Huai Mie had always pressured Huai Kong to train in martial arts because he wanted to one day challenge his younger brother to a duel. However, given Huai Kong's personality, such tactics only made him more reluctant to train. On the other hand, using a greater purpose, such as the notion of righteousness and protecting the greater good, was a far more effective approach.
Indeed, when Huai Kong heard Daniel's words, he instinctively glanced at his elder brother Huai Mie and fell silent. If the incident with the fake Iron God, Tie Kuangtu, had not happened, Huai Kong might have brushed off Daniel's advice. But the revelations surrounding Tie Kuangtu had shifted his perspective, even if only slightly.
"Huai Kong, the Central Plains is vast and rich, but the surrounding border nations are constantly eyeing it, waiting for a moment of weakness to strike. I've received intelligence that the East Island has already begun making moves, and this is just the beginning. There will undoubtedly be more to come. Yet, despite these threats, the martial world lacks strong successors capable of stepping up. Even if you care for nothing else, for the sake of the Central Plains and its people, you should not squander your talent. Think about it carefully," Daniel said, his tone firm and deliberate.
Then, after a brief pause, Daniel turned his gaze toward Bai Ling, who had been silently standing behind Huai Kong. After a moment of hesitation, he added, "And you, if you truly care for Huai Kong, you'd be better off telling him directly. You've seen his personality; even if he likes you back, he wouldn't confess because of his brother. Continuing like this will only bring pain to the three of you. That's all I'll say—think it over carefully."
Having addressed Bai Ling, Daniel's attention shifted back to Huai Kong. He continued, "The same goes for you, Huai Kong. You can compromise on many things, but love isn't one of them. Let me tell you about the previous generation of the Iron Sect. Perhaps it will give you some perspective."
Daniel's words were a stark reminder of the recurring theme in Wind and Cloud: love triangles and unresolved emotions often led to endless complications. Heroes were no exception, and many fell victim to the entanglements of the heart.
In the previous generation of the Iron Sect, the Iron God, Tie Kuangtu, and their brother Tie Zhi had all fallen for the same woman, their junior sister Tie Lan. This love triangle had ultimately led to the disintegration of their bond. Though the Iron God had feelings for Tie Lan, much like Qin Shuang's affection for Kong Ci in the World Society, the circumstances had taken a different turn. Tie Lan had left the sect, disillusioned and heartbroken.
"This is a lesson to learn from. Tie Lan left when things became unbearable. If you don't want Bai Ling to suffer the same fate, it's best to clear the air sooner rather than later," Daniel concluded.
Having said his piece, Daniel didn't wait to see their reactions. He disappeared in a flash using his Flying Thunder God technique. He had done all he could for the three of them—what happened next was up to them. Daniel had a soft spot for Huai Kong and Bai Ling as a couple, but in the original storyline, their fate had been a tragic one. He hoped this time it might be different.
"So, this is it."
After leaving Ironheart Island, Daniel quickly traveled north to the frozen wilderness of the Northern Icefield. His destination was a small and seemingly unremarkable monastery just outside a tiny village. It was a modest structure, and few would have guessed that the Brahma Divine Staff, the key to gaining an audience with Emperor Shitian, was housed here.
For Daniel, however, the staff itself was of no consequence. It was a tool for those seeking Emperor Shitian's favor, but Daniel had no intention of seeking anything from him. Instead, his goal was to find the monastery's abbot, who knew the location of the Heavenly Gate.
As Daniel entered the monastery, he noticed the abbot sitting alone in quiet meditation. Wasting no time, Daniel swiftly subdued the man and used his Dual Mind Reading Technique to extract the information he needed directly from the abbot's memories.
"An honorary disciple of Emperor Shitian, and yet this is all the martial skill he knows. At least he seems to be a decent person," Daniel remarked to himself after scanning the abbot's memories.
The abbot had been placed here decades ago by Emperor Shitian, who had once saved his life and then settled him in the monastery. While the abbot revered Emperor Shitian, the so-called "god" had never taught him any martial arts or paid him much attention. Out of gratitude, the abbot had diligently guarded the Brahma Divine Staff and discouraged seekers from taking it, knowing the perilous journey it entailed. Only when someone insisted adamantly would he finally hand over the staff.
In truth, the abbot was merely one in a long line of caretakers for the staff. The Heavenly Gate had existed for centuries, and many abbots had come and gone, though this particular abbot remained unaware of that history.
"Sleep for a while," Daniel muttered, placing the abbot into a deep sleep to prevent him from reporting Daniel's intrusion to the Heavenly Gate.
Every time someone sought Emperor Shitian's help and took the Brahma Divine Staff, the abbot would inform the Heavenly Gate. Gate members would then observe the seeker to ensure they undertook the proper ritual—a grueling journey of bowing with every step until they reached the gate. Those who tried to cheat or skip the ritual were summarily executed and left to rot on the snowy plains.
"For Emperor Shitian to establish his headquarters in a place like this, he must have had a hard time over the years," Daniel mused as he ventured deeper into the icy wilderness.
The Northern Icefield was a desolate, freezing wasteland, and the Heavenly Gate's location lay even deeper in the mountain ranges, where the cold was almost unbearable. Such an inhospitable environment ensured that the area was nearly devoid of human activity. No one came here unless absolutely necessary.
