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Chapter 389: Dragonwood Sea
Chapter 389: Dragonwood Sea
Chen Mu and Yan Hong traveled together, not out of idleness, but because he had deduced that Yan Hong was likely from the Central State's royal family, possibly a princess or a county lord, and she possessed almost the skill of a top-tier grandmaster. She must have a wealth of secret knowledge about Great Xuan and the world, which Chen Mu was eager to learn.
Chen Mu had risen from the Cold North, and although he had engaged in deep conversations with Qin Mengjun and Yin Heng, his understanding of this world was still limited. After all, most of his time was spent in arduous cultivation, and before this journey to the outer sea, he had only traveled through Jade Province and Ice Province.
They traveled together.
Chen Mu calmly asked Yan Hong about the things he wanted to know, such as the situation beyond Great Xuan's borders and the martial chaos of thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago. Yan Hong was very open and shared everything she knew about the border regions and ancient history, allowing Chen Mu to gradually gain a deeper understanding of Great Xuan's territories.
The two of them traveled far into the deep sea, occasionally encountering attacks from various demons, including a seventh-tier demon king. However, Chen Mu rarely took action, and Yan Hong effortlessly eliminated them with a snap of her fingers.
While the outer sea was treacherous, it was manageable for nearly top-tier grandmasters like them. Except for extremely dangerous areas and the rare ninth-tier Heavenly Demons, there were few threats that could pose a real danger.
After six or seven days of traveling.
Chen Mu and Yan Hong finally reached the Dragonwood Sea.
As soon as they entered this sea area, Chen Mu felt a subtle difference. On the one hand, the Heaven and Earth energy in this sea area was more orderly compared to the chaotic and disorderly energy in other sea areas. On the other hand, the vitality of the world here seemed more vibrant.
The Dragonwood Sea was not just a single main island; it consisted of dozens of islands, with Dragonwood Island at its center, forming a vast sea area. Some of these islands were also extremely large, almost like small continents, supporting populations of several million or even tens of millions.
Of course, it wasn't just the size of the islands that allowed ordinary people to thrive; it was also because this sea area was under the control of Dragonwood Island. With the presence of the Dragonwood Island Master and the Tide Listening Cliff, even seventh and eighth-tier demon kings from the outer sea knew better than to invade this area, making it relatively peaceful.
In the sea.
Two figures moved forward side by side.
"So, the imperial court didn't incorporate the outer sea into its governance not because it couldn't, but because it didn't want to," Chen Mu said, gazing at Yan Hong beside him, deep in thought.
Yan Hong nodded slightly and said, "The Martial Emperor had already pacified the land, and his achievements were unparalleled. Although the three major sects in the outer sea have a long heritage, they are not a match for the entire Great Xuan. Conquering the outer sea would be meaningless, and even if it were possible to govern such a situation, it would require a massive expenditure of resources with no guarantee of success."
"Indeed," Chen Mu acknowledged with a slight nod. "Different circumstances lead to different developments. We can't generalize and forcefully conquer the outer sea. While it might be possible to bring most regions under control in the short term, over time, they would still split due to mutual isolation."
Interestingly, when Chen Mu and Yin Heng had discussed the outer sea, Yin Heng had mentioned that Great Xuan's Martial Emperor, Ji Hao, failed to rule over the outer sea due to resistance from the three major sects, and the matter was eventually dropped. However, Yan Hong's perspective differed slightly, suggesting that it wasn't that they couldn't, but that they didn't want to.
In reality.
Chen Mu leaned more towards Yan Hong's explanation.
The three major sects in the outer sea were indeed powerful, with numerous Blood Exchange Realm Supreme Elders and an unbroken lineage of Heaven Person Realm experts. It was plausible that they could collectively resist Ji Hao, but at that time, Ji Hao had already unified the entire Great Xuan, with all ninety-nine states submitting to the imperial court. The combined might of Great Xuan far surpassed what the three sects could handle.
However, the unique environment of the outer sea didn't necessitate forceful conquest and rule. Even in the relatively peaceful Dragonwood Sea, most people on two nearby islands would never be able to cross the vast sea to reach the other island in their lifetime.
With hundreds of islands, hundreds of languages, and hundreds of ecosystems, even if they were forcefully conquered and unified, it would take an extensive amount of time to gradually assimilate them. Any slight change in circumstances could lead to a return to chaos, making the endeavor meaningless.
Instead, the three great sects remain high and mighty, allowing the Hundred Kingdoms of the Outer Sea to stand on their own, governing without direct control, which is more suitable for the ecological balance of the Outer Sea.
"Brother Mu's words are indeed wise."
Yan Hong looked at Chen Mu and said, "I see that Brother Mu has unique insights into state governance. Why not go to the Central State and show your mettle? I come from a prominent family and can certainly recommend Brother Mu to serve in the court."
Chen Mu shook his head and replied, "My insights are merely borrowed from others, mere armchair theories. Besides, I am a wandering hermit, used to a life of leisure and freedom. I only seek personal contentment and have little interest in governing the world."
Upon hearing Chen Mu's words, a hint of regret flashed in Yan Hong's eyes, but she still nodded and said, "Brother Mu has a broad and honest heart. Once the matters on Dragonwood Island are concluded, if you have the leisure and interest, do come to the Central State for a tour. I can certainly extend my hospitality."
Chen Mu glanced at Yan Hong, about to respond, when his gaze suddenly paused, turning his eyes upward.
At the same time.
Yan Hong also quickly sensed something and looked up. She saw a magnificent golden ship cutting through the waves a hundred feet above the sea, remaining steady despite the towering waves.
The surging waves were not suppressed by human effort but by the ship itself, which emitted a sense of oppression, with the power of heaven and earth naturally surrounding it, breaking through obstacles as it sailed forward.
"That's the Golden Sea Vessel from Tide Listening Cliff."
Yan Hong gazed at the ship slicing through the sea, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "It is said that Tide Listening Cliff has three treasure vessels, one of which is the Golden Sea Vessel. It can navigate the stormy seas of the Outer Sea, its entire body made of treasure-grade materials, and the ship itself can be considered a spirit weapon. It is one of the few vessels in the Outer Sea capable of crossing the vast ocean."
"Creating such a spirit vessel is indeed no easy feat."
Chen Mu examined the ship for a moment and made his assessment.
Although the spirit vessel was not enormous, its entire body was made of precious materials, at least of the quality needed to forge spirit weapons. The cost of materials and effort to build the entire vessel was immeasurable, and its overall value far exceeded that of a typical superior-grade spirit weapon.
As Yan Hong mentioned, Tide Listening Cliff, an ancient and powerful sect with a thousand-year legacy, had only three such vessels.
"Perhaps it's here to ferry people for the Seekwood Heavenly Realm matter..."
Yan Hong came back to her senses and looked at Chen Mu. "We have reached the Dragonwood Sea. If Brother Mu has urgent matters, we should part ways for now?"
"Alright."
Chen Mu responded calmly, gave a slight bow to Yan Hong, and then stepped forward, quickly disappearing into the sea.
Yan Hong stood there, gazing at Chen Mu's retreating back, deep in thought.
After a moment.
Swish! Swish!!
Four or five figures rapidly converged from different directions, quickly gathering around Yan Hong. Each of them exuded a profound aura, clearly all grandmasters and strong ones at that.
The leader among them had a thick aura, slightly more powerful than Yan Hong. He was an elderly man with grayish-white beard, and he stroked it as he said to Yan Hong, "Ke and Wu have not yet arrived, but they should be here in the next couple of days... Your Highness, who was that person just now? I found his aura unfamiliar, and his breath control technique is extraordinary, even I could not fully grasp it."
Yan Hong reined in her gaze and shook her head slightly. "We met by chance. He says he is from Great Xuan, which is likely true, but he is probably concealing his identity. There's no need to pry too much."
Yan Zhengyang stroked his beard and said, "This person is no ordinary grandmaster. Your Highness should also be cautious."
Yan Hong replied calmly, "I have my own judgment."
Given her status, she did not usually pay much attention to ordinary grandmasters. However, earlier, she had seen Chen Mu in action, and from her perspective, he was far from an ordinary grandmaster. He might be a top-tier grandmaster, making him worth befriending.
After all, in the vast and populous realm of Great Xuan, with its ninety-nine provinces, bone marrow washing grandmasters were numerous, but those who reached the top-tier grandmaster level were few, numbering only a hundred or so across the entire realm, with no more than thirty gathered in the Central State.
Among these, the younger ones with the potential to reach the Blood Exchange Realm were even fewer. Even her elder brothers, the princes, were willing to befriend one or two such individuals. While she had no intention of recruiting talent, forming connections was never a bad thing. If she could leave a good impression, it might help if the person eventually reached the Blood Exchange Realm.
The age of grandmasters was difficult to judge by appearance, but after spending a few days with Chen Mu, she could roughly estimate that he was not very old. The questions he asked about old matters were known to most grandmasters who were older.
