Novel11 Chapter 359 : Assembly of Heroes Clearing the Field
Chapter 359 : Assembly of Heroes Clearing the Field
“Woof.”Iron Egg did not think that much. It lifted its head, its eyes instinctively turning toward the Flame Emperor’s avatar.
Upon that mass of crimson firelight, with the aid of its Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect’s perception, it vaguely seemed to behold an ancient and magnificent flaming star. Within that star lay endless radiance.
This radiance did not originate from ordinary flames, but from at least dozens of Heaven-and-Earth Exotic Flames of differing forms, savage and tyrannical in nature.
Yet these Exotic Flames, born of the world’s own creation, displayed none of the violence recorded in the Immortal Alliance’s ancient texts. Instead, they were orderly and completely under the other party’s control, even fused as one.
At that thought, a trace of vigilance rose in Iron Egg’s heart.
Exotic Flames were incomparably profound.
A single Wild-Rank Heaven-and-Earth Exotic Flame that gained spirit and took form could already rival a Nascent Soul True Monarch. Yet within the other party were not merely one, but dozens.
‘A Four-Realm Beast King, or a Five-Realm Beast Sovereign?’
Iron Egg’s cultivation years were shallow; it could not make an accurate judgment. But it could clearly sense the vast disparity in strength between the two sides.
‘This black dog is somewhat interesting.’ The crimson firelight rippled slightly.
The Flame Emperor possessed a thousand years of cultivation years. Its realm far surpassed Iron Egg’s. Even though this was merely a divided avatar, it could still keenly perceive the awe and inquiry within the latter’s eyes.
Strangely enough, compared to that Flintrock Coiled Dragon it found exceedingly detestable, this black dog attempting to glimpse its essence did not provoke its disgust.
“This Mingli Mixed Flame Seed suits you well. Why not quickly thank the senior?”
Chen Beiwu also noticed Iron Egg’s abnormality and casually handed over the Mingli Mixed Flame Seed.
An Undying Golden Core was the foundation of a cultivator.
Although this Flame Seed was of considerable value and could substitute Heavenly-Gang Pure Qi to cleanse the Earthly Sha True Qi of a Golden Core True Person, before clarifying the origin of this crimson firelight, Chen Beiwu had no intention of placing it into his Golden Core for nurturing.
Iron Egg, however, possessed the Great Heavenly Pure Prison Aspect. It could take ten thousand flames as fuel. Even violent Heaven-and-Earth Exotic Flames could be refined into tribulation ash. Naturally, it did not fear any hidden scheme that might lie within the Flame Seed.
“???”
Seeing this, the Flame Emperor was slightly stunned.
This was an opportunity it had deliberately bestowed upon a True Monarch. To prevent Chen Beiwu from belittling it, it had even specially explained the effects of the Mingli Mixed Flame.
Yet after obtaining it, Chen Beiwu did not take it seriously and directly passed it to a dog. Such a situation was utterly beyond the Flame Emperor’s expectations.
Fortunately, its cultivation years were profound, and it existed merely as a mass of crimson firelight without flesh. Including Chen Beiwu, none of the cultivators present noticed its astonishment.
“Woof!”
Iron Egg obediently followed Chen Beiwu’s words and nodded toward the Flame Emperor’s avatar to express thanks.
The Flame Emperor hesitated briefly and did not continue speaking.
Truthfully, it had not deceived Chen Beiwu. The Mingli Mixed Flame could indeed assist a Golden Core True Person in condensing a Nascent Soul. It had merely not elaborated on another effect.
For instance, this Flame Seed was divided from the Flame Emperor’s origin and maintained an inseverable mystical connection with its true body.
Once Chen Beiwu nurtured and refined the Flame Seed within his Golden Core, it could use the Flame Seed as a medium to easily probe the compatibility of Companion cultivation between itself and Chen Beiwu.
‘Forget it. Speaking now would both damage my dignity and seem abrupt.’
The Flame Emperor withdrew its gaze and instead looked toward Yu Zhaohua.
It had already said what needed to be said and bestowed what fate it would grant.
If Chen Beiwu did not cherish it, that could only mean there was no fate between them, and he lacked the fortune to become the Companion cultivator of its true body.
