Chapter 688: Chapter 681: Demon Palace?

Carried on Chen Hai’s shoulder, Shi Qingying didn’t seem to resist much; instead, she giggled nonstop along the way.

Everything is difficult at the beginning, and once something happens for the first time, there will be a second, third, and countless more times.

The two were lucky—they had only run several miles before finding an abandoned cave at the base of a small mountain.

Inside the cave, the environment was mediocre, somewhat damp and chill, but it was definitely much better than sleeping under the sky on the barren land.

After a good and intense battle, several hours had passed.

“You brute, you’re still as rough as ever, not knowing at all how to treat a lady with tenderness.”

“Ying, don’t your words prick your conscience? Didn’t you scratch and bite too?”

…

Sitting in the cave, leaning against the wall, the two exchanged playful banter and whispered sweet nothings to each other.

After a lengthy exchange of endearments, they finally got to the main point.

“Chen Hai, the Golden Dawn Island, located within the territory of West Barbarian Mountain, is secluded and for now, relatively peaceful. But such tranquility won’t last long,” she said as she nestled in Chen Hai’s arms, her breath fragrant as she quietly cautioned him.

“From Golden Dawn Island, if one flies south for several days, one reaches the southern regions of Zhan State.”

“In recent years, the conflicts among the major forces like the Demon Palace, Heavenly Mansion, Nether Land, and others, have become increasingly fierce.”

“Whether it’s in the southern Zhan State, the Western Continent, or the East Victory Divine Continent, everything is in chaos now.”

“Sooner or later, Golden Dawn Island here will be affected by the turmoil. With the world in such a state, it will be difficult for you to keep to yourself and remain uninvolved.”

“I came here to warn you to make preparations as soon as possible,” Shi Qingying advised softly while nestled in Chen Hai’s embrace.

Hearing these familiar place names from her lips, Chen Hai was shocked and silent for a long time.

He had long suspected that the land he was now on had certain connections with the Primordial Land mentioned in myths and legends. But suspicions are just that and can’t be treated as fact.

After all, he had always stayed within the territory of West Barbarian Mountain, knowing very little about the outside world.

“Ying, are you saying that the place we’re in is the Ancient Primordial Land?” Chen Hai asked after a long silence.

“You could say that. Though the Ancient Primordial is much more vast than the current world.”

“In those days, when the Primordial shattered, it turned into countless fragments scattered about. The land under our feet is one of the largest pieces, so it’s not too far-fetched to say it’s part of the Primordial Land.”

“The southern Zhan State, Western Continent, and East Victory Divine Continent I mentioned, are not very complete compared to the ancient times.”

“Back then, the Saints were high above us. After the Primordial shattered, those Saints vanished without a trace.”

“Since the Primordial is incomplete, no one can attain Saint-hood any longer. It’s said that in order to restore the Primordial, many Great Powers have been searching for fragments of the Primordial, capturing them to integrate into this world.”

“Chen Hai, you must be from a world that formed from one of those Primordial fragments, right?”

Tilting her head and pondering for a moment, Shi Qingying explained to Chen Hai.

Perhaps, because of her special relationship with Chen Hai, she had made a point of investigating matters related to him.

In the entire Blue Star, billions of people had already merged into this world, and it wasn’t just Chen Hai who had crossed over.

If she looked into it, it wouldn’t be too surprising for Shi Qingying to know that Chen Hai came from Blue Star.

After all, this is the Primordial world, where many strange techniques and Exotic Skills do exist.

As long as one is powerful enough, mastering some Divination Techniques, a simple calculation might reveal Chen Hai’s origins with crystal clarity.

Chen Hai was only slightly startled when Shi Qingying mentioned his background, but after giving it some thought, he came to accept it.

“Staying within the Territory of West Barbarian Mountain, information is inevitably sparse.”

“Ying, the matters you speak of, had you not mentioned them, I truly would have no knowledge!”

“The strengths of these great forces you mention, the Demon Palace, Nether Land, and Heavenly Mansion, are not clear to me. Do you understand them well?”

With a complex expression, Chen Hai let out a long sigh, filled with reflection.

Having stayed in his cave mansion focused on Cultivation, he was safe indeed, but at this moment, he truly felt like a frog in a well, utterly ignorant of how vast the sky and earth were.

“It’s normal that these secrets are not known to the common people.”

“In fact, it’s not just you. I was equally unaware of these things before.”

“The day I left the Territory of West Barbarian Mountain and returned not long after, I was spotted by a Great Power of the Demon Palace, who took me as her direct Disciple.”

“Because of this, I got the chance to learn about these things that ordinary people are unaware of.”

“Sainthood remains hidden, Quasi-Saints are revered; great forces like our Demon Palace all have a Quasi-Saint overseeing them.”

“If our Demon Palace were to wage war against Nether Land or Heavenly Mansion, it would be a calamity for ordinary cultivators.”

“It’s best to enjoy the shade under a large tree; if you want to emerge unscathed from this great calamity, it would be wise to join a great force. If you’re willing, I can introduce you and help you join our Demon Palace.”

Raising her head, Shi Qingying’s gaze was bright and unwavering, her face sincere as she looked at Chen Hai and made her suggestion.

Her words carried no hidden agenda; she truly wanted to help Chen Hai.

The only personal reason Shi Qingying had for wanting Chen Hai to join the Demon Palace might simply be to make it more convenient for their future meetings.

After hearing Shi Qingying’s words, Chen Hai fell silent once more.

He was a man who preferred to be a big fish in a small pond, rather than a small fish in a vast ocean; he was never fond of relying on others.

The Demon Palace might be powerful, with a formidable Quasi-Saint at its helm, but what of it? If he joined, he might end up being just an insignificant pawn.

“My Disciples are not few in number. If I were to join the Demon Palace, what about them? Would they receive the Demon Palace’s protection?” After a while, Chen Hai finally spoke, probing for an answer.

“Under the threat of a great calamity, all are but ants.”

“As one of the strongest forces, not everyone is qualified to join our Demon Palace.”

“Your strength is notable, your talent acceptable, and with my introduction, joining the Demon Palace shouldn’t be a problem. As for your Disciples…”

At this point, Shi Qingying sighed and paused.

She left her sentence hanging, yet the implication was abundantly clear: she felt that Chen Hai’s Disciples were unworthy of joining their Demon Palace.

“In that case, I’ll need to give it some thought,” Chen Hai responded with a smile.

His mention of ‘consideration’ was in fact a polite way of refusal.

After all, he never liked relying on others, and he wasn’t particularly interested in joining the Demon Palace.

While he may not have had profound bonds with his Disciples, their existence allowed him to maximize his Cultivation efficiency.

If the Demon Palace were willing to grant them protection, Chen Hai might have considered joining, to survive for a few more years.