Chapter 1748: Going to Tianzhou

These spirit rains had the miraculous effect of enabling instant breakthroughs for those in the Nascent Soul Realm. For the Soul Transformation Realm, they possessed the extraordinary ability to heal injuries and enhance spiritual insight. Jiang Fan had been forced to leave due to the Asura Saint Son's relentless pursuit, preventing him from fully benefiting from this opportunity. He was surprised to see how much the Black Dragon Exalted One had collected.

"Take these to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion," the Black Dragon Exalted One said with a smile, handing over the spirit rains.

Jiang Fan gratefully accepted them, saying, "Thank you, Exalted One."

After a brief pause, he recalled something and asked, "Is your cave dwelling still intact, Black Dragon Exalted One?" Since he was already in the Myriad Demon Great State, he felt compelled to ask about the Black Dragon Exalted One's throne treasury. Jiang Fan still vividly remembered the purple crystal ore found within. From it, he had obtained not only the cleansing spirit liquid, speed-enhancing boots, and mysterious black wood. More importantly, the depression at the top of the crystal mine contained numerous black profound ice coffins, formed from condensed aberrant energy. These were all precious resources that could be refined to extract aberrant energy for Ling Shu. Furthermore, the eight large characters within the depression, if successfully imprinted, could replicate the fragmented cloth, allowing one to collapse world barriers and manifest the heaven-defying power of void.

To his regret, the Golden Scale Exalted One wore a look of pity and said, "How could someone like him ever abandon his own cave dwelling?"

"When he collapsed the world to divert me and the Ice Heart Exalted One to mend the void, he seized the chance to return, emptied his cave dwelling, and brought his confidants with him."

Jiang Fan's face fell with disappointment. It truly was a shame, as he still held the key to that very throne treasury. If he had only obtained the throne, he could have opened it directly.

"I wonder where the Black Dragon Exalted One went," Jiang Fan murmured. Should he encounter that individual again, he could suppress him using either the Immortal-Fixing Jade Branch or the karmic power acquired from the Lord of the Hell Realm.

Shaking his head, Jiang Fan checked the time and gently released Ling Shu. "I still need to visit other states to help departed souls find peace."

"Remember to cultivate diligently and return to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion when you have time," Jiang Fan instructed.

Ling Shu reluctantly released Jiang Fan, nodding tearfully, "I will, big brother."

Without further hesitation, Jiang Fan hastened to the next great state alongside the Great Wine Sacrifice.

Subsequently, they traveled consecutively to the Divine Weapon State, the Pill State, the Sacred Spirit State, and the Guixu State. During this time, all remained peaceful, and no trace of the Asura Saint Son was found. Jiang Fan was puzzled: "Could it be that the Asura Saint Son only visited the Great Desolate State?"

With this question in mind, they finally arrived at the Great Desolate State. The battlefield, scorched by the crimson spear, remained a horrifying expanse of charred earth. Jiang Fan, holding the *Soul Pacification Scripture of Suppressing Hell*, attempted to guide the departed souls, but not a single remnant soul materialized. His expression grew grim. "All the departed souls here have vanished," he stated.

Just then, the Drunken Great Wine Sacrifice appeared in a flash, emanating a strong scent of alcohol. Her steps were unsteady, her eyes glazed, and she mumbled indistinctly: "These departed souls aren't the main thing. He went somewhere else too."

"I only just realized it, so don't scold me."

"Hiccup." She hiccuped, rolled her eyes, and promptly fell asleep.

The Great Wine Sacrifice of Taicang State shook his head helplessly. "He still can't take that next step!" he sighed. He then gazed into the distance, frowning. "It was my oversight," he admitted. He vanished in a flash with Jiang Fan, quickly reappearing before an enormous sinkhole. This was not a result of war, but rather what remained after the ginkgo tree had pulled itself from the ground. This was once the Great Desolate Forbidden Land. The ginkgo tree had reigned here, using its swirling demonic fluid to weave a colossal, sky-spanning labyrinth in the shape of a bird's nest. Once any creature became trapped within, escape was nearly impossible.

