Chapter 243: Chapter 211: Ten Directions City, This Can Also Be Considered a Demon Fiend?

No one had ever heard of the Immortal Origin Land; the name was completely foreign to them.

So when the Golden Thread Pavilion’s Elder mentioned this place, everyone present, including the State Lords of the Six States, was completely bewildered. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Those who reached the position of State Lord were already considered core members of the Golden Thread Pavilion, yet even they didn’t know what this place was.

The Immortal Origin Land? What was that?

"Do you know that the Outer Continent and the Central Continent were once a single landmass, guarded by the Five Great Celestial Sects?

But why is it that today the Outer Continent and the Central Continent are separated by the Forbidden Sea, the Central Continent is sealed off, and the Five Great Celestial Sects have vanished without a trace?"

The Elder spoke softly, but he shook his head upon seeing the bewildered faces below him, none of whom knew the reason why.

It was like casting pearls before swine.

"Forget it! You all have no right to know these secrets. All you need to know is that the Forbidden Artifact Fragments, and even the Forbidden Artifacts we have obtained, all come from the Immortal Origin Land!"

Forbidden Artifacts come from the Immortal Origin Land?!

’Haven’t Forbidden Artifacts always been circulating out in the world?’

The only ways to get a Forbidden Artifact Fragment were to find an ownerless one in a place like a Daoist Scripture Land, or to kill a Cultivator who had already fused with one and take it from them.

This was the first time anyone had learned the true origin of Forbidden Artifacts.

’Doesn’t that mean that if we can just get into the Immortal Origin Land, we’ll have a chance to get Forbidden Artifact Fragments, or even a whole Forbidden Artifact?’

This news stunned everyone present, but they quickly snapped out of it.

’No wonder so many Demon Fiends have gathered here, causing a Demon Calamity!’

’If word of this got out, every Cultivator would go crazy! They might even become more frenzied than the Demon Fiends!’

Even they could feel greed stirring in their hearts.

These were Forbidden Artifacts they were talking about!

’No wonder we had no information. So the Golden Thread Pavilion knew everything all along. But why reveal it now? Aren’t they afraid we’ll leak it?’

Although they had been the ones to boldly ask, it was still surprising to many that the Golden Thread Pavilion would answer so truthfully.

Everyone looked at the Elder at the head seat who had spoken, completely bewildered.

"Heh heh."

The Elder gave a slight smile.

"Even if I didn’t say anything, this matter would have been exposed soon enough. The Demon Calamities are breaking out more and more frequently. The matter of the Immortal Origin Land was bound to be revealed."

"Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been qualified to know!"

"But it doesn’t matter if you know now. The Immortal Origin Land is not a place one can enter so easily. If you all behave yourselves, once this Demon Calamity is quelled, I can report back to the Sect and perhaps secure some opportunities for you."

Everyone present, who had just been thrilled, immediately calmed down upon hearing the Elder’s words as they suddenly realized something.

’That’s right. Even the information about the Immortal Origin Land came from the Golden Thread Pavilion. That must mean their knowledge and control over the place are far beyond anyone else’s.’

No matter how strong they were, even if they united, they would be no match for the Golden Thread Pavilion, one of the hegemons of the Treasure Temple Domain.

As an overlord of the continent, its position was stable and its power immense. How could they possibly hope to challenge it?

Since the Golden Thread Pavilion had revealed this news in advance, they must be using it as leverage to make them behave and bind them all together.

’The power to decide who could enter the Immortal Origin Land must also be in the Golden Thread Pavilion’s hands.’

The Elder was very satisfied to see that everyone present understood the situation, and he exchanged a smile with the other Elder.

"Now, let’s talk about the Demon Calamity.

These disgusting creatures have already devastated more than half of Celestial Jing State. If this continues, the entire Celestial Jing State will be on the brink of collapse, and the whole State Territory will become a living Hell, overrun by a chaotic horde of demons."

"You now know about the Immortal Origin Land, but the opening of its entrance is not something we can control, nor are we certain where it will open.

If Celestial Jing State falls and the Demon Fiends seize the entrance to the Immortal Origin Land, their power will surely grow once more, and they will become even more difficult to deal with.

I trust that is not a situation any of us wish to see!"

"So, for the sake of the Immortal Origin Land, what brilliant plans can you offer?"

The two Elders both smiled as they looked at the crowd, awaiting their suggestions. Below, the hall quickly filled with discussion once more.

...

HSSSSSS—

As the very last bit of flesh and blood was absorbed into the bead, Yang An let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his brow. He was nearly exhausted to the point of collapse, and not a single drop of Mana remained in his body.

Fortunately, as he scoured the entire city with his senses, he could no longer detect the auras of many Demon Fiends. The few that remained were just scattered minions, nothing to worry about.

Once he was past this city, he would soon reach his destination: Ten Directions City.

But to Yang An’s surprise, the number of Corpse Transformation Demon Fiends in the city was staggering.

There were nearly forty Corpse Transformation Demon Fiends in total!

