by Translator: BornToBe; Author: Ordinary Magician (平凡魔术师); Licensed From: 17k
“He… he’s really not Long Chen.” Zhuo Tianxiang released Long Chen disappointedly.
He had finished rifling through his memories and seen his entire past. This person truly wasn’t Long Chen. He was Long San.
“Protector Zhuo, are you sure he’s not Long Chen?” asked the new Tower Master.
“He’s not. I went through all his memories and saw everything in the Eastern Wasteland,” sighed Zhuo Tianxiang. It was a disappointment that he hadn’t managed to get Long Chen’s memories.
As he had gone through Long Chen’s past, he had seen him take an alchemy guild master named Yun Qi as his master, how he had cultivated to the point that he managed to take first place in the Pill Tower’s competition, and how he had run into a struggle on the vast sea and flown to the Central Plains.
In truth, other than the memories from the Pill Tower, the rest were all fake. They were what Long Chen had made for his guise as Long San. He had had the Reincarnation Mirror help him set this up. When an external power tried to touch the restriction the Reincarnation Mirror had left in his mind-sea, his memories would vanish, leaving behind only these fake memories.
When the external power left, his memories would slowly return. Right now, Long Chen was standing there blankly as he recovered his memories, and that appearance was just like someone recovering from a soulsearch. Even a wily old fox like Zhuo Tianxiang was tricked.
“Damnit, why does nothing I do ever go smoothly? If I hadn’t prepared some trump cards in advance, I really might have been doomed.” Long Chen cursed inside. His journey to Pill Valley was already going badly. When would his damn bad luck end?
“Then, Long San, he…?” probed the Tower Master. His meaning was whether he was still supposed to ‘properly look after him’.
“Long San’s soul energy is very powerful and rarely seen. But because it’s been too long since he has refined pills, and his cultivation base advanced too much, he hasn’t managed to consolidate his soul energy, making it sluggish. But this isn’t a problem. He just needs some pills and some time to recover. He really is a decent sprout. As long as he listens to orders, he can be raised into a genius. I’ll bring him with me,” said Zhuo Tianxiang.
In truth, while Zhuo Tianxiang acted calm, he was extremely shocked. Long Chen’s Spiritual Strength was something he had never seen before from a Foundation Forging disciple. His Spiritual Strength was comparable to a peak Soul Transformation alchemist.
In order to enter Pill Valley, Long Chen had made countless preparations. Right now, his soul was similar to what it would look like after he had spent three years not training in it. Now he had erased all of Zhuo Tianxiang’s suspicions.
Making completely perfect lies wasn’t possible, but to create some lies that didn’t have any big holes and could last a short time was more than possible for Long Chen.
He knew that this wily old fox was already planning some things for him. Saying that he could be raised into a genius if he listened to orders was a subtle warning.
“Many thanks Protector Zhuo! I will never forget your great kindness and favor!” Long Chen acted like he was going wild with joy.
Seeing Long Chen acting this way, Zhuo Tianxiang nodded. He brought him away with his people, going straight for the Eastern Xuan Capital’s transportation formations.
Chapter 1327 Heaven Devouring Forest
“Senior…”
“Call me Protector Zhuo. And stop calling yourself I in front of me. Call yourself junior or this little one. Do you not even understand such simple manners?”
Atop a grand flying boat with Pill Valley’s insignia, Zhuo Tianxiang coldly chided Long Chen.
Starting in the Eastern Xuan Capital, Long Chen had gone with Zhuo Tianxiang through several transportation formations. But there were some places that could not be connected with transportation formations and required flying boats.
On the way, Zhuo Tianxiang and the other people from Pill Valley all ignored Long Chen, the winner of the Pill Tower’s competition. In the end, Long Chen couldn’t help but open his mouth, but he was immediately chided.
Through this anger, Long Chen could tell that Zhuo Tianxiang still didn’t like him. Although his disguise was perfect, Zhuo Tianxiang still saw the shadow of Long Chen on him.
