186: Gu Qingtian

Over the next two days, because there were no Heavenly Pride from Zhao Country or Jiaoren Country blocking the way, the Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries also increased.

It's worth mentioning that during this period, Heavenly Pride from various countries constantly came forward, wanting to chat and make friends with Lu Chen, but they were all stopped by Marquis Yan with a look.

However, there were three who were not stopped by Marquis Yan, presumably they were also among the top ranks of the Southern Countries' Heavenly Pride.

For this, Marquis Yan even specifically sent a voice transmission to remind Lu Chen: "This is 'Gu Sword Master' from the Sword Forge of Jin Country. His strength is not inferior to Tu Shanhua, the chief True Disciple of the Barbarian Sect. However, what's even stronger is his weapon forging technique. The sword artifacts he forges are extremely extraordinary and renowned throughout the Southern Countries."

Gu Sword Master appeared young, with a bronze complexion and a strong, tall physique. He was not one for jokes, but he still proactively stepped forward to befriend Lu Chen.

"This is Feng Jie, the Heavenly Pride from the Source Stream Dao of Xitai Country. This Divine Hall is his accompanying Spirit Treasure. His strength is very formidable, but it's hard to see through the specifics, making him quite mysterious."

Lu Chen observed carefully. Feng Jie's appearance was unremarkable, neither tall nor short, giving a sense of being ordinary. He always had a smile when he spoke, but as Marquis Yan said, Feng Jie indeed gave off a feeling of looking at flowers through fog, carrying an air of mystery.

'So he is the owner of this Divine Hall!' Lu Chen was very interested in this Feng Jie, but it was a bit regrettable, as this guy clearly wouldn't foolishly provoke him.

"This is Lei Qingxiao, the Heavenly Pride of 'Qiongxiao Sect' from Dazun Country. His thunder technique is unparalleled, and his accompanying Spirit Treasure is said to be related to thunder techniques. His combat power is extremely strong, possibly even stronger than Tu Shanhua of Zhao Country and the Great Flood Dragon of Jiaoren Country."

This person was not tall, but his face was handsome, with a somewhat feminine appearance. However, his temper was probably not very good. Even when he took the initiative to befriend Lu Chen, he only managed a forced smile.

Soon, two days passed.

The number of Heavenly Pride from the Southern Countries, which was originally only around two hundred, finally surged rapidly, reaching close to five hundred.

But it is said that this is still not all the Heavenly Pride from the major Sects in the entire Southern Countries. Some speculate that there are still Heavenly Pride from major Sects who did not take this direction, perhaps heading towards the Southwest or Southeast.

Everyone finally stopped waiting and headed towards Jiyuan Sea.

During this time, Lu Chen, Pang Feifeng, and Chu Xianyin were eagerly invited by the Heavenly Pride from various countries. In the end, the somewhat mysterious Feng Jie spoke: "Fellow Daoist seems quite interested in my Divine Hall. How about we travel together?"

"I'll trouble you." Lu Chen had no objections. He had Pang Feifeng put away the Ship and entered Feng Jie's Divine Hall together.

What made Lu Chen even more envious was that this Divine Hall could actually be used as a flying Spirit Treasure, and its speed was extremely fast.

Inside the ancient war chariot where Vermilion Bird Palace was located, Marquis Yan sat in the main seat, with over a dozen Heavenly Pride from the same Wing Country on his left and right.

"What is the background of Lu Chen, who came from South Chu? Has Senior apprentice-brother Hou figured out his origins?" a Heavenly Pride from Vermilion Bird Palace couldn't help but ask.

"Some time ago, Starry Sky Sword Palace was attacked by an unknown Great Power who broke into the Sect. Not only was that Heavenly Pride Sword Lord killed, but even the Old Palace Lord of Starry Sky Sword Palace was forced to cripple himself. I once speculated that the existence who broke into Starry Sky Sword Palace might have come from the Great Qian Dynasty, Dragon Elephant Institute, Martial God Palace, or similar forces, but now it seems that is likely not the case."

Marquis Yan let out a light sigh: "If there are no surprises, it should be the doing of Dongming Sect, where that Lu Chen from South Chu is located."

Being able to suppress a behemoth like Starry Sky Sword Palace to the point where it dared not reveal a single detail, it is not difficult to imagine how terrifying this Dongming Sect, which had only been active in South Chu, truly was.

In other words, following Dongming Sect's Lu Chen was definitely safer than following Starry Sky Sword Palace.

Looking at the entire Azure Underworld, there are not none who dare to touch Starry Sky Sword Palace, such as the Great Qian Dynasty, Martial God Palace, Dragon Elephant Institute, as well as Dajue Temple, and the Gu Family, whose strength might even be above Starry Sky Sword Palace.

