Chapter 334: 225: Whirlwind_1
With identities concealed by the beast roster, their Cultivation is unknown.
Yet there is a litany of military achievements, attesting to their formidable strength.
Although now, Xing Country remains Xing Country, and Great Xing Mountain is still Great Xing Mountain, it is clear to all that under the relentless assaults of the White Jade Capital—a case of ‘the enemy in light and us in the dark’—the situation of Great Xing Mountain is becoming increasingly precarious.
In dire straits, teetering on the brink of collapse.
With defenses weak and attackers powerless, their suffering is beyond words.
If this trend continues, it won’t be long before Xing Country undergoes a drastic change.
This makes evident the strength of the masters of the Five Palaces.
Yet what White Jade Capital has shown is more than just the masters of the Five Palaces.
…
“The Celestial White Jade Capital, the Twelve Towers and Five Cities!”
“Aside from the top power of the Five Cities and Five Palaces, there are Twelve Towers in White Jade Capital that form its foundation.”
“These Twelve Towers each specialize in a specific skill, and currently, it is known that Martial Tower, Craft Tower, Sword Tower, and Mana Tower are actively involved in battles and prominent in public.”
“It is speculated that there might also be Elixir Tower, Talisman Tower, Artifact Tower, Formation Tower providing logistic support, and possibly even Beast Tower, Spirit Tower, Ghost Tower, Demon Tower as part of more secretive methods.”
“…”
After reading the final bits which are all speculative and somewhat watered-down intelligence, the lady slightly furrowed her brows, looked up at Hong Ling and asked, “Is that all?”
Hong Ling smiled and explained, “White Jade Capital is mysterious in its actions. Although they have appeared in Xing Country a decade ago and have been very active, to this day, no one knows their origins or identities.”
“These pieces of information were gathered by Listening to the Wind and Asking the Rain Tower based on various clues, and although widely known and not hard to inquire, they are backed by evidence. If the esteemed guest is not satisfied, there are some unverified rumors that are harder to substantiate…”
After speaking, she paused, waiting to see the lady’s reaction.
The lady, who understood well, directly asked, “How much?”
Hong Ling smiled slightly, “Three Five Viscera Sprit Pills!”
The lady gave her a cold glance and then took out a Storage Bag, “I don’t have Five Viscera Pills, but do you want these?”
“Hmm… that works!”
Hong Ling accepted the Storage Bag and shared the intelligence.
“In White Jade Capital, the Five Cities and Five Palaces, symbolized by divine beast True spirits, the masters of the Five Palaces are also frequently active; they compete with Great Xing Mountain’s Ice Polar Palace and various formidable forces, including practitioners of the Demon Path and Evil Cultivators, for Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects, especially those for transforming living creatures. They hardly let any go, even at the risk of venturing into kill zones set up by Great Xing Mountain and Ice Polar Palace.”
From this, two possibilities are deduced.
First, someone in White Jade Capital with Golden Core might be on the verge of condensing a Nascent Soul and is in urgent need of Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects to eliminate the Demon Fetus and achieve a Corpse Resolution Immortal body.
Second, White Jade Capital may possess the method to nurture Demon Transformation Spiritual Beasts, and perhaps within the Twelve Towers, there might well be a “Beast Tower.”
“Beast Tower?”
The lady muttered to herself then looked at Hong Ling, “This isn’t worth three Five Viscera Sprit Pills.”
“Esteemed guest, please be patient.”
Hong Ling smiled and continued, “There’s also a conjecture regarding the masters of the Five Palaces.”
“Speak!”
“The masters of the Five Palaces in White Jade Capital symbolize themselves with the names of the five great divine beast True spirits, practicing one technique of the Five Elements each. Although their Cultivation is not clear, their combat strength is extreme; within Golden Core, almost nobody can stand against them, so it can be said they are the strongest below Corpse Resolution Immortals.”
“But there is speculation that these Five Cities and Five Palaces are just an illusion, a bluff. The masters of the Five Palaces might actually all be one person; after all, throughout the past ten years, despite several encirclements by Great Xing Mountain and Ice Polar Palace, it was always a single palace’s master who responded, never has there been a situation where two acted together, let alone all five appearing simultaneously.”
