Chapter 397: Entering the Nine Leaves World! Purple Robe's Mission

Chapter 397: Entering the Nine Leaves World! Purple Robe's Mission

Flying Star, Flame City.

Since Yan Cheng Demi-God's establishment of the city, its location on the banks of a grand river has naturally become a bustling metropolis over the centuries of development. Although it couldn't compare to Jiangcheng, its population had grown to nearly ten million, making it a significant city.

At the highest point within a colossal edifice resembling a divine bird,

Standing here, one could overlook the entire Flame City.

"You're going to venture into the Star Realm?" Lin Lan Yue, clad in a fiery red robe, listened to Li Yuan's story.

"Mhm," Li Yuan nodded. "This trip might take several years."

Over the years, Lin Lan Yue's True Intention Insight had reached the intermediate level of True Intention. In terms of strength, she was among the top tier within the Seven Stars Mountain members and was recognized as a future Demi-God, earning her a notable status.

Li Yuan, naturally, could reveal more information.

Of course, the Nine Leaves Star Realm and the Nine Mountains Star Realm were secrets.

Even within the Seven Stars Civilization, many Flying Heaven Realm cultivators who had ventured into the Nine Leaves Star Realm in the past did so without knowing the route and were escorted there by Demi-Gods.

"Several years? Can't you keep in touch with the outside world?" Lin Lan Yue asked, puzzled.

"No contact is possible," Li Yuan replied. "That place is somewhat similar to the Inter-Realm, but it's probably even more mysterious."

"The Immortal Burial Ancient Domain?" Lin Lan Yue smiled.

Seeing a fleeting expression on Li Yuan's face, Lin Lan Yue continued, "After all, I am a named disciple of the True Phoenix Deity. Back then, when my master followed the Gu Ju Deity into battle, wasn't it for the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain... With my Flying Heaven Peak privileges within the civilization, I should have been able to find all the Tier Three Star Realms, but none of them match your description."

"If you're going to venture into the Starry Sky, there's no need to deceive me... Unless it's the legendary Immortal Burial Ancient Domain," Lin Lan Yue said.

Li Yuan was speechless.

Due to her connection with the True Phoenix Deity, Lin Lan Yue's horizons were comparable to many Demi-Gods, making it challenging to hide things from her.

"How are things in the Flame Family?" Li Yuan asked.

As far as Li Yuan knew, after the Flying Star Great War and the fall of Yan Cheng Demi-God, Lin Lan Yue had returned to the Flame Family.

"It's okay," Lin Lan Yue replied.

"My father has passed on the leadership to me. After the death of the old ancestor, the family is in disarray. Although the Alliance Leader has personally ordered compensation for the family and promised specialized cultivation for many disciples, without the old ancestor, the family's influence will inevitably decline. That's why the family elders are even more focused on me," Lin Lan Yue explained.

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

This was an inevitable outcome.

The compensation provided by the Alliance was just a guarantee of a minimum, ensuring that the wealth left behind by Yan Cheng Demi-God wouldn't be plundered.

However, the breeding and cultivation of disciples within any family consumed a significant amount of wealth... If the Demi-God were alive, they could have continuously contributed to the family.

Just as Li Yuan had worked tirelessly to help his uncle and aunt achieve the Flying Heaven Realm.

But if Li Yuan were not around, the Seven Stars Alliance leaders would only ensure that Li Changzhou and the others could live peacefully until the end of their lifespan; they wouldn't provide additional cultivation resources.

"Actually, before the old ancestor joined the battle, he specifically sought me out and discussed this..." Lin Lan Yue said.

"The old ancestor mentioned it."

"Your talent is absolutely the best in the entire Mundane Domain, surpassing even Dong Fang Jie and Fang Hai Alliance Leader. You will undoubtedly venture into the Divine Realm... I know your personality; pursuing the pinnacle of cultivation has always been your dream," Lin Lan Yue continued. "You carry the responsibility of the civilization's rise, and you can't afford to give up."

"If we were to be together, I would probably be very lonely and constantly worried about you," Lin Lan Yue shook her head. "Just like during the Ming Xu Star Realm, when news of your fall reached us... Just like this time, as you're about to venture into the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain... It will be many years before we meet again."

"If you go to the Divine Realm, it might be a hundred or even a thousand years before we hear from you. I might wait for a lifetime."

"If I were to follow you, I would become a burden, and I can't bear to leave my family behind," Lin Lan Yue shook her head.

"I don't want to live that kind of life," Lin Lan Yue said softly. "Li Yuan, I'm sorry."

Li Yuan opened his mouth but remained silent, unable to refute her words.

He hadn't expected Lin Lan Yue to be so direct.

