Chapter 2044: Tongtian Bridge Opens Early

After a long struggle, the name "Little Chick" was retained, much to its relief. It now truly understood how terrible its master was at naming things. It was a good thing it fought for the name; otherwise, whether it was "Chicken Overlord" or a repeated syllable name like "Little Sword-Sword," neither would have been acceptable!

Otherwise, imagine a future encounter with other divine beasts."I am Ao Tian, the Primordial Dragon, a super divine beast traversing the Nine Heavens, Ten Earths, and myriad worlds!""I am Huo Qianyu, the Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix, a super divine beast that incinerates all lands and boils the oceans!"Then it would be its turn…"I am a divine beast… Chicken Overlord!"

If that were truly its name, it would vomit blood and die without even needing to fight. What kind of situation was this? How did it end up with such an unreliable master?

It looked down at its own body… It really did look like a little chick! And the kind that had just hatched from an egg… All its crucial memories were gone… What kind of divine beast was it exactly? Little Chick fell into deep thought.

Ignoring the creature contemplating its "chicken life," Zhang Xuan retrieved the bodies of the three Immortal Monarchs who had just attempted to assassinate him. Their spatial rings, like those of the previous Temple warriors, contained nothing valuable. He could only hope to refine these individuals. Having been ambushed twice by the Temple without understanding how his identity was leaked, he was filled with anxiety. Since he began cultivating, he had never so urgently craved power! Although he could only use one Soulless Golden Man at a time, having more of them would greatly enhance his safety. For instance, when that fellow self-destructed earlier, a greater number of Golden Men could have formed a protective shield, making him much safer.

Within the ancient, quiet Temple.A tall figure shimmered into existence again, appearing in the center of the flame-ringed hall."Failed again?" A pair of eyes, cold and piercing, stared intently at the black-robed man."Yes…" The black-robed man trembled."It seems we still underestimated him. The Chosen One indeed possesses great fortune…" The tall figure's eyes narrowed, and he let out a cold snort. "You go personally! If you fail again… don't bother seeing me, just commit suicide! Also, find out what trump cards he possesses that even three Temple Immortal Monarchs couldn't defeat him!""Yes, Master!" The black-robed man nodded hastily and turned to leave."Wait…" The tall figure waved a large hand. "Spread the latest news from the Temple: the Heaven-Reaching Bridge will open… in half a month!"

"Half a month? So soon?" The black-robed man was stunned.Normally, it would be some time before the Heaven-Reaching Bridge opened. Opening it in half a month seemed too fast."Since the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion has established him as their Sect Leader, they must intend for him to become a challenger for the Heaven-Reaching Bridge. If it opened at the normal time, there would be a long wait. I fear that during this period, he could break through to the Immortal Monarch realm, and then none of you would be his match!" The tall figure's gaze turned cold. "He absolutely cannot succeed, or you will all die!""Yes! This subordinate understands…" The black-robed man's expression grew solemn. Without another word, he turned and left.

Above the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion, a slender small boat hovered in the air. A woman stood quietly on it, accompanied by a young boy behind her."Palace Master Du, why have you come in person?" The air shimmered, and a figure appeared abruptly – it was Han Jianqiu."I am here for your new Sect Leader!" The woman said calmly, her hands clasped behind her back. This was none other than Du Qingyuan, the Palace Master of the Star Chasing Palace!

"Sect Leader?" Han Jianqiu frowned."Yes! Could you ask him to come out and see me?" Du Qingyuan nodded."Well…" Han Jianqiu paused. "My apologies, Palace Master Du, but our Sect Leader is currently cultivating the Soaring Cloud Sword God Art in isolated retreat and is temporarily unavailable to guests…"

The news of the Sect Leader's departure from the sect had to be kept secret. Otherwise, if the Temple learned of it and pursued him, the hope they had just gained might vanish.

"Isolated retreat?" Du Qingyuan frowned. She already knew that the new Sect Leader of the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion was meant to learn the Soaring Cloud Sword God Art, so she harbored no suspicion at this statement. After all, Han Jianqiu himself had undergone this process, remaining in isolated cultivation for fifteen years. Even if Zhang Xuan was highly talented, it wouldn't be too quick. She couldn't possibly wait here for many years! "Do you have a portrait of him? Let me see it!"

Han Jianqiu looked over, puzzled. "May I ask, Palace Master Du, why you have specifically come to seek our Sect Leader?" Under normal circumstances, Du Qingyuan, as the Palace Master of the Star Chasing Palace—one of the six great sects—with a cultivation reaching the Pseudo-God realm, was in no way inferior to him. Before becoming Sect Leader, Zhang Xuan was merely an insignificant figure from a small city; there should have been no connection between them. Why had she come specifically to inquire about him?"I just find the name somewhat familiar, like an old acquaintance, and wish to confirm if it's him," Du Qingyuan replied.

If Zhang Xuan were here, he would surely recognize that Du Qingyuan was the "deity" from the heavens who had appeared through the ritual performed by Zhang Xuan, using Emperor Chen Yong's methods, after Luo Ruoxi's departure. She had ultimately taken Emperor Chen Yong's soul and, using an unknown secret technique, recreated a body for him—the young boy standing at the stern of the boat, Wu Chen!

