Chapter 438 - Returning to the Cangyun Empire
The battle slaves solemnly followed their orders. And after being summoned by Gongyi Tianheng, Yu Cheng also didn’t dare to neglect anything. He memorized the appearances of Gu Qi and Zhao Ji, and safeguarded them in the dark — Even though he had no choice but to be conscripted into following Tianheng for a hundred years due to the accidental disappearance of the two, he actually had a clear understanding.
The inheritance he acquired wasn’t simple at all. Unless he had the strength to kill everyone who knew about the historical ruin, he had to seek refuge to guarantee that the inheritance wasn’t s.n.a.t.c.hed away by others. With Yu Cheng’s capabilities, it was naturally impossible to shelter under the Blood Transformation Palace Master. As such, by following Tianheng, the all-star prodigy with tremendous potential, he gained the indirect protection of the palace master and Ten Ultimates Sect itself. This was also pretty good.
Besides, he really wasn’t a person who forgot favors and violated justice. Tianheng helped him get the inheritance, and he wouldn’t turn against Tianheng just to keep this secret.
It was also because of this that Tianheng felt at ease with Yu Cheng.
From the inheritance, Yu Cheng knew that the Void-Breaking Shuttle was exceptional and outstanding, but he understood that the shuttle belonged to Tianheng. At the same time, this was a secret that he didn’t dare to tell others. It was because his inheritance was a secret, too. It absolutely couldn’t be leaked.
It was just that even Yu Cheng was unclear about the fact that the Void-Breaking Shuttle could take people to different worlds. He only believed that the shuttle could save one’s life, and that it could break open the shackles of s.p.a.ce within a world.
Afterwards, Tianheng reported the matter of going back to the Peripheral Continents with the Blood Transformation Palace Master.
Originally, the palace master knew that the Void-Breaking Shuttle could take people to different places in the world. Having heard Tianheng mention that he wanted to welcome his clan members to Ten Ultimates Sect, the palace master granted his approval.
Tianheng said: “Many thanks for your permission, master.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master replied: “There’s a reason I’m giving you my permission.”
Tianheng listened with respectful attention.
The palace master stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was solemn and serene: “The Void-Breaking Shuttle isn’t the only type of object that can travel through s.p.a.ce. Therefore, even though the Central Continent and the Peripheral Continents are separated by the Roads of Heaven’s Chosen, it isn’t like no one’s capable of going to that place.
“You are the all-star prodigy of my Ten Ultimates Sect. Previously, your realm was a little low, so you didn’t face many calamities and worthy enemies. Now that you’ve already broken through to the Atomic Realm, everyone you’ll meet in the future will be the favored children of heaven. Among them, there will certainly be those who befriend you and those who oppose you. You’ll meet people with magnanimous hearts, and come across others who are despicable and shameless.
“You have been trained and cultivated by the sect. Thus, you’ll have to strive and fight for resources on behalf of the sect’s interests. You’ll have to fight the heavens, wage war on the earth, and open up your own path of martial arts!”
Speaking up to here, Tianheng’s expression was slightly shocked.
The Blood Transformation Palace Master continued: “Therefore, there won’t be any problems if the people you meet are friends and open-minded people. However, those who become your enemies and the sc.u.m of society won’t necessarily abide by righteousness and justice. Your clan members are also your weak spot. If you keep them on the Peripheral Continents, there’s a possibility that your enemies will capture them to threaten you. If you’re bound at the elbow, you’ll be trapped between a rock and a hard place.
“It’s better to take advantage of the fact that your current reputation isn’t that conspicuous. While you haven’t made too many enemies yet, you should bring them within the jurisdiction of the Blood Transformation Palace Hall. Although the branches of my Ten Ultimates Sect have compet.i.tions and conflicts, they’re also restricted by the sect rules, and won’t bring disaster upon one’s family.
