novelraw Chapter 183: Two Birds With One Stone
Chapter 183: Two Birds With One Stone
In the center of the Eastern Barrens, Canghai Tower.
Heven Cien returned to his cultivation room to recover from his injuries.
Although the Divine Bodies possessed by Imperial Citizen Players in the Divine Body World were completely composed of energy, they could still sustain injuries.
Heven Cien had just returned from the Sumeru Grotto-heaven discovered by his family. He had suffered significant injuries and needed some time to recuperate.
A Sumeru Grotto-heaven was left behind by mighty experts from the ancient eras of the Divine Body World. They contained abundant resources, and it was said that the highest-tier Sumeru Grotto-heavens even hid divine medicines, or perhaps even undying divine medicines.
Of course, such top-tier Sumeru Grotto-heavens were exceedingly rare. Even if one were to appear, it would almost certainly be in the Central Continent.
'The Sumeru Grotto-heaven our family discovered must be far from simple...'
Heven Cien pondered to himself after treating his wounds.
Not only did the Sumeru Grotto-heaven hold treasures and resources, but it was also fraught with numerous perils.
The two usually shared a directly proportional relationship. The greater the danger, the more precious the treasures and resources hidden within the grotto-heaven.During his exploration, Heven Cien discovered that the dangers lurking inside this particular Sumeru Grotto-heaven far exceeded those of ordinary ones.
And those were merely the dangers on the periphery of the grotto-heaven.
In fact, he was not the only one to notice; the High-Ranking Officials of the Canghai Tower had also realized this.
Truth be told, it was not just the Canghai Tower. Other factions across the Eastern Barrens had also taken notice of the Sumeru Grotto-heaven they were exploring.
'However, that is a matter for the family to worry about. It has nothing to do with me,'
Heven Cien gathered his thoughts and dismissed the matter.
In the Broken Void World, he was the founding Pavilion Master of the Azure Wave Pavilion, a man of high position and great authority.
But here in the Divine Body World, he was merely an ordinary mid-level member of the Canghai Tower. The Great Cycle of Universal Power he had mastered encompassed only four types of Cosmic Energy.
A Divine Body constructed from four types of Cosmic Energy would only reach the strength of a Tier 5 Expert upon achieving perfection.
Recently, by comprehending the circulation of Cosmic Energy within his Divine Body, he had gained new insights and luckily broken through to become a Tier 6 Expert.
However, being a Tier 6 Expert was nothing special in the Divine Body World, which was filled with countless masters.
The Canghai Tower was a faction established by the Xien Family in reality. With numerous Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts from the family overseeing it, Heven Cien did not stand out among them at all.
Just as he prepared to resume his cultivation and comprehend the circulation of the various Cosmic Energies within his Divine Body...
"Hmm?"
Heven Cien suddenly opened his eyes and looked at a newly received message.
"This is... from Wu?" Heven Cien widened his eyes in shock. "Wu is already right outside the Canghai Tower? And he wants to visit me?"
He was completely bewildered.
He had indeed asked Su Yuan to seek him out upon entering the Divine Body World on multiple occasions.
But he had harbored that thought before Su Yuan forcefully slaughtered dozens of Tier 7 Experts and Tier 8 Experts, ascended to the apex of the Eastern Barrens, and was classified by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion as one of the most untouchable figures.
After those events, he had abandoned the idea entirely.
What a joke.
According to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's evaluation, Su Yuan was an undisputed peak Tier 9 Expert. In the entire Eastern Barrens, no more than ten people could rival him.
Faced with such an existence, even the Canghai Tower Master would have to act with utmost reverence. Why on earth would someone like that come to visit him?
But now.
Su Yuan had actually come?
And he even took the initiative to send a message requesting a visit?
Heven Cien remained in a state of shock for only a split second before snapping back to his senses. He immediately stood up and hurried out to welcome his guest.
"Brother Wu!"
Very soon, Heven Cien laid eyes on Su Yuan.
Compared to the imposing image of a peak Tier 9 Expert he had imagined, Su Yuan looked remarkably ordinary, not exuding the slightest trace of a terrifying aura.
"Brother Heven," Su Yuan greeted with a warm smile.
