Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 492: Chapter 488: The Six Eastern Provinces Are Not So Simple

The White Dragon Hall was located on White Dragon Island in the Chaotic Sea Region.

White Dragon Island was more than ten times larger than Meteor Island, nearly the size of half a province in the Six Eastern Provinces. Its most famous feature was a massive mountain range.

This mountain range stretched for thousands of miles from north to south across White Dragon Island, its shape resembling a giant dragon. Because a type of White Crystal Ore was mined within the mountains, it was named the White Dragon Mountain Range.

And that was how the island came to be called White Dragon Island.

The White Dragon Mountain Range possessed an extraordinary aura. Its massive ridges rose from the earth like the spine of a dragon, looking as if they might pierce the heavens.

Upon the central mountains stood a continuous stretch of palaces. Tower after tower soared into the clouds, their magnificent architecture inspiring awe at first sight.

WHOOSH.

A small boat zipped through the clouds.

”The White Dragon Hall is just ahead.”

Bai Yuyun pointed, and following her finger, Ning Jiang saw the majestic cluster of palaces.

”ROAR.”

Just as they approached the palaces, an earth-shattering roar suddenly echoed.

The vast sea of clouds in the sky began to churn, rapidly roiling and coalescing. In an instant, it formed a colossal white dragon. This dragon, conjured from the white clouds, radiated a might several times more terrifying than the Thunder Prison Array from before.

”This is the White Dragon Array, personally laid down by the Undying Celestial King himself. This array mobilizes the power of the entire White Dragon Mountain Range. Once activated, the power of the earth’s ley lines merges with the clouds in the sky to form this white dragon. With this White Dragon Formation in place, not even an Eight-Stars King could hope to break through it in a short amount of time.”

Bai Yuyun said proudly.

She took out a White Jade Token and waved it at the white dragon, which immediately dispersed and vanished without a trace.

Following Bai Yuyun’s lead, they smoothly entered a grand hall.

The hall was incomparably magnificent, like a great tower. A massive white dragon was carved around its exterior, coiling around the entire structure. Anyone who came here would be filled with a sense of reverence.

”Brother Li, the White Dragon Hall has a dedicated communication channel. I’ll go and try to contact the Undying Celestial King. If the Celestial King sees you, he’ll be overjoyed.”

Bai Yuyun said.

”I’m just a remnant soul. I’m afraid he won’t be too happy to see me like this,” Golden Cicada said with a bitter laugh. ”But it has been a thousand years. There’s much to talk about.”

As they spoke, Ning Jiang and Golden Cicada followed Bai Yuyun into a hidden chamber inside.

There was nothing else in the chamber, only a floor covered in inscribed runes and a large crystal ball at the center.

”This Water Spirit Pearl can be used to communicate with the Undying Celestial King.”

As Bai Yuyun spoke, she began to chant, her hands constantly changing hand seals. As she did, the countless runes on the floor lit up.

The Water Spirit Pearl at the center seemed to activate, levitating into the air and emitting a brilliant light.

”Celestial King, Yuyun requests an audience.”

As Bai Yuyun spoke, a vortex-like ripple appeared on the surface of the Water Spirit Pearl, absorbing her voice.

But a long time passed with no response.

Seeing this, Bai Yuyun frowned and called out several more times, but still, there was no reply.

’Is the Celestial King in seclusion to recuperate again?’

Ever since the Undying Celestial King returned, grievously injured, from the Ancient Forbidden Land ten years ago, his wounds had never fully healed. The lack of a response now most likely meant he was recuperating.

”Forget it. We’ll have a chance to meet when we visit the Dragon God Celestial Palace in person next time.” Golden Cicada waved his hand, not in any particular hurry.

”Alright, then.”

Bai Yuyun nodded. There was nothing else she could do.

”Oh, right. In three months, it will be the nine-thousandth anniversary of the Dragon God Celestial Palace’s founding. Let’s go then.”

Bai Yuyun suggested.

Although the Undying Celestial King had lived for ten thousand years, the Dragon God Celestial Palace was founded nine thousand years ago. In three months, it would be its nine-thousandth anniversary.

”Excellent.”

Golden Cicada nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Bai Yuyun’s gaze shifted to Ning Jiang. ”Ning Jiang, have you made up your mind? Are you willing to join my Dragon God Celestial Palace? If you do, you will receive the best training possible. Currently, a quarter of the prodigies on the Hidden Dragon List have already joined the Dragon God Celestial Palace. The other three-quarters belong to prodigies nurtured by other factions.”

”Join the Dragon God Celestial Palace and become a disciple?” Ning Jiang asked.

”You don’t need to become a disciple. The Dragon God Celestial Palace’s intention is simple: you can join, but you will remain a free agent. Nurturing you is a form of investment. In the future, if the Dragon God Celestial Palace is in trouble and needs a hand, it’s enough for you to come and help. To put it simply, ours is a relationship of equal partners, unlike those sects that require you to formally join and become a disciple.”

Bai Yuyun said with a serious expression.

”The Undying Celestial King certainly has guts.”

Ning Jiang’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’Such an approach requires considerable nerve. Most people would want to absorb prodigies as their own disciples, binding them completely.’

But the Undying Celestial King had chosen a cooperative model, investing in prodigies and relying entirely on their conscience to repay the Dragon God Celestial Palace once they had grown powerful.

Without a doubt, this method might create some ungrateful turncoats...

”Of course, if you want to become a disciple of the Dragon God Celestial Palace, that’s also an option. It’s up to you,” Bai Yuyun said.

”I can cooperate with the Dragon God Celestial Palace.”

After a moment of contemplation, Ning Jiang made his choice.

Someone like him would never live under another’s roof and become a mere disciple.

As for cooperating with the Dragon God Celestial Palace, it was partly because of Golden Cicada and partly because of the Other Shore.

He had used the Eternal Stele to repel several of the Other Shore’s powerful experts this time, but in doing so, the people of the Other Shore now knew he possessed a great treasure.

This great treasure would inevitably make him a thorn in the Other Shore’s side.

Cooperating with the Dragon God Celestial Palace was, in a way, an inevitable necessity.

”Brother Li was just like you back then. He would only agree to cooperate with the Undying Celestial King. The Celestial King wanted to take him as a Direct Disciple, making him second to only one and above all others in the East Sea, but he still refused.”

Bai Yuyun glanced at Golden Cicada beside her and smiled knowingly.

She would never forget the nerve Golden Cicada showed when he refused the Undying Celestial King back then.

’After all, a Celestial King of his generation wanted to take you as his Direct Disciple. Who would turn down such a good thing?’

”By the way, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Bai Yuyun’s expression suddenly turned grave as she looked at Ning Jiang with great seriousness.

”Oh? What is it?”

”We’ve thoroughly investigated your activities in the Six Eastern Provinces. You clashed with the Seven Great Super Sects and even fought the Seven Great Kings once, correct? I know you were forced to leave the Six Eastern Provinces and enter the East Sea. I imagine you plan to go back one day, don’t you?”

”That’s right!” Ning Jiang’s gaze was firm.

”What I need to tell you is that the Six Eastern Provinces are not as simple as they appear on the surface!” Bai Yuyun said slowly.