Free Web NovelChapter 345: Chapter 246: If I Can Ascend to the Great Seat in the Future, I Shall Be the One to Control the Game (Part 2)
"Spirit Pets don’t seem to take up a slot... In that case, I can still bring one more person inside."
Qiao Yu suddenly remembered something and added,
"I heard from that little cat that the Poly-cavern Continent is divided into three realms. I might not be able to stay by your side..."
Jiang Yi smiled.
"The whole point of this trip is to find the Meridian Fire, burn through the Shell Pass, and ascend to the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm. We’re bound to meet again, Miss Xiaoqiao."
The Poly-cavern Continent was once a fragment of a shattered landmass. A Great Power of a Daoist Monarch’s stature had obtained it, refining it into a grand world hidden within the Great Void.
A wondrous realm of such creation ranked even higher than Blessed Lands or Treasure Lands. It could even accommodate beings at the True Monarch Level.
The Poly-cavern Continent, controlled by the Eight Sects, was divided into three realms. A Qi Cultivation Cultivator like Jiang Yi could only stay in the ’Mortal Realm,’ while Qiao Yu would be sent to the ’Spirit Realm.’
As for the Guardian Daoist, a True Monarch, he presided over the ’Profound Realm.’
Once Jiang Yi obtained the Meridian Fire and burned open the Shell Pass, he would naturally ascend. Then, he’d have to take that copper coin and find the ’Lai the Cloth-Clad’ that True Monarch Lu had mentioned.
"The Poly-cavern Continent is similar to the Chrono-Light Land. Time flows differently there than in the outside world. It’s enough time for Miss Xiaoqiao to meditate on her sword arts, and for me to step into the Foundation Establishment Realm."
Jiang Yi gazed into the distance, his heart surging with excitement.
If Qi Cultivation was mere consumable material, then Foundation Establishment was the vessel that carried the Dao.
As long as he could forge a pinnacle-grade Supreme Dao Foundation with the highest-grade True Qi.
’Then, no one will be able to snatch the Ever-Bright Heavenly Pool from my hands!’
"Mm."
Qiao Yu tilted her head slightly. The light from the brightly lit main hall behind them fell upon her and Jiang Yi, making their two long shadows look as if they were clinging to one another.
"I’m still waiting for the Sorrow-Banishing Flower to bloom again."
The moon in the sky was a brilliant silver disk, spilling cool light like water.
Jiang Yi glanced at Miss Xiaoqiao’s clear eyes, and his heart stirred.
’May I be the star and you the moon, our light mingling brightly night after night.’
...
...
Two days flew by in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Yi continued to travel aboard the Grand Wei Treasure Palace, flying toward the border between the northern and southern halves of the continent.
After a series of spatial shifts, they crossed vast bodies of water and continuous mountain ranges, finally stopping on the banks of the Codex River.
Shao Guansu struck a jade chime. Its lingering echo spread throughout the vessel, and Jiang Yi, who had been in deep meditation, slowly stirred.
He sent out his Divine Sense, peering through a magical mirror to take in the surrounding landscape.
An impossibly wide river stretched before them, dividing the northern and southern lands. Its current was so swift that it periodically churned up waves hundreds of feet high.
Even Qi Cultivation Cultivators, who could fly across the sky on rays of Profound Light, had to proceed with caution, lest they be knocked from the air by the raging torrent.
"This is the ’Codex River’?"
Jiang Yi was amazed. The vastness of the Hong Shui River was already beyond his imagination, but the sheer scale of the Codex River was something rarely seen in the world.
"The four great rivers of the Nanzhan Continent were drawn into existence by ’Uncle Wujie.’ These four Water Veins contain a complete sword scripture."
A nostalgic look filled Qiao Yu’s eyes. The vast river of time had washed many of her memories away, leaving only shattered fragments and a few disconnected scenes.
"Years ago, many Disciples from the Sword Discussion Pavilion would build huts along the four rivers to observe the currents and comprehend the sword scripture. It became a widespread practice."
Jiang Yi looked astonished. ’The four rivers were actually created by a True Monarch of the Sword Dao?’
He didn’t ask further, not wanting to bring up Miss Xiaoqiao’s painful memories. Instead, he instructed Shao Guansu, who was accompanying them, to land the Grand Wei Treasure Palace.
On the far bank of the Codex River, a colossal shadow loomed, towering over the ravines and piercing the heavens like a row of celestial pillars.
Jiang Yi looked closer. The terrain rose and fell unevenly, resembling five fingers pointing to the sky. It was a spectacular view.
He wondered to himself,
’Could this also be the work of a True Monarch?’
True Master Xuanmiao hurriedly explained,
"This is ’Five Elders Peak.’ Ages ago, a Foundation Establishment Grand True Master who cultivated the Earth Element passed away here in meditation, his body transforming into this magnificent landscape."
Jiang Yi understood. When a Qi Cultivation cultivator died, their body would disintegrate like a cloud of mist, condensing into pure Spiritual Energy before slowly dissipating.
Cultivators from the likes of the Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect, who consumed Daoist Can, were essentially feeding on this very essence.
However, if a Foundation Establishment True Master’s soul shattered and their Dao Foundation collapsed, their remains could transform into a river, a mountain, or even a city with grand pavilions... The exact form of this transformation depended entirely on their Cultivation Technique.
As for what happened when a True Monarch perished, the miscellaneous books and collections Jiang Yi had read contained few records.
