"That quality surpassing the peerless grade... could it be the Supreme Secret grade?" Chen Guan was shocked. He never imagined there truly existed pets surpassing the peerless grade—something unheard of before.
If Duan Shulin's words held truth, such pets likely numbered no more than a few dozen in the entire world. Historical records showed only twenty to thirty instances of Mystic Spirit births, and even accounting for undocumented or deliberately concealed cases, the total couldn't be significantly higher.
Chen Guan and Duan Shulin held lengthy secret discussions, finalizing their cooperative relationship.
They meticulously planned every detail, with their primary target being the Child of the Mystic Spirit. Should the Mystic Spirit eggs fall into the hands of major families and become unattainable through purchase, they would focus on acquiring high-quality Mystic Spirit eggs instead—ensuring they wouldn't leave empty-handed.
Given their cultivation levels, direct confrontation with advanced practitioners was impossible. Practitioners at Second Awakening and Third Awakening far surpassed their combat capabilities.
The Blessed Land only permitted entry up to Third Awakening practitioners. Yet even Second Awakening practitioners presented an insurmountable power gap for Chen Guan and Duan Shulin.
Their hopes now rested on the Mystic Spirit's birthing event producing an explosive yield—ideally over a million Mystic Spirit eggs—which would significantly enhance their advantage.
According to Duan Shulin, pets that consumed Nether Lotuses could detect the quality of Mystic Spirits within eggs at certain distances. When the time came, Duan Shulin would provide funds for bulk purchases.
Chen Guan had considered eliminating Duan Shulin to collaborate with Ji Nanhong instead.
Moreover, Xiu Yingmei constantly shadowed Ji Nanhong. Any attempts by Ji Nanhong to follow Chen Guan's instructions in seizing or purchasing Mystic Spirit eggs would inevitably draw Xiu Yingmei's suspicion.
After careful consideration, Chen Guan concluded that partnering with Duan Shulin remained the safest option currently. His strength sufficiently controlled Duan Shulin, eliminating concerns about betrayal.
"Our cultivation levels are too low. For now, we should follow the Celestial Army members. With Ji Nanhong's protection, nobody would dare attack us. When the Mystic Spirit eggs descend, we'll assess the situation and act accordingly." Duan Shulin lifted the tent flap, observing the completed Celestial Army encampment now deploying perimeter guards.
Chen Guan also surveyed the outside. Against the pitch-black sky, intermittent blue fluorescence flickered—sometimes resembling lightning, other times forming luminous cloud clusters. These fragmented glimpses revealed nothing concrete about the massive blue entity's true nature.
"The Mystic Spirit's existence defies description. Besides the Ancestral Emperor who invaded the Sky Secret Realm with his Great Qin Iron Cavalry, only beings like the Ten Heavenly Kings might possess the power to glimpse fragments of its truth," Duan Shulin remarked with awe.
"Was the Great Qin Iron Cavalry truly that formidable?" Chen Guan asked, intrigued by these obscure historical accounts. With the passage of time, conflicting theories persisted about their actual strength.
"Legends claim all members qualified as Great Grotto-Heaven level experts—minimum requirement for enlistment. Had the Great Qin Iron Cavalry survived, even ten thousand members could have stabilized the Divine Land, preventing subsequent chaos," Duan Shulin explained.
Chen Guan thought privately: "Beyond Blessed Lands lie Grotto-Heavens, and beyond those, the Great Grotto-Heavens. With a million Great Grotto-Heaven level warriors, the Great Qin Iron Cavalry represented truly invincible power. Had they not accompanied the Ancestral Emperor into the Sky Secret Realm, the Qin dynasty might have endured millennia. I wonder if the shadow claiming to be a Great Qin foot soldier in my possession was once among their ranks?"
Various factions gradually arrived at Ghost King Mountain Range, maintaining tacit understanding to occupy separate territories without major conflicts.
Ordinary practitioners, however, frequently clashed throughout the mountains.
Wang Lian and Uncle Eagle established their own camp upon arrival with minimal personnel.
