Chapter 457

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

Due to differences in each person's constitution and Golden Core quality, the number of Dao patterns each person can bear also varies.

For instance, Meng Wu'an and Li Minghan — both have now inscribed three Dao patterns, and they already feel a slight strain; the further they go, the harder inscribing Dao patterns will become.

Yu Zhangsheng, upon hearing this, narrowed his eyes slightly, sensed his own condition, shook his head, and said: "Fine, but for now it should still not be a problem. Bearing a few more Dao patterns should also be possible."

At this moment, within Yu Zhangsheng's body, atop the Heavenly Dao Golden Core, four profound and distinct Dao patterns had already been inscribed — complex and intricate, each of a different color: crimson like fire, sensing it one seemed to see a sky-covering sea of fire burning fiercely; deep blue like water, sensing it one seemed to see a surging torrent flowing without end; emerald green like wood, a tree reaching the heavens stood tall, bearing the explosion of boundless life force from heaven and earth; golden sharpness, like a peerless divine weapon, sacred and inviolable.

Four Dao patterns, respectively Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, mutually assisting each other; the amplification they brought Yu Zhangsheng was infinite — whether cultivation base or constitution, under the blessing of these four primal Dao patterns, both had achieved a leap forward.

"However, it seems the limit has still not been reached by far; my Heavenly Dao Golden Core should still be able to bear more Dao patterns……"

Yu Zhangsheng murmured in his heart, thinking thus.

Lord Han Cheng's mouth corners twitched; after pondering a moment, he said:

"Let's go. The Zhen Yuan Mi Lin has been explored almost completely; next you still need massive amounts of Dao rhyme…… this place is clearly no longer suitable; time is urgent, and now you also possess considerable strength; another place might be more suitable for your continued advancement."

Since the three entered Zhen Yuan Mi Lin, over a month has passed; during this month-plus, all was spent hunting spirit beasts to obtain Dao patterns and Dao rhyme; this process left both Lord Han Cheng and Yu Zhangsheng's group somewhat numb.

And in this month-plus of killing spirit beasts, as for the exact quantity Yu Zhangsheng did not calculate, yet he could clearly sense that the spirit beast density in Zhen Yuan Mi Lin had obviously dropped considerably.

Although not to the point of saying the spirit beasts in Zhen Yuan Mi Lin would go extinct, these spirit beasts, though lacking intelligence, could also sense the crisis, so they each hid themselves, further lowering the hunting efficiency of Yu Zhangsheng and the others.

Clearly, continuing to linger in Zhen Yuan Mi Lin could no longer satisfy Yu Zhangsheng's needs.

"However, besides killing spirit beasts, how to obtain massive Dao rhyme in a short time?"

Yu Zhangsheng had a bit of a headache, inwardly puzzled, looking at the few remaining Essence Points, somewhat depressed.

The reason inscribing the last two Dao patterns took a month was precisely the Essence Points problem — the first two Dao patterns completely exhausted Yu Zhangsheng's million Essence Points; the remaining month, crazily killing spirit beasts to absorb Dao rhyme, only then did he regain a million Essence Points and inscribe two more Dao rhymes.

In this process, as time passed, the efficiency of gaining Essence Points in Zhen Yuan Mi Lin grew slower; if not for the three of them later also being able to rely on their own strength to kill spirit beasts, just watching Lord Han Cheng alone, I fear even the fourth primal Dao pattern would not yet be finished inscribing.

Zhenyuan Mlin is no longer suitable to stay in.

Especially as time passed, Yu Zhangsheng could clearly feel this world's rejection of them growing stronger and stronger.

"It's been fifty days since entering the Wu Dao Ta; going on like this, in another forty days we'll likely be completely expelled. Fifty days' time, and only four primal Dao patterns condensed so far — still far off……"

………

The thousand-li Zhen Yuan Mi Lin covers vast territory, but in this month-plus the several people have also traversed most areas, so not too much time was spent; one day later, the party of four passed through Zhen Yuan Mi Lin and arrived at the other side.

"Lord Han Cheng, where are we going now?"

With Lord Han Cheng leading in front, Li Minghan couldn't help asking curiously.

"Continuing to kill spirit beasts in Zhen Yuan Mi Lin is too inefficient; the place I'll take you next is more suitable for you to continue obtaining Dao rhyme."

Lord Han Cheng spoke indifferently; atop his peerlessly beautiful features, a trace of cold elegance quietly surfaced.

