Chapter 197.1: Qiyuann Sovereign is Here, a Feast for Feiwu

Thunder watched the expeditionary force depart from the Clearwater Village. Even now, disbelief lingered in his eyes.

Did they really just set off like that?

Nearby, Zhu Zhuangshi enviously gazed at the swaggering, high-spirited Big Black Dog marching off to war. He turned to Thunder, his courage swelling out of nowhere. In the past, if he encountered a True God realm powerhouse, he would have knelt and kowtowed on the spot. Yet after following the guardian god for some time, he had grown a nerve of steel. Of course, the guardian god himself still had to be revered.

"You get used to scenes like this after seeing it enough times," Zhu Zhuangshi said like a seasoned veteran, sharing his experience with Great Venerable Thunder.

Among the old folks who followed the guardian god, which one wasn't immune to scenes like this?

Thunder glanced at Zhu Zhuangshi and flicked his sleeve. "Someone who gets pinned to the ground by a dog and still doesn’t dare sit at the table isn’t worthy of speaking to me."

Zhu Zhuangshi's high-handed demeanor instantly vanished, replaced by a pitiful, aggrieved expression. Some time ago, Zhu Zhuangshi had drunk too much at a feast and hugged Big Black Dog, reminiscing about glorious days gone by. Who would have thought the dog would pin him straight to the ground?

Wang Chongshan immediately teased him. "My sworn brother is not what he used to be. How could he tolerate your reckless behavior?"

Wang Chongshan's sworn brother was none other than Big Black Dog. Zhu Zhuangshi's face creased even further.

***

Outside Feiwu City, officials stood in two neat rows beyond the city gates. Some wore expectant looks, some appeared uneasy, while others were filled with bitter regret.

"Commander Ji, why did you stay behind?" a green-robed man with a thin mustache asked. He seemed tall and imposing, with a gray sash tied around his waist. His entire bearing was brimming with vigor.

Ji Buran glanced at the man, Wang Chunfeng, and remained silent.

Despite being ignored, Wang Chunfeng wasn’t angry. He politely cupped his hands and smiled warmly. "From now on, we'll be colleagues. Please take care of me."

Feiwu City had no ancient god, just a city lord. Ji Buran was the chief commander of said city lord’s manor, and also led a battalion. With upheaval erupting everywhere, the city's major figures had all chosen to flee. As a result, Ji Buran now held the highest position among those who remained.

As for Wang Chunfeng, he was originally just a merchant with no official rank. However, with the new god about to take over Feiwu City, he was the first to pledge loyalty, thus becoming a representative of that faction.

At this moment, they were awaiting the arrival of the new god's procession. Each official harbored his own hidden agenda. The light drizzle meant nothing to cultivators like them.

Wang Chunfeng smiled at Ji Buran. "Commander Ji, do you look down on me for being a mere merchant?"

Only then did Ji Buran properly look at Wang Chunfeng. He said in a deep, blunt, and forceful tone, "No."

Wang Chunfeng said with a carefree smile, "That's good. I've always admired Commander Ji. Once the lord arrives, we'll serve the god together."

His eyes were filled with reverence. After all, not only would the new god only assimilate some of the populace, he had also promised that those who pledged loyalty could follow him away from the Mortal Heart World, attaining long life.

Regardless, Wang Chunfeng's roots lay in Feiwu City. If he left, everything he had accumulated over the first half of his life would be lost. Hence why he chose to stay. Many opportunists like him existed. Of course, there were even more elderly and infirm commonfolk who simply could not leave. Even cultivators at the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation realms would be courting death if they ventured out in such times. Ji Buran had stayed behind precisely because he could not bear to abandon the people under his governance.

He nodded slightly at Wang Chunfeng. "

Mm

."

Just then, Wang Chunfeng seemed to recall something. "Commander Ji, with the new god descending, we as his subjects must do something. We are preparing to hold a Maiden Banquet. Commander Ji, you know Feiwu City best. Please help us gather the maidens."

A flash of murderous intent crossed Ji Buran's eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it. "Feiwu City is in ruins and needs rebuilding. We should consider carefully before holding a Maiden Banquet."

Wang Chunfeng's smile deepened. "Commander Ji, do you

not

want to?"

Anger flared in Ji Buran's eyes as he swept his sleeve and glared at Wang Chunfeng. "What are you trying to say?"

Wang Chunfeng raised his hands and clapped twice. Immediately, two guards dragged forward a boy who looked seven or eight years old. He—Ji Buran’s son—struggled desperately.

Wang Chunfeng smiled. "If Commander Ji can't bear a Maiden Banquet, then we'll hold a Boy Banquet instead. I've contributed a little. I've managed to capture one boy."

Ji Buran flew into a rage. "You!"

He had made the choice to stay in Feiwu City, preparing to live and die with it. Regardless, he never wished for his family to share his fate and had sent them out of the city. Who would’ve thought that Wang Chunfeng would capture them?!

Wang Chunfeng sought power. By undermining Ji Buran, he aimed to become the new god’s most capable subordinate.

Ji Buran’s peak Violet Palace aura erupted violently. He wanted to kill Wang Chunfeng!

Wang Chunfeng remained calm. "Commander Ji, are you attempting to rebel just as our lord is about to descend?"

With great effort, Ji Buran forced his raging aura back down.

Just then, the sound of a suona horn came from ahead. Everyone turned to look, and saw a long procession advancing slowly through the sky. At the front were over a dozen middle-aged women dressed in white mourning cloth. They wailed loudly, grief-stricken beyond measure.

Mournful suona notes coiled through the air, seeping into the heart. Everyone who heard it could not help but be moved.

Wang Chunfeng shouted angrily, "Whose funeral procession is that?! Why are they heading into the city?! The new god is about to descend! If he gets angry, we’ll all suffer! Men! Drive that funeral procession away!"

Ji Buran couldn't help but say, "The dead deserve respect."

Wang Chunfeng was genuinely scared of offending the new god. "These insolent commoners! Don’t they know what day it is?! Choosing today for a burial, they must die for that!"

At the same time, he was also puzzled. Why at such a time? Why this city? While he pondered, his worst fear finally came true.

A burst of celestial music descended from the heavens. Twelve stunning fairies hovered high, their fragrant shoulders and chests exposed, revealing swathes of pale skin. Their calves were wrapped in sheer silk stockings, alluring beyond words. A colossal, auspicious beast pulled a celestial chariot behind them. The two processions finally met in midair.

Wang Chunfeng's heart skipped violently, surging with terror.

Inside the chariot sat a golden-eyed man, eyes half-closed, cradling a sultry young woman in his arms.

A fairy said in a soft, seductive voice from outside, "My lord, there is a funeral procession ahead, blocking the way."

The man’s golden eyes widened, flashing with impatience. "Is their coffin big? Stuff all of them inside."

The fairy outside froze. "They don't have a coffin."

On a closer inspection, she noticed that it wasn’t quite a funeral procession. Before she could pinpoint what it was, Qi Yuan’s lazy voice drifted over. "Is that the Venerable Flirt ahead?"

The golden-eyed man immediately sensed something amiss. Still, as a new god in a fallen zone, he feared nothing. "Speak."

"Our funeral procession lacks a key figure," Qi Yuan said lightly, carrying an unmistakable tone of command. "Would you be so kind as to serve as a corpse?"