Chapter 969: Chapter 602: Saint Master’s Key Arrives at the Northwestern Domain (2)

Countless years ago, the Longyuan World had over a hundred sacred lands, but after the strategies of the three major powers, now there’s only a mere eight remaining, only a twelfth of what it was a million years ago.

The rest of the sacred lands have been completely wiped out within the Longyuan World by the attacks from these three major powers.

"Do you know why these forces are doing this?"

Lu Lin shook his head.

This is the first time he’s even heard of these three forces, so how could he know their purpose?

However, there is no unprovoked love in this world, just as there is no unprovoked hatred.

There must be something in the sacred lands that these three major forces need.

"Hehe, you little rascal."

Elder Cheng Yu jokingly chastised. Over this past month of interaction, he had roughly gauged Lu Lin’s temperament. This guy might look like a handsome young man with just looks, but his powerful strength can’t be compared with cultivators of the same level. The key is Lu Lin is also sharp-minded, sometimes having thoughts but keeping them to himself, for reasons unknown.

Seeing Lu Lin’s expression just now, Elder Cheng Yu knew that Lu Lin had already guessed something.

"These three major forces, they are scheming against the sacred lands, and the root cause is the keys that allow one to advance to the Saint Master’s Realm."

"Keys?"

This time, Lu Lin truly didn’t know.

"Yes, keys. Each sacred land has a golden key. When the cultivators inside the sacred land refine this key into themselves and combine it with themselves, they can reach a realm beyond the Star Emperor. In this realm, after comprehending for thousands or tens of thousands of years, cultivators can clearly grasp the method to ascend to the next realm, and after that, the key becomes useless."

"This is also why the masters of the sacred lands are never permanent and will be replaced after some time."

"I see."

For a treasure that allows direct entry to the next realm, it’s not something an ordinary person can resist the temptation to abandon.

With this treasure, one would be an invincible existence in the Longyuan World, apart from those who also possess a key. Others’ attacks simply cannot break through the defense.

Of course, for those of the three nefarious forces, comprehending the key to enhance their realm is not so paramount.

After all, they are already invincible.

"Alright, Lu Lin, that’s all for today. We will soon be reaching the garrison of the Kongming White Ape Clan. When the time comes, stay by my side, listen more, observe more, think more, and refrain from speaking lightly, or making any unreasonable actions, understood?"

"Understood."

Half a day later.

Elder Cheng Yu’s Flying Boat slowly descended at the garrison of the Kongming White Ape Clan.

Upon stepping out of the Flying Boat, Lu Lin immediately felt an atmosphere completely different from the human world, with vast mountains and towering trees, and the sounds of animals calling everywhere.

Evidently, no matter what realm they’ve cultivated to, demon beasts remain demon beasts, unwilling to easily abandon their familiar living environment.

Of course, the Fox-type Demonic Beasts of Qingqiu Mountain are another matter entirely.

Seemingly aware of Elder Cheng Yu’s arrival, more than forty Star Emperor strong figures of the Kongming White Ape Clan were waiting outside on the open ground below, along with some human cultivators. Lu Lin inferred these must be cultivators from Yunlan Xianzong, a subordinate of General Mountain.

"Welcome, Envoy of the Holy Land."

"Welcome, Envoy of the Holy Land." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The Star Emperors of the Kongming White Ape Clan and the cultivators of Yunlan Xianzong bowed and greeted, and Elder Cheng Yu casually waved, seeing this occurrence as nothing out of the ordinary.

Holy lands like General Mountain hold a superior position in the Longyuan World, and cultivators from within the sacred lands, when venturing outside, are revered as revered ancestors. A mere welcoming reception is naturally nothing at all.

"Envoy Lord, I am Qu Feng, leader of this expedition for the merchant team from Yunlan Xianzong."

The cultivator speaking appeared young, still like a young man, but in Lu Lin’s perception, this Qu Feng had already reached the level of a Star Emperor master.

"Hmm." Elder Cheng Yu nodded.

Seeing Elder Cheng Yu’s indifferent demeanor, the leader of the Kongming White Ape Clan, He Lei, was secretly pleased and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Greetings, God’s Envoy, I am He Lei, the chief of the Kongming White Ape Clan."

