Qiyuan Nation’s great victory over the Dakong Empire’s hundred thousand troops and the capture of Emperor Qian Qi spread throughout Qiyuan Nation in the shortest time, then radiated outward even faster.
When news first broke of the Dakong Empire’s army approaching, the people of Tianyuan City were gripped by fear and unease. The news hadn’t been out long, and many still doubted it inwardly. If it were confirmed that the Dakong Empire’s forces had truly reached Tianyuan City’s outskirts, the entire city might have collapsed into panic and chaos.
But in a short span, word came from Tianyuan City that the king of Qiyuan had personally led the army into battle, slaying fifty thousand Dakong soldiers and capturing another fifty thousand, along with Emperor Qian Qi himself.
When this news broke, Tianyuan City erupted into a frenzy. Many couldn’t believe it and went outside the city to see for themselves. When they saw the vast, dark mass of Dakong soldiers under guard, they knew it was true.
In an instant, Tianyuan City became a sea of joy.
Ordinary folk didn’t care how the victory was won—they only knew Qiyuan Nation’s army was formidable. First, they’d crushed the Black Sha Army, and now they’d defeated the emperor’s own hundred thousand troops. These facts convinced them that life in Qiyuan Nation was safe.
Zai Qian didn’t immediately deal with the captives. Instead, he took Zhong Qing and Wu Li to the Lan family courtyard to pay respects to Lan Xiaobu. Others might not know, but they were well aware that Qiyuan’s victory had nothing to do with their own strength—it was all because of an unparalleled powerhouse in Tianyuan City.
Lan Xiaobu had no interest in chatting with Zai Qian and simply sent Lan Hui out to meet the king of Qiyuan.
Hearing that Lan Xiaobu couldn’t meet him, a flicker of disappointment passed through Zai Qian’s eyes, but he quickly adjusted his mindset. A being who could wipe out a hundred thousand troops and kill a Human Immortal with a wave of his hand could well be called an immortal. Such a figure wasn’t someone a petty lordship king like him could casually meet.
“May I ask, Master, does Senior Lan have any words of guidance for us?” Zhong Qing, the most eager to meet Lan Xiaobu, asked. He knew that even a single word from a supreme powerhouse like Lan Xiaobu could benefit them for a lifetime.
Lan Hui replied, “Big Brother Xiaobu said Qian Qi must not be spared. Also, govern the nation well—peace and prosperity for the people are the true way of a king. Remember, a dam of a thousand miles can collapse from an ant’s nest.”
“Yes, Zai Qian will remember,” Zai Qian responded promptly.
After Zai Qian left, Lan Xiaobu’s divine sense swept across this realm. His focus lingered on Luzhen City, the capital of the Dakong Empire. To his surprise, the Dakong Empire already knew of Qian Qi’s capture, the annihilation of the hundred thousand troops, and Ding Gu’s death.
News spread fast, Lan Xiaobu thought, shaking his head. He estimated that within an hour, Luzhen City would descend into chaos as the scramble for the emperor’s throne began.
With Qian Qi and Ding Gu dead, no one would risk their life to seize the throne for Qian Qi’s descendants.
Just as Lan Xiaobu was about to retract his divine sense, he suddenly heard Su Cen’s name.
It was a rather ordinary courtyard. Inside the hall, an old man spoke, his eyes wide with shock. “You’re saying the Lan family, where Su Cen married, has a powerhouse beyond a Human Immortal? Someone who effortlessly wiped out a hundred thousand troops and killed Ding Gu?”
Before the old man stood a man in black and a middle-aged man. The latter wore the court robes of the Dakong Empire, suggesting a high rank, though he stood below with his head bowed.
At the old man’s words, the man in black quickly said, “Based on our investigation, yes. Qiyuan’s king, Zai Qian, visited the Lan family courtyard multiple times—not only attending Lan Xiaobu and Su Cen’s wedding in person but also going there to seek help before the Dakong army arrived. After that, he led his troops out of Tianyuan City and easily destroyed the hundred thousand troops, captured Qian Qi, and killed Ding Gu.”
The old man shot to his feet, clenching his fists. After a while, he slowly sat back down. “Good, good. I never imagined our Di family produced such a powerhouse.”
The middle-aged man sighed, “My lord, the one who helped Qiyuan might not be from the Di family.”
The old man snorted, “Whether or not the one who aided Qiyuan is from the Di family, he resides in the Lan family courtyard and must be closely tied to them. Su Cen is from our Di family, the legitimate daughter of Di Sha. Since that’s the case, there’s hope for our Di family to reclaim the emperor’s throne. Our Di family’s daughter married into the Lan family—why shouldn’t we ask them to help us take back what’s rightfully ours?”
The middle-aged man could only say, “Before, when we knew Qian Qi’s army was crushing Qiyuan, we ignored Su Cen. Now, they might not help us.”
