Jinzhou, Heavenly Music Sect.
Qin music drifted through the ethereal palace in endless waves. A white-robed qin cultivator sat cross-legged, watching the sun sink toward the horizon.
“I understand.”
The Heavenly Realm envoy’s expression shifted as he searched Linjiang Xian’s face. “Linjiang Xian, does that mean...”
Linjiang Xian turned his head.
“I said I already know.”
He rose, gathered up his qin, and turned to walk deeper inside.
The Heavenly Realm envoy froze. “What is the meaning of this, Linjiang Xian?”
Linjiang Xian stopped and sighed softly.
“No. That’s not right.”
“What?” the envoy pressed.
Linjiang Xian merely shook his head.
“The sun is wrong.”
“I wanted to see a golden-red sunset, not an orange-red one.”
Holding his qin, he continued deeper into Heavenly Music Sect without another pause.
“You...” The envoy stared after him in disbelief and was about to follow when Qingzhu stepped in front of him.
“He said he knows, so he knows.” Qingzhu’s expression was indifferent as he glanced at the man. “There’s no point saying anything more.”
The envoy frowned deeply. “Then what was that business about the sun?”
“He wanted a golden-red sunset, but the sun won’t change to suit his wishes.” Qingzhu raised a hand, plainly seeing him out. “And in the future, this world may not unfold according to the Esoteric Sect’s wishes either.”
“When it comes to resisting outside enemies, Heavenly Music Sect will not shirk its duty. Beyond that, Heavenly Realm envoy, please leave.”
The envoy’s face darkened with displeasure, but he still flicked his sleeve and cupped his hands.
“As long as you understand.”
“Still, Heaven’s mandate is clear. I’m afraid it cannot be defied.”
Qingzhu watched him leave, then turned around to find Linjiang Xian looking at him.
Linjiang Xian seemed long accustomed to this.
“I only mentioned the sunset. Nothing else.”
“I know.” Qingzhu remained perfectly calm. “What I said was because I can’t stand the way the Esoteric Sect looks down on everyone. Annoying.”
With both hands clasped behind his back, he marched straight toward the depths of Heavenly Music Sect.
Linjiang Xian called after him, “Where are you going?”
“To train!” Qingzhu snorted. “Who cares whether it’s otherworldly evil demons or whatever else!”
Linjiang Xian helplessly shook his head.
“...Such a temper.”
Behind him, Miaoyin Xian looked a little worried.
“Master...”
“It’s fine.” Linjiang Xian’s expression remained calm. “Let’s play another piece.”
...
Qingzhou, Guiyi Sect.
With a longsword strapped to his back, Wen Rubing stood before the sect gates and gave the Heavenly Realm envoy a courteous bow, neither servile nor arrogant.
“My apologies. Master is not receiving guests at present.”
The envoy did not seem particularly surprised. He smiled without warmth.
“Is that really so? Guiyi Sect may dominate an entire province, but you are still beneath the Heavenly Dao.”
Wen Rubing straightened and smiled gently.
“Everyone under heaven naturally stands beneath the Heavenly Dao.”
“Hmph.” The envoy sneered. “In that case, I will report your answer exactly as given. However, the alliance pact from back then...”
Wen Rubing nodded with a smile.
“Master said that if the mountains and rivers are ever in peril, the Mountain-and-River Sword will naturally leave its sheath.”
“Ever since Sword Sovereign Tianyi made his name, it has been quite some time since he last drew that Mountain-and-River Sword.” The envoy offered the perfunctory remark. “I wonder whether this time we’ll finally see the might of the world’s number one sword.”
He turned to leave, but Wen Rubing spoke again.
“Being number one under heaven is only an empty title. Some swords excel at defending. Others excel at attacking.”
“Guiyi Sect has a sword capable of safeguarding the mountains and rivers—and another capable of facing its own heart without shame.”
Wen Rubing raised his eyes.
“Master asked the Heavenly Realm envoy to carry a message to Immortal Bu Yetian.”
“He wants to ask him—whether, as he stands today, he can still face his own heart without shame.”
The envoy’s cheek twitched. Naked panic flashed across his face before he barked sharply,
“You dare question an immortal?!”
Wen Rubing’s expression did not change.
“Why not?”
“You!” The envoy’s finger trembled faintly as he laughed coldly again and again. “Good. Very good. As expected of Guiyi Sect. You truly fear nothing!”
“I was wondering how Tianji Zi and Ye Chenyan both ended up coming out of this place. So Sword Sovereign Tianyi is the same sort! No wonder you’re all from the same sect!”
“I will report every word!”
...
Rongzhou, Heavenly Fire Cult.
“Burp.”
Cangyan let out a wine-soaked belch and threw an arm around the Heavenly Realm envoy’s shoulders, grinning broadly.
“Come on, brother. Forget all that troublesome business for now. Have another drink!”
