Chapter 609: Benevolence


    Wu Continent.


    Upon entering Wu Continent, Ye Guan was immediately taken aback by the abundance of spiritual energy. What surprised him even more was the faint presence of Ancestral Origin strands within the energy. It wasn''t plentiful or entirely pure, but it undeniably carried Ancestral Origin strands.


    "The Hengwu Mountain Range, where the Wu n resides, lies ahead," the olddy by his side said.


    Ye Guan nced at the seemingly endless mountains. "How powerful is the Wu n in this continent?"


    "They are unrivaled."


    Ye Guan nodded slightly, feeling a bit conflicted. He knew it wouldn''t be easy to gain ess to their teleportation array. Offering payment could only invite greed.


    The olddy continued, "The Wu n was founded by Hengwu, the most powerful being in our universe back then. After bing the strongest in the universe, he established the Wu n. It stood at the top until the Mistress founded the Academy."


    "Thedy from before?"


    "Yes. She founded the Academy."Ye Guan couldn''t help but feel curious. Until recently, the Mistress had not made any moves. Was she preparing something big?


    Interrupting the silence, the olddy asked, "Young Master Ye, how would you like to proceed?"


    Gazing at the mountains, Ye Guan pondered for a moment. He then decisively eximed, "Let''s just walk right through the front door!"


    Since he didn''t want to spend any more time here than necessary, it would be better for him to just be straightforward.


    The olddy nodded and promptly led the way.


    Soon, they reached the foot of a towering mountain. Ye Guan looked up, marveling at its height. Its peak was shrouded in clouds, and he could see grand pces peeking through.


    Apanied by the olddy, he stood before the gate of the Wu n. When they arrived, an elderly man appeared before them.


    The old man scrutinized Ye Guan and the olddy. "Who are you?"


    Stepping forward respectfully, Ye Guan introduced himself. "I am Ye Guan, here to pay my respects to the n leader of the Wu n."


    The old man''s brows furrowed. "Outsiders don''t just get to—"


    When a pill was presented to him, he faltered.


    Sensing the Ancestral Origin strands within the pill, the old man''s demeanor softened. He turned to Ye Guan.


    With a much gentler tone, he asked, "How should I address you?"


    With a slight smile, Ye Guan replied, "Ye Guan."


    The old man seemed puzzled. He had never heard of him before.


    Ye Guan added, "Please inform your n leader of my arrival."


    With a subtle gesture, he presented yet another Ancestral Origin Pill.


    The old man couldn''t help but feel astonished. This individual was clearly quite generous and likely had a high status. After taking the two Ancestral Origin Pills, he uttered, "Please wait a moment."


    He turned on his heels and departed. Ye Guan waited patiently, surveying the Wu n’s surroundings. He could sense numerous powerful yet hidden auras deep within the sect.


    Before long, the elderly man returned and beckoned Ye Guan to follow.


    "This way," he said.


    Ye Guanplied, following the elderly man to the entrance of a grand hall. The elderly man then gestured for him to enter. "After you."


    "Thank you," Ye Guan replied before stepping inside.


    The hall was vast and peaceful. In the far end stood ady draped in purple robes, her snow-white hair cascading freely down her back. She had an air of authority around her. Gazing down at Ye Guan from a raised tform, she emanated an unseen pressure.


    Ye Guan was taken aback. He didn''t expect the n leader of the Wu n to be a woman.


    Although she stayed silent, her prating gaze remained fixed on him. The pressure she emitted intensified with each passing moment.


    Undaunted, Ye Guan said, "n Leader, I''vee seeking the use of your n''s teleportation array to depart from this ce."


    The woman descended the steps, her presence seemingly growing more imposing with every stride. Nevertheless, Ye Guan calmly held her gaze.


    Thedy stopped right in front of him, her stature towering over his. Peering down at him, she asked, "An outsider?"


    Ye Guan nodded in confirmation.


    "What do you offer in return?" she pressed.


    Opening his palm, Ye Guan revealed a single strand of Ancestral Origin.


    "Is this all?" she asked calmly, her expression still straight.


    Ye Guan, unfazed, inquired, "How many do you require?"


    Thedy held up a finger.


    Acknowledging her request, he took out nine additional strands of Ancestral Origin.


    "I meant a hundred," thedy dered.


    Most would think that a hundred strands of Ancestral Origin was a lot. However, it was a mere fraction of his resources.


    A"If you cannot provide it, then kindly take your leave."


    Just as she was turning away, Ye Guan took out ny more strands of Ancestral Origins.


    She stopped, turned back, and locked eyes with him.


