The Valley of Entombed Weapons

The most sinister place in all the world stirred the hearts of many Half-Ancestors. Faced with the Eternal Light, none could remain unmoved.

Half-Ancestors had already reached the pinnacle of the union of Heaven and Man. To become the supreme experts of the Nine Provinces and the Four Worlds, they must attain the Ancestral God level. Otherwise, though they might endure ten thousand kalpas and remain undying for a thousand ages, it would all come to naught in the end. Once the Otherworld Ancestral Gods attacked again, without reaching that level, even escape would be impossible.

Since ancient times, those who became Ancestral Gods could be counted on one hand—it was truly too difficult! Each Ancestral God had earth-shaking deeds and was a true hero sung through the ages. At present, among the Nine Provinces and the Four Worlds, there was likely only the Yellow Emperor left as an Ancestral God.

Over the long years, many Half-Ancestors had been born across the several worlds, but they could never cross that heavenly chasm.

Xiao Chen waited in the ancient castle where Bai Qi resided for two whole months, but the Golden Divine Halberd and the Dark-Iron Seal were so cunning that they did not show themselves even once. Finally, he discussed with Bai Qi and temporarily left the area to observe from a thousand li away. If he sensed any abnormal fluctuations, he would appear at the first moment.

For several months, the Soul World had been far from calm. Cultivators from the Nine Provinces and the other three worlds frequently passed through various parts of the Soul World, searching for the most sinister place.

Mangzhi City, as a great city in the central region of the Soul World, naturally became a bustling place, with powerful cultivators often passing through. Lately, the news that the Martial Imprint had suddenly flown there, claiming to be selecting disciples, had turned the place into a hotbed of activity. Not only did native cultivators of the Soul World flock there in swarms, but experts from other worlds also arrived in droves, including some who had participated in the selection long ago in the Yan capital of the Nine Provinces.

Xiao Chen received this news as soon as he returned to Mangzhi City from Bai Qi's ancient castle, but he was utterly unmoved. Let that fellow preside over the selection—it would only be asking for trouble. He had long since marked the Martial Imprint as a dangerous liar. That fellow was extremely unreliable and irresponsible; he had deceived a bunch of powerful experts and trapped them in the Soul World, nearly wiping out over a dozen Half-Ancestors.

Although Xiao Chen could not be bothered to deal with the Martial Imprint, that fellow was considered sacred in the eyes of others. A tall divine platform had been erected for him in the central square of Mangzhi City. For days, the place had been teeming with people, packed so tightly that water could not have flowed through.

Xiao Chen's inn was not far from there. Opening his window, he had a clear view of everything in the square. He spotted many familiar faces.

"Eh—isn't that Tuodi and Fatty Zhuge? How are they on the divine platform?" Xiao Chen was somewhat surprised to see Tuodi and the snow-white Fatty Zhuge on the platform, scurrying about beside the green light mass. What left him utterly dumbfounded was seeing Jin Sanyi trotting around with a show of busyness, helping maintain order.

After all, when Jin Sanyi was in the Yan capital, the Martial Imprint had ruthlessly criticized him—'utterly atrocious,' 'a sight too painful to behold,' 'a complete mess.' Jin Sanyi had hated the Martial Imprint's guts and had cursed it more than once. How could this fellow be helping maintain order? Truly strange.

With a creak, another window nearby opened, revealing Wu Ming's figure. He too looked toward the divine platform in the square.

"Brother Wu, what a small world, meeting here," Xiao Chen called out with a smile.

Wu Ming cursed his luck inwardly, but on the surface he had to force a brilliant smile. "What an unexpected surprise—I never thought to meet Brother Xiao here. I heard that not long ago many Half-Ancestors were trapped in the Sea of Corpses; congratulations on your safe return, Brother Xiao."

Wu Ming was hailed as a genius unseen in five hundred years, one of the most outstanding experts in centuries. He had even defeated the Celestial Race's Perfected Man, who was said to be invincible against the same level. One could imagine his strength. But Xiao Chen seemed to be his natural bane, which made him most unwilling to encounter Xiao Chen. If they actually fought, it would be truly daunting.

