Chapter 1111: At the Summit of the Sky-Reaching Black Pillar

The Grand Wine Sacrificer was capable of commanding all sects in the Great Cangzhou region. Without overwhelming power, how could the various sects obey his orders?

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, streaks of starlight appeared in the night. They fell like meteors, flying precisely towards the hundred Nascent Soul experts participating in the reconnaissance mission.

Jiang Fan grabbed the one that flew before him. He found a shimmering imprint, infused with spatial power. Looking at the others, he saw they all held the same item.

“This is a spatial imprint. Refine it within your mind,” an ethereal voice echoed in the darkness. “No matter how far you travel on the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar, with a thought, you can return to its vicinity.”

Everyone immediately understood. This was a life-saving artifact! If any mission participant encountered danger, they could use the imprint to return to the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar and descend in time. No wonder the Imperial Astronomy Bureau sent so many powerful cultivators to investigate, despite knowing the dangers above. There was significant protection in place.

The Nascent Soul experts participating in the mission instantly felt more confident.

“Beyond that, it will faithfully record your actions on the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar,” the voice continued. “It will document your contributions. The rewards remain as before: the top three will receive generous prizes. Even if you don't rank in the top three, you will still receive an additional three bottles of Primordial Nine-Colored Marrow.” The voice then asked, “Do you have any further questions?”

The crowd exchanged glances. Facing a venerable expert, most didn't even dare to speak. Jiang Fan, however, held the imprint in his hand and thoughtfully said, “This junior has two questions.”

“First, if the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar's location changes after we ascend, will the spatial imprint still be effective?” This question made many mission participants' hearts sink. They had almost forgotten that the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar was not immovable! The one before them had traveled across the sea from the mainland to White Horse Temple. What if it moved after they ascended, and they teleported back, only to find no pillar to descend from?

“Do not worry,” the Grand Wine Sacrificer replied, “It is tethered to the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar. No matter where the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar moves, the imprint will guide you to it.” Fortunately, the Grand Wine Sacrificer's answer put everyone's minds at ease.

However, Jiang Fan asked another question. “Second, with this imprint, are we guaranteed to escape danger 100% of the time?” The Grand Wine Sacrificer was silent for several breaths. He seemed reluctant to answer this question, but after a moment, he slowly said, “Even if you encounter a Giant King, you can escape. The premise is, do not encounter the Wind Giant King or the Spatial Giant King. The former moves at a speed not inferior to spatial teleportation. The latter can lock down spatial teleportation.”

The entire hall fell silent. The hearts that had just settled now felt uneasy again. Jiang Fan's expression darkened. This was exactly what he had been worried about. Spatial escape was not omnipotent; when Wu Manyue was pursued by the two-headed hellhound on the tenth floor, she had once used a spatial scroll, but it was interrupted by the hellhound's divine ability. With various types of Giant Kings, how could it be guaranteed that none would be able to counter spatial divine abilities? The answer now was precisely as he had expected.

The Grand Wine Sacrificer then added, “There is no need to worry excessively. Giant Kings are inherently rare beings. The Wind Giant King and Spatial Giant King are even rarer. The three Deified Soul Venerables and one Bodhisattva did not encounter them during their last deep penetration. Your chances of encountering them are almost zero.”

Upon hearing this, everyone's anxious hearts felt a little better. “Are there no more questions?” the Grand Wine Sacrificer asked again.

Jiang Fan pondered, intending to ask for more details about the rewards. He opened his mouth and began, “I'd like to…” Suddenly, he found himself unable to speak, his mouth sealed by an invisible force. The Grand Wine Sacrificer's irritated telepathic message reached his ear: “You ask too many questions! Aren't you going to let everyone depart in peace?” Following that, a resonant voice boomed throughout the surroundings. “Since everyone has no objections, then depart!”

A vein throbbed on Jiang Fan's forehead. This Grand Wine Sacrificer! A bit of a jerk!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Some teams that had already formed groups ascended along the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar, rising into the boundless azure sky. Jiang Fan looked at Bai Xin, Song Lingyu, and Fayin King Kong, saying, “Shall we depart too?”

Just then, Gu Xin'er bounced over and asked, “What about me? Can you take me with you?”

Jiang Fan glanced at her dismissively. “Why would a mere three-aperture Nascent Soul follow us?”

Gu Xin'er rolled her eyes at him. She pulled out a piece of white paper and tossed it to him. “Take back what you just said!”

Jiang Fan took it and unfolded it, his eyebrows lifting in delight. It was a brand new imprint of the Jade Paper Heavenly Tome. With this, he could elevate his soul power to a higher level.

“Fine, come along and be cannon fodder then,” Jiang Fan said. Gu Xin'er brandished a small fist. “You wouldn't dare!”

Jiang Fan smiled faintly. He looked up at the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar and said, “Let's go.” He leaped up, ascending along the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar. Song Lingyu, Fayin King Kong, and Gu Xin'er followed closely behind.

Everyone was filled with curiosity. What kind of place lay above the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar? Why could it nurture ferocious and peerless beings like the ancient giants? Filled with anticipation, they soared upward, heading deep into the boundless azure sky.

As they ascended higher into the sky, the gales grew stronger. After flying continuously for three days, they had long left Great Cangzhou behind, now in the boundless high altitudes. Great Cangzhou, beneath their feet, appeared as tiny as a pebble!

What truly astonished Jiang Fan was the astonishing ferocity of the winds in this place. The surroundings were pitch black, filled entirely with materialized hurricanes! Their roaring blasts caused agonizing pain in one's eardrums. The tearing force contained within the wind was so immense that anyone below the early Nascent Soul stage would undoubtedly be torn to shreds if caught in it!

Gu Xin'er, frightened, instinctively pulled back her neck. She quickly hurried to Jiang Fan's side, clutching his sleeve with her small hand, her face pale: “Is the deep sky really this dangerous? No wonder no one goes there.”

Jiang Fan's expression was also solemn. He had never imagined that the normally unfathomable azure sky would be so perilous! “Don't be afraid,” he said, “Just stay within the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar's range.”

The gales were indeed fierce. Yet, miraculously, when these winds reached within a yard of the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar, they all parted, allowing everyone to remain safe.

Jiang Fan mused, “Perhaps the fierce winds in the sky act to protect the Central Earth World from external erosion. And the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar, then, carves out a safe path for external beings to invade.” With this explanation, everyone suddenly understood. This also explained why the ancient giants had to descend along the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar, instead of simply landing anywhere. Deep within the sky, there were gales that even the giants feared.

Jiang Fan continued, “Currently, the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar only provides safety within a yard's radius. Given the ancient giants' size, they still cannot safely descend. If the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar continues to expand its protected area, creating a safe passage that ancient giants can traverse, then that will be the day of their descent.”

Everyone realized this once more. No wonder the ancient giants were only scheduled to descend after a certain period. As they continued upward, Jiang Fan's speculation was further confirmed.

This was because the power of the gales continued to intensify. In fact, five days later, they even witnessed the Origin of Wind! This was an entity capable of killing even Deified Soul Venerables! Not even Giant Kings would dare to traverse it lightly. If lucky, one might fall like Venerable Zhenyan, transforming into a fireball, with shattered divine rings and fallen cultivation. If unlucky, one would be annihilated by the Origin of Wind.

And finally, they reached the end of the Heaven-Reaching Black Pillar! A bright light appeared above their heads. They were like people looking up from inside a dark well, seeing a circular, luminous halo. Staring intently, they saw a sky. Nine suns, neatly arranged in the firmament. And this was the origin of the ancient giants! The Southern Heavenly Realm!