(End of Chapter)
The young and talented Grandmaster was indeed worth befriending.
"When will the Prince be arriving?" asked Yan Hong after a brief moment of contemplation, addressing Yan Zhengyang.
Yan Zhengyang bowed respectfully and replied, "I was just about to discuss this with Your Highness. Prince Yan has other important matters to attend to, so he won't be participating in the Seekwood Heavenly Realm expedition. Most likely, the other princes won't be joining either."
"Oh?" Yan Hong was slightly taken aback. "What has happened?"
Yan Zhengyang explained, "Your Highness has been traveling in the outer seas recently and might not be aware of certain events. Not long ago, there were some incidents in the Ice Province of Cold North, and now the princes and various parties are paying close attention..."
As Yan Zhengyang narrated, a look of surprise gradually appeared in Yan Hong's eyes.
Chen Mu, the Heaven-Earth Grandmaster, the Sky Demon Ancestor... and even the Qiuan Sect, such prominent figures appearing in the remote Cold North region was indeed surprising. Compared to this, the invitation from the Dragonwood Island Master and the Seekwood Heavenly Realm expedition seemed less significant.
"What does Your Highness think?" Yan Zhengyang asked.
Yan Hong's eyes flickered with contemplation, but she soon calmed down and said, "This matter does not concern me. Since he won't be coming, I'll handle the Dragonwood Island matter myself. Yan Lao, you can proceed with the original plan to gather the necessary personnel."
"Very well," Yan Zhengyang nodded slightly. "However, if Prince Yan doesn't join us, our forces might be slightly inadequate. We should exercise extra caution, and Your Highness can also invite a few more experts to accompany us."
"I'll give it a try," Yan Hong said thoughtfully.
The court was as deep as the ocean, and although Yan Hong was of royal descent, among the princes close to her, only Prince Yan was a trusted ally. In the Eight Kings, while Prince Jin was the strongest, Prince Yan was also one of the top ten World-Class Grandmasters in the realm.
With Prince Yan leading the group, the expedition to the Seekwood Heavenly Realm would be much safer. Even if they encountered the Spirit People Ancestor, they could handle it. Without Prince Yan, the team would be significantly weaker, and even inviting a few more top-tier Grandmasters couldn't compare to having a World-Class Grandmaster.
But with the situation as it was, they could only make do.
"What about that person from earlier?" someone suggested.
Yan Hong nodded slightly. "He doesn't know about the Seekwood Heavenly Realm, and he's here for other matters. But now that he's aware, he's likely to join us. If any of you have acquaintances, you can reach out to them as well."
"Understood," the group responded.
...
In the middle of the sea, Chen Mu traveled alone, silently aware of the people gathering behind him without showing any reaction. However, he didn't pay much attention as he had already determined they were only Grandmaster-level figures unrelated to him.
His intuition seemed correct; the person with the alias 'Yan Hong' was indeed extraordinary. To respond to the Dragonwood Island Master's invitation, she had probably gathered many experts to collaborate.
But Chen Mu quickly dismissed these thoughts.
"Wood Seeking Spirit Liquid..." Chen Mu's expression turned thoughtful.
He had come to the outer seas for two reasons: to follow up on the information about the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl provided by Flower Petal and Moon Petal, and to gather resources from the outer seas, especially spiritual objects that could enhance his Battle Body cultivation through Body Tempering.
The Wood Seeking Spirit Liquid was extremely valuable and had a wide range of uses. Conveniently, one of its purposes was precisely to temper the Battle Body!
This was exactly what Chen Mu needed at the moment.
If he could obtain a sufficient quantity of Wood Seeking Spirit Liquid, he could not only perfect his Heaven-Earth Body but also have the means to push it to its limits! Once his Heaven-Earth Body was tempered to the extreme, based on past experience, breaking through the Blood Exchange Barrier would be a breeze. At that point, he wouldn't claim to be invincible, but he would fear nothing in the world and no longer need to hide his true identity and capabilities.
"Is this the divine order of the universe at play?" Chen Mu wondered.
Flower Petal and Moon Petal were willing to help him by searching for the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl in the outer seas. Coincidentally, as he arrived in pursuit of information, he also stumbled upon the opening of the Seekwood Heavenly Realm.
Perhaps there was truth to the concept of heavenly principles and divine order.
However, this thought merely flashed through Chen Mu's mind. He had never concerned himself with heavenly principles or divine order; even if they existed, they were just an added bonus to him.
His achievements today were solely due to his own efforts and never the result of some vague heavenly mandate.
(End)
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