Chapter 1848 - Re-Establishing the Central Immortal Court

An ocean wind blew past the deep blue dome of heaven.

It was unusually good weather for the perpetually windswept Eastern Sea.

Qing Wu stood on board a treasure ship within these boundless waters, her blue dress fluttering in the wind, her sultry curves coming in and out of view.

Her skin was smooth and fairer than snow, and her features were exquisite. She was a rare, extraordinary beauty. However, those who knew who she was wouldn’t dare to harbor any covetous thoughts about her.

“Why isn’t he here yet?” Only a day had passed, but Qing Wu couldn’t help but frown. It wasn’t that she was in a hurry, but she was worried Su Yi wouldn’t show up.

Suddenly, an old man with a turtle shell on his back rode in over the waves.

“Are you perhaps Her Excellency Qing Wu?” The old man stood in the distance and said in a quavering voice.

Qing Wu was stunned. “I am.”

She could tell that the old man was merely a Universe Realm Immortal. He was entirely beneath her notice.

“This junior has come on orders to deliver a message!” said the old man. He took out a communication talisman and proffered it to her from afar.

Qing Wu accepted it and scanned its comments. It read: “I’m waiting for you on the Isle of Flowers.”

Qing Wu instantly understood. Su Yi had sent this message!

It seems he’s worried I’ve set a trap for him...

thought Qing Wu. She looked at the old man. “Where is the Isle of Flowers?”

The old man with the turtle shell said hurriedly, “To the east, less than thirty thousand miles away.”

Before his words had even finished echoing through the air, both Qing Wu and her boat had vanished.

The old man looked stunned. Inwardly, he couldn’t help but curse her out.

I went to all that trouble to deliver a message. Shouldn’t you reward me with a treasure or two? Come on! You’re quite the looker, but the way you act... pft!

......

The Isle of Flowers, a massive island in the far reaches of the Eastern Sea. It was incomparably prosperous.

Many of the experts who explored the far reaches of the Eastern Sea stopped here to rest. For one thing, this was the home turn of one of the Eastern Sea’s top factions, Penglai Immortal Island, so it was extremely safe.

For another, the island was home to numerous trading companies, and it was a gathering point for experts from all over the world. That made it a convenient place to buy and sell both treasures and information.

Inside a restaurant, a spot near the window.

Su Yi was enjoying a sumptuous meal. His table was laden with all manner of delicacies of all colors and flavors.

He sampled delicious foods between sips of wine, and from time to time, he glanced out the window at the bustling human traffic.

For Su Yi, this was an uncommon moment of leisure. After all that fighting and killing, nothing was more soothing than time spent amongst the smoke and fire of the world.

“Sir, here’s the fish stir fry, steamed tiger prawns, and eight treasures seafood soup you ordered!”

A waiter arrived with even more delicacies. All of them were unique products of the Eastern Sea seldom seen elsewhere, and all of them were brimming with spiritual energy. Some of the ingredients were even immortal herbs or beasts hunted deep within the ocean. After passing through a master chef’s hands, they were more than just delicious; they could even nourish the cultivation base.

Of course, they were incomparably expensive, too—this table of delicacies alone cost eight thousand Immortal Jades. Ordinary immortals couldn’t possibly have afforded such a feast, but Su Yi was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Most of the diners were immortals of extraordinary origins, and they came in all stripes. Many were chatting about current events.

“The Giant Whale Spirit Race’s fate was miserable indeed. They were a lofty, ancient race, yet they were eradicated overnight.”

“Who can they blame but themselves? If they hadn’t led the mission into the Dragon Palace with malicious intent, how could they have provoked the Eastern Sea’s other factions?”

“Yes, but the real culprit was obviously Su Yi.”

“Hah! Even the divine children returned from the Dragon Palace in defeat. Who’d dare to be so foolish as to try and get even with Su Yi?”

...The crowd conversed, completely unaware that the Su Yi they spoke of was seated by the window.

Su Yi quickly realized what had happened.

About a month ago, Jade Firmament Immortal Palace, Floating Mountain, Penglai Immortal Mountain, the Kui Ox Spirit Race, and several other top factions joined forces to wipe out the Giant Whale Spirit Race!

They were lashing out because of what had happened in the ruins of the Dragon Palace. The top factions all thought that the Giant Whales had acted maliciously, tricking and killing their higher-ups. Thus, they’d gotten their revenge in blood.

Their plan was quite thorough, but in the end, they merely got their entire clan wiped out. It’s a pity.

Su Yi shook his head and had a sip of wine.

He didn’t feel bad for the Giant Whales in the slightest. Of course, Jade Firmament Immortal Palace, Floating Mountain, and the other factions involved weren’t exactly great people either.

“By now, it’s not just the Eastern Sea. Rumors that Su Yi is really the reincarnation of the Eternal Night Immortal Sovereign have spread throughout the Immortal Realm. Everyone’s talking about it! Do you know if the rumors are true or not?

“There’s no way a rumor like that would spread for no reason. Perhaps... that unparalleled legend of his era really has returned!”

“A long, long time has passed. If the ruler of the Little Heavenly Court has really returned, the Immortal Realm’s balance of power will surely be built anew!”

“Is the Eternal Night Immortal Sovereign really that impressive?”

