King of Creation
Chapter 171 - 169: War Soul Blood Flag

Chapter 171: Chapter 169: War Soul Blood Flag

Time passed day by day, and a month had elapsed, yet surprisingly, no one from the Qiyun Sect notified Ye Zhen about attending the Five Countries Conference.

Ye Zhen didn’t mind it; since no one urged him, he took the opportunity to focus on enhancing his cultivation. After all, the Sect had publicly announced his participation in the Five Countries Conference, so they probably wouldn’t exclude him.

As his cultivation continued to rise, the advancement of his cultivation would turn into a process of continuous effort. It is only through the accumulation of small increments over time that one can make a qualitative breakthrough in cultivation.

At the summit of Fairy Peak, Ye Zhen practiced his cultivation as usual.

However, the location of his cultivation had changed from the silent chamber at the spirit vein of Fairy Peak to a boulder at the very highest point of the peak.

Seated cross-legged on the boulder, Ye Zhen held a Low Grade Spirit Crystal in each hand, with four innate bloodlines—one large and three small—vaguely visible behind him as spiritual power surged.

Zzzzt!

The last trace of spiritual power was sucked from the two Low Grade Spirit Crystals in Ye Zhen’s hands, turning them into a cloud of ash.

Ye Zhen slowly opened his eyes, only to reveal boundless disappointment.

Above in the sky, the azure was clear and the expanse vast; not to mention dark clouds, there were hardly any floating clouds to be seen.

Ye Zhen had a brush with the Flowing Cloud Realm during a storm ten days earlier, which not only allowed him to comprehend a bit of the Flowing Cloud Realm but also faintly touch upon the threshold of the Wind Cloud Artistic Conception.

Although he had successfully grasped the Flowing Cloud Realm, in the end, the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique was only a Lower-grade Earth Level sword move. Even with the realm, its power was barely comparable to that of the Middle-grade Earth Level Wind Cloud Sword Technique.

Thus, comprehending the Flowing Cloud Realm didn’t really enhance Ye Zhen’s combat power.

But touching upon the threshold of the Wind Cloud Artistic Conception gave Ye Zhen great joy.

If he could comprehend it successfully, his combat power could truly skyrocket.

Just comprehending the artistic conception of the Wind Cloud Sword Technique, even if only one move, its power could rival that of an Upper-grade Earth Level martial skill.

It was said that within the entire Qiyun Sect, only the Grand Elder Guo Qijing’s Qiyun Secret Scripture was an Upper-grade Earth Level cultivation technique.

The artistic conception that Ye Zhen had touched upon that day was the fourth move of the Wind Cloud Sword Technique, Eight Directions Fall—a killing move executed in mid-air that descends from the heavens amidst the sound of rumbling thunder.

That day, the rolling dark clouds and the interlacing lightning gave Ye Zhen a vague enlightenment.

However, time was too short. Just as Ye Zhen was beginning to comprehend, the dark clouds and lightning gave way to a torrential downpour, severing that slight chance for comprehension.

Ye Zhen felt that if such stormy weather could occur a few more times, he might be able to comprehend the artistic conception of the Eight Directions Fall.

Unfortunately, after that day, Ye Zhen sat fruitlessly on the peak of Fairy Peak for ten days without encountering such stormy weather.

If it weren’t for the ties to the Five Countries Conference, Ye Zhen would have made plans to leave and head to the land of smoke and rain in the south specifically to comprehend the Wind Cloud Artistic Conception.

Suddenly, the Identity Jade at Ye Zhen’s waist grew warm, and a long-absent Talisman Light abruptly surged from afar towards him.

"Ye Zhen, the time for the Five Countries Conference has arrived. Hasten to the grand hall of Qitian Peak for discussion," signed Lut Changchuan in the Talisman Letter!

Perhaps the Talisman Light startled Caiyi; by the time Ye Zhen descended from the mountaintop, she was already waiting for him.

"I was just about to look for you, Caiyi!"

"Are you leaving for the Five Countries Conference?"

"Yes!"

