The World Turns Like a Chessboard; the Great Sun Blazes Like a Golden Core

One month later.

In a valley in the eastern region, clouds and mist churned, and the faint sunlight filtering through created a hazy, indistinct scene.

Many plants and wildflowers can be vaguely seen in the valley, blooming even in late autumn.

The dawn is faintly visible, the clouds are heavy, and the mountain flowers are in full bloom, covered in dew.

A figure exuding Sha Qi suddenly shattered the tranquility of the valley, bursting forth and tearing countless mountain flowers into petals that danced in the air, scattering morning dew everywhere.

"Ah--"

The figure suddenly roared, his long hair flying wildly, revealing his madness and unleashing an astonishing power that startled countless birds in the surrounding mountains and forests into flight.

A moment later, the figure let out a series of heavy breaths, like a thunderclap.

Then the panting grew weaker and weaker, gradually disappearing without a trace along with the dense Sha Qi emanating from him.

In the mist, two points of light flashed, and Chen Dengming opened his eyes, glancing at the sticky sweat and unknown liquid that covered his entire body, some of which even contained traces of blood.

"After breaking through the Marrow Cleansing Dragon Coiling Bone Forging Art again, my body has been strengthened in all aspects once more. Is this a blood transfusion, or the removal of impurities from my blood?"

Chen Dengming's eyes showed a hint of contemplation as he sensed the formidable power possessed by this body.

Lacking demonic bloodline, the more he cultivates the Dragon Coiling Bone Forging Art, the more difficult it becomes to control his Blood Sha Qi.

To be on the safe side, Chen Dengming has decided to temporarily slow down his practice of this Cultivation Method, and resume his cultivation when he can better resolve this hidden danger in the future.

Anyway, my bone age should be within the normal range now.

He cast a Cleansing Technique on himself with a hand gesture, then changed his clothes and returned to the valley naked.

In the valley, a Demon Beast, as tall as a small mountain, lay silently, radiating Sha Qi; it had been dead for some time.

There was also a blood pit on the ground nearby.

It was filled with foul-smelling blood, devoid of any Spiritual Qi, and didn't even bother to glance at the few Gu Worm inside.

Chen Dengming changed into clean clothes, took out the bone age testing Law Artifact, activated it, and tested himself.

The final detection showed that the light focused on the red area.

Although it is deep red, it also means that the bone age is within fifty years. The cucumber, which is more than eighty years old, has been repainted with a fresh pink color.

"Fine."

Chen Dengming breathed a sigh of relief.

Over the past month, his journey to the Longevity Sect has not been fast, mainly because he often ventured into the mountains to hunt Demon Beast along the way.

They were overjoyed when they occasionally encountered Demon Beast attacking nearby towns or Marketplace.

Seeing that the Demon Beast were not strong, they would rush up and bully them. The Demon Beast they hunted could be used to cultivate Bone Forging Art by drinking their blood, and Demon Beast meat could be eaten or sold. They were practically treasures from head to toe.

Traveling at this stop-and-go pace, Chen Dengming hadn't even crossed the vast territory of the eastern region in a month, still three or four thousand miles away.

The Eastern Region is truly vast.

Of the four regions, the Eastern Region is the largest, a land of outstanding people and abundant resources.

The Southern Region is the second largest in area, and its resources are second only to the Eastern Region.

The Northern Region ranks third in area, and the Western Region ranks fourth; these two regions are the most barren and backward.

In the vast area surrounding the Eastern Region, unlike the barren and uninhabited borderlands of the Southern Region, there are quite a few mortal kingdoms.

From small countries to large countries, the distinction is clear.

However, they were almost all controlled and protected by certain Immortal Sect within their respective spheres of influence.

Some small countries are even cultivation nations, with their rulers being Golden Core Cultivator, forming their own independent power.

Some small countries were even founded by the descendants of a powerful figure from a certain Immortal Sect.

If any members of this lineage possess Spirit Root, they will be directly sent to cultivate within the Immortal Sect; their very birth determines their extraordinary nature.

Chen Dengming traveled and stopped frequently, seeing and hearing a great deal along the way.

Fortunately, I'm not a complete novice when I first entered the Eastern Region. I've heard about many sects and forces, as well as the legends of the Eastern Region.

