Chapter 270: Chapter 55 Wan Hao’s Hometown
Outside the Screen
Chen Jiuge looked at his Senior Brother who hadn’t recovered yet and said with some pity, "Senior Brother, don’t be sad. After all, he’s the Sect Master."
"Sad? What am I sad about?" Wudao Tian asked, puzzled.
"No, that thing," Chen Jiuge gestured with his hand.
"You mean teaching the Master a lesson? Just consider it bragging. If those Elders used their Divine Skills, they could also defeat us in one move," Wudao Tian said nonchalantly.
"After all, those old fogeys have lived so long. Who knows how many Perfect Divine Skills they possess," Wudao Tian remarked wistfully.
Chen Jiuge broke out in a cold sweat. His Senior Brother had appeared outside the light screen, his back turned to the Elders. Chen Jiuge had walked right up to him to ask, so Wudao Tian hadn’t seen the Elders behind him.
"It seems we’ve lived too long, and now we’re despised for it. Past our prime and scorned, indeed!" Yue Shanghua fanned the flames.
Chen Jiuge was pushed out by a barrier of light and couldn’t see what was happening inside. When his Senior Brother reappeared, he was already suspended in mid-air.
Looking at his Senior Brother, who now had thick makeup on his face and a large red flower on his head—the very image of ’Ru Hua’—Chen Jiuge struggled to suppress a laugh.
Li Yao and Yue Yinghua, however, had no such reservations. Their laughter echoed until the fierce battle within the light screen finally concluded.
Gao Jie and Wan Hao fought the Sect Master using their Divine Skills, but they didn’t last long. They were still practicing Divine Skills passed down by their predecessors. In contrast, the Sect Master used Divine Skills he had personally modified to perfectly suit himself. The difference in adaptability and the power they could unleash was simply too vast.
Both fell beneath the tip of the golden-red spear.
"It’s over. The Sect Master is truly formidable," Chen Jiuge remarked, watching the Sect Master single-handedly sweep away all his opponents.
"Junior Brother, only the strongest Golden Immortal of each generation can assume the role of Sect Master," Wen Ruo reminded him.
"The Sect Master is the strongest Golden Immortal in the Sect?" Chen Jiuge asked, astonished.
"If he weren’t the strongest, what right would he have to command us?" Ye Sheng confirmed Wen Ruo’s statement. He then continued, "Focus on your Cultivation. Your current Cultivation level and strength are far too weak."
"If you intend to pursue the path of comprehending the Five Elements before transitioning to the Life Dao, you should visit Wan Hao’s hometown. You’ll gain something valuable there," Ye Sheng advised.
"This competition marks a complete victory for us Elders!" Jun Linseng declared, having thoroughly enjoyed the fight. As Sect Master for so many years, he rarely had time for anything but paperwork and had almost forgotten the feel of a weapon in his hand.
The Elders below, however, were not pleased. Complete victory, my foot! Many of them had been thrashed by their own disciples, nearly losing all face.
Happy or not, the largest competition in the Sect’s history had concluded. It seemed his Senior Brother was the most unfortunate one.
Chen Jiuge gazed pityingly at his Senior Brother, still suspended in the air. Fortunately, the Elders understood that the Senior Brother represented the Sect’s dignity. They had hung him quite high, so at least the True Immortals couldn’t see his face clearly.
「 」
Inside Eden Garden
Chen Jiuge watched Wan Hao feasting and drinking with gusto, wondering how to bring up the topic. We’ve only known each other for a few days, he thought. Would it be too forward to ask to visit his family home directly?
"Junior Brother!"
"Senior Brother!"
They both spoke at the same instant.
Chen Jiuge chuckled. "Junior Brother, you first."
"Senior Brother, my mom asked me to bring you to our home to meet her," Wan Hao said, a little nervously. What if Senior Brother refuses? Am I going to lose another friend?
"Really? That’s wonderful! I was actually thinking of asking if I could visit your home," Chen Jiuge exclaimed, genuinely pleased.
"Then it’s settled! We’ll leave the day after tomorrow," Wan Hao said, overjoyed.
「 」
Wan Hao’s family home was in the Myriad Beasts Domain. Even by Flying Boat, the journey would only take a few days. This was somewhat surprising, but Chen Jiuge found it acceptable.
But what’s the deal with this Transmission Array? he wondered.
"Senior Brother, let’s go. This Transmission Array leads to my home," Wan Hao said, tugging a bewildered Chen Jiuge along.
"Wait, Junior Brother, didn’t you say your mother’s clan came from a minor world?" Chen Jiuge asked, still confused.
"Yes, the Sect granted us a piece of land, and we’ve all been living there for a very long time."