But now, all the swirling demonic fluid had vanished!

Jiang Fan's expression shifted. "Surely the Asura Saint Son didn't take all of it, did he?" he asked. The ginkgo tree had once stated that this swirling demonic fluid was the remnant of a true demon and also a tonic for a true demon's reincarnation, aiding its early awakening into a demon. The ginkgo tree had intended to carry this enormous hidden danger into the void when it departed the Central Land. However, plans often go awry. In an effort to save the Drunken Great Wine Sacrifice, it had used its body to block a strike from the crimson spear, resulting in its destruction, with only its crown remaining. In its weakened state, it was utterly incapable of moving the swirling demonic fluid. This meant that the vast, boundless swirling demonic fluid had all fallen into the Asura Saint Son's hands. But what would he want with the swirling demonic fluid?

Jiang Fan felt a growing sense of unease.

The Great Wine Sacrifice of Taicang State's gaze was profound. "Whatever he is plotting," he stated, "it ultimately centers around you."

"As long as you are protected, his schemes will be difficult to realize." If the Asura Saint Son had truly wished to leave, he could have ripped open the void and escaped the Central Land long ago. His refusal to depart until now was solely because of Jiang Fan. Therefore, as long as Jiang Fan was safeguarded, everything else would fall into place.

Jiang Fan frowned slightly. He had a nagging feeling that the Asura Saint Son's machinations wouldn't simply target him, a cultivator merely in the Soul Transformation Realm. But for now, he could only take things as they came.

"Let's head to Tianzhou first; the Merit Grand Assembly is set to begin in half a day."

The Great Wine Sacrifice looked towards Jiang Fan's embrace and stated plainly: "The merit carried by this little spirit beast will surely be coveted by others. You must be prepared."

Jiang Fan felt a chill. The little Qilin now carried the merit earned from guiding departed souls across six states. Added to its inherent Divine Merit Pearl and a feather of merit that had descended from the Celestial Realm, its accumulated merit was immense. Its current accumulation of merit was already comparable to that of the Wutong Exalted One. It was enough to entice any Exalted One currently afflicted by the Five Declines of Heaven and Man. The Golden Scale Exalted One and a few other familiar Exalted Ones were trustworthy; out of respect for their shared battles, they wouldn't harbor any ill intentions. However, the Exalted Ones of Tianzhou were another matter entirely. The Young Emperor, in particular, with his tyrannical nature, would surely attempt to seize the little Qilin if he knew of its existence.

However, if Jiang Fan did not go to Tianzhou, his contributions during the Ancient Giant War would not be recognized or rewarded. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Great Wine Sacrifice, please send me to Tianzhou." Even if not for the merit, he had to go to Tianzhou for Chen Siling's sake.

The Great Wine Sacrifice nodded. Shortly after, they arrived at the Imperial Observatory and activated the state-level teleportation array bound for Tianzhou. A sense of anticipation stirred within Jiang Fan. What would the legendary center of the world, a martial arts holy land said to be equivalent to eight states, truly look like?

Meanwhile, in Tianzhou, at the Imperial Observatory, the Imperial Observatories across the states were typically located at the heart of their respective regions, each dominating a spiritual ley line, and all other forces dared not approach. Only the Imperial Observatory in the Central State was an exception, surrounded by towering factions and an unbroken city that stretched for ten thousand miles. Looking north from the Imperial Observatory, one could see a Thunder Mountain suspended in the firmament. To the south, a brilliant, pure moon hung high in the sky. To the east, vast stretches of golden temples extended to the horizon, resembling a Buddhist realm. To the west, ancient and profound divine sects and great academies stood. Within a mere ten thousand miles surrounding the Imperial Observatory, countless powerhouses were gathered. Throughout the entire Central State, sects and factions were as numerous as fish crossing a river.

At that very moment, in an imperial lodge at the foot of the Imperial Observatory, the powerhouses from Taicang State had assembled. However, they were far from welcome in Tianzhou.