"The Wu Dao Jie is vast; the place where Lord Han resides can be considered a remote edge; crossing Zhen Yuan Mi Lin and continuing forward a thousand li, one can reach the center of this realm, where chaos and disorder reign, strength is respected, and all manner of living beings gather.

There is no true ruler there, nor strict order; it preserves the most primal rules of the Wu Dao Jie — the weak are meat, the strong eat; it is called — Wuxu City!"

"And our target is there; that place is also your land of opportunity."

Lord Han Cheng spoke, and Yu Zhangsheng and Li Minghan exchanged a glance and smiled, both freezing for a moment, looking at each other in blank dismay.

"Wuxu City……" Meng Wu'an lowered his head and murmured, looking thoughtful.

Lord Han Cheng nodded, expression slightly complex, recalled a moment, and said flatly: "This world is not everywhere as quiet and peaceful as my Han Cheng; more living beings exist amid mutual struggle and suspicion, and the fighting has never ended."

"Then if we go there, we are……?" Yu Zhangsheng asked tentatively.

Lord Han Cheng looked deeply at Yu Zhangsheng, meaningfully saying: "Do you still remember what I told you before? In the Wu Dao Jie, the fundamental origin of all living beings' existence is fundamentally different from yours; Dao patterns are the foundation of this world; since spirit beasts' bodies contain Dao patterns, then tell me — are human bodies not the same?"

"And spirit beasts have turbid intelligence; reaching four Dao patterns is already their limit; but humans are not necessarily so…… their origin Dao patterns will only be even more numerous."

Lord Han Cheng's words fell; Yu Zhangsheng's heart shook violently; he opened his mouth in silence, wanting to speak but stopping, finally only letting out a light sigh.

In Zhen Yuan Mi Lin, the highest spirit beasts he had indeed encountered were all only four-pattern; he had never seen higher — this was also one of the important reasons the several people could run rampant without fear in Zhen Yuan Mi Lin.

And what Lord Han Cheng now said — that the fundamental origin of all living beings in this world is Dao patterns — meant that essentially, spirit beasts and them are the same.

Lord Han Cheng's purpose was thus self-evident. "To obtain massive Dao rhyme in a short time, Wuxu City is one of the most suitable places; those inside are mostly utterly vicious villains; the Wu Dao Jie differs from the Outside."

"People here can either slowly comprehend on their own, step by step condensing Dao patterns to cultivate, or choose a shortcut — kill the other, devour their Dao patterns to strengthen oneself; compared to self-cultivation, this method is more cruel, and also more immediately effective."

"Thus Wuxu City was born; it is the weak's cemetery, the strong's paradise; killing to seize patterns is commonplace; there even specially arose this world's largest arena, famous in all directions — bloody, violent, yet fascinating."

Lord Han Cheng explained; Yu Zhangsheng fell silent; Meng Wu'an's gaze shifted, slightly bright; Li Minghan's mouth corner twitched slightly.

"And you three now also count as having considerable strength; plus me, going to Wuxu City, though dangerous, can be overcome; besides, in a short time wanting massive Dao rhyme, it would be somewhat difficult otherwise."

Lord Han Cheng said softly.

Yu Zhangsheng nodded; the three's hearts no longer hesitated; each cupped fists toward Lord Han Cheng and bowed, saying: "Since it is so, let us proceed as Lord Han Cheng says; trouble you."

"No matter. You just prepare well." Lord Han Cheng smiled faintly.

Thus, sun and moon rise and fall; another day later, at dawn, the four dust-weary people finally reached their destination.

Far off, at the plain's end, on the horizon, a blurred city outline appeared; just as at the distant sky's end, the morning light's faint brightness had only just begun striving to pierce the heavy night. A towering majestic ancient city gradually emerged from the hazy mist.

Gazing from afar, those tall and heavy walls resembled a slumbering giant dragon, following the undulating terrain winding leisurely, stretching straight toward the endless distance, impossible to see the end at a glance. The walls' outline under the faint light appeared especially solemn and dignified, as if bearing endless traces of time and vicissitudes; roughly estimated, its area could rival six or seven Han Chengs.

The city's corner towers stood tall; exquisite upturned eaves pointed straight at the vast sky, like spirit birds ready to spread wings and fly. The lookout openings on the towers silently gazed into the distance, yet likewise no one stood guard.

