Chapter 477: Catch a Turtle in a Jar. Discovered Taixuan Hong's Tracks? |
"I can only report this to the Tower Lord and have him dispatch some manpower over..."
Zhou Lin weighed the pros and cons and decided to report it, but not to the Tower itself, but to his Tower Lord, one of the two Tower Lords of the Storm Tower.
As the one who discovered Taixuan Hong, this was naturally an immense merit. Taking that item from this Great Void Realm shouldn't be a big problem.
I can't let this guy go... He glanced at Chen Fan and said, "Go down and find Song Liao."
"Yes..." Chen Fan's taut heartstrings finally relaxed a bit as he dropped back into the Great Void Realm.
"Taixuan Hong... To think my luck would be this good." Zhou Lin's heart palpitated, and his lips couldn't help but part in a grin as he gazed down at the Guixu Abyss below.
At this moment, it was already a situation of catching a turtle in a jar; he couldn't let the cooked duck fly away.
Five Pillar City. On the top floor of a building called "Floating Light", the lights shone on a crystal floor paved with starlight. On the dance floor, women wore clothes as thin as cicada wings, embroidered with flowing light patterns, twisting their slender waists to the music.
However, in the VIP suite on the higher floor, it was entirely tranquil.
The sturdy man scolded, "What are you staring blankly for? This is Elder Feng, Feng Cheng of Jade Firmament Heaven from High Firmament..."
Feng Cheng cast a faint glance over. Geng Shan secretly gritted his teeth. Among this group of people, the status of Hellfire City was the lowest, not even having a Radiant Moon, only acting as companions.
Even though he felt somewhat humiliated in his heart, he could only get up and pour wine for everyone.
"My little brother Geng's father is the City Lord of Hellfire City. The 'Flame Essence' they produce has good effects..." the sturdy man introduced.
Feng Cheng's expression was indifferent. "I know. The purity of Hellfire City's Flame Essence is only 98%. The purity is too low, so they can only serve as an alternative for procurement."
Geng Shan's movements stiffened. The sturdy man didn't mind and instead chuckled, "Did you hear that? Go back and have your dad research it some more."
Geng Shan's expression changed rapidly, but in the end, he could only force a smile. He stayed for a while, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles, before finding an excuse to leave, which no one cared about.
"Damn it..." Only when he had completely walked out of Floating Light did he dare to curse softly. He shook his head helplessly. "This Five Pillar City is really no place for humans. Bosses are everywhere. 98% purity is actually not enough..."
As he muttered to himself for a bit, the communication terminal on his wrist suddenly vibrated.
Geng Shan casually raised it, took a look, and raised an eyebrow. "Duan Ye?"
He thought for quite a while before remembering who this person was. The image of a dark-faced, burly man, somewhat blurred in his memory, surfaced.
"Why is this guy sending me a message?" Geng Shan muttered. Opening it, he saw it was actually a file, with a line of small text below it—"Use the Universal Decoder."
"And it's encrypted?" Geng Shan was speechless. All communications relied entirely on "Cosmic Void," and Cosmic Void was managed by the Five Pillars. Only extremely secretive information required encryption.
The two of them had only met once; what secret information could they possibly have?
Moreover, it could be decrypted using the Universal Decoder.
"Boring." Geng Shan was already in a bad mood and didn't really want to bother, but on second thought, that dark-faced burly man didn't seem like the type to play pranks on people.
"Alright." Having nothing better to do anyway, he simply called up the Universal Decoder to decrypt the file.
It only took a few minutes. Inside, there was only a single line of text: "Zhou Lin of the Storm Tower has discovered Taixuan Hong's tracks and intends to hide the matter."
Geng Shan was originally just scanning it casually, but his expression suddenly froze.
"Who? Taixuan Hong?" He was stunned. He naturally knew this name, but previously it was just treated as a topic of conversation. Their Hellfire City didn't have the capability to get involved in the operation to find this person.
But he never expected to learn of this name in such a manner.
His Adam's apple bobbed, his hands trembling. Forcing himself to calm down, he sorted through the information: "The Storm Tower seems to be a faction with a Radiant Moon holding down the fort. They found Taixuan Hong, but don't plan to notify the Five Pillars for now?"
"If I report this news to the Five Pillars..." His heart palpitated. This seemed like manna from heaven.
