Chapter 559: Entering Yu Ting

Chapter 559: Entering Yu Ting

Ming Yu blinked, "Really?"

"Of course!" Xu Yan assured her.

"Then ask away. What do you want to know?"

Ming Yu's face lit up with excitement.

"How many Heavenly Masters are there in Yu Ting, and how many have strength similar to yours? How vast is Yu Ting, and how does it compare to the Heavenly Realm in terms of scenery?" Xu Yan asked with a smile.

Ming Yu tilted her head, blinking as she looked at him. After a moment, she replied, "Heavenly Masters?"

She held up her hand and started counting her fingers. After counting all ten fingers, she continued, "More than my fingers. I don't know the exact number, but most people here have similar strength to mine. I really couldn't tell you how many."

"Yu Ting is very beautiful, pure and flawless, with terraces and pavilions. It's much prettier than the Heavenly Realm..."

Xu Yan was secretly astonished. Yu Ting had at least ten Heavenly Master-level powerhouses, and everyone in Yu Ting possessed the strength of a Realm Master. There were no weaker cultivators among them.

"My turn again," Ming Yu said happily after answering his question.

Xu Yan once again explained the previous question about divine souls.

During the rest of their journey, Xu Yan traded his explanations about divine souls for information about Yu Ting. Each time he delved into the topic of divine souls, Ming Yu would struggle to comprehend, her thoughts seemingly frozen.

This allowed Xu Yan to ask more probing questions about Yu Ting.

As Ming Yu shared more about Yu Ting, Xu Yan's understanding of the place deepened.

Yu Ting had three owners, known as the Three Masters of Yu Ting, and each of them was shrouded in mystery and possessed immense power.

Moreover, the Three Masters were always on the move, and no one knew if they were even in Yu Ting at any given time.

There weren't many people in Yu Ting; according to Ming Yu, there were fewer than a thousand. However, the weakest among them were still Realm Masters.

What surprised Xu Yan was that despite Ming Yu's seemingly weak strength, her status in Yu Ting was quite high, even surpassing that of most Heavenly Masters.

The green spirit bamboo she carried was unique to her, and no other jade person had one like it.

Yu Ting was indeed like its name—a pristine, jade-like realm. In the midst of the hazy, unformed lands, it stood out like a beautiful landscape, an unblemished jade drifting amidst the filth.

As the "knowledge exchange" continued, with Xu Yan explaining the core concepts of divine souls, Ming Yu found it increasingly difficult to understand. She often froze, her thoughts seemingly halted, and sometimes she would forget everything he had just explained.

This prompted Xu Yan to delve even deeper into the secrets of Yu Ting.

Eventually, Xu Yan obtained a partial map of Yu Ting, a vague idea of the appearances of the Three Masters, and finally, he learned about the jade people's power.

The strength of the jade people seemed to be set at birth, and they had no specific cultivation methods. Even their combat techniques and powerful secret arts seemed to be innate.

Even if some powerful secrets were not innate, they would suddenly master them as if they had slept and awoken with new abilities.

Their combat experience grew gradually, and after each battle, they would quickly accumulate knowledge, ensuring they never repeated the same mistake twice.

Eventually, Ming Yu had shared all she knew about Yu Ting, and she had no more information to offer. Yet, she still hadn't fully grasped the concept of divine souls.

Xu Yan had to switch to other questions.

He asked about her parents and her age, among other things.

However, when Ming Yu tried to think about her parents, her thoughts froze once more. After a while, she gave a simple answer, "I don't have parents."

As for her age, she couldn't provide an answer.

Xu Yan fell into thought before asking, "Ming Yu, have you ever seen a purple light streaking across the hazy realm?"

"Purple light?" Ming Yu looked puzzled. "What does purple light look like?"

Xu Yan raised his hand, and a purple light appeared, floating in the air. "This is purple light."

"So, this is purple light," Ming Yu nodded. "I've seen it!"

Xu Yan was shocked. Had Ming Yu been alive for at least a Great Era? But why was her strength so weak?

"I remember a long, long time ago... I don't know how long exactly. Once, the Three Masters said that another Great Era was approaching, and we would be able to witness the beauty of its beginning. So, I waited outside Yu Ting, and finally, I saw the purple light streaking across the sky. It was very beautiful." Ming Yu tilted her head as she recalled the memory.

"Has your strength always been at this level? Has there been no change at all?" Xu Yan asked curiously.

"No, I've become stronger than before, although not by much," Ming Yu said proudly. "As far as I know, I'm the only one in Yu Ting who can improve."

"Have you seen any other lights besides the purple light?" Xu Yan asked after a moment of thought.