"Please, come in."
Heven Cien immediately invited him inside.
"I never expected that in the short time since we last met, you would have already become a renowned peak Tier 9 Expert across the Eastern Barrens,"
Inside the cultivation room, as the two sat facing each other, Heven Cien could not help but sigh in sheer amazement.
Although both were Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts, the gap between a newly advanced Tier 6 Expert and a peak Tier 9 Expert was astronomically vast.
The difference was not merely a heaven-and-earth gap in combat power, but a stark contrast in their comprehension and insight into the Great Cycle of Universal Power.
A peak Tier 9 Expert had essentially reached the absolute limit in understanding the essence of the Great Cycle of Universal Power. For a Late-stage Starry Sky Life expert at such a stage, the probability of opening up an internal world and stepping into the Stellar Life Form level was at least eighty to ninety percent.
Eighty to ninety percent?
It was safe to say that, barring any unforeseen accidents, a peak Tier 9 Expert was practically guaranteed to become a Stellar Life Form.
One had to realize that the vast majority of Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts could never achieve the strength of a Tier 8 Expert or Tier 9 Expert, even with the assistance of the Divine Body World.
Let alone reaching the peak of Tier 9, which required mastering at least one spatial-type Divine Body Secret Method.
"If not for your assistance back then, Brother Heven, I might not possess the strength I have today," Su Yuan chuckled softly.
"My assistance?" Heven Cien asked, caught completely off guard.
"Back in the Broken Void World, you gifted me quite a few Superior-grade Martial Arts Manuals," Su Yuan explained.
"That was nothing," Heven Cien immediately shook his head. Given the immense strength Su Yuan had displayed later on, there were countless factions who would have been more than willing to shower him with Superior-grade Martial Arts Manuals.
Moreover, Su Yuan had single-handedly blocked the numerous pursuers from the Capital City, allowing Heven Cien to smoothly comprehend the Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual. That act alone had repaid his meager gift many times over.
The two chatted for a short while longer.
Heven Cien then asked curiously, "Brother Wu, did you come here because you have some business to attend to?"
"I am just traveling around, seeing the sights,"
Su Yuan replied with a faint smile.
In reality, his true purpose for coming here was to wait for that divine medicine to emerge.
And that divine medicine was currently hidden deep within the very Sumeru Grotto-heaven that the Canghai Tower had discovered.
"I see,"
Heven Cien nodded in sudden realization.
The Divine Body World was one of the premier evolutionary worlds for driving the advancement of Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts. This was not solely due to the abundant Cosmic Energies inherently contained within the Divine Bodies; it was also because the intricate operations of Cosmic Energy could be observed on a microscopic level everywhere within this realm.
He had heard that once an expert's strength reached Tier 9, they could vaguely sense the subtle, fundamental essence of the Divine Body World itself.
Meanwhile.
In a secluded Quiet Room within the Canghai Tower.
The Canghai Tower Master was frowning in deep contemplation.
As the strongest Late-stage Starry Sky Life expert within the Xien Family, the Canghai Tower Master had mastered a Great Cycle constructed from five types of Cosmic Energy, bringing his strength to the level of a Tier 9 Expert.
Reaching Tier 9 in the Divine Body World signified a profound understanding and insight into the fundamental nature of Cosmic Energy circulation, granting him a greater than sixty percent chance of breaking through to become a Stellar Life Form.
Although he still could not compare to a peak Tier 9 Expert, it was undeniably an outstanding achievement.
Ordinary Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts possessed absolutely no confidence in their ability to break through to the Stellar Life stage. For instance, the Patriarch of the Multieye Clan had forcibly dragged things out until he was nearing the very limit of his Lifespan before finally daring to risk it all on one final attempt.
'That Sumeru Grotto-heaven contains over ten distinct types of Cosmic Energy. It is highly likely that a divine medicine is hidden inside...' the Canghai Tower Master mused to himself.
If even Heven Cien could sense such an anomaly, how could the Canghai Tower Master possibly fail to notice it?
Not only had he noticed it, but he knew far more than Heven Cien did. He even had a strong hypothesis regarding the most precious treasure concealed within the grotto-heaven.
'It is just that...'
