Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The Southern Territories in the Divine Lands now belonged to the Gu Empire. The entire Great Swamps of the Ancient Region was included in the Gu Empire’s territories. They were even starting to infringe on the southern borders of the Great Zhou Empire.
Geographically speaking, the Great Zhou Empire was now separated from the Vast Sea Sword Sect and the Samsara Sect. These two sects were now located within the Gu Empire’s territories.
The Samsara Sect continued to keep a low-profile. However, Ming Zun started to pander towards the Celestial Sect of Wonders after he became the leader of the Samsara Sect. He was very respectful towards the Gu empire. There were no conflicts between both sides and peace ensued in the region.
The leader of the Vast Sea Sword Sect, the Vast Sea Swordmaster, finally retreated from his closed-door cultivation after the War of the Two Worlds. He managed to cultivate the way of the virtual entity. Despite this, he didn’t dare to clash against the Gu Empire. He retreated from land and returned to the sea. He was now positioned in the seas and was partly inactive in the region.
However, the Vast Sea Sword Sect was more confident in facing the Great Zhou Empire now. Both parties still kept a close relationship and did contact each other regularly. However, the Vast Sea Sword Sect was no longer commanded by the Great Zhou Empire.
The Great Void Sect and Mount Shu Sword Sect sealed their mountains. Although Buddhism rose once again, it was an arduous task seeking a spiritual mountain. As the Celestial Sect of Wonders became more and more prominent in the Divine Lands, the various sects and powers in the Divine Lands started to band together to deal with the situation regarding the Gu Empire.
The Celestial Sect of Wonders had become immensely reputable in the Divine Lands right now and further cemented their position as the leader in the Divine Lands. If another Wat of the Two Worlds erupted again, the Celestial Sect of Wonders would undoubtedly be leading the entire Divine Lands into war.
Although there wasn’t any war now, the rest of the powers and sects were still very friendly to the Celestial Sect of Wonders and were slowly committing themselves to the Celestial Sect of Wonders.
However, the Celestial Sect of Wonders didn’t intervene in the conflicts between the sects and powers in the Divine Lands.
But the situation in the Divine Lands became much more peaceful and stable because of the Celestial Sect of Wonders’ presence. The power of the Gu Empire couldn’t be underestimated and they slowly drew the alliance of the various powers.
The rest of the powers banded together with the Great Qin and Great Zhou Empires as their leaders. The Gu Empire continued to exert its dominance. Although the rest of the powers didn’t rush to strengthen their alliance, they were slowly gaining traction.
To the Gu Empire, their position was very stable as long as they didn’t commit any mistakes and there were no external factors that greatly affected their influence.
Recently, the Gu Empire’s advantage even further increased.
It wasn’t an increase in their powers, but their psychological advantage over the other sects and powers became more evident.
In three days’ time, the eldest disciple of the Celestial Sect of Wonders – Inferno Emperor Xiao Yan – would have his engagement with a descendant of Emperor Gu.
Disregarding Lin Feng, Xiao Yan was also an influential figure in the cultivation world now. His reputation wasn’t inferior to the current Emperor Gu.
Ever since the War of the Two Worlds, Xiao Yan led a simple life and rarely showed himself in the Grand Celestial World. But no one dared to underestimate him.
Just a year ago, both parties set the date. The Celestial Sect of Wonders would arrive at the Longevity City in three days’ time and both Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhener would be engaged. Their date of marriage would also be decided.
However, the hottest news that spread was that the Celestial Sect of Wonders announced that Lin Feng would personally go to the Longevity City.
This news left everyone in shock.
Although it’s only right for an elder to be present for the engagement, Xiao Yan’s grandfather was still alive and healthy. His mastery might be low, but he was Xiao Yan’s biological kin.
Everyone knew that Lin Feng had stayed away from worldly affairs for many years, thus his sudden decision to appear at the engagement caught everyone by surprise.
Even though everyone knew that Lin Feng was very concerned and caring towards his eldest disciple, they were still making wild guesses in the face of such a situation. Not only was he going to the Longevity City to attend Xiao Yan’s engagement, he was also there to settle other matters.
In addition, the Celestial Sect of Wonders was the one who gathered everyone at Longevity City. This was something that left everyone puzzled.
However, such an abnormal thing might not necessarily be a bad thing. Everyone was curious about Lin Feng’s intention, thus they all hurried to the Longevity World.
Even the Great Zhou Empire, Great Qin Empire and Royal House of the Northern Tribes sent representatives to the Longevity City although they had tense relationships with the Gu Empire.
Since the Celestial Sect of Wonders was the one who gathered everyone, they weren’t afraid that the Gu Empire would do anything to them.
If the Celestial Sect of Wonders decided to stop being neutral and supported the Gu Empire in its dominance over the entire Divine Lands, they didn’t have to go through so much trouble such to do so.
The Longevity City was bustling with people now. Streaks of flowing lights flashed in void space. The cultivators of the Gu Empire made arrangements and hosted the visitors.
They remained formal and courteous even towards the Great Zhou and Great Qin cultivators. Everything proceeded smoothly.
