Chapter 381: True Guan
Ye Guan opened his eyes slowly. He sat up and clenched his fists tightly.
Boom!
His aura surged crazily, and a beam of profound energy burst out of him to pierce the skies.
The Divine Sovereign Realm! Ye Guan was stunned. I've become a Divine Sovereign Realm cultivator?
Ye Guan looked down at himself and saw that he was emitting a faint golden glow.
Ye Guan swung his fist.
Kaboom!
The spacetime in front of him quivered violently as if a hammer had struck it.
Ye Guan was ecstatic. His fleshy body had become several times stronger. At this point, even a Great Destiny Sovereign would find it hard to harm his fleshy body. After all, his body had been tempered by both the Great Dao Origin and the power of the True God.
Ye Guan opened his palm, creating a sword made out of sword energy.
Shwing!
He took a stance with the sword and slashed out—two hundred stacks of Heavenrend! A massive tear in space manifested before him, and Ye Guan looked down at his hand in disbelief. He had tried it, but he didn't expect that he'd actually be capable of doing it. Two hundred stacks of Heavenrend was just too crazy.
He couldn't even come close to two hundred stacks as a temporary Great Sovereign Realm cultivator. He was only a Divine Sovereign, but he had already reached two hundred stacks.
It was absurd, but Ye Guan knew that it was all because of his fleshly body.
"Congratulations, Young Lord Ye," a feminine voice said.
Ye Guan turned and saw Cirou. She had changed into a light blue gown, and her long hair flowed freely behind her. Cirou’s visage was enchanting, and the light smile on her lips made her seem as refreshing as the spring breeze.
Cirou was not only beautiful, but she was also exuding a gentle aura.[1]
Ye Guan ignored Cirou and closed his eyes.
He clenched his hands, and power burst out of him. The power was born from his raw physical strength. Ye Guan felt confident. He felt like he could face a Great Destiny Sovereign without using a sword.
Cirou suddenly said, "You still need combat experience."
Ye Guan nodded in agreement. A thought jumped into his mind, and he turned toward Cirou.
Cirou revealed a playful smile and asked, "What's the matter? You want to fight me?"
After a brief contemplation, Ye Guan responded, "Let's spar. We're not going to stop until one of us concedes."
Cirou cast a contemptuous gaze at Ye Guan.
"Are you sure about that?" she asked.
Ye Guan hesitated. He knew that Cirou had been eager for an opportunity to spar with him. If he couldn't win, he might find himself on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown.
Still, Ye Guan decided to go through it.
"Sure!" he said. Even if he couldn't win, it didn't mean that he would shy away from the challenge!
Cirou looked beyond Ye Guan's shoulders and muttered, "Ba Wan?"
Ye Guan turned around, falling into Cirou's trap. His expression changed dramatically, and he tried to retreat, but a fist had already found its way into his stomach.
Bang!
Ye Guan was sent flying.
Cirou spread her arms wide open, and an array manifested before her. She performed hand seals and started chanting an ancient incantation. The array churned, and Cirou pointed at Ye Guan.
Rumble!
A beam of golden light burst out of the array and struck Ye Guan.
Bang!
Ye Guan had yet to recover from Cirou's punch, so the beam of golden light struck him squarely in his chest. After coming to a stop, a drop of blood dripped down the corner of his lips.
Cirou stared coldly at Ye Guan and said, "What? Did you think you're invincible or something after becoming even stronger?"
Ye Guan was silent.
Cirou started walking toward Ye Guan, and her gaze was fixed on the latter as she continued. "I know what you're thinking. You must be thinking that you're extremely powerful at your age. Indeed, it's hard to find any young people who can compare to you in this vast expanse, but have you ever thought about your background? How many people out there can compete with you in status and access to resources?"
Ye Guan was quiet.
Cirou opened her mouth to continue, but Ye Guan said, "I know I'm destined to be unique, all thanks to my background. Of course, my enemies are going to be unique as well. I understand it all, and I'm doing what needs to be done.
"However, am I not allowed to vent out my frustrations at all? I'm not going to harm the innocent, so what's wrong with expressing my frustration?" Ye Guan stared deeply at Cirou and said, "Lady Cirou, I want you to understand one thing. I, Ye Guan, am human with flaws. If you can't tolerate my flaws, fine.
"However, I'm not the perfect person you've imagined me to be, nor do I want to be perfect. I am who I am, and it's your business whether you like it or not!"
Cirou didn't avoid Ye Guan's cold gaze. Eventually, she looked away, and her eyes became slightly red as she said, "I've never asked you to become perfect. I just want to tell you that you're too weak to confront the Eternal Sovereign.
"If you become reckless and go out there to look for him, you'll end up dead."
Ye Guan didn't respond. He turned around and started walking away.
"Wait!" Cirou called out to Ye Guan.
Ye Guan turned around to stare at Cirou.