The Canghai Tower Master released a heavy, internal sigh.
The Canghai Tower had acted too late in locking down information regarding the Sumeru Grotto-heaven. Now, the greedy gazes of various other factions had already converged upon it. The Canghai Tower Master had already noted that numerous powerhouses were steadily closing in on the location.
'A divine medicine...'
A trace of burning desire surged in his heart. Although the value of a divine medicine could not rival that of an undying divine medicine, it was still more than enough to drive the vast majority of Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts mad with envy. Given the Canghai Tower Master's current strength, if he could refine a divine medicine, he would have a genuine hope of stepping into the peak of Tier 9.
At peak Tier 9, his chances of breaking through to become a Stellar Life Form would soar to eighty or ninety percent.
It was practically a guaranteed ascension to the Stellar Life level.
'Given the current strength of the Canghai Tower, securing that divine medicine will be immensely difficult.'
The Canghai Tower Master knew the harsh reality of the situation. The sheer allure of a divine medicine was strong enough to draw even peak Tier 9 Experts into the fray.
The ultimate goal of a peak Tier 9 Expert was no longer merely opening up an internal world. For them, accomplishing such a feat was already practically guaranteed.
What peak Tier 9 Experts truly craved was to carve out an even larger, more expansive internal world, and a divine medicine could provide significant assistance in that endeavor as well.
'External help. We absolutely must find external help,'
The Canghai Tower Master thought desperately.
However, it was far easier said than done.
Given the immense value of the divine medicine, it was a foregone conclusion that it would attract peak Tier 9 Experts.
This meant that if the Canghai Tower wanted to hire outside help, the hired expert's strength had to be at the very least at the peak of Tier 9.
Anyone weaker than a peak Tier 9 Expert would not only fail to secure the divine medicine, but they likely would not even catch a glimpse of it before being wiped out.
However.
There were only a handful of peak Tier 9 Experts in the entire Eastern Barrens.
And almost every single one of them would be tempted by the divine medicine.
If he tried to seek help from outside the Eastern Barrens, it would take far too long. By the time any reinforcements arrived, the divine medicine would have undoubtedly been snatched away.
"Tower Master."
Right at that moment, a subordinate respectfully called out from outside to deliver a report.
"Oh?"
Listening to the report, the Canghai Tower Master's pupils violently contracted. "Are you saying that the expert known as Wu is already inside our Canghai Tower? And he is currently visiting Heven?"
As a major faction in the Eastern Barrens, the Canghai Tower naturally received numerous visitors on a daily basis. Everyone who entered the premises left behind a detailed visitor record.
Naturally, Su Yuan's visit to see Heven Cien was no exception.
'Wu? That mysterious peak Tier 9 Expert... Rumor has it that he and Heven established quite a good relationship back in the Broken Void World...'
The Canghai Tower Master's heart pounded with sudden excitement. He had just been agonizing over which external expert to hire. Was this Wu not the absolute perfect candidate?
The only uncertainty was whether Wu would actually be willing to help them. After all, a divine medicine was immensely useful even to a peak Tier 9 Expert.
Wu could easily choose to fight for the divine medicine himself. Why would he bother helping the Canghai Tower?
As for compensation? To a peak Tier 9 Expert, no amount of material wealth could possibly compare to the chance of expanding their internal world by even a single fraction.
'I will just have to try and test the waters,'
After mulling it over for a brief moment, the Canghai Tower Master decided to personally sound out Su Yuan's intentions.
After catching up with Heven Cien for a while, Su Yuan eventually stood up to take his leave.
The moment they stepped out of the cultivation room, Heven Cien spotted the Canghai Tower Master waiting outside.
"Tower Master,"
Heven Cien immediately greeted respectfully.
Within the Xien Family, the Canghai Tower Master's status was leaps and bounds above his own. After all, the former had a greater than sixty percent chance of successfully evolving into a Stellar Life Form.
"I presume you must be Wu. Seeing you in person is truly a privilege compared to merely hearing the rumors,"
The Canghai Tower Master gave Heven Cien a slight nod before enthusiastically initiating a conversation with Su Yuan.
"I wonder if it would be convenient for you to speak with me for a moment?"
