âAh!!!â
In the central region of the Heavensâ Realm, a despairing immortal let out a shrill scream.
It was none other than Zheng Nuanxiu, who had just returned from the Demon Realm. Having happily obtained the
Zhu Xian Immortal Sword
(
Immortal-Slaying Sword
), she made her customary approach to enter her sect, only to find her home vanished.
At first, Zheng Nuanxiu thought she had taken a wrong path. How could an entire immortal sect simply disappear? But after careful investigation, she confirmed this location was indeed her sectâs site. The surroundings were unchangedâyet her home was gone.
Heavens! Who could be so hateful as to steal an entire sect in a single day? Desperate and heartbroken, Zheng Nuanxiu clutched the
Zhu Xian Immortal Sword
to her chest. The swordâs significance had grown tenfold; it had cost her the very ground of her sect.
...
As one person wept, another rejoiced. In contrast to Zheng Nuanxiuâs desolation, the
Wuwei Pagoda
was bustling with activity. Ye Yu and the assembled immortals stood outside the new sect grounds, admiring their handiwork.
The original sect territory had expanded more than fivefoldâit was composed of two ruined sect sites fused together, naturally immense. Under the newly erected formations, every hall and courtyard was exquisitely designed. A celestial palace in the skyâthis was truly worthy of that moniker.
Yet Ye Yu often found his gaze drifting toward the plot of land behind the
Wuwei Pagoda
. Something about it felt familiar, as though he had seen it somewhere before, though he could not place where.
Before he could ponder further, Zhu Diezhen asked curiously, âWhat are you thinking about?â
âNothing,â Ye Yu said with a slight shake of his head and turned his mind elsewhere. Perhaps he had wandered here in some dream and forgotten the details. But it no longer mattered. This was now his sectâs domainâthe territory of his
Wuwei Pagoda
.
At that moment, Banxia approached hesitantly and drew Ye Yu aside. âThe Lord of Magic Heavens wants to come over for a drink and asked if you are inside the sect. How should I answer?â
Ye Yuâs expression grew complex. Why did the Lord of Magic Heavens feel so abstract now? In the dream, he would never have contacted Ye Yu unless summoned. Yet now, after the dream ended, he sent divine companions and sought to drink wine. What did he really want?
After a momentâs thought, Ye Yu said, âInvite him over. Tell him Iâm here.â
When a problem arises, one must face it directly rather than avoid it.
Banxia hesitated. If she could choose, she would prefer not to see the Lord of Magic Heavens. But seeing Ye Yuâs resolve, she complied.
Shortly thereafter, the Lord of Magic Heavens arrived at the
Wuwei Pagoda
carrying two urns of divine wine. Seeing the greatly expanded sect territory, he exclaimed, âIt should be grand! A mighty Immortal King should not preside over a tiny sect!â
Ye Yu merely smiled silently. The two entered the main hall. After the wine was poured, the Lord of Magic Heavens lifted his cup in earnestâas though among close friends, no number of toasts was too many.
But Ye Yu did not raise his cup. Instead, he asked softly, âWhat does the Lord of Magic Heavens truly seek? Thereâs no such thing as a free lunch. The
Wuwei Pagoda
is but a small sect. Why should the Lord of
Three Corps Hall
âs sect master presume to share wine here?â
Ye Yu was not being politeâhe spoke sincerely. Currently the
Three Corps Hall
had regained dominance over orthodox sects, with even other sects submitting themselves. It was rightly called the strongest sect in the central Heavensâ Realm. In comparison, the
Wuwei Pagoda
was minuscule.
The Lord of Magic Heavens set down his cup and spoke seriously, âItâs not the
Wuwei Pagoda
I value, but you yourself. Frankly, I admire you greatly. I have a strong premonition that you will shatter the void and enter the Divine Realm faster than I will. Consider it an investment in the future.â
Ye Yu raised an eyebrow. This fellowâs appraisal was uncannily accurate. In the dream, Ye Yu had indeed reached the Divine Realm before the Lord of Magic Heavensâand in reality, he would be even faster.
Perhaps seeing Ye Yuâs silence, the Lord of Magic Heavens pointed a finger into empty space. A spectral map of the central Heavensâ Realm appeared, dotted in red across half the territory.
âHere are the lands under the
Three Corps Hall
âs influence in the central Heavensâ Realm. Within a hundred years, I will conquer it allâlike the Demon Lord of the Magi, ruling a whole province. If you and I join forces, that speed will only increase. Believe me, sects mean little; I seek the resources of the entire central Heavensâ Realm. Then we divide it: you half, me halfâand both of us will reach the Divine Realm in even less time. What do you think?â
The Lord of Magic Heavens sounded like a born persuaderâhis voice soft, yet oddly enticing.
Ye Yu looked up and asked, âDid I ever say I must go to the Divine Realm?â
The Lord of Magic Heavens smiled. âYou will. Your eyes tell me so. And you know the tabletâs inscription: Heaven periodically faces cataclysms from the Divine Realm. Do you wish to be an insignificant ant whose life and death hang in othersâ hands? I doubt it.â
âAll right, I understand your intent. But I need time to consider. You may leave now.â
Ye Yu gestured him out. The Lord of «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Magic Heavens looked surprised. âDismissed already? Not even a drink?â
Ye Yu waved him off. âNo, I have other matters to attend to.â
âItâs broad daylightâwhat could you have to do?â the Lord of Magic Heavens protested, puzzled.
But Ye Yuâs next words shut him up completely. âI need to cozy up to Banxia and hurry to bear an heir. Remember to come congratulate us!â
With that, the Lord of Magic Heavens departed decisively. That excuse truly defied rebuttal. And Ye Yu was indeed a clever one, using such words to brush him offâquite amusing, indeed.
After the Lord of Magic Heavens left, Banxia emerged and grumbled, âNext time you send someone away, could you not involve me? Who asked to bear your heir?â
Ye Yu waved a hand. âJust kiddingâno need to take it seriously. By the way, how did you overhear us?â
Banxia pouted silently. At that moment, Dong Kui returned from outside. âHusband, outside someone is clutching a divine sword, wailing as though theyâve been wrongedâand they want to see you. They sayâdid you get into more mischief?â