Chapter 495: Entering The Ancient Imperial Lower Palace
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Noon.
Jiang Lan sent Xiao Yu to the Third Summit.
“Junior Brother, is there anything wrong with my body?”
Ao Longyu circled around Jiang Lan.
To ensure that she looked fine.
“En, no problem,” Jiang Lan replied.
His Senior Sister’s clothes were tight at the waist and stood tall and graceful. There were no problems with how she looked at all.
Neither was there anything wrong with the clothes below her waist.
In the morning, his Senior Sister had also asked about it. Now, she was just confirming it again.
“Then I’ll go up and see Master.” Ao Longyu waved at Jiang Lan.
As Martial Aunt Zhu Qing of the Third Summit had always been cultivating, it was very difficult for others to enter.
It was even more impossible for the opposite s.e.x to enter and find her.
Therefore, Jiang Lan could only send his Senior Sister over and not look for Martial Aunt Zhu Qing with her together.
A moment later, Jiang Lan watched Xiao Yu enter the Third Summit before turning to leave.
No one noticed him as he walked.
His Loneliness Spell had long been fully mastered.
Not even Human Immortals or True Immortals could detect him unless they had special physiques.
It was nothing much for Kunlun disciples with special physiques, but spies with special physiques…
Perhaps they would be exterminated by tonight.
He still remembered that the spy who had discovered him had been taken away by the two summit leaders.
It was probably because of Imperial Lord Xi He.
Naturally, he didn’t know the details but he might find out soon.
Now, he planned to listen to his fellow disciples’ a.n.a.lysis of the situation in the Grand Desolate World, or listen to their opinions on the matter of the selection of outstanding disciples.
Soon, he arrived at the place where the lecture was held.
There were still many people gathered here and they were discussing enthusiastically.
“The selection of outstanding disciples is still open for registration. Who do you think will be chosen this time?” Someone asked.
“There are only eight people in total that will be selected when there are so many people in the nine summits of Kunlun. It’s actually quite difficult to know who will be selected.
Even though some people are powerful, there are always stronger ones in seclusion.” Someone said.
“Even without saying it, we already know that most of whom will be selected will be from the First and the Eighth Summits, and there’s definitely not going to be a single person from the Ninth Summit. Based on my speculation, the Senior Brother of the Ninth Summit has yet to become a True Immortal,” a young man said.
“That’s indeed the case in the Ninth Summit, but Senior Brother Lu Jian is definitely at the early-stage Heaven Immortal Realm. It’s indisputable that he will be selected.”
“The one that will be selected to represent the early-stage True Immortals will be Senior Brother Bei Fang.”
“Not likely. Have you forgotten Senior Brother Gu Qi who has just come out of seclusion recently? His strength is undoubtedly strong, and he is good at fighting.
Senior Brother Bei Fang is powerful, but he doesn’t really fight.”
Everyone was discussing about this topic.
After that, it became a discussion about the happenings around the Grand Desolate World.
“There seems to be many large factions coming this time. It’s similar to the Witchcloud Gathering, or perhaps even more exaggerated.
I heard that even Ba Country will come. They didn’t come the last time.”
“That’s true, but I feel like the rest of them hasn’t started the selection yet. I haven’t heard anything about this.”
“It should be because we are the host. We naturally have to be one step ahead of them.
Moreover, I don’t know if you guys have heard, but the fights everywhere in the Grand Desolate World have stopped.
I think they already have what they want.”
“Right, I also heard about it. It’s fine if the Demon Race doesn’t fight, but it’s the same for Ba Country. Even the Heavenly Human Race has long stopped fighting.
The factions in the Eastern Wastelands and the Southern Wastelands had also stopped fighting over the years.
There has been a fight in every place in the Grand Desolate World. I think the factions must be plotting something.
It seems that they have already gotten what they set out to get.
This should also be the reaso why we are starting the fortuitous opportunity battle now.
Have you guys realized that the partic.i.p.ating factions that we have informed are all factions that have fought?”
“Now that you mention it, it’s true. But what exactly are they plotting?”
“Don’t ask me that.”
Jiang Lan listened at the side. The factions across the Grand Desolate World had indeed stopped fighting.
Furthermore, they had yet to receive how the news of how the fortuitous opportunity battle would be like.
From the looks of it, Imperial Lord Xi He hadn’t informed the others yet. At the very least, he hadn’t completely informed everyone yet.
Each faction had eight representatives.
But…
He seemed to only have one, who was the youth from the inn.
Thinking about it, he didn’t mind because he didn’t need the Netherworld Aura.
However, he could not completely place the Deity Position on himself. He needed to enter the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace to take a look.
Of course, before entering, he had to look for his master and ask him how he could stand above the heavens.
He did not know about the higher realms, but it was nothing much for him to ask about it.
This was something that concerned his mental state.
