The Nine Cauldrons

Depart to Nine Prefectures!

Seeing Teng Qingshan descend from a high altitude, the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang were rather confused.

“What is this Teng Qingshan doing?” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal thought as he observed. At the moment, Teng Qingshan was holding the Dark Blaze Rod and flashing around incessantly in the Helian Residence like a ghost. Within only two seconds, Teng Qingshan seemed to have pinpoint a location. He stopped and dived into the ground.

Mu Wang and the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal were shocked.

“Teacher, perhaps Brother Teng found the treasure?” Mu Wang couldn’t believe it. Teng Qingshan was just moving around at random. How was it possible?

“But it seems like he did find it.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal was uncertain as well and said, “Let’s go take a look.”

Immediately, the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang rushed towards the location of the treasure.

“Just as I expected.” Teng Qingshan held the Dark Blaze Rod and incessantly drilled into the ground. “The nine lotus seeds are the essence of the Blazing Flame Red Lotus. It could indeed cause changes to the Dark Blaze Rod.”

Sensing the Dark Blaze Rod in his hand becoming hotter and hotter, Teng Qingshan easily confirmed the direction.

Suddenly—

A completely grey and black rocky wall appeared before Teng Qingshan.He hit the wall softly, and the tough rocky wall quivered and turned into dust, flowing away. A hole as tall as an adult was revealed and Teng Qingshan stepped through the big hole into the underground secret room.

The dimmed light of the altar lamp illuminated the entire secret room.

“This is where the Tianfeng Clan stored the treasures that they have kept for over a thousand years?” Teng Qingshan took a deep breath. At the end of the secret room were bricks of gold. The huge amount of gold was such that it could be seen anywhere as though it were sand and stone. Besides the great amount of gold, many kinds of precious items could be seen everywhere on the ground.

Apart from the precious items, there were at first glance what seemed like several hundred full sets of armor and weapons arranged in an orderly fashion.

“These are all high-quality armors.” Standing beside the iron box, Teng Qingshan lifted a jade box. The hot temperature of the Dark Blaze Rod told him that the nine lotus seeds were within this jade box.

Creak!

As the jade box was opened, nine lotus seeds that were as black as jade were orderly arranged inside. With a smile, Teng Qingshan closed the jade box and carried it in his arms. “Tianfeng Martial Immortal, Tianfeng Martial Immortal. You took the Blazing Flame Red Lotus from me in the past. Today, I relied on these nine lotus seeds and found the greatest treasure of your Tianfeng Clan. I wonder if I should thank you or hate you for taking the nine lotus seeds away from me in the past.”

Teng Qingshan too felt the fickleness of fate.

Without the nine lotus seeds, Teng Qingshan and the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal wouldn’t be able to find the treasures that were hidden so deeply.

“Gold and the other items are useless to me.” As Teng Qingshan glanced at the suits of armor, he proceeded to touch one of the suits, sensing the extreme coldness. “These are all Coldsteel Heavy Armors. Each suit of armor weighed several hundred Jin. However, I now have the ‘Fiery Gilt Steel. Therefore, there will be no need of those armors.” Teng Qingshan looked past the great number of weapons, armors, and money, and focused his eyes on the iron box.

“Qingshan, Haha. You are so powerful. I didn’t expect you to find it.” A laugh rang out.

“Older Brother Mu.” Teng Qingshan turned and smiled.

As the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang entered the secret room together, and their faces revealed their sense of joy and surprise when they saw the horrifyingly great amount of wealth within this huge secret room.

“This is Tianfeng Coldsteel, a precious item that can only be found in the Tianfeng Canyon.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal touched the the suits of armor and and said in shock, “There are actually almost six hundred heavy armors forged with Tianfeng Coldsteel… If the Fiery Gilt Steel didn’t exist, then cavalrymen equipped with Tianfeng Coldsteel Heavy Armor would definitely be the best troop of cavalrymen.

In terms of toughness, the Tianfeng Coldsteel was slightly inferior to Fiery Gilt Steel. However, Tianfeng Coldsteel was extremely heavy.

“All this gold probably weighs over a million Jin.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal stared at the gold that completely filled the end of the secret room. There was no way to determine how great the amount of gold was!

