Chapter 121: A Long Road Ahead

even the second stage of the hunt has to be ranked first!Xia Mang, tall and imposing with a cold and aloof expression, stood at the center, exuding an air of dominance.He was born into royalty, but h...After leaving Su's house, Su Xin came to the Heavenly Flame Palace again.

He had previously killed Nie Jiuyou and completed some routine missions, earning a large amount of fire points. Before going to Jiusheng Mountain, he naturally had to use up these fire points.

Like the "Essence of Sword Intent" Part Two, which costs a hefty one hundred thousand fire points to redeem, Su Xin had always been reluctant to exchange it before. Now, however, he exchanged it without hesitation.

There were also some treasures in the Treasure Pavilion that Su Xin needed himself, and he generously exchanged them until he spent all the fire points he had.

Subsequently, Su Xin awaited in the Tianyan Palace for several days, and that Azure Patrol Envoy arrived personally.

……

After arriving at a territory controlled by the Nine Saints Mountain through the spatial channel within the Heavenly Flame Dynasty, Su Xin and the Azure Inspection Envoy continued to travel in one direction.

"Su Xin, it won't be long before we reach Jiusheng Mountain. Before that, there are some things I need to tell you," the You Lan Inspector began to say.

"The Eastern Wasteland, with boundless territory, is divided into twenty-two domains!"

Within these twenty-two domains, there are countless empires, as well as a large number of powerful forces and sects with profound foundations. Among them, the most top-tier and domineering are the six overlord forces!

Even the weakest of these six dominant powers can directly control a domain. Within this domain, any dynasty or force bows to this overlord.

Among them, the most powerful ones even controlled two to three domains on their own, with thousands of empires and forces bowing to them!

Su Xin heard, his heart couldn't help but tremble.

Although he wasn't sure how vast a domain was, he knew that to be a dominant force in the Eastern Wilderness, the power they wielded must have been terrifying.

Like Jiusheng Mountain, it also controls such a vast territory with numerous empires under its command, but obviously, Jiusheng Mountain is not one of the six major hegemonic forces.

"Besides the six major dominant forces, there are also seventeen top-tier forces within the Dong荒 region!" The Azure Patrol Envoy continued.

These seventeen top-tier forces, in terms of strength, naturally cannot compare to the six major overlord forces. However, their foundations are also extremely deep, and their strength is not easily underestimated. Especially among these seventeen top-tier forces, some extremely powerful forces even control a domain of their own.

"And I, Jiusheng Mountain, am one of the seventeen top powers. The domain we are in is called Qingxuan Domain."

"Qingxuan Domain" Su Xin's heart skipped a beat.

Although not a hegemonic force, being able to become one of the top seventeen forces in Dong荒, Jiusheng Mountain is obviously very remarkable.

“My Nine Saints Mountain lineage has been passed down for over ten thousand years. But within the Qingxuan domain, it only controls less than half of the territory. The rest is mainly under the control of the Heavenly God Palace,” the Azure Blue Inspector said.

"Heavenly God's Palace" Su Xin glanced at the Azure Blue Patrol Officer.

"The Heavenly God Palace is also one of the top seventeen forces. In terms of foundation and strength, it's not inferior to my Nine Saints Mountain at all. In fact, because the territory it controls is slightly larger than my Nine Saints Mountain and has more Nirvana Realm cultivators than my Nine Saints Mountain, but in terms of peak powerhouses, my Nine Saints Mountain has more."

After a pause, the Azure Patrol Envoy continued, “The saying goes that two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain. Two top-tier forces existing in the same domain will inevitably clash, whether over territory, secret realms, or interests. Over time, this breeds irreconcilable animosity.”

"Combat! Bloodshed!"

"Between the Jiusheng Mountain and the Tian Shen Palace, there has long been irreconcilable animosity. Their skirmishes have raged for thousands of years without ever ceasing. In fact, to facilitate even more bloodshed, the most powerful figures from both sides even joined forces to create a dedicated battleground!"

"Open a battlefield" Su Xin was startled.

"Yes, that battlefield is located within the Qingxuan Domain. It's incredibly vast, with countless powerful figures from both sides engaged in a fierce battle. If you manage to kill an enemy strong warrior, you earn military merit. This military merit is quite valuable within the Jiusheng Mountain," said Youlan Patrol Inspector.

Of course, those who have been fighting on the battlefield for years are all powerhouses above the Nirvana Realm. You're only at the Void Breaking Realm now, so you don't need to know too much about it. Just wait until you break through to the Nirvana Realm and want to fight on the battlefield and earn military exploits, then go learn more later.

Su Xin nodded silently.

