Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

However, in the map, there were areas with a high concentration of Yaoguai, and these inheritance locations were within them. Perils truly went alongside the fortune.

"Yaoguai were demonic existences, divided into nine ranks and two classes: Mo and Guai. Mo are those of basic strength, often using brute strength and Mortal Laws within their attacks, but Guai are often referred to as aboriginals or royals, possessing extraordinary battle prowess, the ability to harness World Laws and possess special abilities."

"Guai are also the only Yaoguai that can become Immortals, undying existences rivaling Heavenly Monarch experts." Yan Zaizen silently digested this information, including about the Immortal Yaoguai. However, they weren’t actual immortals, but just hard to thoroughly kill.

There were also details about inheritance troves. It was only after understanding this information that Yan Zaizen understood why impromptu groups would often be formed. In the Fortune Cemetery, Yaoguai often gathered around inheritance locations as they emanate fluctuations of the heavenly laws.

This wasn’t always the case; some inheritances were hidden well and could only be discovered by finding the respective key or were incredibly dangerous that even Yaoguai would avoid it. These types of inheritances typically were vied for by top-tier factions.

"For inheritances, both troves and locations, they were classified by three levels: Minor, Grand, and Celestial." Yan Zaizen speculated on the entirety of this venture. Minor were troves created by Heavenly Commanders or Minor (Heaven) Heavenly Monarchs.

Grand tier inheritances were from those at the Grand (Heaven) Heavenly Monarchs, but Celestials were spots of legends and even the soul jade had very little information about them.

"Celestial Relocation Order..." In the Crimson Devil Realm, the old man fighting for Ezekiel had vanished out of existence and sent to the 3rd Heaven instantly. That order was a heaven-defying life-saving treasure. Yan Zaizen couldn’t help but feel his heart race with excitement.

When he thought of Ezekiel, how he obtained a second life, he had suspicions it was obtained here. If so, this truly was the haven of fortune and life-saving treasures.

"Would I be able to find something that can help me kill it?" Yan Zaizen recalled the being that took Pinaka. A fiery blaze of ardent rage emerged in his eyes. He will have that existence pay a horrendous price one day.

While they traveled, no one said a thing verbally, but soul or heavenly transmissions were hard to spot, so Yan Zaizen couldn’t read or understand the relationships of the group, but he remained vigilant. Eshe may seem nice offering him a spot and a share, but it likely had a string attached to it.

Whenever he looked in her direction, she would smile in return. This smile was filled with an open friendliness and warmth. Yan Zaizen could see that she didn’t communicate for various reasons, so he didn’t try to engage.

Two days flew by.

They traveled through the Dusk Zone, but not a single Yaoguai could be seen. In the map, there were Yaoguai free zones, and the city had a very, very large ’free’ area. Therefore, many had no issue entering the city after reaching a certain point. Unless Yaoguai were hunting them relentlessly.

That being said, conflict amongst humans were still prevalent. Yan Zaizen could see marks depicting battle zones, remnant formation inscriptions, and broken pieces of rusted armaments. The environment below was often desolate and filled with marks of ruin. It was quite depressing with the low-lighting.

There was an incident where Yan Zaizen could’ve sworn he heard a shriek of death a distance away. It was chilling. However, no one even blinked at this.

Yan Zaizen also noticed cultivators hiding in some areas. If it weren’t for his comprehension into space, it would be unlikely he could find them. They were obviously preparing themselves for unsuspecting individuals.

Luckily, they were a group flying on a skyship and avoided any unnecessary trouble. It’s likely only the incredibly weak would have to resort to such methods.

"We’re almost there," Eshe announced suddenly, pointing towards a lone mountain in the distance. This mountain wasn’t large, rather small in truth, but its peak was oddly shaped in an upwards spiral. It made one think of a twister.

Yan Zaizen analyzed the area.

"Daoist Eshe." The cultivator known as Daoist Bronzelion softly called. His tone contained a dense murderous intent within. All the cultivators on-board except Esi, the one piloting the skyship, looked to the right.

