Chapter 245: Preparing to Depart! Splitting Up
Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Preparing to Depart! Splitting Up
True Monarch Minmian had a relaxed expression, as if his cultivation was still intact.
But as far as Zhu Ge could sense, True Monarch Minmian was a complete and utter mortal.
However, in the eyes of the experts in the highest realms above, things seemed different.
"Eh? That one named Zhu Ge seems to have really become a mortal?"
"True Monarch Minmian’s aura has grown much stronger. Even I can no longer perceive it."
"A pity, a pity! We arrived a step too late!"
"This True Monarch Minmian reaped great rewards from cleaving Nanyue Mianhuang with his sword, and now he’s stumbled upon the birth of the New Confucian Dao—an event unseen in millennia. It’s truly enviable."
"However, this Zhu Ge is still the founder of that New Confucian Dao. He must know something, right?"
"True, but even so, forcing him would be utterly shameless."
The numerous entities buzzed with discussion. Not a single one suspected that True Monarch Minmian had lost his cultivation; instead, they believed he had achieved a new breakthrough.
"Don’t even think about getting any ideas about Zhu Ge." True Monarch Minmian took a sip of wine and wiped his mouth. "In one year, I will take him to Shengjing. It won’t be too late for you all to slowly consult with him then!"
Take Zhu Ge to Shengjing in one year?!
The numerous entities were astonished.
"Only one year? He can fully comprehend the New Dao in a single year?!"
"True Monarch Minmian’s talent is truly enviable."
"Back in the day, he was eleventh on the Sheji Chart. I never imagined he was this frighteningly powerful!"
"No, that scoundrel Minmian is the laziest of them all. What if he’s just trying to trick us?"
"Exactly! If he learns everything and then just kills Zhu Ge, what’s left for us to learn? Are we supposed to take Minmian as our master then?"
Many of them were shocked.
After all, a year was practically nothing to them.
In their view, True Monarch Minmian wanted to keep Zhu Ge by his side, obviously to squeeze him dry of all his knowledge. That was the only way to allow the New Dao to develop better.
However, True Monarch Minmian smiled and said:
"During this year, I will also travel with Zhu Ge in the guise of a mortal. Anyone whose cultivation is no more than one major realm above Zhu Ge’s may come and challenge him."
"If the challenge is successful, I don’t mind having an additional spectator."
"If they exceed that by more than one major realm, I will slay them on the spot. What do you all think?"
"If this is acceptable, then sign this oath. Otherwise, there will be an endless stream of people coming later, and that would be a huge pain."
"Only those who sign the oath can participate in carving up and learning the New Dao. How about it?"
True Monarch Minmian spoke, "I stripped him of his New Dao, so I should also give him a promise. If he can shine brightly in Shengjing a year from now, I will take him as my disciple. I ask you all not to make things difficult for me."
Everyone’s expressions softened at once.
In their eyes, this was a method of supervision.
At the very least, True Monarch Minmian and Zhu Ge would be under everyone’s watch, so they couldn’t just run off or be killed.
Moreover, by having cultivators one major realm higher challenge Zhu Ge, they might be able to catch a glimpse of his New Dao.
As for taking him as a disciple, the crowd didn’t have much of a reaction.
They had taken on many disciples and had long since lost interest in the matter.
Unless the disciple possessed something they desired.
And so, True Monarch of the Lantern silently condensed a sheet of paper from Spiritual Power in the air, upon which were recorded the terms True Monarch Minmian had just stated.
Seeing this, the various entities descended with their thoughts, one by one, leaving their auras upon the oath.
Afterward, True Monarch of the Lantern said no more. He collected the oath, and his body quietly vanished into the void.
But the True Monarchs above had not yet left.
"But didn’t this Zhu Ge become a mortal?" a True Monarch asked. "How can he withstand any challenges? Solely through the power of Martial Arts Body Refinement?"
What they wanted to see wasn’t the Martial Dao, but the New Confucian Dao.
"Haha, you dumbass," True Monarch Minmian jeered. "This is a new Divine Ability I’ve been researching, one that can conceal a person’s aura... ’Hmm, cussing people out really is pretty satisfying...’"
As he spoke, he even smacked his lips.
