Sect Master Xia just stood there in silence. He almost wished that something had happened to Tianyi instead of hearing this news. He’d rather face Mengfei’s wrath than this shame. What came next wasn’t denial. “Who knows?”
“I was battling Emperor Infinity, but according to reports, a few immortals caught sight of the act. For now, word won’t spread,” Grand Elder Zhang said. She paused. “You aren’t thinking of concealing the incident, are you?”
Sect Master Xia showed a hopeless smile. “How could I? Even if no one saw, Yushan won’t be able to protect his life. It’ll probably won’t be long before Grand Elder Xi takes action. I should just end Yushan’s misery before she takes action.”
Grand Elder Zhang revealed a pitying expression. “You still care for him.”
“He’s my most-prized disciple,” Sect Master Xia said with no shame. “And, he’s one of the few Xia Clan members left. After the destruction of the Xia Clan, there aren’t many members left. At the very least, I wanted Yushan to keep his honor, even if he can’t keep his life.”
The female grand elder nodded in understanding. She frowned when she saw Sect Master Xia frown. “What’s wrong?”
“The Xia Clan was destroyed during the war,” Sect Master Xia said.
Grand Elder Zhang nodded. Associated clans often became the targets during war. Although she thought it was cruel, it didn’t change reality. That is, until she heard Sect Master Xia’s next words. “It was Yushan who reported the destruction of the clan.”
She wasn’t stupid. Practitioners of the Emotion Severance Sutra became coldhearted and would do anything to further their path. Xia Yushan must have attempted to kill Daoyi because it benefitted his cultivation. The only reason Grand Elder Zhang could think of was to sever an inner devil.
Since Xia Yushan already attempted to kill Daoyi, who’s to say he hadn’t done something similar before this attempt?
“Where’s Yushan now?” Sect Master Xia asked. His expression hadn’t changed, and there was no fluctuation in his voice, but Grand Elder Zhang heard a distinct edge.
“He’s with Elder Xi,” Grand Elder Zhang said. After a moment, she added, “The younger one. I didn’t see Xia Yushan, so I suspected that he isolated Xia Yushan in a private space.”
Sect Master Xia nodded. Knowing more information than Grand Elder Zhang, he concluded that Tianyi trapped Xia Yushan inside his inner cosmos. For now, Grand Elder Xi was likely clinging onto Tianyi. He would have to find some time to talk privately with Tianyi and have Xia Yushan transferred over.
“Is there something else?” Sect Master Xia asked upon seeing Grand Elder Zhang still standing there with some hesitation.
“Do you know Elder Xi’s true strength?”
“True strength?” Sect Master Xia asked. “I have an inkling.”
Upon seeing his composure, Grand Elder Zhang knew that Sect Master Xia hadn’t read her and the Eternal Night Emperor’s reports on the battle. More specifically, the aftereffects of Tianyi wiping out the headquarters Eight Pillar Sect. “You should read up on my and the Eternal Night Emperor’s analysis on Elder Xi’s strength. Don’t make a fatal mistake.”
With those last words, Grand Elder Zhang left a confused Sect Master Xia. After she left, Sect Master Xia found the reports. Before reading, he wondered why Grand Elder Zhang left him with those words. He recalled the information concerning Tianyi.
The last time he recalled Tianyi’s combat abilities was when he battled against the War Hall’s Head Elder Huang Feihong. He knew Tianyi had a practically limitless source of qi and nigh impossible to kill thanks to his mastery of the Law of Spacetime. However, he was still too immature. Despite possessing all that power, he couldn’t utilize it efficiently.
Had Tianyi learned to utilize it? If he could, Sect Master Xia did not doubt that he may even rival his mother, Xi Mengfei—at least in terms of danger.
Sect Master Xia began to read the report. When he learned Tianyi could contend against the Eight Trigrams Sovereign War Formation, after a period of shock, he quickly accepted the information. Tianyi always had the potential, he just realized a bit earlier. Still, he questioned why Grand Elder Zhang told him to read it. Was it because of the heavenly punishment?
Was that the sudden bolt of lightning that struck Grand Elder Xi?
Sect Master Xia shook his head and continued to read. Then he came to the part concerning the current state of the region that the Eight Pillar Sect made their headquarters. Upon reading it, he doubted his eyes. This wasn’t just a hundred thousand kilometers, but over a million kilometers!