"Allow me to host you, Brother Xiao, for a drink," Wu Ming said, even though he wished Xiao Chen would vanish from his sight immediately. Yet he had to put on a warm front.

"Then I shall trouble you."

Wu Ming sighed at his own misfortune. He had only been polite, never expecting Xiao Chen to accept so readily.

"Very well. Let us go to the most famous Mangzhi Tavern in this city."

"No need for such trouble. Let's just go to that old-brand tavern downstairs. A few simple dishes and two pots of aged wine will be more than enough."

The two men sat down in an old-brand tavern not far from the square. They ordered two pots of the Soul World's special 'Return Soul Wine' and some local delicacies.

Xiao Chen clinked glasses with Wu Ming and asked, "I saw several figures around the Martial Imprint. What are they doing?"

"Oh, you mean those people? They are the registered disciples that the Martial Imprint has selected," Wu Ming said, a rare hint of genuine amusement appearing on his face. "So far, four have been chosen. My son, Wu Xiaoshi, is among them."

Being selected by the Martial Imprint meant an extremely bright future ahead. That Tuodi and Fatty Zhuge were also among the four surprised Xiao Chen greatly. But when he thought that Jin Sanyi was also one of the four, he felt an urge to laugh. Not long ago, Jin Sanyi had been cursing the Martial Imprint fiercely, and now he was trotting around busily. Moreover, he had become a fellow disciple with Tuodi. Those two were bound to have some 'stories' in the future.

"I wonder if this Martial Imprint is really selecting a successor…" Xiao Chen shook his head.

Hearing this, Wu Ming seemed to have some insight of his own. "I'm skeptical too. I always feel it's looking for something else, not truly seeking a successor."

Xiao Chen had only made an offhand remark, but Wu Ming shared a similar suspicion. That gave him pause. The Martial Imprint might indeed have some other agenda.

As they drank in the tavern, Xiao Chen noticed many familiar faces in the square: War King Mabaoo, the War God King, the Yasha Queen, and others. "There are the Earth King and the Sea God King," Xiao Chen said, turning to Wu Ming with a smile. "You still haven't gathered the Five Element Souls after all these years."

At this, Wu Ming looked quite dejected. He gulped down a mouthful of wine and said nothing.

Not far away, another small tavern, just two stories high, drew Xiao Chen's attention when a golden-haired little boy appeared at a window on the second floor. The boy was about seven or eight years old, exquisitely beautiful and cute, with a face as fine as porcelain and long golden hair brilliant as sunlight. On his forehead grew a single vertical eye, tightly shut.

"That is…" Xiao Chen sensed a familiar aura. The boy was very much like the Golden Lion King from years past!

Light blazed from Wu Ming's eyes. "That is the youngest son of the Golden King," he said in a low voice.

Of the Five Element Heavenly Kings, the Golden King was a female with formidable power. Years ago, she and the other kings had nearly killed Wu Ming in a joint attack.

"And the father of this young boy is…"

"The Golden Lion King," Wu Ming said, taking a fierce gulp of wine.

Xiao Chen understood. No wonder Wu Ming had been unable to succeed all these years. With the Golden Lion King backing her, Wu Ming likely had little hope.

Since Xiao Chen had entered the world, he had seen many experts, but only four had truly stunned him with their peerless talent: Lan Nuo, Qingqing, Keke, and the Golden Lion King. Lan Nuo and Qingqing could be described as the greatest geniuses of a thousand years. Keke was so supremely talented that heaven itself grew jealous, leading to its tumultuous fate. And the Golden Lion King was equally powerful, the only one among beings who could match Keke in natural gifts. It was his third vertical eye that had once forced Keke to reveal its innate divine ability. If the young Ancestral Dragon of the dragon clan did not emerge, the Golden Lion King could even suppress those minor dragon kings.

"Wu Xiaoshi! Your dad is calling you home for a drink!" At this moment, the golden-haired boy at the window of the smaller tavern suddenly shouted mischievously toward the divine platform, then nimbly slipped back inside. "Such a cheeky little thing," Wu Ming muttered gloomily, downing another cup. The boy, despite his youth, had strength enough to match his son Wu Xiaoshi, which was somewhat exasperating.