“My turn?” Yu Zhaohua asked curiously as she noticed the Flame Emperor’s gaze.
“What?” the Flame Emperor replied in surprise.
“The recognition test!” Yu Zhaohua said matter-of-factly.
All four of Chen Beiwu’s group had undergone the test; only she had been selectively ignored.
Hearing this, the Flame Emperor felt somewhat speechless. “There are two matters I must solemnly declare.”
“First, according to the rules of the Assembly of Heroes, within a single Immortal Sect team, if any cultivator passes my test with a result at or above qualification, the entire team has already obtained my ‘recognition.’ Repeated testing is not permitted. This is iron law and fairness.”
At this point, it glanced at Chen Beiwu. “Second, my name is Yan. I am not a Yuan Beast specifically tasked with overseeing the Assembly of Heroes’ assessment. This is merely a secondary role.
The reason I have remained in the Scarlet Flame Realm is to comprehend the Dao of Heaven and Earth and seek my own perfection. Upon you, I can vaguely perceive that faint opportunity.”
Hearing this, Mo Qingshuang’s expression changed slightly. She reacted at once, her gaze moving between Chen Beiwu and Yu Zhaohua.
The former had forged a Yuanshi Golden Core; the latter possessed an Innate Dao Body.
Undoubtedly, among the five Golden Core True Persons present, the only ones capable of presenting Yan with an opportunity for Dao comprehension were likely Chen Beiwu and Yu Zhaohua.
But then a question arose!
For a Beast King with cultivation years as profound as Yan’s, it would ordinarily have already formed a Companion Contract with a Nascent Soul True Monarch. Why would it seek a breakthrough opportunity among Golden Core prodigies?
“Senior, what do you mean?” Chen Beiwu’s expression remained unchanged, though a premonition arose within him.
“I will act together with you until I find that thread of perfection.” Yan reduced its size and spoke frankly.
It never lied, merely chose which truths to speak, so it feared no exposure.
Now that it had roughly clarified matters, by remaining beside Yu Zhaohua’s group, it could better conduct its selection and decide whether to follow the Innate Dao Body.
Conversely, if this generation of prodigies proved unsuitable, it could decisively cut ties and continue sleeping for another century.
“Very well. Senior, please do as you wish.” Chen Beiwu did not refuse.
The Scarlet Flame Realm was guarded by a Divine Transformation True Venerable. He intended to see exactly what this Senior Yan was plotting.
As for the issue of its name, Chen Beiwu did not think much of it.
Too ordinary!
The Scarlet Flame Realm belonged to the Tianyan Immortal Sect. It was only natural for a Fifth-Tier Yuan Beast of this realm to be named Yan. It was far from enough to make him associate it with the Flame Emperor recorded in intelligence as having fallen many years ago.
As for the Divine Transformation opportunity mentioned in sect intelligence, Chen Beiwu had no intention of pursuing it further.
What was fate?
It could not be forced; if unbidden, it would come of its own accord!
Having received guidance from the Sect Master, Chen Beiwu would not devote all his energy to seeking a Divine Transformation opportunity.
As for Senior Yan before him—powerful, mysterious, never revealing its true form, and a Fifth-Tier Yuan Beast—it did indeed match several aspects of the Divine Transformation opportunity described in sect intelligence.
But Chen Beiwu would never be so arrogant as to believe he could subdue a Fifth-Tier Yuan Beast that had at least stepped into the Beast King realm!
“Woof woof!”
At that moment, Iron Egg barked twice, indicating it had sensed the traces of nearby cultivators.
‘Is it the Shangqing Immortal Sect’s team?’ Chen Beiwu’s eyes sharpened.
Though the Assembly of Heroes appeared to be an arena for prodigies of the Thirteen Immortal Sects to duel and compete for glory, its system was a microcosm of the cultivation world’s law of the jungle—a hunting game endowed with rules.
In the cultivation world, strength was not merely cultivation realm!
Whoever lacked concealment methods and first exposed their aura would fall into disadvantage and become prey.
Whoever possessed superior reconnaissance and first detected the enemy could strike first with thunderous force or calmly lay traps and schemes.
Whoever possessed sufficient fate to obtain numerous opportunities, rising by fortune, defeating stronger foes across realms, swallowing elephants like a serpent, could become a prodigy of great destiny.
