Chapter 1307: Unfading Beauty in Life

Departing Xuankong Temple, Jiang Wang was suddenly struck by a sense of boundless world, yet knowing not where to venture.

The Central Domain, the Eastern Domain, the Northern Domain... even the entire world, in truth, teetered on the brink of upheaval due to the actions of the Three Hegemonic Nations, with heroes from all corners participating, yet everything seemed utterly unrelated to him.

Speaking of which, the current tumultuous situation seemed to have originated from his being branded with the "Crime of Collusion with Devils"; he could perhaps be considered the source of misfortune. Yet, needing to conceal his identity for the time being, he had now become a mere spectator.

The surging tide, engulfing all within its embrace, yet he, in the guise of one who had vanished, journeyed afar.

However, for Jiang Wang, bewilderment was always fleeting. The most crucial matter for him, above all else, was to find a peaceful place to cultivate.

Ultimately, he chose the State of Zhao.

The State of Zhao lay to the east of Xuankong Temple and southwest of the State of Qi, a realm that had once been part of the illustrious Nine Nations of the Rising Sun, inheritors of the legacy of the ancient Yang.

Of course, as of today, the so-called "Nine Nations of the Rising Sun" had become a jest.

Since last year, when the State of Yang, having inherited the greatest share of the ancient Yang's legacy and possessing the strongest influence, had steadily declined, ultimately to be annihilated in a single battle, the "Nine Nations of the Rising Sun" were reduced to merely Zhao, Chang, and Xu.

The entire Eastern Domain, having once vied fiercely for the mantle of "Orthodox Successor of the Ancient Yang," now actively sought to distance themselves from "the Ancient Yang."

None other than that times had changed, and the hegemon of the Eastern Domain today bore the name "Qi."

Should one review history, it is not difficult to discern that among the Nine Nations of the Rising Sun, two were personally vanquished by the State of Qi. The first was named "Yang," and the second "Ming."

The State of Yang goes without saying. The renowned "Alliance of Zhuhe" originated from the State of Ming, eventually expanding throughout the entire domain, granting the Azure Badges of the State of Qi the right to traverse all corners of the Eastern Domain.

Now reduced to merely three small states, the "Nine Nations of the Rising Sun" inevitably trembled before the State of Qi.

Setting aside other matters, the State of Xu, one of the three remaining nations, currently had troops arrayed on the Star and Moon Plain, locked in confrontation with the State of Xiang at the behest of the State of Qi, poised for a total war at any moment. This could be described as "sacrificing heads and spilling hot blood, a heart of utmost devotion offered to Qi."

Thus, when Jiang Wang arrived in the State of Zhao, it was no surprise to hear Qi accents everywhere and see Qi attire throughout.

Cloak concealing his face, clad in coarse linen, Jiang Wang, simply by virtue of his authentic Linzi accent, received a half-price discount when paying for his room at the inn. The proprietor, with a face full of smiles, treated him as an honored guest.

Secular gold and silver no longer held any sway over Jiang Wang's heart; this incident revealed to him the absolute submission of the State of Zhao to the State of Qi.

Thinking back then, no matter how much the State of Yang admired Qi, they would not be soft-hearted when it came to earning money. Hu You, a mere village chief, dared to steal resources from the Chongxuan family. Later, Shi Jing, the City Lord of Jiayang, blinded by greed, brazenly launched an army to attack Azure Sheep Town.

And what he currently displayed in the State of Zhao was such an ordinary identity, and whom he encountered was merely an ordinary person of Zhao... this was precisely the most convincing evidence.

There was nothing to lament. Jiang Wang directly locked his door and began his evening cultivation session for the day.

Circulating his Dao Yuan, clearing the isolated islands of heaven and earth, exploring his Inner Mansion, familiarizing himself with Dao techniques...

Completing all the steps in an orderly manner.

Surprises arrived unexpectedly—

During his exploration of the Fifth Inner Mansion, he encountered a perfectly suited Hidden Treasure.

Named "Fallen God," its effect was to amplify the power of spiritual attacks by ten percent.

There was no need to wait further. For Jiang Wang, this was the best Hidden Treasure.

He decisively plucked it.

This was the fastest instance of determining a Hidden Treasure since his Dao Meridian Soaring Dragon had journeyed into the Five Mansion Sea and explored the five Inner Mansions. It could perhaps be considered a stroke of good fortune.

Having plucked the Fifth Hidden Treasure, Jiang Wang did not cease, but continued his evening cultivation session with a calm mind.

