Chapter 344: Mingwang Province! Official Expansion!

Over a million cultivators gathered to watch in complete silence.

Even the surrounding heavens and earth had fallen into stillness.

Countless cultivators gazed in shock at the massive pit where Silent Spirit Venerable had fallen.

Then they looked at the golden divine sea still churning, engulfing the two great experts, their faces pale with disbelief.

No one had predicted this outcome, despite imagining countless possibilities for today’s battle.

Ye Chen, hailing from Great Yan Province, still stood unharmed.

But of the three mid-stage Great Advancement elites, one had already perished, and the other two seemed unlikely to hold out for much longer.

They turned their eyes to the heavens.

Two towering avatars of heavenly law stood there.

Yet Seven-Kill Star Sovereign, a renowned peak powerhouse of Mingwang Province, was bowing deeply, presenting a heavenly walnut cracked open with his own treasured artifact.

A mid-stage Great Advancement expert showing submission to an early-stage Great Advancement cultivator from another province.

This was a complete abdication of dignity and stature.

The scene left a profound impact on all who witnessed it.

Expressions complex, they sighed at the god-like figure of Ye Chen, who seemed to tower over all.

“So powerful…”

Even those who had always taken pride in being cultivators of Mingwang Province were in awe of Ye Chen’s unmatched might.

Looking across all of Mingwang Province, perhaps only the two legendary elders of Dao De Sect and Feathering Sect could rival him. Anyone else, even at the late Great Advancement Realm, could not hope to achieve what Ye Chen had accomplished today.

Thus, Ye Chen, an extraordinary genius from a foreign province, had ascended to the ranks of Mingwang Province’s supreme elites on his very first day there.

From this day forward, the previously obscure Heavenly Origin Sacred Land would rise to the pinnacle of the cultivation world as one of the top-tier Sacred Lands.

While everyone was still reeling in shock, the once-turbulent golden divine sea gradually calmed.

The auras of Immortal Life Dao Sovereign and Samsara Sovereign vanished completely.

The meaning was clear without needing explanation.

Far off in the distance, the Saint Masters of Immortal Life Sacred Land and Samsara Sacred Land looked pale and unsteady.

Their supreme elders were the lifeblood of their sects.

Now that they were dead, their Sacred Lands would inevitably plummet in rank.

They would no longer be able to defend their original interests, and decline would follow. And all this stemmed from their greed for the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator.

Regret consumed them.

Above the distant skies, Yan Bailu felt a mix of shock and joy, relieved that Ye Chen had defeated his foes.

Beside her, the Supreme Elder of the Celestial Sword Sect was utterly dumbfounded.

The battle was over so quickly?

Three cultivators at the same level as him, completely wiped out?

Ye Chen had singlehandedly annihilated them with overwhelming force.

His displayed strength was enough to shake the entirety of Mingwang Province.

The elder felt awkward recalling how he had earlier advised Ye Chen from a “senior’s” perspective. He had even predicted Ye Chen’s defeat and boasted about coming to his rescue.

Now, in hindsight, it was deeply embarrassing.

Fortunately, no one had overheard his remarks, sparing him from public humiliation.

Despite his embarrassment, the elder felt fortunate.

At least he had tried to build goodwill and refrained from siding with the Four Sacred Lands. Otherwise, his own fate would likely have been grim.

Ye Chen, unconcerned with the profound impact of his actions on Mingwang Province’s cultivation world, turned his attention to Seven-Kill Star Sovereign.

This individual was truly adaptable. Using a top-tier artifact to crack open a walnut.

Noticing Ye Chen’s gaze, Seven-Kill Star Sovereign became even more anxious, lowering his head further and raising the heavenly walnut higher.

Seeing this display, Ye Chen chuckled.

After a moment’s thought, he decided to spare him.

After all, his primary purpose here was to conduct business.

The earlier display of strength had already served its purpose.

Following this battle, no faction in Mingwang Province would dare covet the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator, unless they were truly reckless.