    Thedy had perfectly symmetrical features, an oval-shaped face, and phoenix-like eyes that seemed to strip its beholder. Her striking white hair added a touch of ethereal beauty to her, yet her presence remainedmanding.


    Ye Guan met her gaze with calmness andposure, unaffected by her imposing aura. He had encountered far too many powerful enemies to be intimidated.


    Thedy with snow-white hair nced at the hundred strands of Ancestral Origin. "Aren''t you afraid I might kill you and take all the Ancestral Origin strands you have?"


    "I''ve considered that possibility," Ye Guan responded calmly.


    "Then why would you risk offering so many Ancestral Origin strands?"


    "I understand the temptation that immense wealth poses. Ancestral Origin is invaluable, and you probably think that since I can offer this many at once, I must have more. If so, then you''re right—I do have more. However, I am extending my goodwill to you in hopes of letting you know that my visit to the Wu n isn''t to stir trouble. I simply want to use your sect''s teleportation array to leave."


    He had weighed various possibilities when he arrived, including the prospect of the Wu n sumbing to temptation and bing enemies with him. Yet, even in such a scenario, he opted to extend goodwill first. It''s always wise to be kind when away from home. He didn''t believe everyone would resort to violence and robbery at the drop of a hat.


    Thedy fixed her gaze on Ye Guan. "What if I truly intended to rob you?"


    "You mentioned a hundred strands of Ancestral Origin earlier to dissuade me, didn''t you?"


    Thedy chuckled softly. "You didn''t leave, though. I underestimated your financial means."


    "Does that mean the teleportation array cannot be used?"


    "It''s been unusable for the past thousand years now."


    Perplexed, Ye Guan asked, "Why is that?"


    "It has been damaged. Even if it hadn''t, activating it requires an enormous amount of Ancestral Origin strands. Even the entire Wu n can''t afford it."


    Feeling troubled, Ye Guan''s brows furrowed. Did he really have to confront the seal left by the First God head-on? Staying in this ce was incredibly dangerous. If a pseudo-god were to arrive, he''d be in serious trouble.


    Just then, thedy collected the Ancestral Origin strands that Ye Guan had offered.


    Ye Guan was taken aback. <em>What''s happening?</em>


    "Don''t worry. I''m not about to rob you of your meager supply of Ancestral Origin strands," the n Leader of the Wu n exined.


    "What are you nning to do, then?" Ye Guan asked.


    "You wish to leave, don''t you? I''ll find a way to help."


    "What method?"


    "I''m still considering."


    With her hands behind her back, she added, "Would my Wu n steal such a small amount of Ancestral Origin strands from you? Rest assured, if I say I''ll find a solution, I will. Stay in the Wu n for now. I''ll devise a n that would help you leave."


    Ye Guan asked, "How long will that take?"


    Thedy held up a finger.


    "One day?" he guessed.


    "One year."


    Ye Guan stared at her in silence.


    After thinking about it for a moment, she suggested, "How about six months?"


    Ye Guan sighed softly. "I don''t have that much time. I''ll give you three days. If, within three days, you fail to find a way, you''ll have to return the Ancestral Origin strands."


    Thedy fell silent.


    "Do you ept?" he asked.


    She shook her head. "Three days won''t be enough. At least give me ten."


    When Ye Guan didn''t respond, she continued, "There are only two ways to leave this ce. One is to break through the seal left by the First God, which is virtually impossible. The other is to use the teleportation array. However, it''s damaged and won''t be a quick fix."


    "Can the teleportation array be repaired?"


    Thedy nodded. "Money is all you need.”


    "Then I''ll wait for ten days."


    "Okay. Until then, you can stay within the confines of the Wu n. However, you are not allowed to enter certain ces."


    "Understood."


    Ye Guan then turned around and left.


    At the same time, thedy''s eyes narrowed a little as she stared outside the hall.


    Suddenly, a hunched old man appeared behind her, seemingly materializing from thin air.


    Peering outside the hall, the hunched figure spoke with a sinister tone. "n Leader, that man''s casual offering of a hundred Ancestral Origin strands suggests he possesses Ancestral Veins."


    “I''m well aware."


    The hunched man briefly hesitated before suggesting, "Then why not..."


    Before he could finish, thedy interrupted, "Shouldn''t you be investigating his background instead of resorting to violence?"


    Startled, he quickly said, "I''ll investigate at once, n Leader."


    He vanished into thin air.


    Turning her gaze back to the distant figure outside, thedy''s demeanor shifted, her eyes growing colder as she murmured, "If you have powerful people supporting you, I''ll extend my friendship. Otherwise..."