"An old acquaintance?" Han Jianqiu frowned again. The Sect Leader was determined to go to the Star Chasing Sea, and he couldn't stop him. Now the Palace Master of the Star Chasing Palace had pursued him here. Could it be that the two truly were old acquaintances?He paused, then with a flick of his wrist, a jade token appeared. With a gentle tap, Zhang Xuan's image materialized. "This is our Sect Leader, Zhang Xuan!"Although the Star Chasing Palace didn't have the best relationship with the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion, Du Qingyuan had no ill reputation and likely wouldn't harm the Sect Leader. Besides, he hadn't told her where Zhang Xuan had gone, so knowing his appearance wouldn't matter much."Indeed…" Du Qingyuan's eyes lit up at the sight, and the young boy Wu Chen behind her was visibly excited."Palace Master Du, do you know him?" Han Jianqiu asked."We met once…" Du Qingyuan nodded, then turned and instructed, "Wu Chen, if you wish to stay here, I can speak with Sect Leader Han…""Thank you, Palace Master!" Wu Chen's eyes brightened, and he nodded eagerly."Hmm!" Du Qingyuan acknowledged. Just as she was about to speak, her delicate brows suddenly furrowed. At the same time, she saw Han Jianqiu across from her also momentarily stunned, then his face paled. "The Heaven-Reaching Bridge… is opening early? In half a month?"

"This—this is too fast!" Han Jianqiu's body stiffened.The Heaven-Reaching Bridge opened only once every hundred years and was the sole path to the Divine Temple. Missing it meant waiting another century! The Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion's new Sect Leader had rapid cultivation and exceptional sword techniques. Without any unforeseen circumstances, given the normal opening time, he would certainly be able to advance his cultivation to the peak of the Immortal Monarch realm and qualify for the challenge. If that happened, reclaiming the other half of the characters belonging to the Sword Pavilion would be effortless. But… opening in half a month simply didn't allow enough time! Moreover, he had already gone to the Star Chasing Sea; no one knew where he was now, and he couldn't be contacted… What were they to do?"Enter the Spirit Communication Hall!" Without further hesitation, Han Jianqiu immediately took out a Spirit Communication Jade Token, and with a mental command, entered it. Du Qingyuan also didn't stop, following right behind him.This was a Spirit Communication Jade Token that only the continent's peak experts were qualified to use, allowing them to gather more quickly to discuss matters. The reason they had previously needed their true forms to gather and discuss the Heaven-Reaching Bridge was because the Spirit Communication Hall, being a treasure of other sects, still carried the risk of information leakage. For a simple meeting like this, however, it posed no significant problem.

In the sealed room of the Spirit Communication Hall, figures appeared one after another. The other sect leaders had clearly also received the message and rushed over."What are everyone's plans?" Han Jianqiu surveyed the room, seeing all six sect leaders assembled."With the Heaven-Reaching Bridge opening, the six great sects naturally need to respond properly. Sect Leader Han, hasn't your Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion's new Sect Leader already comprehended the Sword Intent of God? Why hasn't he come?" an elder asked, looking over.News of Zhang Xuan, the new Sect Leader of the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion, comprehending the Sword Intent of God had spread throughout the continent; everyone knew. Under normal circumstances, he would already be qualified to attend such a meeting."He is currently in isolated retreat; he hasn't been notified yet…" Han Jianqiu replied."Then what about your new Sect Leader, Zheng Yang?" the elder asked again, looking towards the Qin Origin Sect Master nearby."He… is also in isolated retreat!" Sect Master Qin nodded."All in isolated retreat?" The elder frowned. "The Heaven-Reaching Bridge, which is the path to the Divine Temple, only opens once every hundred years. What should we do if the two most promising sect leaders are both in isolated retreat?"When these two sect leaders took their positions, their respective sects were filled with great enthusiasm. How could they both be in isolated retreat at such a crucial moment?"Here's what we'll do: we will find a way to notify our Sect Leader, and you all should quickly select the most highly cultivated and talented individuals within your sects. Ten days from now, gather at the Sky-Connecting Stone in the Star Chasing Sea. Before the Heaven-Reaching Bridge opens, we'll assess the strength of each faction and then decide who will lead us!" Han Jianqiu said after a pause."Agreed…" Everyone nodded simultaneously.This was indeed the best method. The Divine Temple was located above the Star Chasing Sea, and the Heaven-Reaching Bridge would also appear there. For strong cultivators from the six great sects to enter, they had to arrive in advance."This is for the best! Gathering together will also help us find better countermeasures…"Just then, a faint voice sounded, and a shadow moved as a tall figure also appeared in the room. Seeing this figure, everyone rose and clasped their fists. "Hall Master Kong!" It was the Hall Master of the Spirit Communication Hall!"Hmm, no need for formalities. I've also heard the news… All of you, bring the top experts of your respective sects to the Sky-Connecting Stone as soon as possible. Once a leader is chosen, I will personally explain the details of the Heaven-Reaching Bridge and the Divine Temple to them!" Hall Master Kong smiled and looked towards Han Jianqiu. "Especially your new Sect Leader, Zhang Xuan. Once he arrives at the Sky-Connecting Stone, I hope Sect Leader Han will introduce him. I truly wish to meet a genius who has comprehended the Sword Intent of God!""I will certainly have him come and express his gratitude to Hall Master Kong!" Han Jianqiu nodded.