Chapter 277 - 158: Arrival at Last

Within the ravaged canyon, a gust of wind blew past, kicking up loose gravel with a crisp rustle.

The members of the Wang Family were gathered around several bodies, overcome with grief. But there was no time to mourn for long. The dead were gone, and life had to go on.

Soon, Wang Zhen’an, his robes tattered and his injuries still unhealed, immediately reorganized the group. He had them adjust their condition, load the cargo, and check for anything missing. Once everything was in order, they set off at once, without a moment’s delay.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The heavy carriages rolled forward, making the ground tremble slightly. They kicked up thick clouds of dust as they advanced at a steady, unhurried pace, heading out of the canyon toward the dawn.

「Meanwhile」

In a remote range of endless, rolling mountains within the Great Yuan Dynasty of the Southern Wilderness Domain, tens of thousands of miles away, stood a majestic, ancient palace. The mountains resembled a boundless, frozen tsunami, and the palace itself was perched on a peak wreathed in clouds and mist.

Inside the magnificent, resplendent palace, where Spiritual Qi was dense, sat a middle-aged man. He wore a long black robe with a Black Lotus embroidered on the chest and was seated cross-legged on a prayer mat. Terrifying True Yuan, shimmering with a bloody light, swirled around his body.

The next instant,

The middle-aged man’s eyes flew open, and he violently spat out a mouthful of blood. Droplets of crimson splattered across the floor in a random, star-like pattern.

"It failed!"

A look of terror filled the man’s eyes.

According to the memories transmitted by his clone upon its death, the terrifying expert had been wreathed in lightning, emanating faint traces of Dao Rhythm. The sheer might of his presence seemed capable of suppressing heaven and earth. The thought alone made the man’s heart pound with fear, leaving him no time to even consider the grievous wound to his Divine Soul from his clone’s destruction.

’How could an expert of this caliber appear in such a remote place?!’

’It’s impossible!’

’Could it be that he also discovered the secret here?’

’No,’

’I have to report this to the Sect Leader immediately.’

At this thought, the man waved his hand and produced a palm-sized, crystalline Communication Stone that pulsed with a faint blue light. He then focused his energy and sent a message into it.

...

Time flew by like a weaver’s shuttle.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The heavy carriages rumbled on, crushing the earth and kicking up dust, before suddenly braking to a halt. The hundred or so people surrounding them, all armed and travel-worn, stared with solemn, weathered faces at the towering city wall before them. It was ancient and imposing, seemingly hard enough to have endured a thousand years without decay. A flicker of excitement lit up their eyes.

They had arrived at Guangping City!

WHOOSH!

"We finally made it!" someone in the caravan exclaimed, their voice filled with unconcealable joy.

Just then, Wang Zifan, who had been lounging in a carriage in the center of the caravan, jumped to his feet.

"The fairest flower in the city’s grace, I can give you a home, a happy place! Don’t you worry, I’m a loyal guy, no other pretty flowers will catch my eye."

Hearing this, Gu Yun simply shook his head, a helpless expression on his face.

Atop the city wall, several figures in fine robes were waiting to welcome the Wang Family members. Soon, a middle-aged man with a dignified face, a sharp gaze, and a beard walked over. He was dressed in an ink-wash Profound Robe and clapped a hand on Wang Zhen’an’s shoulder.

"Third Brother, you’ve worked hard."

This man was none other than the Wang Family Patriarch, Wang Zhenlong.

"Big Brother, it’s no hardship to work for the family," Wang Zhen’an replied, shaking his head gently.

After the two exchanged a few words,

Wang Zhenlong strode over to the figure whose Cultivation was as deep and boundless as the abyssal sea. With respect in his eyes, he cupped his fists and said deferentially, "Thank you for your help on this journey, Senior."

Wang Zhen’an had already told him everything via a Communication Stone.

When he first heard the news, he had been utterly shocked. ’How could the Wang Family have encountered a supreme expert of the True Monarch Level?’ He had then wondered if this person had some scheme targeting the Wang Family.

But then he had laughed at himself in self-mockery. ’What treasure could my Wang Family possibly possess that would attract the schemes of such a powerful individual? Let’s not even talk about whether he’d be interested or not...’

’...even if he were, with his level of strength, would he even need a scheme? He could annihilate the Wang Family with a flip of his hand.’

’The Wang Family, even with its full might, probably couldn’t even harm a single hair on his head.’

"Mm," Gu Yun said, stepping down from the carriage. He gave a slight nod, his face as placid as still water, without a single ripple of emotion.

"Senior, have you come here on some important business? If there is any way the Wang Family can be of use, we will offer our full support," Wang Zhenlong continued, still cupping his fists respectfully.

"Oh? Have you ever heard of Jue Ding Ridge?" Seeing his offer, Gu Yun had an idea and decided to ask.

"Jue Ding Ridge..." Wang Zhenlong searched his mind for any place with that name in the Great Yuan Dynasty, but nothing came to mind.

He then said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Senior. Perhaps it is due to my own ignorance, but I have never heard of it."

Then, his tone shifted as he added, "However, our Wang Family’s Library Pavilion contains many historical records, accounts of strange lands, and peculiar events from the Southern Wilderness. You are welcome to browse it, Senior. You might find something of use."

"Alright. For now, I’ll take a walk around the city. If I have time, I’ll pay your Wang Family a visit." Gu Yun hadn’t expected that even a family patriarch wouldn’t have heard of Jue Ding Ridge.

’Did this place vanish into the long river of history? Or did it just change its name?’

’Or does this place not exist at all? Was I just fooled by that damaged Jade Scroll?’

Sigh.

’What a pain,’

Gu Yun sighed helplessly to himself.

He then prepared to walk toward the city gate.

At the same time, Wang Zhenlong shot a look at Wang Zifan, raising an eyebrow as if to give him a signal. Wang Zifan understood instantly. He strode after Gu Yun and called out softly, "Boss Xiao, wait for me!"

"I know this place like the back of my hand! I’ve left my mark on every corner of Guangping City."