Ming Yu shook her head, "I don't know, it was too long ago. Who can remember that far back?"

"Let me explain the concept of divine souls to you again," Xu Yan offered.

Since all the information he wanted about Yu Ting had been exhausted, and Ming Yu didn't know anything deeper about the place, Xu Yan decided to give a concise explanation about divine souls to address Ming Yu's concerns about what would happen to her soul if her body ceased to exist.

"No, no, I need some time," Ming Yu declined. "Such profound concepts can't be understood all at once, and I feel like I might not even have a divine soul."

"No, that's not right. My divine soul is different from what you're describing," she added, shaking her head.

"I'm almost back at Yu Ting. Thank you for escorting me; it was hard on you. I invite you to be my guest at my home," Ming Yu said.

"I'd be delighted to!" Xu Yan readily agreed.

Yu Ting, they were finally about to arrive. Would he get to see the Three Masters of Yu Ting, and what would their attitude be towards him, a life form from another world?

"Ming Yu, why are you alone so far away from Yu Ting?" Xu Yan asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Ming Yu's strength wasn't remarkable, and her journey had brought her close to the region where the Great Wilderness was located and, by extension, the Unchanging Temple. What was the purpose of her venture so far from the safety of Yu Ting? Given her status there, it was unlikely she was sent on a mere errand.

"To see the world," Ming Yu replied without hesitation. "The Three Masters told me to observe the world but not to enter it, just to look from a distance. They said that if I didn't see it now, I might never get another chance. So, I went to see the world."

"Those crazy people from the temple, they wanted to capture me. They were so despicable," she added with a hint of anger.

See the world? Which world? Of course, she meant the Great Wilderness!

But why would the Three Masters of Yu Ting instruct Ming Yu to observe the Great Wilderness? And why would they say that if she didn't see it now, she might never get another chance? Was it because the Lord of the Unchanging Temple intended to devour the Great Wilderness, or did Yu Ting have its own plans for the world? Xu Yan pondered. If Yu Ting intended to make a move against the Great Wilderness, they wouldn't need to specifically instruct Ming Yu to see it beforehand.

They could simply observe it before taking action.

Therefore, the Three Masters of Yu Ting must be aware of the Unchanging Temple's intention to devour the Great Wilderness and might even know the true purpose of the Lord of the Unchanging Temple.

Among the Three Masters of Yu Ting, Ming Yu seemed to be most familiar with the Third Master, rarely mentioning the First and Second Masters. Whenever she spoke about them, it was always in the context of the Third Master instructing her to do something.

"Ming Yu, did you get to see the world?" Xu Yan asked, curious. "And why didn't you enter it?"

"I did," Ming Yu replied, tilting her head. "I didn't go in because the Third Master told me to just observe from a distance, so I didn't. The world is very beautiful, like a shining pearl."

At this point, Ming Yu blinked her eyes at Xu Yan and asked, "Xu Yan, how did you create your little world? It's so similar to the real thing. Are you from that world?"

Xu Yan nodded, "Yes, I'm from that world—the Great Wilderness. My small world is so real because I borrowed the power of that mountain."

"The Great Wilderness? I thought the world was called Tai Cang," Ming Yu said, puzzled.

"Tai Cang is its former name; it's now part of history. The world is now called the Great Wilderness," Xu Yan explained. "You can enter the Great Wilderness if you want. Its landscapes are far more breathtaking than this unformed, hazy land."

"The myriad beings, the local customs, the warmth of humanity—they're all worth experiencing," he added with a smile.

"Then... if I have the chance, will you take me there? You can be my host, and I'll be your guest. How about it?" Ming Yu asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Sure!" Xu Yan readily agreed.

"Xu Yan, you're so nice!" Ming Yu exclaimed happily. "I'll definitely treat you well when you come to Yu Ting. Don't be shy around me."

"Then, thank you in advance!" Xu Yan replied with a brilliant smile.

"Look, that's Yu Ting!" Ming Yu exclaimed, pointing ahead. Her smile was clear and beautiful.

Xu Yan looked up and, in the midst of the haze, spotted a faint jade glow in the distance, like a giant jade plate adorning the hazy landscape.

Yu Ting, true to its name, was immaculate and jade-like. Amidst the indistinct, unformed lands, it stood out like a beautiful jade artifact, unblemished and pure, floating amidst the miasma.

The houses, gardens, pavilions, and towers all seemed to be crafted from exquisite jade.

Yu Ting was vast, like a small world unto itself. At the entrance, two gigantic jade figures stood guard, each wielding a spear.

The towering jade figures resembled carved statues, their eyes devoid of pupils, instead reflecting a faint silver glow.

