In Yucheng, within Teng Qingshan's residence. In the southern region of Yang Province, even during the afternoon of early autumn, the heat was oppressive, reminiscent of summer. Yet, Zhuge Yuanhong stood alone beside the pond in the inner courtyard, having remained motionless for several hours.
"Heaven above, can you allow my Guiyuan Sect to escape this great calamity!" Zhuge Yuanhong silently prayed.
Across the Nine Provinces, whenever an absolute master emerged, it invariably brought a storm of bloodshed. The current rise of the Heavenly God Palace was a shockwave, a disaster for the entire land. Countless ancient sects were destined to fall during this tribulation.
"Qingshan..." Zhuge Yuanhong waited in silence.
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
A streak of light, accompanied by a rush of wind, slammed onto the inner courtyard's training grounds, kicking up a cloud of dust. Zhuge Yuanhong turned, recognizing the figures descending from the Six-legged Blade Chi: Teng Qingshan and Li Jun, husband and wife. But upon seeing the expression on his most proud disciple, Teng Qingshan’s face, Zhuge Yuanhong’s heart clenched.
"Master." Teng Qingshan and Li Jun both leaped off the Blade Chi and approached.
"Come, sit here." Zhuge Yuanhong led Teng Qingshan to a table beneath a nearby pavilion.
"Qingshan, when you went to the Heavenly God Palace, what exactly did the Palace Master say?" Zhuge Yuanhong stared intently at Teng Qingshan.
Teng Qingshan’s heart felt bitter... He knew his master’s hopes, but regrettably, he had disappointed him. Teng Qingshan took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Master, the Heavenly God Palace has endured in silence for centuries, all for this moment of eruption! I went to persuade Pei San. But the Heavenly God Palace Master, 'Pei San,' wouldn't listen at all."
"Didn't he owe you a favor and a promise of great reward?" Zhuge Yuanhong was mentally prepared, but his brow furrowed.
"He said that one favor and one promise of great reward could only cover the territory of one commandery. And, it could only be Chu Commandery in the far north, or Nanman Commandery in the far south." Teng Qingshan’s brow was etched with worry. "That means... if we agree, the Guiyuan Sect must relocate and leave Jiangning."
Huu!
Zhuge Yuanhong shot to his feet, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Master—" Teng Qingshan started in alarm.
His own feelings for the Guiyuan Sect might exist, but they certainly weren't as deep as those of his master and the others. He valued the sect because of certain friends within it—like Zhuge Yuanhong, who had been kind to him; his sworn brother-in-law Zhuge Yun; the Maiden Qing whom he felt he owed a debt to; and the Black Armored Army brothers with whom he had fought side-by-side.
But Zhuge Yuanhong was different!
The Zhuge family was an ancient lineage within the Guiyuan Sect, passed down through generations, their descendants completely intertwined with the sect's existence. And Zhuge Yuanhong himself had been cultivated since childhood, now serving as the Sect Master. It could be said—
For the Guiyuan Sect, he would gladly die!
"I am fine." Zhuge Yuanhong said deeply, though his complexion was noticeably paler.
"Qingshan." Zhuge Yuanhong spoke again.
"Master." Teng Qingshan listened closely.
"Pei San’s meaning is that if our Guiyuan Sect wishes to remain in Jiangning Commandery, to preserve this land. There is only one path... War, is that correct?" Zhuge Yuanhong turned, fixing his gaze on Teng Qingshan.
Teng Qingshan hesitated slightly, but then nodded heavily: "Yes!"
"If we fight, what are our chances of success?" Zhuge Yuanhong asked solemnly.
"Defeating the Heavenly God Palace completely is unlikely." Teng Qingshan frowned. "However... I estimate that the Undying Phoenix, 'Xiao Qing,' should have learned her mother's ultimate technique by now and should be arriving! Even if war begins, if Xiao Qing hasn't arrived yet, I will take the Blade Chi to Phoenix Island myself. I will ask Xiao Qing... or even, invite her mother."
