Lord Meng Gang. The group of young cultivators from the Hai Lan Continent whispered amongst themselves just now.
Meng Gang didn't spare them a glance, still clinging tightly to Ji Changkong and laughing heartily.
Meng Gang was currently at the peak of the Eight Trigrams Heaven Numeral Peak realm. Within his soul aura, there was even a faint trace of the vital fire belonging to the Heart of the Sun. It seemed he must have gained considerable rewards within the Heart of the Sun afterward.
“It’s a long story. In short, it was a fortunate coincidence that brought me to your Hai Lan Continent,” Ji Changkong laughed as he wriggled free from Meng Gang’s embrace. “I didn’t expect to run into you so soon. Heh, it looks like you had some fortuitous encounter in the Heart of the Sun?”
“Lord Meng Gang?” Those cultivators from the Hai Lan Continent looked over with astonishment. After a moment of hesitation, they spoke up again to ask.
“My brother! This is my best brother!” Meng Gang held Ji Changkong tightly, his manner boisterous. “Come, I’ll take you over.”
“They… they are from the Five Elements Continent; they were not invited.”
“No matter. I will explain this to Miss Shang. You don’t need to worry about it,” Meng Gang waved his hand decisively.
The men immediately nodded and spoke no more.
Meng Gang took the lead, slinging an arm around Ji Changkong’s shoulder, letting out a bear-like roar before saying, “Brother, I really owe you from last time in the Heart of the Sun. Otherwise, not only would I not have obtained that strange power from the Heart of the Sun, but I would have surely died there long ago.”
Inside the Heart of the Sun, Ji Changkong had killed many masters within the Celestial Apertures. Those masters were either dead or had fled; not a single original expert remained.
Not long after he left, the Great Celestial Aperture split again, reforming into seven Celestial Apertures.
Meng Gang, who had remained there, initially had no chance of possessing a Celestial Aperture. However, Teng Ye had looked after him greatly, following a request Ji Changkong had made.
When the tiger is away, the monkey reigns as king. After Ji Changkong and Shang Bingjie had jointly killed the majority of the experts, and the one remaining expert from the Death Pact had fled, there were no true masters left in the Heart of the Sun.
It was because of this situation that Teng Ye unexpectedly became the most powerful figure there. Meng Gang benefited from Teng Ye’s standing and managed to acquire a Celestial Aperture. During the subsequent period, he was lucky enough to obtain that peculiar energy from the Sea of Heavenly Fire within the Aperture, which allowed him to lay the foundation for reaching the peak of the Eight Trigrams Heaven realm.
Meng Gang understood that the reason Teng Ye had looked after him so well was entirely due to Ji Changkong. He had always kept that debt of gratitude in his heart.
He had thought that after parting ways in the Heart of the Sun, he would never have the chance to meet Ji Changkong again. Unexpectedly, he encountered Ji Changkong on the Hai Lan Continent, where he was cultivating—and furthermore, he met Ji Changkong's true body.
“Good fellow, you really are impressive! You’ve already broken through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm!” Meng Gang seemed to just notice, exclaiming in surprise before quickly asking, “By the way, when did you break through?”
“A few months ago, perhaps,” Ji Changkong replied, looking puzzled.
“A few months ago?” Meng Gang was filled with astonishment. “Incredible! That's even earlier than Miss Shang. Miss Shang only broke through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm a few days ago. You, kid, are truly unbelievable!”
“Meng Gang, you scoundrel, you seem to have quite a bit of pull on the Hai Lan Continent, eh?” Ji Changkong asked with a smile.
“Naturally!” Meng Gang puffed out his chest proudly. “Meng Gang has been active on the Hai Lan Continent for so many years; I’m quite a well-known figure, hehe. Most importantly, Miss Shang seems to take a liking to me.”
“Oh?”
“You don’t know,” Meng Gang glanced around furtively, ensuring no one else was near, then lowered his voice. “Not long after returning to the Hai Lan Continent from the Heart of the Sun, Miss Shang sent people to look for me. Well, I was invited to the Shang Family residence, and Miss Shang met with me privately, and we… discussed some strange things.”
“What strange things?”
“Miss Shang inquired in detail about my experiences with you, asking me to tell her everything I knew about you, every single detail.”
“Ah?” Ji Changkong let out a soft exclamation, his expression shifting strangely. After a pause, he confirmed, “She really… really did that?”
