Free Web NovelChapter 259: Chapter 233: Entering Hunzhou, Learning About the Divine Statue
Hunzhou was located on the edge of the Sixteen States, in a region with low Spiritual Qi.
As a result, few Cultivators ever set foot in that area.
Chen Che hadn’t expected Thousand Eyes True Master’s Cave Mansion to be located there. But on second thought, it made sense. A lack of Spiritual Qi meant mortals couldn’t practice Cultivation. They would remain ignorant and unenlightened, making it easier to gather their faith.
Under Sun Hao’s guidance, Chen Che journeyed all the way to Kyoto.
As he arrived, a massive, hundred-zhang-tall Divine Statue immediately caught his attention.
’Has the Divine Statue been recovered? No... the stone is still fresh, and it hasn’t gathered much Power of Faith. Could it be that this statue was just carved and put up recently?’
A sweep of his Divine Sense instantly revealed the truth.
’So that’s it. The Divine Statue is placed here for mortals to worship, so it’s completely unguarded. No wonder a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators could make off with it. Ah, that’s right. Thousand Eyes True Master was two days late; he must have been investigating the statue’s whereabouts.’
After some thought, he quickly deduced the cause and effect. Chen Che relaxed slightly, but a worry still lingered.
Where were the people who stole the statue now?
Were they dead or alive? And where was the original Divine Statue hidden?
"We’re here."
Sun Hao turned back to inform him, his gaze pausing for a moment on the Little Chick.
’The man’s a persistent thief!’
Noticing the other man’s extremely subtle glance, Chen Che remained impassive. If Sun Hao hadn’t been with Thousand Eyes True Master, Chen Che would never have let him leave Jinyun Valley alive.
He reined in his thoughts and looked ahead with curiosity.
Thousand Eyes True Master’s Cave Mansion was located within the Great Chen Imperial Mausoleum. From a distance, it looked like a Divine Temple, but up close, it more closely resembled a tomb. The entrance was flanked by two imperious-looking Tomb Guardian Beasts that resembled tigers, but weren’t. A sweep of his Divine Sense confirmed they were just statues, not Puppets.
However, they had also gathered a small amount of the Power of Faith.
The temple’s interior was spacious, dim, and sparsely furnished.
But the most stunning feature was at the head of the temple: a two-zhang-tall Divine Statue.
This Divine Statue had a benevolent face, a thousand eyes, and a thousand hands, and was draped in a white robe. Though it looked supremely celestial at first glance, it gave one a creepy, hair-raising feeling. Standing beneath it felt like being watched by a thousand eyes.
’This is another Tier Four Divine Statue. Is he so afraid of it being stolen that he put it here?’
Chen Che’s thoughts stirred.
At that moment, Thousand Eyes True Master was seated cross-legged beneath the Divine Statue. He was on a pumpon, his five centers facing the heavens. In front of him sat an ancient, pitch-black earthenware jar. Wisps of black mist were pouring out of the jar, slipping past his mask and into his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
"True Master, Valley Master Chen has arrived."
Sun Hao cupped his hands, his tone extremely respectful.
"Mm."
The flow of black mist stopped. Fiery light appeared in the eyes behind the mask as Thousand Eyes True Master gave a slight nod.
"You may leave."
Sun Hao cupped his hands again and withdrew.
As Chen Che watched with his Divine Sense, he again felt the man’s gaze pause on the Little Chick on his shoulder.
"Sun Hao, a genius Beast Master, as famous as you are. I heard you were once part of the same small association. He was being hunted because of the Red Dragon Cave Mansion incident. I saw his potential and recruited him to serve me. The two of you should get to know each other better in the future."
Thousand Eyes True Master exhaled a puff of black gas. Vague faces appeared within it, revealing that what he had just absorbed were Souls, not ordinary black mist.
’So that’s how it is,’ Chen Che realized.
The matter of the Red Dragon Cave Mansion had caused a huge stir, and many believed Sun Hao had obtained its Treasure. A great number of Tribulation Cultivators and Loose Cultivators had been hunting him. It turned out he had sought refuge with Thousand Eyes True Master.