There was no need to kill another mid-stage Great Advancement expert.

His system required monetary investments, not kills.

Eliminating opponents brought no experience points.

On the contrary, allowing these powerful figures to use the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator — whether for lecturing on Immortal Net Cloud Classroom or refining their techniques — would generate significant profits.

Even if they did nothing, their eventual contributions as users would still yield considerable benefits.

Thus, sparing them was far more advantageous than eliminating them.

Ye Chen smiled faintly, accepting the heavenly walnut offered by Seven-Kill Star Sovereign.

With the death of Immortal Life Dao Sovereign and Samsara Sovereign confirmed, there was no need to maintain his grand avatar of heavenly law.

With a casual wave, Ye Chen dispelled the avatar, the towering figure vanishing instantly.

Ye Chen’s true form hovered elegantly in midair, savoring the heavenly walnut suffused with potent star energy.

With the protection of the Secret of the Person Character, any poison would be neutralized instantly.

Ye Chen felt no concern about any potential trickery by Seven-Kill Star Sovereign. If there was indeed an issue, he could easily crush him on the spot.

The heavenly walnut was extraordinary. Its flesh brimmed with star energy, radiating divine light like glittering stars.

Upon closer inspection, the arrangement of the stars seemed intricately profound, forming what resembled a miniature universe. The taste was superb, no less exquisite than the celestial peaches of Heavenly Origin Sacred Land.

Ye Chen appeared calm and composed, but Seven-Kill Star Sovereign’s heart was anything but at ease.

When Great Advancement experts clashed, if one summoned their Heavenly Manifestation, the other would never dare return to their true form.

It was a colossal risk that could result in severe injury from a single strike.

Yet Ye Chen, without a care, reverted to his true form right before him.

Wasn’t Ye Chen worried about being struck down?

Seven-Kill Star Sovereign’s thoughts wavered with dangerous impulses.

But then, recalling the miserable deaths of the three others, he felt a chill in his heart.

Could Ye Chen be baiting him?

Perhaps Ye Chen was hesitant to attack due to the reverence he had shown, fearing for his own reputation.

Was Ye Chen deliberately luring him to make the first move?

This thought sent another wave of fear through Seven-Kill Star Sovereign, quelling the impulse that had just risen in him.

But soon, doubt crept back into his mind as he observed Ye Chen.

Could it be that Ye Chen could no longer sustain his Heavenly Manifestation?

After all, six phenomena at once would consume an immense amount of energy.

Maintaining them for thousands of breaths was already unimaginable.

Perhaps Ye Chen’s casual demeanor was merely a facade, and he no longer had the strength to fight.

Cultivators who reached this level were all masters of deception, their true conditions impossible to gauge.

If Ye Chen truly had no strength left to fight, then his hesitation now would mean missing the perfect opportunity.

But what if Ye Chen was baiting him?

Seven-Kill Star Sovereign’s heart twisted in an intense struggle, as though two voices argued in his mind: one urging him to act, the other to retreat.

“Is there more?” Ye Chen’s sudden voice startled him.

Almost reflexively, Seven-Kill Star Sovereign replied, “Yes! I still have two more! I’ll give them to you!”

The moment he realized what he had just said, he could only smile bitterly. He knew he had been completely intimidated by Ye Chen. He no longer had the courage to make a move against him.

Dejectedly, Seven-Kill Star Sovereign withdrew his Heavenly Manifestation, once again offering two heavenly walnuts with utmost respect.

Ye Chen gave him a faint smile, clearly aware of the internal struggle Seven-Kill Star Sovereign had just experienced.

He had to admit, the man had made the right choice.

Otherwise, it would have been a perfect “four-kill” for Ye Chen!

Ye Chen stowed the heavenly walnuts and spoke indifferently, “From now on, Beidou Sacred Land will compensate with one million high-grade spirit stones, and deliver the next ten years of heavenly walnut harvest to Heavenly Origin Sacred Land.

