The wide horizons of the north region soon stretched out beautifully in front of them. As there was a high mountain that separated the two areas, the truth was that there was a very clear difference in climate of both areas.
The Desolate North was very dry and cold, but the north region was very humid and warm. There were large stretches of tall trees growing here that had large, fat leaves. It was nothing like the Desolate North, where the majority of greenery was the type with needle-shaped leaves that could withstand extreme cold.
However, the Spiritual Qi here was obviously much denser.
“The last time I came here, it was seventeen years ago,” Guang Yuan could not help but say wistfully. In the depths of his eyes, there was a barely noticeable pain and fury.
“Big Brother Guang, the conditions for cultivation here are obviously better than in the Rain Country. Why had you returned?” Liu Yu Tong asked curiously. Because of Ling Han, she couldn’t possibly address Guang Yuan as senior.
Guang Yuan sighed and said, “It is too difficult to establish yourself in the north region!” He shook his head. “It’s true that the Spiritual Qi here is indeed much denser, but without a supply of alchemical pills, what would be the point of merely having dense Spiritual Qi? There are too many martial artists in the north region, even Spiritual Ocean Tier elites can’t earn much money unless they are willing to obediently refine Origin Crystals. But if one were to refine Origin Crystals, how much time would be left for cultivation?”
“There are too many powerful people here. If one wants a better life, he’d at least have to be in the Spiritual Pedestal Tier.”
Liu Yu Tong and the others instantly fell silent. That was the Spiritual Pedestal Tier they were talking about. In the Rain Country, that would be the most powerful parties like the Eight Great Clans. Who would leave behind such a comfortable lifestyle and run off to the north region to start fighting for their own place again?
Furthermore, in the Rain Country, the Spiritual Pedestal Tier was considered the farthest one could go on the path of martial arts, and one could not possibly advance a step further. Then what was the point of coming out to the north region? To get a Flower Blossom Tier cultivation technique? That was harder than climbing to the heavens.
This kind of cultivation technique would be heavily protected and hidden very well by every party, and they would not easily allow an outstanding immortal power to emerge from any other party.
Among the various sects of the north region, the Winter Moon Sect was the one closest to the Nine Nations of the Desolate North. However, though that was the case, once one left the Fallen Moon Gorge, one would still have to journey for about half a month’s time to reach the Yu Long Mountains, where the Winter Moon Sect was located.
The Yu Long Mountains were a very large mountain range. From north to south, they stretched out for over 10,000 miles, whereas from east to west, they extended for over 2,000 miles. In the north region, they were considered one of the largest mountain ranges. The mountains were a source of various Spiritual Herbs, and also contained a large number of valuable demonic beasts that had great value as medicinal ingredients.
And such a large, valuable mountain range was the private property of the Winter Moon Sect. If any martial artist not of their sect dared to enter the mountains and poach or steal the beasts and Spiritual Herbs within, the only fate would be death once caught. There was no exception. However, the Winter Moon Sect had set up protective arrays to defend this large mountain range, so weaker martial artists would have no way to sneak in, anyways.
Ling Han concocted a large number of Change Appearance Pills on the way. They were not meant to be swallowed, but rather rubbed on the face. They made it possible to change one’s face as one desired, and when the effects of the medicine solidified, one would be able to become a completely different person.
However, the Change Appearance Pill could only last for ten days. Furthermore, one could not wash his face in these ten days. The effects of the pill would be gone when one comes into contact with water, and very soon, one’s real appearance would be revealed.
Ling Han planned to enter the Winter Moon Sect. Whilst dealing heavy damage, he would steal some Spiritual Herbs and also probe for news about his mother. In the best-case scenario, he would be able to find the two remaining Spiritual Herbs he needed in the Winter Moon Sect and concoct the Restore Spirit Pill. Then, he would immediately return to Gray Cloud Town and heal his father’s Spirit Base. After that, he would have Ling Dong Xing take alchemical pills like crazy, and push up his cultivation level rapidly.
