Chapter 187: Barren City, Mirror Mountain

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Barren City was the heart of the Ancient Barren World. It was also the most majestic ancient city with a very long history. All the top talents from all over the Eastern Barren Territory were grouped in the Barren City. No matter how talented a foreigner was, they didn’t dare go wild here. The slightest mistake could insult a disciple of a top force and then they wouldn’t even know how they died. Thus, the disciples of the top forces were the absolute stars in this glamorous city. The others were just the sidekicks. The disciples of top forces would often fight each other in the city.

At this time, a group walked down the cobblestone road. They stood out from the crowd. The one in the center was around 17 or 18-years-old. He was extremely handsome with a perpetual smile on his face. The smile was extremely effective on girls.

On his left was a muscular man. He looked intimidating and was very burly. He seemed to be filled with endless power. On his right was a one-armed youth. He had a sword slung across his back. His eyes were sharp; he was definitely a powerful swordsman-in-training.

Behind the three were two girls. They were both extremely beautiful, especially the girl on the right. Her silver hair was like snow, and she was as beautiful as a fairy. Her aura was cold. Behind them followed a group of men, seemingly guards.

Passersby would definitely take a second glance at a group like these, wondering if they were disciples of some top force in the Eastern Barren Territory. The only thing that stood out was the Black Wind Eagle. How could such a powerful group ride such a common demon? It wasn’t good enough. Naturally, this group was Ye Futian and the others.

Loulan Xue had followed them, as per the Empress’ orders. She didn’t even have her people with her. Ye Futian found it strange but he couldn’t say anything.

“Did you find out?” Ye Futian asked Lin Yueyao now.

“Yes.” Lin Yueyao nodded while glaring at Ye Futian. After arriving in the Barren City, he’d told her to find out information whenever something happened. It seemed that she’d taken Yun Qianmo’s role as the maid after Yun Qianmo left. It was annoying.

“Lead the way,” Ye Futian said nonchalantly, seeming to not see Lin Yueyao’s resentful eyes. The group climbed onto the Black Wind Eagle. It rode with the wind and traveled through the air.

There were many demons above the Barren City. They all went to different places and didn’t disturb each other. Lin Yueyao and Loulan Xue’s beauty occasionally attracted some gazes but no one bothered them.

After some time, they arrived at the heart of the city. The buildings here were even more magnificent. There were more demons too, as well as strong cultivators. Lin Yueyao held a map and pointed towards somewhere. Gradually, an extremely tall mountain appeared in their vision. This mountain stood in the heart of the city but it didn’t seem awkward at all. Instead, there was a sacred aura about it. Many people were heading towards it.

As the Black Wind Eagle continued, they approached the mountain. They could see a huge stone monument before the mountain. It was very eye-catching with three giant words carved on it: Ancient Barren World. These words were carved in the stone monument. This was where the name of this place came from.

“We’re here,” Ye Futian mumbled to himself.

The Black Wind Eagle continued to the top of the mountain and landed before the stone monument. There were countless people before the monument more than 100 meters tall. The three words, Ancient Barren World, seemed to have some attractive force, making one stare at it involuntarily. Not far from the monument, there were steps leading up the mountain. Many people were climbing like a pilgrimage.

“Let’s go,” Ye Futian said. Then he followed the many others and climbed the stone steps. He followed the steps to the end where he was even with the stone monument. The mountaintop was very flat as if the peak had been sliced off. It was a hugely vast area filled with activity and people. When Ye Futian and the others stepped onto it, a gust of fate hit their faces.

Ye Futian gazed around and his heart jumped. Just as he’d found out, Mirror Mountain had everything a cultivator would want. There were many different regions in this vast space. Each region seemed to contain a relic.

Some people were playing chess. The game was extremely deep as if it contained sophisticated matrices.

Some people were painting. Their paintings could communicate with the skies and earth.

Some people were playing instruments, others were transcribing.

Everyone in each region was cultivating and communicating with the noble intent to build a fate.

Thud. At that time, there was a huge sound. Ye Futian felt a terrible force. He looked over towards the source and saw a line of drums. Someone was hitting the battle drums powerfully. As the booms sounded without stop, more drums sounded as well. It created an even more terrifying force.

