Chapter 709: Caiwei Submits, Return to Fengmo

Huai Jing clarified, "So you're saying the Celestial Wind Sect's former backer sent people to wipe out the new backer because they feared you would vent your anger at them?"

After a brief moment of thought, the others realized that Huai Jing was right.

Lin Yun snorted. "The North-River Sword Sect certainly knows which way the wind blows."

"I doubt it's that simple," Wang Sheng said as he examined the jade pendant. The insignia of the North-River Sword Sect was engraved on it, and the material was of exceptional quality. "Long Liekong."

"Yes, Master."

"Gather intelligence on the East-Sea Sword Sect," Wang Sheng instructed. "Use a talisman to send word as soon as you learn anything. Be careful on the way."

"As you command, Master. I will go now!"

Long Liekong turned to leave at once. He had barely flown out when he circled back and transformed into a massive azure dragon. Opening his jaws, he released Caiwei—Lan Huilin—whom he had been protecting inside his mouth. Only then did he truly set off.

Wang Sheng said, "Everyone else, proceed according to plan. Sect Master, please give the order to dispatch all forces."

"Very well," Yao Xingzi replied. Finally showing a hint of a smile, he drifted away.

Lin Yun, Hu Chang, Lishang, and Huai Jing followed him. They would each accompany a different group of Xinghai Sect members, acting as their guardians. Wang Sheng would also lead a group to wipe out all remaining forces of the Celestial Wind Sect within the ancient battlefield.

Lan Huilin clearly looked at a loss. Standing before Wang Sheng, she glanced at the Xinghai Sect immortals in the distance as they split into separate groups. She then quickly lowered her gaze again.

As if unwilling to let Wang Sheng be alone with a woman other than Mu Wanxuan, Spiritless shone with immortal light. Yaoyun drifted out in a slow circle and stood beside him, quietly gazing toward the wreckage in the distance.

Wang Sheng folded his arms and smiled. "How did you know I would be in that lake?"

"There were many signs," Lan Huilin replied softly as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The immortals of the Xinghai Sect disappeared, yet although the mountain gate was destroyed, its foundation remained intact.

"Some time ago, two formidable cultivators caused chaos in the Celestial Wind Sect's solar system. They were likely your subordinates. Moreover, when you returned, news from Fengmo said you had broken through to the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

"At that time, I figured there was no way you would not launch an attack on the Celestial Wind Sect. You would have to sever their connection with the East-Sea Sword Sect to eliminate them, though, which meant their teleportation array would be your primary target.

"From then on, I kept watch. Every day, I went to that place and lingered for a while. No one paid attention or bothered to stop a traitor like me since Fengli's qi star had vanished. Then one day, someone entered the grand defensive array and vanished. I concluded you were very likely hiding near the fake array."

Wang Sheng gave her a thumbs-up. "That's impressive. Among my friends, you are truly one of the meticulous few."

Lan Huilin smiled softly. The word "friend" clearly pleased her. Soon, though, her expression dimmed. She lowered her voice. "Have you already destroyed the Celestial Wind Sect?"

"

Mm,

" Wang Sheng replied. "They're now history. The Fengli Sect has also left this area, which means you no longer have to live under the shadow of those two sects. What do you plan to do from now on?"

Lan Huilin's smile turned bitter as she shook her head. "Right now, I only want to find a quiet place where I'll go into seclusion and calm myself down for a time. I will think about the future later."

Wang Sheng offered seriously, "Come join the Xinghai Sect. Being alone can never compare to cultivating in a celestial gate."

She answered softly, "No need. As a traitor to the Fengli Sect, many members of the Xinghai Sect likely resent me. I will just find a qi star and live as an unaffiliated practitioner. A quiet life suits me."

"Even if you do not join the Xinghai Sect, stay and help me anyway."

Lan Huilin blinked at him. "Are you worried I would bring misfortune?"

Wang Sheng smiled and shook his head. "Fate and luck are the things I fear least. I intend to establish another force here in the future and turn this place into its base. You are one of the few people I trust, and you're familiar with the region around the ancient battlefield. More importantly, you are intelligent and resourceful."

Lan Huilin hesitated, eyebrows knitting slightly. She clearly wanted to agree but could not bring herself to do it.

Beside them, Yaoyun gently asked, "Miss Lan, may I say a few words?"

Lan Huilin nodded. "

Mm.

"

"You have known my sword master for a long time. He has helped you several times in the past, and this time you risked your life to aid him in defeating the Celestial Wind Sect. His wish for you to stay is neither out of pity nor out of fear that you will have nowhere to go. I cannot tell you all the details right now, but he currently lacks capable people at his side."

Lan Huilin shook her head. "What can I even help him with?"

"You can offer strategies or focus on cultivation to grow stronger," Yaoyun said as she met Lan Huilin's gaze. "Behind my sword master stands a vast, powerful, and deeply entangled organization. If he isn't strong enough, these forces could easily tear him apart since they are currently pulling in different directions.

"If you are willing to assist him, we will certainly not treat you poorly. Cultivation techniques, Spirit Stones, celestial pills, fated opportunities, and even help in breaking through bottlenecks. Whatever you seek, we will do our utmost to provide."

