Roc Bird Wings, Tier 5 Cloak (Resting No. 2)

"Oh? How much does Master True Lord know about Senior Yan Donglai, such as his whereabouts?"

Having shared a life-or-death bond, Lan Chang'an asked directly, without beating around the bush.

"Yan Donglai, as a legendary great cultivator, was on par with the Spirit Transformation Heavenly Monarch and did not belong to our era. His existence can be traced back at least ten thousand years. Later generations' understanding of him mainly comes from ancient books and the records of sect founders."

Jing Wufeng spoke calmly, then paused.

"Yan Donglai is the patriarch of the ancient practice of the ' Ancient Wood Evergreen Art,' and he may still be alive today. Legend has it that he was Curse, granting him a long lifespan, but with limitations, and that he spends most of his time in a deep slumber somewhere."

Upon hearing this, Lan Chang'an was secretly alarmed.

It's incredible that Yan Donglai has survived for so long, even with Curse, and has managed to survive into this era.

"As for Yan Donglai's whereabouts, even Spirit Transformation Heavenly Monarch might not know. After all, given his age and seniority, even Spirit Transformation Heavenly Monarch would be considered his junior."

Jing Wufeng's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't say anything.

In fact, Yan Donglai had a relationship with the founder of the Tianyi Sect several generations ago.

As a living fossil of the Cultivation World, Yan Donglai had extensive connections during his lifetime, and was acquainted with and had good relationships with the founders of many top-tier forces.

Tianyi Sect is just one of them.

However, during the trial, one must not directly or indirectly reveal information about the sect to outsiders, lest others associate it with the Tianyi Sect.

"By the way, the existence of a certain pattern might be related to news from Yan Donglai."

Jing Wufeng, as if remembering something, added:

"Every thousand years or so, practitioners of the Evergreen Art mysteriously disappear, vanishing into thin air. And they are all Evergreen Art practitioners at the Nascent Soul Realm stage."

What!

Lan Chang'an was shaken, and a chill ran down his spine to the top of his head.

Once every thousand years or so, targeting Evergreen Art Cultivator at the Nascent Soul level, doesn't this seem a bit like harvesting leeks?

"The disappearance of the Nascent Soul Realm Evergreen Art Cultivators is only a part of the story. Moreover, the time span is large, so this information may not be accurate. True Lord Xiang need not be overly fearful."

The pattern Jing Wufeng mentioned came from a record in a handbook within the sect, and was unknown to the vast majority of forces in the Cultivation World.

Because there are very few practitioners of the Evergreen Art, scattered across the Tianheng Continent and overseas, most cultivators will never encounter one in their lifetime.

How long has it been since the last disappearance?

Lan Chang'an's heart tightened as he grasped the key point.

"I don't know about that. Practitioners of the Evergreen Art are rare, and some even conceal their identities. Furthermore, the time span is over a thousand years, which is beyond the observation capabilities of ordinary forces."

Jing Wufeng shook his head.

The reason I revealed the secret in the sect's notes was out of consideration for Lan Chang'an, with whom I had shared life and death experiences; otherwise, I wouldn't have easily divulged it.

For the next leg of the journey, Lan Chang'an fell into a brief moment of deep thought, seemingly processing the information about Yan Donglai.

Jing Wufeng thought to himself, "If I can win the final trial in the future, it won't be difficult to get that old geezer Yan Donglai give me face and protect you."

However, the competition among the Nine Disciples of Tianyi was too fierce, as each one was a prodigy.

It would be good if one or two were eliminated in the first round.

Having passed the first round of trials, Jing Wufeng estimated that his chances of ultimately winning were no more than 30%.

Each with their own thoughts, they left the Central Region Forbidden Land together.

To avoid being ambushed by the Shadow Demon, the two remained inseparable in the Central Region Forbidden Land.

Lan Chang'an performed another divination and breathed a sigh of relief.

After leaving the Central Region Forbidden Land, the risks and unknown variables in the divination decreased significantly and finally returned to normal.

"True Lord Xiang, regarding the compensation materials and matters concerning the repair of the formation, I will contact you within a few years."

"Okay, let's wait for good news."

