Chapter 1226: Eighty-Thousand-Mile Divine Dream Marsh
The Four-Winged Silver Light Crane had not deceived Zhang Ruochen. After advancing swiftly for six hundred li, the layered mountain ranges vanished, replaced by a vast, mist-shrouded primeval marsh.
The air here was fresh, the scenery beautiful, with blue skies and white clouds—truly a sacred spiritual land.
The clear lake waters stretched for who knows how many thousands of miles, with no end in sight from a single glance. Only scattered islands of various sizes dotted the lake's surface like stars in the sky.
Faintly, Zhang Ruochen could sense powerful auras emanating from some of those islands.
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath, a look of intoxication on his face. "This is truly a cultivation paradise. No wonder the Half-Dragon Divine Clan has lived here for generations instead of moving to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land."
Xiao Hei said, "The Eighty-Thousand-Mile Divine Dream Marsh has always been fertile ground. The spiritual herbs and sacred objects born here each year far surpass other cultivation sacred lands. Countless human forces and barbarian beast races have their eyes on the Divine Dream Marsh."
"Unfortunately, the Divine Dream Marsh lies at the junction of the Eastern Domain and the Barbarian Secret Realm, a very special geographical location. If not for the Half-Dragon Divine Clan—who possess half divine dragon blood and half human blood—occupying this place, humans and barbarian beasts would have long since slaughtered each other into chaos here."
Zhang Ruochen nodded.
Clearly, he also had some understanding of the Divine Dream Marsh.
"How do we find the space wormhole? Do we just barge straight into the Divine Dream Marsh?"
Xiao Hei, worried that Zhang Ruochen might force his way in, cautioned, "The Half-Dragon Divine Clan is not like other half-human clans. They have inherited part of the divine dragon's power, as well as some of the divine dragon clan's techniques and martial skills. Their heritage is even more ancient than the medieval aristocratic clans. Their strength is formidable—far more than just a few saints."
"Of course, I won't force my way in."
Zhang Ruochen took out a token and held it in his hand. "With this, I should be able to become an honored guest of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan."
On the token were three vigorous characters—Liangyi Sect.
The Liangyi Sect and the Half-Dragon Divine Clan had always been close allies, with many strategic cooperations and mutual interests.
Zhang Ruochen entered the Divine Dream Marsh. Before long, waves several zhang high surged on the lake surface. A patrol team of twenty, clad in scale armor and riding twenty aquatic barbarian beasts, blocked Zhang Ruochen's path.
The one at the front of the patrol team was named Ao Zhan, appearing to be around thirty years old.
He held a long sword, pointing it at Zhang Ruochen opposite him. "Halt! This is the Divine Dream Marsh. Except for members of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan, neither humans nor barbarian beasts may enter."
Ao Zhan was the Seventh Commander of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan's Patrol Army, having reached the peak of the Ninth-Step Half-Saint realm. He held a considerable position within the clan.
Ever since the two Sacred Dragon Envoys had arrived at the Divine Dream Marsh, the Half-Dragon Divine Clan had been on high alert. Ao Zhan personally guarded the entrance, intercepting any living being that tried to enter.
Zhang Ruochen, dressed in a Daoist robe with a calm demeanor, took out his Liangyi Sect sacred disciple token. "I am a disciple of the Liangyi Sect, here specifically to visit the clan leader of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan."
Ao Zhan took the token and examined it carefully, confirming it was indeed a Liangyi Sect sacred disciple token.
Looking back at Zhang Ruochen, Ao Zhan's gaze became somewhat friendlier. Most importantly, with his cultivation level, he could not see through the other's true appearance at all.
This could only mean that either the other's cultivation far surpassed his, or his spiritual power was extremely formidable.
Either way, this person was definitely a major figure from the Liangyi Sect and an honored guest of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan—not to be offended.
Zhang Ruochen had not changed his appearance but had released his spiritual power to shroud his entire body. Only those with spiritual power surpassing his could see his true form.
Ao Zhan smiled. "May I ask how to address you, brother? And which saint of the Liangyi Sect are you a disciple of?"
"My surname is Zhang, but I am merely an unknown. In the Sword Pavilion, I once studied under Zangyue Sword Saint for a time." Zhang Ruochen said.
Ao Zhan showed a look of respect. Although the other spoke humbly, being able to enter the Sword Pavilion and study under Zangyue Sword Saint was no simple matter.
"Brother Zhang, please."
The aquatic barbarian beast beneath Ao Zhan's feet was called a Tidal Beast, a sixth-rank superior barbarian beast. Its body was over eighty meters long, very much like a giant rhinoceros swimming in the water.
Zhang Ruochen flew onto the Tidal Beast's back, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ao Zhan as they headed deeper into the Divine Dream Marsh.
Ao Zhan was very interested in Zhang Ruochen, a warm light in his eyes. "Brother Zhang, having studied under Zangyue Sword Saint, your attainment in the Sword Dao must be quite high, right? How far have you comprehended the 'Wordless Sword Manual'—Sword One, Sword Two?"
Zhang Ruochen looked out at the beautiful scenery of the Divine Dream Marsh, standing against the wind with his hands behind his back, smiling. "I only studied under Zangyue Sword Saint for a short time. I am not his formal disciple. How could my Sword Dao attainment be that high?"
Zhang Ruochen naturally dared not tell the truth.
Should he tell Ao Zhan that he had already cultivated Sword Six to Great Perfection and had some research into Sword Seven?
