Chapter 224: Distant Journey

Within the thick rock layers, countless secrets were sheltered.

Far from the stone cavern where the Wu clan fought fiercely, deep within extremely thick rock layers, a cylindrical space was filled with an azure cold light.

Inside the cylindrical space, over ten li in diameter and reaching nearly a hundred li in height, a gigantic tree of condensed icy frost stood upright.

The giant tree was entirely formed of countless ice crystals, its surface covered with myriad diamond facets; its core constantly spewed cold light, which through those facets turned into countless sparkling rays that illuminated all directions, making the whole space ripple with light.

The splendidly shaped giant tree bore hundreds of large and small branches, each bearing a huge oval ice ball; under the cold light's glow, shrunken silhouettes could be faintly seen within the semi‑transparent ice balls.

Crack!

A crisp sound.

On a branch near the top of the giant tree, an ice ball suddenly split open.

A blast of cold qi poured down like a waterfall, wrapping an exquisitely beautiful figure, who lightly slid down from the cracked ice ball.

After falling several li, the beautiful figure hovered in mid‑air.

She drew a deep breath, lazily stretched her arms and yawned, then flung her eyes open.

Two clusters of deep‑blue divine light surged; in her eye sockets the cold light rolled over and over, leaving only a sheet of unfathomable deep blue, with no other hue and no human‑like emotional fluctuation.

The blue divine light churned for a full quarter hour; the light in her eye sockets gradually retracted, her pupils gaining distinct coloration, becoming indistinguishable from an ordinary person's.

Xuan Zhu flicked her blue‑black hair, which hung like a waterfall down to her ankles; countless tiny ice crystals sprayed from the strands. She swept her hair back, gave a soft hum, and the blue locks instantly turned as dark as night.

Her pupils also turned black, no longer the clear, deep‑blue of ten‑thousand‑year‑old profound ice.

Humming a mysterious tune that exuded a chilling aura, Xuan Zhu stepped upon a patch of cold light and circled the giant tree a few times.

Finally, she came to the side of an enormous ice ball at the tree's centre, slapped it with her right hand, and the ice ball exploded violently.

A great burst of cold qi gushed out, and from the ice ball shot a dark‑blue figure over ten meters long.

That dark‑blue, dragon‑like silhouette swayed in the wind and instantly stretched to over three hundred meters in length.

Cang You jerked his head up, let out an unwilling low moan, opened his mouth, and fiercely spat at the distant cavern wall.

A turbulent blue cold stream slammed into the rock wall; the thick‑covered profound ice surface showed countless twisting dark‑blue patterns flashing constantly, accompanied by piercing cracks, and the wall outright neutralized Cang You's exhalation.

"Be quiet, Cang You… you useless trash."

Xuan Zhu kicked Cang You's chin, sending the three‑hundred‑meter‑long body soaring high, his head smashing into the dome of the cylindrical space.

Cang You wobbled his big head, swaying as he fell from the dome, wearing a fawning look, and repeatedly nodded at Xuan Zhu.

"This body's strength is far greater than the one you had just now."

Xuan Zhu patted Cang You's chin, proudly looking down at her own shapely, exquisite form: "This body of mine is also the strongest backup divine body cultivated in this divine nest… far stronger than the previous one, by more than a hundredfold."

"I was actually forced to self‑destruct and flee… you won't go spreading this embarrassing matter everywhere, will you?" Xuan Zhu narrowed her eyes and gave Cang You a smiling glance.

Cang You's body twitched, and he hastily shook his head.

"All right then." Xuan Zhu said coldly: "I voluntarily asked to come here, originally just to play and relax, hoping to earn a bit of merit… but I never expected to suffer such a loss."

The beautiful face flickered with a hint of irritation and anger; Xuan Zhu lowered her visage and said: "I gained no merit at all, yet I was forced to use this place's strongest backup divine body—how much merit will be deducted?"

"Lowly mortals… heh, you can't escape."

Xuan Zhu snorted coldly, slapped Cang You's head: "Shrink your size… such a huge body just gets in the way."

