189: The Holy Land is enraged! The people are in turmoil!
"Did you hear? Zhenyuan City has changed hands. The current City Lord is surnamed Chen, rumored to be an unfathomable Body Integration Stage mighty expert!"
"Body Integration Stage? How is that possible? Besides the Old Ancestors of the major Holy Lands, where else in the Northern Region are there experts of that caliber wandering around?"
"Absolutely true! I heard that City Lord Chen suppressed the former Zhao Wuji with a single palm strike, and even the envoy from the Ascending Immortal Gate didn't dare to act rashly in front of him."
Similar discussions rose and fell in various Cultivation World markets, taverns, and teahouses.
Those minor Sects still struggling to survive began preparing heavy gifts and nervously headed to Zhenyuan City to pay their respects.
As for the forces originally affiliated with the Tianyu Holy Land, their hearts were wavering, and they began observing in secret.
Some had even secretly sent people to contact the Chen Family, attempting to leave a path of retreat for themselves.
After all, the Tianyu Holy Land was being routed on the front lines, while the Chen Family was thriving.
Only an idiot wouldn't see which side had the stronger backing... Tianyu Holy Land, Main Sect.
As the undisputed Dominator of the Northern Region, the Holy Land's current atmosphere seemed somewhat dilapidated.
Although the Sect Protection Grand Formation was still operating, its light was noticeably much dimmer.
Half of the Welcoming Pine Tree in front of the mountain gate was withered and yellow.
The bustling scene of Immortals flying and Disciples moving back and forth was no longer present.
Instead, there were teams of hurried patrolling Cultivators covered in Evil Qi.
On the Recuperation Peak in the back mountains, two men wearing Holy Land Deacon Daoist robes were sitting opposite each other.
A pot of strong liquor was placed before them, and their expressions were utterly exhausted.
The man on the left had a gaunt face and a scar on his left cheek that was deep enough to expose bone.
That was the mark left by the swipe of a high-level Demon Race claw. It was Chen Qiao.
The man on the right was slightly plump, but he had also lost a lot of weight at this moment.
The empty sleeve of his left arm swayed in the wind. It was Liu Jing.
These two were the Deacons who had just withdrawn from the Sunset Plain front line for rest and recuperation.
Thirty years of bloody battle had transformed them from the spirited youths they once were into their current ghastly appearance.
Fortunately, their lives were saved, and their cultivation, tempered by this life-and-death struggle, had barely reached the threshold of the Body Integration Middle Stage Peak.
They were considered the backbone of the Holy Land now.
"Come, drink!"
Chen Qiao raised his wine cup, his voice hoarse: "This cup is for Old Zhang and Senior Brother Li who died on the front lines."
Liu Jing silently raised his cup and drained it, the spicy liquor burning his throat.
It was so strong that tears almost came out of his eyes.
"When will these days ever end?"
Liu Jing put down his cup and sighed: "The front line is tight, and we have suffered heavy casualties. I heard that the Ancient Demon Emperor is assaulting the final defense line. If we can't hold it..."
"Even if we can't hold it, we must."
A fierce look flashed in Chen Qiao's eyes: "Our families are behind us. Taking one step back means eternal damnation."
Just as the two were drowning their sorrows in wine, a young Disciple responsible for intelligence transmission rushed up the peak.
He clutched a Jade Slip in his hand, his expression panicked.
"Junior Martial Uncles! Something terrible has happened!"
Chen Qiao frowned, put down his wine cup, and scolded: "What are you panicking about? Did the Demon Race break in? Or did an Elder fall?"
"No... it's not about the front line."
The Disciple took a breath and urgently said: "It's the rear! Zhenyuan City... Zhenyuan City is lost!"
"What?!"
Chen Qiao and Liu Jing spoke simultaneously, their faces filled with astonishment.
"Did the Demon Race infiltrate?"
Liu Jing quickly asked.
"Not the Demon Race."
The Disciple swallowed, his expression strange as he said: "It was occupied by someone else. The other party calls themselves the Chen Family of Tianxuan City, and their Head of the Family is named Chen Xu. Rumor has it... rumor has it that he is a Body Integration Stage mighty expert who directly forced Zhao Wuji to offer his Soul Blood."
"Chen Xu?"
Hearing that name, Chen Qiao and Liu Jing were both slightly stunned.
The name sounded somewhat familiar, but there were at least eight thousand, if not ten thousand, common names like this in the Cultivation World.
For a moment, they didn't think of anything else.
What truly shocked them were the three words: "Body Integration Stage."
"When did a Body Integration Stage expert pop up in the Northern Region?"
