Chapter 1696: The Stubborn Hai Yuanyuan

“You...”

Shang Xia quickly created a True Immortal-level clone to enter the Spirit Luxuriant World. He found Kou Chongxue in the Elysium in the Jiao Continent and he brought Zhu Nang with him. After Zhu Nang explained everything he told Shang Xia earlier, Kou Chongxue started talking before Shang Xia’s clone had a chance to speak.

"I know what you want to say, but I have reached a critical point in my cultivation and cannot leave," Kou Chongxue said with a helpless look.

He was well aware that the ruins Zhu Nang mentioned could be a significant opportunity, especially vital for their Spirit Luxuriant World which was undergoing its ascension.

The situation highlighted the disadvantage of the Spirit Luxuriant World’s shallow foundations. With Shang Xia entering the Seven Star Realm and Kou Chongxue recovering from his injuries, Yang Taihe and Zhang Xuansheng barely maintained their cultivation levels, the Spirit Luxuriant World couldn’t dispatch a team to the Spirit Tip World even if the opportunity was within reach.

Without a high-level True Immortal to lead them, exploring the ruins at the level of a Spirit World at the very least was inherently risky, especially when the Spirit Tip World was also taking part and would definitely send several high-level True Immortals.

In the Elysium in the Jiao Continent, Shang Xia’s clone and Kou Chongxue sat facing each other, both at a loss of what to do.

"Actually, we do have another high-level True Immortal...” Zhu Nang cautiously interjected.

However, both Kou Chongxue and Shang Xia's clone ignored him, and Zhu Nang wisely shut his mouth.

Kou Chongxue and Shang Xia's clone knew he was referring to Gao Qin, who was indeed under Shang Xia's control. Yet, both were wary of sending Gao Qin out of the Star Curtain as it might immediately draw Sage Gu Yi’s attention.

Many times, issues of life and death cannot necessarily restrain certain individuals.

"What about your External Avatar then?" Kou Chongxue suggested another solution, knowing that Shang Xia’s External Avatar possessed at least the combat power of a True Immortal at the level of Returning to the Origin. In fact... Ever since Shang Xia broke through, his External Avatar might be even stronger.

However, Shang Xia shook his head and sighed, "I’ve already promised that the high-level spiritual treasures of the institution will first go to the advancement medicine for those who have hopes of entering the Martial Void Realm. After all... The materials involved in creating an External Avatar would take up enough resources to make 3 to 4 sets of advancement medicine.”

Kou Chongxue eventually shook his head and sighed.

At the side, Zhu Nang then carefully asked, "So... What should we do?"

Shang Xia helplessly replied, "Let Song Zhen take Xin Lu and 2 rank four Formation Grandmasters to scout the ruins out. They should gather as much information as possible without delving too deep to avoid danger. If it’s indeed ruins of a Spirit World, they won’t be able to clear it for some time. When we’re ready and have enough manpower, we will start the exploration process.”

Although that was what he said, he knew that most of the valuable treasures in the ruins would have already fallen into the hands of the Spirit Tip World.

Zhu Nang lowered his head, disheartened. "That's all we can do."

After leaving the Elysium in the Jiao Continent, Shang Xia’s clone was immediately confronted by Hai Yuanyuan.

"What?! You want to attempt to break through to the Six Direction Realm now?!” Shang Xia’s clone frowned at the determined young lady before him. “Why not wait a little longer? Once the world completes its ascension, advancing will be much easier. You don’t have to worry about there not being enough quota for advancement...”

Hai Yuanyuan’s cultivation was entirely based on Shang Xia’s legacy, so she used the terminology exactly as taught by Shang Xia.

Currently, the Tongyou Institution only had a few advancement quotas. They could be the Elysium True Immortal of the Jiao Continent’s Elysium, or advance with the spirituality of the Ji Continent.

As Shang Xia’s first true successor in the path of martial arts, Hai Yuanyuan’s goal was naturally to become a True Immortal. Becoming an Elysium True Immortal wasn’t part of her considerations...

Biting her lip with a defiant expression, Hai Yuanyuan insisted, "I want to become a True Immortal now!”

Shang Xia’s clone frowned when he suddenly realized something and stared straight at her. “Wait. You didn’t come here to find me, did you? You didn’t know that I’m here. You came to look for Patriarch Kou, right?”

Hai Yuanyuan bit her lip and remained silent, but her expression confirmed Shang Xia’s guess.

"Don’t make things difficult for the patriarch!" Shang Xia’s clone growled. "There are at least 3 to 5 experts waiting for a chance to advance during the transformation of the world. If you try to break through now, it will negatively affect the reputation of the institution."

Hai Yuanyuan’s eyes flickered with hesitation, still seemingly unwilling to give up.

Seeing this, Shang Xia’s clone’s expression darkened, about to emphasize his point, when Kou Chongxue’s voice came from deep within the Elysium behind him. “Let her in.”

After thinking for a moment, Shang Xia’s clone stepped aside to let Hai Yuanyuan pass. He watched as she rushed into the Elysium.

Watching her departing figure, Shang Xia realized that the lass, who seemed forever young in his eyes, was actually already a mature adult.

Zhu Nang, seeing Shang Xia’s clone distracted, whispered, "Young Lady Hai likes to inquire about things related to the sea of stars, especially the Chaotic Sea of Stars. Whenever we mention it, she always seems captivated."

Turning slowly, Shang Xia’s clone growled, "What are you trying to say?"

Zhu Nang replied quietly, "After returning from the Spirit Tip World, Young Lady Hai asked about this trip 2 days ago. Given her high status in the institution and her special identity, I recounted the experience in detail, mentioning our current predicament. At that time, she said she might be able to help during the exploration of the ruins."

Zhu Nang glanced at the clone carefully and continued, "I thought she was just making a random comment and complimented her about how her desire to help would definitely help you out, but I also specifically pointed out that the ruins are extremely dangerous. She should continue to accumulate her strength and she should attempt to become a True Immortal. Once she became a True Immortal, she would become a strong source of support for you...”

"Hmm..." Shang Xia’s clone pointed at Zhu Nang but eventually shook his head and sighed helplessly, "No wonder she didn’t come to find me. She’s convinced that I would definitely not allow her to leave the Heaven Observation Field, so she turned to Patriarch Kou. It’s a pity..."

Zhu Nang also smiled wryly, acknowledging that not just Tongyou Institution, but the Spirit Luxuriant World was unable to dispatch anyone to assist Song Zhen and the others.

Shang Xia’s clone shook his head, knowing Hai Yuanyuan would not succeed, and no longer willing to deal with these issues, he said goodbye to Zhu Nang and returned to merge with his true body.

However, shortly after he merged with his true body, Chu Jia appeared directly in front of him. She actually used the Five Element Ring, now a Divine Formation Artifact, for short-distance teleportation.

"You want to use the Star Origin Lord Robe to perfect a rank seven talisman? You think I, a Formation Grandmaster, can help you, a Talisman Grandmaster?" Chu Jia started by bluntly questioning him.

Shang Xia was accustomed to Chu Jia’s temperament. He nodded before he continued in a relaxed tone, "Even if you can’t help, the Formation Blade you’re using might be of use."