As the flying boat drew closer, the jade figures raised their spears, assuming a vigilant stance.

"Xu Yan, follow me. I'll speak to them; they won't give you any trouble."

Ming Yu descended from the flying boat with a cheerful expression.

Xu Yan landed his boat and followed Ming Yu, his curiosity piqued as he observed the jade figures wielding spears in a vigilant stance. He was secretly astonished by their formidable presence.

"Heavenly Masters!" he thought to himself, realizing the immense power they held.

Ming Yu approached the entrance of Yu Ting with a beaming smile, gesturing to the two jade figures as she introduced Xu Yan. "This is my friend, Xu Yan. He's not an outsider."

The jade figures regarded Xu Yan and Ming Yu for a moment before lowering their spears.

"Let's go, Xu Yan," Ming Yu said, taking the lead and stepping into Yu Ting with joyful strides.

Xu Yan inhaled deeply and followed closely behind, now fully grasping the significance of Ming Yu's status within Yu Ting. Even the Heavenly Masters heeded her commands.

As they passed by the jade figures, Xu Yan stole a closer look, his gaze transfixed by the misty white light emanating from them. He sensed that there was more to these beings than met the eye, and their strength far exceeded that of Ming Yu.

However, their agility and cognitive abilities seemed inferior to Ming Yu's, and they lacked a certain "human" quality in their demeanor.

Upon entering Yu Ting, Xu Yan noticed that everything was made of exquisite jade, even the sparse vegetation seemed to possess a jade-like texture.

"Yu Ting itself is a treasure!" Xu Yan thought in awe, realizing that even the Hongze Heaven and Earth pale in comparison.

"Yu Ting is quite vast," Ming Yu explained. "Since this is your first time here, there are some places you shouldn't go yet. For now, let's head to my residence, and once you're more familiar with the place, you can explore more freely."

"Thank you, Ming Yu," Xu Yan replied.

As they ventured deeper into Yu Ting, they occasionally encountered other jade figures. Just as Ming Yu had mentioned, even the weakest among them possessed the strength of a Realm Master. Xu Yan also noticed that each jade figure had unique characteristics, and their cognitive abilities varied significantly.

While their non-combat behavior differed, their thinking patterns seemed to be the most distinct aspect. Some appeared dull-witted, resembling simpletons.

For instance, Xu Yan witnessed one jade figure watering a tree. Midway through, the figure suddenly crouched down to lap up the water from the tree's roots, continuing to alternate between watering and lapping up the water. Its behavior seemed peculiar and abnormal.

In another instance, Xu Yan observed a jade figure practicing a mundane set of punches that seemed entirely mismatched with its formidable power. As it executed the punches, it shouted with each move, but then it suddenly froze, stuck in a particular stance, unmoving.

"I thought Ming Yu was a bit slow-witted," Xu Yan mused, "but compared to these jade figures, she's a genius!"

Everything about Yu Ting was unusual and unorthodox. Yet, despite their apparent oddities, the jade figures of Yu Ting commanded the utmost vigilance from the Unchanging Temple, who dared not underestimate them.

"One must not judge by appearances," Xu Yan reminded himself. "These jade figures may seem dull and slow, but in battle, they display no signs of clumsiness or stupidity."

Xu Yan's curiosity about the three masters of Yu Ting intensified.

"Surely," he thought, "the three masters cannot be as sluggish and dim-witted as these jade figures?"

"We're here," Ming Yu announced, leading Xu Yan to a quaint and elegant small courtyard.

The courtyard was immaculate, with everything crafted from spotless jade, including a small pavilion. In the center of the courtyard was a tiny pool with a few fish swimming in it, their bodies also made of flawless jade.

The more Xu Yan observed, the more convinced he became that his suspicions were correct.

"Ming Jie, you're back!"

A young girl, around fifteen or sixteen years old, with a delicate and adorable appearance, ran out of the pavilion. Her bright eyes shone with curiosity as she looked at Xu Yan.

"This is Xiao Jie," Ming Yu introduced. "She takes care of me."

Xu Yan offered a warm smile and nodded politely. "Nice to meet you, Xiao Jie."

Ming Yu even had a handmaiden attending to her.

Xiao Jie, despite her youthful appearance, was also a Realm Master, albeit slightly weaker than Ming Yu.

"Hello, Xu Yan..." Xiao Jie tilted her head, blinking as she considered how to address Xu Yan.

It seemed like she was pondering the appropriate way to address him, given that she called Ming Yu "Ming Jie," and now she was contemplating whether to call Xu Yan "brother" since he was Ming Yu's friend.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end