At the right was another skyship with a familiar structure, likely common in the Dusk Zone. It was medium-sized and contained a few life auras that were particularly vibrant. It was floating off the side and seemed to be waiting for something.

Eshe’s eyes narrowed briefly, but quickly returned to normal. "Another group has found the location." Her voice was calm, as if this was already within her calculations. The others didn’t speculate, but they kept their cautious gazes on the foreign skyship.

Esi soon stopped the skyship when it reached a thousand meters away from the mountain. She stayed in the air, unwilling to land, and performed a seal. The seal activated a formation beneath the skyship and enabled it to remain suspended.

"The trove will open in three days," Eshi informed everyone, but didn’t say how she gained this knowledge. Yan Zaizen didn’t bother asking.

An aura fluctuated on the foreign skyship. Everyone’s eyes shined with varying lights. A figure shot out from the skyship and approached.

This figure was a woman. She had short light-blue hair, a tomboyish look to her as she wore a man’s martial arts attire, but she was too beautiful to be mistaken for a man, and her breasts were ample. As she flew over, they slightly swayed, as if they weren’t supported by a brassiere.

Her aura was stable at the second-floor of the Heavenly Genesis Realm.

Bronzelion’s eyes flickered with heat, but he only looked and nothing more. The others remained calm. No one left the skyship to meet her.

Instead, she arrived nearby and stayed floating in mid-air with a soft smile. Her eyes swept all their figures, lingering on Bronzelion for a split second longer than the others. "It’s a pleasure to meet you all, Fellow Daoists. I’m assuming you’re here for the inheritance trove?" She didn’t beat around the bush but directly asked.

Yan Zaizen couldn’t help but give her another look.

"Yes, we are. Daoist?" Eshe stepped up, claiming the position of leader of the group. When she did, the light-blue haired beauty smiled and honed her gaze on Eshe, ignoring the others.

"Daoist Iceborn," she introduced herself.

"Daoist Eshe."

"Truly a good name." The woman didn’t seem to be in a rush, kindly exchanging pleasantries. She may have been direct initially, but she still maintained a cordial attitude. After a brief exchange, "My group of Daoists wishes to avoid conflict and explore the trove together. What do you say...whatever is claimed belongs to them?"

Eshe shifted her gaze towards the ship and pondered briefly. She sent a message, but it wasn’t to Yan Zaizen, but one of the black knights. The knights didn’t respond verbally like before, but replied through sense. No one else could sense this exchange except Yan Zaizen.

He had refined a Soul Regalia into his eyes that enabled him to see soul transmissions, but not heavenly transmissions, so he could only see the lines of the exchange. The only issue was that Yan Zaizen couldn’t intercept or know what’s within the message.

However, a fact caused him to furrow his brows. Earlier, Eshe used a heavenly sense-based transmission, but now she used a soul transmission which is far harder to perceive via methods. He took note of this.

After a short period, "Agreed." Eshe accepted her conditions, but no oath had been sworn. Yan Zaizen realized the exchange wasn’t meant to dissuade conflict, but only an acceptance of waiting until the trove opens to begin.

The woman smiled and looked at Bronzelion. She sweetly smiled at him and left. The others noticed this and strange glimmers emerged into their eyes.

Yan Zaizen wanted to laugh. Bronzelion eyes flickered with anger. That woman was quite crafty. It was even more so considering that Bronzelion and Eshe had discovered the trove. The others immediately threw their suspicions over. However, regardless if that were the case or not, the others would immediately become suspicious and be on their guard against him.

"Three days," Eshe repeated and sat next to Esi in the lotus position. She was cultivating to ensure she was at her peak state. Yan Zaizen saw this everywhere in the Asura Phantom Realm.

He sat down and cultivated too, but in a corner away from the others. The others did their own preparations to ready their states.

Yan Zaizen felt something odd since he arrived, but he couldn’t place it initially. However, after a bit, his mind flared up in thought. "Where’s the Yaoguai..."