“Once your household is part of Ten Ultimates Sect, so long as the Blood Transformation Palace Hall doesn’t collapse, your clan members will certainly remain stable. If Ten Ultimates Sect isn’t wiped out, no one shall take your clan members to threaten you!”
After the palace master finished speaking, Tianheng slowly let out a sigh. He resolutely said: “Many thanks to this master for taking them under your protection.” Then, he cupped his hands to the outside of the palace hall, “Many thanks to this sect for taking them under thy protection.”
The expression of the Blood Transformation Palace Master was relaxed: “Apprentice, I know that you’re very intelligent and calculative, so the sect ought to have reservations about you. But because you’re thoughtful and broad-minded, and because you’re able to turn disadvantages into strengths, it has caused the sect to view you more favorably. But you must know why the sect accepts you and treats you generously. While it’s due to your exceptional talents, it’s also due to your good disposition and that you’re clear about grat.i.tudes and grudges. Otherwise, no matter how amazing your innate talents are, the sect wouldn’t have funneled resources to cultivate you. After all, to nurture a tiger is to invite calamity.”
Reaching this point, he gave a slight pause: “However, this is nothing more than routine training. In this world, there are numerous martial artists, and prodigies stand in great numbers. Regardless of how good a person’s talents are, one might not necessarily make any accomplishments. If you can’t achieve anything, this teacher has still accepted you. It’s true that I will protect you from beginning to end, but the sect has to give careful consideration. It won’t necessarily always treat you preferentially. And if you lose the sect’s favor, it’ll be very detrimental for you.”
Having listened up to here, Tianheng gradually understood what the Blood Transformation Palace Master wanted to express.
The palace master sighed: “What the sect pursues is nothing but the sect’s development. Among the disciples under the sect, there are a great number of talents. None of them are weak, and inheritances have been pa.s.sed down through continuous, unbroken lines. This teacher has only one purpose in telling you these things.”
Tianheng’s expression became solemn: “This disciple understands what master means.” In a slow voice, he said: “If this disciple has made achievements in his studies, he will definitely do his best to repay the sect. I won’t let the sect’s awe-inspiring authority fall, and I won’t fear the encroachment of enemies outside.”
The palace master nodded his head: “Very good. Whatever capabilities you have is how you’ll handle matters. The sect treats its prodigies dearly and generously. This prodigy knows to repay favors, so the sect will certainly defend you. A back and forth between both sides can last for a long time.”
Tianheng paid his respects to the Blood Transformation Palace Master once again: “This disciple will bear this in mind. Master can rest a.s.sured. Ten Ultimates Sect cherishes this disciple, and this disciple also cherishes the sect.”
The palace master smiled, and brushed his sleeve: “Your heart is brightly lit, so this teacher naturally feels relieved.” Then, he said, “For this trip, the sooner you go, the sooner you’ll return. You must be absolutely careful.”
Tianheng also smiled back. Soon after, he turned around, and walked towards the outside of the Blood Transformation Palace Hall.
Having received the calm guidance of his master, Tianheng’s heart loosened. His sense of belonging to Ten Ultimates Sect also strengthened somewhat. Whatever the case, just from the words of the palace master, he could see that the common practice of Ten Ultimates Sect was definitely a win-win situation. What this emphasized was a virtuous cycle.
This kind of sect could sway the hearts of students and convert disciples — It was no wonder that Ten Ultimates Sect was able to tower unfalteringly for many years. On the contrary, it became a silver-ranked organization with robust foundations. It was a colossus with abundant qualifications!
After going back to the manor, Gu Zuo had already been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Tianheng return, he greeted him: “Big brother, what did the palace master say?”
Tianheng told Gu Zuo everything that the Blood Transformation Palace Master just discussed with him.
With an emotional sigh, Gu Zuo said: “The palace master really is quite forthright with you.”
Tianheng smiled and said: “Master’s temperament is very magnanimous. Moreover, this talk only happened because the trust between master and I has deepened greatly over these two years.”
Gu Zuo nodded his head: “The palace master is a good master.”
