Celestial Refining Divine Scripture-Chapter 286 - 284: Guhua City

The rear manor of the Zhang Family, deep within the dense forest.

A solitary figure stood tall, both hands weaving swiftly through the air, sending forth arcane Seal Skills one after another, causing the surrounding space to twist and fold upon itself, surging like a tidal wave, rising mightily toward the heavens.

Strangely enough, though it looked utterly astonishing, not a single sound escaped.

It was as if all the turbulence was compressed into this isolated region, merging entirely within the fabric of space and Qiankun itself.

As the Seal Skills poured forth ceaselessly, the layered and distorted space bathed in faint spiritual radiance unfolded like an illusory Qiankun.

This person was none other than Xu Yang!

At this moment, his expression was grave and his face pale.

The Seal Skills he wielded were from the ancient art, Celestial Brilliance Divine Sky Seal.

The consumption was tremendous; each linked Seal Skill concealed myriad mysteries and secrets of Qiankun, incomparably esoteric.

A moment's distraction would spell utter failure, resulting in self-inflicted harm.

"Nine hundred ninety-eight... nine hundred ninety-nine... one thousand!"

A bead of sweat, as large as a soybean, rolled down Xu Yang's forehead. His body trembled slightly, then his hands suddenly overlapped, as if clutching some invisible Spiritual Object with all his might.

In that instant!

The deathly still woods erupted with a resounding boom that shook the very soul.

Boom!

It was like a morning bell in dusk, thunder roiling, erupting straight into the vast Qiankun!

The fractured and illusory Qiankun layered around the void instantly enveloped Xu Yang with a rushing 'hiss'.

His whole body quaked, his flesh swelling as if empowered, bounding upward into the air.

Boom!

A majestic and overwhelming aura burst toward the sky, overflowing the void, like an invisible tempest that made space spasm violently, twisting in agony!

And his own aura tripled out of nowhere!

Enough to make even a Late Stage of Myriad Manifestation Realm Martial Artist turn pale!

Xu Yang's form vibrated uncontrollably; in truth, it was because the power within, as if blessed by Heaven and Qiankun, surged unceasingly against his body.

He narrowed his eyes, suddenly forming a claw that snatched at the air.

Crack!

The area within several hundred zhang around him seemed struck by lightning, shattering to pieces!

"Hiss!"

Xu Yang sucked in a cold breath, filled with astonishment.

"With a thousand Seals as foundation, borrowing the intent of Heaven and Earth, this surging power has nearly tripled my strength!"

"If I fully master the first stage, not to mention myself—even an ordinary prodigy in the Initial Realm of Myriad Phenomena could contend with Late Stage cultivators!"

Terrifying, awe-inspiring!

This was the power of a mighty ancient art from beyond the world!

With his level, once he broke through to Myriad Phenomena and fully mastered the first realm, he could almost sweep through all peers in this level!

Myriad Phenomena Sovereign?

Not an exaggeration in the slightest!

Xu Yang's face changed abruptly, his body shuddered, the astonishing aura fading rapidly, a wave of weakness and emptiness crashing down on him.

"It only lasts about ten breaths!"

"Still... too weak."

"The recoil after use isn't too much—so long as there's Purest Essence Qi and a few Spirit-Preserving Elixirs to recover Spiritual Power, at most a few hours and I'll be restored; and in a critical moment, ten breaths are already enough!"

Xu Yang exhaled a long, turbid breath, nodding in satisfaction.

A moment later, a figure flashed from the distance.

It was Zhang Yuanshan.

"Mr. Xu, the team has already set off."

"Miss Su went along as well."

"Set off, have they?"

"Then I suppose it's about time for me to depart as well."

Xu Yang exhaled.

He had stayed peacefully in the Zhang Family for ten days.

During these ten days, besides refining supreme-grade pills for Su Yun, he had also crafted some for the Zhang Family.

This time, alongside some sixth-rank supreme pills, there were also a few sixth-rank transcendent ones!

He was but a step away from the Myriad Phenomena Realm!

His battle strength was nearly on par with the Late Stage of Myriad Manifestation Realm!

Ordinary sixth-rank pills posed no difficulty, and even the sixth-rank transcendent ones, though tough, were barely within reach if simple in form.

