Chapter 514: Chapter 489: Dragon Emperor City
"This gray wall was left over from that great battle over a hundred thousand years ago. Those below the Immortal Fifth Layer find it difficult to cross,"
Dongfang Yunque explained.
"Senior, why did the Infinite Starry Sky attack the Origin World from the Wild Ocean side?"
Lu Yan asked.
"Around the Origin World, there are dimensional barriers, solid and immortal, hard to break through. But the Origin World and the Infinite Starry Sky were once connected in the distant past. The Wild Ocean is the passage between the Origin World and the Infinite Starry Sky. Here, the barriers are weakest. If the Infinite Starry Sky wants to attack the Origin World, the Wild Ocean is the only choice,"
Dongfang Yunque explained.
Only then did Lu Yan and the others come to a realization.
They rushed headlong into the gray wall.
The gray wall stretched on for who knows how many tens of thousands of miles, emitting a chilling aura that could affect one’s mind.
Those whose cultivation level was insufficient, or who were mentally weak, could easily become lost within the gray wall.
Even with Dongfang Yunque’s cultivation level, it took nearly half an hour to cross the gray wall. Suddenly, Lu Yan felt the world open up.
Not just his vision, but his entire being.
Before, it was as if there was always a shackle on him, and now, that shackle had been lifted.
He felt clear-headed and spirited. His spiritual sense spread out, feeling the world teeming with endless energy. In addition, various rule powers were surging, flowing, and leaping about, extremely potent.
He opened the eyes of his soul, as if he could see the great, boundless Magic Rivers of law flowing in the void. He connected to the Magic Rivers through his tendrils of thunder and fire rule powers, with rich Rule Power streaming out from the Magic Rivers, through the tendrils, and into his body.
In the Wild Ocean, he had wanted to draw energy from the Magic Rivers, but he always felt blocked by an invisible force, which made it very difficult.
But here, it became exceedingly simple, the speed at least ten times faster than in the Wild Ocean.
Leaving the gray wall meant they had left the Wild Ocean.
Shen Yinuo and Mr. World clearly felt the same, their faces showing surprise.
"How does it feel?"
Dongfang Yunque asked with a smile.
"Very good. Cultivating here, even without using Magic Elixirs, progress can be exceedingly fast. Comprehending rules or doctrines is also much faster than in the Wild Ocean,"
Lu Yan said.
Dongfang Yunque nodded and sighed, "The Origin Continent indeed has unique cultivation conditions unparalleled anywhere else. In the Infinite Starry Sky, only a few Cultivation Sacred Grounds can compare with the Origin Continent."
"Those born on the Origin Continent are fortunate. Compared to those from the Infinite Starry Sky or the Chaos Void, their cultivation journey is a thousand times easier and fraught with far fewer trials and tribulations, allowing them to easily reach Immortality, the Tao Realm, or even the Creator Realm."
"In the Chaos Void, to cultivate to Immortality is to pass through a myriad of dangers. Few succeed, like a horde crossing a narrow bridge. The Infinite Starry Sky is somewhat easier, but it’s still incomparable to the Origin Continent."
"Of course, gains come with losses. Cultivators of the Origin Continent often lack something."
"What’s that?"
Lu Yan and his companions showed curiosity.
"True exceptional powerhouses have faced numerous hardships and dangers, possessing an incredibly resolute mind. Those who are coddled and have an easy time of it rarely become exceptional powerhouses. On this count, cultivators from the Origin Continent tend to fall short."
"Thus, although the Origin Continent’s cultivation conditions are far superior to the Infinite Starry Sky, and there are far more beings at the Immortality, Tao Realm, or even the first two steps of the Creator Realm, there aren’t more beings at the third step of Creator Realm and True One State than in the Infinite Starry Sky. So, when massive battles occur, the advantage of the Origin Continent is not as clear-cut,"
Dongfang Yunque explained.
Lu Yan and the others nodded, agreeing with this view.
True exceptional powerhouses cannot be created by resources alone.
"Furthermore, the Origin Continent, known as the beginning of everything, has incredibly strong laws and stable space-time. On the Origin Continent, you might only be able to destroy a mountain, but in the Infinite Starry Sky, you could destroy stars and tear apart the starry sky. This difference, if you have the chance to enter the starry sky in the future, you should personally experience it. The contrast will help you on your cultivation journey,"
Dongfang Yunque said.
While speaking, he led the group on their way.
Soon, a boundless continent appeared before them.
This was the Origin Continent.
After flying over the Origin Continent for a few hours, a vast and immense city came into view.
"This is the headquarters of our Dragon Alliance, Dragon Emperor City. See that gigantic statue outside the city? That’s our Dragon Alliance Master, Ten Thousand Tao Dragon Emperor Lu Ming,"
Dongfang Yunque said, his eyes filled with reverence.
Actually, without Dongfang Yunque pointing it out, Lu Yan and the others had already noticed it.
No wonder, the statue was enormous, soaring into the sky, making it difficult to ignore.
It portrayed a young man with a tall and straight figure, his long hair casually draped over his shoulders, free and unrestrained. His eyes, looking towards the sky, were endlessly profound as if they could contain an entire world.
In his right hand he held a spear, as if he could pierce through the Heavenly Cave with one thrust.
Even from a great distance, and even though it was just a statue, there was something about it that made people want to bow down.
"Truly a remarkable hero,"
Lu Yan couldn’t help but praise inwardly.
"Senior, what kind of person is the Alliance Hierarch?"
Lu Yan couldn’t help but ask.
