Chapter 418: Leaving Jiu Shan Jing, Journeying Alone in the Wilderness

Chapter 418: Leaving Jiu Shan Jing, Journeying Alone in the Wilderness

"With the Heavenly Grotto peaceful and the Underworld not planning any large-scale invasions, I, Qi Ye Tian Sha of Heng Feng Shan, have come to Qian Die Shan as the Immortal Revered of Heng Feng Shan to propose an alliance against Xu Yan and Meng Chong."

Addressing the Immortal Revered of Qian Die Shan, he continued, "We must join forces to eliminate them before they achieve the Immortal Realm, or our sects will face grave danger in the future!"

The Immortal Revered of Qian Die Shan hesitated, "There might be a misunderstanding between Qian Die Shan and Xu Yan. If we compensate him, perhaps we can put this matter behind us."

"You're being foolish," Qi Ye Tian Sha retorted. "Xu Yan is a proud and arrogant genius at heart. He would never accept your apology, and would you, an esteemed Immortal Revered, lower yourself to beg for his forgiveness? If you can bring yourself to do that, perhaps Xu Yan will truly let bygones be bygones."

The Immortal Revered's expression shifted, and after a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said, "You speak sense. Since enmity has been forged, we must commit fully and crush them!"

Would an Immortal Revered truly grovel for forgiveness? He couldn't bring himself to do that; his pride wouldn't allow it!

"Then we are in agreement. I shall await your signal." Qi Ye Tian Sha nodded in satisfaction and departed for Heng Feng Shan.

Upon his return, he immediately sought out the senior brother who held a grudge against Xu Yan and Meng Chong.

"Brother Ke from Qian Die Shan has sent a message inviting me to join forces with him to hunt down and eliminate Xu Yan and Meng Chong, eradicating the threat before it fully materializes," he explained. "Rest assured, I will also be involved. As esteemed Immortal Revereds, how can we tolerate the humiliation dealt by that Xu Yan brat?"

"Xu Yan is overly confident in his genius and has no regard for others. He won't take your apology to heart," the junior brother added. "The only way forward is to cut them down. A dead genius poses no threat."

Convinced by his junior brother's words, the senior brother, Huang, felt grateful for his assistance.

On that day, Heng Feng Shan and Qian Die Shan jointly issued a bounty, offering a reward for the capture of Xu Yan and Meng Chong. They even ventured into Da Gai Shan to search for their traces, confronting the Wan family's Immortal Revered.

It was only after learning that Xu Yan and Meng Chong had already left Da Gai Shan that they withdrew from the mountain.

Xu Yan, along with his companions, found a secluded spot on Ling Zun Shan, set up an array, and began to assimilate the insights they had gained from their martial arts journeys.

"It seems Heng Feng Shan and Qian Die Shan are determined to be our enemies," Xu Yan remarked dryly after glancing at a message from Chi Cat.

"We'll deal with Heng Feng Shan sooner or later," Meng Chong coldly added.

"With those Immortal Revereds on guard, it'll be much harder to launch a surprise attack," Jiang Bu Ping sighed.

Even if the three of them joined forces, they wouldn't be able to defeat an Immortal Revered in direct combat. Their previous successes against the Immortal Revereds had relied on catching them off guard and taking advantage of their overconfidence.

Now that the news had spread, the Immortal Revereds were prepared, and even if they were injured, they would have a chance to escape.

"No need to worry," Xu Yan said with a casual smile. "The Divine Realm is vast, and we don't have to linger in Jiu Shan Jing."

"As you say, Big Brother Xu," Jiang Bu Ping nodded in agreement.

The three brothers hid themselves away in a remote area of Ling Zun Shan, taking the time to consolidate their recent gains in martial arts.

Meanwhile, the turmoil in Jiu Shan Jing continued as the Immortal Revereds of Heng Feng Shan and Qian Die Shan began their search for Xu Yan and Meng Chong, but to no avail.

Instead, they ended up clashing with other forces, leading to yet another battle between Immortal Revereds in Jiu Shan Jing.

Amidst the chaos, the once-friendly relationships between the major powers of Jiu Shan Jing had faded, replaced by constant strife and conflict.

"Wind Spirit King, now that Tian Sha and Di Ying have revealed their strengths, what is your decision?" Tian Shi Qi asked as he once again visited Ling Zun Shan.

"Their strengths are as they are," replied Feng Ling Hu indifferently. "It all depends on how sincere you are."

"Of course, we are sincere," Tian Shi Qi said in a low voice. "What if the Wind Spirit King kills two people? If you take care of Xu Yan and Meng Chong personally, you will get what you want."

Feng Ling Hu's eyes narrowed. "Give me what I want first. Otherwise, if I make a move and you give me some garbage in return, what can I do to you?"

