Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 696 - 680: Zhao Yuanpu’s Invitation! [Request for Subscription]

The agreed time of half an hour had long passed. The severed arm of Zhao Yuanpu had been reattached with divine techniques, smothered with top-grade medicine ointment, and it would take just ten days to half a month of rest to fully recover.

However, his pale complexion and wandering gaze revealed that he was not in good shape.

At the time, although he noticed something was wrong and dodged sideways in time, he still could not completely avoid the terrifying giant blade that stalked like a shadow and ended up having his right arm severed near the shoulder.

As a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, being severely injured in a head-on clash by a First-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator was undoubtedly a huge blow to Zhao Yuanpu.

He knew for certain that he had absolutely no sense of underestimating or being careless at the time, and had made adequate preparations for his own defense, yet he was still severely injured by Zhouyang.

Even now, when he recalled the Dragon Head Giant Blade that could tear through space itself, he was still filled with lingering fear and was greatly shocked.

He narrowly avoided being cleaved into two halves by that Dragon Head Giant Blade!

Before the confrontation, neither Zhao Yuanpu, Master Cyan Yang, Wei Qi, nor Master Deng, not even Zhouyang himself, could foresee that the outcome would be like this!

Zhao Yuanpu and others completely underestimated Zhouyang's real strength, while Zhouyang underestimated the power of the "Azure Dragon Sky Splitting Slash."

After all, since the day he learned this technique, today was the first time he had unleashed it.

Even though he had known for a long time that this technique was extremely powerful, possessing the strength to severely injure a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, he was always uncertain without seeing it firsthand.

However, as fierce as this technique was, it was also a self-damaging move that harms the enemy three thousand at the cost of eight hundred.

This was evident from the fact that he now had to hide within a secret chamber in Prison Fire City under the guardianship of Master Cyan Yang to heal his injuries.

Knowing his character, if his injuries weren't indeed severe, he would never condescend to heal on the territory of an "enemy" he just injured.

"Senior Brother Zhao, how are you feeling? That brat is still healing inside Prison Fire City, should we..."

Inside the quiet chamber, the Second Elder of Divine Fire Palace, Wei Qi, glanced at the absent-minded Grand Elder Zhao Yuanpu, unable to resist speaking after holding back several times.

He spoke harsh words while making a hand gesture of slashing a head, his intent clear as day.

Yet before Zhao Yuanpu could respond, Master Deng beside him had already turned pale, exclaiming angrily: "Senior Brother Wei, you mustn't!"

Master Deng, excitedly, shouted: "That Zhouyang, after all, is a Guest Elder and Supreme Elder of Profound Sun Immortal Sect, accompanied by Master Cyan Yang, a Supreme Elder of Profound Sun Immortal Sect. If we attack him openly and kill him, it would be tantamount to declaring war on Profound Sun Immortal Sect or even the entire Profound Purity Dao Alliance, which wouldn't be good for our Divine Fire Palace!"

"Hmph, Junior Brother Deng, why are you so agitated? Aren't you always the fearless type? Why are you scared the moment you hear the name of Profound Sun Immortal Sect?"

Wei Qi snorted coldly, casting an unpleasant glance at Master Deng, saying coldly: "Don't forget, Profound Sun Immortal Sect is no longer the leading sect of Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm with Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivators and nine Nascent Soul Cultivators. Including Master Cyan Yang, they only have two more Nascent Soul Cultivators than our Divine Fire Palace. Even if they declare war on us for Zhouyang, does our Divine Fire Palace fear them?"

"Moreover, Junior Brother Deng, don't forget, although Profound Sun Immortal Sect wields enormous power, they also have many enemies. If they dare to leave their nest to wage war with our Divine Fire Palace in Nanman, their enemies won't just stand by idly, right?"

