Chapter 1574
Chapter 1574 (Raw 1556):
Xiao Chen was dancing on a blade's edge. The dangers of the world and the human heart were unfathomable. These were principles that he had grasped many years ago.
Before this, Xiao Chen was valueless in the other party's eyes. Hence, all he got back then was "scram."
The word "scram" was very interesting. Only round things could do that.
[TL Note: The Chinese word for "scram" also means "to roll."]
Humans were not round, they were straight.
When a person said scram, it meant that if you did not do so, he would make you round and force you to scram by rolling.
When Xiao Chen singlehandedly dismantled the Black Scimitar Pirate Group's ship, the blue-clad old man's attitude changed radically. Of course, it was not because Xiao Chen saved him.
In reality, Xiao Chen had not even thought of saving the blue-clad old man's group.
It was foolish to expect repayment from a person who could say scram at the drop of a hat.
Naturally, Xiao Chen knew that the blue-clad old man harbored treacherous thoughts. However, due to his need for Baleful Yin Energy, he had to take the risk.
The interior of the Astral Ship was divided into several rooms of various sizes.
Xiao Chen looked around the room he was in and entered deep thought.
Everything that he did probably would not escape the blue-clad old man's notice in this place.
After thinking for a moment, he drove the energy of his Ice Domain. Snowflakes immediately drifted in the room, filling the place with cold Qi.
The room soon turned hazy. Xiao Chen looked like he closed his eyes and cultivated amid the drifting snowflakes.
---
The blue-clad old man and the half-step Primal Core Realm old man, who were watching Xiao Chen, exchanged glances. They both saw fear in each other's eyes.
"What strong ice-attributed energy! He probably comprehended a domain," the half-step Primal Core Realm old man said.
In the Great Thousand Realms, although the level of the cultivators was higher than that of the Kunlun Realm, the comprehension of wills and domains was not comparable to that of the cultivators of the Kunlun Realm.
The reason was simple. The Kunlun Realm was limited in the Martial Dao. Since most cultivators there could not advance further, they could only improve themselves in areas like wills. The cultivators of the Great Thousand Realms had no such restriction.
The Great Thousand Realms cultivators devoted their time to their cultivation realms.
Life was finite. One had to give up something to gain something.
"It looks like the Cultivation Technique that he mainly cultivates should be ice-attributed. We should pay attention to this." After gaining some understanding, the blue-clad old man stopped watching.
Although the Ice Domain was strong, its difficulty in cultivation was too great. It was not something that the Ice Domain could make up for.
In reality, amid the hazy cold Qi, Xiao Chen was practicing his Divine Lightning Eye.
The third layer of the Divine Lightning Eye posed no threat to existences of the blue-clad old man's level. At the very least, he needed the Eye Technique to reach the fourth layer.
The fourth layer was also a qualitative change for the Divine Lightning Eye.
It could overlap the first three layers of lightning tribulations, reaching six lightning tribulations. Its might would increase severalfold.
The blue-clad old man could not even dream that in contrast to the Ice Domain, Xiao Chen mainly cultivated the Thunder Dao.
All the more the blue-clad old man could not imagine that Xiao Chen had comprehended the Saber Dao.
------
Half a month later, the Astral Ship stopped above a star near the Profound Light Great Realm.
This was Profound Yin Star. Most of the star was covered in dead seas inimical to life. There was only one patch of land: Profound Yin Island.
All the Tianyi Sect disciples walked out onto the deck to look at the island below.
Those with better eyesight noticed that the terrain of the island was very complicated, with many sudden tall mountains and winding valleys.
A faint scary aura lingered in the air above the island, not scattering.
The blue-clad old man walked out and called Xiao Chen, Fei`er, and Luo Nan over. "Go down directly. According to the rules, our ship can only circle in the air."
When Luo Nan heard that, he felt slightly shocked. "We are going down ourselves?"
"That's right. It's the same for everyone. These unwritten rules have remained unchanged for many years. There is a gathering point on the island that was set up by the various sects. After you go down, you will know everything."
Fei`er looked nervously at the blue-clad old man and asked, "Master, is there anything we need to pay attention to?"
The blue-clad old man smiled warmly and said, "Let Little Brother Xiao Chen tell you. There are some things that I can't explain well."
Xiao Chen looked at the blue-clad old man, feeling slightly confused.
"Little Brother Xiao Chen, my two disciples do not have much experience. Please take care of them on Profound Yin Island."
When Luo Nan heard this, he was unconvinced. "Master, don't worry. I will definitely take care of Junior Sister. Our Tianyi Sect does not need to rely on outsiders."
"Impudent, how can you say that?" The blue-clad old man lectured Luo Nan with a stiff expression.