"Tuodi! Your mom is calling you home to mop the floor!" The boy reappeared and shouted playfully toward the divine platform again. Wu Xiaoshi and Tuodi were livid with rage and glared in that direction. But a golden-haired beauty quickly pulled the little rascal back inside and closed the window.

"What a lively little thing," Wu Ming commented.

"The Five Element Heavenly Kings have assembled…" Xiao Chen pointed at the distance. The Earth King, Sea God King, Fire Spirit King, along with War King Mabaoo, the War God King, and the Yasha Queen, were all heading into the small tavern where the Golden King was.

Wu Ming's eyes shone with divine light. He dreamed of collecting the Five Element Souls; once he did, his power would soar to an unimaginable level.

"It's rare to see so many old acquaintances. Let's go have a look too," Xiao Chen suggested to Wu Ming.

Wu Ming was somewhat tempted but said, "Many of them bear great enmity toward us. Would it be wise?"

"If they want to fight, I'll help you gather the Five Element Souls today," Xiao Chen said.

Wu Ming felt a chill. Xiao Chen indeed had the right to speak such words now, but it also put pressure on him—he would have to raise his own strength as quickly as possible.

"Ah—" Just then, Xiao Chen started in surprise. The Martial Imprint's green light mass suddenly shot into the sky and vanished without explanation! At the same time, Xiao Chen faintly sensed an unusual fluctuation from the direction of Bai Qi's ancient castle. The crowd erupted in confusion: "Why did the Martial Imprint disappear?" "What happened?" Everyone was shocked and gazed at the sky, searching. Tuodi and Jin Sanyi also flew into the sky, looking for their cheap master.

"Sorry, I must leave immediately," Xiao Chen said, and without another word, he shot into the sky, turning into a streak of light that vanished in an instant. Wu Ming seemed to realize something and followed in the direction Xiao Chen had gone. Several other experts also gave chase.

At that moment, Xiao Chen had a clear guess: that damned Martial Imprint probably had not come only to select disciples—it had other motives. He pushed his speed to the limit and in moments covered several hundred li, crossing a vast uninhabited region. In the span of a single breath, he arrived at the ancient castle a thousand li away.

Right now, Bai Qi stood in the sky, facing off against a mass of green light—the Martial Imprint. "What's happening?" Xiao Chen asked. "That unidentified green light scared away the Dark-Iron Seal. If we join forces, we can trap it!" Bai Qi seemed furious. "Interesting… I never thought you could track it here. I only narrowed it down to a rough area," the Martial Imprint muttered to itself. "You mean the most sinister place?" Bai Qi asked. "No," the Martial Imprint denied. "Then what are you looking for?" "I'm searching for the Valley of Entombed Weapons," the Martial Imprint said without reservation.

At this, Xiao Chen spoke up. "Was what you said last time about the places where the Eternal Light is most likely to appear true?" "Of course not. If I knew, why would I tell you? I would have already passed it on to my martial lineage's successor," the Martial Imprint said, utterly unashamed. If those Half-Ancestors heard this, they would spit blood in rage. Xiao Chen ground his teeth. The old swindler had deceived everyone last time, nearly causing a dozen Half-Ancestors to perish, and now he had leisurely come to this place himself. Truly infuriating.

Bai Qi was also furious; this fellow had just caused his efforts to come to nothing.

"Don't you two glare at me like that. So I scared away a piece of scrap iron. Once we enter the Valley of Entombed Weapons, I'll give you that lousy iron seal as a reward."

Bai Qi would not be fooled. "Can you find this so-called Valley of Entombed Weapons?"

"Of course. Who am I? I am the Martial Imprint. There is nothing under heaven or earth that I do not know," the old swindler boasted.

Saying this, the Martial Imprint blazed with light. "Just now, I came into contact with the aura of that iron piece. Once I've touched it, even if it escapes to heaven or sinks into the earth, I can drag it out. Now I will use the 'Nine Heavens Ten Earths Soul-Seizing Technique' to capture it and find the exact location of the Valley of Entombed Weapons."

The Martial Imprint was no Ancestral God, but it possessed a power that even Half-Ancestors could not overcome. However, Xiao Chen found it hard to respect it from the bottom of his heart; he even felt an urge to give it a good beating.

