<h4>Chapter 3552: The Forbidden Area</h4>


    Before Duan Ling Tian joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance, their strongest powerhouses were two Eight Star Gods of War: their leader, Shangguan Yun Feng, and the First Guardian. Then, their Seven Star Gods of War were all Guardians.


    Initially, the Heavenly Alliance Dao nned to make Duan Ling Tian their ninth Guardian after inviting him to join their alliance. However, after learning about Duan Ling Tian’s identity and cultivation base, Shangguan Yun Feng thought it more appropriate to make Duan Ling Tian their Vice Alliance Leader.


    Although Duan Ling Tian did not think this was a big deal, Meng Shan knew this matter would stir up a hugemotion in the Heavenly Dao Alliance.


    At this moment, Shangguan Yun Feng made up his mind and said, “Young Master, the cultivation environment of the ce I’m staying is not bad. Why don’t you cultivate there?”


    “There’s no need for that.” Duan Ling Tian shook his head. “I only need a quiet ce where no one’s around…”


    Shangguan Yun Feng did not continue to insist after seeing how determined Duan Ling Tian was. Following that, he showed Duan Ling Tian around the base of the Heavenly Dao Alliance.


    “Young Master, if any of the ces catch your attention, please let me know. I’ll arrange for you to cultivate there regardless if it’s upied or not,” Shangguan Yun Feng said.


    As the Leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, Shangguan Yun Feng naturally had the authority to make such decisions. If anyone objected to it, he could simply expel them.


    “I’ll cultivate in that ce,” Duan Ling Tian said when he saw a barren valley in the north of the base.


    Most of the members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance would note to this ce to cultivate, preferring ces where they were surrounded by lush greenery with birds singing in the background.


    “Young Master,” Shangguan Yun Feng said with a wry smile, “Although the cultivation environment is roughly the same in the base, this area is too barren and deste. Why don’t you pick a ce with a better view?”


    Duan Ling Tian shook his head and said, “That’s unnecessary. I just want a quiet ce with no people around to cultivate.” Then, his expression turned solemn as he continued to say, “Leader, from today onward, I’ll be cultivating here. I don’t wish to be interrupted unless it’s for serious matters…”


    Shangguan Yun Feng nodded and confidently said, “Rest assured, Young Master. I’ll make this ce a forbidden area so you won’t be disturbed.”


    “Thank you.” Duan Ling Tian nodded.


    Shangguan Yun Feng was rather surprised by Duan Ling Tian’s modest attitude. He said, “Young Master, there’s no need for you to be so courteous. It’s an honor for me to help you…”


    Following that, before Duan Ling Tian began to cultivate in the barren valley, he exchanged Soul Pearls with Shangguan Yun Feng.


    Unlike other ces, the Nine Serenities did not restrict the use of Soul Pearls or external items such as Celestial Talismans, Celestial Pills, and Celestial Weapons. The only restriction in the Nine Serenities Battlefield was one’s cultivation base; those who had attained godhood could not enter the Nine Serenities Battlefield. Hence, the Nine Serenities Battlefield was just like a miniature version of a Devata Realms without gods. Due to how treacherous the ce was, usually, only titled Celestial Emperors woulde to this ce.


    ‘I didn’t expect the Young Master of the Heavenly Pce of the Solitary Destructive Heaven toe to the Nine Serenities Battlefield. Moreover, he even joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance!’ Shangguan Yun Feng thought to himself excitedly as he watched Duan Ling Tian vanish before his eyes, ‘It’s only a matter of time for someone like him to attain godhood. It’d be beneficial for me to maintain a good rtionship with him. Moreover, his master is the legendary Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven who’s a god now!’


