The division of this human territory had likely only taken shape after the great ancient war. In the primordial era, the Upper Eight Domains had probably been just like any other region — ordinary human land. It was only after the great war, when the Heavenly experts withdrew one after another, that the current arrangement gradually formed, making the Upper Eight Domains the core of all human territory.
The Myriad Phenomena Region, being close to the barbarian frontier and home to the legendary Demon Sealing Ground, had gradually been pushed to the margins. The Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance within the Myriad Phenomena Region was especially irrelevant — a backwater in every sense.
Even the four strongest sects of the Sixteen Kingdoms had people whose peak strength was nothing more than Yuan Realm ancestors. And Yuan Realm strength, placed in the heart of the Upper Eight Domains, was nothing but a minor player.
After the catastrophe wrought by the Undying Heavenly Capital, virtually all fourth-rank sects in the Myriad Phenomena Region had likely been shattered, just like the Dan Qian Palace.
The Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance had never been a mainstream force within the Myriad Phenomena Region — always a marginalized power. Once the great calamity arrived, there was no way they could survive.
As for the other factions, Jiang Chen wasn't particularly concerned. The only ones he truly cared about were the Treasure Tree Sect, the Tiangui Kingdom, and the Eastern Kingdom.
Especially the Tiangui Kingdom — his uncle Jiang Tong and cousin Jiang Yu were still there.
So much time had passed. He had no idea how they were doing now.
What Jiang Chen worried about most was that the Undying Heavenly Capital, having suffered losses at his hands, might take their anger out on Jiang Tong and his son.
Though Jiang Tong and his son's presence in the Tiangui Kingdom might not have come to the Undying Heavenly Capital's attention. But with the intelligence capabilities of a first-rank sect, once they found out, dealing with father and son would be child's play.
However, based on Jiang Chen's estimation, the Undying Heavenly Capital probably hadn't captured Jiang Tong and his son. Otherwise, given their methods, they would have used them to threaten him long ago.
No matter what, Jiang Chen decided to make a detour back to his homeland to check on things.
But this journey was clearly no simple matter. Before setting out, he had to make thorough preparations.
"Right now, there's only a little over half a year until the Glazed Tile Tower Assembly. And I only have that same half year to make my trip to the barbarian frontier."
Jiang Chen was not the kind of person to break his word. Having already made an agreement with the Great Peacock Emperor, he absolutely had to attend the Glazed Tile Tower Assembly.
The safest option would have been to wait until after the assembly before heading to the barbarian lands.
But Jiang Chen couldn't wait even a moment. He feared that delays would bring complications. The Glazed Tile Tower Assembly's competition would last a full year. By the time it ended, the opportunity would be long gone. He had to seize it now, while news of the Soul-Calming Wood hadn't yet spread widely.
Once everyone knew — once the information was flying everywhere — he, Jiang Chen, would have no advantage at all.
After all, if He Hongshu had managed to escape from that place, there was no guarantee that others hadn't escaped from other locations. If anyone else had gotten out, the news of the Soul-Calming Wood would inevitably leak.
But more terrifying than the Soul-Calming Wood leaking was the possibility that others might have also brought Wood Demon Gu worms out with them. That would be a catastrophe of the highest order.
Fortunately, from He Hongshu's account, those people probably weren't independent cultivators of the Glazed Tile King City. Even if something went wrong, it wouldn't immediately threaten the Glazed Tile King City.
As for the other domains, though Jiang Chen had a compassionate heart, he couldn't worry about all of them. If such a thing truly happened, he alone wouldn't be able to stop it.
What he was focused on now was finding the Soul-Calming Wood to break the Hundred-Lives Intertwined Curse on Huan'er and restore her to full health.
But judging from the materials Old He had left behind, that place was truly extremely dangerous.
So before departing, Jiang Chen had to do his homework thoroughly. The first priority was boosting his hard power.
Raising his cultivation realm to the Imperial Realm in a short time was clearly impossible. But Jiang Chen held many trump cards; organizing them could still substantially increase his combat strength.
The Ice Fire Demon Lotus and the Proton Magnetic Golden Mountain were equipment Jiang Chen had possessed for a long time. These two great weapons had been steadily developing under his refinement.
The formation discs and formation flags inherited from the Danxiao Ancient Sect were also being gradually put to use, their power slowly unleashed.
Of course, the showpiece — the Danxiao Ancient Formation Disc — could simulate ten great ancient formations, but Jiang Chen had only scratched the surface of its potential.
Last time he had barely managed to activate it once, simulating the Grand Formless Formation. In that battle, the formation had performed brilliantly, temporarily trapping the Undying Heavenly Capital army that had been hunting him.
In the end, the poison of the Bewildering Spirit Miasma had infiltrated the Undying Heavenly Capital's forces, wiping them out completely.
The power of the Danxiao Ancient Formation Disc was extraordinary. Jiang Chen had currently unlocked merely one-tenth of its full potential.
During his assault on the Danxiao Ancient Sect's Inheritance Tower, Jiang Chen had also obtained two more ancient formation discs. One was the Minor Formless Formation Disc.
The Minor Formless Formation Disc no longer held much significance for Jiang Chen. He planned to gift it to those at his side, giving them a means of self-defense.