"With Xiao Qing here, defeating the Heavenly God Palace is impossible, but safeguarding the Guiyuan Sect has a ninety percent chance." Teng Qingshan was being conservative.
"If her mother comes, crushing the Heavenly God Palace is even possible! Protecting the Guiyuan Sect will be absolutely certain," Teng Qingshan stated with force.
A hint of relief broke through Zhuge Yuanhong’s pale features.
Reaching out, Zhuge Yuanhong gently patted Teng Qingshan's shoulder and said in a low voice, "If there is a ninety percent chance, what more could one ask for? Since that is the case... Qingshan, then let us meet their challenge!"
"En." A spark ignited in Teng Qingshan’s heart, a flame filled with the will to fight.
"This time, we owe it to you, Qingshan," Zhuge Yuanhong looked at Teng Qingshan.
Amidst the coming storm of blood and chaos, many sects across the Nine Provinces might perish, but simultaneously, this constant warfare was the very time true heroes and exceptional talents would rise to fame. It was during such moments that certain sects would seize the opportunity to ascend.
Calamity arrives. Some perish, others become stronger. It all depends on the people! And for this calamity, the Guiyuan Sect had Teng Qingshan!
...
From that day forward, the entire Guiyuan Sect began making preparations in secret. As an ancient sect with a thousand-year history, situated in the heart of the wealthy Yang Province, and possessing resources like the Purple Gold Mines, the Guiyuan Sect had formidable manpower and material strength.
Once the state of readiness was declared, nearly every small city in Yang Province, and even some secluded manors, held spies from the Guiyuan Sect.
The Guiyuan Sect was ready for anything!
**
If any force on the Nine Provinces currently dreaded the Heavenly God Palace the most, it was undoubtedly Qinghu Island!
After annihilating Hongtian City, anyone with a modicum of sense could grasp that if the Heavenly God Palace was to expand now, it had only one direction—south, toward Yang Province. And Yang Province was Qinghu Island's territory. Although the Guiyuan Sect was also in Yang Province, they were located in the heartland.
Even if the Heavenly God Palace initiated war, it would likely take months for their armies to reach Jiangning Commandery, nearly two thousand li from the northern border.
...
Qinghu Island, on Sword Blade Mountain.
Due to the tense situation, the center of power for all of Qinghu Island had shifted to Sword Blade Mountain. Even the Island Master, 'Tie Pan,' was residing there to manage intelligence reports. The Blind Sword Saint was the first to receive all information concerning the Heavenly God Palace.
In terms of the number of intelligence operatives and the breadth of their infiltration, the terrified Qinghu Island surpassed the Guiyuan Sect by far. Thus, their intelligence was more detailed.
"Hah." Tie Pan let out a long breath as he studied the intelligence report in his hands.
"Tie Pan, is the Heavenly God Palace mobilizing its forces?" The Blind Sword Saint, seated cross-legged not far away, spoke abruptly.
Tie Pan, who was reviewing stacks of documents at a pavilion table, turned and smiled. "Grandmaster, we suspected the Heavenly God Palace might mobilize a while ago, but it seems that is not the case at all. The two armies we suspected were merely normal troop redeployments and reorganizations. At the very least, no armies have massed on the border yet."
The Blind Sword Saint also sighed in relief.
If the Heavenly God Palace intended to attack Yang Province, they would, at minimum, need to assemble troops on the border. Since no such assembly was visible, there was no immediate concern.
"That’s true. The Heavenly God Palace’s steppe armies have slowly retreated back to the great plains. It appears that after destroying the Carefree Palace and Hongtian City, the Heavenly God Palace suffered considerable losses and must now focus on recuperating and consolidating Qing Province and You Province," the Blind Sword Saint’s raspy voice sounded. "But Tie Pan, you must not let your guard down. If they do not strike now, when they do strike later, they will be even more terrifying. Therefore, you must thoroughly investigate every movement of the Heavenly God Palace."
