Chapter 192: Prayer and Wager

Chapter 192: Prayer and Wager

Lin Tanian heard Gu Chensha still humiliating their lineage, and in his rage, he laughed and said, "Are you at the threshold of a Vassal King? What audacity! Even a Vassal King at the Apex doesn't have the qualifications to say such words! Is it possible that your junior brother has already obtained the qualification to challenge the Forbidden Gate?"

The Great Crimson Heaven Palace entered the Eight Palaces and became the Ninth Palace, but this was just a matter of thousands of years ago.

Compared to the long history of the Eight Palaces, this time was just the beginning.

The number of civilizations that surrendered to the Great Crimson Heaven Palace was scarce, with only a few second-class civilizations.

And with the foundation and bloodline of a second-class civilization, the highest genius they could produce was just a Vassal King.

Only with the foundation of a first-class civilization and its inheritance system could a talent beyond the Apex Vassal King be nurtured.

In theory, the Vassal King realm is the ultimate realm that a True Seed cultivator can cross into. However, due to factors like racial talents, secret arts, and others, some Vassal King martial artists among them have battle power far surpassing other Vassal Kings, touching upon the extreme of battle power in this realm.

After saying this, this person directly walked out of the palace.

At one, six, one, nine? One book, one, look, one, wrong version%!"

Someone spoke up, "Gu Shidi, why bother with this? We're not trying to get something for nothing. I heard that Ji Shidi needs some followers? I can offer a Marquis Seal martial artist from Yuan Dong Tian Palace."

Although he was around the same age as Gu Chensha, he was of the generation of a Patriarch, just a junior disciple following his master. There was no shame in being humiliated by his master.

The feeling he got here was like that of a study hall.

Upon hearing Lu Shixiong's words, Ji Jingqiu was overjoyed, never expecting him to actually find it.

Although the various civilizations later rediscovered the path of technological development, establishing a basic technological foundation, the "precedent" of their initial descent into the Nine Provinces made everyone stop exploring this path at the stage of establishing a basic technological foundation, and they reached a consensus—individual power was the most reliable evolutionary path!

In fact, for the hundreds of civilizations within the dominion of the Nine Palaces, the Nine Palaces built on the nine enormous floating lands were like nine holy lands.

The morning sun shone, and with the tall tower at the center, the small paths extending in four directions were covered by trees, their shadows dancing on the road, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere. It was rare to see a few disciples of the Great Crimson Heaven Palace passing through the shadows, heading towards the Library Tower.

But that person had never appeared, and the several Shixiongs and Shishu of the Great Crimson Heaven Palace had never revealed anything. Instead, they had been uncharacteristically running back and forth to the main warehouse of the Nine Palaces, picking and choosing.

Seeing this, everyone originally thought that the Great Crimson Heaven Palace had found a good seedling and was going to cultivate them wholeheartedly.

The complexity of this Ancient Road far exceeded his imagination.

With his mental cultivation at the Steadfast stage, external objects were already useless, and the next step was to comprehend the profound mysteries of the unity of heaven and man, thus advancing to the Embryonic Breathing stage.

Impossible! Breaking through the Forbidden Sequence would attract the descent of the Floating Hell Province, causing a huge disturbance that lasted for a long time. It was impossible for the Floating Hell Province to quietly produce a Forbidden Sequence cultivator without any prior signs.

However, this matter couldn't be blamed on Lin Shidi.

Ji Jingqiu originally wanted to decline politely, but the several Shixiongs and Shishu waved their hands, saying that even if it wasn't beneficial, just smelling the scent was extremely pleasant.

Of course, it could also be a tree.

Seeing Gu Chensha shake his head, Lin Tanian immediately wanted to mock him back, but thinking of the juniors behind him, he could only endure the humiliation and forcefully suppress his anger, saying in a deep voice:

Lu Tong said, "At the True Seed stage, you're progressing too comprehensively. I went to the main warehouse again yesterday and couldn't find any resources useful to you at the moment, so I casually took some Divine Substance. Here, remember to refine it later."