However, several of the encounters along the way were particularly poignant and perilous.

For example, some mortal kingdoms often wage war against each other.

Some Immortal Sect seem to use the battles between two nations as a chessboard to determine the ownership of certain resources and interests.

The cultivators do not personally participate; they rely on their own power. The mortals of the two countries become pawns, each with its own value, but also capable of being discarded at any time.

Like some passing cultivators, Chen Dengming observed this war in a mortal kingdom from afar.

All we see are 30,000 warriors clashing fiercely, the battlefield raging with fierce battle, and soldiers on both sides shedding their blood with courage and valor. But the truth behind it all is heartbreaking and tragic.

However, in addition to wars between mortals, wars between immortal Immortal Sect and Cultivation Family also inevitably occur along the way, and their cruelty is no less than that of mortals.

Chen Dengming dislikes fighting and is currently well-resourced, so he avoids conflict whenever possible.

Relying on the Little Array Spirit's advanced perception, he often avoids danger and slips away early.

If you encounter something truly unreasonable and unavoidable, the only option is to act decisively and then quickly drive away. This way, you escape danger without incident, feeling both thrilled and carefree.

His experiences along the way also made him realize that wherever there are people and resources, there will be conflict and there will never be peace.

To expect that places with better resources will have a more comfortable environment is pure wishful thinking.

At most, the environment may improve and become more luxurious, with more good resources, but it is impossible to be comfortable unless the resources within the environment are sufficient for everyone to use, without the need for competition among them.

Bone age has now reached the stage planned by Chen Dengming.

If the Longevity Sect's requirements for recruiting Rogue Cultivator weren't particularly strict, he should have been able to pass the first test.

However, prestigious sects like these have extremely strict requirements for their disciples' backgrounds, character, and past experiences.

Therefore, after making inquiries along the way, Chen Dengming made some adjustments to the plan to ensure stability.

You can't eat a fat person in one go.

To avoid being discovered by the Longevity Sect about his origins and some secrets, he planned to first join some minor Immortal Sect that were affiliated with the Longevity Sect.

Ideally, it should be a relationship like that of a mother and child Immortal Sect.

The recruitment requirements of the Immortal Sect are naturally not as strict as those of the Longevity Sect.

With this kind of inter- Immortal Sect as a stepping stone, his close relationship with his family would be established, and his secrets could be better concealed.

Once you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage in the future, you will naturally be able to easily and smoothly apply to join the upper sect.

Coincidentally, the Longevity Sect does indeed have quite a few affiliated sects.

Several sects were extremely close to those similar to the Mother-Child Immortal Sect, and Chen Dengming set his sights on the Evergreen Sect.

Although the name of this sect is rather unpleasant, sounding like the Joyful Union Sect, it is said that the sect's Cultivation Method and Daoist methods are all derived from the Longevity Sect.

Analyze according to convention.

These Immortal Sect start recruiting at the beginning of each year, giving him about two or three months to prepare.

"At my cultivation speed, if I cultivate with all my might, I should be able to barely reach the peak of the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level in two or three months. I wonder if I'll be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment by then?"

Chen Dengming pondered to himself, while simultaneously collecting the Demon Beast corpses in the valley, summoning the Ice Spirit Blade with a hand seal, Blade Control to break through the air and leave.

As a Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, his current Law Power is quite formidable.

Maintaining a steady speed of 120 li for half an hour while flying continuously for two hours, the Spiritual Qi would only be depleted by 50%.

With three or four thousand miles to go, Chen Dengming decided to speed up and get to the Evergreen Sect's territory as soon as possible.

Five days later.

Near Yellow Phoenix area.

In a lush mountain forest, Chen Dengming, having traveled over two thousand miles and finished eating the Demon Beast's flesh, was resting in the woods.

Suddenly, a series of bright lights flashed in the distance to the west.

"Stars in broad daylight? Shooting stars?"

Chen Dengming's eyes stung from the glare, and he raised his hand to shield them when suddenly an even more dazzling burst of light erupted in the distance, like a small sun suddenly shining brightly, causing his eyes to contract in shock.

The next moment, a series of explosions, like thunderclaps, suddenly rang out, as if heavenly soldiers had detonated a powder keg, causing a great gust of wind and rustling leaves in the forest.