"That’s Yue Ziqi of the Taifu Sect. He’s the first one here."
Shao Guansu waved a formation flag, guiding the Grand Wei Treasure Palace across the Codex River to land on Five Elders Peak.
On the lowest of the peaks stood a young Daoist dressed in a black robe embroidered with writhing Mang-dragons. A watery brilliance seemed to wash over him, giving him an extraordinary air.
It was none other than Yue Ziqi, whom he had met at the Hongshui Dharma Assembly!
"He was the only one from his sect to win a Talisman Decree. With the opening of the Poly-cavern Continent, the Taifu Sect is bound to have a poor showing," Jiang Yi said softly.
Before he finished speaking, several streaks of Escape Light arrived over the Codex River one after another. Among them were Feng Yuan and Qu Liu’er.
"Your Grand Wei Treasure Palace is truly swift, Daoist. We were left in the dust and couldn’t keep up no matter how hard we tried."
Feng Yuan arrived riding a roiling cloud of fire, while Qu Liu’er was on a flying boat. Each held a Talisman Decree and was accompanied by Disciples from the upper courts of Li Peak and Kan Peak, respectively.
After Qu Liu’er introduced them, she explained softly,
"These few martial-nephews are here to gain some experience.
Each Talisman Decree allows for one master and two attendants. We will be going to the Spirit Realm to seek our fortunes, while they will have to rough it in the Mortal Realm."
Jiang Yi nodded. Even for Disciples of an Ancestral Sect, an Opportunity for cultivation was incredibly precious.
This was one of the key reasons the True Disciples of the Eight Peaks Grotto-Heaven were so respected: they could secure many valuable benefits for the younger generation, aiding their Cultivation.
Gu Changling’s defeat, for example, didn’t just damage his own prestige; it also cost the Disciples of Gen Peak this very Opportunity.
Compared to the triumphant mood on the other peaks, the people from Gen Peak were naturally as dejected as defeated cockerels.
"Greetings, Daoist!"
The junior disciples all spoke in unison, bowing together respectfully, not daring to show any lack of courtesy.
Tales of how this Daoist Jiang had demonstrated the Five Elements and guided the True Disciples of each peak to victory in Magical Combat had already spread far and wide across the northern and southern lands.
The sentiment throughout the Innate Sect had shifted completely. Everyone now agreed that Ancestral Master Mingxuan’s insight was as sharp as a torch, and that he possessed incredible foresight.
How else could he have picked the Daoist from among the teeming masses of Beimang Ridge!
Jiang Yi gave a faint nod. He looked at Feng Yuan and Qu Liu’er, who had arrived together, and asked,
"Where is True Inheritance Yuan? Why is he not here?"
Logically, the True Disciples from the Innate Sect who obtained Talisman Decrees should have all come to the Poly-cavern Continent together.
Feng Yuan looked helpless.
"Junior Brother Yuan..."
Before he could explain, a golden light flared above the Codex River. It transformed into a razor-sharp rainbow streak that seemed capable of splitting the heavens and rending the earth, tearing through the vast clouds that blotted out the sky!
Yuan Xiaozheng could be seen soaring on his sword light, locked in combat with a Daoist who wore a crane-feather cloak and stood atop a large banner.
"It has been a while! Your sword arts have truly improved, True Master Tianxing!"
The Daoist pointed a finger. The great banner beneath his feet suddenly stirred, drawing in roiling clouds of sorrow to envelop Yuan Xiaozheng and his blazing sword light!
"Such a petty spell is not enough to stop me!"
Yuan Xiaozheng didn’t change his tactics. He formed a hand seal, channeling his golden qi to divide and merge at his will.
Instantly, a torrential rain of swords shot down, filling the air with the ceaseless sound of tearing silk!
The roiling clouds of sorrow commanded by the Daoist looked ordinary, but they were in fact refined from millennia of accumulated subterranean filth. They excelled at corrupting True Qi and Magical Power, dulling the five senses and befogging one’s Divine Sense.
But Yuan Xiaozheng’s primary cultivation was the Metal Element. He had nourished this golden qi with his own life-bound Dao Foundation for a century, making it utterly pure and nigh-indestructible!
"Arrogant as ever! To defeat your Flying Sword, I specifically mastered a technique called the ’Yama-Demon Emperor’s Body’!"
As the Daoist spoke, the great banner shuddered. It seemed capable of shaking the ten directions, exuding a boundless might that could make mountains crumble and rivers flow backward!
He merged his body with the great banner, and his Qi Mechanism skyrocketed. The phantom of a three-headed, six-armed figure wearing a Dharma crown rose up, as majestic and terrifying as a god or a demon!
A skeletal white hand that spanned for miles suddenly reached out, swatting down toward Yuan Xiaozheng with unparalleled ferocity!
"Junior Brother Yuan’s opponent is ’True Master Huangquan’, Nie Ying, from the Hunlun Sect."
Feng Yuan identified the Daoist.
"You could call them arch-rivals. They use each other as whetstones to sharpen their skills."
’The Hunlun Sect?’
The Hunlun Sect was one of the three Ancestral Sects that held ruling authority over the Nanzhan Continent, on par with the Innate Sect and the Taifu Sect.
A glint flashed in Jiang Yi’s eyes. ’This trip to the Poly-cavern Continent is getting lively,’ he thought. ’We might see half of the Demon Dao’s Eight Sects here.’