He began to doubt Grand Elder Zhang’s report. Seeking confirmation, he pulled up the Eternal Night Emperor’s report. Unlike Grand Elder Zhang, it contained much more information—specifically concerning everything that happened after their last contact with the fateful battle against the Eight Pillar Sect.
The Eternal Night Emperor accounts differed slightly from Grand Elder Zhang’s, mostly due to his unfamiliarity with Tianyi. However, his description of the aftereffect perfectly aligned with Grand Elder Zhang’s recounts. There was a certain tone of uncertainty, a vague question of whether the sect had bestowed Tianyi a realm artifact.
Sect Master Xia certainly thought of bestowing Tianyi a realm artifact, but it would be useless for him. The primary advantage of a realm artifact was the sheer power it granted to an immortal. Say a true immortal had the same mastery of a law as an immortal sovereign. If that true immortal had a realm artifact, he would almost possess equal strength to an immortal sovereign.
Tianyi himself already possessed more power than a realm artifact. So the augmentation was practically useless. Practically a useless accessory. Still, the report shocked Sect Master Xia.
In the original strategy, Tianyi only had to grab the Eight Pillar Sect’s attention and stall for Grand Elder Zhang and the Eternal Night Emperor to defeat Emperor Infinity and bring their army to raze the Eight Pillar Sect’s headquarters to the ground. Instead, the direction of the strategy had been reversed. Tianyi had annihilated the Eight Pillar and reinforced Grand Elder Zhang and the Eternal Night Emperor instead.
While digesting the information he just gained, Sect Master Xia tried to come to terms with Tianyi’s revealed strength. He had always expected Tianyi to surpass him, but he expected at least a thousand years—just like his mother. However, Tianyi only needed three hundred years. If Xia Yushan wanted to kill Tianyi because of the inadequacies he developed after comparing himself, Sect Master Xia would understand. In fact, he also felt that emotion now.
“Perhaps it’s a good thing that Tianyi is so reclusive. Otherwise, if he interacted too much with his generation, who knows how many potential disciples would develop inner demons?” Sect Master Xia muttered. “Wait!”
Sect Master Xia’s eyes shone. Grand Elder Zhang and the Eternal Night Emperor had to submit reports, but so did Tianyi. After a quick scan, he pulled out Tianyi’s report and read it. After finishing digesting the information, Sect Master Xia muttered, “Constellation Cessation. What a terrifying attack.”
Tianyi’s report only gave a rudimentary explanation of his technique, but it sent shockwaves through Sect Master Xia’s heart. According to Tianyi, he needed hours to gather the energy for the technique to reach its peak power. But once he unleashed, he would utterly destroy the land. And the most frightening part was the fact the Constellation was an incomplete technique.
How powerful would it be once it became complete? Would it possess the power to fracture a continent, or maybe destroy it entirely?
Sect Master Xia finally understood Grand Elder Zhang’s and the Eternal Night Emperor’s feelings. He only digested the information reported, and he was this shocked. What were the two’s feelings upon witnessing the desolate land that once housed a thriving hegemonic force?
At this point, Sect Master Xia no longer treated Tianyi as a powerful immortal emperor-level expert, but a strategic weapon at the same level as Mengfei—possibly even higher than Mengfei. He had supreme confidence in the Buzhou Immortal Sect’s guardian formation, but in front of Tianyi’s brute power, he began to doubt its capabilities.
He even considered using Tianyi to destroy the headquarters of the Saintly Scholar School. Even if a few critical immortals survived, the hegemonic force would be crippled. Under the onslaught of the Buzhou Immortal Sect’s full might, not even Confucius will be able to change his fate.
Sect Master Xia only considered the idea for a brief moment. After all, the Concealed Emperor specifically ordered him not to touch the Mortal Continent or the Saintly Scholar School. He would never go against the Concealed Emperor’s orders, even if ten immortal sovereigns ordered him to do so.
Sect Master Xia stood up. He originally planned to visit Tianyi at a suitable time, but now, he only hated that he didn’t visit Tianyi sooner. His figure disappeared from his mansion and flew toward Jade Peak.
