"Si... sixty stalks of Cold Ice Grass?"
"Looks like there really are sixty stalks."
"All five of us put together barely found more Cold Ice Grass than Lu Changsheng did on his own..."
For a moment, all five were left numb.
It was one thing for Lu Changsheng to possess absurd combat strength.
Now, he was even far more efficient at gathering Cold Ice Grass than them.
"All right, let's pool our Cold Ice Grass together and tally them up," Liu Yuan spoke up.
The team gathered all their harvested Cold Ice Grass together, adding the ten stalks they had previously looted from the Five Peaks Squad.
"A total of one hundred and forty-one stalks of Cold Ice Grass."
"According to the rules, whoever found the Cold Ice Grass keeps the contribution points."
"As for the ten stalks from the Five Peaks Squad, I propose giving them all to Lu Changsheng. After all, had Lu Changsheng not wiped out the Five Peaks Squad, we wouldn't have been able to search for Cold Ice Grass in Maple Leaf Valley in the first place. His contribution was far greater!"
None of the other teammates had any objection to Liu Yuan's proposal.
"Lu Changsheng, here are seventy stalks of Cold Ice Grass."
Liu Yuan handed all seventy stalks over to Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng did not refuse.
After all, this was rightfully his.
Moreover, he was indeed in dire need of contribution points right now.
For these seventy stalks, each stalk yielded a reward of one thousand contribution points.
That came out to seventy thousand contribution points in total!
How many Dao Comprehension Pills could that be exchanged for?
Lu Changsheng urgently needed Dao Comprehension Pills right now.
It was somewhat of a pity that here at the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, he no longer received the double rewards granted to a true disciple seed back in the Northern Region.
Even so, seventy thousand contribution points was more than enough to satisfy him.
Not to mention, he had also obtained a Shift Talisman and an extra Dao Comprehension Pill.
His very first outing in the Ancient Region had yielded a bountiful harvest.
"All right, everyone made great gains this time. It's time to head back."
In high spirits, the members of the Tianlin Squad returned to the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
Lu Changsheng went straight to exchange for Dao Comprehension Pills.
At the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, a Dao Comprehension Pill cost five thousand contribution points each.
Lu Changsheng spent sixty thousand contribution points without hesitation, exchanging for twelve of them.
Combined with the pill looted from the Five Peaks Squad, Lu Changsheng now possessed thirteen Dao Comprehension Pills!
'Thirteen Dao Comprehension Pills should be enough.'
'I wonder how far these thirteen pills can push my domains?'
Lu Changsheng looked forward to it with great anticipation.
Currently, he still had the Perception Domain, Ocean Wave Domain, Tempest Domain, and Waterfall Domain that had yet to reach perfection.
Among them, the progress of the Perception Domain was already over 40%.
Logically speaking, using Dao Comprehension Pills to comprehend the Perception Domain would yield the best results.
However, the Perception Domain was rather special.
Lu Changsheng used it almost daily.
And almost every day, he gained insights into it.
In other words, even without consuming Dao Comprehension Pills, the Perception Domain improved at a rapid pace.
With his comprehension, it was only a matter of time before the Perception Domain reached perfection.
Fine steel had to be used on the blade's edge!
Dao Comprehension Pills were hard to come by, and he could not afford to squander them.
However, the other three domains all drew from learning from nature.
Even if he took a Dao Comprehension Pill, he would need an environment featuring a tempest, a waterfall, or ocean waves to facilitate his comprehension.
So, Lu Changsheng sought out Liu Yuan.
"Captain, where around here can I find places with tempests, waterfalls, or ocean waves?"
"My domains are rooted in learning from nature. If I want to improve them, I need to find such environments to gain insights."
Lu Changsheng asked directly.
"Ocean waves... that's a bit far. There are seas in the Ancient Region, but that area is somewhat peculiar."
"As for tempests and waterfalls, those aren't difficult to find."
"By the way, are you planning to take the path of comprehending heaven and earth to strengthen your mind?" Liu Yuan asked.
"Yes. I exchanged most of my contribution points for Dao Comprehension Pills. Using them to comprehend domains is equivalent to comprehending heaven and earth—killing two birds with one stone," Lu Changsheng replied frankly without concealing anything.
"Comprehending heaven and earth is indeed much easier in the Ancient Region." Liu Yuan nodded, then pondered for a moment before saying, "You're new to the Ancient Region and unfamiliar with the land. Formidable as you are, running into a Divine Treasury expert or an Immortal Master would still be very dangerous."
