Da Xuan Martial Saint

Several Blood Exchange Realm masters of an unknown origin were nearby, and there was no way he could let his guard down.

"To enter Xunmu Cave Heaven, one must break through a passage during the Void Tide. Elder brother, when you sent those people in a few days ago, did you notice anyone unusual?"

At this point, Cheng Zu spoke openly and calmly.

Someone unusual?

The Dragonwood Island Master's mind was clear as a mirror, and he immediately understood who Cheng Zu was referring to. He wasn't well-informed about the intricate powers of Da Xuan, but since this wasn't a dispute from the Outer Sea, he naturally wouldn't intervene deliberately.

After hearing Cheng Zu's inquiry, the Dragonwood Island Master responded frankly, "Indeed, there was one person who was not ordinary. His Vigorous Inner Breath was incredibly profound, far surpassing that of a typical Marrow Cleansing Realm master."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zu chuckled and said, "My lot has some grievances with that individual. When he returns from Xunmu Cave Heaven after the Void Tide in three months' time, I hope elder brother will refrain from interfering."

The Dragonwood Island Master indifferently replied, "Tingchao Cliff has always stayed out of Da Xuan's grievances."

Long before Chen Mu set foot in Xunmu Cave Heaven, when he sensed Chen Mu's identity, he speculated that his presence might bring change and conflict to this expedition, and now it seemed his predictions were correct.

Having only entered Xunmu Cave Heaven for a few days, he had already been sought out, and not just by one Blood Exchange Realm master. Such a lineup against a Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster would have been considered overkill in the past, but it made sense if it was Chen Mu.

After all, to be capable of contending with a Blood Exchange Realm at the Marrow Cleansing Realm, even within their Tingchao Cliff's thousand-year lineage through the Great Zhou and hundred nations up to today's Da Xuan, there was only Chen Mu, and not even the legendary Da Xuan Martial Emperor had such an exaggerated foundation.

New talents replace the old in every generation.

Martial Arts is passed down from one generation to the next. Since ancient times, it has been progressing and transforming because the accumulated knowledge of generations of martial artists is continuously passed down. The number of masters in both the Marrow Cleansing and Blood Exchange Realms will grow with time, and it's even possible that in the future, a path to higher levels of Martial Arts will open. Therefore, it's not strange that Chen Mu could outperform Ji Hao.

Both Chen Mu and Ji Hao are exceptional individuals of their respective times. Ji Hao reached Perfection and became unrivaled in the world, while it's uncertain whether Chen Mu will be able to walk the same path and reach the pinnacle of Martial Arts in this lifetime.

"Entering Xunmu Cave Heaven might not have been the right decision for you."

The Dragonwood Island Master mused to himself.

He was impartial about Chen Mu's success or failure. If one were to judge neutrally, it seemed that Chen Mu should not have come to Xunmu Cave Heaven or, if he did come, he should have hidden better. Now that he had been approached by Pavilion Master Cheng Zu of Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion, this hurdle would not be easy to overcome.

After all, when the Void Tide comes in three months, there will still be only one way out of Xunmu Cave Heaven, and Chen Mu will inevitably be unable to avoid the Pavilion Master. Moreover, in his perception, the Blood Exchange Realm masters who had come to this place were by no means limited to Cheng Zu alone!

At that time,

Chen Mu might have to face the assault of several Blood Exchange Realm masters!

In such a situation, even he would face tremendous risk, let alone a Marrow Cleansing Realm master, no matter how rare and extraordinary. This tribulation would definitely not be easy to withstand without external help or other variables; he didn't believe Chen Mu could survive it!

Unless Chen Mu hid in Xunmu Cave Heaven and didn't come out, but then he would have to stay there for a hundred years. Moreover, there were limits of heaven and earth within Xunmu Cave Heaven, preventing one from breaking through to the Blood Exchange Realm. Not only would this waste years, but he would also face the constant pursuit of the Spirit Human Race.

A difficult predicament!

The Dragonwood Island Master shook his head slightly.

A thought suddenly arose in his heart—should Tingchao Cliff assist Chen Mu? If they helped Chen Mu escape from a desperate situation, should he truly reach the zenith of Martial Arts, the cause and effect would bring great benefits in the future.

However, intervening would go against Tingchao Cliff's longstanding principle of not meddling in Da Xuan's conflicts. With the current chaos in Da Xuan, being forcefully involved might not be a good thing for Tingchao Cliff, and such a step would not be easy to take. Everything was still an unknown, and they needed to consider it further.

...

Xunmu Cave Heaven.

Somewhere.

About twenty or so silhouettes were advancing non-stop along the branches of Xunmu.

Though called branches, they were actually so large that the tree canopy spread out for nearly ten thousand miles, resembling mountain peaks. Traveling on them, one couldn't tell they were at the treetops at all.

Compared to the complex geography underground, the world above the canopy was even more intricate; it was not a flat plane, as one could move in all four directions. Such an immense tree was practically a world wonder, and it was a mystery how it came into being.

The entire group was moving swiftly, keeping a close distance to each other and vigilantly observing their surroundings.

Among them,

the silhouette at the very front was closing his eyes, surrounded by faint green aura, cultivating what seemed to be the Wood Vein from the Five Elements, with a far stronger sense of perception than the others.

After traveling roughly dozens of miles like this, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked up.

"Upward, there is a settlement. However, the Wood Vein's power brewing there is quite strong; it must be a large settlement,"

Jiang Han said in a deep voice.

The other Grandmasters nearby halted, listening to Jiang Han's words, their expressions uncertain.