"?"

Chen Dengming scrambled to his feet, staring in astonishment at the long-lasting, shimmering Golden Light that had emerged from the other side. He was not only dazzled, but his mind was also buzzing.

The rumbling sound was like thunder, echoing from west to east and resounding in all directions.

What happened?

The thought had just popped into my head.

The next moment, a strong whistling sound came from the sky, and the air quickly became oppressive and restless.

An incredibly powerful aura of oppression, accompanied by a Golden Light like a small sun, instantly pierced through the clouds and mist, approaching from afar and arriving at the top of the forest where Chen Dengming was located in a flash.

Before he could react, he felt a terrifying pressure bearing down on him, making him so nervous that his blood vessels felt like they were about to explode.

But in the blink of an eye, another figure shrouded in Golden Light, like a fiery red serpent, broke through the clouds and followed closely behind, its light illuminating the chaotic, surging, rolling clouds.

Chen Dengming's eyes widened.

His heart was taut, like a powerful arrow about to be released from a bow, about to leap from his throat.

"Golden Core? Golden Core Great Cultivator?"

The next moment, he suddenly realized what was happening and quickly turned around to look at the distant sky behind him.

Almost as soon as he shifted his gaze, he witnessed a bizarre scene that he would never forget.

One of the Golden Light flashed, like a dazzling and astonishing flash, tearing a rift in the sky and colliding with the Golden Light opposite.

In an instant, the two split into countless root-like flashes of light, which have remained for a long time.

The next instant, as if thunder had gathered its strength, it unleashed a deafening roar that shook the earth, making the ground beneath our feet seem to jolt.

Chen Dengming couldn't stand the blinding light and was momentarily blind.

Only by immediately focusing his eyes could he barely make out the sky over there.

But in the blink of an eye, there was no one left.

Suddenly, Chen Dengming's gaze sharpened as he saw a pale, phosphorescent light fall from the sky, resembling a human figure.

"One of the Golden Core Great Cultivator is injured? What about the other one? This..."

The thought of finding Golden Core Great Cultivator by chance, something only found in online novels, had just popped into Chen Dengming's mind when he saw a blinding Golden Light swiftly sweep in from the Dongfang, intercepting the figure, and then letting out a startling roar.

The angry shout, though not loud and coming from a great distance, sounded like muffled thunder muffled in water, yet it made Chen Dengming feel dizzy and disoriented in an instant.

If you are injured by sound waves or some kind of Divine Sense Mental Power, your vision will become blurry.

A long while passed.

Chen Dengming returned to normal, and when he looked at the sky again, it was clear and cloudless.

It all felt like an illusion.

If it weren't for the fact that the Spiritual Qi in the surrounding air wasn't very active, and there was a particularly oppressive and terrifying atmosphere, one would really think that nothing had happened.

"Golden Core cultivators fighting? Such a terrifying thing has happened, what kind of hellish place have I ended up in?"

Chen Dengming cursed under his breath, then forced himself to calm down. Looking at the few Gu worms that had fallen off his body and were now lying dormant on the ground, he managed a weak smile.

He felt his muscles and nerves suddenly relax, as if they were about to abandon him and let him collapse like a sack.

The next moment, he plopped down on the ground.

But soon, his backside felt like an olive, and he couldn't sit down anymore. He suddenly stood up, wobbled, picked up his luggage, and prepared to leave in a hurry.

But after walking only halfway, he took a detour, unwilling to go through the places where those Golden Core cultivators had just fought.

Along the way, Chen Dengming noticed that many cultivators, like him, were nervous and wandering around aimlessly, or hiding in corners, afraid to show their faces.

As he looked around, he gradually calmed down, his State of Mind entering a state of utmost emptiness and stillness. His eyes became dark and pure, completely eliminating all worries and fears, and he walked slowly along the road.

At this moment, his thoughts were finally not so chaotic.

I quickly regained my alertness and relaxed.

After much thought, it becomes clear that people are inherently afraid of the unknown.

His nervousness stemmed from the sudden and unprepared experience of the terrifying power of a battle between Golden Core Cultivator.

The sheer power emanating from it from a great distance was enough to make one's heart tremble and feel terrified, leaving a psychological scar.

