Chapter 35: The Mounts

With the aid of the Immortal Spring, Wang Heng's enlightenment process accelerated. Through rigorous cultivation, his understanding of the countless ancient characters within him deepened significantly, making his command of them more adept, as though effortlessly directing his limbs.

For ordinary beings in the Dao-seeking realm, such a feat would be insurmountable, but for the progeny of an Immortal King, it was not beyond reach.

At this moment, Wang Heng was sitting cross-legged amidst celestial mist, surrounded by cascading rivers of stars. These constellations were formed from ancient characters, each shining brilliantly like a star.

Seated upon a Kunmu meditation mat, a gentle and serene aura continuously seeped out, immersing Wang Heng's body and soul, inducing tranquility and allowing him to delve deeper into enlightenment.

In his lower dantian, the Supreme Soul Seed, which had melded with his flesh and blood, was also emitting unique Dao principles, helping Wang Heng harmonize with the great Dao of heaven and earth.

Inside his mind, within the purple palace, Wang Heng's soul sat upright, eyes slightly closed. There was none of the sacred radiance or dignified solemnity typical of other cultivators, only a deep and profound darkness that occasionally emitted waves of black light.

This was the hue of the Supreme Soul Seed, and also the color of the sword embryo formed when executing the "Peace Disorder Formula"—perhaps the most essential and primitive appearance of the soul, with the golden brilliance merely being a guise, an outer shell.

Suddenly, a blaze of fire surged into the chamber from outside.

Sensing Wang Heng's current state, the flame simply hovered silently before him, motionless and quiet.

It wasn't until Wang Heng slowly opened his eyes that Wang Mian's voice emerged from the flickering firelight.

"Young master, the seven-day period is up; it's time for us to attend the meeting."

"Time flies so fast."

Wang Heng sighed. In his perception, he hadn't spent much time, but in truth, seven days had already passed.

"Cultivation is timeless. The higher one's realm, the longer the seclusion. For practitioners in the realm of True Immortals, a retreat often takes hundreds or even thousands of years, or more. When an Immortal King comes out, the world would have changed completely."

"In the Burial Realm adjacent to the Ancient Realm, there exists a group of special beings known as Burial Practitioners. They train in their dreams, with a single dream spanning a million autumns, and some even dream across entire eras," Wang Mian explained.

Wang Heng naturally knew these things, especially about the Burial Practitioners, renowned for measuring their sleep in eras.

"Please wait a moment, senior. I'll prepare briefly before coming."

The firelight flickered as Wang Mian nodded, saying, "No rush, we have time. Take your time preparing. During this journey to the South Sea's Purple Bamboo Forest, you might be the center of everyone's attention. Be mentally prepared."

"I know this."

Wang Mian observed the scene, bid farewell, and vanished, leaving behind only flickers of fire that dissolved into embers in the secret chamber. Wang Heng remained alone.

Time passed before the door of the secret chamber finally opened. Wang Heng stepped out, traversing the eerie passage and emerging into the open air.

Wang Mian was already waiting there for some time.

"Young Master, as we go to the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest gathering, it's not just a personal visit — you represent the Wang Family. Therefore, the choice of mounts and carriages must reflect our family's dignity."

Wang Heng nodded in agreement.

"Young Master, please follow me. The area where the Wang Family keeps its mounts is over here."

Wang Mian called out, leading the way with Wang Heng following behind him.

The moment they arrived, a powerful bird call resonated across the sky. Wang Heng looked up to see an azure divine bird with a golden phoenix crown. Its body was adorned with blue feathers, and its long tail was a radiant spectrum of colors. It was truly a remarkable sight.

"This is a pureblood Azure Luan reared by our Wang Family, nearing immortal ascension. It has mastered many of the Wang Family's supreme arts, and its abilities in the domain of supreme beings are truly earth-shattering. It was even fortunate enough to serve as an Immortal King's steed once."

"At that time, when the Immortal King traveled, nine pureblood Azure Luans pulled his carriage. Wherever they went, all submitted in reverence."

Wang Heng couldn't help but be amazed.

"So, does that mean there are eight more of such pureblood Azure Luans?"

"More or less. There are about ten at this level of strength," Wang Mian casually replied.

For the Immortal King families, such mounts are not uncommon.

However, a carriage drawn by eight supreme peak-level creatures is a luxury only an Immortal King is qualified to enjoy. That is already considered a very high standard.

Once creatures ascend to the True Immortal realm, who would willingly become a mount?

"Elder, what kind of ancient beast shall we choose as our mount on this occasion?" Wang Heng asked.

Wang Mian smiled as he nodded towards an imposing mountain ahead, saying, "It's right behind that. Though they can't quite match the pureblood Azure Luan in strength, their reputation is certainly comparable. These creatures symbolize auspiciousness and majesty, making them an essential means of transport for immortals."

Wang Heng gazed at the towering mountain, feeling its vastness to be overwhelming, seemingly without end or peak.

This area dedicated to the rearing of mounts was another small world unto itself, expansive and boundless, home to countless ancient beasts. They only left this place when summoned by the clan for transportation; otherwise, these ancient creatures were free to roam and hunt as they pleased.

Accompanied by Wang Mian, Wang Heng moved on behind the mountain. On the way, he encountered many new and fascinating things, unable to take it all in as he looked around in wonder.

Among them was the Golden-winged Roc soaring high in the sky, a creature of stunning beauty. Its golden wings spread wide, emitting a brilliant light, resembling a moving sun across the heavens, casting massive shadows on the earth below.

In the waters below lived great fish with dragon whiskers, horns, and scales, and even claws protruding from their bellies, clearly connected to true dragons somehow.

There were also sacred spiritual deer with horns radiating a soft glow. Just approaching them brought a cool sensation to the mind, calming any agitation—a state ideal for enlightenment.

Wang Heng marveled, "Could such wondrous creatures actually aid in enlightenment?"

As they journeyed on, his eyes were opened to incredible sights, thoroughly impressed by the Wang Family's immense power. None of the ancient beasts kept as mounts here were ordinary.

Finally, they arrived at the mountain's back.

Wang Heng was about to ask a question when Wang Mian extended his hand, pointing in one direction.

Following Wang Mian's gesture, they saw a group of towering beasts leisurely wandering among the clouds of the mountain's rear.