Cang You hastily shrank his body to a length of a dozen meters.

Xuan Zhu gave a cold chuckle, took Cang You to a rock face, whispered a few incantations, and the wall silently split open a gate spewing cold qi; Xuan Zhu flew in with Cang You.

Beside this cold‑ice‑shrouded cylindrical space lay another cylindrical space, several times larger in scale.

Here stood several giant trees whose bodies glittered with metallic cold light, each hung with tens of thousands of oval objects large and small.

After half a day, Xuan Zhu led an enormous force away from this "divine nest".

Nearly a thousand Golden Bull clansmen, three thousand wolf people whose bodies shone with silver light, and nearly ten thousand snake people with bronze‑tinged skin and a faint metallic luster.

Their aura was mighty; they marched in perfect step, closely following the flying Cang You a few meters above the ground as they hurried forward.

Each of these warriors had dull, vacant eyes, like mindless puppets.

But after leaving the "divine nest" for a while, a spark of spirit appeared in their eyes, and their motions shifted from stiff puppet‑like to agile and versatile.

Aside from occasionally glancing at Xuan Zhu with absolute fervor and obedience, these cattle, wolf, and snake peoples looked, at first glance, no different from ordinary creatures.

Behind Xuan Zhu's great army, layers of rock undulated like flowing water; after they passed, the strata swiftly closed, sealing this mysterious "divine nest" beneath thousands of li of rock.

Countless azure runes flashed across the rock layers, utterly erasing any trace left by Xuan Zhu and her companions.

"Cang You, shall we first go look for that adorable Taotie Owl?"

"I'm not after his looks… but does he still have many usable subordinates?"

"Especially that Wa Huang clan maiden who's with him—the Wa Huang bloodline… is worth a lot of merit."

"Then let's find that little Ba Snake… I've lost so much this time, I must make up for it."

"You have no objection? Then it's settled."

"First we'll seek the Taotie Owl… I've left a guiding mark on him; as long as he lives, he can't get away."

Cang You flew high above the ground at great speed, while a vast army of tens of thousands of elite warriors followed behind, sprinting at full tilt; the uniform tread shook the winding, rugged passage, making it tremble incessantly.

In the stone cavern, time flew by—an hour and a half passed in the blink of an eye.

Wu Tie's blazing flames gradually died down; behind him, in the dragon‑like double‑helix light stream, only the twenty‑first layer of Heaven Lock Chonglou glowed brightly.

With the aid of thirty‑six drops of Great Shaman Essence Blood, Wu Tie, in just a month and a half, broke through twelve layers of Heaven Lock Chonglou in one go.

Compared to a month and a half ago, the Heaven Lock Chonglou light lingering behind Wu Tie shone even brighter, each beam thicker than before by more than tenfold; his breakthrough of Heaven Lock Chonglou likewise nourished it, continually solidifying the foundation of the Chonglou Realm.

Leaving other matters aside, speaking solely of Wu Tie's foundation in Heaven Lock Chonglou today, it is exceedingly rare in the world.

The stronger the foundation, the greater the benefits Wu Tie gains after breaking through—but the resources needed for future breakthroughs increase, and the time required lengthens.

Eighteen of the thirty‑six Great Shaman Essence Blood beads have been completely spent; the remaining eighteen have shrunk to about half their size, each now thumb‑sized, glowing brightly as they slowly revolve around Wu Tie's heart.

At every moment, a trickle of essence‑blood power continually flows into Wu Tie's heart, turning into a majestic hot stream that nourishes his heart and, along with it, his five viscera and six bowels, constantly strengthening his bodily functions.

Wu Tie's head of long hair flowed loose behind him, each strand black as ink and stiff as a steel needle; when he moved slightly, the hairs struck each other, emitting a "ding‑ding" sound, each like a spear or sword, exuding a terrible sharpness.

Skin lustrous white as snow, shining with the light of beautiful jade and glazed glass.

Skin lustrous white as snow, shining with the light of beautiful jade and glazed glass.

At this moment, Wu Tie seems completely transparent, as if you could see right through his body in an instant.

