Chapter 4573 — Cultivation Knows No Years
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
Yet in stark contrast to this flourishing state, the people seated in the circle now all wore furrowed brows. For a long while no one spoke, and the atmosphere was exceedingly gloomy.
"I say, why hasn't Boss Wei Zhao come back yet? Could he have run into some trouble over there?" Qiao Hongcai was finally the first to break the silence, the anxiety plain on his face. Ordinarily, with his hot-blooded nature, no matter how great the matter he would not have been like this—but this concerned Wei Zhao, and it was not only him; everyone present could hardly conceal their worry.
"That's right. It's been over half a year since you parted ways with Junior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Lu. Even if he was hunting down the demonic cultivator Wu Baoliang, the matter should have come to light and been settled by now. How could there be not a word of news? With Junior Brother Lin's strength, surely he wouldn't be no match for Wu Baoliang?" the long-suffering senior brother chimed in, his brow knitted with worry.
"Even if he were no match, with Boss Wei Zhao's ability he'd have no trouble protecting himself. He's not the sort to charge in and throw his life away knowing he can't win!" Xiao Che declared with certainty, his absolute confidence in Wei Zhao unshaken. He refused to believe that Wei Zhao could die at the hands of a demonic cultivator like Wu Baoliang.
"With Boss Wei Zhao's strength, a single Wu Baoliang shouldn't be cause for concern. What worries me is that he's a stranger in those parts. If hunting Wu Baoliang dragged him into other disputes, or even got him burned in the process, then it's hard to say." Li Zhengming's voice was low.
"On that point you can all set your minds at ease. The demonic cultivator Wu Baoliang has already died at Junior Brother Lin's hands—that's common knowledge throughout the South Continent sea region." Lu Bianren comforted them.
"Is that true?" Everyone perked up at once, their burning gazes all turning to Lu Bianren.
"Absolutely true. A while back I asked Pavilion Master Yu to use the Tri-Layer Pavilion's internal channels to have someone look into the South Continent sea region. They had held a grand gathering of the South Continent Escort Bureau there, and it was at that very assembly that Junior Brother Lin publicly struck Wu Baoliang dead. Of that there is no doubt. It's only..." Lu Bianren trailed off, seemingly reluctant to go on.
"Only what? Senior Brother Lu, out with it!" Before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, everyone's hearts clenched and they pressed him anxiously.
"Kill the small one, and out comes the old one. They say that the very next day after Wu Baoliang was killed, Wu Baoliang's master, the West Mountain Old Sect, suddenly descended upon the assembly and named Junior Brother Lin as the one he would kill to avenge his disciple. And that's an Earth-Opening stage demonic cultivation overlord!" Lu Bianren's face was grim.
"Earth-Opening stage?" The long-suffering senior brother and the others all looked blank at this. Earth-Opening stage—they had not even heard of the Profound Ascension stage. Strength determined one's horizons, and after all, they were only Foundation Establishment cultivators at present.
"Above the Nascent Soul stage is the Profound Ascension stage, and above the Profound Ascension stage is the Earth-Opening stage. An existence of that caliber can dominate an entire region with no suspense at all. If such a one were placed in our North Island Azure Cloud Pavilion, even if not the foremost figure, they'd be about as close as it gets..." Lu Bianren sighed and enlightened the group.