Chapter 1158: Progenitor Chen’s Clones

According to the Xia family’s traditions, if any of the family’s descendants were able to cause the saber to tremble, they would immediately assume the position of patriarch and would inherit everything that the Xia family had passed down.

Aside from Shang Qing, who was truly invincible within his generation due to his Tri-Yang Technique, the next most outstanding person was Xia Jiuyou with the Nine Clones Technique. He was the only person from the Xia family who had successfully cultivated this technique throughout the entire history of the Xia family.

Progenitor Chen had been acknowledged as being peerless in the universe with his nine clones. Thus, the Xia family treated Xia Jiuyou, who had also cultivated the Nine Clones Technique, as Progenitor Chen’s inheritor.

The Xia patriarch, Xia Yi, peacefully looked at the sky, toward the direction of the Honor Zone. “Even as the family patriarch, I still don’t know how you managed to cultivate the Nine Clones Technique. Only our family’s Elder Meng knows how, and it was no wonder why Elder Meng insisted on accompanying you for this trip to the Mountain and Seas Zone. She was worried that something might happen to you.”

Xia Jiuyou looked over at Xia Yi, who had an indifferent expression. He was not the patriarch’s only child. Xia Yi had more than ten sons, which essentially meant that there were more than ten people in the line of succession. Xia Jiuyou’s abilities, however, had shone through, and he had become the sole scion of the Xia family. As for Xia Kang, he was a clone from Xia Jiuyou’s Nine Clones Technique, and the deception had been assisted by Elder Meng.

“Do you blame me for the things that I did in the past?” Xia Yi looked at Xia Jiuyou, seemingly having read the youth’s mind.

Xia Jiuyou shrugged the question off. “No. Patriarch has done nothing wrong. The Xia family is the leader of the Seven Courts, so even if you have to have your sons duke it out to choose a winner, it’s still not wrong.”

Xia Yi stared at Xia Jiuyou. “You have to understand me. You will become the patriarch in the future. When you are standing in this place and reach a different viewpoint, your actions and choices will become different as well.”

Xia Jiuyou nodded.

Xia Yi sighed. It was one thing to simply talk about such things, but in reality, those who were capable of doing so were truly brutal. Xia Yi had allowed more than ten of his sons to plot, scheme, and kill each other until only one was left: Xia Jiuyou.

At the same time, Xia Yi’s thoughts wandered to Elder Meng. If not for that woman, Xia Jiuyou would have become a weapon answerable only to the patriarch himself, and the fact that Xia Jiuyou had clones would not have been hidden from the older man.

“I know that you blame me, but there is still something that I must tell you—the Nine Clones Technique originated from Progenitor Chen, and it will only grow stronger the longer you cultivate it. However, there is one fatal flaw.” Xia Yi carefully observed Xia Jiuyou. “And that is the retaliation from the clones.”

Xia Jiuyou’s expression grew cold. He had already absorbed Xia Tian and Xia Kang, the two strongest clones, and that had allowed him to immediately break through and become an Enlighter. Originally, he had planned to absorb Xia Luo as well, but that attempt had failed. At that time, when he had been competing for the Astral Tower and fighting to become one of the Cosmic Five, Xia Jiuyou had not dwelt on the matter. However, now that he thought about it more fully, he was unable to discover any trace of Xia Luo’s whereabouts.

“Progenitor Chen cultivated the Nine Clones Technique, and with his temperament, he managed to combine all nine souls into one because Progenitor Chen was a straightforward man who had no deceit. You, however, have kept this secret from even your own family, which is actually detrimental to your cultivation progress. If one of your clones develops a stronger spirit than you, then you will most likely face that clone’s retaliation and end up as his clone instead. You need to watch out.” Xia Yi then left after sharing those words.

Images of his clones flashed through Xia Jiuyou’s mind before finally settling on Xia Luo. Xia Luo was not a particularly strong clone at this time, but he was able to conceal himself extremely well. Furthermore, Xia Jiuyou was unable to predict Xia Luo’s movements.

This won’t do. I have to find him!

…

Of the Seven Courts, the Xie family was the one shrouded in darkness.1

The Bone Plains was where the Xie family’s dwelling in the universe. The reason why the place was known as the Bone Plains was because there were many human and beast skeletons strewn about in this part of the universe, which had something to do with how the Xie family cultivated. To people who did not know the family, the Xie family embodied eeriness and terror.

