Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Genius Deserves Attention (Part 1)
Not even a single thatched hut was seen, which inevitably made everyone extremely frustrated.
True Monarch Nan Kui's frown revealed his unwillingness to accept this, and he stretched out his right hand, grasping a shivering Ghost Face Mushroom from the air.
After a session of soul searching, he still found nothing.
He then continued soul searching the Ancient Qiu Tree and Glowing Insects, only to disappointingly shake his head as well.
Seeing this, True Monarch Ling Gu and True Monarch Chihuo did likewise, proceeding to not even spare the Ghost Face Mushrooms, Ancient Qiu Trees, Glowing Insects, or even the Blue Fansy Herbs.
They conducted continuous soul searches and life essence detections, but they came up with nothing.
They couldn't help but feel extremely frustrated.
"That soaring Spiritual Light must have been the energy released from the destruction of the external Spatial Restriction. But then, how to explain those fragments of vajra wood that flowed out? I believe there must be a profound mystery hidden beneath us; it's just that our cultivation is too low to perceive it," said True Monarch Chihuo, his brows knit with concentration, speaking thus.
"In that case, we have no choice but to return to the sect and request the Supreme to investigate," said True Monarch Ling Gu, surveying the rock wall as he spoke.
"A Divinity Transformation Supreme conducting the investigation? The predecessor who created the Humanoid Weapon was clearly involved with the 'Dao,' meaning at the very least they were of the Void Refinement Realm.
Even if a Divinity Transformation Supreme were to take action, they might not be able to detect anything, and even if they did uncover the concealment restriction, we'd still face the obstacle of the Spatial Transmission Restriction. To gain entrance to the heritage site beyond, the chance remains slim.
The predecessor who left the legacy surely set conditions for teleportation, and it seems likely that ordinary people would definitely not be able to break through the restriction," Yang Ji's eyes flashed, his mind racing with these thoughts.
"No time to delay, let's go!" True Monarch Nan Kui's body flashed with a yellow brilliance and he immediately started walking away.
Below True Monarch Chihuo's feet, flames surged as he too turned around.
"Chang Xiao, young friend, we should go as well!" True Monarch Ling Gu looked back, glanced at Yang Ji and Li Changxiao, and then, seizing the two, he exercised the art of instant movement and fled outwards.
"Hey hey hey, wait for me." Mang Biao panicked, his heart skipping a beat as he inwardly cursed, worried that Ling Gu might just take his little brother away like that. What about his injury?
With that thought, his expression changed, his body's Spiritual Light surged, and he desperately sped up at an extreme pace to chase after them.
The instantaneous movement technique of a Nascent Soul True Monarch is indeed swift; with a shift of heaven and earth, in just a blink of an eye, they arrived above the waterfall.
Yang Ji was inwardly amazed by such extreme speed, which was terrifyingly fast.
Once outside, True Monarch Ling Gu wiped his Storage Bag and took out a piece of Spell Paper. With a light tap, Spiritual Light flashed and the Spell Paper transformed into a palm-sized Spiritual Bird that flew rapidly into the distance.
"Sending a message to the Supreme with a Spiritual Bird won't take long before the Supreme will rush over," he said.
After completing these actions, True Monarch Ling Gu turned to look at Yang Ji with a benign smile and said, "Young friend, where do you live? I'll escort you there."
Yang Ji was surprised by Ling Gu's attitude towards him, which was perhaps too kind, considering the switch from Li Changxiao to him. Just as he was about to speak, a loud shouting voice came from below the waterfall.
"True Monarch, he lives with me on Black Wind Island!" Mang Biao emerged like a beam of Spiritual Light, coming out breathlessly, and seeing that everyone was still there, he raced over impatiently.
"Black Wind Island? Let's go, then. We can talk on Black Wind Island," said Ling Gu with a smile, his body radiating Spiritual Light that enveloped everyone, including Tang Long and Mang Biao.
The next instant, he employed the technique of instant movement at extreme speed once again.
In barely more than ten breaths' time, they had arrived at Black Wind Island—this was a distance that Mang Biao and others had flown at full strength for a whole day and night.
Seeing the slightly shocked expression in Yang Ji's eyes, Ling Gu laughed and said, "My speed is fast, but compared to those mighty beings who can tear through space to travel, it's just like a child flying a kite, nothing worth mentioning."
Then he turned to look at Mang Biao, "You're the Island Master, aren't you?"
