Chapter 584: Eastern Domain Evil Land
Zhang Ruochen furrowed his brow slightly and said, "Doesn't that mean that even mastering the 'Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless' isn't of much use?"
Xuanji Sword Saint smiled and replied, "The thirty-six transformations are merely a wondrous technique, not a path of cultivation. Of course, if used well, they can certainly unleash infinite marvelous uses."
"For instance, right now, if you could cultivate even a fraction of their power, you could at least easily transform into another person. With them by your side, wouldn't heading to the Eastern Domain Evil Land be a bit safer?"
"Moreover, you possess the fourth volume of the 'Forty-Nine Mystical Arts.' If you combine the two in cultivation, you might make the thirty-six transformations even more miraculous."
Zhang Ruochen finally understood why Xuanji Sword Saint had passed the "Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless" to him.
Indeed, if he could change his form and appearance, killing Di Yi would certainly be much easier.
After all, Xuanji Sword Saint had just used the "Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless" to transform into Jiuyou Sword Saint, even deceiving Wan Zhaoyi.
This showed that the "Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless" was far beyond mere illusion techniques. It could not only alter a cultivator's appearance and physique but also change their aura, making it difficult even for saints to distinguish truth from falsehood.
After a moment of thought, Zhang Ruochen took out a space ring and handed it to Xuanji Sword Saint. "Master, this space ring contains a transcribed copy of the fourth volume of the 'Forty-Nine Mystical Arts.' By comprehending it, you might be able to make your thirty-six transformations even more refined."
Xuanji Sword Saint did not refuse and accepted the space ring, adding, "The thirty-six transformations are sustained by saintly qi. Therefore, you must wait until you reach the fourth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm and open your first saintly meridian. Then, through the saintly meridian, you can convert true qi into saintly qi and perform the transformations."
"Of course, don't spend too much energy on the thirty-six transformations at the expense of your sword path."
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "Disciple will surely remember your teachings."
Xuanji Sword Saint gazed deeply at Zhang Ruochen for a long moment before saying, "The martial world is treacherous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. From now on, you can only rely on yourself. Perhaps you will achieve fame under another identity, or perhaps you will die in a foreign land under a different guise."
"The path of sainthood is fraught with unpredictable fortune and misfortune. If you encounter difficulties, be sure to send word to me. Go now. It's time for you to leave. I hope that one day I can be proud of you."
With that, Xuanji Sword Saint stepped on the icy surface, covering ten zhang with each stride, gradually disappearing downstream along the ancient river. From start to finish, he never mentioned the words "Heir of Time and Space."
The downstream of the ancient river led to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land.
The upstream led to the Eastern Domain Evil Land.
A great river, a master and disciple, two completely different paths.
Zhang Ruochen seemed to understand Xuanji Sword Saint's feelings. As long as Empress Chi Yao lived, Zhang Ruochen could never reclaim his original name.
His sixth disciple, Zhang Ruochen, had died today.
"Master, take care."
Zhang Ruochen's eyes fixed on the river's downstream as he watched Xuanji Sword Saint depart, muttering softly under his breath.
Then, he took a metal mask from his space ring, put it on, and headed upstream against the current, resolutely embarking on the journey to the Eastern Domain Evil Land.
Only by reaching the fourth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm could he cultivate the "Thirty-Six Transformations of Formless and Faceless." For now, he had to use the mask to conceal his appearance and avoid being recognized.
This primeval forest was called the Falling God Mountain Range. To its north lay the thirty-six prefectures ruled by the imperial court, known as the "Eastern Domain Sacred Land."
To its east was the Eastern Domain Evil Land.
Because the Falling God Mountain Range served as a natural barrier, the imperial army had yet to conquer the Eastern Domain Evil Land to this day.
Even if they conquered it, governing the Eastern Domain Evil Land would be a challenge.
After all, this land had been ruled by evil paths for countless years, gathering a large number of murderous demons and evil experts. Even among ordinary people who hadn't cultivated martial arts, it was hard to find a few good individuals.
Because a good person could hardly survive in the Eastern Domain Evil Land.
Walking through the primeval forest, Zhang Ruochen encountered powerful barbarian beasts at every turn. He had already killed six fifth-rank lower-level barbarian beasts alone, not to mention countless fourth-rank and third-rank ones.
Among them, the most formidable beast reached the fifth-rank upper level. Its combat power was comparable to a human cultivator at the ninth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm. Zhang Ruochen had to don the Meteor Invisibility Cloak to escape.
After half a month, Zhang Ruochen reached the edge of the Falling God Mountain Range, about to leave the primeval forest.
During this time, Zhang Ruochen traveled quickly by day and entered the Scroll World to cultivate at night. His cultivation had progressed significantly, reaching the peak of the second transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm.
If he could refine another drop of Black Tortoise Sacred Blood, Zhang Ruochen was confident he could break through to the third transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm in the near future, reaching the realm of bone refinement turning to jade.
At dusk, Zhang Ruochen finally crossed the Falling God Mountain Range and arrived at the first city of the Eastern Domain Evil Land, Liyuan City.