…
At the peak of the Ninth Summit.
“How to stand above the heavens? Did Imperial Lord Xi He ask you to ask this question?”
Mo Zhengdong was stunned.
“En.” Jiang Lan nodded.
“This is a trap.” Mo Zhengdong didn’t really care. He explained.
“The nine summit leaders of Kunlun all have different opinions with regards to this matter.
Each opinion represents a path.
If you hear of one, you will be locked onto that path.
But I don’t think he’s that bored. I think that he just wants to confirm something.”
To confirm something?
Jiang Lan was enlightened. Was it to confirm whether he really was a personal disciple?
At the same time, Imperial Lord Xi He could also confirm which summit he belonged to. However, once he confirmed that he was on the Ninth Summit, would it mean that he would be directly exposed?
It seemed like he couldn’t completely believe Imperial Lord Xi He’s words.
Mo Zhengdong didn’t continue. Instead, he talked about Jiang Lan’s question.
“Your path is still very long. It’s different from what others are fighting for.
Don’t be fooled by them. The path you take might not overlap with theirs.
You do not need to know how to stand above the heavens.
Imperial Lord Xi He doesn’t understand you.
You are looking at your current realm, but you are not making no progress.
You are advancing and have endless possibilities ahead. So what if you stand above the heavens?
You will still be restrained.
So there’s no need to change. Your path is very stable now.
There is no need to restrict your own path. Not knowing the end of the road means that the road ahead can be opened up by yourself.
Others might not be suitable for such a way of cultivation, but you are.”
Jiang Lan lowered his head. He understood.
He did not need to change. He just needed to continue on his original path.
Becoming stronger bit by bit and getting closer to his master before surpa.s.sing him.
Then, he would surpa.s.s the Sect Master.
He didn’t know what was above the Dao Immortal Realm, but he would walk that path with all his might.
This way, he could take over his master’s responsibility to guard the Ninth Summit.
When he caught up with his master, he would have to focus on the matter of his master’s wife.
After some thought, Jiang Lan asked curiously.
“Master, what kind of person do you think Martial Aunt Miao Yue is?”
“Miao Yue?” Mo Zhengdong frowned.
“The various summits of Kunlun have a headache about her but she’s considered a rather reliable Martial Aunt to you.
As for what the others outside thought about her…
She’s rather unfriendly to them.”
Jiang Lan: “…”
He knew all of this. What he wanted to know was his master’s personal opinion of Martial Aunt Miao Yue.
In the end, he did not dare to ask any more questions. His master would easily sense it. What he needed to do now was actually to give the two of them some time to interact.
Just like how he was like Xiao Yu in the past.
They would meet once in a while.
However, he had been engaged to Xiao Yu, so his development direction was very stable.
His master and Martial Aunt Miao Yue were not engaged.
Who could force them to get engaged?
Jiang Lan sighed. He couldn’t do it.
He could only take his time.
This matter could not be rushed. If he made a mistake, his master might even start avoiding Martial Aunt Miao Yue.
…
In the Netherworld Cave.
Jiang Lan planned to make a trip to the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace.
The most dangerous thing in this trip was whether Heavenly Human Yunxiao was at the Ancient Imperial Court.
After so many years, the probability of him standing guard there was not high.
But he still needed to be careful.
He was different from ordinary people. As long as he was able to wait, he could wait in peace.
However, there was one thing he was sure of.
The last time they competed, the other party was still a Celestial Immortal. This time, he was a perfected Celestial Immortal.
The other party might be like him.
However, for safety reasons, he still treated the other party as a Dao Immortal.
After connecting to the Deity Position, Jiang Lan slowly ascended.
He was prepared to face his opponent at any moment.
Soon, he saw the Ancient Imperial Court, waiting for the other party to attack.
However, when he arrived at the Ancient Imperial Court, he did not see anyone.
At this moment, he was standing under the Ancient Imperial Court. He looked around and found nothing.
“Come out.”
Jiang Lan’s voice sounded.
Then, he stood there and waited.
A moment later, no one appeared.
He waited for a moment longer and realized that there was indeed no one.
Really?
Without any further thought, he immediately left the Ancient Imperial Court and headed towards the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace.
He was still facing endless darkness.
Looking at the endless darkness, he was suddenly curious. If there was a bright light that illuminated the darkness, what would he see?
Could he see the dangers of the Heaven Realm or the truth of the Ancient Imperial Palace’s destruction?
He did not know, but even if there was this light, he did not dare to light it up.
Perhaps everything would be fine before it was illuminated, but once it was, it meant that everything had begun.
Without absolute strength, he did not know if he could withstand it.
For a moment, he felt danger everywhere.
However, it did not affect his state of mind.
The endless darkness was the easiest place to get lost.
He just needed to remain true to himself.