Master Deng, being hot-tempered, slammed the table upon hearing these mocking words from Wei Qi and shouted angrily: "What do you mean by this, Senior Brother Wei? What good does it do our Divine Fire Palace to start a war with Profound Sun Immortal Sect? Haven't you heard the saying that a starved camel is still bigger than a horse? Even if Profound Sun Immortal Sect is not what they used to be, they are not something our Divine Fire Palace can contend with. I'd like to ask Senior Brother Wei, where does your courage to wage war with Profound Sun Immortal Sect come from?"

"Enough! All of you, shut your mouths for me!"

Zhao Yuanpu suddenly shouted angrily, stopping the argument between the two junior brothers.

His eyes swiftly swept over their faces, settling on Wei Qi's gloomy face, and said coldly: "Junior Brother Wei, I'll take your words as emotional outbursts due to the grief over Junior Dai's death, but I do not wish to hear them again!"

"Heh, since Senior Brother Zhao said so, then consider my previous words as nonsensical ramblings."

A flash of anger struck Wei Qi's eyes, but he dared not argue against Zhao Yuanpu, only uttering a cold chuckle before falling silent.

Zhao Yuanpu understood his personality and was not surprised, merely shaking his head slightly and solemnly saying: "Our Divine Fire Palace, although not boastful of being righteous, is neither an untrustworthy villain. Since Zhouyang managed to withstand half an hour under my hands, I must keep my word, and no one is allowed to secretly trouble his son Zhou Guangcheng in the future, or else I won't hesitate to disregard fraternal bonds!"

Although his words were spoken to both Wei Qi and Master Deng, everyone knew who he was really speaking to.

Thus, upon hearing this, Wei Qi's face twitched, his throat moved as if wanting to say something, but he ultimately held back and remained silent.

Ironically, Master Deng, annoyed by his earlier remarks, deliberately responded loudly at this time: "I will heed the Grand Elder's command."

"You..."

Wei Qi glared at Master Deng, seething with anger.

However, under Zhao Yuanpu's stern gaze, he could only say begrudgingly: "I also promise not to secretly harm that little brat!"

"Very well, I hope you both remember your words."

Zhao Yuanpu nodded slightly, then waved his hand: "Alright, I am wounded, so I won't keep you two junior brothers. You may attend to your own matters."

"Senior Brother, rest well, I shall return to the mountain gate first."

With that, Wei Qi exited the room immediately.

Master Deng, however, did not leave in a hurry and looked at Zhao Yuanpu with concern, asking: "Grand Elder, is your injury alright?"

Zhao Yuanpu did not answer but kept his eyes closed as if sensing something.

After a moment, with his brows relaxed, he opened his eyes and exhaled lightly, saying: "Alright, he's really gone!"

"Grand Elder, you..."

Master Deng looked at him, puzzled.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuanpu shook his head with a bitter smile, saying: "Junior Brother Wei's character is too somber, and his behavior is harsh and ruthless. Being a common elder is fine, but he is utterly unsuitable to wield leadership as a Grand Elder. If Divine Fire Palace were to fall into his hands, he would likely destroy the thousand-year efforts of this old man, something I cannot allow to happen, do you understand, Junior Brother Deng?"

"While speaking ill behind someone's back is blameworthy, this time I agree with you. Senior Brother Wei does have significant issues with his character!"

Master Deng nodded in agreement, unable to suppress saying: "He thinks he has concealed it well, but how could his illicit affair with that Dao Companion Dai Hongle escape our eyes? Even Dai Hongle herself must be aware of this, which is why she often travels and rarely returns to the mountain gate's cave mansion!"

Hearing these words, Zhao Yuanpu's eye twitched, and he heavily sighed: "Sigh! Forget it, let's not talk about it. As long as he doesn't overstep, we will turn a blind eye. After all, he is also a significant combat power for our sect!"

Master Deng, upon hearing this, couldn't help but nod lightly and said, "I understand this, Senior Brother, which is why I never mentioned it in front of him."

"I know Junior Brother Deng is a sensible person, which is why I specifically kept you behind to discuss an important matter with you this time."