"Qinghu Island must also prepare."
The existence of the Heavenly God Palace hung over them like a great mountain, preventing Qinghu Island from allowing even a moment of laxity.
While the two major sects of Yang Province were so tense, the Yu Emperor Sect, the most ancient sect in the Nine Provinces, remained entirely unconcerned. Its disciples continued to live as freely and leisurely as before. In their eyes, how powerful could the Heavenly God Palace be? Did they dare attack the Yu Emperor Sect?
Every disciple of the Yu Emperor Sect possessed an inexplicable confidence.
...
Outside Yucheng, deep within the Bear-Ape Mountain Range.
"Roar~~" Black bears—some towering two zhang adults, others adorably clumsy cubs—wandered and played around the dozen or so palaces. Interspersed among these bears walked handsome men and beautiful women.
Here, the wild beasts and humans coexisted in remarkable harmony.
In the highest structure among the dozen palaces, the Sacred Hall.
Yu Tonghai and Liu Xia moved like a gust of wind, soaring toward the seventh level of the Sacred Hall. They spiraled up the staircase and soon reached the top floor.
"Martial Uncle is overly cautious. The intelligence reports from a few days ago clearly stated that the Heavenly God Palace has rescinded Jing Yi's title as honored guest. Yet, Martial Uncle still worries..." Yu Tonghai felt dissatisfied inwardly. However, upon reaching the seventh level, a smile bloomed on his face, daring not to show any displeasure.
The seventh level was the secluded retreat of the highest-ranking member of the Yu Emperor Sect, the Void Realm expert 'Huang Tianqin.'
"Sit." Huang Tianqin, appearing as a youth with streaks of white at his temples, sat cross-legged in his yellow robe, speaking calmly.
Liu Xia and Yu Tonghai exchanged a glance and both sat down.
"Have you confirmed the details?" Huang Tianqin inquired.
"Yes." Yu Tonghai nodded. "Martial Uncle, the intelligence from a few days ago was not detailed enough; we have completely figured it out now. That Jing Yi likely has an overly stubborn temperament and clashed with the Heavenly God Palace Master, 'Pei San,' angering him. Pei San stripped Jing Yi of his honored guest status, and even removed Jing Yi's wife, 'Li Jun,' from her Saintess position."
"Oh?" Huang Tianqin nodded slightly. "Do you know the reason for the clash between Jing Yi and Pei San?"
"We don't know."
Yu Tonghai shook his head, then smiled. "But Martial Ancestor, Pei San is the Palace Master of the Heavenly God Palace, a Cave Profound expert. He must be extremely arrogant... The last time, Jing Yi obtained two sets of Divine Armor, but he kept the superior set for himself and gave the second-rate one to the Heavenly God Palace. It surely displeased Pei San. Given Jing Yi's personality... a falling out between them is not surprising."
"Martial Uncle, those two sets of Divine Armor should have belonged to our Yu Emperor Sect," Liu Xia added gloomily. "If Jing Yi hadn't pursued the Six-Eared Tunneling Mouse, which brought Yu Shijin here, the armor would naturally have fallen into our hands. It’s despicable that Jing Yi, a Void Realm expert, shamelessly insisted he never obtained the Divine Armor."
A cold smile touched Huang Tianqin’s lips as he said softly, "He who steals treasures from the Yu Emperor Sect must not be spared."
Yu Tonghai and Liu Xia both voiced their agreement.
"If we don't act, so be it," Huang Tianqin stated coldly. "But if we do act, we must ensure this Jing Yi is utterly defenseless, eliminating him in one blow."
"This Jing Yi possesses a demonic beast skilled in flight and tunneling. Do you have a countermeasure for it?" Huang Tianqin looked at the two.
Beside him, Yu Tonghai narrowed his eyes, exuding confidence. "Martial Uncle, I have a method that guarantees a ten-tenths chance of eliminating Jing Yi and seizing the Hongtian Divine Armor."