"No, that's not right..." Geng Shan shook his head repeatedly. "How could such a good thing fall on my head? I've only met him once."
"Why are you telling me?" He typed out a few words but couldn't bring himself to send them, his mind locked in an internal struggle.
If this was true, then he would definitely receive a handsome reward. But if it was false, he would offend the Storm Tower.
Right at this moment, another message popped up: "I didn't send this matter to just one person. Opportunity knocks but once."
Geng Shan's expression changed again. Even without making any strenuous movements, he couldn't help but start panting. "First... tell my father, let him decide, let him decide..."
"...Someone discovered traces of Rainbow Stone Spirit Soil in a Great Void Realm, but that Great Void Realm currently belongs to the Black Rock Confederation."
High Firmament, Eternal Dragon Heaven. Inside Zhong Yue's hall, Jiang Yue held a teacup and spoke unhurriedly.
"Black Rock Confederation?" Upon hearing this, Zhong Yue couldn't help but frown and said, "Is that the faction that just had a Radiant Moon defect?"
"Correct. You've heard too?" Jiang Yue was somewhat surprised, then nodded. "That Radiant Moon is nearing the end of his lifespan and originally favored a junior from his own family, but the other two Radiant Moons were unwilling, which led to this situation."
"Therefore, they are somewhat chaotic internally and hard to communicate with for the time being. Getting what we want will probably require waiting for some time. Also, people from the Upper Three Heavens are contacting them."
"Trying to intercept it?" Zhong Yue's expression was ugly.
"We haven't bothered to hide it, so the Upper Three Heavens naturally won't sit still either." Jiang Yue's tone was calm, but he changed the topic and smiled, "However, it's worth mentioning that the one the Upper Three Heavens previously contacted just happened to be the Radiant Moon who defected."
"Oh..." Zhong Yue couldn't help but feel delighted. "Then heaven is truly helping me. It is said that Great Heaven is about to find Taixuan Hong. I hope to evolve into an Azure God as soon as possible."
"Don't be anxious." Jiang Yue shook his head, warning him, "Every step of evolving into an Azure God is perilous. Your state of mind is very important."
"Furthermore, choosing the Chosen of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith is not something that will happen overnight. Some Morning Stars who meet the age requirements will inevitably join in as well. You still have time."
Every successive Radiant Sun who wished to become a Chosen had to go through a lengthy selection process. This time, involving the Five Pillars, it definitely couldn't be decided after just a battle or two.
Zhong Yue sighed. "Though that is the case, we cannot lose the initiative. The favor of the Spirit of the Vast Sun is quite important. If we wait until later, when the Spirit of the Vast Sun is used to seeing everyone, it will be very hard to leave any impression on it."
He shook his head and added, "I will have to trouble Senior Brother with this matter."
"It is what I ought to do." Jiang Yue waved his hand, saying, "Calculating the time, in another five months, it should be time for the Abyssal Hidden Star Ranking to update."
"Since you've attuned to a Cultivation Technique, you should be able to climb a few more ranks, perhaps even having a chance to enter the top ten. Then, if we demand Nine Heavens Mystic Wood from the Upper Three Heavens, they will have to grit their teeth and hand it over."
"I am set on victory..." Zhong Yue nodded, but suddenly asked, "Do you Senior Brothers know of Su Chen's recent movements? Is he planning for the Azure Deity Metamorphosis or something similar?"
"That I haven't heard. I heard he bought a property in the Nether Realm and has been staying inside recently." Jiang Yue shook his head, saying indifferently, "The foundation of Bronze Heaven is unstable. Though he took the top spot and the Upper Three Heavens all went to congratulate him, if he wants to evolve into an Azure God and aim for Dao Sovereign, I'm afraid the Upper Three Heavens would immediately suppress him."
"Bronze Heaven currently cannot withstand the Upper Three Heavens."
Zhong Yue couldn't help but nod. It was because their Eternal Dragon Heaven had accumulated for a long time that they had the capital to contend with the Upper Three Heavens. Yet even so, during the early stages of his Azure Deity Metamorphosis, he was proceeding with great caution.
And now, they were being hamstrung at every turn, so there was even less need to mention Bronze Heaven.
"I wonder what rank he will reach." Zhong Yue couldn't help but speculate. "His might is no less than Chang Geming's."
