277 - Elasia Saga

The Land of Dragon's Rest? Upon hearing these words, Fu Yan couldn't help but momentarily pause. Her gaze lifted to the woman before her, Bai Yue Li, as she instinctively echoed the phrase with a tinge of confusion. It seemed that no one on this continent had ever expected there to be a Land of Dragon's Rest. "Yes," Bai Yue Li confirmed calmly. Fu Juan, being a pureblood black dragon, may have some connection with the Land of Dragon's Rest, allowing her to spend twenty years before finally finding this legendary place. Hearing this, Fu Yan finally snapped back to full awareness. Since Fu Juan had specifically sent them a message, it seemed they both needed to make a trip. With that decided, neither of them delayed. Fu Yan found an excuse with Lu Xiaowen to stay behind at Frost Palace as a puppet avatar, while she left with Bai Yue Li to depart from the Southern Domain. Naturally, the treasures and the somewhat morally ambiguous demon spirit that her puppet avatar acquired last time at the bottom of Youxin Lake were taken along by Fu Yan herself. "Ah, finally letting me out for some fresh air!" The demon spirit exclaimed, feeling greatly relieved once manifesting on the spirit ship. Over the years, ever since the puppet avatar had last ventured into Youxin Lake, it hadn't left again, which meant the demon spirit was confined in the mustard seed space by Fu Yan. Although it had no sense of time passing, it also had no opportunity for conversation. Fu Yan paid it no mind, merely gesturing for the demon spirit to keep watch outside the spirit ship, thus granting her and Bai Yue Li a moment's peace to ponder over the matter. "Sister, did Fu Juan mention anything else?" Fu Yan asked Bai Yue Li slowly. The Land of Dragon's Rest, as the name suggests, is the dwelling place of the Dragon Clan. However, over the past few thousand years, sightings of dragons have become virtually nonexistent, leading to many legends about them. The most outlandish claims that the entire Dragon Clan has faded into extinction as time passed, but few cultivators believed this notion. After all, the Dragon Clan is inherently a mysterious and powerful species. For Fu Juan to have located the Land of Dragon's Rest alone, it suggested the situation was far from simple. Bai Yue Li shook her head truthfully before relaying the message Fu Juan had sent: "She mentioned only finding the entrance to the Land of Dragon's Rest, but it seems someone else discovered it before her." As for who these individuals were, Fu Juan had no clue. She was not familiar with the powers on the continent, likely wouldn't recognize them even if she saw them. Furthermore, to avoid alerting them to her presence, she didn't dare to approach with Little Medicine Tuanzi. Nevertheless, Fu Juan wasn't overly worried because the Land of Dragon's Rest could only be opened by those of the dragon lineage; thus, those who occupied the entrance couldn't access it easily. "Someone managed to be one step ahead?" Fu Yan expressed surprise. Bai Yue Li nodded, adding, "Opening the Land of Dragon's Rest isn't easy. I've instructed Fu Juan to hide with Little Medicine Tuanzi nearby. We'll figure out what to do once we arrive." This made sense. Fu Juan might be a pureblood black dragon, but her power had not fully matured. If she were to confront the opposition directly, it might not end well. If the other side deployed even stronger tactics and captured Fu Juan's true form, that would be disastrous. Reviewing the new information carefully in her mind, Fu Yan's eyes suddenly widened, a flicker of surprise passing beneath the brightness of her gaze. Bai Yue Li paused and asked, "What is it?" With the words, Fu Yan quickly pulled herself from her musings and shared her recent insight with Bai Yue Li: "The Land of Dragon's Rest, theoretically, shouldn't be perceptible to those outside the dragon lineage. How could someone get there first unless... among them..." Even though she hadn't finished her thought, the implication was clear. Among those individuals, there was likely someone else of dragon lineage. Bai Yue Li was also taken aback, but considering how Fu Juan, a purebred black dragon, had ended up alone on the continent, it was conceivable that other dragon beings might exist here. Reflecting upon this, both their expressions turned contemplative. Regardless of the truth, until they reached their destination, all they had were speculations. Only by reuniting with Fu Juan and the others could they truly confirm the situation. In the time that followed, Fu Yan wasted no time and expended numerous top-grade spirit stones to swiftly propel the spirit ship towards the northern part of the Eastern Domain. The northern Eastern Domain bordered the largest stretch of primeval forest on the continent, where beasts of the Transforming Void stage roamed in abundance. It was common for those unlucky enough to cross paths with beasts as powerful