Chapter 240: Huantian Alliance

"Star Ginseng Realm, Chen Mo." Chen Mo cupped his hands in return and smiled.

He believed a portion of what the other party said, but he would not reveal his own situation entirely because of it.

"Senior Chen, this junior is Xu Yingping, from the Lingyu Realm." Xu Yingping smiled, bowed, and introduced himself.

He did not know Chen Mo's age, but in the path of cultivation, the one who achieves more comes first.

Since the other party could possess such formidable strength at the Tongmai Realm, he was worthy of the title of Senior.

"Numerous experts from countless worlds have founded the Huantian Alliance in the city, used for experts from many worlds to communicate. Now that you have entered the Return Ruins, Senior, you may also join our Huantian Alliance."

Xu Yingping continued to extend the invitation.

Although many experts currently enter the Return Ruins through Secret Techniques or the Gui Xu Gate within the world,

the number is far fewer compared to the Ancient Heaven and Earth era, and the Return Ruins are also incomparably vast and wide.

Through these Talismans and the surrounding Arrays, the experts of the Huantian Alliance have constructed an area to isolate the influence of the city's rules.

Those who enter through the Gui Xu Gate are fine; most of the Gui Xu Gates were established in ancient times.

Whether it is this cloak or the materials used to draw the Talismans, both are quite special.

And while there are great harvests to be found in many secret lands or rule-governed places, they are also filled with danger.

"Anyone who joins the alliance can receive one for free, but if it is damaged, you must pay to purchase another; one cloak costs five hundred alliance contribution points."

Near these Gui Xu Gates, one does not have to walk far to discover valuable secret lands of the Return Ruins.

Finally, they crossed another street and arrived before a manor.

Therefore, within a certain range, the number of experts that can gather is actually not high.

Joining a faction certainly requires paying something, but by relying on this faction, one can further understand the situation within the Return Ruins, as well as some of the rules within those rule-governed places.

If one is lucky enough to land in a place with human habitation, one can quickly converge with many experts, exchange information, and even cultivate within the Return Ruins to improve oneself.

It allows Martial Artists to communicate and interact freely within this area without worrying about being suppressed by the city's rules.

Relying on one's own strength, even exploring a portion of the territory is an extremely difficult task.

It is for this reason that they are willing to stay in the city to stand guard and patrol, and to save those bound by the city's rules without asking for anything in return.

Even if it is only the first layer, its vastness is beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Because the number of experts entering the Return Ruins is scarce, Xu Yingping and the others can receive a certain reward within the alliance for every person they bring in.

Approaching this place, Xu Yingping also unfastened the cloak on his body, revealing his original appearance.

"Our Huantian Alliance has eight hundred and sixty-seven registered members. Adding you, fellow Daoist, that makes eight hundred and sixty-eight."

Because as a remnant land of the previous epoch, the Return Ruins is truly too large.

"This cloak is called the Absolute Law Treasure Garment, and it is sufficient to isolate the influence of the rules within Wanren City in the vast majority of situations."

The Return Ruins is stable now, so there are not many members stationed here permanently, only about sixty or seventy.

But he did not take off the robe, still wearing it on his body.

Lin Pingyan, who was traveling with him, was a woman, but her appearance was quite heroic, though her figure was plain.

The road in front of the manor was empty, the courtyard gate was tightly shut, and two one-foot-square Talismans were stuck firmly to the door.

Chen Mo reached out to take the cloak and examined it carefully; there were Talismans drawn on the inside of the robe.

Chen Mo also followed Xu Yingping's lead, walking all the way toward the east side of the city.

If one wanted to obtain these things by relying on oneself, the time required would be too long, and it is even possible that one might never find them at all.

It seems this must be the power that is sufficient to allow a Martial Artist to isolate the influence of the city's rules.

Xu Yingping gently pushed open the courtyard gate; the manor covered a quite vast area, fully over a hundred acres.

As for those who enter the Return Ruins through Secret Techniques, they can only rely on luck.