The old man said coldly, “Who knows? We just need to say we’ve been searching for Su Cen and her mother all this time and only recently learned she ended up in Qiyuan. Hai Yi, head to Tianyuan City in Qiyuan at top speed and bring Su Cen back. Remember, don’t mention the Di family’s situation unless they ask. When they do, subtly say we aim to reclaim our rightful throne but lack the strength for now.”
“Yes,” another man in black stepped forward, responded respectfully, and swiftly left.
After he departed, the old man continued, “Fan Qing, raise an army immediately and launch early to seize Luzhen City. Fan Yuan, your task is the heaviest—contact the Di family’s old allies and our insiders at once…”
Lan Xiaobu withdrew his divine sense, sneering inwardly. A mere mundane family daring to exploit him, a sage? Even if he hadn’t known the situation, a sweep of his divine sense would reveal the truth.
They truly didn’t know their place. Were it not for Su Cen’s sake, he’d have flattened that courtyard into dust with a single Divine Essence Palm.
Tianyuan City returned to its usual bustle. While guiding Lan Hui’s cultivation, Lan Xiaobu set up a defensive array and a killing array for the city. However, he didn’t give the array flags to Zai Qian—he handed them to Lan Hui.
With abundant cultivation resources, even without artificially accelerating Lan Hui’s progress, Lan Hui successfully built his foundation.
Lan Xiaobu didn’t plan to stay in Tianyuan City longer. He intended to take Su Cen and leave this realm. A Fourth-Turn Sage’s strength was still too low—he needed to quickly establish a foothold in the Great Wilderness Divine Realm and achieve Ninth-Turn Sagehood.
As the Reincarnation Sage had said, the faster he advanced, the better.
“Big Brother Xiaobu, where will I find you in the future?” Lan Hui asked eagerly as he escorted Lan Xiaobu and Su Cen outside Tianyuan City.
Having built his foundation and learned of the immortal and divine realms, Lan Hui was just as impatient to leave this ordinary mortal cultivation world.
“With your talent and the resources I’ve given you, I believe in a few hundred thousand years, you’ll have a chance to enter the Great Wilderness Divine Realm. Of course, cultivation also depends on fate. Though I’ve given you plenty of resources, the luck of the Great Dao is something I can’t provide—it’s up to you,” Lan Xiaobu said, genuinely fond of Lan Hui and hoping he’d one day step into the divine realm.
“Don’t worry, Big Brother Xiaobu. I’ll remember your words and strive to reach the Great Wilderness Divine Realm soon,” Lan Hui said resolutely.
Lan Xiaobu added, “One more thing—whether Su Cen was part of the Di family in this life or not, she has no ties to the current Di family. If they come here seeking help, just ignore them.”
“Rest assured, Big Brother. I understand,” Lan Hui said firmly.
Even without Lan Xiaobu’s warning, he wouldn’t meddle in the Di family’s affairs. What strength did he have? Interfering in their fight for the throne was asking for death. Besides, Su Cen had been in Qiyuan City for years without the Di family looking for her. Now that she’d married Big Brother Xiaobu, they showed up—shameless.
“Master Lan, Master Lan…” Just as Lan Hui finished speaking, Zai Qian, having received word, rushed over with Zhong Qing and Wu Li to see them off.
He’d never had the chance to thank Lan Xiaobu properly, and now he’d finally caught him. He desperately hoped Lan Xiaobu wouldn’t leave, though he knew such an immortal-like transcendent being wouldn’t stay in Tianyuan City forever.
Lan Xiaobu gave Zai Qian a brief greeting, then stepped into the air with Su Cen and departed.
Watching Lan Xiaobu leave, Zai Qian felt a pang of worry. Then he thought of Lan Hui and quickly approached him, saying, “Young Master Lan, Qiyuan Nation still lacks an advisor…”
Lan Hui understood what he meant and waved a hand. “Don’t worry. With me here, Tianyuan City will be fine. As for being an advisor, forget it—I don’t have that much time.”
Hearing this, Zai Qian was overjoyed. Just as he was about to speak again, a flying beast descended from the sky and landed outside Tianyuan City.
“Hai Yi of the Di family greets Your Majesty,” a man in black dismounted from the beast, approaching swiftly and bowing respectfully.
“The Di family?” Zai Qian glanced at Hai Yi, puzzled, recalling the former Daxuan Empire, which belonged to the Di family.
Hai Yi quickly said, “We’ve learned that Princess Su Cen, a direct descendant of the Di family, has been living in Tianyuan City. I’ve come to escort Her Highness back to Luzhen City.”
Lan Hui’s jaw dropped, his admiration for Lan Xiaobu skyrocketing. Xiaobu had just mentioned it, and here came the Di family—spot on.
“Daxuan? Princess?” Zai Qian paused, then realised. Su Cen—the wife of Lan Xiaobu! So she was a direct descendant of the Di family, a princess of the Daxuan Empire.
But he quickly understood this wasn’t his place to comment on. He said, “So you’re from the Di family. Immortal Su has just left. This is Young Master Lan Hui of the Lan family. If you have questions, ask him.”