The envoy was already dizzy and hurriedly waved his hands.
“No more, no more! Cult Leader Cangyan, I came here on important business...”
“I know. That business.” Cangyan laughed and swirled the wine in his cup before raising it to the envoy’s lips and pouring the hard liquor straight down his throat, as though he wanted to stuff the cup in after it.
“Our forebears settled this ten million years ago. How could we descendants refuse?”
“You’ve come all this way, which means a great battle must be close. All the more reason to have a few extra drinks! Who knows whether we’ll still have good days for drinking afterward?”
“I hear the Esoteric Sect keeps a tight rein on everyone. You probably don’t get much wine normally, do you, brother?”
After several more cups, the Heavenly Realm envoy staggered to his feet, his head dipped—
And he collapsed.
“Hello?”
Cangyan nudged him lightly with one foot and chuckled. Then he lifted the envoy’s head, aimed his gourd at the man’s mouth, and poured.
Only then did Hongni quietly appear. Propping up her chin, she asked,
“What are you giving him?”
Without looking up, Cangyan answered,
“Knockout drug.”
“That much?” Hongni clicked her tongue. “That’s enough to drop a ferocious beast, isn’t it?”
Cangyan finally stopped and summoned several cult members with a wave.
“Drag him off. Toss him in any room.”
Hongni muttered, “Why go through all this trouble? Couldn’t you just beat him up?”
Cangyan smiled and shook his head.
“And what if he goes complaining to Bu Yetian afterward? Better to stall him for now.”
Hongni kept muttering under her breath, chin in hand as she stared at the sky.
Cangyan turned toward her.
“Scared?”
Hongni immediately snapped back, “Who’s scared?”
Cangyan laughed and rubbed her head before sitting down beside her.
“Don’t panic.”
“Worst comes to worst, we die together.”
...
Yunzhou, Fire Cauldron Sect.
The old Pill King stood with his hands behind his back and smiled at the Heavenly Realm envoy.
“It has been a long time.”
The envoy was quite respectful in return.
“Old Pill King, I have come this time to...”
“I know.” The old Pill King smiled amiably. “A crisis approaches. Fire Cauldron Sect has declined over the years, and our disciples are hardly exceptional, but we will not run from it.”
“As long as you are here, Fire Cauldron Sect will never fall,” the envoy said politely. “What we were hoping...”
“I’m old now.” The old Pill King interrupted him again. “I don’t refine pills anymore. From now on, I’ll be relying on this disciple of mine.”
Du Heng stood behind him and gave an indifferent bow.
The envoy finally understood. After a moment’s thought, he said,
“But if the furnace must be lit to refine the Heaven-Mending Pill, this disciple is ultimately still too young.”
“The Heaven-Mending Pill formula has already been lost.” The old Pill King laughed twice. “Some things disappear because they never should have remained in this world to begin with.”
The envoy pressed harder.
“As for the pill formula, the Esoteric Sect has its ways. Have you heard of the legendary Heaven-Questioning artifact? Once the holy maiden activates the sacred artifact, the formula can naturally be found.”
“Besides, the Esoteric Sect has already repaired the Heaven-Mending Furnace.”
“Old Pill King, will you truly refuse to act?”
“Why cling to it?” The old Pill King’s smile slowly faded. He closed his eyes. “The Heaven-Mending Furnace is stained with too much blood.”
“It cannot bear karma that heavy.”
“Do it again, and the result will still be the same.”
“Let it go.”
...
Nanzhou, Starwatch Pavilion.
“There is no need to say anything more about those demon-race remnants.” The Heavenly Realm envoy looked arrogant. “Starwatch Pavilion should know what it needs to do, yes?”
Tianxin sat in her wheelchair with both eyes closed, gently fiddling with a mechanical component in her hands.
“I will notify the sects large and small across Nanzhou, as well as the demon race’s seventy-two divisions of Pleasure Sect.”
“Hmph. I wasn’t talking about them.” The envoy clicked his tongue. “Forget it. Where is the master of Starwatch Pavilion? I’ll speak to him personally.”
“Ever since Pavilion Master Gongsun began studying mechanical puppets, he has rarely left the mountain. Things were better when he still managed affairs back then. Those demon-race remnants didn’t dare make trouble.”
He glanced outside.
“Nowadays, they act as though they stand on equal footing with the human race.”
“Ridiculous.”
Tianxin’s hands paused.
“You wish to see my master?”
“...Very well. Please follow me.”
Spiritual power drove the wheelchair beneath her as she led him deep into Starwatch Pavilion, all the way to a courtyard.
As if making casual conversation, Tianxin said,
“My master’s research into mechanical puppets cannot spare him for even a moment. He is at a critical stage.”
The envoy chuckled.
“I have heard that Pavilion Master Gongsun’s puppet is formidable. It is only a pity that after all these years, he has managed to produce just one.”
