Chapter 101: An Unexpected Visitor

A few days later, news of the great battle within the Great Xia Empire had spread far and wide. After all, the fall of five Nascent Soul realm masters was nothing short of shocking. People once again felt the terrifying power of Chen Mu.

The Dao Alliance, having suffered such a devastating blow, fell completely silent. Nearly all the Nascent Soul realm experts capable of taking action within the Dao Alliance had perished in the campaign against the Star Gazing Valley. The Qingyun Mountain Sect withdrew from the Dao Alliance, and Su Yan Mountain was no longer a member either.

General Li Huai of the Great Xia Empire did not visit the Dao Alliance’s headquarters, the Biluodao Sect. Instead, he returned directly to the empire and relayed the message Chen Mu had entrusted him to deliver to the royal family.

Emperor Xiahou Longchen was filled with both anger and fear. The existence of a single Biluodao Sect had already made him wary; he had thought that the combined forces of various factions would easily annihilate the Star Gazing Valley. Yet, the battle proved far more troublesome than expected.

He understood that the real difficulty was not the Star Gazing Valley, but the young man named Chen Mu. No wonder Biluodao Sect had repeatedly targeted Chen Mu—there must be many secrets tied to him.

He also cursed certain fools within the royal family. Had it not been for their collusion with the Biluodao Sect in agreeing to the campaign against the Star Gazing Valley, the royal family might never have become involved in the feud between Chen Mu and the sect.

Moreover, had the royal family supported Chen Mu against the Biluodao Sect, there might have been a chance to draw Chen Mu to their side.

Now, however, they had been dragged into the conflict by Biluodao Sect. Originally, the royal family had no grudge against the Star Gazing Valley or Chen Mu, but now Chen Mu viewed them as targets for revenge. It was all the fault of Biluodao Sect.

Fortunately, the enmity between the royal family and Chen Mu had not reached a point of no return. Chen Mu had said that as long as all members who conspired with Biluodao Sect in permitting the campaign against the Star Gazing Valley were handed over, peace could be restored.

Those handed over would surely meet only death. Xiahou Longchen was not concerned about their fates but about the fact that this matter had been reported to him and that he had tacitly approved it.

Though this had occurred after the destruction of the Star Gazing Valley, he realized he might have been one of those who silently consented to the sect’s campaign. Did this mean that without counting himself in, the truth of the matter could never be fully known? Should he conceal this entirely? Xiahou Longchen did not believe Chen Mu was unaware of his tacit approval.

His instincts told him not to make an enemy of Chen Mu. Otherwise, the empire might soon no longer bear the Xiahou name. The only chance to resist Biluodao Sect was to ally with Chen Mu.

He sighed heavily and resolved to tell Chen Mu the truth in full. He would show sincerity. If Chen Mu still wished to depose the emperor and enthrone someone else, then fate would decide.

Though his combat strength in the imperial capital reached the pseudo-True Spirit realm, Xiahou Longchen knew Chen Mu’s progress was rapid. Soon he would be able to rival him. Before they became outright enemies, reconciliation was preferable.

He could not allow this land to fall under the rule of outsiders. If Chen Mu overthrew the dynasty, Xiahou Longchen would become a sinner remembered for eternity.

Yet another troubling matter was that the Yellow Sands Empire was beginning to amass forces to invade the Great Xia.

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In the Yellow Sands Empire, Emperor Kou Jue was listening intently to intelligence passed on by agents embedded within the Great Xia Empire. The internal turmoil and the steady demise of elite forces left him astonished. It was said all this was caused by a young man named Chen Mu. This boy was indeed a blessing for the Yellow Sands Empire.

Actually, the name Chen Mu had also appeared in reports about the Mingyue Empire, suggesting it was the same person.

Though the Mingyue Empire was also embroiled in internal strife, its top-tier strength remained intact. An attack there would likely halt the internal conflicts temporarily and unite them against outsiders, making such an assault unwise.

The situation was different with Great Xia. Chen Mu’s actions had led to the fall of no fewer than seven Nascent Soul masters, including those from the Mingyue Dao Sect, the Seven Stars Pavilion, and the later-formed Dao Alliance. Great Xia had suffered a grievous wound.

Nevertheless, Kou Jue had three main concerns. First was the Biluodao Sect that formed the Dao Alliance, rumored to have a genuine True Spirit realm master—his greatest fear. Second was Chen Mu himself, whose name Kou Jue had heard dozens of times.

Initially, he learned of Chen Mu during the Mingyue Empire’s turmoil, when Chen Mu led the Night Shadow Squad to rescue Gongsun Qingyang and others, who were supposed to have died in the imperial capital, and brought them back to the Nine Nether Sacred Land. This minimized the loss of top forces there.

