Chapter 204: Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea · Arrival at Hundred Grass City

Chapter 204: Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea · Arrival at Hundred Grass City

As for Xiao Chen, after shaking off Zhao Hongwen's pursuit, he immediately changed direction and headed back to the Imperial Capital, rushing straight to the Ten Thousand Immortal Pavilion.

Although his original Xuanzong Synchronization Secret Technique was sufficient for evading inspections, passing through checkpoints required cultivating an additional disguise technique.

Under the manager's bewildered gaze at the Ten Thousand Immortal Pavilion, Xiao Chen bypassed the heaven-tier and earth-tier secret techniques entirely, directly selecting the shop's sole yellow-rank disguise technique—the Xuanzong Phantom Form Technique.

"Are you certain you want to choose this Yellow Tier Spell?" The manager stressed the words "yellow rank", unable to resist reminding him, "Normally, it's not my place to speak, but this disguise technique differs from other spells. Even if encountered by an inspection technique of the same tier, there's still a risk of exposure."

In reality, the Xuanzong Phantom Form Technique was placed here merely to nominally complete the four ranks of Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Yellow, serving as a placeholder. Alongside two other mystic-rank disguise techniques, it had sat on the shelf since the shop's opening, gathering dust. The manager couldn't fathom why this wealthy patron would skimp on spending for a spell.

Yet Xiao Chen simply waved his hand, leaving behind ten thousand spirit stones before departing directly.

What followed was the moment to witness the miracle.

Two days later, in a small ravine 150 kilometers north of the Imperial Capital, a middle-aged man with a square face, broad forehead, and thick eyebrows scrutinized his new appearance by a stream.

"Amazing! Even I can't recognize myself. Who'd say this is the same person?" Xiao Chen nodded in satisfaction at his reflection.

Thanks to the hex enhancement, he mastered the technique in just one day, spending another full day refining his physique and features to achieve flawless mimicry. Now, even if the Lihuo Sect gathered, no one could identify him—let alone the Three Great Clans of Jingkong Sea.

"Xuanzong Edict, Lock!" Xiao Chen intoned, solidifying this form.

The Yellow Tier Spell could fix one humanoid or object form. Humanoid allowed impersonation, while object form transformed him into inanimate items like trees or vases. Now, activating the technique would instantly restore this guise, eliminating the need for re-adjustment.

However, for safety, Xiao Chen didn't leave immediately. Instead, he resumed cultivating the Xuanzong Synchronization Secret Technique to mask his spiritual sense fluctuations—a precautionary measure.

Though the hundredfold-enhanced illusion had a 99% chance of resisting detection, the cultivation world thrived on surprises. If the yellow-rank disguise failed, the Xuanzong Synchronization Secret Technique would still help him evade spiritual sense tracking.

Meanwhile, on the eastern border of Xi Lai Country, several large flying vessels hovered near the border, mere dozens of feet from breaching airspace. Blocking their path was Meng Chengze, the Dingjiang King of Xi Lai Country, wielding a golden crescent halberd alongside his two domesticated Jiangxun serpents.

"Fellow Cultivator Meng", Zhao Chenghan called out, "we've received intelligence that a critical fugitive has fled into Xi Lai territory. We request your cooperation."

Dozens of oppressive auras erupted from the vessel in support. The Zhao Clan avoided direct confrontation, fearing interception. With the Three Great Clans united, no ordinary cultivator dared intervene, granting them the opportunity to strike the Imperial Capital.

Yet Meng Chengze refused outright: "Without a sect order, large flying vessels may not enter." Two years ago, he'd have lacked such boldness. But Jin Xia Sect's recent strength surge gave them the confidence to confront the Three Great Clans.

The commotion likely related to the widely circulated million-spirit-stone bounty. Among high-ranking circles, it was no secret that a Foundation Building cultivator named Chen Xiao had likely claimed the true legacy of the Xuantian Immortal Palace. Jin Xia Sect intended to claim its share.

Skyborne birds soon arrived, carrying over twenty Golden Core Zhenren. As they opened spirit beast pouches, thirty three-stage spirit beasts emerged. Observing from the central vessel, the Three Great Clans' patriarchs exchanged grave glances. They hadn't anticipated Jin Xia Sect's spirit beast proliferation.

Thankfully, the Xuantian Immortal Palace's premature opening two years prior had accelerated breakthroughs for younger generations. Otherwise, the power balance might have tipped, costing them resources. Though backed by Pagoda Zhen Jun, they couldn't rely on him constantly.

Meanwhile, Jin Xia Sect's sect master Yuanxia Zhen Ren felt uneasy facing the overwhelming auras. The Three Great Clans' Golden Core cultivators were numerous, their silent cultivation a testament to their strength.

Thankfully, Jin Xia's recent taming breakthroughs secured numerous three-stage spirit beasts, averting national crisis. Years ago, Jingkong Sea had eight sects besides the Three Great Clans. Now, the others were either absorbed or eradicated, leaving neighboring forces wary of further expansion.

