The Pathway

But on this day, the pa.s.s was peaceful and quiet. No sign of any form of aggressive alerts or dangerous auras.

And they had an invisibility array arround them. At the least, it was a form of protective a.s.surance. Unless they would run into a planned ambush, they would pa.s.s through the place without any sort of problem. Ambushes and other sorts of attack were allowed, as long as a nascent soul and above, were not involved. That was the reason why they had nascent soul cultivators observing from all sides of the kingdoms.

They were constantly monitoring these types of encounters with their awareness and other scrying seals.

His mind wandered off to Springflame. According to the information, Springflame was located at the center of the planet. The island was sorrounded by two oceans. The Iling ocean covered a diameter to the other side of the springflame which fell in the territories of the scavens and argonians. The Tagau ocean was covering the other diameter to the territory of the humans. Which meant that, the outland calvary could have pa.s.sed through the human territory of the planet.

But then, they would have to fly over the dangerous waters of the Tagau ocean. Even if they wanted to, they couldn"t do that with flying clouds or flying weapons. This was due to a very extreme gravitational anomaly in the fused cores of the planet. This dangerous anomaly, happened in the Tagau ocean. Thus, they would have to use the fortified flying ships that were specifically built for transportation to the Springflame. But these ships, were exceedingly expensive despite not being big enough. The cost of using them as transportation means to the Springflame, were simply too high for the outland territories.

Although, the ocean provided a great defense to the human kingdom in regards to other kingdoms, it was also a great hindrance in terms of Springflame. But, just like Iling, the Tagau ocean had a safe zone for other kingdoms too. Part of the agreement made mong the three kingdoms. Any form of permitted attack, must not be carried out in a safe zone. So far, the pact was still standing.

Therefore, for the outland territories, the only reasonable way, was through the argonian pa.s.s. Once they were about to reach the other side of the pa.s.s, they would have to cut out to the Ralat river before reaching the mainland of the argonians. The Ralat river would link them to the Iling ocean. The Iling ocean was a much more less dangerous than the Tagau ocean. The dangerous pull was not happening in its waters. Hence, this was the best possible route for them to take.

Gathering his thoughts, he looked around himself.

Sorrounding him, were dozens of cultivators. All from the same city of Chanuan. They were all a mixture of soul, body and dual cultivators. They were led by a golden core dual cultivator named Shi Jian. A cultivator of the water affinity. They said he had cultivated his body to the third level of the nine-level Undying-Immortal body. Only heaven"s knew what type of technique he was using. With his level of cultivation, he could have moved to the fortified cities, easily. Like the other golden core cultivators among them, he was flying on his weapon"s light. A large t.i.tanium broadsword.

Jufeng, along with the rest of the zhuji cultivators, were standing on a flying cloud. The flying cloud would be at the level of the mountains peaks, according to the reports. And for him, the flying cloud was better than flying on weapons or walking on the ground. It provided the experience of a solid ground, though softer.

Several hours later, they came to an open plain. Ahead, they could see the mountain ranges on both side of a road that extended for miles without end. The rocky mountains heights which were covered in some eerie mist, produced a captivating scenery.

"The argonian pa.s.s."

Whispered the tattered clothed boy seated by Jufeng"s side, moments before they came to a halt in total silence.

"We are now entering the argonian pa.s.s. Stay alert and in formation at all times. The invisibility array should provide us some covers."

The golden core dual cultivator"s voice sounded in their mind through the mindvoice. With a body emanating a dangerous aura and a deadpan face, he glanced at them.

"But maintain your silence."

As they proceeded, Jufeng, keenly observed the road ahead. The ever dangerous road that the outland humans dreaded to take. Even from the sight of the place, he could feel the deadliness of the place. Though, they were flying inside an invisibility array, he knew it might not be enough to shield them. What if the scavens or the argonians had a much more powerful array too? Battle. That would be the outcome.

He gently shook his head as he continued to focus on the pa.s.s ahead.

