Nine Star Hegemon Body Art c1-2048
Page 615
But what they found curious was that the cold Elder Sha didn’t get angry at all, nor did he reprimand Long Chen. Instead, he just calmly looked into the distance.
The flying boat was still rapidly flying, and the mountains below quickly passed. However, the inside of the flying boat was completely silent.
“These are the rules.” After a long while, Elder Sha indifferently tossed out some words.
“Hehe, disciple doesn’t believe so. Rules are things the strong use to control the weak. The strong can infringe upon the rules, and the stronger ones can completely ignore the rules. As for the strongest ones, they are the ones who can change the rules whenever they want.
“In the Phoenix Cry Empire, I was to comply with the Phoenix Cry Empire’s rules. In the Xuantian Monastery, I was to comply with the Xuantian Monastery’s rules. In the supermonastery, it was the same.
“But I didn’t comply with those rules, because if I had, I’d have long since died a tragic death. So, once I reach the Central Plains, I’ll follow the rules that are favorable to me. But as for those rules that suppress me, I’m afraid that disciple will be unable to comply,” said Long Chen.
“Then you will be mercilessly exterminated,” said Elder Sha.
“If I’m to be exterminated, then let me be exterminated. None of the Dragonblood Legion’s warriors are afraid of death. We have our own principles and our own aspirations. I’m not worried they’ll die, but I am worried they’ll become the same as senior, losing themselves within the crushing rules and becoming a walking corpse,” sighed Long Chen.
The Dragonblood warriors all understood Long Chen’s meaning. He was using Elder Sha as an example of what not to do in order to warn them.
Even someone as strong as Elder Sha had been turned into a machine because of the Xuantian Dao Sect’s rules. Rules killed people without them even noticing, erasing a person’s will and devouring their ambitions. The most frightful thing about it was that it was like boiling a frog in water. It erased a person’s heroism without them sensing the danger.
The Dragonblood warriors thought about how they had followed Long Chen from the 108th monastery, to the thirty-sixth supermonastery, and then to the Xuantian Dao Sect. Hadn’t all those monastery heads and all those Elders been silently sacrificed to these rules?
They had also been young and full of hot blood once. But that hot blood and youthful vigor had been erased without them even knowing it. As a result, they ended up with some tired days of nothing. They schemed against each other in a game of mutual deception, caught in the web the rules had created for them. They had forgotten their original hearts.
The 108th monastery, the thirty-sixth supermonastery, the Eastern Wasteland’s branch sect, they had been like vats of dye, each bigger and more contaminating than the last.
According to that pattern, the Central Plains’ Xuantian Dao Sect would be an even larger vat of dye. Even Kings were silently lost to it.
Looking at how a terrifying expert like Elder Sha had been turned into a puppet that was simply doing what he was told, it was like they were seeing their futures, and a cold chill ran through their bodies.
If Elder Sha’s present was their future, then they would rather die in a blazing fire of passion than become like him. Without goals, cultivation didn’t have any meaning.
“Boss, we’ll never forget our original hearts. No matter what realm we cultivate to, no matter what robes we wear, we will still be the same youthful men. If others refuse to allow that, we’ll go all-out against them,” shouted the Dragonblood warriors. They knew that Long Chen was warning them to forever maintain their passion, their fervor.
“Are you using me as an example of what not to do?” said Elder Sha indifferently. But there was clearly a slightly bitter tone to his voice.
“Sorry, disciple was rude.” Long Chen bowed slightly. He did feel a bit apologetic.
There was no way around that. Through Elder Sha’s words, Long Chen felt that the Xuantian Dao Sect was definitely a muddled place. That reduced his excitement and anticipation by quite a bit. The Central Plains was definitely the playing field of the world’s experts, but this beautiful field was constructed through the bones of countless geniuses. It was unknown how much merciless killing was behind it.
Long Chen didn’t wish for the Dragonblood Legion to become lost in these kinds of ideas. Once they were lost, it would be difficult to extricate them. That kind of ending was a sad one as well.
