Chapter 467: Chapter 442: Passing on the Position, Going out to Sea
To keep advancing, one must leave and head to the Desolate Land, or even the Origin Continent.
Take Mr. World, for instance. When he awakened six thousand years ago, he had already reached the Immortal First Layer. But after six thousand years, he remains at the Immortal First Layer, due to environmental limitations.
Therefore, Lu Yan had a thought and decided to keep the old man.
After all, his understanding of the Desolate Land was very limited; he needed someone familiar with it.
Mr. World had no choice but to act, planting a restriction on the soul of the emaciated old man.
The emaciated old man relieved a sigh of relief, knowing his life was spared.
"Tell me, what is the Desolate Land like? What forces dominate there? How does Yunxia Valley rank amongst them? What is the cultivation level of the most powerful being there?"
Lu Yan asked several questions in a row.
The emaciated old man suppressed his injuries, hunched over and wheezing, displaying an obsequious expression, he said, "Your Majesty, the Desolate Land is dozens of times larger than this continent, full of chaos and mixed races, with hundreds of powers large and small. Among them, the most powerful are the Three Tribes of Immortal, Devil, and Human."
"Yunxia Valley, composed of human martial artists, is also a top power in the Desolate Land. The valley master possesses the power of the Immortal Fifth Layer. Oh, and the mightiest existence in the Desolate Land can reach only as high as the Immortal Fifth Layer."
"The strongest in the Desolate Land is just the Immortal Fifth Layer?"
Lu Yan felt somewhat surprised.
"Yes, the Desolate Land is located in the Wild Ocean, which, over a hundred thousand years ago, experienced a devastating great war. Countless powerful beings perished, and unimaginable masters joined the battle, nearly destroying the Wild Ocean. The inherent laws and rules became chaotic, and various energies intertwined, forming a special barrier that separated it from the Origin Continent, preventing the good communication with the doctrine’s laws. As a result, the limit of cultivation was confined, with the strongest reaching only the Immortal Fifth Layer."
"Of course, there have been extraordinarily talented prodigies in history who have broken this limit and stepped into the Immortal Sixth Layer, but such people usually do not remain in the Wild Ocean. They break out and enter the Origin Continent."
"You see, reaching the Immortal Sixth Layer is very difficult from the Wild Ocean. Only those at the Immortal Sixth Layer have the capability to break out."
The emaciated old man explained.
"It seems that there is a huge gulf between the Immortal Sixth Layer and the Fifth, a vast difference."
Lu Yan pondered to himself.
Lu Yan did not ask further, planning to return to Wangu City first. Once the situation stabilized, he would inquire in detail.
But when Lu Yan returned to Wangu City, he noticed something was amiss.
The atmosphere in the imperial palace was oppressive and tense.
People like Chu Tianjiao, Chu Long, Wen Yuan, and other civil and military officials were anxiously pacing back and forth, like ants on a hot pan.
Lu Yan stepped out and landed on the ground.
"His Majesty, His Majesty has returned."
Upon seeing Lu Yan, people like Chu Tianjiao, Wen Yuan, and the rest immediately gathered around, each paying their respects.
They all were taken aback when they saw the emaciated old man following behind Lu Yan, showing looks of confusion.
"His name is Pang Luo, and he has pledged loyalty to me. Why are you all so anxious? What has happened in the palace?"
Lu Yan inquired.
"Your Majesty, we failed to guard the palace. The Empress has been kidnapped."
Chu Tianjiao said.
"What? Yinuo has been kidnapped?"
Lu Yan’s expression changed drastically, and he spoke more emphatically, "What happened? Who did it?"
Shen Yinuo’s strength was extremely formidable, typically beyond the reach of ordinary mortals crossing the tribulation.
Before this, she was able to fight alone against the Combined Strike Array set up by ten Purple Eye Celestial Oxen.
The one capable of kidnapping her could only be an immortal.
