"Your Highness, this?" The black-robed elder of the Dong Family appeared uncertain, stealing a glance at Tu Guanghe from the corner of his eye, as if wary of causing offense.
"What, are you unwilling?" The young woman in silver armor, seated at the head of the gathering, frowned slightly and let out a cold snort.
All these big shots of Fengchuan City instantly felt a shiver run down their spines.
"Dong Tie, Tu Guanghe," The commander of the immortal army’s Fengchuan City branch stood up and bellowed sternly. "What are you both playing at? It’s just a battle recording, not a request for you to share your families’ secret teachings. Are you planning to disobey the commands of Her Highness Haiyue?"
"Haha," the silver-armored woman smiled, "General Luo, there’s no need for this."
Instead of relief, her smile instantly sent dread coursing through General Luo and Tu Guanghe’s veins, a fear that stemmed not from cowardice but from an understanding of the status she held.
Her backing was immense, her power unmatched, her natural talent beyond comprehension. Were it not for her making the rounds to inspect the cities, these Amethyst Cradle and Golden Core cultivators wouldn’t even qualify to be granted an audience with her.
"Your Highness, please grant me one moment," Tu Guanghe spoke deferentially, recognizing that he had slighted Her Highness Haiyue. He understood the dire consequences he would face if he were to truly incur her wrath. With a word from her, the Tu Family could be brought to ruin.
With a wave of his hand, numerous light particles converged, forming a three-dimensional projection depicting the intense battle between Wu Yuan, Tu Chi, and Fang Youlong.
All eyes in the hall turned towards the commotion. The woman clad in silver armor glanced over with a detached expression. To her, her visit to Fengchuan City was merely a routine task, part of a field trial to gain real-world experience. She viewed the recording as nothing more than a diversion in an otherwise mundane visit. Watching several Golden Core cultivators fight held no allure for her.
Hm? A flicker of surprise danced across her dispassionate gaze when Wu Yuan unleashed the Nine Swords of Light, the second level of the Dark Earth Sword Array.
"How intriguing," murmured the young woman clad in silver armor.
"What a powerful sword array."
"His Domain is impressive.”
"Fang Youlong and Tu Chi have reached a decent level of the Domain stage. Yet even with their combined efforts, the opponent still overpowered them?"
"This kid is quite decent. Given more time to cultivate, stepping into the Amethyst Cradle phase should pose no challenge for him," the big shots of Fengchuan City whispered among themselves.
Amidst the discussions, an elderly man in white robes observed the scene with a hint of surprise. As the proprietor of the Redmoon Immortal Tower, he recognized the young man in the projection as Wu Yuan who previously took up residence in the tower.
The matter of Wu Yuan making his recent breakthrough to the Golden Core phase in Redmoon Immortal Tower was unknown to others, but the immense fluctuations that had occurred during the breakthrough process naturally alerted the Redmoon Immortal Tower’s staff.
That young man was actually this strong?
Furthermore, the old man identified the battleship that Wu Yuan had purchased at a single glance. Battleships of Black Sun’s grade were rarely purchased, and the purchase was personally verified by him.
Suddenly, silence fell over the hall as the onlookers witnessed the white-robed youth's sword array transform once more, culminating in an unbelievably swift and decisive strike that swept through the air and killed the fleeing Fang Youlong.
With that, the recording came to an end.
Murmurs instantly filled the room. "That final strike... it seemed to meld with the very fabric of space!"
"Where did this youngster pop up from?"
"His understanding of the Dao rivals that of many Amethyst Cradle cultivators, it’s even on par with our own." These distinguished figures of Fengchuan City were shocked.
At first, they treated it as a skirmish among the younger generation, regarding Wu Yuan as nothing more than a junior. But with Wu Yuan's final move, these influential figures understood that this young man had a 100% chance of advancing to the Amethyst Cradle phase in time. He was not to be underestimated.
Upon witnessing the dreamlike sword light flash through the air, dispatching Fang Youlong, a spark of interest ignited in the silver-armored woman’s eyes.
The third step of the Dark Earth Sword Array. This boy’s mana capacity is not high, yet he managed to unleash the third step? How deep is his comprehension of the Land's profundity? How powerful is his soul? Her interest was piqued. I wonder which sect nurtured this genius.
Indeed, at that moment, the woman in silver armor had already deemed Wu Yuan a genius.
To think I would find such a gem during a routine task. A hint of longing stirred in her heart. If I could get him to be my follower...
Though she had an esteemed status, a strong, loyal following was crucial for her to establish her own faction. In her eyes, these Amethyst Cradle cultivators were all unqualified. Though Wu Yuan was currently weak, she saw astonishing potential in him—potential that was well worth nurturing.
At the Golden Core phase, he can already grasp the third step of the Dark Earth Sword Array; his Dao comprehension aptitude is decent. However, the length of time he has spent cultivating and the quality of his immortal root remains uncertain. The silver-armored woman pondered.
There was a difference between reaching such a level in fewer than 100 years of cultivation versus achieving it in 300-400 years. The latter was still labeled as a genius, albeit not nearly as brilliant. The degree of his immortal root was even more crucial.
As long as he has cultivated for less than 200 years and possesses an immortal root exceeding the sixth degree, he’s worth my investment. The silver-armored woman came to a decision.
With that, she glanced over her shoulder at the black-cloaked figure behind her, addressing the man with a slight smile, "Old Yu, I’ll be troubling you to make a trip down."
The blacked-robed figure nodded slightly. In a whisper of movement, a white-robed figure appeared beside him, donning a black mask and exuding equally vigorous vitality. Their souls shared the same origins, blurring the line between them as if they were one.
The sight caused a hush to fall over the hall. The gathering stared at the white-robed figure in shock, then the black-robed figure who remained still.