Whoever was cunning and resourceful, capable of borrowing strength, forming alliances, diverting disaster, even driving tigers to devour wolves—though lacking strength—could still reach the end and claim final victory.
In past Assemblies of Heroes, even when the prodigies of the Upper Three Immortal Sects overwhelmingly suppressed the Ten Great Immortal Sects, the latter could still narrow the gap through various alliances.
But this Assembly was an exception!
The reason was simple: in this generation, the Shangqing Immortal Sect had produced a True Monarch prodigy, Zhao Yue.
One must know that a Golden Core True Person and a Nascent Soul True Monarch existed on entirely different dimensions. The latter possessed crushing strength.
Methods, fate, temperament, strategy… these factors that could influence victory in battle were insignificant before such an insurmountable chasm.
Even if the Ten Great Immortal Sects united, they would still be easily swept aside by the Shangqing Immortal Sect.
Yet Chen Beiwu still wished to try, to see whether the gap between Golden Core and Nascent Soul was truly insurmountable through such means!
“Woof.”
Iron Egg looked at Chen Beiwu, indicating it was unlikely.
During the Dao Discussion Battle, through its Karma-Flame Sin-Listening Divine Ability, it had determined the karmic burdens upon the chief disciples of each Immortal Sect.
If it remembered correctly, those appearing nearby should be cultivators of the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect.
“Nine Heavens Immortal Sect? That will do!”
With a thought, Chen Beiwu unleashed his divine sense—comparable to that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch—sweeping toward the direction indicated by Iron Egg.
Meanwhile, within a jagged canyon.
Five cultivators clad in Nine Heavens Immortal Sect robes moved lightly, suppressing their aura to the utmost. A faint lightning-like ripple constantly shrouded their skin.
Suddenly, before the others’ eyes, Lei Hao halted without warning.
“What is it, Senior Brother Lei?”
The other four instantly stopped, gazes vigilant, ready to coordinate with their Companion Beasts at any moment.
“Something’s wrong.” Lei Hao frowned, slowly scanning the crimson rock walls. “I suddenly have an ominous premonition, as though something is watching us.”
“Perhaps Senior Brother Lei is overthinking.”
A square-faced cultivator said softly, “The Illusory Overlapping Thunder Barrier we five have jointly established conceals aura, disrupts divination, and neutralizes fluctuations of spiritual energy.
Coupled with this realm’s harsh environment limiting divine sense, even if a Nascent Soul True Monarch probes, they must be within three hundred li to discover us.”
“It is better to be cautious. Senior Brother Lei’s spiritual intuition rarely errs,” another female cultivator warned. “Should we change routes now and abandon crossing the canyon?”
The next instant, sudden upheaval erupted!
The crimson ground beneath them collapsed, and towering ancient trees burst forth, transforming the entire canyon into a primeval forest.
“Form up!”
Lei Hao shouted sharply. Lightning surged around him. The Cloud-Thunder Tiger resting upon his shoulder transformed into a fearsome Cloud-Thunder Spear that drew thunder with imposing might.
“Too slow!”
Chen Beiwu extended a finger, ignoring Lei Hao, and pointed toward the four Golden Core cultivators behind him.
“Retreat!”
Lei Hao gripped the spear with one hand. A purple giant tiger phantom, fangs bared and aura tyrannical, manifested behind him like a thunder god descending.
His aura surged from Golden Core Great Perfection to a level comparable to a False Nascent Soul True Monarch.
“Your opponent is me!”
Golden Egg roared. Its massive flood dragon body appeared like a phantom before Lei Hao, seizing the defensive gap created when he activated his Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast ability.
Without hesitation, Golden Egg’s dragon claws closed as it activated the Three Supreme True Gang, tearing down at Lei Hao.
Boom!
Space fractured. Lei Hao’s surging aura faltered. He hurriedly raised his spear to block and retreated in haste.
But the other four Golden Core cultivators of the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect reacted too slowly. They only managed to activate their protective True Qi, without even the chance to summon their Companion Dharma Bodies.
Chen Beiwu smiled faintly. With the aid of the Guarding-the-One Mirror’s light, he tapped a finger at the key nodes in their True Qi circulation.
