Chapter 851: An Easy Capture
Regardless of whatever means Pill King Lu Feng had used to
obtain the items, he had readied everything that Jiang Chen had requested.
Jiang Chen relaxed when he saw that the preparations were complete. He was much
more confident with these items in tow. “I will set up a formation immediately
once we find a spacious location. Good thing that Ole He’s return wasn’t
delayed much. Otherwise, there’ll be bigger trouble after the parasites’ first
incubation period passes.”
Jiang Chen could see that only three or four days remained
until then. After the first period of growth, the parasites would mature, and
the essence within the first host’s blood would be sucked completely dry. The
parasites would then break out of that body to find a new host. Once the
parasites broke out, there was no knowing how many people would be infected due
to lack of preventative measures. The more hosts there were, the more parasites
they would breed. From one person to ten, from ten to a hundred. It was no
wonder that the bugs had caused even prominent dynasties to fall in a matter of
months. A total collapse of order had ensued, and their lands became hell on
earth. These were not exaggerated rumours; they had significant basis in truth.
Thankfully, the first period had not yet passed.
Pill King Lu Feng’s residence had many spaces, with ample
room to maneuver. Jiang Chen chose a secluded corner, then instructed the pill
king to forbid anyone else from entering. He took out his formation flags and
set up a meticulously designed formation. Around it, he constructed several
more with spirit herbs.
“This kind of parasite is called the Wood Demon Parasite.
According to legend, it was first refined and bred by the Wood Demons, a
bloodline of the demon race. In ancient times, the Wood Demons relied on this
parasite to conquer countless continents and planes. The most impressive
characteristic of this kind of parasite is its ability to remain concealed. It
cannot be detected by human eyes, nor by one’s consciousness. Once implanted,
it does not make itself known until the outbreak and when that happens, it’s
generally very difficult to deal with.
“Ole Lu, be sure to pay close attention. You must memorize
every detail of my actions,” Jiang Chen warned in a serious tone as he set down
the formation. “Ole He has apparently been struck by these Wood Demon Parasites
for no rhyme or reason, and I suspect that the demons of myth are ready to make
trouble once more. His Majesty Peafowl’s worries are likely to come to
fruition. The Wood Demons’ methods are quite terrifying. It’s good for you to
learn this now, so you know how to deal with them in the future.”
Pill King Lu Feng straightened up his irreverent attitude at
once, sincerely listening to Jiang Chen’s words. He was concentrating fully
with the mindset of a disciple studying from his master.
“This Wood Demon Parasite has few natural enemies, but they
do exist. Out of the five elements, there is a kind of fire called the Fire of
Firstdawn which has the power to thoroughly eliminate it. It is only found
during the initial moments of each sunrise, filled with the essence of night
giving way to day. No matter if the parasite is a larva or a queen, it will die
upon touching this fire. However, this Fire of Firstdawn is very difficult to
find,” Jiang Chen explained patiently. “Therefore, it is the natural enemy of
the Wood Demon Parasite only in theory and doesn’t have much widespread
application.”
“Amongst the elements, water is effective as well… a soak
with Dragonwhisker Water will cleanse away Wood Demon Parasites, though its
effect is a little diminished when compared to that of Fire of Firstdawn. Aside
from those two elements I mentioned, there are spirit medicines that can
suppress the Wood Demon Parasite as well. However, that’s only suppression, and
not extermination.”
“Are these the spirit ingredients you mention?” Pill King Lu
Feng looked at the spirit ingredients he’d prepared.
Jiang Chen shook his head. “These ingredients must be
refined and their essences extracted. Then they must be dried in the sun to
turn them into a fragrant powder to be scattered around one’s body. Wood Demon
Parasites hate this powder most of all. What we need to do right now is to
process the powder and inject it into Ole He’s veins. This is a risky venture
for him. The powder will have some side effects when it enters his bloodstream.
However, it will force the parasites out.”
“So that’s it. Then we have to spread the powder out very
evenly, too. There can be no gaps in its coverage. There will be big trouble if
even one parasite is left behind.”
Jiang Chen nodded, “You don’t need to worry about that. I am
capable enough to do this much, at least.”
“Ole Lu, start processing these ingredients first. After
you’re done refining them, use your arts to dry them as quickly as possible
into fragrant powder. Then, set down a line of defense to prevent the parasites
from getting anywhere else after they’re forced out. This line of defense will
serve as a double safety precaution alongside the formation.”
Pill King Lu Feng inclined his head as well, “Sounds good.”
There was no time for delay. Pill King Lu Feng couldn’t have
all of his concerns addressed. He took out his caudron and began refining the
powder. Thankfully, the process didn’t require much technique. However, the
required volume was uncommonly large in turn. Large batches of fragrant powder
was produced after about an hour of work.
“Put down the defenses,” Jiang Chen instructed.
As a disciple, Pill King Lu Feng didn’t mind assisting at
all. He did as his master commanded and handled everything properly. Jiang Chen
spoke again, “Now, watch closely off to the side. Be ready to act if things
don’t go well.”
“Ready to act?” Pill King Lu Feng blinked, inquiry plain in
his eyes.
“He means, be ready to kill me,” He Hongshu said.
Pill King Lu Feng glanced back at Jiang Chen, who nodded.
“That’s only the last resort. I don’t want to do it either, but if something
unexpected happens, then it must be done. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Pill King Lu Feng was resolute. “Ole He, we’ve
known each other for many decades, but public and private matters are
separate.”
“Don’t worry about me, I get it. Do what needs to be done.
What do I have to fault you for? Whatever my fate is, I will accept it calmly,”
He Hongshu acknowledged. With things being this bad already, he had no option
either way.
“Sit tight. I’m going to seal the important acupoints all
over your body. I will use a controlling technique to manage your vitals, which
will slow your blood flow. Only then can I inject the fragrant powder into your
veins at leisure. This entire process will be a bit painful, and since you’ll
be under my control, you can’t struggle or move. You can only endure it. You’ll
need to prepare yourself.”
“What could be more painful than death, now?” He Hongshu
laughed openly. “I’m not even scared of dying. How bad could a little pain be?”
“Alright.” Jiang Chen continuously struck Ole He’s vital
acupoints as he spoke. With the acupoints held in place, the patient’s blood
flow began to stagnate. Observing this closely, Jiang Chen flourished his gold
needles, injecting the fragrant powder into the acupoints with each stab. At
the same time, he constantly pressed the powder down, injecting it into the
veins with a special technique. It was quite painful for the subject of the
treatment. Pea-sized sweat drops rained down from He Hongshu’s forehead.
However, the man himself gritted his teeth, refusing to groan even a little.
Seeing this, Jiang Chen was mildly impressed by the man’s tenacity.
“There’s no problem if you want to make noise. You don’t
need to hold back.” Jiang Chen said.
Ole He shook his head. “Keep going.”
Jiang Chen was increasingly impressed by Ole He’s fortitude.
“As you wish,” he nodded. His hands moved continuously, injecting more powder
with the gold needle in hand the entire time. Jiang Chen looked relaxed during
the entire process, but it was costing him a lot of mental strength. He had to
continually observe and pay close attention to the parasites’ movement.
The parasites could not be seen by regular eyes. Even with
the God’s Eye and the Evil Golden Eye, Jiang Chen could only barely see the
tracks of their activity. Thankfully, Jiang Chen had also set fragrant powder
about them in a formation in order to guide these bugs along a certain path.
There was a basin of fresh blood on the other side of this formation. It had
been placed there deliberately in order to lure the parasites over.
“They’re coming!”
“Ole Lu, be careful and don’t get too close. Stand outside
the powder’s circle and don’t step in. These bugs will make their nest in you
otherwise.” Jiang Chen spoke in hushed tones.
Pill King Lu Feng paled at his words, subconsciously taking
a few steps back. “Master, don’t scare Ole Lu. I’m an old man, I can’t take too
much of that.”
Jiang Chen wasn’t intentionally scaring Pill King Lu Feng.
The Wood Demon Parasites’ bloodlust gave them an almost perverse acuity. They
loved live human blood most of all. As more of the fragrant powder entered Ole
He’s body, the parasites were finally fed up. They swarmed out from the man’s
pores. Though the bugs themselves couldn’t be seen individually due to their
small size, the clusters were so numerous that they made even Jiang Chen’s skin
crawl. He had a bit of trypophobia, and seeing the hordes of parasites together
made his hairs stand on end.
The parasites would completely overlook his cicada
bloodline, but he had prepared an alternative solution in advance just in case.
His entire body was smeared with fragrant powder. This way, the parasites
wouldn’t even get close to his body, instead frenziedly surging through the
route Jiang Chen had designed. The better part of an hour passed like this, and
Jiang Chen made several rounds of checks. He was finally certain that He
Hongshu’s body no longer contained any Wood Demon Parasites. There wasn’t even
a single bug left.
It cost a lot of mental energy to inspect the blood vessels
for any traces of parasites inside, but Jiang Chen had no intention of skimping
out on the process. Extra caution was warranted in order to ensure complete the
parasites’ complete annihilation, with no remaining survivors. The call of
fresh blood drew the parasites towards the basin. When all of the parasites
were gathered within, Jiang Chen poured the entire basin’s contents into a
pre-prepared gourd—blood, bugs and all. He layered several seals upon it before
rubbing a thick layer of fragrant powder over it as well.
“We’re finally done.” Jiang Chen let out a long breath. He
made sure that there was nothing he’d overlooked before standing up again. He
felt a little tired after spending such a long time on the operation. “Ole He,
you don’t have any parasites in you anymore. However, you’ll still need to take
the time to expel the powder.”
“Pill King Zhen, thank you for saving my life! Even if Ole
He were to work myself to the bone, I’ll still make sure to express my
gratitude.” He Hongshu was very thankful.
“Don’t mention it,” Jiang Chen waved a hand. “If you don’t
get along with getting rid of that fragrant powder, you won’t have much time
left in your life anyway.” His idea hinged on fighting fire with fire. Compared
to the parasites, the fragrant powder was much easier to get rid of.
Chapter 852: Plans to Visit Old Stomping Grounds
Just because He Hongshu’s Wood Demon Parasites had been
dealt with didn’t mean that the entire affair had been resolved. Out of
convenience, Jiang Chen had removed the demonic yin energy that had lingered on
the wandering cultivator’s body as well. It was something he could easily deal
with, especially when compared to the parasites. However, the demonic yin
energy had no reason to be present either. Jiang Chen could tell that it had
come from a different source than the parasites.
That was to say, after He Hongshu had entered the wildlands,
he had been attacked not once, but twice. He’d been the prey of two separate
factions. Moreover, Jiang Chen felt some familiarity from the demonic yin
energy, and his intuition told him that this matter wasn’t so simple. However,
without further clues, he had no way of making any additional inferences.
Pill King Lu Feng sidled over, curious. “Master, you’ve
sealed away the Wood Demon Parasites inside that gourd, but you haven’t killed
them. How do you plan on dealing with them?”
“They’re sealed away, so they won’t be able to act up for
now. I’ll kill them when I find the chance to.” Jiang Chen actually had a way
to kill them completely, but revealing it in front of Pill King Lu Feng and
friends was less than ideal.
Fire of Firstdawn could only be chanced upon with luck.
Jiang Chen did have a way to obtain Dragonwhisker Water, though. The so-called
Dragonwhisker Water was created from combining the spit of true dragons with
regular water. Coincidentally, Jiang Chen had a true dragon very close by.
Obtaining a little of its spit was a trivial matter. Therefore, he had no
worries regarding the method of disposal.
After solving He Hongshu’s problem and receiving the map and
information from him, Jiang Chen left Pill King Lu Feng’s residence in a hurry.
He had no interest in listening to words of gratitude at this time. If He
Hongshu was someone who took such words seriously, he would naturally remember
it in his heart.
He Hongshu felt Jiang Chen’s hasty departure to be deeply
regrettable. “Ole Lu, your master moves with mystical elusiveness. He acts like
a hermit above the world.”
Pill King Lu Feng laughed proudly, “Isn’t that true? My
master’s master is a sage above this world as well. The disciple of a sage has
to feel a bit like one as well, of course. Hey, Ole He, do you think I look a
little like a sage now?”
He Hongshu stammered; he didn’t quite know what to say. “Ole
Lu, considering how long we’ve known each other for, do you want me to be
honest?”
Hearing that, Pill King Lu Feng’s self-satisfied look was
replaced with sadness. “If you put it that way... how could I not know what you
mean, even if you weren’t being honest?”
“Ole Lu, you should just be yourself,” He Hongshu chuckled.
“There’s no way you’d fit the style of a sage above this world.”
Mildly displeased, Pill King Lu Feng waved a hand, “Don’t
console me. I will follow my master for the rest of my life, so I’ll learn how
to be a sage sooner or later.”
“Doesn’t seem like it.” He Hongshu was fairly casual in
conversing with his friend.
Pill King Lu Feng ground his teeth, “I say, Ole He, you’re
all better now, right? What’re you sticking around here for? I’m telling you,
don’t entrust your kid to me next time. I have no interest in being a dad.”
He Hongshu knew that the pill king’s crazy nature was
kicking in again. “Ole Lu, I’ve really come to terms with something after all
this,” he smiled wryly. “I’m planning on leaving it all behind and retiring.
I’d rather take care of my kids and get some peace of mind. I believe you’ll
come to see me around here a lot more often.”
Pill King Lu Feng harrumphed. “Here or not is your business.
I’m not going to provide meals.”
He Hongshu knew as well that Ole Lu wasn’t actually angry.
