Chapter 684: Where the Wind Blows

At the foot of Chiyang Peak, Xiao Nanfeng began his lecture. Countless Yuqing disciples listened to him, entranced by the ring of truth that echoed his every word. At noon, he suddenly paused and smiled. "Senior Brothers, Junior Brothers, you've asked me many times about how to choose among kingdoms, empires, and divine empires. I've come to some conclusion about my thoughts, which I'd like to share with you now."

"Please do, Senior Brother Xiao!" everyone exclaimed.

Trying to found an empire of your own requires far too much in terms of resources. When I did so myself, it was only with the resources accumulated from a few Immortal sects. Doing so is risky, and there's a chance to fail—and perish—at every junction. Although the benefits for succeeding are immense, they won't matter if you fail, and the overall chance of success is minute. I do not endorse this option," Xiao Nanfeng began.

Countless disciples nodded.

"Another option is to join a pre-existing force: a kingdom, an empire, a divine empire, or even the Imperial Court. Divine empires and the Imperial Court are certainly filled with riches, but it'll be near-impossible for you to get even a small sliver of it from the very start. You'll have to accumulate merit over the course of years—decades, centuries even."

The disciples continued to nod. They had been thinking about such matters as well.

"As such, my advice for all of you is to join a kingdom or empire. That way, you can start to establish merit from the very beginning. If nothing else, you'll quickly be able to rise up through the ranks, gain power, and possibly a share of fortune in your own right."

Many disciples seemed to approve.

"That said, a kingdom is likely too weak. Kingdoms have no fortune of their own to begin with; their foundations aren't strong enough to support it. Only after they advance into empires will you be able to get a share of fortune, but the vast majority of kingdoms end up as nothing more than cannon fodder. In summation, they provide too minor an avenue for you to showcase your talents."

"You're right, Senior Brother Xiao!" a disciple exclaimed.

"That's why I recommend joining an empire. Empires are large enough for your talent to shine, but small enough that you'll be able to rise up through the ranks quickly. It won't take long before you're receiving a consistent stream of fortune. By helping an empire expand its borders, you'll be able to accumulate merit for yourself at a reliable pace."

"How should we choose among empires?" a Yuqing disciple wondered.

"Choose those blessed by the heavens, those that will rise straight up. If you stand where the wind blows, after all, even a pig can rise up to the heavens. The same principle applies to empires. Even a mediocre cultivator can be propelled forward in the right empire, let alone such talented cultivators as all of you here." Xiao Nanfeng smiled, as did all the Yuqing disciples. Xiao Nanfeng's analogy had been perfect.

"And what empires like that exist, Senior Brother Xiao? I heard that your kingdom ascended into an empire within just a few years, and that you even control forty Immortal cities now! Is your Dazheng Empire one such place where the wind blows?" a Yuqing disciple asked.

Many Yuqing disciples frowned right then and there. Was Xiao Nanfeng deliberately trying to manipulate them into joining his empire?

Xiao Nanfeng laughed. "It might be one such, but I don't recommend that you join me."

"Why not?" Countless Yuqing disciples were taken aback.

His lectures had caused many of the disciples to be interested in joining him. Why would he refuse?

"In principle, I ought to be overjoyed at your interest. I'd love to nab all you Yuqing disciples while I'm here," Xiao Nanfeng said, laughing.

The disciples did so as well, but they grew even more curious.

"That said, you know how I feel about the Yuqing holy maiden Xia Yu'er. You're all part of her family as far as cultivation goes, and these discussions are largely motivated by that relationship we share. How could I induce all of you to make an improper judgment out of personal interest?"

"You're far too polite, Senior Brother Xiao." The Yuqing disciples were all touched.

They were grateful to Xia Yu'er for having given them such an excellent opportunity to learn from Xiao Nanfeng; in the future, if anyone were to speak ill of her, they would surely be censured by everyone present.

"Why don't I recommend all of you to head to Dazheng? It's because it's simply too far away. Trying to earn merit in an empire isn't particularly difficult, but it's not easy, either. For example, if you were to try to take down an enemy city with enemy forces of roughly comparable strength, if they manage to withstand your incursion for long enough, what will you do? If you belong to a nearby sect, you could easily summon reinforcements for help. However, Dazheng's located in the east, and it'll take forever for you to summon reinforcements even with the help of avatars. By the time your fellow disciples rush over, the situation might have completely changed. Those vagaries of the battlefield will cause you to miss out on many opportunities to earn merit."

The disciples nodded. They were grateful to Xiao Nanfeng; after all, he was trying to help them out regardless of personal benefit.

"I've been familiarizing myself with the southern empires lately, and there's one that has caught my interest, one so incredible that it could even send a whale flying toward the heavens. I'm sure you'll all find incredible success there," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Oh? What empire, Senior Brother Xiao? What empire are you praising so lavishly?" the disciples cried out.

They were enthralled by his pronouncement.

"Have you heard of the Shenfeng Empire?" Xiao Nanfeng asked. [1]

"The Shenfeng Empire?" Many cultivators were perplexed.