Tianheng nodded back: “Indeed so.” Soon after, he lightly pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek, “Then, what about your elder brother?”
Gu Zuo stared blankly. After that, he responded by bravely going over, and hugging Tianheng. He spoke like nothing had happened: “Of course, big brother is also a good big brother.” The emotions in his eyes moved swiftly, “The best big brother.”
Tianheng was satisfied, and pinched his cheek again.
Gu Zuo was used to the increasingly frequent touches and skin contact of his dear big brother. After obediently letting himself get pinched a few times, he spoke up: “This time around, we’re going back to the Peripheral Continents. Is it going to be just the two of us, or will we bring along a few battle slaves?”
The conversation turned to proper business, and Tianheng corrected his wayward thoughts.
After pondering slightly, he asked: “With Ah Zuo’s current strength, how many people can you make the Void-Breaking Shuttle accommodate at a time?”
Gu Zuo thought about it: “So long as they all suppress their own qi emissions, it can accommodate several hundreds of people at a time if there’s enough spiritual source. As for the specific numbers, we’ll still have to go back and test it to find out.”
In other words, not only was this related to Gu Zuo’s strength and the spiritual source, it was also related to the strength of the pa.s.sengers and the distance travelled.
Even though it was within one world, there were distances that were near and far. The closer the destination, the larger Gu Zuo could make the Void-Breaking Shuttle. Conversely, the farther the destination, the smaller it would be.
Tianheng thought to himself, and said: “In that case, we’ll first go outside the Road of Heaven’s Chosen, and then pilot the Void-Breaking Shuttle. When we go back, Ah Zuo will have to do his best. Wherever it can go is where it will go.”
After Gu Zuo pondered deeply for a short while, he nodded his head: “In order to conserve my psychic power, I’ll leave behind a strand of psychic power in this place to keep our positioning. Later on, as we’re traveling to the Roads of Heaven’s Chosen, I’ll leave behind some strands in different locations along the way to mark them. When we’re coming back, I can make adjustments according to the specific situation.”
Tianheng also nodded, and replied: “It’ll be as Ah Zuo says.” He made another decision, “For this time going out, it’ll only be you and me. However, while we proceed towards the Roads of Heaven’s Chosen, we can bring a few Ascendent Realm battle slaves for protection along the way. If it’s like this, it won’t be too eye-catching, and it’ll also be very safe.”
Gu Zuo voiced his support: “Okay!”
Hence, it was decided just like this.
Afterwards, there were still several preparations that needed to be done. And once Gu Zuo went to see Gu Qi and Zhao Ji to bid farewell, he quickly returned.
Ao Ying and an Ascendent Realm powerhouse from the shadow cat race were already waiting in that place. Meanwhile, Ao Min and another Ascendent Realm shadow cat powerhouse stayed behind in the manor to hold the fort. As for Gu Zuo, he swiftly left a strand of psychic power in their home at the mountain peak.
Tianheng said with a smile: “Ah Zuo, shall we go?”
Gu Zuo nodded: “Let’s go!”
Following this, four people rode an extremely fast, wild bird. Within only a few days, they arrived at a town outside the entrance to the Roads of Heaven’s Chosen.
During this journey, Gu Zuo found several deserted and inaccessible outskirts, lands of mountains and forests, and left behind his own psychic power imprints. Finally, after a short rest, they squeezed into a deep and secluded valley.
There were no signs of human habitation within a range of five kilometers. Moreover, because this place was very close to the Roads of Heaven’s Chosen, the concentration of the ambient qi was lower here than the entire Central Continent. Few martial artists and pharmacists would pa.s.s by, so it was quite off the beaten track.
It was precisely this kind of place that made it convenient for Gu Zuo to pilot the Void-Breaking Shuttle. This was to avoid being discovered.
But before that, Ao Ying and the shadow cat powerhouse were sent away. They were ordered to return to the sect. Immediately afterwards, Gu Zuo’s thoughts moved, releasing the Void-Breaking Shuttle.
