Although the Candle Dragon is powerful, it is merely a Great Demon at the Dragon King level.
Those old monsters of the Ten Thousand Divine Palaces of the Human Race Heavenly Court are no simple characters.
Take, for example, Yang Qing, the Great Expert guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate—Lu Changsheng believes he possesses the strength to duel the Candle Dragon.
As for the old fellows of the Eight Great Divine Palaces, including Miluo Palace, Three Pure Ones Palace, Jade Void Palace, Wuming Palace, Mysterious Lady Palace, Wushen Palace, and Douluo Palace—they are unfathomable…
Even if the Candle Dragon breaks free from its seal, it likely won’t act recklessly to avenge itself against the Human Race cultivators; otherwise, that’d be courting death.
“Hmm.”
Huo Wen exhaled a sigh of relief upon hearing Lu Changsheng’s remark.
The Ancestor shouldn’t be so rash, right? Surely not? Surely not?
“Here are some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for your cultivation.”
Lu Changsheng gifted Huo Wen various cultivation treasures.
Although Huo Wen wasn’t a recognized direct disciple by the system, Lu Changsheng still bestowed treasures upon the outer sect disciples to aid their cultivation.
After all, Huo Wen was part of the Candle Dragon clan—wouldn’t having a Candle Dragon as a Mountain-guarding Divine Beast be impressive?
Unfortunately, if Lu Changsheng were powerful enough, he could have captured the Candle Dragon Clan’s Ancestor alive to guard the sect’s gates—that’d be even more awe-inspiring…
“Thank you, Master.”
Huo Wen received the cultivation treasures with delight.
Soon, her cultivation level might surpass Huo Zhang, giving her the potential to become the next Great Expert of the Candle Dragon Clan.
“Changsheng, Guanghan Palace has sent an invitation. Xia Ningxue is about to assume the position of Guanghan Palace Master, and they’ve extended invitations to the major Sacred Lands. Represent us at the ceremony on behalf of Mount Taihua Sacred Land,” Lin Xuantong said via transmission as Huo Wen departed.
Summer Ningxue was preparing to take over as the Palace Master and head of Guanghan Palace.
Mount Taihua Sacred Land was naturally the first to receive an invitation.
After returning from Meteorite Island, Xia Ningxue had gone back to Guanghan Palace to prepare for the transition of leadership.
“Understood, Master.”
Lu Changsheng muttered to himself, realizing that his bride was about to become the Guanghan Palace Master. He had to prepare an impressive gift.
What should he give her?
Lu Changsheng was suddenly caught in a dilemma.
Guanghan Palace had specifically sent invitations to the major Sacred Lands for the new Palace Master’s inauguration ceremony, and the purpose was clear: besides consolidating relationships with the Sacred Lands, its primary objective was to flaunt.
The new Guanghan Palace Master had only cultivated for a mere million years, a feat unheard of.
Guanghan Palace had been dormant for too long, and it needed to showcase that the Tenth Divine Palace of the Ancient Heavenly Court was truly deserving of its name!
Not only Mount Taihua Sacred Land, but Sacred Lands such as Yaochi, Leize, Changliu Mountain, Purple Void Palace, Lianshan Sacred Land, Primordial Sacred Land, Tai Shi Sacred Land, Taiyi Sacred Land, and Qingqiu Sacred Land also received invitations from Guanghan Palace.
After all, as the Tenth Divine Palace of the Ancient Heavenly Court, despite its ranking behind the Eight Great Palaces and Purple Void Palace, the lean camel was still bigger than the horse. Its foundations remained unfathomably deep, and every Sacred Land had to show respect in one way or another.
At Yaochi, the Yaochi Holy Mother and Yaochi Right Envoy Feng Qing’er received the invitation from the current Guanghan Palace Master, Li Heng, with displeasure written all over their faces.
Feng Qing’er glared angrily at Liu Mufeng. “Li Heng is so eager to pass the position to her disciple, clearly intending to show off having an exceptional student. This time, Guanghan Palace has overshadowed us at Yaochi.”
Liu Mufeng smiled wryly. “Guanghan Palace has recruited an unparalleled genius who managed to enter the top eight of the Heavenly Court Tournament, indicating that Guanghan Palace is riding high on its Qi Destiny. We simply cannot compete.”
“Hmph! Li Heng just wants to flaunt in front of me. I refuse to go. Mu Feng, take some people and go instead.”
Feng Qing’er huffed indignantly.
The thought of her rival flaunting in her face made Feng Qing’er seethe with anger.
“Alright…”
“Wait! I can’t let you go alone. What if you still have lingering feelings for her? I’ll go with you!”