“Moreover, considering the mysterious way White Jade Capital operates, showing hints yet hiding the whole, their strength seems mighty yet somewhat hollow internally. It’s possible that they lack the support of a Corpse Resolution Immortal at their back and it’s all just one person playing the role of the Five Palaces’ masters to intimidate various forces with a show of might.”
“…”
Looking at Hong Ling, the lady said in a cold voice, “Do you know what you’re talking about?”
“Esteemed guest, please be patient.”
Hong Ling smiled and explained, “These are the musings of the common folk, not the intelligence from our tower.”
“The masters of the Five Palaces could indeed be a single person impersonating them all!”
“But this one person is by no means blustering or hollow inside!”
“Otherwise, why would that Corpse Resolution Immortal of Ice Polar Palace remain inactive, allowing such arrogance?”
“In fact, what Great Xing Mountain and Ice Polar Palace most fear and least wish to see is all Five Palaces’ masters being the same person.”
“The Azure Dragon has mastered the Yimu Divine Thunder, White Tiger has cultivated the Xinjin Sword Art, Vermilion Bird has also achieved the Ding Fire Divine Thunder, Black Tortoise has an invincible battle body, and the central palace’s Kylin has perfected the Jitu Qilin Seal. If indeed the Five Palaces’ masters are one person…”
“It would mean that he has mastered the Five Elements Divine Thunder, Five Elements Sword Art, Five Elements battle body, and possesses the treasures of the Five Elements—and may even have the ability to unite the Five Elements as one!”
“Even as Golden Core Cultivators, such individuals could fight against Nascent Souls and rival the Corpse Resolution Immortals.”
“Therefore, the Corpse Resolution Immortal from Ice Polar Palace dare not act rashly, and Great Xing Mountain has repeatedly sought to call a cease fire with the opposing side. However, it is to no avail as White Jade Capital refuses to communicate, continuously antagonizing Great Xing Mountain within the territory of Xing Country, snatching Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects, and forcing Great Xing Mountain into a corner with nowhere to turn.”
Hong Ling shook her head with a sigh, “To be empty is to be filled, to be solid is to be hollow. Such tactics…”
“…”
Confronted with Hong Ling’s sigh, the woman in white didn’t say much, merely asking, “Is there truly no clue to the location of their sect’s gate?”
At this, Hong Ling also bitterly smiled, “There really isn’t.”
“How could that be?”
The woman in white frowned deeply, “If White Jade Capital is indeed as they claim, boasting the grandeur of Five Cities and Twelve Towers, they must have a sect gate as a foundation. Otherwise, where would they cultivate, not to mention the threat of the Demon Fetus…”
“That is the third piece of news.”
With a smile, Hong Ling took over the conversation, “Over the past ten years, White Jade Capital has frequently made moves, with the masters of the Five Palaces taking action repeatedly, each time resulting in earth-shattering great battles, utterly disregarding the threat of the Demon Fetus.”
“In that case, there are only two possibilities!”
“First, they have a sea of Five Viscera Pills that can support their frequent activities.”
“Second, they have a unique mana point that can suppress the demonic threat, rendering them unimpeded.”
“…”
Hong Ling’s words left the woman in white in silence.
This world is tainted, filled with deep-rooted Demonic Qi. Cultivation is like courting the Demonic Path; Qi Refinement gives rise to Demon Seeds, Foundation Establishment leads to the gestation of a Demon Fetus, and the Golden Core stage sees the maturation of the Demon Fetus, bringing one to the edge of humanity and devilry, a matter of life and death.
Therefore, Golden Core Cultivators must not act rashly. With every action they take, the demonic nature deepens. Either they must seclude themselves and refine the Demonic Qi after a single battle, or they must consume Five Viscera Pills or Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects.
These constraints prevent Golden Core Cultivators from being deployed as regular combat forces. Even a sect as powerful as Great Xing Mountain can only use Foundation Establishment Cultivators as Searching Immortal Envoys, and almost never mobilizes Golden Core Elders unless faced with formidable enemies specifically targeting them.