"How about this: I'll accompany you on a trip outside."
"Whether you want to cultivate via a tempest or a waterfall, either works."
Lu Changsheng nodded. "Then I'll trouble you, Captain."
Liu Yuan was warmhearted by nature.
As long as someone was part of his squad, he would do everything in his power to help.
This was why the other members held him in such high regard despite his combat strength not being drastically higher than theirs.
Even Lu Changsheng, whose strength surpassed Liu Yuan's, felt no aversion whatsoever to having a man like him as captain.
"By the way, we can't leave the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect right away. We need to wait a bit, just in case," Liu Yuan said.
"What do you mean?" Lu Changsheng was puzzled.
Liu Yuan chuckled. "Lu Changsheng, you wiped out the entire Five Peaks Squad—did you really think that would just blow over?"
"The Five Peaks Squad wasn't like ordinary squads. They were among the most elite Divine Gang Realm cultivators in the Ancient Region Yellow Heaven Sect. Many of their members had intricate ties to the Yellow Heaven Sect's higher-ups."
"Xu Haoran in particular held quite an extraordinary status."
"To put it simply, while the Yellow Heaven Sect as an organization can't officially do anything about the Tianlin Squad eliminating them, certain individuals won't see it that way. What do you think Divine Treasury experts might do when they lose their kin or junior descendants?"
Lu Changsheng understood.
In plain terms: beat the young ones, and the old ones come out.
An age-old trope!
He had already experienced it back in the jianghu of the Great Fish Dynasty.
Kill a few people, and a whole mob shows up.
Eventually, it would even draw out powerful martial artists.
It was nothing new.
In truth, this was simply human nature.
For instance, if someone close to Lu Changsheng were killed, he would chase the culprit to the ends of the earth to avenge them.
There was no doubt about that.
Back on the Northern Region Battlefield, when his squad members died, hadn't he bided his time for a year before slaying Tianxin for revenge?
The principle was the same.
The Five Peaks Squad had not been weaklings.
Xu Haoran possessed deep backing.
It might very well draw out Divine Treasury Realm martial artists!
"How long do we need to wait?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"No rush. Ten days to half a month should be enough."
"When the coast is clear, I'll let you know."
"Fine, I'll wait then."
Lu Changsheng nodded.
During this time, he could focus on comprehending the Perception Domain while putting some effort into practicing martial techniques.
Lately, his comprehension had been increasing rather slowly.
While Lu Changsheng waited patiently to let the storm pass, word that the Tianlin Squad had wiped out the Five Peaks Squad spread throughout the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
After all, this was no secret.
It immediately caused a sensation.
"The Tianlin Squad wiped out the Five Peaks Squad? Even Xu Haoran died? That's unbelievable! Since when did the Tianlin Squad become so powerful?"
"Yeah! Just last time, the Tianlin Squad was battered so hard by the Five Peaks Squad that they nearly suffered a total wipeout. How could they suddenly turn around and massacre them?"
"Xu Haoran possessed five layers of Divine Gang, an eightyfold physical boost, and perhaps even Immortal Dao secret treasures. Who could possibly kill him?"
"I heard it was a newly joined member of the Tianlin Squad. Supposedly, he's a true disciple seed from the Northern Region Heavenly Sect who just arrived at our Ancient Region Heavenly Sect. Single-handedly, he slew Xu Haoran and annihilated the entire Five Peaks Squad."
"Lu Changsheng? Never heard of him. But if he really is a true disciple seed from the Northern Region Heavenly Sect, then it's certainly possible."
"Indeed. Although the Northern Region Heavenly Sect hasn't sent over a true disciple seed in years, every single one who comes is an outstanding talent and a ruthless figure, most of whom eventually advance to the Divine Treasury Realm."
"Lu Changsheng..."
For a time, the entire Ancient Region Heavenly Sect was abuzz with discussions about the Tianlin Squad and Lu Changsheng.
Some had seen Lu Changsheng.
Some had heard of him.
Yet most knew very little about him.
Even so, Lu Changsheng's reputation as a true disciple seed of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect spread far and wide.
Anyone capable of slaying Xu Haoran was undoubtedly among the pinnacle of Divine Gang Realm martial artists, a future Divine Treasury powerhouse.