After a while,

"Okay," Li Yuan, being a decisive person, said, "I originally thought you were about to break through to the Flying Heaven Realm, so I prepared a gift for you. No matter what... I can't let my efforts go to waste."

Li Yuan pointed into the void, and a set of battle armor appeared between them. The armor faintly glowed with secret red patterns, looking luxurious and emitting strange fluctuations.

This was a set of fire-attributed 'Demi-God Artifacts,' consisting of nine Demi-God Artifacts, carefully selected by Li Yuan from the Seven Stars Treasure Vault. It was considered a top-notch set among Demi-God Artifacts.

In the Flying Heaven Realm, unless one cultivated the Ninefold Star Vein, they usually couldn't use Divine Artifacts.

"This?" Lin Lan Yue's eyes flashed with surprise.

"Take it," Li Yuan said with a relaxed smile after considering everything. "As you said, we're still friends, and it's not excessive for friends to exchange gifts."

Lin Lan Yue no longer refused and waved her hand, collecting the set of battle armor.

"Then I'll be on my way," Li Yuan said.

"Take care," Lin Lan Yue said. "When you're out there, staying alive is the top priority."

"You take care too," Li Yuan said.

With a whoosh, Li Yuan took a step forward, and the void trembled, and he disappeared at the edge of the world.

Witnessing this scene,

"I..." Lin Lan Yue's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she murmured, "Zhang Yuan, as you battle in the Ming Xu Star Realm, I can't be of any help to you. Even when you sweep through the Second Rank Star Realm, I still can't be of assistance."

"After the Flying Star Battle, you stood at the pinnacle of civilization, even more powerful than the Ancestor. The enemies you face are Demi-Gods or even Deities from foreign civilizations, but I remain merely a Source Warrior."

"Once, I believed that with my efforts, one day I could get closer to you. I thought that we could be together, just like our parents. Those years on Seven Stars Mountain made me feel that we were already so close to each other."

"But the reality proved that the gap between us is only growing wider."

"Now, the gap is so vast that it can't be bridged. I can't even see a glimmer of hope in catching up, let alone getting closer." Tears welled up in Lin Lan Yue's eyes and then evaporated.

She was willing to accompany Zhang Yuan on his adventures, even to the legendary Divine Realm in the future... But Lin Lan Yue realized something.

She and Zhang Yuan were destined for different worlds.

"A burden!"

"Even if I follow you all the way, I'll only become a hindrance. Why force it?" Lin Lan Yue's heart ached. "Even if I insist, after hundreds or thousands of years, when my life reaches its end... The gap in our life levels will still lead to a parting of life and death."

After understanding all this, following the Flying Star Battle, she decided to let go of this relationship.

"May we both find our own happiness."

...

In the void, Liu Bing and Zhang Yuan were flying swiftly.

"Big brother, are you really giving up? I think Sister Lan Yue is pretty good too." Liu Bing transmitted her thoughts.

During those years on Seven Stars Mountain, although Liu Bing hadn't revealed herself, she had secretly observed Zhang Yuan and Lin Lan Yue's interactions.

"I can't force it."

"Just as Lan Yue herself said." Zhang Yuan spoke softly, "She doesn't want to live in constant fear, and she doesn't want to wait for me every time... But I, too, can't give up my cultivation path."

"This path is not only for civilization but also for myself." Determination flashed in Zhang Yuan's eyes. "I yearn to witness the vast wonders of the heavens and earth, to reach the peak of the Divine Realm, to see what lies at the end of the cultivation path."

"In the future, if you go to the Divine Realm, she can follow you." Liu Bing said nonchalantly.

"That wouldn't be fair to her." Zhang Yuan shook his head. "Her parents and family are in the Seven Stars Civilization. If she follows me to the Divine Realm, facing constant battles and a life of upheaval, will she truly be happy?"

"If she doesn't come with me to the Divine Realm, who knows how many years will pass before we meet again? How painful would that be?"

Of course, while he said this, Zhang Yuan knew the real reason deep down. They simply couldn't reach the point of sharing life and death.

In simpler terms, they didn't love each other enough.

Ordinary people's love doesn't have to face the test of life and death. They can live an ordinary life together.

But for Deities with long lifespans, they may have many offspring, but few have a partner they can truly trust and rely on for life... The stronger the cultivator, the more self-centered they become, and thus, finding a suitable partner becomes even more difficult.

Take Dong Fang Ji, for example, who is extremely strict with his own offspring.

"Happiness?" Liu Bing was taken aback.

Although she had a broad outlook and vast inherited memories, she lacked experience in matters of the heart.

In her eyes, what was wrong with facing life and death together? "It's fine, big brother. Without a partner, I'll be by your side." Liu Bing giggled.

