Chapter 593: The Hardships of the Ancient Path

Chen Che was unaware of what the group from the Star-Picking Sect discussed next.

He strolled back to the camp.

Chu State, once known as the land of ten thousand great mountains, was now mostly plains. Its moniker, “Demon Beast River,” would likely be lost. Perhaps in a few decades, or even a century, many cultivators would come here to settle.

On the way back, Chen Che saw a cultivator with a long white beard, passionately laying out his grand vision, spittle flying as he spoke:

He spoke of how, hundreds or even thousands of years from now, their battle today would undoubtedly be recorded in the annals of history. If their lineages were fortunate enough to survive until then, any cultivator whose family had participated in this battle would hold immense honor.

The few juniors gathered beside him listened, their eyes filled with yearning.

Other cultivators silently clutched funeral urns, saying nothing.

As Chen Che and the old man made their way through the camp, they were met with a clamorous scene, witnessing the full gamut of the human condition.

Across Chu State, lanterns were already being lit.

The weakest of the combatants were at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, and they were already using their own Magic. It was as if they had plucked the stars from the sky and placed them overhead, and for a time, all of Chu State was filled with a ceaseless clamor.

Cultivators, after all, were a vigorous bunch.

Even having just fought a grueling battle, they couldn’t stay idle. Many cultivators, still wrapped in blood-stained bandages, were even using the day’s spoils of war as wagers for martial arts contests.

There were quite a few of these circles, and the air was filled with constant shouts of approval, whistles, and cheers.

Other, more reclusive cultivators stayed away from the crowds, not joining the revelry. Some sat alone, meditating with their eyes closed. Others took the opportunity to rest and recover their spiritual energy. Then there were those who were collecting fresh blood or binding Souls—

Among those affiliated with both the Primordial Sect and the Star-Picking Sect, there were always some Evil Cultivators.

Certain factions, including Jinyun Valley, tacitly permitted their existence.

However, to Chen Che’s surprise, as he made his way through the camp, the Jinyun Valley area was the most boisterous of all.

Cultivators had been drawn over not only from the nearby Pill Hall, but even from the more distant Internal Affairs Hall, Law Enforcement Hall, and Sacrificial Hall. They crowded together with their hands tucked in their sleeves to watch the commotion, constantly pointing and commenting.

The old and young pair exchanged a look, then immediately enveloped themselves in True Essence and forced their way through the crowd blocking their path.

Many of the onlookers, engrossed in the spectacle, were about to curse after being shoved aside. But upon seeing who it was, they immediately swallowed their displeasure and obediently stepped aside.

“What’s going on? I’ve only been gone for a couple of hours. Has everyone already had a try? Was no one able to subdue this Profound Turtle?”

As Chen Che walked in, he looked up and saw a group of Jinyun Valley’s Golden Core cultivators pinning down the Profound Turtle.

The Profound Turtle still had its neck obediently tucked in, just as it did when he left. But from the freshly churned earth and wet bloodstains all around, it had clearly put up a fight just moments ago—and not a small one, either.

His father-in-law was clutching a saber, circling the massive Profound Turtle, apparently trying to find a gap in its shell to attack.

Beside the Profound Turtle lay a Flood Dragon Python, trussed up, missing half its scales, and covered in wounds. It was Wen Chaocan’s other Demon Beast. Meanwhile, the Little Chick, completely bald and without a single Feather, had revealed its true form. Its two large claws pinned the Flood Dragon Python as it, too, watched the scene with great interest.

“Che’er, Dad, you’re back?”

Hearing his voice, Meng Changtu looked up and patted the enormous Profound Turtle before him.

“We had all the Beast Masters come and give it a try just now,” he said. “Not only did they fail to subdue it, but this brute went berserk and injured several people. Luckily, we were all here and managed to restrain it quickly.”

“We also caught the giant python that escaped. Everyone’s had a go, but we can’t seem to subdue either of them. So, after some discussion, we decided to prepare a ‘Black Tortoise Banquet.’ The only problem is, this turtle shell is too damn hard to crack.”

As he spoke, he held up his saber to show off its newly nicked blade.

Clearly, the group had discussed the matter at length but had come up with no solution.

This Profound Turtle was, after all, the Spirit Pet of the current Azure Dragon Hall Master; it wasn’t going to be easy to deal with. Once it hid inside its shell, there was simply no way to get at it.

“Let me take a look.”

Chen Che walked over.

“Be careful. This brute looks slow-witted, but it’s actually very cunning. Don’t let it hurt you.”

Seeing that Chen Che was about to make a move, his father-in-law stabbed his saber into the ground and backed away. “By the way,” he added, “what did the Star-Picking Sect have to say?”

“They said that in seven days, the Primordial Sect and Star-Picking Sect will depart from Chu State and advance on Mist Rain Tower together. The rest was just a bunch of meaningless nonsense.”

Chen Che answered casually, his hands clasped behind his back. He paid no mind to his father-in-law’s warning.

‘This Profound Turtle might not be weak, but it’s no match for me.’

‘Still, I remember its defense quite vividly. That Gourd I used, though not at full power, was more than an ordinary Demon Beast could withstand. Yet it only knocked the creature over, a testament to this brute’s incredible physical toughness.’

He circled the Profound Turtle once more and confirmed there were no gaps in its shell. After a moment of contemplation, Chen Che decided to stop messing around. With a flick of his finger, a Sword Pill materialized, hovering at its tip.

Innumerable Flying Swords peeled away from the Sword Pill as if unspooling from a cocoon, then converged to form a single, seven-foot sword.

Then, with a flip of his hand, he flipped the mountain-sized Profound Turtle onto its back. With a loud THUD, its shell hit the ground, leaving its belly exposed to the sky.

“ROAR—”

The Profound Turtle instantly realized what was about to happen and roared in terror. Its colossal, pillar-like legs flailed wildly, trying to flip itself over and escape.