Chapter 308

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

Tian Sha Cheng, located in the far west of Wu Zhou, is also the first major city in western Wu Zhou, directly administered by the Xuan Yin Gate; the distance to where the Xuan Yin Gate is located is not considered far.

As for the distance to the Wanxiang Sect, it is over a hundred thousand li away; even traveling by the Wanxiang Sect's sect Spirit Boat day and night without stopping, reaching Tian Sha Cheng would still take about twenty days.

During this time on the Spirit Boat, Yu Zhangsheng was not idle either; while cultivating, he also gained a general understanding of the various forces coming to participate in the Tian Sha Secret Realm this time.

On the Spirit Boat's deck, Yu Zhangsheng and the others sat cross-legged, conversing with each other.

"This trip to Tian Sha Cheng can be said to be the grandest event in Wu Zhou in a hundred years; judging by the Xuan Yin Gate's posture, the Three Gates and Six Sects have probably all dispatched quite a few geniuses."

"In addition, some qualified Loose Cultivators and small-to-medium forces should also have quite a few people; the few of us, once inside, remember to stick together for safety."

Zhang Tianwen glanced at the few people and said with a faint smile.

This trip to Tian Sha Cheng involved not only Yu Zhangsheng; Li Minghan came, Shen Xingchen, as a proud talent of Yujian Peak, and Lu Ruikai's Closed-door Disciple, naturally could not fail to come.

All in all, the few people had the previous Hui Shui Shan trip between them, so there was no sense of unfamiliarity, and they quickly blended together here.

"However, Foundation Establishment is still the main force for this trial; with our cultivation bases, as long as we don't actively court death, there shouldn't be any problem."

Shen Xingchen thought for a moment, nodded, chuckled, his eyes full of combat intent, and agreed.

"Speaking of which, I've also long wanted to go see the demeanor of the young talents from the other forces in Wu Zhou; having this opportunity is not bad."

"After all, staying in a comfortable place for too long will only let the Sword Heart be covered in dust."

The Three Gates and Six Sects: the Three Gates are respectively the Xuan Yin Gate, the Zi Hong Gate, and the Seven Stars Gate; among them the Xuan Yin Gate is the strongest, and is also the source of confidence for its initiation of this invitation.

The Six Sects are the Wanxiang Sect, the Linglong Sect, the Cang Lei Sect, the Ba Huang Sect, the Wu Nian Sect, and the Chi Huo Sect; although their ranking has no fixed positioning, among them the Cang Lei Sect's strength should be the strongest.

And Yu Zhangsheng, Shen Xingchen, and the others are incomparably dazzling within the Wanxiang Sect, undoubtedly proud talents; but placed in the entire Three Gates and Six Sects, how would they fare? This point, Shen Xingchen also very much wanted to know.

On the other side, the various other sects and gates also dispatched their disciples one after another, each led by their sect Elders, heading toward Tian Sha Cheng.

Thus, for a time, winds and clouds gathered at Tian Sha Cheng, and the undercurrents also found room to breathe amidst this.

………

Border of Wu Zhou, a certain Unknown Land, inside a dark chamber.

Tong Yuan Zheng's figure appeared, looking at the person before him, the corner of his mouth hooking a faint arc, he spoke softly: "East You King, long time no see, have you been separated well lately."

The object of his speech is precisely the East You King!

Clad in a white-gold long robe, on which a five-clawed golden flood dragon is embroidered, baring fangs and claws, horns and bones towering lifelike, fluttering in the wind; tall stature, mature countenance, his whole body exudes a faint domineering air.

The East You King's expression is composed; he stands there like a sharp sword, though not deliberate, naturally revealing majesty, making one dare not look directly.

Under a head of jet-black long hair, his pupils are unlike ordinary people, but rather pale golden eyes, majesty innate, drawing the eye; he quietly gazes at Tong Yuan Zheng, his gaze flickering.

And Tong Yuan Zheng under this gaze is unmoved, the corner of his mouth still holding a faint smile; after slowly exhaling a breath, he continues: "How is it, judging by the East You King's appearance, you don't seem too welcoming of me?"

Hearing this, the East You King did not deny it, merely nodding faintly.

"Just curious, you, a master of the undercurrents, who also has no shallow connection with the Xuan Yin Gate, coming to find me, a person of the Qingzhou Royal Family, inevitably makes me uneasy."

"Uneasy?" Tong Yuan Zheng laughed in surprise, looking at the East You King in astonishment, touched his nose bridge, shook his head and said, "If not for my undercurrents, then because of my persuasion."

"How else would the Xuan Yin Gate have, inside Tian Sha Cheng, broadly invited Wu Zhou's talents, causing the majority of Wu Zhou's forces to be emptied out, even the Zi Hong Gate and Seven Stars Gate responsible for the border line withdrawing quite a few frontline disciples and True Monarchs to suppress my undercurrents and participate in this Tian Sha Secret Realm trip..."