Given their friendship, it was only a little joke. However, he really had
learned a heavy lesson this time. The doorstep of death had released many
burdens from his mind. “Ole Lu, I’m truly envious of you now. Just a little,”
He Hongshu sighed.
“What are you envious of?” Pill King Lu Feng glared back,
grimacing.
“Envious of your foresight and courage. I wonder, you asked
Pill King Zhen to be your master before the decisive battle that spread his
fame. How did you possess such sharp eyes at the time?” He Hongshu was still
quite interested in the topic. With Pill King Lu Feng’s unconventional
personality, the man rarely had such a sharp eye. How had he found such a
golden thigh to hug so suddenly?
This was no exaggeration. Pill King Zhen’s current position
in Veluriyam Capital definitely made him a golden thigh. Someone who even
Emperor Peafowl respected as a favorable honored guest... just how many of
these kinds of people were still in the capital? He was still so young, too.
Given enough time, he was sure to distinguish himself in the world. Such a rise
was inevitable. And yet, a genius like that was Pill King Lu Feng’s master.
Even before Pill King Zhen’s rise to fame, Pill King Lu Feng had latched onto
this person for dear life in order to become his disciple.
Speaking of this matter made Pill King Lu Feng appear proud
again. “Ole He, I’ve always said that the busyworkyou’ve been doing for all
your life amounted to nothing. Look at me. I didn’t go anywhere, I just waited
right here at Veluriyam Capital for my lucky star to arrive. See, my master
appeared right before my eyes!”
Pill King Lu Feng was extremely content with this fact. He
felt that his discernment couldn’t simply be described with normal words like
‘extraordinary’ or ‘remarkable’. Although Pill King Zhen had some fame at the
time, it had only been come about as a result of the conflict at Taiyuan
Tower’s opening with the Majestic Clan. At the time, the Majestic Clan had only
sent a sixth-rank pill king.
Anyone could see the potential in the young pill king then,
but only that and nothing else. He was far from exhibiting the level of
strength that everyone in Veluriyam would respect. After the battle at Sacred
Peafowl Mountain, Jiang Chen had defeated Pillfire City and sent the imperious
Pill King Ji Lang scrambling. That battle had really spread his name to the
entire world. Pill King Lu Feng had forcibly inserted himself between these two
events and took Pill King Zhen as his master. What did this show? It showed
Pill King Lu Feng’s precognition and prudence. It showed how much further he
saw than everyone else.
A ninth-rank pill king, taking a normal pill king as his
master… was this something that just anyone could do? Only someone with Pill
King Lu Feng’s style could accomplish such a feat. The average ninth-rank pill
king wouldn’t be willing to do such a humbling thing. On another hand, Pill
King Lu Feng was also tremendously loyal to Deviant Pill Faction. Upon finding
out that Pill King Zhen was a noteworthy representative of the faction, he
stopped at nothing to seek the young man as his master. Rather than Jiang
Chen’s potential, it could be said that Pill King Lu Feng valued his Deviant
Pill Faction’s status more. He didn’t think that he would get such a stroke of
fortune. Without even realizing it, Pill King Lu Feng had found a golden thigh
which he could rely on. He was very smug about it.
Pill King Lu Feng really had done something to boast about
this time. He looked forward to the prospect of revealing their master-disciple
relationship the most. If not for the lack of approval from his master, Pill
King Lu Feng would have done so much earlier out of impatience. He couldn’t
wait to share his joy with everyone else in the world, especially his enemies.
More than anything, he wanted to loudly proclaim his relationship with Pill
King Zhen to their faces.
He Hongshu had complicated feelings about the entire thing.
He had known Pill King Lu Feng for several decades, and they’d always
maintained a reasonably close relationship, with many back-and-forths. He
Hongshu had always felt that Pill King Lu Feng possessed the mannerisms of a
stubborn child. Though his pill dao talent was remarkable, there was no way for
the pill king to reach the uppermost echelons of Veluriyam Capital.
He Hongshu had been focused on martial dao and was already a
fifth-level emperor. His goal was only to attain the peak of martial dao. Thus,
though he had always been close to the kooky Pill King Lu Feng, deep down he
had always considered the latter to be inferior to him. But now, after some
additional consideration, he noticed that although his strength surpassed Pill
King Lu Feng by quite a bit, he could not remotely compare with the pill king
in terms of position, fame, or network here in Veluriyam Capital. Not to
mention the fact that Pill King Lu Feng had taken on such a remarkable master…
he had a direct line of contact to even Emperor Peafowl!
These things affected He Hongshu greatly. He wondered to
himself, was the path that he had insisted on taking really all that better
than Pill King Lu Feng’s? He had always thought so, but in that moment, he was
shaken. In the instant between life and death, he had wavered.
Without Pill King Lu Feng, without the pill king’s master,
it was likely that he would have died in just a few days, and moreover become
Veluriyam Capital’s worst criminal–the harbinger of endless catastrophe. Cold
sweat condensed on his body at the very prospect of the thought. He sighed,
“Ole Lu, I’ve always thought that your ideas were different from mine. But now
I see that you have your reasons for walking the path you trod on. What you are
doing is the best for someone of your temperament. From the looks of it, you
understand more of the dao than I do. I am merely a little clever, but you are
very wise.”
He Hongshu was not acting humble. He had come to the
realization after being faced with the matter of his own mortality. Whether it
was martial dao or pill dao, or any other dao, it was all still dao. All roads
led to the same destination, and all daos led to the heavenly dao. Following,
feeling, and seeking eternity in the heavenly law was every path’s goal. It was
just that each person’s dao was different. He Hongshu had always firmly trusted
in his own dao, looking down upon Pill King Lu Feng’s dao. But from what he
could see now, his understanding of the dao was not as deep as Pill King Lu
Feng’s understanding. Hidden beneath the latter’s eccentricity was a
considerable amount of acumen.
…...
Jiang Chen returned to Taiyuan Tower and requested some
Dragonwhisker Water from Long Xiaoxuan. He used it to kill off all of the Wood
Demon Parasites. Jiang Chen felt stifled while those bugs still lived. Dragonwhisker
Water acted upon the bugs like hot water boiling away ice, and the parasites
were all exterminated in no time at all. Only after he was done did he begin to
carefully peruse the map and information he had been given.
According to He Hongshu’s information, his route into the
desolate wildlands had been through the Myriad Domain and around the Eastern
Kingdom. The time of my return to the Myriad Domain is much earlier than I’d
thought.
After the fall of his sect and his own departure from the
Myriad Domain, Jiang Chen had never returned to the place. During his time at
Veluriyam Capital, he had begun to miss the place. After all, the Myriad Domain
was the homeland of his current life. His relatives, his old friends, his
sect—they were all there.
In that moment, Jiang Chen thought of many things. All kinds
of experiences were compiled and flew through his mind several times, beginning
from when he had first entered the wider world. He thought of the strange piece
of spiritual land back in the Jiang Han province of the Eastern Kingdom, the
spirit beast Mang Qi who’d swore an oath with him in the Boundless Catacombs,
the demon sealed lands Ye Chonglou had always went on about… All of these
mysteries made Jiang Chen profoundly aware that the Eastern Kingdom wasn’t as
simple a place as he’d thought, either.
Chapter 853: Preparations Before Departure
The divisions in the human territories were likely a
structure that had slowly emerged after the great ancient war. Back then during
ancient times, even the Upper Eight Regions was a territory where ordinary
humans lived, just like all the other territories. Only after the great ancient
war ended did the empyrean powerhouses gradually go into seclusion, leading to
the present situation where the core Upper Eight Regions became the heart of
the entire human domain. Meanwhile, the Myriad Domains had been gradually
marginalized because they bordered the desolate wildlands, and because legends
spoke of demons were sealed therein. In particular, the sixteen kingdom
alliance in the Myriad Domains was even more of a trivial existence.
Even in the strongest four great sects in the sixteen
kingdoms, the strongest people were merely forefathers at the origin realm. The
strength of an original realm cultivator was simply a trifling nonentity in the
heartlands of the Upper Eight Regions. After the Eternal Celestial Capital’s
rampage in the Myriad Domains, it was likely that all of the fourth rank sects
had been destroyed and scattered just like the Regal Pill Palace. The sixteen
kingdom alliance wasn’t one of the main factions in the Myriad Domains to begin
with. It was a marginal faction at best. It was even more impossible to survive
once the calamity struck.
As to the other factions, Jiang Chen wasn’t that much
worried about them. The only ones he was worried about was the Precious Tree
Sect, the Skylaurel Kingdom, as well as the Eastern Kingdom. The Skylaurel
Kingdom in particular. His uncle Jiang Tong and his younger cousin Jiang Yu
were still there. It had been so long. He wondered how they were now. The thing
he was most worried about was the Eternal Celestial Capital taking out its
anger on Jiang Tong and his son after suffering at his hands.
Although the Eternal Celestial Capital might not be aware
Jiang Tong and his son were in the Skylaurel Kingdom, they still had the
intelligence network of a first-ranked sect. It would be child’s play for them
to deal with Jiang Tong and his son once they found out about this
relationship. However, Jiang Chen surmised that they hadn’t caught Jiang Tong
or Jiang Yu yet. Otherwise, with their usual style, they’d have used his
relatives to threaten him with already.
In any case, Jiang Chen decided he’d go back to his homeland
on his way and take a look. However, this journey seemed fraught with danger,
so he needed to make some preparations beforehand. “There is only half a year
left until Veluriyam Pagoda’s opening. I only have half a year for this trip to
the desolate wildlands.”
He wasn’t the sort to break his promise. Since he’d already
given his word to Emperor Peafowl, then he would participate in this gathering
no matter what. The most reliable way would have been to leave after the end of
the gathering. Only, Jiang Chen wasn’t willing to wait a minute more than
necessary. He worried that any delay might bring greater trouble. The contest
at the gathering would last for a full year. The ship might have already sailed
by the end of the gathering. The news about the Requiem Tree hadn’t spread
extensively around yet, so he had take this opportunity to be the early bird
and catch the worm. If he waited for everyone to be abuzz with the news, then
he would have lost all advantage.
After all, since He Hongshu had escaped from that damned
place, then it was very hard to say that no one else escaped from there. As
long as someone else escaped, the news about the Requiem Tree was bound to
spread. However, what was even more terrifying than the news about the Requiem
Tree spreading around was the possibility that someone else had left the area
with the Wood Demon Parasites as well. Fortunately, judging from He Hongshu’s
words, these people shouldn’t have been wandering cultivators from Veluriyam
Capital. Even if trouble were to break out, the Capital wasn’t in imminent
danger.
As for the other regions, Jiang Chen might be a merciful
man, but he already had more than enough on his plate. After all, if something
like that were really to happen, then it wasn’t something he could stop by
himself. What he wanted now was to find the Requiem Tree and dispel Huang’er’s
Generation Binding Curse, so that she would become healthy again.
However, judging from the data left by Ole He, that place
was truly full of danger. So Jiang Chen had to do his homework before setting
off. What he needed to enhance first was his strength. It was clearly
impossible to enhance his cultivation all the way to the emperor realm in such
a short time frame. However, Jiang Chen held many cards in his hand. If he
sorted through them, he should have enough to enhance his fighting power by
quite a bit.
The Bewitching Lotus of Fire and Ice as well as the magnetic
golden mountain were trump cards that’d been in Jiang Chen’s possession for a
long time already. He’d made full use of them all the way until now. He’d also
been progressively mastering the formation disks and flags he’d inherited from
the Ancient Crimson Heaven Sect, slowly bringing out their power.
Of course, the ultimate Crimson Heaven Formation disk could
imitate the ten great ancient formations. Jiang Chen had merely scratched the
surface of what it could do so far. He’d barely managed to operate it last time
and imitate the Major Artifice Formation. This formation disk had played a
major part during that fight, temporarily trapping the troops the Eternal
Celestial Capital had sent after him. In the end, the troops had been poisoned
by the Divine Befuddlement Miasma and annihilated to the last.
Back when he’d challenged the Ancient Crimson Heaven Sect’s
inheritance tower, Jiang Chen had also obtained two formation disks, one of
them the Minor Artifice Formation Disk. This formation disk didn’t have too
much use for Jiang Chen now. He planned on giving it to those close to him so
that they they could protect themselves.
The formation disk of the Ancient Slaughter Formation of
Seven was of a much higher grade. It could imitate three levels of formations.
The simple level could confuse ordinary sage realm cultivators. The
intermediate level could disorient sky sage realm cultivators, trapping them
inside. As for the highest level, it could confine ordinary emperor realm
powerhouses. So this formation disk was still of use. Jiang Chen still took it
with him.
The Soldier Rosary Beads were also increasingly losing its
usefulness as Jiang Chen’s strength continuously rose. That being said, this
toy could be used now and then to keep an enemy busy and buy him some time. He
might have a use for it on this trip to the desolate wildlands, so he didn’t
give it away for now.
Of course, Jiang Chen’s current priority was to refine the
Pentecolor Divine Swords. This sky rank artefact was a gift bestowed by Emperor
Peafowl. The five colors of the Pentecolor Divine Sword correspondeded with the
five elements. Its might was no trifling matter. The five elements reinforced
each other. As long as a complete circle revolved inside, it could break every
demonic obstacle and slash through any evil energy.
Unfortunately, the great emperor had only given him the
sword, and hadn’t given him any sword technique. Jiang Chen wasn’t discouraged,
however. He was already prepared when it came to sword techniques. In his
memories, Jiang Chen had already identified several sword techniques matching
the characteristics of the Pentecolor Divine Sword, and planned to choose one
of them.
