Chapter 684: The Formless River
Chapter 684: The Formless River
After a brief conversation, the members of the Wind Travel Association did not linger. Under the lead of the Wind Travel Shenjun, they quickly headed out of the Formless City.
Although they were in the Formless City and their physical bodies were shaped by the special environment, they were still the Worldly Celebrity Shen Jun of the Ninth Heaven. The concept of fatigue did not exist for them, and they were not ordinary mortals.
The only difference was that, in the outside world, even the Shenjun of the Zao-hua lineage could cross billions of miles in an instant. But within the Formless City, the suppression of the void was extremely high, and the entire world seemed to be highly condensed by three Benyuan Da Dao. Even the Ninth Heaven's group had to move slowly, and it took them nearly half a day to reach the city gates.
"Our hunting grounds for this trip are still the Formless River to the west."
As the Wind Travel Shenjun led the group, he gave a simple description to Chen Mu.
The hunting grounds of the Wind Travel Association were usually either the Formless River to the west or the Formless River to the east. They were familiar with these two areas but were completely unfamiliar with the Formless River to the south and the Formless Mountain to the north.
The reason for choosing hunting grounds in opposite directions, the east and the west, was naturally out of caution. Although private duels were prohibited within the Formless City, outside the city, there were no taboos. The dangers were not limited to various exotic beasts but also included other hunting teams and even hunting squads formed by the natives of the Formless City.
Therefore, each time the Wind Travel Association ventured out, they would choose either the east or the west to avoid being targeted by others.
"This is the wall of the Formless City..."
Before Chen Mu's eyes was a wall that could not be considered particularly majestic. It was only a few dozen zhang high and even paled in comparison to some of the more remote cities in his Daxuan realm. However, as Chen Mu stared at this wall, his gaze grew solemn.
From this wall, he sensed a power and structure similar to the rock layers of the Endless Abyss. Its interior contained different Xuan Ao combined with various Da Dao. This was a realm that the Ninth Heaven Shenjun could not enter. In other words, although the wall appeared to be only a few dozen zhang high, it was impossible for the Ninth Heaven Shenjun to climb over it.
"The walls of the Formless City are imbued with Hunyuan Power. Apart from the city gates, there is no other way to cross them."
Noticing Chen Mu's expression, the Wind Travel Shenjun explained in a low voice.
Hunyuan Power.
This was a term Chen Mu had come across after entering the Ninth Heaven. It was not a specific name for a particular type of power but rather a general term. Any substance or power formed by the convergence of different Da Dao and different Xuan Ao was called Hunyuan Power. This was a realm that the Ninth Heaven Shenjun found challenging to analyze and overcome.
Hunyuan Power itself also had varying levels, with some being low-level. Low-level Hunyuan Power might only involve the fusion of two Xuan Ao, such as the fusion of the life Xuan Ao from the Zao-hua lineage and the convergence Xuan Ao from the Xu Kong lineage.
The Ninth Heaven Shenjun could indeed destroy this low-level Hunyuan Power with their absolute strength. In fact, many of the exotic beasts outside the Formless City possessed low-level Hunyuan Power.
However, while they could destroy it, analyzing this power was another matter. The fusion of different Xuan Ao powers from various Da Dao was a realm only accessible to Da Dao Zun Zhe. Just as mortals could mine ore veins and extract Xuan Tie, they could not possibly analyze the fundamental structure of Xuan Tie or create it with their bare hands.
Due to the unique nature of Hunyuan Power, Shenjun faced significant limitations when encountering this power. Just like the wall before Chen Mu, which was entirely forged with Hunyuan Power, it was too complex to forcibly cross.
Generally,
Hunyuan Power that contained two or three different Da Dao and Xuan Ao was considered low-level. The Ninth Heaven Shenjun could overcome it with sheer force, as their power was essentially the fusion of four Xuan Ao.
However, when four or more different Xuan Ao fused to form Hunyuan Power, it became extremely troublesome for the Ninth Heaven Shenjun. They often struggled to deal with it, and this type of Hunyuan Power was known as high-level Hunyuan Power.
Hunting teams like the Wind Travel Association would only attempt to engage exotic beasts with high-level Hunyuan Power briefly. Upon realizing the difficulty, they would immediately retreat and give up.
Furthermore,
there were even more exotic beasts that possessed Hunyuan Power formed by the fusion of five or six different Xuan Ao, which was considered Zun Zhe-level Hunyuan Power.
Normally, if one could comprehend and completely fuse the five Xuan Ao of a lineage, they would directly transform into a Da Dao Zun Zhe. However, Hunyuan Power, due to its dispersed nature and the fusion of different Xuan Ao from various Da Dao, resulted in a power that was not as strong as a true Da Dao Zun Zhe. Nonetheless, it was still formidable enough to be nearly unstoppable by Da Dao Zun Zhe. Even a Ninth Heaven Shenjun who had achieved San Mai Da Yuanyuan would have to flee for their lives upon encountering such a beast.