Lan Chang'an knew that collecting Spatial Treasure Material and repairing the spatial array of the Listen-to-the-Sea Pavilion would not be something that could be accomplished in just two or three years.

During this period, he will continue to cultivate Divine Ability and secret techniques at the Cloud Glow Sect to strengthen his own strength and prepare for returning to Great Qing.

After parting ways

Lan Chang'an couldn't help but look back in the direction of the Ancient Battlefield. Besides the Demon Abyss Seal, what other factors existed in the Central Region Forbidden Land that influenced his divination calculations?

Once outside that area and becoming an observer, the fourth-order divination technique sensed something, allowing them to glimpse a powerful destiny entity that seemed to appear and disappear amidst the Heavenly Secret Fog.

Several days later.

In the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, in a dark underground cave.

Within the enormous spiderweb lay a one-armed, white-haired youth, dressed in simple cloth and carrying an ancient sword at his waist.

Nangong Xiu's gaze was calm, his aura ancient and restrained, his body entangled in gray-white spider webs like a rice dumpling.

The severed arm was soon bandaged, its wound covered with Talisman to seal its aura, and then wrapped with more spider webs.

"I've heard that the spider silk of this kind of Devil Creature can help block tracking sensors. I hope it works..." Nangong Xiu's breathing and heartbeat almost stopped, and his body temperature gradually dropped.

A moment later, the sound of a sword piercing through the dark clouds came from dozens of miles away.

It's here!

Nangong Xiu's heart sank to the bottom. He continued to conceal his aura, like a dead object entangled in a net.

"This little thief's escape and concealment skills are quite good."

A long-bearded man in a wide-sleeved robe, with a smile on his face, strolled leisurely, hands behind his back, stepping through the void.

With each step he took, he traversed a hundred feet, Divine Ability that could be described as "Shrink Earth to Inch."

Behind the long-bearded man were three sheathed ancient swords, like a swordsman wandering the mortal world.

In the dark cave, Nangong Xiu's face was deathly pale. He sensed the powerful Divine Sense of the great cultivator, which was overwhelming and like thousands of Sword Qi, penetrating every nook and cranny.

After the battle with the Seven True Lords, Nangong recovered from his injuries and returned to the Central Region Civilization, only to face the encirclement and pursuit of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion.

Unexpectedly, the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, "Lay Buddhist Tianjian," was nearing the Central Region Forbidden Land and was preparing to kill him while he was at it.

In a moment of crisis, Nangong Xiu exhausted his life force, severed one of his arms, and used the Heavenly Blade Evasion Technique to escape to the Central Region Forbidden Land.

This is because the depths of the forbidden area present significant resistance to Divine Sense Law Power, affecting tracking and sensing.

They thought they had escaped a calamity, but unexpectedly, the Nascent Soul Great Cultivator still tracked them down and locked onto their approximate location.

Lay Buddhist Tianjian, who was searching, suddenly frowned.

Suddenly, a yellow, ghostly mist rose up around them, and several Devil Creature that had strayed into it were instantly turned into blood and gore.

"Fellow Daoist Fu, who are you searching for? If you cannot find them, my Two Ghosts of the Yellow Springs, with their keen eyesight and keen hearing, can help you."

A voice, sometimes clear and sometimes faint, seemed to emanate from the netherworld.

Amidst the yellow wind and ghostly mist, a young man in a yellow robe wearing a theatrical mask appeared. Beneath the mask, his heavily made-up face and thin lips were revealed, and his skin was as white as arsenic, unlike any other person from the mortal world.

"Old Ghost of the Yellow Springs, if you don't interfere, it won't be difficult for me to find that person."

The long-bearded man's sleeves fluttered, and his tone was calm; he was not surprised by the arrival of the [Ghost Monarch of the Yellow Springs].

Although he appears young, Old Ghost of the Yellow Springs is the oldest of the three cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Fu is overthinking things. I have no time to meddle in the affairs of your Sword Pavilion. This Demon-Monster Turmoil is extraordinary. In addition, the sealing array of the Demon Abyss has recently emitted warning signs, so I suppose Fellow Daoist Fu is also preparing to come and investigate this matter."