If he wanted the Dragonblood Legion to stay complete, he had to lead them forward without hesitation and without submitting to anyone, including those unreasonable rules.
Fighting against the rules might cause the entire legion to be destroyed, but they had to have that courage. They had to have the courage to risk their lives, to show their fangs, and only then would they be able to establish themselves within the Central Plains. Otherwise, they would be devoured by the countless heavenly geniuses present.
Elder Sha sighed. “The younger generation will surpass the old. Perhaps that kind of mentality is a good one.”
After saying that, Elder Sha turned and left, his figure appearing a bit lonely. But he also clearly didn’t have a good opinion of Long Chen’s conduct. Perhaps it was because he had experienced a great deal and seen plenty of geniuses who had ended up with tragic endings. And so he was already weary.
Looking at his departing figure hardened the Dragonblood warriors’ hearts even more. They even felt that Elder Sha was pitiful. He was someone who had been trampled by the rules.
At the same time, they had to admire Long Chen for his vision. As the rudder of the Dragonblood Legion, Long Chen didn’t just need unrivaled power, but he also needed exceptional wisdom.
Those senior disciples were deeply shaken. Looking at the Dragonblood warriors’ fervent gazes, they felt like they were being affected as well.
“How many disciples were there in total from the four regions last time?” asked Long Chen.
“There were over three hundred and seventy thousand,” said the senior disciple.
“How many?” Long Chen couldn’t believe his ears.
“A bit more than three hundred and seventy thousand,” the disciple repeated.
Three hundred and seventy thousand? All of whom were Sea Expansion Celestials? This number gave Long Chen a fright. It was no wonder they said that the Eastern Wasteland was the weakest region. Of over three hundred and seventy thousand people, only twenty thousand had come from the Eastern Wasteland. That proportion made him speechless.
“There must have been quite a few heavenly geniuses amongst your generation, correct?” asked Long Chen.
“Yes, there truly were many. They were practically monsters, inhuman. We can only look up to them.” That senior disciple bitterly smiled, clearly having received a great impact.
Of those three hundred and seventy thousand disciples, although these senior disciples couldn’t count as the weakest, they had still been on the edge of being washed out. They couldn’t even count as elites, let alone heavenly geniuses.
The most infuriating thing was that the Xuantian Dao Sect’s rules allowed many loopholes for senior disciples to bully them, and they could only endure it.
This time, they had been sent to greet the newcomers. Originally, they had been hoping to vent some of their resentment. But instead it was the newcomers who gave them a warm welcome.
After talking for so long, everyone became much more familiar with each other. The senior disciples didn’t dare to be arrogant any longer. Instead, they began to talk with the Dragonblood warriors, subtly fawning over them.
They found that each one of these Dragonblood warriors possessed extremely dense Spirit Blood. Such people would find it no problem to pass the trials and join the Xuantian Dao Sect. They should all become inner sect disciples.
These senior disciples were no more than outer sect disciples. They probably wouldn’t be able to go to the inner sect in their lifetime. So forming good relations
hips with the Dragonblood warriors might bring them endless benefits.
Even Wang Mang ran over to Long Chen to apologize, cursing himself for being deceived by other people’s lies. He even said that he deserved a thousand deaths for his actions.
Long Chen couldn’t be bothered to quibble with him. This was nothing serious to him, and he didn’t bother pressing him for more details.
Now that everyone was familiar with each other, they once more went out to exchange pointers. But this time, it was a friendly competition where both sides used their full power. The Dragonblood warriors used their Spirit Blood, while the senior disciples no longer suppressed their cultivation bases. These new battles were exceptionally intense.
What startled the senior disciples was the fact that the Dragonblood warriors were shockingly powerful. In these intense battles, the killing intent they released made it seem like this was no exchange of pointers. It felt like they would kill them at any moment.
