Chapter 385 - 193: Master Ming Yan’s Meticulous Arrangement: Dao Crystal
Chapter 385: Chapter 193: Master Ming Yan’s Meticulous Arrangement: Dao Crystal
Today, Xiao Chen had finally learned the exact distances involved.
The Boundary Sea was 940,000 *li* wide, and its length was practically endless. No one knew where its upper and lower reaches led.
Furthermore, after crossing the Boundary Sea, even though he would have reached the Eastern Domain, he would still be in a vast wilderness.
Aside from a single trade route established by cultivators, the area was almost completely uninhabited.
He would need to travel another 1,220,000 *li* east to reach the borders of the Xilai Country.
From Xilai Country, it was another 500,000 *li* or so east to reach the true border of the Eastern Domain—the Jingkong Sea.
In total, the distance was 2,660,000 *li*.
And the Nanlao Sea, where the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm was located, was another 700,000 *li* or so southeast of the Jingkong Sea.
’Isn’t that a little far?’
Xiao Chen mentally calculated the distance and felt a sense of dread. ’Damn it, I’m not going to make it in time, am I?’
The Hundred Herbs Secret Realm was fairly well-known in the Eastern Domain, and in the Southern Domain, it was practically legendary.
The main reason was that there were no cultivation restrictions or barriers to entry, yet it was possible to find High Tier Spirit Grass inside.
Many cultivators who had undertaken the arduous journey to the Eastern Domain had, at some point, visited the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm.
As a result, Xiao Chen easily found records of when the Secret Realm had last opened: exactly forty-eight years and seven months ago.
This meant that, if everything proceeded as usual, the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm would open again in one year and five months.
If he couldn’t reach the Secret Realm in time to retrieve the Purple Crystal Bodhi,
then he would have to wait another fifty years for it to open again.
The good news was that at his current speed, even if crossing the sea slowed him down a bit, he could theoretically reach the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm in less than a year.
The bad news was that the Divine Fire Sect and the White Bone Demon Body still stood in his way.
He needed to deal with these two obstacles within five months.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Chen had over 470 years of life remaining, so he didn’t need to be in a rush.
But the thought of missing this chance and having to wait fifty years filled him with a sense of urgency. ’That’s way too long. By then, it’ll be too late for everything.’
’No, I have to help the Beidou Spirit Fire advance as soon as possible.’
The three Spiritual Fires from the sect, along with the one from the Jiang Family, had been delivered a few days ago.
However, the Chen Family’s Spiritual Fire was still with Chen Tianyuan.
’Let me think... where’s my tea?’
Xiao Chen happened to remember that this First Martial Uncle of his was fond of tea.
He had obtained some Fragrant Mountain Ancient Leaf tea before, which would make a perfect gift.
Even though he could now just give Shen Siyue an order and have the Spiritual Fire delivered to him in less than an hour, Xiao Chen decided to pay a personal visit, still observing the etiquette of a junior.
This time, he didn’t need to be announced at the Alchemy Hall. The disciples at the entrance all bowed respectfully.
Upon entering the rear hall, he found Chen Tianyuan poring over an intelligence report, lost in thought.
Hearing the door open, he frowned and looked up, then immediately shot to his feet. "Greetings, Daoist! I was not aware of your esteemed arrival. Please forgive my failure to welcome you properly..."
Xiao Chen cut him off. "First Martial Uncle, there’s no need for such formalities between us."
"I came across a fine box of tea on my trip to Hezhou and brought it back specifically for you to try."
Hearing this, Chen Tianyuan relaxed slightly but still remained a little tense.
He wasn’t sure if Xiao Chen’s affability was genuine or just a facade of politeness.
Thus, he stood respectfully to the side and replied, "Hierarchy must be observed. How could I be disrespectful in the presence of a Daoist?"
Xiao Chen picked up the teapot from the table and began brewing tea as he spoke. "Hierarchy must be observed, yes. But as a junior, I feel quite overwhelmed by my First Martial Uncle’s formality. Are you not putting me on the spot?"
He then poured a cup of tea for Chen Tianyuan before pouring one for himself.
"Back when I was short on funds, I was deeply indebted to you, First Martial Uncle, for lending me Spirit Stones and fronting the cost for the Ice Sword."
"This bag of Spirit Stones is a small token of my gratitude. Please, First Martial Uncle, accept it."
Indeed, the Wind and Thunder Dual Swords and the Small Three Talents Sword Formation had played a crucial role in many of his battles.
And he wouldn’t have been able to complete the Sword Array, especially with the Ice Sword, without the Chen Family’s help.
Xiao Chen always repaid his debts—he would avenge any grievance, and he would naturally repay any kindness several times over.
He had borrowed 67,000 Spirit Stones back then. Doubling it would be 134,000, but he had rounded it up to a nice, even number.
"One hundred and fifty thousand!"
Chen Tianyuan glanced at the Storage Bag and his eyes widened. "This is far too much! I can’t accept this."
He had no idea that Xiao Chen currently possessed over 1,300,000 low-grade Spirit Stones alone.
To him, 150,000 was not a large sum.