Perfect World - Chapter 544 - Chapter 544: Chapter 544: Vying for Support
Chapter 544: Chapter 544: Vying for Support
Crane Cry Mountain, not very famous, but the scenery is still quite beautiful, belonging to the Taoist mountain range.
The place isn’t very high in elevation, and it would be more appropriate to call it a range of hills rather than mountains, but the mountain is strewn with strange rocks and crisscrossed by babbling brooks, making it very secluded.
On the main mountain, there used to be a small Taoist temple, but it’s now abandoned.
The mountain was most famous during the ancient era when a Sacred Entity emerged from it, but alas, even the most glorious heritages meet their day of closure.
Shi Hao arrived and perused the cliffside carvings, learning bits and pieces about the place; he was especially taken aback by a certain wall carving that greatly shook him.
Engraved upon it was a tree, named the Demonic Cattail!
During his time in the Hundred Shattered Mountains, he had heard legends of the Demonic Cattail Tree and had learned a bit about it–how in the ancient era, many Sacred Entities fell by its hand, nearly invincible.
Its shape was similar to a dandelion, but it was a tree; white fluff dancing in the air, causing the Sacred to wither and Deities to retreat.
“Ha ha, Brother Shi has come! It’s really hard to get you together. We had to come to the borders of Stone Country. If you hadn’t shown up, we would’ve had to go to the imperial palace to seek an audience,” someone laughed heartily. It was Bi Gu, who happened to see him inspecting the cliff engravings and called out loudly.
He was robust in form, with long emerald hair, even his pupils were green, which seemed a bit eerie, but he was in an excellent mood.
“I previously misunderstood that you captured Yue Chan and held her prisoner by your side, for which I apologize,” Bi Gu said with a smile.
Both being from the higher realms, he had previously shown enthusiastic interest in meeting Fairy Yue Chan and had a glimpse of the woman in Shi Hao’s Heaven and Earth Pouch during their time in the Chaos Palace atop the Solar Divine Tree; this had left him puzzled.
“It’s fine!” Shi Hao smiled, but he wondered what Fairy Yue Chan’s expression would be like when they met in a while.
Bi Gu led Shi Hao further into the mountain. Crane Cry Mountain covered a vast area, and the deeper parts of the mountain range were even more picturesque, retaining some ancient relics.
“There are rumors that the Demonic Cattail Tree fell here but that it didn’t truly die. Instead, it underwent nirvana and became a Seed. We too were curious and came here to take a look,” Bi Gu explained.
Shi Hao was silent. So many years had passed; if there were any Seeds, they would’ve already been taken by someone–now they could only reminisce about the past.
“I didn’t expect the name of the Demonic Cattail Tree to have spread to the higher realms; that’s surprising.”
“No, the Demonic Cattail Tree originated from the higher realms. To avoid disaster, it destroyed itself and fled to the Lower Realm,” Bi Gu shook his head.
Shi Hao was astonished; there was such a secret?
“That tree is extraordinary. According to legend, it was a Seed that drifted from a mysterious area,” Bi Gu said.
With that said, no further explanation was necessary–one could imagine that those great figures must have been interested in the entity that emerged from this Seed.
“Um, it’s actually very hard to kill. Everyone says it perished in an ancient battle, but some believe that it is not so easily obliterated and is awaiting rebirth.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Hao thought of a small tree he had seen before and asked, “Was the Demonic Cattail Tree very strong even before it was fully grown?”
“It wouldn’t be too strong at birth, but it would grow increasingly powerful. It could implant roots in its enemy’s body, acquiring all their abilities,” Bi Gu explained.
This ability alone was defying the heavens. With its astonishing learning capability, it would become more formidable as time passed, invincible.
“Brother Shi has come,” someone greeted.
Atop the main peak of Crane Cry Mountain, ancient pines dotted the landscape and clear springs flowed over rocks–truly a place of seclusion and elegance.
At the moment, the sound of a guqin plinked melodiously, blending with the sound of the water and nature, complemented by the fresh scent of grass and the greenery of pines and cypresses, making it all the more harmonious.
There were many familiar faces, such as Lan Yu, Xuan Ming, Shui Yue, Hong Huang, and some young people Shi Hao didn’t know, the men handsome and the women beautiful, all quite outstanding.