"Not necessarily..." Hearing this, Jiang Yue wasn't very optimistic. "With the Longevity Root in his possession, Chang Geming wouldn't be afraid even in a head-on confrontation with him. Su Chen relies on explosive bursts and can't sustain it for too long."
"Moreover, his Professional Abilities are no longer a secret. I estimate the others will be prepared, making it very hard for him to squeeze into the top three."
"Chang Geming, Xu Yingshen, and Xuan Kai. These three..." Zhong Yue was also helpless; none of these three guys were normal humans.
There was no need to elaborate on the Longevity Root.
As for Xu Yingshen, he could devour Nether Realm Creatures. As long as he could withstand it, there was theoretically no upper limit.
Xuan Kai was a Mechanically Augmented Being. If it weren't for concerns about future troubles when advancing to Morning Star and the faction's face, the Machine Domain could even stuff Radiant Moon-level materials into his body, making him impervious to attacks.
The top three spots were held by these Pillars every year. The second and third places often rotated, and the first place occasionally rotated.
"Fourth is good enough. I might not even make it into the top ten." Zhong Yue sighed, yet clicked his tongue.
Jiang Yue then mentioned another matter. "By the way, Tong Zhuo has finally shown up. At a certain banquet, he publicly expressed his admiration for Su Chen."
"Finally shown up. I thought his mindset had collapsed." Zhong Yue sneered. "Putting on a show of being broad-minded, those who don't know might think he has already become a Dao Sovereign."
"I'd like to see how long he can keep up this act!"
"Elder Gou, it's been almost half a year, have you still not found him?"
Deep within the Nether Realm, the Immeasurable Buddha asked cautiously. In front of him, Elder Gou held a fishing rod, its silver fishing line, thin as a hair, sinking deep into the void.
"What's the rush..." Elder Gou's voice was placid. "The Abyssal Domain is so large, and some small fish have even fled outside the Abyssal Domain. How could he be found in a short time?"
"But if the God of Three Obsessions finds him first..." The Immeasurable Buddha couldn't help but say. He had already paid the deposit. If someone else beat him to it, he might as well pass away in meditation before the World-Honored One returned.
Otherwise, when the World-Honored One returned, even passing away in meditation wouldn't be enough to atone for his sins.
"What does it matter to me if he finds him first?" Elder Gou turned around with a half-smile. "I never guaranteed I would definitely find him before he does."
"You..." The Immeasurable Buddha gritted his teeth, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood.
"Haha... Little monk can't take a joke. Relax. Although Sanchi is a bit faster than me, our methods are different." Elder Gou laughed heartily. The Immeasurable Buddha secretly breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear a sinister voice follow: "But in the one in ten thousand chance that he really is faster than me, your final payment won't be reduced by a single bit."
The Immeasurable Buddha's facial muscles twitched, his expression changing repeatedly. Behind him, Buddha-light opened up as he returned to the Buddha Land, only then cursing angrily, "That damned old geezer! He doesn't know life from death! Doesn't know life from death!"
"Buddha!" A shout came from outside the tightly shut temple doors. The Immeasurable Buddha took a deep breath, his expression gradually becoming serene and benevolent, as he said mildly, "Come in."
A bare-chested Arhat pushed the door open and entered, his expression respectful as he said, "While you were away just now, news arrived. The Longevity Pillar has discovered clues regarding Taixuan Hong."
"What?" The Immeasurable Buddha suddenly looked over. The bare-chested Arhat was startled, noticing a faintly crazed emotion in those eyes that were supposed to be kind.
"How did the Longevity Pillar discover it? Can it be confirmed if it's true or false?" The Immeasurable Buddha could hardly control his emotions. Because everyone believed Taixuan Hong would inevitably run far away, they had colluded with the Final Ruin, using their methods to search.
He had already paid an extremely exorbitant price and signed the contract, and now they tell him someone found clues about Taixuan Hong?
If it were discovered by High Firmament or the Machine Domain, it might still be acceptable. But the Longevity Pillar didn't even have any subordinate factions; where did they find it?
"I do not know." The bare-chested Arhat hurriedly shook his head. "They just asked you to go to the Storm Tower as soon as possible."
"Storm Tower..." The Immeasurable Buddha stood up, his expression gloomy. Whether it was true or false, he had to figure it out. Buddha-light lingered behind him, and lotus flowers blossomed, enveloping him.