Though Chen Mu’s cultivation was low, he could contend with Nascent Soul masters. This intrigued Kou Jue greatly. If only he could control Chen Mu. However, even the Biluodao Sect with its True Spirit master had failed, so such hopes were unlikely.

Finally, the third concern was Emperor Xiahou Longchen himself—not for his person, but for the bloodline formation array within the imperial capital.

With the support of this bloodline array, Xiahou Longchen’s strength could soar to the pseudo-True Spirit realm, making the capital impregnable.

Still, this did not prevent the Yellow Sands Empire from attacking other territories of Great Xia. As long as Xiahou Longchen remained within the capital, his pseudo-True Spirit realm power posed no threat.

Regarding the Biluodao Sect’s True Spirit master, Kou Jue planned to make contact. Perhaps by offering some benefits, the sect would refrain from intervening. After all, the rise and fall of dynasties would not affect the sect’s development and actual interests. Maintaining good relations might even earn their support.

Thus, Kou Jue ordered the mobilization of forces against the Great Xia Empire.

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A few days after the battle for the Star Gazing Valley, Su Yan Mountain led the entire Qingyun Mountain Sect to surrender to the Star Gazing Valley.

He brought all their treasures and scriptures to prevent opportunists from taking advantage as the sect relocated.

The disciples of Qingyun Mountain wore complex expressions. They felt ashamed before Chen Feng, one of their strongest disciples and beloved by many. Naturally, they had close bonds with him.

Yet, because of this, their sect leader had handed Chen Feng over to Biluodao Sect for imprisonment. How could they accept this? When meeting Chen Feng again, they felt no face to show.

Upon arriving at the Star Gazing Valley, Chen Feng immediately went to visit his former comrades. He did not blame them and treated them as old friends, which made them feel both guilty and comforted.

Seeing Chen Feng’s cultivation fall to the Yuan Mai realm stirred sorrow in his former brothers.

Chen Mu did not disturb their reunion, knowing they had much to say, so he quietly left to enter seclusion and cultivate.

Soon, the Qingyun Mountain disciples joined the efforts to rebuild the Star Gazing Valley, which was recovering visibly day by day.

At this time, two visitors arrived at the valley. One was naturally Xiahou Longchen, who came with utmost sincerity, hoping to mend fences with Chen Mu.

The emperor’s personal presence was the greatest sign of goodwill. Since stepping outside the capital, Xiahou Longchen was only a Nascent Soul realm master. There were those in the Star Gazing Valley who could kill him, meaning he had staked his life on this meeting.

Unknown to Xiahou Longchen, he was not the only visitor. Another unexpected figure had also arrived.

This man had a connection to Xiahou Longchen—he was the true identity of Xiahou Shangqi, known as Xue Tian, the one responsible for indiscriminate massacres across Great Xia in recent times.

When Xiahou Longchen met Xue Tian, both were surprised. Xiahou Longchen narrowed his eyes cautiously. He recognized the face as one sharing the Xiahou bloodline, a junior of his. Yet this person was no longer the one he knew, for he was now the demon Xue Tian.

Xue Tian’s memories from possession revealed Xiahou Longchen’s identity, and he grinned widely at him. Though their strengths were comparable, it was clear Xue Tian held no regard for Xiahou Longchen.

Neither made a move; from a distance, they informed each other that they both intended to see Chen Mu.

The disciple who received these two was startled upon learning their identities and hurriedly notified Chen Mu.

Chen Mu was surprised to hear both had come simultaneously. He had thought Xiahou Longchen would send envoys rather than come in person. Xue Tian’s arrival was entirely unexpected.

When Chen Mu appeared, Xue Tian grinned and said, “Chen Mu, boy, we meet again.”

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow, mocking, “Xue Tian? Could it be you’re here to possess me again?”

“You’re joking,” Xue Tian replied lightly. “My body is still holding up; I’ve cultivated to the peak of the Yuan Ji realm. I’m too lazy to possess anyone else now.” He was unfazed by Chen Mu’s taunt, having sworn off targeting him. He recognized the mockery in Chen Mu’s words but was indifferent.

Chen Mu knew Xue Tian was not here to cause trouble, but he could not fathom why he came. He turned to Xiahou Longchen and said, “You must be the current ruler of the Great Xia, Emperor Xiahou Longchen.”

“I am indeed Xiahou Longchen,” the emperor replied humbly. “I came to discuss the previous royal decision regarding the Star Gazing Valley. I deeply apologize and ask for your forgiveness, Chen Mu. I have agreed to your demands.”

Xiahou Longchen’s humility left Chen Mu with a new respect. An emperor was indeed a person who could bend and endure, knowing when to restrain himself upon realizing his opponent’s strength.