Then, the blue-clad old man turned to Xiao Chen and said, "Little Brother Xiao Chen, please do not mind. I'll leave everything to you."
Seeing the blue-clad old man's sincere appearance, most people would end up lowering their guard. Xiao Chen did not say anything, only nodding slightly.
"Go on, then. Don't lose face for our Tianyi Sect."
The three flew off the ship, descended towards Profound Yin Island, and landed on a flat area there.
Just at this moment, two blue-armored cultivators came over from the gathering point on the mountain and demanded coldly and sternly, "Who is it? What is your business on Profound Yin Island?"
Luo Nan and Fei`er were stunned on hearing this, feeling the other party's arrogance.
On further thought, these should be the experts that the other sects stationed here.
Before Luo Nan could show any anger, Xiao Chen stepped forward and said, "We are disciples of the Tianyi Sect. As arranged, we are here seeking Baleful Yin Energy."
"Tianyi Sect? Hand over the Tianyi Sect's tokens. We need to verify your identities."
The two blue-armored cultivators checked the tokens before looking at Xiao Chen. "You are Ye Bai?"
This identity token belonged to another Tianyi Sect disciple. The back had the name "Ye Bai" carved on it. Xiao Chen nodded and said, "I am Ye Bai. Do you have any instructions?"
"Nothing. I just noticed that your cultivation appears to be the weakest, yet you are the leader of this group. I just found this somewhat strange. Come with us."
After returning the identity tokens to the three, the two blue-armored cultivators turned and left.
The group traveled the mountain road like it was flat ground. Cultivators wearing similar armor were a frequent sight on the mountain.
Xiao Chen noticed that this blue armor contained warm, fire-attributed energy. This was probably used to resist the Baleful Yin Energy.
"The three of you, listen carefully."
While walking, the cultivator leading the way said, "This Profound Yin Island is opened once a year. Now, it does not belong to any sect. All who enter are equal. Everyone has to follow the rules here. Otherwise, they will have to suffer the consequences."
Luo Nan felt very upset when hearing this, wanting to argue several times.
Fei`er felt nervous. However, when she saw Xiao Chen's calm expression, she calmed down as well.
"There are not many rules here, just three. First, you only have one month here. After one month, you have to return to the gathering point.
"Second, there are no rules to the competition among the same generation. All means can be used.
"Third, if there are any grudges, you have to forget about it after you come out."
Fei`er's expression turned somewhat unsightly as she whispered, "The competition is that intense? It is just Baleful Yin Energy. To think that the competition for it is so cruel!"
Xiao Chen retorted indifferently, "Cruel? When this Profound Yin Island was first discovered, the fight between the various sects was probably ten times crueler than this."
Baleful Yin Energy and Baleful Yang Energy were way too important to Veritable Essence Stage cultivators. Furthermore, these cultivators were the foundation of a sect.
The importance of Profound Yin Island to these sects went without saying.
It would be strange if the competition in this strategically important place was not cruel.
Now, Luo Nan became much more withdrawn. "Junior Sister, this place is not like the Tianyi Sect. Be very careful."
Fei`er nodded and did not say anything more.
Xiao Chen, Luo Nan, and Fei`er followed the two armored cultivators. Soon, they arrived at the summit. The gathering place was not far away and had many stone houses scattered everywhere.
"Those stone houses already house the disciples of the other sects. Just pick an empty one. When everyone has gathered, you can formally start exploring Profound Yin Island."
After finishing the instructions, the two armored cultivators headed for the gathering point.
Most of the stone houses already had cultivators. The three just casually chose one; they were not picky about this.
"This one, then."
Luo Nan pointed to a rather desolate stone house and went in.
After entering, they each took a corner and sat down to rest.
Now that no one else was around, Fei`er asked curiously, "Xiao Chen, my master said that you would tell us the things to pay attention to. So, what do we need to take note of?"
Since she raised this issue, Luo Nan looked at Xiao Chen. Although he did not like Xiao Chen, he was somewhat curious as well.
Why did his master get an outsider to teach them?
Xiao Chen looked at the two, and the word "newbie" popped into mind when he looked at their faces.
After thinking for a while, Xiao Chen said, "It is pointless to say it now. When the time comes, you will naturally know."
"Acting all mysterious," Luo Nan muttered. Then, he closed his eyes and ignored Xiao Chen.
Fei`er glanced at Xiao Chen. She found him somewhat unfathomable. However, her instinct said that he was reliable.
------
On a morning seven days later:
"All sect disciples, listen up. Profound Yin Island is officially open!"
The voice rumbled like thunder in the ears of the three.
Xiao Chen and the other two felt stifled and somewhat uncomfortable from the rumbling of the voice.