“If they could be mass-produced, perhaps they really could be used against...”
Tianxin raised a hand and pushed open the door.
The mechanical puppet standing silently inside slowly raised its head.
The envoy was still offering his critique.
“So this must be the—urk!”
The mechanical puppet seized him by the throat.
Its enormous hand nearly snapped his neck in an instant.
Tianxin laughed softly.
She lowered her voice as she spoke to the puppet.
“After all these years, he’s still the first person to say he missed you, Master.”
“Don’t kill him yet.”
“Have a proper reunion with him.”
She calmly closed the door, turned around, and summoned a disciple.
“Invite the totem leaders of the demon race’s seventy-two divisions here.”
...
Mingzhou, Golden Light Sect.
The sect master of Golden Light Sect personally led the Heavenly Realm envoy inside, clearly treating him as a supremely honored guest.
The two talked merrily and found themselves thoroughly like-minded.
Jin Yangzi sat with lowered eyes.
The red mark between his brows was vivid as blood. Around him were numerous spirit talismans and warding objects meant to suppress evil demons, while sandalwood incense burned in the room.
He sat cross-legged at the center of a chamber filled with Buddhist and Daoist scriptures, appearing all the more holy for it.
A young disciple entered carefully with his head lowered. He opened the censer and replaced the incense.
Jin Yangzi suddenly spoke.
“A guest has arrived.”
The young disciple was so frightened he nearly fell to his knees. He spun around in alarm, and only after seeing that the red mark between Jin Yangzi’s brows had not changed did he breathe a sigh of relief.
He answered shakily,
“Y-yes. The Esoteric Sect sent a Heavenly Realm envoy. The sect master personally went to welcome him.”
“The Esoteric Sect...” Jin Yangzi murmured.
Ever since the holy son had lost at the Golden Core Competition and even given the Lotus Realm away to someone else, his sect had punished him by confining him here to reflect on his mistakes.
The young disciple had delivered his meals for a long time, but this was still the first time Jin Yangzi had ever spoken to him.
Mustering his courage, he asked,
“Holy Son, is something...”
“Interesting.”
Jin Yangzi suddenly raised his head.
His smile was wicked.
The blood-red character for “Evil” blazed on his forehead, beyond the power of every spirit artifact in the room to suppress.
“Aah!”
The young disciple screamed.
A short while later, an exceptionally delicate-featured young disciple walked out of the room with his head lowered.
...
Tuzhou, Dharma Academy.
The Heavenly Realm envoy had barely landed before the head of Dharma Academy sensed his arrival.
“No need to say anything.”
A monastic robe was draped over only half the man’s body, leaving thick, knotted muscles plainly visible beneath. One look was enough to tell that he followed the path of body cultivation.
“Dharma Academy will not retreat.”
“Has the date been set?”
“No?”
“Come back when it has. We formed ranks for nothing.”
“Dismissed.”
Row after row of powerfully built monks scattered at once.
...
Yuezhou, Stillwater Sect.
“The Realm Stone has stirred. I assume you are already aware.” The sect master of Stillwater Sect was refined and gentle, his smile calm and effortless. “Naturally, there have been a few unexpected developments.”
“Stillwater Sect has its responsibilities, and we will not betray the alliance pact from years past. There is no need to worry.”
The Heavenly Realm envoy snorted coldly.
“You handed the Realm Stone over to someone else so easily. How are we supposed to feel reassured?”
“If you cannot feel reassured...” The sect master of Stillwater Sect looked faintly troubled. “Then I’m afraid you’ll simply have to keep worrying.”
“You!”
The envoy was just about to lose his temper when Ren Jiangliu burst inside holding two outfits.
“Dad, which one of these looks better?”
The smile never left the sect master’s face.
“Get back inside.”
“Oh. You have company.”
Ren Jiangliu turned around and left.
The sect master smiled at the envoy.
“Forgive him.”
“A grown son is impossible to keep. He’s already dreaming of being married off.”
...
Central Province, Four Books Academy.
Yu Qingtang poked the unconscious Heavenly Realm envoy in the cheek, then scratched his head with some concern.
“Even when two armies are at war, they don’t kill the envoy. Now that he’s unconscious, doesn’t this make us look like the unreasonable ones?”
“What does that have to do with us?” Chi Yantian pointed righteously at Ying Wujue. “He was beaten up by one of the Esoteric Sect’s own people!”
“Ahem.” Ying Wujue coughed twice. “Sorry. It was urgent...”
Ye Chenyan looked him up and down.
“How did you get hurt?”
Ying Wujue fell silent for a moment.
“...I wanted to save her.”
Everyone’s expression changed instantly.
Chi Yantian already had an arm hooked around Ying Wujue’s neck. He slapped him hard enough on the back to send him stumbling.
“You fought your way out of the Esoteric Sect?”
“Look at you! You’ve really grown up!”
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter