Chapter 351 - 190: Nanzhan Treasure Continent 2
It was simply the most coveted treasure land for all Cultivators in the world.
Of course, Nanzhan appeared to be a primordial wasteland, overrun with vicious beasts, rife with poisonous miasmas, and crawling with countless venomous insects—a place of extreme peril.
But compared to the myriad of cultivation resources that countless Cultivators yearned for, these dangers seemed insignificant.
The real reason Nanzhan Continent hadn’t been scoured clean by Cultivators was that it lay isolated in the South Sea, shrouded in a dense, perpetual fog.
That South Sea fog blotted out the sky and sun, a vast and gloomy expanse. It not only blocked Spiritual Sense but was also crisscrossed by demonic winds, ravaged by thunderstorms, and filled with towering waterspouts... Vicious beasts ran rampant in the sea’s depths, and it was said that even the sea-dwelling Demon Race, let alone ordinary cultivators, faced near-certain death trying to pass through.
Even so, countless people willingly risked their lives, hoping to brave the South Sea fog and enter Nanzhan Continent.
Legend had it that thousands of years ago, a Loose Cultivator ancestor broke into Nanzhan on a lone skiff. He returned with a Pill Formation Great Medicine and countless cultivation treasures, managing to achieve a Top-grade Golden Core. He then refined a Nascent Soul, and finally attained a Primordial Spirit, roaming freely between heaven and earth, entering and leaving Qingming at will.
This story could be said to have inspired countless frustrated Independent Cultivators, and even sect disciples and the disfavored sons of great families, to try their luck in the South Sea, only to vanish without a trace.
Perhaps some among them, blessed with heaven-defying luck, did manage to enter Nanzhan Continent, returning with countless treasures. Keenly aware of the danger that comes with possessing such wealth, they dared not make a sound. But far, far more of them either left their bones in the South Sea or found themselves trapped in Nanzhan forever, able to enter but never to leave.
Regardless, the legends of Nanzhan Continent were known to every Cultivator. But now, Daochen Zhenren was saying that the South Sea fog would one day disperse?!
In response to his disciples’ doubts, Daochen Zhenren stated with calm composure, "The South Sea fog was never immutable. It follows the turnings of fate and has its moments of brief dissipation. Perhaps due to the momentum of the great conflict between the righteous and demonic paths, the South Sea fog is already showing signs of clearing."
Zhou Jun asked in a low voice, "If I may ask the Master, when will the South Sea fog clear, and how long will it remain so?"
Daochen Zhenren was not stingy with his explanation. "At this rate, the South Sea fog should clear within fifty years. The exact date will become clearer as the time draws near."
"In that case..." Fei Fan Yan’s brows furrowed. "When the day comes for the South Sea fog to clear, I fear it will unleash a storm of blood."
Never mind the three major sects and six major schools, or the four great Demon Sects. What other sect, what cultivator in the world, would not want to enter Nanzhan Continent? When the time comes, good and evil will mix, and cultivators from all sides will fight over great medicines, inevitably leading to countless battles and slaughters.
Instead of feeling joy at the prospect of this treasure land opening, Fei Fan Yan was filled with pity. "Without the fog to isolate it, Nanzhan Continent will only become more dangerous. It will become a graveyard for countless Cultivators. How tragic."
"This is fate. It cannot be reversed," Daochen Zhenren sighed softly.
"If that is the case," Zhou Jun said gravely, "we must either restrain our disciples and forbid them from going to Nanzhan, or we must prepare fully for conflict with the Demon Sects, fiends, and even cultivators from all other factions."
That being said, forbidding disciples from going to Nanzhan Continent was by no means the best course of action.
"Logically, that is correct." Daochen Zhenren smiled, then said, "However, while fate cannot be reversed, it can be guided and adapted to."
"I have long intended to use the Nanzhan Treasure Continent to enrich our sect and enhance our disciples’ cultivation."
Daochen Zhenren said calmly, "Since that is the case, why should we share the spoils with the Demon Sect? I shall lay down a great formation to disperse the South Sea fog ahead of schedule, allowing the disciples of our Tai Su Orthodox Sect to be the first to enter Nanzhan Continent."
"At the same time, I will order all the Nascent Soul Cultivators in the sect to guard the great formation and block all Demon Cultivators from entering Nanzhan to gather herbs."
"What!" Zhou Jun and Fei Fan Yan were both stunned.
"However, while our Tai Su Orthodox Sect will take the first step, it would not be good to monopolize Nanzhan. That would offend our fellow righteous sects, and I have no desire to cut off all hope for the other Cultivators of the world."
"Therefore, I will still loosen the restrictions somewhat, allowing all Cultivators in the world, aside from Demon Cultivators, to enter and gather herbs after our Tai Su Orthodox Sect."
"At that time, good and evil will mix. Even if we block the Demon Cultivators, there will surely be vicious and desperate individuals. And even among our fellow righteous sects, conflicts will not necessarily be avoided."
