Seeing
It was clear that the people still placed a great deal of trust in Jiang Chen. One by one, they regarded the young man with curious gazes.
Suddenly, it dawned on everyone that although this extraordinary young man stood so close to them, the gap between them only seemed to grow wider and wider.
Jiang Chen was destined to ride the wind and soar ever higher, growing more distant from the cultivators of the human domain by the day.
The human domain, that modest little temple, could no longer contain him.
"Young Master Jiang Chen, these celestial phenomena — are they truly caused by the breakthrough of Senior Vermilion Bird Divine Beast?" someone ventured to ask.
Every pair of eyes locked onto Jiang Chen in unison, all eager to hear a definitive answer from his lips once more.
Jiang Chen smiled and nodded. "I can say with absolute certainty that these celestial phenomena were without question triggered by the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast. And I am ninety percent certain that this marks the Vermilion Bird's breakthrough to the Divine Path. Only a breakthrough to the Divine Path could produce celestial phenomena of this magnitude, wouldn't you say?"
"A breakthrough to the Divine Path? Young Master Jiang Chen, does that mean our human domain now has a Divine Path–level guardian spirit?"
"Truly — just thinking about it is enough to send chills of excitement through one's body. With a Divine Path–level patron backing us, what threat could those demon tribes possibly pose?"
"Heaven has not forsaken our human domain! Heaven has not forsaken our human race!"
"Don't celebrate too soon, everyone. The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is not of the human race. Outsiders' hearts are sure to differ from ours."
"Bullshit — that's classic provocation. Everyone knows the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is Young Master Jiang Chen's closest companion."
"Exactly. Don't mistake ignorance for wit. The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast is a benevolent divine beast of the ancient era. In ancient times, it is said that the beast kept a single promise to the Holy Unity Sect, and from antiquity to the present day, it never once set foot beyond the ruins of that sect. A divine beast of such loyalty and righteousness — how could that be anything but a blessing for our human race?"
Word about the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast had spread throughout the human domain over the years. Everyone knew that Young Master Jiang Chen had a powerful Vermilion Bird as his companion.
And that companion had today broken through to the Divine Path.
This was, without exaggeration, earth-shattering news. With a Divine Path guardian, would the demon tribe's threat really be so fearsome?
All eyes turned to Jiang Chen, seeking confirmation from him.
Jiang Chen let out a soft sigh. "If a single deity could save an entire race — even an entire plane — from peril, that would be far too simplistic. Obviously, it's impossible. The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast's breakthrough to the Divine Path is a fine thing, yes. But expecting it to single-handedly stand against the entirety of the demon tribes? Do you really think that's feasible?"
His tone turned unexpectedly stern.
"So whatever you do, do not assume that with the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast guarding us, we need no longer fear the Demon Tribulation. That we need not remain vigilant against the demon tribes. Those are illusions. Anyone who lived through the ancient era knows what kind of nightmare the demon tribes' power truly was. If you let down your guard and treat the Demon Tribulation as a trifle, the day disaster strikes will be a day of utter devastation. Just now, when the celestial phenomena appeared, you didn't even know what was happening, and your instinctive fear of the demon tribes nearly plunged this gathering into a rout before a single blow was struck."
"Tell me honestly — with your current mental state and your current strength, how could you possibly stand against a Demon Tribulation that is all but certain to erupt?"
Jiang Chen's tone was severe indeed.
As his piercing gaze swept over the crowd, not a single person dared raise their head. No one wanted to be the one Jiang Chen's eyes settled upon.
Elder Crane nodded at this point and spoke gravely. "What Young Master Jiang Chen has said is precisely what I myself wished to say. The human domain today is sorely unprepared for the Demon Tribation. If this continues, we are in genuine danger."
As they spoke, the vast crimson clouds on the distant horizon continued to spread, inching ever closer toward the Glazed Royal City.