The war chariot was battered and worn. Even its shaft was nearly cracked—made of some dark, blackened wood that faintly gave off a metallic luster. The wheels had been ground from stone, grey-brown in color, not particularly smooth—slightly rough and uneven.
None of this was particularly remarkable. The single thing that made one’s heart seize was the creature pulling the chariot: a stone tiger, though it was missing one ear and was lame, three of its legs full-length while the fourth had half broken off. Yet even so, the might it radiated was still enough to make people shudder.
This was a saint spirit—merely used as a draft animal to pull a carriage. How could that not astound?
The moment this dilapidated carriage entered the ancient continent floating in the sky, it caused a commotion. Many eyes converged upon it at once in a surge of noise and excitement.
“Who could this person be, to use a saint spirit as a draft animal? What is their background?”
“This stone tiger is at minimum at the Saint realm, and has reached its peak. That it would willingly serve as another’s mount—the person in this carriage truly commands awe and reverence.”
The battered carriage rolled forward at an unhurried pace. The person within it observed the scenery along the way, gazing at the great earth beneath the clouds, sighing softly, “The mountains and rivers of the land below are magnificent—a masterwork of nature. It has been so many years since I last appreciated such scenery.”
On either side of the carriage followed three attendants, each covered entirely in black armor that concealed even their faces—the material of which was unknown. Even the Celestial Eye technique could not see through it.
The old carriage occasionally drove out beyond the ancient continent to view the scenery of the land below. Compared to the ancient continent, the vast mountains and rivers below actually held greater appeal for them.
“The City of Darkness—it has existed for so very long. It is a place where one may taste all the bittersweet sorrows of life, all the joys and griefs. In this age, its purpose shall at last be fulfilled.” The person within the carriage murmured softly.
“Brother, if I may—would you be willing to step down and have a conversation?” Shi Zhongxuan rose to his feet and addressed the ancient carriage passing not far away, his eyes fixed on the stone tiger as the light within them flickered and shifted.
One of the attendants lifted the carriage curtain, and a foot stepped out from within—bearing no particularly powerful emanation, no overwhelming pressure.
It was a young man of seemingly unremarkable youth—with deep and profound eyes, extremely handsome, though with an unnaturally pallid complexion, as though he had never seen sunlight for years on end. There was a sort of sickly, delicate beauty about him.
It was not exactly heroic—but he was particularly fine-featured. At first glance he looked like someone just recovered from a serious illness, but on closer inspection this was not the case—this was simply his bearing, his natural temperament.
“Greetings to all.” He clasped his hands in salute, his speech measured and cadenced with a particular quality.
Even Jiang Yifei rose to his feet at this point. He clearly sensed this person’s extraordinary nature—they possessed a unique quality that, even when manifested entirely ordinarily, could not be overlooked.
Moon Spirit Princess, Crown Prince Huaizun, Feng Huang, and the others all showed a change in expression. This person was certainly a supreme expert—pure instinct on all their parts.
“May I ask your honored name, and where you hail from?” Shi Zhongxuan asked.
“My name is An Pu. I live in the Central Region,” the young man said.
Everyone was astonished. Such a powerful figure, previously unheard of—how had he suddenly appeared today? Was there truly someone like this in the Central Region?
In the distance, Ye Fan’s brow furrowed slightly. This person was far from simple—he felt a jolt in his own heart and mind. Yet he had never encountered this person before. Was he truly a powerful figure of the Northern Dipper?
“Hidden tigers and leopards in the deep mountains—buried unicorns in the open fields. I had thought all the great heroes of the Northern Dipper were assembled here, yet to think there was still such a reclusive figure as yourself.” Shi Zhongxuan said.
Those nearby all agreed, each sensing this person’s exceptional nature. He was very likely a powerful recluse—inspiring both awe and reverence.
“Where do you live, Brother?” Jiang Yifei asked.
“Not far from the City of Darkness,” An Pu replied, casting a deep glance at Jiang Yifei.