As he spoke, a murderous intent seemed to fill the great hall, like the ringing of a Flying Sword.
Daochen Zhenren said in a solemn voice, "You two are the thirteenth-generation True Disciples of our Tai Su Orthodox Sect, and you are the leaders among the sect’s Golden Core Cultivators. When the time comes to enter Nanzhan Continent, you two shall bear the responsibility of leading our disciples."
"Do you understand?"
Their expressions both turned solemn as they replied in a clear, unified voice, "Disciple Zhou Jun and Disciple Fei Fan Yan will respectfully obey the Zhenren’s decree!"
"Good."
Daochen Zhenren uttered a word of praise, and a gentle force seemed to wash over them, instantly dispelling the murderous atmosphere. His tone softened as he chuckled, "Dexing, your Golden Core ceremony will be the first one our Tai Su Orthodox Sect has held in nearly a thousand years."
"All the righteous sects in the world will come to offer their congratulations. You must perform well."
Zhou Jun quickly replied, "This disciple understands."
"Mm," Daochen Zhenren acknowledged. "For the sake of the grand plan for Nanzhan Continent, the sect will bestow upon you both another opportunity to cultivate in Dongzhen Hall. After your Golden Core ceremony is over, you two may find a time to go."
The qualification to cultivate in Dongzhen Hall was incredibly precious. Even for one who had formed a Top-grade Golden Core and been promoted to True Disciple, the opportunity only came once every hundred years.
Although it was for the sake of the sect’s grand plan, such a reward could not be considered anything but generous. Overjoyed, Zhou Jun replied, "Thank you, Master."
A faint smile also appeared on Fei Fan Yan’s face as she bowed. "Thank you, Master."
Daochen Zhenren said no more. "You may go," he stated calmly.
The two of them bowed once more and retreated from the great hall. Under the guidance of Zhi Xing, they finally exited the Cloud Palace.
The moment he stepped out of the palace gates, a voice suddenly echoed in Zhou Jun’s mind.
The Five Elements Child tutted, ’In my opinion, if there’s anyone who can set the course for this era, it would have to be your Master.’
Zhou Jun’s expression remained unchanged as he bid farewell to Fei Fan Yan. He summoned a beam of escaping light and flew off. Gazing at the vast sea of clouds, he slowly responded, ’That is indeed the case.’
...
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Mingjing Zhenren, clad in white that outshone the snow, suddenly appeared in the great hall. He asked doubtfully, "Daochen, it seems you decided on this plan without discussing it with the other ancestors, did you?"
Daochen Zhenren smiled slightly. "My mind is made up on this matter. The details can be discussed later."
Mingjing Zhenren was speechless for a moment. "You are the current Sect Leader. You have the authority to make such decisions."
"However, dispersing the South Sea fog ahead of schedule will be no easy task."
Daochen Zhenren replied, "Rest assured, Martial Uncle. I have a plan."
"As long as you do." Mingjing Zhenren thought for a moment, then added, "But won’t such a move provoke an all-out conflict between our Tai Su Orthodox Sect and the Demon Sects?"
"The Demon Sects’ fortune is still on the rise; their strength grows with each passing day," Daochen Zhenren said leisurely. "Before they reach their peak, even the Innate Demon Sect will not rashly clash with our Tai Su."
"But it is precisely for this reason that we must seize this opportunity to check the Demon Sects’ momentum. We can’t let them think that just because the great tide of destiny is on their side, everything will go their way."
"Brilliant," Mingjing Zhenren couldn’t help but praise. "If you need my help with anything, just ask. I will certainly do everything in my power."
Daochen Zhenren laughed heartily. "It is precisely because I have you, Martial Uncle, that I dared to make this plan. Otherwise, if something were to go truly wrong, with my cultivation base having only just reached the Primordial Spirit realm, I fear I would not be able to handle the fallout."
Mingjing Zhenren shook his head. "Daochen, you are too modest. With your abilities, you would have a decent chance of success even if you were to forcibly undergo a tribulation right now."
"Looking at all your peers in the Profound Yellow world, is there anyone who can compare to you?"
Daochen Zhenren just smiled. "That’s not necessarily true."
"If the Demon Sects hadn’t been acting more and more outrageously, I would never have known that the Innate Demon Sect’s Tribulation Child has already passed through the Wind and Fire tribulations."
He shook his head and sighed softly. "It seems the Demon Sects’ fortune began its great ascent two thousand years ago, to have produced such a figure."
"To pass through the Wind and Fire tribulations after only two thousand years of cultivation... that level of attainment is truly terrifying," Mingjing Zhenren said. "But part of the reason is that the Innate Demon Sect’s tribulation arts are simply too powerful."
"Besides, you have the Tai Su Void Sword. It’s not as if you couldn’t contend with him."
Daochen Zhenren merely smiled.