The voice of the boy in the yellow robe overlapped with the tones of a young boy and an old man with a weary air.

"Well, True Lord Fuhai is traveling, so this matter can only be investigated by the two of us."

Lay Buddhist Tianjian nodded and stroked his beard, his voice clear and resonant.

His trip to the Central Region wasn't specifically to deal with the Demon Blade Nangong Xiu; he was just taking action along the way.

As they were talking, a thick, eerie mist swept through the heavens and earth, even penetrating the cold, dark cave where Nangong Xiu was.

The Lay Buddhist Tianjian's sword intent Divine Sense failed to find its target.

"Let's go. This time, the Demon Abyss Great Array has given us a warning sign; perhaps a powerful demon has escaped."

The Ghost Monarch of the Yellow Springs looked impatient and urged the Lay Buddhist Tianjian to set off together to the sealing formation.

The two great cultivators slowed down considerably as they flew towards the Central Region Forbidden Land to avoid colliding with the hidden Spatial Rift.

Who goes there!

As they bypassed a certain Spatial Rift, the Ghost Monarch of the Yellow Springs sensed something and overheard something through his Ghost Path Divine Ability.

The Lay Buddhist Tianjian's Divine Sense and sword intent revealed an old man in hemp clothing resting behind a rock several dozen feet away.

The two great cultivators were astonished; this person had only been sensed at such close range.

"As expected of a great cultivator of the Ghost Path, your senses are so sharp. This old man meant no harm; I had just returned from investigating the sealing formation and was resting on the way when I happened to encounter you two fellow cultivators."

The old man in hemp clothing was unremarkable in appearance; his rough clothes and rude demeanor made him look like a servant at first glance.

"Your Excellency, which Heavenly Lord are you an incarnation of?"

Lay Buddhist Tianjian and Huangquan Laoguai exchanged a solemn glance. In their Divine Sense senses, the old man in hemp clothing possessed restrained Law Power and appeared as rotten as wood, making him easily overlooked.

However, the other party did not conceal their cultivation level, and upon sensing it, they were at the same cultivation level as them.

"I am not an avatar of a Heavenly Lord, so please do not overestimate me, fellow Daoists."

The old man in hemp clothing said with a kind smile.

The Spirit Transformation stage, also known as the Soul Division Realm, allows one to cultivate the Incarnation technique without requiring specific spiritual materials.

"This fellow Daoist looks familiar. May I ask your name?"

The ghostly purple eyes within the mask of the Ghost Monarch of the Yellow Springs scrutinized the old man in hemp clothing before him.

"Haha, it's quite normal that you two don't recognize me. Before I came to Great Abyss, I had already heard of the illustrious reputations of the two great cultivators."

"Three hundred years ago, at a grand auction of Nascent Soul Cultivator in Central Province, I had a brief encounter with Fellow Daoist Huang Quan. However, Fellow Daoist Huang Quan did not pay any attention to me that day."

The old man in hemp clothing chuckled, concealing his identity.

"I see."

Deep within his memory, the Ghost Monarch of the Yellow Springs found a blurry image—a face he had indeed met before.

Upon becoming Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, one's prestige would dominate an entire state. One's fame would spread throughout the Tianheng Continent, reaching the ears of top-tier forces and intelligence organizations.

For important figures of this caliber, traveling across the Tianheng Continent and making friends with powerful individuals from various regions is a common occurrence.

Great cultivators like the old man in hemp clothing, unknown to the world and without a name, are very rare.

"Has this fellow Daoist examined the sealing formation? Is there anything you wish to say to us?"

The Lay Buddhist Tianjian's sharp and keen eyes detected something.

Given this person's ability to conceal their presence, if they deliberately avoid each other, the two sides probably won't run into each other.

"Although the flaws in the Demon Abyss Seal have been largely repaired, two powerful Devil Creature have already escaped. One of them is a late-stage fourth-tier Shadow Demon scout, who is now heavily injured and on the run. The dominant forces in Yuan Province should pay close attention to this fiend and eliminate him, otherwise, the consequences will be dire."

"Several hundred years later, the Demon Peak Realm and the Tianheng Realm will converge and become closer, with a more stable interdimensional passage. The old man predicts that the Great Abyss will become a key area of attack for the Devil Race."