"The legendary mana body!" The few Golden Core cultivators were perplexed about what just happened, but most of the Amethyst Cradle powerhouses present were members of sects and highly knowledgeable about cultivation. At this moment, the silver-armored woman's authority was further solidified in their eyes.
This was a mana body! Anyone who could cultivate a mana body was a super powerhouse who could dominate the immortal continent if they wished. Yet, he was just this silver-armored woman’s bodyguard?
The figure in white vanished without a sound, leaving the hall without causing a single stir in the air, while the figure in black continued to stand guard behind the silver-armored woman.
"Daoist Tu, Daoist Dong," the silver-armored woman addressed them with a light smile, "Could you shed some light on the details of the young man in the recording, and how this altercation came about?"
She turned her gaze to the others in the hall, “Fellow Daoists, if you have any information at all, please share them with me.”
She needed more information. Talent alone was not enough; character, origin, and various other factors all had to be taken into account when making recruitment decisions. No matter how promising one's abilities were, if their character was immoral, she was reluctant to extend an invitation to them.
"Your Highness, I possess certain intel about him," the white-robed elder of the Redmoon Immortal Tower branch robes suddenly spoke up. "However, in accordance with the immortal tower’s regulations, Your Highness may only access a portion of this information with your authority."
"Very well, convey the relevant details to me through the Redmoon Immortal Realm," the lady clad in silver armor chuckled.
The elder nodded in compliance.
With that, she sent a thread of consciousness into the Redmoon Immortal Realm. Just two seconds later, the mirth on her face completely vanished, replaced with shock.
Although her expression swiftly returned to normal, her momentary lapse did not escape the notice of those present within the hall.
This unexpected reaction piqued the interest of the Amethyst Cradle Reverends. What could provoke such a response from Her Highness Haiyue?
Observing this, the ancestor of the Dong Family snickered faintly and cast a mocking glance in the direction of Tu Guanghe.
While Tu Guanghe outwardly maintained his composure, his emotions plummeted into turmoil.
He was uncertain of Her Highness Haiyue's intentions. However, given that the super powerhouse summoned his mana body over this seemingly small matter, it was unlikely that she had any plans to help the Tu Family take revenge.
With that in mind, Tu Guanghe took the initiative to address the situation. "Your Highness, my knowledge on this matter is limited," he spoke respectfully. "However, based on what I understand..."
He proceeded to recount what he knew, with the lady in silver armor listening intently.
Approximately 200,000 li from Fengchuan City, a massive black flying boat, stretching over 100 meters in length, zoomed through the air at an incredible pace. Within the flying boat, Wu Yuan quietly did some mental calculations.
The speed of Amethyst Cradle Reverends is truly remarkable. They’re able to fly thousands of li in a single breath.
To think that the ancestor of the Tu Family is a ninth-stage Shambhala cultivator. His speed must be even more frightening.
Just moments ago, Wu Yuan interrogated the black-robed elderly man, extracting insider information on the Tu Family, such as how strong the Tu Family’s strongest member was.
Upon learning that the cause of the raid was simply because Qiong Sea King was an appropriate birthday present, Wu Yuan wasn’t sure how to feel. Misfortune often arose from the most unexpected places indeed.
Once I put a few thousand li between myself and the battleground, I should change course. If the Amethyst Cradle powerhouse is planning to capture me, he may have already reached the scene of the battle. His speed may be impressive, but he’s unaware of the direction I’m fleeing in.
Although there was a small chance that the Tu Family's ancestor might not actively hunt him down, Wu Yuan refused to take any chances, sparing no effort to escape. If he made the wrong gamble, his fate was sealed.
As long as I leave the Fengchuan City’s territory, I can seek refuge in any fifth-tier city. The Tu Family can’t do much to me there. Wu Yuan’s eyes glinted with determination.
Fengchuan City was the Tu Family's home turf. Meanwhile, any fifth-tier city on the Redmoon Immortal Continent enjoyed protection from the immortal army, deterring Amethyst Cradle or Shambhala cultivators from taking reckless actions unless they were tired of living.
The farther I get, the safer I’ll be. Wu Yuan contemplated silently.
Abruptly, a strange humming noise resonated through the air, and an imperceptible power swept across the massive flying boat. In an instant, Wu Yuan sensed his very soul constrict, as if the space surrounding him had solidified entirely.
It was not just Wu Yuan who experienced this phenomenon, but also Qiong Sea King, as well as the black-robed elderly man who stood nearby in sheer terror.
Simultaneously, the space around them congealed, freezing everything in place—the flying boat, the wind, everything fell eerily silent, as if time itself had decelerated by a thousand times. Even the neurotransmitters in Qiong Sea King and the elderly man’s brains were affected, causing their thoughts to slow.
Only Wu Yuan, bolstered by his powerful soul, managed to maintain his normal speed of thought amidst this unnatural stillness.
This? Who is it? Wu Yuan gasped inwardly.
What manner of strength was this? It was too terrifying!
Amethyst Cradle phase? Shambhala phase? No! Such cultivators might possess the power to lay waste to worlds, but this level of control was beyond them.
Clang~ The hatch of the flying boat suddenly swung open, revealing a figure clad in white robes and donning a black mask. His gaze swept over Wu Yuan and Qiong Sea King, his eyes radiating an aura of omniscience that sent shivers down Wu Yuan's spine. It was as if those eyes held the entirety of existence within them, capable of peering into the very core of one's being—an overwhelming presence that left Wu Yuan trembling involuntarily.
The discrepancy between them was far too great, akin to the chasm between heaven and earth.
"Yang Soul? Impressive, young one," the figure in white robes intoned in a soft, velvety voice.