Chapter 1060: Installing a Bridgehead?

As Shi Tianhao heard this, his eyes brightened, "Oh? Where is it?"

Huang Zhenting laughed as he answered, "There's a passageway to the Barren Expanses from the Southern Wilderness. After entering the Barren Expanses, walking all the way east for around 4000 miles, there is a valley that has a perfect environment."

He looked at the youth beside him and said, "Come to think about it, it was Shi Yang who found it."

He was a youth who seemed to be a brute. Although he was only in the Foundation Establishment Stage, he revealed a sense of fearlessness.

He was called Shi Yang, the Immediate Disciple of Huang Zhenting. Although he entered the sect only not long ago, he was already very reputable. He was well-rated by his elders and comrades too.

What was worth mentioning was that he had blood ties to Shi Tianhao. He was a descendant of the Shi Family that entered the Celestial Wonders World. When he was young, he passed the test and entered the Celestial Sect of Wonders.

The Shi Family members who entered the Celestial Wonders World were all distant relatives. They rarely saw each other, but because they relocated to the Celestial Wonders World previously, they managed to know each other better over time.

There were quite a few of them with talents in cultivation, but it was rare to see someone who was exceptionally talented. Shi Yang belonged to this kind. He had an innate talent, greater than anyone else among the younger generation of the Shi Family. He even caught the attention of the Great Qin Empire.

However, to the Shi Family now, they hoped for someone to enter the Celestial Sect of Wonders, even at any expense.

Furthermore, the Celestial Sect of Wonders did not stop anyone from the Shi Family from joining the sect. There were some who indeed joined the Celestial Sect of Wonders, but it's just that none of them were as outstanding as Shi Yang.

As the battle of Xiling City became history, the Shi Family who had kept a low-profile managed to rise again due to their relationship with the Celestial Sect of Wonders.

But as they lived within the boundaries of the Great Qin Empire, the Shi Family still maintained their respect of the royal family. They did not become arrogant because of their current status.

The Great Qin Empire could tolerate the presence of the aristocratic families, but the condition was that they could control these aristocratic families.

As the Shi Family had the Celestial Sect of Wonders as their backer and they rose quickly within the boundaries of the Great Qin Empire, the Great Qin Empire naturally had their own ideas about them.

However, the Celestial Sect of Wonders had no intention of supporting the Shi Family and did not expand their influence intentionally in the territory of the Great Qin Empire. Adding to the fact that the rising Shi Family also knew their limits, the Great Qin Empire did not bother them.

Of course, if the Shi Family acted in a way that was not befitting, the Great Qin Empire still had to consider the Celestial Sect of Wonders if they wanted to make a move. Even if the Celestial Sect of Wonders did not express their opinion, their stature was still there, which was something that the Great Qin Empire could not ignore.

Shi Yang managed to enter the Wasteland Valley after passing the Successive Disciples test. Naturally, Shi Tianhao was also one of the reasons why he entered the Wasteland Valley. However, the thing was that he did not mind going anywhere, but his own family members nagged continuously at him that he made this choice.

After becoming the disciple of Haung Zhenting, he did not receive any welfare either. On the contrary, he was harshly treated by Huang Zhenting.

Although he was not as vicious as Shi Tianhao, Huang Zhenting replicated his own experience on Shi Yang. Thus, this led to the beginning of a painful yet enjoyable discipleship in the Wasteland Valley for Shi Yang.

But Shi Yang was quite similar to Huang Zhenting too in terms of his mischief. Over these years, he had also toned down considerably too.

What was particularly hilarious was that the Wasteland Valley had come up with another mischief king, who was just like his Master and Grandmaster.

When Huang Zhenting became an adult and more reliable, his disciple took on his previous 'role'. This 'tradition' was bound to be carried on generations after generations.

Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin were speechless as they looked at both Huang Zhenting and Shi Yang.

They met Huang Zhenting, Shi Yang and the rest on the way to Mount Kunlun. They did not know what they were doing beforehand.

It was nothing secretive either. When Huang Zhenting reported to Shi Tianhao, he did not conceal the truth from them anyway. The both of them were stunned as they heard what Huang Zhenting said.

The both of them knew that Shi Tianhao often went to the Barren Expanses. But visiting there and setting up an alternative residence over there were two different things.

It's like how very few demons controlled territories in the Divine Lands.

For the North Sea Whale King and Nine-Talons Condor King who were only in the Demon Lord realm, they were just one of the minority. Furthermore, they acted rather independently too.

They were not like Shi Tianhao, who was not only in the Immortal Soul Stage, but was also backed by the Celestial Sect of Wonders.

The influence of the Celestial Sect of Wonders was no longer restricted to the Divine Lands anymore. Even within the Barren Expanses, they were also an influential figure.

The actions of the Celestial Sect of Wonders in the Divine Lands could already make waves in the Barren Expanses. What more if they went to the Barren Expanses?

The only territory in the Barren Expanses that was held by the human race was Mount Taihua that belonged to the Great Void Sect. It was attacked by the demons a few years ago and was even almost destroyed.

