Chapter 186: Setting Off Down the Mountain
From sunrise to sunset, everyone gradually awoke. Finally, after a full eight days, they all naturally regained consciousness.
"Pack your belongings This time, I, the Pavilion Master, will personally lead you down the mountain on a trip to Central Region."
Seeing everyone awake, Chen Daoxuan addressed them.
There were still many matters awaiting his attention over in Central Region, particularly concerning "those people" related to Ao Lan.
According to Chen Daoxuan's own conjecture, these so-called "those people" were a group of stowaways who used certain rules to conceal themselves in the lower realm from the Upper Realm.
Upon returning to the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, he had inquired Ao Lan for some information. These people rarely revealed themselves openly, but their strength was overwhelming. Though they occasionally manifested in Central Region, their sect's location remained an enigma. They seemed to vanish entirely in everyday life, only to become traceable when they chose to appear.
This assessment aligned with Chen Daoxuan's judgment. Despite their formidable strength, these people weren't native to this realm. If they attracted the attention of the Will of Heaven, they would be extradited to the Upper Realm.
Chen Daoxuan had even encountered the Will of Heaven before; it had tried to extradite him. If he hadn't been confident enough to shatter it with a punch, he might have truly been sent away…
"Great, another chance to venture down the mountain!" Li Yourong, hearing her Master's words, excitedly dashed back to her room.
After paying her respects to her Master, Leng Yanran also returned to her room to prepare. Though they referred to it as "packing," they were essentially just bringing along some clothes. After all, when leaving the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, they typically returned bearing many riches…
For those who weren't aware, the Heavenly Dao Pavilion might seem like a band of bandits. Even those who were aware… well, those who knew had been silenced.
"Aren't you getting ready?" Seeing that Ao Lan hadn't moved, Chen Daoxuan couldn't help but ask.
"There's nothing much to prepare, having My Lord here is sufficient."
Ao Lan casually replied with a smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Cough, you make a valid point." Chen Daoxuan acquiesced, seeing her response.
Soon, everyone had finished their preparations and gathered at the small pavilion.
"Master, when are we departing?" Li Yourong blinked her eyes and inquired.
"No hurry. Your Master will first transcend his own tribulation."
Unexpectedly, Chen Daoxuan grinned. Today marked the tenth day since his breakthrough to the Boundless Realm Second Layer – the day he was supposed to overcome his tribulation.
Hearing this, Ao Lan hadn't even reacted yet when her eyes suddenly narrowed. She observed the sky above as vast calamitous clouds surged, enveloping the entire Illusory Void Mountain!
Wasn't this the tribulation that had disrupted her breakthrough every time before? But now, Master was triggering the tribulation so casually? He had just mentioned transcending his tribulation, and here it was!
Observing the nonchalant expressions on everyone's faces, it seemed they were undisturbed, as if accustomed to it. Feeling the overwhelming pressure of the tribulation, Ao Lan couldn't help but sweat on her forehead.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, Yu Youwei moved. Transforming into a streak of lightning, she shot into the tribulation clouds.
Just like usual, she took tiny breaths, inhaling and exhaling, ultimately swallowing both the vast tribulation clouds and the essence of Heavenly Thunder. After a satisfying belch, she returned to her Master's side, content.
"…"
Ao Lan was dumbfounded by this sight. While she had been in seclusion, she knew that tribulations occurred daily. Yet, she was clueless about how these tribulations were dispelled.
And now, it turned out that tribulations were casually treated like snacks by this unassuming little creature that usually did nothing more than sleep? Wait… That's why the tribulations were so frequent!
So, it wasn't that someone was breaking through their tribulations; it was that Master was intentionally attracting tribulations to serve as treats for Yu Youwei!?
Thinking this through, Ao Lan's admiration for her Master increased several notches. What kind of existence could casually manipulate tribulations like this?
"Alright, it's time to set off."
Feeling his realm change to the Boundless Realm Second Layer, Chen Daoxuan nodded in satisfaction.
Chen Daoxuan had high hopes for this trip, aiming for a bountiful harvest. If possible, he wanted to enable the daily accumulation of one million system points for automatic cultivation. With that, he might just experience a crazy surge in his realms.
With that said, Chen Daoxuan extended his divine consciousness, spreading it over an area spanning countless billions of kilometers.
"Hmm? Where exactly is Central Region?"
Chen Daoxuan felt somewhat perplexed. Based on his experiences traveling to the Eastern and Western Territories, this realm didn't seem too vast. Yet now, he could sense an area encompassing countless billions of kilometers, even extending to the edges of the Eastern and Western Territories, but he couldn't sense Central Region.
"Master, have you never been to Central Region before?"
Ao Lan, noticing his confusion, blinked curiously and asked.
"I haven't. What is Central Region like, then?"
Chen Daoxuan was slightly taken aback.
Among those present, not only had he never been, but neither Leng Yanran nor Li Yourong had visited either. They all looked inquisitively at Ao Lan, who had escaped from Central Region.
"Referred to as Central Region, it's not entirely accurate. The Four Territories – the East, South, West, and North – are not surrounding Central Region; rather, they connect to it. True Central Region is like a separate small world, running parallel to the Four Territories and occupying a space equal to the combined size of all Four Territories.
"As for pathways to Central Region, there are array formations in each of the Four Territories that lead to it."
Ao Lan didn't hold back and began explaining the situation of Central Region.
After listening, everyone was slightly surprised. So, that's how it was. No wonder they rarely encountered people from Central Region in their daily lives. They had thought the geniuses from Central Region simply disdained interacting with the Four Territories. It turns out that Central Region didn't even exist within this realm's map!
"When I escaped, I used the Northern Territory's teleportation array. I still vaguely recall its location."
Ao Lan finished speaking and, using her spiritual power, conjured a map. She circled a spot on the map.
Seeing the location, Leng Yanran raised an eyebrow. Isn't this Moro Kingdom? Furthermore, judging by its position, wasn't it near the Moro Kingdom Imperial Tomb?
As someone from Moro Kingdom, she wasn't aware of this hidden location. It was likely that even her own Leng Clan wasn't privy to this information.
"Oh? Then let's pay a visit to Moro Kingdom. Your Master would like to see the secrets behind this teleportation array." Chen Daoxuan stroked his chin, pondering for a moment. While he could directly tear through the void to reach Central Region, observing how the array was arranged with inscriptions might enable him to establish a formation for his disciples on the mountain, allowing for easier access to Central Region in the future.
Decided, Chen Daoxuan was about to tear open the void and create a rift in space to lead everyone to the Northern Territory. However, his plan was met with resistance from Li Yourong.
"Master, the Northern Territory isn't too far. How about we take a leisurely flight? We can enjoy the scenery along the way!"
Hearing her suggestion, Chen Daoxuan nodded without hesitation. Thus, he casually summoned a colossal golden dragon, a myriad meters long, which appeared corporeal. With everyone on its back, they set out for the Northern Territory, Moro Kingdom.
[Ah… It's just Chacha guarding the home again. When will Chacha finally take human form? Chacha wants to play with Master too.]
Swaying back and forth, the Enlightenment Tea Tree expressed its forlorn feelings as it watched everyone depart, a sense of grievance evident.