As the Sect Leader of the Wuwei Tower, Zhuo Lanqing had lately been racking her brains over how to expand her sect.
In theory, the simplest method was to annex a new plot of land and fuse it into the sect with an immortal art. After all, there were countless abandoned sect ruins throughout the Heavenly Realm—just pick one at random. In half a day at most, the merger could be complete.
But what sounded easy in theory proved anything but in practice. Since the land would belong to their own sect, they couldn’t just pick any spot. First they had to check the feng shui, then ensure compatibility with their existing grounds, and finally verify that the local immortal energy was sufficiently abundant. All these factors had to be weighed.
It was no easy task. Moreover, with the Heavenly Realm’s immortal energy fully restored ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) and all living immortals awakened, many of the better ruins had already been claimed and converted into private daochang. This narrowed Zhuo Lanqing’s options even further.
Could it be that they’d have to settle for whatever plot was left near the Wuwei Tower? But she loathed compromise. Again she scratched her head in despair.
Just then, the communication stone buzzed. It was a message from Shangguan Jiujiu:
“Lanqing, come quickly! About three thousand li east of the Wuwei Tower, I’ve discovered a sect ruin that looks very promising. Let’s bring it back!”
Zhuo Lanqing’s eyes lit up. It was well known that Shangguan Jiujiu and she both admired Ye Yu’s taste—if Jiujiu said the place was good, it had to be. Without hesitation, she soared east at top speed.
Before long, she met up with Shangguan Jiujiu and began inspecting the ruin beneath them. Although somewhat dilapidated, the site oozed thick immortal energy, and several defense formations still functioned. Most importantly, the terrain perfectly matched the outer boundary of the Wuwei Tower—merging them would be effortless.
“Just when things looked bleak, fortune smiled upon us!” Zhuo Lanqing exclaimed. She and Shangguan Jiujiu decided at once to bring the ruin home.
But before they could begin, a figure in a blue immortal robe blocked their path.
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
Zhuo Lanqing and Shangguan Jiujiu exchanged puzzled glances. “We’re immortals of the Wuwei Tower sect,” Zhuo Lanqing explained. “We intend to claim this ruin for our sect’s expansion. Is there a problem, Immortal?”
“Problem? Of course,” the blue-robed immortal said proudly. “I am Ma Lin of the Niepan Tower. This is the lost sect of Luoyue, founded by my Tower’s Great Elder and his Immortal Consort, Zhai Yibing. Though it’s in ruins now, my Great Elder often comes here to reminisce. I cannot allow you to take it!”
Niepan Tower lay in the central Heavenly Realm and counted among the top-tier sects. As for the Wuwei Tower? Ma Lin had never even heard of it. He believed his words alone would suffice to drive them off.
Zhuo Lanqing frowned. If this ruin belonged to someone else’s sect, she would simply withdraw. She was about to salute and take her leave when Shangguan Jiujiu blocked her.
“What nonsense are you spouting? This place is clearly the Jiutian Institute—not Luoyue Sect! Have you mistaken the location, or are you trying to seize it by force?” Jiujiu retorted.
Ma Lin’s face stiffened. In truth, the Luoyue Sect story was pure fabrication. He hadn’t come to claim the ruin for Niepan Tower at all, but to guard a corpse buried beneath it.
A fortnight ago, Ma Lin and his master had slain a treasure-bearer from the Three Corpses Hall and hidden his body under this ruin. Treasure-bearers were tasked with transporting stolen goods back to their hall. At present the Three Corpses Hall dominated the central Heavenly Realm, crushing orthodox sects and plundering centuries of accumulation. Fearing that the treasure-bearer’s spatial ring might reveal their stash, Ma Lin had waited two weeks to confirm no one had disturbed the grave.
Seeing the corpse still intact, he dared not let Zhuo Lanqing or Shangguan Jiujiu carry the ruin away. His ruse exposed, he snapped, “I don’t care what name you give this place—you two won’t be taking it. Leave it here, or don’t blame me for resorting to force. After all, immortal deaths happen often enough in the Heavenly Realm!”
At this threat, a brilliant phoenix insignia flared on the nape of Shangguan Jiujiu’s neck. Once an Immortal King in the dream realm, she normally dealt out threats rather than received them. Even as a Peak Earth Immortal now, she stood unafraid of this Celestial Immortal. If he wished to fight, they could see who would fall!
Just then, a cool voice rang out:
“Jiu, what’s going on here?”
A figure—Jiang Yumo—suddenly appeared overhead. Invited by Zhuo Lanqing to help scout potential expansion sites, this true Immortal King had come to see what the fuss was about. With his full aura unleashed, Ma Lin collapsed onto a cloud of auspicious vapors, gasping for breath.
