Chapter 1471: Uninvited Guest

The mechanical Mahoraga soared through the air.

Jiang Wang remained seated on the serpent's head, legs casually crossed,left hand propped on his sword, right hand supporting his cheek upon his knee,gazing straight ahead, his thoughts adrift beyond the heavens.

He pondered the words of Wang Changji—

"There is something amiss with this world."

What could be amiss?Wang Changji's words were vague, as if they could not be uttered.This mountain, this sea, this sky, and those exotic beasts...even the fire lotus consumed, the mudras learned,all were undeniably real, real beyond doubt.What was the "amiss" Wang Changji spoke of?

Cultivating the Fire Source Canon had granted Jiang Wang immense control over the element of fire.But it was precisely the Fire Source Canon that had constrained his understanding of fire.After comprehending the profundities of the Samadhi True Fire,he had also come to realize a truth—

"What is known and seen is also what constrains and binds."

This realization had suddenly cleared the path ahead.Although it brought no tangible increase in combat prowess.Henceforth, the "knowing and seeing" would seldom present barriers.

Having experienced such a period of cultivation delay.He would forever remind himself not to be bound by what he knew and saw.

Now, he attempted to circumvent all that he had perceived,to re-examine the entirety of the Mountain and Sea Realm.

It was widely known that the Mountain and Sea Realm was the legacy of Huang Weizhen.Whether it was an extraterrestrial world he had discovered,or a world he himself had created, in any case, this world was intimately connected to Huang Weizhen.The profound mudras left on the mountain god's wall were also something Jiang Wang had personally experienced.Upon first entering the Mountain and Sea Realm, as he hadn't had time to familiarize himself with the relevant information,he had followed Zuo Guangshu. Only after being separated did he begin to ponder more.But the questions he pondered were mostly along the lines of"What was Huang Weizhen's purpose in leaving this test?""Would Huang Weizhen leave something here?""If I were Huang Weizhen, what conditions would I use to select a successor?"... And so forth.

Now, what if he were to peel away the influence of Huang Weizhen and re-examine this world?Suppose he had never met San Cha, nor come to the Mountain and Sea Realm,nor gone to Zhang'e Mountain, nor known Huang Weizhen...How would everything unfold then?He inexplicably trusted Wang Changji's judgment.This world was likely somewhat amiss, even if he himself could not fathom where the problem lay.Could Wang Changji's words, that the more Nine Chapters Jade Tablets one possessed, the more one could protect oneself, be a hint?

As he pondered, he would also inadvertently glance down.Zuo Guangshu sat cross-legged on the Mahoraga's palm, cultivating.Occasionally, he would take out a small object from his bosom and gently stroke it.After stroking it for a while, he would put it back and continue cultivating.He heard that object had been placed in his bosom by Qu Shunhua before she faced Dou Zhao.This young fellow...

Yue Tiannu sat on the Mahoraga's other hand.Since Jiang Wang had relayed Wang Changji's words,"Comprehend the treasure's nature, the true form is the spirit boat,"she had spoken little, lost in thought.She had been in seated meditation the entire time.

In short, the three of them were each preoccupied with their own thoughts.Thoughts of spring, thoughts of autumn, thoughts of a young man.

Such a team, lacking morale and displaying little fighting spirit,silently approached the Arctic Sky Cabinet Mountain –Because Zuo Guangshu, Qu Shunhua, and Yue Tiannu had already located the Heavenly Mountain before,they had roughly determined the direction of the Arctic Sky Cabinet Mountain.Although the directions in the Mountain and Sea Realm were chaotic,Yue Tiannu possessed her own unique methods.

As Jiang Wang pondered and observed thus, his mood was actually relatively relaxed.Now that Yue Tiannu and Zuo Guangshu had both recovered their strength,as long as they weren't surrounded by Spirit Proclamation exotic beasts,their combined efforts could face anyone without fear.

As for what exactly was amiss with this world...He thought that no matter what, the world left behind by Huang Weizhen could not possibly deliberately harm the geniuses of Great Chu.Even Dou Zhao, who had reignited the glory of the first killing art in this world, was venturing here. What did he have to worry about?To retreat, he could say so. To advance, he held two Nine Chapters Jade Tablets. At worst, he could leave the field early.He had already gained considerable benefits, with nothing more to crave.These disaster fight and Bi Fang prints alone would take who knows how long to master.

In sum, with room for both advance and retreat, the world felt vast and open.He could observe this world with a broader mindset.

Boom boom boom!The sound of a thousand armies charging suddenly burst into his ears.Jiang Wang remained silent, waiting until a streak of white appeared in his vision—It was a waterfall cascading down from a towering floating mountain,erupting from halfway up the mountain and plummeting to its foot.The foot of this floating mountain was encircled by a river dozens of Zhang wide.Resembling a moated city.The waterfall, hanging upside down, directly crashed into the river,shattering the floating ice and emitting such a violent sound.Heard near and far.

