Chapter 38 - 038 Strive to Satisfy
TO expedite the process of finding the final type of blood lead, Yang Zhen drew countless miniature Spirit-locking Arrays within the valley. This formation, petite as a palm, offered little utility apart from detecting spiritual energy fluctuations within a ten-meter radius.
Originally, a distance of ten meters was the limit for this type of array. It was something Yang Zhen learned from the Xuan Principle volume of the Heavenly Book. However, in a flash of inspiration while drawing it, he modified a few components, forcibly extending the Spirit-locking Array’s operation range to a hundred meters in radius.
Even so, Yang Zhen felt it was not quite sufficient. Luckily, the process of drawing the Spirit-locking Array was simple and consumed only a pitiful amount of True Essence. Yang Zhen produced an unknown number of these arrays throughout the valley, stopping only when he could barely process the influx of information being transmitted back.
Upon finishing the final Spirit-locking Array, Yang Zhen rested on the spot to recover the expended True Essence. Suddenly, a light flashed before his eyes. One of the Spirit-locking Arrays in the north of the valley relayed a message that the fluctuation of the energy it sensed was similar to the blood lead Yang Zhen needed.???????????????????????? &
Overwhelmed with joy, Yang Zhen realized that although the area was scarcely visited by humans, there was no sign of any strange insects or beasts. Whether they consciously avoided the dangerous aura in the valley, Yang Zhen wasn’t sure. All he knew was that no matter how hard he searched, result was barren. Finally, he had a clue. Not wanting to waste a single moment, Yang Zhen hastened in that direction.
At the summit of Nether State’s grand convention, Luo Yan and Duan Qing continued their stand-off with no intention of backing down. Whether they could win over Yang Zhen no longer mattered. Their rivalry had lasted a lifetime, and neither would let the other get what they wanted, even at the expense of losing Yang Zhen.
Ma Dexing threw cold sarcasm from the sidelines, his face increasingly showing worry. Zong Jin’s random absence due to his sudden heart attack was still a cause for concern, especially the possibility of being robbed by fearless rogue practitioners.
At that moment, a clear crane call echoed from the mid-air, and everyone looked up to see several tiny paper cranes appearing in the sky, each landing in the hands of the heads of the Great Sects.
After exchanging puzzled glances, they all showed a hint of bewilderment on their faces.
While the Nether State Convention was not a rare occasion, the five Great Sects still attached great importance to it. They all sending out messages simultaneously suggested that a major event must have occurred.
Reading the message, Luo Yan’s face changed. He turned to Su Qingyu and said, Qingyu, you must set off for Flame City immediately!”
Upon hearing this, Su Qingyu changed her countenance, just about to ask for the reasons when Duan Qing said to Princess Changyang, “Changyang, you must go to Flame City now. Representatives of our sect are waiting there. This journey to Flame City is crucial as it is related to the fate of all the geniuses of the Five Nations. We cannot take it lightly.”
On hearing this, everyone’s heart clenched, especially the assembled young prodigies. They all looked at the leaders with surprise evident on their faces. ‘■What exactly happened, Elder?” Fang Shenhe, who also received the orders asked, wearing a strange expression.
The Elder of the Turtle Serpent Island spoke solemnly, “There are changes near the Nine Realms Exquisite Tower in Flame City. Some experts believe that the ninth floor may open this time!”
“What?”
Everyone cried out in shock, unable to believe their eyes as they looked at the Elder of the Turtle Serpent Island.
Luo Yan nodded, exchanged a glance with Duan Qing, and explained to the crowd, “The news should be genuine. The Nine Realms Exquisite Tower is one of the few sacred lands on the Nether State Continent and is the best place for you to cultivate. But for some unknown reason, the most mysterious ninth floor has never opened, and therefore no one knows what’s on it.”
Duan Qing chimed in, “So, this time, it’s a pioneering effort. Those who can enter the ninth floor of the Nine Realms Exquisite Tower for the first time might well find a heritage that will stun the world!”
