Chapter 282: 229 Zhangg Demon King, Evil God, Ancestor Spirit, Priest, Warrior!
Tan State is located in the southwestern region of the Central Continent, a vast yet narrow land.
The grand fleet of the Heaven Mending Sect swept across the northern edge of Tan State, arriving at their destination—
"Cangyan Mountain."
Chen Jichuan stood on the deck of the ship, gazing out over Cangyan Mountain. At a glance, he saw peculiar peaks, strange stones, unusual forests, and a secluded atmosphere. Additionally, its bridges and towers seemed to possess the divine craftsmanship of nature, while ancient temples added a touch of verdant charm to the mountainous landscape.
"How many travelers have become intoxicated amidst these mountains, leaving their verses and inscriptions upon its stones throughout the ages."
Chen Jichuan’s eyes revealed anticipation.
Cangyan Mountain is a renowned site in Tan State. The mountain itself does not host any exceptional treasures. Traditionally, it has been frequented by cultivators seeking to enjoy scenic beauty and indulge the soul. In recent years, seven True Persons from the seven Immortal Sects in the Central Continent have taken residence here, cultivating and discussing Dao together, earning the nickname ’Cangyan Seven Friends’ among the people.
When the earth cavern suddenly appeared within Cangyan Mountain, it was witnessed by many visitors and naturally by the ’Cangyan Seven Friends.’ They immediately sealed the news about the earth cavern and reported it to their respective sects.
This is the reason for Chen Jichuan’s current journey.
The eastern peak of Cangyan features a cliff that extends midway between its slope turning westward and the western peak’s cliff, forming a mountain pass. A mountain gate ingeniously built upon the terrain conceals itself amid dense forests and deep valleys.
Several miles northwest of the western cliff lies another pass, formed with Luantai Nao, where mountain gates and archway towers are hidden alongside.
Without entering Luantai Pass, the mountain gate would remain unseen. Even upon entering the pass, the lush sandalwood forest remains hidden.
This is the first marvel of Cangyan Mountain, known as ’Rock Pass Locking Green.’
"Nowadays, Cangyan Mountain is not merely home to the ’Cangyan Seven Friends.’ Our sect’s Supreme Elder along with the Supreme Elders from the other six Immortal Sects are here as well, guarding the entrance to the earth cavern."
Luo Pu explained to Chen Jichuan and his companions as they moved along.
The fleet landed outside Cangyan Mountain, and the group ascended step by step.
"Supreme Elders—"
"It seems the Immortal Sects truly consider the earth cavern significant."
Chen Jichuan thought to himself.
He had never had the fortune to encounter the Supreme Elders of his own sect, but he knew that only cultivators at the late stage of Enlightenment were addressed as ’Supreme.’ Such individuals were rare even in Heaven Mending Sect, not to mention across the entire Central Continent or Slaughter Ring Sea.
The fact that there were seven Supreme-level figures currently gathered in the mountain vividly demonstrated the major sects’ earnest attention toward the earth cavern.
The group traversed into Cangyan Mountain, passing through ’Rock Pass Locking Green,’ savoring the sights of ’Wind Spring Washing Jade,’ crossing ’Noon Shade,’ wading past ’Bijian Lingtan,’ climbing ’Hanging Stairway to the Clouds,’ and stepping across ’Bridge Temple Flying Rainbow.’
Finally, they arrived at the original gathering place of the ’Cangyan Seven Friends,’ a scenic retreat named ’Jueyan Huilan.’
Positioned upon a precipice between the western peaks, it featured daoist schools, precarious towers, ceremonial halls, and pagodas built into the cliffside, with winding plank paths carved along the walls leading to them. Ascending along these paths seemed as treacherous as walking through the Sword Pavilion, suspended in mid-air, connecting to the void above and the unfathomable depths below. Turning corners and scaling to the peak, the view stretched to multitudes of overlapping mountain ranges resembling boundless waves, while the canyon of Hundred Crane Spring unfolded in full display beneath.
"What majestic scenery."
"No wonder the seven True Persons are enamored with this place and reluctant to leave."
Chen Jichuan found his spirits lifted by the sight before him.
Looking ahead, they saw disciples from the seven sects guarding the plank paths, leading Chen Jichuan and the group further in. Qi Refinement disciples were guided elsewhere, while Chen Jichuan and the other Enlightenment True Persons continued onward, arriving before a grand and imposing hall.
The hall was named ’Huaigu.’
Inside, a dozen or so figures were seated in their respective positions, their auras restrained yet extraordinary. At the foremost positions sat seven distinct figures—the Seven Sects Supreme.
Chen Jichuan’s party had arrived relatively early. Before them, only the cultivators of Jiuding Mountain had beaten them here, with the other five sects trailing behind.
Thus, the hall contained few individuals—apart from the seven Supreme figures, there were ten cultivators from Jiuding Mountain and seven others dressed in varying robes, presumably the local ’Cangyan Seven Friends.’
The assembled individuals exchanged greetings and took their seats before engaging in casual conversation. Even the seven Supreme Elders maintained small talk, abstaining from delving into the main agenda, as they awaited all cultivators from the remaining five sects to arrive before discussing matters pertaining to the earth cavern’s exploration and development.
Being relatively junior in standing, Chen Jichuan was not well-acquainted with even the True Persons of his own sect, let alone those of other Immortal Sects.
Thus, he sat quietly, occasionally exchanging brief remarks with Zhu Yu and Li Yun’ai, but mostly observing the various figures in the gathering.
"Jiuding Mountain’s Artifact Refining Technique is renowned throughout the Central Continent, and its reputation is well deserved."
Chen Jichuan’s sharp gaze appraised the crowd, immediately gaining Insight.
Among the Jiuding Mountain True Persons present, many were versed in Artifact Refining techniques, yet most lacked depth in their studies. Only the Supreme Elder of Jiuding Mountain, ’Wang Qin,’ and another cultivator named ’Yangg Jingyuan’ stood out as exceptional practitioners.
Both were Second-order Refiners, with accomplishments far surpassing Chen Jichuan’s own.
Moreover—
Yangg Jingyuan’s expertise in Array formations was equally remarkable, on par with True Person Jiulong.
"Surely, each sect will have brought their Formation Masters along this time."
The Seven Sects Supreme, akin to stabilizing forces in their respective sects, could not afford to remain stationed long at a single earth cavern.
Even if the earth cavern was critical, they would not linger indefinitely, necessitating the creation of formations to safeguard its entrance.
Furthermore, for cultivators like Chen Jichuan and others to establish themselves within the cavern and secure their foothold, they required Foundation Arrays constructed by Formation Masters.
Contemplating these matters, Chen Jichuan sat quietly, refraining from unnecessary speech.
Time passed.
The remaining five sects amongst the Central Continent’s Seven Immortal Sects eventually arrived sequentially—
The Seven Emperors Sword Sect, Asura God Sect, Five Elements Sect, Jiaye Temple, Ten Thousand Talisman Sect, joining Jiuding Mountain and Heaven Mending Sect, completing the gathering of the Seven Immortal Sects.
Each Immortal Sect boasted its distinct specialties.
Some pursued Sword Cultivation.
Some Body Refinement.
Some were part of the Buddhist Sect.
Others excelled in talisman arts.
As the Huaigu Hall filled with nearly a hundred True Persons, the scene was nothing short of grand.
Once all sects convened, the seven Supreme Elders introduced the current situation, emphasizing unity and cooperation among the sects, before delivering words of encouragement to the gathered cultivators.
Finally, they began to assign tasks.