“Qingshan, these are the treasures that the Tianfeng Clan had kept for thousand of years. Haha, according to our agreement, whoever finds it, keeps it all. All of this belong to you!” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal laughed as he said.

The Great Elder Mu Wang couldn’t help but cast a glance at his teacher.

Hearing this, Teng Qingshan was shocked. “The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal was able to resist the temptation despite witnessing such great amount of treasure.” If the shipping of all these treasures was convenient, Teng Qingshan would definitely wish to send all these precious treasures to the Nine Prefectures. Unfortunately, the Six Legged Bladelike Chi had only a body so big. After carrying the Fiery Gilt Steel, there was no space for anything else.

As for the Undying Phoenix ‘Little Blue,’ Little Blue’s body was about four Zhang long, but its back was slightly smaller, and therefore, it could carry even fewer items.

“Qingshan, with these precious items, I think…a Teng Clan will exist in Duanmu Continent in the future.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said with a smile. In actuality, he was sighing inwardly. It was not that he had no greed. Rather the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal had made an agreement with Teng Qingshan, and because of the strength that both the Undying Phoenix and Teng Qingshan could display, the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal didn’t dare to act too domineering.

“Teng Clan?”

Teng Qingshan shook his head and said, “Older Brother Teng, I have no ambition for this Duanmu Continent. I don’t want any of the gold, armors, and weapons. All of them belongs to the Mu Clan. I just need some Spiritual Treasures that can change aptitude, increase Inner Strength, and improve the ‘Spirit,’ as well as some secret techniques. These are the things I will take.”

“This…” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu wang were astonished.

Spiritual Treasures of the Heavens and Earth?

The Mu Clan already had quite a lot of Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits, excluding the three greatest Spiritual Treasures. These Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits had no benefit to the progress of Mu Clan. As for about secret techniques? The Mu Clan were the descendants of the Omnipotent Expert ‘Thunder Blade Deity’ Duanmu Yu, and therefore, didn’t care about the secret techniques that the Tianfeng Clan possessed.

“Qingshan, I can’t take those.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal hastily said. “Compared to these armors, weapons, gold, and other precious items, those Spiritual Treasures are nothing. The only precious Spiritual Treasures are the nine lotus seed, the Tianfeng Aqua Bead, and the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit.”

“Older Brother Mu.”

Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “I will be honest with you. I am not from this Duanmu Continent.”

TLN: I am an alien.

“What?” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang were shocked.

“Older Brother Mu, I come from a continent called ‘Nine Prefectures.’ That is my home! Moreover, the Godly Axe Deity ‘Yu the Great’ is also from that continent.” Teng Qingshan didn’t keep anything a secret. There was no need to keep any secrets, since the Nine Prefectures and the Duanmu Continent were too far apart.

It was even dangerous for a Golden Dan Innate Expert to cross the North Sea and only the Emptiness Realm Experts could cross the sea safely.

TLN: With Teng Qingshan the exception, cause MC POWAAAAA.

“Nine Prefectures?” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang were astounded.

“In the Nine Prefectures, there are over one billion people. The population is tenfold the population here. The number of experts are as great as the clouds… There are also more Emptiness Realm Experts.” Teng Qingshan shook his head and sighed as he said, “I reckoned that there are over twenty Emptiness Realm Experts in the Nine Prefectures!”

If he estimated that there be three Emptiness Realm Experts in each prefecture, then the Nine Prefectures will have a total of twenty-seven Emptiness Realm Experts!

If two Emptiness Realm Experts exist in each prefecture, then there will be a total of eighteen Emptiness Realm Experts.

In Teng Qingshan’s opinion, the ancient Emperor Yu’s Hall, Qin Ling Family, and the Mani Temple would definitely have even more Emptiness Realm Experts than that of Yangzhou. If the Emptiness Realm Experts in the islands situated in the East Sea, the kingdoms in the western regions, and the tribes in the Great Prairie were counted, what would the total number of Emptiness Realm Experts be?

What about the mysterious Heavenly God Palace? The mysterious Heavenly God Palace was a super powerful hidden sect!

You can conclude it this way—

The situation of the Duanmu Continent was very clear, but the Land of the Nine Prefectures had surging undercurrents. The waters of the Nine Prefectures were very deep!

