Chapter 217 - The Change of the Profound Pill Pavilion

In the Myriad Transformations Holy Land, the Holy Master frowned slightly. “How strange. If it really is the Profound Pill Pavilion, why would it appear precisely at this time? Could it be related to the heavenly phenomenon?”

Chu Kuang thought for a moment. “It’s not that strange. The Profound Pill Pavilion’s appearance has always been shrouded in mystery. No one has ever figured it out. Still, it’s likely related to shifts in the heavenly mechanism. I presume the earlier disturbance was too great, causing it to manifest unexpectedly.”

Luan Ping was overjoyed. “Holy Master, the pavilion is full of extraordinary blessings! Today truly is a day of blessings—first the Dao Bell, then this pavilion! Our Holy Land absolutely cannot miss this!”

The pavilion had appeared in the Border Wasteland over a thousand years ago. It was utterly mysterious with no known origin. Yet in spite of its weathered and crumbling exterior, it housed a vast store of pills. Though over ninety percent had been ruined, the remaining ten percent was enough to drive countless cultivators mad.

Of course, that wasn’t to say everyone could recognize the pill at a glance. Even the most top-tier alchemists could only identify a measly few, as if those pills had never existed in this era. Fortunately, their names and effects were clearly labeled on the jade bottles, or no one would have dared to consume them.

A place so miraculous naturally drew the attention of numerous factions. And yet, to this day, no one could budge the pavilion in the slightest. Stranger still, it seemed to be governed by a mysterious rule: cultivators above the Saint realm could not enter. Or rather, enter and die!

When the pavilion first appeared, a few unsuspecting Saint realm cultivators joined forces to enter and explore. Within less than a second, they were inexplicably reduced into piles of withered bones. Conversely, the lower one’s cultivation, the safer entry became.

Moreover, there was no predicting when the pavilion would appear—sometimes years apart, sometimes nearly a century. Each time it appeared, it would vanish again without the slightest discernible pattern.

As time passed, the distant factions stopped coveting it due to the restrictions. Not only was stationing people to guard it daily wasn’t realistic, the pills inside weren’t so maddening as to justify that. Thus, the Profound Pill Pavilion became a rare opportunity.

In fact, even the Northern Domain’s factions couldn’t always detect its appearance in time. They mostly relied on being nearby and exploring the place right away.

Chu Kuang pondered a moment. “This time, it certainly won’t be just Tiansheng Hall. The other factions will likely join as well.”

The Holy Master nodded. “You’re right. In fact, this is the other matter I wanted to discuss with you. Not only will this trip be your chance to make a name for yourself before those people, it will also mark the first step in the rise of our Holy Land!”

It’d be one thing if one faction discovered it alone. However, if several factions discovered it simultaneously, then it came down to which faction’s disciples were more accomplished. Although conflict would be contained to a certain degree, it could still indirectly reflect a faction’s foundation. Securing first place would result in boundless prestige and immense reputation.

Suddenly, the Holy Master shifted the conversation. “Also, as this generation’s youngest disciple, Tiansheng’s Divine Maiden’s beauty is unrivaled. Her talent is also a rare one in ten thousand. Zhao Mengyou is truly extraordinary. I’d say she has what it takes to draw seven rings from the Dao Bell.”

Chu Kuang raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? If you have something to say, just say it directly.”

Luan Ping’s heart filled with both hatred and envy. Throughout the entire Holy Land, only Chu Kuang could speak to the Holy Master in such a way. Still, their Holy Land’s rules were extremely strict. Even as the previous generation’s Holy Son, he dared not act on improper thoughts.

The Holy Master didn’t mind Chu Kuang’s tone either. “This girl’s standards are extraordinarily high. She won’t bat an eye on ordinary men. However, with eight rings of the Dao Bell, you are an exception. Matched with her, she would actually be the one at a disadvantage. If you could win her favor, it would be beneficial for both the Myriad Transformations Holy Land and you.”

The Tiansheng Hall’s legacy was ancient. If they could obtain assistance from there, the Myriad Transformations Holy Land’s rise would accelerate.

The Holy Master teased. “With your ability, you can’t possibly fail to handle a little girl, can you?”

Chu Kuang smiled calmly. “If this girl is truly as outstanding as you say, then she is mine. Now that I’m starting over from the beginning, I ought to live a different way. The Tiansheng Divine Maiden shall be my first woman!”

His words were brimmed with confidence. What was he lacking? He had cultivation, appearance, aptitude, and wit. In every regard, he considered himself flawlessly perfect. Handling a mere little Tiansheng Divine Maiden came effortlessly.