Just like this Wanren City, it is quite valuable; in such a place, countless experts will naturally gather of their own accord.

A considerable portion of the members in the alliance are cultivating in other rule-governed places, so it is difficult to see them under normal circumstances."

The number of pedestrians on both sides of the street gradually decreased, and Chen Mo could also discover that there were Arrays and Talismans in some places, guiding these pedestrians away from this area.

Although Chen Mo's cultivation strength was suppressed to the Tongmai Realm, he could still feel a special power circulating within this cloak.

And if one is unlucky, one can only wander aimlessly in the Return Ruins alone.

Xu Yingping had an ordinary appearance; if thrown onto the street, one might not even notice anything special about him, but the aura he inadvertently revealed made him seem quite upright.

But joining a faction, especially one that has existed for a long time, means these things are no longer problems.

"Then please follow me into the city, Senior." Xu Yingping immediately showed a smile and took a pure white cloak from his Huai to hand to Chen Mo.

Xu Yingping walked beside Chen Mo to lead the way, while introducing it in detail.

Wearing the cloak and walking into the city, the many commoners in the city treated them as if they were nothing.

In addition, it can effectively reduce the rules of other rule-governed places, the material is also sturdy, and it has some protective effects."

"Good." Chen Mo had no reason to refuse this; the Return Ruins was too large and too vast, and he could not explore it alone.

Of course, this hundred-acre manor was only a drop in the ocean compared to the entire city.

The courtyard gate opened, and an old man also wearing a white cloak hurried over.

The old man was robust and had a ruddy complexion; one could tell at a glance that his physical strength was quite strong.

"Elder Ma." Xu Yingping and Lin Pingyan hurriedly cupped their hands and bowed upon seeing the old man.

"I wonder who this is?" Ma Bufan's gaze was slightly suspicious and vigilant as he carefully sized up Chen Mo.

Standing beside him was another person, who was none other than Mo An, whom Xu Yingping had previously entrusted.

"Elder, the situation regarding this matter is complicated." Xu Yingping took the initiative to step forward and explain.

He recounted everything he had seen and heard after meeting Chen Mo.

The expression on Ma Bufan's face changed from initial astonishment to gradual incomprehension, and in the end, it was even somewhat difficult to accept.

He had stayed in this secret realm of the Return Ruins for a very long time.

Naturally, the things he has seen and heard are far more numerous than those of Xu Yingping and the others.

The Wanren City Lord suddenly appearing in the city to spar with a Martial Artist is something he had never heard of before.

If this point only made him feel it was rare—after all, this is a place of rules, and even though their alliance has explored it for many years, they still have not thoroughly figured it out—

then Chen Mo defeating the Wanren City Lord is something he completely does not believe.

Because he has also faced the Wanren City Lord, this powerhouse left over from the previous epoch, and knows how frustratingly powerful they are.

In fact, let alone him, even Xu Yingping took quite some time to accept the matter after seeing with his own eyes that Chen Mo had defeated the Wanren City Lord.

"Is this matter true?" Ma Bufan's tone was somewhat skeptical, if not for the fact that he knew Xu Yingping's character well.

He is currently wondering if these few people have colluded to fool him, this old senior.

"Of course it is true, this junior saw it with his own eyes." Xu Yingping immediately patted his chest to affirm.

Ma Bufan's expression grew increasingly solemn; he nodded slightly and looked at Chen Mo, saying, "Fellow Daoist may join our Huantian Alliance, but there is a rule within our alliance.

Those who join must have their strength verified; the stronger one's strength, the better the treatment one can enjoy within the alliance.

Of course, not having strong strength is not a problem either, as long as one steadily accumulates contributions within the alliance and gradually improves one's rank within the alliance."

Ma Bufan's tone was calm, his gaze still fixed on Chen Mo.

Even now, he does not believe that Chen Mo could truly defeat the Wanren City Lord with ease.