Suddenly, the Martial Imprint became sacred and solemn, its vast, peerless spiritual fluctuations surging like the starry river in all directions. "I alone am supreme under heaven and earth; all gods and demons, heed my command…" In an instant, heaven and earth lost their color, wind and clouds changed, and dark clouds gathered from a thousand li away. The sky darkened to pitch black, pressing down as if it would fall to the ground. Simultaneously, ghostly wails and howls of spirits filled the air. Countless soul-shadows appeared in the inky sky, and the entire world was filled with endless war souls—all forcibly summoned by the Martial Imprint!

Xiao Chen truly wanted to beat the Martial Imprint. This old swindler was making such a disturbance that it was clearly telling every Half-Ancestor in the Soul World that something big was happening here, calling all the powerful experts of the entire realm to this place. The matter was bound to be exposed.

"Boom!"

At that moment, a colossal head fell from the sky, as large as hundreds of great mountains combined, crashing straight down! It smashed even the Martial Imprint into a somersault. Xiao Chen and Bai Qi were horrified!

"Right place! This is it! Legend says that anyone who dares to summon the gods and demons of heaven and earth here will draw that mysterious giant head to devour them!" The Martial Imprint seemed to be verifying something and was actually somewhat excited, its green light mass trembling. Xiao Chen and Bai Qi exchanged a glance, both astonished. The Martial Imprint was acting like this—could the Valley of Entombed Weapons truly be extraordinary, holding something it desperately wanted?

"Boom!" The giant head that had smashed down from beyond the sky suddenly vanished. At that moment, the Martial Imprint cried out, "I sense it! The iron piece is five hundred li ahead! The Valley of Entombed Weapons must be there!"

Five hundred li was nothing for experts of Xiao Chen's level. Soon they reached the spot—a desolate region of barren mountains and wild ridges. "Is this the Valley of Entombed Weapons you sensed?" Xiao Chen asked. "No. Just now I clearly caught its aura, but it vanished again. It must be a self-contained world that has now sealed itself shut."

The Martial Imprint seemed somewhat anxious. It shouted again, "I alone am supreme under heaven and earth; all gods and demons, heed my command…" This time, the commotion was even greater than before. All the surrounding barren mountains trembled. Pitch-black clouds covered the wilderness. Fallen gods and demons gathered from all directions, their war souls howling wildly, shaking heaven and earth. Howling gales raged as many barren mountains split apart, and many mountain ridges were even blown into dust. The entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths seemed to be rocking.

At this moment, many powerful experts across the Soul World sensed the unusual energy fluctuations from this direction. Aside from the many experts rushing toward this point from nearby Mangzhi City, dozens of supreme figures from tens of thousands of li away also looked in this direction, then rose into the air and sped toward it at incredible speed.

"Boom!" In the pitch-black sky over this uninhabited region, the giant head, comparable to dozens of mountains, appeared again and smashed downward! Bang! The Martial Imprint was strong enough to endure it; had it been an ordinary Half-Ancestor, they might have been annihilated body and soul. The green light mass weathered the blow, but Xiao Chen and Bai Qi were deeply shaken. What was that giant head? Why did it have such power? It seemed to be guarding this region.

"Shatter the ages! Pierce to the origin of the myriad phenomena! Gate of the primal world—open!" The Martial Imprint roared, unleashing the terrifying combat skills of the martial lineage. Heaven and earth quaked as a pitch-black world gate was forced open by the Martial Imprint. "The Valley of Entombed Weapons… I have truly found the Valley of Entombed Weapons!" The Martial Imprint was extremely excited and charged in first. The dark world gate emitted boundless energy fluctuations, filled with a power that even Half-Ancestors would have to look up to.

Xiao Chen and Bai Qi exchanged glances and followed, rushing into the Valley of Entombed Weapons. At the same time, Xiao Chen sensed that at least dozens of supreme experts were about to arrive on the scene.

"Martial Ancestor… I have come…" The Martial Imprint seemed to be at the peak of excitement, its voice trembling. Xiao Chen and Bai Qi were shaken to the core upon hearing this. The words 'Martial Ancestor' shook them to the depths!