Chapter 488 - 487: Military Stronghold
After moving into the City Lord’s Mansion, Qin Ya didn’t remain idle. Instead, he went to the mansion’s Book Pavilion to peruse its collection and learn about the situation in Beihuang, so as not to run around like a headless chicken. After a few days, he finally had a clear understanding of the circumstances.
Putting down a book titled *Record of Beihuang Strange Beast*, Qin Ya rubbed his head. He realized the situation in Beihuang was far more complex than he had imagined. The Barren Land was dense with giant tribes, while the Divine Country was dotted with countless giant cities...
Beihuang was currently divided into two regions: the Barren Land and the Divine Country. Caught between these two were innumerable Exotic Beasts of all kinds. The place Qin Ya was now in, Qingkong Giant City, was within the territory of the Beihuang Divine Country.
Similar to some Empires in the Southern Domain, the Divine Country operated on a commandery system, divided into a total of five commanderies. The lord of each commandery possessed Venerable Cultivation, and each commandery governed a varying number of massive cities. Qingkong Giant City was one of twenty-four cities under the jurisdiction of the Third Commandery, and its City Lord, Mo Bokong, had the cultivation of an Era-Defining King.
Besides the five commanderies, there was also the heart of the Divine Country... the Divine Capital!
’Giants, the Divine Country, five commanderies, giant cities...’
’Sigh... more importantly, I need to find the way back home.’
Qin Ya sighed. According to the ancient texts, countless natural barriers separated the Southern Domain and Beihuang. If he wanted to return, the first step was to cross the Barren Land. With his current strength, doing something like that... ha, it was just wishful thinking!
According to the records, the Barren Land was home to numerous giant tribes. These giants harbored a deep hatred for humans and frequently clashed with the Divine Country in wars along the border.
Moreover, the giants were exceedingly powerful. An ordinary giant’s strength was comparable to a Celestial Human, while a slightly stronger one could rival a King. It was rumored that some giant Chiefs of the Tribes possessed combat prowess that could even stand against a Venerable.
Qin Ya knew he wasn’t weak, but he wasn’t arrogant enough to believe he could cross the Barren Land alone. He’d probably be killed by a tribe within a few days.
’Looks like I’ll have to plan this out carefully if I want to leave this place.’
Qin Ya sighed again, then calmed his mind. He circulated his Divine Thought, comprehending the Holy Seal within his Divine Acupoint and delving into the Space Mysteries. Time flew by, and in a flash, seven days had passed.
Thanks to the Holy Seal, Qin Ya’s comprehension of the Space Mysteries progressed by leaps and bounds. In just a short time, he had reached the Second Heaven.
Although his comprehension was fast, his practical application was still somewhat raw.
However, with the Void Saint’s existence, he didn’t need to worry about application.
’I’ve been in Qingkong Giant City for a while now. I should go out for a walk.’
After some thought, Qin Ya left the City Lord’s Mansion by himself.
Qingkong Giant City was massive, its streets bustling with people and vibrant with activity. Aside from the usual vendors selling medicinal herbs, Elixirs, Profound Soldiers, and the like, there were also markets for Exotic Beasts and slaves. As for entertainment, in addition to Restaurants, dance halls, and Brothels, there were also places like beast-fighting arenas. All in all, it was largely similar to the cities in the Southern Domain.
He arrived at the edge of a scenic lake in the city that was dozens of miles in diameter. Qin Ya spent some Primordial Stones to purchase a small Profound Vessel and began to drift across the water. Occasionally, an Exotic Beast from the lake would cause a disturbance, but Qin Ya casually dealt with them all.
"Marvelous, simply marvelous!"
"The number of Primordial Stone Mines hidden in this lake is enormous! Coupled with the cleansing of Earth Vein Power, the energy is so pure that it has actually become one of the cores for the city’s Array!"
