An armor-clad Xingtian landed on a large plaza outside the Han Imperial Dynasty’s palace, looking coldly at the majestic edifice before him.
“Yan Nation envoy, please wait. We have already sent someone to report to His Reverence. His Reverence will send word soon,” a Han Nation ministry of rites official said solemnly.
Xingtian ignored that official. If not for his empress instructing him to be polite and follow propriety, he would have landed directly on the Soaring Palace Hall’s plaza, as he disdained the Han Imperial Dynasty from the bottom of his heart.
Although Xingtian arrived in the land of the living recently, he had a certain understanding of the Han Imperial Dynasty. The Han Imperial Dynasty had developed rapidly over a short twenty years, becoming the top dynasty of the Divine Continent’s north.
The top dynasty?
Xingtian could not help sneering.
If Gu Hai’s cultivation were at the peak, like Ba, he might have thought better of the Han Nation. However, he learned from Jingwei that Gu Hai had broken into the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm only recently.
What was a newly advanced Upper Heavenly Palace Realm cultivator to him?
Gu Hai had a group of powerful subordinates, but they were nothing to Xingtian. He believed it would be easy for him to destroy the Han Nation.
There was the matter of Gu Hai defeating Sect Master Heavenly Access after driving the power of his nation. However, that was only in Borderless Heavenly Capital. Would Gu Hai dare to leave his capital?
Xingtian worshiped strength. All schemes and plots were nothing before absolute strength.
Xingtian looked at the palace while sneering. At the same time, an invisible membrane of light rushed towards the palace with a thought, spreading into the palace’s surroundings.
This was Xingtian’s will. Ordinary soldiers could not discover this powerful will. He felt confident that no one would discover it.
Perhaps Kong Xuan might discover it, but how could he, an official, be staying in the palace? Other people in the palace? Haha! My will is the result of a special technique I cultivate, a special war god will.
Buzz!
The will spread like a large net covering the palace. Xingtian gained a full understanding of everywhere the will reached.
The further in he went, the more he sneered.
“They are indeed a bunch of country bumpkins. Why did Her Holy Eminence tell me to follow propriety?” Xingtian sneered.
When no one discovered his will after it covered half the palace, Xingtian increased its speed. His will immediately rushed to the other half, as he wanted to cover everything at the fastest speed.
Buzz!
Xingtian’s will arrived at the Hall of Great Strength’s entrance in the blink of an eye.
In the Hall of Great Strength, Vairocana was reading the many scriptures of the Six Paths Immortal Firmament, which Gu Hai had sent to him. Suddenly, he sensed a will pour over, probing him.
Vairocana smiled coldly, and a beneficence halo suddenly appeared behind his head, looking like a blazing sun.
Boom!
When this halo appeared, it burned the war god will in the surroundings.
“Huh?” Xingtian’s face sank. To think someone noticed me and launched a counterattack?
The Han Imperial Dynasty has experts? So what if it has experts? Humph!
Whoosh!
The war god will surged towards the Hall of Great Strength like a horrifying wave washing towards Vairocana. The will attack was invisible and nebulous, but it was strangely dangerous.
Vairocana frowned slightly. I already issued a warning, yet that person is actually still trying to probe me?
Vairocana knew this was not Gu Hai’s man, as Gu Hai had instructed that no one was to disturb him. Since this was an outsider, he did not need to be polite.
The blazing halo appeared again.
The powerful halo was like the flames of the blazing sun, burning the boundless will.
Sizzle!
The will instantly burned up, like the blazing sun cooking the sea dry.
“Huh?” Xingtian’s expression changed.
How can this be? Someone can block my war god will?
Xingtian scowled ferociously, no longer spreading his will. Instead, he gathered it to stab at Vairocana.
“Go!” Xingtian growled.
Now, Vairocana was irritated. This person did not wise up, continuing to attack me. Since that’s the case, you can forget about keeping this will.
Vairocana’s expression turned serious. The bright halo behind his head suddenly dimmed, looking like an eclipse, as if a black hole was sucking everything up.
Whoosh!