“There are quite a few sword arts combining the five
elements, but ordinary sword arts aren’t worthy of an exceptional artifact like
this sword. I remember a method from ancient times called the ‘Divine Five
Thunderclap Sword Technique’, the ancient Celestial Firmament Emperor’s famous
supreme technique. As for the Firmament Emperor, he was quite a curious tale in
himself. Legends say that this celestial emperor rose from the mundane world.
He went against the power of time, beholding all things life and death,
reversed the wheel of reincarnation, holding onto himself the fates of the
heavens and of the earth, and finally became a divine celestial emperor of an
era.” Jiang Chen had researched the many legends encompassing the heavenly
planes.
The ancient Firmament Emperor was by one of the countless
celestial emperors of the heavenly planes. There were many rumors about him.
Legends said his strength even surpassed that of his father, the Taiyuan
Emperor. The tales of the Firmament Emperor were too many to count throughout
the vast universe. Jiang Chen heard some of the rumors about this celestial
emperor rising from his mundane origins all the way to the seat of a celestial
emperor. His path had been unimpeded like a knife slicing through butter.
However, the Firmament Emperor was also someone with powerful luck. He’d
inherited the legacies of quite a few celestial emperors throughout the planes.
This was someone even his father had praised continuously.
It was unfortunate that the planes were too far away from
each other. One had to pass through ancient heavenly formations for every
journey. If by any chance an issue arose in the orbits of the heavenly planes,
even a celestial emperor would be sucked into the endless, flood-like chaos of
the spatial currents, forever drifting like a piece of deadwood. For that
reason, the Taiyuan Emperor had always wanted to pay a visit to the Firmament
Emperor, but he’d never found the opportunity to do so.
Under the influence of his father, Jiang Chen had also heard
quite a few things about this Firmament Emperor. That was the reason why the
“Divine Five Thunderclap Sword Technique” was the first thing he thought of.
This sword art was in fact a supreme technique that the Firmament Emperor used
when emerging from the mundane world. Only, through the celestial emperor’s
repeated improvement, this sword technique evolved step by step to finally
become something of resounding fame throughout the planes.
Jiang Chen had always researched this technique, so he was
very familiar with its many forms. The greatest advantage of this sword
technique was that it could be cultivated no matter one’s cultivation. Not only
did this sword technique contain the energy of the five elements, but it could
even summon divine thunder and add a dazzling power to its physical attacks.
Its might was extraordinary.
Jiang Chen possessed the Golden Cicada’s Thundercloud Tree
within his body. He had an unmatched advantage when it came to attracting
thunder. For that reason, this sword technique seemed tailor-made for Jiang
Chen.
“Great Firmament Emperor, I hope you can bless me. This
junior is Jiang Chen. After I study your sword technique and become famous
throughout the planes, I’ll come and thank you in person.” Jiang Chen silently
mouthed a few words to himself. He’d already decided he would cultivate this
“Divine Five Thunderclap Sword Technique.” The Pentecolor Divine Sword and this
technique was a match made in heaven.
In addition, Jiang Chen also planned to refine Emperor
Featherflight’s Divine Featherflight Wings. He had obtained the inheritance
back in the Paramount Realm. But apart from the Featherflight Mirror he used
frequently, he hadn’t used the other inheritances left by Emperor Featherflight
out of fear he’d expose this legacy. This journey to the desolate wildlands
would be fraught with danger. The Divine Featherflight Wings were a necessity.
Combined with Emperor Featherflight’s Tactics, he could have full confidence in
his speed.
Even he were to encounter immense danger, he could hope to
survive as long as he had absolute speed. As for the inheritance Emperor
Featherflight had obtained from the empyrean cultivator, Guo Ran, Jiang Chen
had no use for them for the moment, apart from the palace. Jiang Chen had no
use for either of mid-rank empyrean decree or an order to a fate secret realm
for now. As to that palace dwelling, the prohibitions inside were too
formidable. Jiang Chen had used it once back in the Paramount Realm. Thinking
back on it, he felt it was a pity even now.
As soon as those prohibitions started operating, even a
cultivator at the great emperor level would be seriously wounded, if not
outright dead. This was the strongest killing tool Jiang Chen presently had in
his possession. Jiang Chen would never use it unless he met with the greatest
of dangers.
Chapter 854: The Holy Kings of the Eternal Celestial Capital
Meet
After a quick mental inventory, Jiang Chen abruptly realized
that he possessed an unbelievable amount of trump cards. Any one of the items
could transform an average genius into a first-rate genius. The fact that he
alone possessed all of these trump cards left him in wonder at his
extraordinary fortune. In fact, Emperor Peafowl himself had noticed that Jiang
Chen’s fortune was remarkable after the emperor awakened his All-Seeing Eye.
Naturally, Jiang Chen found this theory of fortune to be perfectly reasonable.
It was simply impossible for a person who’d managed to survive the destruction
of the heavenly plane and obtained a new lease on life not to have fortune on
his side. As long as he didn’t try to commit suicide or actively seek death,
his fortune alone would carry him through most problems.
This was obvious if one were to take another look at his
past. Despite losing his sect, and hunted by two first rank sects, Jiang Chen
had still been able to live freely. Of course, fortune alone wasn’t enough to
carry one all through their life. If a person of great fortune stepped into
their own death, then no amount of fortune would be able to change their
outcome.
There were plenty of geniuses of great fortune in the world
of martial dao, but not all of them could grow to their full potential and
reach the end. It was common for geniuses of great fortune to lose everything
in the end because of a flaw in their personality. Jiang Chen didn’t consider
himself unparalleled just because he was a person of great fortune.
He went into closed door cultivation after making up his
mind. Right now, his first priority was refining the Featherflight wings. He
needed to quicken his cultivation of the Five Thunder Divine Sound Sword Technique
too. That being said, sword technique wasn’t something that could be cultivated
in just a few days’ worth of time. For now, Jiang Chen planned to nurture the
sword with his aura and foster his relationship with the swords first. The
cultivation of the sword technique could come later.
A sky rank divine sword was no ordinary divine weapon. A
sword at this level possessed spirit energy of its own. If the wielder was
lucky, the sword might eventually even nurture a spirit of its own. Although
the Pentecolor Divine Swords didn’t seem to have a sword spirit, this was good
news for Jiang Chen. He would have to spend time communicating with the sword
spirit and foster a relationship between them.
No sword spirit meant less hassle. Of course, if a thread of
destiny were to exist between Jiang Chen and this set of swords, then it wasn’t
impossible for him to nurture the swords long enough for it to develop to a
sword spirit of his own.
If he managed to develop a sword spirit, then the Pentecolor
Divine Swords would definitely grow massively in power. They would also become
his true personal weapon. If he wished to cultivate the Five Thunder Divine
Sound Sword Technique, then he had to first familiarize himself with this set
of swords first. If he became so used to the swords that they practically felt
like an extension of his body, then his cultivation of the sword technique
would grow by leaps and bounds.
No one was surprised that Jiang Chen would announce closed
door cultivation now. Taiyuan Tower was now on the right track, and nothing
major was going on at Sacred Peafowl Mountain. However, a middle aged man in a
certain area of Veluriyam Capital was frowning in the courtyard. “Pill King
Zhen is cultivating in seclusion, they say? Is this true, or is it a lie?”
The middle aged man was a spy that Pillfire City had left
behind in Veluriyam Capital. He had been gathering intelligence in Veluriyam
Capital for a long time. In Pillfire City’s opinion, their plan to kill Jiang
Chen with the poisoned secret letter was foolproof. As such, Emperor Pillzenith
had purposely instructed him to watch Pill King Zhen closely and to send him a
report the moment he heard anything. The emperor was obviously waiting for news
of Pill King Zhen’s death to reach his ears.
However, no news of Pill King Zhen’s death came even though
so many days had passed. Everything in Taiyuan Tower operated as usual. It was
impossible that Taiyuan Tower could act this calmly if something really had
happened to Pill King Zhen. No one in Sacred Peafowl Mountain would be able to
keep calm upon hearing this news, much less Taiyuan Tower. It would be stranger
still if the sudden death of a pill king that could change Sacred Peafowl
Mountain’s entire fortune caused no waves at all. But Veluriyam Capital looked
as calm and peaceful as ever. The stories of Pill King Zhen trouncing Pillfire
City continued to spread everywhere.
“Maybe… Pill King Zhen hasn’t read any of those letters?”
The middle aged man was completely puzzled by this outcome. In the end, he
could only justify the lack of news this way. “Maybe Pill King Zhen is too busy
with work and social niceties to look at those letters. After all, those
poisonous letters were refined by Emperor Pillzenith himself. There’s no way he
could’ve survived that if he did touch those letters. Yeah, I should wait
patiently and see what happens. Maybe he’ll get bored and think of those
letters. If he so much as touches them, he’s dead, and there’s no better
outcome than him dying in his own private room while he’s in seclusion. If his
body is discovered too late, it’ll be too hard conduct an investigation!
Hahaha!” The middle aged man comforted himself in this way.
…...
There was another group of people gathered at a secret base
of their own. It was in fact an Eternal Celestial Capital base of operations in
Veluriyam Capital. A couple of holy kings had all gathered inside. Holy King
Ke, who’d gone to negotiate with the Majestic Clan, was present. Holy King Mu,
the one who locked down the city gates of the Myriad Peoples City, was there as
well.
Both saint holy kings were amongst the highest existences in
the Eternal Celestial Capital. Their status was only a bit lower than the sect
head of the Eternal Celestial Capital himself. The two saint holy kings were
gathered together with a few other holy kings who were one rank lower than
them, a rank shared by the deceased Gong Wuji. A total of ten people were
present at this place.
The person who attended to the holy kings’ needs was a spy
the Eternal Celestial Capital had planted in Veluriyam Capital dozens of years
ago. Everyone called him Holy King Bei even though he was just a reserve holy
king. He hadn’t been given an official title yet, though he already possessed
the qualification to become a holy king. That being said, It was only a matter
of time before he was given an official title considering the years he spent at
Veluriyam Capital gathering intelligence for the Eternal Celestial Capital. The
reason he wasn’t given the title yet was because he was still a spy, and it
wasn’t the right time for him to expose himself. Of course, Holy King Bei’s
status couldn’t compare to the saint holy kings. That was why Holy King Bei
appeared very respectful before the two saint holy kings. He dutifully relayed
everything that had happened in Veluriyam Capital as of late to the two saint
holy kings.
“My lords, the Longevity Pill has now been monopolized by
the Sacred Peafowl Mountain. Not even the other great emperors of Veluriyam
Capital were given the right to refine them. There’s no doubt that Sacred
Peafowl Mountain plans to enjoy the spoils of the Longevity Pill by
themselves,” Holy King Bei said.
Saint Holy King Ke humphed coldly, “How on earth did the
Sacred Peafowl Mountain acquire the Longevity Pill recipe to begin with?”
Everyone in the Eternal Celestial Capital was indescribably
sour about the final outcome when it came to the Longevity Pill. Despite all
the work they had put in and the expenses they’d swallowed, the Longevity Pill
fell into the Sacred Peafowl Mountain’s hands in the end. The pill recipe they
had spent so much effort to pry out of their victims’ mouths had now been
monopolized entirely by another party. This wasn’t a declaration made solely by
Sacred Peafowl Mountain, but one by every major representative of the pill
industry. Even the Eternal Celestial Capital didn’t dare go up against every
pill industry heavyweights of the entire human domain simultaneously.
Plus, everyone knew that the Longevity Pill belonged to the
Sacred Peafowl Mountain now. Even if they tried to refine some Longevity Pills
anyway, no one would buy it or accept a broker deal. While there would be some
fearless criminals who would dare sell the Longevity Pill on the black market,
the consequences of discovery would be the anger of the entirety of Veluriyam
Capital.
No one dared take a risk like that. Emperor Peafowl was
acknowledged as one of the strongest great emperors in the human domain, a
person no sane person would ever intentionally offend. Offending him would only
mean death. Even their sect head didn’t wish to provoke someone like Emperor
Peafowl.
Saint Holy King Mu was surprisingly unaffected by their
loss, “What’s gone is gone. If this is the price we have to pay to make
Veluriyam Capital a sworn enemy of Pillfire City, then who cares? Even if the
pill hadn’t fallen into Sacred Peafowl Mountain’s hands, it still would’ve been
taken by Pillfire City anyway. A thing like this wouldn’t have lasted long in
our hands. I heard from the sect that Pill King Shi Yangshu had gone to
Pillfire City to meet Emperor Pillzenith, and Pillfire City had snatched our
pill formula right from his hands the second it was presented. Emperor Pillzenith
never planned to partner with the Eternal Celestial Capital from the very
beginning. All he wanted to do was to rob us. Unfortunately for them, they
failed to defeat Sacred Peafowl Mountain despite all their schemes and actually
ended up worse off than when they started. Serves them right, that’s for sure.”
The Eternal Celestial Capital’s hatred towards Veluriyam
Capital was actually smaller than their hatred towards Pillfire City. After
all, Veluriyam Capital hadn’t robbed the pill formula directly from their
hands. Whereas, Pillfire City had just taken possession of the pill formula and
kicked the Eternal Celestial Capital out of the game. This wasn’t something a
first rank sect like the Eternal Celestial Capital could swallow with grace.
Thankfully, Pillfire City ultimately lost to Sacred Peafowl
Mountain and failed to retain ownership of the Longevity Pill. The Eternal
Celestial Capital might not have the right to refine the Longevity Pill, but
the ownership of the pill hadn’t fallen into Pillfire City’s hands either. The
Eternal Celestial Capital couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief at this
outcome. You robbed us, sure, but I wonder who’s the bigger loser in the end,
Pillfire City?