But apart from Mr. World on this continent, there were only Zhao Zhihuan and the two immortals from the Immortal Clan. Zhao Zhihuan and the two immortals have died.
So who could it be?
Could it be that another immortal had come to this continent but had remained hidden, lurking in the shadows all along?
It must be so.
"A guard saw that the assailant was a middle-aged beauty in a red dress, her hem embroidered with beautiful feathers, and it seems she had a red mole on her forehead..."
Wen Yuan said.
"This person is incredibly powerful, and even the Empress could only withstand a few moves before being kidnapped."
Chu Tianjiao explained.
"Could this person be Chi Luan from Skull Fire Mountain?"
Pang Luo murmured from behind Lu Yan.
"Do you know this person?"
Lu Yan looked at the emaciated old man, Pang Luo.
"Judging by the characteristics they described, the middle-aged beauty closely resembles Chi Luan from Skull Fire Mountain. Your Majesty, Skull Fire Mountain is also a powerful force in the Desolate Land, with several immortals in residence. Chi Luan is one of the immortals of Skull Fire Mountain. I think she might have come following the Three Emperors Command. Could it be that she wants to force Your Majesty to surrender the command by threatening the Empress?"
Pang Luo bowed and said.
"Desolate Land, Skull Fire Mountain?"
A cold light flashed in Lu Yan’s eyes, and he then ordered, "Spread the word, I am willing to exchange the Three Emperors Command for Yinuo, as long as they release her."
"Yes!"
One of the officials immediately took the order and left to carry it out.
The news spread rapidly like a hurricane.
But after several days, there was no response.
Lu Yan began to grow anxious.
If the other party wanted to exchange Yinuo for the Three Emperors Command, they should have shown up by now.
Or if they had other purposes, they also should have made a move by now. How could there still be no sign of them?
Could it be that their true target was not the Three Emperors Command, but Shen Yinuo herself?
Lu Yan summoned Pang Luo again, asking in detail about Skull Fire Mountain.
Pang Luo informed him that Skull Fire Mountain was a peculiar force, specializing in fire attribute powers and the Rule of Fire. Anyone with a fire attribute could join, excluding the Immortals and Devils Clans.
It was home to many races, including both humans and beasts.
"Specializing in fire attribute, Yinuo’s Great Sun Melting Furnace is a treasure among fire attributes. Could it be that Chi Luan is after the Great Sun Melting Furnace?"
Lu Yan had a sudden realization.
The Great Sun Melting Furnace was extremely mysterious; even Lin Yan, upon seeing it, was amazed and believed that a little comprehension could lead to recovery, which says a lot.
Could it be that after abducting Shen Yinuo, the other party left this continent and headed for the Desolate Land?
Lu Yan was not willing to give up, he dispatched a large number of people to investigate, and at the same time, he also sought out Mr. World to join him in searching the entire world, but they still did not see any trace of Chi Luan or Shen Yinuo.
Lu Yan became even more certain that Shen Yinuo had definitely been taken away by the other party to the Desolate Land.
"It seems I must make a trip to the Desolate Land ahead of schedule."
Lu Yan’s gaze was resolute.
"You’re going to the Desolate Land?"
Mr. World asked.
"I have no choice but to go, and I ask the elder to lend me a helping hand."
Lu Yan clasped his fist.
"Alright."
Mr. World nodded.
Lu Yan was surprised; he had not expected Mr. World to agree so readily.
"I’ve been so tired of staying in this godforsaken place, if it weren’t for the mission I have to uphold, I would have left long ago. Being trapped here has prevented my six thousand years of cultivation from breaking through, do you know how frustrating that is? Hahaha, let’s go, the sooner the better."
Mr. World laughed heartily.
Lu Yan: "..."
...
Upon returning to the imperial palace, Lu Yan immediately convened civil and military ministers for a meeting.