"I’ve summoned you to refine a pill for me..."
Thousand Eyes True Master looked down. "Although the Primordial Sect has Tier Three Alchemists, it is not yet my turn to use them."
Chen Che nodded.
Even within a family, there are close and distant relationships, let alone within a sect’s different factions. Thousand Eyes True Master was merely a Tributor, so the sect’s alchemists would naturally prioritize their own people.
"What kind of elixir does the True Master require?"
"Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for you..."
Thousand Eyes True Master stood up.
Chen Che looked up and noticed a web of cracks on his mask.
They were clearly from the battle at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea.
Seeing him head for the door, Chen Che followed.
The Divine Temple was in a unique location, serene and secluded, with no mortals to be seen. However, cloaked black figures drifted past. A quick glance revealed that all of them were shrouded in Yin Sha Qi. They didn’t seem like Cultivators; their auras were closer to that of Thousand Eyes True Master.
’Divine Dao Cultivators!’
Chen Che understood.
"They are from the Great Chen Royal Family, members of the Royal Race from generations past. Their lifespans were running out, so they embarked on the Divine Dao. If one day your own lifespan is nearly exhausted, I can also help you live a second life."
Thousand Eyes True Master glanced at the deeply curious Valley Master Chen.
"Thank you, True Master."
The corner of Chen Che’s mouth twitched slightly.
’Switching to the Divine Dao? Forget it.’ He had no desire to live as something neither human nor ghost.
"Heh heh."
Thousand Eyes True Master chuckled lightly, as if guessing Chen Che’s thoughts, and said casually, "When I was alive, I too believed I could break the cycle of the Celestial Dao and live forever, free and unfettered. But in the end, I discovered that even becoming a Cultivator changes nothing. One still cannot escape the simplest of worldly shackles: birth, aging, sickness, and death."
Chen Che didn’t know how to respond to that, so he simply kept his mouth shut.
It was best not to try and guess the thoughts of a thousand-year-old monster, especially a Divine Dao Cultivator. They were known to be incredibly fickle.
"This will be your Tribute Mansion. In the future, you can come here directly with my Token."
They stepped into a side hall, and Thousand Eyes True Master spoke casually with his hands behind his back.
"This is also where you will perform your alchemy from now on."
"I have to stay here from now on?"
Chen Che mulled over the man’s words. Was he planning to put him under house arrest?
"I am not like True Master Wanbao, who cuts off the arms of anyone who merely rejects his recruitment. This place is just one of your future residences. Whether you wish to stay in Jinyun Valley or here with me, I will not interfere."
Thousand Eyes True Master glanced at Chen Che. Imprisoning someone was certainly one method, but how could you expect them to serve you with unwavering loyalty and their utmost effort that way?
As long as you offered enough benefits, people would scramble over each other to work for you.
’I’m supposed to thank you for not locking me up?’
Chen Che let out a sigh of relief.
However, the mention of having one’s arms cut off reminded him of Jia Chaoyuan.
’True Master Duobao.’ He secretly committed the name to memory.
The Tribute Mansion was quite large, equipped with a Quiet Chamber, an Alchemy Room, and everything else one could need.
The only drawback was the lack of Spiritual Qi. Even with a Spirit Gathering Array set up, the Spiritual Qi couldn’t compare to Jinyun Valley.
"Take a look at the Pill Formula."
Finally, they stopped inside the Alchemy Room. With a flick of his wrist, Thousand Eyes True Master sent a Pill Formula floating over.
"I’ve never refined a Tier Three pill. The success rate probably won’t be high."
Chen Che spoke a half-truth.
After all, he was only a freshman at Zhurong Daoist School. The current curriculum was still focused on Tier Two Middle Grade pills. Even with his slightly faster progress, he had only reached High Grade.
However, thanks to his solid foundation, refining a Tier Three Elixir probably wouldn’t be as difficult as he made it sound.
"Regardless, you must succeed in refining it within three months!"
Thousand Eyes True Master glanced at Chen Che, making the latter’s heart skip a beat. He continued, "I will do everything in my power to assist you."
