Chapter 858 - 130: The Current State of Old Friends, True Monarch Nine Swords’ Delight

"Daoist Brother Yu, long time no see!" Zhou Xun cupped his hands in salute,

"Greetings to Alliance Leader Yu!" True Monarch Tianci and Wang Erniu also followed suit with a bow!

"Haha, Daoist Ji, and Wang Xiaoyou... Oh, you've also formed a Nascent Soul. Daoist Nine Swords would be pleased to know!"

True Monarch Tianci had previously established many merits in Sea Suppression Immortal City, naturally familiar to True Monarch Yama, while Wang Erniu spent time coming and going with True Monarch Nine Swords and was extremely familiar as well!

"Come, let's head to my cave mansion for a chat. Upon hearing news of your arrival, Daoist Brother Tianyi and the others will surely be delighted!"

True Monarch Yama laughed heartily and patted Zhou Xun on the shoulder,

"Your invitation is my command!"

Thus, Zhou Xun with True Monarch Tianci and Wang Erniu followed beside True Monarch Yama, chatting as they left the plaza.

...

In the plaza, the crowd watched their slowly retreating figures and couldn't help but discuss amongst themselves.

"Daoist Wu, you are knowledgeable and experienced. Do you know the origins of those three?"

To receive such favor from True Monarch Yama?

A broad-foreheaded, big-eyed, tall man inquired of the elderly man beside him.

"These three are quite unfamiliar and likely newly arrived cultivators from the West Desert; two initial-stage and one middle-stage, to gain such esteem from True Monarch Yama,"

"Most likely, they are people from True Monarch Yama's hometown!"

Only hometown friends and juniors coming would receive such treatment.

"Indeed, Brother Wu makes a valid point!" The crowd nodded in agreement.

"Who knows what kind of extraordinary and spiritual place Central Continent must be, to nurture characters like True Monarch Yama, even True Monarch Flaming Sun of Luoyang Immortal Palace,"

"And Master Wuxin of Prajna Temple must concede before him!"

...

About half an hour later, the four arrived before an exceedingly grand cave mansion,

True Monarch Yama took out a token,

The door opened automatically,

"Please!"

Entering the cave mansion, their view widened, revealing carved railings and jade steps, artificial mountains and strange rocks, small bridges over flowing water,

"Daoist Brother Yu's cave mansion is far better than ours!" Zhou Xun couldn't help but marvel,

Yet considering the title of first on the battle achievements list, he felt it was well-deserved.

The group proceeded directly to the guest hall, seating themselves according to host and guest.

True Monarch Yama waved his hand, a beam of spirit light flew out, transforming into a pot of spirit wine and four wine cups before them,

Then the wine pot floated automatically, filling the four wine cups,

"This is 'Ice Soul Wine,' from the Icefield Continent. Its taste is different from usual spirit wine; you should try it!" True Monarch Yama said, raising a cup of spirit wine, sipping gently,

Zhou Xun, hearing this, also picked up his cup and tasted it,

As the wine liquid went down his throat, a refreshing sensation rose up, making one feel as if they were on the Arctic Icefield, with thoughts flowing seemingly faster,

He brightened at once:

"This wine chills and cleanses the mind, seemingly has a special realm, and should have the effect of combating heart demons!"

"Hahaha, you indeed are perceptive, few have tasted the realm in this 'Ice Soul Wine' among the many who've drunk it!"

True Monarch Yama laughed loudly, then asked:

"By the way, how did you come to this place?"

"You must know I am not originally from Central Continent, but came from the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation Realm!"

"After the great war ended, I returned to my hometown, unexpectedly discovering a teleportation array leading to Great Jin,"

"So I traveled together with Daoist Brother Tianci and Erniu,"

"Became a pavilion master under Great Jin, and then heeded the Jinn Emperor's call to hunt Ghost Race here,"

"To my surprise, upon arriving here, I already heard of your renowned name!" Zhou Xun briefly recounted his experiences over the years,

Though he brushed over the matter of the teleportation array.

"I see, you've indeed traveled across several continents, such experiences truly make one envious!" True Monarch Yama remarked,

Considering his standing as a Peak Nascent Soul Cultivator and first on the battle achievements list, West Desert was only the second cultivation realm he visited.

"I only traveled further, where could I compare to your might? I wonder how you managed such battle achievements, could you offer guidance to the junior,"

"Honestly, the reason we three came here is to accumulate battle merits to exchange for treasures!" Zhou Xun earnestly sought advice,

As True Monarch Yama had been here for decades and was first on the battle achievements list,

Surely possessing invaluable experience for the newly arrived trio.

"Certainly, let me tell you about my experiences!"

True Monarch Yama drank the spirit wine in one gulp and then began recounting his experiences slowly.

"Back then, after the human-demon races war ended, we started retreating to Central Continent!"

"But at that time, we received orders from Celestial Monarch Yun Ku to send one-third of our army to West Desert to guard the Ghost Realm channel, to confront the Ghost Race."

"After discussions with Daoist Brother Tianyi and others, I was tasked with leading the team, commanding one-third of the cultivator army,"

"Setting off from Yuexi Immortal City, traversing millions of miles across Quicksand Sea, eventually reaching West Desert!"

"Shortly after arriving, the Ghost Race launched a major counterattack, forcing us into direct combat, with reinforcements from various continents joining,"

"The battle lasted for an entire year, fighting across tens of millions of miles, finally pushing them back,"

"This battle saw one-third of our forces perish, including 'True Monarch Profound Thunder' from the reinforcements,"

"He single-handedly faced five Tier Four High-Grade Ghost Kings, severely injuring one, lightly injuring another, persisting until I arrived,"

"Thus came the story of my suppression of five equal-tier opponents,"

"Without Daoist Profound Thunder's prior injuries to them as preparation, I couldn't have accomplished this!"