SWNOVELXO Chapter 993: Storm Brewing
Atop a nameless peak, Wang Chen overlooked the vast and boundless land below.
The strong wind whistled past Wang Chen's ears, yet it did not stir a single strand of his hair.
An invisible force enveloped Wang Chen's entire being, shielding him from external influences, yet he had never felt so close to this part of the world before.
Having stepped into the seventh tier, Wang Chen had now touched the origin of the laws of the Cangqing Domain!
This feeling was incredibly marvelous; as his consciousness spread in all directions, everything around him responded in kind.
Wang Chen's Seven Soul Perception fully activated, his entire being seeming to merge with the heavens and earth.
If someone were beside Wang Chen at this moment, they would be astonished to find him elusive, both palpable and intangible, impossible to lock onto or probe, existing in the world yet independent of it!
This was the legendary Heavenly Human Realm!
After a long while, Wang Chen quietly retracted his perceptive consciousness, his aura instantly stabilized, showing no sign of abnormality.
The next moment, Wang Chen leapt off the cliff ahead.
His body, light as a feather, soared rapidly with the wind towards the distance, like a majestic eagle soaring through the firmament, freely galloping above this land.
At this time, Wang Chen caught a whiff of a breath from the Upper Realm.
Haotian Realm!
Intuition told Wang Chen that if he wished, a single thought could return him to the Haotian Realm, his soul reuniting with his true body!
But Wang Chen suppressed this tempting thought, for his exploration of the Cangqing Domain was just beginning, and although he had touched the world's origin, he was still far from mastering it.
Wang Chen at least needed to acquire a glimpse of the world's origin to complete his mission!
"Sir, you've returned."
Just as he returned home in Daye City, a beautiful woman approached and helped Wang Chen remove his coat.
Wang Chen smiled slightly, embraced her, and kissed her on the forehead.
This woman was Xi Yun, who was escorted here two months ago to reunite with Wang Chen in Daye.
Since Xi Yun's arrival, Wang Chen had handed over the management of all the household affairs to her, making their daily life very comfortable and pleasurable.
Although nominally she was a maid, she was essentially the mistress of the house!
"Sir..."
Xi Yun shyly pushed Wang Chen gently, but her large eyes were dewy with the essence of spring.
Wang Chen laughed heartily and lifted her in his arms: "Come, accompany your master to bathe!"
Xi Yun buried her blushing face in Wang Chen's chest, her heart filled with curiosity.
For today's Wang Chen felt very different to her.
But exactly what was different, Xi Yun couldn't quite pinpoint; it was just very special.
However, she soon had no time to ponder this question.
After a session of passionate love, the exhausted Xi Yun fell into a deep sleep on the brocade couch, while the still spirited Wang Chen donned his coat, quietly left the bedroom, and went to his study.
He took out some Talisman Paper and spread it on the table, then grabbed a Talisman Pen and cinnabar Talisman Ink to begin creating Magical Talismans.
Due to the different world laws, the knowledge Wang Chen previously had in talisman arts could not be directly applied in the Cangqing Domain.
But through referencing the Ten Directions Taoist Collection's Taoist Canon and Cultivation Manuals, he completely decoded the Taoist Veins of this world, thereby mastering the mysteries of Taoist Skills. Now, not only could he create Magical Talismans, but even refining Magic Artifacts and setting up Arrays was within easy reach.
Indeed, such a Wang Chen not only stood at the pinnacle of Martial Arts in the Cangqing Domain, his Taoist Cultivation Level was absolutely top-notch.
Yet comparatively speaking, to his true self's Golden Core Cultivation Level, a mere pinnacle of Qi Cultivation was hardly worth mentioning.
Wang Chen was very clear that the pinnacle of Martial Arts in this realm could shatter the Void and Ascend to the Upper Realm.
But it was impossible in cultivation!
Of course, although the tiers of the Taoist Skills were low, there were still many practical aspects, such as these Magical Talismans. Wang Chen himself didn't need them, but giving them to others for self-defense and protection was very nice.
Considering he would soon accompany Princess Qingyun to Great Yan, Wang Chen made some extra.
In the following days, the atmosphere in Daye City suddenly became tense.
Great Qi had once again invaded the border regions!
Dominated in the Northland, Great Qi was undoubtedly a major threat to Great Liang, a nation of fierce people mainly nomadic, which raided Great Liang every summer and fall, plundering people and wealth.
Over the years, Great Liang had been struggling to cope with the harassment from Great Qi, investing countless resources in border defenses and the border army.
However, treating the symptoms, not the root cause; they could only defend.
This year, the attack from Great Qi was particularly fierce, not only breaking through the major northern stronghold of Wild Goose Cloud Pass but also sweeping through most of the Northern Prefecture, resulting in heavy casualties among the border troops of Great Liang and countless civilians displaced.
Some of the local wealthy families had fled to the Capital Region to seek refuge!
After the news spread, within the Imperial Capital, people couldn't avoid feeling anxious. Although the city seemed peaceful and joyous, the clouds of war loomed over everyone's hearts.
Being a Commander of the Blood Cloak Guard, Wang Chen received more information than the ordinary people.
To resist the invasion from Great Qi, Great Liang had already mobilized two elite legions from Central State to assist in the north, and three more legions were on their way.
The problem was, there was also unrest from the barbarian tribes in the south of Great Liang, with the Yellow Lotus Sect stirring troubles everywhere, causing Great Liang endless headaches.
But all this was temporarily unrelated to Wang Chen because the team to accompany and escort Princess Qingyun had already been assembled, and he was about to embark on the long journey to Great Yan!
And the departure day always arrived particularly fast, at the beginning of early autumn, Wang Chen joined the team in the role of a Marriage Envoy.
As the most beloved sister of Emperor Shaowu, Princess Qingyun's marriage to Great Yan was of great significance, hence the wedding troop setup was extremely luxurious.
One hundred carriages, three hundred ceremonial guards, and three thousand elite Feathered Forest Guard left Daye City early in the morning.
For some reason, Great Liang did not broadly publicize this marriage alliance; only several members of the Royal Family came to see them off when they left the city.
But Emperor Shaowu did not!
It's worth mentioning that the commander of the three thousand Feathered Forest Guard was none other than Uncle Sun, who was always beside Princess Qingyun!
Wang Chen just found out now; this fifth-tier Martial Ancestor had another role as the Vice-Commander of the Feathered Forest Guard.
His real name was Sun Zhengheng.
"Protector Wang."
Sun Zhengheng glanced at the luxurious eight-horse carriage in the middle of the procession and said solemnly, "It seems we are in for a hard trip again."
Others might not know, but this Vice-Commander of the Feathered Forest Guard was very aware of how strong Wang Chen was!
Wang Chen noticed his look and asked, "Are you worried that we might face danger on the way?"
Sun Zhengheng's eyes clearly conveyed a hint of worry.
This was quite unusual.
Not to mention how strong the escort team was, the marriage alliance between Great Liang and Great Yan was of such great significance; who would dare to provoke trouble within the borders of the two countries?
Sun Zhengheng was stunned for a moment, probably not expecting Wang Chen to be so direct.
He hesitated a bit but still nodded and said, "Maybe. I have a feeling this journey will not be easy."
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First update delivered.