"If not for this, how would it have given you, East You King, an opening to exploit."

Finished speaking, Tong Yuan Zheng exhaled a breath, looking deeply at the East You King.

The East You King frowned upon hearing this, his mouth corners twitching, his gaze hesitant, as if weighing.

"What you say is not bad, but how can I guarantee these things aren't a trap, wanting to lure me into the net?"

The East You King, cautious by nature, naturally would not completely rest assured because of Tong Yuan Zheng's one-sided words.

As for this, Tong Yuan Zheng also expressed indifference, merely continuing to speak faintly, with no discernible joy or anger: "Whether it's a trap, wouldn't you know if you investigate yourself?

Now, my undercurrents' situation within Wu Zhou you are also clear about; if Wu Zhou cannot tolerate the undercurrents, then..."

Tong Yuan Zheng's tone paused, his gaze's cold light completely blooming, in an instant emitting a sharp edge, he coldly smiled: "Then my undercurrents also cannot tolerate Wu Zhou."

"As for what you said, the relationship between the Xuan Yin Gate and my undercurrents, I can only tell you, that was the past; now, the Xuan Yin Gate doesn't trust us, and the undercurrents are also not willing to remain under others for long."

The East You King fell silent, his complexion alternating between dark and clear; regarding Tong Yuan Zheng's words, he did not fully believe, yet did not easily deny either, especially one point he deeply agreed with: the Tong Yuan Zheng before him is indeed not a master willing to remain under others for long.

"How is it, even the East You King now hesitates, doing things with worries at both ends? Fang Nian, that renowned name shaking eight directions East You King, would not be like you, so hesitant, so timid."

"In short, the opportunity I have already created for you; according to the deal, the rest depends on whether you can seize it."

Facing the East You King's silence, Tong Yuan Zheng took a deep breath, suppressed the emotions in his heart, looked at the East You King, a trace of strangeness flashing in his eyes.

The East You King for a long while, his expression somewhat moved, looked up at the indifferent-faced Tong Yuan Zheng, shook his head and spoke faintly, a smile appearing on his face: "Since so, then welcome our pleasant cooperation; rest assured, as long as it goes smoothly, your demands I will naturally fulfill."

"Mm, just each taking what they need. Staying vigilant is also a good thing."

Tong Yuan Zheng nodded, his expression easing considerably, looked at the East You King, stuck out his tongue and licked his lip corners, a trace of excitement surging in his eyes, shook his head and lightly smiled. The specific secret plotting between Tong Yuan Zheng and the East You King is unknown to outsiders; merely after an incense stick's time, Tong Yuan Zheng lightly smiled and said a sentence: "Looking forward to the East You King's good news."

Then his figure once again disappeared, as if he had never arrived at all.

The East You King looked at Tong Yuan Zheng's disappearing background, his gaze flickering, brows lightly furrowing, no other words, merely revealing a pensive color; after a long while he murmured: "Tong Yuan Zheng... Undercurrents, Xuan Yin Gate... cannot fully trust him, however, also cannot not utilize him."

Thinking this, the East You King shook his head and smiled, a trace of strange light flashing in his pale golden pupils.

"Now, you Wu Zhou have internal troubles and external threats; to me, this is indeed the best opportunity, this cannot be missed..."

…………

Time passed; after twenty days of flight, finally on the twenty-first day's early morning, until the east churned up fish-belly white, when dawn broke, the Wanxiang Sect Spirit Boat's speed slowed; on the horizon, a majestic city gradually revealed its prototype, and as they approached, continuously grew larger.

Walls reaching a hundred zhang high, towering and vast, welcoming a wave of ancient simplicity and heavy qi, occupying a radius of a hundred li, continuous and unbroken; through the walls one could see palaces continuous and unbroken, buildings soaring into the clouds, just like a giant dragon crouching on the ground, coiled on the earth, making one's heart and spirit tremble.

The city gate spans a hundred zhang; on the gate's plaque, the three characters "Tian Sha Cheng" in dragon-flying-phoenix-dancing large characters are engraved upon it, shining brilliantly, even more revealing a spirit and vigor, complementing the entire city; formation fluctuations faintly flicker, enveloping the whole Tian Sha Cheng; walking beneath it, one naturally feels one's own insignificance, and moreover a mysterious pressure descends upon one.

"We've arrived. The airspace above Tian Sha Cheng is restricted; we'll land here and enter the city on foot."

Ruan Hao and Lu Ruikai appeared simultaneously, controlling the Spirit Boat's descent while speaking lightly.

"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh..."

Just then the wind howled, a long rainbow surged into view at the sky's edge, then swiftly descended before the crowd; moreover, a restless Dragon Might rippled open in all directions, and only when it drew near could its form be seen clearly.

