Sure enough, there was a Silver-Armored Corpse—to hell with fighting!
“Ah…” Rong Huan Xuan was dumbfounded, then let out a sky-shaking angry roar. He completely didn’t expect Ling Han to run so decisively. “Good-for-nothing! Good-for-nothing!” he yelled at the two Corpse Soldiers in anger. However, Corpse Soldiers would only commence battle after he gave them the command to; otherwise, if they had their own intentions, they’d probably kill him first and eat his flesh and blood completely.
“Hmph!” After a while, he settled down, and said to himself, “It’s nothing, that guy will definitely go to the central hall. I’ll kill everyone there, and my three Corpse Soldiers will all level up.
I hear that there are Blood Zombies here. Their battle power is comparable to Flower Blossom Tier cultivators, if I can get three of those… hehe!
The Blood Zombie only appears when the blood sacrifice is insufficient. If I kill everyone in the central hall, then the Blood Zombie will definitely appear!
Haha, hahahaha!”
He kept laughing maniacally.
***
Only after Ling Han ran nearly fifty kilometers at a stretch did he stop, offhandedly throwing Yang Ming to the side and placing Hu Niu down.
Yang Ming was probably never treated in such a rough way—the veins on his neck popped out and he made a furious face, but as he thought about the difference in strength between him and Ling Han, he immediately suppressed his anger.
“Young Master Han, the ravine is right ahead. Let’s go!” he said impatiently.
Ling Han nodded. His Dantian was unusually large—after he ran fifty kilometers at a stretch, he only used up nearly ten percent of his Origin Power, which could be quickly recovered by taking a second level Return Origin Pill.
…If people were to see it, they’d definitely scold him for squandering money. Return Origin Pills were definitely used during battle, because normally one would meditate to recover Origin Power, and where would one get the time to do that during a battle?
Ling Han was overbearingly rich and least lacking in medicinal pills, eating them casually.
They were certainly closer to the ravine; in a few minutes at most, they’d be able to walk to the entrance.
“Ling Han!”
From afar, someone waved at them, and quite a few people were there. After a close look, it was Qi Yong Ye and the others.
Ling Han sped up his footsteps as he walked over, only to see that other than Li Si Chan, Guang Yuan, and Li Hao and his partner, everyone who journeyed together earlier was here.
“Who is this?” They looked at Yang Ming.
“This humble one is Yang Ming, no one important.” Yang Ming hurriedly paid obeisance to the others, acting very humbly. However, when his eyes swept past Liu Yu Tong, a breath-taken expression flashed across his face, and he couldn’t help but look twice more, finally lowering his head.
“This isn’t a place to talk, we go in first!” Ling Han said seriously. Rong Huan Xuan could appear from behind at any time… Rong Huan Xuan himself wasn’t a big deal, but the key was that he brought a Silver-Armored Corpse. In a place where Spiritual Ocean Tier cultivators ruled, the Silver-Armored Corpse was almost an invincible being.
Everyone saw his solemn expression and none opposed, as they were all waiting for Ling Han to arrive anyways. Since the man of the hour arrived, why not leave?
On the way, Ling Han explained the incident regarding Rong Huan Xuan. Hearing it, everyone’s hair stood up.
Corpse Soldier?
They’ve never heard of it, what the hell was that?
“The Blood Zombies here, could they be Corpse Soldiers?” Baili Teng Yun guessed.
“Possibly!” The others nodded in succession. This would explain why Rong Huan Xuan appeared; perhaps, there was Thousand Corpse Sect’s inheritance here, and Rong Huan Xuan was here to take it.
“An inheritance like that, even if it’s God Tier, I wouldn’t want it!” Li Dong Yue shook his head like a rattle-drum.
The others also shook their heads in succession. Nurturing a corpse… just the thought of it gave them goosebumps. If they were really to ‘enjoy’ its company day and night, it was possible they’d puke themselves to death.
“Guang Yuan still hasn’t arrived?” Ling Han frowned. The only person by his side that could go against a Silver-Armored Corpse was Guang Yuan, and without that old fellow blocking in front, whoever encountered the Silver-Armored Corpse would only get shredded to pieces.
