Chapter 104: The Teleportation Array!
"Sect Leader Yun Shan, do you now see that I am the good guy?"
A somewhat teasing voice came through. Yun Shan, his entire body devoid of strength, watched as the swirling chaotic energy currents around him slowly subsided, and the tangled spatial cracks, under the gradually shrinking flame disk, began to heal bit by bit.
And Jiang Yun, clad in black, appeared before Yun Shan completely unharmed.
Looking at this young man before him, although the other party had indirectly saved his life, Yun Shan, thinking back to his own attitude of having everything under control when he first emerged, and then looking at his own miserable state now, felt a stifling frustration in his heart.
Yun Yun's expression was panicked at this moment. Before Yun Shan could speak, her gaze shifted to Jiang Yun, her voice sincere.
"Today, to have obtained the Grandmaster's aid in helping my Yun Lan Sect and my teacher escape peril and avoid being deceived by villains—Yun Yun is endlessly grateful. In the future, should you, sir, ever have a request, the entire Yun Lan Sect, even if it exhausts our entire foundation, will fulfill it for you."
Her soft voice delivered words so resolute, yet Jiang Yun still detected the anxiety within them.
Jiang Yun looked at Yun Yun with playful amusement. She was pushing all the blame onto the Soul Hall, painting Yun Shan as coerced. After all, Yun Shan had just acted, and if Jiang Yun were to settle accounts thoroughly, the Yun Lan Sect would face annihilation in an instant.
"Sect Leader Yun Shan, do you not intend to say something?"
Toward Yun Yun, Jiang Yun bore no ill will; after all, she knew nothing of all this. Moreover, by not acting just now, she had preserved a sliver of leeway for the Yun Lan Sect.
But toward Yun Shan, Jiang Yun's temper was not so good. The only reason he hadn't killed him on the spot was for Yun Yun's sake, and out of fear that killing him would cause Yun Yun to resist, making his subsequent matters harder to accomplish.
"Kill me or cut me up, as you please. This matter is borne by me, Yun Shan, alone. It has nothing to do with Yun Yun or the Yun Lan Sect!"
Having just walked the line between life and death, Yun Shan now seemed as if he had seen through everything, putting on an air of righteous self-sacrifice.
"Teacher~" Yun Shan's words naturally made Yun Yun look at him anxiously. Her beautiful eyes flickered constantly between Jiang Yun and Yun Shan. The pleading within them was deeply moving.
Yun Yun truly regarded Yun Shan as a father and the Yun Lan Sect as her home!
"Enough. I only want one thing from the Yun Lan Sect. After that, I can let bygones be bygones."
Jiang Yun spoke flatly. He didn't care at all whether Yun Shan lived or died. His purpose in coming to the Yun Lan Sect had only ever been one thing.
"What thing? Whatever the Yun Lan Sect possesses, it can all be given to the Grandmaster!"
Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Yun Yun's face lit up with joy. There was still room for maneuver! At this moment, even if it meant giving away the Yun Lan Sect's legacy, she wouldn't hesitate for a moment.
"I want the method to enter and exit the Life-Death Gate!"
"The Life-Death Gate?"
Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Yun Yun and Yun Shan were somewhat surprised. The Life-Death Gate was a secret location of the Yun Lan Sect. Historically, only those who could produce resonance with the Life-Death Gate could be selected as the next Sect Leader. And this was also the final test for the Yun Lan Sect's successor before assuming the role of Sect Leader.
In the original story, Nalan Yanran, after losing the three-year agreement to Xiao Yan, entered it. In just a few short years, by the time Xiao Yan returned to the Yun Lan Sect, she had leaped from Da Dou Shi straight to Dou Wang.
Her speed was astonishingly fast. Even with all the opportunities Xiao Yan encountered along the way, his cultivation was only about on par with hers.
Furthermore, to Jiang Yun's knowledge, there seemed to be another rumor regarding this Life-Death Gate. This time, he had come precisely to investigate it.
Although they found Jiang Yun's request somewhat baffling—in the end, the Life-Death Gate was only a place to rapidly boost cultivation, and for a Dou Huang, its effect was already negligible—
Since Jiang Yun had asked for it, even if it was the resting place of successive Yun Lan Sect Leaders, they could only agree.
Yun Shan, having barely escaped with his life, ultimately didn't dare to linger before Jiang Yun's eyes any longer. He fled as if escaping to go back into seclusion and nurse his wounds. As for the hidden trick the Soul Hall had planted within his soul—Jiang Yun had no interest in resolving it for him.
The Life-Death Gate was located in a forbidden area of the back mountain of the Jia Ma Empire's Yun Lan Sect. Jiang Yun's group followed Yun Yun and her disciple as they traversed the great halls, and very soon, they arrived at the back mountain.
"It's actually a spatial lock!"