as those in the Great Harmony stage to become prey. Due to such dangers, this region was sparsely populated, with no clans or sects willing to establish themselves there. Only stage master cultivators and immortals venturing into the depths of the primeval forest dared, for the most part, brave seekers of fortune from other realms shunned the area. To avoid attracting attention, shortly after entering the Eastern Domain, Fu Yan stored the spirit ship away, and she, together with Bai Yue Li, swiftly maneuvered through the dense forests. In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month had passed since they departed the Frost Palace of the Southern Domain. After several more days, they finally arrived in the northern reaches of the Eastern Domain. Perhaps due to their proximity to the primeval forest, the surrounding area was enveloped in dense mountains and forests. Even ascending higher offered little in terms of broader views. However, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li chose to traverse beneath the forest canopy, as numerous flying beasts inhabited the skies, making them easy targets above. Time was pressing, and they aimed to avoid detours along the way. To evade any formidable beasts, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li scattered an odor on themselves to mask their presence and evade beast detection. Once they entered the forest, maintaining a sense of direction was challenging. Fortunately, Bai Yue Li maintained a connection with Fu Juan. Swish swish. "This way." Bai Yue Li continued without pausing, glancing forward, and darting toward the left. Fu Yan naturally followed quickly. They hadn't ventured much deeper when Bai Yue Li abruptly halted. Fu Yan, prepared to inquire, perceived a calm array fluctuation. She paused, swiftly raising her eyes to observe ahead. What met her gaze was still a canopy of towering trees, towering underbrush, all seemingly mundane with no abnormalities. The energy ripple Fu Yan felt was almost an illusion. However, as she focused her scattered spirit force, Fu Yan confirmed the presence of an exceedingly well-hidden, powerful maze formation in the grove ahead. The formation was so subtle that even those in the Great Harmony stage would find it hard to notice without scrutiny. "Why would anyone set up a maze formation here?" Fu Yan frowned slightly, whispering to Bai Yue Li beside her. It was indeed odd to set a formation in such wild seclusion. Bai Yue Li was momentarily stunned but replied in kind: "Not far ahead is where Fu Juan sent her signal." With those words, they both understood. It appeared the formation was laid by those who discovered the Land of Dragon's Rest before Fu Juan, intending to deter cultivators or roaming beasts drawn in by training. Fu Yan pulled her thoughts together, ready to speak, when she suddenly sensed something. Swiftly, she seized Bai Yue Li's hand and leapt aside, disappearing from their prior position. Moments later, a figure appeared where they had been. From their hidden vantage, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li turned their gazes on the newcomer. The newcomer wore standard Daoist robes and appeared ordinary, lazily surveying the surroundings as if searching for resources, akin to a routine disciple seeking experience. But Fu Yan noticed clearly that the man's peripheral gaze and the aura emanating from him spread rapidly, keenly checking for abnormalities. Finding none, he swiftly moved elsewhere. In their concealed spot, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li exchanged looks, clearly recognizing his identity. Neither expected to encounter someone from the Zombie Gate here. Linking this revelation to the maze formation ahead, the truth became evident. The ones who discovered the Land of Dragon's Rest before Fu Juan were the Zombie Gate. This posed a complicated challenge. Having come so far, and given the significance of the Land of Dragon's Rest, they couldn't allow the Zombie Gate to access the entrance. Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li set aside other thoughts. With resolve, the two didn't linger and quickly continued on their way to meet with Fu Juan. Despite the formidable maze formations surrounding them, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li navigated the forest's lateafree-footed and silent as shadows. Once inside, they discovered that the forest was swarming with more members of the Zombie Gate than anticipated. They hadn't ventured far before encountering patrols. However, Fu Yan's powerful mental strength, combined with Bai Yue Li's celestial prowess, made it difficult for the ordinary Zombie Gate disciples to detect their presence. In less than half a day, they reached the foot of a steep mountain, surrounded by wild underbrush and tightly packed foliage. Bai Yue Li led Fu Yan to a concealed cave located here. Sensing a familiar aura, a figure emerged quickly