Jin Xi's nose twitched slightly, smelling the Calming Incense in the air, and she felt her mind becoming clear and calm, and her cultivation speed increased significantly.

Above the Celestial Beings is the Heaven King.

After all, the Floating Hell Province alone has thousands of civilizations.

This attitude made Lin Tanian shudder.

The Ancient Road of the Nine Provinces is essentially a collection of countless Inner Worlds and Secondary Universe Planes.

"Don't rush, take it slow. There's no need to be too hasty in your pursuit," Lu Tong said sternly. "The nurturing of innate talents doesn't need to be rushed either. It's fine to take it slow."

Not until adulthood did innate talents appear.

Lin Tanian gritted his teeth and said, "Gu Shidi, now that things have come to this, tell me, is your junior brother your master's offspring?"

Under their enthusiasm, Ji Jingqiu went around carrying an accompanying incense burner.

Lu Zhen seriously signed the contract, his name written in his heart, feeling both joy and a bit of disappointment.

On the way back to the Great Crimson Heaven Palace, Ji Jingqiu specifically asked Shixiong Qian Chong.

...

"How's your understanding of the Ancient Road coming along?"

For a first-class civilization, such a heaven-defying martial artist is extremely rare, with only one appearing every few generations.

"It's possible. Let Xiao Qian run an errand for you. You don't need to go back, it's a waste of time to go back and forth. The opening of the Ancient Road is near."

Lu Tong said, his face younger than Ji Jingqiu's, and he smiled very brightly at this moment, "You can consider it a warm-up before entering the Ancient Road."

Gu Chensha glanced at him and shook his head, "This joke isn't funny."

"Hmm, you also need to remember the 'Enemy List' we prepared for you! Some of the people on it are the descendants of the enemies of your master and my master. As the representative of our younger generation, you should continue to suppress them!"

If that long-rumored but never-seen Ji Shidi was indeed Gu Shishu's offspring, then everything would make sense.

The Great Crimson Heaven Palace didn't plan to boast about this, but they also wouldn't deliberately hide it.

Ji Jingqiu sat at the top of the Library Tower, looking up at the high heavens.

If anyone was to blame, it would be Lin Shidi for having too little imagination, desperately guessing and only able to guess "the qualification to challenge the Forbidden Sequence."

Lu Tong readily agreed, not feeling any heartache since it wasn't him who collected it.

Previously, the several Shixiongs and Shishu had told him to ask if he had any requests.

Taking resources from the Eight Palaces through their relationship with the Great Crimson Heaven Palace was perfectly reasonable.

Above the Heaven King are two paths, one leading to Deity, the other to Tyrant.

He showed concern, "Your influence in the Federation is still too thin. You should gather some people."

In Lu Tong's opinion, the Great Crimson Heaven Palace needed to befriend the Federation in the future to use it as a transit point to the Great Universe.

Ji Jingqiu had already crossed the Forbidden Threshold.

Gu Chensha nodded, seeing that this child indeed had some potential, he patiently instructed him, "You're more sensible than Lin Shidi. Being able to become my junior brother's follower is indeed the greatest fortune you'll encounter in this life. After entering the Ancient Road, remember to stay by his side..."

This involved his development in the Divine Journey Realm, determining how splendid a "flower" he could bloom.

From various aspects, the Nine Palaces and the hundreds of civilizations under its rule have long been closely intertwined and interdependent.

Lin Tanian stared at the departing figure, lost in thought, before shaking his head vigorously.

Even after ten thousand years, on the land of Floating Hell Province, there were still followers of La Zang, praying day and night without rest.

In the Nine Provinces, those who followed the path of bloodlines, born with the Ancestor Bloodline, and possessing the Bloodline Battle Body, were nurtured by Innate Talent on a yearly basis.

This progress came from his constant adaptation to the rules of the Nine Provinces.

Among them, the most fascinating was the tale of his master's youthful adventures on the Heritage Ancient Path.

The combination of the three made Ji Jingqiu into a veritable "monster."

When these civilizations collided, it was like a bucket of colorful paints intertwining.

Even the master himself occasionally reminisced about his youthful recklessness.