Can Ye’s features were very distinct, Guang Yuan was past the acceptable age, and Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan would definitely not want to pass ten days without washing their faces. As for Zhu Wu Jiu, his talent seemed to be a bit poor, so the Winter Moon Sect might not take him. Thus, Ling Han decided to leave all of them outside—he would be moving alone.
Hu Niu was too little. No sect would take such a little girl. Who’d be willing to take care of a little girl? And if Hu Niu’s cultivation was exposed, that would only create a huge commotion, and by that time, Feng Yan would definitely recognize him.
Moreover, since Hu Niu was here, how could Ling Han be far away.
As a result, the little girl stayed with the rest as well.
The carriage rocked and swayed all the way, and just when they were about to reach the Winter Moon Sect, they heard sounds of battle coming from a nearby location. Soon after, they saw a woman that was completely hidden under a cloak appear staggeringly in front of their carriage.
When she saw the slowly moving carriage, a sliver of delight appeared on her face. She took a great leap and entered the carriage from the back.
At this time, Ling Han was currently using the Change Appearance Pill to change his appearance, and was “dressing” himself in front of the mirror. Liu Yu Tong and the other two girls were naturally in the Black Tower, and when he suddenly saw a stranger appear in front of him, he could not help but be surprised.
He was shocked, and the woman was even more shocked.
A great Earth Grade alchemist was actually acting coyly in front of the mirror like this; what kind of pervert was this?
“Er, you seem to have misunderstood,” Ling Han said weakly.
“Quiet!” she said fiercely. She stretched out a hand and grabbed onto Ling Han’s neck, and said, “Cover for me, or I will strangle you to death!”
Ling Han was unafraid. The moment she made a move, he would be able to instantly enter the Black Tower. For someone who had the divine sense of the Heaven Tier like him, how could his reflexes be slower than one’s in the Spiritual Pedestal Tier? He was only curious. Though there were indeed many women who wore cloaks, together with her voice, he was certain that he had not made a mistake. This was precisely that woman who had participated in the auction at the Fallen Moon Gorge a few days ago.
Why was she here? And who had she been fighting with moments ago?
“Hush!” The carriage suddenly stopped.
“Did you see a cloaked woman pass by?” An elderly voice was heard. It was that elder in the Flower Blossom Tier who had competed against the cloaked woman in the bidding at the auction at the Fallen Moon Gorge.
The cloaked woman’s body gave an obvious tremble, yet she suppressed it by force. The divine sense of the Flower Blossom Tier was too powerful. He would be able to sense if there was the slightest bit of oddness.
Ling Han smiled calmly and activated his divine sense to surround the cloaked woman.
This was divine sense of the Heaven Tier. The cloaked woman did not notice it at all, and the same was true for that elder in the Flower Blossom Tier.
“No!” The coachman immediately shook his head.
The elder in the Flower Blossom Tier used divine sense to sweep a few times over the two carriages, but did not discover the aura he was familiar with. With a stomp of his foot, he had left with the winds, scaring the coachman so much that he knelt do
wn and kowtowed.
Ling Han withdrew his divine sense and asked, “Why was he chasing after you?”
“Heng, why do you care about it so much?” the cloaked woman asked coldly.
“Is this really a good way to talk with your savior?” Ling Han laughed.
“I will repay this favor you’ve done me.” The cloaked woman was still very cold.
Ling Han shrugged and said, “I don’t even know what you look like or what your name is. Where do you want me to go to find you to repay me?”
The cloaked woman was very impatient and said, “When my injuries are healed, I will go and find you.”
“How do I know whether you’re simply speaking mere words or not?” Ling Han was unwilling to listen to any excuses. He was interested in both this cloaked woman and that elder in the Flower Blossom Tier. Why had they spent so much money just to buy an alchemy furnace that he had used before?