from the cave — it was Fu Juan, who had been hiding there. "Master, you've finally arrived," Fu Juan sighed with relief upon seeing Bai Yue Li, communicating with her telepathically. Fu Yan's attention turned to Little Medicine Tuanzi in Fu Juan's arms. It looked content and well-fed, sleeping soundly without a care in the world. Misinterpreting Fu Yan's gaze as longing for Little Medicine Tuanzi, Fu Juan gently offered the creature to her. Fu Yan accepted the chubby bundle without a word. Stirred from its slumber, the little creature blinked at Fu Yan with bleary eyes, initially dazed but soon excited to see her. However, Fu Yan quickly covered its mouth before any sound could escape, preferring caution over awakening curiosity. At this moment, no one could be sure if there were celestial-level practitioners among the Zombie Gate forces; even the slightest noise could risk exposure. Fu Yan instinctively feared the small creature's sudden outburst. Since passing through the maze, Fu Yan had been cautious with her spiritual presence, reluctant to let down her guard. "Let's go inside," Bai Yue Li nodded to Fu Juan, then signaled Fu Yan and Little Medicine Tuanzi to follow her as she shared her thoughts telepathically. Without hesitation, the three of them slipped into the cave. Establishing diverting formations outside the cave was risky, as any fluctuation might catch the Zombie Gate's attention. Fortunately, the secluded location at the edge of the Land of Dragon's Rest promised relative safety. Once inside, Bai Yue Li set up a protective barrier within the cave, completely isolating them from the outside world. "Chirp... chirp..." Freed from Fu Yan's grip, Little Medicine Tuanzi immediately took to the air, flapping its wee wings and fixing its innocent eyes on Fu Yan. Amused, Fu Yan brushed the snowy tuft of its head, teasing softly, "You're as carefree as ever." She could easily guess that Fu Juan had been taking excellent care of Little Medicine Tuanzi, sparing it from any worries beyond eating and sleeping. "Chirp... chirp..." Little Medicine Tuanzi didn't catch the humor in her voice. Instead, it nestled into Fu Yan's palm, its long absence only heightening its longing for her. After a while, the small creature's excitement subsided, and it settled down once more. In the tranquility of the cave, the three sat together, with Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li turning their attention to Fu Juan, eager to learn more about the Zombie Gate's presence. "When I first arrived with Tuanzi, there weren't as many people. There were only two or three guarding the entrance — all experts in the Great Harmony stage. I could only hide nearby for now," Fu Juan reported. Initially, Fu Juan thought the few individuals might be there by coincidence, intending to wait until they left before investigating the entrance to the Land of Dragon's Rest. But it soon became clear their goals mirrored hers and she wasn't alone in pursuing the site. Not only that, in a matter of days, their numbers swelled to about twenty, clearly intent on temporarily enclosing the perimeter. Had Fu Juan not arrived early, sneaking in would have been impossible. "It seems Zombie Gate is cautious about alerting the central powers, hence keeping their operation quiet," Fu Yan mused after listening. Only about twenty had shown up, a manageable number under Fu Yan's purview, and it was unlikely they had anyone of celestial strength. A celestial's involvement would not go unnoticed in the central regions, but nothing is absolute; a secretive celestial presence wasn’t impossible. Yet, the situation wasn't as dire as initially feared. With a fair grasp of the local circumstances, Fu Yan turned to Fu Juan, voicing a previous conjecture she had shared with Bai Yue Li: "Do you think there's a dragon among them?" Though skeptical of the notion — after all, what dragon would willingly associate with the Zombie Gate? — Fu Yan pressed for insights. Fu Juan considered the possibility but didn't seem surprised. "If there were other dragons, I'd recognize them instantly. So far, I haven't encountered any of our kind." Fu Yan nodded thoughtfully. "It must mean the Zombie Gate utilized other means to discover the Land of Dragon's Rest." Bai Yue Li listened quietly, appearing deep in thought. After a moment, she broke her silence, asking, "What are the conditions to open the Land of Dragon's Rest?" Fu Juan, discovering the place for the first time herself and having lacked the chance to inspect it closely, answered almost instinctively: "Dragon blood and dragon breath." These memories seemed embedded in her very being, making them instantly accessible. While dragon blood is precious, it can be procured with enough resources. Dragon breath, however, is much harder to obtain. Perhaps this obstacle delayed the Zombie Gate from accessing the Land of Dragon's Rest. "Also," Fu Juan continued with a grave note, "without