There was another thunderous boom. Ye Futian looked elsewhere. There was a region of thunder. Other than that, there were some Noble statues on the mountain. They contained terrible intent power. Many people were cultivating before them. People were cultivating and studying in each region of this vast space. They all came from the various top forces of the Eastern Barren Territory.

The mountaintop was a flourishing scene.

“As expected of the Barren City’s heart,” Ye Futian muttered. Cultivators of any type could accomplish something here. He slowly turned his gaze and looked forward. In the distance, there was a side of the mountain that was smooth like a mirror. This was the famous Mirror Mountain Stone Wall of the Barren City. Its mysteries were endless and could even test a cultivator’s talent.

In addition, the various top forces had all left powerful spells on the wall. When a strong cultivator went there and awakened the wall with their noble intent, the forces would be able to see what happened here.

Ye Futian didn’t know if Luo Junlin had come but here, he could get rid of the threat Luo Junlin posed.

“Not only does that stone wall let people of the Eastern Barren Territory see noble fate, it also contains many mysteries,” Lin Yueyao said. “It can test talent. Other than noble fate, strange phenomena appear when a cultivator senses the power within. Phantom noble images appear on the wall. The more talented someone is, the more images will appear.”

Lin Yueyao had been the one to get the information after arriving in the Barren City so she was the most knowledgeable about it. She’d been upset about this for a long while. How could Ye Futian order her around like a servant? But when she said those words, she was slightly anticipatory inside. When Luo Junlin had received noble fate, he’d been accepted by the Royal Xuan Temple.

Now, Ye Futian, Yu Sheng, and Ye Wuchen were at least equal to Luo Junlin. Ye Wuchen had already been at the mid-level noble fate during the battle in the Loulan Palace months ago.

If the trio went to display their talent at the Mirror Mountain Stone Wall and was seen by the top forces, she couldn’t even imagine what the Cangye Kingdom would be like then. The three would all be accepted by top forces. That much was indisputable.

Thinking of how all emperors went to congratulate Luo Junlin when he was accepted by the Royal Xuan Temple, she started anticipating what may happen at the Cangye Kingdom. What would Emperor Luo’s expression be like at that time?

Emperor Ye of the Cangye Kingdom had done much for Ye Futian. He was even willing to go to war with Emperor Luo. He must be very proud of his foresight.

Thinking of this, Lin Yueyao’s eyes fell upon Ye Futian. Grinning, she urged, “Won’t you go show off?”

“You have to be low-key, you know?” Ye Futian replied nonchalantly.

Lin Yueyao pouted. Since when was this guy low-key?

“There is so much noble fate on this mountain. We can’t waste it.” Ye Futian looked around and smiled brightly. To him, all these relics were giving away noble fate for free.

Lin Yueyao’s eyes flashed. She was speechless. She didn’t know what level Ye Futian’s noble fate was now but if Ye Wuchen was at mid-level, Ye Futian shouldn’t be any lower. He had received two precious books in the Loulan Relic. He’d also taken the most treasured book in the entire Ancient Loulan. He probably received very powerful fate.

“Alright, everyone choose the place most suitable for you.” Ye Futian smiled, and everyone nodded.

Ye Wuchen walked towards somewhere. A moment later, he arrived before a sword matrix. The sword matrix was extremely frightening and contained endless sword intent. No one dared to enter brashly. However, there was someone sitting inside quietly. He let the endless sword intent pass through him. He guided the sword into him and cultivated. Shocking sword intent flowed across his body.

“Apparently,” someone beside him said, “All disciples of the Fuyun Sword Clan that enter the Ancient Barren World to train would come here to make the sword test their bodies. No one has ever failed. Li Daoqing is one of the prides of the clan. He obviously won’t fail. Apparently, his brother Li Daoyun is just as accomplished.”

Ye Wuchen’s eyes glinted instantly and looked at the youth inside the sword matrix.

Chapter 188: Liu Chenyu

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Li Daoyun’s brother?

Ye Wuchen’s arm had been chopped off by Li Daoyun. He didn’t expect such a coincidence, but he quickly composed himself. He walked quietly into the sword matrix as if he didn’t know the other. In an instant, many sword marks lit up inside the matrix and surged towards him.

