Chapter 614 - 595: What a Coincidence

Master Wang and Old Horse were now approaching the Taiyuan Bone Land. Wang Meng couldn’t stop sneezing; it seemed quite a few people were thinking about him.

Wang Meng needed to focus on cultivating his True Essence to the peak of the Profound Wheel Realm—breaking through would be even better. He also had to capture a suitable True Essence Beast, and it was far too inconvenient to do so with all the prying eyes of the Jiang Family around.

"Old Horse, letting me ride for a bit won’t kill you."

After leaving the city, Master Wang had started walking. This Old Horse was just too stubborn. At least it had given him some face when others were around.

Old Horse swished its tail and shot Wang Meng a look.

"Old Horse, I’m heading to the Taiyuan Bone Land. Are you coming too? All good things must come to an end, so feel free to do as you please."

Wang Meng bid a simple farewell to the Exotic Beast. Although he didn’t know what its true form was, it was definitely no simple creature. Given its intelligence, Wang Meng had always treated it as an equal.

Old Horse shook its head and continued following Wang Meng. He didn’t mind; having a companion meant he wouldn’t be lonely.

He had chosen the Taiyuan Bone Land because it was rarely visited by people and the Elemental Qi was relatively abundant. Moreover, Wang Meng would inevitably have to use his Primordial Spirit when he cultivated. With his current lack of Control Power, he would cause too great a commotion.

In the world today, there were eight legendary figures known as the Three Immortals and Five Emperors. The Three Immortals were the Spirit-Controlling Association Chairman, the Pill Immortal Alliance Leader, and the Divine Artifact Pavilion Master. The Five Emperors referred to the five great masters of the Five Elements, each representing the pinnacle of their respective element.

Among them, the Yuan Family, home to the Fire Emperor, was a Great Zhou Royal Family. Along with the Wang Family, they were pillars of the Great Zhou.

The Yuan Family was also a house of immense prestige, especially since the current Fire Emperor was their own Old Ancestor, Yuan Gang. Although the Old Ancestor roamed the world in pursuit of the secrets of ascension, as long as Yuan Gang was alive, the Yuan Family would remain unshakable.

The Fire Emperor’s return immediately sent shockwaves through all of Haojing.

Everyone from the Emperor of Great Zhou to the Patriarchs of the great and small families, like the Yuan and Wang Families, had to come and pay their respects.

However, Yuan Gang despised such social obligations. He refused all but a few essential meetings. Everyone knew his temper and dared not disturb him. But what made the Yuan Family happiest was that the Old Ancestor was actually planning to stay in Haojing for a while. This undoubtedly caused the Yuan Family’s prestige to soar.

Yuan Gang’s arrival was the greatest of festivals for the Yuan Family. Disciples from every branch, direct and extended, all came. The elders were even more excited than the youths, acting like children themselves. Although Yuan Gang had a foul temper, he enjoyed promoting the younger generation. If one were to be chosen as his disciple, it would be an instant path to greatness.

Countless people dreamed of becoming Yuan Gang’s disciple.

However, when Yuan Gang accepted disciples, he didn’t care if you were from the Yuan Family or not. He only cared if you had talent.

As the Yuan Family Master, Yuan Hao naturally knew this. More importantly, if the Old Ancestor took a disciple, it could anchor this elusive, dragon-like figure in place.

The Wang Family was powerful, especially their younger generation. The Yuan Family was being severely suppressed and needed a boost in prestige, something only Yuan Gang could provide. But the Old Ancestor wasn’t interested in such things. He had already transcended worldly affairs and renounced mundane matters. Yuan Hao, however, was not so detached, so he could only resort to indirect methods.

But out of more than a hundred young disciples from the various family factions, big and small, not a single one was chosen. Among them were many experts of Haojing’s younger generation.

"Old Ancestor, these are the most outstanding members of the younger generation. If none of them catch your eye, then there’s truly no one else!"

Yuan Hao said, his heart burning with anxiety.

Yuan Gang glared at Yuan Hao. "Brat, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. I don’t care about your messy affairs, but this time I am indeed thinking of taking a disciple. That person is right here in Great Zhou. These nobodies you brought me aren’t even worthy of carrying his shoes."

Yuan Hao broke into a nervous sweat. ’Does such a person really exist in this world?’