Hiss!
The news of exploring the one of the sacred lands, the Nine Realms Exquisite Tower, if leaked, may cause a stir across Nether State Continent.
Luckily, the news hadn’t entirely got out yet, otherwise it might already be causing an uproar.
“You must depart at once!” Duan Qing ordered Princess Changyang, “Be cautious. This will undoubtedly cause a sensation among the Five Nations, and countless young people will rush to the Nine Realms Exquisite Tower. So this time, you might have to compete with geniuses of at least three nations!” Princess Changyang nodded. After glancing back at the valley, she said, “Elder Duan, I want a word.”
“Elder Luo, a word, please.” Simultaneously, Su Qingyu’s voice reached them.
The two women shared a glance and revealed a hint of a smile.
Duan Qing, with a strange look, turned to Princess Changyang. After they found a quiet place, he said with a smile, “So, you wish to discuss Yang Zhen?” Princess Changyang nodded, saying, “Elder Duan, Yang Zhen is the most peculiar person I’ve ever met. His talent is so high that I can’t see through him. Please bring him into our sect at all costs!”
Duan Qing seemed taken aback, inhaling sharply, “You value him so highly?” “I’m afraid Elder Luo Yan values him even higher!” Princess Changyang said in a relaxed voice.
“What if he makes unreasonable demands?”
“Satisfy him as much as possible!”
“What if… for instance, he asks for you?”
“Elder Duan!” Princess Changyang glared, huffily saying, “In that case, kick him on my behalf!”
Elsewhere, Luo Yan said with a chuckle, “You want to talk to me about Yang Zhen, don’t you?”
Su Qingyu nodded, glancing at Luo Yan in surprise, “Is his talent really that high?”
“I fear it’s even more than that!” Luo Yan sighed. He couldn’t see through Yang Zhen, who had so much uncertainty about him. Up to now, Luo Yan couldn’t gauge him. Bringing such a person into the sect could be both a blessing and a curse.
Looking at the somewhat astounded Su Qingyu, Luo Yan pondered, saying with a strange expression, “Elder Duan Qing just brought up Princess Changyang If Yang Zhen joins our Dan Valley Lake, I promise him one opportunity. Would you blame me for making decisions on my own and feel dissatisfied?” Su Qingyu trembled all over, obviously knowing what Luo Yan’s ‘opportunity’ referred to. Yet she said nothing, just turned and walked away.
“Watch out, there’s a rock in front.” Luo Yan watched Su Qingyu’s distracted figure leave with wide-eyed surprise.
Su Qingyu held her head high, not considering any of the young talents in the sect worth her attention. Luo Yan was prepared for her to be embarrassed, but she didn’t say a word.
What did that look just now mean?
Luo Yan suddenly felt that he couldn’t understand the thoughts of young people, despite his many years.
Princess Changyang and Su Qingyu looked at each other for a long time, saying m unison, “Meet in Flame City!”
Luo Yan and Duan Qing stared at each other for a while, both of their old faces filled with confusion.
“Hmph!” Ma Dexing snorted, looking even more displeased as he stared into the valley, not knowing whether he was waiting for Zhang Zongjin or Yang Zhen.
Yang Zhen cautiously came up behind a large rock, peeking at two people who were sneakily playing with an insect.
Duan Langcai was still injured, looking incredibly pale, while Zhang Zongjin looked worse, a doleful yet gritting his teeth expression painted on his face. The duo were muttering something. Yang Zhen crawled above a rock behind them, focusing on the bug in Duan Langcai’s hand, screaming, “What on earth are you two doing under broad daylight?”
The sudden voice startled the two. Duan Langcai threw away the bug in his hand, which, by some misfortune, landed directly on Zhang Zongjin’s mouth. Zhang Zongjin let out a earth-shattering cry.
“It… it bit me…”
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