CH 136.1

The East Yu Region was the most complex continent where all the forces of the World of Seven Continents were intertwined.

The Dragon Palace ruled this place, and the headquarters of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance of the righteous Dao was also based here, on top of hundreds of forces, large and small, and the occasional demonic cultivators.

Although the leading Dragon Palace didn’t like interfering in the affairs of the human race, with them in charge, the righteous cultivators of East Yu were more restrained than other regions. They dared not hunt and kill demonic cultivators openly, leaving them a small space to live.

However, the demonic cultivators couldn’t go out in public either, but East Yu was the only place they didn't have to worry about all the time besides West Shu.

At the very least, if the cultivators of the righteous path discovered demonic cultivators here, they wouldn’t take immediate action. Both parties could just barely stay at peace with each other unless the demonic cultivator had malicious intent.

Due to the complicated situation in East Yu, other than the forces that had taken root here, few cultivators from other parts of the world could be found. However, numerous cultivators from other regions were gathered here recently, many from infamous sects.

This was due to the Dragon Tomb that would appear soon.

The Dragon Tomb was a secret realm, and anyone above Amethyst Abode and below Heavenly Grotto could enter.

The Dragon Palace wouldn’t stop humans from entering the Dragon Tomb, but first and foremost, humans had to obtain the key—Dragon Emergence Stone.

However, the Dragon Emergence Stone would only appear on the eve of the opening of the secret realm, and less than 100 pieces could be found each time, which meant that not more than 100 people could enter the Dragon Tomb, so the competition was fierce.

The weather was fine on this day.

Two young men with unfamiliar faces appeared in the Dragon Gate City of East Yu, none other than Jing Yue and Qin Yanzhi.

They left Molten City and went to Three Realm Temple to see Kong Miao. After entrusting the soul of the unlucky demonic cultivator to the other party, they headed straight to East Yu.

At this time, they walked along the main street of Dragon Gate City, which was the closest city to the Dragon Palace.

The two of them still chose to change their appearance. Jing Yue said to Qin Yanzhi, “I got my Dragon Emergence Stone from the auction in Golden Pavilion by chance back then. I guess it was left behind when the Dragon Tomb was opened last time.” After all, not all stones could be found without a hitch.

Qin Yanzhi looked at all the cultivators around and said with a sigh, “If the Dragon Palace hadn't informed the human race about the Dragon Tomb, I'm afraid very few people would know about it, and we don't have to be in such a passive situation today.”

Jing Yue, “Millions of years ago when the dragons fought against the Yao, humans helped the dragons and left them a place to live. Since then, the Dragon Palace has promised that every time the Dragon Tomb is opened, a hundred people will be allowed to enter to try their luck. However, the opening of the Dragon Tomb is uncertain, so the Dragon Palace will inform us in advance.”

Qin Yanzhi, “I remember that it was recorded in the books that Jing Yuan-daozu seems acquainted with the Dragon Ancestor of today. The two of you have explored the secret realm of the Middle Ages together back then.”

Jing Yue stopped in his tracks and said abashedly, “It’s less acquaintance but more grudges.”

Qin Yanzhi raised his eyebrows but didn't ask what was going on. He just said, “Do you think he’d recognize you?”

Jing Yue, “Probably. I guess he already knows.”

Qin Yanzhi said somewhat vaguely, “It was earlier than me then.”

Jing Yue glanced at him and said half-jokingly, “He may have guessed it, but I told you myself.”

Qin Yanzhi smiled imperceptibly. If Jing Yue didn’t look carefully, he would have missed it.

The two walked through the square market. Vendors called out on the street from time to time. Jing Yue found that the market here was relatively unusual. Each booth was a tent made from the swim bladders of a large fish. The ice blue and transparent swim bladders were placed together and looked like undulating waves from a distance.

The things sold in the market were also unique, such as weapons made of deep-sea giant beasts, meat or offal of sea creatures rarely seen on other continents, protective robes made of shark skin, and so on.

Jing Yue looked around in wonder and asked casually, “Yanzhi, have you been to East Yu before?”

Qin Yanzhi, “No.”

Jing Yue, “That’s true. The World of Seven Continents is too big. I didn’t even finish exploring the Bipolar World in my previous life.”

Qin Yanzhi, “When this calamity is over, we can go anywhere you want.”

Jing Yue laughed gaily. “Sure.”

The blue phoenix wiggled in his arms. “Ji-ji wants to go too. Jing-jing, don’t elope with Hooligan. You must bring Ji-ji with you.”

Jing Yue, “…”

At this time, many people gathered before them. Jing Yue released his divine consciousness and realized—Flying Immortal List.

The Flying Immortal List was managed by the Rogue Cultivator Alliance and had attracted much attention in East Yu.

“Why is Qin-zhenjun still number one?”

“What’s so strange about that? Isn't he always the first in every realm?”

“I admit that he used to be very strong, but I heard that he almost died in the hands of Han Guang back then, and his cultivation base digressed. He has never appeared in recent years and has no fight records to speak of. Why should he firmly occupy the top spot for a hundred years? It's so unfair!”

The discussion from the crowd made Jing Yue feel very uncomfortable. He stepped forward and said, “He can hurt Han Guang. Can you?”

The other party looked back, saw an unfamiliar young man, and said with dissatisfaction, “I wasn’t talking to you.”

Jing Yue, “But I’m talking to you. Qin-zhenjun has suffered for the cause of the righteous path. Who are you to question him? Besides, even if Qin-zhenjun’s cultivation base has digressed, he’s still in the middle of the Heavenly Grotto stage, and he still has no rival in the same realm. How can you judge that the ranking is unfair?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt his hand being held. “Let’s go.”