Hearing Huang Zhenting's description, the place that they eyed seemed to be a little remote. It's also close to the passageway that connected the Barren Expanses and Divine Lands. It's not like Mount Taihua, which could affect a wide region if it's attacked.

But if Shi Tianhao opened this alternative residence at this valley, it might be seen as a bridgehead in preparation for the War of the Two Worlds.

It's difficult to predict what reaction the demons would have with regards to this.

Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin looked at Shi Yang before turning to Huang Zhenting. They were speechless at this instant.

Huang Zhenting seemed to approve of this place that Shi Yang located. The both of them were indeed as fearless as Shi Tianhao. They were not afraid of causing trouble.

As they thought till here, Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin turned to look at Shi Tianhao. They saw that Shi Tianhao was creasing his brows after he heard this, before he said, "The place that you mention, I have passed by it before. But it doesn't have the valley that you claim to exist."

"Indeed!" Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin looked at each other before laughing, "We knew it would be like that."

After hearing Huang Zhenting's and Shi Yang's report, Shi Tianhao's first reaction was not to claim that the Barren Expanses was not suitable for opening an alternative residence. Rather, it was to claim that there was no lucky spot for him to open an alternative residence.

Huang Zhenting laughed, "I captured a few small demons near there on purpose to interrogate. I learnt that the geography of the place changed which formed a valley."

"The spiritual energy near the valley also experienced changes, which allowed the place to become a lucky spot." As he said, he looked at Li Kuiyin and Gu Lei, before saying again, "Right now, the valley over there is covered by thunderclouds all year round. The essence of thunder seems to become more and more concentrated. Although it's not fully developed yet, I observed it for some time and I can confirm that as time passes, it will become an outstanding spot."

"Because it's not fully formed, it's not been detected by the demons yet. It's without an owner now, but the potential is there."

Shi Tianhao nodded his head as he heard this, "Oh, from what you say, it really seems like a good place."

He pondered for a moment before he revealed a smile on his face, "The location of it is just right..."

After hearing Shi Tianhao's words, Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin knew that Shi Tianhao meant more than what he said. He was not so worry-free. On the contrary, he had some considerations.

Gu Lei pondered seriously for a moment before looking at Shi Tianhao, "Don't tell me that you are..."

Shi Tianhao straightened his index finger on his lips to stop Gu Lei from continuing further. After that, he laughed at Huang Zhenting and the bunch of junior disciples, "Senior Gu, please don't divulge anything. Let them exercise their minds."

Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin laughed. Li Kuiyin looked at Shi Tianhao before sighing, "Tianhao, don't you only exercise your fists and mouth only?"

After he was mocked by her, Shi Tianhao chuckled, "Senior Li, please don't mock me."

Huang Zhenting, Shi Yang and the others could also figure out that Shi Tianhao meant something else. Thus, they racked their brains trying to figure out what he thought. Fortunately, they were already used to this style of Shi Tianhao.

On the branch of the Black Heavenly Treasure Tree, Lin Feng was sitting there and he scanned the Wasteland Valley. As he did so, he laughed while he shook his head.

Shi Tianhao managed to form a bond with Li Kuiyin and Gu Lei during the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai. Although Shi Tianhao was in the Aurous Core Stage then, he was like a bearish child who was only slightly greater than 10 years old.

Whereas Gu Lei and Li Kuiyin were not as powerful as Shi Tianhao, but they were still in the Advanced Aurous Core Stage then and were one of the talents of the Purple Clouds Sect.

Right now, the both of them had formed the Nascent Soul. With their cultivation speed or powers, they were considered geniuses in the entire Divine Lands.

However, Shi Tianhao was already in the Immortal Soul Stage. In terms of powers, even the Thunderclouds Holy Man was not his worthy opponent.

In terms of powers and position, the difference in both parties were quite huge.

Those of different levels would find it difficult to become friends. Even if they were friends, as the gap between them widened, their friendship would be diluted one day.

At times, it's not because the stronger one looked down on the weaker one. On the contrary, because the stronger one is at an advantage, he was less likely to be bothered about the opinions of others.

Rather, the weaker one would feel extremely embarrassed as others mocked him. He would become uncomfortable and his pride would be affected.

For Shi Tianhao-like characters, even if they had partners, their partners would usually lag behind them and disappear within their world.

Even if they could keep up, they were most likely just a shadow of those who were like Shi Tianhao.

For such individuals, people often called them the bystanders in a fight, as they were not worthy enough to join.

But right now, Shi Tianhao's interaction with Li Kuiyin and Gu Lei did not seem different from before.

Shi Tianhao was willing to make friends with the both of them because the both of them were worthy friends to make. It's not because of how high their cultivations were or how powerful they were.

They became friends because they could get along, and not because of their abilities.

Even if there's one day that they grew more distant from one another, it shouldn't affect anything today.

For Lin Feng, even as his cultivation and status were far greater than Kang Nanhua and Miao Shihao, he did not talk to them in any way different from before.

To be able to hold their ground and maintain their cool in front of Lin Feng and Shi Tianhao, not feeling inferior, awkward or jealous, it's not just achievable by having a thick skin. Those who could do so were the ones with commendable state of minds and they were also the ones who were bound to have some achievements someday.