“Greetings, Island Lord Chen.” Although Chen Feng was only an Earthen Immortal, Patriarch Carefree dared not be careless in his bearing. The matter of Chen Feng killing off Ascendant Immortals was known to every cultivator in the world of cultivation.
“Thank you for the gesture,” Chen Feng replied coolly. “I utilized a Heavenstealing Technique to steal immortal energy from the Immortal Plane in order to improve the strength of my subordinates. However, fellow cultivator wants to let the members of your family in for cultivation purposes? That doesn"t seem too appropriate now, does it?”
“Island Lord Chen, please state your price.” Seeing as how Chen Feng was not giving off a display of rejection, Patriarch Carefree felt hopeful.
“I can allow the members of the Sima Family to enter and cultivate. But I have one condition. When the ensuing chaos arrives, your Sima Family must become East Dragon Island"s ally,” Chen Feng said smilingly.
Hearing that, Patriarch Carefree breathed a sigh of relief. He had been wondering what conditions Chen Feng would put out. An alliance? This was no condition. Was there anyone who did not know how powerful East Dragon Island was? Rather, allying with East Dragon Island was an act that benefitted them more.
Naturally, Patriarch Carefree did feel somewhat suspicious and puzzled as to why Chen Feng would set that condition. However, for the sake of letting the members of his family enter and cultivate inside East Dragon Island, he did not think too much about it.
And so, the cultivators from the Sima Family began to – formally – enter East Dragon Island and cultivate there. Seeing that caused the surrounding cultivators" eyes to go bloodshot. Even though some others had wanted to do the same thing as the Sima Family, they did not possess anyone as strong as Patriarch Carefree. Thus, they simply had no qualifications to be talking to Chen Feng.
That said, some had chosen to disregard reputation and try anyways. Despite being Earthen Immortals, they tried to request an audience with Chen Feng. To their surprise, Chen Feng agreed. Once again, Chen Feng forwarded the same condition as the one he gave the Sima Family, become an ally of East Dragon Island.
Due to that, in just several days, over 10 forces had met up with Chen Feng and their cultivators entered East Dragon Island to cultivate.
The Ouyang Family, Quicksand Pavilion, Heavenly Enigma Sect, Profound Nether Sect and some other sects all had Ascendant Immortals. These forces were the ones that Chen Feng wanted to recruit. As Chen Feng had planned, the combined might of these forces far surpa.s.sed that of East Dragon Island. Naturally, how much combat power they could provide in the upcoming war was still uncertain. That said, in Chen Feng"s opinion, even a plate of scattered sand was better than nothing. Even cannon fodders have value.
Ten days" later, the concentration of the immortal energy in East Dragon Island had far exceeded that of the Immortal Plane. Naturally, there were over 100 million cultivators breathing in the immortal energy there. And yet, not only did the Great Heavenstealing Array not grow weaker. Instead, it grew even stronger.
This was immortal energy! There was a difference of Heaven and Earth between immortal energy and the spiritual energy that they would usually use to cultivate. Cultivators would enjoy breakthroughs with every pa.s.sing moment. The cultivators would breathe in the immortal energy to cultivate themselves, temper their bodies body, concoct medicinal pills and refine magic treasures. Every day, an ocean-like amount of immortal energy would be consumed by them.
One month went by quickly and over 10 more forces entered East Dragon Island. Due to that, even though East Dragon Island had a territory spanning a radius of several million li, it started feeling crowded.
During the past month, the number of foreign cultivators entering East Dragon Island had exceeded 30 million. As for the number of Ascendant Immortals, they had reached 12. Even when compared to the entire Central Plains, this was a very formidable force. Naturally, there were also many sects who were rejected by Chen Feng.
Once, several forces had come together to coerce East Dragon Island. Before Chen Feng could say anything, the other cultivators who managed to gain entry into East Dragon Island erupted with fury. Twelve Ascendant Immortals stepped forward at the same time. There was no need for them to even take action before those forces turned meek.