Jing Yue didn't have to look back to know that it was Qin Yanzhi. His temper suddenly subsided by half and immediately felt that his actions were unnecessary. Hence, he excused himself from the man who was about to refute him, and followed Qin Yanzhi away from the crowd.

The two walked slowly, and Qin Yanzhi suddenly said, “You were angry just now. This is the first time I’ve seen you angry for my sake.”

Jing Yue was briefly startled before he smiled and said, “Of course, it’s not the first time. There have been many times.”

Qin Yanzhi, “Oh? I didn’t know.”

Jing Yue, “For instance, when you sweep me into your Qiankun sleeve without my permission.”

Qin Yanzhi, “…”

Jing Yue, “For instance, when you put a silencing spell on me without my permission.”

Qin Yanzhi, “…”

Jing Yue, “For instance, when I needed to handle some official business, but you grabbed my legs in a tantrum and wouldn't let me leave.”

Qin Yanzhi was exasperated. “You know what I mean.”

Jing Yue, “Of course, I don’t know what you mean.” But his expression was a bit smug.

Qin Yanzhi's heart surged with warmth, and he walked closer to Jing Yue. The two stood shoulder to shoulder and looked as close as brothers.

Not long after, they walked out of Dragon Gate City and came to the foot of Dragon Gate Mountain outside the city.

Because they found out that Old Man Hanmei lived on the mountain, and he was fortunate enough to get a Dragon Emergence Stone. He wanted to give the stone up to anyone who could agree to the conditions he put forth.

Hence, their first destination was Old Man Hanmei.

One side of Dragon Gate Mountain was close to the sea, and the other side was a jarring cliff.

When they entered the mountainside, it was quiet and pleasant. East Yu had a rich source of water and waterfalls and springs could be seen from time to time. Lush greenery bloomed along the way and flowers dotted everywhere, a sign of abundant spiritual energy.

“This place has such a good fengshui, but Old Man Hanmei lives here alone.” Jing Yue was a little surprised.

Qin Yanzhi, “It was rumored that Old Man Hanmei is good friends with the leader of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance. With the latter protecting him, who dares to touch him?”

Jing Yue, “I see.”

Two hours later, they climbed to the top of the mountain and saw a plum forest. Although it was not a cold winter at this time, the plum blossoms in the forest were in full bloom, and the fragrant scent lingered in the air.

Jing Yue looked around and found that a Four Season Formation was set here, and this formation was also found on some summits of Frostcloud Sect.

When they passed through the plum forest, they saw a small courtyard with a few thatched cottages, looking very much like a farmhouse in the secular world.

Six or seven cultivators waited in the yard, most likely here to find Old Man Hanmei.

After a while, a Daoist boy came out, and the two immediately stepped forward to state their intentions.

Daoist boy, “Please wait. There are several guests ahead of you.”

Jing Yue, “Thank you.”

They waited for a while and saw that the cultivators in front of them went in with anticipation, and came out dejected. Soon, it was their turn.

The Daoist boy led them to the front of the house. As soon as they entered the room, they saw an old man with a youthful face sitting on the main seat.

His face was kindly and he asked with a smile, “The two of you look very unfamiliar. You don’t appear very often in East Yu, do you?”

Jing Yue, “That’s right. We come from other regions.”

Old Man Hanmei, “Since you’re here for the Dragon Emergence Stone, do you know my conditions?”

Jing Yue, “Do tell.”

Old Man Hanmei asked the two of them to sit down. When they were seated, he said slowly, “I was fortunate enough to get a Dragon Emergence Stone, which should be my chance encounter, but not long ago, I broke through Amethyst Abode and reached Heavenly Grotto. Now, my realm is unstable, so I can only practice in seclusion.”

Jing Yue finally understood why the other party was willing to give up the stone. There was bound to be danger in the Dragon Tomb. If his realm was unstable and he entered recklessly, one accident could cause his realm to fall, which wouldn’t be worth the loss.

But if it was Jing Yue, he would definitely take the risk. It could only be said that personalities vary greatly from person to person.

Old Man Hanmei, “To get the Dragon Emergence Stone, you only need to promise me three conditions. First, a treasure to help me stabilize my Heavenly Grotto realm. Second, a medium-sized spiritual vein…”

Old Man Hanmei deliberately slowed down his tone and calmly observed the two young people in the room. Seeing their unchanging expressions, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Ordinary cultivators would back away after hearing these two conditions, and some would even say something harsh, but these two…

“Third, I want you to make a vow that you’ll stay in the Rogue Cultivator Alliance as guest delegates for the next 200 years.”

Jing Yue frowned. “I can become a guest delegate of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, but I cannot stay there for 200 years.”

He didn't understand why Old Man Hanmei would put forth such harsh conditions, and it was for the Rogue Cultivator Alliance too.

Old Man Hanmei, “Then I’m sorry, feel free to leave.”

Jing Yue and Qin Yanzhi looked at each other and said, “In 200 years, if the Rogue Cultivator Alliance encounters any trouble, I’ll definitely help with all my strength, but I won’t stay in East Yu. Isn’t that sufficient?”

Old Man Hanmei, “No.”

Jing Yue felt a little angry. He couldn’t help feeling that Old Man Hanmei’s conditions were deterring others on purpose. He didn’t want to give up the Dragon Emergence Stone at all. Jing Yue stood up and cupped his hands to Old Man Hanmei. “Excuse us. Farewell.”