During this period, the few senior and junior disciples, along with several uncles, thoroughly "researched" Ji Jingqiu.

He... didn't deny it this time?! Gu Chensha suddenly turned his head towards the door, deep in thought, and said, "Junior Brother Lin, forgive me for not seeing you off, but I have some matters to attend to."

This was the so-called "Heavenly Earth Spirit."

This speed could not be considered slow.

But this time, Gu Chensha did not respond.

"It feels like there's still a long way to go before perfection," Ji Jingqiu sensed and said.

However, upon hearing that this warm-up match also had a Spirit Energy that met his expectations, he became somewhat interested.

Although they were both from the Nine Palaces, they still had to follow the proper procedures, to prevent the young man's fickle nature from causing him to break his promise later on.

He gritted his teeth and stepped forward, "Both Ancestors, I am willing to become that Master's follower. Being able to accompany the Master on the Heritage Ancient Path is a blessing for the younger generation!"

Over the past half month, they had spent day and night comforting Ji Jingqiu, thoroughly researching his True Seed Realm, from shock to numbness, and finally understanding the true extent of his abnormality.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became solemn.

But this idea was rejected by Ji Jingqiu, as only he and several senior disciples from the Grand Crimson Palace had the authority to access the top floor of the Library Tower.

The rules of the Nine Provinces were much more flexible than those of the Great Universe, making it easier to break through realms here.

For a moment, everyone was speechless, looking at him in astonishment.

Lu Tong's eyes shone with determination,

"Additionally, I came here to inform you that after some time, the Nine Palaces will hold an internal exchange competition as usual. In the past, the Grand Crimson Palace rarely participated, but since you're here, this time will be different."

However, the latter still maintained the habits of a surface civilization. Many powerful individuals had the custom of wandering and ascetic cultivation, and the social-level technological demands were met through plunder or "tribute" from affiliated civilizations.

That was La Zang's side.

The most severely "injured" in the early stages were several mechanical civilizations that ascended purely through technology, losing most of their civilizational foundation and ten percent of their strength, dropping from first-tier to unranked.

From a young age, he had followed his master, and had seen many elders, hearing old stories from their mouths.

After all, the Forbidden Sequence was an existence beyond the Superscale.

Over the past half month, under the "feeding" of several senior and junior disciples and uncles, his innate talent and supernatural powers rapidly progressed from "budding" to the "mature" stage, just one step away from "perfection" and completion.

The representative of the Grand Crimson Palace had profound eyes, not nodding but also not denying as he had before.

Over the past half month, he had become stronger, though not a qualitative transformation, only gaining some minor benefits in terms of flesh and spirit.

Gu Chensha's face turned stern, "Do you think just anyone is qualified to follow my junior brother? Even He Xiao from your Yuan Dong Tian Palace isn't worthy!"

To distinguish among these Superscale powerhouses, the term "Apex Archduke" was born.

There were two Apex Archdukes in this generation of Yuan Dong Tian Palace, and He Xiao was one of them.

However, these guys picked and chose in the main library, and in the end, they didn't take anything. According to the elders guarding the door, they left shaking their heads, only taking some concentrated divine substances, leaving everyone puzzled.

Before arriving in the Nine Provinces, Ji Jingqiu had imagined that this place would be like a big melting pot.

According to Senior Brother Qian Chong's introduction, the rules of the Nine Provinces were different from those of the Great Universe, not only in terms of martial suppression but also in the underlying rules.

"Jingqiu! Come here!"

The Nine Palaces ruled over hundreds of civilizations, with less than ten first-class civilizations among them. The other eight palaces had their share, and it wasn't even the Grand Crimson Palace's turn.

Lin Tanian's forehead veins were throbbing, and his hands trembled in his sleeves.

"Understood."

Ever since Senior Brother Qian Chong brought Ji Jingqiu back, the upper echelons of the Grand Crimson Palace had put down their work and gathered to see the astonishing choice of Nan Di He Donghuang.

It sounded nice to be a follower, but in reality, it was no different from being a servant.

Ji Jingqiu nodded.

