https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-394-The-Ebb-and-Flow-of-the-World/13026696/
Chapter 395: Eternal Peace
Chapter 395: Eternal Peace
Dragonwood Island.
A towering tree stood in the center of the island, its branches and roots intertwining like a coiling dragon. This was the legendary Dragonwood, and the island was named after it.
Beneath this towering Dragonwood tree, near its trunk, was a spacious clearing. At this moment, several scattered figures could be seen, some gathered and others dispersed, some sipping tea while others conversed, as if discussing something.
Among them, on one side, stood about a dozen figures led by Yan Hong.
"Your Highness, this is Liu Qingyan, the Grandmaster of Joyful Union Sect, who also wishes to explore the Seekwood Heavenly Realm."
Yan Zhengyang led a youthful woman towards Yan Hong and introduced her. Upon hearing that Liu Qingyan was from the Joyful Union Sect, Yan Hong showed no signs of disdain. Instead, she nodded calmly at Liu Qingyan and said, "If Grandmaster Liu is willing to join us, our team will have a better chance of success."
Liu Qingyan smiled faintly and said, "I don't require much. Just three pounds of Seekwood Spirit Liquid will be enough for me."
The Joyful Union Sect wasn't overly concerned about the exploration of the Seekwood Heavenly Realm, so only Liu Qingyan had come. Naturally, she didn't have much hope of gaining any advantages on her own, so she sought to join a team.
"Three pounds?"
Yan Hong pondered briefly before nodding, "Not too much, not too little. If our journey goes well, it should be enough for Grandmaster Liu's needs."
Seekwood Spirit Liquid wasn't extremely abundant within the Seekwood Heavenly Realm, and three pounds was already a significant amount. Only with an extremely smooth journey would it be possible for everyone to obtain three pounds each. However, when recruiting, it was natural to make the offer sound as appealing as possible.
Liu Qingyan also understood this. Obtaining three pounds of Seekwood Spirit Liquid wouldn't be easy, but to acquire the high-quality Stabilizing Pearl she desired, exactly three pounds of Seekwood Spirit Liquid was required. Yan Hong's team was, in her judgment, the most suitable one to join. After all, she was familiar with most of the team members, and she even had some acquaintance with two of them.
Even if she didn't obtain the full three pounds of Seekwood Spirit Liquid in the end, once they left the Seekwood Heavenly Realm, numerous Grandmasters would come to Dragonwood Island for trading. She could also try to use her own resources to trade for a certain amount of Seekwood Spirit Liquid.
Of course, all this was based on the assumption that the exploration of the Seekwood Heavenly Realm would go smoothly.
Despite the nearly hundred Grandmasters gathered on Dragonwood Island, the Spirit People within the Seekwood Heavenly Realm were not to be underestimated, especially the Spirit People Ancestor, whose power rivaled that of the Blood Replacement Realm. Their intimidation was extremely formidable.
After a brief discussion with Yan Hong, Liu Qingyan joined her team, bringing their total number to fourteen. While not the largest team present, they were still a formidable force.
Yan Zhengyang, standing to the side, observed the newcomer with a focused gaze, and whispered, "That's the Grandmaster from Sea Prison Island. He cultivates the Gentle-Firm Technique, and is a top-tier Grandmaster expert in the Great Xuan's Ninety-Nine States. He's on par with our Great Xuan's World-Class Master."
World-Class Master!
This was a title reserved for those at the pinnacle of the Grandmaster realm. In the vast Great Xuan's Ninety-Nine States, there were barely over ten of them. They were the strongest below the Blood Replacement Realm, almost capable of standing against or even escaping from those in the Blood Replacement Realm.
In reality, this was already an incredible feat. Facing a true Blood Replacement Realm expert, most Grandmasters had no chance of resistance. Surviving even a single attack would be enough to shock the world. A monster like Chen Mu, capable of truly rivaling the Blood Replacement Realm while in the Marrow Washing Realm, was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
"Grandmaster..."
Yan Hong narrowed her eyes slightly.
Although this was her first time seeing him in person, she was familiar with his title. As far as she knew, the Great Xuan's Prince Yan had fought the Sea Prison Island Grandmaster in the past, and the battle ended without a clear winner.
While Yan Hong didn't have a good relationship with Prince Yan, it didn't hinder her knowledge of his strength. Before Chen Mu's appearance, Prince Yan, with his Yin-Yang Unification, was the first Grandmaster in Great Xuan's Ninety-Nine States. In the Marrow Washing Realm, no one could surpass him.
"Grandmaster, you've come as well."
Just as the Sea Prison Island Grandmaster walked with a tiger's stride, a slender figure approached from the distance, hands behind his back. With each step, a flash of Five-Colored Lotus Bloom appeared, and he drew near.