After introductions, Shi Hao learned that some came from the higher realms, having not journeyed with Bi Gu, Lan Yu, and others until recently.
Some were disciples from the eight regions, an impressive bunch with not insignificant origins–like Princess Qianqian from the Profound Domain, and the monk named Zhang Liu from the Western Sect, among others.
These people all looked on. Now, Little Stone’s name echoed far and wide, shining bright like the midday sun, having caused a stir in Immortal Mountain and shocked the eight regions–who wouldn’t know, who wouldn’t be aware?
Most were enthusiastic, with the intent to network, approaching for conversation and friendship.
Yet there were some whose well-masked hostility Shi Hao still sensed. He remained calm and unaffected.
“Brother Shi, have you made your decision? Would you like to join us on the Sky Ascension Path?” Lan Yu revealed a smile, her beauty striking, and a veil-like luminescence wrapping her slender and graceful figure, further emphasizing her softness.
“I’m just too attached; I can’t let go of everything here,” Shi Hao shook his head. He meant to go to the higher realms, but he didn’t wish to accompany them.
“Practicing cultivation is a process of introspection. Perhaps the time hasn’t come yet. Eventually, Brother Shi will step out on his own road and ascend to the higher realms to enlighten your True Self,” someone said.
According to them, the natural laws of the Lower Realm were incomplete and the road deficient, making it difficult to awaken the True Self and achieve fulfillment of one’s dao, thus trapping oneself.
Shi Hao earnestly sought advice, asking about the situation in the higher realms.
This time, he finally understood why Little Pagoda said the land of the higher realms was solid–he had thought it was a joke, but now he was startled.
According to these people, the higher realms had a complete road and perfect natural laws; everything was strong and immortal–perhaps one could even say that the Lower Realm was a bit “fragile.”
Those who could move mountains and shift great peaks in the Lower Realm might not necessarily be able to do the same in the higher realms.
For a person from the higher realms, if they had sufficient strength, a single palm could unleash the immensity of crumbling mountains and drying up great rivers.
The same combat power could not be achieved in the higher realms. Coming to the Lower Realm and having this experience was almost like having a sneak peek at the power of a much higher level.
It might lead to unexpected gains after returning for cultivation and successfully breaking through to the next level.
Shi Hao fell silent, unsure of what to say.
“Boundless are the higher realms, where prodigies emerge en masse and even Primordials can be seen. That’s truly the place to rise to prominence. Shi, with your talents, lingering in the Lower Realm is like a pearl covered in dust. Ascending to the heavens above is where you belong, to vie for supremacy among the elites and to undergo self-transformation. Only there will you find your worthy rivals,” Shui Yue said, her clear eyes and white teeth glistening, her silvery garments fluttering, and enveloped in a faint white light, she seemed ethereally chaste.
Shi Hao gave a wry smile. “If I were to go to the higher realms, quite a few people would likely want to kill me immediately.”
He once overturned the Immortal Mountain, and such actions would certainly not go unnoticed. If he ascended, peace would not await him.
“It doesn’t matter, Shi. If you wish to ascend to the higher realms, come to Zhulu Academy,” someone offered, extending an olive branch at just the right moment.
Little Stone was a “Primordial,” harboring the unique Heavenly Bone within him. If cultivated, even in the higher realms where talent was endless, he would surely make a remarkable impact.
In the higher realms, where prodigies abounded and Primordials stood off against each other, although powerful beings were everywhere, they were each dominant in their own right. The higher realms were vast; they would not crowd together.
Once Little Stone rose to prominence, he would surely clash with such figures head-on. Even if he came from the Lower Realm and lacked the innate advantages, only by battling them would their respective strengths be known!
Such a person was someone Zhulu Academy naturally wished to protect.
Shi Hao was astonished, feeling an intense yearning inside, and a strong desire to ascend immediately.
To him, it seemed that in the higher realms, there were enemies like himself, formidable and perhaps even more defying of the heavens.
Over the years, he had continuously vanquished his opponents. Aside from those from Stone Village and Fairy Yue Chan, who could threaten or harm him? He longed to find a true rival for an unrestrained battle.