While this Hidden Treasure was excellent, ultimately, all Hidden Treasures were based on the cultivator's own strength to exhibit more dazzling performance. If it were an ordinary Inner Mansion cultivator who had not even touched upon the threshold of spiritual attack, the effect of "Fallen God" would be virtually nonexistent.

He was quite satisfied with "Fallen God," but the difference of one or two Hidden Treasures would no longer significantly impact his overall combat strength at this point.

With five divine abilities gained from the five Mansions, five great Hidden Treasures revealed, and five instant-cast Dao techniques already imprinted, the Inner Mansion realm had almost reached its culmination.

The reason for using the word "almost" was merely because there was still some room for internal exploration, and there was still space to improve his combat strength at this level—

But not much remained.

Jiang Wang could fully feel his power, and had the confidence to face any opponent. Of course, this did not extend beyond the Outer Building realm.

After familiarizing himself with the newly acquired "Five Senses Hell" and "Wrath" twenty more times, Jiang Wang adjusted himself, restored his Dao Yuan, relaxed his muscles, and returned himself to his peak state. Then he entered the Illusory Realm of Taixu—

Today was the fifteenth of the ninth month, the Challenge Day of the Blessed Lands in the Illusory Realm of Taixu.

As the Lord of Blessed Land Forty-Seven, Tiger Stream Mountain, he would welcome the challenge from the Lord of Blessed Land Forty-Eight, Glorious Dragon Mountain.

Jiang Wang had always been unwilling to miss the opportunity to engage with powerful individuals during Blessed Land challenges. However, his fortune had been unfavorable, and he always encountered some matter that interrupted him. Just like the last Blessed Land Challenge Day on the fifteenth of the eighth month, he had spent it in the ancient devil's lair, unable to even connect to the Illusory Realm of Taixu.

Within the Blessed Land, upon the illusory sundial, appeared a line of Dao script—

The Lord of Blessed Land Forty-Eight, Glorious Dragon Mountain, has issued a challenge. Do you accept?

Having already arrived...

Jiang Wang decisively accepted.

The Sword Debate Platform whistled into the star river, colliding forcefully with another Sword Debate Platform, merging into one.

Long accustomed to this scene, Jiang Wang focused solely on observing his opponent, only to discover... it was an acquaintance.

To be precise, he recognized the other party. He believed that the other party also recognized him in reality, but the two had never interacted.

This person wore a high crown and a wide sash, possessing the demeanor of an ancient Confucian scholar.

His eyes were deep, his expression solemn, and he carried a large bow on his shoulder.

It was none other than Chen Siwu, who had represented the State of Song in the unrestricted match of the Yellow River Convention!

This person had appeared in this Illusory Realm of Taixu using his real name and appearance... it was truly a rarity.

Jiang Wang had always been silent during Blessed Land challenges, or rather, there weren't many opportunities to speak.

Today, he couldn't help but say, "I never expected that Mr. Chen would appear here identical to your form in the real world, without any concealment."

Chen Siwu seemed not surprised to be recognized, or perhaps, he possessed the confidence of "Who in the world does not know me?"

At this moment, he took down the large bow with a backhand motion and said in a light voice, "A man of true character does not change his name when he travels, nor his surname when he rests, nor his countenance when he is born, nor his color when he dies. Who he is, he is. Why the need for concealment?"

Jiang who had changed his countenance, his name, and his surname, chuckled dryly and said, "Mr. Chen, please."

Chen Siwu had been to the River Observation Platform, which meant that he must have witnessed his championship battle.

Jiang Wang did not wish to reveal his identity in front of Chen Siwu, thus he restrained his intention to go all out, deciding this time to attack only on the spiritual level.

The newly acquired Wrath, Five Senses Hell, and Fallen God Hidden Treasure, however, were not afraid of being recognized.

No sooner had the word "please" fallen than the string of the great bow moved.

Jiang Wang's spirit also moved.

And in the very first instant, he activated the Fallen God Hidden Treasure, and then unleashed the Five Senses Hell.

The Five Senses Hell consists of the Eye Hell, the Ear Hell, the Nose Hell, the Tongue Hell, and the Body Hell.

When the Eye Hell descends, one cannot see anything.

When the Ear Hell descends, one cannot hear anything.

When the Nose Hell descends, one's sense of smell is lost.

When the Tongue Hell descends, one cannot taste food.

When the Body Hell descends, one does not know where they are, nor who this person is!

One is to be slaughtered at will!