“Once this is done, all prior grievances will be settled.”

Hearing this, Seven-Kill Star Sovereign’s heart clenched in anguish.

One million high-grade spirit stones was nearly an entire year’s profit for Beidou Sacred Land.

Although their foundation was deep, and such a sum wouldn’t break them, giving up ten years of heavenly walnuts was particularly painful.

But Seven-Kill Star Sovereign didn’t dare object, quickly agreeing to the terms.

Ye Chen was simply too monstrous.

If this could earn his forgiveness and resolve their enmity, paying a steep price was worth it.

Seeing his agreement, Ye Chen’s gaze turned toward the distance.

His voice rang out, “Immortal Life Sacred Land, Samsara Sacred Land, and Fulou Sacred Land

must each compensate with one million high-grade spirit stones as well.

“Deliver it to Heavenly Origin Sacred Land within half a month.”

The Saint Masters of the three Sacred Lands paled instantly.

Their supreme elders were dead, and yet they still had to pay compensation.

It was utterly humiliating. But they lacked the courage to refuse.

Sealing their mountains and cutting ties with the outside world?

The problem was that doing so would mean giving up all external resources.

Their Sacred Lands would only fall into further decline.

In the cultivation world, unless faced with utter destruction, no Sacred Land would choose to isolate itself.

Meanwhile, Seven-Kill Star Sovereign was quietly exasperated.

Why is everyone else also paying a million spirit stones, yet my Sacred land has to offer an additional ten years of heavenly walnuts?

He wanted to ask but hesitated.

Sensing his thoughts, Ye Chen casually explained, “Because they’re dead, and you’re still alive.”

Seven-Kill Star Sovereign instantly understood.

The ten years of heavenly walnuts were his “price for survival.”

Since Silent Spirit Venerable and the others were dead, they naturally had no debts left to pay.

Realizing this, Seven-Kill Star Sovereign raised no further objections.

Ye Chen no longer paid him any attention.

His calm, dark gaze swept over the million onlookers present, his voice echoing across the heavens,

“From this day forward, Heavenly Origin Sacred Land will officially establish a presence in Mingwang Province.

“We will open Heavenly Origin Pavilions in every immortal city and marketplace, selling Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicators and offering various in-person services.

“If any faction has objections, speak freely to me.”

Although Ye Chen’s tone was calm, it carried an undeniable authority.

The purpose of today’s battle had been to pave the way for Heavenly Origin Pavilion’s expansion into Mingwang Province.

Now that the objective was achieved, there was no need to be polite.

Ye Chen’s declaration caused a stir in the distance.

In the past, any faction from Great Yan Province attempting to expand into Mingwang Province

would have faced endless trouble and eventual ruin.

But now, no one dared to oppose him.

Voice objections?

Considering the fate of the three slain elites and the hefty price paid by Seven-Kill Star Sovereign, who would dare?

Even before voicing a complaint, they’d likely be struck down by Ye Chen.

Among the upper echelons of the various observing factions, decisions were swiftly made.

Upon returning, they would issue strict orders to their sects. If Heavenly Origin Pavilions opened in their cities, no one was to provoke them or cause trouble. No one wanted to risk being dragged into disaster.

Meanwhile, many ordinary cultivators were visibly excited.

Heavenly Origin Sacred Land was expanding into Mingwang Province!

Stores were opening soon!

This meant they would soon be able to purchase the wildly popular Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicators.

What’s more, the prices at Heavenly Origin Pavilion were unlikely to be as exorbitant as those set by larger factions.

The thought of owning a Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator soon brought a palpable excitement to the crowd.

The grim atmosphere lightened considerably.

Heavenly Origin Sacred Land’s arrival in Mingwang Province was an undeniable boon for ordinary cultivators.

—

Thus, with no remaining obstacles, Heavenly Origin Sacred Land officially expanded its Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator business into Mingwang Province.