But soon, he gathered his spirits, comforting himself that serving the Master as a junior was not a disgrace.

These civilizations revered the Nine Palaces, enjoying their protection and blessings, while also continuously sending talented individuals from their civilizations to the Nine Palaces for cultivation.

Lastly, there was his incredible Innate Talent.

This resulted in many top technologies from the Great Universe being unable to be realized in the Nine Provinces.

As Ji Jingqiu pondered, someone walked in from outside, shouting, "After entering the Heritage Ancient Path, with your strength, you don't need to hold back. Kill whoever stands in your way! Take those who catch your eye as servants, concubines, or even mounts!"

Half a month ago, the Grand Crimson Palace mysteriously gained a "second-generation disciple," drawing the attention of the other eight palaces.

Seven-Rank Powerhouses could contain a universe within their bodies, and after their deaths, this universe might not disintegrate but instead become a wandering plane similar to a Secondary Universe Plane.

Therefore, for any civilization, every Seven-Rank Powerhouse, whether alive or dead, was a part of their civilizational foundation.

But his requirements were too high. There were still some high-quality Spirit Energies over seven chi, but a nine-chi-nine-chi legendary Spirit Energy was a rare find.

Gu Chensha nodded decisively, "Fair enough. When does the exchange competition start?"

...

Even within the Nine Palaces, there was no stock.

In his opinion, if Gu Chensha wasn't deliberately humiliating him and the others, the greatest possibility was that his so-called junior disciple was actually the offspring of the Grand Crimson Heaven Sovereign. As far as he knew, that Grand Crimson Heaven Sovereign had no bloodline descendants.

...

This was a type of calming incense that was extremely beneficial for spiritual cultivation, and even if one resided in seclusion, they could still benefit from it. However, it was of no use to Ji Jingqiu.

He had just entered the path of martial arts, and now he was being forced to become someone else's follower.

In the Nine Provinces, there was no concept of Grandmasters or Supreme Grandmasters.

The former was an extremely vast cosmic empire, with its territory spanning thousands of stars, and its technological level was even higher than that of the Federation.

Ji Jingqiu held the purple copper incense burner in his hand, its surface emitting a gentle glow. Incense smoke rose from the burner, and without haste or impatience, it reached the depths of his soul, brushing away any spiritual disturbances and leaving a pleasant scent.

Ji Jingqiu put down the book "Spirit Nourishment Theory" and looked outside.

Gu Chensha's thoughts turned to Ji Jingqiu, and he felt like sending him off.

During this time, he had been studying various knowledge about the Ancient Road, all of which were treasures accumulated over countless years by the Nine Palaces.

"Three days later!"

But the Mind-Soul Realm, the Initial Dharmic Ground, and his unique Three-Form Blade Technique, each of these alone was enough to easily create an Apex Archduke.

The representatives of the other eight floating lands looked at each other with deep gazes.

Lu Tong looked at Ji Jingqiu, his eyes shining. He spread out a map in front of Ji Jingqiu and said with a smile, "I finally found this map in my senior brother's secret collection. Take good care of it. If nothing unexpected happens, you can use the coordinates on the map to find two Nine Chi or higher level Spirit Energy separately."

He wanted to give a copy to his senior brother, Shi Xuanzhen, and to his good friend Yue Yourong and the others.

He simply stated his greatest desire.

So Ji Jingqiu told them to continue their cultivation.

However, during this time, Ji Jingqiu had a bit of a headache...

The one who had spoken earlier looked at him with deep eyes and said, "Junior Brother Gu, your words are a bit too bold. How about we make a bet? Let's bet on the upcoming exchange competition. I've heard that you've been searching for superior Heavenly Spirit Energy recently. If your junior brother wins, my Yuan Dong Tian Palace still has a Nine Chi Grade Three Spirit Energy. But if your junior brother loses, we won't ask for much. We just want two spots in the Grand Crimson Heaven Palace. Is that fair?"

Previously in the Great Universe, he had also come into contact with first-class civilizations like the Demon Eye Empire and the Black Sun Tribe.

