A World Worth Protecting

1

Wang Baole had the overbearing and respectful air of a tycoon as he used the battle credits that he had gained from the game’s earnings to purchase numerous cultivation techniques from the Vast Expanse Techniques Chamber. People crowded around him as he began to send each cultivation technique back to the Federation through the teleportation array formation. The Federation was shocked!

Outside the Mercury array formation, Li Xingwen’s eyes were about to fall out of their sockets as he stared dazedly at the cultivation techniques appearing one by one from within the brilliantly glowing array formation.

On the other hand, Duan Muque had begun to feel extremely uneasy ever since the eighteenth cultivation technique was sent back by Wang Baole. As such, he paid close attention to the matter using the projected image of himself that was formed using technology from the Federation.

Right now, Duan Muque quickly turned upon noticing the glow from the teleportation array formation. Initially, he was delighted, but this delight only lasted the time of twenty breaths. When he noticed that one cultivation technique was being sent back every second, his heart trembled.

“Twenty-one, twenty-two…”

“Thirty-seven, thirty-eight…”

“Forty-two, forty-three…”

Those who were similarly shocked were the Federation cultivators who were on guard. Everyone was bewildered by the constant glow from the teleportation array formation and by the number of cultivation techniques that were being sent back. Even though they had seen numerous cultivation techniques being teleported back the past year, it was unbelievable this time, as it had far exceeded the total number that had been teleported back previously!

Amidst the silence, and while Duan Muque sank in astonishment, the process of teleportation continued for the time of a hundred and twenty breaths.

The number of cultivation techniques that were teleported back stood at a hundred and forty!

For the last twenty cultivation techniques, they were all tossed in at one go. Apparently, the person teleporting them back had grown irritated by the slow process…

That scene instantly gripped all the people from the Federation who were viewing the process with shock. They couldn’t help but begin to exclaim.

“A hundred and… forty!”

“Are those cultivation techniques? Why do I feel like they are cabbages that can be bought for cheap instead?”

As the exclamations reverberated, Li Xingwen willed himself to remain calm while quickly grabbing the hundred and forty cultivation techniques with his hands. After taking a look at each of them, he carried a peculiar look on his face, one that conveyed that he was unsurprised, before looking towards the bewildered Duan Muque.

“Muque, you should make some preparations. It is very likely that you will have to relinquish your position when Wang Baole returns…”

“They’re all from Wang Baole?” Duan Muque trembled. He didn’t believe it, and he hurriedly took a look at the cultivation techniques himself. The more he checked, the more awkward he became. He felt a complicated mix of hopelessness and happiness in his heart. In the end, Duan Muque let out a long sigh. He felt that he had really shot himself in the foot. Even after sending Jin Duoming over, Wang Baole still held a huge advantage over him.

“This is something to celebrate. Haha, I look forward to Wang Baole returning and becoming Federation President!” Duan Muque cleared his throat, and a smile appeared on his face. He was extremely heartened, and one wouldn’t be able to notice if he were feeling other emotions. At this time, Li Xingwen cleared his throat and reminded Duan Muque.

“In addition to the eighteen cultivation techniques that he sent back previously, this fella had already accumulated a hundred and fifty-eight cultivation techniques…”

When Duan Muque heard Li Xingwen’s words, he shuddered.

<em>D*rn it… I have been President for less than ten years… It wouldn’t matter as much if I stepped down after accomplishing something significant, but now, it seems like I have been forced to step down… What is this? I will lose face! </em>Duan Muque was anxious. He thought that it was a blessing that he was now a Nascent Soul realm cultivator. Even if he didn’t step down, Wang Baole wouldn’t be able to eliminate him through battle… However, when he thought about the updates on Wang Baole’s combat capabilities sent by the Vast Expanse Dao Palace, Duan Muque lost confidence.

<em>Should I change the system within the Federation before Wang Baole returns? For example, by increasing the number of Noble positions above Secondary Rank Two by ten? </em>Duan Muque sighed. He knew that it wasn’t possible to do that, and he began to feel frustrated.

While Duan Muque was sunken deep in frustration, Wang Baole, who was in the public square of the Dao Palace on the ancient greenish-bronze sword, patted his tummy in delight. Even though he couldn’t see Duan Muque, he could guess that a dark cloud must be hanging above his head now.

<em>You want to compete against me, Little Duanmu? Do you think over one hundred cultivation techniques marks the end of everything? I am going to do something major. The game of Noble advancement between us hasn’t ended! </em>Wang Baole was energized as he arrogantly raised his chin. With the Federation cultivators and Dao Palace disciples around him looking at him in shock, he left the public square and proceeded towards Feng Qiuran’s cave abode.

Wang Baole didn’t bring the donkey along with him. Other than heading out occasionally to feed, the donkey was now completely immersed in the game. That saved Wang Baole a lot of trouble as well.