“…”
Liu Mufeng sighed helplessly. Why were women like this…
Meanwhile, Liu Yiyi ignored her parents’ amusing banter and pondered whether Dugu Aotian would attend the Guanghan Palace Master’s inauguration ceremony alongside his master.
If there were a chance, perhaps she might see Dugu Aotian again.
These days, she had been confined to Yaochi to study Taoist Laws at Feng Qing’er’s request, while Dugu Aotian had accompanied Lu Changsheng to Meteorite Island. Naturally, Liu Yiyi hadn’t seen Dugu Aotian for quite some time.
At Changliu Holy Land, Everlasting Immortal received the invitation and sighed to his disciples, “Ah, look at someone else’s disciple! Only a million years of cultivation and she’s already capable of taking the helm and becoming Guanghan Palace Master. When will any of you achieve something remotely comparable? You can’t even surpass Lin Xuantong’s disciple, let alone Li Heng’s disciple at Guanghan Palace… This is truly humiliating for me as your master!”
“…”
The disciples under Everlasting Immortal exchanged awkward glances without responding.
Lu Changsheng and Xia Ningxue weren’t ordinary individuals. One was first in the Heavenly Court Tournament, and the other was in the top eight. How could they compare?
Thankfully, they knew Everlasting Immortal was merely venting his frustrations through words. When his disciples faced danger, he genuinely cared. For example, when Xiao Xiangdao injured Li Changye, Everlasting Immortal used a treasured Divine Pill he had saved for years to save him. This earned him the genuine respect of his disciples; otherwise, rebellious discipleship might have been inevitable.
The White Immortal Emperor cautiously suggested, “Master, who shall we send from Changliu Mountain to extend our congratulations? Would you like your disciple to handle this?”
For a relationship of mere politeness, it would suffice to send a Chief Senior Disciple as the representative to attend the celebration on behalf of Changliu Holy Land.
“I will personally attend with several Ancestors,” Everlasting Immortal declared.
White Immortal Emperor and the other disciples were startled.
They hadn’t expected Xia Ningxue to hold such influence as to compel Everlasting Immortal to personally attend, along with Ancestors of Changliu Mountain.
This was nigh the highest level of honor!
One disciple asked cautiously, “Master, considering she is a junior, would it not seem as though Changliu Holy Land is placing itself in a lower position by troubling you and the Ancestors, given your elevated seniority?”
“What do you know? She is an unparalleled genius who ranks among the top eight in the Heavenly Court Tournament—this, despite her relatively short cultivation time. Were it not for that, she’d be capable of competing in the top four. Besides, her Dao partner is that young fellow from Mount Taihua. Our relationship with Mount Taihua Sacred Land has always been friendly. Strengthening ties with Guanghan Palace would bring great benefit to Changliu Holy Land. Though Guanghan Palace has waned in influence recently, it remains the Tenth Divine Palace of the Ancient Heavenly Court. Its foundation is powerful—we might not even compare to it fully,” Everlasting Immortal explained, enlightening his disciples.
“Let me think over what gift we should prepare for this little girl. Wait a moment. Guanghan Palace invited all the Sacred Lands not just to flaunt the new Palace Master’s extraordinary cultivation talent—they might also intend to use this occasion to rake in treasures, which could then elevate this girl’s strength even further, right?”
Everlasting Immortal’s expression turned peculiar.
For someone of his standing to present gifts to a junior, he had to prepare something significant to avoid embarrassing himself or Changliu Holy Land.
If every Sacred Land were to harbor similar thoughts, with each presenting thick gifts, the treasures Xia Ningxue gained might be sufficient for her to ascend from the Divine King Realm to the Longevity Realm.
Guanghan Palace Master Li Heng had only held leadership for ten million years before passing it to a new master, prompting each Sacred Land to send gifts again.
If Guanghan Palace switched masters every ten million years, wouldn’t this become a lucrative racket?
What a profitable enterprise this was.
Everlasting Immortal was even tempted—should he replicate Guanghan Palace’s approach?
His gaze landed on his Chief Senior Disciple, White Immortal Emperor, who was now a Ninth-Grade Divine King and barely qualified to take over as Everlasting Immortal.
“Master, what are you planning?”
White Immortal Emperor suddenly felt a foreboding chill.
“Little White, you’re now in the Divine King Realm. How about I let you take over Changliu Mountain? What do you think?”
“Disciple lacks the necessary experience and absolutely cannot accept! I beg Master to reconsider!”
White Immortal Emperor’s face paled as he hurriedly declined.
The position of Everlasting Immortal was no easy role, especially in these turbulent times. With his current cultivation, White Immortal Emperor truly couldn’t handle the looming threat from Blood Sea Palace.