Crack!
Their bodies stiffened. Their protective True Qi barriers shattered instantly. The four Companion Beasts guarding them charged forward, attempting to block Chen Beiwu’s strike.
Seeing this, the Five Qi Vine chuckled, crossing its tiny hands. Dozens of towering ancient trees entwined with Five Elements Treasure Light shot up, their branches precisely binding the four Golden Core cultivators.
Immediately, it activated the Five Qi Origin Forest Mystic Ability, sealing their meridians and forcibly extracting their Earthly Sha True Qi.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As their True Qi drained away, the four Golden Core cultivators attempting resistance felt numb throughout their bodies, powerless to struggle, losing all capacity to fight. Only their four severely wounded Companion Beasts persisted.
“Stop! Chen Beiwu, I can help you deal with the Shangqing Immortal Sect!”
Lei Hao roared, thrusting with full force to drive back the Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon blocking his path.
Too fast!
From the eruption of ancient trees to Chen Beiwu’s sudden assault in coordination with the Five Qi Vine to defeat the four Golden Core cultivators, the entire process lasted but an instant.
“No need.”
Chen Beiwu turned to face Lei Hao, spreading the five fingers of his right hand to cast the Primordial Mixed Gold Seal.
A palm-sized golden Dao seal descended from the sky, stamping upon the Cloud-Thunder Spear in Lei Hao’s hand.
From the differentiation of the Primordial Essence, Mixed Gold severed cause and effect.
As one of the Five Tribulation Seals of Yuanshi, the Primordial Mixed Gold Seal possessed overwhelming power, capable of suppressing the present body, severing past causes, and extinguishing future results.
With Chen Beiwu’s current Golden Core Peak cultivation, he could not accomplish the latter two, but suppressing a Three-Realm Heavenly-Gang Beast General with nine hundred and ninety-nine years of cultivation was effortless.
Rumble!
Under Lei Hao’s disbelieving gaze, lightning flickered from the Cloud-Thunder Spear before it shattered, revealing the grievously wounded Cloud-Thunder Tiger.
Chen Beiwu raised an eyebrow.
Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts were indeed thick-skinned and durable!
Had it been an ordinary Three-Realm lightning-attributed Mystic Beast, taking a direct Primordial Mixed Gold Seal would likely have rendered it unconscious.
If one seal was insufficient, another would suffice.
With that thought, Chen Beiwu formed another seal, launching a second Primordial Mixed Gold Seal at Lei Hao.
Having witnessed the Cloud-Thunder Tiger’s fate, Lei Hao dared not take it head-on. He retreated rapidly, forming hand seals to summon his Companion Dharma Body and Bestowed Middle Scenery for a full eruption.
“Did you forget about me?”
Golden Egg activated the Three Supreme True Gang, shattering space, and clawed at Lei Hao’s head.
Splat!
Lei Hao’s head exploded. His body dissolved into lightning.
Seeing this, Chen Beiwu did not even turn around. Yuanshi True Qi coiled around his right arm as he rose like a dragon, punching heavily into the Cloud-Thunder Tiger’s giant paw.
“Will you continue?”
Chen Beiwu looked up at Lei Hao, who was panting heavily, ignoring the Cloud-Thunder Tiger swept aside by shockwaves.
Behind Chen Beiwu, Golden Egg, Iron Egg, and the Five Qi Vine narrowed their eyes. Five pairs of eyes simultaneously locked onto Lei Hao, radiating suffocating pressure to any Golden Core True Person.
‘Truly outrageous—three Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts, each stronger than the Cloud-Thunder Tiger!’
Lei Hao slowly stood and exhaled turbid breath.
Glancing at his fellow disciples tightly bound in branches and vines, he hesitated before removing six Jade Plaques from his waist and tossing them to Chen Beiwu.
“You win,” Lei Hao said calmly.
A loss was a loss. Continuing the fight was meaningless. He saw no possibility of victory.
Even if he abandoned his teammates, mounted the Cloud-Thunder Tiger, and activated the Heavenly-Gang Mystic Ability Cloud-Galloping Thunder Escape to flee alone, he would not be able to shake off the Three-Phase Mystic Flood Dragon that possessed movement comparable to a True Monarch’s teleportation ability.