He had learned from the Daoist Master of Jiucheng that members of Jiusheng Mountain, whether peripheral or core, were many who spent their years fighting and killing outside.

Jiusheng Mountain is the hall of the strong, and the strong are those who rise in endless killing.

Just like the Water Secret Realm that day, it was deliberately created by Jiusheng Mountain. It gathered countless Void Breakers from all over the domain, vying and killing each other for treasures and opportunities. The purpose was to cultivate more powerful individuals in this intense battle environment.

Survival of the fittest! The weak are prey to the strong!

Even if one were to be killed within the Tianshui Secret Realm, they could only blame their own insufficient strength. Let alone Jiusheng Mountain, even the powerful factions behind these individuals, though heartbroken, would not seek revenge.

"Su Xin, how much do you know about the Nirvana Realm" The Azure Patrol Envoy suddenly asked.

"I only know that the Nirvana Realm's strength is immense. Placed within an imperial dynasty, it would definitely be the equivalent of an ancestor or a supreme elder of a sect—a super-powerful existence. Even looking at the entire Eastern Wasteland, the Nirvana Realm is a true powerhouse," Su Xin said.

"Well, you're right. The Nirvana Realm is indeed considered strong in the Eastern Wasteland, but even within the Nirvana Realm, there are vast differences in strength," the Azure Patrol Envoy chuckled.

"Nirvana Realm has a total of five realms, also known as the Five Steps to Nirvana. Each step is a Nirvana!"

"Like the Silvermoon Marquis you killed in the Tianshui Secret Realm, his strength was fully comparable to that of an average One Step Nirvana realm. You were able to kill him, so your strength is naturally also at the One Step Nirvana realm level. But there's a huge gap between One Step Nirvana and Two Step Nirvana, let alone the strongest Five Step Nirvana realm!"

On Mount Jiusheng, if one's cultivation reaches the realm of Five Steps Nirvana, they will naturally enter the core layer.

"Five Steps Nirvana" Su Xin was taken aback.

He only learned today that there was such a division between the Nirvana realms.

The patriarch of the Su family, even in the Nirvana realm, was a powerful being. But he never entered the core layer of Jiusheng Mountain before his death, obviously, the patriarch of the Su family had not reached the five-step Nirvana in his lifetime.

“If one could achieve the Fifth Nirvana, they would be considered a true powerhouse within the Eastern Wilderness, but they wouldn't be at the very top. Those who have undergone the Sixth Nirvana and truly achieved ‘transcendence’ are the true powerhouses at the pinnacle!” The Azure Patrol Officer stated.

"Transcendence" Su Xin was startled. "What is transcendence"

Transcendence, in simple terms, is beyond heaven and earth. It's a completely different level. Any Nirvana realm, even the strongest at the peak of five steps of Nirvana, would be like an ant before a transcendent being, easily crushed with no room to resist.

Even in terms of lifespan, an ordinary Nirvana realm cultivator could only live for two or three hundred years at most. That was the limit. However, those who had transcended this realm, any one of them, as long as they didn't fall, could live for two thousand years," the Azure Blue Scout said, a yearning glimmer in his eyes.

"Two thousand years lifespan" Su Xin was greatly surprised.

He has been cultivating for only twenty-one years, that two thousand years of lifespan... he truly doesn't know what it even means.

"Azure Patrol, I heard that in the current era of Jiusheng Mountain, there are six supreme mountain masters. These six mountain masters, are they all transcendental beings" Su Xin asked.

"Six Mountain Lords" the Azure Patrol Envoy shook his head. "No, your concept is wrong."

"Transcendent existence, undoubtedly the top powerhouse within Dong荒 lands. However, as one of the seventeen leading forces in Dong荒, Jiu Sheng Shan still has some powerhouses of that caliber.

"Some" Su Xin was astonished.

He immediately understood the concept of "some".

This is obviously not just a few, but quite a number.

And as for the six mountain masters of my Jiusheng Mountain, they are not merely transcendent, but the pinnacle of transcendence. Any one of them, placed within the Dong荒 lands, would be considered a hegemon-level, super powerful being. Such superpowered beings are scarce throughout the entire Dong荒 region.

“As for me, Mount Jiusheng, at my peak, I once had nine mountain masters. But today, there are only six. And that Heavenly Palace, which has always been my rival, the one with a relationship as volatile as water and fire, currently has only five palace masters!”

As for the other top forces in Donghuang, they're estimated to be roughly similar. There might be a few more super-powerful forces like the Six Overlords, but definitely not many more.

When Youlan the Astral Guard finished speaking, Su Xin was deeply moved.

He always thought that the Nirvana Realm was already a powerful existence. Now his combat power could rival that of an average Nirvana Realm cultivator. Looking at the Eastern Desolate region, he should definitely be considered a strong one.