But there were some senior disciples capable of fighting through the sensation of death. They released their true power, and in this kind of battle, the Dragonblood warriors were truly one level weaker. But if it was a true life and death battle, then that would have been a completely different matter.
On the seventh day, the scenery around them completely changed. The mountains and plains vanished, replaced by a vast roaring sea.
Chapter 974 Rampaging Sea Demons
A roaring sea appeared below the flying boat, stretching into the horizon without end. The blue water frothed and raged, with huge waves bigger than mountains crashing down.
The Eastern Wasteland’s disciples had never seen such a thing. In front of this huge sea, they felt themselves to be incredibly miniscule.
“Is this Martial Heaven Sea-Ring very dangerous?” asked Guo Ran nervously.
“Very dangerous. In fact, the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring is one of the seven great danger zones. Although it’s ring-shaped, just going through its width would take a full week of full-speed flying. Sea demons run amok within the sea, and they are exceptionally dangerous. In order to avoid disturbing powerful sea demons, we can’t fly at full speed over it and can only stealthily slip our way through,” explained the senior disciple.
“Seven great danger zones?”
“The Central Plains is extremely large, and even we only know that the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring is one of the seven danger zones. Fortunately, it’s very large, and so the danger is scattered, making it less fearful. However, it truly is one of the seven danger zones, and every time you fly over it, you have to be careful. Using a smaller flying boat would actually be better, because it doesn’t draw as much attention. But our flying boat is too big, and it’s all too easy for powerful sea demons to notice us. If it was just ordinary sea demons, it’d be fine. Even if we ran into King-level sea demons, in other words, ninth rank sea demons, there would be nothing to fear. But if we meet sea demons above that, it’ll be troublesome,” said the senior disciple. Each year, countless flying boats disappeared over the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring, and no one dared to guarantee being able to pass it with absolute safety.
“Sea demons? As in, Magical Beasts that live within the sea?” asked Guo Ran.
“You can put it like that. But they do have some differences from ordinary Magical Beasts. They have no crystal cores, but they have a Neidan inside that is even more valuable. However, sea demons are stronger and fiercer than Magical Beasts. It’s unknown just how many terrifying sea demons are hidden within the depths of the sea…”
BOOM!
Suddenly, the flying boat shook intensely, causing everyone to reel. The flying boat fiercely tilted.
“No need to worry, it’s just the storm zone. This is just some minor turbulence. This area is where the land’s air stream clashes with the sea’s air stream. In truth, this storm zone is the safest part of the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring,” said the disciple.
“How do you mean?”
“Because this area doesn’t have sea demons, as they don’t like this environment. That makes it the safest.”
The storm zone wasn’t very large. After just an hour’s flying, they passed it. A beautiful, sunny sky appeared in front of them, one without any clouds. The sea was calm with only slight waves. It was a beautiful and peaceful scene.
But as soon as they arrived here, the senior disciples tensed. The flying boat also slowed down, making less of a disturbance as it flew.
Without any warning, a ripple appeared on the sea. A head bigger than a mountain broke through the surface of the water, and a huge spout of water smashed into the flying boat.
The flying boat was struck and catapulted through the air. The people inside all became dizzy.
“What is that?” asked Guo Ran.
“Cyan Scaled Monsters. They’re extremely loathsome, as they enjoy attacking things that are flying over the water. If smaller flying boats are seen by them, then the attacks they unleash might destroy the whole boat.”
However, smaller boats were also harder to see, so there was less chance of being struck. Thus, they actually had quite an advantage. But the Xuantian Dao Sect couldn’t send one, because they hadn’t known how many people they would be bringing back.
For their mountain-sized flying boat to fly over the water, they truly were very eye-catching.
“Then why not have the flying boat fly higher? Then wouldn’t they be able to avoid the sea demons’ attacks?”
“A good idea, but it won’t work. The Martial Heaven Sea-Ring is extremely strange. Up in the air, there are strange laws. The higher the flying boats go, the greater the resistance. It’ll cause loud rumbling and be even less safe.”