Liyuan City was located at the edge of the Falling God Mountain Range. Its city walls were very tall but dilapidated, with many sections collapsed, revealing gaps dozens of meters wide. Clearly, the walls had not been repaired for many years.
Zhang Ruochen entered the city through a gap in a broken wall.
He had two purposes for coming to Liyuan City.
First, to purchase sacred stones.
Second, to find people.
Buying sacred stones was for testing the power of the Artifact Refining Warrior. After all, since his senior brother had given him the Artifact Refining Warrior, he hadn't yet tested how much power it could unleash.
As for finding people, it was to seek allies.
To kill Di Yi on his own turf, he needed allies, careful planning, and the right opportunity to strike with a single fatal blow.
Zhang Ruochen had considered going to Huosheng Manor to find the remnants of the Holy Bright Central Empire and use their strength to deal with Di Yi.
But he quickly dismissed that strategy.
After all, eight hundred years had passed. Even if they had been loyal subordinates back then, they might not still be loyal to him now. What if those people betrayed him? Wouldn't that trap Zhang Ruochen in a desperate situation?
Now, alone in the Eastern Domain Evil Land, he had to be cautious, even more cautious, and absolutely avoid any mistakes.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen also considered another person: Duanmu Xingling.
Others might not be trustworthy, but Duanmu Xingling should be reliable. Moreover, in the Eastern Domain Evil Land, there were not only forces from the Black Market but also from the Demon Sect.
If he could leverage the Demon Sect's power, Zhang Ruochen would have a better chance of killing Di Yi.
However, killing Di Yi was a major undertaking. Zhang Ruochen didn't want to trouble Duanmu Xingling or implicate her. In the end, he shook his head and decided to act alone.
As he was deep in thought, Zhang Ruochen suddenly stopped and looked up at a shop on the right side of the street. Above the shop's main door hung a plaque with three bold, vigorous characters.
"Qingxuan Pavilion," Zhang Ruochen read aloud.
In the Yunwu Commandery, Duanmu Xingling's aunt, Qin Ya, had opened a Qingxuan Pavilion in the Martial Market.
Qingxuan Pavilion was the place where Zhang Ruochen had first purchased elixirs, so he still remembered it clearly.
Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the first city of the Eastern Domain Evil Land, he encountered another Qingxuan Pavilion.
However, this Qingxuan Pavilion was much larger than the one in Yunwu Commandery. It not only sold elixirs but also True Martial Treasures and barbarian beast mounts.
Although order in Liyuan City was chaotic, the area outside Qingxuan Pavilion was well-organized.
Cultivators constantly entered and exited the pavilion's main gate. Some were herb farmers coming from the Falling God Mountain Range to sell their gathered medicinal herbs. Others were armed cultivators, clearly going in to buy elixirs and True Martial Treasures.
As Zhang Ruochen stepped inside, a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar elderly voice reached his ears.
"Sir, would you like to purchase elixirs or True Martial Treasures?"
Zhang Ruochen turned around and saw a very familiar old man behind him. The old man had a black mole at the corner of his mouth and wore a warm smile on his face.
Seeing this old man, Zhang Ruochen felt a strange illusion, as if he had returned to the Yunwu Commandery.
Because this old man looked exactly like the steward of the Qingxuan Pavilion in Yunwu Commandery.
Zhang Ruochen's heart was both surprised and delighted, but he controlled his emotions and said calmly, "May I ask how I should address you?"
"This old man is Mo Hanlin, the steward of this Qingxuan Pavilion," the old man said with a smile.
Even the name was exactly the same.
It couldn't be wrong.
Had the Qingxuan Pavilion from Yunwu Commandery moved to Liyuan City? Or were there many Qingxuan Pavilions throughout the Eastern Domain?
Back then, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation was too low to see through Mo Hanlin's level. Now, with a single glance, he could see that Mo Hanlin had reached the late stage of the Heavenly Extreme Realm.
Such a realm would have been a martial arts myth in the Yunwu Commandery back then.
Zhang Ruochen calmed his mind and said, "I want to purchase sacred stones. Can Qingxuan Pavilion help me obtain them?"
"Sacred stones?"
Mo Hanlin's eyes widened, and his aged body trembled slightly before he began to reassess Zhang Ruochen.
If not for Zhang Ruochen's extraordinary bearing, Mo Hanlin would have already ordered him to be thrown out.
Buying sacred stones? How dare he speak so boldly?
One sacred stone was worth ten million ordinary spirit crystals, equivalent to ten billion silver coins.
And that was just the exchange rate. If someone wanted to buy one, the value would increase by another ten percent, meaning eleven million ordinary spirit crystals.
Under normal circumstances, only half-saints would use sacred stones.
Moreover, some half-saints without strong backing might not even be able to afford sacred stones.
Although Zhang Ruochen wore a mask, one glance revealed that he was only about twenty years old. How could he be a half-saint?
Mo Hanlin's expression grew serious. "Qingxuan Pavilion has tens of thousands of shops across the Eastern Domain, with deep foundations. As long as you can afford the price, we can certainly obtain sacred stones. However, such a major matter is beyond this old man's authority. I must first consult the proprietress."