PCJ – Chapter 756 Shocked

“I don’t have anything you need on me,” Zhang Jiaohua said. He could tell that although this Wen Xiaoqun’s cultivation wasn’t very high, he was still a mid-stage Refining Essence into Qi cultivator—stronger than the Yuan family disciples. Zhang Jiaohua knew what Wen Xiaoqun needed most right now must be spirit stones. Although there were spirit veins in the Abandoned Lands, hence spirit stones existed, their numbers were limited and all held tightly by the great clans. For instance, the City Lord of Yan City, Wan Jiqing, controlled the largest spirit vein in the Abandoned Lands.

Wen Xiaoqun hurriedly said, “I’m willing to lead the way for Immortal Elder, as long as you don’t dislike it.”

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “Very well, you may stay. But later you mustn’t harbor any complaints.”

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare,” Wen Xiaoqun replied happily.

With this local, Wen Xiaoqun, diligently handling chores, Zhang Jiaohua’s daily life in Yan City indeed became much simpler. Yan City truly lived up to its name as the holy land for cultivators in the Abandoned Lands—there were cultivators everywhere. Even a small street vendor might turn out to be in the Refining Essence into Qi stage.

Through Wen Xiaoqun, Zhang Jiaohua gradually learned more about Yan City. He discovered that Yan City had already stood for over a thousand years. It was said that when Wan Jiqing entered the Abandoned Lands long ago, he began constructing the city, and after centuries of development it had grown to its current scale.

“So that means Wan Jiqing is already over a thousand years old?” Zhang Jiaohua was astonished. After all, a Spirit Transformation stage cultivator didn’t have such a lifespan—at most a few hundred years.

“Yes. Many people suspect Wan Jiqing broke through long ago, entering the Returning to Void stage. After all, for so many years, no one in the Abandoned Lands has dared to shake his position. Wan Jiqing hasn’t fought with anyone for centuries, so no one knows his true cultivation now. Judging by his age, he must have stepped into the Returning to Void realm long ago,” Wen Xiaoqun explained.

“Does anyone know how Wan Jiqing arrived in the Abandoned Lands?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“I’ve heard Wan Jiqing didn’t come from the Central Continent of the Immortal Realm, but from the Immortal Beast Mountains,” Wen Xiaoqun replied.

“The Immortal Beast Mountains? Aren’t there supposed to be vast numbers of immortal beasts there, even some at the peak of Returning to Void? How could he possibly cross the Immortal Beast Mountains to reach the Abandoned Lands?” Zhang Jiaohua asked in confusion.

“That I don’t know. But according to the Yan City Annals, the City Lord crossed the Immortal Beast Mountains to reach the Abandoned Lands and established Yan City, giving cultivators here a home,” Wen Xiaoqun said, handing Zhang Jiaohua the city records.

“So that means the Immortal Beast Mountains aren’t impassable. Then why, if he could cross them to come here, didn’t he return to the Central Continent?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, puzzled.

“Perhaps he offended a powerful cultivation clan in the Central Continent and had no choice but to come here. It’s not that he doesn’t want to return—it’s that he doesn’t dare,” Wen Xiaoqun suggested.

“That must be it,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded. Since the Immortal Beast Mountains could be crossed, then there was hope of reaching the Immortal Realm’s Central Continent someday. But Zhang Jiaohua also had another suspicion: he wondered if Wan Jiqing wasn’t a native of this Immortal Realm at all, but like himself—someone who had ascended from Earth or another plane.

Zhang Jiaohua remembered that when the Three Sacred Lands opened that passage, there were countless powerful immortal beasts on the other side. If Wan Jiqing had come from Earth, then it would mean Earth’s path to the Immortal Realm wasn’t limited to the one at Descending Immortal Mountain, but also included the Immortal Beast Mountains.

Zhang Jiaohua decided that once his cultivation improved, he would head for the Immortal Beast Mountains. He wanted to investigate the situation there, and if there really was a passage, he hoped to establish it—giving him the chance to return to Earth.

“For the time being, your main task is to gather news about the Immortal Beast Mountains. I want every bit of information about them,” Zhang Jiaohua instructed Wen Xiaoqun.

Without asking any questions, Wen Xiaoqun set off to work. During this period, Zhang Jiaohua gave him careful guidance in cultivation, allowing Wen Xiaoqun to progress rapidly. He was also extremely diligent in his tasks.

A few months later, Wen Xiaoqun brought back a shocking piece of news: someone else had crossed the Immortal Beast Mountains and arrived in Yan City. And not just one person—an entire group. As soon as they entered the Abandoned Lands, they were discovered by Wan Jiqing, and were now in the City Lord’s mansion.

“Is there any way to get into the City Lord’s mansion?” Zhang Jiaohua wanted to see this group that had come out of the Immortal Beast Mountains.

“There is. In a little over ten days, it will be the Abandoned Lands’ Immortal Fate Festival. The City Lord will host the heads of the major sects and renowned cultivators at his mansion. With Immortal Elder’s cultivation, it shouldn’t be difficult to secure an invitation. At that time, the City Lord will likely have those newcomers attend the gathering,” Wen Xiaoqun said.

“Good, then you handle it. I must attend that gathering,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

Wen Xiaoqun was indeed capable, and with his recent rapid improvement in cultivation—already at the peak of Refining Essence into Qi—his status had risen significantly, making his work in Yan City much easier.

Before long, Wen Xiaoqun obtained an invitation for Zhang Jiaohua.

The Immortal Fate Festival arrived quickly, and Zhang Jiaohua, with Wen Xiaoqun, arrived punctually at the City Lord’s mansion. The mansion was extraordinarily grand, far more extravagant than any imperial palace of ancient times—for cultivators’ creativity far surpassed that of ordinary craftsmen.

Countless cultivators attended the festival. As the host, Wan Jiqing did not know every guest personally, so Zhang Jiaohua’s entrance drew no attention.

After a series of elaborate ceremonies, the festival reached its most important moment.

“I believe what everyone present is most concerned about is our new guests in Yan City. It has been over a thousand years since anyone has successfully crossed the Immortal Beast Mountains. Yet my esteemed guests here have done exactly that. Now, let us welcome these cultivators who came out of the Immortal Beast Mountains.”

When Zhang Jiaohua saw the cultivators emerge from within the City Lord’s mansion, his eyes widened instantly. These people were in an utterly wretched state—none of them were whole, some missing legs, others arms. From their condition, one could easily imagine the ordeals they had faced in the Immortal Beast Mountains.

But what truly shocked Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t their injuries—it was that among them, he recognized someone.

It was Liang Dengheng, the Sect Master of the Kunlun Sect!

Liang Dengheng was still alive! He had come out of the Immortal Beast Mountains!