Chapter 753: A Good Stepping Stone
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
“His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet.” Vivant Joy Holy Man felt a pinch in his heart but the thought of seeing Lin Feng walk away with the Green Glass Jade Stand was enough for him to develop ideas on how to stop Lin Feng.
The Tidal Sword Elder felt the same way, and tried to contact the Zhou Emperor, Liang Pan, and the Vast Sea Swordmaster, but only received even more shocking news.
On the Zhou Emperor’s route across the vast seas, something of great importance had caught his attention and he had diverted his route for strategic reasons.
Vivant Joy Holy Man also tried contacting Qin Emperor Shi Yu, but received a similar reply.
Both Immortal Soul stage cultivators instantly knew that regardless of whether it was the Qin or Zhou Emperor, both would not be able to come here anytime soon.
“My leader will not arrive in time to send you off so let me express my regrets on his behalf.” said Vivant Joy Holy Man with much resentment and regret.
“There are a total of three peaks including Fangzhang Celestial Mountain which now belongs to the Great Zhou Empire. I’m still in a dilemma as to how to maximise the returns. But perhaps Brother Shi already has an idea?” said Lin Feng.
“In that case, pardon me for not waiting.”
After finishing his line, Lin Feng picked up Zhu Yi, Li Yuanfang and the rest and headed away.
Vivant Joy Holy Man and Tidal Sword Elder sighed at the same time, bringing their men and trailing behind Lin Feng. They made sure to leave a huge gap between them and Lin Feng.
Without any amicable agreements, they both considered the option of obtaining the treasure by force. However, the lack of strong reinforcements decided that they could only shadow behind Lin Feng in a rather petty manner. But being petty was the least of their concern. They were not willing to go down without a fight.
It was rumored that the Green Glass Jade could help one locate the Yingzhou Celestial Mountain. And this alone was enough reason for them to act. Even if they could not utilize the jade itself, they might be able to scavenge something off Lin Feng by following him.
Should Lin Feng chase them away, it would not be too late to scatter only then without a direct confrontation.
But if the Green Glass Jade was really a crucial puzzle piece to the entire matter, they could inform Shi Yu and Liang Pan at a moment’s notice.
And they were not alone in this. Even the Red Dragon King and Solar Sage had gathered their men and followed closely behind silently.
Only the fellows from East Heaven’s Gate stayed behind, unable to keep up with the pace of the immortal soul warriors.
After Shao Qingcheng’s defeat, Lin Feng and company could not be bothered to even make things difficult for them anymore.
Shao Huayang’s blood boiled at the thought of not being viewed importantly by Zhu Yi.
Still sore, Shao Huayang’s mind was like the tulmultous ocean as she thought to herself, “I still can’t believe that Mother was not his match?”
“She, an Immortal Soul stage cultivator had actually lost to a Nascent Soul stage cultivator and was forced to use the Diplomatic Immunity Certificate. I just can’t believe it.”
“Does this mean even if Zhu Yi remains stagnant and I advance to become an immortal soul, I might still be unable to win him?”
“That bastard, lowly life form back at the mansion who was not allowed to train at all…Who would have expected him to become who he is today?”
Shao Huayang felt the ground below her spin as stars appeared before her eyes.
Her nascent soul, the little figure that looked like a four year old child, felt like a thin, fragile ceramic plate that was already cracked, prone to shattering at the slightest impact.
“Father must be able to beat him. Yes. He wwould also be nothing in Grandfather’s eyes…the Elders and the warriors of the Zhou empire would also be able to do the same as well and…and..Mother!”
“Mother was unprepared and caught off guard. If they met again, she would be well prepared…Today’s outcome would never happen again.”
She shook her head, taking awhile to regain her composure. Blood trickled from her nose and eyes from her intense thinking and self-reassurance.
“ButI don’t see how I can beat him… Unless he doesn’t improve and I continue my ascent to the Immortal Soul stage…but how likely was that?”
All the East Heaven’s Gate’s disciples cast their gaze away from the crestfallen Shao Huayang. No one knew what would happen if their words triggered her wrath. She was after all, more unpredictable than the weather.
But they shared the same sentiments towards Shao Qingcheng’s defeat to Zhu Yi, a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator.
Some of them felt that their understanding world had been changed forever and that their life had been a lie so far.
Even those who followed Vivant Joy Holy Man and Tidal Sword Elder felt uneasy. This shocking news would take time to digest, and would shape the Divine Lands forever, even affecting the Barren Expanses.
No matter whether it was a coincidence or not, it had been ages since a Nascent Soul stage cultivator had defeated an Immortal Soul stage cultivator.
The thought of this had shaken everyone present.
Over the years, word had spread over all of the Great Celestial World, including the demons, of Lin Feng’s prowess and that of his disciples. Not only were his powers incredible, but his four disciples, Zhu Yi, Xiao Yan, Wang Lin and Shi Tianhao were all geniuses that only surfaced once in every eon.