Chen Qiao's expression was solemn: "Could it be someone sent from Central State?"
"Doesn't look like it."
The Disciple pulled out a portrait from his bosom and unfurled it before the two of them: "This image was desperately sent back by the Senior and Junior Brothers of the Intelligence Hall. They say this is the current appearance of the Chen Family's Head."
"Junior Martial Uncles, you have traveled extensively and are knowledgeable. Do you recognize this person?"
Chen Qiao and Liu Jing subconsciously cast their gaze upon the portrait.
The portrait was copied using an Image Stone. Although slightly blurry, the imposing demeanor of the man in green robes, standing with his hands behind his back and stepping on the Void Realm, was incredibly clear.
Especially those eyes, indifferent as water, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts.
With just one glance.
The wine cup in Chen Qiao's hand dropped to the ground with a "smash," shattering into pieces.
He froze in place as if struck by lightning, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
His lips began to tremble violently and uncontrollably.
"This... this..."
"How could it be... how could it be him?!"
Chen Qiao's voice changed pitch, becoming sharp and grating.
The young Disciple was startled by the reaction of the two Junior Martial Uncles and cautiously asked: "Junior Martial Uncles... do you recognize this person?"
Chen Qiao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, and snatched the portrait.
He stared at it intently several times.
That's right.
Although his aura had undergone earth-shattering changes, and he currently resembled a deity.
He would recognize the contours of those features and the expression between those brows even if the man were turned to ash!
More than thirty years ago.
That young Cultivator who had just Ascended from the Lower Realm with a group of family members, whose cultivation was only at the Early Stage of Soul Transformation.
He was a young Cultivator who still seemed a bit rustic.
That person had even killed a Steward at a Mine! Causing a riot at the Mine! And ultimately fled!
Later, the Lin Family of Zhenyuan City was destroyed, and they dispatched The Black and White Elders to the Beiming Wilderness to search for him!
But they never expected that both Elders had died.
At the time, they felt there was a major issue hidden within this.
The two of them had originally planned to go to the Wilderness to search for him personally! But unexpectedly, the Ancient Demon Clan invasion prevented them from fulfilling their wish!
But now... "Thirty years... only thirty years!"
"Yet now he has become a Body Integration mighty expert?!"
What kind of concept is this?
Even the Saint of the Tianyu Holy Land, hailed as a Genius seen once every ten thousand years, despite having massive resources piled upon him.
And guidance from famous masters, in thirty years, he only managed to Breakthrough from the Nascent Soul Stage Late Phase to the Early Void Refining Stage.
That speed is already shocking.
But this Chen Xu actually crossed the great hurdle of Void Refining.
And rushed directly to the Body Integration Stage?
This isn't Cultivation; this is practically cheating!
"There is definitely a major issue here!"
Chen Qiao suddenly raised his head.
The Cultivation World emphasizes gradual progress. Even the most Heaven-Defying Heaven And Earth Treasure could not allow someone to skip two major Realms in thirty years without exploding and dying.
"Without a doubt! He possesses a secret, an earth-shattering secret! Perhaps it's an Immortal Relic, or maybe some kind of Supreme Dao Fruit..."
"It might even be... that he has mastered some shortcut to rapidly increase cultivation!"
Their breathing was ragged, and their hearts pounded wildly.
If they could obtain this secret, why would they still need to fight desperately on this front line?
Why would they still need to worry about the expressions of those Holy Land Elders?
"Senior Brother, this matter..."
Liu Jing lowered his voice, cold light flickering in his eyes.
Chen Qiao understood what he meant.
If they could swallow this earth-shattering Opportunity alone, that would naturally be best.
But he quickly shook his head and gave a wry smile: "Don't think about it. He is a Body Integration Stage expert. Even if we guess he has a secret, with us two half-baked Body Integration Cultivators, going up there would just be feeding him."
"Then what should we do?"
"Report it!"
Chen Qiao gritted his teeth and said: "Report it to the Vice Holy Master! The Holy Land is currently lacking high-end combat power. If the Vice Holy Master knows this person possesses such a Heaven-Defying secret, he will definitely take action regardless of the cost."
"At that time, as the primary contributors who provided the intelligence, even if we only get a little bit of the benefits, it will be enough for us to benefit endlessly!"
The two immediately agreed.
They didn't even bother cleaning up the wine pot on the ground, instantly transforming into two streaks of Escaping Light.
They sped wildly toward the Holy Land's core Main Peak... Tianyu Holy Land Main Peak, Lingyun Hall.
This place was perpetually enveloped by thick clouds and mist, caused by extremely dense Spiritual Qi liquefying.
