Chapter 852: Haotian City Issues an Order

The ranking of sects and families, regardless of size, throughout the Nine Provinces is determined by the Heavenly Dao and cannot be influenced by human intervention.

This is why, upon learning that the Crimson Blood Sect had gained Lu Ye, the major sects of the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge dispatched disciples to hunt him down in the Spirit Stream Battlefield. They knew that if Lu Ye were killed, the Crimson Blood Sect would be completely removed from the upcoming sect rankings.

The Ten Thousand Demon Ridge greatly feared this old enemy, who had caused immense losses decades ago, even leading to several first-rank sects falling in prestige.

Unfortunately, their efforts ultimately failed. Lu Ye gained renown through a single battle atop Golden Light Peak in the Spirit Stream Battlefield, and the Crimson Blood Sect was preserved.

The evaluation of sect rankings involves many strict criteria. For instance, a top-tier sect must have a grand cultivator of the Divine Sea Realm presiding over it. Mid-tier sects must have a True Lake Realm cultivator in residence. As for lower-tier sects, they need a certain number of Cloud River Realm cultivators.

However, merely having a Divine Sea Realm cultivator does not automatically qualify a sect as top-tier; the Heavenly Dao has its own set of evaluation standards. Take the Crimson Blood Sect, for example. Although its Sect Master was in the Divine Sea Realm, it was only ranked ninth-tier because it only had two disciples: Lu Ye and Shui Yuan. Even now, the Crimson Blood Sect has not advanced to a mid-tier ranking because its overall strength does not meet the required standard.

Lu Ye's earlier statement to the two rogue cultivators, suggesting that the Ziwei Dao Palace should be ranked sixth-tier, was clearly inaccurate.

"Therefore, you need to advance to the True Lake Realm before establishing your sect!" Lu Ye said. "Sect rankings are assessed every three years, with only one exception: when a new sect is founded."

Pang Huanyin understood. "I see."

"If only you advance to the True Lake Realm, it might not be enough. But if five cultivators in your Dao Palace can reach the True Lake Realm, you will certainly achieve a sixth-tier ranking!"

"What are the benefits of a higher ranking?" Pang Huanyin asked.

"The greatest benefit concerns your Dao Palace's choice of sect stronghold in the Spirit Stream Battlefield."

Lu Ye then meticulously explained the situation regarding the Spirit Stream Battlefield to her.

Pang Huanyin immediately understood the implications.

The Spirit Stream Realm is the initial and most foundational cultivation stage for cultivators. Disciples in this realm undoubtedly benefit greatly from being in an environment rich in spiritual energy. If the Ziwei Dao Palace wishes to endure long-term in the Nine Provinces, its stronghold in the Spirit Stream Battlefield must be secure.

As the strongest human cultivator on the Peerless Continent, Pang Huanyin was blessed by the essence of the Peerless Continent. Her talent was exceptional, and she had already cultivated to the peak of the Cloud River Realm. However, she was limited by her world and unable to reach the threshold of the True Lake Realm. Upon arriving in the Nine Provinces, things changed. She could already sense her long-standing bottleneck loosening, so she was confident in advancing to the True Lake Realm within a short period.

As for the five people Lu Ye mentioned, the Dao Palace didn't have many cultivators at the ninth level of the Cloud River Realm, but there were still enough. Gathering five of them and helping them advance to the True Lake Realm shouldn't be an issue. A sixth-tier ranking was essentially guaranteed.

Furthermore, establishing a sect was not a simple matter. Even if Pang Huanyin chose a territory for the Dao Palace now, the Dao Palace would still need to send personnel to build the foundation of their sect. Even with the cultivators' high efficiency, these tasks would still take one or two months to complete. Therefore, the earliest the Dao Palace could be established in the Nine Provinces would be in one or two months. This period would be sufficient for Pang Huanyin and the other cultivators to advance to the True Lake Realm.

The two continued their conversation as they flew. A little over half a day later, they landed on a spiritual peak. Pang Huanyin said, "This place will do. We'll center it here and take the thirty peaks nearby." With tens of thousands of Dao Palace cultivators, thirty peaks would be more than enough. Moreover, all the cultivators from the Dao Palace were in the Spirit Stream Realm or Cloud River Realm. Once they settled in the Nine Provinces, most would enter the Spirit Stream Battlefield and Cloud River Battlefield.

"I'll also need to trouble you, Senior Brother, to report to Sect Master Tang and seek his approval."

Lu Ye nodded. "Let's head back."

However, this matter was likely to go smoothly. Since the Sect Master had allowed Pang Huanyin to choose freely, he would likely agree to her requests as long as they weren't excessive. After all, many spiritual peaks in Aoshan were currently unoccupied.

Leading Pang Huanyin back to Shou Zheng Peak, Lu Ye found neither the Sect Master nor his Second Senior Sister.

"Senior Brother, I need to return to the Peerless Continent first to inform the Dao Palace cultivators about this situation and prepare them. Additionally, I'll select several individuals to bring here so they can advance to the True Lake Realm beforehand. I'll need your help with that then."

"No problem," Lu Ye nodded.

Pang Huanyin could now freely travel between the Nine Provinces and the Peerless Continent using the Crimson Blood Sect's Heavenly Dao Pillar. However, if they wanted to advance to the True Lake Realm, they would need some spiritual elixirs. This matter could be discussed with his Second Senior Sister, who, being in the Divine Sea Realm, would find it effortless to help cultivators transition from the Cloud River Realm to the True Lake Realm.