A river circling a mountain was unusual. Though floating mountains were common in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, this was the first floating river.Clear, transparent, the rushing water like shattered jade,circling the mountain, yet suspended in mid-air, outlining an invisible riverbed.

Heaven and earth, each different. To behold the wondrous sights of the worldis one of the joys of cultivation, and cultivation itself.The more one sees, the more one can touch the essence of the world.

The Mahoraga stopped. Yue Tiannu and Zuo Guangshu both opened their eyes.The Arctic Sky Cabinet Mountain had been reached.

Speaking of Yue Tiannu's mechanical Eight Legions, each possessed the strength of the Outer Tower realm.Unfortunately, the opponents encountered in the Mountain and Sea Realm were none of them ordinary.Thus, when these mechanisms were deployed, no matter who they faced, the outcome was destruction.The true gold and silver invested, the shattered remnants after collapse,truly turned wealth into flowing water...Thinking of these, Jiang Wang couldn't help but miss his Immortal Palace Warriors even more.In his view, the most excellent aspect of the Immortal Palace Warriors was their "undying and indestructible" nature.Although the materials were somewhat difficult to find, once successfully cast,no further investment was needed. Compared to those easily broken puppets, how much money would that save!

"Keep a close eye on the materials for the Immortal Palace Warriors!"Jiang Immortal Master's voice echoed within the ruins of the Cloud Top Immortal Palace, like divine command.The plump little boy, nestled in the Azure Cloud Pavilion, was startled awake,bouncing up onto his bottom, then sitting back down, bouncing several times.He blinked his sleepy eyes, and only after a long while did he realize what command he had received.His chubby face fell.Angry, yet daring not to speak?

Atop the Mahoraga's head, Jiang Wang surveyed the floating mountain before him,and cautiously inquired, "Are the things your grandfather prepared for you still there?""Yes, they are." Zuo Guangshu, a look of eagerness on his face, leaped off the Mahoraga's palm.Jiang Wang followed, descending, and couldn't help but glance at the Mahoraga once more.For scouting, its size was too large, making it easily discovered.For combat, any battle that occurred on the Arctic Sky Cabinet Mountain would surely be related to the mountain god there.This Mahoraga's utility was limited.Such an expensive Buddhist puppet had little effect in high-level battles,and for most of the time in the Mountain and Sea Realm, it merely served as a vehicle.It was truly not cost-effective.Of course, the vast majority of people in this world who were not from the Ink Sect and carried puppets for combatusually did not consider such questions of "cost-effectiveness."

Yue Tiannu casually retrieved the mechanical Mahoraga, flying alongside Jiang Wang.For some reason, she offered an explanation:"This mechanism, as a single unit, does indeed have limited use in slightly higher-level battles.However, if all eight units of the Eight Legions are complete,they can form the Eight Legions Heavenly Manifestation, which is very powerful.It can further perfect my Pure Land."

Jiang Wang was somewhat surprised, but merely said, "Then I eagerly anticipate it.""What are you surprised by?" Yue Tiannu asked again."Whether I or others view this mechanical puppet favorably or not...Zen Master Yue doesn't seem like someone who would care about such things."Jiang Wang spoke honestly, then added, "Although I have not had much contact with the Zen Master,in my impression, you wouldn't even ask this question."Especially matters concerning the structure of the future combat system, such as the Eight Legions Heavenly Manifestation and the perfection of the Pure Land.While not strictly unspeakable secrets, they were not things to be casually discussed with others.This implied a certain degree of trust and closeness.For the usually aloof and rational Yue Tiannu, this was particularly difficult.

"In the future, I will learn to care." Yue Tiannu tapped her temples with her finger, making a drumming sound:"Capturing emotions is one of the abilities of this puppet body, a natural reaction based on a formation pattern.Since I take this as my form, I believe I should also integrate my emotions.Such as curiosity, such as honor and shame."

"Zen Master seems to have changed somewhat," Jiang Wang said."I hope it is a good change," Yue Tiannu said."Good or not is often relative," Jiang Wang said casually."If the Zen Master herself feels it is good, then it is good."A divine light shone on Yue Tiannu's face, and she sighed sincerely, "Benefactor has deep roots of wisdom!"

An image of a yellow-faced old monk suddenly popped into Jiang Wang's mind,hands on hips, laughing heartily, 'This old woman is right!'Unable to resist, he quickened his pace, flying closer to Zuo Guangshu:"Exotic beasts granted divine names are not simple. We must be cautious."Zuo Guangshu also cautiously lowered his voice:"We won't engage in direct combat. We'll just try to get a few feathers from the Nine Phoenix."

Jiang Wang breathed a sigh of relief.Of course, his confidence mainly came from Duke Huai.With the combined strength of the three of them, coupled with the things specifically prepared by Duke Huai,getting one or two feathers should not be difficult.

