Chapter 453: Peaceful Prelude

In the Emperor's Palace of the Cang Wind Nation, Cang Wanhe's face was flushed, his eyes dazed, and his hands trembled so violently they caused the entire table to subtly vibrate.

In just under fifteen minutes, he had received spirit transmissions and profound messages from the Garo Nation, Heavenly Fragrance Nation, Black Fiend Nation, Kui Water Nation, and Vast Ocean Nation, all from a hundred thousand miles away. These transmissions, which normally cost a fortune, were personally sent by the monarchs of these five nations! In their messages, the five emperors used warm, eager, and even fawning tones to offer their regards, then expressed a strong desire to personally visit the Cang Wind Imperial Family, carefully inquiring if he would have time soon.

All five nations acted this way. In the past, these five emperors would not have bothered to visit, even if the Cang Wind Nation cordially invited them. At most, they would send a low-ranking official to handle the matter. When the six nations' emperors occasionally met, the other five nations generally treated the Cang Wind Emperor with disdain.

But today, the five emperors were scrambling to contact him personally, fearing they might be too late, even resorting to costly long-distance spirit transmissions. It was the Vast Ocean Nation that finally revealed why: Yun Che from the Cang Wind Nation had achieved an unprecedented first place in the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament.

Not second place, but first place! First place after defeating the Divine Phoenix Empire! For the first time in history, the Cang Wind Nation's name stood above the Divine Phoenix Empire in the rankings!

Cang Wanhe sat there for a long time, his clearest feeling being that he was dreaming. The almost fawning reactions of the five emperors confirmed this fantastical fact. Yet, he still couldn't bring himself to believe it, as it was too dreamlike, too unreal—more elusive than a fairy tale. Yun Che's strength was indeed formidable, but even Ling Tianni had been able to severely injure him. This was the Divine Phoenix Empire, the Phoenix Divine Sect! Moreover, he knew better than anyone that Yun Che had participated alone, yet the news he received this morning clearly stated that the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament schedule had been updated and shortened, and all battles were now group battles! If the message had said Yun Che represented Cang Wind Nation and achieved second place, he would have believed it. But winning first place by defeating the Divine Phoenix Empire only made him feel as if he hadn't woken from his dream.

A hurried sound of running came from outside. Soon, his personal eunuch stumbled and crawled into the room, falling flat on his face as he crossed the threshold. Without waiting to stand, he remained prostrate, his voice hoarse as he roared, "Your Majesty! Incredible news... truly incredible news! Word has come from the Divine Phoenix Empire... In this Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, our Cang Wind Nation's consort, with his own power, defeated the top youth of the Divine Phoenix Empire, then a combined force of nine mid-stage Monarchs, and seized first place! Your servant has confirmed this over a dozen times; it is absolutely true... absolutely true!"

Cang Wanhe stood up, his face crimson, his lips trembling, too overwhelmed with emotion to utter a single word. When Yun Che had represented the Cang Wind Imperial Family and won first place in the Cang Wind Ranking Tournament, he had been immensely excited. However, the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament and the Cang Wind Ranking Tournament were completely different, like two concepts separated by heaven and earth. The Cang Wind Ranking Tournament's victory allowed the Cang Wind Imperial Family to regain its former dignity within the Cang Wind Nation. But if today's news was true, it would place the entire Cang Wind Nation's name at the highest point of the Profound Sky Continent! It was a dream that the Cang Wind Nation had never dared to hope for in its thousand-year history.

Sitting to one side, Xiao Lie was much calmer than Cang Wanhe. He asked, "Was Yun Che troubled there because of his phoenix bloodline?"

The eunuch immediately replied excitedly, "On the competition grounds, the consort indeed had a major conflict with the Divine Phoenix Empire over his phoenix bloodline. However, Princess Xue of the Divine Phoenix Imperial Family personally confirmed that the consort's bloodline was not from the Phoenix Divine Sect, but from another phoenix lineage. The Divine Phoenix Emperor also promised on the spot that he would never again target the consort because of his bloodline. So... it is truly incredible news!"

"Good... good!" Cang Wanhe slowly nodded, tears welling up in his eyes from excitement. He took a step, walked in front of Xiao Lie, and, completely losing his imperial composure, exclaimed, "Senior Xiao, you have truly raised a heavenly prodigy! How fortunate is our Cang Wind to have Yun Che!"

"Immediately announce this to the entire nation at the fastest speed! Furthermore, issue an order: effective today, there will be a national amnesty, and all citizens are exempt from taxes for three years!"

"Immediately summon Governor Qin and instruct him to begin planning the construction of more branch Profound Palaces without delay."

"Cancel all state gifts prepared for the five nations next month!"

"Prepare a banquet immediately! Today, I shall drink to my heart's content, hahahaha..."

"Junior Yun Che greets Senior Gu Cang. Thank you, Senior Gu Cang, for speaking on my behalf earlier." Yun Che respectfully bowed to Master Gu Cang.

Master Gu Cang had no aura whatsoever; he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary, kind-faced, white-haired old man. A profound practitioner brushing past him would never imagine that he was the legendary Emperor standing at the pinnacle of the entire continent. Not only did he have no profound energy presence, but his demeanor also lacked any hint of arrogance or might, instead exuding an impressive aura of righteousness.

Master Gu Cang scrutinized Yun Che at close range, smiling and nodding. "Excellent. Not only are your talent and strength astounding, but your presence and spirit are also unparalleled among your peers. I never imagined that the always-weak Cang Wind Nation would produce two such astonishing prodigies in this generation."

"Thank you for the compliment, Master Gu Cang," Yun Che said with a slight smile.

