In the eastern region of the floating lands, there lay a vast expanse of desolation, a dead zone of gray mountains and black waters, abandoned for countless millennia.
Yet today, a revolutionary change occurred. With the spread of clear, water-like chaotic ripples from the distance, the violent and chaotic tides of spiritual energy gradually subsided. Billows of black gas surged from deep within the earth, forming a dark cloud that blotted out the sun, only to slowly dissipate under its intense rays.
The silent chaotic light patterns permeated deep into the earth, reaching a thousand feet below the surface. Wherever they passed, the contaminated rock layers, soil, and all forms of poison gas and negative energy were thoroughly purified and neutralized. The soil near the surface began to brim with vibrant life once more.
Moments later, as the chaotic light patterns faded, the area within a four-hundred-mile radius centered on Qing Muling's location had completely transformed.
It wouldn't be long before the entire floating land would become a picturesque and fertile place, capable of sustaining a population ten times larger than before without issue.
Although the high and mighty cultivators regarded mortals as ants, it was only through the vast numbers of mortal populations that enough cultivation talents could be born, providing a constant stream of new blood to the various sects and powers. Thus, the mortal communities were the key foundation for the stability and development of the cultivation world, and few would dispute this.
"…It's truly miraculous. Is this the wondrous use of the power of creation's origin?" Qi Yalan couldn't help but marvel. Compared to Luo Huan, this was indeed her first time witnessing her Junior Brother perform such inconceivable feats of creation after meeting up with Qing Muling. The shock in her heart was beyond words.
Now, Qing Muling was only at the True One Realm. If he were to reach the Elemental Immortal realm like herself, wouldn't he be able to purify an entire floating land with a mere gesture? If he wished, perhaps all the lands within their sect's territory could be transformed into fertile earth by his hand?
Luo Huan whispered, "In fact, all the major Dao Lineage powers in the Great Void have means to transform the environment of floating lands, including our Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. However, the cost is somewhat extravagant, and only True Immortals and above have the capability to perform such feats, so… it's rarely used on a large scale.
The Dao Court is the exception. With their abundance of experts and resources, they can persistently advance such plans. Sometimes, even several Emperors would personally take action. That's why, over the years, the Dao Court's territory has only grown larger and more prosperous."
Qi Yalan nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "The higher-ups of the Dao Court have grand ambitions. Sister, do you think… they might have a chance to integrate and unify all powers, ruling the entire Great Void in the future?"
Luo Huan chuckled, "The possibility exists, and it's not small. Whether it can become reality is another matter. At least our Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace is unlikely to agree, and the grown-up Junior Brother probably wouldn't consent either."
Qi Yalan nodded, deep in thought. Qing Muling's future achievements would not be inferior to those Emperors of the Dao Court, so who would ultimately rule the Great Void was still a matter up for discussion.
The ultimate goal that the Dao Court tirelessly pursued was no longer a secret. Any cultivator with a sound mind could see it clearly, and it was a blatant strategy that all Dao Lineage powers were well aware of, yet unable to stop.
The Dao Court's momentum was already established, and it was not something that a few Supreme Dao Lineages could contend with. The three Quasi Holy Emperors at the peak of their power were enough to suppress any dissenting voices. Only if more than one-third of the Supreme Dao Lineages cooperated without reservations could they confront the terrifying pressure of the Dao Court head-on.
Of course, the progeny of certain powerful Ancient Divine Beasts also had the ability to oppose the Dao Court. That's why the Dao Court's higher-ups still chose a gradual and mild strategy, maintaining friendly relations with all Supreme Dao Lineages and deepening cooperation in all aspects, rather than resorting to forceful coercion.
After glancing at Luo Huan, Qi Yalan smiled and said, "But right now, I'm more concerned about advancing my own cultivation. Aren't you close to the mid-stage of the Elemental Immortal realm? Even Senior Sister might not be able to keep up with you. If we can persuade our Junior Brother to enter closed-door cultivation with us for a few years, we should all be able to make further progress."
