Chapter 327: Seeing You in a Bad Situation! Now I’m Relieved!

“The Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator is wildly popular in Mingwang Province, with countless cultivators scrambling for it.

“The major powers of Mingwang Province are all tempted by it.

“The Sect Master of the Celestial Sword Sect, Yan Bailu, has explicitly informed me that four Sacred Lands will be the first to act!” This text is hosted at novèlfire.net

In the Saint Master Hall of the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land, the atmosphere was heavy.

Upon receiving Yan Bailu’s message, Elder Wang Changchun of the Refinement Hall hurried back through the teleportation array, his face filled with worry as he began speaking.

The other elders frowned upon hearing this.

So the powers of Mingwang Province had finally set their sights on them.

In recent days, the gradual arrival of strong individuals from Mingwang Province had already hinted at this possibility.

Now, their suspicions were confirmed.

However, the Foreign Affairs Elder showed little concern on his face.

“No need to worry. The Saint Master is a once-in-a-millennium genius, capable of slaying Great Advancement cultivators even at the Deity Transformation Realm, and with a single blow, no less.

“Based on the Saint Master’s combat prowess, even facing three or four Great Advancement cultivators at once may not pose a serious threat.

“Moreover, the Saint Master is currently in seclusion, cultivating a supreme divine ability. His strength will undoubtedly rise to another level upon emerging.”

The other elders nodded at these words.

Ye Chen’s miraculous achievements inspired unwavering confidence in their Saint Master.

Still, Elder Wang Changchun’s face remained deeply troubled.

“The four Sacred Lands preparing to act are among the most powerful in Mingwang Province.

“Each has mid-stage Great Advancement experts overseeing them.

“For example, the Seven-Kill Star Sovereign of the Beidou Sacred Land once used a Star Array to kill two mid-stage Great Advancement demon emperors.

“The Silent Spirit Venerable of the Fulou Sacred Land held his ground against a late-stage Great Advancement demon emperor.

“The Supreme Elders of the Samsara Sacred Land and the Fusheng Sacred Land are equally formidable, known as top-tier experts across Mingwang Province.

“While the Saint Master is strong, he is ultimately still in the Deity Transformation Realm. Facing four mid-stage Great Advancement experts at once makes the outcome uncertain…

“What’s worse is that other Sacred Lands in Mingwang Province are eyeing the situation. The moment they see an opportunity, they might intervene as well.”

Hearing this, the other elders’ expressions grew increasingly grim.

Their Saint Master was indeed a prodigy capable of defeating stronger opponents, but the enemies this time were four mid-stage Great Advancement experts.

The gap between Great Yan Province and Mingwang Province was painfully evident.

In Great Yan, there wasn’t even a single Great Advancement expert, whereas Mingwang Province could casually produce four mid-stage Great Advancement experts for a confrontation.

“Do you think the Saint Master might break through to Great Advancement during this seclusion?” one elder asked hopefully.

The Foreign Affairs Elder shook his head.

He had considered the possibility but dismissed it after sensing the abundant life essence emanating from the restricted area.

It was clear that this was not the energy of a breakthrough but rather the Saint Master cultivating a divine ability.

“Even in Mingwang Province, with its tenfold population of cultivators and countless prodigies, there are only about twenty Great Advancement experts. This alone shows how difficult it is to achieve such a breakthrough.

“Our Saint Master may be extraordinary, but breaking through to Great Advancement is no easy feat.”

The other elders sighed in resignation, recognizing the truth in these words.

Mingwang Province was simply too overwhelming, its strength leaving them in despair.

As the elders debated their options, a streak of light descended outside the Saint Master Hall.

A Golden Core steward rushed in, his face pale with fear. “Reporting to the elders, four Deity Transformation cultivators have arrived at our mountain gate. They claim to be from Beidou Sacred Land, Fuling Sacred Land, Fusheng Sacred Land, and Samsara Sacred Land of Mingwang Province.”

Hearing this, the elders’ faces turned ashen.

The four Sacred Lands had acted much faster than expected.

