C5 Nine Dragons Mountain Protection

Zhang Chen was oblivious to the siblings' discussion.

Now, seated alone in the carriage, he seized the opportunity to carefully examine the Universe Diagram he had with him.

Considering that even a master at the Diamond Stage had dismissed him, yet he could effortlessly ascend to the Martial Warrior Stage, the Universe Diagram was undoubtedly a treasure of the highest order. If he could master it, he would soon make a name for himself at the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace through dedicated cultivation.

With this in mind, Zhang Chen cautiously spread out the Universe Diagram.

As soon as it was unfurled, an overwhelming wave of sleepiness hit him, tempting him to give in to slumber.

"No! I must not fall asleep!"

An innocent man could be blamed for possessing a treasure. If he succumbed to sleep and Yuner discovered his secret, not only could she claim the Universe Diagram, but she might also silence him permanently to protect that secret!

In the presence of a treasure like the Universe Diagram, such drastic measures were hardly surprising. Besides, Yuner had already repaid her debt to him; eliminating him to safeguard a secret wouldn't be seen as betrayal.

Zhang Chen bit down hard on his tongue, the sharp pain jolting him back from the brink of unconsciousness.

"Curse it, you dare to seek a blood bond? I refuse to be controlled by a mere mortal like you!"

In a flash, the imposing will that had invaded Zhang Chen's mind retreated, sharpening his focus.

A blood bond!

That was it—a blood bond was needed for some immensely powerful items to function smoothly, and the Universe Diagram was evidently one of those items!

Without hesitation, Zhang Chen spat the blood from his mouth onto the Universe Diagram.

"Ahhh... Stop this at once! I've barely gathered some strength, awaiting the chance for soul possession and rebirth. You, a lowly mortal, cannot wield control over me!"

The enraged voice of the Young Man In White echoed in Zhang Chen's mind, and the scroll in his hands shook violently, as if trying to escape.

Zhang Chen tightened his grip and spat another mouthful of blood onto it, determined to establish the bond.

At last, the Universe Diagram ceased its quivering. Zhang Chen, believing he had successfully bonded with it, was ecstatic. He quickly spread out the Universe Diagram, eager to uncover its secrets.

Yet, upon opening the Universe Diagram, Zhang Chen was met with nothing but a blank canvas. It had become a plain, inkless scroll.

Undeterred, Zhang Chen attempted to tear the scroll, hoping to coax the Artifact Spirit into revealing itself.

But the scroll's material was unknown to him, impervious to damage. He couldn't even leave a single mark on it, much to his astonishment.

"There's no need to exhaust yourself. Not even the Heavenly Tribulation can harm me, much less a mere mortal like you! Even with 99% of my strength gone, I am still beyond your ability to destroy," the voice of the Young Man In White echoed in Zhang Chen's heart, quashing his intention to forcibly claim mastery.

Unfazed by the Young Man In White's words, Zhang Chen stripped off his shirt and wrapped the Universe Diagram around his torso. He then redressed, concealing it beneath his clothing.

"Even though I can't claim it as my master, it will serve well as protective armor!"

The Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, situated in the southern region of the Great Qian Empire, was the cornerstone of the nation's peace and far-reaching influence.

Beyond Tianmen Pass, a journey of over a thousand miles awaited before one could reach the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace.

The Zhang Family's carriages, drawn by the finest horses, made light work of the distance, easily covering a thousand miles in a single day.

After two days and nights, the caravan finally arrived at the base of a mountain range.

In the heart of the mountains stood a peak so tall it seemed to prop up the sky itself. Surrounding peaks paled in comparison to its grandeur.

Amidst the sprawling mountain range, several broad rivers meandered, like mighty dragons guarding the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace.

Before the four of them stood a stone tablet nearly thirty feet high, inscribed with four bold and powerful characters — Path to the Heavens!

Beyond lay a broad mountain path, akin to a celestial highway.

It was aptly named the Sky Connecting Immortal Road. This road soared directly into the clouds, as if by setting foot upon it, one embarked on a journey to seek the Dao!

Awe-inspiring!

The sight was an unparalleled marvel, the stuff of legends — the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, the fabled Immortal Dao Sect!

"The mountain ahead is Tianshu Mountain, the main peak of our Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. See the river that snakes around it? That's the Mountain Protecting Formation of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. It contains nine sealed water spirits. In times of peril, they awaken to annihilate any who dare to challenge the dignity of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace!"

Even Zhang Yuner's voice carried a hint of awe as she spoke.

Prompted by her words, Zhang Chen counted carefully and indeed, there were nine rivers.

"Let's move on! I need to reach Tianshu Mountain by noon today to undergo my master's baptism and formally join the sect!"

Zhang Lin gestured for Zhang Chen and Zhang Jing to board the carriage, and the group continued along the Sky Connecting Immortal Road.

Within a mere hour, they were greeted by a towering gateway with three grand characters etched across it — Ten-thousand Elephants Palace!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

As they disembarked and were about to set foot into the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace, a violent wind whipped up, causing the horses to neigh in panic and making it nearly impossible to see.

Suddenly, streaks of light approached rapidly, and upon closer inspection, they were white horses with wings.

These majestic creatures, each one more splendid than the last, landed with loud neighs, intimidating the ordinary horses behind Zhang Chen and his companions into kneeling on the ground, shivering with fear!

"Hush..." The young man in fine garments atop the lead winged horse pulled the reins at the moment of landing, issuing a gentle hush, and the horse came to a halt, avoiding a collision with Zhang Chen and the others.

"How dare you trespass on the sacred Immortal Mountain? Do you have a death wish?"

The young man astride the winged horse uttered these words with a chilling tone, his whip cracking through the air as he lashed it towards Zhang Chen, who was nearest to him.

Zhang Chen's heart raced with shock. The youth was at least at the Master Stage, possessing the strength of nine bulls and two tigers. A single strike from that whip could easily cleave him in two.

In the nick of time, Zhang Chen managed to dodge the deadly blow, rolling to safety. It was then that Zhang Yuner's voice rang out from behind him.

"Ning Feihong, you've got some nerve! To lay a hand on one of my people! Do you really think you've risen to the rank of an Inner Disciple?"

Her face was a mask of ice, her eyes like narrowed stars, as she fixed her gaze on the mounted youth. Zhang Yuner's voice grew even colder.

Upon hearing Zhang Yuner's voice, Ning Feihong dismounted with a leap and approached her, his smile more a grimace than a gesture of warmth.

"Ah, Senior Sister Yuner! My congratulations on your promotion to Inner Disciple! I've been sent by Eldest Senior Brother to escort you. I mistook your companion for a mere mortal who had strayed onto the mountain and was about to correct his error. Please accept my apologies for the discourtesy."

Throughout the entire encounter, Ning Feihong, addressed as such by Zhang Yuner, did not once afford Zhang Chen or his companions a direct glance.