Chapter 280: Chapter 227: Level 2 Earth Cave!
"Success!"
At Nine Yang Island, atop the Nine Yang Hall, Chen Jichuan lightly waved the ’Taiyang Flame Banner’ in his hand. In an instant, the fire dragon raging in the sky roared before merging into the banner, emitting a searing fiery brilliance.
And thus.
The ’Taiyang Flame Banner,’ which had been painstakingly cultivated over thirty years, was finally completed.
[Magical Treasure: Taiyang Flame Banner]
[Level: Second-order]
[Description: Artifact Refining Master Dai Zong of the Heaven Mending Sect crafted this artifact by imitating the sect’s treasured ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner.’ It contains three hundred sixty-five strands of Taiyang Flame, each transfiguring into fire dragons. Once unleashed, they are unstoppable!]
"The Taiyang Flame Banner."
Chen Jichuan held the small banner in his hand, a smile appearing on his face.
Though this banner was only second-order, it was the strongest artifact he had refined in recent years. Moreover, modeled after the famed ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner,’ it housed over three hundred strands of the ’Taiyang Flame,’ making its power far greater than the average second-order magical treasure. Though it had not yet reached third-order, it was quite close.
"With the three hundred sixty-five strands of ’Taiyang Flame’ being refined day and night, this ’Taiyang Flame Banner’ will, at most, take only one to two hundred years to achieve third-order."
The smile on Chen Jichuan’s face grew brighter.
Even amidst the vast number of artifacts in Slaughter Ring Sea, third-order magical treasures were extremely rare, highly coveted, and hard to come by. The fact that his small banner had the potential to reach third-order was already of substantial value.
Once released, it might even provoke furious competition among True Persons of the Four Apertures and Five Apertures.
Furthermore.
Even setting aside the banner’s level and power, its value was undeniable.
"A single strand of ’Taiyang Flame’ alone can be exchanged for one second-order pill."
"My ’Taiyang Flame Banner’ contains three hundred sixty-five strands of flame. Discounting the refining materials for the banner, just the flames themselves are worth a fortune!"
Even the most basic second-order pill costs about ten thousand spirit stones.
In other words.
The banner crafted by Chen Jichuan, with its stored flames, was worth over thirty million spirit stones, equivalent to eighteen thousand spirit crystals. With such wealth, one could potentially purchase a third-order magical treasure directly.
Of course.
Third-order magical treasures are often priceless and unavailable for sale, even if one wished to buy them. Crafting one’s own is far more reliable.
Moreover.
The ’Taiyang Flame Banner,’ being modeled after the ’Fire Dragon Immortal Banner,’ held enormous potential. Chen Jichuan had also enhanced its refining method and devoted great effort to its cultivation. Its prospects were limitless, potentially breaching even the fourth-order boundary, something ordinary third-order treasures could not match.
"Thirty years, and my tenure is complete."
"It might be difficult to secure reappointment."
Chen Jichuan stowed the ’Taiyang Flame Banner’ away and entered the Nine Yang Hall, pondering.
His assignment to Nine Yang Island in the first place was due to the deliberate favor of the Hall Master of the Five Directions Hall. Over thirty years, using the ’Daluo Heavenly Sleeve,’ ’Daluo Heavenly Fire,’ and ’Najia Divination Method,’ Chen Jichuan had collected a total of one thousand two hundred thirty-four strands of ’Taiyang Flame’ on the island. Among them, three hundred sixty-five strands were used for artifact refinement, some ten strands for cultivating the ’Daluo Heavenly Fire,’ and he still had over eight hundred strands left unused.
The sect was aware of his skills. Even though they showed him preferential treatment, it was unlikely they’d allow him to remain on Nine Yang Island for more than one term.
Chen Jichuan was content regardless.
...
Just as he expected.
Three months after the completion of the ’Taiyang Flame Banner.’
The sect dispatched another second-order True Person to take over Chen Jichuan’s position as the Nine Yang Island protector.
Chen Jichuan felt no reluctance. After the handover, he immediately led a grand procession of twelve disciples and over twenty late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, including Ding Xuan among them, as they returned to the Central Continent.
...
Mount Tailao.
Flame Light Peak.
Within the Five Directions Hall, Vice Hall Master and Southern Region Elder Luo Pu sat high at the main seat, with six others seated below, Chen Jichuan among them.
