Chapter 178: Clash! Wu Yuan’s Might (4)
Shadow Blade was a name renowned throughout the land. Wu Yuan was a prodigy said to have reached the first-rate Adept level at the tender age of seventeen. Could they be one and the same? If they were, didnt that mean he was a seventeen-year-old Great Grandmaster?
"Haha, Brother Song Guang, you jest. I do have some connections with the Cloudstride Sect," Wu Yuan responded naturally. "But I am not Wu Yuan. I merely protected him in secret when he first joined the sect."
"He possesses great talent. Given time, it won't be difficult for him to reach the Grandmaster level," Wu Yuan continued, his tone nonchalant.
This was the answer Wu Yuan had prepared long ago. He knew that hiding Zang Jings identity as Shadow Blade might not be possible. After all, it was widely known that Shadow Blade possessed a Chu-Jiang Token. Coupled with his recent act of protecting Bu Yu, it was bound to raise suspicion.
But the connection between Shadow Blade and Wu Yuan? Regardless of whether Song Guang had evidence or not, Wu Yuan would adamantly deny it to the bitter end, never revealing the truth.
A quasi-Heavenly Ranker at seventeen? Before he had the capability to protect himself from the trouble it might bring, Wu Yuan had no intention of drawing that much attention to himself.
"Hahaha, it seems we've been overthinking," Song Guang chuckled. "Considering Brother Shadow Blades strength, you are easily top three, or perhaps even first on the Land Rankings. Wu Yuan is undeniably talented, but I doubt he can reach such a level at the tender age of seventeen."
The other experts nodded in agreement. In truth, while most powers had their suspicions that Wu Yuan could be Shadow Blade, they were not too convinced. A seventeen-year-old Great Grandmaster was a notion that their minds instinctively rejected.
"Brother Song Guang, you flatter me," Wu Yuan shook his head.
"But it is not an exaggeration," Li Yan, who had been silent until now, softly voiced, "That Jin Qing eliminated the Baijiang King in a few moves. While it is true that the Baijiang King underestimated him, it is possible that his strength far surpasses even Emperor Jin himself."
"He has very likely achieved Unity, and is just a few steps away from the Heavenly Rankings. Brother Shadow Blade, even without spirit armor, managed to hold your ground against Jin Qing. If you had also equipped spirit armor, the battle might have resulted in a draw," Li Yan gazed at Wu Yuan with admiration and a hint of reverence.
At his words, everyone immediately looked at Wu Yuan in shock, their perception of Wu Yuan undergoing a dramatic shift.
After the intense, deadly battle, everyone recognized the power both Jin Qing and Wu Yuan possessed. However, now that they had the chance to calm their minds and reflect, they realized just how terrifying their strength truly was. They were not ordinary Grandmasters. A thought surfaced in their mindsHeavenly Ranker!
"To have two quasi-Heavenly Rankers emerging at the same time is truly a rarity," Tie Tuo spoke in a deep voice, "Brother Shadow Blade, your fame is bound to spread throughout the world, and the unification of the Jiang Continent will soon be within your grasp."
Wu Yuan shook his head and remained silent. He had to admit that both Song Guang and Li Yan, representatives of major factions, possessed keen insight.
"Everyone, the true focus at the moment should not be on how powerful Shadow Blade is," Bu Yu suddenly spoke, "Let us instead discuss how we can hunt for treasures."
She did not wish for Wu Yuan to elaborate any further. The more he spoke, the more he revealed about himself.
"Treasure hunt? The treasure isnt the main prize here, but rather the Eldritch Chamber. From the information we've gathered, there is no record of such a chamber ever appearing before." Song Guang remarked.
"And let us not forget, the Chu-Jiang Immortal Realm is merely a name we have given this place. Its true name is the Fourth Eldritch Realm. Therefore, I firmly believe that the so-called Eldritch Chamber holds unimaginable treasures!" Song Guang said seriously.
Silence hung in the air as everyone contemplated his words.
"I concur," Chang Dong interjected, his voice slightly raspy. "Consider this: Jin Qing possesses immense power and could have easily waited for us to collect the treasures before hunting us down. There was no need for him to kill us from the very beginning. It should have been more advantageous for him to wait than to act.
"As a member of the Jin royal family, he likely knows the significance of the Eldritch Chamber and was worried about us taking the treasure inside, so he attacked us in advance." Chang Dong stated solemnly.
After a brief moment of analysis, everyone present felt that Chang Dong and Song Guang's reasoning made sense.