A Silver-Armored Corpse needed a Spiritual Ocean Tier’s body to evolve, so they didn’t even qualify as “food.”
“Senior Guang Yuan was teleported near another ravine,” Liu Yu Tong said with a bit of regret—the Spiritual Ocean Tier was the strongest force here. With Guang Yuan here, they would be a lot safer.
“Forget it, let’s go!”
On the way, Yang Ming became livelier after he grasped everyone’s situation, calling others brothers. However, he never leaked his identity, and no one was suspicious of him because of Ling Han.
This ravine looked like a stretch of sky from afar, but when actually walking inside, one would definitely be shocked by the ravine’s scale… fifty kilometers long and around one kilometer in width, not to mention straight through and through just as if cut by a sharp weapon—no single place was even a bit wider or a bit narrower.
Several hundred kilometers was naturally no big deal for martial artists in Element Gathering Tier. After a long period of time, they walked past the long ravine, and a majestic hall appeared ahead.
At the first sight of the large hall, everyone revealed a shocked expression, for the edifice was floating in the air, connected to rows of stairs that were floating as well—an impressive spectacle indeed.
“So, so magical!”
Chapter 224
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
What a magical formation.
As a former Heaven Tier cultivator, Ling Han’s interest was naturally placed on something else than the others’. The others were just shocked by this magical scene, but he found why the palace hall was floating.
Right below the hall was an empty public square, but this plain-looking square was not so simple. Vein-like lines formed an intriguing pattern with indistinct flashes of light on it.
Another look at the bottom of the palace, there were also corresponding vein-like lines shining faintly there.
Ling Han was amazed by it; though he has seen many formations that were used for either defense or attack, very few were of the antigravity type. This certainly looked grand, but for martial artists, this had no practical use.
This was the central hall.
Behind the large hall was a thick forest; they came just in time to see someone’s silhouette disappear into the forest.
“Let’s first go to the central hall to offer blood,” Qi Yong Ye said. He counted as half-royalty and didn’t wish for a calamity to occur in Rain Country in the least; this was the common view of those with a vested interest.
Everyone nodded. If a Blood Zombie really appeared, it would benefit no one.
They walked up the stairs, where there were many people from not only Rain Country, but also Rock Country and Fire Country. The nine countries had an unwritten rule which was that fights were prohibited in the central hall; letting the blood sacrifice go smoothly was of mutual benefit to the nine large countries. Whoever broke this rule would become the public enemy of the nine countries.
Because the mystery realm opened again after more than three hundred years, everyone here naturally came for the first time, and while walking on the steps, they cried out in surprise. Many people only moved a step after a long while, shocked by the nature-defying construct.
Climbing step by step, their feet were suspended in midair by the steps underneath. As they got higher, they naturally felt unease, but also became excited because who else other than Flower Blossom Tier cultivators could fly amid heaven and earth?
Al
though it didn’t count as flying, it was roughly the same feeling.
…Standing on top of the highest heavens and passing judgment on everything.
Ling Han was also a bit overwhelmed by emotions. It was no wonder a formation like this was created through painstaking effort, as it certainly felt more satisfying. To arrange such a large formation, the materials necessary also had to be extremely precious. Small countries like Rain Country and Fire Country couldn’t make it even if they used the entire country’s power.
There was a total of 3333 steps, yet it took them nearly half an hour to walk to their end. First, they were walking and gazing because it was so shocking, and second, there were too many people on the steps, so squeezing through all the way wasn’t easy.
The large hall finally appeared in front of them. This was a building without four sidewalls and with a total of twelve massive stone columns supporting the ceiling; each stone column was nearly 333 meters tall, making this large hall appear extremely grand.
“Young master! Young Master!” A voice filled with surprise was heard. Three people squeezed out from the crowd, headed by a sixty-year-old man with a relatively strong presence.
“Uncle Fu!” Yang Ming’s eyes lit up. He instantly revealed a joyful expression and hurriedly greeted them.
