Finally, after half a month, Ye Chen, the two great sects, and the Mysterious Saint all successfully traversed nine hundred thousand li, arriving at the edge of the core region of Shenwang Valley.
Here stood an extremely magnificent ancient city—Lone Mountain City. It was far more grand and towering than any of the post ancient cities outside, also entirely dark red in color and mottled with battle scars, clearly a city that had frequently weathered battles.
The cultivators within the city were not many; even including the city guard army stationed there, there were only a few tens of thousands, making the giant city spanning over a hundred li seem somewhat desolate.
However, it was obvious that any cultivator capable of reaching Lone Mountain City was far more powerful than those in other post ancient cities, each exuding a terrifying aura of slaughter.
This city also regularly faced the crisis of beast tides from Shenwang Valley, naturally making its inhabitants much stronger.
Many cultivators even came specifically to Lone Mountain City for training.
After arriving at Lone Mountain City, there were no more eagle beasts or other flying demonic beasts to carry cultivators deeper, nor were there any other post ancient cities.
Because that was the true core region of Shenwang Valley. No flying demonic beasts could set foot there; to enter, one had to proceed on their own.
Of course, the core region of Shenwang Valley was countless times more dangerous than the periphery.
Great demons of the Saint Realm and even the Heavenly King Realm were absolutely not uncommon.
Even—
In the deepest part, lurked an Ancient Demonic Dragon whose ferocious might intimidated the entire Weiyang Continent!
At this moment, Gu Xuan led a group of Qinghua Sect cultivators to the side of the Xue Sect cultivators. After half a month of traveling together, facing demonic beast attacks, and fighting side by side, the relationship between the two great sects had improved considerably.
Especially the relationship between Gu Xuan and Nangong Xue had undoubtedly grown much closer.
Facing Gu Xuan, the chill on Nangong Xue's face had also warmed considerably, making Gu Xuan's heart flutter each time, swearing to himself that he must win Nangong Xue over.
Only occasionally, when his gaze swept towards Ye Chen, a flash of cold intent would flicker in his eyes.
If given the chance, he would definitely make Ye Chen pay for offending him.
Now, whenever Nangong Xue saw Ye Chen, she also felt a sense of disdain. The initial interest she had felt had long since vanished, dissipated by the latter's cowardly behavior over the past half month.
Compared to Gu Xuan, Ye Chen was undoubtedly a coward.
"Junior Sister Xue, why don't our two sects act together?" Gu Xuan suggested, his address for Nangong Xue undoubtedly much more intimate, having taken a step further after half a month.
Moreover, after half a month of understanding, he knew the Xue Sect's goal was the same as the Qinghua Sect's: to obtain the Samsara Divine Fruit and the Saint Fruit for forging a powerful Saint Vault Divine Body.
The same purpose: to nurture super Heaven's Prides like Gu Xuan and Nangong Xue, who were on the Huashen Genius List.
"I'll follow Senior Brother Gu's suggestion."
Nangong Xue nodded, and the other female cultivators of the Xue Sect also voiced their agreement.
Since the goals of the two great sects were the same, traveling together would undoubtedly greatly increase their chances of success.
"There's no need to worry about the journey. This time, to ensure I obtain the Samsara Divine Fruit and Saint Fruit, the sect has dispatched three Saint Treasury Realm elders to secretly protect me."
Gu Xuan said with his handsome face held high, a hint of pride in his expression.
As the successor of the Qinghua Sect, the sect naturally placed immense importance on him. Three super-powerful experts of the Saint Treasury Realm had personally come to secretly ensure Gu Xuan's safety.
As for super-powerful experts of the Heavenly King Realm, within immortal sacred lands like the Qinghua Sect and Xue Sect, they were absolutely top-tier super-powerful elders at the level of Grand Elders, the very foundation of an immortal sacred land, not to be mobilized lightly.
Having three Saints come to protect Gu Xuan's safety was enough to show the importance placed on him.
Nangong Xue smiled slightly, a smile that could make the heavens and earth pale in comparison: "Senior Brother Gu can also rest assured. My Xue Sect also has three Saints who have come to secretly protect me."
Beside her, the old woman faintly revealed a trace of saintly aura, clearly one of them.
The cultivators of the two great sects were overjoyed. With the secret protection of six Saints, even entering the core region of Shenwang Valley would be very safe, as long as they weren't unlucky enough to encounter those few Heavenly King Realm great demons.
At this moment, Nangong Xue, carrying a faint fragrance with her, personally approached the Mysterious Saint. He was a middle-aged man who appeared very ordinary, like an average uncle, but was undoubtedly a Saint. She made a graceful bow and said, "Senior Saint, you must also be entering the core region. Would you be willing to travel with our two great sects? Of course, you may leave at any time if you wish."
Although both great sects secretly had Saints following for protection, having one more Saint would undoubtedly add a bit more safety.
Moreover, the Saints of the two great sects were almost all secretly protecting; they would only personally appear unless a life-and-death crisis emerged.
The Mysterious Saint frowned, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Agreed."
His agreement pleased the cultivators of the two great sects.
But soon, the Mysterious Saint looked at Ye Chen and said, "Young friend, you must also be heading to the core region. Would you be willing to travel with me?"
Although Ye Chen had never made a move over the past half month, the Mysterious Saint had been observing his reactions all along. He could tell that even though Ye Chen never acted, he always remained calm in the face of danger, even appearing utterly unperturbed each time. Even when that half-Saint great demon nearly reached him once, he was still like this, without a trace of fear.
This temperament rather appealed to him, so he was willing to bring him along.
"What? Bring along that useless baggage?"
The cultivators of the two great sects all wore gloomy expressions.
They had long regarded Ye Chen as a coward. They thought they could finally shake him off and believed Ye Chen would surely die if he entered the core region. They were quite surprised that the Mysterious Saint was willing to bring him along.
Of course, they only dared to grumble in their hearts.
"No need, I alone am sufficient," Ye Chen refused. Having reached this point, he felt his relaxation time was enough; he could directly seek out Doumen's headquarters.
Hearing this, both great sects breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fortunately he didn't agree, otherwise we'd have to drag along another deadweight."
"Hah, does this kid also plan to enter the core region? Isn't that just seeking death?"
"Even we, with the secret protection of multiple Saints, dare not be careless. He actually refused the guidance of a Saint. Truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
...
Hearing this, the Mysterious Saint only felt it was a pity, because he always felt Ye Chen's temperament was good and that he was likely no ordinary individual.
Such a young Heaven's Pride was naturally worth befriending.
Even if he wasn't, he still rather liked him.
However, since the other party was unwilling, he wouldn't force it, and said, "In that case, young friend, be careful."
Ye Chen smiled slightly: "You're quite a decent person, not like the others who judge people by their appearance. Since that's the case, today I shall grant you a promise. Whatever wish you have, as long as it is within this world, I can make it happen."