Chapter 1040: Three Clans of the Southern Region
Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
The gaze which Rong Xiao used to look at Qin Wentian changed. He didn't expect Qin Wentian to be so famous, and to be strong enough to obtain the position of the top ranker in the City of Ancient Emperors.
As for Mo Xie and the son of the Violet Emperor, Zi Daoyang, they had never come into contact with these people before and hence, weren't very sure of their strength. But since they were descendants of immortal emperors, they wouldn't be weak. It was unclear their exact difference in strength when compared to the heaven's chosen from the major powers here in the Southern Region.
"He isn't someone from Southern Phoenix City, right?" Several people in the crowd started to ask around.
"Qin Wentian came from the Thirteen Prefectures of Eastern Sage, and is a member of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect headed by the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord," announced Nanfeng Yunxi, informing everyone of Qin Wentian's identity. That way, when they spoke to him or about him, their words would be more respectful. Many of these people were either from major powers of the Southern Region or were the descendants of immortal emperors. They were all extremely proud individuals.
"So this is the case—he is a heaven's chosen from the Eastern Region. It's not a bad thing for us to meet him here. Perhaps, if there's an opportunity, we could exchange blows and learn from each other." Someone's eyes flickered with battle intent.
"He may be the #1 ranker of the City of Ancient Emperors, but he's part of the same generation as holy maiden Yunxi, and he's just established his immortal foundation. His cultivation level is still not enough." A young man clad in special armor-like clothing said quietly, his tone containing an unexcelled loftiness. He exuded an aura that everyone sensed was extraordinary and powerful, and his deep eyes gave the impression that he was someone without comparison.
This man stood beside a supreme beauty, one of the most popular among the thirty-six holy maidens, Nanfeng Qingruo. He was a heaven's chosen that she invited. This young man's status appeared illustrious even when in the company of so many geniuses. He was from an ancient great clan of the immortal realms, a descendant of the Jiang Clan, and a peak-level genius among the younger generations.
The Jiang Clan was the same as the Southern Phoenix Clan; both were ancient great clans from the days of old,. They had been established in the immortal realms for countless eras, with immeasurably deep foundations. It had not been easy for Nanfeng Qingruo to invite a descendant from the Jiang Clan here to help her.
Even more rare was that this young man from the Jiang Clan was none other than Jiang Ziyu. He was extremely famous among the younger generations of the Jiang Clan. Many years ago, he was also the top ranker of the Immortal Ascension Rankings. His cultivation was now at the second level of immortal foundation, and he was endowed with overwhelming combat prowess.
In the Southern Region of the immortal realms, three ancient clans held the status of hegemony. There might be other immortal-emperor-ranked powers here, but none of their foundations could compete with these three.
The three ancient great clans were the Southern Phoenix Clan of Southern Phoenix City, Jiang Clan from the Ancient Sky Metropolis, and Ying Clan from Royal Emperor City.
Among the three powers, the Southern Phoenix Clan disliked conflict, hence Southern Phoenix City was extremely safe. The Jiang Clan was mysterious and kept the lowest profile, and they had the fewest numbers among the three great powers. The Ying Clan of the Royal Emperor City had the greatest ambition. They established the Ying Immortal Empire and their territory was boundless, spanning across much of the land of the Southern Region. In the immortal empire, those with the surname Ying were kings. They ruled openly and with great influence, not needing other major powers to submit to them unlike the Southern Phoenix Clan and the Jiang Clan.
Qin Wentian glanced at Jiang Ziyu. He could feel a surging and exceedingly vast might emanating from this person. After which, he heard Nanfeng Yunxi transmitting her voice to him, "Of the three ancient great clans of the Southern Region, he is Jiang Ziyu from the Jiang Clan. Many years ago, he was also the top ranker in the City of Ancient Emperors."
Qin Wentian glanced at Nanfeng Yunxi. Seems like Nanfeng Yunxi attached a great amount of importance to this person, otherwise she wouldn't have intentionally transmitted her voice.
"The immortal banquet is ready. Everyone, please help yourself." At this moment, a voice drifted over. When everyone's eyes turned over, a grand feast had already been prepared. They nodded their heads and found their seats, enjoying the available food and wine. Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, Purgatory, and Nanfeng Yunxi all sat together. The other holy maidens also sat next to the friends they invited.
The banquet was truly sumptuous, and even the food exuded an immortal-like quality. Jun Mengchen stared with curiosity at a sparkling fruit before swallowing it whole. An instant later, a fearsome heat arose and circulated around his body—the fruit's immortal energy seeped deeply into his bones and cleansed his body.
"Good stuff." Jun Mengcheng laughed. "Senior Brother, it seems like our food fortune here is truly great. This immortal banquet of the Southern Phoenix Clan isn't simple at all."
"Yunxi, do you want to sit at the host's seat? You're the main guest of honor for today's immortal banquet," asked a beautiful middle-aged lady from the Southern Phoenix Clan, glancing at Nanfeng Yunxi.
"It's fine. It makes no difference if I sit here." Nanfeng Yunxi shook her head.