The old man in hemp clothing told him two important pieces of information, then got up to take his leave.

The figure of the old man in hemp clothing blurred and disappeared from sight at the large rock.

"Shadow Demon Scout, Demon Peak Realm?"

The two powerful cultivators who ruled the Great Abyss looked at the distant jungle and couldn't help but frown in deep thought.

In High Antiquity times, the Tianheng Realm and the Demon Peak Realm were worlds on the same level.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was abundant, resources were plentiful, and the upper limit of cultivation realms that cultivators could reach was far higher than in this era.

More importantly, the Tianheng Realm at that time had an ascension platform, a stable ascension channel, and maintained communication with the ancient spirit realm.

Later, a tremendous upheaval occurred in the ancient spirit realm, which evolved into the legendary Fallen Immortal Realm.

From then on, the Tianheng Realm lost contact with the Upper Realm, was repeatedly invaded and plundered, and became increasingly decadent.

In contrast, the Demon Peak Realm maintains contact with the higher-level Demon Realm, has a stable ascension channel, and remains prosperous and powerful to this day, actively invading some relatively weaker cultivation realms.

Fortunately, the Tianheng Realm's level has fallen, and its rules can only withstand cross-realm invasions by experts at the Spirit Transformation stage. Coupled with the advantage of fighting on home ground, it won't be easily crushed and conquered by the Demon Peak Realm.

"If I, Fu, have not advanced to the Spirit Transformation by several hundred years, my lifespan will have come to an end."

Lay Buddhist Tianjian spoke in a calm tone, showing no interest in the distant future, but rather focusing on the present and seizing any fortuitous opportunity for advancement.

A few days later.

Wanfeng Sect, in an inn in a Immortal City.

Jing Wufeng was meditating and adjusting his breathing.

An old man in hemp clothing appeared at a table not far away. He picked up the teapot on the table and gulped down a few mouthfuls of tea.

Uncle Duan.

Jing Wufeng opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face, and stood up to bow.

The old man in hemp clothing praised, "You did well in the first round of trials."

"Uncle Duan, you flatter me! There have been some unexpected issues with the Demon Sealing Mission, and Wu Feng is just about to report to the sect."

Jing Wufeng dared not neglect this unassuming old man dressed as a servant.

The old man was responsible for checking his mission completion status. Unless they encountered forces targeting Tianyi Sect, he would rarely take action; if he died, it was his own fault.

The old man was nominally the master's servant, or his protector.

However, many years ago, his opponent was also Cultivation World, just like him, but ultimately failed in the trial.

When there is no need for business, these servants sleep and seal themselves in Secret Land near the mountain gate, reducing their lifespan. When there is a need for business, they will be dispatched, and take the opportunity to go out for a stroll.

Because they were cultivators from a different era, current cultivators of the same level do not recognize them.

The old man asked, "When do you plan to return to the mountain gate?"

"There's still plenty of time left in the trial, so Wu Feng plans to stay a few more years, looking for fortuitous opportunity in the Great Abyss and taking care of some trivial matters."

Jing Wufeng revealed his plans.

"Furthermore, Wu Feng has another matter to request, which requires the approval of the mountain gate library."

Moon Empress.

Lan Chang'an successfully returned to the Cloud Glow Sect.

Upon learning that the sect's Grand Guest Elder had returned, Fairy Zixia, who was in seclusion, immediately emerged from her retreat ahead of schedule.

Fairy Zixia wore Phoenix Hairpin hairpin, had delicately arched eyebrows, a slender waist, and a light purple, floor-length fairy dress. She arrived riding on auspicious clouds.

"Great Dragon, I've finally waited for your safe return. When I learned of your triumphant victory in the Central Region Forbidden Land, the entire sect rejoiced, but I was worried for quite some time."

Upon entering the cave at Yunlan Peak, the True Lord lady abandoned her usual reserved and noble demeanor, her starry eyes filled with longing as she embraced Lan Chang'an.

"Da Long, your hair..."

Jiang Ziyan's expression changed as she noticed some gray hairs in Lan Chang'an's black hair.

His appearance remained unchanged, but he had gained a more profound and weathered air.