Favor? No. I should make her throw herself at me instead!

The Holy Master nodded, then turned to look at Luan Ping. “Excellent! Take some men, protect the Holy Son’s safety. If anything happens to him, you need not return!”

Luan Ping’s heart tightened as he quickly performed a bow. “Understood.”

Chu Kuang narrowed his eyes. “Also, while I’m away, continue making detailed inquiries about those four with nine rings of the Dao Bell.”

“Naturally.”

Then, seemingly thinking of something, Chu Kuang’s gaze gradually turned cold. “After I get this blessing, I’ll return to the Northern Domain and finish Gu Han!”

The Holy Master frowned slightly. “But, his connection with the Flame Emperor...”

Of course, he had heard Gu Han’s matter from Chu Kuang. Even though he claimed aloud not to fear the Flame Emperor, he still hesitated.

The saint’s reincarnation waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter. Next time, I won’t use any other means. I’ll fight him fair and square. That way, given the Flame Emperor’s proud nature, he won’t complain even if I kill him!”

“It seems like you’ve figured out his pattern.”

He replied with slight mockery, “Why does strength matter? His arrogance will be his downfall! Also, since we’re building momentum, it must be done impressively. Though it’s somewhat against my nature, I still need to borrow your Ten Thousand Beasts Chariot.”

The Holy Master waved his hand grandly. “Consider it done. Take it and use it well.”

Meanwhile, Luan Ping’s heart trembled. The Ten Thousand Beasts Chariot was nearly ten times faster than ordinary chariots. No one but the Holy Master was qualified to wield it, and he had never been known to lend it to anyone. Now, he was giving it to Chu Kuang just like that?

At that moment, Chu Kuang’s voice carried over. “Brother Luan, shouldn’t we set off quickly? Oh right, go summon Senior Brother Yuan. He is very loyal to me, so I ought to grant him an opportunity.”

“Understood.”

Luan Ping could hear the deeper meaning in his words. For a moment, he didn’t know how to describe his feelings. Eventually, he withdrew to make preparations.

Chu Kuang sighed. From now on, his name would be known to all!

***

In the Border Wasteland, the others were also glaring at Yang Ying.

You might as well have said nothing!

Murong Yan shook her large hammer. “Yang Guy! You know you’re asking to get beaten by saying that, right?”

Gu Han appeared helpless. “Brother Yang, what exactly do you mean?”

Knowing how serious Yang Ying was, he absolutely wouldn’t make such pointless jokes.

Yang Ying thought for a moment. “That secret place is the same as those buildings beneath the light mist... except not entirely.”

“Not entirely?”

Yang Ying said earnestly, “To be precise, it was only a part of it, probably less than one-tenth.”

Everyone’s hearts shook.

What?! One-tenth?

Gu Han was the first to react. “I understand. You are saying that the place you entered years ago was incomplete, but now it is!”

Yang Ying said cautiously, “In theory, yes. Also, the secret place I encountered was very conspicuous and didn’t have this much light mist.”

Gu Han automatically ignored that sentence. At this moment, his mind was filled with this single thought:

I’m rich!

If one-tenth of the secret place was already brimming with pills, then what about the complete one?! He suddenly felt like his heart no longer ached. That immense opportunity appeared to ease the sting of losing the Dao Bell’s rewards.

After seeing Gu Han’s eyes gleaming, Zuo Yang frowned slightly. “Junior Brother, this place isn’t as simple as you think.”

Gu Han was taken aback and glanced at Yang Ying. “Not simple? Brother Yang, what did you just say?”

Yang Ying was speechless.

I knew it! You weren’t listening!

Even Ah Sha chimed in. “Young Master, I also think that light mist is very problematic and dangerous!”

Gu Han gradually calmed down. That light mist certainly had something strange about it.

Zuo Yang shook his head. “Enough. Let’s check the situation first, then we’ll talk.”

A moment later, the group was less than a thousand zhang from the light mist.

Zuo Yang blocked everyone. “Let’s stop here. Advancing further will bring harm.”

Now, everyone finally saw the light mist for what it was. Ethereal and elusive, it seemed to hover at the boundary between reality and illusion. Vaguely, they could glimpse a corner of those buildings, flickering and twisting without pause.

Gu Han’s brow furrowed deeply. “What the...?”

He felt that the aura was nearly identical to what the Dao Bell had given him just now.

Just then, Ah Sha seemed to see something and cried out in shock, “Young Master, look over there!”