Chang'e
Looking at the information about the Divine Head Chain, Zhuge Xiang was quite satisfied. In particular, the Divine Head Chain could increase the critical hit rate of attacks, which complemented the Sea Calming Divine Needle perfectly. After putting on the Divine Head Chain, Zhuge Xiang could feel a cool sensation that invigorated his spirit and made his thoughts much clearer.
"Very well, since you've brought out the Divine Head Chain and the Heavenly Flame Flower, let's call it even." Zhuge Xiang put on the Divine Head Chain, seemingly satisfied with the compensation from Dongming Shangxian. He waved his hand, indicating that Dongming Shangxian could leave.
"Until we meet again," Dongming Shangxian said hastily as he turned to leave, seeing that Zhuge Xiang indicated he could go. Then, realizing his words were inappropriate, he quickly corrected himself, saying, "No, let's not meet again."
"Are all Immortals in the Immortal Realm like this?" Mo Lingna couldn't help but giggle as she watched Dongming Shangxian's hurried departure.
Seeing that the situation was against him, this immortal showed no dignity whatsoever, readily admitting defeat and even sacrificing Half-Immortal Artifact to save his life. It can be said that this immortal had absolutely no dignity.
"Hehe, at least he seems to be a wise man who knows when to yield," Zhuge Xiang chuckled. He wasn't averse to the Zhuge Xiang Dongming Shangxian; in fact, in Zhuge Xiang opinion, those who risked their lives for some fabricated dignity were the most foolish people in the world. The Three Realms and Six Paths: the Three Realms are the Immortal Realm, the Human Realm, and the Demon Realm, and their areas are roughly the Three Realms size. Of course, the Six Paths are smaller than the Three Realms Heavenly River. The Heavenly River, though called a river, is actually much larger than the sea.
The Heavenly River, spanning hundreds of millions of miles, is a gathering place for countless Aquatic Clan from the Immortal Realm. There are even Immortal Realm naval troops stationed there to deter powerful alien races, led by the Dragon Clan, within the Heavenly River.
Although Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna were very strong and flew extremely fast, it still took them quite a while to reach the Heavenly River. Along the way, Zhuge Xiang learned quite a bit about the affairs of the Immortal Realm.
In truth, the Immortal Realm is not significantly different from the Mortal Realm. However, the Immortal Spiritual Energy in the Immortal Realm is far more concentrated than in the Cultivation World, thus most beings in the Immortal Realm possess some degree of cultivation. Those who reach the Deity Transformation stage can become Immortal Realm soldiers, while those at the Void Returning Stage become leaders in the Immortal Realm Army. Immortal-Demon level powerhouses are qualified to become generals, possessing the right to meet with the Jade Emperor and other leaders of the Immortal Realm. The Heavenly River is the widest freshwater area in the Immortal Realm, even larger than the ocean. Therefore, most Aquatic Clan Cultivator in the Immortal Realm, led by the Dragon Clan, gather in the Heavenly River. Dragon Clan are Ancient Divine Beast, all powerful beings. Thus, the leaders of the Immortal Realm are somewhat wary of the Aquatic Clan within the Heavenly River, and consequently, 100,000 naval troops are stationed there.
It is publicly claimed that the Immortal Realm will train 100,000 naval troops within the Heavenly River, but in reality, if there were an Immortal-Demon War, there would be no opportunity to use water as Battlefield. These 100,000 naval troops are merely intended to intimidate the Cultivator, led by the Dragon Clan, within the Heavenly River, and also serve as a surveillance force.
The Demon Realm is controlled by four Great Sages and is not truly unified. The Immortal Realm is the same. The four Four Emperors of the Immortal Realm are the Jade Emperor, Ziwei, Qinghua, and Changsheng. Among them, the Eastern Jade Emperor is the strongest, controlling more than one-third of the power of the Immortal Realm. The 100,000 naval troops in the Heavenly River are dispatched and stationed by the Jade Emperor.
The leader of this 100,000-strong naval force was known as Marshal Tianpeng, whose cultivation level was almost at the level of the Immortal Realm Emperor Lord.
"Where there are people, there is strife. It seems that even the Immortal Realm is not an Immortal Realm without strife," Zhuge Xiang remarked after hearing about the balance between the Aquatic Clan Cultivator, led by the Dragon Clan, and the 100,000-strong naval army of the Immortal Realm within the Heavenly River.
However, compared to the bloody and direct battles in the Asura Path and the Demon Realm, the Immortal Realm is much more subtle.
Having gained a general understanding of the situation within the Heavenly River, Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna didn't linger. They flew directly into the depths of the Heavenly River, regardless of how the Aquatic Clan Cultivator and the Immortal Realm navy were confronting each other. This had nothing to do with Zhuge Xiang; he had only come for a single Dragon Fire.
However, sometimes, trouble doesn't just stay away from you even if you don't want to cause it. For example, Zhuge Xiang and his companion were flying together over the Heavenly River One Incense Stick they were stopped by a small squad of ten naval soldiers patrolling the Heavenly River.