    Shangguan Yun Feng was a sectless cultivator and an Eight Star God of War. He preferred to travel unfettered instead of joining a force. Hence, he did not have friends in heaven-grade forces or Heavenly Pces; his friends were sectless cultivators like him. However, in recent times, he had been giving his future more thought ever since he was stuck at this cultivation base for tens of thousands of years. He had grown lonely over the years, searching for ways to break through, and his loneliness had only intensified with time. Most celestials who did not have a breakthrough after such a long time would usually take high risks just to break through. Some were lucky and were rewarded with a breakthrough, but most of them usually paid a price for the risks they took.


    The Nine Serenities Battlefield and Purgatory Battlefield were one of the risky ways for these celestials to achieve a breakthrough. Hence, there were many unknown and sectless Seven, Eight, or even Nine Star Gods of Wars in these ces.


    Shangguan Yun Feng, the Leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and most of the Guardians were such people.


    ‘After the Young Master attains godhood, he might guide me. With that, I might have a breakthrough. Moreover, he has already formed andprehended two of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth…’


    Usually, Shangguan Yun Feng was rather aloof. He would remain aloof even if he were to meet those Heavenly Emperors of the various Devata Realms; after all, he was stronger than a lot of them. However, he was enthusiastic with Duan Ling Tian. This was due to his hope that Duan Ling Tian would be able to help him with his cultivation in the future.


    After Shangguan Yun Feng left, he immediately ordered for the ce where Duan Ling Tian was cultivating to be made into a forbidden area. He even arranged for some elders and disciples to patrol the area and kill whoever dared to approach that ce.


    Shangguan Yun Feng’s orders stirred up amotion almost immediately. Many people were curious why that deste area had be a forbidden area.


    “Forbidden area?”


    “Why did that barren ce be a forbidden area?”


    “Did they find some treasures there?”


    It did not take long before the members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance found out that the barren valley was turned into a forbidden area because it was the cultivation ground of a neer. Along with that, they also discovered the neer was none other than the Purple-d Nobleman who had recently be famous.


    “The Purple-d Nobleman?”


    “The Purple-d Nobleman is cultivating there?”


    “I just heard that the Purple-d Nobleman didn’t be our alliance’s ninth Guardian after joining our alliance. I heard the Leader made him our Vice Alliance Leader!”


    Many people were shocked by this news. After all, the Heavenly Dao Alliance had never had a Vice Alliance Leader before. Moreover, it was clear that the position of Vice Alliance Leader was higher than a Guardian.


    “Hey, the position of Vice Alliance Leader is higher than the Guardians. Don’t you think this is unfair? The First Guardian is an Eight Star God of War, but why is the Purple-d Nobleman the Vice Alliance Leader?”


    “That’s right! The Purple-d Nobleman is only a Seven Star God of War! How can his position be higher than the First Guardian?”


    “Perhaps, he’s actually stronger than our First Guardian?”


    Soon enough, news of Duan Ling Tian’s identity began to spread as well.


    “Hey, did you hear? Apparently, the Purple-d Nobleman is the only true disciple of Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang of the Solitary Destructive Heaven!”


    “That means the Purple-d Nobleman is Duan Ling Tian, the winner of the Devata Realm’s Battle of the Geniuses. I had no idea he came to the Nine Serenities Battlefield and even joined our Heavenly Dao Alliance!”


    “I heard about him when left the Nine Serenities Battlefield a month ago. He’s the first participant with strengthparable to a top Seven Star God of War to have appeared in the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses! He was already a Nine Pces Celestial Emperor at that time!”


    “I heard about this matter four months ago. He was rewarded with the Exploding Element Celestial Fruit for winning the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses. Hence, everyone is certain he’s now a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor. Most importantly, he’s spected to be as strong as a top Eight Star God of War!”


    “A top Eight Star God of War? If that’s true, doesn’t that mean he’s stronger than our Leader?”


    “That’s right. I heard our Leader wanted to give up his position to Duan Ling Tian, but Duan Ling Tian refused. That’s why our Leader made him the Vice Alliance Leader instead…”


    The members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance were in shock for a long time after learning about the shocking news. They were even more shocked when they learned about the new Vice Alliance Leader’s achievements from members who had just returned to the Nine Serenities Battlefield.