Translation: "At this moment, Wu Tie gives the impression that his whole body is transparent, as if one could see through his physique at a glance." Need to keep Wu Tie as given.

But a closer look reveals his whole body enveloped in layers of thin precious light; even the thinnest layer is impenetrable, no matter how hard one stares.

Translation: "But upon closer look, his entire body seems to be wrapped in layers of thin precious light; even the thinnest layer cannot be seen through, no matter how hard an outsider strains their eyes."

This contradictory anomaly would cause anyone lacking sufficient cultivation to spit blood on the spot.

Translation: "Such a contradictory anomaly would be enough to make someone with insufficient cultivation vomit blood instantly."

But the next moment, all anomalies on Wu Tie disappeared; he was like an ordinary person with no cultivation, slowly standing up and walking dozens of steps in place as if nothing had happened.

Translation: "But in the next instant, all anomalies on Wu Tie vanished; he was like an ordinary person with no cultivation at all, slowly rising to his feet and walking dozens of steps in place as if nothing had happened."

No power leaked, no uncontrolled surge of cultivation, yet the strange sight of one foot shattering a hundred miles of land appeared.

Translation: "No power leaked, no uncontrolled surge of cultivation, yet the strange sight of one foot shattering a hundred miles of land appeared."

Every bit of power is perfectly mastered, every inch of his body perfectly controlled.

Translation: "Every strand of power is perfectly mastered, every inch of his body perfectly controlled."

Wu Tie looked at Old Tie and laughed: "Twelve heavenly layers!"

Translation: "Wu Tie looked at Lao Tie with a smile: 'Twelve layers of heaven!'"

Old Tie stared at Wu Tie in surprise: "You have excellent control… what have you comprehended?"

Translation: "Lao Tie looked at Wu Tie in surprise: 'You have excellent control… what have you comprehended?'"

Wu Tie narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "The Earthly Fiend's Seventy-Two Transformations… so my mastery of power is superb."

Translation: "Wu Tie narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: 'Earthly Fiends Seventy-Two Transformations… therefore, his grasp of power is superb.'"

After sighing, Wu Tie looked at Old Tie and said: "If it weren't for your warning to watch my unstable foundation, breaking through another heavenly layer would likely let me glimpse the mysteries of the Heavenly Gang's transformations."

Translation: "After sighing, Wu Tie looked at Lao Tie and said: 'If you hadn't warned me to be careful about an unstable foundation, breaking through another heavenly layer would have let me glimpse the profundity of the Heavenly Gang transformations.'"

Old Tie stared wide-eyed in shock: "The Seventy-Two Transformations? You're only at the twelfth heavenly layer… Is the Primal Beginning Scripture really that powerful?"

Translation: "Lao Tie stared wide-eyed in shock: 'Seventy-Two Transformations? You're only at the twelfth heavenly layer… the Primordial Classic, is it really that powerful?'"

Old Tie muttered, seeming a bit annoyed at his own regret of being unable to cultivate the Primal Beginning Scripture.

Translation: "Lao Tie muttered indistinctly, seeming a bit annoyed at his own inability to cultivate the Primordial Classic."

Amid their laughter, a vast expanse of mist suddenly burst forth from behind Wu Tie.

Translation: "Amid their laughter, a vast expanse of mist suddenly burst forth behind Wu Tie."

The mist contained myriad colors that blended together, then turned into a sheet of brilliant clear light.

Translation: "The mist possessed myriad colors, which fused into one, yet turned into a sheet of radiant clear light."

Within the clear light, countless mighty gods and demons roared, countless divine beasts and birds cried to the heavens, countless giant demonic figures ran and danced wildly…

Translation: "Within the clear light, countless divine demons of great power roared, countless divine beasts and birds cried to the heavens, countless giant magical figures ran and danced wildly…"

All these phenomena suddenly merged; an ancient, mysterious rune flickered faintly in the clear light, then instantly entered Wu Tie's body, from which surged an extremely ancient and majestic, overbearing aura.