And it was even harder to believe that such talented people existed all at the same time, and studied under the same master as well.
Initially, the East Heaven’s Gate was ready to let the world know of their name and emerge from secrecy. But who would have expected that in the end it was Lin Feng’s Celestial Sect of Wonders who would make a name for themselves from their reappearance.
It was as though their reappearance was an excellent stepping stone.
In all fairness, Shao Qingcheng was a first grade warrior. With the Yang Heaven Lamp, she could rival most Immortal Soul elders, including the likes of Tidal Sword Elder, Vivant Joy Holy Man, Red Dragon King and Solar Sage. They would all have to admit that they might not be her match.
But her defeat to a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator left them deep in thought.
On the other hand, it was Zhu Yi himself who did not think much about his victory.
For a cosmic form to triumph over an immortal soul, huge luck had to be involved. It was so rare that it was almost unheard of in the recent years. Thus, it stirred the many Immortal Soul stage cultivators who were present. And needless to say, the cultivators that had yet to attain the Immortal Soul stage were even more shocked after witnessing this incredibly rare sight.
But for Zhu Yi, it was just ridding himself of his demons. There was no pride whatsoever in his victory. Besides, his master had just demonstrated such a feat a few days before that.
Li Yuanfang, Jieyu and Bai Guang also offered their words of praise, though not as exaggerated as the others.
“Master, they’re following us,” said Li Yuanguang.
“Let them be,” replied Lin Feng.
“The Green Glass Jade is only a clue to the celestial mountain, it does not mean that having the jade will get us the mountain.”
“If the Yingzhou Celestial Mountain was so easily obtained, the Golden Hill Holy Man would not have left the Green Glass Jade behind,” continued Lin Feng.
“But we can take a look at the returns from Zhu Yi’s win. The rewards seem to be rather bountiful,” smiled Lin Feng.
Lin Feng proceeded to take out the Scroll of the Blood River. Inside the scroll was a black robe that struggled to escape the grip of the Blood River Primordial Water.
Zhu Yi interjected, “This robe’s defensive ability is certainly not ordinary. When I was at the intermediate nascent soul stage, I may not have pulled through without the Essay of the Sages’ golden bridge. And I have a gut feeling that its capabilities are more than what meets the eye.”
“Of course,” replied Lin Feng. “This is the You Heaven Robe. It has a very big reputation.”
Zhu Yi and Li Yuanfang looked at each other, “So this is one of the Nine Treasures of the Heavenly Gate?”
Legend has it that back when the Heavenly Gate was at its prime, apart from the destiny treasure – Great Heavenly Wheels, the next nine most powerful magic treasures were the Nine Treasures of the Heaven’s Gate.
In the Center, Heavenly Imperial Jade, Mahayana class treasure.
In the East, Cang Heaven Spell Blade, Mahayana class treasure.
In the North-East, Min Heaven Banner, Metaplasia class treasure.
In the North, Xuan Heaven Seal, Mahayana class treasure.
In the North-West, You Heaven Robe, Metaplasia class treasure.
In the West, Yuan Heaven Emerald Needle, Mahayana class treasure.
In the South-West, Zhu Heaven Pagoda, Metaplasia class treasure.
In the South, Yan Heaven Crucible, Mahayana class treasure.
In the South-East, Yang Heaven Lamp, Metaplasia class treasure.
However, after the destruction of Heaven’s Gate, many of the treasures were slowly stolen and soon forgotten.
Lin Feng smiled and continued, “The Great Void Sect’s Yan Mingyue’s Heavenly Imperial Jade was the pinnacle of the Mahayana treasures. When the Nine Heavenly Swords were absent, it was considered the number one treasure below the Great Heavenly Wheels. But during the revolution that overthrew the Emperor of Violence, it was harmed and fell to Metaplasia class, after which no one knows how it ended up with the Great Void Sect.”
He gently stroked a finger down the robe, “If I remember correctly, the original You Heaven Robe was destroyed in that fight, both soul and body were disintegrated. So, that leaves this to be a copy and not the original. The immortal soul cultivators from the East Heaven’s Gate probably followed ancient scriptures in crafting this replica. Even so, it’s still considered a marvelous treasure.”
A soft moan emanated from the robe. It was the voice that conversed with Yin Cangchen, but gentler and younger.
Lin Feng added in, “It’s the lamp that Zhu Yi brought down. It’s indeed one of the nine treasures, just that it has fallen to the Gestation level.”
“Robe or lamp, they are both Zhu Yi’s spoils of war.” laughed Lin Feng.
Zhu Yi nodded and replied, “Master, can the Green Glass Jade really help us locate Yingzhou Celestial Mountain?”
Lin Feng tapped the scroll once more, and out flew the piece of jade.
