As the Ark travelled ahead, Jack could notice that the Sky Water Sect’s border was defined by the drying of lands and resulting wastelands. There seemed no end for these desolate lands, and it took the flying device an entire three days to journey through them. This unimpressive scenario had bored Jack to death.

His fellow teammates were all busy cultivating and didn’t disturb him. Alas, he couldn’t do the same because he had yet to try severing his second essence. Thus, he instead spent most of his time reading books that he borrowed from Elder Tian and Dai Jun. His only wish was that they would arrive at their destination as soon as possible.

Fortunately for everyone, the journey was rather smooth, and the ark soon exited the wastelands. The environment in these parts made Jack’s face flash with life again. The power of nature seemed even stronger here than in the Sky Water Sect, including the density of Qi. This made Jack depressed at the missed cultivating opportunity.

Apparently, they were now inside a different region; a cluster of cities and states ruled by a powerful entity known as Flower Valley.

This region was indeed enormous. Fortunately, everything had a beginning and an end, and the Ark officially entered Zhongyang Palace’s boundary after an additional two weeks of travelling. According to the Grand Elder, Zhongyang Palace was an independent zone which has existed since time immemorial. Various empires were established and similarly erased by the cruel passage of time. But Zhongyang Palace always stood there since the earliest records of history.

The major powers in the Divine Vajra Continent, even the most brutal and barbaric, always viewed the Zhongyang Palace as a holy ground that shouldn’t be touched. As if any malevolent actions would result in a multi-generational curse and trigger heavenly tribulations. On the other hand, Zhongyang Palace’s forces always remained secluded and never meddled in the continent’s political affairs. Their borders remained unchanged since forever, and they never harboured any thoughts of expansions. This further appeased the other regions.

Zhongyang Palace actually consisted of a number of villages and cities situated on different-levelled plateaus. A towering obelisk protruded upwards from the middle of each habitat, its height seemingly correlating with the size of the settlement. The Central City that housed the official Palace was situated on the highest mountain, coincidentally also the biggest plateau. The obelisk here was enormous and towered up to the clouds, diffracting the rays of the sun and creating a colourful panorama.

Located on a large platform at the Central City’s edge, a young couple were seemingly waiting for arrivals. The man was visibly bored.

“The Empire’s strength is unfathomable ok, but aren’t they overestimating themselves by sending only one competitor? I really hope that they lose this time. Always having them winning the festival is damn anticlimactic. We need some excitement!”

The woman sighed as she glanced at an approaching ark. “Everyone shares your sentiment… but who can compete against them? Maybe the Cult of Blood? The rest, I don’t have much hope, just being honest here. Now stand your ass up, someone’s coming. There are probably from the Divinities Alliance judging from the Ark’s structure.”

The man was unaffected when he learned the incoming envoy’s identity. Divinities Alliance? Not worth the effort really. His expression remained vapid as he watched the wooden Ark landing in their vicinity.

The Grand Elder was the first to come down as he clasped his palms together and nodded politely. “Gu Gengxin’s Sky Water Sect, lead envoy of the Divinities Alliance. It’s an honour for us to attend such a prestigious festival.”

The woman expressed a faint smile as she rested her right arm on her hip. “The ones honoured are naturally us, Gu Gengxin. I see you have brought the full complement of ten with you. Good, good, please keep walking ahead. The Palace Head will greet you personally once you make it inside the City.”

The Grand Elder nodded respectfully again, then signalled for the group to follow him. The duo remained to stare as they watched the group walk away from them.

The woman smiled. “You’ve got to admit that the weaker regions take this festival seriously.”

“Duh! Not like it matters! Even if they send in a thousand, they stand no chance.”

“My, my… sometimes, even among the ants, there could be a random queen that surprises us all. By any chance, did you see that young woman cultivator that was trailing behind the group? She actually has three essences.”

Her companion’s eyes widened. “Three essences?! Are you sure?”

“Are you questioning my capabilities?”

“No, no, but… three essences… Ah! Such a waste she was born in such a declining region! If she were a disciple of ours, we would effortlessly nurture her into a Spirit Realm Cultivator. And if she can severe another essence…”

The young woman expressed a meaningful smile. “We can always try changing that.”

Meanwhile, the group advanced forward. Flying was apparently prohibited inside these lands, so they had no choice but to walk for two hours until they had arrived at the earmarked destination. There, a tall cultivator with a short black moustache welcomed them.

“The Palace Head is busy right now and can’t greet you. So hurry up and follow me to your temporary residence.”

The Grand Elder was annoyed but this idiot’s arrogance, but he didn’t want to start trouble on the first day. He waved his hand and instructed the Group to follow him.

It didn’t take them long to arrive at their temporary residence, which wasn’t half bad on first inspection. It was actually quite large, able to accommodate a group ten times larger than theirs. This has left everyone with ample space and privacy.

Jack immediately took residence at a small house on the area’s outskirts. Outside there was a small garden with a fountain playing in the background. Overall, he was pretty satisfied with this arrangement.

It was then that he heard a knock on his door. Outside, he found Long Mu waiting for him.