Everyone shared a look of perfect understanding when they
heard Holy King Mu’s words. It was obvious that everyone had learned of Emperor
Pillzenith’s malicious robbery of the Longevity Pill after Pill King Shi
Yangshu sent back a message to the sect. The Eternal Celestial Capital was
deeply dissatisfied with the Pillfire City’s unreasonable aggressiveness. It
was only natural that they enjoyed Pillfire City’s double loss after trying to
trick the enemy. Even the irksome Veluriyam Capital was looking more friendly
than Pillfire City right now.
“Oh right, Holy King Bei, you’ve stayed at the Veluriyam
Capital for a very long time, haven’t you? Did you figure out anything about
Pill King Zhen yet?” Holy King Mu asked.
Holy King Bei pondered for a moment, “This Pill King Zhen’s
background is extremely mysterious. No one knows where he comes from. I have
tried to inquire about him in secret, but I can find no clues whatsoever.”
Holy King Mu had been trying to catch Jiang Chen at Myriad
Peoples City all this time. In the end, a long enough time had passed for him
to realize that his plans to intercept Jiang Chen had failed. That was why he’d
chosen to sneak into Veluriyam Capital. It was all to gather information.
“What are your opinions, Brother Mu?” Holy King Ke asked
curiously.
Holy King Mu frowned, “I don’t know why, but I can’t shake
the feeling that this Pill King Zhen has something to do with us.”
“Something to do with us? What do you mean?” The group of
men looked puzzled.
“I’ve seen this Pill King Zhen at the Myriad Peoples City
before. At the time, he was travelling together with the young master of House
Wei, Wei Jie, and making his way to Veluriyam Capital. We stopped him at the
roadblock, and he showed us a pill king token to prove his identity. Though,
the surname on the token was a different ‘Zhen’ character. But I wonder if the
two are actually connected?”
“So he’s a member of the House Wei. What does that have to
do with us?” Holy King Ke still didn’t understand his meaning.
“Sigh. I suspect that this Pill King Zhen is that bastard
Jiang Chen.” Holy King Mu couldn’t help but feel a bit of pain in his heart
when he said this. He’d never talked about what had happened during the
inspection until now, and he never stopped regretting the decision he had made
that day. If he’d been a little more resolute that day, if he had insisted in
inspecting that Pill King Zhen, he might have found the person he was looking
for. However, he’d ultimately decided against inspecting Pill King Zhen by
force and yielded to the authority of Veluriyam Capital. The more he thought
about that day, the more he found it suspicious. That was why he had come to
investigate this matter more deeply.
Chapter 855: The Wood Demon Tribe
Holy King Mu’s words sent everyone into a daze. Pill King
Zhen was actually Jiang Chen? What kind of far-fetched joke was this? Wasn’t
Jiang Chen a mere genius from a fourth-rank sect? He shouldn’t be at such a
level even though he was moderately talented.
“Jiang Chen? Impossible! He’s admittedly quite cunning, but
how could he produce such a grand spectacle with his meager abilities? Even
Pill King Ji Lang of Pillfire City wasn’t his match.”
“Indeed. It isn’t quite possible for Regal Pill Palace to
produce such a genius with their modest heritage.” Those assembled successively
expressed their lingering doubt towards Holy King Mu’s deduction. It wasn’t so
surprising that the people had their misgivings. In their eyes, Jiang Chen was
only a genius who was relatively adept at using the time and terrain to his
advantage.
Wiping out Gong Wuji’s group had been Jiang Chen’s greatest
feat of strength. But everyone knew that it wasn’t because Jiang Chen had been
exceptionally strong. Rather, it was because he had made use of the Infant
Shriek’s topography to poison his enemies with the Divine Befuddlement Miasma.
Those who knew about the incident at Mt. Rippling Mirage were naturally aware
that Jiang Chen had ways to deal with the poison of the Divine Befuddlement
Miasma. That was all.
But the things Pill King Zhen had done were obviously on a
much higher level. He was a genius that even Emperor Peafowl favored greatly.
How could that boorish Jiang Chen hold a candle to him? Thus, everyone felt
that this deduction wasn’t quite reliable. They couldn’t accept this in the
depths of their hearts. If Jiang Chen was indeed Pill King Zhen, the Eternal
Celestial Capital would have no way to deal with him seeing as how he had
Emperor Peafowl as his supporter. This was something they’d never be able to
accept.
Holy King Mu disregarded everyone’s doubts. “I’ll not change
my stance on this, regardless of what you all think of this matter. I will
definitely investigate the origins of this Pill King Zhen.”
Others didn’t dare comment but, as a peer, Holy King Ke
Sheng couldn’t help but point out, “Brother Mu, I’m not against you
investigating this matter, but you must know your limits. Neither you nor I can
bear this responsibility if things get out of hand and we draw the attention of
Sacred Peafowl Mountain.”
The Eternal Celestial Capital possessed experts as abundant
as the clouds, but Sacred Peafowl Mountain boasted no less. The Eternal
Celestial Capital’s strength was, at most, half that of Veluriyam Capital’s
assets. It was rather unwise to offend the latter. What’s more, the Eternal
Celestial Capital had incurred the wrath of Pillfire City.
From their perspective, they wouldn’t have landed in such a
situation if the meddlesome Eternal Celestial Capital hadn’t given them this
Longevity Pill recipe in the first place. Neither would Pillfire City have lost
so much face after having their unbeatable status broken. Even a legendary
character like Pill King Ji Lang had been defeated! Pillfire City naturally
wouldn’t shift all the blame for their humiliation onto the Eternal Celestial
Capital, but they would inevitably take it out on the sect to a certain extent.
The Eternal Celestial Capital didn’t want to put themselves directly in the
firing lines of both sides.
Holy King Mu snorted coldly, “The reminder is unnecessary. I
always act with due propriety. Do you lot realize that, if Pill King Zhen is
indeed Jiang Chen, he’s most likely obtained Emperor Featherflight’s
inheritance—something that our Eternal Celestial Capital and Ninesuns Sky Sect
have been pursuing for thousands of years?”
Everyone fell silent because they had no way of refuting
this statement. It had become a different matter, now that the long
sought-after inheritance of Emperor Featherflight was involved. They might not
necessarily covet Emperor Featherflight’s own inheritance, but the latter had
once obtained the inheritance of an empyrean cultivator. That inheritance was
specifically what the Eternal Celestial Capital and Ninesuns Sky Sect had been
pursuing for thousands of years. They’d even gone to great lengths to plot
against the Myriad Domain for this. But their thousand-year arrangement might
have all been for naught in the end, and they might have even sustained losses
instead!
This was especially true for the Eternal Celestial Capital.
They had lost a holy king, a batch of elites and had even thrown in their
puppet, the Great Scarlet Mid Region. Many major sects from the Great Scarlet
Mid Region had accompanied Gong Wuji as he chased after Jiang Chen, and all
were buried within Infant Shriek that day. The most infuriating aspect was that
Jiang Chen had cut off the victims’ heads and had them transported to the Great
Scarlet Emperor. It was said that the Great Scarlet Emperor nearly spat out
blood on the spot. This was a great humiliation to both the Great Scarlet
Empire and the Eternal Celestial Capital.
Holy King Ke Sheng asked solemnly, “Brother Mu, did Emperor
Featherflight’s inheritance really land in Jiang Chen’s hands?”
“I can’t be completely certain, but it’s quite likely
because the pawn we’d planted in the Darknorth Sect died that day as well. It’s
highly unlikely that this well-trained agent would’ve died without encountering
a major incident. Furthermore, Jiang Chen once mentioned Lin Hai’s name to Gong
Wuji, which goes to show that he was aware of Lin Hai’s status as our
undercover agent. But Lin Hai wouldn’t have exposed himself for no reason. It’s
highly likely that he’d found Emperor Featherflight’s inheritance but was ultimately
unable to overcome Jiang Chen. Of course, all of this is just my speculation,
but I feel that it’s quite reasonable.”
Admittedly, Holy King Mu’s theory was fairly reasonable. He
hadn’t had much to do in recent days and had been continuously mulling over
this matter. It was no wonder that he was able to piece together all the
important clues and come up with this deduction.
Holy King Ke Sheng frowned, “If he has indeed obtained
Emperor Featherflight’s inheritance, then it becomes quite likely that Pill
King Zhen is Jiang Chen in disguise.”
“Yes, how otherwise did this genius suddenly appear in
Veluriyam Capital? He must’ve obtained a heaven-defying inheritance.” Holy King
Mu was quite certain of his theory.
“Then we should really look deeper into this Pill King
Zhen’s background,” Holy King Ke Sheng nodded at Holy King Mu Shen. “Should we
report this matter to the sect head and have him dispatch more people?”
“I think we have enough manpower. We’ll plan this slowly.
It’s easier to be discovered if too many people are involved. I heard that
Emperor Peafowl has extremely terrifying insight. The current scale of our
operation is already quite dangerous. His discerning eyes might see through us
if we mobilize more people.” Holy King Mu was quite cautious.
The others nodded successively, and Holy King Mu said to
Holy King Bei, “Holy King Bei, you can be considered a local boss in this area.
You should ask around more about this Pill King Zhen and relay any clues you
find about him to us. We’ll ambush and capture him once we’re able to track his
whereabouts and immediately bring him to the Eternal Celestial Capital. We can
always let him go secretly if we’re proven wrong.”
“Either way, we have to exercise extreme caution. We
definitely can’t expose our movements.” Everyone agreed to continue working in
secret after much discussion.
…...
A month’s seclusion passed by quickly. Jiang Chen had spent
nearly twenty days refining the Featherflight wings and another ten to
comprehend the Featherflight Tactics. He then spent the remaining time
nurturing the Pentacolor Divine Swords. Jiang Chen had formed a solid
connection with the Pentacolor Divine Swords after a month of painstaking
effort. It had become more familiar with Jiang Chen and was gradually fusing with
him. Although a sword spirit hadn’t yet developed, Jiang Chen believed that, at
the current rate of fusion, it might eventually be possible one day. A divine
weapon was only truly complete after giving birth to a spirit.
After exiting his isolation, he decided that he wouldn’t
bring along anyone other than Huang’er this time. The Goldbiter Rats and Long
Xiaoxuan were, of course, an exception. He chatted with Shen Trifire about
matters regarding Taiyuan Tower and also spoke briefly with the Wei father and
son duo. His explanation was that he was planning to wander outside for a
period of time and look for something, but didn’t offer any detailed
explanation regarding his reasons.
Pill King Lu Feng repeatedly pleaded to go along with Jiang
Chen, but only received a scolding in return. In the end, he was helpless and
could only behave obediently. Jiang Chen used a carrot and stick approach,
later giving the old man a Deviant Pill Faction pill recipe. The ecstatic “old
brat” couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear. Before leaving, he also briefly
informed young master Ji San of his plans. The latter immediately offered to go
along with him but Jiang Chen tactfully declined.
“Brother Ji, I want to keep things as low profile as
possible for this journey. You can just pretend that we never had this
conversation. I’ll keep the clan head’s matter in mind. It’ll be a great
fortune if I can find an Invisible Chameleon Cloudpine.”
Young master Ji San didn’t insist on the matter and only
wished Jiang Chen well on his journey. His final stop was naturally Emperor
Peafowl. Emperor Peafowl smiled faintly, “You’re traveling?”
Jiang Chen was startled, “Your Majesty is already aware?”
“I wasn’t certain but I made an educated guess from certain
clues. Where do you plan to go this time?”
“I want to return to my homeland.” Jiang Chen replied
truthfully.
“The Myriad Domain?” Emperor Peafowl’s eyes gaze shifted but
didn’t say much. “Do you need me to dispatch some people to follow you?”
Jiang Chen shook his head, “My training would be meaningless
with Your Majesty’s people escorting me everywhere. I only came to inform Your
Majesty that I will return in time for the Veluriyam Pagoda opening six months
from now, lest Your Majesty thinks I’ve broken my promise.”
“Haha, I rarely make errors when judging people. I wouldn’t
hold you in such high regard if you were one to break promises.” Emperor
Peafowl was a fairly unconstrained person and didn’t stop Jiang Chen. “Take
care.”
Jiang Chen nodded but after a moment of thought, he added,
“Your Majesty, there’s one thing I must bring to your attention.”
“Pray tell.”
Jiang Chen replied seriously, “The demon race you were
worried about has already appeared. According to my knowledge, there’s a
subdivision of the demon race called the Wood Demons. I’ve found certain clues
regarding said tribe near Veluriyam Capital, but I’ve dealt with them already.”
“What?! Wood Demons?!” Emperor Peafowl was greatly
astonished. “You’ve heard of the Wood Demons?”
Jiang Chen could only laugh wryly after seeing Emperor
Peafowl’s strong reaction. “I’ve only heard a little bit about them from my
teacher.”
Chapter 856: A Powerful Warning
Within the heavenly planes, the demon race was a
particularly invasive race. Moreover, the assimilation capabilities of their
bloodline was extremely strong. An ordinary race would be hard-pressed to avoid
being turned into a demon once the demon race’s bloodline assimilated with
theirs. Therefore, from their bones down to the very blood coursing through
their veins, the demon race could be said to be an extraordinarily invasive
race. With their aggressiveness, they would not only take over a power’s territory
and land, but also invade people’s bloodlines and souls, completely converting
them into a denizen of the demon race. This was the major factor behind how the
demon race had grown into a large tribe renowned around the world.
