"Senior, please don't blame the two clan elders!"
Luo Xueyao rushed forward, panic still clinging to her breath.
To stand before a Soul Transformation Realm powerhouse was to face a different species of being. A cultivator who had shed flesh for spirit—how could she stay calm? If not for the Grand Xu Dynasty's secluded ancestor of the Soul Transformation Realm, their nation would have been swallowed long ago.
Wang Ming waved a hand lightly. "No harm done."
After all, the princess was now a disciple of the Lingxiao Sect; small offenses no longer mattered.
"Come. Xueyao, take your clansmen and follow me into Lingxiao. If the Plume Ascension Dynasty dares set foot on this mountain, they will be erased."
Qin Wucheng turned with hands clasped behind his back and started up the stone steps. The rest hurried to keep pace.
"Princess," one elder whispered as they climbed, "what manner of sect is this Lingxiao Sect? When did you become their disciple?"
"Yes," the second added quietly, "with your talent you were meant for the Primordial Dao Holy Land."
They were both confused. A guard in the Soul Transformation Realm was impressive, but the Grand Xu Dynasty also had such men. And they had never heard of a 'Lingxiao Sect.'
"Could it be a hidden sect?"
The two exchanged glances, half-believing the thought before discarding it. If such a force existed in the dynasty, would our ancestors not know?
Luo Xueyao's eyes flickered. "Elders, I don't know," she said softly, then straightened. "But I am already a disciple of Lingxiao Sect. Please, do not mention the Primordial Dao Holy Land again."
"The Sect Master risked offending the Plume Ascension Dynasty to save me. From this day forward, I belong to the Lingxiao Sect."
…
They reached the summit. The ancient pavilions rose through drifting seas of cloud, their rooftops glittering in spiritual light. The air itself shimmered with dense Qi; even breathing felt like drinking elixirs.
The two elders and Xueyao froze.
"Hiss—! A forbidden land with aura this thick?"
"Could it really be a hidden sect?"
Their hearts trembled.
Zhao Han saw their shock and almost puffed out his chest. A grin tugged at his mouth. "Heh, look well—this is the might of my Lingxiao."
He paused, striking a pose. "And I, Zhao Han, am the senior brother."
Little princess ignored me before, he thought smugly. Let's see you ignore me now.
Behind him, Qin Wucheng kept the same composed posture, hands behind his back, expression as still as jade. But inside, he was snickering.
Fortunately the System gave me this mountain as a starter pack. Otherwise, how would I bluff this girl?
These halls, this mist, this location—absolutely the highest configuration!
He almost laughed aloud. Even those two old men are dazzled. Maybe even a Soul Transformation ancestor would get lost in this fog and call me senior.
Then he sighed inwardly. Still only two disciples. No active System task. Survival depends on recruiting more.
Better stay low-key. Who knows what kind of buried immortals these dynasties still have sealed underground. Wouldn't want one to crawl out screaming, "Who disturbs my nap?"
He cleared his throat. "Xueyao, this is my Lingxiao Sect. That is Zhao Han, your senior brother. If you need guidance in the future, ask him."
Luo Xueyao bowed. "Disciple greets Senior Brother."
"Ah—no need to be so polite!" Zhao Han rubbed the back of his head, grinning foolishly. Having a junior sister who looked like a fairy felt unreal.
Qin Wucheng stared at the idiot and felt black lines form on his forehead. I beg you, don't go outside claiming to be from my sect…
He was just about to speak when the two Xu Clan Elders suddenly stiffened.
"Not good!"
Their cries snapped everyone's heads around.
Xueyao's heart lurched. "Elders, what happened? Did something happen to Royal Father and the Queen?"
The older one's face had drained of all color. "Princess, I'm afraid the dynasty cannot hold this time!"
He swallowed hard. "Luo Tian and I received a message from the king— the Plume Ascension Dynasty has dispatched a cultivator of the Soul Transformation Realm!"
The words struck like thunder. Xueyao staggered two steps back, eyes wide.
The ancestor of the Grand Xu Dynasty was still in seclusion; if the enemy truly sent a Soul Transformation expert, no one in the dynasty could resist.
"Master," one elder said hoarsely, "allow Luo Tian and me to take the princess away—to the Primordial Dao Holy Land." His eyes flicked toward Qin Wucheng, uncertain.
Qin Wucheng acted as though he hadn't noticed. Inside, he sighed. So you still doubt me. Understandable. If I saw my own calm face, I'd doubt me too.
To them, a Soul Transformation Realm guard was impressive but not world-breaking. They believed the Plume Ascension Dynasty's true backing lay in a hegemon-level force rumored to shelter an even stronger ancestor.
Luo Xueyao suddenly knelt. "Sect Master, please save the Grand Xu Dynasty!"
Her voice trembled. "The Plume Ascension Dynasty is ruthless, unworthy of Heaven's grace. Only the Lingxiao Sect can stand against them!"
For a heartbeat, Qin Wucheng froze—then the familiar sound rang in his mind.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, for activating a Sect Mission! ]
[ The Plume Ascension Dynasty is cruel and inhumane, having slaughtered millions of mortals. Task: Destroy the Plume Ascension Dynasty within three days. ]
[ Completion Reward: 1 Random Draw + 10 War Weapons. ]
Qin Wucheng blinked once.
Three days? Ten war weapons? System, you serious? We've only just finished sweeping the floor!
His expression remained perfectly calm. To everyone watching, he looked like a deity quietly weighing the fate of nations.
Inside, he was screaming. Three days?! Are you asking me to ascend early or die early?
Still, he clasped his hands behind his back and looked down at the kneeling princess.
"Rise," he said lightly. "Since Heaven itself has spoken, the Lingxiao Sect will answer. Within three days, the Plume Ascension Dynasty shall vanish from the map."
Gasps filled the air. Even Wang Ming's stoic eyes flickered.
Zhao Han's jaw hung open. Sect Master… are we really doing this?
Qin Wucheng smiled faintly. "Prepare. War, it seems, has come to our gates."
The wind swept across Immortal Grave Mountain, carrying the low toll of the Lingxiao bell.
The Royal Capital of the Grand Xu Dynasty.
The imperial palace stood in the heart of the city, once dazzling with golden tiles and jade pillars. Now, half its towers were broken, halls collapsed, the sky above dimmed by smoke and fire. The scent of ash and blood mixed with spiritual power that churned like a storm.
High above the ruined palace, two figures clashed, shaking heaven and earth.
One wore black battle robes embroidered with gold dragon patterns, his eyes sharp as blades. His every move carried the authority of a king. The other, draped in a dark cloak, fought with twisted glee, laughter echoing through the shattered capital.
"Bai Feng, you treacherous dog!"
Luo Jingtao's roar rolled like thunder. "The dynasty raised you from nothing, and this is how you repay it? You deserve annihilation!"
The air rippled as his Grand Sea Realm power erupted, shaking the void itself.
Bai Feng sneered, his hair disheveled, his expression manic. "Luo Jingtao, your Grand Xu has long exhausted its fate! Today, your bloodline ends!"
A hundred years ago, Bai Feng had already reached perfection in the Grand Sea Realm. If not for fear of the hidden ancestor Luo Xuanqing, he would have rebelled then. But now the Imperial Preceptor of the Plume Ascension Dynasty had arrived to restrain the old monster. What did he have to fear?
He raised his hand, spiritual power coalescing into a storm that swept across the palace grounds.
"Traitor!"
Luo Jingtao's eyes blazed as he clashed again, but his wounds were already deep. Even a monarch's body could only hold so long.
Just as Bai Feng prepared to finish the strike, a voice called out through the burning air.
"Your Majesty!"