Daniel knew Emperor Shitian had likely chosen this location out of necessity rather than preference. The perpetual cold helped slow his aging, a side effect of his Phoenix Blood. The icy mask he always wore wasn't for aesthetics; it was a necessity. Without it, his face would decay rapidly.
"Honestly, if I didn't need to, I wouldn't wear an ice mask either. There are far better options," Daniel muttered to himself.
"He even has surveillance here... Emperor Shitian is nothing if not cautious."
As Daniel traversed the path to the Heavenly Gate, his Observation Haki revealed numerous hidden sentries scattered across the snowy plains. These individuals monitored every inch of the area, ensuring that no one approached undetected.
The Heavenly Gate's ability to remain hidden for so many years was no coincidence. Their extensive surveillance network was one of the reasons for their secrecy.
However, while they could watch the ground and the skies, they had no way of detecting someone using mirror dimension techniques. Using this advantage, Daniel slipped past their defenses and arrived at the Heavenly Gate undetected.
The entrance to the gate was a massive golden door at the top of a grand staircase. The words "Heavenly Gate" were inscribed in gleaming gold letters above it. The door itself was made entirely of solid gold, an ostentatious display of wealth and power in the middle of this barren land.
"Are they trying to hide, or are they trying to flaunt their presence?" Daniel couldn't help but scoff at the contradictory nature of it all.
The Wind and Cloud world was filled with similarly baffling choices. For instance, the dragon vein—a crucial treasure—was hidden in the open-air cave of Lingyun Grotto. The Martial Arts Supreme's dragon vein map was blatantly displayed in the royal palace's ancestral hall. And then there were the dragon orbs, left glowing and exposed in plain sight, as if daring someone to find them.
"Such a massive underground space... Did Emperor Shitian carve this out, or was it here before him?"
The Heavenly Gate's base was a sprawling underground complex of frozen caverns, rivaling the size of Lingyun Grotto. At its heart was the Void Heavenly Realm, the innermost sanctuary where Emperor Shitian resided. Few were ever allowed to enter this final chamber without his explicit invitation.
As Daniel navigated the labyrinthine halls of ice, he eventually reached the Void Heavenly Realm, where Emperor Shitian was meeting with Luo Xian, the Divine Mother, who was reporting on the latest developments in the Jianghu.
"Who would have thought Qin Shuang could stabilize the World Society after Daniel's death? I underestimated him," Emperor Shitian mused aloud as Luo Xian briefed him.
Hidden in the shadows, Daniel listened intently. Luo Xian's report soon shifted to Wind and Cloud. While Emperor Shitian expressed disinterest in Qin Shuang, he became more curious about the activities of Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun.
From Luo Xian's update, Daniel learned that Nie Feng had become entangled in a love triangle with You Ruo and Second Dream, while Bu Jingyun was embroiled in a complicated situation involving Chu Chu and Jian Chen. Hearing this, Daniel couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
When Luo Xian finished, Emperor Shitian dismissed her and leaned back in his throne, a sly grin forming on his face. "Bu Jingyun, Nie Feng, Qin Shuang... it's been a while since I've seen such interesting characters
in the Jianghu."
But just as Emperor Shitian began to revel in his thoughts, a voice suddenly interrupted him.
"Emperor Shitian," the voice said.
Startled, Emperor Shitian spun around, only to see the very fabric of space around him shatter like glass. Within moments, he found himself pulled into a strange mirrored dimension, face-to-face with Daniel.
"Who are you?" Emperor Shitian demanded, his voice a mix of surprise and anger.
"Who I am doesn't matter," Daniel replied with a calm smile. "What matters is you—Xu Fu, the so-called Cloud Sovereign. Long time no see."
Hearing his ancient alias, Emperor Shitian's expression darkened. Despite the icy mask obscuring his face, Daniel could feel the intense killing intent radiating from him. For Emperor Shitian, the idea that someone might know his true identity was unacceptable.
"How do you know that name?" Emperor Shitian growled, his voice low and dangerous. "What else do you know?"
Daniel's smile widened. "You've lived for over two thousand years, hiding in the shadows, pulling the strings of the Jianghu as if it's your personal stage. Did you ever stop to think that someone might be watching you this entire time? That while you toyed with others, you yourself were the clown on the stage?"
"Enough nonsense! Do you think I'd believe your lies?" Emperor Shitian barked, though his hesitation betrayed his unease.
Daniel's tone remained calm and measured. "Four divine stones: you've consumed the Phoenix Blood, the Fire Qilin resides in Lingyun Grotto, and the Divine Dragon has yet to appear. But what of the Black Tortoise? Did you know that over four thousand years ago—two thousand years before you took the elixir of immortality—someone had already obtained the Black Tortoise's blood? They've been watching from the shadows ever since."
At these words, Emperor Shitian's confidence wavered. His mind raced. He had searched for the Black Tortoise for years, to no avail. The thought that someone might have already discovered it and gained even greater longevity than him was a chilling prospect.
"You're lying!" Emperor Shitian finally snapped, though his voice lacked conviction.
Unable to bear the mounting pressure, he launched a preemptive strike. His Holy Heart Technique manifested in the form of Frozen Blade, a deadly move that transformed ice into razor-sharp blades, aimed directly at Daniel.
"Let's see if your lies can survive this!" Emperor Shitian roared, his attack carrying all his fury and desperation.
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]