The black hole consumed the sea-like war god will in one go.
[TL Note: The ancient Chinese believed that an eclipse was the result of a monster eating the sun.]
Crack!
After the war god will got consumed, its connection to Xingtian snapped. He immediately paled and nearly spewed a mouthful of blood from the backlash.
This was not a competition of strength but will. To think there is someone even better at controlling will than me?
“Who is it?” Xingtian goggled in disbelief as he took in deep breaths.
An official came out to receive the guest. “Yan Nation envoy, His Reverence invites you in. Please come in!”
Xingtian’s eyelids twitched. He nodded as he suppressed the shock in his heart.
Earlier, he had looked down on the Han Imperial Dynasty. However, he quickly suffered a loss. Now, he no longer dared to underestimate this upstart dynasty.
At the very least, there were hidden dangers in the Han Imperial Dynasty.
Perhaps he could win if he went all out. However, he represented the Yan Heavenly Dynasty, so he did not dare to be audacious. He followed the official into the palace, now cautious and shocked.
------
Soaring Palace Hall’s plaza:
Gu Hai turned his head to look in Vairocana’s direction. He had seen the earlier clash.
Since Vairocana said nothing, Gu Hai did not ask. However, he roughly guessed what had happened. Xingtian must have tried to probe but suffered at Vairocana’s hands.
Gu Hai smiled faintly, not planning to expose this.
Soon, an official brought Xingtian to the Soaring Palace Hall’s plaza.
Upon seeing Gu Hai, Xingtian restrained his expression, no longer showing his earlier contempt.
“Yan Heavenly Dynasty’s War God Marquis, Xingtian, greets Imperial Emperor Gu!” Xingtian bowed slightly.
“General Xingtian, you may dispense with the formalities.” Gu Hai smiled.
Xingtian only returned to an erect posture after this.
“We were preparing to send someone to the Yan Heavenly Dynasty. Unexpectedly, you came first,” Gu Hai said, smiling.
“Imperial Emperor Gu, is it because of Princess Jingwei’s body?” Xingtian asked.
“That’s right. Jingwei promised us to return Lin Waner after she brought Ba back,” Gu Hai said solemnly.
“This humble one is here for the same matter. Her Holy Eminence asked me to send a message to Imperial Emperor Gu,” Xingtian said gravely.
“Oh?”
“Her Holy Eminence says she is grateful to Imperial Emperor Gu for saving Jingwei. Her Holy Eminence will remember this favor and return your Lin Waner as she should. However…,” Xingtian said with a frown.
“However, what?”
“However, something unexpected happened when Jingwei possessed Lin Waner, so she cannot come out of Lin Waner’s body easily; otherwise, her life will be in danger. I am here to plead with Imperial Emperor Gu to extend the deadline,” Xingtian said seriously.
“Oh?”
“One year will be the limit. Her Holy Eminence will find a new fire cauldron physique for Jingwei to transfer to within a year. If Her Holy Eminence cannot find a new fire cauldron physique, she will personally help Jingwei forge a body. However, a fire essence physique cannot compare to a fire cauldron physique, so Her Holy Eminence asks that Imperial Emperor Gu extend the deadline to one year. Her Holy Eminence will return Lin Waner within a year!” Xingtian said solemnly.
Gu Hai frowned slightly as he stared at Xingtian.
If it were before, Xingtian would have shown disdain at Gu Hai’s expression. However, caution forbade him from offending Gu Hai.
“One year? Alright, we will give her one year. No matter the result, we want a fully intact Lin Waner in perfect health!” Gu Hai said.
“I will pass the message on to Her Holy Eminence.” Xingtian nodded.
“Also, the Elite Hall disciples, Ensnaring Performance, Purple Subtlety, and Longevity escorted Jingwei to the nether realm. Might I ask where they are?” Gu Hai asked while frowning.
“Them? Princess Jingwei asked me to tell you they left with a cat. That cat’s name seems to be Mao Tianyun,” Xingtian said gravely.
“Oh?” Gu Hai felt slightly startled. Eventually, he nodded.