Cirou said, "You've just made a breakthrough, and now, you need combat experience—life-and-death battles. They'll allow you to unleash your full potential, but the average cultivator out there is no match for you.
"However, I know a convenient place, and I'm going to take you there."
With that, Cirou turned around and started walking away.
Ye Guan was silent. Cirou turned to look at Ye Guan and snickered before asking, "What's the matter? Afraid that I'll harm you? Rest assured, you're still useful to me, so I won't harm you until I've squeezed you dry."
Ye Guan stared deeply at Cirou, but he didn't say anything in the end.
The two continued walking without exchanging any words. Cirou was walking ahead of Ye Guan, so he couldn't see her face. Ye Guan was the first to break the silence with a question.
"How is Cijing doing these days?" he asked.
Cirou remained silent.
Ye Guan repeated, "How is she doing?"
Cirou shook her head lightly and replied, "I have nothing to say, but I can bring you to her at the right time."
Ye Guan was delighted. "Really?"
"Yes." Cirou nodded, "I usually don't lie to people, you know."
Ye Guan stared at Cirou with an incredulous expression. Usually? You're the biggest liar out of your entire family!
"You've absorbed the Great Dao Origin and the power of the True God. Right now, they're stored inside you, and you need a decent fight to spur them into action," Cirou said.
"Okay," Ye Guan replied with a nod.
"An improvement to your fleshly body means an improvement to your martial arts; they tap into the power of one's fleshly body, after all." Cirou said, "Do you still remember the martial arts that Big Sister had left behind?"
Ye Guan nodded with a smile and asked, "Are you talking about Eternal Moments?"
Cirou nodded and explained, "It's a martial art that will give you access to immense power. It's perfect for you at the moment. However, I want you to remember that your core should always be swordsmanship. Both your fleshly body and martial arts should only be an accompaniment to your Dao. Focus on your swordsmanship."
Cirou opened her palm, and a scroll appeared in front of Ye Guan.
Ye Guan asked, "What is this?"
"Insights into Eternal Moments that I—Big Sister compiled," Cirou stammered, "It's going to be helpful to you."
Ye Guan examined Cirou's expression before putting away the scroll.
"You don’t have to worry about the Guanxuan Universe for now. Everything is calm there, you should just focus on cultivating here."
Ye Guan solemnly asked, "What about the Eternal Sovereign?"
"I'll handle..." Cirou trailed off. She smiled and said, " Thinking about those matters now won't help. Concentrate on your cultivation first, and let's see if you can make a breakthrough to the Great Sovereign Realm through battle."
"Through battle..." Ye Guan nodded. "Got it."
As Cirou suggested, the immediate priority was to become stronger. Ye Guan noticed that the vast expanse was getting more and more chaotic, and it was all thanks to his aunt suppressing the Great Daoist Brush Master.
Great Sovereigns and Cosmic Spirits had become more carefree than ever. Ye Guan had readjusted his mindset. His enemies were no longer his peers but old fogeys who had lived for millions of years.
Ye Guan sighed softly. He truly wished that he hadn't acknowledged his family so soon. He had thought it would be the pinnacle of his life, but it had plunged him into an abyss of complicated matters instead.
Cirou came to a halt and looked up.
There was a massive arena up ahead.
"Go up there!" Cirou said.
Ye Guan nodded slightly and started walking toward the arena.
Cirou stared quietly at Ye Guan.
Soon, Ye Guan arrived at the arena.
Cirou's voice echoed in his ears. "I have three excellent opponents for you to fight."
Three figures suddenly appeared in the arena.
Seeing the newcomers, Ye Guan was stunned. They were none other than Martial Chancellor Wu Qi, the Commander of the Expedition Army and the Commander of the Divine Dusk Guards.
Ye Guan didn't expect that Cirou would choose these three as his opponents.
They were currently some of the strongest cultivators throughout the vast expanse.
Wu Qi spoke, "I'll go first!"
Swoosh!
He vanished and rushed toward Ye Guan.
Ye Guan's heart jumped, and he started running toward Wu Qi. He dared not to be careless against Wu Qi, as the latter was the Martial Chancellor of the True Universe.
Cirou glanced at Ye Guan before turning around and walking away. Moments later, she appeared in the True God Hall. There was only one person left there, Left Councilor Feng Qi.
Cirou sat down across from Left Councilor Feng Qi and asked, "How's the Immortal Treasures Pavilion doing? Remember that branch he had built here?"
Left Councilor Feng Qi replied, "Following your instructions, we helped them a lot. They're great at doing business, and they're expanding rapidly. It won't be long before they become the top merchant organization of the True Universe."
Left Councilor Feng Qi stared at Cirou, trying to deduce her thoughts.
Cirou nodded and said, "I have a plan..."
