Chapter 542: Arriving at the Training Grounds
Chapter 542: Arriving at the Training Grounds
January 4, 2025
There were a total of six such gathering points within the mountain range.
However, due to the vastness of the mountain range, even with six gathering points, not everyone who got lost could encounter them.
Finding such a gathering point in the middle of the night was an incredible stroke of luck.
Many people said that it was fate that their lives were not meant to end.
It seemed that Heaven wanted them to find a way to save themselves.
In fact, the reason for establishing these gathering points was that too many people had died within the mountain range.
It was a solution that people came up with to deal with this issue.
Relying on these gathering points had indeed saved numerous lives.
Especially for herb gatherers, some of whom didn't even possess martial arts skills.
Many herb gatherers practiced body movement techniques, and those were considered to be quite powerful.
Su Chen actually didn't face much danger spending the night in the wilderness.
But it was still nice to meet people at these gathering points.
Through simple exchanges, Su Chen and the two men became slightly more familiar with each other.
They ordered some delicacies at the inn and invited the two receptionists to join them.
In the depths of the mountains, food was rather expensive, and the two men probably wouldn't usually be so generous.
Seeing Su Chen's generosity, the two men's impressions of him improved significantly.
During their casual conversation, Su Chen asked about the information he wanted to know, which was the location that Qiu Xiyu had given him.
He wanted to confirm if he had taken the wrong path.
Many of the obvious signs had been damaged, and some were no longer recognizable.
Su Chen felt that he hadn't taken the wrong path, but he couldn't be sure.
Upon hearing Su Chen's question, the two men picked up another piece of food and stuffed it into their mouths before putting down their utensils.
"According to the rules, we at this gathering point can only guide people in one direction.
That is the way back.
If we tell guests about other paths, it would be against the rules."
Usually, when someone mentions that they are in a difficult situation, it indicates that the matter can be discussed.
However, to make it happen, one needs to offer some benefits.
Seeing this, Su Chen didn't hesitate.
He directly took out some money from under the table and gave it to the two men.
Since they had mentioned that it was against the rules, if he wanted them to break the rules, he had to offer some compensation.
After accepting the money, the two men no longer tried to take advantage of him.
"Brother, we're actually not very familiar with the place you're heading to.
The deep mountains are full of dangers.
We usually don't leave the gathering point, but I can tell you that high-level martial artists frequently pass through that direction.
They are all experts in martial arts cultivation.
It seems that area is occupied by certain forces.
If you haven't received any instructions, it's best not to enter casually."
After receiving Su Chen's benefits, the two men indeed provided some valuable information.
With this knowledge, Su Chen had a better understanding of the situation and confirmed that he hadn't taken the wrong path.
This gathering point was primarily established to take care of ordinary herb gatherers.
They didn't have much information related to martial artists' training.
As they chatted, the sky gradually began to brighten.
The two men had to take a break and switch shifts, so Su Chen continued on his journey.
Before leaving, the two men pointed out a direction for Su Chen.
Many martial artists would also come here to rest during their travels, so they had seen a lot.
However, Su Chen needed to pay attention to one thing: that area was off-limits without an invitation.
Ordinary herb gatherers who approached would receive a warning the first time and be punished the second time.
Hearing this, Su Chen became more certain that he hadn't taken the wrong path.
The letter that Qiu Xiyu had prepared for him was an invitation.
It seemed that the place he was heading to was the location mentioned in the letter.
With this realization, Su Chen slightly quickened his pace.
According to Qiu Xiyu's instructions, there were only a few days left before the training began, so he couldn't afford to delay.
As he continued on his way, many of the signs that Qiu Xiyu had mentioned were already damaged or missing.
However, Su Chen was confident that he was heading in the right direction.
After walking for another two hours, Su Chen reached his destination.
He had set off before dawn and hadn't yet reached noon.
At the destination, there was a town-like outpost, and it seemed even more bustling than the previous gathering point.
However, it looked more like a martial artist's outpost.
Despite being deeper in the mountains, everything around was more luxurious.
The energy of the martial artist's outpost was indeed formidable, and the resources they could control were vastly different from those of ordinary people.
This was the power of strength.
As long as one's strength was sufficient, others would do their best to overcome all obstacles to meet one's needs.
At a tavern in the town, Su Chen ordered some small dishes to eat.
He had originally intended to gather some information, but before he could inquire, someone approached him proactively.
"I'm looking for Jin Zhong Xu Shengying.
"The first courtyard on the southwest side, don't go to the wrong one."
Upon hearing Su Chen's response, the person did not say another word.
As long as he could confirm the person he was looking for was here, that was all he needed. He didn't seek anything else.
Before heading over, Su Chen wanted to understand the situation here a little better.
He called over a servant from the tavern to his side to gather some information from them.
This servant was just an ordinary commoner, and some money would easily solve the issue.
The information he could provide was likely limited, but having lived here for many years, he should know some things.
Su Chen only wanted to know some basic information.