However, on this trip to Pill Valley, if he didn’t find a good supporter for himself, he probably wouldn’t be able to establish himself within, let alone get an opportunity to touch the Nirvana Scripture.
“Cough, disciple wishes to ask… according to what I remember from when the Tower Ancestor left, this badge was supposed to last ten years. Why did it expire… cough, great Protector Zhuo, why do I count as late?” asked Long Chen.
“Hmph, what do you know? It might be valid for ten years, but the first three years are the most important period to build a foundation in Pill Valley. After missing that golden time, there’s little value in raising you. Did you think we’d waste so much effort on bringing someone useless to Pill Valley? If your Spiritual Strength didn’t just make the cut, then after missing those three years, even with this badge, you wouldn’t have the qualifications to enter Pill Valley,” said Zhuo Tianxiang coldly.
Hearing Zhuo Tianxiang mention this golden time, Long Chen suddenly recalled that the Tower Ancestor seemed to have mentioned something similar, which was why he had wanted Long Chen to go with him. But Long Chen had refused.
Fuck, what a con. He thought he could use this badge to show off his stuff in Pill Valley, but now, why did it feel like he didn’t have any status at all?
“Long San, listen well. It’d be best if you could memorize every word I’m about to say.”
Zhuo Tianxiang looked at the little brat in front of him. For some unknown reason, the image of that person who had slapped him in the face always appeared, and he had an urge to kill this brat.
But he had no choice but to admit that Long Chen’s Spiritual Strength was stunningly powerful and extremely rare. If he was properly raised, he could definitely become an alchemy genius. Of course, that was the only reason he was bringing him.
However, before bringing him, Zhuo Tianxiang had his own plans for him. He continued, “With your current power, you simply aren’t qualified to enter Pill Valley. I simply feel that your Spiritual Strength is not bad. If you work hard, and if I go all-out to raise you, perhaps you will be able to become…”
Long Chen sneered inside. Once again, Zhuo Tianxiang was playing this kind of game with him. Just looking at him, Long Chen knew what he was thinking. But on the outside, he acted respectful, as if he was afraid of missing a single word.
“Bringing you into Pill Valley is my favor to you. But it’s also part of my duty. You have to listen to me once you enter Pill Valley. If you’re obedient, there will naturally be benefits to you. But if you start to get arrogant, let me tell you, your death will be very wretched. To tell you the truth, if you show your Pill Flame to any of Pill Valley’s disciples, you’ll make them all collapse in laughter. Within Pill Valley, even geniuses need powerful support. Without anyone to look after you, you won’t have anything. Do you understand?”
From the very beginning, Long Chen had understood this old fox’s intentions. He wanted Long Chen to be devoted to him. It seemed Pill Valley’s interior was also not completely united.
“Disciple understands. Disciple will never forget Protector Zhuo’s kindness and favor. If I betray this oath, let me be struck by lightning!” swore Long Chen.
Being hit by lightning was nothing to Long Chen, so he didn’t care if it really happened. But to an ordinary cultivator, this could cause a heart-devil during tribulation, and it was one of the most frightening oaths.
Seeing him swear such a heavy oath, Zhuo Tianxiang and the others were all moved.
“Protector Zhuo, if there’s anyone you want to kill, I will help you.” Long Chen patted his chest. But inside he was thinking, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help slash you a few times with my saber.”
Zhuo Tianxiang’s
expression was a bit rigid. Now that Long Chen had expressed such sincerity, he didn’t feel right continuing to mock him. He lightly said, “Good. Just properly listen and I definitely won’t mistreat you. But if you don’t do as you’re told, I can take back what I’ve given you at any time.”
Zhuo Tianxiang’s words were a mix of the carrot and stick. But Long Chen was already bored of such a game.
“Your Spiritual Strength is too stiff now, and you’re unable to refine pills. This is Spirit Activation Pill. It will allow your soul to recover its old flexibility, and at that time, I’ll see your alchemy skills.” Zhuo Tianxiang handed Long Chen a pill.
Long Chen immediately consumed it. He entered one of the flying boat’s private rooms to calmly digest the medicinal energy.
