Chen Fan understood the term "vegetable patch" in an instant.
He had to admit that the Upper Nine Heavens were ruthless.
And all of this was built on a foundation of immense power.
Without power, such actions would be impossible.
"What else did he say?"
"The Illusion Sect also mentioned that the million-year cycle is nearing its end, and the Upper Nine Heavens will likely make a move against the Lower Ten Lands again."
Another harvest season was approaching.
"Mm."
Chen Fan was silent for a long time. "It seems we don't have much time left."
The Dragon King watched him.
Chen Fan explained, "My ultimate goal has always been the Upper Nine Heavens. As you know, I have no interest in power, and even my cultivation is out of necessity. I need to go to the Upper Nine Heavens to retrieve something."
"If, as the Illusion Sect said, the Upper Nine Heavens consider the Lower Ten Lands a vegetable patch, then entering the Upper Nine Heavens will not be simple."
"My original plan was to find a way through, but it seems that method is no longer viable. Even if I manage to enter the Upper Nine Heavens, it will ultimately lead to a great battle."
"It's even possible that I'll be at war with the Lower Ten Lands before I even reach the Upper Nine Heavens."
"Therefore, I've decided to unite the Lower Ten Lands and fight our way up."
"Anyone unwilling will step down..."
As he spoke of stepping down, a fierce killing intent flared in Chen Fan's eyes.
How would they step down?
It was simple... through death.
I refuse to be treated as a leek to be arbitrarily harvested. Those who wish to be so can die.
Those who are unwilling, come with me and we will fight our way into the Upper Nine Heavens.
It's a straightforward matter.
"We don't have much time left."
Chen Fan spoke, "Dragon King, we must immediately head to the Eighth Land."
"Alright."
The Dragon King wasted no words.
Boom.
In the next moment, his voice echoed through the heavens and earth, "Golden Crow, Demon Butterfly, Big Head, gather quickly..."
At the same time, Chen Fan's people heard his telepathic message.
"Hahaha."
Old Demon Chu, who was fighting the Demon Spirit, laughed heartily. "We'll fight again next time. I have something to attend to now. When I summon you out again, we'll have a proper fight."
Overlord, Mad Emperor, and the others... all received the message.
Hiss.
Their figures flickered, rushing towards the Yin Yang River.
The number of people rushing towards the river was not large, but it drew everyone's attention.
These were the people who would accompany the City Lord.
As they gathered, everyone understood what was happening.
"Farewell, City Lord."
The powerful figures of the Realm of Life and Death shook the heavens and earth.
Loud farewell cheers echoed throughout the land.
"Brothers."
Chen Fan's figure appeared before everyone for the last time. "I'll head to the Eighth Land for now. I'll be waiting for you there."
"Let's go."
With that, he spoke no further.
The Yin Yang flickered, sending the group on their way.
Sword Master and the Dao Master of Yin Yang appeared, standing to see them off.
"City Lord Chen."
The Dao Master of Yin Yang transmitted, "I will guard the Tenth Land. Rest assured... I will ensure the Tenth Land remains safe until your return."
"Thank you."
Their foundations were in the Tenth Land.
Chen Fan had been somewhat worried initially, but now with the Dao Master of Yin Yang guarding the Tenth Land, he felt at ease.
With Sword Master in the Ninth Land, there was also no cause for concern.
He and the Dragon King, along with a small group, heading to the Eighth Land was more than enough.
Boom.
The sky cracked open.
Figures traversed through heaven and earth.
All eyes were on Chen Fan. His shoulders, though not broad, were capable of shouldering the weight of this world.
...
The edge of the Ninth Land.
Without any send-offs, a group of people gathered here.
"So fast."
Chen Fan mused, "I haven't been in the Ninth Land for long, and now I'm leaving for the Eighth Land."
"I apologize, everyone, for making you endure so much hardship and constant life-or-death crises by following me."
Whether it was Overlord or Immortal Emperor, ever since they followed him, they had been in continuous battle.
Among these people, Chu Laomo deserved the most thanks.
Chu Laomo had been with him the longest, enduring countless dangers along the way.
"Heh."
Chu Laomo grinned. "This is the kind of life I enjoy."
