Wei Wuyin returned to his gorgeous residence. After receiving the transmission from Su Mei regarding a Royal Wedding, he felt the need to set-up plans. This wedding was likely going to be chaotic, mostly due to him. Lin Ziyan was the Seer's friend, and he had to obtain her at all cost. If she wasn't at the wedding, he needed her location to track her down.
If Lin Ziyan was unwilling to disclose this information, then he would have to take other measures: Kidnapping the Bride. Therefore, he needed to make ample preparations if his enemies became the entire Imperial Clan.
He sat cross-legged beside the clear pond, his thoughts circulating as he ruminated on the various actions possible. While the direct manner was the best and clearest method, it was also accompanied by many variables.
"My cultivation base is exceptional, but definitely not invincible on this continent. The differences between each phase of Qi Condensation is considered massive, so the difference between realms must be absolutely terrifying. Luckily, according to Prince Zhen, the Ancestral King is in closed-door seclusion in an attempt to ascend the next stage. This gives me some assurance, but…"
Wei Wuyin considered the slight possibility that his actions could coincide with the successful breakthrough of the Ancestral King. While improbable, it was definitely not impossible. If such a situation occurred, he would be left with his pants down and life finished.
At best, he could negotiate his talents as a King Alchemist for his life. Whether that bargaining chip worked or not, he didn't want to rely on that inevitably horrid ending that awaited as a concocting slave. Just the thought of it induced a cold, chilling shiver down his spine. He rather commit suicide than be a slave.
"If I don't want to be caught unawares, then I have to make preparations considering all the possible variables. This includes escaping with the seer in hand with the pursuit of elite cultivators."
He spent the next few hours devising various strategies. The first: he needed a weapon of mutual mass destruction. Whether to use or not, he needed a threat strong enough to ensure hesitation in a pursuit or assault. There were many different options for this, such as explosive pellets and self-detonation. The former was possible, but after initiation, control was pretty much gone. As for the latter, that wasn't an option.
Therefore, he needed another method.
"That's right!" A burst of realization entered his thoughts as he waved his sleeves. A white mist swirled outwards and started to take shape. It transformed into a copy of Wei Wuyin with his physical, spiritual, and mental aura. This was the False Mortal God Avatar.
Since its various flaws were fixed thanks to Yuhei Clan's various avatar-based spiritual qi arts, he felt that this clone was a perfect option - to self-detonate! This avatar's capacity to hold energy was limited, but not if he concocted seventh-grade pellets and infused them into its structure. At a crucial moment, he could threaten to detonate and even allow it to stay behind with possible pursuers until he was out of range.
If he kept the pellets on him, then it was entirely possible the pellets failed or took him down. Those who planned for mutual destruction had issues with their minds. Regardless, he just needed hesitation.
Of course, his avatar could do a little more than that. His eyes brightened as he started to devise strategies with the False Mortal God Avatar Art. Unlike other avatar arts, it was a perfect copy of Wei Wuyin while in its avatar form. Be it down to its cellular structure, various auras, appearance, or perceived cultivation base. It was the perfect doppelganger.
The second: An escape. He needed a swift escape that can create vast distance while carrying others. The best means for this was a refined tool that can act as an escape device. He already had an idea as he brought out Element, his Nascent Saber Soul. To escape from the Wall of Heaven, Wei Wuyin had to devise an impromptu art: Elemental Saber Life Securing Art.
Disregarding his poor naming, it condensed all of his various energies and qi into Element and used it as a shuttle to propel him away at exceptional speeds. At the time, it was this art that allowed him to escape the Wall of Heaven, succeeding the Rite of a Sinner.
Unlike before, his current cultivation base encompassed four Spirit of Qi/Blood and an unfathomable amount of latent energies thanks to these four. They stored and released an immense quantity of it that refined his body every second of every day. If all else failed, then Element would act as a shuttle to depart away. Before, he took Bai Lin with him, so it was possible to safely take others.
Perhaps even if the Ancestral King descended, he could still preserve his life.
Third: a hideout. It was irrelevant whether he could stall or escape if he couldn't hide out from the ensuing storm that would follow. It needed to be secure enough to ensure his own concealment and prepared enough to allow his cultivation to rise while in hiding.
His eyes flashed with light as he peered into the distance. The wedding was to take place in a few weeks, followed by the gathering of true elites and powerhouses as honored guests to celebrate the Crown Prince's marriage. Therefore, he had a clock, but it was enough.
As for the fourth and last: contingency plan and a contingency plan for his contingency plan.
His mind swirled as he settled on an air-tight set of plans and preparations. In truth, everything might go smoothly. After all, he had an on-going Spirit Oath with the Seer. However, if Lin Ziyan turned hostile against him as she almost did before, these plans could save his life. The one thing he learned while rising up was that humans were unreliable, fickle, and protective.
Becoming a prince's wife afforded all sorts of benefits, such as sending them to hunt him down. He definitely had to plan accordingly.
With these thoughts in mind, he stood and vanished from where he stood.
-----
In the Royal Palace, Resident Quarters.
The room was as glorious and decoratively furnished as Prince Zhen's, but even cleaner and well-maintained. Inside were two beautiful women of the ages, the owners of this room—Lin Ziyan & Ming Shufeng.
They were gathered together, with tea cups filled with golden liquid. The smell of which was heavenly and calming. Ming Shufeng lifted her tea cup like a proper lady as she calmly sipped. A refreshing exclamation left her throat. Her expression was calm and relaxed, as if the world was perfect.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Lin Ziyan, however, was more anxious as her delicate, jade-like fingers tapped the table in a frantic rhythm. Her eyes revealed all sorts of anxiety and uncertainty.
Ming Shufeng frowned, "You don't have to be so anxious, do you?"
Lin Ziyan turned her gorgeous eyes towards Ming Shufeng, this friend of hers. She pouted her lips and said, "Of course I do. You said—"
"I know what I said," Ming Shufeng interrupted. "I've consulted the heavens and glimpsed into fate. You're fated to be with the one you love, and I've figured out how."
Lin Ziyan started. Her anxiety shifted to excitement as she leaned forward. Her voluptuous curves and breasts were mouthwatering as she leaned to reveal her ample assets. Unfortunately, no man could witness such an appearance. A pity.
"Really?"
Ming Shufeng smiled and said, "Yes. All you have to do is seal your cultivation base. Say it was due to an accident. Then, seal your voice. When the wedding happens, the embers i've sent out will become a raging flame that'll send him directly to your doorstep."
"And then?" Lin Ziyan was a little skeptical that she had to feign marrying a member of royalty for her desired ending, but Ming Shufeng had never been wrong before.
"Then: Certain Victory, Astral Lightning shall descend, and the False Gods of the Mortal Dao shall ascend." Her words were spoken with an ephemeral and all-knowing manner.
Lin Ziyan's eyes widened with excitement. She clenched her fist and peered into an open window. "The love of my life, the one who cultivates the Haven Heart Qi Method. I hope it's him."
-----
At the same time, two figures sat together at an Inn. It was Long Chen and Qing Qiumu, who wore a veil. They were currently laying in the same bed, fully clothed, calmly staring at the ceiling.
Qing Qiumu's eyes were hazy as her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. As for Long Chen, his black eyes flashed with the utmost determination.
"I'll save her, then...I'll kill him." His words were sharp and unrelenting.
Qing Qiumu was shocked out of her thoughts. Those hazy eyes lowered as uncertain feelings emerged in her heart. She knew who 'he' was, but she wished it wasn't.