Chapter 878 - 876: Grand Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Chapter 878: Chapter 876: Grand Coming-of-Age Ceremony

"Does he think highly of me and believe I have a chance to obtain these treasures?" Xu Yang wondered, growing increasingly bewildered. "But that doesn’t make any sense."

Yet the Army Lord before him harbored no ill intent whatsoever. By telling him everything, Xu Yang could make full preparations before the coming-of-age ceremony began instead of panicking on the spot. He could even formulate specific countermeasures against Hong Xiaoxing and the Grotto Heaven Guards. Was this really all just because the Lord thought highly of him? He wanted to press further, but felt it would be inappropriate.

At this moment, the Army Lord flipped his palm, revealing a jade slip. "Inside is all the information regarding the Grotto Heaven fragments, as well as the changes and enhancements the Grotto Heaven Guards gain by utilizing them. Take it."

Xu Yang stared, his mouth hanging open in sheer dumbfoundment. Honestly, if it weren’t entirely impossible, he would have suspected the commander of the Profound Wing Army was planning to betray Hongtian Prefecture. He was just handing this over? This was much simpler and far more detailed than trying to glean information from the experts at Heaven’s Edge Tower.

Looking down at the jade slip, Xu Yang hesitated for a moment before grasping it tightly. "Thank you, Lord."

"Alright, you may go," the Army Lord said, waving him off casually without giving him a chance to ask further questions.

Xu Yang sighed inwardly. He stood, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.

Even as he walked out of the Profound Wing Mansion, his mind buzzed with confusion. This was simply too absurd. "He thinks highly of me?" he muttered to himself. "Either that, or there’s another layer to this that I haven’t considered. Forget it. At least he harbors no malice. Besides, with the strength of the Profound Wing Army, there’s nothing they could possibly need from me."

Shaking his head, Xu Yang decided to drop the matter since thinking too deeply about it was just giving him a headache. He quickly made his way back to Heaven’s Edge Tower.

As for the uproar he had caused outside with his battle against Du Ling, it had already been thrown completely to the back of his mind. His top priority now was to study the critical information regarding the Grotto Heaven Guards.

The term "Grotto Heaven" was a general designation for secret realms, grottos, and pocket worlds. However, there was a strict prerequisite for a realm to truly qualify as a Grotto Heaven. Whether it was a secret realm or some special pocket world, it had to be completely intact, without any missing parts or flaws. No matter how weak or small it was, as long as it remained whole, its Grotto Heaven essence held limitless potential.

In the Eastern Continent, anything worthy of being called a Grotto Heaven was rarely just a simple pocket world. They were typically realms that even an ordinary Golden Immortal would find difficult to shake.

Grotto Heaven fragments were essentially fragments of a Grotto Heaven’s essence. They came in myriad forms, born of heaven and earth or forged through the actions of cultivators. Their appearances varied wildly—they could take the shape of weapons, grand seals, flora, or even a mass of peculiar energy.

The essence of a Grotto Heaven possessed astonishing power and offered immense benefits to cultivators. Certain special essences could even transform a cultivator’s immortal foundation. Naturally, the fragments of such realms were equally extraordinary.

Even a mere fragment could unleash a portion of a Grotto Heaven’s might. This was especially true for unique realms. For instance, if a Grotto Heaven had been the burial ground for numerous fallen experts, its essence would be tainted by astonishing amounts of Evil Qi and killing intent. Its fragments would undoubtedly be imbued with immense lethality, rendering them absolutely terrifying.

There were also Grotto Heavens aligned with the five elements, ice and snow, and so on. In some cases, a Grotto Heaven might only birth a single special Divine Weapon. If that weapon served as the realm’s essence, its power would be beyond imagination.

Xu Yang continued reading the jade slip. "The Grotto Heaven Guards all cultivate the ’Grotto Heaven Physique.’ In their early stages, they endure brutal tempering, making them incredibly resilient with peerless regenerative abilities. They also undergo various special Grotto Heaven baptisms.

"The Grotto Heaven fragments they fuse with all have their own merits, but none are ordinary. Each piece offers bizarre and unpredictable abilities.

"A squad of Grotto Heaven Guards consists of nine members. For the vast majority of them, their fragments complement one another. By joining forces using secret techniques and the Battle Array Skill, they can temporarily merge their nine fragments, unleashing the full might of an intact Grotto Heaven’s essence."

Xu Yang gasped, setting the jade slip down with a face full of shock. "These Grotto Heaven Guards are indeed beyond imagination. Looking at it this way, even if there are only a hundred of them, the resources invested must be an astronomical figure—likely far exceeding what it takes to nurture a top-tier genius. But such a force serves as a massive deterrent!

