Chapter 1271: Searching

In a barren wilderness, the yellow-faced old monk walked through knee-high wild grass.The wind of freedom wandered between heaven and earth, yet he seemed to bear a heavy burden, each step not taken lightly.He no longer flew at extreme heights.For in these days, he had traveled thrice between the State of Zhongshan and Mount Yujing, yet the traces of Zhao Xuanyang and Jiang Wang seemed to have utterly vanished.He could see through illusions, but he could not create from nothing.He was certain that Zhao Xuanyang had taken his cherished disciple and hidden somewhere.Now he abandoned the method of sweeping searches and instead searched inch by inch. He did not believe that if he ploughed through every possible hiding place, inch by inch, Zhao Xuanyang could still escape his eyes.This patch of wilderness lay between the State of Wei and the State of Wo – the State of Wo being the last place he had captured Zhao Xuanyang's scent.He walked here now, like a diligent old farmer, patrolling the long-abandoned fields.Naturally, he found nothing.The autumn sun scorched his body, a searing pain to the heart.Heaven did not grant his wish; what could he do but sigh?Long ago, he had felt that immense net, and he had attempted to break free countless times, yet failed repeatedly.From Divine Ascension to Cave Comprehension, he had grown stronger, yet he had also discovered his powerlessness more profoundly.In the vast and unfathomable river of destiny, his small boat could not shelter anyone.Just like Jing’e…Just like Jing Shen.Ku Jue licked his dry lips.Jing’e was dead, but Jing Shen was still alive.Jing Shen must still be alive.Mount Yujing needed a public trial, and Zhao Xuanyang was still in hiding.Surely, he wouldn't go through all this trouble just to quietly bury Jing Shen somewhere.Moreover…That lad was quite clever.Thinking of this, Ku Jue suddenly became agitated: "Clever my backside! He left Qi and didn't even come to Suspended Empty Temple to see his master. Deserves to be bullied!"The more he thought, the angrier he became: "He's been running for so many days and hasn't left a single mark for his master! With just this little ability, he dares to be called the world's number one Inner Palace? When I find him, I'll beat him until his face is black and blue!"After scolding for a few sentences, he felt a little relieved and looked up into the distance.The Tianma Plateau, overlooking the great river, came into view.He had traveled back and forth between the State of Zhongshan and Mount Yujing in his search, his divine consciousness sweeping across, but there were many places he could not thoroughly examine.For instance, the core areas of major powers – places like imperial palaces would certainly not allow him to search. If he were to search the Lingxiao Secret Realm, Ye Xiaohua would undoubtedly have to fight him.Fortunately, Zhao Xuanyang could not easily hide in those places either.Besides these, there were some relatively mysterious places that had always kept their veils drawn from the world.For instance… the Tianma Plateau.This plateau, standing on the north bank of the great river, should be quite conspicuous and known to all. However, those who could personally enter and behold its true face were exceedingly few.Most merely flew over at high altitudes, taking a distant glance.It naturally had its mysteries and rules.Such a vast plateau, to hide one or two people, was as simple as hiding two needles in the sea… Could Zhao Xuanyang have fled here?Ku Jue's thoughts stirred, and he could no longer restrain himself.Though he was skilled at acting outrageously, rolling on the ground, and persistently缠磨, he knew very well in his heart that no one would tolerate his endless pursuit like this.Putting himself in another's shoes, if Zhao Xuanyang had not caught up to Jiang Wang for three full days after the news was announced on the Mirror World Platform, what would the situation be now? Jiang Wang would likely have been met by the people of Qi long ago.Now he had pursued Zhao Xuanyang for three full days, a contemporary True Lord chasing a Divine Ascension cultivator, yet without a single clue. If he did not know better, the State of Jing would probably lose patience.Even within the Suspended Empty Temple itself, it was absolutely impossible for them to agree to him interfering in this matter.Of course, even if the Abbot Senior Brother merely sent a message and issued a recall order, it would