Chapter 1447: Rebirth From the Ashes

“Brother Shang, it’s been too long! Apologies for being late to welcome you.” Gong Zhuo’s voice rang in Shang Xia’s ears as the streak of light approached.

“Heh, looks like I should be congratulating you for reaching the next level in cultivation and for your Wanyun Association to gain a footing in the Essence Xing World. It’s a matter of time before your Wanyun Association rises to new heights.” Shang Xia sneered. He wasn’t surprised Gong Zhuo would be able to accurately locate him after he arrived.

However, it seemed as though Gong Zhuo had come alone, and the Wanyun Association didn’t seem to make any preparations to attack. Their attitude was clearly laid out to Shang Xia.

Shang Xia knew their attitude towards him at the moment, but he didn’t know how shocked Gong Zhuo was after seeing him. The complicated emotions on his face couldn’t be hidden.

He had already entered the level of Returning to the Origin to become a fifth tier True Immortal, and he also had many treasures of the Wanyun Association on him, but he failed to see through Shang Xia’s cultivation.

One had to know that they were in the Essence Xing World at the moment! No matter what, Shang Xia’s cultivation should have been suppressed by the World’s Will because he was an expert from another world.

Even if he had a method to avoid the suppression of the World’s Will, for Gong Zhuo not to be able to see through his cultivation could only mean one thing. His cultivation had far surpassed Gong Zhuo! That could only mean that...

Is he a sixth tier True Immortal?! Or did he already surpass that level?

He should have barely entered the sixth tier, but...

He was shocked by Shang Xia’s speed of progression and he wondered if he ran into some sort of opportunity after being left behind to fend for himself. No matter what, he couldn’t think of a reason for Shang Xia’s explosive growth.

“True Immortal Gong, is something the matter?” Shang Xia’s senses were sharp and he could easily tell that Gong Zhuo was stuck in a daze.

If he had any bad intentions, he would have taken the opportunity to carry out a sneak attack earlier. Killing Gong Zhuo in a single blow wouldn’t be impossible and even if he didn’t slay the True Immortal, heavily injuring him would be easy.

Gong Zhuo quickly snapped back to reality and forced a chuckle. “I am shocked every time I see you, Brother Shang. I thought that I would be able to close the gap between us after my improvement, but alas... I’m ashamed of even thinking about it!”

Shang Xia laughed once and the awkward air between them disappeared instantly. He continued, “Brother Gong, you’re exaggerating. I only managed to grow stronger because I was lucky. Why don’t I see Director Zhang?”

Shang Xia entered the Essence Xing World to seek an explanation from the Wanyun Association for their betrayal back then and he wasn’t surprised Zhang Shun was avoiding him. He also pretty much expected them to send Gong Zhuo out to ease the tension because of the relationship between them, but even so, Shang Xia didn’t detect a trace of Zhang Shun’s presence in the Wanyun Continent which made him a little suspicious.

Gong Zhuo’s expression sank and he muttered, “After the establishment of the Wanyun Continent, Director Zhang passed while in seated meditation. I know that Director Zhang made a mistake and left you to fend for yourself in the streams of chaotic space outside the Essence Ling Heavenly Field, causing you to fall into danger, but... Everything happened in the past and Director Zhang is no longer with us. I hope Brother Shang can forgive us and not vent your frustrations on our Wanyun Association.”

After he spoke, he took out a jade strip and handed it to Shang Xia. “This is our Wanyun Association’s Magnificent Talisman Records. It’s something Director Zhang instructed me to give you before he passed. The person who created the Magnificent Talisman Records is the senior who came up with the Myriad Tinted Cloud Talisman and it contains all his knowledge in the dao of talismans. Other than the talisman inheritances, all his experience has also been noted down. A portion of those concern the Martial Emptiness Realm. Director Zhang wanted to use these as compensation to ask for your forgiveness.”

Shang Xia didn’t show too much emotion, but he didn’t reject the jade slip.

Also, from the way they called the senior who created the Myriad Tinted Cloud Talisman. They didn’t call him their ancestor, which was odd.

Holding the slip in hand, Shang Xia revealed a complicated expression and muttered, “Director Zhang has strong foundations in his foundation and he’s barely a step away from entering the sixth tier. After establishing the 34th continent of the Essence Xing World, he should have received the blessing of the World’s Will. How did he die so suddenly?”

A trace of anger flashed in Gong Zhuo’s eyes and his voice was low as he growled, “How can the others watch as we establish the continent without doing anything? How can they not wish to obtain any benefits from our actions?”

A guess formed in Shang Xia’s mind, but he continued to ask, “The establishment of another continent benefits the world... How can someone try to stop you?”

“Of course there are some who refuse to see others doing well. If they could obtain such a massive world fragment for themselves, they would be able to greatly reduce their burden. They would be able to free themselves from the binding of the world and find a little more success when breaking through to the Martial Emptiness Realm.” Gong Zhuo spat with barely concealed killing intent.

“Are you talking about the Chen Dynasty Emperor?” Shang Xia didn’t care too much. He simply spoke the name out loud. However, he continued to ask in a strange voice, “Since they wished to fight for the world fragment, why didn’t their Sage make a move?”

Gong Zhuo snorted coldly, “If a Sage made a move, they wouldn’t be able to get rid of their karmic ties with the world. Instead, it would grow even stronger. Also, the others wouldn’t allow their Sage to do as he wished. However, even without a Sage making his move, my Wanyun Association still paid a huge price. Not long after the Wanyun Continent took shape, Director Zhang succumbed to his wounds.”

Shang Xia nodded slowly. “In that case, Brother Gong, you’re in charge now, right?”

Gong Zhuo didn’t deny it, and he simply continued, “Right now is when my Wanyun Association is at its weakest. Even though I managed to become a fifth tier True Immortal, the number of True Immortals we have is extremely pitiful. Other than our Elysium True Immortal, the other 2 are first tier True Immortals who recently advanced. We don’t even have the prestige of an Elysium any longer...”

Shang Xia didn’t respond. After all, the Tongyou Institution was also an Elysium-level power, but they also only had 4 True Immortals...

The difference between an Essence World and a Spirit World was clearly displayed at that moment.

Shang Xia seemed to have thought of something and he asked, “Does anyone else know about Director Zhang’s death?”

Gong Zhuo sighed softly in response. “Brother Shang, looks like you noticed. Other than our Elysium True Immortal and myself, you’re the third person to know. Everyone thinks that Director Zhang is attempting to break through to the sixth tier...”

He sighed softly again after speaking and continued, “Actually, after we escaped from the Chen Dynasty’s territory, Director Zhang had already suffered hidden injuries. He used some sort of secret art to suppress it during our expedition to the Spirit Dawn World, but it became even more serious after the battle to establish the Wanyun Continent.”

Shang Xia knew what Gong Zhuo was planning to ask next, but he still pressed on with his line of questioning, “Brother Gong, what do you plan to do next?”

Straightening his back, Gong Zhuo looked at Shang Xia with a profound gaze before asking in a serious tone, “I hope Brother Shang can help me to prevent the Chen Dynasty Emperor’s ascension!”