Someone suddenly exclaimed, "That empire that only took a year to advance from a kingdom?"

"It looks like there are many disciples here knowledgeable about the state of the world," Xiao Nanfeng said, nodding. "It is precisely that kingdom."

"Is the Shenfeng Empire that strong?" someone asked.

"Rather than hear it from me, why not hear it from someone who knows intimately about the empire's inner workings? Let me introduce you to Yu'er's second brother, General Xia Hong," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Xia Hong flushed. He didn't expect to be fished out in such a manner. Given how much effort Xiao Nanfeng had gone to to advertise on his behalf, he couldn't help but sigh at Xia Lan's antics. In comparison to Xiao Nanfeng, Xia Lan really was far too narrow-minded!

"Everyone, General Xia Hong joined the kingdom of Shenfeng a year ago. Within just a year of expansion, Shenfeng grew into an empire, and General Xia Hong has now become a core political figure in the empire in his own right, with a commensurate share of fortune. It's rare for him to have the time to return, so why don't we hear him out? Just how has the Shenfeng Empire experienced such remarkable success?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Let's!" countless disciples exclaimed.

"General Xia Hong, please," Xiao Nanfeng called out.

Everyone watched as Xia Hong took to the stage, describing the development of the Shenfeng Empire. The Shenfeng Empire commanded a group of shadow cursed effigies that easily and readily broke down otherwise stalwart defenses. In the time since its evolution from kingdom to empire, it had won a string of unbroken victories. Xia Hong's recounting made many of the disciples wish that they could have taken advantage of such an opportunity like him.

"Alright. Thank you, General Xia Hong," Xiao Nanfeng said once Xia Hong had finished.

Xia Hong nodded. He still didn't know just how to recruit the Yuqing disciples. After all, being too direct would cause them to be wary, so Xiao Nanfeng's involvement was invaluable.

Once Xia Hong returned to the crowd, Xiao Nanfeng began to orate anew. "As you've seen, everyone, this is a classic example of a where the wind blows, and General Xia Hong might as well be a roc ascending into the heavens. In just a year, he's accomplished this much. On the other hand, making the wrong choice could easily set you back a hundred years or more. The choice is obvious, isn't it?"

"Of course!" the disciples replied.

"Now, do any of you think I'm deliberately trying to help General Xia Hong embellish the Shenfeng Empire?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Of course not!" a disciple exclaimed. "We all know that it'd help you more if you welcomed us to the Dazheng Empire outright. The fact that you aren't doing so means you aren't motivated by personal gain, Senior Brother Xiao, and the Shenfeng Empire that Senior Brother Xia Hong is in really is amazing to have accomplished so much in so little time."

Everyone else nodded.

"I'm glad you understand. I do want to warn you that, when you're joining an empire as an official, it's best to have someone there to advise you. After all, officials and generals are drawn from Immortal sects all over the world, and there are sure to be factional disputes among them. Do not blindly trust those around you," Xiao Nanfeng warned.

"Thank you for your words of wisdom, Senior Brother Xiao." Everyone nodded.

"General Xia Hong has already carved out a significant position of power in the Shenfeng Empire. If you're willing to join him there, not only will you be able to experience its meteoric rise, you'll also gain his support and aegis. With his help, as long as you're talented enough, you'll easily be able to advance up the ranks and earn merit for yourselves," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Everyone turned expectantly to Xia Hong.

"I even heard that the Shenfeng Empire is even making preparations to advance to a divine empire as quickly as possible," Xiao Nanfeng continued.

"What?" The Yuqing disciples were all taken by surprise.

Being able to earn merit for themselves in a high-ranking empire was already an incredible opportunity. If in addition they were able to help an empire advance into a divine empire, they would receive tremendous rewards for their effort.

"Of course, I know it's a little early to be speaking of such matters. I'm sure many of you rightfully want to learn about such empires on your own. What emperor doesn't intend on advancing further and further? Success is only granted to a rare few—but I am confident that the Shenfeng Emperor is more than qualified to seize such an opportunity. If you believe in my foresight, everyone, I urge you to join General Xia Hong. To date, I've never been misled," Xiao Nanfeng said frankly.

"We trust you, Senior Brother Xiao!" the disciples exclaimed.

The fact that Xiao Nanfeng had managed to found his own empire within just a short period of time, succeed as a Martial Aspect in the Imperial Court, and even endorse his subordinates into becoming Martial Aspects themselves was clear evidence of his acumen. What was more, the Shenfeng Empire's exploits seemed no less inferior to those of the Dazheng Empire's.

The disciples turned toward Xia Hong with sudden, surprising intent.

Xia Hong was incredibly touched. Xiao Nanfeng's final words were the equivalent of putting his own reputation at stake for the Shenfeng Empire.

Xiao Nanfeng was providing him with far more help than he could have expected. How could Xia Lan still think so poorly of him? He would have to teach Xia Lan a lesson.

1. Wait until they learn that the Feng in Shenfeng refers to Xiao Nanfeng... ☜