Not long after, outside the mountain gate of the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land.

The representatives of the four Sacred Lands from Mingwang Province departed with seemingly calm smiles on their faces.

They hadn’t acted arrogantly during the discussion, instead outlining their demands plainly.

If this were any other Sacred Land in Great Yan Province, they wouldn’t have shown such restraint.

But the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land was different, thanks to its Saint Master, capable of slaying Great Advancement experts while still in the Deity Transformation Realm.

Based on Great Yan’s evaluation of Ye Chen, he was also known for his decisive and ruthless nature.

The representatives didn’t dare push too hard, fearing they might provoke his wrath.

However, despite their apparent restraint, the elders of Heavenly Origin Sacred Land watched them leave with grim faces.

“They actually demand that we hand over the entire Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator!”

“They even want all the profits we’ve made over the past few years!”

“On top of that, they’re demanding the deposits in Immortal Net Cloudpay and even our inter-provincial teleportation arrays!”

The elders were seething with anger.

Such demands were a blatant insult to the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land.

And the final threat they left behind made things worse.

If their demands were not met, the Supreme Elders of the four Sacred Lands would descend in ten days.

Although they hadn’t explicitly stated their intentions, the implication was clear.

Elder Wang Changchun’s eyes burned with rage as he roared, “So Mingwang Province thinks it’s invincible!

“Fine! Then we’ll seal our Sacred Land. With the Saint Master on our side, just give him a hundred years, and his strength will grow beyond imagination. He’ll easily repay today’s humiliation!”

The other elders gritted their teeth and nodded.

“Indeed! Time is on our side, and we have ample resources. Let’s see if these four Sacred Lands dare act so arrogantly in the future!”

Though anger boiled within them, the elders were not without hope.

The Immortal Net Sutra Pavilion was thriving, and spirit stones were flowing in endlessly.

If the mountain was sealed, all Heavenly Origin Pavilions across various regions would need to close.

The monthly revenue of over 20 million from the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator would be completely cut off, resulting in massive losses.

Thus, the elders present harbored extreme hatred for the four Sacred Lands.

“Is the Saint Master still in seclusion?” Elder Wang Changchun took a deep breath and gazed toward the forbidden area.

The Foreign Affairs Elder nodded.

“Then I will consult Elder Nangong Wan later.

“Since we can’t reach the Saint Master, we must prepare in advance.

“Pause all expansion plans.

“Withdraw all resources.

“As for the mines and the costly cross-provincial teleportation arrays, we’ll have to abandon them for now.

“In the future, with the Saint Master’s temperament, when the strength is achieved, these losses will undoubtedly be repaid a thousandfold.”

Hearing this, the elders felt utterly stifled.

Just the teleportation arrays alone had cost tens of millions.

Having to give up after such a short time of use was heartbreaking.

And countless precious mining resources, seized from the Great Mystery Sacred Land, would now also be abandoned.

It was painful, yet no one refused or suggested standing their ground.

As long as people survived, there was hope.

If people perished, holding onto these assets would be meaningless.

Moreover, given their Saint Master’s vengeful — or rather, justice-driven — temperament, once he advanced to the Great Advancement Realm or beyond in the future, he would undoubtedly exact revenge on the four Sacred Lands.

The only question was, how long would it take for the Saint Master to attain such crushing power?

Ten years?

Or a hundred years?

The elders speculated in their hearts, each clinging to hope.

The actions of the four Sacred Lands from Mingwang Province were so blatant, there was no attempt to conceal their ambitions.

Thus, the news of their coercion of the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land to seize the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator spread like wildfire across the two provinces.

But the reactions were starkly different.

In Mingwang Province, cultivators who learned of the news were excited.

They had always been proud, considering their prefecture the center of the cultivation world.

In their eyes, the miraculous Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator naturally belonged to Mingwang Province.

They had long been eager for the day when the device would be accessible to all, after its seizure by the four Sacred Lands.

As for any moral qualms about the act of plundering?

None existed.

Cultivation was inherently a matter of competition.

To them, Great Yan Province was weak and undeserving of such treasures.