After he was gone, one of the Life Star experts couldn’t help ask, “Is this Long San really of use?”
“I don’t know yet. His soul is in a strange state. It’s not powerful, but vast like a sea. Even a late Soul Transformation alchemist wouldn’t possess such soul energy. Since soul energy is the foundation of alchemy, this Long San’s innate talent is definitely demon-class. But we still don’t know how his control, alchemy technique, and comprehension are,” said Zhuo Tianxiang.
“To be able to take first place in the Pill Tower’s competition, he should be not bad, right?”
“The Eastern Wasteland’s Pill Tower is just some poor desolate shop. Can they raise any outstanding disciples? Even if Long San is an alchemy genius, without anyone to properly raise him, he wouldn’t have any outstanding skills. Once his soul’s reactivated, we can test him and see if he has the potential to enter the Divine Pill Hall. If he doesn’t, then there’s no need to waste the effort. Just send him directly to the Pill Order Department,” said Zhuo Tianxiang.
“Protector Zhuo, you’re not going to personally tutor him? Your alchemy skills outclass all of ours,” asked a Life Star expert.
“I don’t want to. For some reason, I don’t like looking at that brat. I’m going to rest and think about how I’m going to give my report, and how I’m going to handle those pedantic bastards’ questions,” sighed Zhuo Tianxiang, retreating to his own room.
Three days later, Long Chen came out of seclusion. In truth, the stiffness of his soul was just part of his disguise. But to properly act, he only came out after three days.
The Pill Valley experts immediately had Long Chen refine pills after coming out to see his technique and control.
The alchemy ability Long Chen displayed was on the same level as when he had refined pills in the Eastern Wasteland’s Pill Tower. Those Pill Valley experts shook their heads. These alchemy arts were too low in grade.
They sighed disappointedly. Long San was already a bit too old, and he had spent so much time refining pills with these techniques. To have him start practicing Pill Valley’s alchemy arts would require him to completely tear down and rebuild his foundation. It was impossible to change such habits without a few years.
However, the comprehension ability that Long San displayed then completely stunned them. He would correct the flaws in his technique in just a few tries and completely adapt to new abilities in just a little while.
They immediately began to teach him the most basic alchemy arts of Pill Valley, and Long San only took half a day to completely fix his old habits. His old habits and techniques didn’t affect his alchemy at all.
In just two days, Long San had completely learned Pill Valley’s foundation alchemy arts. He could remember any pill formula with just a look. And when refining pills, he would only make a mistake once. He would never make the same mistake twice.
Those Life Star alchemists were all shocked. They began to gradually teach him higher difficulty techniques and skills.
Long Chen was just cooperating with them. With his Pill Sovereign memories, he should be the one teaching them. But winning their trust was a step by step process.
On the way, one of these experts gave him an Earth Flame seed. Long Chen had no choice but to admit that Pill Valley really had too much money. They just randomly gave him the existence ranked forty-first on the Earth Flame Ranking.
He refined the Earth Flame seed and told Huo Long not to devour it. For now, it was the flame he would have to use to cover up his identity.
With this Earth Flame and everyone’s guidance, Long San’s alchemy arts progressed at astonishing speed each day. These alchemists were all incomparably excited and praised him as an alchemy genius.
Even Zhuo Tianxiang was drawn out. He hadn’t expected to have found such a treasure. Long San was actually an alchemy genius with shocking comprehension. Thus, Zhuo Tianxiang gave him a top grade King item medicinal furnace as encouragement.
Long San immediately cried tears of gratitude and swore to work hard for Pill Valley. He acted however Zhuo Tianxiang directed him.. That loyalty was like Long San would attack whoever Zhuo Tianxiang asked him to with no questions asked.
But he found that while Zhuo Tianxiang smiled, that smile was forced. He still couldn’t conceal his dislike for Long San.
Long Chen knew that no matter how he disguised himself, there would at least be some shadow of his true figure following him. It seemed Zhuo Tianxiang hated him too strongly. Even if he knew Long San wasn’t Long Chen, he still didn’t like him.