Meng Gang nodded repeatedly, affirming, “That’s exactly right! She repeatedly asked about every encounter I had with you, appearing intensely curious. To be honest, she was curious about you, as a person. Even though I’m a simple brute, I could tell.”
After a moment of hesitation, the bell-like eyes of Meng Gang gleamed brightly. “Brother, in the Celestial Aperture of the Heart of the Sun, did you… did something happen between you and Miss Shang?”
“Nothing! Absolutely nothing!” Ji Changkong shook his head repeatedly.
“Heh heh!” Meng Gang chuckled softly, not pressing the matter further. However, judging by his secretive look, he clearly wasn't assuming the best.
Gu Pu, Li Hentian, and the others had followed Meng Gang closely, refraining from asking any further questions until this moment. Gu Pu smiled faintly, looking rather interested, before finally speaking softly, “Changkong, so you have acquaintances on the Hai Lan Continent after all. No wonder you came here. By the way, you know Shang Bingjie? Hehe, I heard that girl is quite beautiful.”
“Grandfather!” Ji Changkong felt quite awkward, defending himself. “There really was nothing; I came purely for business matters.”
“Right, business,” Gu Pu chuckled twice before saying, “Changkong, you should ask what’s going on here on the Hai Lan Continent. Otherwise, why would so many experts have entered this place?”
Before Ji Changkong could ask, Meng Gang had already guessed their relationship from his conversation with Gu Pu. He laughed heartily and said, “Miss Shang broke through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm a few days ago, becoming the youngest Nine Palaces Cultivator in our Five Elements Continent, and also…”
“The Shang Family felt it was worthy of celebration, so they invited powerful forces from outside our domain to the Hai Lan Continent. There is another reason: it is rumored that the Shang Family received information from a predecessor about a method of interacting with a Life Star in a certain star field using spatial turbulence. Of course, other powers in the Sun Star Field have also learned of this method.”
“The Shang Family believes this is both a good thing and a bad thing. They worry that people from other continents might have ill intentions toward the Hai Lan Continent, so they are taking precautions by seeking discussion partners with comparable strength.”
“I heard that recently, the Heaven Fortune Continent and the Demonic Evil Continent have begun using this method to target smaller Life Stars, attempting to enslave their cultivators. The Shang Family, in order to protect themselves, is searching for allies who share the same concerns.”
“This matter seems true. Before this, the Lord of the Demonic Cave from the Demonic Evil Continent and three Nine Palaces Cultivators had already visited our Five Elements Continent,” Ji Changkong nodded.
“Ah?” Meng Gang was shocked. “Is your Five Elements Continent doomed? Is it… that only a few of you managed to escape?”
He naturally thought this because the Demonic Evil Continent was known as a powerful force in the Sun Star Field, whereas the Five Elements Continent was relatively obscure.
“No, the Lord of the Demonic Cave failed. Can Lang and Han Tian died on our Five Elements Continent. That Lord of the Demonic Cave and Xiao Yu escaped,” Ji Changkong explained with a smile.
“Holy cow!” Meng Gang was even more astonished. “Your Five Elements Continent is that strong? Which experts there are so fierce that they could kill dangerous figures like Can Lang and Han Tian?”
“Hehe, you don’t need to worry about that,” Ji Changkong smiled. “Let’s go. Take us to the Shang Family; we also have matters to discuss with them.”
“That’s absolutely no problem. I think… Miss Shang will be very surprised to see you,” Meng Gang quickly added.
After hesitating, Meng Gang lowered his voice again. “I heard… I heard that the Shang Family invited people from the Golden Net Mountain and the Parting Heaven Sect this time to discuss another matter.” He extended a sound-insulating barrier, enveloping the air around them, before whispering conspiratorially, “I overheard Miss Shang allude vaguely that the Shang Family found a desolate star field sandwiched between the Sun Star Field and the Meteor Sea Star Field. That star field contains dozens of living stars, but it is already occupied by two cultivator forces from the Meteor Sea Star Field.”
“Miss Shang has only just broken through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, and she urgently needs Star Essence for her cultivation. Living stars are rarer than treasures in the Dead Star Domain these days. After discovering that place, the Shang Family felt they couldn’t conquer it with their forces alone. Therefore, they are using Miss Shang’s breakthrough to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm as an opportunity to invite other powerful forces to discuss the matter.”