As time was tight, it was already almost evening when Wang Baole arrived at Feng Qiuran’s cave abode. Zhao Yameng and Kong Dao also rushed to the cave abode after receiving the notification from Wang Baole.

Soon, the trio met outside Feng Qiuran’s cave abode. After the trio had greeted Feng Qiuran in unison, Feng Qiuran handed the three Hyacinthus Tree leaves to Wang Baole with a spirited look in her eyes.

Feng Qiuran agreed to Wang Baole’s previous proposition of distributing the Hyacinthus Tree leaves to Zhao Yameng and Kong Dao. That was because, according to Feng Qiuran’s understanding, Zhao Yameng had the heritage of the Eye of Infinite Techniques, allowing her to survive and be considered an inner sect disciple even if she failed in the trial.

Feng Qiuran looked highly upon such a status. As for Kong Dao, even though he didn’t have the heritage of the Eye of Infinite Techniques like Zhuo Yifan, it was awkward for Wang Baole to hand the leaf to Zhuo Yifan instead.

Thankfully, Zhuo Yifan was understanding of the matter. In addition, Feng Qiuran didn’t wish to interfere with the choices made by Wang Baole and company. Therefore, after handing the Hyacinthus Tree leaves over, she brought the trio towards the mountains on the Dao Palace main island.

The teleportation array formation on the mountain had already been prepared. Mie Liezi and Daoist You Ran didn’t show up, as the matter was completely handled by people from Feng Qiuran’s lineage. However, Sect Lord Xu was invited to witness the process. After ensuring that everything was safe, Sect Lord Xu greeted the trio with cupped fists and a smile on his face.

“Here’s wishing the three of you have a smooth journey, emerge at the top, and are awarded the status of a Vast Expanse Dao Palace disciple!”

Wang Baole’s impression of Sect Lord Xu had already changed, and he cupped his fists towards him as he heard those words. Zhao Yameng and Kong Dao also returned the greeting. After that, the trio looked at each other before stepping into the array formation in unison.

As the cultivators from Feng Qiuran’s lineage sealed their hands, the array formation began operating. Feng Qiuran had a serious expression on her face as she looked at the trio and gave them a final reminder.

She reminded them to remain vigilant, and she also informed them of what she understood about the process of entering the Worship Palace Pavilion.

“The Worship Palace Pavilion is divided into two parts. One is the Road of Brilliance, and the other is the Seven Worships Palace. There is no danger in the former, as it merely tests whether one has the caliber to enter the Seven Worships Palace. On the other hand, a certain level of danger exists for the latter!

“Therefore, all of you must remain vigilant. Failure to pass the trial is better than risking your life there. In addition, based on my understanding, Baole and Yameng, both of you have received the inheritance of the Eye of Infinite Techniques. As such, after entering the Worship Palace Pavilion, both of you should be able to skip the first few trials and enter the trial to become a core disciple directly!

“Once you succeed, you will become a core disciple!

“Lastly, I wish all of you success!”

With that, Feng Qiuran produced a seal with her hands and pointed. Instantly, a loud boom was heard from the teleportation array formation. Wang Baole and company, who were in the array formation, saw nothing but a blur. They felt a force that could contort their bodies at that instant. The trio was immediately being teleported away, but it took a long while after they had disappeared for the array formation to return to normalcy.

“I hope they will have a smooth journey.” After seeing that the trio had been teleported away, Sect Lord Xu from the Galactic Dusk Sect murmured before looking at Feng Qiuran and clearing his throat.

“Elder Qiuran, have you made a decision? That Brother Xingwen of mine has true feelings towards you.”

Upon hearing that, Feng Qiuran instantly experienced a headache, and she stared at Sect Lord Xu.

“Let Li Xingwen tell me about it himself!” With that, Feng Qiuran left hurriedly.

The other cultivators from Feng Qiuran’s lineage looked at each other before leaving. Some within them couldn’t keep the matter under wraps and began to spread information about the incident on the Spirit Internet’s Panel for News and Gossip. Instantly, the matter involving Li Xingwen and Feng Qiuran created waves on the Spirit Internet once again!

At the same time, in the depths of the sword body, an unusual looking mountain stood within a heavily restricted region!

There was only one mountainous path on the mountain, but there were seven peaks. The peaks were arranged like a flight of stairs, with one taller than the previous!

There was no Sea of Fire surrounding it, but there were countless bolts of black lightning that were striking across the sky continuously. It made the seven peaks appear extremely imposing!

Seven majestic palaces were clearly visible on the seven mountainous peaks. At that moment, something was glowing on the mountainous path. In the next moment, Wang Baole and the others appeared!

When they emerged, the thunder roared noisily, and the lightning flashed more intensely, lighting up the signage that indicated that the mountainous path was under repair. The trio also noticed three words written clearly on the signage at that moment!

Worship Palace Pavilion!