"Be careful. Senior Brother Mei, who has participated before, told me that the Five Countries Conference is extremely dangerous!" Taking a pause, Caiyi anxiously advised with a worried expression, "Don’t try to act tough in everything. Don’t be like the last time at the Black Water Legacy Mansion..."

"Don’t worry. When I return from the Five Countries Conference, I’ll take you home to meet my parents!"

Caiyi’s pretty face turned red in an instant, "Who said I would go with you!"

"You mean for me to find someone else?"

"You!"

Seeing Caiyi’s angered look, Ye Zhen gently pulled her into his arms, "Silly girl, I’m just teasing you. How could I not bring you along? I couldn’t bear it."

"Wait for my return!"

Taking advantage of Caiyi’s momentary daze, Ye Zhen lightly pecked her cherry lips and then swiftly drifted away.

Left behind, Caiyi’s body trembled as if electrocuted, her pretty face, jade neck, and earlobes all instantly flushed red.

"Bully..."

Caiyi’s face was full of sweetness.

...

Inside the grand hall of Qitian Peak in Qiyun Sect, there were already four people present when Ye Zhen entered.

They were Grand Elder Lut Changchuan, Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing, the second on the Heavenly List Gao Xinglie, and the third Han Shi. With the death of Qu Zhanqian, Gao Xinglie and Han Shi had climbed back to the second and third places on the Heavenly List.

"Grand Elder, Seventh Elder, Junior Brother Gao, Junior Brother Han!"

Ye Zhen greeted each one in turn. There was no need to say much about the two elders, but when he returned the courtesy, Gao Xinglie’s expression remained somewhat unnatural.

Gao Xinglie, already twenty-four years old, suddenly found it uncomfortable to address Ye Zhen, a boy not yet eighteen, as Senior Brother.

"Ha, Ye Zhen, the Sect Leader watched you perform the Wind Cloud Sword Technique that day and gained some insights, so he went into seclusion to comprehend the sword technique. Today’s matter will be presided over by this old man," said Grand Elder Lut Changchuan, casually mentioning it, which piqued Ye Zhen’s interest.

Is this the prelude?

After freely demonstrating the Wind Cloud Sword Art that day, Ye Zhen thought that the sect would demand the mental method to activate the Wind Cloud Sword Art from him. Ye Zhen had already prepared for that, but to his surprise, the Sect Leader didn’t approach him and instead went to comprehend it on his own.

The sect cared much more about face than Ye Zhen had imagined.

"The time for the Five Countries Conference is approaching. You all should set off today!"

"For this Five Countries Conference, our Black Water Kingdom only has eleven spots. Our Qiyun Sect has three of these spots, so Ye Zhen will lead the charge, accompanied by the top three from the Heavenly List to join the battle!" declared Grand Elder Lut Changchuan.

"Five Countries? Grand Elder, isn’t our Black Dragon Domain comprised of only the Four Great Empires? Where does the fifth country come from?"

At the council hall, Ye Zhen finally couldn’t help asking the question, with Gao Xinglie and Han Shi showing the same confusion.

"That’s correct, our Black Dragon Domain only has the Black Water Kingdom, Phantom Divine Empire, Gu’an Kingdom, and Sword Origin Empire—four great empires. However, don’t forget about the Southern Barbarian Tribe. In the Five Countries Conference, the Southern Barbarian Tribe is also counted as a nation!" explained the Seventh Elder, Zhongli Jing.

"Elder Zhong, how can the Southern Barbarian Tribe, with its hundreds of tribes large and small, be considered one nation?" Han Shi asked, puzzled.

"That’s because you don’t understand much about the Southern Barbarian Tribe. Although the Southern Barbarian Tribe is divided into hundreds of tribes large and small, with hundreds of chiefs, there is only one Barbarian King across the entire Southern Barbarian Tribe!

In fact, the current Southern Barbarian Tribe is much like the Black Dragon Empire that unified the entire Black Dragon Domain a thousand years ago. Back then, the Black Dragon Empire’s territory was vast beyond measure, with three thousand nobles of varying ranks.

