Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 119 - 117: Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land

Chapter 119: Chapter 117: Empress’s Hard Cultivation Land

Xiao Ye followed the Fourth Elder away and arrived in front of a picturesque range of mountains, which was at the heart of the Chongyang Mountain Range. The location was sparsely populated, accessible solely to direct disciples.

"Direct disciples in the sect can freely choose any mountain peak to reside on. You will reside on that mountain peak from now on." The Fourth Elder casually pointed to a lush, mist-enshrouded peak.

Innate Martial Artists have exceptionally good eyesight, and when Xiao Ye focused his gaze, he immediately spotted a palace at the top of the mountain peak.

"Being a direct disciple really comes with great benefits, to even live in a palace," Xiao Ye remarked pensively. Although he had no demands for his dwelling, having a good place to live was undoubtedly better than not.

Then, the Fourth Elder led Xiao Ye to the top of the peak and into the palace at the summit.

"Although you’ve become my direct disciple, cultivation still requires self-effort," the Fourth Elder said.

"Master, may I ask, why did you take me as your direct disciple?" Suddenly, Xiao Ye asked, fixing his gaze on the Fourth Elder.

In fact, he had been guessing that the Fourth Elder might have known all along that he had comprehended more than ten percent of the Martial Arts True Intent. Could it be that this was why the Fourth Elder took him as a direct disciple?

Now that he was here, he finally voiced the doubts in his heart.

The Fourth Elder took a deep look at Xiao Ye, fell silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Since you want to know, I will tell you everything."

Xiao Ye was taken aback upon hearing this. Could there be some convoluted story behind it?

"Actually, from the moment you entered the Inner Sect, I began to pay attention to you. Your Heavenly Termination Saber, including the Heaven Burning Slash you practice, were all given to you at Ling Yang’s behest," the Fourth Elder revealed.

Xiao Ye was shocked; he had long suspected an Elder in a golden robe would be so generous as to give him an Innate Weapon and a powerful Combat Technique such as the Heaven Burning Slash.

So it was all on the Fourth Elder’s instructions.

But why would the Fourth Elder help him?

The Fourth Elder seemed to have noticed Xiao Ye’s confusion. A tinge of reminiscence flashed in his eyes, and he said with a sorrowful expression, "I had a brother, just like you, who practiced the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique. Seeing you reminds me of my brother."

Xiao Ye was stunned again, an incredible thought emerging in his mind.

"Could it be that the Fourth Elder’s brother was the Sixth Elder who perished in the Death Swamp?"

In that instant, Xiao Ye understood a lot of things; probably, even the map of the Death Swamp given to him by Ling Yang was drawn by the Fourth Elder.

After all, for the Fourth Elder with cultivation at the Innate Limit, entering deep into the Death Swamp to draw a map would not be too difficult.

"Initially, when I went into the Judgement Hall, I suggested exiling you to the Death Swamp because I wanted you to obtain my brother’s Body Secret Technique."

"And you, indeed, did not disappoint me. After learning that you succeeded, I was ready to take you as my direct disciple," said the Fourth Elder.

Xiao Ye understood completely; it turned out that all of his actions in the Inner Sect were closely observed by the Fourth Elder. Now that he had acquired the sixth Elder’s Body Secret Technique, it was not surprising for the Fourth Elder to take him as a direct disciple.

After explaining everything, the Fourth Elder flipped his palm and took out ten stones emanating a hazy glow, then tossed them to Xiao Ye.

"Our Chongyang Sect owns a minor Yuan Vein, located beneath the Chongyang Secret Realm. These are Primordial Stones excavated from the Yuan Vein, containing a large amount of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi."

"These are Primordial Stones extracted from the Yuan Vein, available only to direct disciples. You will receive ten of these stones each month for your cultivation."

"Yuan Vein?"

Xiao Ye took them in hand, his expression one of astonishment.

According to the records seen in the Black Dragon Country, a Yuan Vein is typically formed by a large accumulation of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi over hundreds of years, combined with specific terrain features, making it exceedingly rare and precious.

A Yuan Vein can be the foundation for a Sect, as it allows the rapid improvement of the disciple’s cultivation.

That’s why it causes shockwaves among various powers and leads to contestation whenever it is discovered.

"No wonder," Xiao Ye murmured. He had noticed that the Primordial Qi in the Chongyang Secret Realm all surged from the First-tier Sky. It seemed the ultimate source of the Chongyang Secret Realm was indeed the Yuan Vein.

Xiao Ye looked down at the Primordial Stones in his hands and immediately felt the violent Primordial Qi within them, even more astonishing than that found within the First-tier Sky.

"With these Primordial Stones, my cultivation should quickly break through to the Seventh Level of the Innate Realm!" Xiao Ye’s face was aglow with excitement as the treatment of a direct disciple was indeed enviable.

Such a small piece of Primordial Stone, if auctioned outside, would likely fetch sky-high prices; for him, it was an enormously timely help.

As long as he had enough Primordial Stones, his cultivation could surge quickly, catching up to Zhao Qian.

"Xiao Ye, as your teacher, I must tell you something now, which concerns the path you will take next." The Fourth Elder’s expression turned solemn, and he spoke gravely.

Hearing this, Xiao Ye became curious. Could there be more generous treatments for a direct disciple?