not affect Ku Jue – he simply wouldn't hear it!The matter of Jiang Wang's demonization had caused a sensation throughout the world.Jing, Qi, Chu, Mu, and the Suspended Empty Temple were all involved.Within the area from the State of Zhongshan to Mount Yujing, countless forces were secretly on guard. Especially those forces along Zhao Xuanyang's path, very few of them had the leisure to watch a show.Such a massive vortex involving the world's top powers, not to mention instant death upon contact, even a minor injury would leave one nowhere to complain.Not participating, not interfering, not contacting, were the principles of the various large and small forces along the way.When Ku Jue arrived before the Tianma Plateau, naturally, he was stopped.The one who stopped him was a young man dressed in the attire of a priest of the Original Heavenly God Temple.If Jiang Wang were here, he would recognize this person, who had a brief encounter with him in the Three Scents Building in the State of He.If Mei Yue were here, she could even call out the name Yuan Ye.This person possessed a naturally unrestrained demeanor.His cultivation seemed to be only at the Inner Palace stage, yet facing a contemporary True Lord, he was neither surprised nor afraid."Master Ku Jue." He stood before Ku Jue: "The Tianma Plateau is not to be trespassed upon."Ku Jue glared: "I'm just going in for a look, not trespassing!"The young priest was taken aback, clearly having never encountered such a contemporary True Lord who spoke blatant lies. He carefully considered his words before saying: "The Tianma Plateau cannot be casually entered for a look.""I'm not being casual, I'm going in for a formal look." Ku Jue the old monk waved his hand: "Get out of the way!"Effortlessly, he pushed Yuan Ye, the priest of the Original Heavenly God Temple, aside, pushing him a dozen zhang away.Ku Jue knew well that this young man could block him so promptly, indicating that these people had been on guard for a long time. The Tianma Plateau was indeed not a place to enter and exit at will, so he did not waste time. Relying on his cultivation, he pushed aside the young man in front of him and directly flew onto the plateau.But in the next moment, Yuan Ye flew back in front of him.This was by no means a speed and judgment that a cultivator in the Inner Palace realm could display.This young priest of the Original Heavenly God Temple, at this very moment, was clad in treasure light, his eyes flowing with divine radiance: "Jing, Jing, and He three states have agreed that the Tianma Plateau is not to be entered without permission! Master Ku Jue..."His voice also took on a grand tone: "Do not make things difficult for this young man."Although the agreement was between the three states, in the wider world, only the authority of the Jing and Jing states was truly significant. The State of He was in effect the guardian of the Tianma Plateau, serving as the concrete implementer of this agreement. It was his duty, so it was no wonder he had come to stop Ku Jue.Ku Jue frowned: "So you are the Divine Mandate Child of this generation. No wonder you dare to block this old monk's path."He suddenly straightened his face and said angrily: "Your State of He actually dares to provoke my Suspended Empty Temple! Good! This old monk was merely passing by, but now it seems I must trespass upon this Tianma Plateau today!"As he spoke, he began to roll up his sleeves, adopting a stubbornly unreasonable posture that showed he would not give up.Even Yuan Ye, being the Divine Mandate Child, who had always had little fear, was momentarily bewildered.When did I provoke the Suspended Empty Temple?I was practically offering you tea and water and begging you not to cause trouble, wasn't I?"If I have said anything improper, I am willing to apologize to the Master." Yuan Ye said with suppressed anger: "The Tianma Plateau, indeed, cannot be entered without permission."However, Ku Jue was clearly set on bullying the younger and relying on his age, refusing to reason with him. He merely flicked his hand: "If you want to fight, I shall fight!"This caused Yuan Ye to momentarily become disoriented and even doubt himself – did I not apologize just now, but instead spoke my thoughts and issued a challenge to him?Meanwhile, Ku Jue paid no mind to any of this and charged forward with his sleeves rolled up.Just then, a sharp shout echoed from the distant sky—"Ku Jue, how much longer will you cause trouble?"