Chapter 411 - 225: Pursuit

Chapter 411: Chapter 225: Pursuit

Feng Yuanliu wasted no time on pleasantries, handing over the message slip. Xuzhuang gave it a quick scan and understood the situation.

Daochen Zhenren had established eight gates because the Nanzhan Treasure Continent was simply too vast. To surround Nanzhan, he would either have to act personally or rely on eight array flags to sustain the formation. This was how the eight array gates came to be.

In other words, the eight array gates were the weak points of the grand array. If the Demon Sect could breach the gates and remove the flags, they could break the array and swarm into the Nanzhan Treasure Continent.

Naturally, however, these eight gates were also where the Tai Su Orthodox Sect had stationed its main forces. Aided by the array flags, they could also command the Divine Wind. Thus, the array’s weak points had instead become the most perilous locations. This was an overt scheme, a head-on clash between the Tai Su Orthodox Sect and the Demon Sect.

As long as the array flags remained and the Divine Wind did not cease, the Demon Sect could not, like the orthodox sects, send its disciples inside for training, herb gathering, or cultivation.

Ye Xuanzhang hadn’t forced his way through an array gate. Instead, he had passed through the Divine Wind itself. While his ability to break into Nanzhan was somewhat surprising, what gave Xuzhuang pause was the question of what Ye Xuanzhang hoped to achieve by entering Nanzhan alone.

One or two individuals with exceptionally high cultivation, wondrous magical treasures, or formidable techniques might be able to get through the Divine Wind, but their presence would be of no real benefit to the overall situation.

Ye Xuanzhang’s actions were surely for his own benefit. But while the Nanzhan Continent was rich in natural treasures, a cultivator who had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm was seeking a sliver of a chance at attaining the Dao. No amount of precious herbs could help with that fundamental goal.

Xuzhuang had a faint feeling that this man might find a monumental opportunity by entering Nanzhan.

Xuzhuang pondered the message slip for a moment, then brandished his Heart Sword to cut away his distracting thoughts. He had encountered countless opportunities on his own path and felt no strong desire to covet the fortunes of others. ’Besides,’ he thought, ’the path to the Primordial Spirit Dao lies only within oneself. Another’s opportunity is not necessarily my own.’

The question of whether to enter Nanzhan and hunt the man down was not his to consider.

"I am aware of this matter," Xuzhuang said with a slight nod to Feng Yuanliu. Seeing this, Feng Yuanliu said no more on the topic. He gave a brief report on the battle, which had been a resounding victory. Though there were some minor casualties, the sect had already made arrangements.

This included the Demonic Artifacts seized by the disciples. Though they were likely useless for the sect’s own cultivation methods, the sect would collect and catalog them, distributing merit points or even ’Yuanzhen’ in exchange. These were trivial matters for the Three Hall Elders to handle, not something Xuzhuang needed to worry about.

After his brief report to bring Xuzhuang up to speed, Feng Yuanliu did not linger.

After he left, the Sword Step Master finally averted her gaze. Just as Xuzhuang thought she was about to speak, she simply gave a slight nod and departed as well.

Xuzhuang’s expression flickered, but he gave it no further thought. He sat cross-legged before the wooden table again and called out, "Boy."

The Daoist Child heard him and hurried forward to listen. Xuzhuang instructed, "Light the Profound Incense."

The incense in the burner on the table had already burned out. The Daoist Child quickly fetched three sticks of Profound Incense and lit them. He bowed once more before retreating to the side to wait.

Xuzhuang waited for the smoke to rise gracefully. He then took a talisman from his sleeve and exhaled a breath of Magical Power onto it. The talisman burst into a bright flame, its fire intertwining with the wisps of Profound Incense smoke as they ascended into the air. Only then did Xuzhuang close his eyes.

A wisp of his spiritual energy drifted up with the smoke. Before long, it suddenly coalesced into a form. Xuzhuang opened his eyes to find himself already in the Master’s Cloud Palace Hall.

Though he was only an incarnation formed from a wisp of spiritual energy, Xuzhuang still straightened his robes as a sign of respect. Only then did he stride into the hall’s depths, where Daochen Zhenren was already seated on the high throne.

"Greetings, Sect Leader," Xuzhuang said with a formal bow. When Daochen Zhenren gave a slight nod, he got straight to the point. "Sect Leader, you must already know that Ye Xuanzhang has passed through the Divine Wind. Should we enter Nanzhan to hunt him down?"

"Ye Xuanzhang."

"The Innate Demon Sect is truly not lacking in talent," Daochen Zhenren said with a faint smile. "Junior Brother, your duty to guard the Gate of Life for me is the highest priority."

Xuzhuang’s mind stirred as a guess formed.

