Heaven Refining physique Chapter 229: Lower World Status

Deng Xi's intention was genuine. To descend to this mortal plane, she had poured forth thousands of years of her cultivation. Certain peerless treasures existed that could defy the very laws of heaven, yet even the lofty sect she once belonged to in the higher realms did not possess such artifacts, making the notion of acquiring one utterly inconceivable.

Nevertheless, it mattered little. If she could but lay claim to Ming Yue, then all her sacrifices would be deemed worthwhile. In her own world, she had once been one of the most formidable cultivators, but upon ascending, she found herself reduced to nothingness. It was undeniable that the sects of the upper world held a profound appreciation for talents emerging from the lower realms.

Those who managed to ascend through countless trials were undoubtedly respected, but this did not preclude them from adopting an air of superiority. She had endured innumerable gazes that assessed her as if she were a being of lesser standing. Her lower-world origins meant she had never truly felt accepted.

Furthermore, the sheer immensity and population of the upper world fostered an abundance of exceptionally gifted cultivators. The fact that not a single soul among them was mortal underscored the vast advantages they possessed. Yet, there existed one thing that even the most powerful cultivators in the upper realm coveted, willing to relinquish their own cultivation realms for its acquisition—the coveted Heavenly Grade special constitution.

Countless individuals sought them out, though the odds of success were less than ten percent, as the heavens themselves seemed to obstruct such endeavors, particularly concerning Heavenly physiques. Should they succeed, they would then possess the potential to attain the Dao Ancestor level—the ultimate pinnacle of the cultivation path.

Who wouldn't aspire to be counted among the most powerful beings in the entirety of the upper realm? The mere contemplation of the immense respect one would command across all worlds was sufficient motivation for most to risk everything for possession.

A sigh escaped Deng Xi. To think that she would discover one of these rare physiques in her former mortal world… and not just one, but two.

Her ultimate objective was to possess Ming Yue, and now that she possessed knowledge of the individual, she would resort to any means necessary to achieve her aim. She had been preparing to journey to the Eastern Region, but since fate had brought them to the Central Region of their own accord, there was no need for further travel.

She was prepared to do whatever it took to locate them. Should any of these sects, clans, or pavilions dare to defy her will, she would obliterate them without hesitation.

Deng Xi rose and vanished. Whether Yan Zu had received this intelligence or not remained uncertain, but given their impending collaboration, she resolved to seek him out.

The Central Region was an expansive territory. Though they had already ascended, their current strength was comparable to that of any mortal beast boasting a potent bloodline within their respective cultivation realms; nevertheless, cooperation would undoubtedly prove advantageous.

...

Months elapsed, yet no information surfaced regarding the whereabouts of Jiang Hao and the others. Deng Xi and Yan Zu meticulously combed the entire vicinity along the route from Tide Wind City to the Central Region, but their search yielded nothing. Every city within the Central Region was under the watchful eyes of formidable sects, clans, and pavilions, yet no trace of their quarry could be found.

"Damn it! Where in the blazes are they hiding? Have they ventured into the forbidden zone once more?" Deng Xi exclaimed, her gaze fixed towards the more remote areas inhabited by fearsome beasts.

Yan Zu let out a sigh. "This region is far too vast. The two of us cannot possibly conduct a thorough search if they have indeed entered the forbidden zones. Dispatching others would be akin to sentencing them to certain death."

"Does this not imply that Jiang Hao and Ming Yue are already deceased? I cannot fathom how they survived the forbidden zone in the Eastern Region, but these zones here are exponentially more perilous. Curse it all!" Deng Xi's fury was palpable, and she now harbored a burning desire to eliminate Jing Han. If only that scoundrel had divulged this crucial information earlier, she could have easily apprehended them.

"I cannot say. I heard they possessed the Truth Seeker, an artifact capable of answering any query provided one supplied specific parameters beforehand. Now, even that item is gone… you comprehend the immense value of such a treasure, do you not?" Yan Zu maintained a demeanor far calmer than Deng Xi's, a trait stemming from his inherent disposition. Internally, however, he too seethed with resentment towards his own sect.

"What course of action should we pursue?" Deng Xi understood that assigning blame would serve no purpose. What they desperately needed was a tangible clue.

"What recourse do we have? Unless they manifest themselves once more, it remains impossible to ascertain even if they are alive. We can only hold onto the hope that they are, lest all our expended cultivation be for naught. Upon our return to the upper world, our standing will once again be relegated to the lowest rung, and numerous villains will relish the opportunity to mock us," Yan Zu stated, shaking his head.

Deng Xi's expression darkened further.

"Let us depart. There is naught more we can accomplish here. We can only hope they make some decisive move again… even if they retreat into hiding afterward, at least we will know they possess the means to survive. That would constitute a favorable outcome," Yan Zu declared before disappearing.

Deng Xi cast one final glance at the immense expanse of forest-covered mountains before she, too, vanished.

...

An additional four months drifted by.

Amidst the outer reaches of the Central Region lay a humble village, its existence a testament to sheer survival in such a desolate locale. Perhaps the scarcity of beasts, driven away by the sparse forests, contributed to its continued peace.

Jiang Hao stood atop a humble wooden dwelling he had constructed, a sanctuary for himself and the esteemed Elder Yao Ying. The villagers, in their genuine kindness, had welcomed them, making them feel like part of the community.

Daily treks into the forest to hunt spirit beasts became Jiang Hao's routine for their sustenance. Over four months of relentless assimilation of spirit stones, he had ascended to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, though the path ahead remained vast.

A city, not too far from their village, beckoned him today. He sought to glean crucial information regarding the prevailing circumstances within the Central Region.

If his meticulously crafted plan to divert all attention had succeeded, then the entirety of the Central Region's human territories might already be under strict surveillance.

With a leap from the rooftop, he activated his teleportation ability, vanishing eighty miles into the distance...