“Young master, are you alright?” The three were all nervously looking at Yang Ming. This was Ao family’s young master. If anything were to happen, they would definitely have to pay with their lives.
“I’m fine!” Yang Ming smiled slightly and turned around; his temperament changed drastically all of a sudden.
Although he was hitting it up with the others before, he looked like an underling. Now he was filled with grace of a person with high status, just like an ugly duckling suddenly turned into a beautiful swan.
“Everyone, please allow me to introduce myself again!” His eyes swept past everyone. “My family name is Ao, and first name is Yang Ming, I’m a direct disciple of Winter Moon Sect!”
Winter Moon Sect!
In the vast lands, sects and countries could not be randomly established. With only a Spiritual Ocean Tier cultivator to oversee things, an organization could only be called a faction. With a Spiritual Pedestal Tier cultivator overseeing things, a country could be established, and a sect needed an even higher tier.
…At the very least, a Flower Blossom Tier cultivator had to keep watch over it.
Winter Moon Sect was the closest sect near the Nine Nations of the Desolate North. It was rumored that a formidable Spiritual Infant Tier cultivator watched over it—even the Nine Nations of the Desolate North needed to be respectful of it, for if Winter Moon Sect got displeased, dispatching a random Flower Blossom Tier cultivator could sweep across a single country. And if a Spiritual Infant Tier cultivator personally stepped forth, even the reclusive Flower Blossom Tier cultivators of the Nine Nations fighting together would only be put down in the end.
The higher the tier, the greater the difference a tier or even half a small tier made, not to mention a large tier’s difference.
Qi Yong Ye and the others were shocked. Being a direct disciple meant that Ao Yang Ming’s status in Winter Moon Sect was even nobler than that of the Eldest Prince and the Third Prince. It was no wonder he kept his identity secret on the way. He must’ve been afraid that after it was exposed, people would covet the arts and skills he cultivated.
Skills passed by Winter Moon Sect, just how precious was that?
Now, Ao Yang Ming had his family’s protection, and naturally had no more qualms.
Surname Ao? Winter Moon Sect?
A coldness flashed by in Ling Han’s gaze. Could this guy have any relations with Ao Feng? According to Ling Dong Xing, Ao Feng was distinguished and lived an unconventional lifestyle with countless illegitimate children, and because of that, his mother fled the marriage. If one were to say that the person in front of him was Ao Feng’s love child, then that was completely possible.
He of course wouldn’t be impudent and directly ask him. He just showed a faint smile.
Qi Yong Ye and the others promptly paid obeisance. This was a large sect’s direct disciple—it was alright even if they couldn’t be friends, but they definitely couldn’t have a big argument; otherwise, it could bring their own families a disaster.
Ao Yang Ming was expectedly arrogant, placing his attitude extremely high. Except when he looked at Liu Yu Tong, his gaze became gentle, and he said, “Lady Yu Tong, do you have any interest in joining Winter Moon Sect?”
Joining Winter Moon Sect?
Everyone was shocked, revealing an envious expression. Moon Winter Sect, joining such a sect could give one the chance to step into Spiritual Pedestal or Flower Blossom Tier, maybe even Spiritual Infant Tier.
Of course, just by the looks of Ao Yang Ming inviting only Liu Yu Tong, one would know what sort of idea this guy had planned.
Undoubtedly, Liu Yu Tong was one of the two most beautiful in the Imperial City—beautiful like an angel. It was not surprising that Ao Yang Ming fell for her.
“No!” Liu Yu Tong declined without thinking at all.
She knew that Ao Yang Ming fancied her good looks, but even if he really valued her natural aptitude, she wouldn’t agree. Firstly, what sort of art was she cultivating? Heaven tier!
Would Winter Moon Sect give her Heaven tier art to cultivate? Putting aside whether they had it or not, even if they had it, they wouldn’t easily pass it onto outsiders.
Secondly, following Ling Han, she didn’t need to worry about medicinal pills. That guy was not far from becoming an Earth Grade alchemist.
Thirdly, and most importantly, she was not willing to leave Ling Han.
With the third condition, it was enough to overturn everything.
