Divine General Island.
The island was shaped like a full moon, save for a single concave bay in the northwest corner that resembled a ferry crossing.
If one were to look down from the clouds, the edges of this gap were jagged and uneven, looking as though some colossal beast had taken a bite out of it.
The island was vast and boundless, stretching beyond the limits of sight. A rough estimate put its size at several hundred li in circumference.
Within, tree canopies rose and fell, pavilions and towers were scattered about, blue tiles stretched endlessly, and deep courtyards exuded the profound aura of a martial arts sacred land!
At this moment, many figures were already weaving through the pavilions and towers.
From time to time, ecstatic laughter would erupt from some courtyard, startling the forest birds into flight.
As these people leapt and moved, the storage bags at their waists were bulging, and they walked with a spring in their step. It was obvious at a glance that they had reaped a bountiful harvest.
In the dead center of the island, at the foot of Divine General Peak.
Wang Xuanliang and Wang Xuanmin stepped out of a private courtyard of blue brick and black tile, one after the other, the smiles still lingering on their faces.
In several nearby courtyards, the figures of Longxiang Army soldiers could be seen moving in and out of the doorways.
“As expected of an ancient Blessed Land!”
Wang Xuanliang was beaming with joy, his eyes filled with delight. “The abundance of treasures and the density of spiritual energy are far beyond what the present world can offer. Just today's harvest alone is worth more than all the treasures I have seen in the past ten years.”
With a flip of his hand, the eldest young master of the Zhendong General's mansion conjured a strange flower shimmering with a faint purple glow in his palm.
Its petals were layered like clouds, and a gentle spiritual radiance flowed across its entire form. It swayed slightly under the sunlight, looking truly extraordinary.
This object was none other than a Tier Four Precious Herb—the 『Purple Yang Dao-Nurturing Flower』.
This flower had long since gone extinct in the present world. Only a Grotto-Heaven or Blessed Land like this, which had slept in the great void for countless years, could nurture a spiritual item of such a high grade.
“Congratulations, Brother.”
Beside him, Wang Xuanmin, a core disciple of the Qingyuan Sword Pavilion, could not hide the envy in his eyes as he praised sincerely, “It is rumored that this flower is of great benefit to Gangjin Rank experts cultivating fire-attribute 'divine seeds'. If it can be refined into a grand elixir, your breakthrough to the Gangjin Rank will be just around the corner!”
“Hahaha!”
Wang Xuanliang was clearly in an excellent mood. He laughed heartily and patted his brother's shoulder. “I must also congratulate you, Second Brother, on obtaining the item of your desire.”
The place they had entered together was the cave dwelling of a Gangjin Rank deacon of Divine General Peak.
That deacon had perished inside, and most of his personal treasures were kept in his storage bag.
Aside from this Tier Four Precious Herb, a sword spiritual embryo had also been left in the cave dwelling, which Wang Xuanmin had taken.
Wang Xuanmin was equally delighted, the smile on his face refusing to fade.
However, amidst his joy, a trace of regret surfaced. “What a pity...”
“We can only search around the foot of the mountain. The grand array of Divine General Peak must surely contain countless treasures, yet they are beyond our reach.”
Evidently, the two of them had long understood the situation within this Blessed Land.
Even when they first arrived, they had recognized this place as Divine General Peak at a single glance.
They had immediately led the dozens of Longxiang Army soldiers who had been teleported here with them to try and break the grand array, intending to climb the peak and seize its treasures.
“It is indeed a pity...”
Wang Xuanliang sighed. “Just as that person said, the Four Great Direct Peaks within Diaohai Blessed Land require either a core disciple's identity or an inheritance treasure to be opened. We... simply do not have that luck!”
“Forget it.”
Wang Xuanmin also shook his head. “Since we cannot force it, we should clean out this place as quickly as possible, then head toward Ape God Peak.”
At this point, as if recalling something, a peculiar smile crept into his eyes. “Although we cannot ascend Divine General Peak, we should be able to investigate Ape God Peak.”
Hearing this, an expectant smile also appeared on Wang Xuanliang's face, though his tone was chillingly cold. “That will depend on whether the Child of Destiny plays along with our plan.”