He sat cross-legged. Sword intent wrapped around him. When endless sword intent from the matrix came at him, he didn’t fight back. Instead, he guided it into him. There was faint emperor’s intent about him. The sword intent within him was like the king of swords. It guided the murderous intent into itself and flowed throughout his body.

The weak would be destroyed by sword intent; the strong could use it. This was the difference.

Yu Sheng walked before the battle drums. There were nine sides and booms came endlessly. Someone stood before the drums and beat them. The first hit, one side sounded. The second hit, the power could extend from the back and make two sides sound. The third could make three sides sound.

Each time, a horrible power would reverberate back and become stronger, multiplying. After the third time, it was already very frightening. Yu Sheng watched and saw that most people could only make five sides sound.

He walked up before the battle drum and pounded with his fist. There was a boom, and the drum shook. However, it didn’t stop. Yu Sheng punched it again, and the booms sounded. A burst of power and reverberations rushed at Yu Sheng, but he seemed not to feel it. He punched a third time.

The booms were endless. The drums seemed to go wild in an instant. A horrible power exploded with the strength. Hearing the densely packed sounds, many looked over. Ye Futian, who had walked elsewhere, looked over too and rolled his eyes. Couldn’t he be more low-key?

Who beat drums like this?

The fourth side sounded. It practically created shockwaves, and many were speechless. Compared to Yu Sheng, the others had been too gentle.

A burst of aggressive power and strength converged into a horrible storm. It beat crazily on Yu Sheng’s body, but he just roared and punched again. His burly body stood upright like the god of war. The moment of his fifth punch, there seemed to be a storm surrounding him. All the intent power rushed into his body, putting it through a trial.

There were continuous cracking sounds. A dark golden armor appeared. Endless strength surged inside Yu Sheng’s body. He punched again. It was like thunder, and everyone looked over. Very few people could make such a commotion with the battle drums.

Lin Yueyao was speechless too. Did he have to do this so soon?

Boom. Noble fate rose up in Yu Sheng. Now, he seemed to be covered in a demon’s armor. He punched a seventh time. Power rolled in the air domineeringly. Even Yu Sheng’s powerful body was forced back. He grunted, blood coming out of his mouth.

But he didn’t give up. He stepped forward again like a wild demon. He punched again. This time, the people cultivating in the area were all shocked awake. Their eardrums vibrated. As for Yu Sheng, his body cracked. The power seemed to want to destroy him. He opened his mouth and roared. Veins bulged all over him. A terrible power poured into him.

Yu Sheng was forced back, and he spat out fresh blood. However, his fate was changing as if there was a storm of fate. Gradually, it became purer and more terrifying.

The drum was still going, unable to stop reverberating. There was another boom. Yu Sheng actually continued forward. Before the drum stopped, he beat it for the ninth time.

With this boom, the drum shook nine times, and the nine sides resonated at once. Many people shook inwardly. Then, a burst of destructive power rushed into Yu Sheng’s body. There was no suspense. Yu Sheng flew out, and his dark gold armor cracked. Blood flowed from his lips, and he crashed onto the ground.

He didn’t seem to feel anything. He quickly climbed up and sat there, cultivating.

“This idiot,” Ye Futian muttered. He understood Yu Sheng’s intent, of course. Yu Sheng had seen the immense power in the battle drums. To quickly create mid-level noble fate, he forced himself forward. He used the drum’s intent to challenge his body, even willing to destroy it.

How crazy, many people thought. Ye Futian didn’t cultivate. He walked to Yu Sheng to help him.

Many people looked over. Some even walked over and studied Yu Sheng curiously.

After a long while, Yu Sheng finished cultivating. Opening his eyes, he saw Ye Futian and grinned. Ye Futian glared at him.

At this time, Ye Wuchen also walked over. He asked Yu Sheng, “How are you?”

“Same as you now,” Yu Sheng said, laughing. The intent within the drum was very pure. He used this power to challenge his body and fate. Now, he’d comprehended pure noble intent and power. It was mid-level noble fate.

With his natural talent in strength, he’d used the drum’s strength and was successful within a short period.

Now, Lin Yueyao walked over. She gazed at Ye Wuchen with a strange look as if she was stopping herself from speaking.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Futian asked, seeing Lin Yueyao’s expression.