"Let’s assume there are only a hundred, and most lack the potential to reach the Golden Immortal Extreme Realm. Even so, a single squad of nine—whether nine at the Early Stage of Golden Immortal, nine at the Middle Stage of Golden Immortal, or nine at the Late Stage of Golden Immortal—could easily sweep through an entire faction."

This information was truly an eye-opening experience. He could only marvel that Hongtian Prefecture truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier immortal sect. Though the Grotto Heaven Guards might not boast massive numbers, Xu Yang suspected there were far more than a hundred. Their public debut would undoubtedly send deep shockwaves throughout the entire Eastern Continent.

"Nine third-tier Grotto Heaven Guards form a complete squad that can pool together an intact Grotto Heaven’s essence..." Xu Yang frowned deeply. He realized the Pocket World Divine Techniques that Zhong Wanshang had unleashed with just a single fragment were already terrifyingly powerful. The Grotto Heaven Guards were undoubtedly even stronger. Nine of them joining forces to summon an entire Grotto Heaven’s essence?

"As strong as I am, I might not necessarily be their match," he mused. "Snatching the Black and White Meteor Tower won’t be easy at all."

Yet, he was absolutely determined to obtain this treasure. No one had a stronger reason for needing it than he did. Others would merely use it as a supreme defensive artifact, but he needed it to save the lives and futures of countless people in the Spirit Realm—including his lover and his friends.

"I must get it, no matter the means or the cost." Xu Yang’s eyes flashed with resolve.

He immediately calmed his mind and entered the Divine Cauldron Void. Arriving outside the Minor Immortal Realm, he adjusted his condition. While accumulating the Heaven-Burning Divine Fire within his body, he simultaneously guided the Heaven-Locking Divine Chain along the barrier of the Minor Immortal Realm.

On the day of the ceremony, the entirety of Hongtian Ancient City was packed to the brim. Even the cultivators who weren’t qualified to attend the event refused to miss out on the spectacle. Crowds swarmed the towering buildings just outside Hongtian Prefecture. Some of these structures belonged to local factions, while others were owned by organizations like Heaven’s Edge Tower, but today, they were completely open to the public.

"To think a simple coming-of-age ceremony could reach such grandiose heights! I’m so jealous," someone sighed in the crowd.

"What’s there to be jealous of?" another replied. "Hongtian Prefecture is a top-tier immortal sect. Plus, Hong Xiaoxing is the old City Lord’s favorite granddaughter. Her talent and strength are nothing to scoff at. In the future, she might even surpass Hong Qi."

"The other six top-tier immortal sects, along with over a dozen first-rate factions, will all be attending," a third person added.

"There’ve been a ridiculous number of Golden Immortals around these past two days! As someone at the Early Stage of Golden Immortal, I don’t even dare to stick my neck out, terrified I might accidentally offend some big shot."

A nearby group chimed in, "I’ve heard the rumors about the other six top-tier sects. Di Qinghe isn’t coming, and Ji Wushuang is apparently out wandering who-knows-where. Yv Feng’s attendance is still uncertain, but aside from them, nearly everyone in the top fifty of the Dragon and Tiger List is expected to show up!"

"Terrifying. It’s been years since our Eastern Continent has seen such a grand gathering," another said.

"With so many prodigies in one place, aren’t they going to beat the living daylights out of each other? Hahaha!" a man laughed.

"Beat your head! Look at the occasion," his companion scolded. "Still, some friendly sparring is definitely inevitable."

"Heh, Xu Yang is coming too, along with Jiang Yue Long and Situ Ke. This is going to be a good show."

"A good show my foot! Do those two even dare to provoke him? Just a couple of days ago, Xu Yang effortlessly suppressed Canglan River’s Du Ling and scared off Zhou Xiong from the Vajra Sect. With that kind of strength, he’s definitely on par with the top three."

"Hiss, really?"

Such animated discussions spread wildly through the bustling, noisy crowds.

And that was just the scene outside. Within the magnificent walls of Hongtian Prefecture, the estate was lavishly decorated, festooned with lights and vibrant banners. Though it was merely a coming-of-age ceremony, the scale of the event was incredibly grand.

Every conceivable spot for ornaments was adorned with priceless crystalline immortal pearls, immortal jade, and emeralds. Breathtaking sculptures of rare, exotic beasts were displayed prominently, exuding an awe-inspiring presence. It was evident they were the handiwork of master artisans; a single piece could fetch an astronomical price if sold to the outside world.

As time passed, the moment finally arrived. The delegations from the major immortal sects and the invited guests entered through the main gates, slowly making their way deep into the estate.

"Yv Feng of Celestial Sword Mountain is here to offer congratulations on Miss Hong’s coming-of-age ceremony!"

A clear, resonant voice echoed throughout Hongtian Prefecture and spilled into the city beyond, instantly hushing the raucous clamor outside the estate.