Of course, since the demon race possessed so many
distinctive traits, they could definitely effortlessly dominate the world if
they did not have some form of weakness. The heavens were fair. Although the
demon race had a strong invasive ability and offensive power, they also had some
corresponding weaknesses. For example, the bloodline of the demon race was very
easily distinguishable. Due to this weakness, the moment the demon race
appeared, they’d immediately be noticed and attacked by those around them. This
had also largely restricted the expansion of the demon tribe.
In his previous life, Jiang Chen had heard of the demon race
but had not conducted much research on them. When Emperor Peafowl raised his
questions, Jiang Chen naturally turned to words he’d heard from his non-existent
“teacher”. Actually, Emperor Peafowl had always been very interested in this
“teacher” of Jiang Chen’s. Everything Jiang Chen had done so far irrefutably
indicated how exceptional he must be. A teacher who could produce such an
outstanding disciple in a mere ten years—just what kind of unnatural existence
was he?
Even when Emperor Peafowl used himself as a measuring stick,
he could only shake his head in inferiority. As he heard Jiang Chen mention his
teacher again, Emperor Peafowl couldn’t help but ask, “This teacher mentioned
even matters regarding the demon race to you? What opinions does your teacher
have on the demon race?”
Jiang Chen shook his head. “He only introduced me to the
demon race so I’d be aware of their existence. He didn’t actually offer any
opinion on them.”
Emperor Peafowl was slightly disappointed. He had wanted to
listen to the opinions of Jiang Chen’s teacher, this uncommon, saintly being.
When the emperor followed up with a few questions about the demon race, Jiang
Chen spilled everything he knew apart from the Requiem Wood. The reason why he
hadn’t mentioned the Requiem Wood wasn’t because he was afraid that Emperor
Peafowl would fight him for it, but rather, that the emperor would not allow
him to go.
After all, for a young cultivator of the fifth-level sage
realm, entering the desolate wildlands was undoubtedly a dangerous matter. If
Emperor Peafowl took the dangers Jiang Chen would be facing into consideration,
naturally he wouldn’t allow Jiang Chen to go. When he heard that Jiang Chen had
a way to counter the Wood Demon Parasites, Emperor Peafowl was shocked. “Was
this method also something that your teacher taught you?”
Emperor Peafowl was beyond astonished. Was there anything
this teacher of Jiang Chen’s didn’t know? From what he could see, this teacher
was definitely not a simple person. One had to know that whenever a variant of
the demon race appeared, the world would be immeasurably affected. Hence,
Emperor Peafowl had previously heard plenty of news regarding the Wood Demons.
He had also seen ancient records of how the Wood Demons had managed to turn an
entire region into hell on earth within just a few months. Considering this,
how could he contain his shock upon hearing that Jiang Chen had a way to
destroy the Wood Demon Parasites?
Emperor Peafowl viewed his problems with great foresight and
immediately asked, “Little friend, did you know that you’ve unintentionally
accomplished a task of great virtue?”
Jiang Chen did not deny this. “It was nothing but a trifle.
Your Majesty can ask Pill King Lu Feng for the medicine I prescribed him. If
that’s able to bring peace to Veluriyam Capital, then I am willing to offer it
for free. If Your Majesty feels apologetic, then you can simply repay Pill King
Lu Feng in some way. He’s my disciple now.”
“Your disciple?” Emperor Peafowl was shocked for a moment
before he smiled, “Pill King Lu Feng, that old jester, I’ve heard of him too.
He has a terrible temper. He won’t show anyone ordinary a shred of respect.
There must be a great story behind why he’s taken you as his master.”
Jiang Chen laughed, “I have yet to consider making this
public. If Your Majesty wishes to carry this out, you can collaborate with him.
Allowing him to take credit will suffice.”
He found matters like credit rather insipid. After taking
his leave, Jiang Chen returned to Taiyuan Tower to prepare for his departure
the next day.
Emperor Peafowl sighed lightly. As he watched Jiang Chen’s
retreating figure from Sacred Peafowl Mountain, his heart filled with sorrow.
“The reason Jiang Chen was born to shoulder this burden must be related to the
fate of the Divine Abyss Continent. This child carries many mysteries. And I’m
afraid that it’s not simply because of his mysterious teacher…”
Emperor Peafowl harbored many speculations within his heart.
Nonetheless, they were not important at present. What was important was the
spark of hope he saw within Jiang Chen.
…...
On a small footpath in the backyard of Taiyuan Tower,
Huang’er asked in a gentle voice, “Brother Jiang, you’ve prepared for so long
this time. Which faraway place are you planning to go?”
Jiang Chen smiled slightly, “Huang'er, even if you hadn’t
asked me, I was just about to tell you.”
Their two hearts were connected. Just as one wanted to ask,
the other wanted to answer. When they glanced at each other, they smiled
warmly, clearly displaying the chemistry between them. Huang'er laughed gently,
taking the playful pose of a little girl. She tapped the corner of her lips
softly, “Allow me to guess?”
“Guess.” Jiang Chen chuckled upon seeing her in high
spirits.
“It must be related to your native country? You want to
return to the Myriad Domain?”
Jiang Chen nodded his head mysteriously, “You’re half
right.”
“Only half?” Huang'er’s beautiful eyes moved slightly.
“Yes. This matter—it’s related to you,” Jiang Chen hinted.
Huang'er’s elegant brows suddenly arched, “Is it news
related to the Requiem Wood?”
Jiang Chen exclaimed in praise, “As expected of your
intelligence. I’ve received a clue regarding the Requiem Wood. No matter if it
is real or fake, I must still pay a visit. The reason I didn’t tell you earlier
was because I was afraid that you’d worry too much about the gains and losses.
That wouldn’t be good for you.”
A light smile appeared on Huang'er’s face, “Then why aren’t
you afraid of that now?”
“Because if I keep it hidden any longer, I wouldn’t be able
to forgive myself.”
“Brother Chen, if things were like before, I naturally
would’ve hoped that the illness that plagued me could be cured earlier. But
now? When I’m with you, Huang'er feels very comfortable. I’ve already forgotten
all my pain. No matter my illness, my heart will remain lively.” Huang'er
murmured softly as she disclosed her innermost feelings. Her bashful speech
carried an underlying current of steel.
Jiang Chen felt the ache in his heart worsen when he heard
these words. “Huang'er, don’t worry. There is nothing in the heavens or earth
that can stop us. The Generation Binding Curse can’t and even the Myriad Abyss
Island can’t. Your family clan, your rival clans...none of them can stop us!”
His tone was incomparably resolute. His eyes shone with a
sense of determination. Huang'er might be a well-raised young lady from a large
clan, but even so, when a young girl hears such a promise from the man she loves,
her heart cannot help but be filled with happiness.
A night passed in silence. Early next morning, the two
people disguised themselves, dressing up in the likelihood of wandering
cultivators, before quietly leaving Taiyuan Tower. Not long after they left
Taiyuan Tower, a few pairs of eyes affixed upon them.
“Report for the Saint Holy Kings! Two people from the
Taiyuan Tower left in the early morning dressed in the clothing style of
wandering cultivators. We suspect them to be members of Taiyuan Tower in
disguise.”
“What exactly is going on?”
“We have been keeping a close eye on Taiyuan Tower recently.
These two people left very early, yet they are currently entertaining no
visitors. They must be members of the tower.”
The two saint holy kings’ eyes lit up. Although there were
numerous people residing in Taiyuan Tower, not many of them were significant.
Apart from Pill King Zhen, the rest were all insignificant characters who would
have no need to disguise themselves. Hence, the first thing that occured to
Holy King Ke and Holy King Mu was how fishy this development seemed.
“Continue to pay attention to the important figures in
Taiyuan Tower to see if any are missing. If none of them are missing, then the
only one who could have left is Pill King Zhen.”
“Also investigate any movements from the Wei father and son
duo!” The two kings commanded in succession.
“Understood!” The spies left one by one. However, once they
had left, the spies did not return for a long time.
As a result, Holy King Mu, who had been waiting for news all
this time, began to rage. “What the hell are they doing? It has already been a
few hours. If we continue to wait like this, who knows where those people would
have gone already?”
“Those guys don’t usually do things this way.” Holy King Bei
was somewhat ashamed. He was the head of the spy network in Veluriyam Capital.
These men had all been trained by him. The fact that they had not brought back
news even after so many hours caused him to feel as though he had lost plenty
of face.
However, Holy King Ke frowned instead. “Could something have
happened to them?”
Holy King Bei’s expression changed. “This subordinate will
personally check.”
Just as he was about to get up, a hurried pattering of
footsteps resounded from the corridor. Immediately, a guard responsible for
securing the yard rushed in, his face full of fear as he said, “Saint Holy
Kings, the spies that have been sent out have all been beheaded. Their corpses
have been thrown into the yard.”
“What?” The few holy kings were completely dumbfounded. They
stood up one after another.
As they rushed outside, Holy King Mu suddenly shouted
loudly, “Everyone, stop! Don’t exit through the main gates.” The people were
all stunned. Holy King Mu’s face was grave as he intoned, “There’s danger.”
Holy King Ke had also gathered his wits. He stared at the
door for a second before saying, “It’s been restricted. This doorway—someone
has laid restrictions on it.”
“Not just the doorway. All our exit paths have been
restricted. We’ve been completely trapped.” The holy king’s complexion
instantly turned extremely ugly.
Suddenly, a voice traveled from the void, “If the Eternal
Celestial Capital would like to visit Veluriyam Capital as guests, Veluriyam
Capital will not reject you. However, if you are here to cause a storm,
consider this your first and final warning. If this happens again, every one of
you can forget about ever leaving Veluriyam Capital again.”
This voice was neither too fast nor too slow, but everyone
who’d heard it felt the chill of fear penetrate their bones. The person who
dared to proclaim this must be an enormous heavyweight within Veluriyam
Capital. It was entirely possible that this was Emperor Peafowl himself!
In an instant, everyone had turned as stiff as stone
statues. No one dared to move an inch, as though they were afraid that a single
action would cause a misunderstanding that would result in a mass murder. All
along they had been under the impression that they had worked in secret. They
had always assumed that their plans were flawless. Never had they imagined that
their each and every move had been under close inspection. As their line of
thoughts trailed to this eventual conclusion, every one of them felt their
blood run cold.
Chapter 857: Chance Encounter with an Old Acquaintance
The Eternal Celestial Capital had realized to their shock
that they were completely trapped. Not only could they not exit, all forms of
communication with the outside world had been cut off. It was as though they
had been isolated from the outside world in every possible way. Naturally,
Jiang Chen was not aware of these things happening within Veluriyam Capital.
After he had left, he and Huang'er mixed into the various groups of wandering
cultivators. With nothing to obstruct their path, their travel was smooth and
peaceful.
When they reached the borders of Veluriyam Capital again,
those powers from the Eternal Celestial Capital had already retreated from
Myriad Peoples City. By now, the city had already regained its previous state.
They passed through unimpeded.
The last time, he had slaughtered his way to Veluriyam
Capital from the Myriad Domain. As his path had been paved with countless
hardships, it had taken him no less than half a year of time. This time, his
mood was entirely different. With no one to block his way and no fear of being
recognized, his travels had been extremely smooth. Moreover, Jiang Chen’s speed
was no laughing matter. Even without using the arts of flying from Emperor
Featherflight, the Golden Cicada Wings alone were already incredibly fast. No
matter how lively matters were in each territory Jiang Chen passed along his
way, he dallied not at all.
They arrived at the Great Scarlet Mid Region within a day.
At this point, they weren’t far from the Myriad Domain. Although this wasn’t
the time to seek revenge against the Great Scarlet Mid Region, Jiang Chen still
decided to visit the region’s imperial capital. At least, he could make some
inquiries into the region’s recent developments and catch up on some news.
Once he entered the Great Scarlet Mid Region, Jiang Chen
could immediately sense that the defenses in said region were much tighter than
before. The checkpoints he had to pass by were all extremely strict.
In every city around the Great Scarlet regions, the
liveliest places were those bustling with news regarding bounties on both Jiang
Chen and the Regal Pill Palace. What Jiang Chen had not expected was for his
bounty to rank among the highest. The price on his head was even higher than
that on the palace head of the Regal Pill Palace. He wasn’t actually too
surprised about that. He’d taken out so many heavyweights of the Myriad Domain
in Infant Shriek last time and mailed their decapitated heads to the emperor of
the Great Scarlet Mid Region. It’d be strange if the region didn’t hate him to
the bone.
However, Jiang Chen had become more audacious since his
skills had improved. He remained completely relaxed even in the face of his
massive bounty and entered the capital with Huang'er. Even though so much time
had passed since he last visited the capital, the hatred that Jiang Chen felt
towards the Great Scarlet Mid Region had not abated at all. Although this
region was only an accomplice of the Eternal Celestial Capital, their heinous
murders in the Myriad Domain outnumbered even the Eternal Celestial Capital’s.
It could be said that the chain of calamities that the Myriad Domain had
suffered could all be linked to the Great Scarlet Mid Region.
As they entered the region, Jiang Chen and Huang'er were not
in a hurry to find an inn. Instead, they strolled towards the Dragon &
Phoenix, the tavern they had previously visited.
The Dragon & Phoenix had been their previous haunt. It
was where Jiang Chen had coincidentally spotted the third prince of the Great
Scarlet Empire and met with Elder Gui of the Eternal Celestial Capital. This
was where the two parties had discussed who the creator of the Longevity Pill
was. Furthermore, this was where Jiang Chen had overheard the news that Gouyu
and the rest had been sold to the Eternal Celestial Capital. This was a place
where news from all over the Great Scarlet Mid Region seemed to gather. From
imperial secrets to market gossip, one could happen upon all kinds of
information.