“Hah! Do you really have no idea? Prior to the Age of Fallen Immortals, even those experts at the pinnacle of the Immortal Dao did not dare to look him in the eye!”

“That’s right. They say that back then, the leader of the Central Immortal Court was confirmed by the Eternal Night Immortal Sovereign. No one could assume power without his approval.”

...As the crowd discussed the Eternal Night Immortal Sovereign, many of them revealed heartfelt ruefulness.

The First Immortal of the Sword. Seeing me is like seeing the heavens!

Who knew how much time had passed since the Age of Fallen Immortals? Yet countless rumors of the Eternal Night Immortal Sovereign circulated even now.

Suddenly, someone said, “But to the best of my knowledge, the experts of the Immortal Realm see Su Yi as their common enemy, and many of the divine children have proclaimed their intent to get rid of him. Even if he really is the reincarnation of the Eternal Night Immortal Sovereign, I’m afraid... he won’t be able to carry on like this much longer!”

“I also heard that the Church of the Pure One is gathering the Immortal Realm’s factions with plans to re-establish the Central Immortal Court!”

“For real?”

“It’s true. There’s no doubt about it. Apparently, three months from now, many of the Immortal Realm’s most prominent factions will gather under the Church of the Pure One’s banner for a meeting at the Central Plain Province's Cloudsoar Peak. There, they’ll re-establish the Central Immortal Court and declare Sect Leader Qi Nie its new ruler!”

“This is big news! If they really re-establish the Central Immortal Court, the Immortal Realm’s balance of power will change dramatically!”

......Su Yi slowly lowered his cup of wine.

Blood Firmament’s eldest disciple is seriously going to re-establish the Central Immortal Court in three months? He dares attempt such a grand undertaking with nothing but the Church of the Pure One behind him? How ridiculous is that? How brazen is he!?

Prior to the Age of Fallen Immortals, the Central Immortal Court wielded supreme, unsurpassed authority. They intimidated and unified the forty-nine provinces of the Immortal Realm.

The Central Immortal Court set the rules, and they were a model for every other faction beneath the heavens. They maintained peace and order throughout the Immortal Realm.

That aside, they bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the Immortal Realm’s inhabitants. Any faction that joined the Central Immortal Court had to go to the Nine Gates of Heaven and protect the Immortal Realm’s borders from the demons of the Beyond.

Most importantly, assuming command over the Central Immortal Court required passing a highly stringent selection process, and even then, candidates had to receive Wang Ye’s approval. Only then could someone assume command over the Central Immortal Court!

The Central Immortal Court had crumbled during the Age of Fallen Immortals, disappearing into the river of history. Yet now, the mere Church of the Pure One shamelessly announced that they’d re-establish it. The very idea was ridiculous, like a monkey donning a crown and declaring itself king.

No, that isn’t right.

Su Yi furrowed his brow.

There’s no way the Church of the Pure One is doing this impulsively.

The Immortal Realm is in turmoil, and its balance of power has crumbled. Where does the Church of the Pure One get the confidence to announce that they’ll soon re-establish the Central Immortal Court? How do they think they’re going to unify the Immortal Realm? Does the Church of the Pure One really think their paltry assortment of subsidiary factions is enough?

No, there’s got to be something else going on here. Are Blood Firmament, Jiang Tai’e, and the other old-timers behind this? Or are they acting on the behest of a god?

His thoughts raced. Alas, he knew too little about the situation. He couldn’t infer any worthwhile leads without more information.

Su Yi quickly cast aside his scattered thoughts and regained his usual calm.

No matter what, no one is qualified to rebuild the Central Immortal Court without my approval! If anyone dares to attempt such a thing, they’ll pay the price!

In his past life, Wang Ye poured his heart’s blood into the Central Immortal Court. How could he let someone unworthy lay their dirty fingers on it?

Su Yi had fully fused with Wang Ye’s Dao Imprint and memories, so he felt the same way.

Don’t tell me...

Su Yi’s eyes narrowed as a possibility occurred to him.

I see, the Church of the Pure One is re-establishing the Central Immortal Court to target me! After all, prior to the Age of Fallen Immortals, no one could assume command over the Central Immortal Court without my approval. That's common knowledge. They’ve got to know that I’m here, and they know there’s no way I’d let just anyone get their hands on the authority the Central Immortal Court represents!

Yet the Church of the Pure One plans to re-establish it anyway. It’s highly likely that he’s trying to force me, Wang Ye’s reincarnation, out of hiding. After all, they tried to work with other prominent factions to force me to accept a duel, and I disregarded them. They’ve been trying to hunt me down, but they can’t find me.

There’s no doubt about it. They realized that trying to find me would be like trying to fish a needle out of the ocean, so they’re claiming to rebuild the Central Immortal Court to force me into the open. They’ve left me no choice but to respond!

Perhaps they have other reasons for doing this, too, but I’m sure I’m a big part of it.

Su Yi understood. Sometimes, things only seemed complicated until you took the time to sort them out.

There was no need for him to concern himself with what his enemies were thinking or what they were really after. All he needed to know was that they were re-establishing the Central Immortal Court to target him. That was information enough!

After thinking this through, Su Yi raised his cup of wine and drained it.