Hum...
Amid churning sea waves, the rich spiritual light enveloping the Jianji gradually faded.
The colossal vessel docked at a harbor.
Cultivators disembarked in an orderly stream, led by Tianyuan Business Alliance personnel onto a large island.
After half a year's voyage, they had arrived at Sun Moon Island.
This island was still within the bounds of the Northern Sea, yet lay extraordinarily far from the human heartland.
Figures moved in bustling silhouettes amid loud shouts. Back and forth, bulky materials unsuitable for storage bags were hauled into pre-arranged warehouses.
Clearly, Sun Moon Island served as the Tianyuan Business Alliance's transit hub in the Northern Sea, positioned midway between the Northern Sea and the Central Plains.
Stationed permanently on the island was a Nascent Soul True Person from the Tianyuan Dao Sect.
Indeed—from the Dao Sect, not the Alliance.
The two entities appeared to keep their divisions scrupulously distinct!
At that moment, the youthful-looking Dao Sect True Person stood aboard the ship alongside Fu Chaosheng, chatting as they watched the weaving crowds below.
"Recommending seven Nascent Soul True Persons to join the Star Gate at once—Senior Brother Fu, you have rendered immense service this time!"
"Not at all. Of those seven, only two were recommended by me; the remaining five were put forward by other alliance elders."
"It is nonetheless the achievement of the Tianyuan Business Alliance's Northern Sea branch. Senior Brother is too modest." The young man smiled, but his expression soon turned solemn. "Senior Brother Fu, are you certain you wish to use this island's teleportation array? In comparison, the array over at Shenyuan City should be far more suitable!"
Fu Chaosheng shook his head. "Shenyuan City's teleportation array is wonderful in that it can bridge entire continents. However, it consumes a tremendous amount of spirit stones and requires an exceedingly long recovery time. Before I even knew of it, Elder Shen had already activated it ahead of schedule to send someone through."
"Who?" The young man asked in surprise. "Who possesses such standing that Senior Brother Shen would exercise his authority to forcibly activate an inter-provincial teleportation?"
"That fellow from the Liu family," Fu Chaosheng said flatly.
The young man had a sudden epiphany. "Ah, so it was Junior Brother Liu Yuan! I heard that he traveled countless miles, renouncing the affluent cultivation environment of the Central Plains specifically to hone himself in the Northern Sea, and succeeded in one fell swoop by breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm. Looking at it now, his performance after the breakthrough must have been quite extraordinary for Senior Brother Shen to not hesitate making an exception for him."
At this point, he suddenly realized something.
"The Shen family has no suitable clansmen in this generation to participate in the five-hundred-year grand tournament. Could it be that Senior Brother Shen has taken a fancy to Junior Brother Liu Yuan?"
Fu Chaosheng gave a strained smile, offering no further comment.
Though both were in the Northern Sea, Fu Chaosheng spent most of his time traveling the southeastern region and had little interaction with Liu Yuan.
Shen Wandou was different. Stationed permanently in Shenyuan City, he was in close proximity to Liu Yuan, who had been honing himself within the Myriad Immortals Association, and their private exchanges were exceedingly frequent.
Before anyone realized it, he had roped the humble-born genius Liu Yuan into his circle.
Shen Wandou had staked heavy wagers on Liu Yuan. Not to mention showering him with various resources, merely breaking protocol to activate the cross-provincial teleportation array was enough to earn deep gratitude.
Moreover, before Fu Chaosheng's return, Shen Wandou had even tested Luo Chen's capabilities—clearly probing the depth of Liu Yuan's future rival.
The young man glanced at Fu Chaosheng, gaining a rough understanding of why he wore that look.
The Fu family's proud daughter, Fu Qinglan, had reportedly registered for this five-hundred-year tournament, intending to glimpse the path of the Great Dao within the Miragedragon Grotto-Heaven.
As such, Liu Yuan was destined to become Fu Qinglan's opponent.
Compared to Liu Yuan, who had formed his Nascent Soul long ago and was nearing the hundred-year limit, Fu Qinglan, who had achieved hers only a few years prior, fell far behind.
In particular, when it came to practical combat experience against adversaries, the gap was even wider...
The young man smiled knowingly and did not pursue the topic further.
