The Chen Family Estate's Carriage House; Yang Crystals Found in Giant Valley
Just as Chen Dengming and He Yingyu were preparing to rush into Giant Valley, where the Three Yang Crystal were located.
At the Luo Family in Jiamu Pass, Lüo Bing was also quite at a loss regarding the further messages sent by the sect.
For more than a year, she has been actively searching for Chen Dengming's whereabouts, and has also tried to subtly inquire about Xu Wei's situation, but to no avail.
Based solely on information provided by Xi'er in the past, one piece of information was obtained: Xu Wei had not seen Chen Dengming since Luo Family Marketplace nearly two years ago.
In today's vast world of Cultivation World, with its immense number of people and the expansive four regions, finding Chen Dengming based solely on a name is no easy task.
This person even changed his name after the incident with the Moon Reflection Sect disciples, making it extremely difficult to find him by name alone.
In fact, in this war between the Western Regions' Devil Cultivator and the Eastern Regions, countless Rogue Cultivators have already perished in the flames of war, and Chen Dengming may also be dead.
However, as long as it is not certain, there is still hope. Lüo Bing can only hold on to Xu Wei, hoping that Chen Dengming will come back to see Xu Wei one day. In this way, she can report back to the sect, and many things will be solved.
This was also something she found rather ironic and self-deprecating.
Once upon a time, Chen Dengming was just an insignificant martial Martial Artist whom she had to plead for to be brought back from the South; he wasn't even a cultivator.
But now, this once insignificant figure has attracted the attention of Sect Leader Han and even the Moon Reflection Sect, and has indeed become involved with that Sha Star.
How ironic that finding this person could determine her fate.
But that's reality. Even someone as proud as her has to face it head-on, and only by complying can she survive in this predicament.
Otherwise, let alone her ten-year agreement with the Luo Family Ancestor, she would likely face considerable difficulties in developing resources within the sect over the next few years.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator with High-grade Spiritual Root is truly a talent among talents. Even within the Wonderful Sound Sect, there are only seven or eight such cultivators at present.
However, compared to something as crucial as the orthodox tradition, sacrifices can be weighed and made.
Lüo Bing knew very well that if they found Chen Dengming and found out that the man truly possessed a secret related to the Dao lineage, then it would be a win-win situation for both of them. The Wonderful Sound Sect would definitely protect and nurture Chen Dengming as a treasure.
As for whether Chen Dengming truly possessed a secret, she was certain he did; otherwise, his strength couldn't have increased so rapidly. Moreover, the sect's persistent pursuit of him subtly revealed some clues.
Previously, she had even kept Chen Dengming's information secret, protecting it from the sect and anyone else.
She was too naive. Once the sect discovered this, they would easily see through her thoughts. The Repentance Cave was a warning. If she still didn't cooperate, she might lose the opportunity to participate.
Because she had not found Chen Dengming for over a year, nor had she revealed Xu Wei news about Xu Wei to the sect, the sect was growing impatient and might begin searching through other channels.
It might be difficult for one person to find another.
For a sect that has produced Nascent Soul cultivator and a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator, finding someone might not be as difficult as one might imagine.
The Nanxun Kingdom.
The Chen Family.
Since Chen Dengming, the Nanxun Saber King, was chosen by an immortal to go to the Cultivation World nearly five years ago, the Chen Family's status in the Nanxun Kingdom has risen accordingly.
Even before Chen Dengming's two children were born, they had already been chosen by the Southern Xun Emperor to marry into the royal family.
Male members of the royal family could marry princesses and become imperial consorts, while female members could choose to marry Prince or Prince and receive official titles.
This was an immense honor, making the Chen Family not only Lineage of immortals in the eyes of ordinary people, but also relatives of the emperor.
This day marked the 30th birthday of the third wife of the Chen Family. The Chen Family Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and a row of carriages and horses pulled up the wide street in front of the gate, bringing many dignitaries from the Nanxun Kingdom to offer their congratulations.
