Chapter 5: Guan Yizhou Is Here!
Zhao Xuan's whole body went taut, but inwardly he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Good thing he hadn't done anything reckless. Otherwise, the Xuantian Holy Land wouldn't be merely abdicating its throne—it would be erased from existence.
Offending an ancient sect like this meant the annihilation of one's entire lineage!
"I am an Elder of the Lingxiao Sect. If the Lord of the Xuantian Holy Land does not clarify his purpose, I fear he will find it difficult to leave!"
The instant Li Qingtian and Jin Chi appeared, Xue Weiyang's figure materialized as well.
Her aura at the peak of the Great Emperor realm surged out in full. Zhao Xuan felt as though every bone in his body had shattered.
"Another... another Great Emperor!"
If Great Emperors served merely as Elders, then was the Sect Master a powerhouse at the peak of the Great Emperor realm?
An ancient sect—this had to be the revival of an ancient sect!
Blood seeped from the corner of Zhao Xuan's mouth. He rushed to explain.
"Seniors, there has been a misunderstanding. Upon hearing of your esteemed sect's revival, I came specifically to offer the throne of the Hegemon of Xuanzhou!"
"I was merely too eager to pay my respects. The spirit stones and other heavenly treasures are still being prepared. Another day... no, within three days, I will personally deliver them!"
Cold sweat covered Zhao Xuan's face. Say the wrong thing now, and he might not live to see tomorrow's sun!
Also—what was the deal with his great-grandmother circling above his head?
Li Qingtian and Xue Weiyang exchanged a glance. This Zhao Xuan certainly knew how to read the room.
Still, for a Holy Land Master to grovel like this—how to handle him would have to be reported to the Sect Master.
"We have no immediate need for heavenly treasures. When we do, we will send someone to collect them. For now, just send one hundred million top-grade spirit stones!"
"As for the throne of the Hegemon of Xuanzhou, the Lingxiao Sect has no interest!"
As he spoke, Su Kuang had already appeared at the mountain gate with Shen Qingluan in tow.
One hundred million top-grade spirit stones?
It stung, but that was only one-tenth of the Xuantian Holy Land's reserve!
A bargain! An absolute bargain!
"Here are two hundred million top-grade spirit stones. I beg Senior Su to grant us the chance to let the Xuantian Holy Land become a vassal of the Lingxiao Sect!"
Hearing that Su Kuang meant no trouble, Xue Weiyang and Li Qingtian withdrew their oppressive auras.
Zhao Xuan, ignoring his injuries, respectfully presented a high-grade spatial ring.
That was all he had brought. Otherwise, he would gladly have offered five hundred million top-grade spirit stones.
With an ancient sect like the Lingxiao Sect at his back, what did he have to fear from those Holy Lands only slightly stronger than the Xuantian Holy Land?
"You know how to conduct yourself."
"The matter of vassalage—I approve it."
"There happens to be something I need you to do right now."
Approved?
Jackpot! The Xuantian Holy Land had truly struck it rich this time!
As for having a task? That was perfect. Having work meant being useful. Being left to sit idle—that was the worst outcome!
"Please instruct me, Senior. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully making the Xuantian Holy Land a vassal. Reward: Supreme Dao Body—Chaos Sword Body!]
Holy crap! There's a reward too?
Seeing Zhao Xuan's eagerness to pledge loyalty, Su Kuang's tone softened considerably.
"It's nothing major. My sect has slumbered for many years and knows very little of the Nine Heavens Continent now!"
"When you return, organize all the information you possess and send it to me."
Just that?
Zhao Xuan was stunned. Before he could speak, a jade tablet floated before him.
"This contains a strand of my divine sense. If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, crush it!"
"Remember! If you abuse the name of the Lingxiao Sect to commit evil, do not blame me for showing no mercy!"
"Yes... Thank you for your guidance, Senior Su. This subordinate will keep it firmly in mind!"
