Chapter 401: Chapter 399: Broken Tooth Valley
On the Profound Celestial Ice Field.
An Ice and Snow World stretched out in every direction, the pristine white snow deep enough to reach a person’s waist.
As far as the eye could see, there was only a boundless expanse of white, with no other colors in sight. It was as if this was a world of pure white where, aside from powerful Martial Artists, the Icefield Race, and Ice Beasts, there were no other signs of life.
A biting, icy wind blew constantly across the Celestial Vault, so much so that even Union Palace Realm experts dared not fly at high altitudes.
And so...
Jiang Chen and his group could only travel forward on a tamed Demon Beast, an Icefield Barbarian Elephant. The colossal Icefield Barbarian Elephant was three to four stories tall and over forty meters long, its four massive legs like celestial pillars plunging deep into the snow.
Its speed was neither fast nor slow.
Wuu Rui sat beside Jiang Chen and said, "Younger Brother Jiang, I did some digging last night. Our destination is the Purple Wind Tribe, one of the three great tribes. I heard a strange illness broke out in the Purple Wind Tribe, and many of its members have been infected. We’re heading over to deliver some medicinal herbs and Spirit Pills, as well as escort a few Senior Alchemists to help the Purple Wind Clan get through this crisis!"
As Wuu Rui spoke, he discreetly pointed toward ten people sitting cross-legged in the center of the Icefield Barbarian Elephant’s back, surrounded by numerous guards.
These ten individuals were all dressed in the attire of Alchemists.
Judging by the emblems on their robes, there were six Second-Grade Alchemists, three Third-Grade Alchemists, and one Fourth-Grade Alchemist!
The faces of these Alchemists were all filled with arrogance.
The Fourth-Grade Alchemist, in particular, acted like a king. He even had a Union Palace Realm guard by his side to serve him water.
’It seems that even in the entire Eastern Continent, Fourth-Grade Alchemists are at the very top of the pyramid,’ Jiang Chen thought, then averted his gaze.
In the eyes of others, a Fourth-Grade Alchemist was a lofty and untouchable existence.
But in Jiang Chen’s eyes, a Fourth-Grade Alchemist was nothing special.
After all...
He possessed the alchemy memories of the Celestial Demon Emperor Venerable. As long as his Divine Thought Power was strong enough, he had the ability to refine even a Seventh Grade Divine Pill!
’The entire Profound Celestial Ice Field is filled with wind and snow. It’s the perfect place to comprehend the Secrets of Wind!’ Jiang Chen’s gaze swept across his surroundings. He sat up straight, spread out his Divine Thought, and began to comprehend the Secrets of Wind that permeated the air.
He had currently mastered five types of Mystical Techniques: Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind, as well as Light. All of them had reached Tier Four.
As for his Dark Sword Intent, it remained at the Tier Three Advanced Realm.
Advancing one’s cultivation in the Union Palace Realm was not just about accumulating True Essence, but also about comprehending the origins of heaven and earth to enhance one’s Martial Arts Secrets.
More importantly...
Jiang Chen walked the path of the Strongest Sword Dao, which required him to thoroughly comprehend all Nine Great Sword Dao Origins.
He could not afford the slightest bit of slack!
’Wind... is everywhere...’
’Wind can be the gentle breeze of spring, the scorching gust of summer, the cool air of autumn, or the frigid gale of winter...’
’The essence of wind is always the same; what differs is the environment that affects it. If I fuse the Secrets of Fire into the Secrets of Wind, wouldn’t it be like a summer wind, blazing hot? If I fuse the Secrets of Water, it would become a gentle spring breeze, nurturing all things...’
’Wind can destroy everything, but it can also embrace everything...’
Jiang Chen was immersed in his comprehension.
Streams of Wind Spiritual Qi gathered around his body, forming a cyan Light Cocoon that enveloped him completely.
"W-what’s happening?" The sudden development startled Wuu Rui.
The commotion here attracted everyone’s attention.
Lei Tong glanced at Jiang Chen, his expression changing slightly as surprise flickered in his eyes. "Is that guy... about to have a breakthrough?"
"A breakthrough?"
Zhao Hongluan was also taken aback.