a dragon form, you can't enter." Only those of draconic lineage could pass into the Land of Dragon's Rest. Knowing the Zombie Gate found its location, they couldn't be oblivious to this fact, yet they appeared determined. Puzzled by this certainty, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li exchanged looks, both unable to fathom their motivation. Not eager for immediate scouting, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li opted for a night of recuperation in the cave. Maintaining peak condition was crucial. As dusk fell, the forest around them sank into brief tranquility. ... Meanwhile, another figure advanced swiftly into the northern reaches of the Eastern Domain. Swish. A figure landed nimbly on a massive tree branch, the moonlight filtering down to reveal the shadow below — none other than Fang Yu, the male protagonist. Days earlier, at the juncture between Central Capital and the Eastern Domain, Fang Yu encountered one of the eight generals of the Zombie Gate. As the most renowned disciple of the Sword King Sect, Fang Yu harbored a deep annoyance with the Zombie Gate. His training excursions often doubled as deliberate attempts to foil them. Finally having tracked down one of the infamous generals, Fang Yu couldn't resist the urge to strike secretly, successfully eliminating the opponent. The appearance of the Zombie Gate on the continent was enigmatic, their intentions puzzled many. To unravel their secrets, Fang Yu performed a soul search on the fallen general after acquiring his belongings. Typically, soul searching is conducted on the living, but Fang Yu possessed a unique ability allowing him to do so even on the dead, provided their soul wasn't entirely dissipated. Although the general, significant to the Zombie Gate's hierarchy, knew little of the inner circle's secrets, he did divulge another secret — the Land of Dragon's Rest. Shocked by the revelation, Fang Yu marveled that the Zombie Gate had discreetly uncovered the legendary site. The dragons, mysterious and potent beings of the continent, surely held immense legacies and fortunes in their sanctuary. Such news, once spread, would certainly incite a commotion on the continent. Instantly intrigued, Fang Yu, though aware of the challenges for ordinary individuals, suspected the Zombie Gate possessed unique means of entry. Determined not to miss this opportunity, Fang Yu expedited his journey alone to the northern domain, presently deciphering his surroundings, as he lacked a precise location for the Land of Dragon's Rest and only methodically sought it out. Soon, from his perch, Fang Yu discerned a direction, leaping into the shadowy depths of the forest. "Roar!" Barely moments later, a beast-like roar pierced the gloom, only to be silenced in a flash of sword light, restoring the silence. Fang Yu cast a cleansing spell on his spirit sword before lifting his gaze to the massive black bear before him, frowning slightly. He hadn't anticipated the vastness of this forest. Without specific coordinates or directions, he found himself floundering aimlessly, much like a headless fly. This was already the sixth beast he'd slain tonight. "What a nuisance," Fang Yu muttered coldly, sheathing his sword. It seemed he needed to devise a new strategy. ... The following day. Within the fog-drenched area cordoned off by the Zombie Gate, Wu Zhuo reluctantly began his early morning patrol shift, stifling a yawn. Yet, he had little reason for complaint. Once a cultivator of dismal aptitude, his fortunes changed dramatically after joining the Zombie Gate. Through acts of murder and corpse refinement, he miraculously advanced to the Transforming Void stage, an achievement that thrilled him immensely. Diligently circling his assigned patrol area for most of the morning, Wu Zhuo finally completed his round. Avoiding any laziness, he rested briefly before resuming his patrol, dutifully surveying his surroundings. This time, though, he hadn't gone far when a strong medicinal fragrance caught his attention. Stopping in his tracks, Wu Zhuo quickly followed the scent, soon discovering a mature spider scorpion fruit right before his eyes. In the wilderness, encountering spiritual herbs wasn’t unheard of, but to find one so mature and valuable as the spider scorpion fruit was a rare stroke of luck. It was an exceedingly precious herb, and upon sighting it, Wu Zhuo's eyes widened in delight. This was a monumental windfall! With a broad grin, Wu Zhuo approached, reaching out eagerly to pluck it without a second thought. However, in the next moment, a formidable force swiftly invaded his consciousness. He barely had time to react before his mind was obliterated. When Wu Zhuo reopened his eyes, he seemed altogether different, yet the hint of a smirk that crossed his eyes quickly gave way to his usual expression. Soon, Wu Zhuo—or rather, Fu Yan in Wu Zhuo's guise—turned nonchalantly, striding off in another direction.