Ye Xuanzhang might have entered Nanzhan for his own gain, but if he could bait the Tai Su Orthodox Sect into sending people to hunt him, their defensive strength would be slightly reduced. The Demon Sect might then see an opportunity to rally and attack again.

Of course, if the Tai Su Orthodox Sect chose not to pursue him, the blame for the Demon Sect’s defeat in this clash would not fall on Ye Xuanzhang’s head. He would be free to do as he pleased.

But after a moment’s thought, Xuzhuang still said, "Senior Brother, as you know, I have the Three-Element Elephant Body technique. Once my Magical Power recovers, I can split off a Dharma Body to hunt this person."

Daochen Zhenren gestured toward him and chuckled. "Junior Brother, you killed three of the Demon Sect’s geniuses in a single battle. Are you now looking down on all the Nascent Soul Cultivators in the world?"

Xuzhuang smiled faintly. He had no such arrogant thoughts. However, after crushing the Demon Sect’s offensive, he felt he had a moment to spare and saw no harm in crossing swords with Ye Xuanzhang.

Daochen Zhenren said, "In truth, I know that Ye Xuanzhang’s demonic cultivation has reached its absolute limit. His momentum can no longer be suppressed. Whether he succeeds or not is now entirely up to him."

Xuzhuang’s expression turned slightly solemn. The implication was that Ye Xuanzhang’s cultivation had reached the threshold of the Primordial Spirit realm. No wonder he bore the title of the Innate Demon Sect’s greatest talent in a thousand years.

"I originally had no intention of dealing with him," Daochen Zhenren said after a moment of contemplation. "But since you are so confident, Junior Brother, there is no harm in proceeding."

"I can issue a decree and, from those available, dispatch a few elders skilled in tracking and pursuit to enter Nanzhan with you, Junior Brother."

Xuzhuang bowed formally and replied, "Yes."

Daochen Zhenren nodded slightly and waved his hand. Having received his instructions, Xuzhuang did not linger. He took his leave and, once outside the great hall, dispersed the incarnation of his spiritual energy.

Back on the Magic Altar, as his spiritual energy returned, Xuzhuang’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but he did not open his eyes.

Although he had taken on this new duty, he felt no sense of urgency. He continued to calmly regulate his breathing and restore his Magical Power.

From the moment Daochen Zhenren dispelled the great fog of the South Sea and the eight elders set up the grand array, only a little more than half a day had actually passed. As Xuzhuang cultivated, the sun gradually set and the moon rose. A thin mist gathered over the sea’s surface, and the Tai Su Altar, having just experienced a great battle, finally settled into tranquility.

Not until the violet qi heralded the dawn did several streaks of escaping light fly over.

Daochen Zhenren had said he would dispatch a few elders to enter Nanzhan with Xuzhuang. Though few in number, their strength was considerable; they were all at least at the Nascent Soul Second Layer.

After this battle, Xuzhuang had already revealed the marvel of his Three-Element Dharma Body, so he had nothing to hide. He split off a Dharma Body in front of the elders, cupped his hands, and said, "Elders, if you please."

"Venerable Dao Miao, after you."

In terms of years spent cultivating, many of them could have addressed Xuzhuang as "Junior Brother" on account of their seniority. But now, the news of his battle achievements had spread throughout the sect. Someone, some busybody, had even started calling him the ’First Venerable of the Orthodox Path.’

The elders were quite respectful toward Xuzhuang, addressing him as Venerable. Xuzhuang, not being overly modest, accepted their courtesy. The group then flew together through the Gate of Life.

This area was not covered by the Divine Wind, so the scenery of the Nanzhan Treasure Continent was clearly visible. Xuzhuang said, "I don’t know what orders were in the decree you received, but Ye Xuanzhang is no ordinary cultivator. Elders, you need only find his trail. Do not act rashly."

Although the layer of Divine Wind was not as heavily guarded as the array gates, an ordinary Nascent Soul Third Level Cultivator would find it nearly impossible to traverse. Yet Ye Xuanzhang had not only passed through the Divine Wind layer, but had also fought within it and injured Zhang Tingxian. Even Daochen Zhenren himself had said that the man’s cultivation was at the threshold of the Primordial Spirit realm.

Daochen Zhenren had originally intended to ignore this person; this whole affair was only happening because of Xuzhuang’s request. Therefore, Xuzhuang did not want these elders to suffer any losses on his account.

The elders knew the stakes and quickly replied, "Thank you for the warning, Venerable Dao Miao. We understand."

Xuzhuang nodded slightly. The group flew straight into Nanzhan together. They saw a vast, untamed wilderness, with majestic peaks everywhere and divine trees soaring to the heavens—it was like a panorama from ancient times.

Searching for a single person across an entire continent was no easy task, especially since they had no trace of Ye Xuanzhang’s aura. They could only split up. After traveling a short distance, they bowed to one another and went their separate ways.