Zhao Xuan was thrilled. A solemn look settled over his face. He would definitely warn the disciples of the Holy Land upon returning.
Anyone who messed around would have their third leg broken!
"Withdraw."
Su Kuang waved his hand. Shen Qingluan stood there, completely dumbfounded.
The Xuantian Holy Land, Hegemon of Xuanzhou, willingly becoming a vassal of the Lingxiao Sect—it felt like a dream.
"Seen enough?"
No sooner had Zhao Xuan left than Jin Chi stepped into the void and dragged out the ancestor of the Dajing Imperial Family.
"Seniors, I am the Ancestor of the Dajing Imperial Family. This time..." *Pfft...*
Before Gao Rong could finish, an ice spike pierced his arm.
In an instant, his entire arm was drenched in blood.
"Ahh..."
"Sect Master, because of me, Qingluan's cultivation regressed instead of advancing!"
"Last month, elders from the Shen family contacted the Third Prince of Dajing, wanting to offer Qingluan up to contribute to the family!"
"Out of desperation, I took Qingluan and left the Shen family!"
Su Kuang was about to speak when Gao Rong looked at Xue Weiyang, tears in his eyes though none fell.
"Senior, did you strike the wrong person? I knew nothing about this!"
"But since you've mentioned it, once I return, I'll immediately break the Third Prince's legs and bring him here for you to dispose of!"
If he weren't so outmatched, Gao Rong really wanted to argue with Xue Weiyang.
Could they please reason with logic? If they relied solely on power to bully others, getting their clan exterminated would serve them right!
But then again, the Shen family had offered her voluntarily. And she was such a beauty—who could refuse?
Still, logic was on their side now.
"Just follow your heart. No one bullies disciples of my Lingxiao Sect!"
Su Kuang saw Shen Qingluan looking at him. With the Xuantian Holy Land already a vassal, he nodded.
"The matter with the Shen family—my Master and I will handle it!"
"As for the Third Prince, I don't want to see him anymore!"
Gao Rong nodded rapidly, secretly swearing that upon returning, he would wipe out the entire branch of the Third Prince.
Killing just one wasn't enough!
The Xuantian Holy Land was now a vassal of the Lingxiao Sect. If they were displeased, they wouldn't even need to act personally.
A single order would be enough for the Xuantian Holy Land to spin the entire Dajing Dynasty like a top!
"Yes, yes, yes! This matter will be done exactly as the Fairy wishes!"
Gao Rong scrambled away on hands and knees. Su Kuang's projection vanished along with Shen Qingluan and her master.
...
The next moment.
Feiyun City.
Shen family.
When Shen Qingluan returned, the Shen family guards broke into smiles.
"Wonderful! The Young Miss is back! She must have come to terms with reality!"
"Yes, indeed. Without talent for cultivation, becoming the Third Prince's concubine can still bring benefits to our Shen fami—"
Before they could finish, Su Kuang blasted them into a mist of blood.
Xue Weiyang, who had been about to act, and Shen Qingluan both froze. Su Kuang suddenly felt awkward under their gaze.
"Weren't you coming back to settle scores?"
"This..."
Shen Qingluan hesitated. Su Kuang cleared his throat and looked seriously at the two women.
"If they are enemies, don't give them the chance to run their mouths. It ruins the mood!"
"Remember! The Lingxiao Sect may lack other skills, but we have some experience in wiping out entire families!"
Xue Weiyang smiled broadly, turning to Shen Qingluan beside her.
"Heed the Sect Master's words. In the future, when facing enemies, don't give them a chance to speak!"
"Yes! Disciple will remember the teachings of Master and Sect Master!"
Shen Qingluan clenched her fists. Next time she met an enemy, she'd stab first and ask questions later!
Before the Shen clan could raise their guard, Shen Qingluan charged ahead, heading straight for the inner courtyard.
The strongest cultivator in the Shen family was merely at the Sea Transformation Realm. Bringing back two Great Emperors was equivalent to nuking mosquitoes.