Chapter 2822: The Vast Wasteland

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The gray-clad old man, the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect, nodded in response to Bai Ping, Situ Ming, Yang Chong, and Yu Zhong Jing’s greeting. Then, his eyes fell on Duan Ling Tian and Huan’er. His eyes were bright as he sincerely said, “Both of you are like a match made in heaven.”

“Thank you for your compliments.” Duan Ling Tian smiled modestly.

Huan’er who was usually indifferent blushed immediately when she heard the gray-clad old man’s words.

“Girl, are you blushing?” The Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect laughed when he saw Huan’er’s rosy cheeks.

Upon hearing this, Huan’er’s cheeks reddened even more. She glared at the Old Ancestor and said, “Stupid old man, are you making fun of me just because I didn’t greet you?”

Stupid old man?

Duan Ling Tian’s expression stiffened as soon as he heard Huan’er’s words. Not only was the old man the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect, but the old man was also an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke. And yet, Huan’er just called the old man stupid?

Bai Ping, Situ Ming, and the others were taken aback as well. Their expressions changed drastically.

Bai Ping quickly said, “Please don’t mind her, Old Ancestor! She’s naive by nature. She rarely interacts with others so her words can be blunt. She definitely didn’t mean to insult you.”

Situ Ming, Yang Chong, and Yu Zhong Jing quickly bowed as well. “Please forgive her!” The three of them had a good relationship with Duan Ling Tian. Naturally, they did not wish for harm to come to Huan’er. As the saying went, ‘Love me, love my dog’.

Contrary to their expectations, the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect laughed heartily when he heard Huan’er’s words, ignoring the pleas of the high-ranking officials of the sect. After his laughter subsided, he looked at Huan’er and said, “Girl, this is the first time I’ve been called a stupid old man… Aren’t you afraid that I’ll get angry and attack you?”

Before Huan’er could reply, Duan Ling Tian’s expression changed. He quickly said, “Old Ancestor, Huan’er rarely interacts with people. She doesn’t know the proper etiquette when speaking with others. I hope you can forgive her.”

However, the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect did not pay attention to Duan Ling Tian. He continued to look at Huan’er, clearly waiting for her response.

“Old man, aren’t you the Old Ancestor of Tai Yi Celestial Sect? How can you be so petty?” After seeing the reaction of Duan Ling Tian and the others, Huan’er could vaguely feel that her words and manners were inappropriate. After all, she had been rude and casual when she had spoken to the old man who was an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke.

“Petty?” The Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect was briefly taken aback by Huan’er’s words. Then, he laughed again. “How interesting. I’ve taken a liking to you. How about it? Are you interested in becoming a direct disciple?”

Upon hearing this, Duan Ling Tian and the others heaved a sigh of relief. They were surprised that not only was the Old Ancestor not angry, but he even wanted to accept Huan’er as his direct disciple. This result was somewhat unexpected.

Everyone, except for Duan Ling Tian, was certain Huan’er would agree to become the Old Ancestor’s direct disciples. They were shocked again when they saw her shaking her head.

“You are just an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke. I refuse to be your direct disciple.”

The Old Ancestor laughed again. “Are you looking down on me even though I’m an Eight Trigrams Celestial?” However, he did not force Huan’er. Some things could not be forced, and he did not like repeating himself. Moreover, if he had insisted, would it not look like he, an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke, was desperate for a direct disciple?

After a brief moment, the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect narrowed his eyes and looked at Duan Ling Tian, “Master Duan, the sect leader has praised you and spoken about your cauldron-heating speed. This time around, the Tai Yi Celestial Sect will have to depend on you to obtain better Celestial Methods and Divine Abilities.” After he finished speaking, he cupped his hands at Duan Ling Tian.

“Thank you for your trust. I will do my best to live up to your expectations,” Duan Ling Tian replied.

At this moment, Bai Ping looked at the Old Ancestor and said with a smile, “Old Ancestor, the sect will gain more than we’ve ever imagined during the Alchemy Conference. Not only is his heating skill outrageous, but he’s extremely knowledgeable in alchemy as well. He’s comparable to Sun Chao who was chosen as the most skilled prominent Celestial Alchemist during the previous conference. There are many people who would debate about theories of alchemy, and most of the time, these discussions would turn into a bet and competition…” Then, he turned to look at Duan Ling Tian expectantly. He was clearly confident Duan Ling Tian would be able to obtain better Celestial Methods and Divine Abilities for the Tai Yi Celestial Sect.

