The conversation with Huangâer astounded Jiang Chen greatly, but his curiosity about the Divine Abyss Continent grew as well. Heâd traveled step by step, beginning from the Eastern Kingdom to the four great sects of the sixteen kingdom alliance, until heâd found out about the Myriad Domain. After entering the Regal Pill Palace, heâd discovered that the Myriad Domain was only a small area on the fringes of the human domain. The Upper Eight Regions was the core of the humanâ domain, where the race reigned supreme. But now, Huangâerâs words had toppled his conception of the Divine Abyss Continent yet again. The human domain amounted a drop in the ocean compared to the entirety of the landmass. Though it wasnât exactly insignificant, it could never again be seen as the core in Jiang Chenâs mind, at least not compared to Myriad Abyss Island.
Noting Jiang Chenâs odd behaviour, Huangâer was worried that she had damaged his proclivity for optimism. "Brother Chen, your talent is exceptional. The Divine Abyss Continent will not be able to limit you. Iâve no doubt that you can contend with even the master of Myriad Abyss Island one day," she encouraged.
She didnât speak solely to console him. As someone whoâd been born on Myriad Abyss Island, Huangâer was quite knowledgeable and had seen many things, including countless geniuses. However, none impressed her as deeply as Jiang Chen did. The things that happened to him were almost mythical in the telling, shaking the girlâs heart time and time again. Jiang Chenâs occasional strokes of divine inspiration only served to enhance the impact he had, even on someone from Myriad Abyss Island like Huangâer. Understandably so, since even a place like Myriad Abyss Island was incomparable to Jiang Chenâs previous life.
Jiang Chen gave her a candid smile when he heard her words. "Huangâer, you donât need to worry about me. No one will take you from my side - not Myriad Abyss Island or the Eternal Divine Kingdom, nor anyone else."
If another had used the same confidence while speaking, Huangâer would perhaps have simply laughed. But they held a different weight when coming from Jiang Chen. She trusted him unconditionally.
Huangâerâs beautiful eyes lit up with joy, but she became more serious after it passed. "Brother Chen, please promise me something."
"Go ahead."
"If I disappear suddenly one day and am taken away back to Myriad Abyss Island, you must promise me that you wonât follow until youâve become stronger than a Titled Great Emperor!"
"Titled Great Emperor?" Jiang Chen was startled.
"Yes. There are many powerful experts on Myriad Abyss Island. For the younger generation, reaching the emperor realm is rudimentary in terms of showing oneâs strength. On the Island, emperor realm is just another realm. One is not qualified to be called a great emperor simply for having achieved it. Great emperor is a title of honor is unique to the human domain."
Huangâerâs removal of the veil of mystique surrounding Myriad Abyss Island caused Jiang Chen to feel a kind of anticipation.
When I become a Titled Great Emperor one day, where do I go then? The worry was always on his mind. Jiang Chenâs vision was not limited to the human domain. His eyes were focused on the heavenly planes. Now that heâd heard of a place like Myriad Abyss Island, he did not feel defeat and helplessness, but rather the satisfaction of a fulfilled expectation.
"Brother Chen, Huangâer has never asked anything else of you. You must agree to this." It was rare for Huangâer to be this stubborn about something. Her bright eyes gazed at Jiang Chen with a kind of earnest determination.
"Huangâer..." Jiang Chen was about to go on, but Huangâerâs slender, pearlescent hands clasped over his mouth. She shook her head slightly. "Promise me."
Seeing her persistence, Jiang Chen knew he couldnât persevere with sheer obstinence. "I promise," he sighed softly.
Huangâer let out a breath of relief. "Brother Chen, this is a promise you must hold fast to."
"Huangâer, donât worry. Rather than looking for you when the time comes, itâs better to not let them take you away. After I cure you of the Curse, weâll brave Myriad Abyss Island together, and turn that place upside down! What do you say?" Jiang Chenâs high spirits were infectious. Huangâer broke into a smile as well.
As the two of them were speaking, a message glyph came from outside the secret room. It was Shen Trifire. "Senior brother, Pill King Lu Feng has come to visit."
Jiang Chen nodded, and walked outside, Huangâer close behind him.
Pill King Lu Feng was in a good mood as of late. He spoke exultantly when he saw Jiang Chen, "Master, I have attempted to absorb the reflections of pill dao youâve given me over the past half-month, and have learned much from them. Iâm eager to try out my newfound knowledge! Please give me some opportunities for field work."
Translated, that was a request for a pill recipe from Jiang Chen. The Deviant Pill Factionâs recipes didnât circulate very often in the outside world. Recipes of higher quality were even more pitiably rare. The pills featured by Taiyuan Towerâwhether it was the Half-step Immortal Elixir Pill, the Heptarune True Dragon Pill, the Tiger Eruption Pill, or the Aeons Evergreen Pillâwere all classics of the faction. Pill King Lu Feng had an itch in his heart that could now only be satisfied by hands on work.
"I can give you the recipe for a pill, and if you do well, we can list it as one of our featured pills as well." Jiang Chen laughed.
"What? Master, please get to the point. I donât like to be tantalized so." Pill King Lu Fengâs impatience was plain to see.
"The Skyheart Nirvana Pill," Jiang Chen announced smoothly. Heâd seen the pill at the Mt. Mirage Pill Battles. Though it wasnât a high-rank pill, it enjoyed widespread distribution.
