular world. A holy cultivation ground such as the Regal Pill Palace is the foremost amongst the Myriad Domain, what could I complain about? Status and benefits will not fall into my lap. It would be hard for others to accept me if I enjoyed the highest treatment as soon as I arrived.”

Dan Chi wouldn’t have found it odd if those words were spoken by someone over a hundred years old. However, for a twenty year old like Jiang Chen to possess such bearing, not fighting or complaining for better treatment, it made Dan Chi feel that his hard efforts had not been wasted.

“Jiang Chen, I have to say that I greatly admire your bearing. With your mindset and attitude, I’m afraid that the Myriad Domain will be unable to contain you sooner or later. You are no small fish to drift around in a small pond. I believe that in a decade or two, even the first ranked sects will be fighting over you!”

Dan Chi chuckled, “Jiang Chen, I’ll get the ugly words out of the way first. I will keep an eye on you here, but won’t give you preferential treatment. In the sects, the disciples are in constant competition, and it’s impossible for internal conflict not to exist. Therefore, it will be up to you to slowly determine how to survive here. I am your patron, yes, but only in great matters. I treat everyone the same within the sect. You must carve out your own space through your own efforts and have everyone submit to you of their own accord. Only then will you have the right to represent the Regal Pill Palace and face the geniuses of the other sects. This is how you will obtain the right to face the challenges on an even greater stage. Do you understand my words?”

It’d been said since ancient times that a strict master would raise highly accomplished disciples. Although Dan Chi didn’t count as Jiang Chen’s master, the former didn’t plan on letting Jiang Chen grow up in a greenhouse. He wanted to push Jiang Chen into the sect and have the furnace of the sect temper and mold Jiang Chen.

If Jiang Chen couldn’t even handle the competition within the sect, that would prove Dan Chi’s appraisal wrong. I can give you resources and status, but not preferential treatment. This was the method in which Dan Chi would cultivate Jiang Chen. How would an even stronger wolf or tiger grow if he didn’t face competition from his kind?

“Of course, I’ve done my utmost to recruit you to the Regal Pill Palace, and your Precious Tree Sect will certainly say I’m miserly if I don’t offer anything. I must present to you a welcoming gift. Jiang Chen, have your pick of methods, pills, origin weapons, or any other requests. Remember, you can only make one request.” Dan Chi smiled.

Jiang Chen would naturally not decline something like a welcome gift.

Dan Chi was his senior, if only in name, and so a welcome gift was only natural. There was nothing for him to feel embarrassed about.

He didn’t lack any secret methods or arts, and didn’t want pills or the like. If he wanted, he could refine those himself.

Origin level weapons… the Redscaled Firelizard bone was the most ideal natural origin weapon. If he assimilated a few formations and glyphs into it after some refining, the bone would become even more powerful. Therefore, he really didn’t know what he needed at present.

“Heh heh, sage one, I really don’t know what I need right now. How about this, let’s keep this welcome gift on file, and I’ll come collect when I need it?” Jiang Chen asked in a half joking tone.

“Haha, alright, it will be as you say then.” Although Dan Chi thought this was surprising, he still readily agreed.

He was also privately curious, Jiang Chen doesn’t want anything? Seems like he lacks nothing. That also makes sense. The mysterious senior was so strong, would he leave Jiang Chen with nothing?

Elder Shun was always the best answer for anything that Dan Chi couldn’t puzzle through.

However, he never would’ve thought that what Jiang Chen possessed actually didn’t have much to do with Elder Shun. On the contrary, it was Elder Shun who needed Jiang Chen’s help.

“Alright Jiang Chen, the core disciples in the Rosy Valley must have learned of your arrival as well. They should all be waiting for you. Go meet your peers. Young folk should be with young folk and give rise to greater sparks. The friction between geniuses is what births cultivation inspiration and motivation!”

Dan Chi waved his hand and sent Jiang Chen out of his residence with a flicker of a formation.