Feeling doubts in his heart, Xiao Chen looked through the first part of the jade strip again, the part on the introduction of the Yuwen Clan.
Only then was Xiao Chen horrified to discover that the Dragon Subduing Platform was the Yuwen Clan’s final move for suppressing strong Spirit Veins. It was the killing move of killing moves.
Every generation of successors would refine their own Dragon Subduing Platform. Every one of them spent at least ten years before they successfully refined it.
As for the Dragon Subduing Platform that the Yuwen Clan used to anchor down the clan, the founding ancestor spent a thousand years before he refined it, pus.h.i.+ng it to Emperor Grade.
Without reaching a certain level, it would be impossible to operate that Emperor Grade Dragon Subduing Platform. Hence, the Great Heavenly Masters of every generation would refine their own Dragon Subduing Platform before they reached such a level.
Xiao Chen’s eyes turned green with envy. If he could find the ancestral grounds of the Yuwen Clan, he would be rich.
In the future, if he could gain access to that corpse from Ba Tu, he might be able to get some clues.
Hence, Xiao Chen set aside the refinement of the Dragon Subduing Platform for now, focusing on the Dragon Revealing Mirror first.
The Dragon Revealing Mirror was an ancient mirror that required a hundred different types of divine materials. Forty-nine profound formations needed to be carved on the inside as well.
Compared to the difficulty of refining the Dragon Subduing Platform, there was a world’s difference. After half a month, he finished the Dragon Revealing Mirror.
Ancient patterns covered the sides of the dish-sized mirror. Many profound formations were engraved on its back.
The front of the mirror was smooth like calm water. Xiao Chen had spent most of the past half month on this mirror.
The Dragon Revealing Mirror did not have any use in battle. However, it had a strong restraining effect on the great dragons and evil dragons that the Spirit Veins turned into.
Many Holy Spirit Veins possessed a strong might before they were subdued, driving the power of the world. Even Martial Emperors would not dare to be careless against them.
As for King Spirit Veins, their might went without saying. Regular Martial Emperors would not be able to subdue it.
With the Dragon Revealing Mirror combined with the various secret techniques in the Paradise Secret Canon as well as Xiao Chen’s strength, subduing Peak Spirit Veins would be simple.
Subduing a Holy Spirit Vein by himself would take some effort, but it would not be much of a problem.
Of course, all this came with the prerequisite of finding a Spirit Vein. Otherwise, no matter how capable Xiao Chen was, he would not be able to display his skills.
Xiao Chen put away the Dragon Revealing Mirror and went to look for Zi Ying to take his leave.
“Young Master Xiao, do you mind if another person joined you on this trip?” Zi Ying asked with a smile.
Xiao Chen raised his head and said, “You want to go?”
“Yes, I feel you what you said was right. Given my age, experience, and mental state, it is too much for me to be able to establish relations.h.i.+ps with everyone. I might as well pick a side and do something big in the Northern Sea.”
When Xiao Chen saw Zi Ying’s serious mien, he could not help laughing. He said softly, “Those were just some casual words. Never mind, come along. However, I will make it clear first. I am just meeting my friend and will leave after that. I will not remain for long.”
Zi Ying felt frustration in her heart. She always felt like a small kid before Xiao Chen; no matter what she did, she appeared childish.
However, Xiao Chen did not even give her a chance to vent her temper. He had already turned around and gotten far away. So she quickly followed after him.
With Zi Ying tagging along, Xiao Chen could only put aside his original plans of testing the might of the Dragon Revealing Mirror during the trip.
However, he did not stop studying and practicing the Paradise Secret Canon along the way.
After about half a month, the two arrived at the island where the Northern Sea Alliance had its headquarters, Lingyun Island.
Xiao Chen stood at the bow, looking at the silhouette of Lingyun Island. He wondered if he would be able to see Ye Chen.
Cultivators frequently moved around with no fixed abode, often adventuring. This was especially so for a cultivation fanatic like Ye Chen. So it was hard to say.
“What’s wrong? What are you thinking?” Zi Ying asked with a smile after she came out from the wars.h.i.+p’s hold.
Xiao Chen answered honestly.
