Chapter 498 Start of the Ancient Road’s Journey
Everyone on the altar was shocked.
The altar was enclosed with secret inscriptions of the Human Clan and the Demon Clan. Moreover, it was guarded by experts of the various races. The altar was covered by dense light and was isolated by a strong force. Although thousands of experts from the two races were gathered below, it was impossible for them to know what was going on with only their eyesight and hearing. Right then, the female voice was heard, which meant that the speaker could hear everything that was being said at the altar…
This was a bit shocking.
Who on earth was this person? How could her strength be so terrifying?
It could be said that everyone present were the strongest experts among the humans and demons who entered the Sage Battlefield. However, neither Bu Tianjiao nor Song Que could do that.
“Hmm? So that’s how it is…”
The Demon Royal Bu Tianjue suddenly found something. He stretched out his hand and pointed, a flame bursting out. Suddenly, something above the altar was ignited.
Ding Hao looked up and found that it was a fiery red phoenix feather. n.o.body knew when it had appeared above everyone’s heads, nor did they notice it. The feather was slowly burned up by Bu Tianjue.
“Is this how you treat your guests?”
A clear and melodious voice was emitted from that fiery red phoenix feather.
Ding Hao seemed to have thought of something. For the first time, he said, “Since this mysterious person has a map on hand, she is qualified to be here. You might as well invite her to come up. There’s no point in arguing any longer; let’s pay attention to the important things. It has been three months already, and there is little time left for us to stay in the Sage Battlefield.”
Song Que nodded and sent a message to the outside.
The Demon Royal Bu Tianjue gave a snort and finally said something in a low voice.
A crack gradually appeared in the blurry mist surrounding the altar; after that, footsteps could be heard.
Soon, a figure covered in red flames walked up step by step to the altar.
The red flame prevented everyone from peeping, making it impossible to see the appearance of the figure nor to distinguish whether she was a demon or a human. The aura of the flame was very strange. It contained a faint Demon Aura, but it was purer.
“Who are you?” The Demon Aura in the flame made the Demon Royal Bu Tianjue slightly relax.
Because this person was probably an expert of the Demon Clan.
“It doesn’t matter who I am. What’s important is that I have a genuine map in my hand…” The voice was crisp, as if it came from the mouth of a lost fairy. Hardly had the voice faded away when a green light shot out of the flame, and the stone tablet loomed. The pattern of the mountains and rivers on the stone tablet was clear. It was really a piece of the map of the ancient road. The stone tablet was made of a special material, making its forgery impossible.
As a result, the rest of the people naturally had nothing to say.
That way, ten maps were collected.
There was still one piece of the map missing.
It should have been in the hands of Ling s.h.i.+xiong of the Black Evil Sect, but it was currently missing.
“There is just one part missing. Judging from it, it should be the tenth section of the map. No matter which force has it, no matter what purpose this force has, I think it will definitely appear at that time. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It will be hundreds of years later when we can have the opportunity to find the mysterious ruins again if we miss this chance…”
After a discussion between Song Que and the Demon Royal Bu Tianjue, they finally reached a consensus. No matter what, they had no choice but to take action. All the major forces decided to set off the next day and embark on the ancient Journey to the West.
According to those ten map pieces of that had been gathered, that ancient road began at the Highest Heaven’s west gate and zigzagged to the west. This exploration journey was also named the Journey to the West Ancient Road.
After a round of discussion, all parties began to disperse.
At the moment of departure, many people were still very interested in the mysterious person with red flames all around his body who came last. They wanted to know her origin, but they dared not provoke her for a while. Because her strength could not be underestimated. Anyone who was within a five meters radius of her would feel a terrible pain, as if being burned to death.
In this world, strength was the most important thing.
The mist around the altar was dispersed, and the thousands of living beings who were watching below started to clamor, wanting to know the result.
Their senses had been obstructed, so they didn’t know what had happened on the altar, nor did they know what kind of agreement the alliance had reached. However, if the map was complete, they might have a chance to try their luck…
The oldest of the Three Emperors of Ning Province was full of excitement.
This time they really had a big advantage. They had a good chance to get acquainted with Ding Hao. Otherwise, they would be like the ordinary people waiting for their luck to come under the altar. How could they have the right to show up on such an important occasion? They became more obedient to Ding Hao with a heartfelt conviction.
Ding Hao didn’t say a word from beginning to end, and he had been quietly looking at the mysterious person.
However, the woman did not say a word. After reaching an agreement, she turned into a red flowing light and disappeared in the direction of the inscription formation in the distance…
“Is it her?” Li Yiruo asked softly.
Ding Hao shook his head and said, “I don’t know.”
The flame-covered mysterious woman was extremely powerful, and her spiritual aura was indeed similar to Xie Jieyu’s aura. However, the flame was filled with wisps of Demon Aura, which made Ding Hao somewhat uncertain. Generally speaking, human warriors seldom had Demon Aura even if they practiced some strange skills.
“Could she really be a Demon Royal?”
Ding Hao thought for a while and said, “Let’s go, it’s time for us to go back and get ready.” Then he left with Li Yiruo.
Time flew by quickly.