Luo Huan frowned slightly and replied, "That's possible, but I think there's a good opportunity right now to hunt the progeny of the Magic Clan and earn heavenly merits. Let's wait a bit! Once we return to the sect's Main Altar, we can use the time acceleration Formation Array to quickly advance our cultivation."
The widespread emergence of the Magic Clan progeny was indeed a calamity but also a rare opportunity. As long as one had sufficient strength to hunt these beings on a large scale, they could receive a generous gift of heavenly merits, an irresistible temptation for cultivators.
In theory, if one killed enough Magic Clan progeny and earned enough heavenly merits, it was possible to even break through to the Quasi Holy Emperor Realm. Missing this opportunity would make it much harder to earn heavenly merits in such quantities in the future.
"Alright, let's do that. Once Junior Brother has dealt with these dead zones, we'll go hunting on the surrounding lands together."
Qi Yalan no longer insisted on her point of view. After all, as long as she could be with Qing Muling, what they did wasn't so important.
***
At the Main Altar of the Armillary Sphere Star Palace.
The atmosphere in the Council Hall was tense. Sect Master Yan Qinyang sat on the high platform, clutching a jade slip, his face so dark it seemed water might drip from it. The elders on either side also wore grim expressions, as if they had been forced to swallow something distasteful.
"…Is the intelligence reliable?"
After a long silence, Yan Qinyang's voice, filled with murderous intent, finally broke the quiet, "Has the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace truly awakened the Xinyu Emperor? How… how dare they?"
Elder Song Zhongting, in charge of intelligence affairs, replied with a heavy heart, "The intelligence is true. Although the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace has kept it tightly sealed, the news came from the Dao Court. Recently, Mu Yinghua somehow managed to borrow ten billion heavenly merits from the Dao Court, which revived the Emperor."
"So, we're going to be passive from now on?"
Core Elder Xie Changqing asked coldly, "What are those big shots in the Dao Court thinking? Why would they lend them such a huge amount of merits? It's simply… preposterous!"
An Emperor, even one not fully recovered to their peak state, undoubtedly commanded immense deterrence. If the Armillary Sphere Star Palace couldn't present an equivalent strategic deterrent force, they would be constrained in many ways and overshadowed by the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.
Moreover, in the great war ten thousand years ago, the Armillary Sphere Star Palace had gained the most from the division of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace's spoils, and the enmity between the two Dao Lineages was the deepest, with no possibility of reconciliation. The struggle between them had to end with the complete downfall of one side.
Song Zhongting sighed, "What the Dao Court's higher-ups are thinking, we can't guess at the moment. But now that things have come to this, we need to consider appropriate countermeasures quickly. For now, the rampant Magic Clan progeny won't pose a problem, but once this calamity passes, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace will surely make a move against us, so…"
The core elders exchanged glances, and someone said somberly, "Our sect also has an Emperor in residence, there's no need to fear them!"
However, no one responded to his words. It was true that there was an Emperor within the Armillary Sphere Star Palace's Hidden Cave Mystical Realm, but that great being had not appeared for many years, reportedly due to severe injuries and only able to extend their life through deep slumber, currently incapable of taking action.
To allow this Emperor to recover enough to take action in a short period, it would require a massive investment of rare resources, enough to deplete the sect's strategic reserves.
The Armillary Sphere Star Palace had a large business and many disciples, which naturally led to extravagant expenses. If they truly woke the Emperor at any cost, for at least a thousand years to come, the Armillary Sphere Star Palace would have to live frugally, reminiscing the hardships of the past.
After all, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had Qing Muling, who had obtained a vast amount of rare resources from the Misty Illusion Secret Realm and persuaded the Qinghuan Emperor to lend enough heavenly merits. The current Armillary Sphere Star Palace… frankly, couldn't offer such terms.
The injury of their Emperor was said to be more severe than that of the Xinyu Emperor, and to restore them to a state where they could take action would require even more heavenly merits.
Yan Qinyang clenched his teeth and asked, "They can borrow from the Dao Court, can't we do the same? Borrow ten billion or so heavenly merits, and the problem will be solved!"