In the blink of an eye, an enormous silver shuttle appeared in front of the two.
This time around, the silver shuttle moved according to Gu Zuo’s intentions, and continuously expanded. In the end, it turned into a giant shuttle that was capable of stowing five hundred people. It towered silently and calmly.
Tianheng asked: “Ah Zuo, did that strain you?”
Gu Zuo shook his head.
He still had some spare power. Thus, he made the silver shuttle even bigger. Now, it could accommodate a thousand people.
Reaching this point, Gu Zuo had a premonition. If he increased the size again, he wouldn’t be able to pilot the Void-Breaking Shuttle…
Tianheng took the lead to enter the shuttle. He said: “Ah Zuo, everything is for your safety. Don’t push yourself too far.”
Of course, Gu Zuo promised: “Big brother, rest a.s.sured. I’m someone who acts according to his means.”
Once the two boarded the Void-Breaking Shuttle, Gu Zuo discharged his psychic power. Meanwhile, Tianheng took out the spiritual source. He flicked his finger to bring out a single drop, which floated at the very front of the shuttle.
Subsequently, that drop of spiritual source emitted a faint and mysterious power. The Void-Breaking Shuttle shined with a silvery-white radiance. It was like the shuttle had undergone some kind of resonance. It looked entirely brand-new!
The very next moment, the Void-Breaking Shuttle broke through s.p.a.ce!
Gu Zuo suddenly paused.
He could sense that piloting the shuttle was much smoother than last time. It was also more stable — Was it because he was more proficient in controlling it, his connection to the shuttle was deeper, or due to the spiritual source? Or perhaps, they were only traveling through s.p.a.ce and not s.p.a.cetime?
It probably had something to do with several of those reasons…
Gu Zuo took a deep breath, and operated the Void-Breaking Shuttle with everything he had!
At the same time, his psychic power latched onto the strand of mingled qi emissions that came from himself and his big brother.
That’s right. If he wanted to pilot the shuttle to other places with precise positioning, the things that he needed to perceive were very complex. The requirements for his own realm were also extremely high. For Gu Zuo’s present capabilities, it was basically impossible to accomplish this. As a result, he used a loophole. He perceived the mingled qi emissions of himself and his big brother, who acted as the contract guardian, to find the direction they wanted to go. What was worth rejoicing over was that they were returning this time. He had been to all those places, so finding them was much easier.
Once some time pa.s.sed, Gu Zuo’s heart stirred: “Big brother, it should be here.”
Tianheng faintly smiled: “I trust Ah Zuo. Ah Zuo just needs to do what comes naturally.”
In fact, Tianheng currently had a lot of spiritual source. What was there to worry about going the wrong way? Even if they went the wrong way, couldn’t they just change direction? It was just that Gu Zuo wasn’t willing to waste the spiritual source he found for big brother after much difficulty. As a result, he put too much pressure on himself.
Right now, he held his breath, and silently thought: I definitely have to succeed on the first try!
— Perhaps, the world really was standing on Gu Zuo’s side.
The Void-Breaking Shuttle emerged from a slice of the void with a shuddering tremble. Before it was discovered by anyone, it fell into a dense forest, and barreled over many trees. Gu Zuo quickly shrank the shuttle, and put it away.
The two stood on the ground, and looked at the fallen and broken trees all around. It was somewhat funny and embarra.s.sing.
In this short while, they had also crushed many wild beasts to death…
At any rate, this forest was also rather familiar. It was clearly a place that Tianheng and Gu Zuo had previously adventured through.
But at the same time, it was also clear that they had indeed smoothly arrived outside the imperial capital of the Cangyun Empire.
Gu Zuo revealed a smiling expression: “Shall we go straight to the Gongyi Mansion?”
Tianheng raised his eyes, and peered at the city gates up ahead. He nodded his head, and said: “Yes.”
At this time, twilight had already descended. The city gates were closed.