But during this special period.
The clouds and mist were mixed with a lingering smell of medicine and blood.
Deep inside the main hall, in a secret chamber entirely crafted from Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade.
Vice Holy Master Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged.
He was bare-chested, and a pitch-black palm print was clearly visible on his chest.
The skin around the palm print had already necrotized, displaying an eerie purplish-black color.
One could even see strands of black Devilish Qi wriggling in his flesh like living creatures.
Constantly eroding his vitality.
"Cough, cough..."
Gu Qingfeng violently coughed up a mouthful of black blood. When the blood landed on the cold jade floor, it emitted a "sizzling" corrosive sound.
"That damned Demon Venerable..."
Gu Qingfeng's face was as dark as water, his eyes filled with venom: "This Heavenly Demon Soul Devouring Seal is so troublesome. It has consumed thirty percent of the Holy Land's high-grade Spirit Medicine reserves, yet I can only barely suppress it, not eradicate it."
If this continues to drag on, let alone recovering his cultivation, he might not last ten years.
His entire Dao Foundation would be completely destroyed, and falling in Realm would be the least of his worries.
Just as he was feeling restless and annoyed.
The Restriction outside the secret chamber was suddenly triggered.
"Who is it? Didn't I say that unless it's a matter of utmost importance, you should not disturb my healing?"
Gu Qingfeng roared in anger, his voice carrying the Spiritual Pressure of a Body Integration Stage mighty expert, causing the entire secret chamber to hum.
"Reporting to the Vice Holy Master!"
Chen Qiao's anxious voice came from outside the door: "Chen Qiao and Liu Jing have top-secret intelligence regarding the fall of Zhenyuan City to report! This matter is critical and even concerns whether our Holy Land can reverse the war situation. This Disciple dares not withhold the report!"
Hearing the words "Zhenyuan City" and "reverse the war situation," Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly.
He forcibly suppressed the injuries within his body, waved his sleeve to send out a burst of spiritual light, and opened the secret chamber door.
"Come in."
Chen Qiao and Liu Jing entered the secret chamber quickly, their heads lowered.
Sensing the violent and unstable aura emanating from Gu Qingfeng.
The two dared not even breathe heavily and immediately knelt on the ground.
"Speak. What matter could cause you to burst in at this time?"
Gu Qingfeng looked at the two coldly.
Chen Qiao dared not waste words and immediately spilled the entire story, detailing the sequence of events.
From Zhenyuan City being occupied by the Chen Family, to them recognizing Chen Xu's identity.
Then there was that incredible deduction of “achieving Body Integration in thirty years,” with not a single detail missed.
To make it even more convincing, he exaggeratedly described Chen Xu's “mediocre” Aptitude when he first underwent Ascension.
This served to highlight the strangeness of his current achievements.
After hearing this report, Gu Qingfeng's initially gloomy expression gradually changed.
It shifted from anger to surprise.
Finally, it settled into a terrifying fervor.
"You mean... thirty years ago, he was just a Soul Transformation ant who had just undergone Ascension?"
Gu Qingfeng stared intently at Chen Qiao, his voice low: "Are you sure you haven't mistaken him for someone else?"
"This Disciple guarantees it with his head!"
Chen Qiao kowtowed heavily: "Absolutely no mistake!"
Gu Qingfeng fell silent.
As a Body Integration Stage great power, he understood the gravity of the situation better than these two.
Thirty years is half a lifetime for a Mortal.
But for a Cultivator, especially a high-level Cultivator, it might just be the duration of a single seclusion.
To cross from Soul Transformation to Void Refining, and then to Body Integration, in such a short time?
This could no longer be explained by the word “Genius.”
Even a legendary Immortal Reincarnation.
It would be impossible to achieve this in a Spirit Realm where Spiritual Qi was increasingly depleted.
Unless... he possessed a legendary supreme treasure capable of breaking the rules of heaven and earth!
Or he had obtained the Legacy of a complete Ancient Immortal Mansion.
Within it would be inexhaustible Immortal Pills and Spirit Medicine, and Cultivation Secret Realms with different time flows.
As soon as he thought of this, Gu Qingfeng's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
The reason his current injuries had not healed was precisely due to the lack of top-tier Origin treasures to reshape his Life Qi.
The reason his current injuries had not healed was precisely due to the lack of top-tier Origin treasures to reshape his Life Qi.
If he could capture Chen Xu, force out his secret, and seize his Opportunity... not only would his injuries heal, but even going a step further, impacting the legendary Mahayana Stage.
It wouldn't be impossible!
