Chapter 694: East Continent

When he finally mentioned Rongyang Monarch, he glanced at Wang Ping, likely as a deliberate reminder.

“I only have a few hundred years left to live anyway. Making a scene would just shatter the beautiful landscape of the Eastern Continent. I’m a sentimental man; I can’t bear to part with the scenery here, so I won’t cause any trouble.”

Chongxing Taoist gave a self-deprecating laugh, took a fist-sized metal sphere from his storage bag, and said, “This is a Magical Artifact passed down by the Taiyan Sect. The future of the Taiyan Sect’s legacy will rest on your shoulders.”

Wang Ping looked at the metal sphere. He knew this had to be the Magical Artifact Chongxing Taoist had promised him earlier.

“Take it. I have no use for it anymore. Once you’ve fully integrated the Heaven-Covering Talisman, you can use it with a Transfer Talisman to access its core. As for my lineage’s unique Puppet Enchantment Technique, it has already been passed down to someone else. Besides, you walk the Great Dao; whether you master a minor art like this is of no importance.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ping silently accepted the metal sphere. It felt incredibly heavy in his hands, weighing at least several thousand kilograms. An ordinary person would struggle just to lift it.

Seeing Wang Ping accept the metal sphere, Chongxing Taoist smiled and said, “Back then, Huishan True Monarch had the three of us choose our main area of study. That old fellow Zhongde chose the art of the Transfer Talisman without a second thought. I, on the other hand, found puppets interesting. Yuxiao didn’t choose anything, because he wanted to master it all.”

“In the end, Yuxiao was the one who walked furthest ahead of us. That’s why our school has no need for clever tricks. You must advance steadily, one step at a time. One day, you too will reach a level of cultivation where you can vie for the True Monarch Position!”

Wang Ping put away the metal sphere and cupped his fists humbly. “I wouldn’t dare presume to seek the True Monarch Position.”

“Haha!”

Chongxing Taoist let out a hearty laugh, then asked, “How much time do I have to prepare?”

Wang Ping found it difficult to answer, so he looked to Mansu.

Mansu, however, had no such qualms. “The sooner, the better,” he said immediately. “Because of Wei Kong’s rebellion, a position on the front line is now vacant. Any further delay, and that outpost will be completely destroyed. It would take at least twenty years to deploy a new Transfer Array, not to mention the pressure on the two True Yang Sect Lords near the sun would double.”

“You have to give me half a month to prepare!”

“Of course!”

Mansu cupped his fists. “We are grateful for your righteous decision, Daoist. As it happens, I’m being stationed on the moon. I will await you there.”

Chongxing replied nonchalantly, “Just make sure I have enough personnel and logistical support. I don’t have the energy to go recruiting people myself.”

Wang Ping immediately made a promise. “The True Yang Sect and the Star God Alliance have already been preparing for this. As long as you give the word, Senior, your battalion will be fully staffed within five days!”

“Good!”

Chongxing Taoist cupped his hands toward Wang Ping and Mansu. “I’ve fulfilled my duties as a host. Please, see yourselves out. I will be at the moon within half a month.”

He was very direct in dismissing them.

“We will take our leave, then…”

“No need for such formalities.”

…

「Outside Yunque Mountain.」

Mansu looked at Wang Ping and said, “I’ll handle the rest. In the meantime, you need to guarantee the Star God Alliance’s supply of resources.”

“Alright.”

Wang Ping agreed.

Without another word, Mansu cupped his hands and left.

After Mansu departed, Wang Ping gazed at the surrounding mountains, fighting the urge to go back and find Chongxing Taoist. Taking Yu Lian with him, he merged into the Wood Spirit and flew west. Just as he reached the western coastline of the East Continent, a scorching aura forced him to a halt.

Hovering before him was a man dressed in a tattered, dark gray robe with a burlap cloak worn over it. His hair was tied back carelessly with a hemp rope. Beardless, his face looked remarkably young.

This was Gong Wu Taoist, the Sect Leader of the First Sect!

Upon seeing Wang Ping, he immediately placed his right hand over his chest in a salute.

Wang Ping returned the gesture by cupping his fists.

Gong Wu Taoist then made a gesture, stepping aside to let Wang Ping pass. He acted as if their meeting was pure coincidence and, with greetings exchanged, it was time to part.

Although Wang Ping had dealt with the First Sect before and they had expressed mutual goodwill, he was in no mood to linger on their territory. After cupping his fists again, he flew off toward the Zhongzhou Continent.

While flying over the Great Sea, the integration progress of his Heaven-Covering Talisman increased by two points, reaching (3/100). This happened because he had already recorded Chongxing Taoist’s decision on the talisman.

The two-point increase startled Wang Ping. After all, the momentous event of being appointed a Lord had only yielded one point, and other minor deeds, like inspecting the defensive line on the moon, had added none at all.