He was an existence that most disciples could only look up to.
Lu Changsheng had been at the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect for less than a month, yet his fame already echoed across the entire sect.
The news even spread beyond the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
It rippled swiftly through the outside lands.
Along with it, the name of the Tianlin Squad was instantly ranked among the premier squads in the outermost periphery of the Ancient Region.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Lu Changsheng called up his attribute panel.
Host: Lu Changsheng
Comprehension: 4,300 (Praised in All Directions)
Qi and Blood Sword Casting Secret Method: Cast sword for 12 years and 8 months.
Mind Sword Mantra Formula: Progress 40% (Mind Sword)
Ocean Wave Domain: Progress 1%
Tempest Domain: Progress 12%
Perception Domain: Progress 44%
Starry Sky Domain: Perfected (Not Transformed)
Waterfall Domain: Progress 5%
Lu Changsheng's comprehension remained at just over four thousand points.
Although it increased every month, reaching ten thousand points was still a distant prospect.
Comprehension could not be rushed.
In any case, Lu Changsheng currently had a massive store of martial techniques to practice.
Even if he finished them, there were countless more techniques collected within the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
However, at his current realm, purely relying on bitter, secluded cultivation was largely meaningless.
Let alone half a month, even several months or a year would not yield any substantial improvement.
And that was just in terms of raw combat strength.
As for cultivation progression, that depended on mind power.
Without even needing to test it, Lu Changsheng knew his mind index was most likely still at forty-eight.
It had not increased at all.
For many Divine Gang Realm martial artists, relying solely on bitter cultivation for an entire year might only raise their mind power by one or two points on the index.
Still, Lu Changsheng was not purely practicing in seclusion.
He had been waiting.
He had yet to use any of his thirteen Dao Comprehension Pills.
"Lu Changsheng."
At that moment, Liu Yuan arrived.
"Waiting for half a month must have worn down your patience, hasn't it?" Liu Yuan said with a smile.
"Can we head out now?"
Seeing Liu Yuan, Lu Changsheng guessed that the time had come.
Liu Yuan nodded. "Just about. It's been half a month, and the Yellow Heaven Sect hasn't made any major moves. It should be fine now."
"This time, we're heading to Bitan Mountain. There's a Bitan Grand Waterfall there that should be well suited for you to comprehend the Waterfall Domain."
Lu Changsheng nodded. "Good, then Bitan Mountain it is."
"We aren't going as the Tianlin Squad this time. It's just the two of us on private business, having nothing to do with the squad."
Lu Changsheng understood.
With that, Lu Changsheng and Liu Yuan departed from the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect together, making their way toward Bitan Mountain.
The Ancient Region was laid out roughly like concentric circles, divided into many zones.
The outermost periphery was, by default, the domain where Divine Gang Realm martial artists operated.
This was considered the first tier.
Then came the second tier, where Divine Treasury experts and Immortal Masters generally moved about.
As for the third tier, that was the domain of Dao Lords and their peers, exceedingly perilous.
Although Bitan Mountain was still located within the outermost tier, it was actually quite close to the second tier.
It carried a degree of danger.
There was always a chance that an Immortal Master or a Divine Treasury powerhouse might appear.
Filled with curiosity, Lu Changsheng could not help asking, "With the Ancient Region divided into so many tiers, where does the real danger actually lie?"
"Could it be that entering the second tier guarantees you'll be slaughtered by Divine Treasury martial artists or Immortal Masters?"
Lu Changsheng had found this regional division rather strange from the beginning.
Could Divine Gang Realm cultivators not enter the second or third tiers?
Would powerhouses simply slaughter anyone who stepped inside?
That made little sense.
Did powerful figures have nothing better to do than massacre weaklings?
Perhaps such figures existed, but surely not all experts took pleasure in slaughtering the weak.
Liu Yuan came to a halt. He stared at Lu Changsheng with a grave expression, his voice low and deliberate. "In fact, this division isn't man-made. It's a natural law of survival."
"That's because numerous demons dwell in the second and third tiers of the Ancient Region. You didn't think humans were the only beings inhabiting a land so rich in spiritual power, did you? Heh, demons live in the Ancient Region as well, and they are terrifyingly powerful!"
A flash of realization struck Lu Changsheng.
Of course—demons!
A land rich in spiritual power could nurture Immortal Masters, Dao Lords, and mighty martial artists.