The Canghai Tower Master quickly followed up with his inquiry.
Hearing this, Heven Cien immediately realized that the Tower Master had a matter of vital importance to discuss with Su Yuan.
"It is naturally quite convenient,"
Su Yuan replied with a nod.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for the Canghai Tower Master to say.
In truth, catching up with an old friend was only one small part of his reason for seeking out Heven Cien today.
His primary goal was to patiently wait for the Canghai Tower Master to invite him to act as outside muscle.
Thanks to the Gray Mirror, Su Yuan was Crystal Clear about the Canghai Tower's current predicament and exactly what they needed.
That was why he had appeared at the most opportune moment, perfectly timing his presence so that the Canghai Tower Master would take notice.
Inside the Canghai Tower's most luxurious and heavily guarded Quiet Room.
The Canghai Tower Master stared at Su Yuan with an extremely solemn expression.
The longer one stayed in the Divine Body World, the more deeply they understood just how terrifying a peak Tier 9 Expert truly was.
To completely master a spatial-type Divine Body Secret Method using only the insights of a Starry Sky Lifeform? It was tantamount to scaling the heavens.
"Wu, I will be completely straightforward with you," the Canghai Tower Master began.
He knew very well that the time of powerhouses like Su Yuan was incredibly precious. Generally speaking, they had absolutely no patience for pointless pleasantries and beating around the bush.
"Speak,"
Su Yuan nodded.
"My Canghai Tower has discovered a Sumeru Grotto-heaven, and there is a very high probability that a divine medicine is hidden within it."
The Canghai Tower Master did not attempt to hide anything, laying out the unvarnished truth. "However, news of this has already leaked out, and it will undoubtedly attract a vast swarm of experts. My Canghai Tower alone cannot secure this grotto-heaven, let alone hold on to the divine medicine inside."
"Therefore—"
The Canghai Tower Master's voice lowered in grave seriousness. "I wish to invite you to act as an external reinforcement for our Canghai Tower. You have my word regarding your compensation; we will absolutely not mistreat you. Whether in the Divine Body World or out in the real world, whatever you demand, as long as it is within my power, I will not hesitate for a second."
After speaking, the Canghai Tower Master stared intently at Su Yuan, a flicker of nervous anxiety betraying his usually calm demeanor.
He had already offered the absolute maximum price he could afford to pay, promising to agree to anything within his limits.
With his formidable status within the Xien Family, the scope of what he could achieve was staggering. He could even exert a certain degree of influence over a Stellar Life Form.
Yet, he still lacked the utmost confidence that he could successfully sway Su Yuan. After all, a divine medicine was on the line. Why on earth would Su Yuan help him when seizing the medicine for himself was clearly the vastly superior choice?
"You want to hire me to secure the divine medicine?"
Su Yuan quietly returned the Canghai Tower Master's intense gaze.
Divine medicines, and especially undying divine medicines from the Divine Body World, held incredible, almost miraculous utility for Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts. However, in Su Yuan's eyes, their actual effectiveness was not nearly as impressive.
By relying on the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art, consuming a single Tier 8 Imperial Citizen Player would provide him with a boost that easily rivaled, if not surpassed, a divine medicine.
Therefore, the raw appeal of the divine medicine was merely average to him.
Su Yuan's true objective was the massive horde of Late-stage Starry Sky Life Imperial Citizen Players that the divine medicine was guaranteed to lure in.
The Great Cycles of Universal Power mastered by those Tier 8 Expert and Tier 9 Expert Imperial Citizen Players could continuously propel the Great Cycle of Yin-Yang and Five Elements within his own body toward absolute perfection.
In particular, the utility of Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts at the peak of Tier 9 far eclipsed even that of an undying divine medicine.
"No problem,"
Su Yuan agreed with a soft smile as he looked at the anxious Canghai Tower Master.
Since he was planning to hunt down those Late-stage Starry Sky Life experts anyway, accepting the Canghai Tower's invitation was merely a convenient coincidence.
Most importantly, the Xien Family's vault contained several rare treasures and oddities that Su Yuan desperately needed.
By taking advantage of this golden opportunity, he could effortlessly get his hands on those exact items.