After Zi Ying heard that, she could not help laughing and then said, “He will definitely be there.”
“Why are you so confident of that?”
Zi Ying replied softly, “The b.l.o.o.d.y Young Master Ye Chen is very famous in the Northern Sea. He returned from the Kunlun Continent half a year ago with a considerable increase in strength. Then, he immediately went to challenge the Killing Swordsman Yan s.h.i.+san.”
“Something like that happened? What was the result?”
“He lost in half a move. I heard that he remained in his clan in closed-door cultivation since then, not coming out much.”
There was no injustice in losing to Yan s.h.i.+san. Ye Chen was in too much of a rush. With Yan s.h.i.+san the top swordsman of the killing sword in the Kunlun Continent, fighting him was no joke.
Yeah, in that case, I can use this as a return gift.
Xiao Chen thought of something. When he was at the tea party in the Profound Domain’s Heavenly Cauldron City, he had spoken of his Dao, prompting many ancient Saber Sovereigns to appear and discourse on their Dao. Back then, he recorded down all of these Dao.
Among which, there was a discourse on the Ma.s.sacre saber Dao. Ye Chen would probably like that.
There was only one huge and majestic city on Lingyun Island. It was called Lingyun City and was the center of the Northern Sea, connecting all the hundreds of various-sized factions in the Northern Sea Alliance.
This city was currently managed by the Ye Clan. In order to find Ye Chen, Xiao Chen needed to go to the City Lord’s Residence.
When Xiao Chen reported his ident.i.ty, the expression of the guard at the City Lord’s Residence changed. The guard became much more respectful and polite and ran in quickly to make a report.
Soon, a person who closely resembled Ye Chen, dressed in embroidered clothes, came out leading two old men and arrived before Xiao Chen. However, this person looked more mature than Ye Chen.
“Young Master Xiao, you finally arrived. My younger brother missed you a lot.” The youth smiled faintly and performed a cupped-fist salute. “I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ye Feng, Ye Chen’s eldest brother.”
As Ye Feng spoke, he invited Xiao Chen and Zi Ying in. He was very polite, not showing the arrogance that a disciple of a large clan normally had. This demeanor gave Xiao Chen a very good impression.
“Haha! I already sent people to inform my younger brother. That little brat is almost going crazy from cultivating. Recently, the inheritors of the various Holy Lands all went to the road that buries Emperors in the heart of the ocean and gained a great harvest. This made him feel very anxious.”
Zi Ying, who was at the side, said, “I heard that these Holy Land inheritors all found their opportunity to advance to quasi-Emperor. Now that they’ve become quasi-Emperors, with the resources of the Holy Lands, they will be able to progress immediately to Small Perfection quasi-Emperor. After that, they will be able to progress smoothly to Great Perfection quasi-Emperor. By then, the gap between them and others will be considerable.”
Ye Feng nodded and said, “That’s right. The Four Seas Hero Gathering will take place in one year. If Second Brother does not do his best, he will not be able to make it. The resources of our Northern Sea Alliance are not inferior to that of the Holy Lands. However, if he cannot find his opportunity to advance to quasi-Emperor, all will be for naught.”
To advance to quasi-Emperor, one required an opportunity. One needed to rely on their own comprehensions. No matter how much resources one possessed, these would not help.
However, once one was a quasi-Emperor, the situation changed. The race to Small Perfection quasi-Emperor and Great Perfection quasi-Emperor was a compet.i.tion of resources.
Xiao Chen was very clear on this principle. However, the reason why he did not go to the Supreme Sky Emperor or the Thunder Sovereign to ask for resources was the sheer immensity of the resources required.
No Holy Land would be able to nurture two geniuses. The price to pay was too much.
The Supreme Sky Sect had Xiao Chen’s First Senior Sister, Shui Lingling, to nurture as the next Sect Master, while the Thunder and Lightning Palace had An Junxi to nurture as the successor.
At this moment, Ye Feng seemed to have just noticed Zi Ying, who was at the side. His eyes lit up as he said, “This young lady here seems not to have introduced herself yet.”
Zi Ying smiled and said, “Zi Ying, the head manager of the Nine Cauldron Merchant a.s.sociation in the Northern Sea.”
