Chapter 1458: A Gloomy Storm

The Fiery Hound Seal Method flowed within his heart.As Jiang Wang’s right hand released the Fiery Hound’s Essence Blood,Flames ignited on his left fingertips.Lightly, he outlined a square upon the mountain wall.

Drawing his sword to dig for treasure, he had already clashed with the light enveloping the mountain wall several times.Though he failed to break it, amidst the exchange of power, a certain familiarity had bloomed.The successive transmissions of the Bi Fang Seal and the Fiery Hound Seal, akin to inviting a thief through the door,Granted him a deeper understanding of this Mountain God Wall, forged from Submerging Cloud Bone.

Having fathomed its profound essence, he then sought to dismantle and resolve it.The True Samadhi Fire burning on his fingertips, like the morning sun melting snow,Instantly dissolved into the snowy light.A piece of Submerging Cloud Bone, cut off, nearly two feet long and two feet wide,Left a colossal indentation upon this Mountain God Wall.

"Zheng!"

As expected, the Mountain God Wall of Mount Zhang’e was not to be trifled with.Almost simultaneous with the contact of the True Samadhi Fire and the Submerging Cloud Bone,The roaring of the five-tailed vicious leopard closed in once more.Another Mountain God of Mount Zhang’e was approaching at terrifying speed.

Jiang Wang, long prepared, flipped his hand and swept the melted Submerging Cloud Bone into his storage box.With a sweep of his Gan Yang Vermilion Eyes, he left dozens of sparks of fire upon the Mountain God Wall,Offering that Zhen a chance to extinguish the flames and protect the wall.As for himself, he twisted and darted repeatedly, plunging into the stone forest without a second glance.

The Vermilion Mirror separated a mirror image, which flew swiftly in another direction.Within a radius of fifty li, this image could be commanded at will.Though lacking actual combat prowess, its aura was formidable.At the same time, he raised his hand and released hundreds of Flame Sparrows,Letting them scatter and fly haphazardly across the mountain, creating commotion.He alone erased the sound of his flight,This time, without lingering, he galloped along the pre-determined path,Directly departing Mount Zhang’e.

A silhouette in cyan robe fell upon Floating Mountain,Like a feather drifting, skimming the verdant tide.Turning his back on the colossal shadow of Mount Zhang’e,Jiang Wang plummeted with a free posture, like a wingless bird.The whistling wind did not disturb his thoughts.

He had merely entertained the thought of trying,Unexpectedly, he truly managed to pass through the Mountain God Wall of Mount Zhang’eAnd receive the inheritance of the Fiery Hound Seal.Was it because Tri-Fork, having slain Bi Fang, had covered the divine authority?Or was it because this Mountain God Wall was not confined to Mount Zhang’e,Only manifesting because Bi Fang had fallen in battle?After all, that phrase, "Reside forever in this dwelling, receiving a divine name bestowed by Heaven,"Seemed to be awaiting an empty position, as if summoning a god.

Perhaps every Floating Mountain, every sea island, every expanse of sea,Possessed such a divine wall,Which would appear upon fulfilling the corresponding conditions,Granting the inheritance of Huang Weizhen.And among all the methods of activation,Undoubtedly, slaying the guarding exotic beast was the most direct, yet also the most arduous.

Thinking thus, Jiang Wang couldn't help but ponder further…What was the true purpose of Huang Weizhen leaving the key to enter the Mountain Sea Realm before his demise?If it were merely to test later generations and pass down his accumulated knowledge,Such a grand gesture was truly astonishing.The tradition of opening the Mountain Sea Realm had continued in the Chu realm for nine hundred years.This question was not for him to ponder.But in nine hundred years, had no one truly found the answer?Now, with Jiang Wang immersed within, he had to consider it further.

"You scared me to death."Having flown far from Mount Zhang’e, the White Cloud Child slumped upon the ground amidst the ruins of the Immortal Palace,Patting his chest, overcome with lingering fear.This little fat boy had always been timid; Jiang Wang did not blame him,Only instructed him, "You must watch carefully,Should you encounter any materials again, tell me at once."If the opportunity arose, Jiang Wang still wished to gather the materials for the Immortal Palace Strongman in the Mountain Sea Realm.After all, just one piece of Submerging Cloud Bone could only manifest after a deity’s death.As for other things like Flowing Sand Wood, who knew how complex they might be?Once outside the Mountain Sea Realm, where could they be found again?

Moreover, the core Equilibrium Blood of the Immortal Palace StrongmanHad long been collected by him.It was merely that the White Cloud Child had never thought of a way to repair the Spiritual Void Hall,Thus unable to extract it through the Spiritual Void Hall.But this time in the Mountain Sea Realm, having comprehended the true meaning of Samadhi,With such divine abilities, extracting the Equilibrium Blood was surely only a matter of time.Therefore, the Immortal Palace Strongman, which had previously made no progress,Suddenly saw the dawn of achievement. Naturally, he was unwilling to let it pass.In this era, the Immortal Palace Strongman, inherited from the Cloud Peak Immortal Palace,Could entirely become his unique reliance.In the world of cultivation, this uniqueness was itself a kind of value.