Indeed, the higher realms were extraordinary, vast and boundless, home to countless tribes and prodigies standing off against each other, with more “Primordials” rising, like comets streaking across the sky and brightening the heavens.
“If Shi wishes to ascend to the higher realms, my Life Academy can also ensure your safety and facilitate a swift transformation,” the young girl Yingying said. She was an acquaintance from before.
The geniuses from the eight regions were amazed. The dignitaries from the higher realms were haughty, and while they invited them to social gatherings, how could they stoop to invite and eagerly compete for Shi Hao?
Shi Hao learned that the distinguished ladies and geniuses who had invited him were from neutral major forces whose patriarchs had never manifested in the Lower Realm.
“There’s no need to think about it. If Shi goes to the higher realms, come directly to me at Red Phoenix Palace. After cultivating in the Lower Realm for over a decade, you need a transformation to fully encompass the road. The Nirvana Method of the Red Phoenix Palace is most suitable for you,” said Hong Huang.
She was straightforward and slapped Shi Hao’s shoulder, appearing genial and even somewhat “heroic,” but the girl clad in red was not simple.
Previously, she had become quite familiar with Shi Hao during a battle at the Solar Divine Tree, and her existing goodwill granted her an advantage in drawing him to her side.
This silence baffled the geniuses from the eight regions and filled them with frustration.
“I think joining the Heaven Mending Sect is best; as they say, no association without a fight,” a very sweet and pleasant voice sounded.
The crowd turned to see a fairy-like young girl approaching, garbed in a black dress that set off her snowy skin, making it even more translucent and beautiful.
Floating behind her were several snow-white fox tails, gently swaying, filled with a certain enchanting charm.
Such a woman, appearing peerlessly elegant and captivating, had sparkling, spirited eyes that could change in the blink of an eye.
“Witch!” Shi Hao squinted his eyes.
In the pine forest, the sound of a qin stopped, and a woman in white approached, her worldliness untainted by mundane affairs and her beauty stunning, like a fairy displaced from the celestial realms.
The two women locked eyes, with sparks flying between them.
The crowd was speechless; they were true rivals.
Even the esteemed ladies and geniuses from the higher realms took a deep breath, as they all knew that these two peerless beauties hailed from the higher realms, with transcendent statuses beyond words.
“Today’s meeting is an opportunity to discuss and validate our learnings. Let’s refrain from fighting to avoid harming the friendly atmosphere and ruining the gathering,” Lan Yu spoke. She was also extremely beautiful, gentle, and soft, prompting many nods of agreement.
“Exactly, we definitely shouldn’t be mortal enemies today,” added Shui Yue, Hong Huang, and Yingying, among a few others. All of them were beautiful, their smiles brightening the mood all at once.
“How could that be? We’re kindred spirits,” Fairy Yue Chan said with a smile, her presence bright and sanctified, like a full moon hanging in the sky.
“That’s right, who said we were going to do battle?” the witch smiled, her teeth sparkling as she waved at Shi Hao, “Little Stone, come over here.”
The crowd reacted with shades of emotion upon hearing that.
Smiling amiably, the witch said, “Not long ago, the outside world was buzzing with rumors that you had suppressed Fairy Yue Chan, keeping her in a golden house, and that you have been carrying that stigma for a long time. Now that Chan’er has appeared, you can finally clear your name.”
Hearing this, Bi Gu chuckled, “Indeed, I almost misunderstood Shi. I’m truly embarrassed. I shall punish myself with a drink.”
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The young elite present all laughed and shook their heads; the rumor was too ridiculous. Who could defile the high and chaste fairy? With the real Fairy Yue Chan’s appearance, all rumors were dispelled.
“I’ve always been a rival to Yue Chan, able to drink together. Shi, despite your conflicts, a toast to Fairy Yue Chan is in order,” the witch said with a smile.
“Misunderstandings cleared, let’s drink together!” Bi Gu laughed heartily, his admiration for Fairy Yue Chan was well-known.
“Fairy, a toast to you,” Shi Hao said with a smile, clinking his cup with the main body of Yue Chan, his smile beaming.
Fairy Yue Chan returned the smile, lifting the Jade Cup to sip lightly, her beauty radiant and breathtaking, her smile unwavering.