“Oh?” Hearing Bai Ping’s praise, the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect glanced at Duan Ling Tian in surprise. His eyes were filled with a hint of doubt. He naturally knew who Sun Chao was. Sun Chao was widely acknowledged as the most skilled prominent Celestial Alchemist in the Six Southeastern Regions. Sun Chao was so famous that even sects from foreign lands had invited him to join their sects. In any case, Bai Ping only said Duan Ling Tian’s alchemy knowledge was comparable to Sun Chao. Bai Ping did not say anything about Duan Ling Tian’s practical ability. For this reason, he did not think Duan Ling Tian was as good as Sun Chao.

“Old Ancestor, what the sect leader said is true.” Yu Zhong Jing who was standing across the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect stepped forward to support Bai Ping’s words when he saw the skeptical expression on the Old Ancestor’s face.

“During the last Alchemy Conference, I discussed alchemy with Sun Chao. Sun Chao’s mastery of alchemy at that time is certainly not as high as Master Duan. However, so many years have passed since then, I’m not sure if Sun Chao has further improved. However, one thing’s for certain, Master Duan will not be inferior to Sun Chao!” He did not say it was impossible for Sun Chao to improve much after thirty years unless he was as talented as Duan Ling Tian.

“Oh?” The Old Ancestor seemed to be finally convinced about Duan Ling Tian’s skills. After all, not only did Bai Ping vouch for Duan Ling Tian, but Yu Zhong Jing had vouched for Duan Ling Tian as well. When he turned to look at Duan Ling Tian again, a hint of shock could be seen on his face.

Not only was Duan Ling Tian a prominent Celestial Alchemist below the age of 100 and possessed an extraordinary prominent Celestial Fire, but his knowledge and skills were not inferior to Sun Chao who was widely acknowledged as the most skilled prominent Celestial Alchemist in the Six Southeast Regions, Sun Chao! His talent in alchemy was outrageous! Unexpectedly, such a person was the Chief Celestial Alchemist of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect!

A hint of anticipation could be seen in the Old Ancestor’s bright eyes as he said, “Master Duan, I’m looking forward to your performance in the conference even more compared to before.”

“I will do my best,” Duan Ling Tian replied.

Since the Old Ancestor of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect had arrived, they could start making their way to the Barren Land where the Alchemy Conference would be held.

Duan Ling Tian and the others bade Bai Ping farewell and left the Tai Yi Celestial Sect’s estate under the lead of the Old Ancestor. Since the Old Ancestor was an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke, his speed was, naturally, extremely, fast. Although he had to carry five people with him, he was so fast that even Duan Ling Tian found the flashing scenery had turned into a blur. The gray and yellow of the barren desert and the green of the grass seemed to bleed into one another…

‘How fast! So this is the speed of an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke!’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself in shock.

However, regardless of the Old Ancestor’s speed, the distance they had to travel was long so it would take a while for them to arrive in the Barren Land.

Seeing the shocked expression on Duan Ling Tian’s face, Situ Ming asked with a smile, “Do you think the Old Ancestor is fast?”

“Yes.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. “He’s really fast… At this speed, it won’t take long for us to reach our destination, right?”

“After all, we need to cross regions, and the place where the Alchemy Conference is held is on the other side of the Barren Land. The venue is quite far from the borders of the Wasteland and the Barren Land. We’ll need at least two months before we arrive at our destination,” Situ Ming replied.

“Two months?” Duan Ling Tian was shocked. It would take two months even though they had the help of an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke? If he were alone, would it not take him several years just to arrive at the destination?

“In fact, the Wasteland is rather vast. In our Wasteland, the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland are based in the central area of the Wasteland, surrounded by various Celestial Kingdoms. However, in the periphery of the Celestial Kingdoms, there’s a desert that’s void of Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy. The desert is even more vast than all the Celestial Kingdoms combined,” Situ Ming said to Duan Ling Tian.

“That’s right,” Yang Chong chimed in at this moment, “It would take at least two months to leave the Wasteland from the Tai Yi Celestial Sect if one were an Eight Trigrams Celestial Duke. However, it would only take five days to go to the desert that’s unsuitable for cultivating.”

Situ Ming and Yang Chong’s words helped Duan Ling Tian understand the Wasteland better. ‘As it turns out, the Wasteland is so vast… Who knew the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland and the Celestial Kingdoms under their rule only make up a small part of the Wasteland. Most of the Wasteland is a desert with little to no Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy.”

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