Chapter 272: Secret Realm of the Desolate Ancient City
"Desolate Ancient City."
Ye Beixuan softly uttered the three words. In his previous life, he had long struggled to break through the Three Star Path Union realm. During his travels down the mountain, he happened upon rumors of a secret treasure hidden in the Desolate Ancient City.
By chance, he later entered the secret realm within the Desolate Ancient City, where he obtained a divine artifact — the Pseudo-Hongmeng Mirror — and broke through to the Three Star Path Union realm there.
Based on the timeline, that had happened over a hundred years later.
But right now, Qin Yun likely had not yet obtained the key to the Desolate Ancient City.
In his past life, Ye Beixuan had saved a dying Qin Yun by chance in the city of Wasteland. From him, he learned the origin of the key to the Desolate Ancient City.
It had been something Qin Yun purchased at the Myriad Treasures Auction held in Wushuang City. Later, when the Bone Sect, a subordinate sect of the Jiuyou Sacred Land, learned that Sword Casting Manor possessed the key, they dispatched an army to destroy the city.
Qin Yun survived only because he had been away on a journey at the time. He intended to enter the Desolate Ancient City with the key, cultivate an unmatched divine technique, and avenge his clan.
Unfortunately, he died just outside Wasteland City. Before his death, he handed the key to Ye Beixuan and asked him to take revenge for Sword Casting City.
Once Ye Beixuan reached the Half-Saint realm, the first thing he did was wipe out the Bone Sect alone, nearly sparking a war between Wendao Academy and the Jiuyou Sacred Land.
In this life, he intended to seize the key before Qin Yun obtained it — that way, Sword Casting City wouldn't be destroyed.
Qin Yun could then live out his life in peace. No — if the opportunity allowed, Ye Beixuan would even take him as a disciple. If he recalled correctly, Qin Yun had only been a Three Star True Fate cultivator when he died in the previous life. At this point in time, he was likely just a young Dao Foundation cultivator.
This way, he could make up for Qin Yun's fate.
"You mean that Desolate Ancient City buried beneath the Yellow Sands Desert?"
Chu Feng, well-read in all kinds of ancient texts, responded instantly.
Ye Beixuan respectfully said, "Master is indeed versed in ancient and modern knowledge. That is exactly the sacred ruins within the Yellow Sands Desert I was referring to."
To the side, Cao Youqian said, "I've heard my ancestor mention the Desolate Ancient City before, but the last time it appeared to the world was ten thousand years ago. How can you be sure we'll find it this time, Junior Brother Ye?"
Chu Feng patted his shoulder. "No need to doubt your junior brother. Just the fact that his name is Ye Beixuan is reason enough. From what I know, the Desolate Ancient City was established by a disciple of the Desolate Ancient Emperor. Though the power has long vanished, if you can train within it, I'm sure there will be great benefits."
Ye Beixuan hadn't expected his master to believe in him so unconditionally. His eyes were filled with reverence as he looked at Chu Feng.
None of the other disciples doubted Chu Feng's words in the slightest.
Xiao Chen was the first to step forward. "Since there's an adventure to be had, as the eldest disciple, I naturally won't fall behind."
Cao Youqian laughed. "Count me in too."
Qin Qin's face showed some hesitation. She wasn't afraid to go train outside — she was just worried they might be targeted by people from the Dayan Sacred Land, which would drag her senior brothers into danger.
Chu Feng could see right through her thoughts and smiled. "If you want to go, then go. This time I'll prepare something special for all of you. As long as Saints don't intervene, no one will be able to suppress you. Even if a Saint appears, the seven of you working together can hold them off and retreat safely."
As soon as he said this, the disciples all revealed looks of shock and disbelief.
Cao Youqian instinctively blurted out, "Master, have you become a Saint?"
Chu Feng shook his head with a smile. "No. But I could step into the Saint Realm at any time — I just don't want to."
Cao Youqian, born and raised in Wendao Academy, instantly understood what Chu Feng meant — he wasn't advancing to the Saint Realm because he couldn't bear to leave them and head to the rumored Saint Academy to cultivate.
He immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed. "Master, your grace is beyond repaying. This disciple will train diligently and never let you down!"
Chu Feng quickly helped him up. "What are you doing? I just want to challenge my limits."
Cao Youqian: "..."
So I knelt for nothing?
Xiao Chen: "..."
Qin Qin wasn't affected by the brief interruption. She pursed her lips and said, "Then I'll go with Junior Brother Ye."
Wang Baole patted his chest. "If you need seven people, I'll join in to make up the numbers."
Xu Caichen didn't hesitate at all. "Count me in too."
Han Paopao laughed, "As long as Senior Brother Ye doesn't mind me only knowing how to run away, I'd be happy to tag along."
Ye Beixuan joked, "With Junior Brother Han with us, no one needs to worry about having a retreat path, haha."
The others all burst into laughter. In that moment, the entire courtyard was filled with joy.
Chu Caiyi softly said, "It's been a long time since I last went down the mountain. If senior brothers and sisters don't mind, I'd like to go and take a look as well."
Everyone exchanged glances, then replied in unison, "Of course you can."
Seeing his disciples so united, Chu Feng's lips curved into a smile. "Not bad. At last, I can witness a moment of harmony and camaraderie among you all. Hand over your Sword Jades, and return in seven days to retrieve them from me."
"Yes!"
Xiao Chen and the others answered in unison.
Fang Mu, Chen Qianqian, and Bai Qian didn't plan to participate in this matter. They had only recently become Chu Feng's disciples and naturally wanted to spend more time cultivating under their master.
Seven days later—
Everyone appeared outside Chu Feng's private courtyard with great anticipation.
Dressed in white, Chu Feng stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"We greet master."
"No need for formalities."
As he spoke, Chu Feng waved his sleeve, and eight beams of jade light flew toward the eight disciples.
When they caught the Sword Jades, they saw each one carved with an image of their master executing a sword strike.
Moreover, each jade depicted a different sword technique.
Chu Feng slowly said, "These Sword Jades I carved can be used individually, or the seven of you can use them together to form the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Formation. This formation is equivalent to seven versions of me striking together."
Hiss…
Everyone instinctively drew in a sharp breath upon hearing this.
No wonder their master had said earlier that the new Sword Jades could withstand a Saint.
They all bowed respectfully. "We thank master for bestowing us with these treasures."
Chu Feng waved it off. "No need for more words. As I always say—come back alive. You may go. Senior Yishan, please stay behind."
"Understood."
The group answered and began walking out of the courtyard.
Marquis Yishan's figure appeared beside Chu Feng.
With a smile, he said, "I wonder what Chief Chu needs from this old man."
Chu Feng lightly waved his sleeve, and a jade sword about half an inch long appeared in Yishan's hand.
"If you run into any trouble with those from Dayan Sacred Land, just show them this sword. I trust they'll know what to do."
Marquis Yishan chuckled. "Chief Chu, don't worry. I'll make sure to advise those blind fools properly. After all, they wouldn't want to catch your attention. Farewell."
"Farewell."
As Chu Feng spoke, Marquis Yishan vanished from the courtyard.
Chu Feng looked toward the gate, where the silhouettes of his disciples had already disappeared beyond the horizon…
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