The Dragon & Phoenix was located in the liveliest
district of the Great Scarlet Capital. People came and went amidst busy
traffic; it was truly bustling with life. Before the two had even walked to the
entrance of the tavern however, they could already see that the empty space in
front was filled with people. At first glance, these people looked as though
they were about to attack the tavern, their poses were that frightening. Jiang
Chen and Huang'er exchanged shocked glances.
Normally, a place for food and beer should be lively but
even then, shouldn’t it only be lively on the inside? Why were there so many
people outside the building? Although the two people were curious, they didn’t
rashly ask any passersby. Instead, they blended into the fray, secretly
eavesdropping on the conversations between the crowd.
“I say! Is this really the way your Dragon & Phoenix
does business? Whatever’s in the pockets of those domineering nobility is
money, and whatever’s in ours isn’t?”
“That’s right! What gives them the right to enter first?”
“You can spew all the pretty words you want. What do you
mean by treating nobility and wandering cultivators equally?! Ultimately, we
wandering cultivators are still discriminated against!”
“Sigh, never mind. Wandering cultivators will remain
wandering cultivators. Don’t even think about arguing with those rich nobles.”
“Guess you’re right. This kind of auction was never
something we poor wandering cultivators could afford. Let’s go, let’s go. Even
the entrance ticket is so expensive. They’re really ripping people off here!”
“Don’t even mention the price. We’re still queuing over
here, a few thousand people fighting for a single ticket, while those rich and
powerful families can just swagger on in!”
After listening to various complaints from these wandering
cultivators, Jiang Chen gained a rough understanding of the situation. As it
turned out, it just so happened that they arrived at the Dragon & Phoenix
while some kind of auction was happening. But, shouldn’t auctions be held in
auction halls? Why was this Dragon & Phoenix tavern holding some auction?
Jiang Chen was here only to catch up on recent developments,
so he wasn’t really interested in this.
As he stood in the crowd with Huang'er, he didn’t see anyone
he knew. They glanced at each other and walked away from the crowd, deciding to
leave and go somewhere else. Before they had walked too far however, a line of
people along the road stopped in their steps. This group of people were
carrying a sedan chair. With a light sweep of the chair’s curtains, half a face
was exposed from within the sedan as it looked towards Jiang Chen and Huang'er.
Although only half the person’s face had been exposed, Jiang Chen’s heart sank.
This face belonged to someone he knew from a long time ago.
The person in the sedan also seemed to respond, calling out lightly, “Stop for
a while. I’m going out.”
“Young Mistress, the auction will be starting soon.”
“If I tell you to stop, you stop. What nonsense are you
blabbering on about?” The person in the sedan scolded delicately. It was a girl’s
voice.
As soon as Jiang Chen heard this voice, he was even more
certain. This was someone he knew. Only, how had she recognized him in his
current disguise? Moreover, she had clearly been in the sedan. How had she seen
him? As Jiang Chen was unwilling to interact with this person, he spoke to
Huang'er, “Let’s go.”
The two of them had barely managed to walk away before the
delicate voice sounded out from behind them. “Please stop, the two of you.”
Jiang Chen did not pause, only continued to walk straight
ahead. However, the person behind them were clearly calling out to them. When
she saw that Jiang Chen’s footsteps had not paused, she walked faster. Sweeping
along like a scented breeze, she rushed in front of Jiang Chen in two or three
steps. Raising both her hands, she blocked Jiang Chen and Huang'er’s way.
This girl had a slender figure, a waist as thin as a water
snake yet still supple. The curves on her body were still impressively perfect.
Only, her face had gained a sense of maturity and melancholy, and lost some of
its previous seductive grace. This girl was actually Wei Xing’er of the Myriad
Domain’s Walkabout Sect. She had tried to tempt Jiang Chen with sex appeal
during the Mt. Rippling Mirage PIll Battle. Ling Bi'er had repeatedly warned
Jiang Chen that this girl was a poisonous scorpion that he should handle with
caution. She was a famous scorpion temptress in the Myriad Domain. Although he
wasn’t with Ling Bi'er now, her earnest advice remained rooted in his memory.
Moreover, he never had any pleasant history with Wei Xing’er, so he didn’t want
engage in any pleasantries now.
“Move aside.” Jiang Chen frowned.
Wei Xing’er’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a
smile. She placed her hands on her hips as she fixed her gaze on Jiang Chen.
“Would you have any interest in a little chat?”
This was what Wei Xing’er had said to Jiang Chen during the
Mt. Rippling Mirage Pill Battles as well. The only difference was that back
then, Wei Xing’er had harbored no good intentions. She had wanted to use the
Azure Smokesnare Powder against Jiang Chen, but Jiang Chen had turned her plans
against her and given her a harsh spanking. Today, the same sentence had been
spoken. Yet, it managed to move Jiang Chen’s heart. Wei Xing’er actually
managed to recognize me? Why would she say the exact same line to me as back
then otherwise? The only difference was that she didn’t add my name at the
front.
“We don’t know each other. There’s nothing much to chat
about.” Jiang Chen said as he was about to walk around Wei Xing’er.
Wei Xing’er giggled as she extended a hand to block his way.
“You little boy, we haven’t seen each other for so many years, but you’re still
so insensitive?”
Jiang Chen furrowed his brows. “Please control yourself.”
Wei Xing’er rolled her eyes because shooting a glance at
Huang'er at his side. She clucked her tongue. “Who would have thought that even
after a few years, you still don’t lack a beauty hanging off your arm. So, how did
you swindle your way into this little girl’s heart? I once took you for a loyal
and dependable rare male specimen. Who’d have thought you also ended up being
one of those hot and cold playboys? Heehee, if that delicate senior sister of
yours saw you now, I wonder how heartbroken she’d be?”
If Jiang Chen hadn’t altered his looks, the expression on
his face would definitely be flabbergasted. Wei Xing’er’s words already
sufficiently revealed that she knew who he was. The only thing left was for her
to call his name. That aforementioned sweet senior sister, wasn’t that Ling
Bi'er? For a split second, the thought of murder flashed through Jiang Chen’s
mind before quickly being quashed.
This was unrelated to his being in the Great Scarlet Mid
Region. Even if he wasn’t in this region, murdering someone to silence them
wasn’t something Jiang Chen could do. Besides, he was still unclear about Wei
Xing’er’s intentions. Her watery eyes seemed to be able to tell a story. They
seemed to understand everything as they swept up and down Jiang Chen’s body.
With a knowing smile, she said, “You fickle bad boy. Good thing you’re not
totally evil, nor do you have any murderous inclinations. Or else, I’d definitely
be shouting your name loud and clear.”
As she said this, Wei Xing’er tossed her hair and revealed a
meaningful smile. She suddenly changed to silent transmission. “Jiang Chen, you
little brat, I’m on my way to attend an auction. Either you come with me, or…”
“Or what?” Jiang Chen’s brows furrowed. If this Wei Xing’er
dared threaten him, Jiang Chen definitely didn’t mind making her suffer a
little. Even if he was stuck in this dragon’s lair, he could still kill her in
a flash before she could spit out a single word.
“Look at you, you look like you want to eat me. Don’t you
know? This big sister has never bore you any ill will. Last time, when I used
the Azure Smokesnare powder against you, it was merely in the interest of the
clan. I told you a long time ago that I love boldly and hate openly. And the
kind of man I love most are geniuses like you. Especially since after so many
years, you’ve even become the worst nightmare of the Great Scarlet Mid Region.
The higher the price on your head rises, the more I feel justified in my tastes
back then. What a pity…” Who knew what Wei Xing’er pitied herself over. Jiang
Chen had no interest in listening further. Wei Xing’er abruptly shifted the
topic of discussion. “You can choose not to go. But, if you don’t go, then you
might not be able to hear some information about the Myriad Domain.”
Chapter 858: Resplendent Emerald Veranda’s Young Madam
It had to be mentioned that Wei Xing’er certainly had a bag
of tricks up her sleeve. Somehow, she’d always had a way to handle men. She had
a way of attracting even Jiang Chen’s attention, a man unlikely to fall for her
tricks. Of course, what she relied on was not her assets but rather, the fact
that she was able to analyze Jiang Chen’s thoughts. Upon seeing his hesitation,
Wei Xing’er giggled. “You evil little boy. Back when this girl fell into your
palms, why didn’t you hesitate before you spanked me? Could it be that you’re
scared right now?”
Jiang Chen exchanged glances with Huang'er. Huang'er didn’t
seem too scared of this temptress either. She nodded lightly, indicating that
Jiang Chen should respond to her. He thought for a second before replying, “Wei
Xing’er, I don’t care what status you have right now or which house’s young
madam you might be. If you dare to do anything unfavorable to me, it’s child’s
play for me to take your life, regardless of how many patrons you have.”
Wei Xing’er raised her brows when she heard this. Not only
did she not show a trace of fear, a smile graced her lips instead. “I just love
how fierce you look. I haven’t seen you for a few years but it’s wonderful that
you’ve become manlier! You hold my life within your palms anyway. Do whatever
you want to me, I have no objections.” As Wei Xing’er said this, she shot Jiang
Chen a coy glance instead.
Jiang Chen sneered. “Your little tricks have no effect on
me.”
Wei Xing’er spat softly. “I’m fully aware that you’re being
manipulated by that wench, Ling Bi'er. You’re biased towards her. Hmph, what a
hypocritical little girl. In the end, doesn’t she still have to watch the two
of you flirt from the sidelines, just like I have to?”
Wei Xing’er seemed to carry some innate hatred towards Ling
Bi’er. One was a publicly acknowledged goddess of the Myriad Domain. The other
was a temptress who everyone feared but yearned to get close to. Character
wise, the two women seemed to be naturally seemed to oppose each other. Hence,
it wasn’t hard to understand why Wei Xing’er didn’t see eye to eye with Ling
Bi'er.
Jiang Chen frowned. “You can stop spewing nonsense now
before you go too far. Didn’t you say you were going to the auction? Let’s go then.”
Wei Xing’er was delighted when Jiang Chen agreed to go to
the auction. “Little boy, you’ve made the right choice!” She walked back to the
sedan chair and spoke to the porters and guards, “I’m bringing two friends to
the auction. There’s no need for the sedan.”
Those people seemed extraordinarily deferential to Wei
Xing’er as they did not dare defy her. Since Jiang Chen and Huang'er seemed to
be a romantic couple, they probably wouldn’t be a negative influence on the
young madam. Hence the servants felt at ease simply walking behind the trio
respectfully. When Jiang Chen saw the judging eyes of the people around him, he
sneered, “You also seem to be well-regarded nowadays. These people appear as
though they respect you, but why are they looking at you like you’re a
criminal?”
He’d originally expected Wei Xing’er to rebuff him. Who
would have guessed that Wei Xing’er would only sigh lightly and indifferently
reply, “You were born lucky. You have great potential and can stir up all the
wind and rain you want. I’m just a weak woman. My sect has been destroyed, I
have no one to rely on. Being bought by someone without being sold back and
forth is already be considered a blessing.”
Wei Xing’er’s words left Jiang Chen speechless. No matter
what grudges there had been between the Walkabout Sect and the Regal Pill
Palace, they were all matters of the past. As of today, the two sects had
already become part of history. Most sect members had already passed from this
world too. Grudges from the past had long since been written off with one
stroke.
When he thought about this, Jiang Chen’s mood had turned
somber. He felt that if he mocked Wei Xing’er any further, it would be an ill
thing to do. However, despite his resolution to stop making fun of her, he would
keep his guard up around her. As the world had changed, who knew what position
Wei Xing’er now occupied? From her appearance, her status in the Great Scarlet
Mid Region didn’t seem to be that low. If she stood on the side of the Great
Scarlet Mid Region, then she would naturally oppose him.
After all, the relationship between their sects had been
complicated to begin with. Although tensions had eased somewhat towards the
end, they definitely couldn’t be considered friends. Once again, they arrived
in front of the Dragon & Phoenix. When the wandering cultivators saw Wei
Xing’er arrive, they automatically moved aside to form a path for her.
“Tsk tsk, who’d have thought that even Resplendent Emerald
Veranda’s young madam would be here. This auction definitely doesn’t seem to be
on a small scale.
“Indeed, this young madam is certainly breathtaking.”
“Hehe, if she wasn’t as beautiful as that, with Resplendent
Emerald Veranda’s top tier wealth in this region, how could she get a chance to
become the young madam?” Various secretive whispers echoed around him, yet
Jiang Chen could hear them loud and clear. He couldn’t help but glance over at
Wei Xing’er. Resplendent Emerald Veranda? Although Jiang Chen didn’t know what
kind of power Resplendent Emerald Veranda had, he could tell from the tone of
the people around him that this entity was definitely a big shot within the
Great Scarlet Imperial Capital. Moreover, it was apparently shockingly wealthy.
He remained silent as he followed Wei Xing’er into the Dragon & Phoenix.
“Oh my, young madam Wei has graced us with her presence
today. Please, come in, come in. Will Master Shixuan be present today?” A staff
member of the Dragon & Phoenix greeted them enthusiastically.
Although Wei Xing’er had spoken to Jiang Chen with a faceful
of seduction, she did not bother putting up a facade for others. Her tone was
bland as she replied, “He doesn’t have time.”
“Master Shixuan is a diligent and hardworking man. It’s
natural that he does not have time. Young madam’s presence here is the same.”
That person added with a harried smile as he seemed to have detected the distaste
in Wei Xing’er’s tone.