Yet with both sides evenly matched, negotiations remained the priority. Time was critical—the hunt for Chen Xiao couldn't wait.

As talks progressed, Zhao Hongwen's latest wanted poster reached Jin Xia Sect. Gui Xia Zhen Ren's eyes widened. This was the young cultivator from the Fu Hai Ship!

He'd seen the old wanted poster, noting Chen Xiao's similar physique. But the poster labeled Chen Xiao as a Foundation Building cultivator, while the Flame Dragon Zhen Ren had easily slain three skyborne birds, making confirmation uncertain.

Now, seeing the updated image, he realized the truth—Feihong Zhenren wasn't surnamed Xiao. It was an alias! The letter itself might even be forged. The opponent had carefully forged a false identity to evade inspections. Truly cunning!

Gui Xia Zhen Ren initially wanted to report this but hesitated. Revealing it would expose his negligence. If the sect investigated, the skyborne bird incident would surface. Even if Chen Xiao was captured, he'd gain no credit—only balanced blame. Better to stay silent.

After a quarter-hour, both sides reached a verbal agreement, launching a joint manhunt within Jin Xia territory. Each pair consisted of a Three Great Clans Golden Core and a Jin Xia Golden Core, mutually monitoring.

As they scoured every mountain and river, Xiao Chen approached Jingkong Sea's checkpoint.

The guarding cultivator greeted the Golden Core with respect: "Cultivator, please step forward for the Zhenbao Mirror."

With Chen Xiao's Golden Core breakthrough confirmed, the four checkpoints installed anti-disguise spiritual artifacts. The Zhenbao Mirror especially countered all illusion techniques. Normally, even heaven-tier disguises would fail before reaching pinnacle mastery.

Yet with the hundredfold enhancement, Xiao Chen's novice Xuanzong Phantom Form Technique resisted detection.

Marveling at numerical superiority, the guard saw the reflection match reality and bowed respectfully: "Chu Clan thanks you for your cooperation. Safe travels."

Passing the checkpoint, Xiao Chen relaxed, leisurely flying away while glancing back. Seeing the Golden Core teams fruitlessly searching, he chuckled: "Hehehe, keep looking. This young master's off!"

With the Three Great Clans' main forces either secluded or reassigned to Xi Lai Country, Jingkong Sea had few Golden Core cultivators.

Xiao Chen even visited Jingkong's largest bazaar, purchasing a sea chart from the Jingkong Tower jointly operated by the Three Great Clans.

The Eastern Territory had a proverb: "The Endless Sea consumes all." Navigating required avoiding high-stage Yao beasts and disasters. Some seas experienced violent thunderstorms potent enough to force Golden Core True Sovereigns to retreat. The Boundary Sea Thunderstorm Xiao Chen encountered was merely moderate.

Other perils included "sea boiling"—vast waters churning like boiling soup with rising steam, only to calm inexplicably. Some seas harbored ghostly mists or mirages, trapping cultivators in illusions. Xiao Chen, however, feared none with his Divine Veil.

Thus, a detailed sea chart marking safe routes was indispensable. Though widely available, Xiao Chen chose Jingkong Tower out of spite. The Three Great Clans sought him but unwittingly provided their collected charts. Victory!

Victory aside, he'd settle accounts later. The Three Great Clans would soon pay for today's actions. Enjoying the Xuantian Immortal Palace secret techniques, did they? Xiao Chen wouldn't mind letting them experience the Yang Fire Seal firsthand. If he collected the Yang Water Seal, perhaps an "ice-and-fire" combo would be fitting.

With the Sea Chart's guidance, the journey proceeded smoothly.

When departing Jingkong Sea, Xiao Chen encountered another checkpoint.

"Esteemed fellow cultivator, please grasp the Truth-Seeking Pearl", instructed the stationed cultivator, gesturing toward a fist-sized pearl radiating soft white light.

"Are you Chen Xiao?"
"No."
"Do you recognize the Chen Xiao depicted in this image?"
"No."
"Do you possess any clues or intelligence regarding Chen Xiao?"
"No."

Xiao Chen shook his head repeatedly, embodying the phrase "three questions, three 'I don't know.'"

The Truth-Seeking Pearl couldn't discern lies directly. Its mechanism relied on a soul-influencing secret technique that compelled truthfulness.

The Wen Clan cultivator guarding the post bowed politely upon hearing the responses. "Thank you for cooperating, fellow cultivator. The Jianhai waters are perilous—travel safely and may fortune favor your journey."

The term "Jianhai" referred to the contested waters between Jingkong Sea and Wanxian Archipelago, a lawless expanse claimed by neither. This region bore many names—Void Sea, Shared Sea, Public Sea, or Unclaimed Sea. Its defining features included sparse islands, negligible spirit veins, and a scarcity of large fish shoals. While minor clans occasionally eked out survival here, the area primarily hosted transient travelers and pirates who preyed upon them.

After all, bandit cultivators remained a thriving, age-old profession in the cultivation world. Carrying a blade naturally stirred killing intent—especially when that blade was a Flying Sword. The Jianhai waters thus harbored an extra layer of danger.