“He has no choice but to do so,” Wang Xuanmin sneered. “Father's calculations are flawless; he has already set everything in motion.”
“With four Huajin Rank experts personally hunting him, even if Xiao Wu grew wings, his only escape would be toward Ape God Peak!”
“When the time comes, he will have no choice but to open the inner array!”
At this point, the two exchanged a glance, their eyes shining brightly.
Wang Xuanliang took a deep breath and muttered, “The 『Diaohai Pure Heart Bell』...”
“It is said that this treasure was personally forged by the first disciple of that Daoist Monarch. It can utilize the authority of the Blessed Land to stimulate the growth of the Child of Destiny, and even carry them through the great void, fleeing thousands of li away...”
“The methods of these ancient cultivators are truly far beyond our imagination.”
Hearing this, a trace of worry flickered across Wang Xuanmin's brow. “Brother...”
“Since the 『Diaohai Pure Heart Bell』 possesses such miraculous power, it can already be considered a spiritual treasure! If Xiao Wu really uses it to teleport away, won't we end up with nothing but a basket of water...”
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
Wang Xuanliang laughed heartily and waved his hand, his tone as firm as iron.
“Do not worry, Second Brother!”
“Father has already reached an agreement with that old Daoist Master of the Pei family!”
“We will exchange the 『Renwater Flame Apricot』 we obtain in this Blessed Land for all the intelligence regarding the Four Great Direct Lineages of Diaohai Blessed Land, down to the smallest detail.”
He paused slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
“That old Daoist Master Pei is nearing the end of his lifespan. In recent years, his actions have grown increasingly frantic, and he has traded for almost every life-extending item kept by the various families in the Southern Sea.”
“The 『Renwater Flame Apricot Tree』 in this Diaohai Blessed Land is his very last chance to prolong his life!”
“What does a dying man fear most? It is not death itself, but having even his last-ditch struggle cut off by someone else.”
Wang Xuanliang sneered and continued, “That old Daoist Master was able to escape from that deadly trap back then and live peacefully to the very brink of a natural death. His cunning and vision are of the highest caliber in this world.”
“Yet, his weakness is laid bare right there, unable to be hidden or covered up.”
“Since Father has already sent someone to knock on his door, he knows that he can only nod and agree to this transaction. He cannot refuse.”
At this point, Wang Xuanliang's gaze suddenly turned cold. “Otherwise!”
“Our Wang family would only need to play a few tricks in this Blessed Land to interfere with his Pei family descendants gathering the 『Renwater Flame Apricot』... and shatter his final chance at extending his life. Could he bear such a consequence?”
“Therefore, he does not dare, and cannot, refuse!”
His words were spoken casually, yet they carried the weight of absolute certainty.
“As expected of Father!”
Wang Xuanmin sighed with sincere admiration. “Every step is calculated, planning three moves ahead with every stone placed. I am far from his equal... Then, Elder Brother, when shall we go retrieve the 『Renwater Flame Apricot』?”
“No rush!”
Wang Xuanliang shook his head, a sharp light flickering in his eyes. “That apricot tree is hidden in a secret location on Old Man Peak, unreachable by ordinary people. We can let them hang on the branches for a few more days.”
“We will first go to Ape God Peak to scout the situation, see how that Child of Destiny is doing, and check on our dear Third Brother. It won't be too late to pluck the 『Renwater Flame Apricot』 after that.”
“Scram! I saw this house first! If you dare take another step closer, don't blame me for calling over my fellow brothers from the Four Sects of Nanxiang to chop you into mincemeat!”
“You piece of trash, who are you trying to scare? Everyone is busy hunting for treasure right now, who has the time to bother with you! If you know what's good for you, share a room with me!”
“How bold! Take this!”
The clashing of metal echoed from not far away, mixed with angry curses and muffled groans.
Countless similar struggles were playing out all over Divine General Island at this very moment.
In every blue-tiled courtyard, in every thatched hut and cave dwelling, people were drawing their blades with bloodshot eyes, fighting to the death over a single Yuan Stone or precious artifact.
Shen Xiuhan turned a deaf ear to it all.
He deliberately bypassed the crowds, treading over broken blue stone tiles, passing through wild vines and withered creepers, and quickly made his way toward Divine General Peak at the center of the island!
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