Chapter 830: Chapter 1: Return to the Sword Burial Ancestor Star
The desolate mountains stretch endlessly, towering into the clouds, their majesty overwhelming.
A chilling aura occasionally reveals itself between heaven and earth, its frightening presence causing Zhou Yan to hesitate, wondering what kind of place he has arrived at.
This place has a dense atmosphere, with intricate rules that surpass the pressure felt in the True God Plane.
"This endless journey through darkness, truly overwhelming, but now, finally we have arrived at a Life Planet—this planet’s energy is so formidable!"
Liu Haoxin murmured to himself in amazement.
His remark made Zhou Yan slightly shocked, then immediately he noticed something—energy!
The strength of the energy made Zhou Yan feel a sense of recognition for this familiar yet unfamiliar domain.
"This is... Ancient Tomb Mountain!"
Zhou Yan carefully surveyed this age-old mountain range, finally confirming that it was indeed the Ancient Tomb Mountain of the Sword Burial Ancestor Star.
But this Ancient Tomb Mountain has become as terrifying as the forbidden mountains of the True God Plane.
Additionally, the Sword Burial Ancestor Star no longer exists; it can’t be sensed, as if it has connected with a major cosmic rule.
Zhou Yan was stunned, convinced he wasn’t mistaken or misjudging.
The Sword Burial Ancestor Star seems to have undergone a fundamental transformation, everything has changed entirely.
Zhou Yan immediately unleashed his powerful soul power, sensing the surroundings, his combat power in this domain exceeding even the realm of the Sword God Fifth Transition, slightly stronger than expected, enabling him to almost instantaneously encompass the world.
However, in the next moment, Zhou Yan was once again struck with surprise.
The previously familiar Carefree Main City now feels vast as a Great Domain, its boundaries far beyond sensation, and Zhou Yan can finally confirm that the energy he breathes and absorbs is Divine Origin Power.
Divine Origin Power is an energy system only found in high-level planes like the True God Plane.
And yet, suddenly the Sword Burial Ancestor Star has become akin to a plane.
"Master, is this the world you cultivate in? Indeed, just breathing makes one feel significantly stronger."
Liu Haoxin marveled in disbelief, then instinctively, using a cultivation technique, grabbed a handful of soil from the ground; even that soil was richer in energy than the Spiritual Spring in the energy blessing lands of Earth Ancestral Land.
Liu Haoxin continued: "It’s like eating dirt improves cultivation effortlessly, this place is impressive!"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because not only him, but also Hua Qiudao and Zhao Xiaoxiao beside him, realized something terrifying—the fundamental energy of this world is so formidable, then how powerful must the life forms in this world be?
This is a question too daunting to imagine.
For this reason, the three of them fell into silence almost instantly, waiting for Zhou Yan’s explanation.
"When I left this world, it was extremely weak, merely an ancient planet, but now, it has evidently transformed into a plane. I can’t infer how much time has passed, but I just need to query this world’s information to know soon."
Zhou Yan explained.
"Time, can it really be different?"
Liu Haoxin was visibly shocked.
"Different time is normal; above the rules, there can exist supreme entities that transcend time, thus time’s alteration under each plane’s influence is not necessarily the same."
Zhao Xiaoxiao explained.
Having inherited Shennong’s legacy, she was quite clear on this point.
"Indeed, the ancient Huangliang’s Dream can explain time’s differing phenomena."
Hua Qiudao wasn’t surprised either, speaking in agreement.
Zhou Yan, taking the three with him, flew across this daunting Ancient Tomb Mountain towards the site of the former Carefree Main City.
The Carefree Main City still exists, but looks exceedingly ancient; its mottled aura emanates powerful and dense energy.
In the city, Zhou Yan gradually sensed cultivators, and the instant he perceived their presence, his heart sank suddenly.
Even the most ordinary cultivators have reached the Sword Void or Sword Tribulation realms, with Sword Ancestor realm cultivators being common.
Moreover, in this once tiny city, Zhou Yan sensed the presence of several Sword Saint realm cultivators.
A bad premonition arose in Zhou Yan’s heart; the Sword Burial Ancestor Star undoubtedly underwent monumental changes, transforming from a lower-level plane breeding ground into a plane.
Zhou Yan followed past memories, arriving at the site where he once resided.
Here lay only ruins, accompanied by the sound of wind and crows; nothing else but wasteland.
Shattered walls and debris, like ancient ruins.
Zhou Yan initially concealed his figure, but then, traversing the Carefree Main City, he assessed the cultivators’ cultural style, languages; Zhou Yan educated Hua Qiudao, Zhao Xiaoxiao, and Liu Haoxin in their attire, languages.
Afterwards, the four maintained their appearance but altered their clothes and aura to be indistinguishable among the local cultivators, so as not to stand out.
Thus, the four appeared here without attracting attention.
Zhou Yan stood dazed amidst the ruins, while Zhao Xiaoxiao and Liu Haoxin felt a dizzying sense of fantasy.
Even though they realized how different this world was, the real yet fantastical feeling as if returning to an ancient Immortal Realm continued to overwhelm their hearts.
Hua Qiudao, however, remained calm, gazing at the ruins; though unaware, he could vaguely infer some matters.
He sighed lightly, patting Zhou Yan’s shoulder, saying: "Brother Zhou Yan, be open-minded. Sometimes, cultivation is like this."
"Yes, I understand."
Zhou Yan nodded gently, no longer dwelling on the decaying land.
Turning around, Zhou Yan led them toward the bustling area of the main city.
"Let’s explore the situation of the cultivators in this ancient city, follow me."
Zhou Yan said.
Within the Carefree Main City stood a massive tea house tavern, where Zhou Yan first met Huang FuZhan, though it later collapsed due to battle.
Now, Zhou Yan once again saw that tavern rebuilt, taller and more ancient.
It’s a tavern named ’Enlightenment Pavilion,’ bustling with many cultivators.
Zhou Yan, exuding an imperial aura, his realm though hidden yet apparent, causing others to retreat and dare not challenge.
Zhou Yan naturally ascended to the third floor, taking Hua Qiudao, Zhao Xiaoxiao, and Liu Haoxin to a window-side seat.
He ordered four pots of tea, quietly drinking with them while observing the interactions among cultivators, learning the current world’s development.
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