Wei Xing’er remained silent. She simply walked inwards
according to the staff member’s instructions. Jiang Chen and Huang'er followed
Wei Xing’er in with silent amusement. Jiang Chen hadn’t thought that Wei
Xing’er would have racked up such a immense reputation during her time in the
Great Scarlet Mid Region. He’d truly underestimated her.
After crossing a few long corridors, they arrived at a
spacious site. The staff member said, “Young madam, every VIP of this area has
their private area that’s been separated from the outside. As Resplendent
Emerald Veranda’s representative, please enter this private room.”
The auction hall was extremely luxurious. Although the
private room wasn’t big, it was cosy enough for the few of them. However, it
was indeed a private room removed from the outside world. This small private
room actually provided a significant advantage. When other people competed
against each other, they could all see each other’s conditions. However, they
weren’t able to see those people in private rooms. There were around fifty
private rooms. The other guests were all in the hall, which could comfortably
contain about two or three thousand people. To tell the truth, Jiang Cheng
wasn’t that interested in the auction.
After all, he’d seen auctions of much higher value in the
Veluriyam Capital. Back when he’d been at the Joined Ridges Pavilion in
Veluriyam Capital, the auction there had naturally been better. And it was
during that auction that Jiang Chen had gotten to know Ji San and entered the
upper echelons of society.
The private room wasn’t that big but it contained three rows
of seats that could house about nine people. Since only three people had
entered, it was naturally very spacious. There was no conversation after they
had entered the private room. The atmosphere turned heavy in an instant. There
was still some time before the auction. As Wei Xing’er looked at Jiang Chen and
Huang'er, a trace of envy was unconsciously revealed in the corner of her eye.
However this look passed in a flash and was subsequently well-hidden. The other
two hadn’t noticed. Wei Xing’er stared at Jiang Chen. “Aren’t you curious?”
Jiang Chen shrugged. “About what?”
“Curious about Resplendent Emerald Veranda or about what I’m
doing here? Curious about why I dragged you to this auction? Curious about why
they’re looking at me like I’m a criminal?”
When Jiang Chen heard her questions, he laughed but didn’t
answer. He was naturally a bit curious. However, he was following the principle
of not asking unless necessary regarding Wei Xing’er’s matters. At any rate, he
was always on his guard against this woman. It was best if he remained at a
respectable distance from her.
“Resplendent Emerald Veranda has a lot of money. With money,
comes power. If we’re only talking about wealth, then perhaps there might be a
number of people in Great Scarlet Mid Region wealthier than us. If we’re
talking about power, we can still enter the top twenty.” Unexpectedly, Wei
Xing’er volunteered this information. However, as she introduced this party,
there wasn’t a shred of pride on her face, much less any trace of showing off.
“You’re definitely looking down on me, thinking that I’m
dependent on a sugar daddy.” Wei Xing’er laughed self-deprecatingly. “However,
all that is already irrelevant. I know you two are on your guard around me.
That’s also natural. We’ve all changed. Even if we’d been in the same sect, you
two would still be cautious around me after so long. Moreover, our previous
relationship has never been very good.” After entering the private room, Wei
Xing’er put away her bubbly facade.
Jiang Chen did not comment. Instead he asked, “You asked me
to come to this auction. Why?”
Wei Xing’er laughed. “Now, you’re thinking of clarifying
everything then leaving, aren’t you? You’re scared of me. You’re scared of this
succubus, scared that I’d report you at any moment? You’re scared that by
interacting with me, you’ll raise the ire of that beautiful girl beside you?”
When he heard the hint of anger that had entered Wei
Xing’er’s speech, Jiang Chen sighed softly. “You’re thinking too much.”
Huang'er also smiled slightly. “I don’t know whether you’re
a succubus. But I don’t mind if you two want to reminisce about your past. If
you need me to, I can take a step back too.”
Huang'er remained as open as ever. It was as though she was
willing to accept anything that happened in this world, even if the girl
opposite her was called a temptress and harbored some complicated feelings
towards her man. Her woman’s intuition told her that this girl called Wei
Xing’er probably had butted heads with Brother Chen previously. But as of
today, she didn’t feel any enmity emanating from her. Conversely, her
declaration caused Wei Xing’er to be rather stunned, as though she was seeing
Huang'er for the first time. Wei Xing’er carefully examined her for a long time
before she sighed softly, “I know now.”
“What do you know?” Huang'er laughed softly.
“I know why Ling Bi'er lost to you. Her attitude is too
aloof. She’s as pretty as a portrait but not as magnanimous as you,” Wei
Xing’er exclaimed.
Huang'er laughed softly and shot a glance at Jiang Chen. Actually
Huang'er was fully aware of what happened between the Ling sisters and Jiang
Chen. She had even seen Ling Hui’er grab Jiang Chen’s hand and press it against
her abundant bosom. Only, at that time Huang'er had used some clever way to
cover for Jiang Chen. She’d never nagged about this matter, nor did she deny
it. In reality, her impression of the Ling sisters wasn’t even bad. In
particular, Ling Bi’er had given up her own life to save Jiang Chen in the
Paramount Realm, something that Huang'er really respected her for. Hence, when
Wei Xing’er said that Ling Bi’er’s personality wasn’t as good as hers, she
didn’t preen, but rather calmly accepted it.
Chapter 859: Another Side of Wei Xing’er
Of course, it had actually been Wei Xing’er who
misunderstood Jiang Chen in a moment of sentimentality. With Jiang Chen and
Huang'er’s relationship, their hearts and minds were completely linked. There
was absolutely no need for mindless speculation from others. Furthermore, there
was no need to worry that Huang'er might overthink from their interactions with
Wei Xing’er. However, Jiang Chen wasn’t fond of the way Wei Xing’er compared
Huang'er and Ling Bi’er.
“Young madam Wei, if you have anything to say, just say it.”
Jiang Chen said indifferently.
When Wei Xing’er heard the way Jiang Chen addressed her, she
was first taken aback, then produced a bitter smile. With a sudden flourish of
her sleeves, the scarlet virginity dot that struck a sharp contrast against her
snow white arm was once again jarringly exposed to Jiang Chen’s gaze. Wei
Xing’er bit her bottom lip as she eyed Jiang Chen. “That’s right, I am a
succubus. My heart is that of a scorpion’s. There are certainly countless men
who have suffered at my hands. However, which one of them can dare to proclaim that
they are innocent? From what I can see, they all deserved to die. I am a
succubus, but I’m not a cheap whore to be used by any man. I might have woven
numerous lies throughout my life but everything I told you previously was the
truth. This virginity dot is genuine. I am still a virgin even today.” For some
reason, Wei Xing’er seemed exceptionally conscious of what Jiang Chen thought
of her. In Jiang Chen’s eyes, she saw contempt. It left a lump of discomfort in
her heart that she had to pour out her feelings.
Jiang Chen was stunned. He couldn’t comprehend at all. Why
had Wei Xing’er sought him out was to talk about such insignificant things?
Conversely, it was Huang’er who shot Wei Xing’er a meaningful glance. She
sighed quietly. “Miss Wei’s virginity dot is indeed genuine. She can’t make
this up.” Huang’er spoke up suddenly.
Wei Xing’er would never have thought that this girl standing
in front of Jiang Chen would actually speak up for her. Her eyelashes gathered
a little mist as she abruptly asked, “I’m still curious. Which prestigious sect
does a noble young lady like you come from, for you to be have such a generous
temperament?”
Huang’er laughed. “I come from a rural place. You wouldn’t
know even if I said it.”
Wei Xing’er did not pick on her unwillingness to answer.
Instead, she sighed, “There’s no way a small sect could foster someone as
generous as you. No wonder even that wench, Ling Bi’er, lost to you. There’s
nothing strange about her loss.”
As she said this, Wei Xing’er’s brilliant eyes shifted
towards Jiang Chen, “Little boy, I suddenly thought of something. Can you tell
me?”
“What?”
“Wei Qing of the Walkabout Sect, did you kill him?”
Jiang Chen smiled coldly, “What, are you planning to seek
vengeance from me?”
Wei Xing’er raised her brows. “You really did kill him? Then
I must thank you. That brat is from my clan, but he’d always lusted after me.
Not only that, he even drooled after that exquisite senior sister of yours.
That kind of repulsive man pesters me when he’s in the sect and troubles others
when he’s out. Good riddance, I’ve wanted to kill him since a long time ago if
not for sect camaraderie. When he died, I even had to pretend to grieve for
him.”
“You really think so?” Jiang Chen asked, his expression not
quite a smile.
“You must think that I, Wei Xing’er, was born a liar, hmm?”
Wei Xing’er sighed.
“Yes, he died at my hands. But he invited his own death,”
Jiang Chen didn’t deny anything.
Wei Xing’er nodded. “Even if you didn’t admit to it, I still
could have guessed. With that personality of his, he’d have kicked the bucket
sooner or later. The fact that you killed him was within my predictions.”
Jiang Chen didn’t answer her. Instead, he asked, “Even if
you’ve become the young madam of the Resplendent Emerald Veranda, you don’t
seem to want to sell us out. So what are your intentions behind calling me to
attend this auction?”
“If it was anyone else, I’d have turned a blind eye. There
are less than five people who have captured my interest within the entire
Myriad Domain. There’s an Elder Wu Hen in my sect who’s always taken good care
of me. He originally swore revenge on you but in the end, he retreated with
your Regal Pill Palace’s Palace Head instead. Tell me, doesn’t that make me
fortune’s fool? If I’d know, I would have just left with him.” Wei Xing’er was
filled with regret and her tone carried a hint of sorrow. “Afterwards, our sect
head was killed in the war along with many others. The few of us left became
prisoners and were brought to the Great Scarlet Mid Region. Jiang Chen, we
might not be as accomplished and powerful as you are in stirring up so many
matters, but there wasn’t a single coward nor was there anyone who turned
traitor in our Walkabout Sect. Your Regal Pill Palace never lost your moral
integrity. Our Walkabout Sect certainly never lost ours either!”
Her words struck a chord within Jiang Chen. With the
destruction of the Myriad Domain, the Regal Pill Palace had not been the only
one shattered. Various other big sects had also collapsed. Today, as he heard
Wei Xing’er recount firsthand the details of the Myriad Domain’s collapse,
Jiang Chen was similarly shaken. The Myriad Domain had been the homeland of the
Walkabout Sect as well. It had been the bloody battlefield that they had fought
to protect until their last breath. From this perspective, they were all
wandering survivors, nomads of the Myriad Domain’s collapse.
“Since then, the Myriad Domain’s cultivators that I’ve saved
so far in this region number at least eighty, if not a hundred. Some of them
were sold as slaves, others were being pursued… If I ran into them, I don’t
care who they are. I’ve spent money and effort to help them settle their past.
No one knows of these things, no one understands them. Nor will anyone believe
me.
“A woman who’s been labelled a succubus... how could she
have any kindness?” Wei Xing’er scoffed self-deprecatingly. “Truth be told,
I’ve never been a saint. They say I’m a scorpion, that I have a heart of stone.
Well, sometimes they’re not wrong. Back in the Myriad Domain, I’d be too lazy
to even glance at these people. I might even kill them if they pissed me off.
But when I saw their pathetic figures here, I couldn’t help but lend a helping
hand. Perhaps this is just a case where misery loves company? After all, we’re
all stray dogs after our home has been destroyed. I might have squirmed my way
into a moneypot, but I’m not blind to the reality that I’m still a stray dog.
You ask me what my intentions are in coming to this auction? I can tell you. I
was just taking a stroll here to see if there are any slaves from the Myriad
Domain for sale. If there are, spending a bit more money isn’t a problem if I
can save them from the abyss of suffering. As for what they do afterwards or
where their future takes him, I don’t care neither can I care.”
If Jiang Chen listened to other people pass on this
information instead of personally hearing it from Wei Xing’er, he would never
have believed it to be true. But, at this moment, as he stood face-to-face with
her, Jiang Chen could determine that Wei Xing’er’s spiel didn’t seem to be a
lie. She also had no need to lie. Moreover, under the watchful gaze of Jiang
Chen’s God’s Eye and Evil Golden Eye, it was impossible for her to lie.
This rather surprised Jiang Chen. It never occurred to him
that venomous scorpion Wei Xing’er, that moody and resentful succubus, would
actually have such a sentimental side to her. It was just as she said. They
were all stray dogs. Maybe, this truly was misery seeking company. At least,
Jiang Chen was currently also wrestling with similar feelings. For any sect
disciple of the Myriad Domain, after the collapse of the domain, all the
gratitudes and grudges of the past had become fleeting clouds. Every one of
them now shared a common identity as a stray dog, the common possession of the
remnants of a broken home.
After Wei Xing’er said her piece, a smile of relief was
revealed on her face. “Alright, I’ve said everything I needed to say. Today I
am very happy, but not because I saw my enemy. There’s nothing happy about
seeing my enemy. We’re all stray dogs anyway, seeing one would only add to my
frustrations. But, you are different. You are the only one who I desire to tell
everything to. Don’t ask me why, because past, present or future, you will
always hold such a place in my heart… Because of the way you left us helpless
during the Mt. Rippling Mirage Pill Battle, because my Azure Smokesnare Powder
had no effect on you, because you are the only man who dares to spank me....”
Towards the end, Wei Xing’er’s voice had turned into a light murmur.
Jiang Chen’s face had turned completely red in
embarrassment. He never would have imagined that this Wei Xing’er would view
himself in such a favorable light. Huang’er also laughed softly. She took all
this in without jealousy or ridicule. She was even a little moved. Whether a
succubus or a goddess, everyone held love in their hearts. Everyone had their
true self. Only, reality was too cruel… The sects had been destroyed and people
changed. The next time they’d met, this Wei Xing’er was already someone’s wife.