"Wind Spirit King, I, Tian Shi Qi..."

"Enough nonsense," Feng Ling Hu interrupted. "I'm not familiar with you, Tian Shi Qi. If you want my help, send me what I want first, or it's a no deal. Also, provide me with information on Xu Yan and Meng Chong's whereabouts."

Tian Shi Qi frowned, contemplating whether or not to continue seeking cooperation with the Wind Spirit Tiger. However, Feng Ling Hu's formidable power and status as one of the Twelve Kings of the Divine Realm's Spirit Beasts, especially as a tiger-type spirit beast, made him the ideal candidate.

After a brief moment of deliberation, Tian Shi Qi nodded and agreed, "Alright!"

"Then it's settled," Feng Ling Hu said, "But let me make this clear. If you fail to provide me with their whereabouts and I'm unable to kill them, don't blame me, and the payment won't be refunded."

"No problem!" Tian Shi Qi nodded confidently. He trusted in Tian Sha Di Ying's intelligence network. As soon as Xu Yan and Meng Chong showed themselves, they would be found.

Once their traces were discovered, it would be effortless for Feng Ling Hu to strike and kill them.

"Very well, I shall await your delivery, and we'll consider the deal fulfilled," Feng Ling Hu agreed.

Why refuse something that was offered for free?

As for taking action, Chi Cat had only asked him to do his best. After all, as the Wind Spirit King, his every move was grand and ceremonious, so it was understandable if his actions were a little slow.

And if the targets escaped, that would be the fault of Tian Sha Di Ying's inadequate preparation, not his, the Wind Spirit King.

Tian Shi Qi, unaware of Feng Ling Hu's thoughts, left contentedly, plotting his next moves with a sinister smile. He knew that once Xu Yan and Meng Chong died at the hands of the Wind Spirit Tiger, a great war would inevitably erupt.

How could Feng Ling Hu bear the brunt of the retaliation?

Ultimately, he would have no choice but to seek refuge and protection from Tian Sha Di Ying, becoming their puppet.

...

"Tian Shi Qi, I remember you," Xu Yan said, a cold light flashing in his eyes as he glanced at a message from Chi Cat. "It seems Tian Sha and Di Ying are still not giving up. Hmph!"

"Big Brother Xu, where do we go from here?" Meng Chong asked, scratching his bald head. "I plan to head straight to the Great Flame Realm to visit an old friend."

"As for me, I'll continue wandering the realms of the Divine Realm and gaining insights from the heavens and the earth," Xu Yan said. "Five Junior Brother, what about you? What are your plans?"

"I want to enhance my strength quickly," Jiang Bu Ping replied thoughtfully. "I need to gain insights through battles, and I also require the Unchanging Qi to cultivate the Extreme Soul Martial Arts. So, I intend to venture into other realms and train in the Unchanging Cave."

"What about you, Big Brother and Second Brother? Will you continue roaming the Nine Mountains Realm?"

Xu Yan shook his head. "The Nine Mountains Realm has lost its appeal. The Divine Realm is vast, so why limit ourselves here? Let's explore its realms and gain insights from the heavens and the earth."

"I plan to go straight to the Great Flame Realm to meet an old friend," Meng Chong added, rubbing his head and grinning.

"Five Junior Brother, we shall meet again in the Tai Kun Realm," Xu Yan said with a smile. "Big Brother will be there to help you wash away your past humiliation."

"Count me in as well. I will definitely go to the Tai Kun Realm, so let's reunite there!" Meng Chong nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Big Brother and Second Brother. Then, it's settled, we'll meet again in the Tai Kun Realm!" Jiang Bu Ping expressed his gratitude.

The Nine Mountains Realm was but a small part of their martial arts journey. Regardless of Tian Shi Qi, Qian Die Shan, and Heng Feng Shan's schemes, the three of them had no intention of staying and playing along any longer.

The chaos in the Divine Realm presented an opportunity for the proud sons of heaven to make a name for themselves. In their eyes, these so-called Immortal Revereds were nothing but short-lived grasshoppers.

Jiang Bu Ping departed, but instead of using the Nine Mountains Realm's gate to travel to the next realm, he chose to cross the wilderness, a path less traveled.

The Nine Mountains Realm's gate was still under the watchful eyes of Xue Zi and the Immortal Revereds, who were searching for the trio. Thus, crossing the wilderness to the next realm was also a form of martial arts training for Jiang Bu Ping, even if it meant taking a little more time.

"Second Junior Brother, see you in the Tai Kun Realm!" Xu Yan bid farewell with a smile.

"See you in the Tai Kun Realm!" Meng Chong echoed, his bald head gleaming as he grinned.