There was no concept of time in the darkness. He was the only one advancing.
It felt like a long time had pa.s.sed, but in reality, only an afternoon had pa.s.sed.
Finally, he saw a new light. It was the light of the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace.
At this moment, the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace was almost fully occupied by Imperial Lord Youdu, and only a small portion belonged to him.
Jiang Lan didn’t mind.
His Deity Position originated from Ba Country, and it would eventually be returned to Ba Country.
In the future, he would occupy the West Palace. Although it was obtained by the exchange, it would still belong to Kunlun.
And he was a member of the Ninth Summit. The Ninth Summit originally belonged to Kunlun.
Therefore, there was no new karma forged.
Because this karma had always been there.
Whoos.h.!.+
Jiang Lan landed in the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace. This time, he was still facing the giant gate.
Although it was not as good as the Ancient Imperial Court, it was not bad either.
It was grand and simple.
However, there were cracks on it, as if it was about to reach its limit.
Perhaps one day, the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace would completely collapse and disappear from the Heaven Realm.
At that time, it would be roughly the time when the Lower Palace Deity Position was completely grasped.
Without further thought, Jiang Lan walked towards the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace.
The last time, his cultivation level was not high enough and he was sent flying away. Now, he was at the perfected Celestial Immortal Realm and had his fingers on the Dao Immortal Realm.
He should be qualified to enter.
However, he was much more careful.
Then, he stepped into the Lower Palace.
Some resistance began to appear, but it wasn’t that serious.
There was no sign of him being sent flying.
He took another step inside.
The resistance was still there, as if it had always been there. The deeper he went, the greater the resistance.
“In that case, does it mean that the higher one’s cultivation is, the further one can walk and the more one will be able to find out?”
After making his guess, he stopped thinking and entered the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace.
He wanted to see what was inside and what was left behind.
With every step he took, the surrounding fog retreated. Then, a small jade path appeared in front of him.
It was as if it led into the core of the Lower Palace.
However, the resistance was increasing. He didn’t know how far he could go or how much he could see.
But he wanted to go as far as possible.
His heart slowly calmed down as he tried to communicate with the resistance here.
This would reduce the resistance.
He tried for a long time. It had some effect, but not much.
That was enough.
At this moment, he followed the jade path to a large square.
At the top of the square was a huge palace. To reach the palace, one needed to walk up a staircase.
The stairs were shattered. Even the palace was filled with cracks. Some portions of it had even collapsed.
However, there was a plaque above the palace that read—Lower Palace Hall.
Was this the front hall of the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace?
“I wonder if Emperor Youdu has come here before, or is he at the back hall?”
No one could answer this question unless he met Imperial Lord Youdu.
He would figure it out then.
Ta!
Ta!
Jiang Lan maintained his vigilance as he walked forward step by step.
It was possible to encounter anything inside. What he needed to do was remain calm. The greater the fluctuations in his state of mind, the greater the resistance here.
He might be sent flying.
At that time, it would take some time before he could try entering once again.
On the stairs, he stepped steadily up the cracked steps.
He was slowly approaching the front hall of the Lower Palace.
This place was severely damaged, as if it had experienced a great battle.
He could sense that ordinary power could not leave any traces on these stone steps.
After a while.
He stood in front of the main hall and looked up into the interior of the hall. He realized that there were many gravel inside.
At the very top of the hall sat a person.
Dressed in broken armor, he held the broken sword and stabbed it into the side of his seat. His upright body did not bend at all.
The other party had his head lowered and his appearance could not be seen clearly. There was no aura of life on his body.
Was it a corpse or a statue?
It was impossible to know.
However, the moment he saw this person, Jiang Lan became vigilant. He was ready to counterattack at any time.
This was the first person he saw in the Ancient Imperial Lower Palace, or rather, the first corpse.
No one knew what would happen.
Soon, he entered the hall and slowly approached the top.
However, just as he was about to approach that person, he suddenly stopped.
A strange feeling appeared in his heart, as if the person in front of him suddenly changed. Something seemed to be reviving on the other party’s body.
It was impossible to determine what it was, but it was definitely not the aura of life.
Just as Jiang Lan sensed something, the originally motionless corpse suddenly trembled, its lowered head slowly rising.
What entered his sight was a face filled with cracks, as if it would completely shatter and fall if he touched it.
Looking at the other party’s sudden movement, Jiang Lan didn’t escape immediately. He only watched.
He didn’t feel too much danger. Since he was here, he naturally had to figure out what was going on.
At this moment, his shattered face seemed to have some expression as his eyes slowly opened.
It was a pair of deep eyes that contained endless stars.
However, these stars were all shattered and damaged.
His eyes moved, finally landing on Jiang Lan.
He watched for a long time.
Finally, he smiled as though he was happy to meet the person in front of him.
“You… are here?”