At that time, Starry Sky Sword Palace might not even be able to protect itself, making it even more difficult to lead all the major Sects in the Southern Countries.

Therefore, Marquis Yan unhesitatingly abandoned Starry Sky Sword Palace and instead turned to Lu Chen, or more accurately, to the Dongming Sect behind Lu Chen.

"So this person has such a background!" Many Heavenly Pride from Wing Country were inwardly startled.

They had originally suspected Marquis Yan of being a fence-sitter, but looking again now, they realized that this guy's foresight was unexpectedly far-reaching.

In the clouds, on a Ship shaped like a precious sword at the forefront, the three Celestial Swords of Starry Sky Sword Palace were gathered, with no one else present.

At this moment, the faces of the three Celestial Swords were all gloomy and unsightly.

"That Dongming Sect's Lu Chen broke into our Starry Sky Sword Palace's mountain gate and killed our Sword Palace's Junior Brother Sword Lord. Are we still expected to follow his orders now?" the most hot-tempered Thunder Celestial Sword couldn't suppress his anger.

"What do you propose to do?" Feather Celestial Sword said coldly: "Even the Great Power who came from Starry Sky Sword Palace had to retreat before Dongming Sect, and even the Old Palace Lord was forced to cripple himself. Haven't we, Starry Sky Sword Palace, suffered enough at the hands of Dongming Sect?

"Junior Brother Lei, you'd best not have any thoughts of provoking that Dongming Sect's Lu Chen again. Our Starry Sky Sword Palace cannot withstand the wrath of Dongming Sect!"

By the end of his words, it had turned into a light sigh.

If it weren't for their fear of the existence behind Dongming Sect, who would be willing to bow their heads before Lu Chen.

Before Lu Chen arrived, the entire Southern Countries were led by Starry Sky Sword Palace, and they saw all three Celestial Swords of Starry Sky Sword Palace bowing their heads. But ever since Lu Chen arrived, the many Heavenly Pride no longer spared them a second glance.

Especially that Marquis Yan of Vermilion Bird Palace, who was even more of a fence-sitter, directly sided with Lu Chen.

"Our Starry Sky Sword Palace cannot afford to provoke their Dongming Sect, but there are naturally those who can. This Azure Underworld is very, very large. Their Dongming Sect hasn't reached the point where they can cover the sky with one hand," Thunder Celestial Sword snorted coldly.

"What do you plan to do?" the Great Sword Immortal, who had been silent for a long time, spoke slowly.

Thunder Celestial Sword said coldly: "Drive the wolf to swallow the tiger."

He paused: "I still have some friendship with Crown Prince Qian Changsheng of Great Qian. As soon as the Qing Ming Great Cleansing arrives, I will ask the Heavenly Pride of the Great Qian Dynasty to take action, guaranteeing that this Lu Chen will not make it out of the Qing Ming Great Cleansing."

Silence!

Only after a long time did the Great Sword Immortal and Feather Celestial Sword exchange glances.

"If that's the case, I also have some friendship with the Gu Family's Heavenly Pride from Ancient Shu Kingdom. It's not impossible."

The Gu Family's background is no less than that of the Great Qian Dynasty, and it is even more mysterious. It is said to be an Immortal Dao aristocratic family.

Their ancestors had produced more than one Immortal Realm.

In the current generation, there are countless Heavenly Pride, especially the Heavenly Pride named Gu Qingtian, who is said to be the contemporary God Child of the Gu Family, born with an 'Immortal Gourd', and is incredibly powerful.

It is rumored that every time he makes a move, he simply opens that Immortal Gourd, and even a Yang God will be sucked into it and turned into jade liquid and fine wine, which can greatly boost the cultivation of that Gu Family Heavenly Pride, Gu Qingtian.

Since this Gu Qingtian's debut, he has already killed more than one Yang God.

Furthermore, his own cultivation has long since entered the Yang God Realm. If nothing unexpected happens, among the countless Heavenly Pride in the entire Azure Underworld, this Gu Qingtian should be considered the foremost, and even Crown Prince Qian Changsheng of Great Qian might not be his equal.

Of course, this Azure Underworld is simply too vast. Nobody knows, perhaps in some corner or nook, a top Heavenly Pride might suddenly emerge!

Just like that Lu Chen from Dongming Sect, who is clearly still only in the Dao Infant Realm, yet killing the Yin God Heavenly Pride Sword Lord was as simple as crushing a dirt chicken and a clay dog. But before this, who had ever heard of Lu Chen's name?

ps: Two chapters updated together!