As far as Tianheng and Gu Zuo were concerned, this small trifle didn’t pose any problem for them. On the contrary, due to the color of the sky, they wouldn’t end up startling anyone. They flashed into the city in a natural way. After another displacement, they entered the ancestral residence of the aristocratic family known as the Gongyi Clan.
In this place, the guards were still extremely stringent.
It was just that, such guards were nothing to the Immortal Realm Gu Zuo. Let alone Tianheng, who was already at the Atomic Realm.
But it was also because of this that Tianheng’s gaze slightly sank.
When he was previously in the Cangyun Empire, even though he was naturally intelligent, he was limited by his lack of experience. He hadn’t felt that these guards were inappropriate. But now that he experienced the matters of the Central Continent, he gained countless insights. After seeing the strength of these guards, he naturally developed some private worries.
The guards were incapable of blocking Gu Zuo, so it was only natural that they wouldn’t be able to stop other Immortal Realms — In other words, according to the Blood Transformation Palace Master’s words, if he really provoked an enemy, so long as the other party sent some ordinary Immortal Realms over, they could completely suppress the members of the Gongyi Clan. His family members didn’t have the ability to resist!
In this case, it was certainly inappropriate…
On the side, Gu Zuo tugged at Tianheng’s sleeve: “Big brother, don’t worry. Didn’t we come back this time to bring away the people here?”
Tianheng faintly nodded his head.
But at the same time, a trace of dark light flashed in his eyes.
Merely, the Gongyi Clan’s direct line and cadet branches totaled more than ten thousand people. It was basically impossible to take them all to the Central Continent. The number of remaining people who would be left in the Cangyun Empire was not low.
Keeping this in mind, Gu Zuo and Tianheng flashed away, and arrived where Gongyi Zhuoyue, the previous generation’s clan head, was in secluded cultivation.
During this time, the two had been totally silent. At this moment, even Gongyi Zhuoyue, whom the two once looked up to, didn’t sense them in the slightest.
In addition, Gu Zuo used his psychic power to investigate. Gongyi Zhuoyue was sitting upright inside a hidden chamber. Floating in front of him was a deep-purple, precious pearl, which he was constantly absorbing to improve himself.
Although these improvements were slightly small, such acc.u.mulations shouldn’t be underestimated… As for Gongyi Zhuoyue’s current strength, it had already reached Xiantian stage nine. Once he cultivated for another period of time, maybe he would be able to break through to the Immortal Realm with the power of this precious pearl!
Gu Zuo looked at that precious pearl, and was a little amazed: “Big brother, this is an origin pearl?”
Tianheng slightly nodded: “That’s correct.”
An origin pearl wasn’t some ordinary object. It was cla.s.sified as a type of precious pearl that was produced within the bodies of origin beasts. Besides containing a large portion of the origin beast’s energy, it also contained a special ability of the origin beast! If a martial artist absorbed this precious pearl, they could also a.s.similate the qi emissions of this special ability. In the future, there was a certain chance of comprehending this special ability. Moreover, in the process of understanding it, one could turn the origin beast’s special ability into ultimate knowledge that was suitable for the human body to utilize. This allowed the martial artist’s strength to undergo an exponential increase!
The ambient qi of the Cangyun Empire was so thin, and only two years had pa.s.sed. Under normal circ.u.mstances, Gongyi Zhuoyue wouldn’t have been able to improve to this extent at his age. Having this kind of realm advancement was all thanks to this origin pearl! But fortunately, Gu Zuo and Tianheng had returned to bring them away. Otherwise, with Gongyi Zhuoyue’s level of comprehension, while there was no problem absorbing the origin pearl to advance to the Immortal Realm, it would be too hard to understand the special ability within the origin pearl.
Even if it was on the Central Continent, those exceptional geniuses needed to use all sorts of secret methods to increase their chances of comprehension after getting an origin pearl. Letting Gongyi Zhuoyue comprehend it by himself would truly be too difficult for him.