However, it wasn't until today that he realized his strength, when viewed across the Eastern Desolation, amounted to nothing.

Even just the Nirvana Realm has a full five steps of Nirvana, and his current combat power is only at the first step.

Above the realm of nirvana, there are still transcendent beings dwelling high above.

There are those who transcend existence, and then there are superpowered beings of the "Mountain Lord" caliber, dominating their respective realms.

His strength, in the face of these super beings, really... is negligible.

“No wonder I was able to kill so many people in the Tianshui secret realm this time, including some promising geniuses. But this inspector didn't even mention it. It’s obvious that they only cared about those who have broken through to the Void Realm. Jiusheng Mountain simply doesn’t care about Su Xin,” Su Xin thought to himself.

He could guess that for the Nine Saints Mountain, which had been passed down for over ten thousand years, what was truly important and at its core were the top-tier experts who transcended all realms. They were the true pillars of support. As for those below transcendence, even if a large number of Nirvana Realm cultivators died, it probably wouldn't matter much.

Within the Nine Saints Mountain, every year's battle against the Heavenly God Palace results in a significant number of Nirvana Realm cultivators dying.

As for the Voidbreaking Realm, there's no need to say more. With so many imperial dynasties under its command, Mount Jiusheng can easily birth a large number of Voidbreakers every few decades.

"This world is much bigger than I imagined."

Su Xin let out a long sigh, only feeling that the road ahead was long and arduous.

His road ahead is still very long and far.

……

"Jiusheng Mountain, we've arrived!" The Azure Patrol Envoy suddenly spoke.

Su Xin couldn't help but look up and saw a vast and ancient mountain range stretching ahead.

This mountain range stretched endlessly, disappearing from sight. Around it, the void was covered by a massive formation. Even just the faint power emanating from this formation made Su Xin tremble with awe.

"Come with me," the Azure Patrol Commander said with a smile.

With her leading the way, Su Xin wasn't hindered at all and entered Mount Jiusheng.

Only after truly entering the Nine Holy Mountains did Su Xin see clearly the scene inside. Before his eyes, there were nine towering and majestic peaks, each reaching nearly ten thousand zhang high, like peaks that touched the heavens. They were magnificent and vast, overlooking the land below.

At the foot of these nine towering peaks, there are countless smaller mountains, and within and outside these mountains lie numerous architectural groups.

The Azure Patrol Captain led Su Xin into the depths of Mount Jiusheng. Along the way, Su Xin encountered many people.

These people, every breath they take is incredibly powerful, many of them are enough to make Su Xin's heart tremble.

It is obvious that they are all Nirvana Realm powerhouses.

All these realms of nirvana also noticed the presence of You Lan and Su Xin.

"It's the Azure Patrol Inspector! Behind her, there's also a Void-Breaking expert"

"Breaking through the Void Realm and entering the Nine Sacred Mountains Could it be that kind of super genius who passed the examination of the six inspectors and was preemptively absorbed into the core layer"

"It's definitely!"

As usual, such prodigies who break through the realms are absorbed into the core layer ahead of schedule. They all have to undergo the Celestial Measurement Tablet's assessment. I wonder what level this little fellow is at

Let's go and see what's going on.

Along the way, I encountered many powerful cultivators at the Nirvana Realm. Many of them, after seeing You Lan Inspecting Officer and Su Xin, followed us all the way here.

"Azure Patrol, why are these people following us" Su Xin frowned and asked.

"Su Xin, you've just arrived at Jiusheng Mountain. There's something you don't know yet," the Youlan Patrol Envoy smiled. "Like a super genius like you who was absorbed into the core layer in advance, when you first enter Jiusheng Mountain, you need to go to the Tianbi and experience a test."

"The Celestial Measuring Stone was crafted by a mysterious powerful being within the Dong Huang region. Most top-tier forces possess one. It can, to a certain extent, assess your talent and potential based on your age, cultivation level, strength, and even bloodline!"

Only those who have passed the Tianbi test and whose talent potential reaches the minimum requirement can truly become a core member of my Jiusheng Mountain.

Of course, you have nothing to worry about with this test; you'll definitely pass.

The Azure Patrol Envoy spoke casually, but Su Xin listened and frowned.

"Talent Potential Assessment"

"And it's still based on age, cultivation level, strength, and even bloodline to test, won't this not detect my bloodline"

Su Xin's confidence couldn't help but worry.

His bloodline, but it is his greatest secret!

…… Qingyang Palace laughed, "Xia Mang's talent is truly extraordinary.""The Lord of the Heavenly Moon Palace nodded slightly."Of the group of talented individuals who entered Tiangyan Palace from the pr...