Chapter 393

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

Sensing within his body, as the Spirit Boat continuously descended, the aura from the Luo Ya Shen Yuan grew ever richer, drawn by the Heavenly Dao Golden Core to form a cultivation base augmentation; Yu Zhangsheng was thoughtful.

"For others, this place is suppression, but for me, it is an opportunity... it is also not bad news."

Heavenly Dao Qi, as a supreme treasure, as long as conditions are met, under the circumstance of using the Heavenly Dao Golden Core as a medium to mobilize the power of heaven and earth, the augmentation it brings to its possessor is astonishing.

For instance, even though he has not yet fully entered the Luo Ya Shen Yuan, Yu Zhangsheng can feel that his cultivation base has roughly reached the middle of the Golden Core Mid-stage.

One can imagine that once he thoroughly enters the Luo Ya Shen Yuan, this augmentation will reach a terrifying degree.

"In that case, this trip into the Abyss, I have a bit more confidence."

Yu Zhangsheng's heart settled slightly; as a Heavenly Dao Golden Core, even a minor realm increase can cause his combat power to undergo an earth-shaking change compared to others.

And the Luo Ya Shen Yuan's environment, for others, is more or less a weakening, while his side is a solid strengthening.

Yu Zhangsheng's subtle changes could not be sensed by the other disciples, yet they could not escape Yuan Menghua's keen perception; she turned her head and looked at Yu Zhangsheng in surprise, a deep meaning flashing in her eyes, a hint of a smile surfacing at the bottom of her eyes, but she did not say much.

"Ahead is the Forbidden Air Domain; we begin descending."

Yuan Menghua spoke blandly, fingers pinching a hand seal, lightly tapping on the Spirit Boat; instantly the entire Spirit Boat trembled, emitting a violent hum, speed beginning to slow simultaneously, the bow also beginning to tilt downward; the flag belonging to the Linglong Sect unfurled with a crash, covering the sky and earth, enveloping the entire Spirit Boat.

The Spirit Boat broke through clouds; with the continuous descent in altitude, the Gray Plain below also grew larger and larger in Yu Zhangsheng's eyes, some details leaping into view.

On both sides of the fissure, dense rows of large camps had already been erected; countless cultivators in military attire moved in and out in strict array, rays of formation light flashing across heaven and earth, sealing the fissure.

Following the fissure, the defense line extended into the distance; on the other side of the fissure, Qingzhou's territory, likewise rows of large camps stood towering, cultivators entering and exiting, separated by the Luo Ya Shen Yuan, the two armies confronted each other from afar.

A solemn killing aura spread through the air; among the soldiers, each expression was solemn, movements neat and uniform, their standing positions conforming to formations.

And behind the large camps, on stretches of open ground, flags belonging to the Three Gates and Six Sects were erected one by one; each sect's garrison had already been arranged.

Before long, the Spirit Boat landed, touching down on the Wanxiang Sect's garrison; one by one they jumped down, feet treading the Gray Plain, looking around with a trace of curiosity.

"You lead the disciples to settle in; I'll make a trip to the main camp, you take charge here first."

"You can go to the military camp side to take a look at the situation first, but remember to abide by the rules, don't provoke conflict."

After instructing Yu Zhangsheng with a sentence, Yuan Menghua rose and walked toward the center of the main camp ahead.

"Good."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded, pondered for a while, then directed the various disciples to simply arrange the garrison; tents were erected one by one as temporary residences.

And the Wanxiang Sect's arrival naturally drew the attention of others; not long after, a middle-aged soldier in armor came to the garrison; his complexaction was sallow, gaze steady, body bearing obvious traces of long battlefield experience; he asked in a deep voice: "Wanxiang Sect, right? Who is the person in charge leading the team?"

Hearing this, Yu Zhangsheng actively stepped forward, looked at this soldier, nodded lightly and said:

"I am."

"Hmm," this soldier's gaze then fell on Yu Zhangsheng, instantly he froze, a trace of astonishment appearing on his face, subconsciously asking: "You are Yu Zhangsheng?"

"Uh," Yu Zhangsheng scratched his head, somewhat surprised yet also not surprised, so he nodded, generously admitting it. "It's me."

Seeing Yu Zhangsheng admit it, this soldier's complexion visibly softened considerably; looking at Yu Zhangsheng with a trace of curiosity in his eyes, his tone also carried a hint of a smile.

"I've heard of you; truly a hero from youth. I am He Zhi; though a cultivator of the Seven Stars Gate, your prestigious reputation has long reached my ears like thunder."