Upon hearing Master Gu Cang praise Yun Che, Xia Yuanba became even more excited than if he had been praised himself. He quickly interjected, "My brother-in-law is truly amazing! He will definitely become the most incredible person in this world!"

"Hehe," Master Gu Cang chuckled gently. Yun Che astonished him, and Xia Yuanba's feelings for Yun Che were now perfectly clear to him. A person's character should be difficult to change, but Xia Yuanba's demeanor in front of Yun Che was entirely different from the Xia Yuanba he knew, almost as if he were two different people.

"Yun Che, are you interested in the Ancient Profound Ark trip tomorrow?" Gu Cang asked.

Yun Che nodded. "Frankly, junior would very much like to see it... though there might be risks involved."

"Mm." Master Gu Cang slowly nodded. He naturally knew what "risks" Yun Che was referring to. Although Feng Hengkong had publicly promised not to target Yun Che over his phoenix bloodline again, no one would believe that the Phoenix Divine Sect had completely dropped the matter. Master Gu Cang proactively offered, "In that case, why not stay with us in our courtyard tonight?"

Xia Yuanba's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Yes, yes! The Phoenix Divine Sect already arranged a courtyard for us. Brother-in-law, please stay in our courtyard! I have so much to talk to you about!"

Yun Che did not hesitate and immediately nodded. He also had many questions he wanted to ask Xia Yuanba, and by staying in the same courtyard as Master Gu Cang, he wouldn't have to worry at all about being ambushed by the Phoenix Divine Sect during the night. "Then junior respectfully accepts."

"That's great!" Xia Yuanba danced with excitement. "Let's go back now, brother-in-law. I have so many questions for you! Like how you got out of Heavenly Sword Villa, how my sister is doing now, why you became so powerful, and and..."

Just as Yun Che was about to reply, his gaze suddenly caught sight of Ling Jie in the crowd, and the person talking to him. "Seniors, please excuse me for a moment."

Yun Che immediately turned and quickly walked over. "Little Jie!" Yun Che called out as he drew closer.

Ling Jie instantly turned his head, his eyes lighting up. He excitedly rushed forward, his eyes shining brightly. "Boss! Wow, wow, wow! You were absolutely stunning today, incredibly handsome... Uh, by the way, Boss, what are you doing here?"

"That's what I should be asking you. How did you end up here?" Yun Che retorted.

"Hehe," Ling Jie scratched his forehead. "Actually, the day after you left the Imperial Palace, the Cang Wind Emperor publicly announced that you would be representing the Cang Wind Nation here in the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament. As soon as I heard that, I decided to come... And I was right to come! Boss, do you know? You're no longer just a legend in Cang Wind, but a legend across the entire Profound Sky Continent!"

Yun Che was touched that Ling Jie had traveled a hundred thousand miles alone for him, and during the competition, had bravely cheered for him and even questioned the Phoenix Divine Sect despite the risk of being targeted. He reached out and patted Ling Jie's shoulder, then looked at Hua Minghai, his expression turning a bit strange. He wasn't surprised by Hua Minghai's poorly executed disguise, but rather... how did these two end up together!?

"Ahem," Hua Minghai stroked his chin, speaking solemnly, "Boss Yun, I respected you before because you managed to catch me and saved my wife. Now... my admiration for you, Little Smoke Hua, is simply like..."

"You both need to be careful," Yun Che directly interrupted Hua Minghai, his face serious. "You were leading the cheers for me from the stands, so there's a chance the Phoenix Divine Sect might have noticed you. If they cause any trouble, remember to send me a spirit transmission immediately."

"Tch, why would I fear a mere Phoenix Divine Sect?" Hua Minghai said with disdain. In his eyes, the Phoenix Divine Sect were nothing but insignificant nobodies.

Ling Jie patted his chest, unconcerned. "Don't worry, Boss. My maternal grandfather is an official elder of the Heavenly Might Sword Region. If I reveal that identity, they wouldn't dare touch me."

"What? Your grandfather is from the Heavenly Might Sword Region, and an elder?" Hua Minghai's eyes widened, then filled with indignation. "You, a simple-minded, weak little brat, actually have such a powerful backer! This world is so unfair!"

"Your grandfather?" Yun Che's face also showed surprise.

Ling Jie nodded. "My mother chose my father over my grandfather back then, which greatly angered him. A few days ago, my parents, my eldest brother, and I went to the Heavenly Might Sword Region to see him, and my mother's conflict with my grandfather was finally resolved. Uh... my grandfather seems to like me quite a bit. He even said he'd personally teach me the complete Heavenly Might Absolute Sword, hehe."

Yun Che's gaze turned somewhat complex for a moment. He nodded and smiled faintly at Ling Jie. "In that case, I'm somewhat relieved. I need to prepare early for the Profound Ark trip tomorrow, so I'll leave you now. Little Jie, you can stay in Divine Phoenix City for a few more days. After exploring the Ancient Profound Ark, I'll return to Cang Wind with you."

"Okay!" Ling Jie excitedly agreed.

"If possible, please look after Little Jie for me these next few days," Yun Che said to Hua Minghai.

"No problem! Taking care of such a frail little brother will be effortless," Hua Minghai declared confidently. No sooner had he finished speaking than he provoked Ling Jie's protests and disdain.

Yun Che chuckled, turned back to Master Gu Cang, and walked with Master Gu Cang and Xia Yuanba directly towards the guest courtyard in Phoenix City.

Hua Minghai turned his head, all expression vanishing instantly from his face, which became solemn... It seemed he had some conflict with the Heavenly Might Sword Region... No! It must be hatred, the kind that must be avenged! Recalling the momentary change in Yun Che's gaze when Ling Jie mentioned the Heavenly Might Sword Region, Hua Minghai pondered deeply for a long time.