A saffron-yellow map was spread across the polished glazed tiles, occupying nearly half of the Cosmos Palace.
The last time this map had been retrieved and displayed was during the millennium celebration of the Huawel Sect's founding.
Back then, it had radiated glorious brilliance, but now the mountains, rivers, and lakes remained unchanged, shrouded in a pall of gloomy clouds.
The Huawel Sect dominated the Western Sky Continent, with deep roots and abundant resources. Over a thousand cities, hundreds of minor kingdoms, and more than a dozen overseas islands vied to pledge allegiance.
The Immortal Officials dispatched by the sect held greater prestige than city lords or monarchs in their territories. Golden Statues of various Peak Lords and elders were enshrined in temples across the lands.
It was precisely because of the countless mortal offerings that the Huawel Sect's leadership could sit securely in the Cosmos Palace, absorbing luck from all directions.
The Huawel Sect operated this way, as did all major sects and great families across the world.
Cutting away any small corner of their territory felt like carving out their own flesh.
Xu Yun pointed distantly at a certain location, and in response to his gesture, a winding border line on the map lit up with white light:
"Yanshan County has beautiful mountains and waters, but its remote location means it won't affect the overall situation..."
Before he could finish, the Peak Lord of Chongwen immediately bowed: "I beg the Sect Leader to show mercy! Yanshan County is a treasured land of my peak! Our territory is already limited—we absolutely cannot lose Yanshan County."
Xu Yun successively pointed out three counties, yet the disputes within the hall remained unresolved.
Amid the crowd, an elder interjected, directing accusations toward a specific area:
"Today's disaster ultimately stems from the Zhao Family's actions. They should cede one of Peak Lord Zhao's counties!"
Zhao Taiji had a violent temper and cultivation level second only to Xu Yun. Usually, no one dared to provoke him.
Hearing this, Xu Yun gathered a sword aura within his sleeve, preparing to restrain Zhao Taiji's furious draw of his sword.
Yet, contrary to expectations, Zhao Taiji only responded with a sinister, cold laugh.
In the tense and silent atmosphere, a Daoist page entered the hall, bowed, and reported: "At the entrance of Song Courtyard, the outcome has been decided!"
Xu Yun nearly blurted out impatiently: "Who did he choose?"
The Calligrapher Sage and the Chess Devil, the Azure Cliff Academy and the Purple Cloud Temple.
How Song Qianji would choose had not only sparked gambling across the Cultivation World but also left everyone in the hall burning with curiosity.
Pressed by countless gazes, the Daoist page struggled to breathe:
"He—he chose neither! The two Sages left alone. Song Qianji still intends to descend the mountain and take all the Outer Sect disciples with him."
The hall erupted in uproar.
"What? He chose neither?"
"How could this be? He's rejecting readily available backing? Has he gone mad?"
Xu Yun remained silent. Song Qianji was certainly not foolish.
Not only was he not foolish, but he was also extremely clever and profoundly cunning. Otherwise, how could he strategize meticulously, planning ten steps ahead for every move, manipulating the entire Huawel Sect at his whim?
What other tricks did he have up his sleeve?
"Him not taking a master is good news!" an elder suddenly declared. "The Outer Sect's atmosphere is already corrupted—this is the perfect chance to uproot it entirely and recruit a new batch of obedient disciples!"
Someone hesitated: "Without a master, should we still grant him a county?"
Another lamented: "We've already promised—how can we go back on our word? He wrote the Hero Summons and left the Star-Plucking Game behind—his reputation is at its peak. If our sect reneges, where will our credibility stand? How will we explain this to the cultivators of the world?!"
The disputes continued, even more intense than the earlier debates over the counties.
"Since you all blame me for causing this disaster, it's only fitting that I handle the aftermath," Zhao Taiji's voice suddenly rose. "I have a county!"
As his words fell, all eyes in the hall instantly fixed on him, waiting for him to continue.
Only Xu Yun showed slight hesitation: "Are you truly willing to sacrifice a county?"Zhao Taiji nodded, shook his sleeves, and surveyed the surroundings before enunciating each word deliberately:
"I relinquish Thousand-Ditch Prefecture."
Thousand-Ditch Prefecture?!
Shockwaves of astonishment rippled through the hall.
"Thousand-Ditch has been a land of abundant natural blessings since ancient times—a vast expanse of wetlands, a land of fish and rice. How can you truly bear to part with it?"
"Do you think by offering Thousand-Ditch Prefecture with both hands, those ungrateful outer sect disciples who can never be tamed will praise our sect's benevolence?"
Only Xu Yun remained silent, his gaze fixed heavily on Zhao Taiji.