“Twenty-seven Emptiness Realm Experts?” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal gulped while Mu Wang was dumbfounded.

If Duanmu Continent competed with the Nine Prefectures, Duanmu Continent would only be considered as a prefecture of the Nine Prefectures.

“That’s just my lowest estimation.” Teng Qingshan’s eyes dimmed as he said, “I know too little about the Nine Prefectures. I can only find out how many Emptiness Realm Experts there are when I return to the Nine Prefectures.”

The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang were totally stunned by this news.

While they had believed themselves to be the number one clan of the world, in actuality, they were considered something small in the grand scheme of things.

“However, don’t worry. The Land of the Nine Prefectures is several hundred thousand Li away. It’s so far that even Emptiness Realm Experts would rarely cross the several hundred thousand Li of seawaters.” Teng Qingshan grinned and said, “Older Brother Mu, if you want to go to the Nine Prefectures, just keep heading south for several hundred thousand Li and you will soon arrive the Nine Prefectures.”

“Several hundred thousand Li?”

Both the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang first lament the great distance and then heaved a sigh of relief after knowing that the forces of the Nine Prefectures wouldn’t be able to attack Duanmu Continent.

After searching the secret room for a while, Teng Qingshan collected the two big iron boxes and left. One of the iron boxes held the various treasures of the heavens and earth, while the other contained the five stone inscriptions of the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Axe》. To Teng Qingshan, the happiest thing was that not only did he find the nine lotus seeds, he also discovered three drops of the Tianfeng Aqua Bead.

One drop of the Tianfeng Aqua Bead could open the meridians of the consumer’s entire body and increase physical strength to one hundred thousand Jin.

When Teng Qingshan’s Eldest Disciple Teng Shou attained the Grandmaster Realm, his strength was only one hundred thousand Jin.

……

Almost all the high-positioned members of the Tianfeng Clan had died. The struggle for the position of Patriarch already caused a great commotion within the Tianfeng Clan. The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and the powerful forces of the Rising Sun Trading Company easily moved the treasures of the Helian Clan. The only items that required some effort to move was the gold.

August 13th, the second day of the Tianfeng Martial Immortal’s death.

In the East Flower Garden of the Rising Sun City within the Dreamy Cloud Ancient City:

“Older Brother Mu, there’s no need to send us off.” Teng Qingshan said with a smile.

The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal sighed constantly. Teng Qingshan had not stayed in Duanmu Continent for a very long time, but he left many legendary stories in Duanmu Continent. The title of the Most Powerful Martial Saint, the flames that burnt a great army on Ox-Head Mountain, and the fight with the Tianfeng Martial Immortal would make Duanmu Continent remember this powerful expert forever.

“Brother Qingshan, I too would like to visit the Land of the Nine Prefectures.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said emotionally, “I have been lonely. I cannot find a worthy opponent in Duanmu Continent.”

Powerful experts are always lonely.

“However, I am worried about the Mu Clan. When Mu Wang attains the Emptiness Realm, I will go to the Nine Prefectures.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal smiled as he looked at Teng Qingshan. “Qingshan, if I go to the Nine Prefectures, you must bring me around the Nine Prefectures. It would be best if I too accomplish great things in the Nine Prefectures.”

Conquering a world of your own in the Land of the Nine Prefectures was ten to a hundred times more difficult compared to in Duanmu Continent.

“Haha, okay. However, if you come, you must help me conquer my world.” Teng Qingshan joked.

“No worries. I am an old man of over four hundred years of age. It’s worth it if i can fight some Emptiness Realm Experts.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal guffawed as he responded. Mu Wang, who was beside, made an envious expression…Compared to the vast Land of the Nine Prefectures, Duanmu Continent was indeed too small.

“Older Brother Mu, then I will be leaving first.”

Soon, Teng Qingshan and the others mounted the Undying Phoenix and the Whole Gale Eagle and flew eastward.

The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal gazed at the shrinking figures of Teng Qingshan and the others on the horizon.

“Nine Prefectures…” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal mumbled. He really yearned to go to the Land of the Nine Prefectures. “That is the place that Emptiness Realm Experts should stay!”