"Who are you? Ten days ago, a decree forbade outsiders from entering the Heavenly River above the Milky Way. Are you not aware of this?" Ten patrolling naval soldiers blocked Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna's path. Perhaps seeing that Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna's cultivation levels were not weak, their words were not too harsh, but they still firmly blocked their way.
"The Heavenly River Restriction Barrier outsiders from entering? When did this happen?" Zhuge Xiang frowned upon hearing the patrolling Water Soldiers's words. As the most expansive body of water in the Immortal Realm, even a hundred thousand sailors couldn't possibly Restriction Barrier others from entering and leaving the Heavenly River, could they?
"The decree was issued just five days ago, personally ordered by the Marshal," the patrolling Water Soldiers said solemnly, with an air of unwavering impartiality.
"Then why was this decree issued?" Zhuge Xiang asked, bewildered. What exactly was Marshal Tianpeng trying to do? Why did he actually order that no one was allowed to enter or leave the Heavenly River?
Although he has 100,000 naval troops guarding the Heavenly River, forbidding others from entering or leaving is a bit too much interference, isn't it? Besides, although the Jade Emperor is powerful, he doesn't have the ability to control the entire Immortal Realm. How could a Marshal Tianpeng possibly control the powerful figures under the command of the three Great Sages, Ziwei, Changsheng, and Qinghua?
Why did Marshal Tianpeng issue such a decree? Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's question, the patrolling Water Soldiers' expressions turned somewhat strange. This matter was known to everyone in the entire Immortal Realm, yet Zhuge Xiang actually asked about it? Anger flashed across the Water Soldiers' faces. If they hadn't seen the strength of Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna, these Water Soldiers would have already taken action.
Even so, the Water Soldiers' expressions darkened considerably, and they said in a deep voice, "How could we possibly fathom the Marshal's thoughts? Stop wasting time with this nonsense. If you don't leave now, don't blame us for being impolite."
"You're not polite? I'd like to see how you'll treat me rudely..." These were just a few Deity Transformation stage soldiers, yet they dared to threaten him. Zhuge Xiang's face darkened, and with a wave of his hand, without using any special moves, he simply blew Zhuge Xiang patrolling Water Soldiers Hundred Zhang.
Regardless of what Marshal Tianpeng is thinking, since he has ordered that no one be allowed to enter the Heavenly River, Zhuge Xiang will have to face him sooner or later. In that case, there is no need to be polite. Besides, although Marshal Tianpeng is strong, he is not a Great Emperor level expert. As long as someone is below the Great Emperor level, Zhuge Xiang is not necessarily afraid of anyone.
Even before reaching the Great Accomplishment Stage, Zhuge Xiang had already won the championship of the Asura Path Sacred War. Now, Zhuge Xiang's cultivation has reached the Fifth Layer of the Great Accomplishment Stage, his Great Strength Bull Demon Technique has reached the Fifth Layer, and even the Demon Luo Scripture has reached the Eighth Layer. Below the Great Emperor, Zhuge Xiang really has nothing to fear from anyone.
"Report this immediately," he said casually, shooing away a fly. The patrolling Water Soldiers, their eyes filled with shock and anger, stared at Zhuge Xiang and fled in panic, yelling as they ran away.
"Let's go," Zhuge Xiang said calmly, watching the Water Soldiers flee. As for whether those Water Soldiers would call upon even stronger Cultivator? Zhuge Xiang didn't care at all. Even if Marshal Tianpeng came in person, Zhuge Xiang wouldn't be afraid of him.
"Wait, may I ask how to address this immortal?" However, at that moment, a huge cloud in the sky suddenly moved away, and several figures slowly descended, arriving in front of Zhuge Xiang.
The leader was a woman with a graceful figure. Her face was covered by a thin veil, making it impossible to see her features clearly. However, judging from her figure, temperament, and voice alone, she could be described as an unparalleled beauty.
In Zhuge Xiang's mind, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen was none other than Lu Yuling. But this woman, even with a thin veil covering her face, was far more beautiful than Lu Yuling. Her beauty was breathtaking, and the voice that had just spoken was clearly from her mouth.
Behind the woman were seven or eight figures, all male. Upon seeing them, Zhuge Xiang's expression changed slightly. These seven or eight figures were all quite powerful, all at the Immortal-Demon level, and some even made Zhuge Xiang feel a sense of threat.
Among them was an acquaintance, the Dongming Shangxian whom I had met a few days ago.
"Oh? Could you be Chang'e, the so-called most beautiful woman in the Immortal Realm?" Looking at this breathtakingly beautiful fairy, and then at the Dongming Shangxian beside her, and recalling what Dongming Shangxian said a few days ago—that the Little Fire Phoenix and the Heavenly Flame Flower were meant to be offered to Chang'e — Zhuge Xiang asked.
"Indeed, this humble woman is Chang'e. May I ask how you are addressed, sir?" Chang'e bowed gracefully, her voice soft and gentle, like cool Moonlight caressing the heart, so soothing that one could hardly bear to refuse her.