Most Wang family members operated undercover within major factions, making their visible force merely the dozen accompanying Uncle Eagle.
"Third Princess, the Celestial Army has arrived. Ji Nanhong—Commander Ji's only daughter—leads them, with Xiu Yingmei as deputy. They only brought two Third Awakening practitioners, suggesting this was meant as Ji Nanhong's training expedition before unexpectedly encountering the Mystic Spirit's emergence," Uncle Eagle reported after receiving intelligence.
"Her again." Wang Lian frowned slightly.
Uncle Eagle reviewed another report, smiling. "We've located your target."
"With Ji Nanhong?" Wang Lian immediately guessed.
"Correct. He and another youth named Duan Shulin were brought into the Celestial Army camp—an action that greatly displeased Xiu Yingmei," Uncle Eagle confirmed.
Wang Lian's eyes narrowed. "The Xiu family won't tolerate outsiders approaching Ji Nanhong. Perhaps we could negotiate with Xiu Yingmei."
"With Ji Nanhong present, the Celestial Army won't permit Xiu Yingmei's interference. Moreover, the Xiu family would never betray the Celestial Army—this plan seems unfeasible," Uncle Eagle pondered.
"Betrayal is unnecessary. Simply collaborating to eliminate a lecher targeting Ji Nanhong should appeal to her. Uncle Eagle, arrange a meeting—I'll speak with Xiu Yingmei personally," Wang Lian said with a faint smile.
"Understood." Uncle Eagle acknowledged, dispatching subordinates.
During idle days, Chen Guan practiced The First Secret Technique continuously. He discovered the Mystic Spirit's emergence had saturated ambient Primordial Energy with unusual properties, differing from normal energy.
Remarkably, five days of practice advanced him to Level 6 with 32 energy points—sufficient to unleash Profound Nether Yin Fire Palm. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovєlFіre.net
Chen Guan now hoped the Mystic Spirit's birthing would delay, allowing further advancement through uninterrupted cultivation.
While Chen Guan trained ceaselessly, Ji Nanhong remained occupied, sharing only mealtimes briefly.
Surprisingly, Xiu Yingmei never harassed them, seemingly forgetting their existence.
Meanwhile, Xiu Yingmei patrolled atop her golden lion along altered routes, eventually reaching secluded woods where a veiled Wang Lian emerged behind an ancient tree across the stream.
"Xiu Yingmei?" Wang Lian called.
"Wang family's so-called Third Princess?" Xiu Yingmei's voice dripped with disdain toward the self-proclaimed descendant of a fallen dynasty's royalty.
Ignoring the mockery, Wang Lian stated calmly, "Your presence indicates interest in my proposal. Eliminate Chen Guan together—I avenge my grievances while you remove a potential rival for your brother Xiu Jieming and the Xiu family, without offending Ji Nanhong. Mutual benefit."
"Overestimating that nobody! How dare you compare him to my esteemed brother?" Xiu Yingmei's face darkened as she summoned a golden bow, firing instantly at Wang Lian.
The golden arrow streaked like lightning until a hand intercepted it midair.
Uncle Eagle stood protectively before Wang Lian, gripping the frozen arrow before reversing its aim toward Xiu Yingmei threateningly.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're Wang Ying—the Eagle King of Wang family. Unexpected to find you invested in Mount Pingdu's Blessed Land," Xiu Yingmei remarked calmly, firing a signal flare skyward.
"You'll regret this, Xiu Yingmei. Chen Guan isn't as simple as you think. Should he survive, your brother might lose Ji Nanhong to him eventually," Wang Lian warned, retreating with Uncle Eagle into the forest.
"Celestial Army matters concern no outsiders—least of all feudal remnants like you. Next meeting means your deaths," Xiu Yingmei coldly declared.
"Yingmei! What happened?" A figure materialized beside her instantly.
"Encountered Wang family remnants including that 'First Lightfoot of Third Awakening' Wang Ying. They fled," Xiu Yingmei answered, resuming patrol while inwardly scoffing: "A mere commoner without status or background. The Wang family's judgment falters to suggest he could rival my brother for a woman's affection."