"The villain has definitely abducted the empress and gone overseas, I am determined to set sail and rescue the empress, and today, I will pass the throne to Ping’an, my ministers, you must assist Ping’an in the future."
Lu Yan said.
The hall fell into silence.
The civil and military ministers looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
Lu Yan was going to save Shen Yinuo, could they advise him not to save her? That would be an unforgivable transgression.
But if Lu Yan were to leave, there would likely be instability in the court.
"Rest assured, after I leave, the World Bank will fully assist Ping’an."
Lu Yan spoke again.
The civil and military ministers were shocked.
The World Bank, getting involved?
Hadn’t the World Bank always stayed out, unconcerned with changes in dynasties and the power struggles of feudal princes?
But then they thought of Mr. World, and they understood.
With the support of the World Bank, Lu Ping’an might still be young, but his position would undoubtedly be as stable as Mount Tai.
"We will wholeheartedly assist the crown prince and wait for your return, Your Majesty."
The civil and military ministers knelt in homage.
Lu Yan was anxious to set sail and acted swiftly; the next day, he held the abdication ceremony, passing the throne to Lu Ping’an.
Late at night in the bedroom.
Zhao Sirong leaned against Lu Yan’s chest, holding him tightly, "Lu Yan, let... let me sail with you?"
Lu Yan shook his head slightly.
This voyage was fraught with uncertainties, and he did not want to let Zhao Sirong risk accompanying him.
"Can you bear to leave Ping’an behind?"
Lu Yan asked.
Zhao Sirong was speechless.
"Ping’an is still young, he needs guidance. If neither of us is present, I fear that someone may side-line him. Sirong, rest assured, I will definitely come back. You and Ping’an stay in Da Wu, which is my foundation. If there is any storm, I will shield you from it."
Lu Yan said.
"Lu Yan..."
Tears rolled down Zhao Sirong’s cheeks.
Lu Yan’s lips pressed down on hers, and the night was filled with tumult.
The following day, Lu Yan said farewell to Lu Qingshan and Wang Cui.
After taking control of Da Wu, Lu Yan found the most top-notch Martial Chef and collected the finest ingredients to cook up the most elite Martial Food for Lu Qingshan that could extend his lifespan.
This kind of Martial Food could break the human body’s limits; even a Martial Cultivator at the Primordial Spirit Realm could live an additional twenty years after consuming it.
For an ordinary person, the effect was naturally even more miraculous, potentially extending life by a hundred years.
After consuming it in several doses, Wang Cui’s complexion glowed with health and living past two hundred was no longer out of the question.
As for Lu Qingshan, he had already reached the Grandmaster Level, and his lifespan was naturally over two hundred years.
Everything was properly arranged.
At Yunzhou, on the Far East Coast, four figures appeared.
It was Lu Yan, Mr. World, Pang Luo, and Min Luo Demon Lord.
Min Luo Demon Lord was mighty, Lu Yan couldn’t rest easy leaving him in Da Wu.
If there were any mishaps, there would be no one in Da Wu capable of countering Min Luo Demon Lord.
Mr. World waved his hand, and a huge warship appeared on the surface of the sea.
This warship came from the Immortal Clan.
Lu Yan also possessed a similar vessel, received from Zhao Zhihuan.
With a flash, the four boarded the deck; Mr. World chanted as runes swirled around his feet, seeping into the warship, and similarly, runes appeared on deck, bursting with light.
Boom! The warship vibrated slightly, then, with a whoosh, it surged forward, cutting through the waves at an incredible speed.
Lu Yan stood on the deck, looking at the increasingly distant Da Wu continent, which gradually shrank to a speck and then disappeared, his emotions were complex.
"This is my home, where my family, friends, and subjects are. Even if a terrifying war should come, I will surely protect you all. Although I can’t change the world, I can definitely protect those I wish to protect. Just wait, I will become stronger and stronger, ascending to the peak of Martial Arts." Lu Yan’s eyes slowly filled with determination.
