Chapter 1215: Reality
Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
For the Southern Phoenix Clan, Nanfeng Guhong led the holy maidens back to their base located in the Southern Regions.
Numerous majestic-looking buildings could be seen and currently, many experts had gathered there. These experts were all elders of the holy maidens as well as those from the Southern Phoenix Clan.
At this moment, layers of light could be seen in the sky, forming a few images of phoenixes in the air. Droplets of nirvanic blood were discernible within the images. Other than that, that holy maiden whose cultivation base was crippled was also standing there. This time around, the Southern Phoenix Clan had truly suffered heavy losses.
"The casualties that happened during this expedition were actually caused by Yunxi. And because of Qin Wentian's interference, the number of casualties had worsened eventually leading to a war between the juniors of the peak powers. The Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire and the White Tiger Race were the main adversaries, and they have also suffered heavy losses on their side. Does anyone have any thoughts to share?" Nanfeng Guhong spoke to the other elders. She was an immortal emperor and a dao protector of the Southern Phoenix Matriarch, and so had a very high status within the clan.
"It's fine if the casualties occured on the battleground, but those white tigers are truly too disgusting. Sadly, your cultivations are still insufficient, otherwise you juniors could have captured all the white tigers there and roasted them into food, taking revenge for our people." An elder wore an icy expression on her face, causing the juniors of the Southern Phoenix Clan to lower their heads.
"Well said. This is, after all, a conflict that occured in the sacred academy. We might have some casualties but those who survived have also enjoyed a portion of white tiger meat. There's no reason for the two parties to go to war in the external world," another elder chimed in. It wouldn't be to their benefit if the Southern Phoenix Clan were to declare war on the White Tiger Race, but they also knew that it was impossible for the White Tiger Race to declare war on them. The implications of such a decision would truly be too vast to consider.
"Mhm." The elder who spoke earlier nodded her head lightly. "In the future when you all roam the immortal realms, remember to kill more white tigers. There's no need to be polite. However, it's really a pity for those lasses who were forced to ignite their nirvanic blood. I wonder if they'll be able to climb back to their current heights."
"Elders, Yunxi has something to report." Nanfeng Yunxi bowed low as she spoke to everyone.
"Yunxi, continue." Nanfeng Guhong glanced at her.
"I acquainted myself with Qin Wentian in the City of Ancient Emperors. In there, Qin Wentian obtained a secret art that allows one to cultivate a perfect immortal-foundation…"
"Wait." Even before Nanfeng Yunxi had finished her sentence, Nanfeng Guhong interrupted her. She turned to look at everyone as the expression in her eyes grew heavier. "Everyone here belongs to the most direct line of descent. No one is to spread any information with regards to what Yunxi is about to tell us."
"Yes." Everyone nodded their heads. They could sense the great import behind Nanfeng Yunxi's words. The way to cultivate a perfect immortal-foundation. No wonder Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, Nanfeng Yunxi, and their group of people all possessed a saint-grade immortal-foundation.
Many people had long speculated about this matter. Now that Nanfeng Yunxi was taking the initiative to tell them, they naturally understood what she was about to say.
"This secret art was obtained by Qin Wentian. Although Yunxi has cultivated it, but without his permission, it isn't appropriate for me to circulate it to our clan," Nanfeng Yunxi continued, her words causing quite a few people to frown unhappily. Such a precious secret art, Nanfeng Yunxi should have handed it over to the clan the instant she received it. Her actions of withholding it were somewhat outrageous.
"But during our time in the sacred academy, Qin Wentian fought together with our Southern Phoenix Clan and he told me that it's fine for me to circulate the secret art to our clan," Nanfeng Yunxi concluded.
"Yunxi, well done!" All the experts had smiles on their faces. With this secret art, the latter generations of the Southern Phoenix Clan would soon enter into a booming golden era.
All of them were powerful experts, so they naturally understood the value of this secret art that could enable one to cultivate a saint-grade immortal-foundation.
"But Yunxi has a request." Nanfeng Yunxi bowed as she spoke.
