Chapter 360: The Mysterious Stone Cottage, The Hidden Secrets of Wu Kingdom

Chapter 360: The Mysterious Stone Cottage, The Hidden Secrets of Wu Kingdom

With Xu Yan's return, the strength of the Great Wilderness would undoubtedly reach new heights, and with a broad path ahead, their power would be incomparable to the Spirit Realm in a few years.

All the powerful beings were confident and determined to make the Great Wilderness proud.

Once the Great Wilderness becomes powerful, we will show the warriors of the Spirit Realm that our Great Wilderness cannot be trampled upon!

At Duke Dou's mansion, Dou Yuying returned with Cuidi'er.

After all, this was her home, and her father and grandfather adored her.

Duke Dou was overjoyed. Although he held a prominent position in the Great Wilderness, his strength was not top-notch, and he owed it all to Dou Yuying.

Now that Dou Yuying had returned and brought back treasures, as well as the path to cultivation pointed out by Xu Yan, the status of Duke Dou's mansion would be firmly established.

Moreover, most of the powerful beings in the Great Wilderness now knew about the relationship between Dou Yuying and Xu Yan.

Xu Yan's mother even considered her a daughter-in-law.

Everyone was busy, even Yu'er and Cailing'er, who were curious about the different customs and cultures of the Inner and Spirit Realms, explored various places in the Great Wilderness.

As for Li Xuan, he traveled above the clouds of the Great Wilderness, and wherever he went, he tweaked the laws of heaven and earth, even harnessing the power of the Dao.

He enhanced the spiritual energy of the Great Wilderness and made the laws of heaven and earth more vibrant.

Thus, he changed the scarcity of spiritual energy in the Great Wilderness.

To avoid causing any disturbances, these changes were slow and gradual. The spiritual energy would not increase instantly but would rise steadily over time, eventually reaching a concentration comparable to that of the Spirit Realm.

"This is truly exhausting!"

Li Xuan sighed.

Even with his strength, performing such tasks was still tiring.

"With the increase in spiritual energy in the Great Wilderness, the speed of cultivating to the Divine Transcendence Realm will also rise. I wonder what kind of divine abilities the warriors of the Great Wilderness will manifest.

"I'm curious to see what will happen when there are more Divine Transcendence Realm warriors in the Great Wilderness."

Li Xuan's face showed his anticipation.

Of course, with the current development of the Great Wilderness, the first warrior to reach the Divine Transcendence Realm would most likely be Xu Junhe, followed by Kou Ruozhi.

As for the other non-orthodox warriors of the Great Wilderness, they might not be able to attain true divinity, and any divine powers they manifested would probably be false.

"The Great Wilderness still has some geniuses with great potential. With the increase in spiritual energy, the chances of giving birth to more geniuses will also rise."

From south to north and then back to the east, Li Xuan completed his task and sighed inwardly, "It's good to be done with this exhausting task."

Usually, his disciples would handle such tedious tasks, but their insufficient strength left him with no choice but to do it himself.

...

In the borderlands of the Great Wilderness, within the palace of the Wu Kingdom.

In a certain palace, a mysterious stone cottage suddenly echoed with a murmuring voice.

"Who dares to alter the trends of heaven and earth? Who is tampering with the laws of heaven and earth and harnessing the power of the Dao?"

"Who would come to this borderland of the Great Wilderness?"

"Oh no, could it be an enemy? Are they here for me?"

"This won't do. I must hide. Yes, I must conceal myself and never be found out. I must pretend to be dead. Yes, that's it! I must feign death!"

"As long as I pretend to be dead, no one will discover me. That's what I'll do!"

The murmuring voice faded away, leaving the cottage silent once more.

In the palace of the Wu Kingdom, one of the Two Emperors of the Great Wilderness, Emperor Wu, made a rare return.

Although he held only a nominal position and had no real power in the Great Wilderness, he was still one of the Two Emperors, and his status was revered. Even the Cabinet had to respect him according to the rules.

Guo Rongshan, who controlled the Cabinet, always maintained proper etiquette towards Emperor Wu and Emperor Qi, preventing anyone from suggesting the abolition of the Two Emperors.

Emperor Wu held Guo Rongshan in high regard. His status was so exalted that his word carried immense weight in the Great Wilderness, and no one would dare to defy him.

Even the powerful beings, including the Venerated Ones of the Great Wilderness, obeyed only Guo Rongshan's commands.

Despite this, Guo Rongshan maintained a respectful attitude towards Emperor Wu and Emperor Qi, never becoming arrogant or impetuous, and exuding the demeanor of a virtuous and wise ruler.

Whether Guo Rongshan was cultivating the way of virtue or had other motives, Emperor Wu was very satisfied with his behavior.

Of course, neither he nor Emperor Qi would presume to put on airs of being the Two Emperors in front of Guo Rongshan.

Instead, they spent most of their time cultivating their martial arts.

Emperor Wu, who had now almost broken through to the Insightful Void Realm, returned to the land of the Wu Kingdom after stabilizing his strength.

With a leisurely stride and a proud demeanor, he entered the palace and made his way into the stone cottage.

"I, have become a warrior. Surprising, isn't it?"

Emperor Wu laughed wildly.

"You've always been unwilling to impart martial arts, making various excuses to avoid it. Now that I've become a powerful warrior, what do you think?"

The stone cottage remained silent, and the mysterious voice did not respond.

Emperor Wu frowned and said in a deep voice, "Show yourself. Have you perished?"

However, there was no reply from the stone cottage.

Emperor Wu felt annoyed. He had come to boast and provoke the mysterious voice, but now it seemed to be gone?

"That's odd. This mysterious voice has always been here. Why has it suddenly disappeared? Could it be that it's truly dead?"

Emperor Wu was filled with doubt.

The small stone cottage and the mysterious voice were the most closely guarded secrets of the Wu Kingdom's royalty, known only to the reigning emperor of each generation.

"Do you find it unbelievable and fear being mocked by me, so you refuse to speak? Show yourself. Don't you want to know how I became a warrior?"

Emperor Wu persisted, unwilling to give up.

However, no matter what he said or how he provoked, the stone cottage remained silent, without the slightest response.

"Has it truly vanished?"

Emperor Wu frowned as he walked out of the stone cottage, his face filled with confusion.

"Forget it. I don't know what's going on with this thing."

He shook his head. Although he had failed to show off, he didn't consider it a significant matter.

Emperor Wu stayed in the land of the Wu Kingdom for a few days before returning to Great Wilderness City.

As soon as he arrived, he learned of Xu Yan's return from the Spirit Realm and how he had bestowed opportunities upon the Venerated Ones, giving them divine pills and spiritual objects.

"Although I am one of the Two Emperors of the Great Wilderness and hold a revered position, it is difficult for me to obtain such treasures..."

Emperor Wu sighed.

Should I ask Guo Rongshan for the treasures needed to cultivate martial arts? What if it displeases him and he thinks I'm becoming greedy? Won't I be putting myself in a difficult position?

Emperor Wu's heart was filled with worry.

He knew that the only way to suppress Emperor Qi was to obtain precious treasures.

"I can make an exchange!

Emperor Wu's eyes lit up as an idea struck him.

But then he hesitated, "That exalted being stayed in the borderlands for some time. Could he have known about the mysterious stone cottage and the voice within? Now that he has left the borderlands for the Spirit Realm, could his departure be related to the disappearance of the voice?"

Emperor Wu was torn.

He believed that the valuable item he could offer in exchange was the mysterious stone cottage.

But what if the exalted being already knew about the cottage's existence?

Emperor Wu struggled with his decision, unable to make up his mind. He grew agitated, unsure of what to do.

"Wu, let's fight!"

Emperor Qi's arrogant voice rang out.

Chapter 360: The Mysterious Stone Cottage, The Hidden Secrets of Wu Kingdom (Part 2)

The two emperors of the Great Wilderness, Wu Huang and Qi Huang, often had nothing better to do than to compete with each other, but neither could gain the upper hand.

"I'm busy!" Wu Huang bluntly refused.

"You're just scared, aren't you? My strength is superior to yours. Come on, let me beat you up and have some fun!" Qi Huang persisted.

"Hmph, old man Qi. If it weren't for Official Guo showing you favoritism as your lord, giving you special treatment, how could you ever match me?" Wu Huang sneered.

Since Qi Huang insisted on a fight, Wu Huang decided to indulge him, using it as an outlet for his frustration.

"That's only because I earned it with my own abilities!" Qi Huang proudly declared.

The duel between the two emperors of the Great Wilderness commenced in the palace square, an all-too-familiar sight for the palace guards.

In the end, Wu Huang lost the battle, his face bruised and swollen as he wore a dazed expression.

"Old man Qi, how... How is this possible?" Wu Huang exclaimed in disbelief.

Qi Huang swaggered with his head held high. "I, Emperor Qi, have a close relationship with Xu Yan. This time, he guided me and gave me treasures. How could you possibly be my match? From now on, I, Emperor Qi, am the foremost of the two emperors of the Great Wilderness!"

Qi Huang was elated, believing that his wisest decision was to allow Xu Yan to enter the harem and admire the beauties within.

It was said that Xu Yan was tempering his mental state.

As for why he chose to do so in the harem, one could only attribute it to the eccentricities of a prodigy.

Due to this connection, when Xu Yan returned, Qi Huang thickened his skin and requested an audience. During their reunion, he boasted about Xu Yan's unperturbed mental state in the face of the harem's beauties.

His true intention was to seek favors.

After receiving guidance and benefits from Xu Yan, Qi Huang's strength increased, and he came to challenge Wu Huang.

"Hahaha! I am the foremost emperor of the Great Wilderness. How can you compare to me?" Qi Huang boasted as he left.

Wu Huang was left dispirited. Finally, he gritted his teeth and made a decision. He would seek out a master to gain benefits! He had to reclaim his lost dignity!

...

Li Xuan had been busy for more than half a month, but he finally returned to Canglan Island. Seated in a chair, he continued to work on his grand martial arts endeavor.

The compilation of the Divine Martial Tome was ongoing.

The subsequent martial arts cultivation methods were also being continuously refined.

The time for the opening of the Divine Bridge was drawing nearer, signifying that his departure was imminent.

This time, when he left, he didn't know when he would return to the Great Wilderness.

Everything had been arranged, and the development of the Great Wilderness was on the right track. There would be no safety issues, so Xu Yan could embark on his adventures with peace of mind.

Cailing'er and Yu'er had also returned.

"We'll be returning to the Spirit Realm soon," Yun Miaomiao said, looking at the plants and trees on Canglan Island with a hint of reluctance.

Chimei lay next to Xu Mu in the Spirit Fruit Forest, watching as she tinkered with formation diagrams while continuing to teach him literacy and other knowledge.

This farewell would keep them apart for years.

Unexpectedly, on this day, a surprising visitor arrived, seeking an audience.

It was Wu Huang!

He hadn't come to see Xu Yan or Meng Chong and the others, but rather, he had come to seek an audience with the master, Li Xuan.

"Master, should I refuse his request?" Xu Junhe asked.

"Let him come in," Li Xuan replied after a moment's thought. He wanted to see what Wu Huang wanted from him.

The reason Li Xuan agreed to see Wu Huang was that he had thought of the Book of Tai Cang, which had been discovered in Wu Huang's royal family's collection.

Perhaps it was fate.

Wu Huang followed Xu Junhe nervously and excitedly, his steps in perfect unison with the young man's. Upon reaching the master, he immediately prostrated himself.

"Greetings, Master!" Wu Huang bowed respectfully.

"Rise. What brings you to seek me?" Li Xuan asked calmly.

Wu Huang lifted his head and glanced at Xu Junhe, who stood beside him, looking hesitant.

Xu Junhe's mouth twitched. Was Wu Huang here to file a complaint? Did he fear that Xu Junhe would overhear? He bowed to Li Xuan and then turned to leave.

Li Xuan smiled and said, "Speak. What is this matter that you keep so secret?"

"Master, there is a hidden place in my palace in Wu Kingdom—a small stone cottage. It's very peculiar, and there is a mysterious voice inside..." Without hesitation, Wu Huang revealed the secret of the small stone cottage.

Initially, Li Xuan didn't seem to care, listening with a smile as if he was neither surprised nor unaware. However, his heart was already stirred.

A small stone cottage? A mysterious voice?

The borderlands of the Great Wilderness hid such a mysterious place, and it likely had something to do with the secrets of Tai Cang! "Did the Book of Tai Cang appear in Wu Kingdom's collection because of this mysterious voice? Could he be the owner of the Book of Tai Cang?"

As this thought crossed his mind, Li Xuan's heart tightened.

The owner of the Book of Tai Cang was undoubtedly extremely powerful.

However, based on what Wu Huang had shared, the mysterious voice seemed unable to leave the stone cottage and didn't possess any offensive capabilities.

It seemed to be restrained or even sealed.

"...But recently, the voice has disappeared. No matter how I call out, there is no response," Wu Huang finished anxiously, quietly observing the master's expression.

The master sat there, his expression calm, a perpetual smile on his face, showing neither astonishment nor surprise, as if he had known about this secret all along.

"As expected! Master, you already know about this. How could the secrets of the borderlands be hidden from you?" Wu Huang felt dejected.

"Since it's a secret of your Wu Kingdom, then keep it guarded well, and don't speak of it to others," Li Xuan said after Wu Huang finished speaking.

"Yes, Master, I understand!" Wu Huang's heart sank. The master indeed knew about this so-called secret, and he was telling him that since it was a family heirloom, he shouldn't spread it around.

He had also seen through Wu Huang's intentions—that he had revealed the secret in hopes of gaining benefits.

In that moment, Wu Huang felt ashamed and regretted his decision, worried that he had left a bad impression on the master!

"Take these and cultivate well!" Li Xuan waved his hand, and a small booklet and a bottle of pills appeared in front of Wu Huang.

The small booklet, of course, contained martial arts techniques—simple ones, but extremely powerful for martial artists like Wu Huang. Once he cultivated them successfully, his strength would surge at the same realm.

The pills were also for cultivation and were of a high grade, sufficient for Wu Huang's cultivation needs.

Wu Huang's talent couldn't be considered poor, but it wasn't exceptionally good either, falling short of Xu Junhe's and Kou Ruozhi's. With these martial arts techniques and pills, however, he would still be far behind Xu Junhe and the others.

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Wu Huang was overjoyed.

His eyes grew moist. A master was indeed a master, possessing a heart as vast as the heavens and the earth, not holding his small thoughts against him but instead fulfilling his modest wishes.

Wu Huang gratefully accepted the small booklet and pills, bowing and kowtowing as he said, "Your disciple will definitely heed your teachings, Master, and guard this secret closely. I will never reveal even a hint of it!"

"Good," Li Xuan nodded, expressing his satisfaction with Wu Huang's attitude.

After this, he believed that Wu Huang wouldn't mention the mysterious stone cottage to anyone else.

As for killing to silence him, Li Xuan scoffed at the idea of doing such a thing for a mere secret. Moreover, with Wu Huang guarding it, it would be even harder for outsiders to discover the cottage's secrets.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end