Zhao Taiji sneered, "Fifty years ago, our clan's patriarch set up the Heaven-Net Spirit Absorption Array in the central city of Thousand-Ditch Prefecture to break through to the half-step Transformation Stage, draining the entire prefecture's Spirit Qi..."
Ignoring the crowd's shock, he continued, "Since then, Thousand-Ditch Prefecture has had ten Immortal Officials, each exploiting resources to exhaustion—draining ponds to catch fish and burning forests to hunt—recklessly plundering Spirit Qi. By this year—" He flung a scroll from his sleeve, "This is the report from Thousand-Ditch's Immortal Official this year. After cultivating in the prefecture for a year, his cultivation showed no progress. See for yourselves."
What should have been a secret not meant for fellow sect members to know, something the Zhao Family had desperately concealed, was now laid bare without restraint because of Song Qianji.
The scroll was picked up and passed around the hall. The more people read, the deeper their frowns grew, accompanied by exclamations of surprise.
Zhao Taiji declared, "Thousand-Ditch Prefecture is vast, larger than a hundred Huawei Cities combined, but now it houses only a hundred thousand people. The common folk feign compliance while resisting in secret, unwilling to make offerings at the immortal temples. Moreover, that cursed place—hah—hasn't seen rain for three years. No matter how capable that Song lad is, he can't just wait around for a rainstorm to fall from the sky."
Xu Yun roared in anger, "Thousand-Ditch Prefecture nominally belongs to your Crimson Water Peak, with your golden statue enshrined in its temples, but it is ultimately sect territory, not your Zhao Family's private land. How can you act like this..."
Zhao Taiji, unflinching, interrupted loudly, "Indeed, but as things stand, if you grant Song Qianji a land of abundant blessings, releasing a tiger back to the mountains, allowing him to grow stronger day by day and return for revenge against the sect, I have nothing more to say. Go ahead and do as you please!"
Xu Yun nearly staggered backward.
Calm down, he suppressed the turbulent Spirit Qi within him. Everything else could wait; settling Song Qianji's fiefdom came first.
Dusk was approaching. Given Song Qianji's temperament, he would arrive soon.
"If we give him a dead land, how will we explain it to the two Sages?" Xu Yun took a deep breath.
"If none of you knew Thousand-Ditch Prefecture has become a dead land, who else would? Once the land deed is sealed with blood, Thousand-Ditch Prefecture will be bound to his luck henceforth. By the time he arrives and realizes something is wrong, it'll be too late—the wood is already carved into a boat." Zhao Taiji retorted before the entire hall, "As for the two Sages, Song Qianji failed to become a disciple. Even if the Sages wish to intervene, without just cause, how can they step in?"
Xu Yun still hesitated.
Had Song Qianji's failure to become a disciple meant negotiations with the two Sages collapsed?
At the Grand Assembly of Distinguished Appraisals, he caused such an uproar, yet Xian Jianchen never showed his face. Had he forgotten this nominal disciple?
He knew all too well that the Zhao Family and Song Qianji were now mortal enemies. Zhao Taiji had to drag the entire Huawel Sect into this, binding them firmly to the same array lines.
But he had no choice. The outer sect disciples harbored hatred for the sect, openly violating sect rules last night.
Today, Song Qianji insisted on standing with them, even demanding to take the entire outer sect with him. He must have ulterior motives.
Otherwise, why would he need so many people?!
In the struggle for the Great Dao, it's kill or be killed. Now, riding a tiger and finding it hard to dismount, Song Qianji had become the Huawel Sect's mortal enemy.
Zhao Taiji delivered the final blow: "We'll let him choose for himself. If he picks Thousand-Ditch Prefecture on his own, who can he blame then?"This time, before Xu Yun could speak, the crowd in the hall eagerly responded first:
"With just a little guidance, we won't have trouble intimidating him."
"No matter how much of a genius Song Qianji is, he couldn't possibly guess the current situation in Thousand-Ditch Prefecture."
Xu Yun closed his eyes briefly, then finally nodded.
He said gravely, "Zhao Yuping has acted unjustly. From today, he is removed as head of the Deacon Hall. Do you have anything to say?"
Zhao Taiji: "Nothing to say."
Xu Yun said sternly, "Regarding the matter of Thousand-Ditch Prefecture, you must select one prefecture from the Zhao clan's territories to offer as tribute to the sect."
Zhao Taiji gritted his teeth: "Fine!"
He knew Xu Yun would seize this opportunity to appoint his own confidant to take over the Deacon Hall, while also taking a bite out of his own assets.
