Snow dances through ages, cleansing verdant slopes; A glazed sheen shimmers, but vanishes up close. Its glassy enamel, a dance of green and gold; Like peerless jade, hidden in a lake of emerald.
Wen Qingye stood in the Imperial City of the Glazed Ancient Country, his eyes taking in the sea of people and endless streams of traffic. He couldn’t help but smile; the very air hummed with a lively energy.
"So lively, so bustling," the Ice Python commented to Wen Qingye, its voice reaching him through their Spirit Communication Technique.
The Ice Python’s entire body was now an ice-blue color, shimmering with a brilliant, iridescent light. The two bumps on its head looked as if they were about to burst forth at any moment.
The Ice Python had already passed the Seventh Layer of its Thunder Tribulation, reaching the cultivation of the Life and Death Realm First Layer Heaven. Its true form had swelled to several dozen zhang in length, and its aura was terrifying.
Wen Qingye nodded and smiled. "Yes, it’s much livelier than the Qinglan Ancient Country. I imagine it’s because the Great Wilderness Ancient Stele is about to appear. Countless experts have gathered from all corners of the world. With the exception of a few Sects and nations from remote regions, most of the prodigies below the Destruction Realm have arrived."
With the appearance of the Great Wilderness Ancient Stele, basically half of the powers in the Eastern Profound Domain sent their young geniuses to attend. While these disciples couldn’t be considered the mainstays of their factions just yet, in a few years, they would become the pillars of their respective Sects and nations. As such, they naturally drew attention from all quarters.
Of course, some factions sent no one, such as the Sword Sect, Thousand Nether Valley, Ziwei Pavilion, the Qianxun Ancient Country, and the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. Many others also stayed away, whether because the journey was too long or due to internal matters.
Wen Qingye studied the map in his hand, his brow furrowing. ’We’re currently in the northwest. Heading further east will take us to the heart of the Eastern Profound Domain, the most prosperous region with the largest number of Martial Artists. That part of the journey alone will take a month. To reach Taiyi Pavilion... at my current pace, it’ll likely take another two and a half months.’
The Ice Python coiled its body and said slowly, "Your cultivation is still low, so naturally, it’s going to take a while. Once you break through to the Life and Death Realm, two months will be more than enough time to reach Taiyi Pavilion."
Wen Qingye nodded. "You’re right. Taiyi Pavilion must be filled with experts. With my current cultivation, going there now would be suicide. We should head to the Luo Family in the Glazed Ancient Country first. I wonder how many people are after the Heart-Seeking Seed... It’s an incredible treasure."
"Rest assured," the Ice Python said, a fierce, bloodthirsty battle lust glinting in its eyes. "With me here, even experts at the Life and Death Realm Second Layer won’t find it easy to gain an advantage."
Wen Qingye didn’t reply and simply started walking down the street ahead.
.......
「Glazed Ancient Country, Luo Family Estate.」
Luo Shicheng, the Patriarch of the Luo Family, looked down at the assembled crowd and announced with a smile, "The Heart Inquiry Flower is a Spirit Treasure. This time, it is set to produce a Spirit Grade seed—the Heart-Seeking Seed. I plan to present this seed to the Celestial Profound Sect to repay a debt I incurred during my time with them long ago."
Most of the people in the hall were disciples from the Celestial Profound Sect. There were also many members of the Luo Family and experts from allied families, such as the Qiann Family and the Zou Family.
Nangong Xin stood up and smiled. "Patriarch Luo, you can rest assured. We are here to protect the Heart Inquiry Flower while it produces its seed and will ensure the Heart-Seeking Seed is delivered safely back to our Celestial Profound Sect."
Wangg Xin, a Core Disciple from Absolute Peak at the Ninth Heaven of the Yin-Yang Realm, stood up and boomed with laughter. "Exactly! With us here, I’d like to see what kind of petty vermin would dare try to snatch the Heart-Seeking Seed from our Celestial Profound Sect!"
An Elder from the Luo Family stood and clapped his hands in praise. "That’s right! With all you prodigies from the Celestial Profound Sect here, what trouble could those blinded by greed possibly cause?"
Zou Lin, the Patriarch of the neighboring Zou Family, also let out a hearty laugh, adding his own flattery. "Hahaha! The Celestial Profound Sect is the second mightiest Sect in the Eastern Profound Domain! Guarding this Heart-Seeking Seed will be a piece of cake. In my opinion, sending all of you is complete overkill!"
Hearing everyone’s flattery, Nangong Xin, Wangg Xin, and the others couldn’t help but beam, their faces filled with smug satisfaction.
Only one person below, a plain-looking young man in a long blue robe, frowned slightly. This was Wul Hua, a disciple from Danxuan Peak.
Luo Shicheng watched the disciples below and shook his head in silence. He felt a mix of disdain and disappointment. ’No wonder the Celestial Profound Sect’s meteoric rise has stalled in recent years,’ he thought. ’Expecting people like these to support the entire, massive Sect? It’s hard... far too hard.’
Suddenly, one of the Celestial Profound Sect disciples couldn’t hold back any longer. He shot to his feet and sneered at Zou Lin. "Patriarch Zou, are you trying to ruin us with excessive praise? We don’t need it! Let me tell you, with or without your Zou Family, we disciples of the Celestial Profound Sect can still crush any petty intruder who dares to show up!"
Everyone was taken aback.
Nangong Xin cried out sharply, "Tao Liuu! Sit down!"
"Hmph! Stop your yapping. What gives you the right to lecture me?" Tao Liuu shot back, unable to contain his anger. "You’re just an idiot woman. Your death would be no great loss."
"You...!" Nangong Xin pointed a finger, her face flushing bright red, unable to utter another word.
Just as Tao Liuu was about to speak again, a young man with delicate features slowly stood up. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he snorted coldly, "Tao Liuu, don’t think I won’t teach you a lesson just because you’re a Core Disciple from Forget-Life Peak."
Tao Liuu was impulsive by nature. Hearing this, he sneered, "Teach me a lesson? We’ll see if you have what it takes! Yanm Chongwen, just remember this: Chaotian Peak doesn’t carry the surname Chu yet."
In an instant, the atmosphere grew tense and volatile, with swords all but drawn.
Zou Lin quickly stepped forward, holding out his hands in a placating gesture. "Now, now, everyone. You are all prodigies of a great Upper Sect, pillars of your generation. You are fellow disciples! If intruders were to arrive now, you should stand united. Let’s try to be civil."
Hmph!
With two heavy, cold snorts, both men sat down simultaneously.
"Everyone, please quiet down. Let me explain the situation with the Heart Inquiry Flower," Luo Shicheng said, rising to his feet now that the two had settled. "I came upon this Heart Inquiry Flower by chance and have kept it alive using a unique Array. The flower will wither and die the moment it is moved from this spot. For that reason, even though many have coveted the Heart-Inquiry Primordial Qi it emits, they have been helpless to take it. But this time is different. The flower is about to produce a Heart-Seeking Seed—a seed from which a new Heart Inquiry Flower can be grown. It is extraordinarily precious. I’m certain countless experts will come to contend for it. I’ve calculated the timing, and it should happen in about three days—"
"Patriarch!"
Just at that moment, a servant boy ran in hastily, interrupting Luo Shicheng.
"What is it?" Luo Shicheng cut himself off, frowning as he snapped.
The servant boy caught his breath but was still panting as he reported, "There’s someone at the gate! His name is Wen Qingye, and he claims to be a disciple of the Celestial Profound Sect. He says he’s here to collect the Heart-Seeking Seed."
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