"Old Ancestor, everyone in Haojing has come, except for the Wang Family and the Imperial Family. Tonight, His Majesty is hosting a banquet for you. Perhaps you can see if there’s anyone suitable among the Imperial Family."

Yuan Gang flicked his beard. "Look at you, acting like such a coward. While I’m here, I need to visit a few old friends. If I have time, I’ll give these little whelps some pointers. Forget the Wang Family or the Li Family. As long as I find that interesting brat, I can train him into someone who will surpass us five old ghosts!"

Yuan Hao clearly didn’t believe him. ’That’s just empty boasting.’

That evening, the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Ji Xuanyuan, held a grand banquet in the Imperial Palace, inviting the most influential nobles of Haojing. The number of guests was limited, of course, and nearly every family Patriarch brought their children. Nothing could be kept secret in Haojing. Word had spread that Yuan Gang had returned with the intention of taking a disciple, and that he didn’t care about family background—as long as they were suitable, even someone from the Wang Family would be fine.

At Yuan Gang’s level, his perspective was completely different. The only thing that could still hold his attention was the Great Zhou Dynasty itself.

Not only the great families, but even Ji Xuanyuan himself had made thorough preparations, ensuring all his sons and daughters appeared in their best state—even the youngest, the Tenth Princess, Ji Jin’Er.

Wine cups clinked and flattery flowed endlessly, but after a sweeping glance, Yuan Gang grew increasingly disinterested. He said a word to Ji Xuanyuan and left early.

The Fire Emperor just up and left, and everyone’s hearts turned to ice, especially since the young elites of Haojing were all present.

Ji Xuanyuan looked at Yuan Hao. "With so many people here, did not a single one catch Senior’s eye?"

Yuan Hao rose and bowed apologetically, a bitter smile on his face. "The Old Ancestor just fought the Water Emperor to a standstill in the Taiyuan Bone Land. Their battle lasted for three days and three nights with no victor. In the end, they encountered a strange young man, and as a result, both the Old Ancestor and the Water Emperor became interested in taking him as a disciple."

Instantly, everyone’s eyes went wide.

"That’s impossible, isn’t it? How could the Fire Emperor and the Water Emperor both take a liking to the same person?"

Ji Jin’Er’s clear voice rang out.

No one would mind whatever the Little Princess said. Children speak without inhibition, and besides, she had voiced what everyone was thinking.

"Where is that person now?"

Ji Xuanyuan couldn’t help but ask.

Yuan Hao gave another bitter smile. "He vanished. Slipped away right under their noses. There is only one thing we know for certain: this person has a Five Elements deficiency."

At once, all eyes turned to the Wang Family. A Five Elements deficiency was rare, and the most famous person in Haojing with one was the Wang Family’s own spendthrift.

But clearly, this person couldn’t possibly be Wang Rencai.

None of the young people present were convinced. ’A Five Elements deficiency? Isn’t that just a good-for-nothing?’

’On what basis could he be stronger than them!’

Soon, the banquet returned to normal. The Fire Emperor had a strange temper that could change at any moment. One couldn’t expect him to make a decision after just a single glance.

"Seventh Sister, what’s wrong?"

Ji Jin’Er noticed her sister was acting strangely.

Ji Ruyan was truly in no mood for this. Wang Rencai had indeed gone to Wang City, and Wang City was very close to the Taibai Mountain Range. According to her subordinates’ reports, Wang Rencai had indeed entered the Taibai Mountain Range.

’Is all of this just a coincidence?’

’Can such coincidences really happen in this world?’

The Taiyuan Bone Land was a place of eternal slaughter. Peace was impossible between the Bone Demons and the Taiyuan Demon Spirits. A Bone Demon that devoured a Demon Spirit could get a chance to break through its limits and advance. Likewise, a Taiyuan Demon Spirit that consumed the soul of a Bone Demon could also find an opportunity for a breakthrough!

The slaughter between the two sides had almost never ceased here, and neither could gain the upper hand. Moreover, every year, tens of thousands of new Bone Demons and Taiyuan Demon Spirits would be mysteriously born. No one knew their origin. It was said that whoever obtained this power could dominate the Heaven-Reaching Continent, but not even the strongest person could enter the core of the Taiyuan Bone Land.

Here, there was nothing but slaughter... and more slaughter. Since the Taiyuan Demon Spirits and the Bone Demons were mortal enemies, whenever they met, it was a fight to the death. There was absolutely no retreat. Even if there was a huge disparity in level, the weaker side would rather die in battle than back down.