To Chen Feng"s delight, during that one month, everything had been very tranquil on the Immortal Plane"s side. It seemed as though the Immortal Plane had not noticed anything, but Chen Feng felt a faint sense of foreboding. Although the effect of this Heavenstealing Technique on the Immortal Plane was miniscule, Chen Feng was aware that it was impossible for the Immortal Plane to not notice it. Thus, it was possible that the Immortal Plane was brewing up a plan of some sort.
And so, Chen Feng decided to call up the 12 Ascendant Immortals. Naturally, he also got a few others to stand beside him. These people were Bi Qing, Patriarch Heavenly Sword and Heavenly Premier Absolute.
When they saw that all three were mid-level Ascendant Immortals, the 12 Ascendant Immortals – led by Patriarch Carefree – became astounded. They were well aware of what it meant to reach the mid-level Ascendant Immortal stage.
Upon breaking through to the Ascendant Immortal stage, cultivators would have to ascend to the Immortal Plane. Ascending from a lower-levelled world to a higher-levelled world. This was the universe"s power of laws. Resisting ascension was terribly difficult. The 12 Ascendant Immortals had relied on some secret techniques to stop their ascension after reaching the Ascendant Immortal stage, albeit barely. However, to be able to remain in Eternal World after reaching the mid-level Ascendant Immortal stage was unrealistic. At the very least, for Patriarch Carefree and the others, doing so seemed like a faraway possibility.
All else aside, the three Ascendant Immortals standing before them could easily defeat the 12 of them.
“What is going on here? How could they cultivate up to this level?” Patriarch Carefree and the others exchanged glances. Of course, that was because they had yet to meet Heavenly Premier Eternal and the others, otherwise their jaws would simply drop from the resulting shock.
“Absolute, Heavenly Sword and, this person. You fellows…” one of them finally spoke up. He was the Ascendant Immortal of the Ouyang Family, Patriarch Heavenly Yang. Although he did not have a particularly good relations.h.i.+p with Heavenly Premier Absolute and Patriarch Heavenly Sword, they were at least on talking terms.
“What, are you surprised?” Patriarch Heavenly Sword revealed a smug smile.
“Very. We are not shocked that you fellows could cultivate up to the mid-level Ascendant Immortal stage, but at the fact that you fellows could resist the pulling power of the Immortal Plane.” This time, the one who spoke was Quicksand Pavilion"s Heavenly Premier Quicksand.
“That"s a secret. I cannot say anything for now.” Patriarch Heavenly Sword snickered.
“All right, then. The reason I summoned you here is because I have something to say. I hope that you can prepare yourself for this.” The moment Chen Feng spoke up, Patriarch Heavenly Sword fell silent. Seeing that, the 12 Ascendant Immortals grew even more astonished and their opinion of Chen Feng grew several notches higher.
“The reason I am doing this is to strengthen my forces so that we may better deal with the incoming calamity.” Chen Feng was very direct.
“Calamity? I wonder, what is Island Lord Chen referring to?” Patriarch Carefree asked.
“The Northern Plains, Heavenly Firmaments Palace,” Chen Feng replied.
“Heavenly Firmaments Palace!”
Hearing those three words, everyone fell silent for a moment before speaking up.
“Heavenly Firmaments Palace is truly formidable. Very much so.” The one who spoke was Profound Nether Sect"s Patriarch Profound Nether.
“I had once gone to the Northern Plains only to be besieged by two unknown Ascendant Immortals. I had to utilize a secret technique and expend some of my essence, energy and soul power to escape.”
Heavenly Enigma Sect"s Patriarch Heavenly Profound pondered for a moment before saying, “Heavenly Firmaments Palace is indeed powerful. Even so, there is a limit to its power. In my opinion, conquering the Northern Plains is already its limit. Expanding further will be somewhat difficult for it. That is especially so for our Central Plains. Even if only half of us here join forces, we will be able to easily defeat Heavenly Firmaments Palace.”
“That is not how things are.” Chen Feng shook his head.
“I had also investigated the Northern Plains before. Heavenly Firmaments Palace"s strength is indeed strong enough to be considered the strongest in our world of cultivation. However, it doesn"t seem to be as serious as what Island Lord Chen is making it out to be,” said the Ascendant Immortal from Blackmalice Sect.