The floating river circling the mountain, like a jade belt, spread out before their eyes.The three of them flew across the river, thereby setting foot on the Arctic Sky Cabinet Mountain.Like three light feathers, they landed on the snow, silent and soundless.

Uninvited guests, each vigilant.Just as outwardly, so inwardly.

As Jiang Wang visited the floating mountain belonging to the Nine Phoenix,he did not know that his own Five Mansions Sea was also being visited by an outsider...

Within the Cloud Top Immortal Palace, the plump little boy,striding with an old man's gait, walked out of the Azure Cloud Pavilion,humming to himself—"I was born, beside the Immortal Palace, a carefree person.""By my ability, enjoyed leisure, greedy for food and sleep."

He walked reluctantly, as this expanse of ruins had long grown tedious.But he had to take a few steps, otherwise that Jiang Skinflint would accuse him of being lazy again.Thinking back, he hadn't really eaten much after mixing with Immortal Master Jiang for so long, had he?Just that little bit of vitality, which had been cut off with the collapse of the Spirit Void Hall.Every day, he'd scrounge a few mouthfuls of Benevolence and Fortune Azure Cloud, like eating cotton candy. Eating too much made him nauseous, and if he didn't eat, there was truly nothing else.Mr. Jiang couldn't even guarantee the integrity of his own dharma robe.The revival of the Cloud Top Immortal Palace was even more distant.He, the peerless little cloud within the universe, had long seen through it.How miserable, how miserable.The little tune he sang also became increasingly mournful—"Since following this Immortal Master diligently, I've been so busy my hands can't stop and my mouth can't speak.""Running east and west without rest, and what's more..."

"Poor little child," a voice suddenly said."Who?" The little cloud boy immediately stopped his tune,his quick little eyes darting back and forth, highly vigilant."You should know who I am. You possess an ancient aura..."The voice was ethereal, as if it could be cut off at any moment, and its location was impossible to determine.

"Hmph hmph, hmph hmph."The little cloud boy hummed twice, profoundly.Although his heart was already filled with curses.Who the hell do you think you are? Jiang Shu or Ji Fengzhou?Why should this Immortal Child know you?But outwardly, there was no emotion whatsoever.Having followed Immortal Master Jiang, he might not have learned anything else, but this ability he should possess.

"Pitiful, lamentable," the voice said.The little cloud boy was now completely bewildered and dared not easily contact the Immortal Master,lest he alert the enemy. He could only follow the conversation, asking,"What is pitiful? What is lamentable?"The voice sighed, "You have a glorious history, a great heritage.Why are you here, serving as a slave to someone?"

The little cloud boy blinked.Looking at the broken walls and shattered bricks before him,he truly could not use "glorious" and "great" to describe it.He couldn't help but feel he had encountered a madman...Don't I know what my family environment is like?

But this madman clearly possessed some means,otherwise, how could they hide from the Immortal Master and directly converse with him within the Immortal Master's Five Mansions Sea?He knew he could not reveal himself, absolutely could not say that he was actually only half-understanding of the Cloud Top Immortal Palace,and often needed to see specific objects to recall some corresponding memory fragments.So he asked—

"Oh?"The little chubby's demeanor was truly somewhat profound.The mysterious voice likely pondered for a while,then sighed with an exceptionally friendly tone, "How did you fall to this state?"It seemed that no matter who it was, when they had something to ask of others, their temper would become very good.The little cloud boy thought, just like a certain Immortal Master.

But as for the "fall" the mysterious voice spoke of, he truly had no resonance with it.That welcoming boy who had struggled for generations for the Cloud Top Immortal Palace had already vanished into thin air.Strictly speaking, he was a new existence, having only absorbed some memory fragments about the Immortal Palace itself.Even those memory fragments were intermittent, never truly clear,and he had never experienced the grandeur of the Immortal Palace era.Born thus, how could he speak of falling?

Of course, if he were to insist on saying so...The current Cloud Top Immortal Palace was even more broken than when the Immortal Master had just gathered three Immortal Palace buildings.Perhaps that could also be considered a form of falling?Thinking of these, the little cloud boy finally felt a sense of sorrow.He sighed lightly, mimicking a sad expression, but did not speak. "Alas."

The mysterious voice was very proactive and said again, "I can help you.""Oh?" The little cloud boy continued to be profound.The mysterious voice said, "My great power is beyond your measure.The things I can do are beyond your imagination. You need not have any scruples."

This sentence clearly could no longer be answered with just "oh."The little cloud boy thought seriously for a moment, then asked,"Who are you? Why do you want to help me? How will you help me?"

"Who I am is not important. Why I want to help you is not important.What is important is..."The mysterious voice said, "Do you want to change this current situation?Do you want to escape this life of being under someone's roof?Do you want to exchange lives with this body you reside in, and enjoy that endless glory?""Do you want... to gain true freedom?"