Translation: "All these phenomena suddenly merged; an ancient, mysterious rune flickered faintly in the clear light, then instantly entered Wu Tie's body, from which surged an extremely ancient, majestic, and overbearing aura."

Whether it's the Mighty God Demon method or the Five Ding Strongman method, all power-based divine abilities combine into the 'Great Strength' ability of the Seventy-Two Transformations. Wu Tie murmured: "This is the ultimate divine ability of power… the deeper one's cultivation, the stronger the Great Strength ability becomes."

Translation: "\"Whether it's the Great Power Divine Demon Method or the Five Ding Strongman Method, all power abilities combine into the 'Great Power' ability among the Seventy-Two Transformations. \" Wu Tie murmured: \"This is the ultimate ability of power… the deeper the cultivation, the stronger the Great Power ability becomes. \""

As Wu Tie murmured to himself, various phenomena continually emerged in the clear light behind him.

Translation: "As Wu Tie muttered, various phenomena continually emerged in the clear light behind him."

Afterward, the various phenomena continually merged, ultimately forming seventy-two ancient runes that merged into his body.

Translation: "Afterward, the various phenomena continually merged, finally becoming seventy-two ancient runes that fused into his body."

Wu Tie's eyes glimmered faintly, and he suddenly laughed: "Seventy-Two Transformations, convey!"

Translation: "Wu Tie's eyes flickered with faint light as he suddenly laughed: 'Seventy-Two Transformations, convey!'"

With a wave and grab of his right hand, Shi Fei, Lu Ji, Tie Da Jian, Mo Zhang Wang, Lao Bai, Yan Han Lu, and Shan Dun — seven people — appeared out of thin air before him.

Translation: "With a wave and grab of his right hand, Shi Fei, Lu Ji, Tie Dajian, Mo Zhang Wang, Lao Bai, Yan Hanlu, and Shan Dun appeared out of thin air before him."

Shi Fei and Lao Bai screamed, and before they could even speak, Wu Tie violently opened his mouth, spraying seven thumb‑thick drops of great witch essence blood that merged into the chests of the seven, regardless of good or ill.

Translation: "Shi Fei and Lao Bai screamed; before they could even speak, Wu Tie violently opened his mouth, and seven thumb‑thick drops of Great Witch's Essence Blood spurted out, merging indiscriminately into the seven people's chests."

The seven individuals' bodies shuddered simultaneously, a terrifying sound of bone and flesh tearing echoed from within, they all let out shrill cries and fell to the ground with a thud.

Translation: "The seven individuals' bodies shuddered simultaneously, emitting a terrifying sound of breaking bones and flesh; they all cried out in anguish and fell to the ground with a thud."

"Old Tie, help protect them… ha, we share blessings and hardships alike… for them, a single drop of great witch essence blood would be enough to push them to an extremely high realm, right?"

Translation: "\"Lao Tie, help protect them… ha, weal and woe shared… for them, a single drop of Great Witch's Essence Blood would be enough to push them to an extremely high realm, right? \""

Wu Tie listened to the sounds of bone and flesh breaking within the seven, and couldn't help but laugh with schadenfreude.

Translation: "Wu Tie listened to the sound of bones and flesh breaking within the seven, and couldn't help but laugh with schadenfreude."

After laughing for a while, Wu Tie seized the witch maiden who kept waving her hands, spat out two thumb‑sized drops of essence blood that likewise merged into her chest.

Translation: "After laughing a while, Wu Tie seized the witch maiden constantly waving her hands, spat out two thumb‑sized drops of essence blood, and likewise merged them into her chest."

The witch maiden, smiling all over, planted a kiss on Wu Tie's face; then her smile faded, her brows furrowed as she sat cross‑legged on his shoulder.

Translation: "The witch maiden, smiling all over, gave Wu Tie's cheek a peck; then her smile changed, her brows knotted, and she sat cross‑legged on his shoulder."

Inside the witch maiden, the same piercing sound of bone and flesh breaking was heard.

Translation: "Inside the witch maiden, the same piercing sound of breaking bones and flesh was heard."