"What's your request?"
"Qin Wentian was the one to obtain this secret art, and in the past when I fought side by side with him, he allowed me to cultivate it without attaching any other conditions. Yunxi has already received his kindness once, and he still didn't mind coming all this way to help me acquire the position of the holy successor, enabling me to meet with our ancestral phoenix. If not, Yunxi wouldn't have been able to earn the achievements I have today. This secret art can allow one to establish a legendary saint-grade immortal-foundation and yet, Qin Wentian has made no requests from our clan and has generously passed on this art to us with no strings attached. I hope that the elders will take note of this point. And in addition, as mentioned by some elders, the Nine-Emperors Immortal Empire might not act against our Southern Phoenix Clan but they will surely try to deal with the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, moving against Qin Wentian. I really hope that our clan can stand behind him and protect him from this danger."
"Yunxi." An elder stared at Nanfeng Yunxi as she said, "You are the holy successor of this generation. No matter what you do, your actions must keep in mind the best interests of our clan. For emotions between the opposite sex, you should place them aside."
"Yunxi understands." Nanfeng Yunxi bowed as she nodded. Although she was the holy successor with an unrivaled position, this matter might eventually escalate to an immortal emperor-level war. To start an emperor-ranked war for the sake of an immortal-foundation junior was clearly something that wouldn't benefit their clan, and it was even more objectionable if it was done for the sake of an outsider.
"Yunxi's words are actually for the benefit of our clan. In the sacred academy, Qin Wentian's improvements can be considered the greatest, and he was even able to fight equally with the supreme genius Huang Shatian who is at the peak of immortal-foundation. If an ancient emperor character were to truly be born, there's a high chance it would be Qin Wentian. If our Southern Phoenix Clan can provide aid to a future ancient emperor while he is still young, wouldn't that debt of gratitude reinforce our clan for all eternity?"
"Since Qin Wentian was willing to share such a valuable secret art, our Southern Phoenix Clan should naturally display our gratitude. However, it's just as you said. He might have the potential to become an ancient emperor, but do you know how many supreme geniuses and terrifying enemies he would have to overthrow if he truly wishes to stand at the peak of the immortal realms? Our Southern Phoenix Clan can aid him, but we must balance the gains against the losses we would incur. If not, our entire clan might not survive to see the day he becomes an ancient emperor."
Nanfeng Guhong reasoned as everyone nodded in agreement.
The rise of an ancient emperor was most assuredly built upon the corpses of countless people. It was unknown how many fearsome enemies Qin Wentian would have to face. And in addition, despite his outstanding talent, becoming an ancient emperor was just a very tiny probability.
The immortal realms weren't as peaceful as it seemed to be on the surface.
Nanfeng Guhong didn't mind helping Qin Wentian, and she has also helped him before. But if this affected the future and fate of their Southern Phoenix Clan, she would instantly withdraw from the conflict.
"Yunxi understands. I will hand over the secret art, but I only hope that all the elders will remember his generosity. In any case, only those with a supreme physique can cultivate in this art. If not, their bodies will shatter and they will face true death," Nanfeng Yunxi advised. "Also, Qin Wentian wants me to pass on a message to everyone."
"His message is, 'My fate with the Southern Phoenix Clan is extremely deep, I hope we will continue to maintain this friendship. This time, I will pass on the secret art and pray that the injured holy maidens, who turned into nirvanic flames, will be able to use this art to return to their peak. I, Qin, will definitely bestow the Southern Phoenix Clan with an even more valuable gift in the future if we can maintain our friendship.'"
As the sound of her voice faded, silence reigned within the surroundings. Nanfeng Guhong's eyes gleamed sharply for a moment before a radiant smile appeared in her eyes. She stared at Nanfeng Yunxi and replied, "Your friend is becoming more and more intelligent."
Nanfeng Yunxi was speechless. She had discussed this with Qin Wentian while they were in the academy. In fact, he had already anticipated today's outcome. She initially thought that they were both allies but in reality, what qualifications did an immortal-foundation character have to form an alliance with such an ancient clan like hers?