But this is not a big problem; as long as he strikes personally, he will soon be able to test Chen Mo's specific strength.

"Very well, I wonder where the sparring should take place?" A confident smile appeared on Chen Mo's face.

"Please follow me." Ma Bufan spoke, turning to walk toward a corner of the manor.

The three of Xu Yingping followed firmly; apart from them, no one else paid any attention to this matter.

On one hand, although according to what Xu Yingping said, there are sixty or seventy people permanently stationed in the city.

But in reality, a considerable portion of them have been excluded because they have stayed in the Return Ruins for too long.

Furthermore, these people are not idle while staying in the city, whether it is collecting killing Qi in the Hundred Weapons Valley, practicing in various places, or patrolling the city to observe if other Martial Artists have strayed into this place.

Therefore, in most cases, there are only a sparse eleven or twelve people in this hundred-acre manor.

Arriving at the north side of the manor, there is a large open space here, all paved with bluestone.

Weapon racks are placed on both sides of the open space, with many weapons displayed upon them.

These weapons are all very ordinary, without the slightest bit of mystery; one can tell at a glance that they can only be used within the Return Ruins.

"Please." Ma Bufan made a gesture, inviting Chen Mo to choose a weapon for himself.

As for himself, he took out a long spear and flourished it with a beautiful spear-flower.

Chen Mo scanned the area; there were no weapons like a Giant Hammer on the weapon racks.

He then casually picked up a halberd; although his mastery of this weapon could not be called perfect, it was considered proficient.

Ma Bufan did not say anything else, simply setting his stance to prepare for battle.

Even now, although he dared not fully believe that Chen Mo could defeat the Wanren City Lord.

Deep down, he understood that Xu Yingping and the others had no reason to deceive him about this.

This indicates that it was likely true that he defeated the Wanren City Lord, which means his strength is at least two levels higher than his own.

Facing an opponent of this level, he naturally dared not be careless.

Seeing this, Chen Mo also set his starting stance, and Ma Bufan seized the opportunity to attack first.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Mo swept his halberd, and Ma Bufan, along with his spear, was instantly sent flying several zhang away.

Fortunately, the injuries he sustained were not heavy; Chen Mo used a clever force, but this strike was too fast, so fast that he had no chance to react.

The Qi and Blood within Ma Bufan's body surged continuously, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.

He could not even figure out why he had suddenly appeared several zhang away.

He only felt that in a fleeting moment, he had been sent flying.

With his strength, he could not see through Chen Mo's move set at all.

From this, one can also see the power of that Wanren City Lord; in a situation where the gap in strength was so large, he could still exchange blows with Chen Mo.

And even, to a certain extent, make up for the gap between the two through technique.

If the gap were not truly so large, then for Chen Mo to defeat him, it would indeed have taken quite a bit of effort.

Ma Bufan stood stunned in place, pondering carefully, his brows locked tight as he recalled in his mind what had just happened.

How was he defeated in the blink of an eye? Even if he lost, this loss was too fast.

The person involved is confused, and the bystanders are not clear either.

In fact, even Xu Yingping and the others did not see clearly the scene when Chen Mo made his move.

They only saw him move, and immediately after, Ma Bufan was defeated.

Eight hundred thousand catties of Qi and Blood power is an existence that is absolutely impossible to resist at this realm.

With this, Chen Mo can be called invincible in this realm.

"Fellow Daoist has such excellent martial arts and such strong power; this old man admits defeat!"

Ma Bufan gradually came to his senses, no longer pondering how he had been defeated.

He now completely believed that Chen Mo had the ability to easily defeat the Wanren City Lord.

It is mainly that the strength of these two is incomprehensible to him.

Facing them in the same realm, Ma Bufan truly could not imagine it.

Both are in the Tongmai Realm; how could the other party be so strong?

"Within our Huantian Alliance, apart from the Alliance Leader, members are distinguished by Tokens, divided into six grades: Gold Jade, Purple Jade, Ink Jade, Green Jade, Red Jade, and White Jade.

