Chapter 186: Chapter 185: Eastern Profound Domain
In just a few short days, Wen Qingye’s name spread to every corner of the Celestial Martial Country. He instantly became the most prominent and talked-about figure in the nation.
In the rear garden of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion in the Imperial City of the Celestial Martial Country.
The rear garden of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion was a lively, vibrant place where a dazzling array of flowers vied for attention. As one of the Celestial Martial Country’s top experts, Ling Xiao had gathered all the rarest and most precious flowers in the nation for his garden.
"Commandery Princess, the carriage is ready," a handmaiden said, slowly approaching Ling Jiao’s side.
Ling Jiao nodded. The thought of arriving in Phoenix City soon filled her heart with joy.
"I know. You’re dismissed," Ling Jiao said with a smile.
The handmaiden glanced at Ling Jiao. It was the first time she had ever seen her Little Princess look so cheerful. She quickly excused herself and left.
Ling Jiao set down the diagram for the Celestial Star Fist and walked gracefully toward the house.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" A clear, ethereal voice suddenly rang out from nearby.
Ling Jiao turned subconsciously. She saw a woman in a red dress standing in the garden. Her breathtaking beauty put all the flowers to shame. Her bright eyes shone like stars in the night sky, and her ruby-red lips and a fine, straight nose came together in perfect harmony.
"Cousin!" Ling Jiao exclaimed.
The woman slowly approached, a smile on her face. "So, where are you headed?"
Ling Jiao replied, "I’m planning to go to Phoenix City."
"You’re not going," the woman said flatly.
Ling Jiao’s brow furrowed in anger. "Why not? Since when do I need your permission to go anywhere?"
The woman sneered. "I couldn’t care less where you go, but as for Phoenix City? Don’t even think about it."
"Why?" Ling Jiao asked, confused.
"You don’t need to know why. Just know that you are not going to Phoenix City. I know what you’re after. The Thousand Rivers Secret Land is opening soon, as I’m sure you’re aware. Wen Qingye is the pride of our Celestial Martial Country. For the Secret Land this time, he, Nie Shuang, and a few others from the Purple Sun Prefecture have been chosen to represent our nation."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"You know exactly what it has to do with you."
"I don’t care! I’m going!"
With that, Ling Jiao was about to take a step forward.
"If you dare set foot in Phoenix City, you’d best watch that pretty little head of yours." The woman’s voice was bone-chilling, laced with killing intent. It was as if she would truly kill Ling Jiao if she defied her.
"You...?!" Ling Jiao’s face went pale. She stared at the woman before her, knowing she would absolutely make good on her threat.
Having said her piece, the woman turned with a flick of her sleeve and walked toward the gate.
"Stop pestering Wen Qingye. You’re not worthy of him."
The woman had already reached the gate, but her crisp voice still echoed through the garden of the Prince’s Mansion.
’I’m not worthy? Why am I not worthy? Is it wrong to pursue the person I like?’ Ling Jiao’s body trembled, her strength seeming to leave her as she muttered to herself in a low voice.
.....
「Another half a month went by.」
Wen Qingye did not return to Qig Mountain Academy. Instead, he remained in the courtyard behind the Zhang Mansion, cultivating day and night. His cultivation grew daily, but he still couldn’t break through to the Refining Spirit Third Layer Heaven.
Wen Qingye knew he couldn’t just keep charging forward recklessly; he needed to take the time to stabilize his current cultivation.
’I can’t possibly master the third form of the Undying Seal Technique in a short time, and I can’t cultivate the Fourth Form of the Four Symbols Sword Technique either.’ Wen Qingye’s power had hit a bottleneck, making a breakthrough seem impossible.
"Sir! Sir! I’ve found information on the Taiyi Pavilion!" Jie Jiachun came rushing in.
"Speak," Wen Qingye said bluntly.
Jie Jiachun caught his breath and said, "Our Celestial Martial Country is located within the Eastern Profound Domain. The entire Domain is vast and dotted with countless smaller nations. The various Sects control the cultivation resources, which they then allocate to these smaller nations along with territory. That’s why each country always sends its most talented prodigies to its affiliated Sect."
"And the Taiyi Pavilion," Jie Jiachun said, glancing at Wen Qingye, "is the largest Sect in the entire Eastern Profound Domain."
"Continue," Wen Qingye said calmly.
"The Taiyi Pavilion is filled with powerful experts and controls an innumerable number of countries; their power is immense. Their Sect headquarters is located above the Taiyi Cloud Sea, at the far eastern edge of the Eastern Profound Domain. That’s all I was able to find out."
Wen Qingye nodded. ’Jie Jiachun has done well to find out this much.’
Then, as if remembering something, Jie Jiachun added, "Oh, and the Celestial Profound Sect is also extremely powerful. Their strength has been growing daily, especially in recent years. If it weren’t for the Taiyi Pavilion’s complete dominance over the Eastern Profound Domain, the Celestial Profound Sect would likely be the number one Sect by now."
"Oh? The Celestial Profound Sect is that formidable?" Wen Qingye asked.
"Yes. The Celestial Profound Sect governs 109 smaller nations and the Four Great Ancient Countries. Our Celestial Martial Country is one of those 109 nations. As for the Sect’s selection process, the proving grounds they hold after the Thousand Rivers Secret Land event is where they truly choose their next generation of prodigies."
Wen Qingye frowned. "Are there other major Sects in the Eastern Profound Domain?"
"Yes. There are a few other Sects so powerful that not even the Celestial Profound Sect or the Taiyi Pavilion would dare to offend them lightly. These are the Thousand Nether Valley, the Daoist School of Non-action, the Sword Sect, and the Baoling Temple. These four are exceptionally strong. There are other, slightly weaker Sects, but the total number across the Domain is simply too high to count. After all, the Eastern Profound Domain is home to thousands of smaller nations and dozens of Ancient Countries. Even the major Sects are wary of some of the more powerful Ancient Countries. On top of that, there are countless hidden factions. The political landscape of the entire Eastern Profound Domain is an intricate, tangled web of powers."
Hearing that the Eastern Profound Domain contained so many different powers, Wen Qingye couldn’t help but frown.
Jie Jiachun asked, "Sir, should I continue to investigate the Taiyi Pavilion in more detail?"
"No need." Wen Qingye waved his hand. ’It was already difficult enough for Jie Jiachun to find out this much. It’s impossible for him to dig any deeper.’
Jie Jiachun stood to the side, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "Sir, in my opinion, we could leverage the situation. While the Celestial Profound Sect has grown by leaps and bounds recently, they’re also being suppressed by the Taiyi Pavilion. Why don’t we join the Celestial Profound Sect? I believe with your abilities, Sir, it wouldn’t be difficult to eventually take control of the entire Sect. When that happens, faced with such a powerful force, the Taiyi Pavilion would have no choice but to release the Mistress."
Wen Qingye shook his head. ’He knew things weren’t that simple. Xiaoyun possessed a wisp of the Divine Soul of a Desolate Ancient Divine Phoenix. If the people at the Taiyi Pavilion found out, they would never let her go, no matter what.’
Everyone encounters situations they are powerless to change. Some let nature take its course, while others resign themselves to their fate. But the only way to truly make a difference is to grow stronger—strong enough to shatter any and all shackles.
Wen Qingye tilted his head back and looked to the distant sky, his eyes filled with a transcendent confidence.
’Xiaoyun, wait for me...’