Then, he waved his hand dismissively.
"With my Token, you are above ten thousand others in Hunzhou and can command anyone. The materials will be delivered shortly."
"Yes."
Chen Che nodded.
’He’s probably going to the Black Tortoise Calm Sea in three months. Although the two sects are cooperating, no one knows if a conflict will arise. That’s why he needs a Tier Three Elixir now.’
"Three months, huh?"
Chen Che pressed his lips together.
...
"That Xuan Peng’s aura is getting stronger and stronger. I’d estimate it’s already reached the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer..."
Leaving the Divine Temple, Sun Hao glanced back.
A Tier Four Demon Beast!
He’d heard that during the battle in Primordial City, Jingfeng had slammed Hu Haiqing to the ground in a single exchange. If it reached the Golden Core realm and developed its Divine Abilities, its power would likely double again.
"Be patient. We will obtain it sooner or later. You have a Golden Core True Master assisting your Cultivation; there’s no way you can’t surpass him."
The Red Dragon Remnant Soul’s voice transmitted from the Jade Pendant.
The Beast Eggs had been hidden in an ancient residence in the Mortal World, sealed inside a safe box. He was sure that even if an outsider found it, they wouldn’t be able to open it. To this day, he still couldn’t figure out how Chen Che had managed to hatch the Xuan Peng.
"If he keeps raising it, it’ll become completely loyal to him. Even if we get our hands on it, how could it ever serve us wholeheartedly with that Divine Soul Contract in place?"
Sun Hao was fraught with anxiety.
After cultivating with the Red Dragon Remnant Soul for so long, he had learned a great deal about Beast Taming. If he tried to control the Xuan Peng by force, the first thing it would do after becoming powerful enough would be to turn on and devour its master.
"Thousand Eyes has to go to the Black Tortoise Calm Sea in three months at most. Once he leaves, he’ll be gone for three to five months at the minimum, or even decades at the maximum. With that much time, do you really think we won’t have an opportunity to make a move?" the Red Dragon Remnant Soul sneered.
Sun Hao nodded.
Just then, several black figures drifted over, looking hurried. They were holding several broken pieces of Wood Armor.
"What’s that?"
Sun Hao took a look, his eyes narrowing slightly.
As expected, he heard one of the black figures float up to him and say, "Tributor Sun, we found a fragment of a Flying Boat. We’re not sure if it was left behind by those thieves who stole the statue."
...
...
"Tributor Chen!"
Chen Che had just finished a tour of the Sacrificial Hall when he heard a commotion, as if many people were barging in.
"This is Yin Coffin Wood. The True Master had us deliver it to you for your alchemy."
Following the sound, he saw a black-robed member of the Royal Race directing Cultivators to transport lumber. Piles of the black wood quickly filled a corner of the Alchemy Room.
Besides that...
There were also some strange earthenware jars. Some contained the eyes of unknown Demon Beasts. He opened one jar and saw it was full of a crushed powder. Just as he was about to pinch some to taste what it was, the black-robed Royal Race member reminded him, "Tributor Chen, that is the ash of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."
"..."
Chen Che’s mouth twitched. He put the lid back on the jar, instantly losing all interest in inspecting the rest of them. He let the men pile the materials in the room, then asked, "Is this everything?"
"We’re still missing a few main ingredients. They should be delivered in the next few days."
The man was extremely courteous.
Nodding slightly, Chen Che turned his eyes to the materials that had been delivered.
As expected of a Golden Core True Master’s reserves, his generosity was extraordinary. Yin Coffin Wood was a type of Spirit Tree that grew in graveyards. It grew only three feet per century. When burned, it could produce Yin Fire, which was used for refining certain Yin-attribute Elixirs to avoid contamination from worldly auras.
The ashes of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator were used to purify the Yin Fire.
There were also several skull-shaped jars, which were meant to hold the finished pills.
Just then,
a commotion outside the Sacrificial Hall made his eyebrows shoot up.
"They found the statue thieves’ Flying Boat?"