Likewise, such a land naturally gave birth to demons.
Strictly speaking, these creatures born of heaven and earth were the true masters of the Ancient Region.
In the distant past, before humans set foot here, this place had been the domain of demons.
Later, as spiritual power waned across other regions, powerful human figures gradually migrated to the Ancient Region to establish roots, incrementally encroaching upon the demons' living space.
There were powerhouses among the demons as well, and they were sworn enemies of humanity.
"When I was at the Northern Region Heavenly Sect, I noticed quite a few demon martial artists," Lu Changsheng said thoughtfully. "It was said that to become a demon martial artist, one had to obtain demon essence blood. Does that mean the origin of demon martial artists is actually here in the Ancient Region?"
Strictly speaking, the Ancient Region was not their sole origin.
After all, before the spiritual power across the Five Regions waned, demons had existed everywhere.
Yet as spiritual power dwindled in the Five Regions, demons gradually vanished.
Demons had an even greater dependency on spiritual power than humans.
Without spiritual power, it was impossible for heaven and earth to nurture demons.
Thus, when the spiritual power faded or disappeared across the Five Regions, demons went virtually extinct there. Only a few human martial artists who managed to acquire demon essence blood by coincidence were able to walk the path of demon martial artists.
"So that's how it is. Once you step into the second tier, you're very likely to encounter demons?" Lu Changsheng understood now.
"Exactly. If a Divine Gang Realm cultivator runs into a demon, death is almost certain! Even the weakest demon—so long as it isn't an infant—can swat a Divine Gang martial artist dead with ease, while our power can barely scratch them."
"Only Divine Treasury martial artists and Qi Refining Immortal Masters have what it takes to fight demons."
Liu Yuan's explanation gave Lu Changsheng a complete understanding of why the Ancient Region was divided into these peculiar tiers.
Now it was clear: this division had not been created by humans, but dictated by the demons.
By their nature, powerful demons would never cohabit with weaker ones.
Hence, the natural demarcation into several distinct tiers.
"We're here. The Bitan Grand Waterfall."
"Wait... looks like someone is already here."
Liu Yuan frowned.
Lu Changsheng also looked toward the Bitan Grand Waterfall.
The roaring thunder of falling water echoed in his ears.
Yet before the waterfall, a group of figures stood.
It was not a solitary individual, but a party.
Six people in total, appearing to be a squad.
One of them sat cross-legged directly beneath the falling water, motionless as the torrent crashed down upon him.
Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
This "ancient method" of contemplation was likely aimed at comprehending a Waterfall Conception or Waterfall Domain.
However, compared to Lu Changsheng directly deploying his Perception Domain to grasp the essence of nature, such a method was far too crude and terribly inefficient.
As for the other five, they were presumably standing guard while their teammate comprehended the conception or domain.
"Who goes there?"
The group noticed Lu Changsheng and Liu Yuan as well.
Tensing up instantly, their eyes turned toward the two newcomers.
Liu Yuan explained in a low voice, "Normally, hardly anyone comes to the Bitan Grand Waterfall. After all, this isn't Maple Leaf Valley—there are no heavenly materials or earthly treasures here, just a grand-looking waterfall."
"What a coincidence to bump into another squad today."
Liu Yuan and Lu Changsheng stepped forward.
In truth, Lu Changsheng did not mind sharing the area with others.
So long as someone guarded him, it was fine.
With his Perception Domain deployed, he would immediately sense the slightest disturbance.
Even in the midst of a sudden enlightenment, he would be alerted instantly.
Others, however, lacked such an advantage.
For anyone else, attempting to comprehend a conception or domain without protectors was exceedingly perilous.
"Halt! Who are you?"
"Our captain is currently comprehending the Waterfall Domain. Step no closer, or don't blame us for being impolite!"
The squad was on high alert.
'So he really is comprehending a domain.'
'No matter. I can comprehend the Waterfall Domain right from here.'
Lu Changsheng smiled faintly, unbothered.
With his Perception Domain covering a vast area, keeping some distance made no difference so long as he could perceive the waterfall.
Lu Changsheng sat down cross-legged, willing to yield some ground and stay farther back.
However, the other party did not view it that way.
The squad pressed aggressively, "Didn't you hear us? Our captain is comprehending a domain! Leave at once!"
Liu Yuan was no pushover either.