A complex look flashed through her deep, bright eyes. Just yesterday, she had personally witnessed Jiang Chen defeat Lin Fan, a man ranked in the seven-thousands on the Human Venerable List. If he had another breakthrough now, just how much stronger would he become?
’This guy’s talent is just too terrifying.’
Zhao Hongluan took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, then ordered, "Everyone, stay away from Jiang Chen! Do not disturb his breakthrough!"
"Yes!"
The crowd immediately backed away.
Zhao Hongluan, however, brought Lei Tong with her and personally stood guard beside Jiang Chen.
Gazing at the young man wrapped in the Light Cocoon, Zhao Hongluan had a very strange look in her eyes.
However, this small interlude didn’t stop the group from continuing on their journey.
Time slowly passed.
In the blink of an eye, seven days and seven nights had passed with Jiang Chen still inside the Light Cocoon.
Lei Tong and Zhao Hongluan were in discussion.
Lei Tong reported, "Young Miss, following our original route, we’ve now reached the border between the Purple Wind Clan’s and the Royal Family’s territories."
"We’re already here? There have been frequent disputes among the three great tribes of the Icefield Race recently, and it’s even trending toward open war. Tell everyone to be on high alert and prevent any accidents!" Zhao Hongluan said in a low voice.
Lei Tong acknowledged her with a nod and shouted, "Everyone, on high alert!"
Atop the two Icefield Barbarian Elephants, the hundred-plus expert guards all drew their weapons.
Ready for battle.
On the Profound Celestial Ice Field, the slightest carelessness was a death sentence.
No one was willing to gamble with their own life.
They continued onward.
Two enormous, snow-capped mountains appeared ahead. They soared into the clouds, completely shrouded in pristine white snow, stretching endlessly into the distance. This place was called Broken Tooth Valley. The left side of the valley was Royal Family territory, while the right side belonged to the Purple Wind Clan.
It was the border between the two great tribes.
"Stay alert!"
"Watch for any movement in the surroundings! We’re about to cross Broken Tooth Valley!"
Lei Tong and the others had been traveling this route for many years and knew very well that Broken Tooth Valley was the most dangerous part of their journey.
The two Icefield Barbarian Elephants entered Broken Tooth Valley, their speed urged to the absolute maximum.
Both Zhao Hongluan and Lei Tong wanted to pass through this place of conflict as quickly as possible.
However, things did not go as planned.
Just as they reached the middle of Broken Tooth Valley, the two Icefield Barbarian Elephants suddenly stopped.
"What’s wrong?"
"The Icefield Barbarian Elephants refuse to move. What do we do?"
The expert Beast Tamers in charge of the elephants spoke with anxious faces. The two of them were already doing everything they could to urge the elephants forward, but the behemoths beneath them refused to take another step.
The difference between Ice Beasts and Demon Beasts is that Demon Beasts possess greater intelligence.
Ice Beasts, on the other hand, operate more on instinct.
Even a Beast Tamer would find it difficult to communicate with an Ice Beast.
"You, go and scout ahead!" Zhao Hongluan commanded, pointing to an expert at the Fifth Stage of Union Palace Realm.
"Yes, Young Miss!"
This Union Palace Realm expert was extremely skilled in Body Techniques. In a flash, his entire body became like a fluttering snowflake, drifting forward as he shot ahead. However, just as he had covered a distance of over a hundred meters, a blue light suddenly streaked through the air.
PFFT...
The blue light shot directly through the expert’s skull.
His entire head exploded.
Blood stained the white snow red.
"Not good!"
"Ambush!"
Zhao Hongluan and the other experts shot to their feet, their faces grim.
Within their line of sight, figures slowly materialized on the peaks of the mountains on both sides. The one leading them was none other than Lin Fan, who had once been humiliatingly defeated by Jiang Chen!
At that moment, Lin Fan held a large bow, his face a mask of ferocity and triumph. He spoke slowly, his arrogant and gloating voice echoing through Broken Tooth Valley. "Jiang Chen! Zhao Hongluan! Long time no see! I told you, there’s a heavy price to pay for offending me, Lin Fan. Now, the time has come for my revenge!"
[Third update complete! A little preview: On May 1st, Little Tian will be back with an explosive 50-Chapter release!]
