C16 Wuuha City

The Jinhan Principality is situated to the north of the Great Qian Empire, a vast distance of tens of thousands of miles from the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. However, with the Divine Steed capable of covering three thousand miles in a single day, a relentless journey of two days and nights would suffice to reach the destination.

During his conversation with Tian Yuling, Zhang Chen learned that a previous Outer Disciple from the Spiritual Pill Hall had undertaken this very mission but never returned. The mission was deemed a failure due to its expiration, and with no word from the disciple, it was feared that he had met with misfortune.

This disappearance of the Outer Disciple was the very reason Ning Feihong had the opportunity to step in and join the Spiritual Pill Hall.

Mounted on the winged Divine Steed, the pair soared side by side, a hundred meters above ground. The wind was fierce, but Zhang Chen, being at the Master Stage, managed to keep his seat even at full speed.

"I recall that it was Zhang Yuner from Cloud Water Peak who brought you into the sect for cultivation, wasn't it? Her siblings take Blood Nourishing Pills daily, yet they haven't reached the Master Stage. You, on the other hand, have far surpassed them."

In response, Zhang Chen remarked, "Zhang Lin and Zhang Jing were born into privilege, accustomed to a life of opulence and luxury from a young age. I was merely a humble servant. Blessed with Senior Sister Yuner's favor, I had the chance to come to the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace to cultivate. I owe it to her to double my efforts and honor the cultivation she has invested in me."

Tian Yuling appeared quite astonished upon hearing about Zhang Chen's origins, casting several intrigued glances his way.

"Zhang Yuner has already reached the Energy Master Stage, and as a disciple of Martial Uncle Yu, she's bound to receive significant support from the sect. Once she advances to the Purple Mansion Stage or the Ten-thousand Elephants Stage, the sect's higher-ups plan to use her Decree to locate the Profound Yin Secret Realm. They aim to gain access and uncover the secrets of the Profound Yin Fairy's ascension!"

A nagging doubt lingered in Zhang Chen's mind. From what he knew of this world, possessing the Profound Yin Fairy's Decree from a young age would typically mark one for death, as others would kill to seize such power. He couldn't help but wonder why the Master of Yuhua Palace chose to nurture Zhang Yuner instead of eliminating her.

As he pondered, Zhang Chen voiced the doubts that lingered in his mind.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's uncertainty, Tian Yuling couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "You naive boy, do you really think the Profound Yin Fairy wouldn't have thought of that? The Decree is bestowed only upon those destined to receive it; it cannot be taken by force. If someone tries, it will simply seek out another worthy individual, and all efforts to seize it will be in vain."

With Tian Yuling's explanation, enlightenment dawned on Zhang Chen.

"What's the situation with the Jinhan Principality? Why has our sect issued a mission to annihilate it?" With one mystery resolved, Zhang Chen posed another question.

Tian Yuling's expression turned frosty as she replied with a cutting tone, "The Ten-thousand Elephants Palace commands respect for miles around. Apart from the Great Qian Empire, several neighboring empires pay tribute annually, including the Jinhan Principality. But last year, the Jinhan Principality abruptly ceased their tributes, an act of outright defiance. If they won't comply, then we'll simply obliterate them and prop up a more obedient regime."

Through his conversation with Tian Yuling, Zhang Chen learned that the Fire Repelling Cold Toad is exclusive to the Jinhan Principality and that breeding the next generation outside its borders is nearly impossible. Hence, the Jinhan Principality had been offering these toads as tribute to the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace year after year. Their sudden halt in tribute resulted in several pharmacists from the Spiritual Pill Hall suffering from Fire Poison due to their pill refining, which infuriated the Hall's Master, prompting him to issue the mission.

Zhang Chen inwardly sighed after absorbing Tian Yuling's insights. Even a principality was but an ant in the eyes of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, easily extinguished if it dared to disobey, with its sovereignty swiftly changing hands.

Their conversation during the journey brought them closer. In contrast to Zhang Yuner's aloof elegance, Tian Yuling was far more down-to-earth, showing no hint of condescension towards Zhang Chen, which greatly enhanced his opinion of her.

"Young man, being swayed by mortal desires is a grave misstep in cultivation. Moreover, the secrets you carry would be coveted by the Master of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace himself. Until you possess ample strength, it's best to keep to yourself," the young man in white cautioned, his words resonating in Zhang Chen's mind like a tolling bell of warning.

Although Zhang Chen found Tian Yuling to be amiable, he wasn't willing to take any chances. He reined in his wandering thoughts and concentrated on the journey ahead.

Tian Yuling, noticing Zhang Chen's silence, didn't mind. As the sole daughter of the Spiritual Pill Hall's Master, her status was unquestionably higher than Zhang Yuner's. Despite her approachability, she wasn't obliged to engage in much conversation with an Outer Disciple like Zhang Chen.

Having traveled over ten thousand miles, Zhang Chen had witnessed a vast array of landscapes. Previously, as a servant at Zhang Mansion, he seldom left Canglan City, let alone explored the wider world. After finally breaking free from the Zhang Mansion, his survival hinged on constant cultivation. Now, with the opportunity to do so, he was eager to take in the wonders of the world.

Mountains and rolling plains stretched out before him. At night, the Divine Steed soared through the skies over the Hengduan Mountain Range and Tianmen Pass.

Slowly, the twinkling lights of a city came into view. This was Zhang Chen's first time looking down upon Canglan City, and a wave of indescribable emotion welled up inside him. There was no sense of longing or warmth, only profound reflection.

Had he not secretly learned martial arts, he wouldn't have been coerced by Zhang Che, nor would he have come into possession of the Universe Diagram. He wouldn't have inadvertently saved Zhang Yuner, which set him on the path of cultivation.

Yesterday's causes shaped today's effects. Had he succumbed to fate, he might have spent his entire life confined to the small Canglan City, living as a humble and insignificant servant at the mercy of others.

Though they had traveled together in silence, Tian Yuling sensed a significant shift in Zhang Chen's demeanor. His posture was straighter, his once turbulent Qi and blood had settled, and his strength had subtly increased. Could it be that he possessed an extraordinary talent?

After a few brief glances, Tian Yuling turned her attention back to the road. As a Master Stage practitioner, and Tian Yuling an Energy Master Stage Expert, she regularly consumed Blood Nourishing Pills. This allowed her to maintain her vitality, even without sleep, for days on end.

At the break of dawn, the vast grasslands unfolded before their eyes. Herds of cattle and horses huddled together, interspersed with the occasional small village or town. Slowly, a city roughly the size of Canglan City came into view.

"This is Wuuha, the capital of the Jinhan Principality!"

"How odd. Why does it seem deserted?" As they drew closer to Wuuha on the Divine Steed, Tian Yuling's delicate eyebrows furrowed in concern.

Despite the Jinhan Principality being a nomadic society, it was unusual for Wuuha, its capital, to be completely devoid of people.

"We should investigate," they agreed with a mutual glance, sensing that something was amiss.

Guiding the Divine Steed to descend, they landed atop the city wall. Peering into Wuuha, both were struck with an expression of bewilderment at the sight that greeted them.