The White Cloud Child, confident of his contribution, spoke lazily, "Alright then."Jiang Wang, at this moment, had no time to chastise him.He rolled up his sleeves and, following the direction from his memory,Turned northward.In the instant he erected the Kai Yang Star Tower, he had at least briefly grasped the direction.Zuo Guangshu was heading towards the North Pole Heavenly Pillar Mountain;Going in this direction was definitely correct.Whether out of the need for the Nine Chapters Jade Tablet to ensure his harvest,Or his original intention for entering the Mountain Sea Realm,He would make this choice.

He only wondered, after so many days had passed,Whether Zuo Guangshu and the others had completed their predetermined goals,And if they were still in the Mountain Sea Realm.Furthermore, who were the remaining two groups of people, implied by the collection of Nine Chapters?Unknown newcomers always brought a touch of unease.

Violent wind, torrential rain, thunder rolling.The sky grew dark and heavy.The weather in the Mountain Sea Realm changed in an instant.In the rain that poured like a waterfall, Fang Heling wiped his face,His gaze towards the front held a reverence that could not be hidden.Not far ahead, was Wang Changji, who strolled leisurely in the wind and rain-swept high sky.Long hair draped over his shoulders, sleeves fluttering.No visible action, no special light or shadow,Yet when the fierce wind and torrential rain approached him, they gently parted.This man, this man…

If earlier, his effortless avoidance of the Lifeless Sect’s Divine Ascension experts while taking him along,Had truly subdued him, making him deeply realize the disparity between a mortal and a genius.Then the encounter with that Kui ox not long agoHad completely overturned his understanding of the Outer Building realm.This realm, the Outer Building, could actually hold such vast imaginative space!

He could not be as ethereal as Wang Changji,Nor did he wish to waste precious Dao Yuan on such matters.Resisting the complex heavy metaphysical environment of the Mountain Sea Realm was already taxing.He simply allowed the wind and rain to soak his clothes.

"Speaking of which, I haven't asked yet.How did you obtain this Jade Tablet?"He heard the voice ahead inquire.

He walked behind this person, with no time to think things through completely.He simply spoke whatever came to mind:"In this world, there are always some people who consider themselves extraordinary.They feel that where righteousness lies, a thousand armies can be broken.They are self-confident geniuses, believing that no matter in the world cannot be settled.They are forever dissatisfied with the world, resentful of eight things,Speak four lines of truth, bear three parts of responsibility,Seek two characters of fairness, and possess one heart of innocence.Hearing of injustice somewhere, they go there.Seeing wretchedness somewhere, they proceed there.The one who left behind this Jade Tablet was such a person.He was said to be a noble from some small country, not young, yet still spirited.Leading a perfectly good life,For a massacre unrelated to himself,He traced the marks of the Face Remover for four full months…Ultimately, he was successfully had his face removed."

A strange expression was on his face as he continued,"The stories of heroes successfully breaking through the long nightAre, in the end, merely renditions in storybooks.More stories end silently,More people quietly fall silent.What I saw were those rich and varied human faces,Accumulated as a Swallow’s collection.The Swallow cared not for any resources,So he used this Jade Tablet to exchange for me to do a few things."

He stopped there.There was also a touch of surprise, at why he had spoken so much.He had witnessed that person being de-faced.That face, twisted by pain into innocence and stubbornness,Was slowly peeled away in the Swallow’s hand.That person's pained wails were no different from anyone else's.What difference was there?

Wang Changji did not ask Fang Heling what the Swallow had made him do to exchange for the Jade Tablet.Though if he were to ask, an answer would surely come.No matter how much Fang Heling wished not to speak."How do you view this person?" He merely asked this way.

Under the effect of the heavy metaphysical force, a hundred times that of the present world,The raindrops hitting his body carried quite a bit of pain.This level of pain, Fang Heling treated as a mere itch.Facing a person like Wang Changji, he said directly and openly,"Call it seeking fame, or call it defending the Dao.Drawing a sword in anger for a commoner's grievance,Treating recklessness as solitary bravery.In truth, those close to him ache at his obstinacy, his enemies are angered by his persistence,And those who observe laugh at his foolishness!"

Wang Changji’s steps remained steady. He asked again,"You stayed within the Human Demon organization for so long,Are there many such people?"

"People who like to court death, are, in the end, not too many."Fang Heling said, and a trace of bewilderment entered his voice,"But what's strange is, there aren't few either.Listening to them, every few years,There are always some people who appear,Shouting words like 'exterminate demons and defend the Dao',Dying off in batches."

This "them" naturally referred to those Human Demons belonging to the Valley of No Return.Wang Changji’s tone remained unchanged, saying faintly,"In truth, if one were to discuss it,Your obsession with Zhang Linchuan, your lone bravery, your journey forward,Can also be considered this kind of person."

Fang Heling grinned in the rain, allowing the raindrops to splash into his mouth.Swallowing them, they tasted somewhat涩味.