"It's nothing, it just took a bit of my life essence and lifespan to use the secret technique."

Lan Chang'an comforted her for a moment, feeling the Fairy Zixia in his arms, soft and boneless, as fragrant as jade.

Beneath that noble and reserved demeanor lies a passionate tenderness.

The moon casts shadows on the flowers, and the spring night is like a dream.

After discussing the Fairy Zixia for three days, Lan Chang'an gained some understanding of the situation surrounding the Great Dayu Kingdom.

A year ago, Lan Chang'an and Jing Wufeng became famous in a battle in the Central Region Forbidden Land, causing the seven True Lord to suffer a crushing defeat.

The formidable reputation of the "Twin Dragons of the Central Region" has shaken all forces in the Central Region.

Xiang Dalong's strength was also assessed as being completely comparable to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, and he also possessed mysterious techniques that complemented Jing Wufeng's abilities.

No one doubted that the Twin Dragons of the Central Region were top-tier combat power below the Nascent Soul Great Cultivator.

After gaining fame, one inspires awe and fear, but also inevitably makes enemies.

Baqi Mountain, which borders the Great Dayu Kingdom, expressed strong condemnation and dissatisfaction, demanding an explanation from the Great Dayu Imperial Clan.

Because Wudu Mountain, one of the Baqi Mountain, lost a powerful Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, namely True Lord Bawu.

The "Nandi Mountain," led by Baqi Mountain, sent envoys to negotiate, declaring that the Great Dayu Kingdom was attempting to provoke war and must bear the consequences.

Not long after Lan Chang'an returned to his sect, Nascent Soul True Lord from the surrounding areas of the Great Dayu Kingdom came to visit him or send letters of greeting.

This is unprecedented treatment.

When a Nascent Soul True Lord possesses extraordinary strength, enough to threaten and kill those of the same level, fellow cultivators of the same generation will also befriend him and cultivate relationships with him.

The first Nascent Soul Cultivator to visit was a representative of the royal family.

On this day, in the main hall of the sect.

"Great Dragon, this is the royal elder, True Lord Hongxiu."

Jiang Ziyan accompanied them proactively, introducing them with a smile.

The red-clad female cultivator beside him was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old. She had a face like a jade plate, and was elegant and dignified. Her appearance and temperament were only slightly inferior to Jiang Ziyan's.

When this woman came last time, Lan Chang'an had sensed her with his Divine Sense and found that she possessed the noble and arrogant air of someone in a high position.

"The names of the Twin Dragons of the Central Region are legendary to Hongxiu, and she has long admired them. Seeing them today, they truly are exceptional individuals; no wonder Ziyan guarded them so closely..."

During this meeting, the True Lord Hongxiu was gentle and beautiful, with captivating eyes. She was generous with her praise, like a lady from a noble family who had come to admire her.

Such an attitude made it difficult for the man facing her to feel disgust.

Jiang Ziyan smiled brightly and said with a light laugh, "Sister Hongxiu is very adept at maneuvering in the Great Yu court. Dalong, you mustn't fall for her spell."

True Lord Hongxiu cursed inwardly, for she only wanted to meet with Xiang Dalong alone to express the royal family's sincerity, but True Lord Zixia insisted on accompanying her.

Lan Chang'an had only intended to give a perfunctory reply, but he hadn't expected the royal family to actually show their sincerity this time.

The True Lord Hongxiu put away her charming smile and said seriously:

"True Lord Xiang, you have slain the opposing faction's True Lord Bawu in the Central Region Forbidden Land. Emperor Yu and the clan leader are overjoyed and have decided to reward you. You may choose one treasure from the royal treasury."

"Ahem! I did not personally kill the True Lord Bawu, but rather it was the betrayal of the Demon Blade Nangong Xiu. However, I am willing to accept the royal family's commendation and goodwill."

Lan Chang'an smiled, and the previously lukewarm conversation quickly became more harmonious.

The Royal Treasury's rewards for Nascent Soul True Lord consist of top-tier fourth-tier items.

Lan Chang'an heard that it contained materials related to fourth-tier Heaven Grade spirit birds.

The royal family is being so kind.