This time, Yan Hong and the others were no strangers to the visitors, and it wasn't their first encounter.
Quintessence Dao Sect.
Hong Shida!
Ranked sixth on the Grandmaster's List!
Having cultivated the complete Five Elements to the Bone Marrow Washing Realm, he commands the Five Elements Domain and has reached an unparalleled state in the Five Elements Conceptual Realm. In the path of the Five Elements, aside from those in the Blood Exchange Realm, he has reached the pinnacle.
"Greetings, Hong Sect Master, it's good to see you well."
Zonggang Monarch turned his head towards Hong Shida and chuckled.
Hong Shida took a few steps forward, nodded slightly to Zonggang Monarch, and the two of them walked towards a place together, as if they were not only familiar acquaintances but also planning to explore the Seekwood Heavenly Realm together.
Not far away.
Yan Hong watched this scene, her brows slightly furrowed.
Dragonwood Island had gathered numerous grandmasters to explore the Seekwood Heavenly Realm. The grandmasters from Daxuan and the outer seas were indeed powerful, which was a good thing, as the Spirit People were a common enemy for all.
However, if the truth be told, the exploration of the Seekwood Heavenly Realm was still about resource contention. Before the Spirit People's Ancestor was dealt with, it was fine. But if they joined forces to repel or injure the Spirit People's Ancestor, it would undoubtedly turn into a situation of contention.
Hong Shida and Zonggang Monarch, two World-Class Grandmasters, working together in the Seekwood Heavenly Realm, a place inaccessible to those in the Blood Exchange Realm, was undoubtedly a highly threatening combination. They might not even spare a glance for seven or eight top-tier grandmasters.
In Yan Hong's team, only three could match up to top-tier grandmasters; the rest were slightly inferior.
If her brother, Prince Yan, were here, and they had one more World-Class Grandmaster leading them, their confidence would undoubtedly be much stronger. But now, facing the formidable alliance of Hong Shida and Zonggang Monarch, they couldn't help but yield a little.
"It's a good thing to have them here. After all, the Spirit People's Ancestor is no ordinary opponent."
Yan Zhengyang spoke softly beside her.
It wasn't good to have too many powerful grandmasters, as it would lead to infighting. But having too few would mean being hunted by the Spirit People. They could only hide and seek Spirit Artifacts within the Seekwood Heavenly Realm.
"Mmm."
Yan Hong nodded thoughtfully.
Although she understood Yan Zhengyang's words, in her opinion, three top-tier grandmasters were still a bit thin.
Just then, her gaze shifted slightly, and she looked towards a distant direction. There, a young man in a plain garment was strolling nearby, surveying the surroundings and the towering Dragonwood Crown at the center.
Upon seeing this visitor, Yan Hong's eyes flashed with a hint of light, and she walked forward to greet him, saying, "Brother Mu, it's been a while. I thought you wouldn't come."
The strolling figure was none other than Chen Mu.
After departing from Cloudwood Isle, he had rushed to Dragonwood Island without rest. Now, with only a couple of days left before the Dragonwood Island Lord's invitation, he was making it just in time.
"I couldn't resist getting involved in the excitement of the Seekwood Heavenly Realm."
Chen Mu greeted Yan Hong with a slight bow and then turned his attention to the center of the arena. With a quick scan, he sensed the gathering of at least a hundred grandmasters, and his eyes flashed with a hint of light.
Although the previous opening of the Frost North Earth Abyss had also attracted around a hundred grandmasters, the overall quality was not as high as this gathering for the Seekwood Heavenly Realm.
Among the grandmasters present, Chen Mu sensed that none had weak Vital Energy Flows. At least, they were all comparable to the level of Feng Hongsheng and Shi Zhenyong. There were also numerous top-tier grandmasters on par with Jiang Changsheng, numbering more than twenty or thirty, and even the likes of Zonggang Monarch and Hong Shida, World-Class Grandmasters not currently in Frost North.
Hearing Chen Mu's words, Yan Hong couldn't help but smile and say, "At Brother Mu's level, there isn't much you need. The treasures of Dragonwood Island and Tide Listening Cliff are quite extensive... I see that Brother Mu has come alone, and you might not know much about the Seekwood Heavenly Realm. It's an extremely dangerous place, so why not join forces with us?"
At this point, Yan Hong paused and added with a slight apology, "Also, Yan Hong is a pseudonym I often used in the past. My real name is Yan, with a single character surname of Hong. I have some reputation in the capital."
To invite Chen Mu to explore the Seekwood Heavenly Realm together, she couldn't continue using a pseudonym. Although she wasn't clear about Chen Mu's true background, she knew that without revealing her true identity, gaining his trust would be impossible.