"I am merely driven by hatred, not for any justice."He said with much self-awareness,"That kind of thing, only children believe in.It doesn't exist in this world."

Wang Changji continued to walk forward, with no particular emotion.In this world, there was little that could stir emotion within him anymore.He did not think Fang Heling was right, nor did he think he was wrong.Sometimes, there was no logic to be found in this world.Right or wrong, who could say clearly?

"Possess one heart of innocence…" He only murmured this one phrase,Then lost the inclination to converse.For he suddenly recalled, there was once such a person.So "innocently pure-hearted."

Walking behind him, Fang Heling also fell silent in the rain.For some reason, a figure suddenly came to Fang Heling’s mind.He really wanted to know.If ten years were to pass again, how would that person answer.He thought the answer would surely change,Yet he also felt, if it were that person, perhaps it would not change.Who knows?

Rumbling.The wind grew fiercer.The rain fell heavier.The fierce wind like blades, the sudden rain like arrows.Striking against the Light Incantation barrier, like a grand army assaulting a city,The battle exceedingly fierce.And the sound was like a Pipa melody.

Within the range of the Light Incantation’s coverage,Upon the spine of the Mechanized Garuda, it was warm and peaceful.Qu Shunhua, skilled in playing the Pipa, sat cross-legged listening to the rain,Smiling, she asked Zuo Guangshu if he recalled last year’s Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival.They had hidden inside the largest lantern in Yingcheng,Listening to the clamor outside, sitting so serenely.They knew the world's noisiness; the world knew not their peace.

The Moon Chan Master meditated at the foremost position,Her tranquil posture suggesting she might produce a wooden fish to tap at any moment.This prevented Zuo Guangshu from laughing freely.So many days had passed; the three of them acted together,Each with their own methods, yet cooperating tacitly,They had, of course, already gained something.They had joined forces to visit the Heavenly Mountain,Qu Shunhua had already achieved her purpose in coming to the Mountain Sea Realm.This was undoubtedly a good beginning, and they would continue in this manner.

Such wind and rain were not caused by any exotic beast,But rather the natural weather changes of the Mountain Sea Realm itself.The Mechanized Garuda swiftly tore through the curtain of rain.The Light Incantation covering the three figures on its back,Like a solitary lamp in the rain.

Suddenly.

The "solitary lamp" flickered, as if about to extinguish.The Mechanized Garuda abruptly paused its wings.The three figures on the Garuda’s back stood up in unison!In the dim wind and rain ahead,A figure in red-bottomed, gold-trimmed martial attire,Broke through the distance, stepped into view, and drew closer.

There were no other actions.But merely the flaunting aura of the personAlmost crushed this Light Incantation!

Looking across the entire Mountain Sea Realm,Besides Dou Zhao, who else could it be?

Behind Qu Shunhua, the illusory figure of a Heavenly Maiden was already appearing.By Zuo Guangshu's side, the sound of a tsunami could be heard.The Moon Chan Master, wearing a hooded gray robe, showed no expression,But the Mechanized Garuda, which she controlled,Had already retracted its flying posture and assumed a fighting stance.

Three rarely seen genius figures,Each poised and ready for battle.

And Dou Zhao walked towards them, completely unfazed.Treating everyone’s vigilance and preparedness as nothing.He so familiarly and casually pierced through the rain curtain,Approaching the Mechanized Garuda,And spoke in a tone of course,"Zhu Yan has vanished, completely vanished.Something I don't know has changed in the Mountain Sea Realm.My gains are not guaranteed.Now I need to collect the Jade Tablets.I'll make my selection, or you still have a chance."

He calmly extended his hand,"You are all heroes of my great Chu.Grant me the Jade Tablets, and your foundations will not be harmed."

Those who knew Dou Zhao understood that his willingness to explain so much was already a form of respect.It was just unknown, at this moment, to whom Dou Zhao’s respect was offered.Zuo Guangshu? Qu Shunhua? Or the Moon Chan Master?

But some people might be flattered by this "respect."Others, harboring similar pride, would only see it as humiliation.

"At the very least, you should have brought Dou Mian along.To just walk over here by yourself like this, casually extending your hand…Dou Zhao!" Qu Shunhua’s beautiful eyes held fury, her voice cold as a blade."Should I say you are arrogant, or should I say you are foolish?"

Indeed, when talents were similar, the disparity in cultivation was difficult to overcome.But they also had a Moon Heavenly Slave whose realm was not inferior!Indeed, Dou Zhao was undefeated among his peers,The recognized number one young genius of Great Chu.But now, they had three people on their side!How dare Dou Zhao be so audacious? Who was he looking down on?

As for Qu Shunhua’s attitude, Dou Zhao was not angered.He merely looked at Zuo Guangshu without changing his expression,"Guangshu, because of that figure who ignited the Divine霄Phoenix Flag,I am willing to give you another chance.You are a grown man. Now tell me, what do you think?"

Zuo Guangshu looked at him calmly and only said,"You can kill me, then take it from my corpse…But you cannot extend your hand and ask me for it."