An old man leading a large group of followers wearing robes of the outer branches of the divine families had come. Only the elder had the word Divine embroidered on the front of his robes with golden thread, indicating he was a true member of the divine families.
Although the old manâs hair was white, his face was dignified, and he had a lofty stature. His eyes were still bright and contained an obscure revolution of life and death within them.
âThis little one greets the senior from the divine families.â When the entire Cloud Chasing Heaven Swallowing Sparrow race was still shocked at the arrival of people from the divine families, Long Chen stepped forward.
The elder looked at Long Chen and nodded. âNot bad. A wildly arrogant person must have the qualifications to be wildly arrogant. Excellent.â
It seemed that the elderâs impression of Long Chen wasnât bad. Long Chen couldnât figure out what exactly this elderâs origin was. âPlease, come in.â
The elder nodded and followed Long Chen inside. The others of the outer branches followed without a word.
These outer branch experts were also in the Netherpassage realm, and their auras were strong. They were most likely true experts tempered on the battlefield.
Que Yuzhu had been intent on accompanying them, but seeing that the elder didnât look at her at all, she decided to take her leave.
Long Chen brought the elder into the guest hall. The two sat in the main chairs, but the rest of the outer branches stayed standing.
âI know that senior must be busy, so I wonât waste any time on tea. May I know what guidance you have?â asked Long Chen directly.
The elder smiled, seeming a bit surprised by Long Chenâs direct style of conversation. It was truly rare for someone to be able to speak frankly with a figure on his level.
He was one of the four members of the divine families who had attended the Martial Heaven Gathering hosted by the divine families, a peak Netherpassage expert.
âIt canât count as guidance. After all, you are someone who dares to slap a sea king in the face. I donât have those guts,â laughed the elder.
Long Chen was startled. It seemed that this elder wasnât hostile to him. In truth, Long Chen was a bit nervous inside. His wings hadnât grown to the point of being able to fight against the divine families, but the Pill Sovereignâs will would not allow him to retreat. If this elder had come in a demanding and overbearing manner, he really didnât know if he would have been able to control his temper.
âThey were just tricked by me. Such a little trick isnât worthy of entering seniorâs eyes,â said Long Chen. He knew that his photographic jade had shocked countless people. But the trick inside it would sooner or later be figured out.
âNot bad, to be both brazen yet cautious. The Martial Heaven Continent lacks people like you. Little fellow, I have high hopes for you,â praised the elder.
âMany thanks for seniorâs praise.â Long Chen cupped his fists.
âAlright, letâs talk then. I came to discuss a certain matter with you. The current continent is split into two factions, one which strongly supports you and one which views you as its mortal enemy. Both sides are almost like water and fire, and the divine families do not wish to interfere in such a thing. However, since the dark era has come and a Sovereign has not shown himself, the divine families have no choice but to take up the responsibility of leading the continentâs experts against the invading races. Without resolving this conflict, thereâs no way for both factions to work together against the invaders. The Elders of the divine families have discussed it and have come to one way to reconcile things. They wish to have you lead the Dragonblood Legion in holding the gates to the Yin Yang World for three days.â
âWhy would I do that?â asked Long Chen.
The members of the outer branches glared at him. In their eyes, this was completely disgraceful. âYou brazenâŠâ
âIâve always been brazen,â replied Long Chen coldly.
This request was not something he liked the sound of. Long Chen could tell that this was partly due to Pill Valleyâs influence. Why should he be the only one defending?
âYouâŠ!â
âShut up.â The elder stopped that person. âYou are correct, the invasion of the Blood race from the Yin Yang World is the problem of the entire continent. Why should you be the only one to block them?â
âExactly.â Long Chen nodded.