“So, it is the new, pretty manager of the Nine Cauldron Merchant a.s.sociation. Haha, I heard of this recently and was planning to take some time out to pay a visit. Unexpectedly, the plans ended up s.h.i.+fting forward,” Ye Feng said with a faint smile, his words careful and appropriate.
These two ended up engrossed in conversation. Xiao Chen could tell that this Ye Feng was different from Ye Chen. Ye Feng was the person who managed the internal affairs of the Northern Sea Alliance, holding great authority.
As for Ye Chen, he was just a cultivation fanatic, ignoring all these matters.
“Boom!”
Just at this moment, an extremely horrifying ma.s.sacre saber Qi appeared in the air. It swept through the sky, looking like it would eliminate all life, killing everything.
Before the move arrived, its aura was already so overwhelming. Xiao Chen frowned slightly. It was already too late to draw his saber. He simply threw a palm strike, and his surging Heavenly Laws drove the power of the world as he launched a counterattack.
“Bang!” The strong power wiped out the ma.s.sacre Qi, forcing the person who attacked to reveal himself. It was Ye Chen, whom Xiao Chen had not seen for close to a year.
“How embarra.s.sing! After not seeing Brother Xiao for a long time, I can only desperately try to chase after your shadow. I can’t even take a palm strike.”
Ye Chen arrived amid carefree laughter. Then, he patted Xiao Chen’s shoulders heavily. “I heard that you came to the Heavenly Starry Ocean long ago. Why are you here only now?
“Big Brother, organize a banquet. I have to attend to this brother here properly.”
Ye Feng smiled and said, “Do I even need you to tell me to do such a small thing? I already sent people to make arrangements. There will be a large banquet tonight.”
Xiao Chen quickly rejected this, saying, “There is no need to be so polite. I prefer peace and quiet. Just a place to drink and chat will do.”
Clearly, Ye Chen was also someone who did not care about the details. He waved his hand and said, “In that case, we will follow what this brother of mine said. Come, let’s go find a place and have a few drinks.”
Ye Feng felt that this was not right. The Azure Dragon King was here. No matter what, he needed to, at least, put on a lavish show. However, his own brother had already agreed. Persisting would not be appropriate.
After that, the group went to the back garden. Ye Feng ordered for some simple preparations to be made. Then, the four sat down and chatted casually.
As the conversation continued, Ye Feng discovered that Xiao Chen did not possess any of that rumored arrogance. So he let himself loose as well, laughing endlessly and chatting about anything under the sky.
In the meantime, Xiao Chen took out the ancient Saber Sovereign’s Ma.s.sacre saber Dao, which he had copied down, and gave it to Ye Chen.
Ye Chen perused the Ma.s.sacre saber Dao and could not help rejoicing. He carefully put it away and performed a cupped-fist salute. “Brother Xiao, you’ve helped me greatly once again. With the saber Dao of this ancient Saber Sovereign, I will not have any problems with advancing to quasi-Emperor in one year.”
Ye Chen already had sufficient acc.u.mulations. Now, all he lacked was the opportunity. The ancient Saber Sovereign’s Ma.s.sacre saber Dao was such an opportunity.
“However, this little brother is unable to do anything about Brother Xiao’s problem. I am completely helpless.”
When this topic was raised, the atmosphere at the table immediately turned heavy and depressed.
Ye Feng said, “After Second Brother heard the news, he immediately went to ask Father about physiological lifespans.
“Our father said there are opportunities. However, increasing physiological lifespan is like killing the heavens and s.n.a.t.c.hing fate; it is extremely difficult.”
Ye Chen’s father was the current Alliance Chief of the Northern Sea Alliance. He was a Greater Heavenly Martial Emperor, a major character through and through.
Xiao Chen picked up his wine cup and gently took a sip. Then, he said calmly, “There is no road that the heavens seals off completely. Out of fifty possible paths, the great Dao occupies forty-nine, and there will always be at least one path that leads to life.”
“The Azure Dragon King’s understanding of this great Dao is really enlightening. Will you explain further?”
Unfl.u.s.tered laughter resounded. This startled Xiao Chen. When did this person arrive? Why did I not feel it at all?