Chapter 551: Chapter 558: Is This a Case of Differential Treatment? (Fourth update)
A wave of energy, like ripples in water, radiated in all directions from beneath Yang Zhen’s feet.
By the time the energy had settled down, their surroundings had completely transformed.
The ruined structures now appeared lifelike, complementing the chaotic forest around them. Anyone who came to this place would never guess that a seal from the Mountain River Academy was present, let alone a hidden treasure.
This place was utterly deserted.
Master Tie and the female demon shared a look. There was no better word to describe this location.
What stunned Master Tie and the female demon was not the environmental transformation, but how real the changes felt. Even though they had witnessed Yang Zhen activate the array, they had instantly forgotten the location of the seal and couldn’t even recall what this place had originally looked like.
It was absolutely terrifying. Not an exaggeration at all to call it a masterpiece. More puzzling was that they couldn’t detect any strange fluctuations of True Essence.
In other words, two individuals at the peak of the Mahayana Phase hadn’t been able to notice that an array was set up at this place.
“Unthinkable,” Master Tie said with a look of disbelief. “How did you do it, Young Master Yang?” Once he’d asked the question, he froze, then chuckled. “I’ve been impulsive. Didn’t realize you had such profound knowledge of array formation. I’m impressed!”
Nobody, not just Yang Zhen, would answer this question. It concerned one’s cultivation secret, who would be willing to reveal that?
Just as it was with Master Tie and Yang Zhen’s relationship, even if it became closer, he still would not reveal his cultivation method to Yang Zhen. This was the greatest taboo among practitioners.
Considering Master Tie’s age and realm, the fact that he subconsciously asked such a question shows just how shocking the impact of the array set up by Yang Zhen was on him.
Yang Zhen seemed as if he hadn’t heard Master Tie’s words. He stared at the array in front of him with a strange expression and murmured to himself, “Damn, it seems I’ve outdone myself. Even if the remnants of the Mountain River Academy managed to break the seal, they might not necessarily be able to navigate this array…”
Speaking up to this point, Yang Zhen curled his lips and muttered, “No matter, I’ve already repaid my debt. Whether they can come out or not, has nothing to do with this Sao Saint!”
Master Tie and the female demon looked astonished, while the cunning cat chuckled on the side, “They’d be lucky to get out. I can’t believe you came up with such a complex illusionary array, well-done!”
The compliment from the cunning cat even surprised Yang Zhen. It was just an array setup. It came together by chance when he spontaneously used the Ksitigarbha Skill and the Mysterious Principles. Along with Yang Zhen and the cunning cat’s array discs, it wasn’t a simple task for the people from Mountain River Academy to leave, even if they wanted to.
The Mountain River Academy, which had been ravaged by the black sandstorm, looked nothing like it used to. Even though they’d sealed the Ancient Demonic Pattern within the body of the Evil Shadow Black Glutton, the Ancient Demonic Pattern still left behind black sand.
In the end, Master Tie and the others filled every container they had to the brim before they’d finally managed to clean up the area of black sand.
Yang Zhen was so satisfied that he couldn’t help but grin. This journey to find the cunning cat had been a huge success. Not only did he manage to get a ten-thousand-year-old Taoist Origin Fruit tree, but he also got the Ancient Demonic Pattern and now even the Mountain and River Map. Coupled with the black sand over the area, Yang Zhen was, without a doubt, the richest of the rich.
Master Tie approached Yang Zhen, chuckled, and asked, “Young Master Yang, is there something else you need to do?”
Yang Zhen nodded and said, “I will be heading to the Mountain and River City and then to the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain.”
Master Tie took a deep breath and said solemnly, “You must be very careful on your journey to the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain.”
“Hmm?” Yang Zhen looked surprised and asked, “Do the people of the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain not abide by the rules?”
Master Tie laughed and said, “Not all of them. Even though there are plenty of unreasonable people in the world, there are still many who abide by righteous principles. It’s just that the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain has a great plan this time. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Just be a little more careful, Young Master Yang.”
Yang Zhen nodded and casually asked, “What are your plans, Townmate?”
Hearing Yang Zhen’s question, Master Tie exchanged a glance with the female demon, chuckled and replied, “I’ve completed all my responsibilities. Now, I think I’ll stay here for some time, to see how many people of the Mountain River Academy are actually left.”
Yang Zhen was about to say something when Master Tie cut him off, laughed aloud and said, “Don’t worry, Young Master Yang. Unless something unexpected occurs, I intend to visit the Heavenly Snow Holy Domain at some point. After all, the propagation of these events will decide the survival of the Northern Island. I don’t want to miss such an important event.”
“That works.” Yang Zhen took a deep breath, looking at Master Tie and his companion, he said, “Shall we part ways, then?”
Master Tie laughed heartily and said, “Let’s part ways.”
…
Mountain and River City was one of the major cities of Northern Island. Constructed between towering mountains and cliffs and enveloped by an imposing atmosphere of mountains and rivers, the city radiated majesty. Various magnificent buildings were scattered among millions of mountains which, when viewed from a distance, made one’s blood surge with excitement.
Yang Zhen liked this kind of city very much. It was like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, except he could now fly!
A prominent characteristic of Mountain and River City was its well-maintained public security system; incidents of public property damage were virtually nonexistent.
Because if one wanted to enter Mountain and River City, they had to pass through a heavenly gate, similar to the South Heaven Gate mentioned in mythological stories, which required extremely stringent scrutiny.
Standing on the South Heaven Gate, Yang Zhen gazed bewilderedly at the smiling woman standing before him and asked, “So, just because my name is Yang Zhen, you won’t let me in?”
“Correct.” The young woman nodded, her interest piqued as her face turned a little bashful, “Young Master Yang, this is a new rule made by Mountain and River City. We ask for your understanding!”
Damn!
Understanding? How am I supposed to understand?
Understand what?
With a befuddled look, Yang Zhen pointed to his nose and looked back at the group of menacing Practitioners standing behind the young woman, “Why this rule? Does it apply to everyone named Yang Zhen, or just me specifically?”
The young woman broke into a smile and said, “Yes, it’s applicable to everyone named Yang Zhen.”
Yang Zhen suddenly seemed to grasp something, “I see, that’s okay then. I misspoke earlier; actually… my name is not Yang Zhen!”
“Wha… What?” For the first time, the smile on the young woman’s face faded as she stared at Yang Zhen in confusion.
Yang Zhen pushed aside the young woman and said, “I misspoke earlier, my name is actually Yang ‘Not’ Zhen, my words came out too promptly earlier and missed a word. Can I enter now?”
Boom, Boom, Boom!
Behind the young woman, a group of Practitioners suddenly released terrifying waves of energy. As the True Essence raged, there seemed to be a tendency to attack; this left Yang Zhen slightly surprised.
No wonder Mountain and River City dared to station a group of Tribulation Crossing Phase Practitioners as gatekeepers; they had some substance after all.
Still, Yang Zhen was truly curious. It was his first time in Mountain and River City, why was he by singled out?
Damn it, if there wasn’t anything urgent, Yang Zhen would’ve sought clarity on the matter. But now, Feng Lingqiao’s grandfather needed his help; this issue would have to wait.
Buzz!
A dull hum of a sword rang out, and all the Tribulation Crossing Phase strongmen in the path fell. Even the young woman who had such a charming smile had collapsed; her cheeks flushed crimson, a radiant smile played at her lips. Apparently, she was in the midst of an enviable dream.
Wielding the Great Missing Sword, Yang Zhen and his cat strolled in. The onlookers stared in bewilderment.
The dream-inducing passive ability of the Great Missing Sword was becoming more and more useful.