In the sacred hall of the Ling Clan.
Emperor Ling looked at a golden page in his hand, his eyes seeming to hold a trace of contemplation.
The letter was delivered by Gui Ying, sent by Ling Xiao.
It detailed the events that transpired atop Sunset Mountain and Ling Xiao's subsequent plans.
Given Gui Ying's loyalty and cultivation level, Ling Xiao naturally trusted him completely.
The Qin Clan and the Ling Clan had been enemies for a thousand years; the hatred between the two clans was as irreconcilable as fire and water.
Now that there was finally an opportunity to suppress the Qin Clan, Emperor Ling certainly wouldn't let it pass.
"What else did Xiao'er say?" Emperor Ling's face showed no discernible expression. He had no reservations whatsoever about Ling Xiao's schemes.
A few hidden pawns, that's all. If they die, more can be planted.
But opportunities… once missed, are truly gone.
"The Young Master said he would discuss it with Wan Rendí, to act in tandem and… storm the enemy's stronghold from both sides…" Gui Ying paused halfway, feeling there was some ambiguity in the Young Master's words.
Storm the enemy's stronghold?
Which one? The Cloud Millet Sect or the Qin Clan?
"An excellent plan to act in tandem and storm the stronghold!" Emperor Ling's expression sharpened, as if he could visualize the scene.
"Handle this matter personally."
"Yes! Your Majesty." Gui Ying took the golden page from Emperor Ling, carefully reading Ling Xiao's plan. Even with his temperament, a flicker of astonishment passed through his eyes.
The Young Master truly lived up to being the man destined to lead both the Ling Clan and the Myriad Daos Demon Sect.
This depth of mind and courage was far beyond that of an ordinary genius.
Even the one before him, at his age, probably didn't possess such profound cunning.
The entire hall suddenly fell quiet.
Emperor Ling looked up at the sky outside the hall, a trace of a playful smile gradually curling his lips.
As expected of my son, Ling Tianlin. With such methods, why fear the Sacred Church?
---
On a small path leading up the mountain of the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect.
A graceful figure in white robes walked slowly, her bare jade feet stepping out blossoming green lotuses, like a true immortal from heaven descending to the mortal realm.
"Divine Maiden… Divine Maiden… you can't go up! We haven't announced your arrival yet!" Behind her, two disciples of the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect followed with bitter expressions, yet their eyes held a mix of reverence and infatuation.
The Divine Maiden of the Dao Palace, whose peerless beauty could bring chaos to all races.
The rumors were indeed true. Although Nian Qingyun's face was veiled by white silk, the eyes visible above it seemed to contain clear water, profound as an abyss, as if concealing ten thousand charms.
"Where is Ye Qingchan?" Nian Qingyun paid no heed to their attempts to stop her, continuing her graceful steps towards the mountain peak.
For some reason, ever since hearing that name, she had felt a sense of irritation.
It was just… so sudden.
Although Ling Xiao had already explained Ye Qingchan's origins to her, the more Nian Qingyun thought about it, the more something felt off. Even if Ye Qingchan's background was pitiable, was it necessary for Ling Xiao to bring her all the way from the Northern Wastes to the Sacred Dynasty?
Giving her spirit stones and opportunities… wouldn't she live more comfortably back in that backwater, eighteenth-rate region like the Northern Wastes?
Hmph!
Daring to give my betrothal gift to another woman right in front of me?
Ling Xiao, you have some audacity.
"Junior Sister Ye?" The two mountain-guarding disciples' eyes focused, instantly showing some surprise on their faces.
Ling Xiao's actions that day were known throughout the Sacred Dynasty.
They just never dreamed that this usually ice-cold Divine Maiden would actually come because of this matter.
"Divine Maiden, Junior Sister Ye has been in seclusion for five days now. You…"
"Tell me, where she is." Nian Qingyun stopped, turning her head to calmly glance at the guarding disciple. The latter's mind instantly crumbled, nearly vomiting blood and collapsing from the pressure.
So cold! Such a terrifying aura!
This Nian Qingyun truly deserved her title as the Divine Maiden of the Dao Palace and a prodigy of the Sacred Dynasty. With her level of cultivation, probably none of the true disciples of their Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect were a match for her.
