Chapter 242: The Goddess Restores Her Purity Again; Ascending the Heavenly Dao Sect, Stirring Winds and Clouds (2)
The Empress's expression shifted subtly, her lips curling into a faint smirk.
She knew very well what kind of relationship that so-called Goddess had with her favorite subject—they'd met before.
This move by the Sect Master was clearly a subtle act of retaliation.
"Oh? That's a thing now?"
Su Qing was caught off guard.
This was unexpected.
Thanks to his involvement, the current plotline had already deviated from the original game.
If he stuck to the original storyline, he might end up tying his own hands.
Still, it wasn't hard to understand.
Clearly, the Sect Master had gotten anxious after seeing the Goddess's condition.
So she was in a rush to find her a promising young man to shift her attention away.
What was the saying again? The best way to forget one romance is to find another.
But openly trying to steal my girl? Did she ask what I thought?
This Sect Master clearly had a bright future as a prisoner.
Su Qing didn't show any anger—on the contrary, his eyes were filled with anticipation.
Great. Another personal grudge added to the list.
He was very much looking forward to the moment when the proud master had to bow and beg forgiveness before her own disciple.
How would she apologize? That would depend on her imagination.
If she wasn't creative enough, then she'd just have to suffer.
Heavenly Dao Sect, Transformation Pool.
The Sect Master once again felt a cold chill run through her body, a foreboding sense creeping into her heart.
She'd had these feelings often lately, but this one was especially strong.
She had no idea where this unease came from. No matter how she tried to divine it, she found no answers.
After a few seconds of hesitation, the Sect Master gave up trying to trace the cause.
She had more important things to focus on—like guarding her disciple.
Her eyes turned to the Transformation Pool, unusually soft and gentle.
Some things you only learn to treasure after you lose them.
She now realized the damage her previous coldness had caused, and she was determined to make up for it.
Inside the Transformation Pool, the Goddess was nearly done with her refining.
Her eyes remained closed, and her breathtaking face showed no emotion.
Her body gleamed like flawless jade, radiant and pure—truly an icy beauty with skin like polished gem.
Her appearance hadn't changed much, but she now seemed even more dazzling and captivating.
Most impressively, the foundation she had painstakingly built up was now fully integrated into her body.
The Grandmaster's Intent had begun to manifest!
To reach such a level at her age was incredible.
Even among the greatest talents, she ranked at the very top.
The Sect Master felt a storm of emotions.
Her disciple's cultivation had progressed six months ahead of schedule.
Clearly, her trials in the mundane world had paid off.
Now, the Sect Master wasn't sure whether sending her down the mountain had been good or bad.
But one thing was clear:
Her disciple had trained in isolation for years. Even when she descended, it was just for sect missions.
She had less contact with peers than even those who spent their youth fighting demons.
That was exactly why she was so defenseless against a bad man.
If she could just meet more of her talented peers, surely she'd escape his influence!
That was why the Sect Master was breaking from tradition and gathering the finest talents for her.
Once the Goddess saw what true excellence looked like, everything would return to normal.
At the same time, this was a trap.
She understood Su Qing's possessive nature perfectly.
He wouldn't sit still after hearing about this—he'd definitely stir up trouble for her enemies.
Once his emotions were in chaos, the battles ahead would be much easier.
...
With the Empress mobilizing her army, the entire Southern Court was shaken.
Countless eyes watched in silence, waiting to see how the campaign would unfold.
If the court won, the lurking shadows would only burrow deeper.
If they lost, chaos would once again engulf the realm.
The gathering storm signaled a shift in power across the land.
And at the center of this storm, no place felt the pressure more than the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Many sects, wary of imperial strength, didn't dare show up.
But a few, drunk on their own power, completely disregarded the court.
They used every method they could to climb the mountain and enter the sect.
Those who came, naturally, were confident in themselves.
In the sect's grand martial arena, a grand tournament was underway.
Regardless of the fighters' skill levels, the guest list alone was impressive.
The Four Pillars of the Southern Court had all gathered—an unprecedented reunion of ancient sects!
Even two of the Five Chiefs had shown up: the Fist Chief and the Spear Chief.
The Fist Chief was a towering bald brute, over two meters tall.
His massive frame strained a thin shirt to the limit.
Exposed arms rippled with muscle, hard as stone—a fortress of flesh.
The Spear Chief, by contrast, was a tall, lean man with an unremarkable appearance.
Yet just standing there, he exuded the presence of a peerless spear, sharp and unstoppable.
These two alone drew countless eyes.
But the one who captivated the crowd most was the Sect Master herself.
Her stunning face held a faint, knowing smile, as if everything was under control.
Her loose Daoist robe failed to hide her curvaceous, mature figure, yet no one dared entertain impure thoughts.
Her very presence exuded a sense of harmony with the heavens—awe-inspiring.
Tang Xuan was, of course, present at the grand event.
Not only that, he was standing among the most prestigious guests.
A young man among seasoned elites, he stood out starkly.
"Who is he, and whom does he represent?" the Fist Chief asked.
"His master is the Palace Master of the Immortal Palace, one of the Four Pillars," the Sect Master explained, stepping in to clarify Tang Xuan's identity.
Only then did the others understand, their eyes turning toward him with curiosity and scrutiny.
Average looks, and his strength... well, seemed average too.
Alright, the guy just had connections.
"Greetings, seniors."
Tang Xuan offered a respectful bow to the gathered powerhouses.
He was arrogant by nature, but he wasn't stupid.
With so many experts present, he knew better than to show attitude.
That humility, in fact, was a perfect example of a weakling cowering before power.
"The reason I've invited everyone today," the Sect Master began, appearing quietly in the arena, "is for my disciple's marriage..."
Her voice was soft, but every word reached everyone's ears.