This included which major power this area belonged to and what kind of training took place here.
Seeing the money Su Chen offered and hearing his questions, the servant's face lit up with joy, and he enthusiastically explained to Su Chen.
The questions Su Chen asked were indeed not secret matters.
He did know, and it wasn't a secret of any particular power; speaking about it wouldn't cause any trouble.
It was all very ordinary, common knowledge.
As for how this training is conducted, please forgive me, but I'm not very familiar with these details."
The servant paused slightly after speaking.
Seeing that Su Chen didn't press further on this matter, he continued.
"As for the power that controls this place, there are actually six of them, jointly managing this area.
They are the Golden Bell Sect, Crimson Will Alliance, Imperial Alliance, Tranquil Pavilion, Chen Family, and Xue Family.
To come here, you must have an invitation from one of these six powers."
Before the servant finished speaking, Su Chen had already asked about other matters.
"Do you know who's behind these six powers?"
"Behind?"
The servant was taken aback; he probably had never thought about this question before.
They should be the decision-makers.
Su Chen's question clearly went beyond what he had imagined.
These six powers, in his mind, were already formidable entities.
He had never thought in this direction and had no such expectations.
"Never mind, just tell me what you know."
Su Chen didn't press further and let the servant speak freely.
Su Chen was certain that behind these six powers, there must be other major forces.
Autumn Xiyu had said that this training was extremely beneficial for Fifth Stage Warriors, who were on the verge of becoming Transcendent Powerhouses.
Fifth Stage Warriors were the gateway to becoming Transcendent.
If a major sect could provide training grounds that aided Fifth Stage Warriors, how could they not want to control it? Countless people were stuck at the Fifth Stage, unable to progress further. This number was likely in the tens of thousands, if not more. Controlling such a valuable training ground would be a significant boost for their sect.
For a smaller sect to monopolize such a treasure, there was only one possibility.
They must keep it a secret from outsiders.
Only by keeping it hidden could these smaller sects hope to exclusively occupy such a treasure.
Once others found out, how could these minor sects justify their claim to such a treasure?
Su Chen had read related records from the Jin State.
The six powers here probably couldn't even be considered third-rate.
Even if they joined forces, they wouldn't have the qualifications or capabilities to occupy such a treasure.
The only possibility was that they had major powers backing them.
Behind these six powers, there was definitely at least one, if not multiple, major powers supporting them.
From the servant, Su Chen learned a lot of basic information.
He only knew some fundamental things.
They spent their days within the town.
Outside the town, it wasn't peaceful at all.
Not to mention the possibility of encountering demons, the terrain was complex, and it was easy to get injured from a fall.
After gathering some information, Su Chen prepared to find the person he was looking for.
The first courtyard on the southwest side, Su Chen remembered clearly.
Upon quickly reaching the location, Su Chen realized that this wasn't the person he was looking for.
Instead, it was a unified gathering place for the six powers.
Su Chen presented his token, the jade token given to him by Autumn Xiyu.
After seeing the token, the attendant at the courtyard entrance no longer blocked Su Chen's path.
Instead of proceeding to the inner courtyard, Su Chen remained at the guest hall to rest.
"Young master, please wait here. I will go and inform them."
The servant said, "Once the owner responds, I will come and relay the message."
Su chennodded his head, staying to drink some tea and wait patiently.
The wait was a bit longer, and a servant came to relay the message halfway through.
"They are still discussing matters and will need a little more time," he said.
About a half an hour later, the servant who had left earlier returned.
He had a somewhat apologetic look on his face and immediately apologized to Su Chen upon seeing him.
His attitude was several times better than when he had first met Su Chen.
Su Chen felt that this was because the person above had conveyed the owner's intention.
He had handed over the jade token given by Qiuxi which was a token of respect given by the Qiu family. The Qiu family’s status was not ordinary, so the token given by them naturally earned more respect.
"Is this visit only for you, young master?"
Su Chen nodded and looked at the servant in front of him, "Just me. Is there a problem?"
"I was just asking out of habit, young master, please don’t mind. The owner is already waiting in the inner courtyard," the servant said, and then led the way ahead.
Su Chen followed behind them.
These servants seemed to refer to the people above as "owner." The way they addressed people from other forces was a bit different, but Su Chen understood.
In Heavenly Xuan Town, there were six major forces, each with their own way of addressing the owner. Using a unified term, everyone could accept. For all forces, they would also hope to be called the "owner" of Heavenly Xuan town. This title was also well received.
Su Chen looked into the distance, and saw a stone bridge at the edge of the town.
Following the servant, they walked across the stone bridge.
After crossing the bridge, they passed through a corridor covered in vegetation.
No wonder the wait was a bit longer. the distance was a bit far.
After walking through several checkpoints,, they finally saw a spacious yard.
The yard was built against a mountain.
The back half of the yard seemed to be embedded into the mountain.
From the outside, it looked quite impressive.
(End of Chapter)
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