From the entrance to the courtyard and even the main hall, the mansion was filled with ornately decorated vases and potted plants, and the fragrance of various flowers permeated the entire mansion.
The guests in the mansion were all dressed in various silk and satin gowns, strolling around the halls, chatting and laughing, exuding an air of nobility.
Red lanterns and ribbons hung high, looking especially festive under the night sky.
However, to the two indifferent uninvited guests in the sky above the mansion, the vibrant red color was both fitting and ironic.
The two of them made their comments with an air of superiority and indifference.
"Since this is indeed a joyous occasion, and we are guests from afar, why don't we go down first to present a congratulatory gift, drink a cup of celebratory wine, and then return after the Essence Blood drawn? This would be to fulfill our duties as guests."
"What Fellow Daoist Bao said is true. We have come from afar to witness such a joyous occasion, so we should share in the celebration and not do anything to spoil the mood. This way, joy and misfortune will be balanced, which is truly a good thing."
At this moment, a commotion arose from the entrance of the mansion below. It turned out that a Prince and princess from the Nanxun Kingdom had come to offer their congratulations.
A group of royal riders in full regalia rode tall horses, while the princess sat gracefully in a decorated palanquin. The deafening sound of gongs and drums caused a stir throughout the mansion and the surrounding streets.
The two cultivators in the air smiled faintly, and their figures suddenly descended. They transformed into honored guests, intending to offer a small gift and enter the house for a celebratory drink.
They planned to determine the fate of the Chen Family by how the Chen Family servants treated them.
The saying goes, "Courtesy first, then force."
If the Chen Family doesn't value the meager gifts they offer, then it will be perfectly natural for them to use force when carrying out their missions, and they won't feel any psychological burden whatsoever.
Eastern Region, in the Giant Valley.
After Chen Dengming and He Yingyu entered the valley together, they thought they would have to fight a fierce battle to obtain the Three Yang Crystal from the canyon guarded by the Stone Crystal Giant.
As a result, in a valley filled with giant stone pillars and trees of various sizes, the two were greeted by eight stone crystal giants of varying spiritual power, each radiating bright light. They easily obtained two clusters of radiant and lustrous Three Yang Crystal from the valley.
The crystal feels warm to the touch, much like the feeling of sunlight shining on your hand.
Legend has it that when a Stone Crystal Giant, whose strength is comparable to that of the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, dies, the power within its corpse gradually condenses into the Three Yang Crystal over time.
Therefore, this type of crystal is exceptionally precious.
It was also a sacred object for the tribe of the stone giants.
They can use the Three Yang Crystal to cultivate offspring, and there is a high probability that they will cultivate new, powerful giants.
Because of its preciousness, He Yingyu never expected to obtain it easily, which is why she invited Chen Dengming to enter the secret place together to seize the Three Yang Crystal.
However, before either of them could make a move, the leader of the stone crystal giants, who appeared to possess immense spiritual power and radiated brilliant light, offered up the Three Yang Crystal.
This result was completely unexpected, to the point that both Chen Dengming and He Yingyu felt a sense of unreality.
"Junior Brother, what's going on? This stone crystal giant leader seems very strong; he should be at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."
These kinds of Demon Beast are no match for even a mid- Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator. I was originally planning for you to summon a Spirit Venerable to help deal with them, but they're actually being so easy to talk to now.
"I'm not quite sure either. Didn't your instruction manual say that these stone giants hated humans? How come they've changed their tune now?"
Chen Dengming was also taken aback.
This trip to the secret realm to seize the Three Yang Crystal went far too easily.
In a normal scenario, they would fight the Stone Giant for three hundred rounds, painstakingly obtain the Three Yang Crystal, and complete their mission. It might even be more convoluted, with the Three Yang Crystal being destroyed in the battle.
But now, they seem to be there to collect rent, and the tenants are very cooperative; these Demon Beasts have no awareness or desire to fight.