These six grades of Tokens do not strictly have a hierarchy of status. It is just that the higher the grade, the more favorable the price for purchasing heavenly treasures and exchanging for cultivation in secret grounds within the alliance.

The cost to go to secret grounds for exploration and to obtain the rules of the secret grounds is also lower."

Ma Bufan introduced the situation within the gate to Chen Mo while calming his own Qi and Blood.

"With your strength, Fellow Daoist, I believe you can directly receive a Green Jade Token."

He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and then revealed a smile.

The Green Jade Token was the highest-grade token he was authorized to issue; anything higher would require the Alliance Leader to issue it personally.

"Yingping, you first take Fellow Daoist Chen to register and familiarize him with the situation in our building; I am going to prepare the token he needs."

Ma Bufan gave the order, then stepped away, walking toward a small courtyard not far off.

His injuries were not severe, but the Qi and Blood within his body had been constantly surging, which was quite uncomfortable; he needed to find a place to sit in meditation and regulate his breath to heal.

"Yingping understands." Xu Yingping cupped his hands in a salute, turned to look at Chen Mo, and said, "Senior, please follow me."

The two walked side by side to the courtyard in the center of the estate.

Inside this courtyard stood two large stone steles, one of which was about three zhang high and over one zhang wide.

The stele was carved with many words, and Chen Mo was immediately drawn to them at a glance.

"When the Mirage Sea Catastrophe descends, we shall open up small worlds where there is no path, and construct the Heaven and Earth Profound Gate, in order to survive this calamity.

The Secret Techniques to deal with the rules of this place are all stored beneath the stele; those who come later may take them for their own use."

This passage was likely left by a powerhouse from the Ancient Heaven and Earth, though they had not left their name.

"The Mirage Sea Catastrophe has passed, and the world has seen the light of day once more. I have been fortunate enough to enter this place and see the inscriptions of those who came before. I wish to establish the Huantian Alliance, in hopes of being able to change the heavens and earth, and clear away the Mirage Sea Catastrophe for future generations."

This inscription was likely left by the first Alliance Leader of the Huantian Alliance.

From this, it could be seen that the Huantian Alliance was certainly a force with a long heritage, even if some of the information they had uncovered might have been lost through multiple successions.

But its foundation was surely quite extraordinary.

Chen Mo read through the inscriptions on the stele one by one; there were nine inscriptions in total.

This meant that the Mirage Sea Catastrophe had already descended eight times, and this descent was not aimed at a single world, but at the entire Da Tiandi.

Chen Mo estimated the number, and his heart could not help but sink.

Nine is the extreme number; if the Mirage Sea were to descend again, there might be no end to it.

He turned his gaze to the other stele, where a line of small characters was carved at the very top.

"The eighth Mirage Sea Catastrophe, left in the year 1370; the end of the Wanling Realm, completely submerged by the Mirage Sea, with not a single soul surviving."

Below this followed line after line of small characters, all left by worlds completely submerged by the Mirage Sea.

"The most recently submerged world was the Baixuan Realm, one hundred and sixty-four years ago. The Mirage Sea Catastrophe of our era is drawing ever closer," Xu Yingping added, seeing Chen Mo staring intently at the stele.

Mentioning this, even his tone became slightly somber.

Chen Mo nodded lightly without saying anything more.

"Senior, please follow me to register first; I will explain the other situations within the alliance to you in detail later."

Not remaining despondent for long, Xu Yingping quickly recovered.

Although the Mirage Sea Catastrophe was an irresistible force, if one lacked even the ability to endure it, one would never have had the chance to enter the Return Ruins.

While there were no hard requirements for entering the Return Ruins, whether using a Secret Technique or passing through the Gui Xu Gate, it required a certain cost.

Unless one was a top-tier prodigy, no one would be willing to waste resources just to let someone enter for training and cultivation.

"Very well." Chen Mo nodded in agreement and followed him into the house.

(End of chapter)