As the captain of the Tianlin Squad, he let out a cold laugh. "What, you think you can force us away just because you have numbers?"
"Which squad are you?"
"In the entire first tier of the Ancient Region, I know of practically every prominent Divine Gang Realm squad."
Liu Yuan stood with hands clasped behind his back, exuding an imposing bearing.
Some martial artists in the opposing squad began to hesitate.
Liu Yuan clearly looked extraordinary; who knew what background he possessed?
"We are disciples of the Ancient Region Water Origin Sect—the Cangshui Squad," they declared.
"The Water Heaven Sect's Cangshui Squad?"
Liu Yuan shook his head. "Never heard of you."
His words instantly incensed the members of the Cangshui Squad.
"And who are you to talk so big?" one of them sneered.
"I am Liu Yuan."
Liu Yuan stated only his name.
Yet that single name caused the expressions of the Cangshui Squad members to change drastically.
"The Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's Tianlin Squad?"
"Must be him. The Tianlin Squad's captain is named Liu Yuan."
"It's really him? Is the rest of the Tianlin Squad nearby?"
"The Tianlin Squad just slaughtered the Yellow Heaven Sect's Five Peaks Squad! Even Xu Haoran died!"
"We can't mess with them! Quickly, wake the captain up! Forget the comprehension—if this continues, we'll lose our lives!"
The faces of the Cangshui Squad drained of color, and they no longer dared to show the slightest disrespect to Liu Yuan.
Right now, Liu Yuan and the Tianlin Squad possessed a terrifyingly ferocious reputation.
If they angered Liu Yuan and incited the Tianlin Squad, their Cangshui Squad would be finished.
Without hesitation, a martial artist from the Cangshui Squad leapt into the waterfall and slapped their captain awake—the very captain who had consumed a Dao Comprehension Pill and was deep in contemplation.
"Wake up! Captain, wake up!"
The captain snapped awake moments later.
His face was dark with rage, his voice brimming with fury. "What is going on? Don't you know I took a Dao Comprehension Pill? Interrupting my enlightenment is the last thing you should do! You—"
Before he could finish, a teammate cut him off, speaking in an urgent rush. "Captain, we have to leave right now! Never mind the interrupted enlightenment, there'll be other chances later!"
"If you provoke the Tianlin Squad, we're done for!"
The teammate pointed toward Liu Yuan.
"Liu Yuan of the Tianlin Squad?"
The Cangshui Squad's captain drew in a sharp breath.
Calm! He had to stay calm!
The Tianlin Squad currently possessed a fearsome reputation outside.
A squad as powerful as the Five Peaks Squad had been butchered just like that.
A total annihilation!
Even the renowned Xu Haoran had failed to escape alive.
With such a ferocious reputation preceding them, how could the Cangshui Squad dare pick a quarrel with the Tianlin Squad?
"We leave! Now!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the captain vaulted out from under the waterfall and led the Cangshui Squad away in a frantic rush, terrified that walking too slowly might give Liu Yuan cause to detain them.
Liu Yuan was left somewhat dumbfounded.
He knew the Tianlin Squad had made a name for themselves, but he had never expected their reputation to be this formidable.
Judging by their reactions, the other party had been thoroughly terrified.
This was clearly a ferocious, terrifying reputation.
"Looks like our fearsome name has preceded us. Word of the Five Peaks Squad's demise must have spread far and wide."
"To think that one day, I too would become a dreaded figure feared by everyone I meet..." Liu Yuan mused with a touch of irony.
Still, a ferocious reputation had its perks.
Had they lacked such renown, they might have had to resort to blows just now.
While neither of them feared a fight, avoiding unnecessary conflict was always preferable when possible.
After all, there were no treasures to fight over here at the Bitan Grand Waterfall.
"It's just as well that they left. It's quiet now, which makes it much easier for me to comprehend the Waterfall Domain."
"I'll have to trouble you to stand guard for me, Captain," Lu Changsheng said.
"A trifling matter. Hardly anyone comes here normally, so you can focus on comprehending your domain with peace of mind."
Liu Yuan nodded.
Lu Changsheng trusted Liu Yuan completely.
With that, he closed his eyes and swallowed a Dao Comprehension Pill.
Instantly, Lu Changsheng's mind grew remarkably lucid.
This time, armed with thirteen Dao Comprehension Pills, he swore to comprehend the Waterfall Domain to absolute perfection!
Chapter 154