After a moment's thought, Lu Ye decided not to look for his Second Senior Sister. Instead, he headed towards Ming Xin Peak. He had already considered himself a disciple of Madam Yun, though a formal apprenticeship ceremony was still pending. Now that he had returned, it was only natural for him to pay his respects. Unfortunately, he didn't find his Master this time, only her avatar, Xiaodie. It was from Xiaodie that Lu Ye learned his Master had been working with the Sect Master recently to repair the Dragon Throne and hadn't appeared in a long time. As for the progress of the repairs, Xiaodie was unaware. Although she was an avatar of his Master, she couldn't discern her Master's thoughts unless the main body shared its knowledge. Lu Ye elaborated on Pang Huanyin's situation and asked Xiaodie to inform the Sect Master when she saw him, to which Xiaodie readily agreed.

Leaving Ming Xin Peak, Lu Ye returned to his own Cui Zhu Peak, where he finally found his Second Senior Sister. It turned out his Second Senior Sister was hidden away, teaching Hua Ci about medical cultivation, so Lu Ye didn't disturb them.

He had originally intended to cultivate to the peak of the Cloud River Realm in the Cloud River Battlefield, reconfigure the formations in his spiritual land, and then advance to the True Lake Realm before leaving the battlefield. However, man proposes, God disposes. The migration of the Peerless Continent caused all cultivators to be expelled from the Cloud River Battlefield. While he could certainly wait for the Cloud River Battlefield to reopen, no one knew when that day would come. On second thought, he had already laid a solid foundation in his spiritual land. Once the sect disciples entered it, with the wolf pack guarding them, he wouldn't need to worry as much. It was more important to advance to the True Lake Realm quickly. For cultivators, cultivation level was ultimately paramount. He still had plenty of golden spiritual tokens, enough for him to advance to the True Lake Realm.

With this thought, Lu Ye made his decision.

However, just as he was about to use the golden spiritual tokens for cultivation, a booming voice suddenly echoed from Shou Zheng Peak: "Where are the cultivators of the Crimson Blood Sect?" The voice, amplified by spiritual power, spread throughout the surroundings, clearly audible within a hundred-mile radius.

Lu Ye, who had just sat down and prepared for cultivation, raised an eyebrow. It had been several years since he joined the Crimson Blood Sect, and while he hadn't spent a particularly long time there, he had almost never encountered people from other sects visiting. The only exception was when the Dean of the Three Saints Institute came to confront the Sect Master about abducting his disciple, which resulted in a fight between them. Lu Ye couldn't help but feel suspicious. Who would dare to come to the Crimson Blood Sect and make such a commotion?

The Sect Master was currently at Ming Xin Peak assisting his Master in repairing the Dragon Throne and clearly wouldn't be appearing anytime soon. With a thought, Lu Ye quickly stood up and pushed open his door, just in time to see Shui Yuan soaring into the sky, heading towards Shou Zheng Peak. Hua Ci, who appeared with her, also gazed in that direction, her expression as perplexed as Lu Ye's. On the other side, Ju Jia, who was cultivating, was also disturbed and emerged. Although the three didn't know what was happening, they all propelled themselves forward, closely following Shui Yuan.

Moments later, they arrived at Shou Zheng Peak one after another, where they saw a young man in silver armor waiting. Seeing the young man's attire, Shui Yuan's brows involuntarily furrowed, and the aura of a Divine Sea Realm grand cultivator subtly emanated from her. The newcomer was clearly not a Divine Sea Realm cultivator, merely in the True Lake Realm. Feeling the pressure from Shui Yuan, his expression became solemn, and he cupped his fist in salute, "Greetings, Senior Sister Shui Yuan."

Shui Yuan nodded slightly, her expression grave. "What is it?"

The young man flipped his hand, revealing a bronze token in his palm. He held it high, his voice resonant and clear: "I am Zhao Che from the Edict Office of Haotian City, dispatched here on orders. Crimson Blood Sect, receive the decree!"

Although Shui Yuan was somewhat reluctant, facing the bronze token, she had no choice but to retract her Divine Sea Realm pressure, cup her fist, and listen respectfully. Zhao Che declared loudly, "The Council of Elders has decreed that the Crimson Blood Sect must dispatch at least one disciple—more if desired, but no fewer—to Haotian City within three days to await deployment. This matter must not be delayed. Those who defy this order will be executed without mercy!"

Shui Yuan sighed inwardly, knowing that what was inevitable had finally arrived. With both hands, she accepted the decree, saying, "Shui Yuan of the Crimson Blood Sect, I receive the order."

Zhao Che placed the bronze token in Shui Yuan's hand and saluted again. "Senior Sister, please don't take offense; I am merely acting on orders." As he spoke, he glanced behind Shui Yuan, his gaze lingering on Lu Ye for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Vice Alliance Master Pang has done her best, but we couldn't delay it any longer. We originally hoped for more time, but unexpected changes occurred in the Cloud River Battlefield. Now, with major passes on the brink of conflict, this matter had to be brought forward. As for who to send, Senior Sister, please discuss it thoroughly with Sect Master Tang. However, they must arrive at Haotian City within three days." His earlier stern demeanor was due to his representation of the Haotian Alliance, but his quiet warning now came from his personal stance.

"I understand." "Farewell!" Zhao Che clasped his fist, then soared into the sky, truly arriving and departing in haste.

Shui Yuan stood rooted to the spot, clutching the bronze token, silent for a long while. Lu Ye and the others were somewhat bewildered, but judging by Shui Yuan's demeanor, they knew something she didn't want to happen had occurred. After a good while, Shui Yuan finally sighed, turned to look at Lu Ye, then at Hua Ci and Ju Jia, and said, "There are some things I need to tell you all."