Chapter 601 - 551: Heavy Pupils, Challenge Before the Array

Chapter 601: Chapter 551: Heavy Pupils, Challenge Before the Array

The activity from Mist Rain Tower was still ongoing.

Not only were pavilions built in the gaps between each waterfall, but they were even connected to one another by stone bridges. The once-desolate Celestial River Mountain Range had, in just half a month, sprouted a magnificent stone fortress, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Atop the pavilions, bridges, and the fortress pass, rows upon rows of cannon platforms and Crossbow Beds were neatly arranged...

Of course.

The allied forces of the two sects did not just sit by and watch. They launched several probing assaults during this time.

But Mist Rain Tower’s determination to build the fortress was unshakable, and the numerous probes all ended in failure. After a series of meetings, the allied forces finally decided to engage the enemy in a protracted war.

Looking out from the high mountains of Chu State at this moment, one could see that the Mist Rain Tower Cultivators who had streamed in already numbered over two hundred thousand. Countless Mist Rain Tower battle flags stood proudly atop the waterfalls. As soon as night fell, the clang of Weapons, the clamor of voices, and the shrieks of Demon Beasts would merge into a single, terrifying roar.

Chen Che stood on the mountaintop, and beside him, Meng Qianxun’s brow was also furrowed.

Before setting out, they had considered all sorts of possibilities:

They had imagined being heavily besieged and suffering terrible casualties. They had imagined sweeping across the plains like an unstoppable force. But they had never imagined that a full month after their departure, they still wouldn’t have set a single foot into Mist Rain Tower’s territory.

「That night.」

The moon rabbit seemed to hide behind the clouds, peeking down at the blood-soaked battlefield. Across Chu State and the Celestial River Mountain Range, innumerable bonfires and glowing Magic spells formed a brilliant ribbon of light.

Just then, Yu Qian’s voice came from behind him.

"Valley Master Chen, I’ve been looking all over for you."

"Are the Fierce Eyes refined?" Chen Che’s eyes lit up upon seeing Elder Yu. The past few days had felt like years to him. Spies from the front lines had reported that Wen Yangxi had come out of seclusion, bringing the elite vanguard of his clan, and was now rushing towards the Celestial River Mountain Range.

He figured that revenge would be their top priority this time.

But with Yu Qian still in seclusion, all he could do was worry anxiously.

"It was finished three days ago."

Yu Qian said, his voice full of vigor, "However, there was a small error at the final stage of fusing the four eyeballs, and it almost ruined everything. That’s why I’ve been fine-tuning it these past few days. If I hadn’t succeeded, how could I have dared to come see you?"

The components were the Fierce Eyes, a Same-Tier hawk’s eye, and three other Demon Beast eyeballs.

One more step up, and the artifact could have reached Tier Four.

But he wasn’t confident he could succeed. If he had forced the refining, all five eyeballs might have been destroyed.

"What a pity."

Chen Che couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

But he had to accept it. It was a matter of fate.

"Although it didn’t reach Tier Four, it’s no weaker than some Tier Four Magical Artifacts. According to my tests, these Fierce Eyes can provide a Divine Sense boost of 240 percent, a full 100 percentage points more than before."

As Yu Qian spoke, he waved his hand, and an ancient-looking necklace appeared in his palm.

For context, the original Fierce Eyes provided a Divine Sense boost of 140 percent. Now, that had been increased to 240 percent. With a total effective multiplier of over three times, it was indeed comparable to some Tier Four Magical Artifacts.

"What an exquisite Magical Treasure."

Chen Che couldn’t help but praise it at first sight, his disappointment that the Fierce Eyes hadn’t reached Tier Four instantly vanishing.

Beside him, Meng Qianxun’s eyes also lit up.

Several other Golden Core Cultivators nearby also gathered around, unable to hold back their praise after just one look.

Originally, the various eyeballs were of different sizes. Everyone had expected the modified Magical Artifact would look like stars orbiting a moon, with the smaller eyes encircling the main Fierce Eyes. Instead, the outward appearance of the Fierce Eyes hadn’t changed much; the difference was all in the details.

The golden hawk’s eye was set in the center of the Fierce Eyes, forming a vertical, golden slit pupil.

The other two eyes were inlaid in the upper right, one large and one small, set close to the golden pupil. At first glance, it strongly resembled the legendary Heavy Pupils, looking more like a work of art than a Magical Artifact.

Compared to before, it now possessed a great deal more ferocity and majesty.

"Che’er, hurry and test its power," Meng Qianxun urged from the side.

"Alright."

He grasped the Heavy Pupils.

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Che’s eyes, and the Magical Artifact in his hand seemed to come alive. A colossal wave surged in his sea of consciousness as his Divine Sense churned and swept out beyond the mountains. The vast Divine Sense rushed forth, extending all the way to the edge of the Celestial River Mountain Range before its momentum began to fade.

Originally, after Chen Che’s Divine Sense Level reached the Golden Core Seventh Layer, it had been tempered and enhanced by the Divine Court Incense, increasing its range from the initial 200,000 zhang to about 320,000 zhang. He was still 80,000 zhang short of the 400,000 zhang range of the Golden Core Eighth Layer.

But now...

...with the boost from the ’Heavy Pupils’, it reached a staggering 1,080,000 zhang!

And this was already the strength of a Nascent Soul Cultivator’s Divine Sense.

Moreover.

Chen Che had a premonition that this was far from the ’Heavy Pupils’’ limit. If he were willing to push it, the boost could be increased by another 30 to 40 percentage points.

"You’ve discovered it too?"

Seeing Chen Che’s questioning look, the corners of Yu Qian’s mouth lifted into a slight grin. "This is the very reason the Heavy Pupils didn’t reach Tier Four! I placed a degree of suppression and Sealing on each of these eyeballs to ensure they could fuse with the central Fierce Eyes."

"However, that doesn’t mean their full power can’t be used. At a critical moment, you can break past the ’240 percent’ limit of the Heavy Pupils. But the price is that the five eyeballs within the Magical Artifact will interfere with each other, causing the artifact to shatter."

"This can be your trump card. Of course, it would be best if you never have to use it!"

"Elder Yu is truly ingenious."

Chen Che couldn’t help but praise him after hearing the explanation.

"Yes, yes... Elder Yu is truly modest. Though he said he couldn’t do it, he still managed to forge a Magical Artifact with power comparable to a Tier Four item using just a few Tier Three Magical Artifacts."