“Brother, this is something I inferred from some of Miss Shang’s words. I don’t know if it’s true, so you absolutely must keep this secret for me.”
“Understood,” Ji Changkong nodded.
Gu Pu and Li Hentian exchanged glances, expressions of deep thought crossing their faces. Based on what Meng Gang had said, the final scenario was the most likely.
The Shang Family had likely discovered a territory of living stars and felt they couldn't handle the cultivators from the Meteor Sea Star Field alone. This is why they used the celebration of Shang Bingjie’s Nine Palaces breakthrough as a cover to discreetly consult other factions.
After reviewing the chain of thoughts in his mind, Ji Changkong patted Meng Gang’s shoulder. “Brother, if one day you break through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, you can find someone from our Five Elements Continent on the Sun or Moon and let them notify me. I will give you a great gift.”
He trusted Meng Gang. If Meng Gang truly managed to reach the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, and if he had mastered the power of the Vast Star Sea Map, he could completely bring Meng Gang to the Five Elements Continent and guide him through the Poison Dragon Pool into that unfamiliar star field, which possessed abundant living stars for his cultivation!
“A great gift?” Meng Gang was momentarily stunned. “What great gift? Is it a divine weapon?”
“Hehe, let me keep that a secret for now. When you one day break through to the Nine Palaces Heaven realm, you can find an expert from our Five Elements Continent to notify me. Then you’ll know what kind of great gift I have in store for you!” Ji Changkong laughed, walking and talking with Meng Gang.
Suddenly, a massive island appeared in sight. The Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi on that island was incredibly dense, perhaps ten times richer than the Yuan Qi in Xuanyuan Valley. Cultivating on that island, any cultivator would progress rapidly and reach a new realm in a short time.
Various spiritual beasts and immortal cranes lived peacefully on the island. The ground was covered with rare flowers and exotic herbs, their intoxicating fragrance drifting from afar. The sky above the island was filled with a faint, multi-hued rosy glow, accompanied by swirling light mists nearby.
On the island, there were jade-carved pavilions and towers, their glazed red tiles and white jade-like structures boasting diverse designs. Rockeries, flowing water, and elegant pavilions were scattered in every corner.
Any mortal who glanced at it would surely believe this to be an immortal realm in the heavens, possessing scenery unimaginable to mortals.
“A fine place. Cultivating there would truly yield twice the result with half the effort,” Gu Pu praised.
“That is the Misty Island where the Shang Family resides.”
Meng Gang smiled. “Let’s go; I’ll take you in.”
Amidst the colorful rosy light, a bright-eyed, white-toothed girl with small braids suddenly poked her head out, waving a long, colorful ribbon. Streams of rosy light formed a colorful wall in front of Meng Gang, and she reprimanded, “Meng Gang, what are you doing?”
“Xiao Man, I’m going to see Miss Shang,” Meng Gang said, looking up impatiently. “Why are you blocking me?”
“You can certainly see the Miss, but who are these people? What is their status? Did the Miss say she wanted to see them?” The girl named Xiao Man planted her hands on her hips and glared fiercely.
“Stop your nonsense! These are my distinguished guests, don't block me!” Meng Gang snorted, becoming increasingly annoyed.
“No way! Too many important guests today—uninvited people cannot enter Misty Island casually. Unless the Miss personally orders it or the Mistress agrees, entry is forbidden!” The fierce girl shouted, abruptly waving the colorful ribbon in her hand. The multi-hued rosy light suddenly descended from the sky, enveloping the entire area.
Ji Changkong frowned, sensing that the strange rosy light was a peculiar array similar to the Star Sea, utilizing the vast Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi of Misty Island. It not only possessed powerful defensive capabilities but also subtly contained various aggressive offensive powers.
Because the Yuan Qi here was so immense, the offensive power of the array on Misty Island would surely not be weak—it might even be capable of injuring a Nine Palaces Cultivator. After sensing it carefully, he refrained from acting rashly, choosing instead to wait for Meng Gang to negotiate.
“These are the distinguished guests!” Meng Gang roared, his face red with anger. Seeing that Xiao Man was not giving him face, Meng Gang felt he was losing stature. He wanted to resort to force, yet he seemed hesitant to cause trouble on Misty Island, resulting in a peculiar expression.
“Meng Gang, go and tell Sister Jian Bu to inform her that I, Ji Changkong, wish to see her,” Ji Changkong said, stepping in to diffuse the situation after some thought.