According to the information revealed by Senior Brother Gu, these nine floating lands were actually part of the manifestation of nine inner universes, representing nine ultimate powers.

These once-thriving cosmic clans were crowded onto the same supercontinent, and many civilizations had completely different living habits, aesthetic concepts, and even consciousness forms, social systems, and technological levels.

The Library Tower was a tall building surrounded by lush trees, which remained verdant all year round without the change of seasons.

"Senior Uncle, can I organize these materials and send a copy back to the Federation?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

"Senior Brother Gu, today I'd like to borrow Lin Tanian from the Grand Crimson Heaven Palace. In the future, if there's anything, I can call on him. If Lin Tanian frowns, he won't have a good death!"

Perhaps due to the presence of Hela in his inner world, these prayers echoed in his ears from time to time.

In terms of strength, these two were merely Marquis Seals, and although they were already quite outstanding for the Canglang Jin clan, they still had a long way to go if they wanted to keep up with him in the future.

Ji Jingqiu was speechless. Senior Uncle Lu became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he were the one entering, deeply immersed in the experience.

"..."

Why was this person more anxious than them? Was he really this confident?

"Do you want me to teach you how to handle matters in the Grand Crimson Heaven Palace?" Gu Chensha's expression turned stern as he swept his gaze towards the representatives of the other eight floating lands. "The spots in the Grand Crimson Heaven Palace, even if they are left unused, are still our own affairs."

"Oh?" Ji Jingqiu wasn't concerned about this initially, as there were no worthy opponents within the Nine Palaces.

Hearing these words, the young man behind him, Lu Tong, was shocked. He was surprised by his ancestor's words, and the emotion in his heart was indescribable.

Given time, Ji Jingqiu might be able to replace the entire Buddha Homeland with his own power!

"How's your Innate Talent coming along?" Lu Tong asked with concern.

It was because he had initially "eaten" too well, raising Ji Jingqiu's expectations in an instant.

When faced with Lin Tanian's questioning, Gu Chensha's expression remained calm, and he simply shook his head.

Lin Tanian huffed, "If you're not Senior Brother Gu's child, and you're not deliberately humiliating us, then you dare to not put the Apex Archduke's disciple in your eyes. Could it be that your junior brother has already entered the Forbidden Sequence?!"

Whether or not it was said, the scent of the incense was indeed quite pleasant.

After giving the young man a few pointers, Gu Chensha's expression turned stern, and he waved his hand, producing a contract.

Not far away, Jin Xi and the others were browsing through the secret art collection.

Even if Ji Jingqiu didn't care, the face of the Grand Crimson Heaven Palace couldn't be lost.

The reason for his rapid progress was twofold. Firstly, he had already reached the Martial Dao and seen the divine, giving birth to his own divine nature. Secondly, he had been nourished by a large amount of divine substances.

"I've gone through the materials provided by Senior Uncle and Senior Brothers. I now have a comprehensive understanding of the Ancient Road's inheritance," Ji Jingqiu said.

A young-looking white-haired youth walked in. He appeared even younger than Ji Jingqiu, but in reality, he was over a thousand years old. His name was Lu Tong.

Self-Proving Innate, Martial Dao and Seeing the Divine—these were all within the normal scope, not exceeding the domain of the Apex Archduke.

The strategic significance of this Innate Talent was beyond imagination.

At this moment, he decided that if he was going to do something, he would do it to the extreme. He would collect the strongest Spirit Energy and create the most powerful Divine Roaming Realm.

"Can't it be tomorrow?"

"Additionally, if there are no surprises, Senior Brother Gu will help you win a strand of the treasured Spirit Energy from Yuan Dong Tian Palace, which should satisfy your request."

Yuan Dong Tian Palace's representative, Yuan Dong, fell silent for a moment, and a sense of unease suddenly arose within him. But the words had already been spoken, and he couldn't take them back.

Gu Chensha calmly said, "There's no difference in a day or two. Senior Brother Yuan can wait."

Everyone was speechless, as Gu Chensha's expression was too calm and he seemed too confident.

Is he acting, or does he really have a ten-thousand percent certainty?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end