However, at this point in time, while he could not defeat that elder in the Flower Blossom Tier, the cloaked woman was currently heavily injured—this was a rare opportunity.
Chapter 317
Chapter 317: Cold Spear Association
Translator: DarkAngel_ Editor: Kurisu
The cloaked woman gritted her teeth in anger, and could not help but say, “I am Mu Fei Yao. You can find me in the middle state.”
Ling Han could not help but grin. ‘This woman is so susceptible to provocation, she should not be too old.’ He continued, “You conceal yourself like this, and you still want me to believe you?”
Mu Fei Yao stretched out a hand, about to remove her cloak, but then she immediately humphed and said, “I almost fell for your words, you cunning brat!” Her eyes tuned cold and she continued, “If you continue to provoke me, beware that I will snap your neck.”
“That would depend on whether you have that ability or not!” Ling Han suddenly exploded, turned the tables and grabbed onto Mu Fei Yao’s neck, holding her against the wall of the carriage.
Mu Fei Yao was flabbergasted. She was in the Spiritual Pedestal Tier, and even though she had suffered heavy injuries, resulting in her battle prowess dropping to the level of the Spiritual Ocean Tier, she was still stronger by an unknown number of times than someone in the first layer of the Gushing Spring Tier. Yet now, she was actually subdued by Ling Han in a single move. How could she believe that such a thing was possible?
Ling Han was astonishingly powerful, enough to compare to the fifth layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier!
“Which party are you from? Why did you insist on buying that alchemy furnace?” Ling Han asked. Spending so many Origin Crystals just to buy a damaged, useless alchemy furnace… he did not believe that it was because she had money to burn, what more when there were two people fighting over it.
“Why do I have to tell a liar like you?” Mu Fei Yao asked defiantly.
“Because if you don’t tell me, I’m going to smack your behind,” Ling Han said calmly.
Mu Fei Yao suddenly trembled in fear. She was a pure, untouched girl. If she actually had her behind smacked by a damn man, then what face would she have to continue living? Especially when this man had the same name as the Alchemy Emperor from 10,000 years ago. This was one of their great taboos.
However, she was even more unyielding. Her pride did not allow her to surrender. She gritted her teeth and said, “If you dare to commit an outrage, I will spare no expense and kill you at all costs!”
“Ha!” Ling Han was uncaring of her threat. “I’ve changed my mind now. I’m going to take you to someplace crowded, and smack your behind in front of everyone.”
Mu Fei Yao inhaled sharply, and said in a trembling voice, “You can’t, you can’t!”
“You can test my limits,” Ling Han said calmly.
Mu Fei Yao looked into Ling Han’s eyes, and saw that though his eyes were clear, they were filled with a wild nature. Such a man did not do things with any misgivings or qualms in mind—he would definitely follow up on his words and do as he had said. It was definitely not wise to anger such a man.
“I am a disciple of the Cold 1 Spear Association.” She conceded slightly. Anyway, this was no secret.
Ling Han was instantly startled. The Cold Spear Association?
The Cold Spear Association was a little secret that belonged to him and his four disciples. They had once thought of forming a party and had even come up with the name—the Cold Spear Association. Yet before they had even started officially forming it, Ling Han had already disappeared within the ancient historical site.
Could this Cold Spear Association have been formed by his four disciples after his ‘death’? If that was the case, then it was very reasonable that Mu Fei Yao would bid for an alchemy furnace that he had once used before.
But why had that elder of the Flower Blossom Tier also competed for this alchemy furnace? Moreover, these two people had even come to blows, what was the reason for that? More likely than not, it had to be because of the alchemy furnace.
“Then that old man from before?” Ling Han asked.
“He is from the fake Cold Spear Association!” Mu Fei Yao’s face was instantly filled with rage. “These conmen! We must eliminate all of them and not allow them to travel the world under Grandmaster Ling’s name!”
Ling Han was even more astonished. There were actually two Cold Spear Associations?
