Chapter 332: Nine Profound Purple Lightning, Mountain-Protecting Grand Formation

The Array Emperor Legacy and Array Emperors Heart he had obtained previously now came in handy.

This was a Formation improved by Zhou Chen.

Using the Array Emperors Heart as its core, he set up the Nine Profound Purple Lightning Mountain-Protecting Grand Formation. Below, it connected to the ley lines of the Taichu Holy Land to draw upon the power of the Yin Nine Profound; above, it could summon the Nine Heavens Purple Zenith Divine Lightning to protect the Sect.

Its grade had even reached the Top-Grade Emperor Rank, though the cost required to set up the Formation was indeed high. To successfully arrange it would take at least several months.

A trace of coldness flashed through Zhou Chen's eyes.

"The Jiang Family, the Demon Race, and those Demonic Path Holy Lands… they caused such heavy losses by besieging our Taichu Holy Land this time."

"I will personally settle this debt."

"However, now is not the time."

"We must first conserve our strength and wait until the reconstruction of the Holy Land is complete before discussing it further."

Everyone nodded in succession.

"Saint Zhou is right."

"A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years."

"We must make the Jiang Family and the Demon Race pay the price!"

Zhou Chen nodded with satisfaction.

"Good, then it's settled."

"Everyone, return to your duties and complete the reconstruction work as quickly as possible."

"Meeting adjourned."

After bowing, everyone left the main hall one after another.

Zhou Chen sat in the main seat, lost in thought.

Although the Taichu Holy Land had ultimately turned peril into safety after suffering this heavy blow, it had also exposed many problems.

First, the overall strength of the Taichu Holy Land was still too weak.

Aside from several Taichu Old Ancestors in the Emperor Realm, the others were simply unable to withstand a single blow.

If he hadn't rushed back in time, the Taichu Holy Land might have been wiped off the map.

Secondly, the Holy Land's foundation was not deep enough.

The mountain-protecting grand Formation was easily breached, and the main hall was destroyed, indicating significant loopholes in the Holy Land's defense system.

Finally, the Holy Land's connections were not wide enough.

If Han Li and Ji Wuming hadn't arrived in time, the situation would likely have been even worse.

"It seems there is still much to be done next."

Zhou Chen sighed.

Just then, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Zhou Chen looked up and saw Chu Cangming walking in.

"Junior Brother Zhou, no, Saint Zhou."

Chu Cangming looked at Zhou Chen, a flash of complexity in his eyes.

"There is something I want to discuss with you."

Zhou Chen nodded.

"Please speak, Senior Brother Chu."

Chu Cangming was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"I want to… leave the Taichu Holy Land."

Zhou Chen was stunned for a moment.

"Why?"

Chu Cangming gave a bitter smile.

"Because I am too weak."

"In this battle, I couldn't even defeat an ordinary Disciple of the Jiang Family."

"I am not worthy of the title of First Sequence Saint of the Taichu Holy Land."

"Instead of staying here and becoming a burden, it's better to leave and venture out into the world."

"Perhaps I might even find an Opportunity for a Breakthrough."

Zhou Chen looked at Chu Cangming, and after a moment of silence, he said,

"Senior Brother Chu, you aren't weak, you just had bad luck."

"The opponents you encountered in this battle were too strong."

"If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't have fared much better than you."

"Besides, you are already at the Emperor Realm Eighth Layer; you still have plenty of room to grow."

"There's no need to negate yourself just because of one failure."

Chu Cangming shook his head.

"I know you're trying to comfort me."

"But my mind is made up."

"I want to leave the Taichu Holy Land and travel the world."

"When I become stronger, I will return."

Seeing the determined look in Chu Cangming's eyes, Zhou Chen eventually sighed.

"Since Senior Brother Chu's mind is made up, I won't force you to stay. However, forget about leaving the Holy Land entirely; whenever you feel you've gained enough experience, you're welcome back at any time."

"Before you go, I have something to give you."

As he spoke, he took a Medicinal Pill out of his storage ring and handed it to Chu Cangming.

"This is the Dragon Blood Barrier-Breaking Pill, a Top-Grade Emperor Rank Medicinal Pill."

"After taking it, it can increase the chance of breaking through by fifty percent without any side effects. Keep it; it might help you break through to the Emperor Realm."

Looking at the pill in his hand, a flash of shock appeared in Chu Cangming's eyes.

"This… this is too precious."

"I cannot accept this."

Zhou Chen shook his head.

"Senior Brother Chu, we are fellow Disciples; this little thing is nothing."

"Just take it as a parting gift from me."

Chu Cangming was silent for a moment before finally putting the pill away solemnly.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Zhou."

"I, Chu Cangming, will remember this kindness."

"If there is an Opportunity in the future, I will surely repay you manifold."

Zhou Chen smiled.

"Senior Brother Chu is being too polite."

"By the way, where do you plan to go?"

Chu Cangming thought for a moment and said, "I plan to go to the Western Border. I've heard that experts there are as common as clouds and opportunities are countless."

"Perhaps I can find the chance for a Breakthrough there."

Zhou Chen nodded.

"The Western Border is indeed a good place."

"However, it is also very dangerous. Senior Brother Chu must be careful."

Chu Cangming nodded.

"I will."

"Then I shall take my leave."

"Junior Brother Zhou, until we meet again."

"Until we meet again."

With that, Chu Cangming turned and left the hall.

Zhou Chen watched Chu Cangming's departing figure, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.

The once high-spirited Taichu Saint now chose to leave dejectedly.

Perhaps this was the cruelty of the cultivation world.

The weak were destined to be weeded out.

"Still, Chu Cangming does have a backbone."

"Perhaps we will meet again in the future."

Zhou Chen shook his head and thought no more of it.

Outside the Taichu Holy Land, a faint scent of blood still drifted in the sky.

Three days had passed since the battle ended, but that murderous aura had yet to dissipate.

Thousands of corpses were cremated together, turning into ashes that filled the sky and scattered with the wind.

The Disciples of the Taichu Holy Land, dressed in plain-colored Daoist robes, were busy amidst the ruins, clearing the battlefield, moving supplies, and repairing buildings.

Despite the heavy losses, no despondency could be seen on anyone's face; instead, they were full of drive.

Because they knew that the Taichu Holy Land had pulled through.

And all of this was because of that white-robed figure.

"Saint Zhou killed thousands of enemy troops with a single sword strike, and even the Jiang Family Head was insta-killed by him in one move!"

"That's not all! I saw it with my own eyes; that sword light was just like a heavenly punishment. Jiang Bufan, at the Fourth Layer of the Emperor Realm, didn't even have a chance to resist!"

"Too strong! Saint Zhou is only at the Third Layer of the Emperor Realm, yet he could crush the Fourth Layer. This combat power is simply Heaven-Defying!"

"I heard Saint Zhou's imperial dao imprint is a hundred thousand feet high. Even an Ancient Prodigy would find that hard to achieve, right?!"

The Disciples chatted amongst themselves, discussing in low voices as they worked, their eyes full of worship.

Inside a side hall of the main peak.

Zhou Chen was taking stock of the spoils of war.

The ground was piled high with storage rings—thousands of them.

These were all captured from the experts of the Jiang Family, the Demonic Path, and the Demon Race.

Zhou Chen opened and inspected them one by one, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Not bad, this is a bountiful harvest."

There were hundreds of millions of Top-Grade Spirit Stones alone, and countless High-Grade Spirit Stones.

There were also innumerable precious Artifact Refining Materials, Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, and secret arts.

Among the most precious were a few items obtained from Jiang Bufan, the Head of the Jiang Family.