Three days later,
500,000 miles north of Great Wasteland City.
A towering White Jade Qilin, as tall as a small mountain, pulled a bronze chariot through the void, heading toward the Hundred Break Mountain Range.
At the front of the chariot, a large flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the characters for Tianyin.
Along the way,
anyone who saw this chariot hurried to avoid it, retreating out of sight, as if fearing to even linger nearby.
Everyone knew well what this chariot represented.
Behind it stood the Tianyin Empire, and anyone with the privilege of using a qilin as a steed was of extraordinary status—likely a royal prince.
“The Hundred Break Mountain Range!”
Inside the chariot,
a man clad in a black brocade robe embroidered with a python motif and wearing a jade crown—Beichen Heng—sat upright behind a low table, murmuring to himself.
“What a pity.”
“The opportunity to achieve sainthood has fallen into Ren Qingtu's hands. If only I could ascend to sainthood...”
“Perhaps the Tianyin Empire could usher in a new dynasty!”
The words spoken by his father in the imperial capital replayed in his mind, intensifying the pressure in his heart. Any further delays would only worsen the situation for him.
His father's lifespan was nearing its end, and his desire for greater power had grown insatiable.
It was increasingly likely that his father might take action against him. Ren Qingtu's ascension to sainthood had been the final straw, pushing the Tianyin Divine Emperor's already fragile nerves to their breaking point.
“The Divine Essence Devouring Art...”
Beichen Heng's voice grew colder as he spat out the words, his eyes burning with intense killing intent.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
Clearing his throat, he called out in a deep voice:
“Enter!”
“Your Highness, this subordinate greets you!”
A general clad in armor entered and bowed respectfully.
“What news of the Hundred Break Mountain Range? Have you investigated it?”
Beichen Heng asked.
“Your Highness, the matter has been thoroughly investigated. The cause of the commotion was the Da Luo Sect Master, Ren Qingtu, who discovered a hidden dimension within the Hundred Break Mountain Range and obtained a Saint's inheritance.”
The general maintained his deferential posture as he continued:
“That hidden dimension appears to be abundant in resources. The Da Luo Sword Sect has sent two Saint-level Supreme Elders from millions of miles away to claim it as their own.”
“Hmph!”
Beichen Heng snorted coldly, displeasure evident in his tone.
“The Hundred Break Mountain Range is within the territory of the Tianyin Empire. The Da Luo Sword Sect is reaching far beyond its bounds!”
“Your Highness...”
The commander hesitated, clearly reluctant to speak further.
“What is it?”
Beichen Heng asked sharply.
“It's not just the Da Luo Sword Sect. The Chi Yan Sacred Land has also dispatched a Saint to the region. They've noticed something unusual about the Hundred Break Mountain Range as well.”
The commander hesitated again before adding,
“And... and also, the Nine Nether Demon Sect has sent two Saint-level Supreme Elders.”
“What?”
Beichen Heng's expression shifted dramatically as he stood abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
It made sense for the Da Luo Sect to send two Saints, given the immense value of the Hundred Break Mountain Range. The Chi Yan Sacred Land's proximity also justified their interest.
But the Nine Nether Demon Sect?
They were even farther from the region than the Da Luo Sword Sect. Yet, they had managed to dispatch two Saints within three days, as if they already knew the significance of the opportunity there.
This was perplexing.
Had someone leaked the information?
It seemed unlikely. Both the Da Luo Sword Sect and the Chi Yan Sacred Land prided themselves on their righteousness. Even if they were seeking opportunities, they wouldn't ally with the Nine Nether Demon Sect.
As for the Tianyin Empire,
they were, without question, the most pitiful party in this scenario. Despite the opportunity being located within their domain, they had been the slowest to react.
While others had already sent Saints,
Beichen Heng, the rightful ruler of the region, had yet to arrive.
Worse still, his cultivation was only at the Saint Lord level, leaving him virtually incapable of claiming any share of the spoils.
“Have you discovered why the Nine Nether Demon Sect is here?”
Beichen Heng asked grimly.
“This subordinate could not uncover much. However, we do know that a few days ago, Elder Yang Qiu of the Nine Nether Demon Sect visited Great Wasteland City.”
The commander paused before adding:
“He seemed to be seeking vengeance for his disciple, Du Qianshang, who had been killed. The one who killed Du Qianshang was none other than Liu Chengxue, Ren Qingtu's third disciple. Shortly afterward, Ren Qingtu also visited Great Wasteland City—and then ascended to sainthood.”
“Oh?”
Beichen Heng raised an eyebrow, his thoughts stirring.
“Are we speaking of Great Wasteland City, less than four million miles from the Hundred Break Mountain Range?”
“Indeed,”
the commander confirmed with a nod.
“If I recall correctly, Great Wasteland City is a rather insignificant place.”
Beichen Heng mused.
Situated near the Hundred Break Mountain Range, Great Wasteland City lacked spiritual veins and cultivation grounds, teetering perpetually on the brink of destruction. Yet, such an inconsequential city had drawn the attention of two Saint Lord-level figures.
Something about it didn't add up.
“Your Highness is correct. Great Wasteland City has a population of no more than a few hundred thousand, over 90% of whom are ordinary mortals. Most cultivators wouldn't even consider residing there.”
The commander elaborated further:
“The root cause lies in its lack of a protective city formation, leaving it vulnerable to destruction at any moment.”
“I see.”
Beichen Heng nodded.
Under the rule of the Tianyin Empire, such cities were countless. New ones were built daily, and just as many were destroyed. Such matters were ordinarily beneath their notice—as long as resources were delivered on time.
“Did Yang Qiu and Ren Qingtu cross paths in Great Wasteland City? Surely they must have clashed.”
Beichen Heng inquired.
One seeking vengeance for his disciple, the other protecting his own—it was hard to imagine the two not butting heads.
If a confrontation had inadvertently revealed the opportunity, it might explain the current situation.
“Your Highness, they did not clash.”
The commander shook his head.
“Hmm?”
Beichen Heng's eyes narrowed sharply.
If there was no confrontation, how had the opportunity surfaced?
Could someone have delivered it to them on a silver platter?
That seemed unlikely.
“Explain the details!”
“This subordinate must apologize for his incompetence. We couldn't uncover the full story. Both Ren Qingtu and Yang Qiu have been tight-lipped, revealing nothing to outsiders.”
The commander hesitated briefly before continuing,
“However, there are rumors that both Ren Qingtu and Yang Qiu visited a place in Great Wasteland City—a place called the Heavenly Mechanism Tower.”
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