The matriarch of the Xie family was Xie Ahua.2 Her name was simple, and her name followed a somewhat different convention than the other family members.

“The Specter Clan is out and about, stirring up chaos again?” Xie Ahua looked at Xie Xiaoxian as she spoke.

The two women were both wearing revealing clothes. However, one sparkled with youthfulness while the other had a mature seductiveness.

Xie Xiaoxian stood in front of Xie Ahua as she spoke, “Yes, and he’s quite powerful. He was able to control a corpse king that could undergo three transformations. Even the Mavis family members and disciples from the Cosmic Sect didn’t dare to get close to him.”

Xie Ahua’s eyes turned cold. “You definitely have to kill him the next time you see him.”

“But first I’ll need to beat him…” Xie Xiaoxian muttered.

After a pause, Xie Ahua continued, saying, “You’ve let me down, coming back this time without a single inheritance.”

Xie Xiaoxian grew rather exasperated. “You really can’t blame me! It wasn’t easy for me to sneak up a mountain, but the inheritance there was actually related to controlling star energy! I’m not a Lockbreaker, so I couldn’t understand anything. However, that Lu Yin got the best out of everything.”

Xie Ahua grew somewhat curious. “Lu Yin? The young man who united the Outerverse and directly confronted the Mavis family’s Treeheart Descendant while merely a Cruiser?”

Xie Xiaoxian nodded. “That’s the one. You don’t know how infuriating he is! He almost let me die.”

“Is he that powerful?” Xie Ahua asked

Xie Xiaoxian nodded again and seriously replied, “He’s extremely powerful. And he really is only a Cruiser. If he was a Hunter, then he most likely would have been able to fight against the inheritors and scions from the top Neoverse powers.”

“You’re also one of those, so why aren’t you at the top with the others?” Xie Ahua chided.

“I have no way to beat them! Why don’t you help me find some powerful bones and give them to me?”

“Find them yourself in Progenitor Chen’s grave. If you can find a piece of Progenitor Chen’s bones, then you’ll absolutely be invincible,” Xie Ahua retorted with palpable annoyance.

Xie Xiaoxian pursed her lips.

The Seven Courts of Xia, Yōu, Yu, Ce, Ku, Hui, and Xie. These seven families had settled down in a circle that protected Progenitor Chen’s grave, which was located in the middle of their combined territories.

Due to various reasons, the Yu family had disappeared. Despite that, the stars and planets that had been under the Yu family’s jurisdiction were still protected by the remaining six families. They would not allow anyone else to get close to Progenitor Chen’s grave.

On one particular day, in the middle of the Seven Courts, at an area that was normally peaceful, a rip tore open in space, swallowing up many pieces of earth that were connected to this space.

This was Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum.

Many people began to appear just outside the spatial tear, and the whole situation seemed as if it had been previously arranged.

The various patriarchs of the Seven Courts appeared, leading their descendants to this spatial tear. They still needed to wait for several days before they could enter.

Ku Wei was absolutely ecstatic. He had been waiting for this day for a long time. Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum had already been scoured multiple times, and everyone present was very familiar with the internal layout. A senior member of the Ku family had even drawn out a map, and Ku Wei only needed to follow the map to obtain what he needed.

This was not just true for the Ku family, as the other families of the Seven Courts were in the same situation. Even though there were many places within the tomb that were still sealed off, there were multiple choices available.

For instance, the Hui family’s sole goal was to find the Root of Intelligence.

Although Progenitor Hui had raised his own Root of Intelligence, Progenitor Chen had received a few roots as well. The two ancient powerhouses hailed from similar eras, and they had even met at one point. Thus, it was no wonder that Progenitor Chen had managed to gain something from Progenitor Hui. If Progenitor Hui had not given Progenitor Chen the Root of Intelligence, then the Hui family might have never been able to learn the methods of growing a root.

As for the Xie family, their only goal was Progenitor Chen’s bones.

Legend had it that one of Progenitor Chen’s clones had possessed the bloodline of giants and that he had been capable of reaching an enormous size. The bones of that body had naturally grown to epic proportions. The Xie family had previously located these bones, but they had been unable to take them out. Once the Xie family managed to do so, even if it was just a small bone fragment, their powers would surely skyrocket.