"Ha! The Gathering Array nurtures the energy, which nourishes the Earth Vein. The Earth Vein then returns the energy, feeding back into the Grand Array. It actually forms a self-sustaining cycle! Such a method is truly astounding."
The sword at Qin Ya’s waist trembled lightly as an excited voice rang out continuously, speaking of Array constructs that he didn’t understand. Feeling rather helpless, he decided to ignore Ting Xiao, taking out a jug of fine wine to sip slowly while admiring the beautiful scenery.
Soon after, he reached the center of the lake. The Fierce Beasts that lived here were much stronger; a random one would be at the Beast King Realm, with combat power comparable to the Extraordinary.
"Hah!!"
At that moment, a shout like a clap of Thunder boomed out. It carried the unique killing intent of the battlefield, as if a mighty army was charging forth.
Curious, Qin Ya steered his vessel closer. Suddenly, a hundred-foot Blade Qi engulfed in Flame viciously struck the lake’s surface in front of him. The intense heat made the water boil and bubble, throwing up a water column hundreds of feet high.
The column of water rained down like a torrential downpour. Qin Ya’s brow furrowed slightly. He circulated his True Essence, forming a True Essence Shield that repelled the lakewater. Lifting his gaze, he saw a soldier clad in dark red Armor standing before him.
The soldier, who was in the Celestial Human Realm, held a greatsword and barked coldly, "Who goes there! Don’t you know this is a restricted military area? Trespassing is forbidden!"
’A restricted military area?’
The center of the lake was actually a restricted military area. Qin Ya couldn’t help but feel a little surprised.
"I was reckless. I didn’t realize this was a military camp. My apologies for the intrusion."
Qin Ya spoke apologetically and was about to leave, but just then, four figures in dark red surrounded him—four more soldiers.
"Everyone in Qingkong Giant City knows this is a restricted military area, yet you claim you don’t? Hmph, this is suspicious. Take him in for questioning."
The leader spoke coldly. Qin Ya’s brow twitched as a dozen thoughts flashed through his mind. He said, "I have no ill intentions. I was unaware this was a restricted military area, which is why I trespassed by mistake. I ask you all not to act rashly and to please let me leave."
"This is not a place you can come and go as you please."
The lead soldier stated icily, and with a flash of his blade, he attacked Qin Ya directly. With a slight frown, Qin Ya unleashed his Four Symbols Mysteries, crushing the blade light with his bare hand!
These soldiers were only at the Celestial Human Realm. How could they possibly compare to Qin Ya, who had reached Celestial Human Perfection and possessed combat strength exceeding that of an ordinary King?
"You dare to resist."
The lead soldier’s face darkened. He raised a hand and shot a red light into the sky. On a massive island in the distance, astonishing auras erupted. Streaks of Flowing Light arrived in an instant, transforming into soldiers who completely surrounded Qin Ya.
"Hmph, to actually dare cause trouble at a military camp. You’re truly courting death!"
"The army’s might is like a mountain. How dare you offend it?"
"Huh? His Cultivation is only at the Celestial Human Realm."
"Pathetic. Daring to cause trouble here with such a low Cultivation. Is he out of his mind?"
A hundred Celestial Humans surrounded Qin Ya. Their powerful auras swept across the lake, creating ripples on its surface. Countless Fierce Beasts dove deep into the water, not daring to show their heads, terrified of being caught in the crossfire. At this moment, a general in golden Armor stepped out from the crowd and demanded, "Who goes there? State your name!"
His voice was like a clap of thunder, forming a majestic soundwave that shook the surrounding space. Like a powerful Fierce Beast, it swept toward Qin Ya. Yet, with a slight furrow of his brow, Qin Ya allowed a four-colored radiance to flow around his body, easily neutralizing the soundwave.
"I am Qin Ya. I arrived here by accident, unaware that this was a restricted military area. Please forgive any offense I may have caused." Seeing as he had indeed trespassed, and considering he was in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people and didn’t want to cause trouble, Qin Ya adopted a more subdued and measured tone.