Shen Yinuo and Mr. World also showed curiosity.
"What kind of person is the Alliance Hierarch?"
Dongfang Yunque wore a contemplative expression, then after a pause, said, "I cannot describe him, for I feel any words used to describe the Alliance Hierarch would fall short."
Great, here’s a little fan boy of the Dragon Alliance Master.
Lu Yan thought to himself.
"However, someone once described the Alliance Hierarch with a phrase: ’He who has endured a thousand tribulations and has not died, who has trodden upon the Tianjiaos of ages and remains invincible.’
Dongfang Yunque added.
Lu Yan and his companions were moved by these words.
Who could be worthy of this saying?
"The Alliance Hierarch’s life is like a legendary saga. If it were to be written down, it would be a mythical saga."
Dongfang Yunque said, his eyes filled with even deeper veneration.
After a while, Dongfang Yunque came to his senses and smiled, "Alright, you will have the chance to meet the Alliance Hierarch in the future. Let me first take you into the city so you can settle down. Lu Yan, as a new member of the alliance, you must also prepare for your induction ceremony. We will invite the heads of various halls and elders. Get some rest first."
Dongfang Yunque led the three of them and flew directly into the heart of Dragon Emperor City.
Dongfang Yunque obviously held a high position within the Dragon Alliance. Many of the guards and officers at the city gate greeted him with respect, and they passed through without hindrance, flying towards the core area of Dragon Emperor City.
"So many strong warriors."
Lu Yan was astonished.
Along the way, he quietly used his spiritual senses and detected countless powerful and terrifying presences.
On the streets below, a random passerby was an existence at the Immortal Realm.
And some presences were unfathomable, possibly strong warriors of the Tao Realm.
He had no idea how many he had sensed along the way.
Is this the pinnacle force of the Origin Continent? Truly terrifying. To destroy the Desolate Land would be as simple as crushing an ant.
Dongfang Yunque led the three to a spacious courtyard to settle in. He informed them that, barring any accidents, the induction ceremony would be held in seven days and he left to make arrangements.
After settling in, Lu Yan and Shen Yinuo went into seclusion to cultivate, while Mr. World couldn’t sit still and wandered around everywhere.
Seven days passed in a blink of an eye.
On this day, a troop dressed in Dragon Pattern Armor, led by an old man, arrived at the courtyard where the three were staying.
"Young Master Lu Yan, Miss Yinuo, Mr. World, the humble Qin Yong is here to escort the three of you to the Dragon Hall for the induction ceremony," the old man said respectfully to the three, with a slight bow.
But Lu Yan could clearly see that despite Qin Yong’s courteousness, his eyes betrayed a strong curiosity as he sized up Lu Yan.
"Thank you, senior."
Lu Yan and the other two bowed their hands in respect.
"Please," Qin Yong said, leading the way.
Lu Yan and the others followed Qin Yong and the troops towards the most luxurious temple at the center of Dragon Emperor City.
They crossed a vast plaza, bypassed two layers of palaces and journeyed through numerous corridors...
"Good day, Mr...."
"Hello, Mr. World."
Along the way, they encountered some of the guards and sentries who, upon seeing them, gave curious glances and then respectfully greeted...Mr. World.
"No need for formalities, no need for such courtesies," Mr. World said with a smile, pride coloring his face, as he walked with his hands behind his back, nearly floating with delight.
"Lu Yan, although you are about to become an alliance member, you still don’t hold as high a position as I do. It seems in the Dragon Alliance, you’ll still need my protection," Mr. World said proudly.
"Then I shall have to trouble Mr. World in the future," Lu Yan responded, clasping his fist.
"No trouble at all, no trouble, hahaha," Mr. World grinned, almost floating as he walked.
Their journey took them to a broad hall with towering dragon columns on either side. The dragons’ eyes seemed to be alive as they stared down at the entrance.
By this time, the hall was filled with people.
Sets of eyes fell upon Lu Yan and the others, exerting immense pressure on them.
"Lu Yan, you’ve arrived," a tall figure approached. It was Dongfang Yunque.
"Senior," Lu Yan greeted, clasping his fist.
"Lu Yan, let me introduce you. Everyone here is from the upper echelons of the Dragon Alliance, the leaders and elders of the various halls. First of all, this person..." Dongfang Yunque pointed to a particularly distinguished position, where a tall and powerful young man in black sat with a sharp gaze.
Lu Yan looked into his eyes for just a moment and felt as though a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood were rushing towards him, causing his spirit to tremble profoundly.
But it was just an instant; the mountain of corpses and the sea of blood disappeared as if it had never been.
"The Dragon Alliance has nine halls, and this is the Killing Hall Master, also the eldest son of the Alliance Hierarch, Lu Shenhuang," Dongfang Yunque introduced to Lu Yan.
"Greetings, senior," Lu Yan, Shen Yinuo, and Mr. World bowed their hands in salute.
Lu Shenhuang looked curiously at Lu Yan and Shen Yinuo, then nodded and said, "No need for such formalities."
An invisible force then lifted them to their feet.
"Ordinarily, an alliance member’s induction should be overseen by the Alliance Hierarch or the Vice Alliance Hierarchs, but as they are all otherwise engaged at the moment, I will have to preside," Lu Shenhuang explained, his gaze then turning to Mr. World, "And you must be Mr. World?"
Faced with such an individual, Mr. World dared not act presumptuously and quickly responded, "Indeed."
"Please, take your seat," Lu Shenhuang gestured with a wave of his hand.