"I heard it was you who slew Huanlong Zhenjun, thereby reversing the situation of the Wanxiang Sect war; otherwise, the rear would likely have fallen into complete chaos by now, and our border would not have fared well either. Here, on behalf of all border soldiers, I thank you."

Finishing speaking, He Zhi removed the helmet from his head, complexion solemn, bowing deeply to Yu Zhangsheng; this bow was sincere and formal, without a shred of falseness or other emotion.

Yu Zhangsheng smiled bitterly, hurriedly supported He Zhi up, saying: "Senior, you overpraise; it's all empty fame. Wuzhou's stability, isn't it all thanks to you all constantly paying the price on the front lines defending the border?"

For these people, Yu Zhangsheng still respects them from the bottom of his heart. From He Zhi's body, he sensed a dense bloody killing intent; this bloody aura was different from what sect disciples possess; it is something only warriors who have long experienced the battlefield can grind out through battle after battle.

He Zhi froze, then his gaze at Yu Zhangsheng grew even softer; he was somewhat surprised Yu Zhangsheng could speak so; he knew in his heart, as a sect's heaven's pride disciple, which one is not arrogant and lofty? Especially with Yu Zhangsheng's conditions, calling him haughty would not be excessive.

Yet on Yu Zhangsheng he did not feel the kind of contemptuous arrogance that looks down on everyone typical of other sect heaven's prides; this feeling of being valued and respected caused him to have a few more points of goodwill toward Yu Zhangsheng in his heart.

Thus, smiling, he said: "The upcoming battles will still depend on you young talents; we can't help much anymore."

"About the Luo Ya Shen Yuan, you should have some understanding already, right?"

Yu Zhangsheng nodded, indicating he knew.

"Then I won't waste more words," He Zhi thought for a moment, organized his words in his heart, then said, "After high-level discussions between both states, it was finally decided that in one week, they will jointly open an entrance to the Luo Ya Shen Yuan."

"At the same time, seven Luo Ya Tokens will be dropped into the Abyss depths; cultivators under a hundred years of age from both states will enter the Luo Ya Shen Yuan together to contend, vying for these seven Luo Ya Tokens, for a period of one month."

"Within this month, life and death each follow the Mandate of Heaven; although a Transmission Token will be arranged for everyone, inside the Abyss space is unstable, extremely perilous; the deeper one goes, the more the transmission cannot guarantee success rate."

Listening to He Zhi's words, the faces of all Wanxiang Sect disciples had some slight changes.

The Luo Ya Shen Yuan, although not yet entered, merely sensing the aura now lets one know the extreme peril within, and to conduct state-versus-state battle in this sunless place.

In their cultivation journey so far, this can be said to be the first major trial they face; inside the Abyss, crises lurk everywhere.

"However," the crowd's expression changes were secretly noted by He Zhi; he pondered a moment, a faint smile appearing on his face as he said: "Crises exist, but opportunities are not few either; inside the Abyss, after a thousand years of evolution, who knows how many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures have been born; plus these thousands of years of warfare, countless cultivators' corpses including Storage Bags have fallen within."

"Not to mention anything else, just here, according to incomplete statistics, the Sub-Talisman True Monarchs who died within are no fewer than a hundred; the treasures they left behind are a huge sum; if obtained, I believe it would be a massive help to each heaven's pride's advancement."

Finishing speaking, the expressions of everyone present changed somewhat; amid astonishment, a fiery color surfaced in their eyes. For this group of disciples who are mostly Foundation Establishment, a Sub-Talisman True Monarch's net worth is undoubtedly a huge sum they wouldn't dare dream of normally, let alone other opportunities in the Abyss depths.

Crisis and wealth are always linked together.

"Next, I will distribute Identity Tokens to you; this will be the credential for participating in this Luo Ya Shen Yuan, also recording your every action inside the Luo Ya Shen Yuan, which will thereby automatically convert into equivalent Military Merit, and also serves a transmission function."

He Zhi waited for the disciples to digest it almost fully, then continued explaining:

"Inside the military camp, regardless of sect origin, only Contribution Points are looked at; Contribution Points can be converted into Military Merit; Military Merit is a good thing, the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures it can exchange for should exceed your imagination. So inside the Luo Ya Shen Yuan, kill more enemies, earn more Military Merit; for you, it is also an opportunity."

"The specifics I won't explain further; you can go understand on your own; now I begin distributing Identity Tokens; of course, right now... barring accidents, everyone's Military Merit is zero."