Several notions and ideas flashed by. Gu Zuo and Tianheng exchanged glances, and they deliberately made a bit of movement.
The next instant, Gongyi Zhuoyue swiftly reacted, and put away that origin pearl. At the same time, he opened his mouth, and shouted: “Who dares to spy on this old man?!” While speaking, his body shot out like a bolt of lightning. He quickly left the room, and launched an attack at Tianheng and Gu Zuo!
Tianheng took a half-step forward, and extended a hand.
At this moment, Gongyi Zhuoyue only felt that the person before him was as steady as a great boulder and as heavy as a mountain. Unexpectedly, his attack was like a clay ox entering the sea. In a flash, it disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, his wrist was firmly grabbed in the palm of a hand. The remaining might of that attack was also scattered by a streak of qi energy!
How powerful!
Gongyi Zhuoyue’s heart trembled, and his sense of crisis was overwhelming. His eyes seemed to release arcs of cold electricity, his beard and hair flared up like a ferocious lion, and he glowered at the person who came — Eh?
There was a young man with a smile on his face. Why did his appearance look so familiar?
Gu Zuo spoke first: “Venerable clan head, we’ve returned.”
Tianheng’s smiling expression didn’t diminish: “We haven’t seen you in two years. Grandfather is still healthy and strong. This grandson is relieved.”
All of a sudden, Gongyi Zhuoyue’s imposing aura dispersed.
He understood in the blink of an eye. He wasn’t a match for the person in front of him. If the other party wasn’t his grandson, with this person’s capabilities, whether it was a scheme to s.n.a.t.c.h the precious pearl or to suppress the Gongyi Clan, it wouldn’t expend the slightest effort. Why would they deliberately lie to him? And after he figured it out, the joy in his heart surged up.
Such a powerhouse was his grandson! This was the genius with the strongest comprehension of his Gongyi Clan in ten thousand years. Sure enough, after venturing into the wider world, his grandson bore unprecedentedly formidable strength, and returned full of honor!
Only, Gongyi Zhuoyue’s expression changed again and again.
Since his grandson went into that wider world, it was reported that he wouldn’t be able to come back for a long time. How did he appear before his eyes in these short two years?
This… In the end, just what had happened?
Gongyi Zhuoyue immediately became worried.
Tianheng already saw through the thoughts of his grandfather’s changing expressions. He smiled placatingly: “Nothing bad happened to this grandson. Grandfather, don’t worry.”
Upon hearing this, Gongyi Zhuoyue slightly loosened his furrowed brows, and retracted his palm. However, he questioned: “Tianheng, what’s all this about?”
The two followed Gongyi Zhuoyue back into the chamber, and closed the door properly.
The s.p.a.ce between Gu Zuo’s brows heated up. He released his psychic power in pa.s.sing, and sealed off the entire hidden chamber. Unless the people outside had spiritual path realms that greatly surpa.s.sed Gu Zuo’s own realm, they would never be able to hear the conversation inside under any circ.u.mstances.
Tianheng’s expression slowly became serious. He said: “Grandfather, this grandson has come to bring away my subordinate Tianlong Guards, the bloodline of the Gongyi Clan and my close relatives, as well as any younger generations with impressive apt.i.tudes who are worthy of nurturing.”
Gongyi Zhuoyue was startled: “What Tianheng means is…”
Tianheng unhurriedly stated: “Now that this grandson has gained a foothold in Ten Ultimates Sect, and has developed some properties, it’s time to repay the clan’s many years of care.”
Subsequently, apart from the things he couldn’t talk about, Tianheng told Gongyi Zhuoyue everything he experienced over these years.
This talk took quite a few hours.
As Gongyi Zhuoyue listened, his heart surged with raging waves and stormy seas.
He never expected that his family’s grandson would have so many extraordinary experiences. Moreover, these adventures had unfolded on a magnificent scale. His heart couldn’t help but feel a sense of yearning and lingering fear.
A good while later, he gave a long, drawn-out sigh: “So it’s like this.”
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