"Whether or not that is the case," Wu Yuan said softly, "since it was explicitly mentioned by that mysterious voice, the worth of this Eldritch Chamber must far surpass that of the two spiritual fruits. Moreover, the closer we venture towards the center of the Eldritch Realm, the greater the abundance of these two fruits."
Wu Yuan's gaze swept over the group. "Therefore, why don't we prioritize the Eldritch Chamber? Great Jins team has already taken the lead, and time is of the essence. Shall we proceed individually or together?"
Upon hearing this, uncertainty flashed across the faces of those present. Going separately would increase the chances of obtaining treasures, but it would also heighten the risks of encountering Great Jins experts or the inherent dangers of the Chu-Jiang Immortal Realm.
On the other hand, going together would ensure safety, but only Song Guang could match Wu Yuan in combat.
"What are you hesitating for?" Song Guang asked. "Lets first get to the Eldritch Chamber as soon as possible. Once its secrets are clear, we can then split up and embark on our individual quests for treasures."
"Furthermore, we needn't travel together," Song Guang suggested. "Shadow Blade, you and I can lead separate teams, each traveling three li apart. In doing so, not only can we uncover more treasures, but we can also swiftly come to each other's aid should danger arise."
Three li? It would take a Grandmaster only one breath to cover the distance.
Very quickly, Wu Yuan took charge of Bu Yu and Chu Jun, while Song Guang partnered with Li Yan, Tie Tuo, and Chang Dong. The two groups then hurriedly made their way to the Redsoil Mountain Range.
The Savant experts had long dispersed across the outer region, scouring for treasures. They knew better than to tempt fate by entering the inner region.
The training ground was around 800 li from the center of the Fourth Eldritch Realm.
Whoosh! Whoosh! The five Grandmasters from Great Jin moved at a speed of 300 meters per second. With their pace, it wasnt long before they reached the imposing Redsoil Mountain Range.
This mountain range, devoid of vegetation and shrouded in foreboding clouds, resembled a mighty red dragon. It was aptly known as the Red Dragon Mountain Range or the Redsoil Mountain Range.
"Grand Elder, did we really stand no chance of winning earlier?" Feeling a little frustrated, Yue Shanzhong couldnt help but ask Jin Qing.
"Indeed," Jin Qing replied, his gaze cold as ice. "Even if Song Guang joined the battle, I had nothing to fear. But the rest of you would have perished."
A heavy silence settled over the four Grandmasters.
"That young man in white robes is likely none other than the Shadow Blade," Jin Qing remarked with a cold tone. "Aside from him, I can't think of any other Grandmaster on the Land Rankings who possesses the Chu-Jiang Token, would go to such great lengths to rescue Bu Yu, and wield a saber."
The Grandmasters nodded. How could so many coincidences exist?
"However, if he truly is the Shadow Blade, then this is no laughing matter." Jin Qing shook his head. "I suspect his martial skill is on the verge of the Unity stage."
Recalling the youths saber techniques and elusive movement techniques, Jin Qing shivered inwardly. He was too powerful.
The Harmony of Man and Nature wasn't just about harnessing heaven and earth's power, but also about holistically improving ones weapon techniques, movement techniques, and musculoskeletal coordination.
"Harmony of Man and Nature?" The rest of the team also trembled at the mention of it. This meant that another Heavenly Ranker was on the brink of emerging.
"But for now, let's set aside the matter of the Shadow Blade." Jin Qing spoke in a low voice. "Remember what I've told you. Make your way to the center of the Fourth Eldritch Realm as swiftly as possible and enter the Eldritch Chamber."
"Whoever obtains the inheritance will be granted the right to establish the fourth martial arts holy sanctuary in Great Jin!" Jin Qing's words carried a weighty seriousness.
"Understood." The eyes of the four Grandmasters flared with determination. What was a martial arts holy sanctuary? It was a plot of territory overseen by a Heavenly Ranker! Just like Yuanxia Palace! Just like the holy sanctuary of the royal family!
Each time the Chu-Jiang Secret Realm opened, it would only remain accessible for five days. The Eldritch Chamber required them to arrive within three.
Thus, when Wu Yuan and Song Guang reached their decision, they didnt waste a single moment, sprinting straight toward the center of the Eldritch Realm.
Within just two hours, they covered more than 200 li, scaling the towering Red Dragon Mountain Range thousands of zhangs tall, and entering the inner region.
Everyone, exercise due caution. Danger lurks at every corner in the inner realm."
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