Sixth rank had already entered the Myriad Phenomena tier!

Even as supreme grade, they were treasures rarely obtained by Martial Artists of this level!

Though there weren't many, the Zhang Family's Myriad Manifestation cultivators were all overjoyed!

After all, this was just the beginning.

In the future, there would only be more and even greater surprises!

"Mr. Xu, are you planning to go to the Northern Territory?" Zhang Yuanshan asked with some concern.

Xu Yang smiled and said, "Not quite the Northern Territory. I'll have a look at the borderlands, perhaps gain something!"

"Has there been any news lately?"

Zhang Yuanshan's face showed hesitation.

Xu Yang, noticing, asked in surprise, "Elder, has something actually happened?"

Zhang Yuanshan gritted his teeth and forced a bitter smile. "Not sure if it's true, but there are rumors... Zheng Xuan has already gone secretly to the Northern Territory!"

"Zheng Xuan!"

Xu Yang's pupils contracted, and he instantly understood Zhang Yuanshan's hesitation.

That name—he hadn't heard it for some time.

"Zheng Xuan, coming to the Northern Territory now? When the trouble started, he didn't show up. Could it be that now he thinks he alone can reclaim the Northern Territory?"

A mocking glint flickered in Xu Yang's eyes.

Zhang Yuanshan remained silent.

This was Xu Yang's family matter—how could he meddle?

Xu Yang frowned slightly; as the saying goes, 'there's no smoke without fire.'

If Zheng Xuan was really here, what was he up to?

In any case, it seemed the Northern Territory was about to stir.

"Elder, I won't be bidding the Clan Leader goodbye," Xu Yang said solemnly.

Zhang Yuanshan paused, then nodded. "Be at ease!"

Xu Yang gave a slight nod, then turned and sped swiftly toward the outskirts of the city.

"Take care!"

Zhang Yuanshan watched Xu Yang's figure vanish in the distance, took a deep breath, and returned to the manor.

...

Seven days later—Guhua City!

Guhua City was a massive border city at the junction of Qingzhou and the Northern Territory.

It had always been somewhat prosperous, but never as bustling as now.

The entire city brimmed with a chilling, martial atmosphere; faint hints of blood could even be sensed in the air.

People bustled back and forth, most of them Martial Artists shrouded in thick Evil Qi.

And their cultivation was far from weak.

The Yang Realm was everywhere, and it wasn't uncommon to see even Myriad Phenomena cultivators!

All of this owed to the situation in Qingzhou.

The Barbarian Race seemed to have their eyes set on Qingzhou, and the Provincial Governor's Office had issued numerous bounties.

Countless Martial Artists flocked here, risking their lives—some for profit and treasures, others simply for the thrill of slaying Barbarians!

But one way or another, their goals were the same!

Yet this had also thrown the city into utter chaos.

To the north of the city sprawled a vast open ground.

Now, countless Martial Artists gathered here, shouting boisterously.

"Black Dragon Squad is recruiting! Only those of Late Yang Realm or higher! We once slew two Barbarian Race prodigies ranked in the top hundred and three Barbarian war generals—"

"Any Martial Artist skilled in Array? Generous rewards! Join now for a fifth-rank elixir!"

"Look here—Wind Spirit Team needs one more member! Dispatching soon, target is top fifty elite prodigies of the Barbarian Race!"

...

Watching such a scene, as if at some bustling marketplace, Xu Yang was deeply astonished.

He'd already researched the situation before coming.

Squads of all kinds—some composed of clan members, others complete strangers—were constantly heading out to the border, launching covert attacks against Barbarian prodigies or war generals, seizing resources for bounty rewards.

It was said that if one could slay a Barbarian Race prodigy ranked in the top thirty, or a listed war general, they could even earn the Provincial Governor's recommendation, to Wuhou Hall or even some great sects for cultivation!

No doubt, a most tempting prospect.

"Attention, newcomers! Latest and most comprehensive Barbarian prodigy and war general list, only three thousand Spirit Stones a copy!"

A sudden call nearby drew Xu Yang's attention.

He glanced over and walked straight in that direction.

Barbarian prodigy roster?

He was quite curious; there must be quite a few 'old acquaintances' listed!