As Ling Gu looked at him, Mang Biao quickly nodded his head and said with an enthusiastic smile, "True Monarch, please, come and have a seat on the island!"
Ling Gu nodded lightly.
Mang Biao hurriedly led everyone onto the island and quickly arranged a well-constructed secret chamber for Yang Ji, Ling Gu, and Li Changxiao.
At this moment, Mang Biao paced back and forth outside the secret chamber, his brows furrowed in frustration, his heart filled with trepidation.
What are they discussing?
Will my little brother reveal how I detained him? If the True Monarch gets angry, will he cleave me alive?
This... I probably shouldn't have brought them here.
With a mournful expression, Mang Biao peeked inside from time to time, muttering anxiously under his breath.
"Young friend, are you surprised by our warm reception of you?" Inside the secret chamber, True Monarch Ling Gu said with a warm smile.
Yang Ji nodded, truly puzzled. He was just a Qi Refining Trainee, why would a Nascent Soul True Monarch treat him with such kindness?
"Because you are a genius, and geniuses should be greatly valued," True Monarch Ling Gu said matter-of-factly.
"..."
Yang Ji was taken aback and flattered by True Monarch Ling Gu's frank compliment, feeling slightly overwhelmed. He humbly replied, "Senior, I am only of lower-grade Spiritual Root, far from a genius."
True Monarch Ling Gu shook his head: "No, I am speaking of your perceptiveness!"
"There are many spiritual objects in this world that can improve one's Spiritual Root, but those with outstanding perceptiveness are rare indeed."
"The further one progresses in cultivation, the more important perceptiveness becomes."
"As the saying goes, achieving the Dao is difficult, and it is difficult precisely because understanding the Dao is hard!"
"I can honestly say that it's your exceptional perceptiveness that has captured my attention," Ling Gu True Monarch explained.
True Monarch Ling Gu smiled and said, "Young friend, if you were to join our Canglan Sect, not to mention my attention, as long as you demonstrate sufficient perceptiveness and potential, even the Divinity Transformation supremes would revolve around you."
"For instance, Chang Xiao is a personal disciple of the Divinity Transformation supreme, as well as nominally a disciple of Jian Yuanzi. The sect's Alchemy grandmasters attend to him daily, the people from the Dietary Hall ask him cheerfully what he would like to eat today, dragon liver or phoenix gall?"
"Despite being the supreme existence within the sect, they are on call around the clock, serving Chang Xiao."
"Feeling frustrated with cultivation? The supreme comes to enlighten."
"Lacking battle experience? The supreme personally spars with you."
"Confused about cultivation? Come, the supreme will take you out to clear your mind."
"Want to learn a new cultivation technique? All the techniques and methods in the Technique Hall are at his disposal," said Ling Gu True Monarch.
?
This treatment? Being attended to by a Divinity Transformation supreme is practically like living as an emperor. Yang Ji swallowed hard, finding it unbelievable, and couldn't help but stealthily glance at Li Changxiao.
Noticing Yang Ji's expression, True Monarch Ling Gu smiled slightly and said, "Young friend, if you join our sect, all that I mentioned just now—the Divinity Transformation supremes, Alchemy grandmasters, Dietary Hall, and even a partner—all will be properly arranged for you."
"I can be matched with a partner?" Yang Ji was taken aback.
"Ahem, of course, but that also requires their agreement. However, if you take a fancy to any Immortal Fairy, I'm sure the sect's upper echelons would be happy to speak on your behalf. That being said, I believe that no Immortal Fairy could refuse the favor of a handsome genius like yourself," True Monarch Ling Gu said with a smile, generously bestowing his praise.
"Am I really worthy?" Overwhelmed by such compliments, Yang Ji felt somewhat elated, speaking with less confidence than before.
"Ahem, you are not quite there yet; what I've described is the top treatment, which Chang Xiao currently enjoys. If you wish to reach this level, you'll need to display the expected perceptiveness. Mastering the Sword Dao Shadow technique is enough to draw the sect's attention, but to lean the resources further in your favor, you'll have to work hard on your own."
"Based on the perceptiveness you have shown so far, you can enjoy the treatment of a Quasi-Nascent Soul Zhenjun, with all the techniques and methods of the sect open for you to cultivate at will. Additionally, the cultivation resources such as Medicine Pills, Cave Mansion, Spirit Stone, and so forth are also of this level," said True Monarch Ling Gu.