First, to ease the previously strained relationship with Lan Chang'an.

Secondly, it intensifies the conflict between True Lord Changqing and Baqi Mountain, which could help the royal family deal with opposing factions in the future.

Lan Chang'an didn't care and accepted the benefits as usual.

Before leaving, the True Lord Hongxiu ignored Jiang Ziyan's dissatisfaction, winked seductively at Lan Chang'an, and transmitted her voice:

"If True Lord Xiang has no interest in Fairy Lingxue's physical body, the royal family is willing to buy it at a high price."

Lan Chang'an's heart skipped a beat: The royal family's information network True Spirit; there might be a fourth-level Divination Grandmaster among them.

The divine body of True Lord Lingxue has actually caught the eye of the royal family?

Lan Chang'an suspected that he had underestimated the value of a Innate Dao Body and Nascent Soul skin.

Upon returning to Yunlan Peak, Jiang Ziyan asked softly, "Dalong, what did True Lord Hongxiu say to you just now?"

"A deal."

Lan Chang'an did not hide this matter.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ziyan was somewhat tempted after learning about it.

It is said that this life-preserving True Lord body, if left in the Cloud Glow Sect, might be of great use in the future.

For example, if the physical body is destroyed in the future and the nascent Nascent Soul leaves the body and returns, there will be an excellent backup physical body.

Lan Chang'an glanced at the noble and elegant Fairy Zixia, then thought of the icy and otherworldly Fairy Lingxue, and a certain thought flashed through his mind.

For the next six months or so.

During his spare time from cultivation, Lan Chang'an met with several Nascent Soul True Lord and received generous gifts in return.

During this time, among the rewards from the royal treasury, Lan Chang'an selected a [Roc Bird Wings] and had it taken back by a high-ranking cultivator from the Cloud Glow Sect for secret protection.

This was something that should have been done in person, but Lan Chang'an didn't want to go to the Imperial City.

Fortunately, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Great Dayu Kingdom knew about some of the treasures in the royal treasury.

That [Roc Bird Wings] are the wings of a fourth-tier Heaven Grade spirit bird, said to be a hybrid descendant of the True Spirit Heavenly Roc.

With the addition of the Ice Azure Phoenix Feather obtained from True Lord Lingxue's spatial jade bracelet, a major material for the Strange Spirit Peacock Puppet, significant progress has been made.

This day, in the Secret Chamber of Yunlan Peak.

Lan Chang'an put the sewn black cloak on Di Yan Jun.

"Shrink your body and conceal your Demon Power aura."

Lan Chang'an, his face filled with anticipation, gave the instructions.

This black cloak was made from a tattered black robe of fifth-tier material.

Based on the properties of the robe's material, Lan Chang'an designed it as a cloak.

The original black robe was not Law Treasure, and due to its damage, it no longer contained many of the Law Treasure's Restriction.

Lan Chang'an doesn't need to refine weapons; he only needs to utilize the toughness and properties of the material.

Lan Chang'an exerted all his Divine Sense, but he still couldn't detect the shrunken Di Yan Jun inside the black cloak.

"Not bad, not bad!"

Lan Chang'an was overjoyed and clapped his hands in praise.

If it weren't for the naked eye, the black cloak would be ignored when scanned with Divine Sense, and treated as an ordinary item.

Lan Chang'an's Evergreen Art has a far Di Yan Jun, so its effects can only be better.

He used fourth-order divination to determine that the black cloak had an excellent concealing effect on those below the Spirit Transformation stage.

Unless the distance is close or someone is paying special attention, even Nascent Soul Great Cultivator can be deceived.

"Try defensive resilience."

Lan Chang'an took out a sharp Law Treasure blade and slashed it fiercely across the cloak, leaving almost no mark.

Although it's not a defensive Law Treasure, it can still significantly weaken the ordinary attacks of Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Squeak!

Di Yan Jun peeked out from under the black cloak, his eyes bright and clear, looking quite pleased.

"With such a rare item, even if I offend a powerful cultivator in the future, True Lord at least have one more way to protect myself."

Lan Chang'an nodded, took the cloak from Di Yan Jun, and put it on himself; it fit him quite well.

(End of this chapter)