"Hmm."

"Let's see what's so special about this Nine Leaves World." Zhang Yuan smiled.

Boom! After flying for a long time, Zhang Yuan and Liu Bing arrived at the extreme south of the Flying Star. There was a mysterious area.

The sky and earth were dim, and below was an immense sea, its waters completely black.

"According to the Principal's intelligence."

"The entrance to the Nine Leaves World is here." Zhang Yuan gazed down at the dark and mysterious waters below, unfathomable.

Suddenly, the seawater split apart, and a figure cloaked in a golden robe emerged from the depths, charging towards Zhang Yuan at an astonishing speed.

"What's this?" Zhang Yuan was startled, sensing a deadly threat from the golden figure.

This was a threat to his very life.

"Big brother, this guy isn't easy to deal with." Liu Bing also noticed the opponent instantly.

Unconsciously, Zhang Yuan activated Divine Palace Scouting: "【Target exceeds scouting limit】."

Beyond the limit? False Deity level? With Zhang Yuan's current Source Power, even a Demi-God with an Eight Star Meridian could be detected.

Just as Zhang Yuan was about to retreat, the golden figure halted and nodded slightly. "Greetings, Vice Alliance Leader Li. I am Dong Fang Jia."

Dong Fang Jia? Zhang Yuan was puzzled.

"Zhang Yuan, he is one of the three Void Deity Puppets left behind by the master." A deep voice resonated, and a stream of light formed a shadow, its outer layer a white robe.

"Elder Yun." Zhang Yuan's eyes lit up.

"Elder Yun." Liu Bing poked her head out of Zhang Yuan's sleeve and nodded slightly as a sign of respect.

Liu Bing had always maintained a good disguise when dealing with outsiders.

"The master's three Void Deity Puppets are named Dong Fang Jia, Dong Fang Yi, and Dong Fang Bing." Elder Yun explained, "Dong Fang Jia is the one left on the Flying Star, guarding the entrance to the Nine Leaves Nine Mountains most of the time after the Flying Star Battle, to prevent intrusion from foreign civilizations."

Zhang Yuan understood.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yuan glanced at the golden-robed figure again. Dong Fang Jia? The Alliance Leader's naming was quite casual.

"Are you and your spirit beast going in together?" Elder Yun looked at Liu Bing.

"Yes." Zhang Yuan nodded. "Little Bing is a Sky Serpent, as you should know, Elder Yun. Entering the Nine Leaves Nine Mountains might also bring great benefits."

"Alright, as long as you're aware."

"Follow me." Elder Yun said, and the golden-robed figure flew towards the split in the ocean.

Zhang Yuan, accompanied by Liu Bing, followed suit.

"Two Star World passages?"

Soon, they reached the depths of the ocean, where amidst the undulating underwater mountains, there were two massive passages.

Each passage had a diameter of over ten kilometers, emitting a colorful glow within, their destination unknown. The mysterious aura of the shimmering light made them seem even more enigmatic.

"The left one leads to the Nine Leaves Star World." Elder Yun explained, "This Star World is quite peculiar. Although it's a Third Rank Star World, only those with sufficient strength can enter... Usually, one must have Flying Heaven Realm strength to enter the Star World. That's why, up until now, not many Flying Heaven Warriors from the civilization have ventured inside."

"Li Yuan nodded involuntarily. The Flying Heaven Peak? That's a requirement only a Star Master can fulfill."

"The master has spoken of it before."

"For a great harvest, the first requirement is strength, and the second is luck." Yun Lao looked at Li Yuan, "Your strength is extraordinary, and your luck should be good too... In any case, don't be greedy. If you fall within, it would be a great loss for the civilization."

"I will." Li Yuan smiled and looked down at Liu Bing, "Let's go, Bing'er."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The man and the beast didn't hesitate and rushed into the star world passage on the left, quickly disappearing into the colorful glow.

...

Upon entering the star world passage, Li Yuan felt a wave of oppression sweeping over him, an oppression that could cause an ordinary Flying Heaven Warrior to explode. But for Li Yuan and Liu Bing, it was merely a tickle.

"Big brother, it's so easy." Liu Bing said.

"Don't be careless." Li Yuan reminded her.

Dong Fang Ji and Fang Hai couldn't reveal the core secrets of the Nine Leaf Nine Mountains, but they could share some basic information.

The rules summarized by Dong Fang Ji and Fang Hai had one crucial point—there were no rules.

In the Nine Leaf Nine Mountains, anything could happen.

Suddenly, Li Yuan felt a hazy wave of energy enveloping him, as if some force was scanning him.

The next moment, Li Yuan was horrified to discover that Liu Bing, who had been holding onto his arm, had disappeared.