Looking at the unremarkable cave entrance before them, with the three ancient characters for 'Life-Death Gate' engraved on the stone wall beside it, and feeling the familiar fluctuation within, Zi Yan spoke with some surprise.
She had seen this thing at the Jia Nan Academy before. She hadn't expected the Yun Lan Sect to also possess a similar secret location.
"What is a spatial lock?" Nalan Yanran asked with some confusion. This already touched upon the domain of a Dou Zun. Without the Yun Lan Sect's legacy, even Yun Yun wouldn't be able to come into contact with this.
Yun Yun explained in a low voice at the side. Meanwhile, Jiang Yun carefully examined the cave entrance before him. This entrance was strange!
His soul power could not invade it in the slightest, blocked by a mysterious force. But he could feel that deep within the Life-Death Gate contained an extremely terrifying energy.
"It seems there truly are secrets here."
"I'll go in first to scout. Zi Yan, take good care of Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian!" After pondering for a moment, Jiang Yun turned and instructed Zi Yan and the other two at his side.
"Alright. Be careful!"
Knowing they couldn't change Jiang Yun's decision, the three could only choose to trust him. Besides, something left behind by a Dou Zun—how could it possibly stop Jiang Yun?
Jiang Yun nodded. Extending one palm, he slowly began forming seals, finger by finger, seal by seal. As the seals were completed, an extremely potent, invisible fluctuation spread out like waves.
This so-called 'resonance' was the degree of compatibility with the Yun Lan Sect Leader's inherited cultivation method. And to Jiang Yun, this was no difficulty at all. He very quickly grasped what he needed.
The invisible fluctuation gradually spread, finally making contact with those spatial folds. The cave entrance before him then seemed like a mirror surface made of water, ripples spreading outward continuously.
Nodding toward Zi Yan and the other two, without the slightest hesitation, he directly moved and stepped into the cave entrance.
As Jiang Yun's figure vanished, Zi Yan sat cross-legged at the entrance of the Life-Death Gate with an expression that said 'strangers keep away.' This made Yun Yun, who had wanted to converse at the side, leave empty-handed, taking Nalan Yanran and departing from the area.
And at the same time.
Jiang Yun felt endless darkness fill his vision. His mind also experienced some dizziness caused by the teleportation. But fortunately, this dizziness didn't last too long before dazzling light assaulted his eyes once more.
The scenery shifted. An aura of desolation hit him in the face. Above an endless barren plain, clouds drifted. The surrounding heaven and earth were filled with hazy gray gases. Jiang Yun circulated the Dou Qi within him, his gaze cautiously observing his surroundings.
"The natural energy here is denser than outside!" Jiang Yun grabbed a handful of the misty gases before him. These gases actually contained extremely rich natural energy.
If absorbed by a person, it would indeed accelerate cultivation speed. This Life-Death Gate did have some tricks to it.
Looking further into the distance, everything appeared somewhat barren. From time to time, energy storms would arise. This overly dense spiritual energy could sometimes also become a lethal thing.
"This place is rather interesting!" Qing Ming's illusory figure slowly materialized at Jiang Yun's side. Hands clasped behind his back, his deep, profound eyes surveyed the surrounding space.
"Senior Qing Ming, can we now confirm my speculation?" Seeing Qing Ming appear, Jiang Yun turned his head and asked him.
After pondering for a moment, Qing Ming spoke: "There is indeed the aura of the Great Thousand World. However, the final result will require going deeper and seeing the core of this realm before we can know for sure!"
"Then let's barge in!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yun's gaze turned sharp and fierce toward the depths of the secret realm. On that hazy gray earth, streaks of energy rapidly coalesced. Illusory figures, bodies indistinct, faintly flickered into appearance within Jiang Yun's field of vision.
"I didn't expect the successive Sect Leaders and Elders of the Yun Lan Sect to be able to exist in this manner. It has a subtle similarity to the Heavenly Tomb. Pity that these individuals' strength is too low, and their sentience is gone!"
Watching this familiar yet unfamiliar sight, Jiang Yun pondered inwardly. But these alone couldn't stop him. Tapping the tip of his foot against the ground, Jiang Yun's figure shot swiftly toward the depths.
"Roar—"
"Insolence! The important grounds of the Yun Lan Sect—how dare you approach..."
"Who are you, to dare trespass into the forbidden grounds of the Yun Lan Sect..."
The instant Jiang Yun darted out, those phantom figures bellowed furiously at him, one louder than the next, carrying murderous intent within them.
As Jiang Yun had thought, their sentience was gone. They could only instinctively repeat these several phrases. Jiang Yun slammed out a palm strike, stirring faint spatial ripples.
The phantoms were instantly blasted apart, yet immediately after, they re-coalesced, roaring and launching attacks at him, as if they were real people.