Why, grey tree? Was this what it wanted him to come and face? What if there was no calvary going to the Springflame? Well, he could simply go back, couldn"t he?

They met a few scaven and argonian scouts who didn"t detect their presence. They continued their forward journey without any disturbances. Yet, they could feel a watchful presence observing them. They couldn"t place the feeling but they knew something or things were out there in the covers of the misty mountains biding their time.
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After several hours of flight, they reached the Ralat river to their brief relief. They had reached the place without any battle and without loosing any member of their calvary. This was unusual. Very unusual. Upon reaching the safe zone of Iling ocean, the invisibility array that was cloaking their presence, was removed. The sorrounding scavens and argonians, were a bit startled by their sudden appearance. This was a little annoyance to them. Humans, taking their route always caught them off-guard. Although, they were aware of people using the invisibility array to come to the dominion. Most of them used it too, anyways.

As annoyed as they could be, this part of the Iling ocean, was a safe zone. There wouldn"t be any fighting on this part of the Iling ocean. Not until they would reach the Springflame.

Jufeng, couldn"t but took in the account of what was happening around him. And in regards to the tale he heard about the Iling ocean, there was a slight pull in its waters. This didn"t disturb them from continuing their flight, safely, towards the Springflame.

Several hours later, they saw from afar, a large ma.s.s of land that could be a world of its own. There appeared to be no structures on the ma.s.sive island. Just an empty plain that stretched far and wide into the great beyond. But they knew that this was the result of the cosmic array that turned Springflame into a close dominion. The Springflame dominion was there without a doubt. A place of fiery fire.

Once they arrived at the Springflame, the golden core dual cultivator leading their cavalry raised his hand to draw their attention. His voice sounded in their minds through the mindvoice.

"We are here. Everything we are, comes to the fore here. As we can see, this an extremely large area. To cover more area quickly, we will be divided into groups of six. Two Jindan cultivators, one dual cultivator and three zhuji cultivators. Each of you will be given a presence stone. If you are seperated from your group, it will lead you back to them and to us. But, try not to seperate from your group. Remember, once inside, it"s every kingdom for itself. This place is full of dangers and you could be attacked by the other kingdoms at any time. You must be alert and ready at all times."

After they were grouped accordingly, the golden core dual cultivator"s voice, sounded in their mind, again.

"Be cautious. No glory in death in this place. There"s only remembrance and samsara, when you are dead. Hence, if any group finds a springster, inform the other groups. And together, we will engage the circle of spingflame. Do we understand?"

He brought a seal and with a swift movement, made a simple hand seal. The seal turned to runic symbols which flew to all the cultivators and attached to their robes.

"Fire seals. It will protect you and your robes, or what"s left of it, from fire, to some extent. But, make sure to fortify yourselves with your elemental powers."

Jufeng had been hoping he would be in the same group with the tattered clothed boy. In the end, it didn"t matter which group, all the groups were strong enough. Moreover, getting the Iradium coins and other treasures, was what really mattered.

To enter the Springflame, they had to manifest their elemental energy and spiritual aura. This would show, they were all elemental affiliated and within the entrance cultivation levels. After confirmation, they cautiously entered the dominion before splitting up into groups.

Once inside, Jufeng could see the reason why they called it Springflame. It was a place of fiery nightmare. It was like a desolate ruin of a dying world of fire.

His group would have to find a springster. After finding the springster, they would be able to open a circle of springflame that was still guarded by a fire beast. Not a true living beast but a fire Princ.i.p.al. These princ.i.p.als, were the creation of the universe, but, they were on Jindan level of elemental powers. Although, their strength was on the level of a peak-stage nascent soul and their fiery bodies were on the level of a world treasure.

They would be extremely hard to kill. Yet, they had to be killed in order to get the treasures in the circle of the springflame, beneath the ground.