Zhao Yuanpu said this, and suddenly waved his hand, setting up a layer of sound insulation barrier in the room.

Then, with a serious tone and amidst the surprised gaze of Master Deng, he said, "Junior Brother Deng, do you still remember the life experiences of our Divine Fire Palace's third-generation Ancestor Master, [Master Fire Qilin] Chu Zhennan?"

"Of course, I remember. Ancestor Zhen Nan was our Divine Fire Palace's first Late-Stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator. His talent surpassed even the founding Ancestor. It was under his leadership that our Divine Fire Palace truly became the number one sect in Nanman Country. If he hadn't suddenly disappeared and fallen outside back then, with his unparalleled talent, even Immortal Ascension wouldn't have been impossible!"

Master Deng was slightly taken aback, then spoke of his school's ancestor's past glory with a face full of reverence.

While speaking, he suddenly had a focused look, seemingly understanding something, and excitedly asked Zhao Yuanpu, "But Senior Brother Zhao, why do you mention this suddenly? Could the important matter you mentioned be related to Ancestor Zhen Nan's unexpected disappearance back then?"

"That's right, it is indeed related to Ancestor Zhen Nan's disappearance back then. To be precise, I have already found the location where Ancestor Zhen Nan disappeared!"

Zhao Yuanpu nodded slightly and directly spoke out the big news that almost made Master Deng jump up.

"Where? Is what you're saying true, Senior Brother Zhao?"

Master Deng suddenly stood up, looking at Zhao Yuanpu with a face full of joy.

Then, as if realizing his excitement was excessive, he quickly chanted the Purifying Heart Spell in his heart to forcibly calm his excited emotions, sat back down, and said in a deep voice, "Since Senior Brother Zhao, you have found the place where Ancestor Zhen Nan fell, why haven't you brought his remains and relics back to the sect? Is there something hidden behind this?"

"It seems Junior Brother Deng also thought of this. Yes, it's not that I don't want to bring Ancestor Master Zhen Nan's remains and relics back to the sect. It's that I simply can't!"

Zhao Yuanpu let out a bitter laugh and, without waiting for Master Deng to ask further, proactively explained the reason.

"To let you know, Junior Brother Deng, it was more than two hundred years ago when I was unable to make any further progress in my cultivation that I started organizing the travel notes and insights of our sect's ancestors. It was then that I accidentally discovered a clue possibly related to Ancestor Master Zhen Nan's disappearance in a journal he left behind. After spending over twenty years following the trail, I finally found the place where he truly fell!"

"But what I never expected was that not only was the place where Ancestor Master Zhen Nan fell extremely perilous, but there was also an Exotic Beast there with strength comparable to a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator guarding it. With the beast having the advantage of the terrain, I was simply no match for it. After several unsuccessful attempts, I knew that bringing back Ancestor Master Zhen Nan's relics with my strength alone was impossible!"

"How could it be!" Master Deng couldn't help but exclaim.

But the next moment, as if he thought of something, he shook his head repeatedly and said, "No, Senior Brother Zhao, there is a huge loophole in your words. According to the sect's records, Ancestor Master Zhen Nan was already an Eighth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator when he disappeared, and his strength was almost at the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul. If it was only an Exotic Beast equivalent to a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, how could it have caused his fall?"

Zhao Yuanpu wasn't angered by the skepticism. He merely waved his hand with a bitter smile and explained, "Junior Brother Deng, don't rush. I never said that Ancestor Master Zhen Nan fell at the hands of that Exotic Beast. In fact, from my observations, the Exotic Beast was merely a Guardian Beast. The real reason for Ancestor Master Zhen Nan's fall was with the thing it was guarding!"

"Guardian Beast?"

Master Deng's expression changed, filled with doubt and suspicion as he looked at Zhao Yuanpu and asked, "Does Senior Brother Zhao know what it was guarding?"

"It's a cave mansion, a mansion located within the Earth's molten core, surrounded by [Red Lotus Earth Fire]!"