The Celestial Sect of Wonders’ disciples also arrived at the Longevity City early. Their arrival naturally attracted the attention of the other cultivators.
After the Gu Empire settled the accommodations for the Celestial Sect disciples, these Celestial Sect disciples scattered and interacted with the cultivators from the other sects and powers.
They were akin to half the host, but they knew their limits and didn’t steal the limelight from the proper host.
This left Shi Zongtang, Liang Gan, the Royal House Lord and the others slightly intrigued.
However, they acted normal on the surface. They continued to converse leisurely with Zhu Yi, Wang Lin and the rest.
At this stage, Zhu Yi, Wang Lin and the rest had gained reputations for themselves in the Divine Land. As their disciples emerged as Immortal Soul cultivators, their statuses were no longer the same as before. They were even comparable to the leaders of the other sects right now.
The person who drew the most attention from the other sects was Zhu Yi’s Heavenly Temple’s First Disciple, Yang Tie. He came along with Zhu Yi to the Longevity City.
On the contrary, Xiao Yan’s Inferno Precipice’s First Disciple, Tang Jun, remained on Mount Yujing. He didn’t tag along.
Today was Xiao Yan’s joyous occasion. Although he didn’t need to be present for his own engagement, the Celestial Sect of Wonders did mention that he would come for it.
Right now, Zhu Yi, Wang Lin and the other four had already arrived. Xiao Yan had to be present.
For such an important occasion, Tang Jun should be settling matters for his own master and shouldn’t remain in the Inferno Precipice.
However, Tang Jun did remain on Mount Yujing.
The announcement was that besides Lin Feng, Xiao Yan’s Immediate Disciples would also come to the Longevity City to witness this joyous occasion.
In this way, it’s likely that Tang Jun’s role was to ensure nothing went wrong on Mount Yujing.
If this job was left to Yang Tie, there wouldn’t be any special significance. After all, it was only right for Tang Jun to support his master in the Longevity City.
But now that Tang Jun didn’t do so and chose to remain in the Longevity City, it was a message that carried huge significance in the eyes of the Divine Lands.
The second-generation successor of the Celestial Sect of Wonders after Lin Feng and Xiao Yan seemed to have been decided.
Tang Jun held an advantage over Yang Tie.
Although this was still a long time away and no one knew what would happen in between, this message was still heavily regarded by everyone.
This naturally included the Gu Empire.
However, they weren’t as relaxed as some would think.
The Gu Empire shared close ties with the Celestial Sect of Wonders, especially the Inferno Precipice, because of Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhener’s relationship. If Tang Jun succeeded Xiao Yan, this was undoubtedly more beneficial to the Gu Empire and both parties could become closer. This would pile on the pressure on the Great Zhou and Great Qin Empires.
But those who were far-sighted could tell that the hardheaded Tang Jun might not necessarily be the best choice for the Gu Empire to succeed the leadership in the Celestial Sect of Wonders.
If Yang Tie was Xiao Yan’s disciple and was the designated successor, the Gu Empire might be happier with that.
Some things were undoubtedly unclear to the rest of the sects and powers, including the Gu Empire.
In the Longevity World, Luo Qingwu laughed, “There’s not so much deliberation behind this decision. It’s purely because Tian Cang is more outstanding than Tian Tai and is more suitable.”
Zhu Yi wasn’t bothered even though he heard her words. He smiled and said, “Our sect doesn’t play those power balancing games like the Great Void Sect. Master’s prestige and the sect’s current strength has been determined. Even if we don’t want to, we’ll still affect the judgment and thinking of the rest of the Divine Lands. We’ll still affect the situation in the Divine Lands.”
“Eldest senior and Miss Zhener are in love with each other, and their love is not affected by external factors. However, their relationship is bound to be viewed as a related marriage between our sect and the Gu Empire.”
Unless the Celestial Sect of Wonders explicitly denied that fact, the Gu Empire’s reputation was bound to soar after Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhener were engaged. The Gu Empire would also become the closest ally to the Celestial Sect of Wonders in the eyes of the others.
Even if the Gu Empire didn’t do anything, the rest of the powers would still consider the Celestial Sect of Wonders’ strength when they faced the Gu Empire. The Gu Empire would start to become an irresistible force.
However, the matter regarding Tang Jun did turn some heads and caused many to believe that it was an implicit message by the Celestial Sect of Wonders.
Even the Gu Empire started to speculate.
However, this was something that couldn’t be verified by the Celestial Sect of Wonders. One could only speculate, try to figure out and analyze himself.
But one’s analysis might not necessarily be the same as the Celestial Sect of Wonders’ original intention.
Yang Qing laughed bitterly, “To a certain extent, this has relieved some of the pressure on the other sects and powers due to eldest senior’s marriage. However, has this made their relationship simpler or more complicated?”
Wang Lin said, “Miss Zhener won’t misunderstand. That’ll be enough. Moreover, her father is not an ordinary person. He will understand.”
Luo Qingwu shook her head, “Well, there’s always mistakes.”
The few of them looked at one another before sighing. They were slightly amused right now.
To them, this was a very pure and simple thing.
