As this was Chen Fei's first time setting foot in the Cultivation World, specifically the Eagle Gorge Area, there were some things he naturally needed to understand.
It turned out that the area he was in was known as Eagle Gorge, a territory under the jurisdiction of Ghost Wolf City. It stretched for over 17,000 miles from east to west and north to south. By comparison, Earth's diameter is only a little over 20,000 miles. Yet, this Eagle Gorge was merely a mediocre territory under Ghost Wolf City's command. One can only imagine how truly formidable and enormous Ghost Wolf City was.
Although it was called a gorge, Eagle Gorge was mostly filled with treacherous mountains and dense ancient forests, a landscape not even worth mentioning in the vast domain of Ghost Wolf City. The overall strength of its experts was also middle to low-tier.
Even so, many powerful forces and factions were still established here, all fiercely competing in a tangled web of strife.
Currently, Eagle Gorge was divided into four main regions: East, South, West, and North. The three most powerful forces were the Purple Flame Palace, the Giant Void Sect, and a family known as the Pei Family. Each dominated its own territory, boasting legions of experts and masters.
Among these three, the Purple Flame Palace was actually the weakest. The Giant Void Sect was slightly stronger, but the Pei Family was the most formidable of all. Not only did the family have countless masters and geniuses, but its background was also said to be staggering; rumor had it they were a branch of an immense noble family from Ghost Wolf City.
Thus, the territorial division of Eagle Gorge's four regions was as follows:
The Purple Flame Palace was located in the northern part of Eagle Gorge, controlling a domain stretching four thousand miles.
The Giant Void Sect was located in the western part of Eagle Gorge, controlling a domain sprawling five thousand miles.
The Pei Family was located in the southern part of Eagle Gorge, but it controlled both the southern and eastern regions, a territory of nearly nine thousand miles. They were, in effect, the uncrowned kings.
But no matter how formidable the Giant Void Sect and the Pei Family were, or how vast their territories, it was all irrelevant to the current Chen Fei. He was still far too insignificant compared to such powerful entities. Their level was something he couldn't even dream of challenging right now, unless he was out of his mind and looking for a death wish.
For me, the priority is to quickly figure out the situation within the North Side Area of Eagle Gorge, which is controlled by the Purple Flame Palace. That's because it seems I'm right in the middle of their four-thousand-mile domain.
And so, Young Master Chen continued his inquiries, gradually learning more.
It turned out that while the Purple Flame Palace was the dominant force in the North Side Area of Eagle Gorge, it couldn't completely control everything. Many proud and independent Loose Cultivators, along with various smaller factions unwilling to submit, banded together to establish one "free territory" after another, independent of the Purple Flame Palace's influence.
The Purple Flame Palace felt this was a humiliating affront. They coveted those free territories with rage, yet for the time being, they were powerless to act. Although the Purple Flame Palace was mighty, they were wary of certain powerful individuals who usually kept a low profile. Among those independent cultivators were one or two who had reached the Foundation Establishment True Person Realm.
Furthermore, two fists are no match for four hands, and enough ants can kill an elephant. The Purple Flame Palace had already established its authority and dominance in the northern region. It wasn't worth spending immense effort and suffering serious losses just to deal with those hard nuts. After all, shedding some blood and breaking some bones was one thing, but what if their luck ran out and they capsized in a gutter? What then? It really wasn't worth the risk.
On the other hand, for every force unwilling to submit, there were plenty who were. The Purple Flame Palace had thirteen notable subordinate forces, collectively known as the Thirteen Grottoes under Purple Flame Palace. The Golden Toad Cave was one of them, and its King of Gilded Toads was one of the palace's most capable and notoriously fierce generals.
After all, in the Eagle Gorge Area, experts of the Foundation Establishment True Person Realm disdained to intervene publicly. This left the field open for those below them—the Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators and Second Level Late Stage Beasts—to jostle for power and supremacy. Beings at that level were known as Cave Masters in Eagle Gorge. While the King of Gilded Toads was still half a step away from that rank, he wasn't far off. Essentially, as long as the other Cave Masters didn't get involved, he was an invincible and terrifying figure.
"Purple Flame Palace... Golden Toad Cave," Chen Fei whispered, his eyes, as dark and clear as polished obsidian, flashing with a cold light. Though the King of Gilded Toads and the Purple Flame Palace were incomparably powerful from his current perspective, he had now been provoked by them twice. With Young Master Chen's temper, how could he possibly tolerate it?