The Four Great Empires of today’s Black Dragon Domain were established by those who fought their way out from amongst those three thousand nobles.

It’s the same with the Southern Barbarian Tribe. The hundreds of chiefs are similar to the nobles bestowed by the Barbarian King, except that the Barbarian King’s control over these hundreds of chiefs isn’t too strong, but it certainly isn’t weak either!"

"Therefore, in the Five Countries Conference, there is a spot for the Southern Barbarian Tribe. Moreover, the Southern Barbarian Tribe is one of the most important components of the Five Countries Conference; without their participation, the effectiveness of the conference would be greatly diminished," said Elder Zhong.

This made Ye Zhen even more curious, "Grand Elder, what exactly is the purpose of this Five Countries Conference?"

Grand Elder Lut Changchuan smiled and waved his hand, "That question... let Elder Zhong explain it to you after you set off. It will take a day’s flight to reach your destination, and there will be plenty of time to explain everything to you clearly."

"I’ll tell you about it on the way!"

Ye Zhen, Gao Xinglie, and Han Shi nodded their heads in unison.

However, Grand Elder Lut Changchuan’s gaze settled on Ye Zhen, "Ye Zhen, I know you cannot tolerate the enmity with the Lishui Sect.

But during this Five Countries Conference, the welfare of our nation and the lives of the people are at stake. When the time comes, you should restrain yourself. Everything should be secondary to the success of this conference!"

The words ’welfare of our nation and the lives of the people’ weighed heavy, immediately changing Ye Zhen’s expression, who then nodded solemnly, "Grand Elder, rest assured, I understand what’s important!"

"That’s good to hear!"

"Furthermore, eleven martial artists from our Black Water Kingdom are participating in the Five Countries Conference. Three are from Qiyun Sect, three from Lishui Sect, three from the Royal Family’s military, and the remaining two spots are taken by various other sects and families. However, the commander is none other than the Royal Family’s Third Prince, Zhu Kun!

Ye Zhen, given your past conflicts with Third Prince Zhu Kun, this time...."

Ye Zhen could only offer a wry smile. Why did it seem like all the instructions were for him?

"Grand Elder, rest assured, I can distinguish what’s more important," said Ye Zhen.

"Good! Remember, during this conference, the War Soul Blood Flag must not fall into the hands of the Southern Barbarians! Otherwise, the three of you will be considered the sinners of Black Water Kingdom!"

Black Water Kingdom’s sinners!

Ye Zhen, Gao Xinglie, and Han Shi were shocked at the title—wasn’t that a horrifying label to bear?

And what was the War Soul Blood Flag?

"All will be explained on the way," remarked the Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing.

After leaving the council hall, Grand Elder Lut Changchuan casually cast out a beam of Spirit Light, and within a few breaths, a ’huge black cloud’ descended from the sky. Its terrifying aura surprised Ye Zhen and the others, causing them to look alarmed.

"An Upper-grade Earth Level demon beast!"

"The Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon is an Upper-grade Earth Level demon beast!" Ye Zhen exclaimed, shocked. The Cloud Winged Tiger cub beneath him seemed to sense the dreadful aura of the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon and retreated in fright.

"Heh, this is a Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast tamed by the Sect Leader. He will accompany you not only for your protection but also to ensure swift travel!"

As he spoke, Grand Elder Lut Changchuan glanced at the Cloud Winged Tiger cub under Ye Zhen’s feet, which continued to growl softly, "However, demon beasts tamed by a powerful Beast Taming Skill have poor Spirit Nature, and only a martial artist at the Soul Sea Realm with a controlling Spirit Talisman can manage them."

"Up!"

With a Spirit Talisman in Elder Zhong’s hand shooting out a radiant light, the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon soared into the sky, giving the impression of riding clouds and breaking the wind.

As soon as they stabilized in the sky, Han Shi eagerly asked, "Elder Zhong, what is the War Soul Blood Flag? Why would we become Black Water Kingdom’s sinners if the Southern Barbarians took it?"

The countenance of the Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing turned grave, "You all know of Meng Chuan, right?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)