“I have passed on the message. This humble one shall take his leave now,” Xingtian said seriously.
“As you please.” Gu Hai nodded.
Boom!
Xingtian turned into a beam of light shooting into the sky, heading for the Yan Heavenly Dynasty.
While flying out of Borderless Heavenly Capital, Xingtian glanced in Vairocana’s direction. After all, someone in that hall had consumed a significant portion of his war god will. He would need at least ten days to recover from that loss.
In that hall, Vairocana held his palms together and watched Xingtian leave, smiling faintly.
Whoosh!
Xingtian vanished into the horizon. However, he noted Vairocana’s appearance as he flew away. He would get someone to investigate this person after he returned. Of course, that would be futile. No one, besides Gu Hai, knew who Vairocana was.
After Xingtian left, Gu Hai made his way to Vairocana’s hall.
“Vairocana, how was the earlier Xingtian?” Gu Hai smiled.
“Ninth-layer Upper Heavenly Palace Realm, at the peak. He is only one step away from consummation. He has practically no opponent in your Borderless Heavenly Capital. Don’t underestimate the ninth layer. Long Shenying and the Mosquito Daoist are only in the early stage of the ninth layer, and Kong Xuan is in the middle stage,” Vairocana said seriously.
“Oh?” Gu Hai looked at the horizon.
“The Yan [炎] Heavenly Dynasty was filled with talent!” Vairocana marveled.
Gu Hai nodded. Then he turned and said, “I’m preparing to leave Borderless Heavenly Capital for some time. I might have to trouble you to help me defend Borderless Heavenly Capital during this time if strong enemies attack.”
“Oh? Are you going to the nether realm to look for Gu Han?” Vairocana’s expression changed.
Gu Hai nodded. “That’s right. I was worried about Lin Waner previously; that’s why I delayed. It looks like Ba is a person who keeps her word. Lin Waner can wait.”
“Alright. Take care,” Vairocana said solemnly.
Gu Hai nodded.
------
In the emperor’s study, Gu Hai summoned his important officials: Long Shenying, the Mosquito Daoist, Kong Xuan, Mo Yike, Chen Tianshan, Sima Changkong, and Meng Tai.
“Your Reverence, you are leaving again?” Chen Tianshan asked worriedly.
Gu Hai nodded. “We are going to save Gu Han, and I should be back soon.”
“Yes!” Everyone nodded.
“While we are absent, everything will be as before. Chen Tianshan will oversee the nation while Mo Yike and Sima Changkong will assist him,” Gu Hai said.
“Yes!”
“Long Shenying, as per our previous discussion, immediately head to Gu Qin and meet with him.” Gu Hai looked at Long Shenying.
Gu Qin was carrying out the Blessings Destruction Plan, a commerce war, near the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. Gu Hai still felt worried and needed to send a powerful expert there.
“This official obeys!” Long Shenying nodded while frowning.
“Oh? Long Shenying, is something wrong?” Gu Hai noticed Long Shenying’s expression.
“Yes. When Long Sanqian exchanged souls with this official previously, he sent my son to the border. However, there has been no news of my son for the past few months. This official sent many people to investigate and heard that he had left with someone. If this official recalls right, that person should be Jiangchen, based on his appearance.” Long Shenying frowned.
“Oh? Jiangchen took Long Aotian away?” Gu Hai appeared surprised.
“Yes,” Long Shenying said with a bitter smile.
“Meng Tai, mobilize all the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the world. Tell them to keep an eye out for Long Aotian’s location,” Gu Hai instructed.
“Yes!” Meng Tai answered.
“Many thanks, Your Reverence!” Long Shenying said gratefully.
“There’s no need to worry too much. Whether Jiangchen did it to use him or not, it proves that Long Aotian is still alive. You will find him in the future,” Gu Hai consoled.
“Yes! Your Reverence, rest assured. This official will go to the crown prince’s location first. I can slowly search for my son later,” Long Shenying said gratefully.
Gu Hai nodded.
“Kong Xuan, Mosquito Daoist, you will come to the nether realm with us,” Gu Hai said.
“This official obeys!” the two answered.
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