“I believe that you fellows have only managed to find the tip of the iceberg. How about this? I will tell you what I know. Then, you might see how serious this matter is.” Chen Feng sighed. He had expected this. They were only able to see what was on the surface and not the essence.
“The first matter that I will say is that Heavenly Firmaments Palace is supported by the Immortal Plane.” After saying that, Chen Feng deliberately paused. As expected, some changes came over their faces.
If that were the case, Heavenly Firmaments Palace"s unification of the entire Eternal World would already be set in stone, no?
“Why would the Immortal Plane interfere in the matters of a lesser world? That is somewhat unreasonable. Could it be just the actions of a few cultivators from the Immortal Plane? Maybe they are just pretending to carry the decree of the Immortal Plane?” Patriarch Heavenly Enigma was somewhat puzzled.
“The decree of the Immortal Plane.” Hearing that, Chen Feng revealed an ambiguous smile.
“Looks like everyone here has a good impression of the Immortal Plane. Then, if a war erupts, does it mean that you will choose to not fight against the Immortal Plane and just surrender instead? Maybe, if the Immortal Humans from the Immortal Plane are happy, they will let you fellows enter the Immortal Plane. Makes sense. Everyone here is cultivating for the sake of ascending to the Immortal Plane. How many would choose to fight the Immortal Plane for the sake of their own disciples and family members? If that is the case, there is nothing else for us to discuss. Fellows, please take your disciples and family members with you and leave East Dragon Island,” Chen Feng said.
Hearing those blunt words from Chen Feng, Patriarch Heavenly Enigma"s face turned extremely ugly to behold. Even the other cultivators were feeling awkward. Patriarch Heavenly Enigma had wanted to say something only for Patriarch Carefree to hold him back.
“Ha ha ha! Island Lord Chen, Heavenly Enigma did not mean anything with those words of his. It was just some casual words. Although the reason we cultivate is to ascend, we will not simply accept the oppression of the Immortal Plane for no good reason. Besides, we fogeys are already qualified to ascend. And yet, here we are,” Patriarch Carefree said with a laugh.
“That"s right! Island Lord Chen, it"s just a misunderstanding.” Heavenly Premier Quicksand laughed as well. The others, however, said nothing. Clearly, Chen Feng"s tone earlier had displeased them.
Chen Feng, on the other hand, simply sneered inwardly. If it weren"t for the fact that cannon fodders were needed, would he bother with these fellows? In Chen Feng"s opinion, in the upcoming war, these Ascendant Immortals would only amount to cannon fodders.
“Looks like you fellows are unable to clearly grasp the situation. I proposed an alliance with you fellows not because I wanted to ingratiate myself with you fellows. Honestly, your strength is not worth much in my eyes,” Chen Feng then said.
“If that"s the case, I will lead my disciples out from East Dragon Island.” Finally, one of the Ascendant Immortals lost his patience. He was Green Mountain Pavilion"s Ascendant Immortal Green Lotus. He had not spoken much earlier, but Chen Feng"s actions had infuriated him.
“Leave East Dragon Island, sure.” Chen Feng nodded his head, a smile on his face.
“Let me do it, then.” Patriarch Heavenly Sword got up and abruptly performed a grasping motion with his hand, which reached into void s.p.a.ce. Next, the tens of thousands of disciples from Green Mountain Pavilion were grasped and s.h.i.+fted out of East Dragon Island"s barrier.
“You!” Ascendant Immortal Green Lotus" face sank.
“What? Do you want to fight me? I can kill you off instantly with one wave of my hand!” Patriarch Heavenly Sword laughed.
“I"ve borne witness to how overbearing East Dragon Island is. Fellows, I will take my leave first.” After saying that, Ascendant Immortal Green Lotus glanced at the others before leaving.
Seeing Ascendant Immortal Green Lotus depart, the others revealed tangled looks. At any rate, Chen Feng had indeed gone somewhat overboard with his actions earlier. Furthermore, there was also the display of contempt from Patriarch Heavenly Sword. Due to that, they all felt a desire to leave. They were all Ascendant Immortals, after all. Their reputation was very important here.
1 li = 0.5 km