Chapter 456 - 456: A Helping Hand
Lie Yan noticed that Gu Qingluan had a healthy complexion and didn’t appear to be fatigued.
With such good health, it seemed like there was no harm done.
So, it breathed a sigh of relief, finally letting go of its constant worry.
“This time, it’s thanks to all of you.” Feng Tianlan’s gaze fell on the three Ninth-grade saint beasts. “If you wish to ascend to the Upper Realm, I can assist you.”
The saint beasts didn’t doubt his words at all.
They exchanged glances, each harboring some hesitation.
To enter the Upper Realm, they had to become divine beasts.
And advancing to become a divine beast required crossing the Divine Tribulation.
Countless mystical beasts had perished in this tribulation.
Mystical beasts had a natural advantage, especially those with powerful bloodlines. They possessed arcane power from birth, and the most formidable among them could control the elements without the need for meditation, unlike human cultivators. Mystical beasts didn’t need to cultivate specifically; they naturally achieved a level equivalent to their bloodline when they matured, from infancy to adulthood.
However, because of this, the threshold for their advancement set by the heavens was higher compared to that of human cultivators.
If they wanted to surpass their race and bloodline restrictions, the price they had to pay was much higher than that of human cultivators.
For example, crossing the Divine Tribulation was like finding a needle in a haystack.
For centuries, no saint beast had successfully crossed this tribulation.
Among the three saint beasts, the Heaven-Burrowing Rat was the oldest.
It was already three thousand years old, and it had reached grade nine as a saint beast thirteen hundred years ago.
It had heard of too many predecessors who attempted to cross the Divine Tribulation and perished. So, it diligently suppressed its own cultivation, avoiding combat whenever possible, to prevent any accidental breakthroughs that might attract divine lightning.
During these thirteen hundred years, as other level-nine saint beasts tried to undergo the Divine Tribulation, not a single one of them succeeded. Every one of them met their end.
Rather than competing for that one-in-a-million chance, it was better to live honestly.
Moreover, they were the overlords in the Cloud Plains Continent. If they went to the Upper Realm, they would become insignificant beings in that realm, returning to their weak state. That kind of life was not what they desired.
Taking all factors into consideration, these three saint beasts had chosen to stay hidden in the Death Mountain Range.
However, over a thousand years had passed, and continuing to live like this held little meaning.
Perhaps, by going to the Upper Realm, they could have new experiences and discover the value of life?
Of course, there was also the possibility that they wouldn’t even get the chance.
The Divine Tribulation was terrifying even though they hadn’t personally experienced it. These saint beasts knew just how frightening it could be.
The first to speak was Heaven-Burrowing Rat, and the whiskers on its cheeks trembled slightly. “I’d like to experience it. I’ll trouble your Lordship!”
Saint Light Tiger and Golden Feathered Roc looked at it in surprise.
Heaven-Burrowing Rat continued, “I’m not young anymore, and I won’t live much longer if I stay in the Cloud Plains Continent. It’s better to take this opportunity to try my luck. Who knows, it might be a new opportunity.”
Among the three saint beasts, Heaven-Burrowing Rat was the oldest, and the lifespan of rodent-type mystical beasts was inherently shorter than that of other mystical beasts. It could feel that it wasn’t far from the end of its life.
Saint Light Tiger was stirred by its words, and its mood was lifted. “I also want to explore the outside world. I’ve grown tired of the Cloud Plains Continent.”
Golden Feathered Roc, seeing that both of them intended to go to the Upper Realm, felt a bit tempted as well.
However, it still had concerns.
Feng Tianlan said, “Take your time to consider it carefully. If you’re certain, you’ll have to prepare for the Divine Tribulation, and I’ll be there to assist you when the time comes.”
“Alright!”
The three ninth-grade saint beasts responded excitedly.
“Let’s go,” Feng Tianlan said, casting a glance at Crimson Blaze Tiger.
Crimson Blaze Tiger quickly followed him.
Feng Tianlan carried Gu Qingluan and soared through the sky.
In just an hour, they exited the Death Mountain Range.
Feng Tianlan didn’t take her directly back to Tianjing but instead entered Crimson Flame City.
Qiu Moyuan was in the city, tending to the injured city residents. Suddenly, he heard his lord’s voice in his mind and immediately instructed the people around him to continue looking after the heavily injured residents. He hurriedly rushed back to the lord’s residence.
“Moyuan pays respects to my Lord.”
Qiu Moyuan was about to salute when he saw the tall figure standing in the courtyard.
“No need for excessive formalities.”
Gu Qingluan, who was pretending to be asleep in Feng Tianlan’s arms, was surprised.
Qiu Moyuan addressed Feng Tianlan as his “Lord”?
Crimson Flame City was a territory of the Chengyuan Kingdom, so why did the city lord of Crimson Flame City acknowledge Feng Tianlan as his lord?