"One at the mid-stage of Enlightenment."
"Five at the early-stage of Enlightenment."
"And this is just one of the five Vice Hall Masters from the Five Directions Hall—the Southern Elder Luo Pu. The other four Vice Hall Masters likely each have five to six second-order True Persons under their command."
"Calculating this..."
"The Five Directions Hall likely has at least thirty second-order True Persons."
Chen Jichuan looked at the six gathered individuals, silently estimating, feeling somewhat amazed.
He had entered a realm where being second-order had become almost commonplace.
Above.
Luo Pu, unaware of Chen Jichuan’s musings, glanced at him before smiling and introducing him to the other five people: "Here is the one who has held the top position on the Immortal Leaderboard for nearly a century, Dai Zong, known as the ’Jade-faced Judge.’ You’ll be working together from now on, so make sure to bond closely."
"You flatter me."
"My qualifications and insight are shallow. I hope the esteemed elder brothers and uncles here will offer me guidance in the future."
Chen Jichuan refrained from acting superior, rising to bow courteously to the crowd.
"No need to be so humble."
The others laughed and returned his salute.
The Five Directions Hall is divided into five regions, with its operations overseen by Hall Master Shen Chong. Below him are the five regional elders, informally referred to as ’Vice Hall Masters.’
Luo Pu was the Southern Elder of the Five Directions Hall, overseeing all affairs in the southern part of the Central Continent and the regions further south.
He initially commanded five second-order True Persons.
Once Chen Jichuan advanced to second-order and joined the Five Directions Hall, he was assigned to Luo Pu’s authority. Typically, they operated independently, and Luo Pu seldom summoned them.
Now, with Chen Jichuan’s return, Luo Pu had called them together, clearly indicating something significant was at hand.
After brief introductions among the group, everyone turned their eyes to Luo Pu.
A rough-looking second-order True Person named Zhu Yu blurted out impatiently: "We’re all here now. If there’s business, say it. I, Old Zhu, have a drinking appointment I can’t afford to miss!"
The rapport between Zhu Yu and Luo Pu seemed evident.
Luo Pu didn’t take offense or get annoyed. Merely adopting a slightly more serious expression, he addressed the group: "This gathering does indeed concern an important matter. Over the past three to four decades, various ’Earth Caves’ have emerged across the land. Initially, our Sect Master and Hall Masters suspected they were remnants of the Witch God Sect resurfacing. However, after thirty years of investigation and observation, we have determined the origins of these ’Earth Caves’ and ruled out any connection to the Witch God Sect."
"Earth Caves?"
"Witch God Sect?"
Some among the gathering displayed expressions of confusion, while others displayed a sharp glint in their eyes.
Chen Jichuan had heard whispers about this from Cheng Beixuan thirty years ago. Apparently, not far from the Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion, an ’Earth Cave’ had appeared—seemingly a secret realm inhabited entirely by unconventional cultivators and evil cultivators, adhering to a path distinctly different from the practices of Slaughter Ring Sea.
After advancing to second-order, Chen Jichuan decided to stay with the Heaven Mending Sect, joining the Five Directions Hall. During this period, he took time to visit the Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion and briefly observed the ’Earth Cave.’
Unfortunately.
His cultivation level was too high, and the Earth Cave rejected him, preventing a thorough exploration.
Instead, Qi Refinement cultivators were allowed entry.
At the time, he thought it was merely a low-level secret realm and didn’t give it much thought. After spending a few days at the Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion, he returned to Nine Yang Island.
Unexpectedly, the subject had come up again.
Curiosity rose within him—
A secret realm that even rejected second-order True Persons. Despite its apparent association with evil cultivators and evil gods, what had piqued the interest of a figure like Luo Pu?
Not only him.
Zhu Yu and the others also turned their attention to Luo Pu.
"Over the years, seventy-seven Earth Caves have been discovered and investigated. Of these, seventy are accessible only to mere mortals, while approximately ten permit entry for Qi Refinement cultivators."
"But none of them are noteworthy."
"However, within recent years, seven Earth Caves have been identified that allow the presence of second-order True Persons."
As Luo Pu explained, everyone’s understanding began to deepen.
