Lin Xuantong held great expectations for this disciple.
His eldest disciple, Qingyang Immortal Emperor, had peaked at only sixth place on the Qilin Ranking.
Since the time of Lin Xuantong, it had been a long while since anyone from Mount Taihua Holy Land had entered the top ten of the Qilin Ranking.
Lin Xuantong was hoping that Lu Changsheng could win some glory for Mount Taihua Holy Land.
“Changsheng, how is your cultivation of the second sword realm going?”
“The second sword realm is really too difficult; I haven’t even grasped the basics yet.”
“You have only recently become an Immortal Emperor, to ask you to master the second sword realm is indeed too demanding.”
Lin Xuantong knew that the ‘One Sword Across Ages’ second sword realm was extremely challenging, surpassing the realm of Emperor Tier cultivation techniques, and even a full-fledged Immortal Emperor might not be able to comprehend it.
The second sword realm could sever space-time, its power infinite.
‘One Sword Across Ages’ had only five sword realms, and each successive layer was a hundred times more difficult than the one before.
If an Immortal Emperor in the double realm fully mastered the second sword realm, then they would be capable of slaying a great accomplishment Immortal Emperor.
Lin Xuantong gave Lu Changsheng some pointers on the second sword realm, and after Lu Changsheng completed his cultivation session for the day, he returned to Yuntai Peak.
“The Yaochi Gathering…”
Xia Ningxue heard about the Yaochi Holy Land convening the Yaochi Gathering from Lu Changsheng and her expression grew peculiar.
Her master, the Guanghan Palace Master, back when she was still the Holy Maiden of Guanghan, had once been in love with the same candidate for Holy Son of Yaochi as the disciple of the Yaochi Matriarch, who was the Yaochi Holy Maiden at the time.
The Guanghan Palace Master even led a group of experts to break into the Yaochi Holy Land, trying to disrupt their grand wedding.
Since then, relations between the Guanghan Palace and Yaochi had been strained, with little contact between them, and it was uncertain whether Guanghan Palace would send anyone to attend this Yaochi Gathering.
“I need to return to Guanghan Palace to consult my master.”
Xia Ningxue thought it over, and without the consent of the Guanghan Palace Master, she could not readily attend the Yaochi Gathering.
After all, Xia Ningxue was the current Holy Maiden of Guanghan, and her every move, in the view of other Holy Lands, represented the intention of Guanghan Palace.
With the enmity between the two Holy Lands, and it being Yaochi Holy Land hosting the Yaochi Gathering, if Xia Ningxue decided to go on her own, she might provoke the anger of her master.
“Alright.”
Lu Changsheng also knew of the past issues between Guanghan Palace and Yaochi, making it necessary for Xia Ningxue to go back and seek permission from the Guanghan Palace Master.
Lu Changsheng prepared the longevity gift he planned to offer to the Yaochi Matriarch.
Although Lu Changsheng didn’t have much to do with Yaochi Holy Land, his disciple Dugu Aotian had some connections with the Yaochi Holy Maiden, Liu Yiyi.
Furthermore, Mount Taihua had good relations with Yaochi, and the face of the Yaochi Matriarch had to be honored one way or another.
“The Yaochi Matriarch is a peerless expert who has cultivated for eighty million years; if I can gain her favor, it will benefit me as well. Using an eighteen-grade Origin Dao Fruit as a longevity gift then.”
Lu Changsheng was not short of Origin Dao Fruits; offering one to ingratiate himself with the Yaochi Matriarch was also acceptable.
The Yaochi Gathering was not just an occasion for guests to present congratulatory gifts; the Yaochi Holy Land would also bring out Pan Peaches and various other treasures to entertain everyone who came to celebrate.
Giving and receiving, both parties were satisfied without losing out, and could also build up good relationships.
Even in the Immortal Realm, the intricacies of social interaction were indispensable.
In the Kunlun Mountains, the Palace Master position of Purple Void Palace was vacant, and among the Kunlun Elders, only one was present.
“With the Palace Master in seclusion and the four Elders joining forces to seek treasures in a forbidden land, I must remain to oversee Purple Void Palace. Chongxu, although you are of the younger generation, your talents are remarkable, and in terms of strength, you rank just after us Elders. You will lead the team to attend the Yaochi Gathering. This is our Purple Void Palace’s longevity gift to the Yaochi Matriarch.”
A wooden box fell into the hands of Chongxu Daoist.
The other Elders of Purple Void Palace could not help but look enviously at Chongxu Daoist.
Due to his exceptional talents, Chongxu Daoist had become a powerful figure within the Kunlun Holy Land, second only to the Palace Master and the Elders, and he also had control over the Qilin Ranking.
Chongxu Daoist was also one of the candidates for the Elders.
If one of the Kunlun Elders were to falter, Chongxu Daoist would be next in line to rise to the position.