My principle has always been simple: If others don't bother me, I won't bother them. But if someone dares to cross me, I will kill them. It doesn't matter if they're the Heavenly King Laozi himself. Now, a murderous intent toward the Golden Toad Cave and the Purple Flame Palace began to stir in his heart.
"Your Small World of Earth is hidden within this Eagle Gorge Area," Zhen Jingkong's faint voice echoed from his sea of consciousness. "If you wish to ensure the safety of your homeland, you must first unify this place."
Unify Eagle Gorge?
Upon hearing this, Chen Fei's piercing, obsidian-dark eyes trembled. But then, a wave of excitement surged through him, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smirk.
"Alright, I'll start with that as my goal," he muttered with determination. But I have to be fast. I must unify Eagle Gorge and bring it under my control as soon as possible. Only then, if anyone else dares to have designs on Earth, will they have to get through me first. After all, Earth is my home. Given my temperament, I can't stand the thought of outsiders coveting it. Just like First Emperor Qin.
Besides, I was forced to come to this Cultivation World ahead of schedule. There are still so many important matters I left unresolved back on Earth! My mother, Lin Ling; my master, Ming Daochuan; and the great secret treasure in Tianchi Snow Mountain that the three Jade Artifacts point to... In any case, I will definitely return to Earth, and I have to do it as quickly as possible.
With this thought solidifying his resolve, he turned to the Silver Grey Wolf Demon for one last question. "Where is the nearest gathering place for Loose Cultivators that isn't controlled by the Purple Flame Palace?"
In my current state, I need to break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer as soon as I can. Once I do, with my deep foundation, I should be able to fight across realms, even against a Cave Master Level expert. Only then will I have enough power to scheme and protect myself in Eagle Gorge. And what's the fastest way to break through? Without a doubt, it's consuming pills. And who am I? I'm the man who inherited the memories of that great expert of the Cultivation World! In his time, that expert was hailed as the most heaven-defying, peerless grandmaster of the Alchemy Dao in this universe! The implication of that is self-evident...
"Canglan Island! The closest place around here that isn't controlled by the Purple Flame Palace is Canglan Island," the Silver Grey Wolf Demon answered without hesitation. "Canglan Island is an inland island spanning nearly two hundred miles. Everything there is supported by its two Island Masters: Taoist Cang Kun and Blue Whale Elder! Both are at the Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer, so even a first-class power like the Purple Flame Palace wouldn't dare act recklessly on their territory."
Chen Fei was somewhat surprised. Two at the Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer? That's a force not easily shaken in Eagle Gorge. He then asked, "Where is Canglan Island?"
"Head northwest from here for about four to five hundred miles, and you will find it," the Silver Grey Wolf Demon replied immediately.
"Northwest, four to five hundred miles? Alright, I understand... It seems it's time for me to go." With that, Chen Fei actually stood up and began walking toward the cave exit.
Seeing this, the Silver Grey Wolf Demon was momentarily stunned but wisely kept its mouth shut. From its perspective, the sooner Chen Fei disappeared, the better.
But then, a sentence faintly drifted back from the cave entrance, causing its pupils to shrink and its enormous body to freeze solid.
Then, Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, spoke indifferently, "Oh, by the way, want to come with me? I happen to be in need of a few useful subordinates. If you're willing... how about a bottle of Spirit Transformation Liquid?"
The words were so shocking that even Zhen Jingkong was taken aback, his voice trembling as it echoed in Chen Fei's mind.
"What did you say?! S-Spirit Transformation Liquid?!"
"You have Spirit Transformation Liquid? Truly? You're not deceiving me?!"
Almost simultaneously, one from within and one from without, Zhen Jingkong and the Silver Grey Wolf Demon cried out in disbelief.
The wolf demon's eyes turned crimson red, and an overwhelming wave of excitement erupted from its huge, bell-like pupils. Its breathing instantly became heavy and ragged, its entire body trembling.
What was Spirit Transformation Liquid? It was a Holy Medicine of the Alchemy Dao, long lost to the Qiannan Ancient Kingdom. It was especially beneficial for a bloodline Demon Clan like him, as it could accelerate bloodline evolution, hasten the coming of age, and even enhance one's innate potential. Such a thing was something that not even the princes of his clan could resist; they would all drool over it. How could his heart not pound wildly at the mere mention of its name?