Chapter 806: Meeting at Daliang's Capital

In another valley, Lan Yaoguang's body shook as a surge of powerful energy radiated in all directions.

"Have you broken though?" Xiao Nanfeng asked with a smile.

"I did. I'm a Golden Immortal now!" Lan Yaoguang exclaimed in excitement. Then, she frowned. "But it feels like this sort of energy won't be as effective for me anymore..."

"Its level is too low," Xiao Nanfeng agreed. "But don't worry. We'll figure something out soon enough."

"Alright. You should continue to train your subordinates, then. Let's get as many Golden Immortals as we can."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"Right, isn't your other body here as well? I can hand you the Cursebane Sword again. Perhaps you'll be able to get some spiritual power and insight with it now."

"Let's give it a try," Xiao Nanfeng agreed.

They quickly rushed into another set of Enlightenment Grounds.

Xiao Nanfeng's avatar wielded the Cursebane Sword against a group of approaching blue-furred monsters.

A single sweep cut down several of the monsters. The sword absorbed their energy and sent a faint blue glow toward Xiao Nanfeng's avatar.

"It does work!" Lan Yaoguang exclaimed in surprise.

Xiao Nanfeng closed his eyes and mentally tabulated what he'd obtained. Meanwhile, the others guarded Xiao Nanfeng and held back the majority of the monsters.

After a while, Xiao Nanfeng opened his eyes. "There's a slight effect, but it's not very significant."

"I saw it. It's only about 1% of what I obtained..." Lan Yaoguang frowned.

"Any return is better than none. I do feel like I understand the Shangqing Yin Body better now," Xiao Nanfeng's avatar replied with a smile.

"Then you should slay the blue-furred monsters from now on. Another breakthrough in my spiritual cultivation would take far too much time," Lan Yaoguang offered.

"Thank you, then." Xiao Nanfeng agreed without any hesitation.

Once again, he rushed into the fray. His sword flashed as it cleaved through waves of blue-furred monsters.

Although he received only 1% of the insight and spiritual power that Lan Yaoguang did, the cumulative effect would still be significant.

Another territory was taken down just like that.

Xiao Nanfeng's avatar slew the blue-furred monsters, his spiritual moon devoured the superior yin pearls, and Xiao Nanfeng's designated subordinates absorbed the fragment of white jade.

Xiao Nanfeng's forces grew stronger with each battle.

After conquering a total of twelve Enlightenment Grounds, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar suddenly sensed something. He hurriedly sat down cross-legged in meditation.

Above him, his red and blue spiritual moons floated, radiating concentrated spiritual power.

Two hours later, a tremendous burst of energy exploded from his avatar's body, shattering the snow-capped mountains nearby.

"You're at late-stage True Yin now too, aren't you?" Lan Yaoguang's eyes lit up.

"My avatar has been stuck on the cusp of the breakthrough for quite some time. I've finally crossed that threshold," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

"You should keep going," Lan Yaoguang urged.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "It's impossible for me to break through again anytime soon, even if I killed a hundred times more blue-furred monsters. You do it. My avatar will have to investigate something with my subordinates, anyway."

"Alright!" Lan Yaoguang nodded.

Xiao Nanfeng assigned a few of his subordinates to absorb the energy of the final fragment of white jade, producing one more Golden Immortal.

After leaving the territory, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar donned a set of black robes and secretly left with a group of his subordinates in tow.

Meanwhile, just as Xiao Nanfeng's main body and Lan Yaoguang were about to leave the area, a group of cultivators arrived on the scene, led by the city lord of Qingyun.

"I've finally found you both!" the city lord exclaimed.

It was, of course, a lie. He had been keeping track of Xiao Nanfeng's whereabouts all this time. He was shocked to see them vanish so quickly, one after another. Just what sort of monsters were these cultivators?

"Is something the matter, City Lord?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

To be frank, if not for the map that he had provided, finding these Enlightenment Grounds would have proven far more laborious.

"The Immortal Emperor of Daliang would like me to invite both of you to Dalian's capital," the city lord began.

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, surprised.

"For some reason, these Enlightenment Grounds have been aggressively attacking Daliang, and the capital has been the hardest hit—and by the strongest Enlightenment Grounds, no less. The Immortal Emperor has even sent envoys beyond the green knoll hidden realm in search of reinforcements. Many powerful cultivators have gathered at the capital. Upon hearing of your extraordinary prowess, the Immortal Emperor personally requested that I extend an invitation to both of you for assistance. A generous reward will be provided."

"Daliang's capital..." Xiao Nanfeng frowned and pondered the situation carefully.

His subordinates had learned about the situation outside the capital, and he had been considering heading there—not expecting the Immortal Emperor's invitation.

He didn't particularly want to get involved with the Immortal Emperor, but it was inevitable that he would encounter Daliang's forces if he intended to fight near the capital, which could have led to unnecessary conflicts.