Mu Fei Yao thought that he was a fake, and probably, he also thought the same about her. As a result, both sides fought vehemently over the alchemy furnace that he had once used. But the problem was that he had already ‘died’ for 10,000 years, so why were they still so reverent towards him and pay such a heavy price just for an alchemy furnace that he had once used?
Could it be that both Cold Spear Associations had been formed by his disciples? Had some kind of conflict arisen amongst them which caused resentment towards each other to rise, so much that they were willing to destroy the other?
Just from the fact that they were willing to spare no expense to buy the alchemy furnace he had once used, he knew that these two Cold Spear Associations were very reverent towards him. But if that was the case, why would they hate each other so much?
Ling Han felt a headache coming on. What had happened after his ‘death’ that caused a conflict to rise up among his disciples and resulted in them forming two separate Cold Water Associations that were determined to obliterate the other?
However, these two sides were so fiercely opposing one another just because they thought the other side were a ‘fake’ Cold Spear Association, wanting nothing more but to destroy the other side. Then, if he ‘confessed’ to his identity of his last life, he would definitely be thought of as a super conman by both Cold Spear Associations and they would probably try to crush him into dust.
Just looking at Mu Fei Yao, she was definitely mad and could do anything incomprehensible. What qualms would she still have about his status as an Earth Grade alchemist?
“You can leave.” Ling Han tossed Mu Fei Yao out of the carriage without the slightest intention to treat her tenderly just because she was a woman.
Mu Fei Yao tumbled heavily onto the ground, her face filled with disbelief. She was actually tossed out by Ling Han just like that? This despicable guy, don’t let her encounter him again, or she would definitely make him suffer.
With even more questions in his head, Ling Han finally arrived at the Winter Moon Sect. At this time, there were still two days left before the Winter Moon Sect would open their doors to recruit disciples.
For a large sect like the Winter Moon Sect, their main doors were naturally closed at normal times. One usually left or entered the sect through the side doors. Only when there was a big event, such as paying respects to their ancestors, or if there was an extremely important, esteemed guest visiting, or the disciple recruitment that took place every five years, would the main doors be opened.
From far away, a pair of humongous stone doors had sealed off the pathway into the mountains, and there wer
e two smaller side doors at either side of it. One was for entry, while the other was for exit. There were restless streams of people around, which showed off the prosperity of the Winter Moon Sect.
Further up, there were clouds and mist curling around the mountains as if they were dragons.
Thought there was a large city near the Winter Moon Sect called Sea Breeze City, it was still some distance away after all. Moreover, the time for the main doors to be opened for disciple recruitment had already neared, so there were many who chose to set up tents at the foot of the mountains to wait for this day to come.
After all, this was a rare opportunity that would only come every five years.
The people here were not just the young people from the Desolate North, but also those that came from the whole north region. The Winter Moon Sect was one of the five greatest sects of the morth region, so if one was able to enter into the sect, that was equivalent to having opened up the door to an incredibly bright future. As a result, it had naturally attracted uncountable numbers of young people with dreams.
Looking down from a higher position, that was definitely a wide stretch of black. Everywhere he looked, there were people. Just here, there were at least a few 100,000 people. At first, this number might seem like a lot, but one only had to think about the total number of residents of the north region to know that these few 100,000 was really quite normal.
…Merely the Nine Nations of the Desolate North had about a billion residents, and the Desolate North was only considered a tiny, backward corner of the north region.
Ling Han had the others stay behind in the Sea Breeze City, whereas he alone came to the foot of the mountains of the Winter Moon Sect.
There were already a lot of rumors about the test that would take place the day after tomorrow. The first was about the prize. Those that managed to get into the top ten would be richly rewarded, and the prize for the champion was a Spirit Tool called Thunder Battle Armor.
This Spirit Tool was rumored to have been passed down from ancient times, and in the long passage of history, it had suffered much damage. As a result, its might was no longer as great as it had been eons ago, but it was still an extremely valuable treasure.
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