Ao Zhan's curiosity was strong. He pressed further, "Brother Zhang's cultivation must be quite high, right? How many quasi-saint tribulations have you crossed?"
This time, Zhang Ruochen did not evade and answered truthfully, "I have just crossed the third quasi-saint tribulation."
Ao Zhan immediately showed envy, and the way he looked at Zhang Ruochen changed, adding some reverence.
Crossing the third quasi-saint tribulation meant he was certain to become a saint.
The status difference between a saint and a half-saint was like that between an emperor and a court official—a world of difference.
Ao Zhan continued his conversation with Zhang Ruochen, now much more cautious, not daring to be as casual as before.
Along the way, Zhang Ruochen saw many guard troops and encountered numerous defensive formations. Each time, Ao Zhan had to personally intervene before the formations would open to let them pass.
Zhang Ruochen felt a doubt arise in his heart, but he deliberately put on a nonchalant expression, smiling. "The Half-Dragon Divine Clan is truly on high alert. Is it always like this?"
Ao Zhan said, "Not exactly, but recently..."
He paused slightly before continuing, "Recently, the turmoil in the Barbarian Secret Realm has grown fiercer. The Half-Dragon Divine Clan naturally has to strengthen its defenses."
Zhang Ruochen could tell Ao Zhan was not telling the whole truth, but he did not press further. Instead, he closed his eyes and continued healing his injuries.
Before entering the Divine Dream Marsh, Xiao Hei had already finished refining the Spring Renewal Pills—twelve in total.
Zhang Ruochen had taken one, refining it while traveling. By now, most of his injuries had recovered.
"The Spring Renewal Pill truly has miraculous effects. It is indeed a sacred healing pill. Sometimes, one Spring Renewal Pill is worth more than a life," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
The Tidal Beast was very fast. In just two hours, it carried Zhang Ruochen and Ao Zhan to a large island in the heart of the Divine Dream Marsh.
This island was extremely vast, with a coastline stretching two thousand li, shrouded in white mist, giving it a mysterious and unfathomable feel.
More than half of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan's members lived on this island.
Entering Dragon Spirit Island, Zhang Ruochen and Ao Zhan soon arrived at the Divine Dragon Hall and walked straight in.
Ao Zhan had already sent a message to the clan leader of the Half-Dragon Divine Clan, reporting Zhang Ruochen's arrival in advance and obtaining the clan leader's permission. Otherwise, he would not have dared to lead Zhang Ruochen directly into the Divine Dragon Hall.
Since he was a Third Tribulation Quasi-Saint and had studied Sword Dao under Zangyue Sword Saint, he was definitely a major figure from the Liangyi Sect. The clan leader naturally had to receive him in person.
Zhang Ruochen bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Clan Leader."
Ao Yi stared at the young man from the Liangyi Sect below. He felt that the other's body was always shrouded in a layer of mist. Even using his saintly eyes, he could not see his face clearly.
"What an impressive young man. You should not be a Third Tribulation Quasi-Saint but a spiritual power saint, right?"
Ao Yi's voice turned a few degrees colder. "The Liangyi Sect only has a few spiritual power saints, and I know all of them. You are not among them."
Zhang Ruochen remained very calm, smiling. "The Liangyi Sect's foundation is so profound that even the saints within the sect do not know how many experts it truly has. How can you be so sure, Clan Leader, that I am not a spiritual power saint of the Liangyi Sect?"
Ao Yi said, "But why did you claim to be a Third Tribulation Quasi-Saint and say you studied under Zangyue Sword Saint for a time? Isn't that contradictory?"
"There is no contradiction. I am not only a spiritual power saint but also a Third Tribulation Quasi-Saint, and moreover, a Sword Cultivator."
Zhang Ruochen pressed two fingers together, forming a sword seal.
"Whoosh—"
In an instant, the entire Divine Dragon Hall was filled with tens of thousands of sword qi, emitting sharp sword cries as they flew around Zhang Ruochen.
"Impressive."
Even with Ao Yi's state of mind and cultivation, he could not help but silently praise.
So young, yet with such high spiritual power and Sword Dao attainment, he was definitely a secretly trained heir of the Liangyi Sect.
Not simple. Very not simple.
Ao Yi asked, "What is your purpose in visiting the Divine Dream Marsh to see me?"
Before Zhang Ruochen could answer, Ao Zhan hurried in from outside the Divine Dragon Hall, looking anxious. "Reporting to the Clan Leader! The two Sacred Dragon Envoys have gone to Heart Moon Lake, wanting to see Princess Yan, but were refused entry. Now, they are trying to force their way into Heart Moon Lake. No one can stop them. Even the Grand Commander has been injured by them."
"Damn it! What are you trying to do—kidnap someone?"
Ao Yi's anger erupted completely. "You stay and entertain the guest. I will go to Heart Moon Lake myself."
"Roar!"
Ao Yi transformed into a massive dragon shadow, soaring up from his seat and leaving the Divine Dragon Hall.
"Princess Yan..."
Zhang Ruochen muttered the name to himself, then asked, "Commander Ao Zhan, what exactly happened? What Sacred Dragon Envoys?"
Since he had already let it slip, Ao Zhan no longer hid the matter from Zhang Ruochen and told him about the two Sacred Dragon Envoys. After all, the Liangyi Sect and the Half-Dragon Divine Clan had always advanced and retreated together as allies—they were not outsiders.
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