Cirou took out a map and pointed at a certain location, "This place is the closest to the Guanxuan Universe. I want you to make a city here and name it True Guan City, and it has to be bigger than True God City. Once it's built, I want you to invest ten true spiritual veins in the city, I want the city to have the thickest concentration of spiritual energy throughout the entire True Universe."
Ten true spiritual veins!
Left Councilor Feng Qi’s eyes narrowed, and she cried out, "But..."
Even True God City only had six true spiritual veins. However, Left Councilor Feng Qi didn't dare to voice her opposition out loud.
Cirou ignored her reaction and said, "Once you're done investing the ten true spiritual veins in the city, I want you to contact the Immortal Treasures Pavilion of the Guanxuan Universe and tell them to build their True Universe headquarters in that city.
"Of course, we'll take half of their profits as usual. Additionally, the aristocratic clans and families of the True Universe can move to the city for free. Also, I want you to tell the All Worlds that they can also move to that city for free so long as they can meet our standards and requirements."
Cirou stood up and continued. "We must first invite the largest sects and clans of the Guanxuan Universe to move to True Guan City. They can enjoy the benefits of cultivating in the True Universe as if they're denizens of the True Universe, and if the aristocratic clans and families of the True Universe are willing to accept talents from the Guanxuan Universe, we'll grant them a certain amount of spiritual cores every year."
Left Councilor Feng Qi was left at a loss for words.
However, Cirou wasn't done yet as she said, "Our three armed forces will announce an open recruitment to the Guanxuan Universe and the All Worlds. As long as they're talented enough and can satisfy our requirements, we'll accept them."
Left Councilor Feng Qi wanted to say something, but Cirou didn't give her the opportunity to do so as she continued. "Every year, we'll hold a martial contest. All superpowers aside from the True Universe can participate in the martial contest. The champion will receive three million spiritual cores and the freedom to browse secret cultivation methods and martial arts. I want you to refine this idea."
Left Councilor Feng Qi stood up. Her mouth fluttered open and close, but Cirou interrupted her again by saying, "I want you to lift the seals that the True Universe has on the Guanxuan Universe and the All Worlds. If a representative of a world within the All Worlds managed to become a part of the top ten cultivators in the martial contest, they wouldn't have to pay us tribute for the next hundred years.
"If their representative managed to reach the top five, the representative's world is exempted from paying tributes for the next five hundred years. If they somehow managed to secure any of the top three spots, then their world is forever exempted from paying tributes.
"Lastly, I want you to encourage intermarriage between the denizens of the two Universes. Regardless of gender and affiliation, a couple from either the Guanxuan Universe or the True Universe will receive legal protection and rewards."
"Cirou!" Left Councilor Feng Qi roared, "What nonsense are you spouting?! Every single one of your demands is extremely challenging to implement! Especially the last one—encouraging intermarriage between the True Universe and the Guanxuan Universe. Do you really think that's possible?"
Cirou made a sidelong glance at Left Councilor Feng Qi and said, "Feng Qi, our hegemony is over. We've fallen into chaotic times, all thanks to the Great Daoist Brush Master's disappearance. If the True Universe continues to assert dominance as it did in the past, the inevitable outcome is destruction."
Left Councilor Feng Qi shook her head repeatedly and said, "No, no, no. Absolutely not. If we implement your suggestions, everyone will rebel. The Guanxuan Universe is the True Universe's archenemy, after all..."
"Ye Guan's aunt is suppressing the Great Daoist Brush Master!" Cirou exclaimed, "She's the reason the Great Daoist Brush Master is nowhere to be seen!"
Left Councilor Feng Qi was stunned.
Cirou stared deeply at Left Councilor Feng Qi and said, "The True Universe and the Guanxuan Universe are indeed archenemies. However, the Guanxuan Universe is truly strong enough to annihilate the True Universe. During the era of the Sword Master, the True Universe had only survived that era because the Sword Master wanted to take that step.
The True Universe would have perished otherwise."
Cirou shook her head lightly and said, "The True Universe can't continue oppressing the Guanxuan Universe. There's only one inevitable outcome for us if we continue to antagonize the Guanxuan Universe—death.
"The best thing that we can do here is to allow the people from both universes to interact and encourage intermarriages between them. There must be mutual understanding between our citizens and their citizens."
Cirou turned and looked outside the hall before muttering, "In a hundred years at most, the hatred between the two universes will dissolve if we were to implement my plan. By then, the True Universe and the Guanxuan Universe will be like one family. The Four Swords will no longer be the greatest threat to us but the greatest protection.
"Cijing and him... They won't be in a tough spot anymore. In fact, their relationship would be like the biggest boon for both universes, and everyone will congratulate them."
Cirou suddenly smiled, but two teardrops slid down her cheeks at the same time.
"That silly girl..." she muttered with a wry smile.
1. In fact, Cirou’s name in Chinese is 辞柔, and 柔 is normally a term to describe someone being very gentle and warm ?
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