Chapter 141.1: The Trump Cards Move

The Bright Palace.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Killing intent gleamed coldly in the red-bearded elder's eyes. "Well, well... a Violet Palace cultivator has emerged from the Hundred Nations. What an astonishing blessing."

Inside the palace hall, three Violet Palace cultivators and dozens of Nascent Souls exchanged looks, each one tinged with murderous intent. They presided over the Hundred Nations Blood War.

"In a backwater like the Hundred Nations, a brat just so happens to break into the Violet Palace realm, and suddenly thinks he's invincible? Even declaring war on us? That is the biggest joke under heaven!" barked a notoriously hot-tempered Violet Palace expert.

How could they not be furious? They had ample resources and power. Unless a Yin Spirit appeared, who could hope to challenge them? A lone Violet Palace cultivator was simply courting death by provoking the Bright Palace.

"That Blood-Clothed Sword God is getting way ahead of himself. His clan should be in the Chen Kingdom. Why don't we capture them and force him out of hiding?" a Nascent Soul eagerly suggested.

"That would be unwise," another replied. "We are, after all, the righteous pillar of the Cuiyun Continent. Such petty acts would tarnish our reputation. More importantly, the Earth Sword Marquis's clan has long since perished."

The Nascent Souls fell silent. The war was already underway. Who still cared about reputation at a time like this?

"One Violet Palace cultivator is hardly worth all this fuss. If he dares show himself in the coming days, we'll make sure he never returns," said Qian Yuan, the leading Violet Palace cultivator.

As a mid-stage Violet Palace cultivator, he commanded considerable influence within the Bright Palace. Even his disciple's talent was extraordinary, ranking near the top of the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, with great potential to reach the Violet Palace realm.

Qian Yuan had come to oversee the war not just to win, but to build his reputation. If the Bright Palace ever added another Palace Master, his name would almost certainly be on the list.

With his decree, the hall fell silent. The discussion came to an end.

The Blood-Clothed Sword God was a deadly threat to Nascent Souls. Even ordinary Violet Palace cultivators had to take him seriously. Of course, Qian Yuan was another story. He barely spared the matter a thought.

"I still have another guest to meet. Tend to your duties," Qian Yuan said with a wave.

The cultivators withdrew.

***

Outside the hall.

A violet-robed, elderly man stood with a face full of worry and storm-dark eyes. He was Xu Yeli, Supreme Elder of the Seven Words Sect and also their only Violet Palace cultivator. To outsiders, Violet Palace cultivators were lofty beings who towered above the world, but Xu Yeli lived every day stifled and oppressed because of the Bright Palace.

"Senior Xu, Elder Qian Yuan awaits you inside," a Nascent Soul disciple said as he emerged from the hall.

Despite his stature, Xu Yeli quickly showed a polite smile. "I shall go at once to pay my respects to Brother Qian."

He stepped into the hall. A few moments later, he bowed before the imposing figure seated on a high throne. "Brother Qian, may I ask why you summoned me?"

Qian Yuan sat on a throne of white jade, dignified and handsome, eyes as deep as starlight. "It has been some time, fellow daoist. I thought we could share a moment together."

A moment together, he said, yet it came as a decree that dragged Xu Yeli out of closed-door cultivation, and forced him to travel thousands of miles. What sort of gathering was that?

Xu Yeli felt resentment swell up his chest, but he dared not show it. "Indeed. It has been some time."

After a few hollow courtesies, Qian Yuan went straight to the point. "Have you heard? The Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle has been moved up."

"I've heard whispers..." Xu Yeli replied, dread coiling in his gut.

The Seven Words Sect was tiny, it only had one Violet Palace realm cultivator. Yet their Holy Son—Xu Tongchen—Xu Yeli's proud disciple, was ranked among the top thirty of the Eastern Lands Prodigy List. His talent was frightening. He awakened the True Sun Fire upon forming his Golden Core. When summoned, his core radiated a sun's fury, burning everything without mercy. Even Nascent Soul's divine techniques couldn't withstand it.

Throughout the Cuiyun Continent, there was a saying:

The Seven Words Sect shackles Xu Tongchen. Had he been born in the Bright Palace, he'd be top ten without question.

Once, a palace master had even personally visited the Seven Words Sect to recruit Xu Tongchen as a disciple. However, Xu Tongchen refused out of loyalty to his master. And that single refusal created irreconcilable enmity.

"Xu Tongchen's talent truly inspires envy," Qian Yuan said lightly.

Xu Yeli's heart jolted. He hurried to say, "Brother Qian's disciple Huang Tu is ranked twenty-seven. Tongchen is only twenty-nine. He's still inferior."

He was terrified Qian Yuan intended to snatch his disciple again. Huang Tu was Qian Yuan's beloved disciple, and was the highest-ranked on the Cuiyun Continent in the Prodigy List.

"Rankings aside, Tongchen's talent is indeed remarkable." Qian Yuan leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "As you know, entering the top twenty this year carries a great opportunity."

Xu Yeli's dread surged.

Then, Qian Yuan finally revealed his true intent. "The Seven Words Sect and the Bright Palace both belong to Cuiyun Continent. We should support one another. This time, we must secure a top-twenty spot. I will ask you to instruct your disciple. When the tournament begins, he should keep the bond of our shared homeland in mind, and lend Huang Tu a hand."

Of course, Qian Yuan was just being polite. The meaning was clear:

Tell your disciple not to compete for a top-twenty spot. Help Huang Tu get it instead.

If you refuse, you're denying fellow-continent camaraderie.

"Brother Xu, I know this request seems forceful. But I'm no unreasonable man." Qian Yuan smiled faintly. "After we complete the Hundred Nations Blood War, the entire Hundred Nations region will be gifted to your Seven Words Sect. It may seem like a backwater place, but it still occupies a large region. Maybe some legendary seniors left treasures behind somewhere. Think about how the Blood-Clothed Sword God ascended to the Violet Palace realm. What do you think?"

He offered away the Hundred Nations as though they were spare change.

Xu Yeli's expression darkened. But in the end, he could only bow his head. "...As you wish."

Qian Yuan smiled in satisfaction. "Young people can be impulsive. Do remind your disciple."

"Very well." Xu Yeli swallowed his fury, saluted, and took his leave.

***

Meanwhile, atop Seven-Colored Peak.

Having snuck out of her wooden hut, Jiang Lingsu crept to the brick house, and knocked on Qi Yuan's door. She had the gait of someone committing a guilty affair.

Inside, Qi Yuan was finalizing his plan to destroy the Bright Palace. "Junior Sister, what brings you here?"

His Blood-Clothed Sword God persona had already made its debut. It was time for the Mad Daoist, the Seven-Desires Demon Lord, and his other personas to take the stage. Qi Yuan was prepared to play the entire cast.

"Senior Brother, that Blood-Clothed Sword God is one of your personas, isn't he?" Jiang Lingsu whispered.

She'd already heard about the whole affair from her sister. Furthermore, she had long since seen the posts he'd written. The writing style, the tone, the flair—everything was exactly like Qi Yuan. Besides, hadn't he borrowed one of her alternate accounts last time?

"No," Qi Yuan said calmly. This mask absolutely could not slip. "I'm just a humble Core Formation cultivator. How could I possibly be some mighty Violet Palace cultivator?"

Jiang Lingsu stared at him, her expression twisted with suspicion. The more she thought about it, the more absurd it sounded. How could Senior Brother suddenly be a Violet Palace cultivator? Even if he were the reincarnation of a Yin Spirit, he couldn't return to that realm so quickly.