"So do we..." Overlord chimed in.
Overlord and Mad Emperor, in particular, had not appeared by Chen Fan's side for a long time.
The reason was that their cultivation levels had fallen behind.
Since they couldn't keep up, they could only lag behind.
This time, it was their request.
Chen Fan had refused, but to no avail, and he eventually had to agree.
These people were different from the chaotic beasts.
The chaotic beast tribe fought for the propagation of their species and for survival.
If they won, not only would the tribe grow stronger, but they would also gain more living space.
As for Chu Laomo and Mad Emperor, they fought solely for their City Lord.
Their faith was in their City Lord.
"Let's go."
Chen Fan said no more.
The group walked directly out of the Ninth Land.
This time, no one from the Sword Realm accompanied them.
Under the Dao Master of Yin Yang, there was only one person, Shadow.
This person, Shadow, was like a shadow. If Chen Fan hadn't seen him disappear into Mad Emperor's shadow, he would have forgotten about him entirely.
"Very powerful."
Chen Fan had to admit this.
Even though he knew the other party was hidden within Mad Emperor's shadow, he had searched for a long time before finding any clues.
As for Chu Laomo and the others, they couldn't detect the other party's presence at all.
Even Mad Emperor, the very person he was hiding in, couldn't sense him.
If this guy were to go into assassination, he would be an absolute top-tier operative.
This was far beyond a simple statement of "powerful."
...
Hum.
The barrier distorted, and the group emerged.
It was still an ancient stone road, and the chaotic wind that met them was as sharp as a blade.
"The aura here is much sharper than the previous stone road." After a brief scan, Chen Fan remarked.
"Indeed."
The Dragon King nodded.
He added, "Not only is the aura here more ferocious, but even I find it somewhat difficult to suppress."
Chaotic beasts were residents of the chaos, and wherever they went, the chaotic energy there would become gentler.
Yet, even they found it difficult to suppress the chaotic energy outside the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
The Dragon King sighed, "This is why our chaotic race is reluctant to venture out."
The energy outside was closer to the primordial.
Chen Fan nodded. "Let's go."
The group quickened their pace. The chaotic airflow on the stone road was slightly more tranquil, but once they left the stone road, the energy became more violent.
"Golden Crow, sense it." The Dragon King commanded.
"Yes."
The Golden Crow transformed into its true form and rushed out of the stone road.
The Golden Crow Emperor, like a sun, instantly disappeared, moving at extreme speed.
The others did not wait but continued to advance.
After about fifteen minutes, the Golden Crow returned.
"Dragon King."
The Golden Crow transformed into human form, his expression grave. "The deeper we go, the more violent the chaotic energy becomes. I flew at full speed for a long distance, and I sensed a danger behind me."
"Hmm? Danger?"
The Dragon King frowned. "Is it a powerful being?"
"It doesn't feel like it."
The Golden Crow Emperor organized his thoughts slightly. "That feeling... it's a sense of crisis the chaos gave me. The chaotic airflow here doesn't even recognize my chaotic race anymore. It's as if... it's gone mad."
Although the analogy was not entirely accurate, the Dragon King's expression immediately darkened.
Chaos had a spirit.
According to the Golden Crow, the spirit of chaos... had gone mad?
The Dragon King became anxious. "City Lord Chen, I'll go and take a look..."
"Alright."
Chen Fan did not refuse.
Chaos... was the territory of the chaotic race.
Everywhere was their domain.
If, as the Golden Crow suggested, the chaos had truly gone mad, then something must have happened.
A non-mad spirit of chaos would never harbor hostility towards the chaotic race.
It was for this very reason that the Dragon King was so anxious.
This situation was too serious.
"Roar."
The Golden Dragon stretched across the heavens and earth.
The dragon soared into the sky and quickly disappeared.
This wait lasted for a full hour.
The Dragon King returned, covered in wounds.
'What happened?' Chen Fan's expression changed drastically.
The Dragon King was injured?
Not only physical wounds, but also Dao wounds.
The Dragon King's expression was frighteningly somber. "I ventured deep into the chaos, and the spirit there... has indeed gone mad. To be more precise... outside the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, all the spirits of chaos are in a state of utter disarray."