Chapter 811: Pavilion
"Oh, by the way, Fellow Daoist Bo Qi, aren’t you going to Junping? You’ll need to be extra careful then."
At their words, Song Yan remembered.
Looking at the map, the Junping Prefecture Bo Qi had mentioned earlier was actually not far from the Eastern Barrens.
"..."
"Fellow Daoist Bo Qi?"
"Ah..."
Bo Qi seemed to have been thinking about something just now: "Sorry, I zoned out again."
"..."
Song Yan still wanted to learn more, but the discussion among the group on this topic abruptly ceased.
Clearly, regarding the passing of a Senior, they were unwilling to speculate or conjecture before the true circumstances were revealed.
Thus, their discussion returned to the Cultivation items each of them needed.
The items the other few were seeking remained unchanged.
After all, if these things were so easy to find, there would be no need to appeal to their families in the Nuo Realm.
However, Fellow Daoist Bo Qi, represented by the middle finger of the right hand, brought up a new item.
"Battle Arts."
According to Bo Qi’s description, these Battle Arts are mostly performed based on Battle Intent, usually involving close-quarters combat. They are a type of Body Cultivator technique, but with subtle differences from pure Body Cultivators.
It sounded very similar to Li Yi’s path of Cultivation.
Song Yan knew that in the eyes of the world, close-quarters combat seemed clumsy, and Body Cultivators were often considered crude.
However, he himself had no stereotypes or prejudices regarding Body Cultivators, Spell Cultivators, close-quarters, or long-range combat.
Perhaps it was because he had witnessed the strength of Li Yi and Han Yuan.
Song Yan knew very little about this area. He had always thought that Li Yi’s fighting style and Battle Skills were all things he had concocted himself.
Perhaps some Martial Skills and Battle Arts from the mortal world were used by him in conjunction with Spiritual Qi.
In Song Yan’s mind, for a super Genius like Li Yi, this was not unreasonable.
However, it now seemed that perhaps he had also obtained some Legacy of Battle Arts.
Are there such schools in the Central Region as well?
He secretly wondered.
According to Bo Qi, he himself did not need this item, but a good friend of his did, so he was helping him keep an eye out for it.
Song Yan naturally didn’t have this item. He couldn’t just demand it from Li Yi and use it for exchange.
The meeting quickly ended.
The figures of everyone disappeared one by one into the Nuo Realm... A few days later, Song Yan led a group of Disciples and left Tiansheng Pass.
Upon returning to Red Maple Plains, he first reported the specific details of this support mission to the Nine Pulses Joint Elder Council.
Since He Huan and Shi Ping had already reported it specifically, he didn’t go into too much detail.
Song Yan’s situation was special, so he reported directly to the Elder handling affairs that day.
Among them, there were two familiar faces. One was Fu Xiao, an Elder of the Shooting Sun Sect.
She was Cong Yuzhen’s Master. During the previous Changping event, Elder Fu had also helped the Cave Abyss Sect a lot.
Moreover, she was also an old acquaintance of Qin Xijun.
Beside Elder Fu was a female Cultivator, perhaps a Cultivator responsible for miscellaneous tasks, also a Disciple of the Shooting Sun Sect.
She was curiously observing him at this moment.
The other person was Yang Wenxuan, whom Song Yan simply ignored.
Fu Xiao nodded, her eyes filled with admiration for the younger generation: "Well done. If not for you, I’m afraid Tiansheng Pass would have fallen."
"Oh, by the way, Xijun also came to Red Maple Plains a few days ago. She often talks about you. If you have some free time, go see her."
Song Yan was slightly startled, then bowed.
"Thank you for the Senior’s guidance."
It seemed Granny Qin had served her penance on the Heaven Falcon Cliff, and after another half a year, Elder Zhang Guangyuan had released her to "relax."
Song Yan took his leave and departed from Maple Leaf Isle.
He acted as if nothing had happened, but the Joint Elder Council was abuzz with discussion.
"If the situation is true, could this Song Yan’s strength barely be comparable to the Late Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm?"
The several Elders looked at each other, surprise on their faces.
"Alone, he contended with six Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators, two of whom were in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment."
"After his colleagues arrived to assist, he even killed two Middle Stage opponents. This Song Yan..."
"Did he have another fortuitous encounter, or did he not fully display his strength at Dragon Pool Mountain?"
The Elders spoke one after another.
Yang Wenxuan, however, remained silent.
He only cursed Hermit Xin Shan in his heart for being useless, failing to kill even an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Listening to the Elders’ discussions, the female Cultivator couldn’t help but look in the direction Song Yan had left.
She murmured, "I didn’t expect Yun’er’s brother to be so powerful..."
This female Cultivator was a close friend of Sheng Yun and had often heard her speak of her two brothers.