Lan Huilin bit her lower lip lightly. "Brother Pi, do you truly need me?"

Seeing Wang Sheng's faintly helpless smile, she sighed softly and bowed to him.

"Then from this day forward, my worthless life belongs to you."

"From now on, we are all brothers—" Wang Sheng coughed. "

Ahem.

We are all family. Do not speak of yourself that way. My Daoist name is Fei Yu. You may call me that from now on."

Lan Huilin extended a Daoist salute and called softly, "Big Brother Fei Yu."

"

Mm,

Sister Huilin," Wang Sheng replied, returning the salute with clasped hands.

The two exchanged smiles, while Yaoyun at the side could not help but smirk.

Lan Huilin truly was a capable talent. When she first met Wang Sheng in the blood mine, she had been a gentle fairy devoted wholly to the Fengli Sect, willing even to die there for its sake.

When the Fengli Sect plotted against the Xinghai Sect, Wang Sheng turned her to his side. Her love turned bitter, teaching her to hate the Fengli Sect and her own master. From that moment on, she stepped into an entirely new world. She singlehandedly provoked the Celestial Wind Sect and the Fengli Sect into open conflict, demonstrating just how capable she was.

Moreover, she had managed to protect herself in the den of wolves that was the Celestial Wind Sect and withdrew safely in the end. This proved she had the potential to become an outstanding strategist.

Wang Sheng took her along as they set out, leading several Xinghai Sect elders, along with several hundred sect members and disciples, through the ancient battlefield to eliminate the remaining forces of the Celestial Wind Sect.

During the journey, he spoke with her at length, asking how the Xinghai Sect should develop in the future and how Earth's cultivators could rise to prominence.

After some thought, Lan Huilin offered many suggestions that made Wang Sheng's eyes light up. Some ideas were somewhat too idealistic, yet her thinking aligned closely with his own and, in many areas, gave him new inspiration.

***

Half a month later, the eleven qi planets near the ancient battlefield fell into complete turmoil.

News of the Celestial Wind Sect's destruction spread across all eleven planets. Shocked, the unaffiliated practitioners on each celestial body could not help but discuss it endlessly.

According to the news, the Xinghai Sect elder known as Sword Heart Pi Kachew had destroyed the Celestial Wind Sect. Its surviving members carried the tale far and wide, spreading details of that battle everywhere. They told stories of how he killed their sect master in one move and shattered their grand defensive array with a lightning bolt.

Aside from the winning sect, those who benefited most from the collapse of a powerful organization were often the unaffiliated practitioners.

The ancient battlefield, which had cooled in activity over the past few centuries, suddenly welcomed wave after wave of new arrivals. The surrounding space grew lively once more.

With the Celestial Wind Sect destroyed, the Fengli Sect gone, and the Xinghai Sect still rebuilding, external forces attempted to seize the power vacuum in the eleven qi planets. They quickly extended their influence into the region, hoping to gain some advantage.

***

Two months later, Long Liekong sent back news that the East-Sea Sword Sect had been annihilated. The planet that the East-Sea Sword Sect had once occupied had been turned into a living hell. Blood flowed like rivers, and even the oceans had been dyed red.

The North-River Sword Sect finally showed the Eastern Sky Region the authority of one of its top ten sects. They had a large force of immortals launch a surprise attack, wiping out not only the East-Sea Sword Sect but also every unaffiliated practitioner on the planet.

Compared to that horrific scene, the number of immortals Wang Sheng had killed when he had destroyed the Celestial Wind Sect seemed tame. He truly was too kind.

With the East-Sea Sword Sect gone and the Celestial Wind Sect's remnants in the eleven qi planets almost completely gone, the Xinghai Sect no longer had any cause for concern. It gathered its members once more and departed the ancient battlefield in a vast procession toward Fengmo.

The celestial soldiers and Protectors it had previously dismissed were already waiting on the planet.

Xinghai City had become crowded again in recent days. Countless unaffiliated practitioners had rushed there, hoping to join the sect once recruitment resumed.

Of the other sect forces originally stationed on Fengmo, half had already relocated. The remaining half stayed behind with the intention of submitting as soon as representatives from the Xinghai Sect arrived.

***

Half a month later, new spiritual veins and mountain peaks were transported to the ruins of the original Xinghai Sect grounds, forming a simple but entirely new mountain gate.

Having endured a great calamity, the Xinghai Sect prepared to hold a Nirvana Ceremony[1].

During the event, Yao Xingzi announced that the sect had gained a new vice sect master: Wang Sheng.

However, Wang Sheng was nowhere to be found. Even worse, Lishang, the former vice sect master, was also absent for unspecified reasons.

Meanwhile, in the front courtyard of a grand residence in Xinghai City, a banquet was well underway.

Though its atmosphere was far less grand than that of the Nirvana Ceremony, the combined strength of its guests easily surpassed that of the tens of thousands attending the event in the mountains.

1. A Nirvana Ceremony is a traditional ritual in which a sect or community declares itself reborn after suffering a great calamity, honoring the fallen and celebrating a new beginning ☜