Long Mu appeared agitated as he barged inside without first asking for Jack’s permission. “Finally! I can get some reprieve from this ugly body!” He let out a soft shriek as his physique began transforming.

Jack remained stupefied as Long Mu began shrinking, watching his clothes fall on the floor piece by piece. Soon, Long Mu disappeared and was replaced by a small bulge covered by clothes. After struggling for a moment, a furry creature emerged.

Jack was left stupefied. “You!! What are you doing here?!”

The Creature was visibly feeling better. “I promised to protect you, no?”

Jack didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry. “Eh? What about the real Long Mu?”

The Creature did some weird bodily movements, clearly indicating that it was not prepared to answer that specific question. Instead, it changed the subject.

“Any progress with the essence?”

Jack appeared disappointed as he shook his head.

“Hmm, severing at least two essences should be easier for you. I also gave you those Essence Attractor Pills to aid you at the right moment. Don’t worry much?”

Jack appeared confused. “Heh, I am just a mortal from the lower realms. Don’t place too much hope on me.”

The Creature grinned. “Yeh, yeh, you an exceptional type of mortal then. I really need to find the coordinates of that lower realm. There must be something more to it.”

Jack remained silent, but he agreed with this notion. There indeed was something weird about his place of origin. The presence of a godly essence was proof enough of this. He also wanted to find some information about his roots. He began suspecting that they may have not been ordinary at all.

“Hmm, what exactly is a godly essence? Is it related to the seven artefacts?”

The Creature appeared pensive. “Hmm, nobody knows for sure what they are. I can’t even find complete answers inside the memories of my former half. What I know is that anyone who can absorb them will gain the chance to formulate the fifth essence, opening the door for a realm that is beyond immortality.”

“Oh?! There is a realm beyond Immortal Realm?!”

“Nobody knows for sure. According to legends, the seven godly essences are seven indestructible essences that activate themselves every five hundred thousand years. They always appear together, producing seven powerful warriors that wreak havoc in the higher realms, bringing a myriad of destruction and tribulation wherever they go. Supposedly, they would achieve accession in the end, rising to an even higher realm. The immortals call that realm the Realm of the Gods. But as I just said, this is just speculations.”

Jack appeared fascinated. Does this mean that the cultivator that obtained the godly essence inside the Navira Planes was destined for such prominence? And why did a godly essence appear inside a lowly realm?

However, there was something that Jack didn’t understand. “If someone can sever five essences on his own, wouldn’t that achieve the same results?”

The Creature grinned. “Oh?! Severing five essences? Nobody told you yet…? Severing one essence, only one in a thousand can do that. Two essences? That’s one in a ten thousand. As for three, it’s one in a million. For those who can manage to severe four essences like my former half, it’s one in a billion.”

Jack was left dumbfounded by this revelation. He had learned about the essences from the flame, and judging from its tone, he assumed that it was an easy task. He never thought that it would be almost this impossible. Jack suddenly felt lucky that he was already one of the ‘one in a thousand’, and also felt gloomy about his prospects of severing future essences. He was about to say something, but the creature anticipated him.

“You want to ask me how many cultivators managed to sever five essences throughout the ages? News Flash! Only two! And they both were obliterated by tribulation clouds. Puff! Their existences were immediately erased by the heavens! That’s why the only way to obtain the fifth essence is to absorb the essence of the gods. These essences have divine powers, not even the heavens can destroy them!”

Jack itched is head. “Why had it be this complicated? Anyways, my objective is the second essence and finding that stupid herb. I don’t really wish to fail. I prefer—”

Jack was interrupted when he heard mad laughter from outside. They had just arrived a moment ago, who was causing a commotion? He had already stepped on the doorstep when he paused his tracks.

The Creature grumbled. “Just go alone! I don’t wish to change my body again, I am staying here.”

Jack sighed with incredulity, leaving towards the main courtyard. There he found everyone gathered, including the Grand Elder who appeared redder than the inside of a watermelon.

Flying high up at the entrance, there was a young cultivator. His clothes were made of strips of leather and had different animal skins attached to them. A profound scar ran through his face, giving him an appearance of a barbarian. His laughter resounded throughout the entire area.

“Ahahaha! This is what the Divinities Alliance amounts to? Oh, what Divinities alliance again? Didn’t those beasts all die during the Great War? Haha, you should consider changing your name to Chicken Alliance! Suits you better!”

The Grand Elder couldn’t take it anymore. “Who do you think you are, you darned little cockalorum? Let me teach you a damn lesson.”

The Grand Elder had already unleashed his aura. Unexpectedly, he was forced to take a step backwards by an even stronger presence. The Grand Elder appeared confused as he noticed a bulky man strolling towards the entrance.

“You…” The Grand Elder trembled with anger.

The man appeared annoyed. “Is this how the Divinities Alliance acts these days? Having Spirit Realm Cultivators venting out against Qi Realm Cultivators? If you want to fight, how about you spar with me?”

Typically, the Grand Elder would have jumped to the occasion, but he was acting a bit strange in front of this man. He quickly summoned his aura, shielding his contingent from potential harm.

Judging from everyone’s reaction, everyone but Jack knew what was going on. Jack appeared confused, anxiously watching the unexpected scene unfold before his eyes.