After Changping, Song Yan’s name had already begun to be known, and the Dragon Pool Mountain gathering made his reputation even more widespread.
Seeing him in person today, he truly was handsome and distinguished.
Unfortunately, Song Yan had already left by this time.
Stepping out of Maple Leaf Isle, he headed towards Qin Xijun’s Immortal Cave.
Granny Qin was a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but because she wasn’t particularly old, she would also participate in some relatively dangerous missions within the Nine Pulses Elder Council.
She wondered if there would be a day when she would fight alongside Granny Qin, participating in a mission to eradicate Demonic Cultivators... While thinking, she had already arrived outside her Elder’s Immortal Cave.
She wondered if she was Cultivating at this moment.
"Master, it’s me."
"Come in."
The Immortal Cave Restriction automatically lifted, and Song Yan slowly stepped inside.
"You’re back?"
Qin Xijun still looked the same, but perhaps because she was in her own Immortal Cave, she was dressed very casually.
A single black gauze dress covered her exquisite body, and her long black hair was casually draped over her shoulders.
"Master, put on more clothes. What kind of appearance is this?"
Song Yan didn’t act like a stranger, sitting down at the table and pouring himself a cup of tea.
Qin Xijun clasped her hands behind her head: "Hmph, your wings have hardened, and you’re even trying to manage your Master now."
"This is my own Immortal Cave! What can you do if I don’t wear anything?!"
"You’ve been making quite a name for yourself on the battlefield these past few days. Are you just too pleased with yourself?"
Song Yan sheepishly said: "This, this, this, what are you talking about?"
The two chatted for a while, recounting their experiences of the past few days to Qin Xijun.
"Good Disciple, have your battle merits already accumulated enough for you to return to the Sect?"
Qin Xijun suddenly asked.
"Although you now have the strength to protect yourself, it is still safer to return to the Sect."
Qin Xijun’s worries were not unfounded. No one could predict what would happen on such a battlefield in the next moment.
To put it bluntly, this kind of war depended on which side deployed more Golden Core Realm Cultivators.
One more or one less Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator would not have any decisive impact on the battlefield.
"Yes, it’s enough."
Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators needed a relatively large amount of battle merits to leave the front line, but in the past year or so, whether it was killing Mo Xu Cultivators or guarding the rear, the missions were completed exceptionally well.
Song Yan’s battle merits were already sufficient.
"But wait a little longer; there are still some matters to attend to."
Qin Xijun nodded. She merely offered advice to her Disciple; how he considered it and how he acted was naturally his own decision.
After a few pleasantries, he stood up to take his leave and departed from Qin Xijun’s Immortal Cave.
For the following period, he continued to be stationed in Red Maple Plains as usual.
If there was a mission, he would go on it; if there was nothing, he would Cultivate on his own.
Two or three months later, Song Yan suddenly felt something and took out a special red transmission talisman.
His heart tightened, knowing that the Immortal Dynasty ancient battlefield was probably about to open.
Half an hour later, Song Yan left his Immortal Cave and went to Maple Leaf Isle.
He petitioned the Elder Council to leave the main battlefield of Red Maple Plains.
At this point in time, it could only be said to be just right. Demonic Cultivators had been causing chaos for so long, yet the two sides still hadn’t reached the extent of a full-scale conflict where Golden Core Cultivators fought to the death.
Therefore, Cultivators who had accumulated a certain amount of merit on the battlefield could petition to leave.
This was also considered a way for the Nine Pulses Cultivators to allow these main forces some breathing room.
If one day Demonic Cultivators truly launched a large-scale attack and the battlefield reached a life-or-death situation, then there would be no talk of retirement.
With a single conscription order, which Disciple of the Nine Pulses would dare to disobey?
Even now, those Cultivators who flinched in battle or found various excuses to avoid conscription and leave the battlefield were punished very severely.
It was heard that in serious cases, their Cultivation was even crippled.
Of course, these were a minority.
Song Yan’s battle merits were entirely sufficient, so all procedures moved very quickly.
Coupled with the fact that the war was still stable, even Yang Wenxuan had no good reason to obstruct his petition.
This time, when heading to Yi River, he did not plan to bring Xiao He.
Firstly, Xiao He had already vaguely touched the threshold of the second-tier and needed more stable Cultivation time.
Secondly, he was unsure if this ancient talisman could allow Demon Beasts to enter. After all, although he publicly claimed Xiao He was his spirit beast, the man and the Demon Beast had never formed any contract.
It was better to leave her here to Cultivate properly, and he would pick Xiao He up when he returned.
"Xiao He, you’ll stay here alone for a few days. I’ll be back very soon."
"Mhm!"
Snake Babe nodded vigorously: "No problem, I won’t run around, and you have to come back early too!"
"If anything happens, go find Xiao Ju, or go find Granny Qin, understand?"