Li Yun’ai, seated beside Chen Jichuan, couldn’t contain his excitement, "I’ve heard these Earth Caves harbor plenty of treasures. Some first-order Earth Caves have yielded Spirit Crystal veins, as well as ’Golden Body Heavenly Silver,’ ’Divinity,’ ’Divine Fire,’ and ’Divine Status’—all rare exotic treasures. For Qi Refinement cultivators, these are top-tier cultivation resources. The second-order Earth Caves must hold even greater value!"
Li Yun’ai, with his wide network and quick access to information, clearly had a keen insight into Earth Caves and their abundant resources.
In recent years, numerous new second-order pills tailored for Qi Refinement cultivators had entered circulation within the sect, prepared using ingredients sourced from Earth Caves. Additionally, treasures obtained from destroying Evil God Temples—embedded with ’Golden Bodies’ containing countless divine fragrance—were refined into ’Heavenly Silver,’ nurturing the Divine Soul.
Moreover, slaying evil gods revealed the ’Divinity,’ ’Divine Fire,’ and ’Divine Status’ embedded with celestial mysteries, extraordinary for cultivation and enlightenment. These items further served as superior ingredients for refining magical treasures and pills.
Yet, treasures from first-order Earth Caves were primarily suited for Qi Refinement cultivators.
Higher-grade resources suitable for second-order True Persons were scarce.
When discovered, they were mostly claimed by the sect for research.
Thus, newly unearthed second-order Earth Caves promised an abundance of resources and valuable treasures for True Persons of the second order.
Li Yun’ai, undoubtedly fascinated by Earth Caves, was thrilled upon hearing this development.
"Then why wait?"
"These Earth Caves are brimming with treasures. Let’s go in right away!"
Upon hearing the news, Zhu Yu immediately perked up, his thoughts of wine forgotten as he wished he could fly straight into the caves.
Even Chen Jichuan couldn’t suppress his growing anticipation.
The other individuals present also displayed emotions ranging from eagerness to joy.
Luo Pu raised a hand, signaling everyone to quiet down. Once order returned, he smiled warmly and said, "The reason for gathering you all is, of course, to explore the Earth Caves. As you were traveling here, the Sect Master already approached me. This time, I will lead a team to the Sixth Earth Cave, acting under the directives of the Third Elder."
The ’Third Elder’ mentioned by Luo Pu referred to none other than one of the three Supreme Elders of the Heaven Mending Sect—a figure rumored to possess cultivation exceeding even the Hall Master Shen Chong, and reportedly more formidable than the Sect Master himself.
"Even the Third Elder is heading there!"
"The sect must place extreme value on these Earth Caves."
"With the Third Elder’s extraordinary strength, entering the Earth Cave becomes a more secure endeavor."
Zhu Yu, Li Yun’ai, and the others initially expressed shock, but their reactions quickly turned to elation.
Having encountered both the Sect Master and Hall Master of the Five Directions Hall, Chen Jichuan could deduce the strength of the Supreme Third Elder. The thought lent him a sense of stability and reassurance.
Luo Pu, observing their expressions, shook his head and clarified, "Don’t get too carried away. According to the Sect Master, the Earth Cave exploration is not limited to the Heaven Mending Sect. The other six sects of the Central Continent are also involved. Following past conventions, figures at the level of Hall Masters and Supreme Elders will likely only sit vigil outside the caves to maintain order and prevent conflicts, thereby avoiding inter-sect warfare."
The Seven Immortal Sects of the Central Continent jointly uphold the Righteous Path.
However, internal strife and resource disputes persist. In the past, sect conflicts escalated into dire confrontations, causing heavy losses and nearly sparking the resurgence of demonic factions. Learning from history, the seven sects reached an understanding: when discovering secret realms or treasure troves, their highest leaders would refrain from direct involvement.
Their restraint ensures that potential disputes between lower-ranked personnel remain manageable.
Should top leaders clash, it could ignite a full-scale war between sects, spiraling out of control.
"If the Supreme Elders are merely overseeing the external situation..."
"And if the Seven Immortal Sects jointly explore the Earth Caves..."
"Then, venturing into the caves not only requires confronting evil cultivators and evil gods but also competing against cultivators from rival sects."
Chen Jichuan silently reminded himself to stay vigilant.
While the Seven Immortal Sects share allegiance to the Righteous Path, their underlying rivalries and competition are relentless. Should they encounter valuable treasures in the Earth Caves, expecting other sects to willingly yield would be naive.
...