“I heard people discuss that Li Daoyun’s brother is here,” Lin Yueyao said quietly. Ye Futian’s eyes flashed and stared at her.

“I know.” Ye Wuchen nodded calmly.

“You know?” Ye Futian looked at him.

“Yes, I cultivated with him in the sword matrix,” Ye Wuchen said calmly. “I’m not in a hurry for some things. Plus, the one who took my arm is Li Daoyun.”

“You are a man of principle.” Ye Futian looked at him and then looked around. He found where Li Daoqing was. He’d naturally saw who Ye Wuchen had cultivated with earlier.

“I’m going to see what’s in the Mirror Mountain Stone Wall,” Ye Wuchen said. He started walking towards the Stone Wall. Ye Futian and the others followed. He was curious how the Stone Wall would test talent.

Arriving at the Stone Wall, Ye Wuchen sat down cross-legged. His noble intent rushed directly onto the wall. Instantly, the wall flashed brilliantly. A powerful aura enveloped him. The Stone Wall seemed to turn illusory. It was like a mirror that emanated with a strange aura.

Ye Wuchen closed his eyes. Ye Futian could see sword intent bloom crazily from him. His noble fate was released to the extreme too as if he was fighting. Soon, a noble figure appeared on the Stone Wall, like a picture printed on it.

After this appeared, Ye Wuchen’s aura grew even more terrifying. He was sitting there but sword aura went crazy around him. After a while, a huge battle seemed to have ended. A second noble figure appeared on the Stone Wall.

“So powerful,” many people had to say. It was very difficult to make two figures appear. The requirements for that to happen were very strict.

Many people walked over and looked at Ye Wuchen. Who was this group? Earlier, Yu Sheng had pounded the drums. Now, Ye Wuchen was testing his talent at the Mirror Mountain Stone Wall. He had mid-level noble fate and could make two figures appear.

Ye Wuchen was still persevering. Sword intent rose up around him terrifyingly. After a while, he grunted. The sword intent flowing through him disappeared, and he opened his eyes. The Mirror Mountain Stone Wall returned to normal.

No one mocked him. Instead, they were impressed. His talent was definitely powerful if he could receive mid-level noble fate and make two figures appear on the Stone Wall at only the Fifth-level Dharma Plane.

“Are you from the Fuyun Sword Clan?” someone came up and asked. The speaker was a girl with average features. She looked at Ye Wuchen curiously.

“No,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Someone with such powerful sword intent isn’t from the Fuyun Sword Clan? Then what clan are you from?” the girl asked.

“Why?” Ye Wuchen looked at her.

“If you haven’t joined a powerful clan, our princess would like to invite you to join the Liu Kingdom,” the girl said. Then she looked back at someone.

A beautiful figure in a long green dress stood there. Her temperament was extraordinary, and she was beautiful. There was something elegant about her.

Liu Chenyu, princess of the Liu Kingdom. Everyone’s hearts shuddered. It was also their first time seeing Liu Chenyu in person. They didn’t know this beautiful person was the princess of the Liu Kingdom.

She nodded lightly at Ye Wuchen. Other than being a place for top talents to cultivate, the Mirror Mountain Stone Wall was also a place for those without clans to display their talent. Many of the Eastern Barren Territory would come here after receiving noble fate.

That was why Liu Chenyu invited him. Ye Wuchen’s talent was uncommon, and he already had mid-level noble fate.

Ye Futian’s eyes brightened. He didn’t expect that they would get an invitation without even leaving the Ancient Barren World.

Ye Wuchen seemed to be considering whether he should make the decision beforehand.

“We’ll consider it,” Ye Futian said. They weren’t in a hurry. They could decide after becoming familiar with the entire Eastern Barren Territory.

Liu Chenyu nodded lightly and didn’t say anything. At that time, Li Daoqing walked over to Liu Chenyu. He said, “I am Li Daoqing of the Fuyun Sword Clan. Let me greet the princess in place of my brother.”

Many saw this and were shocked. It was rumored that Li Daoyun of the Fuyun Sword Clan was pursuing Liu Chenyu. Now it seemed to be true. Becoming the princess’s groom would be hard!