The Supreme Martial King Shocking All Realms Chapter 3225: 3220: Moving Forward Together_1

After pondering briefly, Yang Chen went on to inquire, “So, what exactly happened with the Nine Dragons Branch lately?”

“This issue dates back several years. Our Heavenly Melody Mountain had long been gearing up to fend off foreign races. At the heart of the Nine Dragons Branch, we erected a Lingtian Array that spans the whole interface. Thanks to this setup, outsiders found it nearly impossible to launch a straightforward assault on the Nine Dragons Branch,” Broken River explained.

“Then how did problems arise?” Yang Chen questioned.

“The Formation Eye of the Lingtian Array, known as the Ancient Dragon Pattern Flag, vanished all of a sudden,” Broken River replied, offering a wry smile.

Yang Chen felt stunned. “Vanished?”

The absence of the Formation Eye carried massive consequences.

Without it, the entire Formation lost all its power. Furthermore, the Ancient Dragon Pattern Flag appeared to be an extraordinary treasure. Replacing it as the Formation Eye wouldn't be straightforward at all.

“Exactly. The Ancient Dragon Pattern Flag is a top-tier treasure on its own, and finding an adequate substitute proves challenging. Once it went missing, Heavenly Melody Mountain struggled to locate another one to take its place, forcing us to dispatch strong cultivators for a search. Roughly five years back, six experts at the Heaven-separated Realm from our Heavenly Melody Mountain headed to the Nine Dragons Branch. Fairy Moon Fu was one of them,” Broken River detailed.

Yang Chen's brows lifted a touch. That meant Fairy Moon Fu's message to the Divine Night Sect had gone out years prior.

Still, he wasn't overly focused on Fairy Moon Fu's situation. His priority lay in swiftly recovering the Slaughter God Spear once this mess got sorted.

“Sadly, Junior Sister Moon Fu hasn't relayed any updates in these five years. We have no idea what's befallen her at the Nine Dragons Branch. With Brother Yang Chen and me heading there now, we might also catch up with Junior Sister Moon Fu,” Broken River noted, flashing a faint smile while eyeing Yang Chen with a trace of pity.

Yang Chen couldn't quite grasp Broken River's look, yet he stayed composed and probed, “Since Heavenly Melody Mountain is tangled in this affair, why did Elder Absolute Yi mention that Grand Abyss Palace has stepped in too?”

“It's rather intricate. The interface hosting the Nine Dragons Branch lies close to the Taiyuan Star System. Heavenly Melody Mountain oversees the interior, while Grand Abyss Palace handles the exterior. When the ancestors laid down these guidelines, they left some wiggle room for differing views. For instance, overseeing the Nine Dragons Branch could fall under either Heavenly Melody Mountain or Grand Abyss Palace.”

Broken River furrowed his brow as he continued, “The Nine Dragons Branch's conditions are ideal for nurturing Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and Grand Abyss Palace has long eyed this spot. But with us Heavenly Melody Mountain holding it, they couldn't move in openly. Now that trouble has struck the Nine Dragons Branch, Grand Abyss Palace has dispatched investigators. Should they uncover the Ancient Dragon Pattern Flag ahead of us, the Nine Dragons Branch would end up under joint control by Heavenly Melody Mountain and Grand Abyss Palace. That's precisely why Elder Absolute Yi urged us to arrive before Grand Abyss Palace does.”

Yang Chen finally grasped the full picture.

Such concerns meant little to a figure like Absolute Yi Daozu. Yet, he had no choice but to push forward with the mission. Failure would dash any hopes of reclaiming the Slaughter God Spear.

“It's lucky that Brother Yang Chen is joining me on this journey. I lacked real confidence earlier, but now I feel far more secure,” Broken River commented, grinning.

Yang Chen promptly clasped his hands and responded, “Friend Gu flatters me too much. My fame is all hot air. For this venture, I'll rely on your guidance.”

Broken River relished Yang Chen's praise and burst into hearty laughter, “Fine, we've reached our destination.”

“Where are we?” Yang Chen wondered, scanning the surroundings in bewilderment.

This spot featured a tall pavilion encircled by blooming cherry trees, offering a serene and charming view.

Numerous attendants bustled nearby, and upon spotting Broken River, they lowered their heads respectfully, intoning, “Greetings, Sir Gu, greetings seniors.”

Brushing off the attendants, Broken River boomed with laughter, “Madame Autumn Plum, Brother Dao Guang, looks like everyone's assembled. Since I'm tagging along with you both to the Nine Dragons Branch this time, let's hit the road.”

Only then did Yang Chen spot a woman and a man seated in meditation, locked in a chess match across from each other.

At Broken River's words, they rose to their feet and stepped into view before Broken River and Yang Chen.

“Friend Gu's joining us for the Nine Dragons Branch? That's welcome news. As for this fellow Daoist, may I ask his full name? Four of us heading out feels a tad sparse, wouldn't you say?” Dao Guangwang expressed some concern.

Madame Autumn Plum clasped her hands behind her, adding, “When Junior Sister Moon Fu and the other five ventured there last time, contact with them broke off. The Nine Dragons Branch has surely shifted. Though Junior Sister Moon Fu's life force remains intact, it's easy to imagine they've run into difficulties. Sending just four of us now to tackle what six of them faced— even with Friend Gu's impressive skills, doesn't that seem overly bold?”

Broken River stroked his beard steadily, replying, “You two aren't aware of my fellow Daoist here. His family name is Yang, and he goes by Chen.”

“What? Yang Chen?” The mention of the name made Madame Autumn Plum and Dao Guangwang's expressions shift dramatically.

“Is this the Yang Chen who stirred up such a storm not long ago?”

“Word has it this youth took down twenty-eight Heavenly Leaving Realm experts all by himself. What's he doing with us?”

“I'll fill you in on Brother Yang Chen's exploits during our travels. So, do you two feel ready now? I, Gu, won't boast further—my power alone ought to handle two Heavenly Leaving Realm foes with ease. Brother Yang Chen matches me at least. No need to fret over this expedition,” Broken River assured them.

Madame Autumn Plum and Dao Guangwang exchanged glances. Doubt lingered in their eyes.

Dao Guangwang eyed Yang Chen briefly, “Brother Yang Chen's fame certainly travels far, but that tale of slaying twenty-eight Heavenly Leaving Realm experts—could it be overstated?”

Madame Autumn Plum shook her head too, deeming the report far too astonishing to hold truth.

Broken River himself suspected the tales of Yang Chen rang inflated. From his current observation, Yang Chen's cultivation sat merely at the early Heaven-separated Realm.

Claiming a cultivator at Yang Chen's stage could solo twenty-eight Heavenly Leaving Realm experts stretched credibility too far.

He ventured cautiously, “Brother Yang Chen, your thoughts? Should we hold for a few more fellow Daoists, or depart as the four of us?”

“Unless our quartet can match the might of six Heaven-separated Realm experts, I, Dao Guang, refuse to gamble like this,” Dao Guangwang declined softly, “This isn't doubt in Brother Yang Chen's abilities. Missions like these demand we prioritize caution above all.”