"Good! What a Chen Xu! What a hidden Lower Realm Ascender!"
Gu Qingfeng suddenly burst into laughter, his voice tinged with a hint of ferocity: "To dare to take advantage of the situation and encroach on my Tianyu Holy Land's territory at this critical juncture, truly heaven helps me!"
He was just worried about not finding an excuse to deal with this so-called “fellow Cultivator.”
Now, the other party had delivered themselves to his doorstep.
Occupying a Holy Land jurisdiction and killing Holy Land dependents.
This was the best reason to start a war!
"Vice Holy Master."
Liu Jing cautiously reminded him from the side: "However... this Disciple heard that the Ascending Immortal Gate in Central State has also been eyeing Zhenyuan City recently."
"It is said that Elder Xu Sen is also determined to acquire Zhenyuan City."
"If we act rashly, will it..."
"Hmph, Ascending Immortal Gate?"
Gu Qingfeng sneered: "That old fox Xu Sen is indeed troublesome. But he is an outsider after all."
"This Northern Region, in the end, still belongs to our Seven Great Holy Lands."
"Since Chen Xu possesses such a shocking secret, it must never fall into the hands of outsiders! Otherwise, once the Ascending Immortal Gate obtains it, what foothold will my Tianyu Holy Land have in the future?"
Gu Qingfeng suddenly stood up, his black robe fluttering without wind.
Although he was severely injured, this greedy desire.
Allowed him to temporarily suppress the pain in his body.
Must be fast!
He must take down Chen Xu with lightning speed, and swallow Zhenyuan City along with that secret, before the Ascending Immortal Gate reacts, and even before the other great Holy Lands learn of this secret!
He must take down Chen Xu with lightning speed, and swallow Zhenyuan City along with that secret, before the Ascending Immortal Gate reacts, and even before the other great Holy Lands learn of this secret!
...The morning mist in Zhenyuan City had not yet completely dispersed.
After several days of extensive cleansing and rectification, this once chaotic border town now exuded a chilling solemnity.
The streets no longer had the noisy vendors vying for customers.
The Blade Camp guards on patrol, clad in profound iron heavy armor, made synchronized thuds with every step.
As if a powerful heart had been reinstalled in this city.
Chen Xu sat on the highest viewing platform of the City Lord's Mansion, holding a warm Jade Slip, his gaze piercing through layers of clouds and mist, directed towards the northern horizon.
Behind him, Zhao Lingyan was brewing tea, her movements fluid and graceful, the fragrance of tea wafting upwards.
Slightly diluting the lingering murderous Qi in the air.
"Husband, what are you looking at?"
Zhao Lingyan asked softly, handing a cup of Spirit Tea to Chen Xu.
"Watching for guests."
Chen Xu took the teacup but did not drink: "By my reckoning, those who can't sit still should be arriving soon."
No sooner had he spoken than the previously calm sky suddenly changed.
There was no thunderous roar, no oppressive gloom of dark clouds, but instead.
A melodious yet extremely arrogant Immortal music.
"Ding-dong—"
The music pierced through Zhenyuan City's City Protection Grand Formation, exploding directly in the ears of millions of Cultivators.
Although the sound was pleasant, it was mixed with the Spiritual Pressure unique to high-level Cultivators.
Many Cultivators with low cultivation.
Felt their Qi and blood surge and their faces turn pale from the music.
Immediately after, a massive flying boat, entirely carved from supreme-grade white jade, slowly tore through the clouds.
Appearing above Zhenyuan City.
This flying boat was truly too luxurious; its hull glowed with seven-colored auspicious light, and countless gems were inlaid on both sides, reflecting dazzling brilliance in the sunlight.
On the sails of the flying boat, a white divine bird with wings spread ready to fly was depicted—that was the totem of Tianyu Holy Land.
It was also the supreme symbol of this Northern Region for tens of thousands of years.
Compared to the Chen Family's all-black warships, built solely for slaughter.
This white jade flying boat was more like an exquisite work of art, lofty and untainted by dust.
"It's the Holy Land's flying boat!"
"The people from Tianyu Holy Land are here!"
The hearts of the people in the city, which had just settled down, instantly stirred again.
After all, the Holy Land's prestige had been long established; for most Cultivators in the Northern Region, the Holy Land was heaven.
Although the Chen Family had forcefully occupied Zhenyuan City, when the Holy Land truly came knocking.
That ingrained reverence still made them uneasy.
The flying boat showed no intention of landing, instead hovering aggressively directly above the City Lord's Mansion.
Its massive shadow directly obscured the sun, as if declaring to the master below who the true Dominator of this land was.