"Okay then, you should have a good chat with your friends," the beautiful middle-aged lady said calmly. There were several elders from the Southern Phoenix Clan beside her.
"All of you are guests of the same generation. As for those of us from the elder generation, we won't be saying much. Just enjoy the banquet to the fullest and interact with each other. There's no need to stand on ceremony. The juniors of our Southern Phoenix Clan might still need your help in the future." The beautiful middle-aged lady smiled, lifting her wine cup in a toast to everyone. "I shall drink up first. Everyone, remember this: just enjoy yourself today."
"Senior is too polite." Everyone lifted their wine cups in response, drained them, and then started chatting. It was exceptionally lively.
"You should have already guessed that I didn't invite you just to celebrate my breakthrough into the immortal foundation, right?" Nanfeng Yunxi said to Qin Wentian who was beside her. Qin Wentian nodded his head.
"Then, do you know the actual reason I invited you here?" Nanfeng Yunxi continued.
"I can guess a little, but I don't know the full details," Qin Wentian replied.
"I invited you here because I need your help," Nanfeng Yunxi said directly. "There are many holy maidens, but every hundred years, only one Holy Successor is born. The holy maidens need to undergo many trials, and enter the inheritance ancestral lands of my Southern Phoenix Clan. Only the ancestral lands can determine the next Holy Successor."
"Inheritance Ancestral Lands?" Qin Wentian's eyes flickered. Nanfeng Yunxi was actually telling him of such a secret.
"Right. The holy maidens need the escort and protection of any helpers they choose while in the ancestral lands. Only nine among thirty-six holy maidens will be qualified to take part in further trials. I invited you over because I wished for you to help me. I want to secure the identity of the Holy Successor." Nanfeng Yunxi didn't beat around the bush and directly spoke her intentions.
After speaking, her beautiful eyes focused on Qin Wentian.
"Okay, I will do my best to help you." Qin Wentian nodded—there was no need for him to beat around the bush either.
"Thank you. However, our opponents are not simple. All of them are very powerful." Nanfeng Yunxi smiled. Since she invited Qin Wentian over, she naturally understood Qin Wentian's character. If he came here, he would definitely help her. This was a fellow who valued friendship.
"Understood. Are you not afraid that my cultivation level will be too low since I've also just established my immortal foundation? From what I see, the highest here are all fourth-level immortals. Are there no restrictions to the cultivation level of those invited to help out?" Qin Wentian asked curiously.
"One's cultivation level cannot count for everything. You will understand." Nanfeng Yunxi smiled. "For the first trial, I believe we'll be able to succeed and enter the ancestral land. To you, this can also be considered a tempering exercise. But after we enter the ancestral land, we'll only face stiffer competition."
"Mhm." Qin Wentian nodded. "I still have a question. Why did you choose outsiders for help instead of asking the people in your clan?"
"It's quite simple. After entering the ancestral land, there's a period of time where the holy maidens will be in a completely helpless state once they obtain the inheritance. It's too dangerous to enter together with other people from the Southern Phoenix Clan. Forget protecting the holy maidens, they wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of obtaining the inheritance for themselves," Nanfeng Yunxi slowly explained. She then smiled when she saw Qin Wentian deep in contemplation. "However, you don't need to think too much. Only those with the southern phoenix bloodline can obtain the inheritance."
"It might be tempting to obtain the ancestral inheritance, but would those people even dare to ignore the customs of the Southern Phoenix Clan?" Qin Wentian's eyes flickered.
"It's been a proven point since many years ago. Betrayal has occurred many times before in the past, and eventually, the upper echelons decided not to use our own people to protect the holy maidens when entering the ancestral lands. The ancestral land has an overwhelming attraction to the descendants of our clan. The temptation isn't something that can be easily ignored," Nanfeng Yunxi replied. The two of them chatted openly. It was the same with the others as well. Since the holy maidens had invited people to help them, they naturally had to explain the situation clearly. And it wasn't really considered a great secret.
Many people were here because they'd also wanted to take a look at the ancestral land of the Southern Phoenix Clan to broaden their horizons.
"Every heaven's chosen should now understand what is going on. The choosing of the next successor is a great event. We will need to trouble everyone then," the middle-aged woman announced. They opened the ancestral land once every hundred years to select a Holy Successor. To the Southern Phoenix Clan, this was a great occasion.
"I'm very honored to be able to protect the Holy Successor of this generation!" A voice filled with raw arrogance rang out through the air. It was spoken by none other than the golden condor, Zong Zhan. He was extremely self-confident, and with Nanfeng Aoxue's strength, he believed that both of them would be able to sweep through the trials with ease.
"Arrogant," Jiang Ziyu said coldly. After which, he turned to Nanfeng Qingruo beside him and he said in a low voice, "Qingruo. The position of Holy Successor will be yours for sure."
"Shengge, I won't disappoint you." The protectors of Nanfeng Shengge also stated, assured in their strength.
"All the heaven's chosen exude such grandeur and have magnificent aspirations. I wish all of you good luck." The middle-aged woman laughed. She liked to see the holy maidens engaged in competition. Only with competition would one grow stronger and stronger, becoming true experts. Those outstanding individuals were all born in this manner!