Everyone’s hearts were filled with doubt and astonishment. They marveled that the City of Darkness was truly extraordinary—harboring such a peerless figure nearby, of whom not even a whisper had ever been heard before.
People could only console themselves by reasoning that the world was simply too vast. There were inevitably some powerful figures unknown to anyone—who might live and die without ever being discovered by the world.
“Are the great saints all discussing matters concerning what will happen after the immortal path opens? I would like to go and listen.” An Pu spoke, then clasped his hands in farewell to the gathering and walked forward on foot.
Many people watched his retreating figure with contemplative expressions. This person had appeared too suddenly—his origins and background unknown, which gave everyone a peculiar feeling.
Before the great hall, there was a sea of people—powerful cultivators everywhere. After arriving there, An Pu quietly listened for a long time.
It was not until the Ji Family great saint stepped out that his expression shifted—and at the same moment, the void ancient mirror within the old Ji Family saint’s body let out a faint ringing chime.
The old saint wheeled around sharply, his gaze blazing with fierce intensity as it fixed upon this direction—upon the slightly sickly-looking young man. He stared at him for a long time.
“He bears their aura!” He gazed deeply at this person and murmured these words to himself, but made no move to act—and simply departed.
“The divine mirror is too attentive, responding to the presence of an elder,” An Pu murmured softly. He stood in this spot for a while, then retraced his steps. As he passed through the gathering of great heroes, he was invited over and took a seat.
“A figure of your caliber, previously without any reputation—it is truly surprising,” someone probed obliquely, trying to inquire about his true origins.
“My elders kept strict watch in the past—there was no way to come out. Only recently has an opportunity finally presented itself. I can at last take a proper look at this great land,” An Pu said with calm composure. He had always been very tranquil—as though nothing could stir any change in his mood.
Everyone sat together and discussed some ancient matters with pleasant ease, and An Pu proved to have broad knowledge and experience, well-versed in no small amount of ancient lore. When he spoke of such things, it held the attention of cultivators from all directions, who listened with rapt focus.
“The immortal path is about to open. The great existences within the seven life-forbidden zones will most likely take significant action,” someone brought up this topic.
“The Undying Mountain is not far from here. Once the supreme being within emerges into the world, one wonders what stance they will take,” someone said with a worried expression.
“Speaking of which—the Enlightenment Immortal Tea of the Undying Mountain is almost ripe again. A pity that this year most likely no one will dare wait outside the mountain’s perimeter anymore. In past years, one could always obtain a few leaves,” someone lamented deeply.
An Pu smiled slightly and said, “By fortunate coincidence, I managed to obtain a few leaves. Today, since our conversation has been so congenial, allow me to offer them to everyone.”
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and atop the stone table there appeared a complete tea set, crystalline and luminous. Several leaves flew out and entered the pot. Each leaf was extraordinarily unusual, their shapes all different.
One was shaped like a small cauldron—three-legged with two handles, shimmering with flowing luster, its surface interlaced with Daoist markings.
Another pulsed with crimson radiance, resembling a brazier floating in the air, breathing out surges of flame, with spiritual markings woven strand by strand into the shape of the leaf itself.
These were nature’s own masterworks—the leaves of the Enlightenment Divine Tea, bearing Daoist diagrams by their very nature. Each leaf contained a different law of its kind, representing some immutable truth within heaven and earth.
Among the more remarkable ones was a leaf shaped like a human figure—a crystalline, translucent little person seated in meditation, surrounded by wisps of mist curling about it, as though an immortal had descended from on high.
Everyone was beyond astonished. What manner of person was this—who, simply because a conversation had gone well, would take out leaves from the Enlightenment Immortal Tea to offer as hospitality?!
In past times, no matter who had obtained such leaves, they would carefully preserve them, and only bring them out to entertain the most honored of guests.
This person’s generosity was too lavish—and instantly each and every person there felt great warmth toward him.