Apart from all these treasures, Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum also had ancient battle techniques that he had personally gathered. According to the legends passed down, this grave even held the oldest, most powerful secret technique of the Progenitors. This rumor alone made the grave a fatal attraction for the Seven Courts.

It was not just the Seven Courts that valued the mausoleum, as the entire universe lusting after the treasures in there. However, the Court of Seven Names was extremely strong, and they had already received inheritances from Progenitors. They possessed secret techniques, power vessels, and powerhouses that served as guardians of the tomb. Not even the Hall of Honor dared to make reckless moves against the united Seven Courts. Hence, Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum had always remained in the Seven Courts’ possession.

The various patriarchs of the Seven Courts led their scions to just outside Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum.

Ku Pu, the Ku family patriarch, looked over at Hui Zhi and said, “Brother Hui, what exactly happened in the Mountain and Seas Zone? Can you tell us?”

The other patriarchs also turned to Hui Zhi.

However, Hui Zhi merely smiled and said, “If Brother Ku does not know, then how could I?”

Ku Pu chuckled. “Come now, all of us know that your inheritance is from Progenitor Hui. How could your Hui family not have made any preparations for an event as massive as this?”

At this time, the Ce family patriarch, Ce Laoyan, spoke up. “Ku Pu, you’re just jealous. How could they know everything, even if they are very wise? Besides, even if they knew, why should they tell you? Don’t assume things of others just because you’re such a dunce. Hmph.”

Ku Pu was outraged. “Ce Laoyan, don’t put on pretenses! Don’t you also want to know?”

Ce Laoyan laughed hoarsely. “They’ll tell you if they want to. Are you going to force them?”

Hui Zhi only smiled. On the surface, Ce Laoyan seemed to be defending him, but in reality, Ce Laoyan was trying to force Hui Zhi’s hand.

Yōu Kexin, the Yōu family matriarch, was nearby, and she quietly said, “When the time comes for you to know, then you will naturally know. The fact that you don’t know at this time is because you don’t possess the right to know.”

Her words instantly offended two people. However, Ku Pu and Ce Laoyan were not the least bit angry. They understood this woman, Yōu Kexin, too well. After the death of her son, her entire demeanor had changed. There were times when she spoke without thinking.

“Hah hah. Every time we gather, I’m able to see you people fight like this. Back then, when our own patriarchs led us here, you all ended up squabbling like this as well. It’s quite nostalgic.” Xie Ahua beamed, and even her eyes smiled.

Ku Pu’s eyes flashed. “Back then, we weren’t the only ones to gather for Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum opening.”

He then turned to look at the taciturn Xia Yi. “Brother Xia, will Burial Garden’s people come again?”

“Even if they are coming, it’s nothing to be surprised about. Even though we Seven Courts stand guard, Burial Garden’s people can still easily enter. They have already done so several times in recent years. Nobody can completely stop the four commanders, the Deathly Quartet of the Dead Regiment,” Ce Laoyan said.

Xia Yi spoke, “They most likely won’t be coming this time, as they would have informed us in advance.”

The others heaved sighs of relief.

While it might seem like Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum belonged solely to the Seven Courts, there were always anomalies. It just so happened that Burial Garden was one of these anomalies.

All of the members of Burial Garden were able to turn transparent and be hidden from others. The stronger the powerhouse from Burial Garden, the more undetectable their presence would be. As for the Deathly Quartet, they were all top tier powerhouses. Even if they entered the interior of the Hall of Honor, not many people would be capable of sensing them, not to mention trespassing in the Seven Courts’ sealed region.

Burial Garden was truly an anomaly in the universe.

Ku Lei and Ku Wei stood behind Ku Pu. After hearing his elders’ words, Ku Wei grew somewhat frightened. He had seen Burial Garden’s dead people when he had last been outside Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum, and he would never ever forget the feeling, as it was too disturbing.

The fact that that charlatan, Xuan Jiu, had predicted this course of events was a miracle.

Ku Lei glared at Ku Wei. He did not understand how this fellow had made it to Progenitor Chen’s Mausoleum. The other patriarchs had only brought their scions, but the Ku family had actually brought two youths.

[1] “Xie” means dark or unorthodox. ☜

[2] “Hua” means flower, so it really is a very simple name. ☜

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