At this point, seeing that they had taken the items but hadn't left, he seemed quite puzzled.
The leader of the stone crystal giants, resembling a small hill, spoke in a deep, drum-like voice, "For so many years, the Three Yang Crystal we have been guarding have been repeatedly plundered by your powerful cultivators."
My people, one by one, fell while protecting the Three Yang Crystal. Now only the old, weak, sick, and disabled remain, barely clinging to life. We know we can't escape this place, and we're no match for you, so why make so many pointless sacrifices to protect the Three Yang Crystal?"
Chen Dengming and He Yingyu looked at each other in bewilderment.
This reason is indeed plausible, yet it carries a deep sense of helplessness and sorrow, almost evoking pity and sympathy from them.
Indeed, upon closer reflection, even the seemingly powerful Stone Crystal Giant leader among the Demon Beast within these secret realms is unable to leave the realm even a single step. They are destined to die within the Giant Valley from birth, and may not even die peacefully of old age. They are likely to be killed by cultivators, and their corpses are desecrated as resources. How tragic is that?
Since that's the case, let's just put on a show of weakness. When cultivators come to snatch the Three Yang Crystal, to ensure the safety of all our clansmen, we'll just give them to them.
What's the point of fighting to the death?
This feeling of pity and sympathy only flashed through the minds of Chen Dengming and He Yingyu.
They have all cultivated themselves for many years, possessing unwavering resolve and their own worldview and values.
Humans are indeed cruel, keeping various creatures in captivity as food and resources, and even being more cruel to their own kind.
But this is a link in the cycle of Heavenly Dao. From another perspective, if humans were not in a dominant position, their fate would be no different from that of pigs.
Sympathy, pity, and all other moral and ethical considerations are insignificant when it comes to different races, positions, and interests. What matters is the principles that each individual upholds.
"Now that you have the Three Yang Crystal, leave quickly. But I must warn you, the Three Yang Crystal has already been targeted by evil spirits. It's easy for you to get it, but if you try to take it out, you might be attacked by them."
The leader of the Stone Crystal Giants gave one last reminder.
Chen Dengming and He Yingyu exchanged a glance, and the last trace of doubt in their hearts disappeared.
It seems that the evil spirit is quite formidable.
The fact that the leader of the Stone Crystal Giants handed over the Three Yang Crystal so easily suggests that he had been troubled by the evil spirits within the secret realm for a long time. Now that they had come to seize it again, he took the opportunity to hand over this hot potato.
The reason they were still willing to give a reminder is probably because they knew how powerful they were.
I didn't want them to cause trouble later because I hadn't reminded them of such a small thing.
These Demon Beast are trapped in a secret place. Some are young and fearless, while others have experienced many storms and their wisdom has long since become that of spirits.
"Junior Brother Chen, I rarely encounter evil spirits. If we do, we might have to rely on that Little Female Ghost you've been Keeping a Beauty in a Golden House. However, it's best if we don't cause trouble. Let's go!"
He Yingyu smiled and winked playfully before quickly ascending into the sky on her weapon.
"Walk!"
Chen Dengming laughed heartily, his thoughts coinciding with Chen Dengming's. He rode the Black Cloud Leopard and instantly transformed into a bolt of black lightning, rushing out of Giant Valley and heading straight for the Sky Dome above.
Since there's trouble involved, it's best to avoid it if possible.
If some evil spirit has its eye on the Three Yang Crystal, then they will not follow the righteous path, but will directly rush out of Giant Valley and soar into the Sky Dome.
Thus, they passed through the Formation sealing the secret place in the air and left the valley before the evil spirits could react. No matter what kind of Chī Mèi Wǎng Liǎng they were, they could not pursue them due to the barrier of the Formation sealing the secret place.
(I'm a little short on monthly votes, so I'll add an extra chapter first. However, the chapter is a bit short. I'll update a longer chapter tomorrow if I get over 2.1 million words of monthly votes.)