“Ah!!!”
In the central region of the Heavens’ Realm, a despairing immortal let out a shrill scream.
It was none other than Zheng Nuanxiu, who had just returned from the Demon Realm. Having happily obtained the Zhu Xian Immortal Sword (Immortal-Slaying Sword), she made her customary approach to enter her sect, only to find her home vanished.
At first, Zheng Nuanxiu thought she had taken a wrong path. How could an entire immortal sect simply disappear? But after careful investigation, she confirmed this location was indeed her sect’s site. The surroundings were unchanged—yet her home was gone.
Heavens! Who could be so hateful as to steal an entire sect in a single day? Desperate and heartbroken, Zheng Nuanxiu clutched the Zhu Xian Immortal Sword to her chest. The sword’s significance had grown tenfold; it had cost her the very ground of her sect.
...
As one person wept, another rejoiced. In contrast to Zheng Nuanxiu’s desolation, the Wuwei Pagoda was bustling with activity. Ye Yu and the assembled immortals stood outside the new sect grounds, admiring their handiwork.
The original sect territory had expanded more than fivefold—it was composed of two ruined sect sites fused together, naturally immense. Under the newly erected formations, every hall and courtyard was exquisitely designed. A celestial palace in the sky—this was truly worthy of that moniker.
Yet Ye Yu often found his gaze drifting toward the plot of land behind the Wuwei Pagoda. Something about it felt familiar, as though he had seen it somewhere before, though he could not place where.
Before he could ponder further, Zhu Diezhen asked curiously, “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” Ye Yu said with a slight shake of his head and turned his mind elsewhere. Perhaps he had wandered here in some dream and forgotten the details. But it no longer mattered. This was now his sect’s domain—the territory of his Wuwei Pagoda.
At that moment, Banxia approached hesitantly and drew Ye Yu aside. “The Lord of Magic Heavens wants to come over for a drink and asked if you are inside the sect. How should I answer?”
Ye Yu’s expression grew complex. Why did the Lord of Magic Heavens feel so abstract now? In the dream, he would never have contacted Ye Yu unless summoned. Yet now, after the dream ended, he sent divine companions and sought to drink wine. What did he really want?
After a moment’s thought, Ye Yu said, “Invite him over. Tell him I’m here.”
When a problem arises, one must face it directly rather than avoid it.
Banxia hesitated. If she could choose, she would prefer not to see the Lord of Magic Heavens. But seeing Ye Yu’s resolve, she complied.
Shortly thereafter, the Lord of Magic Heavens arrived at the Wuwei Pagoda carrying two urns of divine wine. Seeing the greatly expanded sect territory, he exclaimed, “It should be grand! A mighty Immortal King should not preside over a tiny sect!”
Ye Yu merely smiled silently. The two entered the main hall. After the wine was poured, the Lord of Magic Heavens lifted his cup in earnest—as though among close friends, no number of toasts was too many.
But Ye Yu did not raise his cup. Instead, he asked softly, “What does the Lord of Magic Heavens truly seek? There’s no such thing as a free lunch. The Wuwei Pagoda is but a small sect. Why should the Lord of Three Corps Hall’s sect master presume to share wine here?”
Ye Yu was not being polite—he spoke sincerely. Currently the Three Corps Hall had regained dominance over orthodox sects, with even other sects submitting themselves. It was rightly called the strongest sect in the central Heavens’ Realm. In comparison, the Wuwei Pagoda was minuscule.
The Lord of Magic Heavens set down his cup and spoke seriously, “It’s not the Wuwei Pagoda I value, but you yourself. Frankly, I admire you greatly. I have a strong premonition that you will shatter the void and enter the Divine Realm faster than I will. Consider it an investment in the future.”
Ye Yu raised an eyebrow. This fellow’s appraisal was uncannily accurate. In the dream, Ye Yu had indeed reached the Divine Realm before the Lord of Magic Heavens—and in reality, he would be even faster.
Perhaps seeing Ye Yu’s silence, the Lord of Magic Heavens pointed a finger into empty space. A spectral map of the central Heavens’ Realm appeared, dotted in red across half the territory.
“Here are the lands under the Three Corps Hall’s influence in the central Heavens’ Realm. Within a hundred years, I will conquer it all—like the Demon Lord of the Magi, ruling a whole province. If you and I join forces, that speed will only increase. Believe me, sects mean little; I seek the resources of the entire central Heavens’ Realm. Then we divide it: you half, me half—and both of us will reach the Divine Realm in even less time. What do you think?”
The Lord of Magic Heavens sounded like a born persuader—his voice soft, yet oddly enticing.
Ye Yu looked up and asked, “Did I ever say I must go to the Divine Realm?”
The Lord of Magic Heavens smiled. “You will. Your eyes tell me so. And you know the tablet’s inscription: Heaven periodically faces cataclysms from the Divine Realm. Do you wish to be an insignificant ant whose life and death hang in others’ hands? I doubt it.”
“All right, I understand your intent. But I need time to consider. You may leave now.”
Ye Yu gestured him out. The Lord of «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Magic Heavens looked surprised. “Dismissed already? Not even a drink?”
Ye Yu waved him off. “No, I have other matters to attend to.”
“It’s broad daylight—what could you have to do?” the Lord of Magic Heavens protested, puzzled.
But Ye Yu’s next words shut him up completely. “I need to cozy up to Banxia and hurry to bear an heir. Remember to come congratulate us!”
With that, the Lord of Magic Heavens departed decisively. That excuse truly defied rebuttal. And Ye Yu was indeed a clever one, using such words to brush him off—quite amusing, indeed.
After the Lord of Magic Heavens left, Banxia emerged and grumbled, “Next time you send someone away, could you not involve me? Who asked to bear your heir?”
Ye Yu waved a hand. “Just kidding—no need to take it seriously. By the way, how did you overhear us?”
Banxia pouted silently. At that moment, Dong Kui returned from outside. “Husband, outside someone is clutching a divine sword, wailing as though they’ve been wronged—and they want to see you. They say—did you get into more mischief?”