Everyone couldn’t help being startled. This Martial Heaven Sea-Ring was too bizarre. They were nervous, as well as a bit excited.
The flying boat was constantly shaken as occasional water spouts struck it. It was constantly forced to tumble through the air, making everyone lightheaded. It was difficult to bear.
“Fuck, is there an end to this?” cursed Guo Ran. He felt nauseated.
“Endure it. Once we’re past this region, it’ll be smoother. It was the same for us when we came,” comforted a senior disciple.
In truth, they all found this unbearable. It was like they were stuck in a ball, and the sea demons’ attacks were like kicks to the ball. Each time they were struck, it made them feel worse.
Meng Qi had it the worst. Tang Wan-er was supporting her, but within the flying boat, she wasn’t able to help much at all.
As a soul cultivator, Meng Qi’s body was too weak. Her face was pale, causing Long Chen distress. Unable to bear it anymore, he stood up and said, “Elder Sha, release the defenses. I’ll make them scram.”
“You have a method?” Elder Sha was controlling the flying boat. In truth, he was also uncomfortable, but there was no way around this.
“Yes.” Long Chen nodded.
Elder Sha hesitated for a moment but then said, “This region isn’t very peaceful. You can’t kill them, or the blood will draw more powerful sea demons.” This was precisely the reason why he hadn’t just attacked them.
“Don’t worry, I understand.”
“Fine.” Elder Sha waved his hand, and the transparent barrier around the flying boat dissipated. Long Chen appeared at the front of the boat.
Everyone else was tightly holding onto the flying boat. Now that the defenses had scattered, if they were struck, then when they were blown into the air, there would be nothing to keep them on the flying boat.
Long Chen extended a hand, and a ball of lightning formed. Countless lightning runes circulated within it, releasing an ear-piercing rumble.
The senior disciples were shocked. Even Elder Sha’s expression changed. “Heavenly tribulation lightning? How can he control the nine heavens’ tribulation lightning?!”
Long Chen tossed the lightning ball into the sea. It disappeared, and following that, countless mountain-sized bodies floated to the surface of the sea.
Only now did everyone get a chance to get a good look at the Cyan Scaled Monsters. Their bodies were huge and protected by layers of scales. They looked like prawns, except that their bodies were absolutely huge, and there was a large cavity on their heads which they launched their attacks from.
They accumulated water in their bodies, and through compression, they released their water spouts with extremely great power. However, they were extremely weak to thunderforce. Long Chen had originally just been trying to drive them away. He hadn’t expected that they would all fall unconscious from this lightning ball.
“I’ll open a space and draw the Cyan Scaled Monsters into the flying boat. Kill them within the flying boat, and remember not to let them bleed. Their Neidans contain pure water essence and are very valuable. Once we return to the Xuantian Dao Sect, you’ll be able to exchange them for the resources you need.” Looking at the hundreds of Cyan Scaled Monsters on the surface of the water, Elder Sha couldn’t help but do a little rule breaking.
At this time, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. However, perhaps it was because he had been influenced by Long Chen, but he felt like wasting these Cyan Scaled Monsters was too regretful. He activated one of the flying boat’s functions, and rays of light shot down, like hands drawing them into the flying boat.
The space inside the flying boat was much greater than what it appeared on the outside. Long Chen and the others didn’t know what was going on, but they saw the senior disciples were delighted.
The senior disciples killed the sea demons with Spiritual Strength and told Long Chen that other than their rations, they could also exchange resources they had gathered for resources they needed within the Xuantian Dao Sect’s pavilions.
As outer sect disciples, the amount of resources they could gather was limited. So they needed to work hard to get them.
In truth, coming out to pick up the Eastern Wasteland’s disciples was a lucrative mission. Other than their task to blunt the newcomers’ arrogance, within a relatively safe zone in the Martial Heaven Sea-Ring, they could hunt a few sea demons and exchange them for resources they needed.