Zhao Yuanpu's eyes flashed with a fiery zeal as he said something that left Master Deng utterly astonished.

He swallowed hard before speaking in a hoarse voice, "It's not uncommon for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators to enter the Earth's molten core, but to establish a mansion there, which remains undamaged for thousands of years, and to use a large amount of [Red Lotus Earth Fire] to protect it; could this mansion belong to a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal?"

"I also suspect this. Otherwise, with Ancestor Master Zhen Nan's cultivation at the time, how could he have fallen in that mansion? If it wasn't a True Immortal's leftover mansion, what secret could have lured him there?"

Zhao Yuanpu nodded, agreeing with Master Deng's conjecture.

Though he received recognition for his insight, Master Deng didn't show satisfaction. Instead, with knitted brows, he asked, "So, Senior Brother Zhao, what do you plan to do? Why have you kept this hidden and only now chosen to discuss it with me?"

Zhao Yuanpu leisurely replied, "I previously didn't mention this because I wasn't confident in defeating that Guardian Exotic Beast or retrieving Ancestor Master Zhen Nan's remains and relics. Naturally, the fewer who knew of this, the better!"

"But now, I see a glimmer of hope, and I want you to be aware of this in case of an emergency!"

What sort of emergency, Zhao Yuanpu didn't need to say, Master Deng understood.

He asked thoughtfully, "Is it Zhouyang? Is Senior Brother Zhao planning to invite him to assist?"

"Yes, it's him. But not only him; I also plan to invite [Master Fire Dragon], this Mid-Stage Nascent Soul Loose Cultivator, to join us. Together, we might be able to defeat that Guardian Exotic Beast and break through the cave mansion's array restrictions!"

Zhao Yuanpu slightly nodded and seriously stated his plan.

"Why those two? Can Senior Brother Zhao explain your reasoning?" Master Deng curiously asked with a face full of questions.

"The reason is simple. The cave mansion lies deep within the Earth's molten layer. Even us cultivators practicing Fire Attribute Techniques, as Nascent Soul Stage practitioners, can't stay there for long, let alone fight a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Exotic Beast!"

"Moreover, the [Red Lotus Earth Fire] outside the mansion isn't easy to handle. It's likely integrated into the mansion's array, which means facing its threat constantly while breaking the array. Most Nascent Soul Stage cultivators don't have the magical power to cope with these."

"But whether it's the [Qianyang True Flame] mastered by Zhouyang or the [Fire Dragon Shield], that Ancient Exotic Treasure in Master Fire Dragon's possession, both could allow them to exert their full power in such an environment without being a burden."

"Importantly, while their cultivation is inferior to mine, they are stronger than their peers, enough to help me breach the mansion's restrictions without posing much of a threat to me."

Zhao Yuanpu's eyes shone brightly, and he spoke slowly in a deep tone, revealing his reasoning.

Master Deng did not doubt his confidence.

Although Zhao Yuanpu had previously been injured, losing an arm in direct Magical Combat with Zhouyang, Master Deng knew that Zhao Yuanpu hadn't expected Zhouyang to possess such a mysterious Divine Technique.

Now that Zhao Yuanpu was aware, the chances of Zhouyang injuring him with the same move were slim.

Moreover, seeing Zhouyang needing to undergo seclusion healing after using the move indicated that he'd only use it when absolutely necessary.

As for the other one, [Master Fire Dragon], though not weak, his reputation mostly stemmed from the Tier Six Middle-grade Spiritual Artifact [Fire Dragon Shield] he wielded, which emphasized defense and posed no real threat to Zhao Yuanpu.

"Senior Brother Zhao's plan is good, but would Zhouyang accept your invitation? You've just... can he trust you enough to venture on this risky endeavor?"

Master Deng pondered for a moment before cautiously raising his concern to Zhao Yuanpu.

Zhao Yuanpu, however, responded with full confidence, "Don't worry about that. I have my ways to convince him!"