Speaking, He Zhi took out tokens one by one from his Storage Bag, distributed them to everyone; when giving to Yu Zhangsheng, he smiled and nodded at him, his eyes seeming to hold deep meaning.

Yu Zhangsheng was somewhat puzzled.

"Drip a drop of your blood with your names on it, and it will automatically bind your identities; inside there are also some introductions about other information, you can check them yourselves."

"After all disciples of the Three Gates and Six Sects have arrived, in one week the Luo Ya Abyss will be opened. During this time, you may move about within this military camp to familiarize yourselves with the situation. However, take note: certain areas may not be entered without a military order. Otherwise, even your Sect Master will not be able to protect you."

He Zhi's expression suddenly turned solemn. After giving a few words of reminder, he once again turned his head toward Yu Zhangsheng, smiled faintly, and then departed.

Yu Zhangsheng watched He Zhi's departing figure and did not think much of it. Following what he had said, he bit his fingertip to draw a drop of blood and wrote his own name upon this Identity Token.

The three characters "Yu Zhangsheng" were branded upon it. The entire Identity Token instantly flashed with spirit light. Yu Zhangsheng pondered for a moment, then sent a wisp of his divine sense inside.

Instantaneously, streams of information naturally surfaced in Yu Zhangsheng's mind.

"Yu Zhangsheng..."

"One Second Class Military Merit, Military Merit Points 10000..."

Sensing the information within, Yu Zhangsheng froze for a moment, then fell into contemplation.

According to what He Zhi said, these new recruits of his had never participated in war, had not killed enemies in Qingzhou — where would military merit come from? It should all be zero. Yet his own perception would naturally not be mistaken.

"No wonder He Zhi's gaze toward me just now was so strange..."

Yu Zhangsheng pondered inwardly, a realization dawning: "To secure the outside, one must first pacify the inside. In truth, the Wanxiang Sect battle also counts as a war between two states."

"And I, in that battle, indeed killed quite a few people — especially Huanlong Zhenjun... However, would a single Huanlong Zhenjun only be worth a Second Class Military Merit?"

Yu Zhangsheng found it somewhat inconceivable, so he calmed his mind and carefully read through the information in the Identity Token.

Besides recording one's own military merit, the Identity Token also provides the function of exchanging military merit. The contents are dazzling, yet mainly divided into several major categories.

"Cultivation methods, divine abilities, weapons, pills, auxiliary items..."

Yu Zhangsheng secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva, glanced at his one Second Class Military Merit and 10000 Military Merit Points, and with a trace of anticipation and curiosity began to examine the Military Merit Mall.

"Heavenly Sun Gazing Clouds Technique... This cultivation method was created by the Huashen Adults Wangyun Zhenzun over a thousand years ago. It... possesses unfathomable ability... pointing directly to Huashen..."

"Price: Three First Class Military Merits, Military Merit Points 1000000!"

"Azure Sea Flute Melody... This divine ability is..."

"Price: One Second Class Military Merit, Military Merit Points 200000!"

"Ling Tian Staff: Middle Grade Spirit Treasure, forged from Ling Tian Jade, indestructible, its entire body dark-white, possesses excellent guidance for mana..."

"Price: One Second Class Military Merit, Military Merit Points 100000..."

"Rejuvenation Pill: Third Rank Pill, possesses good healing effects..."

"Price: 1000 Military Merit."

Lines of information chaotically surged into Yu Zhangsheng's mind. Yu Zhangsheng gave them a rough glance, and his mind became even clearer.

"In here, they are all good things. But the truly good things require not only Military Merit Points, but also a matching Military Merit rank... before they can be exchanged."

"And Military Merit ranks are divided into Third Class Military Merit, Second Class Military Merit, and First Class Military Merit. Military Merit Points are easy to get — as long as you stay in the military camp long enough, sooner or later you can accumulate them."

"But Military Merit rank is difficult as climbing heaven! Under normal circumstances, my slaying of a Huanlong Zhenjun should be First Class Military Merit. However, due to special circumstances and some other reasons, it was only counted as Second Class Military Merit for me..."

Yu Zhangsheng thought to himself, digesting the information in the token, shook his head, and continued to focus his gaze.

The things exchangeable for military merit are miscellaneous, but all are good things. Among them, quite a few tempt Yu Zhangsheng — for instance, the reward he obtained for placing first in the Tian Sha Secret Realm last time can also be exchanged here, only the military merit required is an astronomical figure.

"Fifth-Grade Pill: Yin Yang Breaking Realm Pill..."

"Price: One First Class Military Merit, Military Merit Points 500000!" (Chapter End)