After realizing these phantoms didn't possess much offensive power—only the characteristic of not being permanently dispersed—he lost interest. Directly going full power, he transformed into a black bolt of lightning and shot rapidly toward the center.
Jiang Yun barreled straight through everything in his way, finally stopping atop a cliff.
"So that's how it is!"
What now appeared before Jiang Yun and Qing Ming was an enormous stone array. The array was extremely severely damaged. After the baptism of countless years, its original appearance was somewhat hard to recognize.
However, faintly visible, upon it were carved numerous mysterious runes. Waves of astonishing energy fluctuations continuously emanated from within, causing the nearby natural energy to seem on the verge of boiling over.
Furthermore, Jiang Yun could also sense a special energy within it. This energy was very familiar to him—it was precisely the spiritual energy of the Great Thousand World.
Probably precisely because this place contained faint, minute traces of spiritual energy, those fallen Yun Lan Sect predecessors were able to form that bizarre state of existence.
As for why the Yun Lan Sect, over so many years, had never discovered the anomaly here—even Jiang Yun had barely recognized the appearance of this teleportation array, let alone the people of the Yun Lan Sect.
"This is a teleportation array?!" Qing Ming looked at the array before him and spoke with some astonishment.
"Senior, do you know where this teleportation array leads?" Jiang Yun's eyes flickered as he looked at Qing Ming and asked. Then he continued, "Can it still be repaired?"
Jiang Yun's words made Qing Ming's brow furrow slightly. He instantly and clearly guessed Jiang Yun's thoughts. He looked at Jiang Yun seriously and asked, "You want to return to the Great Thousand World?"
Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback by this, then shook his head. "My current strength is still insufficient. The Dou Qi Continent still has no small number of opportunities that can help me grow quickly in a short time. It's not yet time to go to the Great Thousand World."
Nodding, seeing that Jiang Yun had a clear plan, Qing Ming solemnly examined this teleportation array and spoke quietly: "From my observation, this is a medium-sized teleportation array. It should have been set up back when the Great Thousand World was still connected to this place—at least thirty thousand years ago."
"I'm not clear where this array leads. However, with the foundation left by predecessors, it should be repairable."
"Can Senior Qing Ming accomplish it now?"
Frowning in thought for a moment, Qing Ming nodded. "Possible, but at most, it will transmit once. The teleportation stone will then be ruined!"
"Since that's the case, then I must trouble you, Senior. Sooner or later, I will have to return to the Great Thousand World. The Dou Qi Continent's Origin Qi is exhausted, making it impossible to break through to Dou Di. This place can also serve as our backup option!"
Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Qing Ming also nodded. This was indeed a viable approach. The Dou Qi Continent had produced no Dou Di for ten thousand years; in his view, it must be lacking some substance.
As things stood now, he wasn't certain whether Jiang Yun could obtain that substance. Or rather, if the price was greater compared to simply going to the Great Thousand World, Jiang Yun would have an extra option.
Without further delay, Qing Ming began repairing the array. Jiang Yun watched for a while, then walked outside. He didn't know how long Qing Ming would take. The environment here wasn't bad—it could also serve as a fine place for secluded cultivation.
"Xiao Yun, you're out!"
Seeing Jiang Yun come out, Zi Yan and the other two were naturally overjoyed. Even trusting in his strength, they couldn't help but worry for him. Now seeing him unharmed, they were completely at ease.
Facing the three, Jiang Yun recounted the situation inside, mentioning in passing that he would be staying inside in seclusion for a period. None of them objected; everything was centered on Jiang Yun.
Even the restless Zi Yan had no complaints. The gains from this auction had been substantial—enough for her to eat for a long time. She too wanted to find a quiet place to properly digest it all.
As Jiang Yun brought Zi Yan and the other two into the Life-Death Gate for secluded cultivation, the Jia Ma Empire once again returned to tranquility.
But following the return of the Mu Lan Three Elders and Yan Luo Tian, the strength of Mu Lan Valley and the Golden Goose Sect had naturally surged. At the same time, news of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect's annihilation also spread.
This naturally made the atmosphere between the great empires delicate once more; no one wanted to give up this fat piece of meat.
And as a certain black-robed figure frequented the Jia Ma Imperial Family, successively healing Jia Xingtian, Mu Chen, and Nalan Jie, the Jia Ma Imperial Family was naturally unwilling to sit out this feast.
For a time, the flames of war suddenly pervaded the space between several great empires!
Upon the vast, grayish-brown earth, faint energy mists drifted slowly with the gentle breeze. This hazy world gave one an especially mysterious feeling. In this desolate, lonely world, it seemed as if even time lost its meaning.
Jiang Yun sat cross-legged atop the cliff. At a certain moment, his aura abruptly and violently surged. The instant Jiang Yun opened his eyes, the entire cliff seemed to flash with a sharp, fierce gleam.
"Seven stars, huh!"