"Divine Maiden…"
"So the Divine Maiden of the Dao Palace has arrived." Just as the two disciples looked troubled, an elderly figure slowly descended from the sky above.
The Scion of the Ling Clan, the Divine Maiden of the Dao Palace.
The status and background of these two were terrifying even within the Eastern Territories of the Sacred Dynasty.
Especially now that the two were bound together, their fates were intertwined, for better or worse. The Heavenly Sword Sect Leader couldn't afford to be anything less than careful in his response.
"Greetings, Sect Leader." The two disciples immediately bowed, secretly relieved in their hearts.
The Divine Maiden was beautiful, yes, but her temper was truly aloof and emotionless.
Of course, her aloofness was directed at extras like them.
Towards Young Master Ling Xiao, she was probably… very enthusiastic.
"Sect Leader Duan." Nian Qingyun gave a slight nod, her expression still cold.
"Heh heh, may I ask what business brings the Divine Maiden here?" Duan Wuyong's face held a smile, but inwardly he sighed bitterly.
These two, husband and wife, were both bringers of trouble. Their visits to his Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect probably never meant anything good.
"Where is the sword Ling Xiao gave you?" Nian Qingyun spoke calmly, seemingly feeling no pressure at all from Duan Wuyong's status.
Both were Divine Emperor level powers, but the reason the Ling Clan and the Ethereal Dao Palace were feared was precisely because the rulers of these two great forces generally possessed higher cultivation levels.
"Uh… Divine Maiden, you intend to…?" A flash of surprise passed through Duan Wuyong's eyes. Could it be that the Divine Maiden came up the mountain to take back the divine sword?
Surely not.
Although that Autumn Ah Divine Sword was indeed a treasure of the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land, a mere Divine Artifact shouldn't warrant Nian Qingyun lowering her pride to this extent.
Unless…
"If it's on you, Sect Leader, then I'll trouble you to give it to me. I will deliver it to Ye Qingchan personally." Nian Qingyun stretched out her pure white jade hand towards Duan Wuyong, her voice soft.
Ye Qingchan has been in seclusion for five days?
If so, this Heavenly Sword disciple entered seclusion on the very day of her and Ling Xiao's betrothal ceremony?
If nothing was going on between them, why didn't she accompany Duan Wuyong to offer congratulations instead of choosing seclusion?
Hmph, there must be something fishy. Probably heartbroken.
"This…" Duan Wuyong seemed hesitant. Ye Qingchan was currently at a critical stage in her seclusion.
If Nian Qingyun disturbed her now, who knows what trouble might arise.
"Divine Maiden, how about this… we won't keep the divine sword. If you leave, will that suffice?" Finally, Duan Wuyong shook his head, a smile on his face as he took out the Autumn Ah Divine Sword and handed it to Nian Qingyun.
His original intention was also to prevent Ye Qingchan from having too many ties to Ling Xiao.
That kid was too sinister. Now that even this Maiden of the Heartless Dao was about to fall for him, he really didn't feel comfortable with Ye Qingchan holding onto a divine sword given by Ling Xiao every day.
Seeing the object makes one think of the person.
How could she achieve the peerless Sword Dao like that?!
"A single Divine Artifact?" Nian Qingyun raised an eyebrow slightly, but beneath the white veil, the corner of her lips curled into a captivating arc.
The divine sword Ling Xiao gave me is a relic from ancient times!
Even if it's incomplete now, it's still within the Divine Artifact category.
And this sword in front of her, although seemingly sharp and dazzling, clearly had no connection to antiquity whatsoever!
Quite suddenly, Nian Qingyun actually felt a sense of satisfaction.
But then her expression froze. Why was she having thoughts like this?
Damn that Ling Xiao! I will personally slay you at the Myriad Sects Grand Competition.
Hmph, using the very Seven Calamities Divine Sword you gave me!
Buzz!
Just as Nian Qingyun was secretly fuming in her heart, a clear, resonant sword cry suddenly came from the distant mountain peak.
A sea of sword intent erupted, instantly shredding the clouds for ten thousand miles.