“Damnit, I have to think of some way to escape his sight. His suspicions of me still haven’t been completely erased. What should I do?”
Being stared at by this bastard all day was very uncomfortable. It felt like a poisonous snake was behind him, capable of biting him at any moment.
The flying boat continued onward. It was midday with the sun high in the air when the sky suddenly darkened. Long Chen jumped in shock.
“Slow the boat down. We’ve reached the Heaven Devouring Forest.” Zhuo Tianxiang’s voice was a bit heavy, and even his expression became solemn.
The flying boat slowed down. Long Chen realized that this darkness was actually a thick forest.
“These are true ancient trees that reach the heavens!”
Chapter 1328 Complicated Relations
These trees truly reached the heavens. They were so huge that even the three-hundred-meter flying boat was like an insect flying past them.
The leaves of the trees completely covered the sky, making it so not even the slightest sunlight could reach them. That was why everything was black.
“Damn, they have to be over a hundred thousand meters tall! If I have a chance, I have to grab some and plant them in the primal chaos space.” Long Chen’s heart pounded as he looked at these huge trees. He had an urge to dig up a few of them right now.
But these trees were sinister and frightening. They almost looked like fiends. Bursts of evil air came through the flying boat’s protections, turning Long Chen’s scalp numb.
“What kind of trees could be so terrifying?” whispered Long Chen. Right now, including Zhuo Tianxiang, all the flying boat’s experts had solemn expressions.
One of the elders who treated Long Chen well explained, “This forest you see is one of the famed seven great danger zones - the Heaven Devouring Forest. Each tree you see is a fiendish lifeform and incredibly dangerous. Although this is just the border, we still can’t be careless. If we provoke a terrifying existence we probably won’t be able to escape.”
“Then why are we going through such a dangerous region? Why not go around?” Long Chen couldn’t help but ask.
“There are things you don’t know. After the Martial Heaven Continent went through the battle of the immortal era, it was fractured, and it left behind countless spatial abysses that cannot be crossed. If we want to return to Pill Valley, the closest path is through the edge of the Heaven Devouring Forest. Although it’s dangerous, it’s also the fastest way. If we go around, we’d have to go all the way across the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring, and it would take at least two years.” That expert kindly showed Long Chen a map.
It was an extremely detailed map of the Ce
ntral Plains. The Central Plains were wrapped around by the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring in a very perfect circle.
At the center of the map was a square area marked as the Central Xuan Region. It was drawn with a specific color. It was like a huge copper coin with the Central Xuan Region being the center of it.
The Eastern Xuan Region, Western Xuan Region, Southern Xuan Region, and Northern Xuan Region were also of different colors.
This was Long Chen’s first time seeing such a detailed map. He couldn’t help being startled. The five regions were inconceivably evenly split. It was like someone had divided them up meticulously. Each of the four outer regions was the same size.
As for the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring, it was a perfect ring of blue.
Then from the Eastern Xuan Region to the Central Xuan Region, Long Chen saw a black mark. That had to be the spatial abyss that the elder had mentioned.
Other than this black mark, there was a green mark as well. On it were the words Heaven Devouring Forest written in the deep red of old blood.
Before Long Chen could carefully look at the rest of the map, the flying boat shuddered as a thick vine suddenly bound them.
“Damnable headless creatures. We should have burned them to the ground!” cursed Zhuo Tianxiang.
That vine was several feet thick and was like a huge python that had caught its prey. It coiled around the flying boat tightly.
“Protector Zhuo, what do we do?” asked a Life Star expert.
“Ignore it. We’ll smash through it and continue forward. We don’t have time to waste,” said Zhuo Tianxiang.
Divine runes suddenly circulated around the flying boat, and a terrifying energy was unleashed, blowing apart the vine. Long Chen actually heard something akin to a startled cry.
“Increase the speed!” shouted Zhuo Tianxiang. The flying boat shot out like an arrow.
But in that instant, the entire forest went berserk. What shocked Long Chen was that these ancient trees suddenly seemed to come to life, and huge branches slammed at the flying boat.