Ao Yang Ming was originally certain that Liu Yu Tong would agree, but never did he expect her to reject it so straightforwardly. It turned his expression instantly into an awkward one. He looked at Ling Han and revealed a sneering smile from the corner of his lips. On the way, he obviously saw that Liu Yu Tong had feelings for Ling Han.
Then he’d first have to trample on Ling Han to show that the latter was worthless!
Chapter 225
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
Ao Yang Ming looked at Ling Han with a faint smile at the corner of his lips and said, “Ling Han, shouldn’t you return the ancient record I lent you earlier?”
Lent?
Ling Han smiled as well, and asked somewhat surprised, “Lent? Old Brother Yang Ming, could it be that you forgot this was the price for saving you? And, weren’t you just calling me Young Master Han here and there? Now you’re directly calling me by name, aren’t you too quick at changing your attitude?
Some things were unspoken rules that everyone secretly knew, but it couldn’t be laid out on the table, like when Yang Ming pretended to be an underling because he lacked in strength. If he still acted like a great young master, then it was guaranteed he’d be killed in seconds.
…Oh, you say you’re the direct disciple of Winter Moon Sect? Show me the proof.
Not to mention the ability to produce the proof, even if it was possible, since he offended Moon Winter Sect’s disciple, why not just kill him instead of inviting trouble?
Therefore, Ao Yang Ming naturally acted humbly, and everyone understood why; however, Ling Han laid it bare in public, not giving him any face.
Ao Yang Ming’s face suddenly had a hint of haze; the old man known as Uncle Fu was burning with murderous spirit, taking a step out to say, “Young man, what nonsense are you saying? Speak carelessly and offend my family’s young master again, and I’ll definitely spill your blood all over!”
“Hehe!” Ao Yang Ming softly stopped Uncle Fu, and said, “Uncle Fu, Ling Han walked alongside with me. He can talk nonsense, but I can’t forget our old friendship.”
“Yes, Young Master is generous. This old servant admires you greatly!” Uncle Fu said with a bow, looking just like a slave.
/> This old man was a Spiritual Ocean Tier cultivator. In this small world, he was one of the top-notch cultivators, and as long as they flaunted their identity as Winter Moon Sect, even Spiritual Pedestal Tier cultivators needed to give some face.
Qi Yong Ye and the others frowned. This old man completely submitted to Ao Yang Ming, and if Ao Yang Ming were determined to oppose Ling Han, then the situation would be far from good. This Ao Yang Ming was truly shameless. Clearly, Ling Han saved him; forget it if he wasn’t grateful, but he went as far as to point the muzzle at Ling Han!
Don’t burn the bridge after crossing it… he was a typical base person.
Ao Yang Ming looked again at Ling Han, and said indifferently, “Ling Han, hand over the ancient record and we’re still friends, otherwise…” He didn’t continue, but Uncle Fu showed a terribly ferocious look, displaying most vividly his dog-slavish appearance.
Ling Han laughed loudly, and said, “When you’ve got problems, you call me young master Han, and when you don’t, you call me Ling Han. Could you be a chameleon? Ao Yang Ming, since when were you my friend? Are you fit to be?”
Ao Yang Ming’s expression changed abruptly, and Uncle Fu step forward again, ready to strike, but Ao Yang Ming reached out and halted him. This young man’s expression was cold like water as he looked towards Qi Yong Ye and the others, and said, “Everyone, you’ve all seen Ling Han’s arrogance. Do you still want to walk down the shady path? This young master will give you all a chance to sever your connections with Ling Han, and stand behind this young master. Otherwise… you’ll be enemies of Winter Moon Sect!”
Those were quite some big words—Winter Moon Sect’s enemies? Even those who controlled the eight large families would feel a chill in their hearts, let alone Qi Yong Ye and these juniors. That was a superpower with Spiritual Infant cultivators, and them dispatching a random Flower Blossom Tier could create a massive disturbance for Rain Country.
Although Ao Yang Ming couldn’t truly represent Winter Moon Sect and move Flower Blossom Tier cultivators, Uncle Fu, who stood behind him, alone could suppress all of them.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 128