This level of power is like the might of heaven and earth unleashing their fury; it can be said to have completely exceeded the comprehension of those in the Qi Refining Stage.

For Qi Cultivation Cultivator to witness Golden Core Cultivator's lightning-fast exchange of blows is like two rabbits watching two lions locked in a brutal fight; the sheer force of their power is enough to terrify and terrify the rabbits.

Before meeting the Golden Core Cultivator, Chen Dengming had arrogantly believed that he possessed a strong will and unwavering resolve.

Even when facing a Golden Core cultivator, one can remain neither humble nor arrogant, and is not overly nervous.

But now that he has truly witnessed such powerful individuals clash, he realizes how arrogant his previous thoughts had been.

All those ridiculous legends about Qi Refining and Slaying Golden Core cultivators are childish nonsense.

When these powerful individuals clash, just like what happened just now, the Spiritual Qi of an entire world is emptied in the blink of an eye, without even a shout or a yell.

There might be some communication, but it would be a collision of Divine Sense faster than lightning, rather than output through the mouth. Ordinary Qi cultivators wouldn't be able to hear it at all.

This made Chen Dengming think of that Sha Star.

Legend has it that this Sha Star could kill Nascent Soul Old Monster even at the Golden Core Late Stage. Is this rumor true or false?

If Golden Core Cultivator are this terrifying, wouldn't Nascent Soul be even more frightening?

One of the major realms in between—could that Sha Star cross it?

As Chen Dengming walked, lost in thought, he didn't even realize that it was already dark.

Ahead, the lights of a Marketplace could be seen, seemingly gathering a large number of chaotic cultivators.

Among the surrounding mountains and fields, there were also some cultivators walking on foot. Surprisingly, none of them used magical Law Artifact to fly. They even walked slowly and cautiously.

Suddenly, several beams of light flew over Chen Dengming's head, and from one of the Escape Light, a mocking voice of a male cultivator could be heard.

"What's wrong? It's just a battle between Golden Core Great Cultivators. Such things are rare, but not uncommon either, right? Are you all scared like quails? It seems none of you are suited to develop here. Go to the borderlands, hahaha--"

The male cultivator laughed loudly and spoke arrogantly.

But the monks walking around dared not speak out against it.

The tense and oppressive atmosphere seemed to be broken by the male cultivator's words after he and his companion disappeared from Escape Light.

Some Rogue Cultivator regained their courage, set up their Escape Light, and flew over to the Marketplace ahead, even though they were very close to it, as if to prove something.

Someone chuckled softly, "That was a cultivator from the Yellow Phoenix Sect, a disciple of the sect. I heard his father is also a steward of the Yellow Phoenix Sect, Foundation Establishment cultivator."

If I had that kind of background, I wouldn't panic. I'd just live my life as usual. If Golden Core Great Cultivator fights, so be it; it won't affect me much.

"That is."

Some of the surrounding monks echoed in hushed tones.

Chen Dengming suddenly realized, as if waking from a dream, that the battle between Golden Core Cultivator was not a coincidence, but an inevitable event.

He once thought that Golden Core Cultivator were far removed from him because he lived in a remote, resource-poor region.

There are almost no Golden Core Cultivator living there, so how could Golden Core Cultivator possibly fight there? Even if they did, it would be an extremely rare occurrence.

But now, he is on the outskirts of the Eastern Region, and is about to enter its heartland.

The probability of Golden Core Cultivator fighting each other is naturally higher.

Some of the cultivators here have already gotten used to it, but those who are new here are not.

Reality isn't a novel; it's impossible for someone of your own strength to encounter an enemy of roughly the same strength.

The reality is that no matter how strong you are, if the environment is good enough, a few big shots might suddenly appear and crush you with a few kicks. They might not even be enemies, and they might not even be paying attention to what they're standing on.

Looking at the large group of cultivators gathered in the Marketplace, discussing among themselves, Chen Dengming felt his confidence, which had just been built up after reaching the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, instantly deflate like a punctured balloon.

Now that we've arrived in this region where the forces of the immortal Immortal Sect are so complex, do we still think we're on the frontier, that Qi Cultivation Tenth Level is something to be proud of?

You absolutely must not have that kind of mentality.