"Tempering Six Paths Dawnfire, what a freak..."
In the Great Void Realm, Su Chen was grimacing and baring his teeth, huddled at the foot of a mountain. His body was covered in dense cracks, from which a faint green light shone, slowly repairing them.
"If I hadn't completely filled out the Nine Realms of Thunder Evolution over the past month or so, making the regular strength of this body even stronger than my Main Body, and coupled with the Eight Heavenly Marks and Immovable Vajra, I wouldn't have withstood it..."
"He's completely on a different level from Qin Yun. The gap is too large——."
Su Chen couldn't help but recall his old acquaintance. He shook his head and glanced down at the offline timer on his communication terminal.
"Calculating the time, the timing should have been pretty accurate..."
It had been over a month since he arrived at the Great Void Realm. Searching for Nether Realm Creatures to replenish himself wasn't difficult; they were everywhere in this place.
The troublesome part was finding Zhou Lin. Fortunately, there was the Nuo Vessel outside to help him lock onto the general location. After spending more than half a month, he found those two people just now.
However, because it didn't align with the scheduled time he had set for the message to be sent, he waited for over another half a month before exposing himself.
He had even specifically used the ability of a certain Nether Realm Creature he had devoured, mainly wrapping himself in flames.
The only risky part was facing Zhou Lin directly. Fortunately, while the opponent's strength was indeed very high, it was still within his expectations. Withstanding one strike head-on was no problem, and he hadn't used his trump cards.
"Coming to find treasures, accidentally discovered, and even blood left as evidence..."
"Someone has to take a gamble eventually..." Su Chen let out a long sigh. Using the Deliverance Seeds accumulated by the Verdant Wood Guest, these injuries were quickly repaired almost completely.
He naturally didn't plan on dying at Zhou Lin's hands. To make the entire Abyssal Domain believe that Taixuan Hong was dead, there had to at least be someone from the Five Pillars to witness it, right?
"There has to be enough people, and their status has to be high enough to have the qualifications to witness the fall of Taixuan Hong." Su Chen's eyes flickered. While waiting for his body to repair, he opened the Status Panel again and habitually glanced at the Dispatch page, only to be slightly taken aback.
[The World-Slaying Manifestation, Inexhaustible Titan, Cinderless Flame, and Verdant Wood Guest jointly stole a memory that might be helpful to you.]
[The Flash-Shadow Body and Nine Hells Thunder Evolution jointly discovered a piece of confidential intelligence that might be helpful to you.]
"They all came back. Four-class synergy... two-class synergy." Su Chen's heart fluttered, and he immediately tried to extract them.
"Another three hundred drops of Divine Blood?"
Su Chen sensed the required consumption. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, and he couldn't help but let his imagination run wild: "A memory? Could it really be the Seven Treasures Refinement?"
"Regardless of whether it is or not, I have to extract it... And this confidential intelligence too." Su Chen suppressed his emotions and tried to extract the confidential intelligence.
"One hundred drops of Divine Blood? Just how confidential is this to be worth so much Divine Blood?"
Su Chen grew increasingly surprised. He roughly calculated, "I only have seventy-six drops of Eldritch Divine Blood left. The shortfall is three hundred and twenty-four drops. If I buy it from the Black Market, it will cost over sixteen hundred Faith Essence."
"Deducting the amount needed to contact the Spirit of the Vast Sun, I only have two hundred left, which means a shortfall of nearly fourteen hundred Faith Essence."
"Tsk..."
Su Chen calculated for a moment. During the process of catching Nether Realm Creatures recently, he had indeed dug up quite a few good things. Added together, they might be worth five or six hundred essence, but that was far from enough.
Putting away the Status Panel, his eyes flickered. "I wonder how much essence the Profound Limit Celestial Light can sell for."
The good things in the Guixu Abyss were basically guarded by Nether Realm Creatures. The more precious the item, the stronger the guarding Nether Realm Creature.
As a local, he didn't need to enter the Void Light to vaguely sense exactly how strong the Nether Realm Creatures inside were.
The Nether Realm Creatures guarding the Profound Limit Celestial Light and the Sovereign Relics were bound to be unimaginably strong.
Su Chen stood up, his injuries having mostly healed. "Now I have the time to look for them carefully."