"So it's Princess Yongning, my apologies for the rudeness."
Upon hearing Yan Hong's introduction, Chen Mu didn't seem surprised. He slightly cupped his hands towards her.
Ji Hong.
He had heard of this name and even casually mentioned Yan Hong to Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying a few days ago. Coincidentally, both women independently guessed her identity and shared various pieces of intelligence about Ji Hong with Chen Mu.
The current dynasty had numerous princes and princesses, but only eight were bestowed with the title of 'Wang', and even fewer, only nine, were granted the title of 'Princess'. Ji Hong was one of them, bearing the title of 'Yongning'.
The Great Xuan Dynasty revered martial prowess, and throughout history, only the most favored or the direct eldest children of the Emperor were granted the title of Wang or Princess at birth. Others had to attain the Master Realm, reaching the Bone Marrow Washing Realm, to qualify for the title of Wang or Princess.
Ji Hong wasn't the eldest daughter, and her lineage was relatively distant among the many princesses. Her mother didn't possess any significant background or power. Nonetheless, Ji Hong relied on her extraordinary talent and martial arts to achieve the Master Realm, earning her the title of 'Yongning'. Currently, she served as the Deputy Director of the DemonSuppressing General Office, having suppressed numerous demon disturbances. Her reputation was excellent both within and outside the court.
At this moment, Yan Hong smiled at Chen Mu and said, "Brother Mu, there's no need for such formality. In the rivers and lakes, titles are just empty names. This world values martial prowess above all. You can still call me Yan Hong."
Hearing these words, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile. He hadn't planned to travel with anyone, and even though he had noticed Li Qingyan, the Joyful Union Master, he didn't intend to greet her. However, Yan Hong's words resonated with his personality, and since Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying didn't have a map of the Wooden Cave Heaven or more detailed information, he briefly considered and nodded.
"I'm honored to accompany you."
"Good, Brother Mu."
Seeing Chen Mu's agreement, Yan Hong also smiled.
Although Chen Mu's background was still unclear, it wasn't crucial. Firstly, only Masters could enter the Wooden Cave Heaven. Secondly, the Spirit People were common enemies within the Wooden Cave Heaven, and Yan Hong's team already had three highly trustworthy top-tier Masters. Even if Chen Mu's background was uncertain, it wasn't a significant concern, as he couldn't possibly be a Spirit Person.
Moreover, Chen Mu's strength was exceptional. Even though he hadn't displayed his full power during their journey, he was undoubtedly among the top-tier Masters. With four top-tier Masters in the team, they would have a better chance of dealing with any dangerous situations they might encounter in the Wooden Cave Heaven.
Soon, Yan Hong led Chen Mu to the front of Yan Zhengyang and the others.
"This is Yan Zhengyang, the Yan Master, who serves as the Deputy Director of the DemonSuppressing Office, just like me. This is Wei Shuxian, the Wei Master, from the HeavenGuard Pavilion, a righteous sect recognized by the court..."
Yan Hong briefly introduced the identities of the Masters to Chen Mu. Most of them were from Zhongzhou, either connected to the Imperial Family or supporters of her lineage.
Although Yan Hong wasn't one of the Eight Princes, as a princess, she had the right to inherit the throne. In the thousand-year history of the Great Xuan Dynasty, there had been a female emperor. She was the only one among the numerous royal bloodlines to reach the Blood Replacement Realm, qualify for the succession, and express interest in vying for the throne, ultimately becoming the Supreme Emperor.
The Blood Replacement Realm and the Bone Marrow Washing Realm were two entirely different heights.
It could be said that among the current Eight Princes, if one entered the Blood Replacement Realm, the other seven would find it challenging to compete. That person's succession to the throne would be almost certain!
Similarly, if Yan Hong could transcend life and death, enter the Blood Replacement Realm, and express interest in vying for the throne, she would undoubtedly have the qualifications and confidence to do so, even more so than the Eight Princes who hadn't reached the Blood Replacement Realm.
However,
Achieving the Blood Replacement Realm was incredibly difficult.
Out of ten Masters, or even twenty, only a few might be able to transcend life and death and enter the Blood Replacement Realm.
Following Yan Hong's introduction, Yan Zhengyang and several other Masters also greeted Chen Mu. Although they were all from Zhongzhou, some held high positions and power. In this world, strength was paramount, and Chen Mu's aura was so well-concealed that he barely leaked any vital energy flow. Such a level of breath control was undoubtedly exceptional, and few present could match it.
Both Yan Zhengyang and Wei Shuxian were very polite.
After the brief introductions, Yan Hong took out a map she possessed, detailing the internal structure and layout of the Wooden Cave Heaven, and handed it to Chen Mu for his perusal.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