He patted the ship's railing and said with a chuckle, "The teleportation array on Sun Moon Island is typically used to transport inanimate resources; it is not well-suited for passengers. Thus, anyone wishing to enter must possess a certain level of cultivation to withstand the immense spatial pressure. Senior Brother Fu, you should be well aware of this."
Fu Chaosheng acknowledged with a grunt and handed over a roster.
The young man received it and scrutinized it carefully.
There were few names on the list, barely a dozen or so, mostly Golden Core and Nascent Soul figures.
Yet as he read toward the end, his brow furrowed.
"Why are there two demon beasts on here?"
"And how can a junior at the Foundation Establishment stage endure the immense pressure of the array?"
"They all belong to this 'Desolate Hermit' Luo Chen. Who is this?"
Faced with this string of inquiries, Fu Chaosheng remained unruffled, replying with a smile, "The Desolate Hermit is a powerhouse who has recently risen in the Northern Sea. Though a rogue cultivator, his abilities are not in the least inferior to disciples of our sacred grounds. Conveniently, activating the teleportation array requires preparation time. Let me introduce him to you!"
The young man raised an eyebrow, studied Fu Chaosheng closely, and ultimately did not refuse.
However, as the two waited at the prow for quite a while without any sign of Luo Chen, the atmosphere grew awkward.
"Hongzhang, go see what is going on with the Desolate Hermit," Fu Chaosheng sent via divine sense transmission.
Fu Hongzhang, who stood waiting, hesitated not for a second and dashed toward Kunxiao Palace.
Before long, he hurried back.
"Patriarch, according to True Person Luo's maidservant, her master is at a critical juncture in researching a secret technique and will require a few more days before ending his seclusion."
Fu Chaosheng froze.
Since their parting at Bichao Palace, Luo Chen seemed to have stayed in Kunxiao Palace for over a month!
What kind of secret technique required just this amount of time?
It wasn't particularly long, which suggested the technique's power might not be monumental.
Yet it wasn't short either—to keep them waiting for it implied it had its own unique wonders.
Still, the stronger Luo Chen was, the more delighted Fu Chaosheng felt; he certainly wouldn't disturb him by force.
Turning around, he offered an apologetic smile. "Junior Brother Yu..."
The young man waved his hand magnanimously. "If he won't meet, so be it. There is no rush anyway. However, he will still need to explain the matter of that Foundation Establishment cultivator when the time comes; otherwise, should an accident occur during teleportation, I will bear no responsibility."
Fu Chaosheng nodded repeatedly.
Yet after the young man left, Fu Chaosheng wore a look of regret.
If he could have used this opportunity to introduce Luo Chen to this person, Luo Chen's future path within the Star Gate would surely have been much smoother.
Now that Luo Chen was in seclusion, the teleportation array would likely be ready by the time he emerged, leaving little time for the two to get acquainted.
...
Inside a private chamber on the fifth floor of Kunxiao Palace.
Luo Chen slowly opened his eyes, a thoughtful look lingering in his gaze.
"So that's how it is."
The might of Guixianlou's roar was an innate divine ability of a desolate beast, not something he could learn from a hurried glance.
However, another ability Guixianlou had displayed when barging into Ice Soul Spirit Mountain had provided him immense inspiration.
The illusions of ghost immortals hovering around its form could confound the spiritual senses of Nascent Soul cultivators, thereby causing enemy attacks to deviate.
Such an ability was undeniably a rare defensive soul technique!
It was a formidable method that not even Han Zhan possessed.
Luo Chen had been thoroughly amazed at the time. After carefully pondering it later, he discovered that he already met the foundational prerequisites to learn such a method.
The techniques of desolate beasts were not subtle; on the contrary, they were quite crude. It was simply the racial divide that obstructed human research.
Ordinary Nascent Soul True Persons would surely be left scratching their heads with no place to begin, but he had discerned the underlying thread.
Guixianlou used the source power of a desolate beast as a medium to fuse its terrifying fiendish aura with its divine soul, thereby constructing the illusion of circling ghost immortals.
And in all three of these areas, Luo Chen possessed the foundation.
Above all!
The illusion technique Mirror Flower, Water Moon, which he had mastered years ago, had long since reached Great Perfection.
Later, drawing upon a wisp of foul energy from Guixianlou within the Soul Nourishing Wood, he had independently created the second illusionary domain: Ghost Immortal Pavilions.