Wan Hao himself wasn’t sure why their clan’s territory had a Transmission Array directly linked to the Sect. From what Chen Jiuge understood, when races from minor worlds sought refuge, being relegated to toil in a Pocket World was often considered a good outcome. Being granted land in the Heavenly Realm, let alone having a Transmission Array connecting them to the Sect, was virtually unheard of.
Perhaps Wan Hao’s mother possesses a truly extraordinary status, Chen Jiuge mused.
「 」
Snake-man Clan
Wan Lina stood at the village entrance, filled with anticipation. Today was the joyous day her son was returning, and she had prepared a lavish feast!
From a distance, she spotted Wan Hao’s sturdy figure. Swaying her slender snake tail, she glided over and enveloped him in a warm hug.
Chen Jiuge stared, dumbfounded, at the petite snakewoman before him. Is this the Snake-man Clan? he wondered. No, this is an Eastern fantasy world... Could she be from the Nüwa Clan? No, that’s a myth from my past life.
Chen Jiuge’s mind was a whirl of confusion until Wan Hao gently shook his shoulder, bringing him back to his senses. "Sorry, my apologies, I was a bit lost in thought."
"It’s quite alright. I’m Wan Lina, Wan Hao’s mother. I’m so pleased you’re willing to be friends with my Wan Hao," Wan Lina said, cheerfully extending a small hand in greeting.
After a brief handshake, the three of them quickly reached Wan Hao’s home.
It was a run-down village, inhabited by very few snake-people. Chen Jiuge had counted fewer than ten on their way, including Wan Lina herself.
They arrived at what appeared to be the newest courtyard in the village. Wan Lina beamed and said, "This is the dinner I specially prepared. Please, eat your fill!"
Gazing at the bizarrely colorful spread of food, the corner of Chen Jiuge’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. What in the world is this? Are those... wiggling things... bugs?
As Chen Jiuge internally debated whether he could bring himself to eat, he saw Wan Hao already digging in with gusto and noticed Wan Lina’s eager, expectant gaze.
Sigh... Chen Jiuge inwardly lamented. Why didn’t I bring Jiao Yue? She probably wouldn’t mind trying new things.
GULP.
Huh, this actually tastes pretty good! Wait, what’s happening? Chen Jiuge felt a subtle surge in his Life Force and stared incredulously at the insect on the table.
He tried another. HISS. It really is the bugs!
And so, Chen Jiuge eagerly joined the scramble for food.
Seeing her feast so well-received, Wan Lina said with a radiant smile, "I knew you’d enjoy it! I spent three whole days preparing all of this."
After the meal, Chen Jiuge presented some Spirit Fruits he had brought. "Auntie, these are a small gift from me."
Wan Lina shook her head, declining. "I can’t accept these."
"Auntie, actually, I came here hoping to ask for your assistance with something," Chen Jiuge said, feeling a bit sheepish after having just benefited from her hospitality.
"Oh? What is it? Please, tell me," Wan Lina’s eyes lit up at the mention of a request, and she then gladly accepted the Spirit Fruits.
As Chen Jiuge explained his situation, Wan Lina listened thoughtfully before saying, "So, you wish to first comprehend the Five Elements Dao to understand Five Elements Life. Then, you intend to directly break through into the Life Dao, advance significantly, and attempt to reach the Heavenly Immortal stage to condense your Tao Fruit?"
Chen Jiuge nodded. Revealing one’s Dao is not the fear; the true fear is having no Dao to comprehend at all.
"I can indeed help you comprehend Earth Element Life. However, I believe merging five life forms of the same tier might be impossible. I suggest you try comprehending Earth Life instead," Wan Lina advised.
Earth Life? This was the first time Chen Jiuge had encountered the term.
"Follow me."
「 」
Behind the village, on a mountain, there was a small spring. Beside it stood a smooth rock face.
A hidden mechanism activated, revealing a dark passage. The three of them passed through it and emerged into a vast, muddy clearing.
"This is our ancestral ground," Wan Lina said, scooping up a handful of earth, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"But it’s almost depleted now. Soon, the Earth Snake-man Clan... will also cease to exist."
"Mom, I won’t let anyone harm you!" Wan Hao declared resolutely.
"Good, good."
"Jiuge, mud effigies sometimes appear here. You can converse with them. If you chat with one for half an hour, it will play a game with you. Win, and it will impart some guidance," Wan Lina explained.
"Remember, you must never harm them. Even a Golden Immortal who attacks them here might not escape with their life," Wan Lina cautioned sternly.
"Just focus on your Cultivation. You can stay for as long as you need. The only rule is not to harm any living being within this place."
"Thank you," Chen Jiuge said, deeply grateful. Wan Hao’s mother is incredibly generous.
Alright, it’s time to get serious about Cultivation! Chen Jiuge took a deep breath, feeling the rich Life Aura suffusing the area, and steeled his resolve.