This was Song Yan’s temporary Immortal Cave. Although it would be reserved for Song Yan for a short period, the situation on the battlefield was ever-changing, and it was hard to say what might happen.
"Alright, I got it."
After arranging everything, he then left Maple Leaf Lake.
He looked towards the Yi River, cast Void Wandering, and transformed into a sword light that vanished into the clouds... Half a month later.
East of Yi River, Yangling Immortal City.
Yangling was a relatively small Immortal City. Although it wasn’t as grand as Descending Immortal Pass, it was larger than most market towns.
Amidst rolling hills and wild valleys, with mountain flowers in full bloom, a luxurious five-story pavilion stood by the water.
At this moment, it was bustling with noise and excitement.
This was Yangling Immortal City’s largest eatery, the "Yinxian Waterside Pavilion."
By the Yi River, a small boat was moored, seemingly waiting for someone.
At this moment, two figures appeared outside the building.
One of them was burly, with a horizontal saber strapped to his waist.
The other wore a dark blue Daoist robe, a bamboo hat on his head, and half his face obscured by a mask.
Both were Cultivators at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.
The two welcoming attendants outside the door, both at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining Cultivation, respectfully bowed upon seeing these two Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators arrive.
Normally, for an eatery, it was rare to see even a few Cultivators at Qi Refining Perfection.
But facing two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the welcoming attendants’ expressions and actions at this moment did not show much surprise or enthusiasm.
They even seemed a little numb.
"Are you two Cultivators from Chu Kingdom?"
Song Yan and Sheng Nian exchanged glances, surprised in their hearts.
It seemed there were also Cultivators from other countries here.
The two nodded, announcing their origins.
"Loose Cultivators."
Actually, these two attendants were only following the owner’s instructions to ascertain the guests’ origins.
In the Border Region, the Cultivation Worlds of eight or nine small countries were all the same; everyone was equally poor, and the status of a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator was already considered high.
They would not be treated lightly anywhere.
"If you two wish to enjoy some spirit meals, please go up to the second floor and find Manager Zhang."
The two attendants seemed tired of speaking, their voices a little weak: "If you are just waiting for friends or for any other matter, please find a seat on the first floor."
"..."
Song Yan nodded, and the two walked inside.
"This Yinxian Waterside Pavilion’s reception capacity isn’t great..."
Sheng Nian secretly transmitted: "With so few people, they’re already questioning guests about their origins."
He had used a disguise secret art at this moment, changing his appearance to look much older.
From the outside, this place didn’t look much larger than some mortal inns, but inside, it was indeed much more spacious than it appeared from the outside.
On this first floor alone, there were probably 120 to 130 small tables set up.
At this moment, only a dozen or so seats remained empty.
A quick glance revealed that there were thirty to forty Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators openly displaying their Cultivation.
Strangely, looking around, there wasn’t a single spirit food item displayed.
Song Yan walked straight to an empty table, not looking left or right.
"With such a big commotion, even Cultivators who have never heard of any Immortal Dynasty battlefield would want to get involved."
"No wonder they need to ask about origins."
Song Yan’s gaze shifted around. The attire of several people was very unique, clearly not local Cultivators of Chu Kingdom.
Sheng Nian sat down: "I didn’t expect it to be like this either..."
Previously, both of them had thought that the Immortal Dynasty ancient battlefield wouldn’t cause much of a stir, and they would only need to use an ancient talisman to enter when the Seal was weak.
They hadn’t expected such a significant commotion.
At some unknown time, in a valley near Yangling, the Five Elements Spiritual Qi became extremely chaotic.
When several Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators passed over the area on Flying Swords, their spiritual power became unstable, and they almost fell to their deaths.
In the following days, the Five Elements Spiritual Qi in this area completely inverted, making flight impossible nearby.
Even walking into that location, one could not activate Spiritual Qi.
The commotion was indeed significant. It was said that a few days ago, a Golden Core Realm Grand Cultivator passed by and also took a few glances, but he did not stay and left quickly.
"How many people can one ancient talisman allow in?"
Song Yan asked.
"I don’t know, only that Yao Cultivators cannot enter," Sheng Nian thought for a moment and said, "I forgot to tell you something; I got another one these past few days."
"Oh?" Song Yan was a little surprised: "An ancient talisman?"
Are these things that easy to get?
Including the one Song Yan deliberately gave away, the two brothers had actually obtained three ancient talismans... But thinking about it, it made sense.
Killing many people, it was probably normal.
Sheng Nian nodded.
"Perhaps it’s because the time for the Seal to weaken is approaching, so Cultivators from other countries who possess this talisman have also rushed here."
"At that time, the two of us can each hold a talisman and enter."
Song Yan didn’t mind this.
Just then, another group of three slowly walked into the Yinxian Waterside Pavilion.