The two brothers parted ways once more, each embarking on their own martial arts journey.

However, this time, they had communication tokens that would allow them to stay in touch no matter where they were in the Divine Realm, enabling them to share their experiences and insights.

The thirty-six realms of the Divine Realm were connected by vast wildernesses. Aside from traveling through the realm gates, one could only traverse these wildernesses to reach other realms.

Even for Immortal Revereds, crossing these wildernesses took a considerable amount of time. This was why traveling through the realm gates was the preferred method—it was quicker and more convenient.

The desolate wilderness evoked a profound sense of loneliness, and even the strongest of warriors would find their willpower tested here. This was why warriors who ventured into these wilds were few and far between, almost non-existent.

A formidable warrior had once warned that the laws of the heavens and earth in the wilderness were steeped in loneliness and carried a hint of sorrow. Thus, warriors who ventured here would be affected, and those with unsteady willpower would fall into insanity amidst the solitude.

In this desolate wilderness, a solitary figure walked, and as far as the eye could see, there were no signs of life, no vegetation, not even the sound of an insect chirping.

"I once read about the wilderness in the Jiang family's library in the Tai Kun Realm. It is said that when the heavens and earth underwent a great transformation and the Divine Realm was divided into thirty-six realms, some places were forgotten and left behind. These are known as the Forgotten Lands.

"The laws of the heavens and earth in the Forgotten Lands are lonely and filled with sorrow. There are also rumors that the existence of the wilderness is meant to commemorate a certain being..."

As Jiang Bu Ping walked through the wilderness, he communicated with his senior martial brothers using transmission tokens.

"Aside from being adjacent to the Green Flourishing Realm, the Nine Mountains Realm also borders the Long Cloud Realm and the Deep Calm Realm. I'm crossing the wilderness from this side, so I should be heading towards the Deep Calm Realm. Senior Martial Brother, you and Second Senior Martial Brother must be crossing towards the Long Cloud Realm."

The wilderness was lonely, and Jiang Bu Ping was the only one traversing it. Between the heavens and earth, there was a sense of desolation.

"When crossing the wilderness, one must not fly in the sky. It is said that flying through the air brings unknown dangers, and even an Immortal Revered may encounter unforeseen accidents. That is why those who traverse the wilderness must travel on the ground."

Jiang Bu Ping shared what he knew about the vast wilds between the different realms.

Having been a member of the Tai Kun Jiang clan, he had access to numerous records and had read about the wilderness.

"I once read an account in a travel journal about the dangers of the wilderness. Someone entered an ancient tomb in the wilds and saw an unknown skeleton. Something unexpected happened, and his flesh and blood disappeared, turning him into a skeleton.

"Moreover, at regular intervals, he would lose his senses, becoming insane and bloodthirsty. In the end, he was killed."

Jiang Bu Ping continued, relaying what he had read in the travelogue. "When traversing the wilderness, one must not give in to excessive curiosity or be tempted by treasures. Just cross directly and refrain from venturing into strange places."

The deeper one ventured into the desolate wilderness, the stronger the sense of loneliness became, as if solitude permeated the very heavens and earth.

Although Jiang Bu Ping was walking on the ground, his pace was steady. Instead of gazing at the seemingly endless wilderness, he focused on the transmission tokens, as the ability to communicate prevented him from succumbing to loneliness.

The more one stared at the wilderness, the easier it was to fall into a state of loneliness and pessimism.

Aside from communicating with his senior martial brothers, he also stayed in touch with his Third Senior Martial Sister and Fourth Senior Martial Brother, who were far away in the Green Flourishing Realm.

In the solitary wilderness, as night fell and silence enveloped everything, even the gentle breeze disappeared. In such an environment, even a warrior might experience negative emotions.

Jiang Bu Ping looked up at the dark wilderness and took out a moonstone, its faint silver light illuminating the area around him.

He sat down cross-legged and said, "At night in the wilderness, there is a chance of losing one's direction, so it's better to cultivate. I'll wait for the dawn and then continue on my way."

In the pitch-black wilderness, only the faint light from Jiang Bu Ping's moonstone shone, appearing minuscule in the vast darkness.

After setting up a defensive formation, Jiang Bu Ping began to cultivate, waiting for the morning before resuming his journey.

Time passed, and suddenly, a howling wind sounded in the distance, shattering the silent and empty wilderness.

Jiang Bu Ping woke up abruptly, immediately put away the moonstone, and concealed his aura, blending into the darkness. After a moment's hesitation, he waved his hand and retracted the formation, quietly moving to another location.

Whoosh!

The sound of the wind howled, growing louder as it approached, yet there was no sensation of the wind blowing.

"I see a green flame dancing like a human face in the wilderness," came the message from his senior martial brother via the transmission token.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end