While they were looking for a springster, they would have to be wary of the springing vortexes of flames and the roaming fiery beasts. But, the most dangerous of all, were the contingents from the scaven and argonian kingdoms. They could attack at any time. All were allowed under the rules of the dominion.

Two times it was, that they encountered the vortex of flames. The second time, they almost lost two members of their group. Fortunately, the Jindan cultivator leading their group, brought a seal that dispensed the vortex. The group had been so fortunate not to have lost any member of their group until they had been surprised by two packs of giant dire fire-wolves. Fire wolves on the Jindan level of elemental but nascent level of strength. They could have ran, but, there was no way they could outrun these fire wolves.

The surprise and sudden attack, had caught the group off-guard. They had lost a zhuji cultivator before they could rally themselves together. It was the might of the body cultivators that limited the casuality to one cultivator. Jufeng saw the mighty power of the body cultivators, both their undying bodies and martial arts. It was a true display.

The intense battle, had also seen all of them displayed their combat powers. Being creatures of pure fire elements, the fire wolves couldn"t be dispersed so easily.

Jufeng, heard the strong words of the golden core cultivator while they were battling the wolves.

"Keep cutting at them until they loose their strength."

The battle against the fire wolves, had taken bigger effort on their part. The body cultivators did most of the fighting and were supported by the soul cultivators. Jufeng"s knowledge of some forms of martial arts and his slightly fortified body, raised a few eye brows. He knew they would be thinking if he was a body cultivator too. Only if they knew about his use of Chi energy to fortify his body. That, he had a ma.s.sive amount of it. Only if they knew that he had trained in the basics and stances of martial arts and swordmanship, as a beginner. Only if they knew, they wouldn"t be surprised about him.

Jufeng"s group continued searching the dominion for some time before coming to a shallow flaming lake. There were many charred bodies of scavens on the floor which indicated a great battle had been fought there. On the lake, they could see a springster. Which means that a circle of Springflame was still there. And with the circle, would come a princ.i.p.al.

Was this a result of a peak princ.i.p.al?

The Jindan cultivator, quickly used the communication stone to contact the other groups. But, it was at this time that another group also communicated to have seen another springster. The golden core dual cultivator had quickly made a decision to divide them into two main groups. Each group to head towards a springster.

Jufeng"s group waited for the fire-power before going after the springster. Though, it wasn"t the full calvary, they were still looking highly formidable. They slowly approached the lake and as they got near enough, the lake came alive. Tens of ma.s.sive fire snakes came out of the shallow lake and a battle ensued with the cultivators. The lake kept on producing more fire snakes. There was no way they could stop them without getting the springster first.

Heavens tears! How could a shallow lake produced such monsters.

Ripples of fire was already forming around the springster which meant that it was about to sink.

"We will get the springster."

One of the golden core cultivators, transmitted to all of them. He wheeled around and pointed at Jufeng and one other cultivator.

"You and you. With me."

After affirmation, the three of them streaked like lightning towards the springster. The other cultivators provided cover for them as they battled the fire snakes out of their way.

The springster was the key to the fire snakes. Once the springster had been acquired, the fire snakes would cease to exist and the guardian beast would emerge. That would be when the true test would surface.

Jufeng, hoped the mountain bark talisman on him, would still hold up against the attacks as much as possible. He would have to fight, just as it was intended. Though, the body cultivators would engage the fire princ.i.p.als and they would be supported by the soul cultivators.

This was a situation where water and ice cultivators would prove more useful. For him, he would have to make do. Nowhere to hide inside the Springflame, especially, not here. He continued pushing as much Chi energy as possible, into his body, fortifying it more as they streaked towards the location of the springster.

"We all have a period of a second. Once I jumped to freeze the lake, immediately, one of you must make a move to grab the springster before it sink into the lake. The other must cut off the one retreating fire snake before it touches the springster. The frozen seal can only hold for a second before I run out of energy. Make it count. Okay? Now, on me."

The golden core cultivator made a hand seal before leaping in the air, high above the flaming lake.