Fortunately, Xiao Chen's escape speed was formidable. Even under normal flight, his aura alone deterred most bandits, sparing him encounters with reckless troublemakers. He traversed the route with minimal delay, reaching Wanxian Archipelago in roughly three days.

The archipelago maintained its own checkpoint, though its security paled in comparison to Jingkong Sea's. Instead of rigorous inspections, a wide corridor allowed passage while stationed cultivators relied on visual scrutiny alone. Xiao Chen surmised this checkpoint served more as symbolic deterrence than practical effectiveness. For him, it proved convenient—crossing Wanxian Archipelago required little effort.

Returning through Jianhai waters yielded no pirate encounters. Eight days later, he arrived at Nanlao Sea's jurisdiction.

The primary destination for this Eastern Territory journey—Baicao Forbidden Realm—lay at the heart of Hundred Grasses Island, slightly westward in the Nanlao Sea. Here, checkpoints vanished entirely. The region's dominant force, Hundred Herbs City, operated uniquely compared to other territories. While most seas were dominated by a single sect or coalition, Hundred Herbs City's control extended only to Hundred Grasses Island itself and six critical third-stage spirit veins. The remaining islands housed numerous clans nominally loyal yet practically independent.

This arrangement stemmed from Baicao Forbidden Realm's history. Long ago, it served as the Holy Pill Sect's exclusive Spirit Medicine Garden. During a routine spirit root assessment, the sect discovered a promising heavenly spirit root. They retrieved it, following tradition by stationing personnel to sever worldly ties.

Fate intervened when a youth harvesting spirit herbs at sea stumbled upon a celestial treasure hidden among underwater corals, evading detection. The Holy Pill Sect perished that day.

The boy, later ascending to True Sovereign, declared Baicao Forbidden Realm open to all cultivators. Over centuries, various powers rose in Nanlao Sea, yet any force attempting to monopolize the forbidden realm inevitably collapsed within a century due to mysterious misfortunes. This pattern became an unspoken curse.

After repeated cycles of power shifts, the latest Nanlao Sea hegemon adopted a new strategy. Abandoning control of the realm, they constructed Hundred Herbs City near its borders. Leveraging the realm's abundant, low-cost spirit herbs, they cultivated a thriving market for pill forging masters. During each realm opening, besides harvesting herbs, they established bustling trade stalls where solitary cultivators exchanged herbs for spirit pills at favorable rates. This indirect control circumvented the curse.

Over time, this evolved into a grand annual event. Countless cultivators flocked to Hundred Grasses Island, hoping to discover rare spirit herbs—three-stage specimens could make foundation-building cultivators wealthy overnight, while fourth-stage treasures promised instant fortune.

Hundred Herbs City further profited by selling herb-harvesting guides and preservation tools, amassing vast spirit stone revenues.

When Xiao Chen arrived, early-arriving cultivators already gathered, particularly those from distant Nanlao Sea islands who erected temporary dwellings in designated zones. City inns proved prohibitively expensive—lodging cost one spirit stone per night.

For Golden Core Zhenren cultivators, the island offered secluded cave mansions, but Xiao Chen opted for a modest inn, posing as a solitary cultivator. Truthfully, he had become half a hermit himself. Lihuo Sect's southern domain offered little support, and unless he encountered Feihong Zhenren in the Eastern Territory, his sect token held minimal value. The vast Eastern Territory made chance meetings with an unfamiliar elder highly improbable.

"Time to focus on cultivation", he mused. The forbidden realm's opening remained half a year away. Since breakthrough to Golden Core, his cultivation had been sporadic—first seeking manuals, then resolving crises at Cangyan Sect and Demon Disaster, followed by concerns over Purple Crystal Bodhi. Though not overtly busy, his journey left little time for dedicated practice. This respite marked his longest cultivation break in years.

"Feels strange—like I've grown rusty." After several celestial cycles of meditation, he struggled to adapt, his focus wavering within half an hour. Fortunately, his rapid cultivation progress soon attracted true mana, anchoring his focus. Two days passed unnoticed as his golden core absorbed another layer of energy.

Cultivation here proved far more comfortable. Eastern Territory's spiritual energy surpassed southern domains, especially on Hundred Grasses Island, which housed a fourth-stage spirit vein. His rented Jiahao Courtyard, though lacking a cave mansion's luxury, featured a two-compound layout with a Spirit Gathering Formation in the main hall, amplifying ambient energy.

Unlike southern domains, where he required spirit herbs to supplement cultivation, this environment eliminated such costs—saving hundreds of spirit stones daily. Even at ten spirit stones per day, the courtyard reduced cultivation expenses by ninety percent.

This disparity highlighted Eastern Territory's superior cultivation ecosystem.

After weeks of focused practice, Xiao Chen finally regained his rhythm. One morning, however, loud gongs and drums erupted outside, followed by a cacophony of voices. Though cultivators could block noise with mana, he decided to venture out. His cultivation phase had lasted long enough, and as a solitary cultivator, gathering intelligence required firsthand observation.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end