Relying on this move back in the mid Golden Core stage, he had once compelled a late Golden Core grand cultivator to retreat in the face of difficulties.
Still, the fundamental difference in soul quality ultimately left this technique inadequate against Nascent Soul cultivators, which was why Luo Chen seldom used it.
Yet now!
Imitating Guixianlou's defensive soul technique had become far simpler for Luo Chen.
Building upon the foundation of Ghost Immortal Pavilions, continuously groping and optimizing, he stimulated the vast fiendish aura he had accumulated over the years, then used source power as a medium to weave the divine soul within his sea of consciousness...
"Compared to Guixianlou's, the raw power of this move of mine may be slightly weaker, but it is far more exquisite. Given time, it might even surpass the original!"
Murmuring to himself, Luo Chen snapped his eyes open.
Instantly, within three feet of his body, dense vapors abruptly surged.
Radiance suffused the space as steam and mist billowed upward.
Incantations and angry shouts resounded without end.
In the hazy blur, faces—some youthful, some aged, male and female alike—surfaced alongside the struggling, churning phantoms of ferocious demon beasts of every description.
Though lacking the majestic spectacle of circling ghost immortals, it held a hair-raising eeriness born of subtle, intricate craftsmanship.
Luo Chen closed his eyes.
His divine soul reined in and his source power receded; every illusion dissipated instantly, as though nothing had occurred.
Yet on his attribute panel, a brand-new entry had appeared:
[Devils and Gods Disperse: Beginner 1/100]
It was categorized under the column for Soul Techniques.
The moment he saw the entry appear, Luo Chen let out a breath of relief.
This move was born out of Mirror Flower, Water Moon, and could be regarded as its third illusionary domain.
Yet since it was listed independently, it meant it had far surpassed the Tier 3 illusion technique Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
In terms of rank alone, it was surely at least Tier 4 or higher.
Furthermore, self-created techniques typically possessed immense potential, leaving ample room to tap into and optimize.
"It just so happens that the split soul I cultivated cannot endure excessive tempering from tribulation lightning. In my spare time, I can use the split soul's power to practice this technique and speed up my proficiency gains!"
With a faint smile, Luo Chen had mapped out his subsequent cultivation plan.
For now, however, other matters took precedence.
Luo Chen washed up briefly, stepped out of the private chamber feeling refreshed, and gathered his subordinates to set foot on Sun Moon Island.
...
"Desolate Hermit, are you certain you can protect your subordinate?"
Before an ancient hall shielded by layers of arrays, the young man from the Tianyuan Dao Sect looked at the equally youthful Luo Chen, seeking confirmation once more.
Luo Chen glanced at the nervous Zhang Jingqing and offered a gentle smile.
The girl visibly relaxed a little.
Then, Luo Chen met the young man's gaze with calm composure. "Fellow Daoist Yu, please rest assured. If the others can protect their own cultivators, I can naturally protect Little Qing and the rest."
Yu Ziyou frowned. "The other two Fellow Daoists of the Nascent Soul realm brought Golden Core cultivators. That is still a vast difference from this junior."
Seeing Luo Chen stand firm, he said no more.
In any case, he had given fair warning. If something went wrong, it would have nothing to do with Yu Ziyou.
His gaze swept over the fifteen people present: three Nascent Soul True Persons, each accompanied by four clansmen or subordinates.
Luo Chen's group was especially peculiar.
Aside from Zhang Jingqing with her low cultivation realm, there were actually two demon beasts.
Tianxuan, who had achieved human form before reaching Tier 4.
And Black King, who had reached Tier 4 yet remained untransformed.
In particular, the aura emanating from the latter was unmistakably that of a desolate beast!
This not only astonished Yu Ziyou, but also deeply shocked the other two Nascent Soul True Persons who had traveled alongside them for half a year.
None had realized that the early Nascent Soul Desolate Hermit Luo Chen possessed a Tier 4 desolate beast as a spirit pet and had brought it along the entire voyage without anyone noticing.
Had reporting every living being's details not been mandatory for using the teleportation array, they might still be entirely in the dark.
"Take a moment to prepare yourselves. The teleportation array will be activated shortly."
Yu Ziyou left them with that remark and hurried into the hall.
Standing outside, Luo Chen did not put on airs of haughty aloofness, but engaged in brief conversation with the two accompanying Nascent Soul True Persons.