A middle-aged man in a moon-white robe stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the ship.
This man had a thin face, high cheekbones, and an air of meanness and arrogance in his eyes.
His aura was unrestrained, indicating a Nascent Soul Stage Late Phase cultivation.
Although he was only at the Soul Transformation Stage, which was not considered top-tier in the current Zhenyuan City, teeming with experts, his demeanor was as if he were inspecting his own backyard.
He looked at the Void Refining Stage great Cultivators below with disdain in his eyes.
"Who is in charge of Zhenyuan City?"
The middle-aged man spoke, his voice amplified by spiritual power, echoing like rolling thunder throughout the city: "The Holy Land's imperial carriage is here, why do you not quickly open the Grand Formation and kneel to receive the imperial decree!"
This command to "kneel and receive" was full of imperiousness.
Inside the City Lord's Mansion, Chen Daoxuan's expression darkened, and he was about to rise.
But he was held back by Blade Camp, who was beside him, on the shoulder.
"Great Steward, for this kind of trash, let me go chop him up!"
Blade Camp's eyes glinted fiercely, and he lifted his Demonic Blade, ready to charge out.
"No."
Chen Daoxuan shook his head: "Although this person's cultivation is not high, he represents Tianyu Holy Land. Father is watching from above; if we lose our composure now, we will only make ourselves a laughingstock."
With that, Chen Daoxuan tidied his robes and stepped out, his figure instantly appearing in mid-air.
Facing the white jade flying boat from afar.
"I am Chen Daoxuan of Zhenyuan City."
Chen Daoxuan cupped his hands neither humbly nor arrogantly: "I did not know of your arrival, Esteemed Emissary, and failed to greet you. However, regarding this 'kneel and receive' matter, my Zhenyuan City has now changed masters; we only kneel to our own family head, not to outsiders."
"Presumptuous!"
The middle-aged man's face darkened, and he shouted sternly: "What 'changed masters' or 'not changed masters'?"
"Every blade of grass and tree in this Northern Region belongs to the Holy Land! You are nothing but a group of rebellious thieves taking advantage of the chaos, yet you dare to speak of rules before this Venerable One?"
He coldly swept his gaze over Chen Daoxuan and sneered: "You are that Chen Xu's son?"
"Go back and tell your ignorant father that Vice Holy Master Gu has given an order: out of consideration for his difficult Cultivation, if he comes out now to confess his crimes, there is still a glimmer of hope."
Chen Daoxuan not only didn't get angry but smiled instead: "Confess crimes? I wonder what crimes my father has committed?"
"Illegally occupying a city is disloyalty; harming fellow Cultivators is unrighteousness; colluding with the Demon Race is inhumanity!"
The middle-aged man waved his large sleeve, and a scroll emanating a faint golden light appeared out of thin air in his hand.
He held the scroll high, as if holding an imperial sword, his arrogance even more pronounced.
"Vice Holy Master Gu's imperial decree is here!"
"Order: Chen Xu of Tianxuan City is to immediately dismantle all defenses, seal his cultivation, and follow this Venerable One to the Holy Land's Hall of Punishment to receive his sentence! And hand over all resources and military power of Zhenyuan City, to be taken over by the Holy Land!"
"Otherwise..."
A ferocious killing intent flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes, and his voice suddenly rose: "You will be considered an enemy of the entire Northern Region's Righteous Path! Once the Holy Land's army arrives, your Chen Family will be wiped out, leaving no chickens or dogs, and your Divine Souls will be annihilated!"
As these words were uttered, the entire Zhenyuan City fell into a dead silence.
Too ruthless.
This was not a negotiation at all; it was a naked ultimatum.
They wanted people, money, and lives.
If he truly sealed his cultivation and went to the Holy Land's Hall of Punishment.
That would be like a fish on a chopping board, to be slaughtered at will.
Many Loose Cultivators in the city were terrified, casting their gazes towards the City Lord's Mansion, wondering how the legendary Head of the Chen Family would respond.
Would he swallow his anger and temporarily avoid the confrontation?
Or would he fight to the end and completely break ties?
Just as the middle-aged man, seeing no one respond, thought that the Chen Family was intimidated by the Holy Land's prestige.
And was about to mock them a few more times, an overly calm voice suddenly echoed between heaven and earth.
"Is that what Tianyu Holy Land sent you to say?"
The voice was not loud, nor did it have any spiritual power fluctuations, like a casual chat between old friends.
But as the voice fell, the middle-aged man, who had been standing with his hands behind his back at the bow of the flying boat, looking arrogant and unyielding.
His body suddenly stiffened.