It was a hundred-zhang giant dragon, six-clawed and ferocious, its whole body pitch-black; atop its dragon head a huge flag fluttered in the wind, the two characters "Spirit Dragon" clearly visible — it was the Linglong Sect's guardian Spirit Beast, the Black Wind Spirit Dragon.

"People from the Linglong Sect? They've arrived too — what a coincidence."

Within the crowd, Yu Changsheng's gaze condensed, and he exchanged a glance with Li Minghan, muttering inwardly while likewise closely observing the Linglong Sect people.

The Black Wind Spirit Dragon landed, and on its broad dragon back many black dots surged forth one after another, finally jumping to the ground; the Linglong Sect's leader was someone Yu Changsheng did not recognize.

"Dao Friend Xuan Long, long time no see, separated well?"

Ruan Hao raised an eyebrow, looking at this arrival, stepped forward two paces first, cupped his fists in salute, and spoke lightly.

"Turns out it's True Lord Xuan Long. This person was the previous generation's Linglong Sect Master, the current Sect Master's master; his cultivation base has likewise reached the Purple Mansion. It seems every faction is the same — they all attach great importance to this trip."

Zhang Tianwen smiled wryly, leaned low beside Yu Changsheng's ear, and explained in a low voice.

"Is that so?"

Yu Changsheng nodded, did not rashly use Divine Sense to probe, merely fixed his gaze on the Black Wind Spirit Dragon, looking thoughtful.

The progress in cultivation base and Divine Sense enabled him at this step to sense the state of the Linglong Sect's guardian Spirit Beast even more clearly.

"Third-Order Peak, just a step from reaching Fourth Order... but its Bloodline Origin seems damaged; that is also why, despite quite good Bloodline Potential, it is only Third Order now and has delayed breaking through to Fourth Order..."

Yu Changsheng pondered inwardly; these thoughts flashed through his mind, and in the end he shook his head, not thinking further on it.

And Ruan Hao clearly knew this Xuan Long; the two were originally of the same generation, and in their youth they had even frequently vied for supremacy.

Xuan Long Dao Ren wore a white long robe, its gold trim embroidered with a six-clawed Spirit Dragon riding clouds and mist, lifelike, swallowing and leaping amid surging Dragon Might; he had crane-white hair and a youthful face, his graying hair and beard betraying his age, vicissitudes left in his eyes, yet his face appeared quite peaceful. At this moment he glanced at Ruan Hao, then revealed a trace of a smile and laughed heartily:

"So it's Dao Friend Ruan — truly long time no see. Didn't expect this trial would even rouse an old bone like you. When there's a chance we must definitely drink together in welcome."

Dao Friend Xuan Long spoke with a laugh, his tone sounding equally peaceful and gentle; he actively patted Ruan Hao's shoulder, and between the two it was as if they were bosom friends of many years.

Ruan Hao's face likewise showed a smile; he nodded at Dao Friend Xuan Long, imperceptibly brushed away the hand placed on his shoulder, and smiled:

"Nowadays it's the young people's world. I'm also taking this opportunity to drop by for a walk, incidentally fulfilling an elder's duty — a rare opportunity."

"Presumably this trip to Tian Sha Cheng will let us see quite a few familiar faces from various sects; we'll surely have a good long catch-up."

As Ruan Hao spoke, he and True Lord Xuan Long walked toward the inside of Tian Sha Cheng. The Linglong Sect's team leader this time, besides Xuan Long, was someone Yu Changsheng recognized — Mu Yongxian — but he looked much more haggard than before, showing some agedness.

Even more, after coldly glancing toward Lu Ruikai's side, he said not a word and led his sect disciples toward Tian Sha Cheng.

Lu Ruikai shook his head, smiled calmly, glanced back at the Wanxiang Sect disciples, stowed the Spirit Boat, and then led them forward toward Tian Sha Cheng.

While entering the city, Lu Ruikai said: "Tian Sha Cheng, as the foremost great city of western Wu Zhou, is directly administered by the Xuan Yin Gate; cultivators come and go in great numbers, shops stand in rows — it counts as a rare trading place within Wu Zhou."

"Especially during this period, the Three Gates and Six Sects have all come flocking, making it even more lively; some things usually hard to encounter have trading venues here. If you have needs, you may go purchase them yourselves."

Lu Ruikai spoke, his tone pausing, his complexion becoming much more solemn.

"However, note this: if there's no necessity, don't go actively provoking trouble. Although Tian Sha Cheng is directly managed by the Xuan Yin Gate, many factions also have garrison points here."

"Of course, if you're bullied by others, you needn't just endure blindly. Whatever happens, come tell me; with the Sect stepping in it will naturally be resolved."

As they spoke, after proceeding a further distance into the city, Lu Ruikai brought the group to a halt before a huge inn in the city.

The huge signboard "Yue Lai Ke Zhan" appeared before their eyes; confirming it was correct, Lu Ruikai led everyone inside. (Chapter End)