"Over 6,000 years ago, before the Supreme Empress ascended the throne, she traveled across the world and explored its vast landscapes."

"She had once visited the Black Dragon Country and spent years cultivating at a hidden spot within it. It is said that she left behind her inheritance and treasures there," the Fourth Elder said slowly, every word seemingly laden with immense weight.

What!

Xiao Ye shuddered as if struck by lightning.

The inheritance left by the Supreme Empress in her youth was sure to set off a bloody storm.

In the True Spirit Continent, anything related to a Great Emperor was worth a fortune, let alone the Empress’s inheritance.

What mattered most was that he had cultivated the Supreme Empress’s founding technique, the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique! Once perfected, he could be tied by cause and effect to the Supreme Empress and have a chance to find her inheritance.

Wasn’t this an opportunity lying right in front of him?

Thinking this, Xiao Ye took a deep breath to calm his excitement, knowing it couldn’t be that simple. He patiently waited for the Fourth Elder to continue speaking.

"That hidden spot was first discovered by the Royal Family of the Black Dragon Country. They managed it for decades, eventually realizing it was guarded by a special energy that only allowed Martial Artists below the Xuanwu Realm and under thirty years of age to enter."

"The Royal Family then sent out countless young prodigies in hopes of obtaining the Empress’s inheritance. Although they all failed, some did acquire numerous treasures and their Cultivation soared," continued the Fourth Elder.

"Not long after, all the powers within the Black Dragon Country joined forces, wanting to enter the Empress’s Cultivation Land to claim a share of the spoils. Under pressure, the Royal Family had no choice but to agree, setting a rule that the Empress’s Cultivation Land would be opened every ten years."

"How can one enter the Empress’s Cultivation Land?" Xiao Ye eagerly asked.

This was the crux of the matter.

"Before opening the Empress’s Cultivation Land, the Royal Family would release five spots for Innate Realm Martial Artists under thirty from across the Black Dragon Country to compete for. This is known as the Heavenly Pride Battle of the Black Dragon Country."

Xiao Ye marveled in his heart upon hearing this. Five spots for the entire Black Dragon Country’s Young Talents to vie for—it was sure to be fiercely competitive and brutal.

The ones who eventually triumph would undoubtedly be the pinnacle masters of the younger generation in Black Dragon Country.

"Now, there are only two years left before the Royal Family of the Black Dragon Country opens the Empress’s Cultivation Land. Young powerhouses from all major Sects within the country are restless, all wanting to snatch one of those five spots."

"Even within Black Dragon Country, a list has emerged, ranking the powerful young Martial Artists from various forces. It is known as the Hidden Dragon List, including only 108 individuals; they are considered the most likely to acquire one of the five spots," the Fourth Elder said with a sigh.

"Only 108 individuals? The Hidden Dragon List really is quite prestigious," Xiao Ye muttered to himself.

Just then, the Fourth Elder glanced at Xiao Ye and said, "Zhao Qian, who you hold a grudge against, has gained fame in Black Dragon Country through his formidable abilities during his travels and is now ranked twenty-eighth on the Hidden Dragon List, quite a high position."

Zhao Qian!

Hearing this name, Xiao Ye’s eyes flashed with a cold light.

Zhao Qian’s strength was undeniable; hailed as a Heaven’s Chosen Son of the Chongyang Sect, if even he was placed only at twenty-eighth, it showed just how fierce the competition of the Hidden Dragon List was.

"Boy, the Empress’s Cultivation Land has been known for decades, and countless Young Talents have entered. Many treasures have emerged, but no one has yet managed to obtain the Empress’s inheritance."

"However, you are different. You have cultivated the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique, created by the Empress herself. As long as you can cultivate the power of the Four Cauldrons before the opening of the Empress’s Cultivation Land and connect with her by cause and effect, you stand a great chance of obtaining her inheritance. This is a huge opportunity for you; you must seize it!" the Fourth Elder urged solemnly.

Feeling the Fourth Elder’s concern, Xiao Ye nodded seriously.

Setting aside the Empress’s inheritance, just the thought of contending with Black Dragon Country’s outstanding Young Talents could get his blood racing. He couldn’t miss such a grand event.

"Only two more years left!" Xiao Ye clenched his fists, his eyes shining with determination.

He had to break through to the power of the Four Cauldrons within those two years. With the Sixth Elder’s created Body Secret Technique, he was confident he could do it.

"Zhao Qian, let’s see who the true Heavenly Pride is!" In that moment, Xiao Ye erupted with a battle intent that could shake the heavens.

"Later, another Direct Disciple of mine will arrive; you can ask her any questions you might have." After arranging everything, the Fourth Elder gracefully left.

Black Robed Elders were all powerhouses at the Innate Limit; their age barred them from entering the Empress’s hard Cultivation Land, leaving them to strive for ascension to the Xuanwu Realm on their own.

Thus, no Black Robed Elder was lax; each one aspired to ascend to the Xuanwu Realm soon, and the Fourth Elder was no exception.

Thud!

Just as Xiao Ye was preparing to cultivate with the Primordial Stones, a figure in green silently entered his palace, instantly cooling the temperature inside.

Xiao Ye shuddered, reminded of his past torment at the hands of the Green-clothed Girl.

"Kid, call me Senior Sister!" A familiar voice suddenly rang out, causing Xiao Ye’s expression to freeze.