One month later, on the border of Da Li’s Chaoyuan Prefecture and Eastern Jingzhou.
The two prefectures were separated by the mighty Ten Thousand Mountains, a vast range inhabited by ancient spirit beasts like the Demon-Suppressing Apes and many other spirit creatures.
The towering peaks rose in an unbroken stretch, layer upon layer, reaching for the heavens with grandeur. The air was thick with powerful energy, and cultivators were stationed everywhere, marking this as the Bai Li Clan’s home territory, a rarely traveled region.
Today, three figures, dust-covered yet munching on oranges, appeared, leaving faint traces on the ground.
Buzz!
A great hum sounded from above as two formidable presences soared through the air: Bai Li Wentian and the Nine Heavens Patriarch, both radiating an uncharacteristic solemnity. The aura outside the mountains pressed heavily on the Ten Thousand Mountains!
Deep within the mountains, a thunderous rumble resonated—a presence of at least a late-stage Deity Transformation level.
While a fierce battle raged on the War Realm Camp front, preparations were ongoing in the rear. In the Ten Thousand Mountains, large military camps radiated overwhelming vigor, their blood-charged energies ready to support the War Realm Camp at a moment’s notice.
Overhead, enormous exotic birds swooped across the sky, casting vast shadows over the three small figures below.
“Chen Xun, of Qian Country, requests an audience with the Bai Li Clan!”Chen Xun’s figure halted as his powerful voice spread in all directions. A jade slip shot up to the sky from his hand. “I hope you’ll show some courtesy for Marshal Zhonghu’s sake!”
“Moo!” Brother Ox bellowed mightily, sending a wave of dust billowing outward, exuding a majestic aura.
Xiao Chi’s eyes narrowed as countless gazes fixed upon them. He gradually adopted a humble posture, the flaming mark on his brow dimming slightly.
Everywhere in the Ten Thousand Mountains, iron-blooded battle flags fluttered, emanating an imposing aura.
Roar!
Roar!
Giant spirit beasts rose from the earth, gazing toward the mountain’s edge before quickly suppressing their aura under the scrutiny of a robed man.
Bai Li Wentian reached out and caught the jade slip, his gaze sharpening as he took a deep look at Chen Xun, unable to see through him.
“Nine Heavens Daoist, this bears Marshal Zhonghu’s personal inscription, marked with his divine sense.”
“Hmm.”
The massive figure of the Nine Heavens Patriarch turned slowly, fixing his gaze on Chen Xun. “You three are welcome to enter.”
He took a long look at Brother Ox and Xiao Chi, noting that there was no controlling spell upon them. Their relationship with Chen Xun seemed similar to that between themselves and the Bai Li Clan. ℞AΝöВËş
Chen Xun offered a polite nod, patting Brother Ox and Xiao Chi before stepping into the Ten Thousand Mountains.
As they passed, the iron-blooded soldiers along the path all bowed slightly, their expressions solemn in respect to these esteemed cultivators.
A short time later.
Five figures gathered in an open area. The Nine Heavens Patriarch’s figure loomed large, unable to shrink in size, which put great pressure on Xiao Chi.
They began to introduce themselves, the atmosphere lively, as everyone here was a kindred spirit and no one harbored any ill intentions.
Chen Xun had encountered the unparalleled man before—this was the one who had once led the charge in battle, earning his respect.
“And you, are you a Flameglow Ancient Lion?” The Nine Heavens Patriarch’s voice boomed, his words directed at Xiao Chi below him. “I recognize your clan’s mark.”
“Brother Xun, Brother Ox!” Xiao Chi squeaked in panic, realizing his identity had been uncovered!
Bai Li Wentian frowned. It was unusual for a Flameglow Ancient Lion to diminish its form, akin to a human discarding their identity.
“Moo?!”
Brother Ox raised his head with an indignant bellow, meeting the Nine Heavens Patriarch’s gaze, refusing to back down, causing the sky to stir.
The Nine Heavens Patriarch’s expression twitched as a wave of dread passed over him, his white fur standing on end. Just who was this black ox?!
“Friend Ox, I mean no harm.” His voice rumbled, resonating with the mountain breeze. “The Flameglow Ancient Lions and my Demon-Suppressing Apes were allies in ancient times.”
“Moo~” Brother Ox grinned, nodding heavily before reverting to his usual, honest expression.
“Correct, Xiao Chi is indeed of the Flameglow Ancient Lion lineage.”
Chen Xun glanced back at Xiao Chi, protecting him with a subtle gesture. “I heard that someone from Da Li was hunting them down. Any chance you could enlighten us?”
He asked in a calm, detached manner, almost as if it were a casual inquiry.
The Nine Heavens Patriarch and Bai Li Wentian exchanged glances before the latter spoke slowly. “The Lingwu Ancient Immortal Sect, the Ancient Jiang Family, and the White Jade Chamber of Commerce—those are the three forces.”
“Brother Xun…”
“I see. Looks like we’ll have to avoid them in the future. Powerful cultivators indeed,” Chen Xun interrupted Xiao Chi with a serene wave, his expression calm. “Thank you both for sharing this. We had no other motive in asking.”
“Moo?” Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun, only to have him press a steadying hand on him.
“In the ancient war between Da Li’s humans and spirit beasts, our Bai Li Clan did not partake. We merely helped many spirit beasts escape from the dangers of that time,” Bai Li Wentian said sincerely as he looked Chen Xun in the eye. “Daoist Chen, may I ask where you’re from?”
“Yes.”
A grand voice rang out, “Many Flameglow Ancient Lions and spirit beasts escaped through a large teleportation array created by the Bai Li Clan, leading to another cultivation realm.”
They added this instinctively, feeling a hidden and intense killing intent from Chen Xun’s calm exterior.
Though he bore no visible malice or hostility, for one to have reached the late Deity Transformation stage without ruthlessness was unthinkable. They had already seen the jade slip, after all.
The message in that jade slip was clear: the late-stage corrupted beings in the War Realm Camp were to be dealt with by Daoist Chen Xun!
“I hail from Qian Country. I am not from Da Li’s cultivation realm.”
“What?!”
Two surprised voices exclaimed, looking Chen Xun up and down. Who would have thought such a remarkable person could come from that realm?
Bai Li Wentian placed one hand behind his back and spoke gravely, “It seems Daoist Chen has found a hidden large teleportation array.”
“The large teleportation arrays connecting Da Li’s cultivation realm and that other realm were severed long ago. When we aided those spirit beasts, the Bai Li Clan even destroyed the array, leaving only one intact.”
“But a few years ago, this array was activated, and a young descendant claimed to be from Qian Country and has now joined the reserve camp.”
His expression turned unreadable. The teleportation array on that end had been damaged, making travel impossible from this side. With their cultivation resources, he couldn’t imagine how they’d managed to repair it.
Yet, he didn’t pry into the descendant’s secret. Everyone has their own fortunes.
“Yes.”
Chen Xun nodded with ease, his eyes glinting with curiosity. “Didn’t expect there to be another cultivator from Qian Country. Would it be possible for me to meet them later?”
Brother Ox’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. So that was why the Northern Territory’s spirit beasts were so formidable—they had the support of the great Bai Li Clan…
However, the Bai Li Clan had been honest, and, interestingly enough, in the history of Qian Country’s cultivation, those Northern Territory spirit beasts had never encroached on human domains—likely in gratitude for their lifesaving escape.
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