The cultivators from beyond the domain especially so—the Enlightenment Tea Tree was something beyond their reach, a legendary thing they had never hoped to see with their own eyes. To think that today they might actually taste this immortal tea—every one of them was struck with amazed delight and then overjoyed surprise.
Clear spring water, fragrant as sweet dew in its own right and bearing a faint, pleasant aroma in itself—quite astonishing. When brought to a boil and slowly poured into the main pot, it immediately released a wafting fragrance that caused everyone nearby to blink in surprise.
This tea’s fragrance was too distinctive—simply smelling it made one feel one’s mind becoming clear and luminous. Extraordinary scarcely began to describe it.
The attendants dressed in black armor served the tea. The dozen or so young people seated at the stone table all held their cups with great care and reverence, first inhaling the fragrance—and then all exhaled in wonder.
Huo Lin’er glanced over, lowered her head to drink her tea, and said nothing. She appeared to be deep in thought. In truth, she had noticed An Pu from the very beginning and had been frowning ever since.
After everyone had sampled the tea, not one was not refreshed and invigorated, with a sensation as though enlightenment was imminent. They all silently contemplated in deep reflection for a long while, the gathering falling into complete quiet.
Only after a very long time did each of them gradually return to their senses. All expressed their gratitude to An Pu. This slightly sickly young man, though he appeared aloof, was also humble—he shook his head, unbothered.
They spoke of ancient matters and present times, and inevitably the Undying Mountain came up. As they discussed the Void Great Emperor, the Great Completion Holy Body also entered the conversation, for both had been attacked.
It was at this moment that a slender young woman appeared—graceful and beautiful, her fair and pretty face bearing a faint pair of shallow dimples, her bright eyes gentle and expressive. She appeared lively and charming.
“This is the cherished daughter of the Ji Family of the Eastern Wasteland—a woman of incredible talent who has successfully fought her way back from the ancient road of the starry sky,” someone said.
“It is said she does not cultivate with particular diligence, yet she is extraordinarily powerful—a heaven-sent prodigy.”
Someone rose to their feet and called out a greeting—this was a descendant of the Void Great Emperor, and one so brilliant and dazzling. Naturally she was worth inviting over.
However, An Pu let out a soft sigh and said, “That being so—she and I are generational enemies. Though this enmity comes from our elders, I cannot refrain from acting.”
Everyone was startled. No one had expected this man, always so calm, to say such a thing—that he was going to act against Ji Ziyue!
“Brother, this is not the right thing to do,” Jiang Yifei shook his head.
“I have heard that he walks closely with the Holy Body of the human race,” Shi Zhongxuan reminded.
“Is that so?” An Pu gave a light laugh—genuinely radiant for once—then resumed his sickly appearance and said, “All of them are generational enemies.”
Beside him, the three attendants clad in black armor walked directly forward, making straight for Ji Ziyue. Everyone was stunned—no one had expected that having said he would act, he truly meant to do so immediately.
Ji Ziyue had already drawn close. She had heard their exchange, but her expression remained unchanged. It was only when the three attendants approached that she also stopped, standing there composed and unhurried.
Swish!
Suddenly, a torrent of light like a river of stars swept forward, directly cutting off the path of the three attendants—radiant and dazzling beyond measure.
Ye Fan had flung out the wine in his cup. It was like a cascading Milky Way—brilliant and resplendent, carrying with it a sense of boundless vastness.
It was nothing more than a cup of wine—yet it reached such an astounding effect that the three attendants clad in black armor all halted in their tracks in an instant. Even more striking—the entire gathering of heroes was left gaping in shock.
Within this river of stars, they sensed an undefeated will, vast and ancient as the cosmos!
Ye Fan beckoned to Ji Ziyue, inviting her over.
An Pu sighed softly. “Crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound in this place. Right before our eyes stands a true master—yet hardly anyone had detected him. A person like this deserves to be offered a cup of Enlightenment Tea.”