Riding on the Undying Phoenix, Teng Qingshan and the others first arrived the base of Fu Clan to return the stone inscriptions of the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》. Because Fu Yuping really couldn’t bear to leave her home and go to the faraway Land of the Nine Prefectures, she took the 《Seventy-two Earth Splitting Forms》which Teng Qingshan gifted and stayed with the Fu Clan.

The 《Seventy-two Earth Splitting Forms》could be considered the best axe art as it had been perfected by Teng Qingshan.

To the Fu Clan, the 《Seventy-two Earth Splitting Forms》was even better than the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》, which were beyond their comprehension. When Fu Dao saw the 《Seventy-two Earth Splitting Forms》, he was both excited and extremely grateful.

“Senior Emperor Yu, this should be considered as a compensation and help for your descendants.” Teng Qingshan said to himself.

……

Beyond the layer of clouds above the Godly Axe Mountain, the gigantic Six Legged Bladelike Chi was flying. Three wooden boxes were tied onto the gigantic body of the Six Legged Bladelike Chi and the Whole Gale Eagle rested temporarily on its back. Beside the Six Legged Bladelike Chi…was the Undying Phoenix. Teng Qingshan and the others were all on the Undying Phoenix’s back.

“Roar~~” The Six Legged Bladelike Chi roared incessantly.

“Qingshan, it is very unhappy. It also said that it will never sleep again.” Li Jun grinned and said.

“Who told it to be lazy..” Teng Qingshan laughed and said, “The Blue Luan has attained the Emptiness Realm and become a divine beast. The Six Legged Bladelike Chi sleeps every day and refuse to observe my fist arts practice, it not being able to attain Emptiness Realm has nothing to do with me.” When Teng Qingshan and the others stepped on to the Godly Axe Mountain, the Six Legged Bladelike Chi noticed the Undying Phoenix and was astonished.

When the Six Legged Bladelike Chi knew through Li Jun that the Blue Luan had transformed into the Undying Phoenix, it was angry as it also dreamt of attaining Emptiness Realm!

It too wished to attain Emptiness Realm!

Therefore, it decided to never sleep again. It would watch Teng Qingshan practice fist arts every day.

“Ah Shou, Ah Dong, if we go to the Nine Prefectures this time, it will be extremely difficult to return to Duanmu Continent ever again. There’s still time to turn back, but once we fly away, it will be too late for any regrets.” Teng Qingshan stared at the disciples behind him. In regards to the going or staying of Teng Shou and Yang Dong, Teng Qingshan hoped that they could come to the Nine Prefectures with him, but if anyone of them wanted to stay, Teng Qingshan would not mind at all.

It would be good if Teng Shou taught the internal Martial Arts to the people of Duanmu Continent.

“I will follow teacher.” Teng Shou said deeply.

“Duanmu Continent? I don’t want to stay here.” Yang Dong was even more straightforward.

The two disciples felt no emotional attachment to Duanmu Continent.

“Qingshan, we are going to return to the Nine Prefectures. It has been long time.” Li Jun said with misty eyes. Suddenly, a pinkish blush flashed on her face. “Qingshan, if your parents saw me…” Even an ugly daughter-in-law would eventually have to meet her parents-in-law*. As Li Jun thought about it, she just felt nervous.

TLN: *This describes that one can’t avoid a matter or keep something a secret forever. He will eventually have to face it and solve it.

“Haha, mother and father will definitely be happy.” Teng Qingshan held his wife’s hand as he gazed into the south.

With this, Teng Qingshan brought his wife, his two disciples, the Whole Gale Eagle, the Emptiness Realm Divine Beast ‘Undying Phoenix, ‘ and the Six Legged Bladelike Chi that was only one step away from attaining Emptiness Realm. Of course, there were also the ninety thousand Jin of Fiery Gilt Steel, the nine Blazing Flame Lotus Seeds, three drops of Tianfeng Aqua Beads, a great number of secret techniques, and numerous Spiritual Treasures.

“The Nine Prefectures, I am coming!”

“Father, Mother, I, your son, will come back to see you soon.”

Looking into the south, Teng Qingshan’s heart had already flown back to the Nine Prefectures, back to Jiangning County, and back to the place that he had constantly dreamt of, the place that his relatives, friends, and sects dwelled…”