Initially, he had only sensed about twenty-odd Corpse Transformation Demon Fiends in the entire city, along with countless other Demon Fiends, which was why he had felt safe enough to enter.

But to his surprise, while he was in the midst of slaughtering and absorbing the Demon Fiends’ flesh and blood, other Great Demon Fiends were drawn over, forcing him into a fierce battle with them.

Thanks to the power of his Light Magic, he managed to annihilate over a dozen Great Demon Fiends, finally bringing the situation under control.

He found a hidden spot, activated his Illusion Technique to conceal his aura, and took the opportunity to recover his Mana. It wasn’t until over four hours later that he was finally restored to a state of Perfection.

The Earth Spirit Stele had not yet fully recovered, but Yang An could sense that it wouldn’t be long now.

Now that he was close to Ten Directions City, while the Earth Spirit Stele was important, the Golden Thread Sect Seal was equally crucial.

’I should head to Ten Directions City first, find the State Lord of Zichuan State, and get the Golden Thread Sect Seal. I can gather the flesh and blood I need on the return trip.’

It was now broad daylight, with the scorching sun hanging high in the sky. Yang An quickly took flight, left the area, and headed toward Ten Directions City.

Two hours later, Yang An was finally approaching Ten Directions City, now less than a thousand meters away.

The city before him was majestic and imposing, its interior stretching beyond sight. ’As expected of the capital of Celestial Jing State,’ Yang An thought.

The other cities he had passed through were all devastated from the Demon Fiends’ rampage; only Ten Directions City remained perfectly intact.

As he drew near, Yang An immediately sensed the auras of countless Cultivators inside the city.

Cultivators at the Visceral Stone level were a dime a dozen, and those at the Corpse Transformation level were countless. There were also many whose Cultivation Levels he couldn’t discern at all—they had to be experts at the Zombie God level or higher, perhaps even more terrifying than that.

’With my Cultivation Level, I’d be completely unremarkable if I went inside the city.’

’It’s just as I’d expect from the Golden Thread Pavilion. Only a hegemon of the Treasure Temple Domain could assemble so many Great Power Cultivators in one place.’

At the same time, he also sensed the auras of numerous Demon Fiends outside Ten Directions City. Celestial Jing State was crawling with them, and the outskirts of the city were no exception. Among them, too, were beings whose Cultivation Levels he couldn’t gauge.

Yang An had no choice but to conceal his aura as best he could and slowly approach Ten Directions City, trying to avoid being noticed by any Demon Fiends.

But when he arrived beneath the city gates of Ten Directions City, he saw that the gates were tightly shut. Many Cultivators atop the walls sensed his arrival at once and looked down at him warily.

"Demon Fiend approaching! Everyone on high alert!"

"..."

Before Yang An could even speak, a shout came from atop the city wall. Instantly, he could sense a large number of Cultivators moving in his direction.

’I haven’t even done anything. How can they mistake me for a Demon Fiend?’

"I am the Sect Leader of the Mystic Path Sect from San Valley City in Zichuan State. I have come to Ten Directions City specifically to find the State Lord of Zichuan State. Fellow Daoists, I ask that you please allow me entry!"

Seeing more and more Cultivators gathering on the city wall, Yang An immediately explained himself.

After hearing Yang An, the leading Cultivators stared at him, sizing him up from head to toe before one of them spoke.

"If you are truly a fellow Daoist from Zichuan State and a Sect Leader, please show us your Sect Seal to prove your identity. Once we’ve verified it, we can let you in."

’Huh? A Sect Seal? Don’t tell me they mean the Golden Thread Sect Seal?’

Yang An was suddenly speechless. He had come here precisely for the Golden Thread Sect Seal, and now they were asking him to show it to prove his identity. This...

He suddenly realized. ’The entirety of Celestial Jing State is swarming with Demon Fiends, and Cultivators from every region have gathered in Ten Directions City. These are desperate times, so of course entry and exit are strictly controlled.’

’Damn it! I never thought about this when I left Jinzhu City. That Black and White Head never mentioned it either. How careless of me.’

"My Sect was just recently established in Zichuan State. The reason I’ve come is to find the State Lord of Zichuan State and receive my Golden Thread Sect Seal. I ask that you fellow Daoists please be lenient.

Once I’ve met the State Lord and have the Golden Thread Sect Seal in hand, I will gladly prove my identity to all of you."

Having no other choice, Yang An could only tell the truth and explain his reason for coming.

"If you don’t have a Golden Thread Sect Seal, having someone you know vouch for your identity would also work. Do you know anyone here?"

Yang An shook his head helplessly.

Seeing his reaction, many of the Cultivators on the wall burst out laughing.

"You have no Golden Thread Sect Seal, and you don’t know anyone. How can you prove your identity?

Uninvolved parties, leave this place at once! If you dare approach Ten Directions City again, we won’t care if you’re a Cultivator or a Demon Fiend—you will be killed on sight!"

"..."