Qin Wentian would naturally choose to present the secret art; it was completely worthwhile to use such a valuable art in exchange for the friendship of an ancient powerful clan. He understood that an alliance without mutual benefits would lack the strong bonds needed to sustain it.
There wasn't much left to be said about Qin Wentian's relationship with Nanfeng Yunxi and the other holy maidens of this generations. However, the elders of the clan were the ones who held the power to decide. They wouldn't care about the friendship between the junior generations.
...
During these days, Qin Wentian aided his friends to nurture and improve their constitution, imparting some suitable immortal arts to them. He had no idea what exactly happened in the Southern Phoenix Clan, but he did have some speculations.
He hadn't intended for Nanfeng Yunxi to say those words. At that time, he'd merely told her that she can circulate the secret art to her clan. Nanfeng Yunxi's heart was filled with gratitude and told him that even if he left the academy, the Southern Phoenix Clan would definitely protect his safety. At that time, he had casually laughed it off and continued chatting with her. He knew that the holy maidens were under the protection of their ancient clan, and so they wouldn't be implicated, but there would be many peak powers from the Eastern Regions that would try to deal with him and Qing`er. They also discussed the possibility that the White Tiger Race might meddle as well.
Nanfeng Yunxi believed that their enemies would never give up the chance to deal with him, and she assured Qin Wentian that she would do her best to convince her clan to protect him. Qin Wentian gave a carefree laugh and told her that reality might not match with her expectations, and either way, it didn't matter. When Nanfeng Yunxi heard this sentence, she actually felt some unhappiness as she didn't believe that her clan would reject sending aid to Qin Wentian.
But eventually, it seemed that Qin Wentian was right. Nanfeng Yunxi's view of the world had stared to shift and maybe, this was a part of her growth. She was slowly maturing.
At this moment in the airspace of the Cloud Prefecture, a group of experts could be seen soaring through the sky. Little Rascal transformed into a Great Roc and his speed easily outstripped that of ordinary immortal weapons.
"Why did they set the location of Senior Lin's marriage at his bride-to-be's clan?" Qin Wentian sat on Little Rascal's back with Mo Qingcheng, Ye Lingshuang, Qin Yao, and the rest who'd accompanied him. They were all preparing to send their blessings and congratulations to Lin Shuai.
"Little Yi is the daughter of the Chen Clan, and although the Chen Clan couldn't be compared to the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, it is still considered a first-grade clan in the Cloud Prefecture that has produced many immortal-foundation experts. There's even a rumor that they have a single immortal king within their clan. But in comparison to that, our Battle Sword Sect only has ascendants… In any case, it was impossible for Senior Brother Lin to be thick-skinned enough to treat the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect as his wedding location. In fact, we are not even considered members of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, and hence, Senior Brother Lin Shuai didn't mention any of this to the Chen Clan."
"Lingshuang's words are correct. Wentian, given the level of strength that our Battle Sword Sect possesses, we truly have no choice but to concede to the Chen Clan, even if it means that Senior Brother Lin Shuai loses face." The old ancestor of the Battle Sword Sect sighed.
Qin Wentian smiled bitterly. In truth, if Senior Brother Lin Shuai had even consulted him on this matter, he would have simply said a few words and settled everything for him. But he also understood that his senior brother had his own pride and dignity. How would people view him if he went around telling the Chen Clan that his junior apprentice brother is a heaven's chosen of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect?
A junior apprentice brother was simply a junior apprentice brother. In addition, he himself wasn't a member from the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, and his parents and clan elders weren't attending as well.
"Things can only work out if my fellow apprentice siblings in the Battle Sword Sect grow stronger..." Qin Wentian sighed silently. He himself might be very carefree in the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect but as for his other comrades, they lacked a feeling of attachment towards it.
And precisely because of this reason, even the marriage of his senior apprentice brother Lin Shuai, had been set in the bride's clan. Although Lin Shuai might not mind it with his carefree personality, it wouldn't be strange if some people in the Chen Clan were to look down on him!