This Chief He Lei was as tall as a three-stories-high building, but when he approached Cheng Yu, his height shrank to just over 1.7 meters, obviously not daring to have Elder Cheng Yu look up while speaking to him.

"Hmm."

Elder Cheng Yu also nodded calmly.

He did not express much opinion.

If an ordinary envoy were to arrive, they would typically be biased towards their merchant team without a second thought.

No matter what, Yunlan Xianzong is a force under General Mountain, and if they’re not biased towards them, would they be towards the Kongming White Ape Clan instead?

For ordinary people, it wouldn’t matter, but Elder Cheng Yu is standing from a much higher perspective and naturally won’t easily reveal his thoughts.

"Please, Envoy Lord, step inside."

Seeing Elder Cheng Yu’s nod, He Lei led the way, guiding the group into the garrison.

With Elder Cheng Yu present, the Yunlan Xianzong people naturally felt no fear, following behind Qu Feng into the place.

Inside a large log house, Elder Cheng Yu took the main seat and began speaking slowly as he looked at both parties.

"I know a little about this incident. Qu Feng, you claim that your merchant team’s Lanruo Gold Crystal shipment was ambushed, with all martial artists killed and the goods stolen. After extensive investigation, you concluded that this was done by the Kongming White Ape Clan. Do I have that right?"

"Yes."

Qu Feng answered with a fist salute.

He Lei, standing nearby, grew anxious at these words, "Envoy Lord, don’t listen to his nonsense. Our Kongming White Ape Clan has no need for Lanruo Gold Crystal and would not arbitrarily hijack a merchant team."

"Hmph, true, your Kongming White Ape Clan doesn’t need Lanruo Gold Crystal for cultivation, but your allies, the Four-eyed Spirit Monkey Clan, have a great fondness for it."

"I’ve heard that one of your descendants, He Lei, has been unable to awaken their space talent for a long time. The Four-eyed Spirit Monkey Clan possesses Soul-dripping Tree Sap, an unparalleled treasure for awakening talents. You definitely want to exchange this batch of Lanruo Gold Crystal with the Four-eyed Spirit Monkey Clan for Soul-dripping Tree Sap to awaken your descendant’s talent."

"Nonsense." He Lei stood up suddenly and shouted.

What Qu Feng said was true. His descendant, his most cherished grandson, had reached the age of thirty without yet awakening their space talent.

At the same time, the Four-eyed Spirit Monkeys were indeed allies of the Kongming White Ape Clan, and they indeed possessed Soul-dripping Tree Sap, which could help awaken talents.

But this incident? It was truly not of their doing, and He Lei naturally wouldn’t admit to it.

But it left He Lei unable to argue logically against Qu Feng.

He could only point furiously at Qu Feng, and if not for the concern of Elder Cheng Yu’s presence, a full-fledged brawl might have already ensued.

"Alright, quiet down."

Elder Cheng Yu observed the two’s escalating argument and calmly interjected.

His voice carried a trace of spiritual power, making both parties realize unwittingly and fall silent.

Both were secretly startled.

The envoy from the Holy Land, despite appearing at Star Emperor Peak level, could silence them with a single word. His power was terrifying, truly worthy of being a master from the Holy Land.

"I am aware of the matter; however, Qu Feng, you should first take me to the site where the merchant team encountered the ordeal."

"I dare not disobey."

Qu Feng acknowledged, gave a fist salute, and then departed. Before leaving, he shot a fierce glare at He Lei.

"Envoy Lord, our Kongming White Ape Clan has truly been wronged. I swear to the heavens, we have had no intention towards that batch of Lanruo Gold Crystal..."

He Lei was about to explain further to Cheng Yu, but Elder Cheng Yu merely nodded, "It doesn’t matter; let us observe first. Before the truth is unearthed, I certainly won’t hastily draw conclusions."

"Thank you, Envoy Lord."

He Lei felt grateful in his heart. While Elder Cheng Yu hadn’t declared belief in them or offered them assistance, his simple willingness to investigate the truth was enough to garner He Lei’s gratitude.

Otherwise, if confronted with a more ignorant envoy who readily believed Qu Feng’s account and made a summary judgment, the Kongming White Ape Clan would have no choice but to resist forcefully and be slain.