This was in the depths of the Taiyuan Bone Land. Yet, life found a way. The great war between the Demon Spirits and Bone Demons had paradoxically made the Taibai Mountain Range, where the Taiyuan Bone Land was located, vibrant and full of life, giving birth to a large number of Spirit Beasts and Exotic Beasts. However, unless a Spirit Beast was powerful to a certain degree, it would never approach the Taiyuan Bone Land.

The True Essence there was more abundant, but it was also the most dangerous place. Once discovered by the Bone Demons and Demon Spirits, a living creature would find it very difficult to escape.

But Wang Meng’s arrival brought a new trend to this place.

An old horse roared as it galloped wildly through the heart of the Taiyuan Bone Land, its attitude brazen to the extreme. Behind it, a dense white mass of Bone Demons chased frantically after it!

’On our own territory, there’s a creature even more arrogant than us? How can this be tolerated?’

Master Wang and Old Horse both needed True Essence to recover, a convenient meeting of minds. Ordinary Cultivators could only accumulate it bit by bit through their Cultivation Techniques, but Master Wang was clearly unconventional. The Taiyuan Bone Land had left a deep impression on Wang Meng. On one hand, he could capture the True Essence Beast he needed. On the other, he could use the relatively dense Elemental Qi here to cultivate. With his Primordial Spirit spread out, he didn’t fear the Insight of any Exotic Beast. Of course, what Wang Meng needed even more were the True Essence Cores of the Bone Demons or Demon Spirits from the Abyss.

He was forced into this. Overcoming a Five Elements deficiency consumed a massive amount of True Essence, and relying on cultivation alone was not nearly enough. The first step is always the hardest. Wang Meng needed more True Essence to open up his body’s potential and, at the very least, make it adapt to the demands of his Primordial Spirit. As long as he could fully utilize his Primordial Spirit, his survival would be guaranteed.

The first time they faced the Bone Demons, Master Wang had a mind to test Old Horse. The creature’s intelligence proved it was no simple Exotic Beast. So, Master Wang simply hid himself. Under the protection of his Primordial Spirit, all the Bone Demons charged toward Old Horse.

But to Wang Meng’s astonishment, Old Horse didn’t flee... nor did it reveal its true form for a grand battle as he’d expected. Instead, it shamelessly dropped to the ground and... played dead!

The problem was, the move was brutally effective. Its aura vanished completely, making it seem like a rock. The Bone Demons were driven mad. They ended up running into some Demon Spirits and fighting a battle that left both sides heavily wounded, allowing the man and the horse to swoop in and reap the rewards.

Old Horse’s teeth were extremely useful. It directly crunched through the Bone Demon’s outer shell to get to the Demon Core within. This was the kind of powerful digestive ability only a formidable Exotic Beast could possess.

Then, as Master Wang furrowed his brow and absorbed the Bone Demon’s Crystal Core, Old Horse’s eyes nearly popped out of its head. ’That works too???’

The man and the horse were clearly a pair of cunning characters. Wang Meng’s physical level was insufficient, so he was obviously unwilling to use brute force; it was too dangerous. Old Horse also seemed to have its reservations and was reluctant to act. Given their current strength, it would be unwise for either of them to fight the Bone Demons or Demon Spirits head-on. Besides, these creatures often moved in packs, and taking them on one by one was too slow.

For this reason, Wang Meng and Old Horse reached a cooperative agreement. After all, if they both just played dead and did nothing, they’d never get out of the Taiyuan Bone Land.

So, Master Wang and Old Horse began to exploit the conflict between the Bone Demons and the Demon Spirits. One would lure the Bone Demons, the other would lure the Demon Spirits, leading the two sides into a great battle. Then, they would sit back and reap the spoils.

The moment the Bone Demons and Demon Spirits met, their mutual hatred erupted. They immediately abandoned Wang Meng and Old Horse and clashed in a chaotic battle.

Once the two sides were hotly engaged in battle, Wang Meng and Old Horse immediately hid off to the side, absorbing the explosive energy released.

The battle ended quickly. Seeing the surplus of Bone Demons, Old Horse appeared again, energetically luring them away.

But just then, a ragged Master Wang suddenly leaped out from the side.

(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)