But from now on, the Zhao clan and Huawel Sect were in the same boat - neither could jump ship first.
※※※
Dusk.
The green mountains stretched like an ocean, the setting sun bled like fresh blood.
Song Qianji entered the Cosmos Palace once more.
A thousand golden lamps blazed inside the hall, their brilliance far outshining the dying sunlight.
All the elders and Peak Lords of Huawel Sect stood ready for battle.
A map was spread across the main hall. Sect Leader Xu Yun said indifferently, "The sect has selected four treasured lands for you. You may choose one. However, no place in the mortal realm is perfect - each of these four prefectures has its advantages and disadvantages. Once you make your choice with your own hand, there can be no regrets or complaints afterward."
"Naturally." Song Qianji smiled: "I appreciate your hard work."
His manners were impeccable, his expression gentle, making him seem quite agreeable.
Yet no one relaxed their guard because of this - instead, they grew more tense.
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Xu Yun nodded, signaling to begin.
The Discipline Hall elder stepped forward and began the introductions: "Baolin Prefecture, located in the southern part of Western Sky Continent, features continuous forested mountains and humid air. However, it rains perpetually throughout the year, and the sea of forests contains miasma and poisonous insects..."
With each prefecture he introduced, the corresponding area on the map lit up under his finger, mountains and lakes within the boundary lines glittering brightly.
For the first three prefectures, he briefly mentioned the advantages while elaborating extensively on the disadvantages.
As expected, Song Qianji shook his head three times.
Song Qianji thought to himself, these places have dense populations, the land is nearly fully cultivated - where would I go to clear new fields?
If my vitality-rich "Fountain of Immortality" has no place to be used, wouldn't it be lonely?
Just as he was about to offer some balanced opinions, he suddenly saw the final prefecture.
The northern part of the map shone brilliantly, every canal glowing with golden light.
Song Qianji raised an eyebrow: "Thousand-Ditch Prefecture?"
"Correct!" Xu Yun pointed at the flashing words "Thousand Canals" on the map. "In ancient times, a Great Adept called himself 'King of Thousand Canals' - the entire prefecture was his blessed Domain."
An elder added, "If you choose this place, you might find King Thousand Canals' tomb and obtain his supreme inheritance."
Everyone voiced agreement, though they knew perfectly well this was pure fabrication - Thousand-Ditch Prefecture had been dug through long ago. The sect had used every exploration method available without finding any trace of a Great Adept's tomb or legacy.
Song Qianji was overjoyed.
A blessed Domain was in the past - what Thousand-Ditch Prefecture was like now, how could he not know?
In his previous life, while searching for tombs and treasures, he had traveled throughout Thousand-Ditch, meeting many local mortals.
Those mortals had told him everything about their ancestors' major and minor affairs over the past century.
Seeing Song Qianji fall silent, his eyes fixed fervently on the map, Xu Yun shot a meaningful glance to the side.
He signaled Zhao Taiji to pretend to object, demonstrating Thousand-Ditch Prefecture's importance and stirring Song Qianji's desire to compete for it.
Before they could even begin their reverse psychology act, they heard the young man declare: "I'll take Thousand-Ditch Prefecture!""Great! Bring the land deed!" Xu Yun, fearing he might change his mind, grasped Song Qianji's hand affectionately and said, "Thousand-Ditch Prefecture is now entrusted to you. From this moment, your fate shall be intertwined with its own."
Without needing instruction, Song Qianji directly channeled spiritual energy to prick his fingertip, forcing a drop of blood onto the pale yellow paper inscribed with talismanic patterns.
The talismans flashed brightly—the contract was sealed.
In that instant, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and many elders even broke decorum by applauding.
The atmosphere in the grand hall shifted abruptly.
Universal joy prevailed, as if the whole world celebrated together.
"Thank you all for parting with what you cherish!" Song Qianji expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"No need, no need."
"It's only right, it's only right—and it wasn't that painful after all."
The atmosphere grew even more harmonious. The Peak Lords smiled warmly, escorting Song Qianji all the way to the hall's entrance, then watched as he stepped onto Fleeting Water Bridge, clutching the land deed, while urging him to visit often.
Song Qianji turned back, waving at the sea of dark-clad figures. "No need to see me off! Go back!"
Xu Yun certainly knew how things worked. Song Qianji felt utterly lighthearted, his steps more buoyant than the five-colored carp drifting through the sea of clouds.
True sincerity exists in the Cultivation World!
In gratitude for this kindness, I'll have Meng Heze deliver the finest local produce every harvest season.
...
Darkness enveloped the land as night fell, stars twinkling into view one by one.
