Xu Qingxuan's eyes grew somewhat dazed as she murmured, "Brother, are you saying that the Boundary Stele in the Northwest Wasteland has been abandoned? Then my master and the others… all their efforts over these days were for nothing? Risking their lives to repair the Boundary Stele — was it all a mistake?"
Jiang Chen sighed. "The myriad facets of the world are hard to sum up with simple notions of right and wrong. Qingxuan, I won't stand idly by about the Northwest Wasteland. What I said just now was merely spoken from the heart, and I wanted you to understand — perhaps our human race needs to be prepared mentally for a war, even a series of wars. The current human domain may have only just reached dusk, with darkness gradually descending."
Jiang Chen was not being pessimistic; rather, from a certain vantage point, he had to acknowledge that the human race was already riddled with holes. Even if his strength were ten times greater, he could not stem this tide.
Even the Well Emperor — whose philosophy had always been close to that of the Peacock Great Emperor — sighed this time. "I must say, after experiencing so many upheavals, even my own thinking has changed. In the past, I believed that we cultivators, having reached such heights, should naturally hold the world in our hearts and devote ourselves wholeheartedly. But now, when I think about it — if the entire race has not yet awakened, can a mere handful of us truly stand against the prevailing trend?"
"At the very least, we must first preserve our strength. Only by preserving our strength can we hope to turn the tide." This was the Peerless Emperor's view.
His time infiltrating the Wind Cloud Cult had given him deep insight into the matter.
He had seen so many human warriors who, without any knowledge of the Wind Cloud Sect Master's true nature, were still utterly devoted and willing to serve him without question.
It did not matter to them whether the Wind Cloud Sect Master was some dark entity or an agent of evil.
Jiang Chen nodded. "My Glazed King City, as the leader of the human race, must bear the responsibilities that come with the role. But no matter what, we must first safeguard the Glazed King City's legacy and preserve its fighting strength. Only by doing so can we extend our aid to the rest of the world."
This was Jiang Chen's greatest realization from the battle against the Wind Cloud Cult.
If not for the Peerless Emperor's timely intelligence, the Glazed King City could have suffered devastating losses — or even faced consequences that could never be undone.
If the Glazed King City had truly been destroyed, if his friends and loved ones had truly perished — even if he could later take revenge, sweep away every last enemy, and establish a world of peace and clarity, what good would it be?
If the people closest and most dear to him were gone, what meaning would anything else hold?
Jiang Chen paused, then continued: "As for the Northwest Wasteland, I already have a plan. I will make the journey there myself once more. If the Boundary Stele can be repaired, I will do everything in my power to repair it. If it cannot be done, I won't force it. Preserving our fighting strength is the highest priority."
"Exactly. As long as the mountains remain, there will never be a shortage of firewood," the Peerless Emperor nodded in agreement.
"There's no time to waste — I depart today. Brother Hui, Brother Mo, Emperor Panlong, Emperor Jiemie — after I leave, you must work together in concert to keep the Glazed King City stable. If anyone deliberately tries to fan the flames, they must be punished severely. In troubled times, strict measures are needed. Do not hesitate."
Jiang Chen gave his instructions firmly.
"I will have Senior Azure Phoenix hold the fort, and I'll leave the four Colossal Stone brothers behind to guard the city's gates."
After the battle against the Wind Cloud Cult, Jiang Chen placed enormous importance on the Glazed King City's security.
A trip to the Northwest Wasteland would be nothing like the quick return journey to the Glazed King City. The Space-Time Seal could only be used in one direction, and only once more at that — he had only one opportunity left to waste.
If he used it to return to the Glazed King City the next time, that would be his last chance.
Having arranged everything, Jiang Chen still did not announce his departure to anyone, instead slipping away quietly.
At this point, every move he made was under everyone's scrutiny. Being too conspicuous would be good for neither himself nor the Glazed King City.
Fortunately, in the current human domain, aside from the Wind Cloud Cult, no one else could pose a genuine threat to him.
In the northern region of the Upper Eight Territories, every hostile force had already been eradicated.
All that remained had formed alliances with the Glazed King City. So along his journey, aside from being wary of the Wind Cloud Cult, Jiang Chen had nothing to worry about in terms of other forces causing trouble.
Moreover, this time he traveled with extreme discretion.
But discreet or not, if the Boundary Stele in the Northwest Wasteland had been breached by the Wind Cloud Cult's hand, his going there would certainly be within their expectations.
That said, the current Wind Cloud Cult — even if they knew he would head to the Northwest Wasteland — probably lacked the capability to ambush him.
After all, the price of trying to take down Jiang Chen would be catastrophic.
Without Elder Peng and Elder Mo, Xiahou Jing currently had no means at his disposal to intercept Jiang Chen.
As a result, Jiang Chen's journey was completely unimpeded. Two or three days later, he arrived within the borders of the Ascending Moon Upper Territory.
The Northwest Wasteland lay even further to the northwest of the Ascending Moon Upper Territory — a desolate expanse of barren, endless wasteland.
After entering the Ascending Moon Upper Territory, Jiang Chen could clearly sense the oppressive atmosphere permeating the place. A feeling of imminent war hung everywhere, as though even the slightest spark could set everything ablaze.
"The Kubar Tribe's intimidation really is something, isn't it?" Jiang Chen murmured.
He still remembered that the first time he had come to the Ascending Moon Upper Territory, he had greatly admired the local culture and temperament. The people here had known how to enjoy life — they were optimistic and cheerful.
But this time, Jiang Chen found that even the most optimistic among them had noticeably fewer smiles on their faces.
Since he was already in the Ascending Moon Upper Territory, Jiang Chen naturally went to visit some old friends.
Here, he had known the Third Master Jing from years past, as well as the Peerless Emperor's adopted son, Gu Xintang. Both of them were now key figures in the Ascending Moon Upper Territory.
When Third Master Jing saw Jiang Chen's sudden arrival, he was overjoyed.
"Third Master, no need for fanfare. This is a covert mission," Jiang Chen cautioned.
Third Master Jing suppressed his elation with some effort. "Young Master Jiang Chen, I've been thinking about you to death these past few months. And worrying about you to death. Ever since I heard that you defeated the Wind Cloud Cult and nearly killed its Sect Master, only then did I finally breathe easy. I'd been guessing that you would probably be coming around about now."