The current Holy Son of Kunlun, Yan Zhiqiu, is also the direct disciple of Chongxu Daoist.
However, as the concerned party, Chongxu Daoist wore a troubled expression.
He only wanted to cultivate in peace, yet being the de facto Elder of Kunlun Holy Land meant that various interpersonal interactions were indispensable.
The Yaochi Holy Mother held a lofty status among all the holy lands, and even the Purple Void Palace of Kunlun Mountains had to give some face to her.
After all, when the Yaochi Holy Mother made her name, those Supreme Elders like Chongxu Daoist were still playing in the mud. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire
…
Changliu Holy Land’s Sect Leader, the Immortal of Changliu, received the invitation from the Yaochi Holy Land and said to the White Immortal Emperor and Li Changye, “At this Yaochi Convention, you may be able to taste the exquisite Immortal Peaches unique to Yaochi Holy Land, which extend life and bring considerable benefits to you. You will accompany your master.”
“Yes.”
The White Immortal Emperor and Li Changye both nodded in agreement.
“It really brings back memories.”
The Immortal of Changliu seemed to be reminiscing about the past.
Li Changye secretly transmitted a message to the White Immortal Emperor: “Big Senior Brother, does our master have any relationship with Yaochi?”
The White Immortal Emperor said meaningfully, “I can tell you about this, but do not let the master know. You should know that Master and Lin Xuantong of Mount Taihua were rivals when they were young, right?”
“Yes.”
“Back then, when Master was young, he was an exceptional talent. With his Frost Sword Skills, he was invincible in various regions and ranked third on the Qilin Ranking, until he met the second-ranked Lin Xuantong… Once, during a competition, the two of them accidentally stumbled into a forbidden area and got trapped. By chance, a female disciple of Yaochi was nearby. Skilled in formation arts, she broke the formation that trapped them, and they narrowly escaped. Later, they learned that this female disciple was a candidate for the Holy Maiden of Yaochi Holy Land, and also a direct disciple of the Yaochi Holy Mother. As a result, they both pursued this female disciple. In the end, Lin Xuantong proved to be more talented and won the lady’s heart. Since then, Master often looked for trouble with Lin Xuantong.”
As the chief disciple of the Immortal of Changliu, the White Immortal Emperor was thoroughly familiar with his master’s dark history.
“I see.”
Li Changye felt enlightened.
No wonder the Immortal of Changliu was always seeking out Lin Xuantong for trouble, continuously inviting him for sparring, while also sending his chief disciple, the White Immortal Emperor, to challenge the Qingyang Immortal Emperor, and his junior disciple, Li Changye, to challenge Lu Changsheng. It turns out there was such an old grudge between them.
“So, does that mean Master and Lin Xuantong are at loggerheads?”
“Not necessarily.”
“What do you mean?”
“Master’s broad-mindedness is not that narrow, perhaps he has already let go of the past. The reason Master continues to seek out Lin Xuantong might be due to an obsession, or perhaps as a pretext to constantly spar with Lin Xuantong, undergoing trials to ensure he doesn’t fall too far behind. Despite being bitter rivals, Master frequently seeks to spar with Lin Xuantong—have you ever seen such a rival?”
“So that’s how it is.”
Li Changye roughly understood.
The Immortal of Changliu and Lin Xuantong seemed to be competitors who spurred each other on, not enemies; it’s even possible they would assist each other if one was in trouble.
“What are you whispering about?”
The Immortal of Changliu sensed that his two disciples were secretly communicating.
“Nothing.”
The White Immortal Emperor and Li Changye quickly excused themselves, otherwise, if their master discovered they were discussing his dark past, they would be confined.
Prestigious human families from holy lands such as Primordial Holy Land, Mt. Sumeru Holy Land, Lianshan Holy Land, and some Cultivator Clans all received invitations from Yaochi Holy Land.
Within a vast Dao Palace of the Ancient Han Family, an old man with rosy cheeks, a head of white hair, and a three-foot-long silver beard received a disciple from Yaochi with considerable politeness.
Although the Ancient Han Family, passed down from ancient times, had profound heritage, it still couldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as the holy lands.
The Yaochi Saintess was celebrating her eighty-millionth birthday, to which various Cultivator Clans were invited to join the Yaochi Assembly, and the Ancient Han Family was among the invitees.
After accepting the invitation, the Ancestor of the Han Family transmitted a message to his great-grandson: “Han Jie, you will accompany your great-grandfather to the Yaochi Assembly. If you can befriend a Holy Maiden or a candidate of a holy land, our Han Family might be able to restore its ancient glory.”
“Thank you, great-grandfather, for your guidance. I will do my best.”
Han Jie, having returned to the Ancient Han Family to cultivate, was now a Daluo Golden Immortal. He fantasized about meeting several Holy Maidens or candidates at the Yaochi Assembly; if he succeeded, he would rise to great heights.