Soon, it was already the next morning.
When Ding Hao and the others came out of the “Heaven Sabre – Peerless Sword Tower”, the Three Emperors of Ning Province had already led hundreds of people to wait outside the warning range. Their eyes were eager and their expressions were crazy.
Those were allied warriors gathered by the Three Emperors of Ning Province in Ding Hao’s name.
Their strength was mostly between the realm of Great Grandmaster and Martial King, which was neither too high nor too low. They came from many unknown sects and their statuses were relatively low. They had to be attached to the experts who held the map to be qualified to partic.i.p.ate in the Journey to the West. To put it bluntly, if they encountered danger, they were a group of cannon fodder. If they were lucky, they might finally reach the mysterious ruins and get the rewards.
“It’s my honor to meet you, Chief Ding!”
Hundreds of people shouted in unison, and their momentum was soaring.
That was the Emperor’s idea. They formed a temporarily alliance known as “Sky Saber Extreme Sword Alliance.” Naturally, the name came from the “Heaven Sabre – Peerless Sword Tower.” They mainly wanted to please Ding Hao. The three princes of the Tianning Dynasty were very open-minded at the moment; everything was centered on Ding Hao. As long as they could find the real mysterious ruins, they would be satisfied even Ding Hao gets most of the treasure.
Without saying a word, Ding Hao began to walk toward the Highest Heaven’s west gate.
A group of people followed closely behind him.
Shen Buhui quickly followed Ding Hao and said in a low voice, “I’ve already inquired about it. It turns out that the mysterious woman covered with red flame is from the ‘Sky Holding Ancient Villa’, one of the Eight Forbidden Lands. In addition, it is said that the demon expert who cultivated the ‘White Jade Courtyard’ doesn’t have a map in his hand. However, the Demon Royal Bu Tianjue personally went to visit him, and finally, this peerless genius of the Demon Clan joined him…”
Ding Hao nodded.
Shen Bugui continued, “The news had already spread throughout the city yesterday afternoon, and many people already know the general direction of the journey westward. Undercurrents surged, and it is said that many of the human sects, aristocratic families, and demon races without maps have already decided to follow us and embark on the journey to the west ancient road…”
“The news spreads so fast. I’m afraid someone is pus.h.i.+ng it behind the scenes, right?” said Ding Hao with a slight frown.
Shen Bugui nodded and said, “I think so. The West Journey to the Ancient Road is fraught with danger. Maybe someone wants to incite the experts of both races to explore the way to use them as cannon fodder, helping in removing the danger.”
This intention was indeed vicious.
However, for many experts of the Human Clan and the Demon Clan who were not qualified to embark on the journey, this was their only chance. If they wanted to gain something, they had to take risks. They also knew that they were being used as tools, but once they fell into a frenzy for the mysterious ruins, there was no other choice.
When Ding Hao and the others reached the west gate of the Highest Heaven, they saw thousands of experts from the two clans.
Looking around, it was full of people. It was the first time that Ding Hao had seen so many masters since he entered the Sage Battlefield. Except for a few masters who were indifferent to fame and wealth or those who knew that they had no hope of entering the mysterious ruins, all the masters of the Human Clan and the Demon Clan of the Highest Heaven were all gathered there.
Big snowflakes danced and fell from the sky.
Various types of human Qi and Demon Clan’s magical devices stayed in the void, which were full of people. They were experts from all forces. Each of them had a forceful aura, and their eyes were like the divine sword and the Divine Lamp, s.h.i.+nning in the void.
Ding Hao’s appearance caused a commotion among the crowd.
Because the stone tablet in Ding Hao’s hand was exactly the first section of journey. If they wanted to start the journey, Ding Hao had to show the starting point on his stone tablet.
Ding Hao didn’t say much, only taking out the tablet.
Rays of green light shot out from the stone tablet and into the surrounding ground and mountains. A moment later, it seemed to have finally triggered some kind of mysterious law; the earth shook and mountains collapsed. A strange light spot flashed from a snow valley a kilometer away from the west gate, becoming bigger and bigger. Finally, it turned into a green s.p.a.ce door that could accommodate more than ten people at the same time. Like a strange whirlpool, it flashed in the void and then slowly stabilized…
“This is the entrance to the Journey to the West Ancient Road!”
“Haha, that’s great. Let’s move!”
“Legend has it that there are not only a large number of treasures in the mysterious ruins, but also countless natural treasures in every section of the ancient road. Danger and opportunities coexist. Haha, let’s go. Even if we can’t reach the mysterious ruins in the end, as long as we can get some treasures and divine herbs on the ancient road, that is also worth it…”
“Although it’s dangerous, the way of martial arts is in defiance of the natural order. Let’s go all out!”
“Brother, don’t go in and take risks. Listen to me and stay here. If I can’t come back alive from the ancient road in the end, tell my parents and teachers about my death and ask them to forgive my unfilial behavior. Tell junior martial sister Danxia not to wait for me anymore so she can find an honest disciple and get married!”
Seeing the door to the Ancient Road open, everyone went mad.
This was especially so for those experts who didn’t have a map in their hands. They immediately rushed toward the light door madly.