Meng Gang glared at the girl for a few moments before finally ducking into the multi-hued rosy light. The light automatically split open a gap, allowing Meng Gang to slip through.
The girl stood with her hands on her hips, eyeing Ji Changkong and Gu Pu’s group like a thief. This young girl was only at the Seven Star Heaven realm; her cultivation was low, and she couldn't perceive the true strength of Ji Changkong and his companions.
However, she instinctively felt that Beike was an enemy. When she looked at Dick, her large eyes were filled with deep wariness—clearly, she could not accept Dick’s appearance and felt he must be a bad person.
“Perhaps, without me, you could have entered,” Dick said with a strange expression, huffing slightly.
“Heh heh, that is a possibility,” Ji Changkong nodded. He said to Dick, “But I imagine that if one day I enter your Dark Star Race, and you aren't there to guide me, others will immediately treat me like a monster, don’t you think?”
Dick paused, then said, “That’s true. There’s really no need to fuss over it. Our life forms are entirely different; it’s only natural that they would make a fuss.” Dick relaxed, no longer feeling annoyed. Thus, Ji Changkong and Gu Pu’s group stood there, waiting for Meng Gang to return.
Just then, Gu Pu suddenly frowned and glanced toward a group approaching the multi-hued rosy light nearby.
“It’s you!” The man there exclaimed, seemingly having spotted Gu Pu as well. After a moment of shock, he suddenly sneered wickedly, “I didn’t expect to run into you here; what a coincidence.”
The group consisted of four people, all at the Nine Palaces Heaven realm. The one who exclaimed was also at the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven realm—tall and thin, with hollowed cheeks and two long eyebrows that stretched from his temples all the way to his chin.
“Long Brow!” Gu Pu hissed.
The man Gu Pu called Long Brow grinned coldly. “Just outside the white mist earlier, I thought I felt you nearby, but because it seemed so illogical, I dismissed it as a mere illusion. I didn't expect it to actually be you! Gu Pu, right? I remember your name. You injured me on that Living Star.”
“You deserved it,” Gu Pu said faintly.
“Junior Brother, is this the person who injured you on the Living Star thirty years ago?” A middle-aged man with a square face and an honest appearance asked, frowning.
“Yes, Senior Brother. This person is called Gu Pu, and he seems to come from the obscure Five Elements Continent,” Long Brow said respectfully, bowing slightly.
The square-faced middle-aged man was also at the peak of the Nine Palaces Heaven realm. His aura was suppressed, as if all his power was concealed within his body. Even Ji Changkong found it difficult to detect the true intensity of his internal strength.
Clearly, this was a character even more formidable than Long Brow.
The group first glanced at Gu Pu, then turned to look at Ji Changkong, Li Hentian, Dick, and the Primordial Toxin, seemingly gauging the strength of both sides. After a while, the middle-aged man signaled to Long Brow and said quietly, “We are all invited guests. It won't look good if we start a fight. Let’s wait until things conclude.”
Under the dissuasion of his Senior Brother, Long Brow restrained himself, nodding in understanding.
“We were not invited here; we came uninvited. Don’t worry about how it looks; it’s fine,” just as things settled down, Ji Changkong suddenly interjected with a cold laugh.
Long Brow was clearly angered and snorted, “Senior Brother, look at this?”
The square-faced man also looked displeased, staring at Ji Changkong. Kid, you’re still too green. Better not rush to stir up trouble. If you provoke us, even the powerful figures behind you won’t be able to withstand it!
“Is that so?” Ji Changkong laughed loudly, his laughter filled with lawless arrogance. “You first see if you can withstand it!”
Words failed, so action followed—no matter the time or place!
The World-Ending Gauntlet covered his left arm, the Soul Controlling Crown formed a mask covering his face, and he drew the Dragon’s Splendor Great Saber, letting out a fierce cry. The Vast Star Sea Map in his mind secretly emerged from the back of his head, completely locking down the space behind them.
“Damn it! How dare you challenge my Grandfather in front of me? You are all finished!” Ji Changkong roared, unfurling the Dragon’s Splendor Great Saber. Nine hundred-foot-long blood dragons violently surged out, twisting and slaughtering toward the group.
To my brothers and sisters, friends who love Ten Directions Heavenly Cultivator, I, Xiao Ni, earnestly beg for your monthly ticket support! Please lend me your strength! I implore you all! (To be continued)
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