Of course,
Outside the Formless City, it was almost unheard of for exotic beasts to reach the level of Zun Zhe. At least, the Wind Travel Shenjun had never heard of any Zun Zhe-level exotic beasts. According to his understanding, these beasts were like rare treasures in the eyes of Da Dao Zun Zhe. Whenever a Zun Zhe-level exotic beast appeared, forces like the Suiyue Shen Dian would immediately report it, and soon, Da Dao Zun Zhe would arrive to subdue the beast. There might even be multiple Da Dao Zun Zhe vying for the beast, leading to fights and killings.
"Everyone, please present your tokens of authority."
As Fengxing Shenjun and his group approached the city gate, two tall guards blocked their path, their imposing figures standing before them. One of them had a cold expression, his gaze piercing the group, emitting a strong sense of oppression that seemed to connect with the towering Hunyuan city walls behind them. It felt as if these guards could harness the power of the Hunyuan realm.
However, Fengxing Shenjun remained calm and collected. He quickly took out a light golden token and handed it to the guard for inspection.
After examining the token, the guard's expression softened, and he nodded slightly at the group. Then, he returned to his position at the side of the gate, standing still like a stone statue, ignoring the group's chatter.
Chen Mu observed the guards, and a hint of strangeness flashed in his eyes. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt a strong sense of dissonance from these two guards. Although they appeared no different from the ordinary people in the city, Chen Mu's perception of them was unique, as if they were rule-based entities devoid of self-awareness.
Strange!
Truly strange!
What is the true nature of the Yuan Jing?
Even now, Chen Mu couldn't discern whether the Yuan Jing was real or illusory. At least, in his current situation, everything felt out of place. The entire Wuxiang City seemed like a special game, and these guards were like mindless NPCs, products of the rules of the Benyuan Da Dao.
After observing the guards closely for a while, Chen Mu still couldn't make sense of it. He even glanced at Fengxing Shenjun and the others, a hint of confusion arising in his heart.
Fengxing Shenjun and his group were from the outside world, but were these their real bodies? Or were they also rule-based illusions created by the Benyuan Da Dao?
The group followed Fengxing Shenjun as they exited the city.
Fengxing Shenjun noticed Chen Mu's gaze but didn't show any surprise. Instead, he smiled and said, "It seems like Chen brother is confused. I was also perplexed when I first arrived, and even now, I can't fully comprehend the essence of the Yuan Jing. Just like those two guards, they seem to be emotionless manifestations of rules."
"But pondering here is pointless."
"In the Yuan Jing, one must not think too deeply, for a single thought can lead to error. The only path is to follow the rules here, seize the opportunities, and strive to comprehend the Benyuan Da Dao. Only by understanding the Great Dao and reaching the pinnacle can one truly see the light."
Upon hearing Fengxing Shenjun's words, Chen Mu's expression became thoughtful.
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"I understand," Chen Mu said, bowing slightly to Fengxing Shenjun.
Fengxing Shenjun smiled and waved his hand, continuing to lead the way.
Soon,
Chen Mu's gaze swept across the landscape, and the world suddenly became clear. They had exited Wuxiang City.
Before him was an immense and boundless world, with a long river winding through it, stretching towards the horizon as if connected to the sky. The river surged with unceasing waves, occasionally splashing against the banks.
"This is the Wuxiang River," Chen Mu murmured to himself.
To his eyes, no matter how he observed it, it was just an ordinary river, no different from any other in the mortal world. But when he closed his eyes and sensed it, he perceived nothingness, an absence of all existence.
This was a peculiar situation. Chen Mu, as a Nine Heavens God-King of the Void Lineage, had a powerful perception, yet this Wuxiang River seemed to evade his senses.
"This Wuxiang River can only be seen with the eyes of a mortal. Any other form of perception will reveal nothingness. Hence, it is called Wuxiang, and it's impossible to sense what lies within its waters."
Fengxing Shenjun explained briefly to Chen Mu.
Fengxing Association's hunting expeditions usually took place along the banks of the Wuxiang River, where they sought out Monster Beasts as prey. They had to be extremely cautious during the hunt, and falling into the river was absolutely forbidden. Once in the river, it wasn't a matter of life and death but of the unknown.
Yes, the unknown.
There were numerous hunting teams like Fengxing Association in Wuxiang City, but no one knew the consequences of falling into the Wuxiang River. The most peculiar thing, according to Fengxing Shenjun's understanding, was that no one had ever fallen into the river.
This was undoubtedly strange. Hunting Monster Beasts was dangerous, and no matter how cautious one was, accidents could happen. Even if the probability of falling into the river was low, with so many hunting teams and Nine Heavens God-Kings in Wuxiang City, it seemed impossible that not a single person had accidentally fallen in.
And so,
There was a chilling answer.
Falling into the Wuxiang River wasn't a matter of life and death but of direct disappearance from existence!
All traces of their existence in the world, including memories and impressions in the minds of others, would vanish without a trace, becoming formless and merging with nothingness. This was undoubtedly a great terror!
(End of Chapter)
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