One went by the moniker Lindong Shanren, and the other was named Lu Qiuzhen.
Both were Nascent Soul cultivators of long-standing fame in the Northern Sea.
Lu Qiuzhen in particular was someone Fu Chaosheng had advised him to befriend, as Lu Qiuzhen was also using Fu Chaosheng's connection to join the Star Gate.
After conversing for a short while, the three abruptly fell silent.
The tightly shut palace gates creaked open a crack.
Yu Ziyou's voice drifted out from within.
"Everyone, enter!"
The three exchanged glances, and Lu Qiuzhen spoke, "Desolate Hermit, you first!"
Luo Chen smiled naturally and didn't feign reluctance, leading Black King and the others into the hall.
Once inside, he saw Fu Chaosheng standing beside Yu Ziyou, smiling toward them.
"Let us head home together!"
Luo Chen paused, then gently nodded.
It was indeed heading home.
Only, Fu Chaosheng was returning to his home in the Central Plains, whereas Luo Chen was merely using the Central Plains as a passage back to his home in the Eastern Desolation.
May the journey be smooth and safe.
An incense stick's time later.
Boom!
A massive pillar of light surged into the heavens from the central hall of Sun Moon Island, illuminating the surrounding hundred li.
Boarding another ship with a retinue of clansmen, Zhou Yunshen gazed at that distant light pillar and let out a soft sigh.
"Fellow Daoist Luo has gone on ahead."
The sigh was laced with complex emotion.
To an uninitiated ear, it might sound as if Luo Chen had passed away.
In truth, it was Zhou Yunshen who had to lead his clansmen across vast distances, risking mortal danger to travel by water to the Central Plains.
He merely hoped there would come a day when he met Luo Chen again.
Not out of fondness, but because meeting again would mean he had survived.
"This old man will arrive shortly after."
Zhou Yunshen withdrew his gaze and began conversing via divine sense transmissions with the other three Nascent Soul True Persons.
On this voyage, not only did they have to ferry their clansmen and disciples to the Central Plains, but they were also tasked with escorting a consignment of goods for the Tianyuan Business Alliance.
In a sense, before they had even joined the Star Gate, they were already working for the Tianyuan Dao Sect.
...
Star Island.
One of the few large islands separated from the mainland of the Central Plains.
On the island lay a Tier 4 spirit vein, upon which vast tracts of medicinal herbs were cultivated—truly a blessed sanctuary.
Yet the island's true purpose was not cultivating spirit herbs, but rather the teleportation array located at its center.
Linking the Northern Sea and connecting to the Southern Border, it was the central hub between north and south.
Were it not for the critical importance of the array, this place would have bustled with passing cultivators instead of maintaining such quiet seclusion.
Yet on this day, that tranquil scenery was abruptly shattered.
From the subterranean palace enveloped by grand formations came thunderous tremors. Cultivators of the Tianyuan Dao Sect rushed over from all directions, staring in astonishment toward the underground complex.
That was the core of the teleportation array. Normally, outsiders teleporting in from other continents would be restricted within the subterranean palace by formations and could not leave the island at will.
Such cautious measures were taken as a precaution against any contingency.
Yet today, a commotion of this scale was genuinely unexpected.
"Just how many people did they teleport from the Northern Sea for the spirit stone consumption to be this staggering?"
"The upper limit for a single teleportation is at most a hundred people. But with a commotion like this, how could it be merely a hundred?"
"Hiss—look! What is that?"
Blood!
Waves of foul-smelling blood seeped out from the subterranean palace, soaking through the ground and dyeing the earth a dizzying crimson.
The Tianyuan cultivators exchanged bewildered glances, a single thought springing into every mind:
Could this batch of travelers have perished midway through the teleportation?
If that were truly the case, heaven and earth would be overturned. An array that had run without incident for thousands of years, claiming so many lives in a single stroke!
Inside the subterranean palace.
The three Nascent Soul True Persons stared in dumbfounded shock at Luo Chen—and at the colossal flood dragon sprawled beside him.
From its gaping maw, blood vomited forth continuously.
The torrential volume of blood inundated the subterranean chamber, virtually forming a river of gore.
Faced with this, Luo Chen could only give a helpless, bitter smile.
"My apologies. It was my oversight."
Chapter 737