Free Web NovelChapter 317: Chapter 316: Eastern Profound Domain
Wen Qingye’s face was exceptionally pale, as if every last bit of his strength had been drained away. After a long moment, he slowly exhaled and felt much better.
"Has your strength recovered?" Wen Qingye asked, looking at the coiled Ice Python.
The Ice Python looked at Wen Qingye and replied via the Spirit Communication Technique, "My strength has now reached the Seventh Heaven of Destruction Realm. As long as I can pass this seventh tribulation, I’ll definitely break through to the Life and Death Realm. I should be ready to face the seventh tribulation in about two months."
Wen Qingye nodded with a smile. "Good. Your current strength is impressive. I plan to head to the Glazed Ancient Country next, and with you along, I’ll have a lot less to worry about."
The Ice Python flicked its forked tongue and fell silent for a moment before replying, "Alright. Since you helped me get rid of the Dark Thunder and I have nowhere else to go, I’ll protect you for a while."
In truth, this wasn’t all the Ice Python was thinking. The deeper reason was the Dragon Scale; it had a feeling the scale was no ordinary item.
Wen Qingye dragged his weary body back toward the Celestial Profound Villa.
「Three days later, at the Sacrificial Hall on Celestial Profound Mountain.」
A middle-aged man hurried toward the inner hall, seemingly on urgent business.
Steward Bai was sitting at his desk organizing scrolls. He wasn’t angry when the man burst in; instead, he just smiled. "Brother He, you’re in such a rush. Don’t tell me you’re here to post more missions?"
This was Brother He, the very same middle-aged man who had delivered the Purple River Pill to Miaoxuan on Danxuan Peak.
Seeing Steward Bai, Brother He said urgently, "Junior Brother Bai, where’s the disciple who gave me that Purple River Pill last time? Take me to him, quickly!"
"Him? You mean Wen Qingye?" Steward Bai asked, confused. "But he just reported to me yesterday that he was leaving the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain."
Brother He’s expression changed. "What? He left?"
"Yes. He’s heading to the Glazed Ancient Country to complete a mission for the Luo Family and to contend for the opportunities at the Great Wilderness Ancient Stele. What’s wrong? Was there a problem with the Purple River Pill?" Steward Bai asked with a frown.
Brother He sighed. "Yes, it’s about the Purple River Pill."
A jolt of alarm went through Steward Bai. "Martial Uncle Miaoxuan isn’t furious, is he? He doesn’t want to have Wen Qingye arrested and punished?"
"Punish him? How could that be?" Brother He gave a wry smile and shook his head. "That Purple River Pill... it turned out to be the legendary Supreme Grade. A quality that even Martial Uncle Miaoxuan can’t refine. Why would he be punished for that?"
"What!?" Steward Bai froze, his mind going completely blank. ’Supreme Grade?’
.......
The Eastern Profound Domain was vast, its map shockingly immense. A territory spanning tens of thousands of miles was but a mere corner of it. Countless countries dotted its landscape, home to a population in the hundreds of millions. Numerous Sects were situated within these nations, holding dominion over the land.
The Taiyi Pavilion held sway over hundreds of countries in the east, with thirteen Ancient Countries under its command, making it the most powerful force in the entire Eastern Profound Domain. The Celestial Profound Sect was located in the northwest. And while there was a significant gap in power between it and the Taiyi Pavilion, it was still extremely formidable compared to other Sects.
The Thousand Nether Valley was situated in the Thousand Nether Forest to the south. It controlled a number of nations comparable to the Celestial Profound Sect but rarely interacted with outsiders. Even the Taiyi Pavilion didn’t dare to act too brazenly toward them, a testament to their hidden power.
The Sword Sect was in the south, bordering the Endless Sea. It had frequent dealings with the many Super Sects on the sea’s islands, and its true strength was immeasurable.
As for Baoling Temple and the Daoist School of Non-action, they were located in the center of the Eastern Profound Domain. These two Sects controlled few nations, but they had numerous disciples and were exceptionally united. They were interdependent, forming a pact of mutual offense and defense that made them an extremely powerful force.
Beyond these Super Sects, there were of course other powers, such as the Jade Maiden Sect, the Asura Sect, Guanlan Manor, and the Nether Hall. The dozen or so Sects that crisscrossed the land also possessed strength that could not be underestimated.
The Glazed Ancient Country, his current destination, was located in the central-western region. It wasn’t considered far from the Celestial Profound Sect, but it wasn’t close either.
Wen Qingye had traveled for three days, finally leaving the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain and arriving in a small neighboring nation called Qixuan Country.
Splendid, glittering buildings lined the streets, which bustled with a lively and prosperous crowd. It lacked the tranquility of the Celestial Profound Sect but had a warmth and human touch that the Sect was missing.
There were some Martial Artists on the street, but their cultivation wasn’t very high. The majority were Martial Artists in the Refining Spirit Realm at best.
After traveling at high speed for three straight days, Wen Qingye needed a rest. He found a random tavern on the street and strolled inside.
The moment he stepped inside, he was met with the sight of a packed house and the din of conversation.
"Waiter, bring the food!"
"Shopkeeper, another jug of your finest wine!"
The patrons were shouting their orders, making for a very lively atmosphere.
The Ice Python’s voice suddenly echoed in Wen Qingye’s Sea of Consciousness. ’This place is certainly lively.’ The python had been extremely curious about the outside world ever since it woke up.
Wen Qingye glanced around and chuckled. "It’s not bad. I imagine it’ll be even livelier once we reach the Imperial City of the Ancient Country."
"Sir, I’m sorry, but all our tables are full." Just as Wen Qingye came in, a girl of seventeen or eighteen approached and spoke to him apologetically.
The girl had an innocent look about her, with a touch of youthful bashfulness. She looked at Wen Qingye with a shy gaze.
Wen Qingye pointed to a table by the window, his brow furrowed. "Full? I see an empty seat right over there."
The girl explained, "The Young Prince, Kang Li’an, has declared that no one is allowed to use that table except him."
"It’s fine. I’m just here for a meal. I’ll leave as soon as I’m finished."
"You can’t, the Young Prince..."
Before the girl could say more, Wen Qingye had already taken the seat. Alarmed, she rushed over to the Shopkeeper, who was busy shouting out orders.
The girl said anxiously, "Dad, someone just sat at Young Prince Kang Li’an’s table! What do we do?"
"What? Who’s got the nerve to do that?" The Shopkeeper glanced in Wen Qingye’s direction and was visibly startled, but he quickly composed himself. "It’s fine, it’s fine. The Young Prince, Kang Li’an, doesn’t have a reservation today. We’ll just let the man eat his meal quickly and send him on his way."
The girl muttered, "Hmph. That Young Prince Kang Li’an is so obnoxious. He’s a tyrant who bullies everyone, preys on..."
Before she could finish, the Shopkeeper clapped a hand over her mouth. "My dear Xing’Er, that’s enough! Do you want us to lose our heads?"
Xing’Er stuck out her tongue. "Fine, I won’t say anything else. I’ll go take that man’s order."