Wu Tie carefully placed the witch maiden beside Shi Fei and the others; Old Tie then poured down black divine light that enveloped their bodies, helping to suppress the rampaging great witch essence blood within them.

Translation: "Wu Tie carefully placed the witch maiden beside Shi Fei and the others; Lao Tie showered black divine light over them, wrapping their bodies to help suppress the rampant Great Witch's Essence Blood within."

After observing the group for a while, Wu Tie noticed that under Old Tie's protection their breath was steadily rising and their bodies were relatively stable, whereupon he nodded in reassurance.

Translation: "Wu Tie observed the group for a moment, noticing that under Lao Tie's protection their breath was steadily rising and their bodies relatively stable, whereupon he nodded in relief."

Without paying attention to the witch maiden, Wu Tie lightly tapped the foreheads of Shi Fei and the others, imparting some divine ability secrets into their minds for them to ponder and cultivate; then he turned and walked toward the not‑distant Taotie Jia, Great Snake Yi, and others who were imprisoned.

Translation: "Without paying attention to the witch maiden, Wu Tie lightly tapped the foreheads of Shi Fei and the others, imparting some divine‑ability secrets into their minds for them to ponder and cultivate; then he turned and walked toward the not‑far‑away Taotie Ying, Da She Yi, and others who were imprisoned."

Seeing Taotie Jia and the others imprisoned for one and a half months, unable to move at all, Wu Tie pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and released the seal on Taotie Jia.

Translation: "Seeing Taotie Ying and the others imprisoned for one and a half months, unable to move at all, Wu Tie pondered, then waved a hand to release the seal on Taotie Ying."

Taotie Jia leapt up violently and swung a fist straight at Wu Tie's throat.

Translation: "Taotie Ying leapt up violently and swung a fist toward Wu Tie's throat."

Wu Tie stared at Taotie Jia, his body utterly still.

Translation: "Wu Tie gazed at Taotie Ying, his body utterly still."

Taotie Jia's all‑out punch struck Wu Tie's throat with a crisp crack, shattering the five fingers of his right hand; he howled in agony, clutching his crushed palm as he crouched on the ground.

Translation: "Taotie Ying's all‑out punch struck Wu Tie's throat with a crisp crack; his right hand's five fingers shattered, and he howled in agony, clutching his crushed palm as he crouched on the ground."

Wu Tie rubbed his slightly sore throat, grabbed Taotie Jia's neck, lifted him up, and pummeled his belly with three consecutive punches from his right hand.

Translation: "Wu Tie rubbed his slightly sore throat, seized Taotie Ying's neck, lifted him up, and hammered his belly with three consecutive punches."

Beaten, Taotie Jia whimpered like a puppy, tears streaming down his face, trembling as he looked at Wu Tie, his eyes filled with extreme hatred and bewilderment.

Translation: "Taotie Ying whimpered like a puppy, tears streaming down his face, trembling as he looked at Wu Tie, his eyes filled with extreme hatred and bewilderment."

In just a few days, how did Wu Tie become so powerful?

Translation: "In just a few days, how did Wu Tie become so powerful?"

Taotie Jia before him was utterly powerless, like an infant!

Translation: "Before Wu Tie, Taotie Ying was utterly powerless, like an infant!"

"Taotie Jia, I am preparing to go on a journey… to me you are a burden, so I intend to dispose of you and Wa Yao, then set out without worry."

Translation: "\"Taotie Ying, I intend to travel far… to me you are a burden, so I plan to dispose of you and Wa Ying, then set out without worry. \""

Wu Tie looked at Taotie Jia candidly: "Tell me, what use are you to me? If you can't convince me, I'll kill you."

Translation: "Wu Tie looked at Taotie Ying candidly: \"Tell me, what use are you to me? If you can't convince me, I'll strike a killing blow. \""

Wu Tie laughed brightly.

Translation: "Wu Tie laughed brightly."

He was indeed preparing to set out on a journey.

Translation: "He was indeed preparing to set out."

He wants to go to the Three Linked Realm, he wants to find Grey Master, and at the same time, he still has to fulfill Lord Sa's commission.