Chapter 1601 — Chapter 1601 A Forgotten Rumor

"According to Yuan, he was taken to a place called the Primal Expanse after going through the rift," said Meixiu after Xu Jiaqi's impatient inquiry into Yuan's situation. "Primal Expanse? Where is that? I have never heard of this place before." Senior Bai mumbled out loud.

Xu Jiaqi looked at Kelan with a questioning gaze. Seeing this, Kelan shook his head and said, "No, I haven't heard of this place, either."

"Primal Expanse…?"

However, Xi Meili's face was ponderous, almost as if she was trying to recall something.

Xu Jiaqi noticed this and quickly asked, "You have heard of it?" "I think I have heard of it, but I don't remember where or when…" she sighed.

Meixiu then spoke, "This is what Yuan said—the Primal Expanse appears to be its own world that exists outside the Nine Heavens, and there are no humans here, only Magical Beasts they call Primals and Predators."

Upon hearing this, a spark of recognition flickered in Xi Meili's mind, prompting her to exclaim, "I remember now! I recall reading about it in an ancient scroll owned by my father when I was very young. It claimed that Magical Beasts and Divine Beasts didn't simply come into existence but actually traveled to the Nine Heavens from another world called Primal Expanse!"

"When I asked my father about it, he said it was a rumor that was once popular during the Primordial Era but has since faded into obscurity and forgotten by most people."

Xu Jiaqi wore a serious look on her face as she digested this information.

She turned to look at Meixiu and asked, "Did Yuan say anything else about this place?"

"No, but he said that he'd give me an update once he explores the world a little longer. Ah, he also said he's safe and to not worry about him and that he will definitely return to the Nine Heavens as soon as possible."

"I'm relieved to hear that he's safe for now, but he still needs to find a way back to the Nine Heavens. Moreover, the existence of this Primal Expanse has serious implications now that we've confirmed its existence," Senior Bai said.

"Even if we know about its existence, what can we do about it?" Kelan shrugged. "It exists outside the Nine Heavens, and those who have gone there never returned. It might as well not exist."

Xu Jiaqi suddenly glared at him with a dangerous gaze. Kelan trembled when he realized that he'd screwed up by essentially saying that Yuan would never return from the Primal Expanse.

"I believe in Yuan. He'll definitely return to us." Lan Yingying suddenly said.

Sometime later, Senior Bai asked Xu Jiaqi, "What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to see if I can learn more about the Primal Expanse, so I'll leave now. Make sure to update me whenever Yuan gives an update." "You heard it yourself, Kelan. If I am not available, you can directly notify the Celestial Overlord." Senior Bai said to Kelan.

"Yes…" Kelan acknowledged. He never thought he would work as a mere messenger, given his position in the faction, but he did not dare to complain and considered this as punishment for his failure to protect Yuan.

Senior Bai and Xu Jiaqi left the scene and returned to the upper heavens shortly later.

"What now?" Chu Liuxiang asked.

"Well… there's nothing we can really do until Yuan updates us, so I guess we can return to training," Meixiu said.

Upon hearing this, Kelan said, "If you need training, how about I train you guys? I don't mean to brag, but nobody trains as hard as me in the faction. I have nothing else to do, and I need to stay by your side to contact Yuan."

They looked at him with doubtful gazes.

"W-what's with those looks?! Do you not believe me?! How about this? If even one of you doesn't see any significant improvements after training with me for a month, I'll give each of you an Empyrean-grade treasure!"

Kelan suddenly realized something and quickly said, "Ah, let me introduce myself first. My name's Kelan, and I was assigned to be Yuan's bodyguard. We're from the same faction, and I am his senior by one rank."

Meixiu and the others began introducing themselves afterward.

'This bastard is surrounded by so many beautiful women. Are they his lovers?' Kelan wondered inwardly.

Once the introductions were over, Kelan turned to look at those from the Three Grand Sects and said to them, "Hey, I need a favor."

"O-of course! Whatever you need!" Du Daomi immediately responded.

"We're going to borrow the training facilities in your sect for a little. Don't worry, I will compensate you for the troubles."

"Please, you don't need to worry about any compensation. You can use our sects as much as you want for free. We'll even give you your own living quarters."

Sometime later, Kelan and the group of ladies followed Du Daomi to the Grand Mystic Sect.

Meanwhile, in the Primal Expanse, after spending several days running because Xiao Hua had to reveal her scent, Yuan finally came to a halt.

Without even looking back, Yuan had a feeling that Yingzi was behind him.

He slowly turned around to look behind him, and sure enough, Yingzi was standing there, wearing Xiao Hua's clothes. However, it was evident that Yingzi had never worn clothes before, given the disheveled way she had managed to put them on.

"Umm… you're wearing them incorrectly. Let me help you." Yuan said to her.

Yingzi silently nodded.

Yuan approached her and had to completely strip her naked before he could even begin fixing her clothes.

After helping her with the clothes, Yuan said, "Since I don't know anything about this world, do you mind giving me a tour?"

"Where would you like to go?" she asked.

"Do you have cities in this world?"

"I don't know what cities are," she said.

"A city is an area in which a large number of people—or Primals and Predators, in your case— live close together. It's a community of sorts." Yuan explained.