Elder Jadeflame and Elder Violetsnow weren’t present because they were dispatched out of the sect to deal with matters as powerful experts of the Seamless Immortal Realm. Elder Twinwisp no longer resided on Jade Peak and reunited with her main body on the newly announced Cloud Goddess Peak.
The Cloud Goddess Cult and the Cultivator Alliance were still considered guests and hadn’t been officially integrated into the Buzhou Immortal Sect. That would happen after the war ended, but that didn’t prevent the sect from treating them practically the same in all but name.
Despite the seeming tranquility of Jade Peak, it was one of the most inhabited mountains. That was not the case at this point. All the hidden elders had been dispatched, leaving Jade Peak at its most empty state in recent history. Upon reaching Jade Peak Palace, it was Daoyi who greeted him.
“Elder Jiang,” Sect Master Xia started. “I heard what my disciple did. I know this is far from enough to make up for what happened, but please accept my apology.”
Daoyi only smiled. “There’s no need. In fact, it is I who should be apologizing.”
Despite the seemingly gentle words, Sect Master Xia felt the air mysteriously chill. However, Daoyi didn’t let him ponder as to why for too long. “You must be here to see Tianyi. He’s a bit preoccupied. I bet his anger will be mollified a bit if you see him.”
Without waiting for Sect Master Xia to reply, Daoyi turned around and walked into Jade Peak Palace. Sect Master Xia smiled bitterly. Sure enough, she was angry at him, but he didn’t blame her.
“We’re here,” Daoyi said as she opened the door into the main hall.
Upon entering, Sect Master Xia wanted to avert his gaze immediately. Inside, Mengfei sat in the main seat, but her arms were around Tianyi’s arm. She had an iron-like grip that prevented Tianyi from escaping. The only way for him to free himself would require him to harm her, something he never wanted to do.
Tianyi’s eyes looked toward Sect Master Xia for help, but it immediately cooled as his expression turned stony. Sect Master Xia coughed into his fists. “Greetings Grand Elder Xi, Tianyi.”
Mengfei glanced over. “Is there something you need?”
There was no fluctuation in her voice, but Sect Master Xia could hear the unsaid, “Scram!”
He coughed into his fists. After some deliberation, he said, “I need to speak with Tianyi, no Grand Elder Tianyi concerning sect matters.”
At first, Mengfei was displeased, but it was swiftly reversed upon hearing Tianyi’s new status. However, she still denied Sect Master Xia. “Right now, Yi’er is busy. If there’s nothing urgent. Come back another time.”
“No, it’s concerning Grand Elder Tianyi’s achievements on the Earth Continent. It’s significant for the whole Buzhou Immortal Sect. I even want to publically award him and elevate his status. It will be a sect-wide celebration. As the only one with equal achievements as you, it is imperative for me to speak with him.”
Mengfei practically glowed in pride, as if the one receiving all the praise was not Tianyi but her. She turned to Tianyi. “What do you think, Yi’er? If you don’t want to, you can delay.”
Tianyi placed his free hand over Mengfei’s arm. “No, Mother. I feel it is important for my future to discuss with Sect Master Xia.”
Mengfei slowly released her arms from Tianyi. Although reluctant, she felt a sour yet sweet emotion stirring in her heart. She watched as Tianyi walked out with Sect Master Xia. Once Tianyi’s back left her sight, she set her gaze on Daoyi. “Come here.”
Daoyi obeyed and sat next to her master.
“You were on the same battlefield as Yi’er,” Mengfei said. “Tell me, how was he? Did he look valiant while striking down his foes?”
As Mengfei babbled on, Daoyi smiled helplessly. Currently, her master did not appear like an exalted immortal sovereign, but a highschool girl eager for gossip. Still, she satisfied Mengfei’s itch.
Once they walked into Tianyi’s residence in Jade Peak Palace, Tianyi sealed the spacetime to prevent anyone, including his mother, from spying. “I hope you’re not going to ask me to forgive Xia Yushan after what he has done.”
Hearing the glacial tone, Sect Master Xia already knew it was impossible for Xia Yushan to be saved. In fact, even saving his reputation likely had no hope. “No, Yushan’s fate is already sealed. His crimes will be announced to everyone and be executed as per the sect’s laws. And after that, I will step down as sect master.”