âIn truth, this matter doesnât relate to Pill Valleyâs faction. They only proposed something that made us think. In truth, we also wish for your Dragonblood Legion to defend the Yin Yang World alone. Of course, we will not let you do it for free.â
âWhat will you give me?â
âThere are three things. First, the Blood raceâs experts can be refined into immemorial essence blood. Every ten thousand pure-blooded Blood race experts at the Life Star realm can be refined into one drop of immemorial essence blood. That one drop is extremely precious. An Empyrean who has reached the Life Star realm can consume one drop of the immemorial essence blood to have a chance of stimulating their Spirit Blood and connecting to their manifestation. Although it wonât allow their manifestation to grow to the level of a heavensâ soul manifestation, their combat power will definitely greatly improve. Normally, the bodies of the Blood race are shared by the fighters as a reward, but if the Dragonblood Legion fights on its own, you will be getting all those corpses. No one will have the right to fight over them with you,â said the elder.
Long Chen hadnât known that the Blood raceâs blood was so special. To be able to refine immemorial essence blood from it was quite shocking.
âContinue.â However, just this one thing wasnât enough to move Long Chen. Although that was enticing, compared to the danger, it didnât seem to be proportional.
âSecond, while consolidating realms, a true life and death battle is a must for real geniuses. It just so happens that the two months until the Yin Yang Worldâs seal breaks are perfect for all the geniuses to consolidate their realms. They can comprehend the essence of life and death. This can be considered a free trial, and Iâm sure that after such a battle, a portion of your people would be able to comprehend the mysteries of life and death,â said the elder.
Long Chenâs lips curled. âThat logic seems a bit forced. Other peopleâs life and death trials are without danger, but fighting the Blood race will be a true life and death battle. Some will definitely comprehend life and death, because those that donât will be dead.â
The Blood race had definitely been preparing this entire time and had gathered a grand army. Long Chen had seen them through the Sovereign seal. After so much time, who knew what the Blood race had prepared? This second benefit was completely nonsense.
âLong Chen, pay attention to your tone. This is one of the divine familiesâ great Heaven Elders. You should show some respect,â said one of the people of the outer branches.
The divine familiesâ Elders were ranked according to three ranks, Heaven, Earth, and Man, with Heaven Elders being the highest level. Even these people from the outer branches wouldnât dare to mess around in front of this Elder, but Long Chenâs words didnât have the slightest respect in them.
The outer branches of the divine families had been walking throughout the continent for a while now, and everyone treated them respectfully, while the members of the outer branches had to treat the true members of the divine families with even more respect. But Long Chen didnât seem to care about this Heaven Elder in front of him.
The elder frowned slightly and looked at that person. âCan you shut your mouth?â
That member of the outer branch turned pale. All of them shut their mouths, not daring to say another word.
The elder turned back to Long Chen. âI havenât introduced myself. I am one of the divine familiesâ Heaven Elders. I have the same surname as you, Long. You can call me Elder Long. Letâs continue discussing the previous problem. The second reason truly is a bit forced, but it can still count as a benefit. Letâs talk about the third one now. We only ask you to hold on for three days, and after three days, the divine families will replace you. Those are the bloodiest days, and if you can accomplish this mission, the divine families will open the Star Field Divine World for you. It can be considered a mental world, a sacred cultivation land for Netherpassage experts. The Star Field Divine World has never been opened to the outside world, but to face the dark era this time, we must join forces. It will be open only to heavensâ soul manifestation experts, and each power on the continent will only have a few spots to enter. If you succeed in your mission this time, then we will give every surviving member of the Dragonblood Legion a spot to enter,â said Elder Long.
âWhat is the Star Field Divine World?â
âIt is an ancient divine world covering a star. There, your soul will form an illusory you, but it will be just like the real you. Within the Star Field Divine World, you can freely comprehend life and death. You can challenge trials, you can kill, and you can die. But those who die will have their souls return to their physical bodies. Inside that place, you can die ten times. To experience the chance between life and death, such an opportunity doesnât exist on the continent. It will allow your people to rapidly advance,â said Elder Long.
It could actually allow someone to experience death? That was a good thing that moved Long Chen. However, he still acted indifferent. This bait was quite enticing.
âFourthâŠâ
Long Chen was startled. There was more?
Elder Long looked at Long Chen profoundly. âIf you can accomplish this mission, the divine families will consider letting you lead the battle against the dark era.â