Not only had Liu Bing vanished, but the Sky Serpent Palace that had entered with them was also gone.

It was known that Li Yuan had some understanding of spatial mysteries, but he hadn't sensed anything just now.

"Sister, do you feel anything?" Li Yuan asked Gu You, "I can't even contact Liu Bing through my soul, and I can't confirm her life or death."

Li Yuan was indeed startled.

This method was truly formidable.

"Li Yuan, be careful." Gu You's voice echoed in Li Yuan's mind, sounding rather solemn, "Liu Bing and the others have disappeared... I didn't sense anything in that instant either. This method of manipulating time and space seems even more terrifying than some of the Heaven Deities Father has encountered... The Immortal Burial Ancient Domain is indeed unfathomable."

"This so-called Nine Leaf World is a part of the Immortal Burial Ancient Domain. Dong Fang Ji and Fang Hai didn't tell you all the information, but I think this is a test... So, you and Liu Bing will be tested separately." Gu You shared her guess.

"In any case, be careful."

"Even if you hide in the Ancient Deity Palace, you might still be forced out by MS Outlook."

"Hmm." Li Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he dared not be careless.

Suddenly—

"Whoosh!"

Li Yuan felt the glow around him tremble, and he fell, landing on an enormous boulder.

"Where am I?" Li Yuan's thoughts stirred, and his powerful divine sense immediately spread out, only to have his expression change.

Because the divine sense that could normally cover a radius of several dozen kilometers was now under an invisible pressure, shrinking to less than ten kilometers.

As far as the eye could see, it seemed to be a dark and gloomy canyon with scattered rocks and ancient trees reaching into the sky. On one side were endless mountains rising into the clouds.

In the sky, a gigantic blood moon shone, its light making the entire land appear eerie.

"Where am I?" Li Yuan was shocked.

The scene before him was completely different from the intelligence provided by the Principal and the Alliance Leader.

According to the intelligence from Dong Fang Ji and Fang Hai, upon entering the Nine Leaf Star World, one would first pass through a vast land, witnessing the grand scene of the 'Nine Leaf Overlap' starry sky... and finally enter the Nine Leaf World.

But for Li Yuan, as soon as he entered the star world passage, he was subjected to a sudden spatial force and was brought to this place.

Everything was unknown.

"Hmm?" Li Yuan's eyes flashed with surprise, and he muttered, "The Triple Task? The Purple Robe Task?"

At this moment!

A mysterious message suddenly appeared in Li Yuan's mind: "Trialist, as an Innate Eight Star Meridian, you have directly become a Silver Robe member and simultaneously triggered the Purple Robe Task requirement."

"First Task: Survive for ten years."

"Second Task: Become a Three-Star Meridian and can become a Golden Robe member."

"Third Task: After completing the second task, become a Demi-God and obtain the Return Token to become a Purple Robe member."

"Remember, do not reveal the trial tasks to other lifeforms."

"At least complete one task to obtain the 'Return Token' and qualify to go to the Eternal Hall."

...

The content was simple, but the information it revealed shocked Li Yuan. This was completely different from what Dong Fang Ji and Fang Hai had said.

"Trialist? Just as Gu You guessed, the Nine Leaf Nine Mountains is a selection process for those with great potential?" Li Yuan was astonished.

"Silver Robe?"

"Golden Robe and Purple Robe? Are these the three levels of the Nine Leaf Nine Mountains' trial system?" Li Yuan pondered silently, "That spatial force just now, did it scan my physical condition? Because I'm an Innate Eight Star Meridian, I directly became a Silver Robe member?"

"So, the trial content requires me to become a Golden Robe member and even a Purple Robe member?"

"To become a Purple Robe member, I need to become a Demi-God?" Li Yuan thought to himself.

With too little information, Li Yuan couldn't deduce much.

But at least he could confirm two things.

First, to obtain the 'Return Token,' he needed to stay for at least ten years or even longer.

Second, the trials he faced would be different from those of Dong Fang Ji and Fang Hai.

"The Principal and the Alliance Leader have challenged the Nine Leaf World multiple times and finally broke through to become Demi-Gods." Li Yuan thought, "But according to my tasks, do I need to become a Three-Star Meridian and break through to become a Demi-God on my first challenge?"

This showed that the trials of the Nine Leaf Nine Mountains would change based on the trialists' actual situations.

"Never mind."

"Whether it's becoming a Three-Star Meridian or obtaining the Return Token, it's still a long way off for me." Li Yuan scanned his surroundings, "For now, my priority is to survive in this mysterious world."

"Survive for ten years."

Boom! Boom!

Through the spatial vibrations, Li Yuan faintly sensed powerful waves coming from the depths of the canyon, seemingly rushing in his direction.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end