Now that the Immortal Emperor had taken notice of him, it might be best to meet and assess the situation.

"Please let me know if I may assist you in any way," the city lord of Qingyun added.

"Since the Immortal Emperor of Daliang has extended such a kind invitation, we'll head to the capital and have a look," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Thank you, sir! Please, follow me."

The city lord of Qingyun led Xiao Nanfeng all the way to Daliang's capital.

They arrived two days later.

Daliang's capital was enormous, with swirling clouds of fortune in the sky and dense fog in the area. From time to time, the sounds of battle could be heard from various parts of the city.

Thanks to the city lord of Qingyun and the advance notice he sent via his subordinates' avatars, they encountered no difficulty during their way here. The Immortal Emperor of Daliang and her officials were even waiting for them in a large plaza.

From afar, Xiao Nanfeng spotted a cold, beautiful woman dressed in white draconic robes with gold motifs.

"Gan Qing of Daliang greets Eastern Aspect Xiao and Lady Yaoguang," the woman said politely. She gave them a small smile.

Xiao Nanfeng was rather surprised to see that the Immortal Emperor of Daliang actually recognized him. He smiled. "I greet the Immortal Emperor of Daliang."

"I greet the Immortal Emperor of Daliang," Lan Yaoguang echoed. She too smiled.

"The Enlightenment Grounds have ravaged my lands and harmed my people. I was at a loss as to how to target them. I truly am overwhelmed with relief to hear of your willingness to lend aid, Eastern Aspect Xiao, Lady Yaoguang. I've prepared a banquet in your honor and hope you'll grace us with your presence."

Though an Immortal Emperor was high in status, Xiao Nanfeng was no less exalted as a Cardinal Aspect of the Imperial Court. As such, the Immortal Emperor was treating him with utmost courtesy.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"This way, please." The Immortal Emperor of Daliang smiled.

The cultivators made their way toward a nearby hall, where tables had been laid out in preparation for the feast well in advance. The black-robed cultivators behind Xiao Nanfeng remained standing silently behind him; only Xiao Nanfeng and Lan Yaoguang took their seats.

"I am deeply grateful that you have honored my invitation, Eastern Aspect Xiao, Lady Yaoguang. Allow me to offer you a toast." The Immortal Emperor of Daliang raised her cup.

Xiao Nanfeng verified that the wine was safe to consume before smiling. "You're too kind, Immortal Emperor."

Lan Yaoguang raised her cup as well.

The three of them clinked their cups together and began to drink. The atmosphere grew relaxed.

"It's impressive that you're so well informed about the Heavenly Court despite being within the green knoll hidden realm, Immortal Emperor," Xiao Nanfeng began.

The Immortal Emperor smiled. "Daliang can't compare to the great divine empires of the outside world. We've managed to hold sway only in this hidden realm. We still keep track of affairs outside, but the foundation we've laid here is so vast that venturing out into the world at large to establish something new will be difficult."

"You're too modest, Immortal Emperor. You've fought bravely against the Enlightenment Grounds to protect the people of this hidden realm. It's a great blessing for them, I'm sure," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"The Enlightenment Grounds are powerful, and we've been struggling to hold them off by ourselves. That's why we've summoned aid from the outside world at large. With your assistance, I'm confident we can defeat them. Upon victory, I'm willing to reward you both with fortune as a token of gratitude."

"Then I'll thank you in advance, Immortal Emperor," Xiao Nanfeng replied with a casual smile.

The Immortal Emperor raised her cup to them again. "I heard from the city lord of Qingyun that you recently took down over a dozen of these Enlightenment Grounds?"

"Only by chance," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"For such a long streak of successes? Hardly! You must be very strong. Might I ask if those Enlightenment Grounds are of any use to you? I'm willing to offer substantial treasures in exchange."

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'd rather not."

They had already consumed all the Enlightenment Grounds; there was nothing left to trade. He glanced curiously at the Immortal Emperor. Was she collecting them?

"I understand." The Immortal Emperor of Daliang didn't make a fuss over the news.

At that moment, a guard rushed into the hall. "Your Majesty, the Shangqing hierarch is here."

"Oh? Please, invite him in." The Immortal Emperor's eyes lit up.

"Understood!" The guard rushed out of the hall.

The Immortal Emperor of Daliang turned to Xiao Nanfeng and Lady Yaoguang. "Coincidentally, the Shangqing hierarch was nearby. I took the liberty of inviting him to join us. I hope you don't mind, honored guests?"

Lan Yaoguang remained silent. She was a holy maiden of Shangqing, and could hardly speak out against the Shangqing hierarch.

Xiao Nanfeng, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes slightly. The Immortal Emperor of Daliang had invited the Shangqing hierarch without giving them any notice, which felt like a calculated move. Just what was she planning?