Wei Xing’er smiled a carefree smile filled with false
confidence. She blinked away the mist gathering at the corner of her eyes as
she forced a laugh. “Little boy, put that sour expression away. I’m already
married off to someone else now. I never had the chance to say this during my
teenage years. As of today, I haven’t lost ownership of my body yet, but I have
already become another person’s wife in name. Other people might think that
what I told you is unbecoming for a wife. I don’t give a damn. If it makes me
happy, I have to say it. I’m not like that lass, Ling Bi’er, so clearly in love
yet so self-restrained. In the end, didn’t someone snatch her man away? If I
was her, I would have thrown myself into your arms long ago and taken your
name. Even in death, I would at least have been your woman.”
Jiang Chen had nothing to say to that. This manner of
speaking was akin to that of a little demon. This was truly Wei Xing’er’s
style, fearless and rebellious.
“Now, you know why those people are scrutinizing me so
closely, right? They’re scared that I’ll run off with some other man.” Wei
Xing’er appeared to laugh blithely, but someone as attentive as Huang’er could
detect something else.
“Miss Wei, if your heart isn’t here, why not leave the Great
Scarlet Mid Region?” Huang’er suddenly asked.
“Leave? Where would I go?” Wei Xing’er scoffed. “I might
appear as the young madam of the Resplendent Emerald Veranda, a lofty identity
that’s worthy of respect. But the one being respected is not me, it’s the
Veranda. I’m just an ornamental vase, a puppet. If I overstep my boundaries
even a little, then what’s waiting for me might even be a fate of eternal
damnation.” This was not an exaggeration. Wei Xing’er possessed at least this
much wisdom.
She was very clear that her status had not been achieved by
her own power. Instead, she had received it from the Veranda. If she displayed
any signs of infidelity, she would inevitably land herself in hot water. Leave?
How could she leave to?
Huang’er nodded lightly, opening her mouth to say something.
However, Wei Xing’er waved a hand in dismissal. “You don’t have to console me.
I won’t leave anyways. I might fancy your man, but those are all thoughts from
my teenage years. I’m going to stay here and do what I can do. If you really
want to make me happy, then grow stronger. Reestablish the Myriad Domain and
counterattack the Great Scarlet Mid Region! If I am to leave, there is only one
place I will return to and that is the Walkabout Sect. I won’t go anywhere else
where I’d just have to prostitute myself again anyways. At the Resplendent
Emerald Veranda, I at least have some status to do some good.”
Chapter 860: The Five Great Cauldrons of the Regal Pill
Palace
Jiang Chen suddenly felt a sense of shame. He hadn’t quite
brought himself to respect Wei Xing’er all along, and it wasn’t just because of
Ling Bi’er’s warning. Rather, it was because Wei Xing’er’s previous style of
doing things had been overly unruly and sinister. To put it succinctly, she’d
been poisonous. She would achieve an end regardless of the means. Naturally,
Jiang Chen wasn’t fond of that.
In reality, Ling Bi’er had never slandered Wei Xing’er.
She’d only warned Jiang Chen to be on her guard around the other girl.
Everything Ling Bi’er had said was true, because Wei Xing’er had decided to
make a move against Jiang Chen soon afterwards. The Wei Xing’er at that time
had truly possessed all the attributes of a succubus. Only, as things changed
with the passage of time, the paradigm shift within the Myriad Domain had given
Jiang Chen the chance to see another side of Wei Xing’er.
Jiang Chen might have saved a fair number of people in the
Myriad Domain, like the group young geniuses he’d rescued at the entrance of
the Paramount Realm. However, in his heart, he would never have expected Wei
Xing’er to do the same. And yet, that girl had done exactly that. It was just
that their individual methods at been different, that was all!
As they spoke, the remaining customers of the auction had
more or less all arrived. Following that, the voice of the auction master
echoed throughout that the auction would be entering its preliminary stage.
“The situation of your Regal Pill Palace’s prisoners is more
complicated. They normally don’t enter the markets, nor do they appear at
auctions. But it appears that every faction regards your Regal Pill Palace as a
very important entity. They all want to lay hands on a few disciples for
interrogation about the Longevity Pill recipe.” Wei Xing’er explained, “The
highlight of this auction is the sale of slaves. However, there definitely
won’t be anybody from the Regal Pill Palace. Right now, everybody wants to use
the people from your sect to get rich. Even if they’re not interested in the
Longevity Pill, they still hope that they can lure you out by seizing members
of the Palace. You know how much you’re worth, no?”
Jiang Chen smiled indifferently. If those people really
thought that way, he could only laugh at them for being too naive. If they
could force him to show himself by simply capturing a disciple of Regal Pill
Palace, then something must be wrong with his brain. There were many people he
cared about in the Regal Pill Palace, but very few people would cause him to
show himself. There were some people Jiang Chen had never even interacted with.
Naturally, he wouldn’t out himself for the sake of the so-called “sect
righteousness”.
That wasn’t righteousness. It was foolishness.
“Miss Wei, you said that your sect’s Elder Wu Hen retreated
with the Regal Pill Palace Head and others. Perhaps you have some information
regarding them?” Jiang Chen abruptly brought up this matter.
Wei Xing’er shook her head helplessly. “If there was news
about Elder Wu Hen, I would definitely seek help from him. He’s the only one in
the sect with knowledge and experience. He was more open-minded than that
obstinate sect head.”
Jiang Chen had a deep impression of this Elder Wu Hen.
Initially, when he’d acquired a Invisible Chameleon Cloudpine in the restricted
area of Mt Rippling Mirage, that Elder Wu Hen had pursued him endlessly with a
thousand strategies. Finally, they had engaged in a battle of wits that had
ended with Elder Wu Hen’s retreat. The elder was able to advance or retreat
according to the situation. He was a rather impressive being. Only, he, Palace
Head Dan Chi and the others were only a group of sage realm cultivators. How
long could they last under such merciless pursuit? How were they doing today?
Jiang Chen was quite worried on their behalf.
Huang'er suddenly asked, “Miss Wei, I’m curious. We’ve
completely disguised ourselves. How did you recognize us? I feel that I have
some confidence in my ability to change my looks.”
The answer to this question was something Jiang Chen was
also curious about. It was just that he hadn’t asked it yet. Wei Xing’er’s
delicate smile was rather ambiguous. Her clever eyes turned towards Huang'er,
“I’m afraid that you won’t like the answer to that question.”
Huang’er smiled softly, shaking her head instead.
“Alright, I’ll tell you then. I, Wei Xing’er, was born with
a very sensitive nose. Detecting a man’s scent is especially easy for me. The
scent of your man here, do you know how unique it is to me, how memorable?
Moreover, you two were so close to me. I might still be able to detect it even
if you were a few hundred meters away.”
There were various talents within the world of cultivators.
Some people seemed to have received heaven’s favor and were born with
exceptional eyesight, which helped tremendously in training various arts of the
eye. Others had keen ears that were incredibly sensitive to all kinds of sounds
and movements. Naturally, there were also people with a good sense of smell as
they’d been born with a exceptional nose. Who’d have thought that this Wei
Xing’er possessed such a unique advantage? For anyone who wanted to refine
pills, this talent was truly akin to receiving a gift from the heavens. In
terms of pill refinement, sense of smell was vital in identifying spirit herbs
and evaluating pills.
The preliminary stage of the auction concluded as they
chatted. The real stage was about to begin.
“Honored guests, we welcome everyone to the Dragon &
Phoenix’s monthly auction. The format of this auction will remain the same as
usual. It is split into two parts, an auction for goods and an auction for
slaves. We will begin with the goods. As everyone knows, ever since the Myriad
Domain collapsed, there have been an outflow of valuable items and slaves from
that domain. We will never run out of business in the next hundred years.”
There were numerous big and small sects in the Myriad Domain
that were now tens of thousands of slaves. Valuable items were also indeed
flowing out like a gushing river. Even the Great Scarlet Mid Region would need
at least a hundred years to fully assimilate the Myriad Domain.
“We would like to thank everyone for your honorable
patronage. Without any further ado, we will cut straight to the point. The
first article is a treasure from the Myriad Domain’s Dark North Sect. Named the
Dark North Bell, is the sect’s treasured legacy and can be used for both
offense and defense. The Dark North Sect has not even used thirty percent of
its might. Only in the hands of an emperor realm heavyweight will this Bell be
able to display its power on a greater scale. The starting bid is ten million
saint spirit stones. Every bid must exceed five hundred thousand saint spirit
stones.”
The Dark North Bell? Jiang Chen had heard of this bell. It
was pride and joy of the Dark North Sect. After the sect’s collapse, even this
protective treasure had been brought out for auction. Moreover, the price of
ten million saint spirit stones wasn’t actually very high.
“This first article is usually be considered one of the most
valuable items in this auction. It’s intended to whet our appetites,” Wei
Xing’er sneered.
Although the Dark North Sect’s relationship with the Regal
Pill Palace hadn’t been bad, Jiang Chen obviously wouldn’t help them buy this
in present circumstances. As he carried numerous treasures, he wasn’t too
concerned about adding this Dark North Bell to his collection. Hence, he only
watched emotionlessly as the others clawed eagerly at each other for the Bell.
It had to be said that the wealth possessed by inhabitants
of the Great Scarlet Mid Region was a far cry to that of the nobles of
Veluriyam Capital. During his time in Veluriyam Capital, he’d seen firsthand
how fierce competition had been at the auctions there. Items that were above
average could easily be inflated to a few dozen million spirit stones. And
although this Dark North Bell had been touted so highly, everyone remained
restrained while raising the bid, adding only five hundred thousand every time.
The price finally rose to twenty million after a long period of time.
“Do you want me to bid?” Wei Xing’er asked.
Jiang Chen shook his head. “No it’s fine. This is just the
first item.” With how much he had seen by now, Jiang Chen found himself spurning
this Dark North Bell. It wasn’t that the item itself was a failure but rather
that Jiang Chen already possessed enough equipment. There was no benefit to
bidding for this Dark North Bell other than to attract attention. Even if he
won it, was he supposed to return it to the Dark North Sect as a sign of
goodwill in the future? Jiang Chen certainly had much better things to do.
Moreover, he didn’t even know if there was anyone from the Dark North Sect who
was still alive.
The price plateaued when it reached twenty million. In the
end, this Dark North Sect was sold to a noble of the Great Scarlet Mid Region.
The second item was a batch of talismans. They appeared to be of rather high
level ones. However, Jiang Chen remained indifferent. He possessed many similar
talismans, some of which were even superior to the ones for auction.
Wei Xing’er had been observing Jiang Chen all along. When
she saw his calm demeanor and faceful of disinterest, she felt a prickle of
curiosity in her heart. This little boy has his sights set so high? Not only
did he turn his nose down at the Dark North Bell, he even scorns these
life-saving talismans? Everyone has turned into stray dogs with the fall of the
Myriad Domain. Why is it that he’s only gotten wealthier instead?
Women were mysterious creatures. Although Wei Xing’er had
made a name for herself as a succubus back in the Myriad Domain, she actually
had very high standards, perhaps even higher than Ling Bi’er. It was just that
their personalities were expressed in polar opposite ways. Wei Xing’er wouldn’t
even spare most men a second glance. It was only Jiang Chen who had attracted
her attention during the Mt. Rippling Mirage Pill Battles.
Afterwards, when her Azure Smokesnare Powder had failed to
work on Jiang Chen and she’d been spanked thrice instead, her heart had truly
been pried open. The harder something was to attain, the more curious she was
about it and the more she yearned for it. That was why her impression of Jiang
Chen had not faded even after these years. Instead, it had grown deeper
everyday. At this moment, as she faced the man she’d yearned for all along, Wei
Xing’er wanted to present her best side, but she was curious as to how he’d
been for the past few years. Today, she could sense from Jiang Chen’s attitude
that he hadn’t spent those years worse for the wear. She could infer all these
clues from his standards alone. Just as Wei Xing’er pondered upon this, the
third item was brought out for display.
“The third item for auction is a set of constructs from the
Regal Pill Palace. The Regal Pill Palace was founded on pill dao. The Longevity
Pill that everyone is familiar with also initially originated from them. I
believe everyone is familiar with this sect. The items for auction today are
four of the Regal Pill Palace’s Five Great Cauldrons. The Skyscatter, Skypeak,
Skyorigin, and Skywood Cauldrons. Apart from the Skyweave Cauldron, the four of
the five great cauldrons have been gathered in this room. Everyone must be
curious as to why there is one cauldron missing, right? You might have already
guessed it. The remaining Skyweave Cauldron lies in the hands of that thieving
Jiang Chen. Whoever can catch and kill that thief can take the Skyweave
Cauldron to complete the set. These five cauldrons can contain the fortunes of
a fourth ranked sect. I believe everyone is clear on the starting price of
twenty million.”
Jiang Chen was naturally completely in the know about these
five treasured cauldrons. It was exactly like the auction master had said. The
last of the five cauldrons, the Skyweave Cauldron was in his possession.
Huang’er and Wei Xing’er both turned their gazes towards Jiang Chen. Clearly,
both women knew that Jiang Chen would not ignore matters that involved the
Regal Pill Palace.
“Outbid everyone else. I don’t care how much it costs. Help
me win those cauldrons.” Jiang Chen immediately took out a storage ring. “There
are over a hundred million saint spirit stones in here. If that’s not enough, I
have more.” He was a tycoon even in the ranks of Veluriyam Capital now. Was
there anything more to be said about the degree of his wealth in this
insignificant Great Scarlet Mid Region?