Naturally, it should belong to Mingwang Province.

The rest of Mingwang Province’s forces were also watching eagerly.

With features like online transactions and paid lessons, the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator represented massive wealth.

Everyone hoped for its early acquisition.

Meanwhile, other Sacred Lands in Mingwang Province began to make their moves.

A treasure of this magnitude was too tempting.

No one was willing to stand by and let the four Sacred Lands claim it entirely.

In Great Yan Province, however, the news of the coercion by the four Sacred Lands dominated the trending topics on social media.

Previously, cultivators had felt pride at the device’s popularity in Mingwang Province.

Now, reading the headlines, they were furious and aggrieved.

“Doesn’t Mingwang Province claim to be filled with geniuses and the closest to the Immortal Realm, looking down on us as a barren land? Why do they need to rob from us? Shameless!”

“Mingwang Province is just too powerful. We don’t even have a single Great Advancement expert, while they have over twenty. They can act with impunity.”

“Dare to steal from Great Yan Province? Aren’t they afraid of being obliterated by the Heavenly Origin Saint Master?”

“Hah, those four Sacred Lands all have mid-stage Great Advancement powerhouses. Let’s see Ye Chen try to obliterate one!”

“People from Mingwang Province, get off our social media!”

“Sigh! Four mid-stage Great Advancement experts… What a terrifying force. This time, the Saint Master probably doesn’t stand a chance!”

“If the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator is taken, will our shipping, online lessons, and cultivation technique costs stay affordable? I’m worried.”

“Not just that. I trust the Saint Master’s integrity, so I dared to store spirit stones. But if the Mingwang Sacred Lands take over, I’m not sure I’ll even get my principal back, let alone any interest!”

“The cultivation world is survival of the fittest. It’s because we in Great Yan Province are too weak that they dare to act so brazenly!”

Countless cultivators in Great Yan Province felt anger and worry.

If the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator was truly lost, it would undoubtedly disrupt their lives and affect their well-being.

Great Yan Province’s major forces also frowned deeply.

If the device were seized, their interests would be jeopardized.

Furthermore, the cross-provincial teleportation arrays, removing distance as an obstacle, would make invasions by Mingwang Province’s experts far easier.

The region’s entire power balance could shift.

With countless secrets, resources, and mines at risk, some sects could even face enslavement or annihilation.

The cultivation world has always been brutal.

Among Great Yan Province’s many forces, however, the Great Mystery Saint Master alone gloated over the situation.

He wasn’t foolish.

He knew Mingwang Province’s encroachment would affect Great Mystery Sacred Land as well.

But that didn’t matter.

With their immortal artifact, Great Mystery Sacred Land’s lineage was secure.

Ye Chen, however, would lose everything.

Heavenly Origin Sacred Land’s external resources, mines, and secrets would all be forfeit.

Ye Chen himself might even face extermination, for no one would leave such a monstrous threat alive.

The Great Mystery Saint Master smiled gleefully.

As long as Ye Chen was doing badly, he felt at ease.

—

As external chaos brewed, the forbidden area of Heavenly Origin Sacred Land remained silent.

At its heart, Ye Chen sat cross-legged, radiating divine life energy.

He appeared as a deity.

In the next moment, Ye Chen opened his mouth, absorbing the vast life essence into a swirling vortex that disappeared into his body.

His eyes opened, gleaming with divine light.

“The Secret of the Person Character… completed!”

Feeling the transformation in his body, Ye Chen’s lips curved into a smile.

The Secret of the Person Character was indeed formidable.

Its effects, even upon completion, were astonishing.

As he savored the changes, Ye Chen opened his Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator.

Countless missed calls and voice messages from the Foreign Affairs Elder filled the screen.

The elder’s anxiety was evident.

If he was this distressed, something significant had occurred.

Ye Chen remained calm, showing no concern.

In fact, after listening to the messages, a faint smile played on his lips.

He lightly extended a finger, deactivating the forbidden area’s formation.

Then, with a serene stride, Ye Chen stepped out.