"That… we can try, but I can't guarantee the outcome," a core elder replied. Common sense suggested that the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace must have paid an unimaginable price to please the Qinghuan Emperor and secure this strategic resource. If the Armillary Sphere Star Palace couldn't offer similar benefits, they were unlikely to get the response they wanted.
Yan Qinyang fell silent. Just then, a sweet and seductive voice came from behind the screen, "Why bother, Sect Master? Let me handle this matter. I will visit the Dao Court with generous gifts and plead with the Wei De Emperor. I believe he will not refuse."
Accompanied by the pleasant sound of jingling ornaments, a slender and voluptuous beauty emerged gracefully. Her full bosom and beautifully curved jawline came into view. She was an elegant and noble lady in green, her skin so delicate it seemed it could be broken with a blow, her large, bright eyes brimming with laughter. She played with a fan adorned with a myriad of flowers in her hand and bowed slightly to Yan Qinyang.
Yan Qinyang's expression softened, "With the lady's intervention, we can give it a try. After all, we have not skimped on gifts to the Wei De Emperor; he should show us some favor."
This stunning woman was Yan Qinyang's Dao Companion, Lan Yifei. Born into nobility with a powerful family background and unfathomable cultivation, she also wielded considerable influence both within and outside the sect.
Lan Yifei looked around and said firmly, "The Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace's recovery has been too vigorous in recent years. If this continues, it will not bode well for our sect. We must find a way to suppress them and remind them of their place!"
With the rise of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, they would likely target the Armillary Sphere Star Palace first, so from her perspective, it was only natural to trip them up.
Xie Changqing asked, "May I know what strategy the lady has in mind?"
"It's simple. I will contact the master of the Shadow Assassination Hall and deploy a group of capable elites to assassinate important figures from the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, starting with that Qing Muling!"
Lan Yifei's voice was cold, revealing a hint of murderous intent. As the only direct daughter of the Shadow Assassination Hall's master, she was certainly not some harmless, naive sweetheart.
The Shadow Assassination Hall, also one of the Supreme Dao Lineages, was an old and established power that started as an assassination business. With countless top-notch assassins in the sect, it was a terrifying organization that made countless cultivators pale at the mention of its name.
The union between Lan Yifei and Yan Qinyang was unsurprisingly a political marriage, and a powerful alliance at that. After their marriage, their relationship had been harmonious, but they had only one daughter with decent talent and potential, who received the full support of the sect's higher-ups.
Yan Qinyang pondered, "Mu Yinghua's direct disciples are all quite extraordinary, especially that Qing Muling. Since our last scheme against him failed, he must be on guard. We can't sneak into the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace's Main Altar to find him, so it seems a bit difficult to make a move."
Lan Yifei smiled, "My husband need not worry. Our Shadow Assassination Hall's intelligence network recently received news that Qing Muling has left the sect to travel. We just need to deploy enough manpower to track him down outside!"
Yan Qinyang was pleased, "That makes things easier!"
No matter how exceptional a prodigious talent was, once they left the protection of their sect's Mountain Protection Array and the many high-ranking elders, they became much easier to target. Even if they had protectors accompanying them, it was impossible to guarantee absolute safety.
As a leading force in the world of assassins, the Shadow Assassination Hall had stood in the Great Void for millions of years, with countless insidious and ruthless methods that were hard to guard against. Many prodigies had fallen at the hands of their Supreme assassins, including several Sect Masters of Supreme Dao Lineages, and not a few at that.
No matter how formidable Qing Muling was, he was still just a junior. No matter how extraordinary he was, once dead, he would be worthless. All his bright prospects and astonishing fate would come to naught.
Song Zhongting hesitated and then ventured, "Can we capture him alive? If this young man could be used by our sect, it would be of incomparable benefit. A person highly valued by the higher-ups of the Calamity Fate Palace, to simply kill him seems a bit wasteful."
Lan Yifei frowned slightly and after some thought, reluctantly said, "Alright, I will tell them to be measured. I do want to see what makes him so special."
"Very well, let's settle it like this."
Yan Qinyang said with satisfaction, "If he is willing to turn away from the dark path and join us, I would not mind taking him as my direct disciple!"
Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan