“With the speed you’re cultivating, it probably won’t be long before you surpass me. When that day comes, even if I want to help you, I might not get the chance.”
Moon Maiden’s voice carried a clear note of melancholy. She truly admired Ling Xiao’s talent, yet at the same time she felt a faint regret. Once she could no longer protect him, what place would she have at his side?
“Don’t overthink it, Big Sister Moon Maiden. You protect me now, and later I’ll protect you. Besides, your strength still hasn’t returned to its peak, has it? Catching up to you is going to be far from easy.”
Ling Xiao gently squeezed her soft, pale hand and smiled in reassurance.
Of course he knew what was troubling her.
He simply wanted her to understand that overthinking was pointless. The woman Ling Xiao had chosen would never change in this lifetime.
Unless that woman herself chose to leave him.
…
The spacious, luxurious hall was packed with people. This place was supposed to be a secret meeting point for the Heavenly Principle Alliance in Lanton City, so it ought to have been quiet and discreet.
Yet right now it was anything but.
Today the atmosphere was lively and festive, as if some grand celebration were about to take place.
A closer look at the seated guests revealed prominent figures from all over.
There were leaders of various resistance organisations from the Tianlong Continent.
There were envoys from the nations of the Divine Phoenix Continent.
There were even representatives from the Five Immortal Islands.
None of them had come merely to socialise. They all shared one goal: to curry favour with Gao Yangwen, leader of the Heavenly Principle Alliance.
These days the Alliance’s influence grew ever greater. On the Tianlong Continent, resistance forces were either swallowed up or absorbed by him. He was clearly poised to contend for dominion over the entire land.
Though Gao Yangwen outwardly professed obedience to the True Devil Empire and was willing to act as its puppet, in truth his ambition knew no bounds.
He wanted to become king of the Tianlong Continent. He wanted to stand as an equal to the True Devil Empire. And to do that, he first had to eliminate the troublesome Northern Han Kingdom.
Today’s gathering was the official ceremony to install him as leader of the Rebel Alliance, so naturally the mood was joyous.
On the surface the Rebel Alliance opposed the True Devil Empire, yet the strategy Gao Yangwen had set was curiously to destroy Northern Han first and then split the world evenly with the Empire.
Seated at the head of the hall was Gao Yangwen himself.
Though he was already in his sixties or seventies, for a warrior that was still the prime of life.
He wore robes made of priceless fabric that lent him an air of imposing majesty.
He sat there returning the clasped-fist salutes of his guests, clearly relishing being treated as the centre of the world.
From time to time a smug smile played across his lips. To have reached this point, he truly had to thank the True Devil Empire.
If the Empire had not destroyed the Holy Dynasty, his Heavenly Principle Alliance would never have grown beyond small-scale skirmishes.
Of course, he felt no real gratitude toward the Empire. To him this was merely mutual exploitation.
He used the Empire to deal with the Holy Dynasty, while the Empire used him to keep Northern Han in check.
“Special envoy Zhan Mo from Black Water Immortal Island has arrived!”
A voice suddenly rang out from the entrance, instantly silencing the noisy hall.
Black Water Immortal Island was one of the mighty Five Immortal Islands and also Gao Yangwen’s former sect.
Normally the Five Immortal Islands did not involve themselves in worldly conflicts, but because of Gao Yangwen’s special connection, Black Water had sent an envoy.
Though this envoy Zhan Mo was only at the late First Cave Heaven stage and not particularly strong, the power he represented was terrifying.
At the very least, on both the Divine Phoenix and Tianlong continents, unless someone was insane, no one would willingly provoke it.
With Black Water Immortal Island’s backing, Gao Yangwen’s position as leader of the Rebel Alliance became far more secure. Even the True Devil Empire could do nothing to him, let alone the tiny Northern Han Kingdom.
“Hahaha, Senior Brother Gao Yang, it has been too long. Today I come on my sect’s orders specially to offer congratulations.”
Zhan Mo had come alone, but the robe bearing the Black Water Immortal Island emblem ensured no one here dared look down on him.
Moreover, his late First Cave Heaven cultivation was stronger than almost everyone present except Gao Yangwen and a handful of others.
“There was no need to bring gifts, Junior Brother Zhan. Come in, come in, take the seat of honour!”
Gao Yangwen personally took Zhan Mo’s hand and seated him right beside himself.
Though the two had not been close back on Black Water Island, today, in front of so many people, he still had to put on a show of deep fraternal affection.
A short while later another voice sounded from outside.
“Special envoy Ling Wuhen of the Northern Han Kingdom has arrived!”
Ling Wuhen?
Hearing that name, a triumphant smile curved Gao Yangwen’s lips.
Ling Wuhen was a key figure in the Chosen Academy. His cultivation was nothing special, but he was very close to Ling Xiao and held high status.
For Ling Wuhen to appear here today, did that mean Northern Han was finally ready to yield?
Heh heh, yielding would do them no good. Until Northern Han was destroyed, Gao Yangwen could never rest easy.
With that thought, he still allowed Ling Wuhen to enter.
Since he intended to wipe out Northern Han anyway, he might as well use this Ling Wuhen as a sacrificial flag today.
“Greetings, Leader of the Heavenly Principle Alliance. Congratulations.”
Ling Wuhen had not come alone. Beside him walked an old man: none other than Master Bai Yun, Ling Xiao’s own teacher.
“I truly never expected Master Ling to grace my humble abode with his presence. You honour this lowly shack beyond measure.”
Gao Yangwen gave a smile that did not reach his eyes, clasped his fists in greeting, then casually directed Ling Wuhen and Master Bai Yun to an inconspicuous corner.
After all, they were only here to be sacrificed. There was no need to treat them with any particular respect.
One after another, more distinguished guests continued to arrive, each of vital importance to Gao Yangwen.
Only his son Gao Yangjun was nowhere to be seen.
Almost everyone who had been invited was now present in the hall, yet no one noticed that on the eaves of this hidden building, two figures crouched silently, carefully observing every movement inside.
“I never imagined even Second Uncle Ling and my master Master Bai Yun would come. Aren’t they walking straight into the tiger’s jaws?”
Ling Xiao sighed helplessly.
“You can’t blame them,” Moon Maiden explained. “They don’t know what kind of man Gao Yangwen truly is. In their eyes, anyone who wants to overthrow the True Devil Empire must cooperate with his Heavenly Principle Alliance.”
“Look at their faces, so resolute. They clearly know the danger yet came anyway. If their deaths can awaken the sleeping fools in Northern Han, it will have been worth it.”