"Thatâs great, master. Ole Lu will refine it with careâI wonât let the Deviant Pill Faction down!" Pill King Lu Feng was as excited as a child whoâd just received a piece of candy.
"Before you rush off with happiness, thereâs something Iâd like you to pay attention to."
"What is it?" Pill King Lu Feng blinked.
"Keep an eye out for something called the Requiem Wood. If you receive any news through your channels, I will teach you two more pill recipes which are better than the Skyheart Nirvana Pill in every way."
"Requiem Wood?" Pill King Lu Feng was amazed. "Thatâs not something thatâs easy to find."
"You know what it is?" Jiang Chen was similarly astounded. The Wood was an esoteric item, so he was just trying his luck. He didnât expect Pill King Lu Feng to have actually heard of it.
"Four or five years ago, a bounty appeared in the Upper Eight Regions, also seeking the Requiem Wood. The person who found it would be rewarded with an emperor relic! The news shook the Upper Eight Regions at the time, and searching for the Requiem Wood became one of the most popular tasks in the Upper Eight Regions."
Jiang Chenâs insides churned at Pill King Lu Fengâs words. Four or five years ago was the time Elder Shun had departed from the Myriad Domain. Back then, Jiang Chen had still been with the sixteen kingdom alliance, and it was at Eternal Spirit Mountain that heâd first met with Huangâer and the elder. After that, Elder Shun had entrusted Huangâer to him before traveling the world in search of the Requiem Wood. Alongside him was the former Purple Sun Sect disciple, Chu Xinghan. Based on the timeframe, the reward for the Requiem Wood must have been set up by Elder Shun.
Standing beside Jiang Chen, Huangâer briefly froze as well. They exchanged a glance, and discovered implicitly that their line of thought led to the same place. Pill King Lu Feng only then noticed a stunningly beautiful girl by Jiang Chenâs side. He was overwhelmed by her remarkable appearance and manner. Staring dumbly at Huangâer, he stuttered, "Master, is this ... your wife?"
"... Not at all, donât be rude," Jiang Chen scolded.
Pill King Lu Feng chuckled for a while, scratching at his head. "Master-wife, please forgive Ole Luâs impudence. Iâm a rough man, donât take my words too seriously." He saluted to Huangâer.
The latter smiled faintly back. "Pill King Lu Feng, did you see the one who listed the Requiem Woodâs bounty in person?"
The pill kingâs expression blanked momentarily before he sighed, "No, I havenât. What right do I have to request a visit of someone so much my senior? An emperor relic... even the seven emperors of our Veluriyam Capital may not, well..." Pill King Lu Feng trailed off. Something like that was beyond his realm of comprehension.
"Ole Lu, you should secretly try to keep track of any information about the Requiem Wood. Remember, if you have any news, notify me at the first opportunity."
"Master, you can rest easy. Iâm not much interested in that emperor relic. As pill kings, the dao of pills is the only truth for us," Pill King Lu Feng laughed.
"Donât worry, if you really do get the Requiem Wood, youâll receive appropriate rewards as well." Jiang Chen casually waved a hand, throwing a jade token towards Pill King Lu Feng. "This is the Skyheart Nirvana Pillâs recipe. Feel free to study it as much as you want. Remember, once you accept this legacy, you cannot betray it your entire life. If you do, even if the heavenly dao does not strike you down, I shall!"
"Master, you look too lowly on Ole Luâs morals. We pill kings are always loyal to pill dao and our traditions. How could I betray it? If Ole Lu forsakes my master and my tradition, then let me be crushed into pieces, and perish under heavenly lightning!" Pill King Lu Feng loudly proclaimed.
"Good, if you maintain your loyalty, there will be far more surprises than youâve ever dreamed of." Jiang Chen didnât forget to make a promise alongside his warning. Sure enough, Pill King Lu Feng scuttled away joyfully. His expression was sweeter than if he had drunk honey.
"Was that Elder Shun?" Jiang Chen looked at Huangâer.
She nodded, "It must be him, but I wonder where heâs gone now?â
"For someone capable of giving away an emperor relic, Elder Shunâs surely not just a great emperor realm cultivator, is he?" Jiang Chen laughed.
Huangâer inclined her head in confirmation. "Elder Shun is the foster father of my father, and the teacher whoâd initiated my father into martial dao as well. He broke the fetters of the emperor realm over a thousand years ago, and received an empyrean decree."
"So heâs an empyrean expert, then?" Jiang Chen was moved.
"Mm. Empyrean experts are common on Myriad Abyss Island, but they hardly ever leave. For them, any place outside the Eternal Divine Kingdom is too mundane. They are almost never willing to come out, because they are fearful of being tainted by the karma of the lower realms, and thereby have their cultivation progress affected."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, "Assigning truth where there is none."
He was quite disdainful of that so called phenomenon. Smiling softly back, Huangâer nodded as well. She shared similar thoughts. Elder Shun had wandered the human domain for ten years, bringing her with him, but she hadnât seen any such âkarma of the lower realmsâ affecting him. His cultivation was as robust as it had always been. To put it more plainly, it was just a type of estrangement between castes. Those within Myriad Abyss Island looked down on the entire world outside.
"Huangâer, do you think Elder Shun has secretly gone back to Myriad Abyss Island?" A sudden thought flashed across Jiang Chenâs mind. It was difficult to find the Requiem Wood in the human domain, but Myriad Abyss Island was so much superior. Perhaps it was possible to find the Wood there!