On the road approaching the city, between the stone slab cracks still lingered threads of night dampness; under the morning light's reflection, they faintly glittered with crystalline radiance.

As the sky gradually brightened, the fine details on the walls became clearly discernible. Huge blue bricks were tightly arranged without gaps; each seemed to softly chant bygone tales; crenels were distributed in orderly disorder; not a single guard soldier's shadow. The city gates stood wide open; on those leaves forged from hard unknown wood, ancient copper nails were decorated; atop them, layer upon layer of black-red Dao patterns flickered with faint light, incomparably strange. From within seeped a sinister aura.

And the huge city plaque, its blood-red characters, told the world this city's name — Wuxu City!

As the literal meaning says, this place has no order, which also represents chaos; but looking at this city from outside, it is extremely prosperous.

"Arrived. Entering the city shortly; keep a low profile first; specific situation we'll discuss after I inquire clearly."

Outside the city gate, Lord Han Cheng turned back, looking at Yu Zhangsheng and the other two behind him, and softly reminded them.

"Mm." Yu Zhangsheng nodded, raised his head to observe the majestic city before him, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

The three drew closer, able to see that on the city walls, at intervals, a flag fluttered gently in the morning breeze, its entire body blood red, engraved with unknown Dao patterns that, though slightly old and damaged, were inserted into the wall as if naturally formed as one; on the flag, a "Chen" character could be faintly seen, its ancient simplicity revealing traces of time.

"Chen?"

Yu Zhangsheng muttered softly, his expression surprised, his gaze following downward to land on the city wall; at this moment the sky had just broken dawn, morning light sprinkled on the wall's surface, rippling with faint radiance, making the entire city seem as if gently shrouded in a layer of mysterious and holy brilliance.

But in reality, in Yu Zhangsheng's perception, a layer of dark blood qi always coiled in the skies above Wuxu City, lingering, turning into a gloom that made the whole of Wuxu City give an even more sinister and oppressive feeling.

"Chen is the name of this city's lord, full name Chen Wencai..."

Lord Han Cheng heard Yu Zhangsheng's mutter, immediately took up the conversation, walking toward the inside of the city while recalling, explaining to Yu Zhangsheng and the others:

"This city is disorderly and chaotic, without absolute rules, only following the law of the jungle, yet it also has a lord. And the lord of Wuxu City is this Chen Wencai; this man appears kind-browed and benevolent, but in reality, his heart is cruel and his methods ruthless to the extreme — one who can rule as lord of Wuxu City, how could he be a simple character?"

Lord Han Cheng recalled, pondered a moment, then continued: "Due to this city's special nature, although he is city lord, Chen Wencai hasn't set down too many rules for this city, merely guaranteeing its normal operation. And toward this city lord, everyone in Wuxu City holds awe; every so often there are those with eyes too long who want to challenge him, but the ending goes without saying — not a single one succeeded, all ultimately buried at his hands."

Yu Zhangsheng and the other two listened quietly, digesting this information, thoughtful; Lord Han Cheng's tone paused, he recalled a moment and sighed lightly.

"Several years ago, I also came to Wuxu City several times; regarding this, this city is not unfamiliar to me. This city's lord Chen Wencai and I have had much contact; he and I are the same, not completely refined in this Wu Dao Ta, but still preserving a portion of consciousness and memories from life, knowing the True Self."

"Huh?"

Yu Zhangsheng's expression froze a moment, then he became interested.

"He and I are the same, likewise cultivators who fell in that battle between the Heavenly Sword Pavilion and Meng Yao Holy Land some years ago... however, unlike me, he comes from Meng Yao Holy Land."

Lord Han Cheng spoke softly, a strange color appearing on his face.

Meng Wu'an and Li Minghan both started, hearing this their eyes brightened — a person from a Holy Land, in the true sense, they had never encountered one before.

"In short, this person is no simple character; between him and me there is some enmity, and I don't know whether this entry into the city will alert him."

Lord Han Cheng chuckled; when mentioning Chen Wencai, he didn't show much obvious emotional fluctuation, but raised his head to look deeply at the enormous Wuxu City, then steadied his mind and led the three into the city.

The city gate stood wide open, with no one on guard; entering the city, a faint bloody qi rushed at their faces; unlike Han Cheng, on the broad streets there were not many pedestrians, most hurrying along with cold, keep-away faces; at the arrival of Yu Zhangsheng's group, after a hurried glance they withdrew their gazes. (Chapter End)