But the True Monarch in the sky who had asked the question couldn’t help but shut his mouth, not daring to talk back.
Who didn’t know of True Monarch Minmian’s fearsome reputation?
At True Monarch Minmian’s signal, Zhu Ge also released the effect that was concealing his power.
In the next instant, countless strands of Divine Sense swept over him once again.
"Second Realm? Not bad, not bad."
"To say nothing of his outstanding intellect, he also cultivates both the Confucian Dao and the Martial Dao. Truly rare and commendable."
"I just don’t know what his combat prowess is like. I wasn’t paying attention to the Historical Record earlier."
"His combat prowess is terrible. Don’t even think about it. Leave him to me."
"Heh? You take me for a fool? But neither of us should even consider it. Within the True Self Realm, there aren’t many who can defeat Minmian."
As the Divine Senses of these entities swept over Zhu Ge, some began to entertain the idea of taking him as a disciple.
But with True Monarch Minmian standing in the way, no one dared to go too far for the time being.
"Alright, alright, scram!" True Monarch Minmian stretched lazily. "Stripping away that New Dao was exhausting. I’m going to take a nap. We’ll set off tomorrow!"
After saying this, True Monarch Minmian actually closed his eyes, and a few seconds later, the sound of light snoring could be heard.
Seeing this, True Monarch of the Lantern didn’t say much either. With a placid expression, he vanished into the void.
The other entities did the same, departing one after another.
They came quickly, and they left just as fast.
Leaving behind only a clear blue sky, calm and serene.
And Zhu Ge, who was struggling to keep a straight face, along with the genuinely sleeping True Monarch Minmian.
POP—
With a soft sound, several people suddenly appeared not far away.
It was Liu Jianjian, Yan Liyuan, and the others who had been hidden by True Monarch of the Lantern.
They gathered around, and Zhu Ge briefly explained what had just happened.
Of course, Zhu Ge didn’t mention that True Monarch Minmian had lost all his cultivation.
And now, it seemed True Monarch of the Lantern had no intention of reappearing.
Looking at True Monarch Minmian lying on the ground, Liu Jianjian couldn’t help but ask, "Master, should we just wait here with the True Monarch?"
She looked around, feeling a little anxious. "The True Monarch is asleep. Those powerful figures won’t suddenly show up and kill us, will they?"
"They won’t." Zhu Ge smiled and shook his head, then glanced around his surroundings, feeling a surge of emotion.
’The Six Paths Palace... how long has it even been since I founded it?’
Now, he was about to head out to Shengjing.
Shengjing, the capital of the entire Da Sheng Dynasty!
Just calling it Shengjing didn’t do it justice. Most importantly, Shengjing was the collective name for several great cities that had merged together.
Chang’an City, Luoyang City, Bianliang City, Chaoge City, and Jinling City—these five cities combined as one were Shengjing!
Sheng: vast and prosperous.
Jing: lofty and magnificent.
The number of experts there was also the greatest in the world.
Even today, many years after the Holy Emperor’s passing, Shengjing remained the center of the entire Da Sheng Dynasty.
Of course, this was just the destination.
To get there, Zhu Ge would have to pass through multiple domains, such as Shujiang, Wu Territory, and Qinjiang.
This world was not the same as Zhu Ge’s previous life. Based on what he had seen and heard in Red River Prefecture and read in books alone, he could hardly imagine what he would experience on this journey.
The most likely outcome was encountering powerful enemies and then dying.
Zhu Ge glanced at True Monarch Minmian sleeping soundly on the ground and felt that the path ahead would be exceptionally difficult.
Moreover, he would probably have to abandon everything here in Red River Prefecture.
’As for what I’m supposed to do once I get to Shengjing?’
Zhu Ge could only follow True Monarch Minmian’s intentions.
With the wisdom of True Monarch of the Lantern and True Monarch Minmian, they must have arranged for him to go to Shengjing only after deep consideration.
But just then, the voice of True Monarch of the Lantern echoed in his mind:
"Your original body can go. Your clone can remain at the Six Paths Palace. I will watch over it for you."
"Now that Red River Prefecture has been brought into the fold, it is time to claim Nanyue Mianhuang as territory for our Da Sheng."