"I feel like smaller places are better. Although resources are scarce, weaklings fight each other, the environment is poor, chaotic and uneasy, at least there are no Golden Core Cultivator there. There won't be any Golden Foundation Establishment cultivators don't interfere, I'm very safe."

Chen Dengming even considered turning back.

But the thought only flashed through his mind. He calmed himself down, neither belittling himself nor feeling anxious. He went into the Marketplace to rest and learn about the situation.

Golden Core Cultivator cannot suddenly engage in combat without any apparent reason.

Once these cultivators start fighting, it might symbolize a clash between two sects.

This is a big problem; it could potentially affect an area spanning thousands of miles. It's understandable that many cultivators are worried.

Chen Dengming only hoped that it wouldn't prevent him from reaching the Evergreen Sect and joining the Immortal Sect.

As a result, after wandering Marketplace and asking around, all they heard was some information of little value.

Surprisingly, no cultivator in the Marketplace knew who the Golden Core Cultivator who were fighting were.

These high-level cultivators fought too quickly, and there was no communication between them throughout the entire battle.

Or perhaps the communication takes place entirely between Divine Sense, and the weak are not even qualified to hear it.

Many people didn't even see exactly how many cultivators there were.

Chen Dengming focused his Spiritual Qi into his eyes and was able to see clearly, but he still couldn't make out the specific features.

Therefore, many cultivators in the Marketplace argued heatedly, creating a tense and explosive atmosphere, but there was absolutely no substantive content involved.

Seeing this, Chen Dengming also gave up the idea of staying in the Marketplace.

Before things completely descended into chaos and prices skyrocketed, I immediately purchased a batch of Spirit Rice and Spirit Spring.

Then they left the Marketplace and traveled under the cover of night.

Regardless of what happens, whether or not a war breaks out Immortal Sect, we must act quickly and get away from dangerous areas before the fighting escalates completely, instead of staying put and engaging in pointless discussions and speculations.

For the next two days, Chen Dengming Blade Control, flying at breakneck speed.

When Spiritual Qi is depleted, they spare no effort to replenish it with Spirit Stone and do their utmost to travel.

Along the way, there were quite a few cultivators who, like him, remained silent and focused on their journey.

They came from all directions.

But those heading in the same direction as him were all heading in the same direction.

They all seemed to be heading to the territory of the Longevity Sect, as if they had received some news and were fleeing from something, making the atmosphere tense and oppressive along the way.

With a tentative mindset, Chen Dengming inquired with several of the passing cultivators.

Some people were indifferent and wary, leaving without saying a word.

Some simply uttered a cold, impersonal message: "The Nether Moon Sect and the Moon Gazing Sect are at war."

"The Nether Moon Sect and the Moon Gazing Sect?"

Chen Dengming frowned and thought for a moment before he remembered.

Aren't these two sects the same ones that used to be affiliated with the Moon Reflection Sect?

Aren't these our own people? Why are they fighting now?

Is the Moon Reflection Sect indifferent or unable to manage the situation?

Despite his doubts, he dared not linger any longer.

Because more and more cultivators were arriving from the rear.

It even resembled the scene of refugees fleeing a famine in the mortal world, with a surging crowd.

This has led to a widespread sense of panic.

Chen Dengming raced ahead of the crowd, clutching the Spirit Stone, and finally, a day later, saw the two mountain peaks representing the Longevity Sect Territory — Turtle Snake Peak.

The mountain peak was surrounded by spiritual light, as if several groups of cultivators were patrolling around it.

Behind the mountain peaks, several spirit boats, resembling giant skyscrapers, floated.

On the spirit boat, brocade flags fluttered in the wind. From a distance, the flags were embroidered with Dragon Turtle pattern, which was clearly the symbol of the Longevity Sect.

"The Longevity Sect is truly remarkable. They have a grand vision, sending so many cultivators and spirit boats to the border to intimidate and protect the fleeing Rogue Cultivator. This is indeed beneficial for them."

Chen Dengming felt a sudden sense of relief.

It's good to have a big tree to lean on for shade.

Once you enter the territory of the Longevity Sect, no matter how much your two little brothers from the Nether Moon Sect and the Moon Gazing Sect fight, it has nothing to do with the cultivators of the Longevity Sect.

(11,400 words updated today! Still 10,000 words a day, plus an extra 6,000 words, please vote for me!)