But now…
The leaders of the Five Palaces of White Jade Capital are extremely active, employing Golden Core fighters as regular forces, completely ignoring the threat of the Demon Fetus.
This anomaly, if to be explained, can only be as Hong Ling has said.
A sea of Five Viscera Pills!
A unique Demon Refining technique!
The former or the latter?
“Our Listening to the Wind and Asking Rain Tower leans more towards the latter,” Hong Ling aptly said. “A sea of Five Viscera Pills would require an immense amount of resources. Unless White Jade Capital effectively controls an entire country and has accumulated wealth for a century, it stands no chance. However, a power with such a foundation is unlikely to make an enemy out of Great Xing Mountain so easily, especially since the ancestor of Great Xing Mountain has achieved Corpse Resolution and is also a part of the Nine Sects Alliance.”
“Therefore, the latter is more likely. White Jade Capital’s extensive search for Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects could also be related to this.”
Hong Ling bowed her head, looking at the woman, “That’s all the news and speculation about White Jade Capital. Since you are a distinguished guest of our tower, I will give you another piece of news.”
“Oh?”
The woman looked up, her curiosity piqued, “What news?”
“It’s about Great Xing Mountain and White Jade Capital again.”
Hong Ling shook her head, speaking somberly, “More than ten years ago, the old ancestor of Great Xing Mountain had reached the Nascent Soul Condensing threshold, so they started collecting Demon Transformation Spiritual Objects in earnest. Although White Jade Capital emerged midway and caused them a lot of trouble, with Great Xing Mountain’s potentiality, they eventually gathered enough.”
“Great Xing Mountain has already sent out invites, including to those from the Corpse Resolution Immortal Sects such as Ice Polar Palace, to attend a ceremony, set for the seventh day of the following month.”
“As long as the ancestor of Great Xing Mountain successfully condenses his Nascent Soul and slays demons, achieving Corpse Resolution, then Great Xing Mountain will have another Corpse Resolution Immortal!”
At this point, Hong Ling’s expression grew even more solemn, “The relationship between White Jade Capital and Great Xing Mountain is irreconcilable, with no possibility of peace. Once the old ancestor of Great Xing Mountain has succeeded in Corpse Resolution, he will personally take action, scouring thousands of mountains and rivers to settle grudges with White Jade Capital.”
“Faced with such a threat, White Jade Capital will by no means sit idly by and allow the ancestor of Great Xing Mountain to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. The upcoming observing ceremony may well witness blade flashes and sword shadows, a storm of blood and gore.”
Hong Ling looked at the woman and said in a deep voice, “At that time, Corpse Resolution Immortals may get involved!”
“Corpse Resolution Immortals?”
The woman’s eyes focused, and she quickly understood, “The one from Ice Polar Palace?”
“I’m afraid it’s not just him.”
Hong Ling shook her head, “Great Xing Mountain and Ice Polar Palace come from the same lineage, sharing a profound ancestral connection. Though they later split into two sects, they remain closely tied. Ice Polar Palace has assisted Great Xing Mountain quite a bit ten years ago. Now with the old ancestor of Great Xing Mountain on the cusp of condensing his Nascent Soul, it’s certain that the Corpse Resolution Immortal from Ice Polar Palace will come to offer protection.”
“Furthermore, with the Nine Sects Alliance and the withdrawal of sects due to Ascension, the old ancestor’s Corpse Resolution affects the common interests of several Corpse Resolution Sects, so it’s possible that other Immortals may lend their aid as well.”
“This White Jade Capital, with its mysterious origins and unclear intentions, doesn’t seem inclined to join the Nine Sects Alliance based on its current actions.”
“Thus, the major sects clearly cannot tolerate them. Even if the Corpse Resolution Immortals are reluctant to put themselves at risk, they might have to take action to curb their arrogance.”
Hong Ling sighed and turned back, “In summary, this ceremony is bound to not end in peace. If you have no urgent matters, it would be best to leave early.”
…