A seven-story treasure ship nearly occupied the entire Outer Sect square, gleaming coldly under the moonlight like a colossal beast.
"It's Senior Brother Song! He's back!" someone suddenly shouted.
The Outer Sect disciples were overjoyed.
Song Qianji strode forward, his sleeves billowing.
"Did you obtain the land deed, Senior Brother?" Meng Heze asked.
"Yes, let's go." Song Qianji nodded.
Zhou Xiaoyun laughed. "If Senior Brother Song could acquire such a treasure ship, how could a mere land deed be beyond him? Why were you so worried?"
Meng Heze exclaimed excitedly, "Those people are cunning and full of schemes—were they easy to deal with? Senior Brother ventured into the tiger's den alone..."
But Song Qianji said, "The Sect Leader and Peak Lords are all benevolent. We must properly thank them in the future."
The Outer Sect disciples were stunned, exchanging glances.
Outwardly, they nodded, but inwardly they thought their senior brother was too naive. They couldn't let him go alone again.
All the plants from Song Qianji's garden had been carefully uprooted with their soil, not a single root damaged, and temporarily stored in the Painted Spring Mountain treasure box.
The personal belongings of the Outer Sect disciples were loaded into the treasure ship transformed from the "Seven Wonders Zither."
Song Qianji had originally intended to leave discreetly, but now he was leading a whole group. If he didn't maximize the ship's size, there wouldn't be enough room for everyone.
He couldn't possibly make the Outer Sect disciples trek eighty thousand li on foot to Thousand-Ditch Prefecture.
"Board the ship."
At Song Qianji's command, the disciples leaped onto the deck.
"Senior Brother Song." A soft, melodious voice called out to him.
Song Qianji turned to see a white figure fluttering toward him like a moth under the moonlight.
She still wore white robes and a veiled hat, her figure delicate. It seemed nothing had changed.
But under the moonlight, her dress woven from celestial cloud silk shimmered with shifting colors, flowing in the wind, enveloping her in a radiant glow as if she had been reborn.
It was He Qingqing.
"I heard you're leaving the mountain... Let me play one more song for you!"
He Qingqing had rushed over, her breath slightly unsteady.
Behind her stood two other women, both wearing the lake-green gowns of the Celestial Sound Sect and holding green silk lanterns.Someone quickly advised, "You are now the head senior disciple of the Celestial Sound Sect. It's no longer appropriate for you to casually play the qin for others."
"Even if you must play, the other party should first send a formal invitation," another added.
He Qingqing bit her lower lip. "No, I—"
Song Qianji said, "That won't be necessary."
Listening to music would take time, and he wanted to depart early to avoid complications.
He hadn't seen Chen Hongzhu earlier in the Cosmos Palace. He feared she might jump out to stop him like last time.
But this time, the situation was already settled. Even if Chen Hongzhu came, her intentions to oppose him would be futile.
He Qingqing felt sad and asked softly, "Senior Brother Song, will you ever return?"
Song Qianji shook his head.
He Qingqing's voice grew even quieter, almost inaudible. "Then, may I visit you? Where are you going? Can you tell me?"
"Thousand-Ditch Prefecture. Suit yourself."
He Qingqing sighed in relief and smiled again.
But Song Qianji sighed. "Fairy Jiangyun has an extreme temperament. While you may enjoy prestige now under her tutelage, who knows if it will bring fortune or misfortune in the future?"
He Qingqing fell silent, then suddenly lifted the veil of her hat, revealing her scarred face, and declared firmly:
"I've always drifted with the tide, letting fate toss me about. Only this time, I've chosen for myself, and I will never regret it!"
Song Qianji nodded and smiled. "Very well, you may go."
He Qingqing did not leave. She stood there dazedly, watching Song Qianji board the ship.
The last blossoms of late spring had withered. The night wind blew, casting desolate shadows of trees.
Is life always like this? Rare reunions, bitter partings, and fleeting moments of beauty.
"How far is Thousand-Ditch Prefecture from the Celestial Sound Sect?" He Qingqing asked.
A young female cultivator holding a lantern laughed. "Head Senior Sister, it's a long and arduous journey of thirty-six thousand miles—of course, it's very far."
He Qingqing shook her head. "Thirty-six thousand miles? That's actually quite close."
The two exchanged puzzled glances.
Another said, "Fairy Miaoyan has invited you to discuss qin music in the bamboo pavilion tonight. Let's go, we mustn't be late."
A whirlwind swept across the ground, flattening a stretch of trees outside the square.
The Seven Marvels treasure ship rose into the night sky, piercing through the clouds and traversing the sea of stars.
It sailed toward an unknown horizon.
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