Chapter 2: The Yan King's Visit

The Xia Emperor shook his head. 'The entire Xia Dynasty is in turmoil. Of the three thousand six hundred commanderies, over sixty percent have begged me for aid! The No Gap Sect is powerful, but it cannot possibly deal with so many feudal lords and tribes at once. Moreover, according to the intelligence I've gathered, some of those who have begged for aid have already defected to the No Gap Sect.'

The No Gap Sect's strength was immense, capable of swaying more than half of the high-ranking members of the Andong North Mountain clan. One could imagine their formidable methods. Indeed, many tribal lords within the Xia Dynasty had already defected to the No Gap Sect.

'They've defected to the No Gap Sect, yet they still beg me for aid.'

The Xia Emperor frowned. 'Now I simply cannot tell, among the over sixty percent of feudal lords begging for aid, which are genuine and which are false?'

'As for the Andong North Mountain clan, although the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal was captured alive, it was only a capture. Who knows if it was a deliberate trap?' said the Xia Emperor.

'I understand,' said the Celestial Fox Immortal.

'Though there are some conflicts now, the rule over the entire Xia remains stable,' the Xia Emperor said softly. 'It is not yet time for true war. We must remain steady and not throw our own ranks into chaos. Since the No Gap Sect has begun to move, let it move. The more it moves, the more I can see clearly. A blade should not be drawn lightly, but when it is drawn, it must strike the enemy's vital point. The No Gap Sect wants to seize my Xia world... Hmph, they'll have to see if I agree.'

The Celestial Fox Immortal nodded.

'Having killed two Celestial Immortals before undergoing his tribulation, and withstanding karmic fire after less than a hundred years of cultivation, Ji Ning's potential is enormous. It won't be long before he undergoes his tribulation. He is a very important piece,' said the Xia Emperor. 'Moreover, according to my master, Ji Ning is definitely on our side.'

The Xia Emperor valued Ji Ning greatly.

After all, Ji Ning's previous feats were too monstrous—killing two Celestial Immortals at the Void stage and withstanding karmic fire. Such a prodigy, once he underwent his tribulation and became a Celestial Immortal, would likely immediately become one of the top Celestial Immortals, even approaching the combat power of a Pure Yang True Immortal! Most importantly, Ji Ning had a significant background. Winning him over was almost like winning over a mysterious Dao Ancestor. How could the Xia Emperor not value him?

'By the way, go inform the Yan King that Ji Ning has returned,' said the Xia Emperor.

'Yes,' replied the Celestial Fox Immortal respectfully.

...

The Yan King's residence in the capital.

The Yan King arrived at the garden and gazed from afar at Wei Chi Xiyue sitting in a pavilion. He shook his head inwardly. Ji Ning had informed Wei Chi Xiyue in advance before going to deal with the Shaoyin clan. She had been full of anticipation and had urged Ji Ning to be careful. But in the end, Ji Ning was engulfed by karmic fire and banished from the Xia world. Wei Chi Xiyue had been constantly following news of Ji Ning, but no word of his return came. Later, she asked the Yan King and learned everything.

Knowing that Ji Ning's chances of survival were slim, Wei Chi Xiyue had not smiled since.

'Little brother,' Wei Chi Xiyue always felt something missing in her heart, which kept her from smiling.

'Xiyue.' A voice sounded.

Wei Chi Xiyue turned to look and stood up to greet him: 'Grandfather.'

'I have good news for you,' said the Yan King with a smile.

'Good news?' Wei Chi Xiyue was puzzled.

'Ji Ning has returned,' said the Yan King, smiling.

Wei Chi Xiyue was stunned, then burst into excitement and ecstasy. She grabbed the Yan King's hand and said, 'Grandfather, is it true? Has little brother really returned from the forbidden land? You're not lying to me?'

'Yes, the Xia Emperor told me. Moreover, Ji Ning is now at the Black-White College in Andong City,' said the Yan King.

'At the Black-White College?' Wei Chi Xiyue was brimming with vitality. She said quickly, 'I'm going to Andong City right now.'

'Let's go together. I also want to see Ji Ning,' said the Yan King.

'Alright, let's go now.' Wei Chi Xiyue couldn't wait a moment longer. She had to see Ji Ning with her own eyes to believe it.

...

When the Xia Emperor learned of Ji Ning's return, the far-reaching No Gap Sect had already known about it before the Xia Emperor.

'Whoosh~~~'

The cold wind howled. At the peak of a mountain stood a golden-robed Celestial Immortal. He was burly, even somewhat fat, with stubble on his face and eyes like copper bells. His golden robe, at first glance, resembled golden armor. He stood idly at the mountaintop, waiting.

Swoosh~~~ A streak of light flew from afar, landed on the peak, and revealed a figure—the Xuanji Celestial Immortal.

'Xuanji,' said the golden-robed envoy calmly.

'Special Envoy,' said the Xuanji Celestial Immortal with a flattering smile, devoid of his usual arrogance, careful not to offend the envoy. 'May I ask what business the No Gap Sect has with my Shaoyin clan?'

'Our No Gap Sect has never harbored ill intentions toward your Shaoyin clan; we've always been helping you. Now I've come to help you again.' The golden-robed envoy smiled, but his fierce face was still frightening even when smiling. 'Weren't you fighting fiercely with that Ji Ning before? You even lost two Celestial Immortals and used the Realm-Suppressing Pagoda to banish him to the Ancient Wasteland's Extinction Zone?'

'Yes, yes, that's right,' replied the Xuanji Celestial Immortal hastily.

Though his face was full of smiles, the Xuanji Celestial Immortal was cursing inwardly.

How had the news leaked?

When the Shaoyin clan used the Realm-Suppressing Pagoda against Ji Ning, very few knew about it. Only Ji Ning's side and the Xia Emperor knew. Neither Ji Ning's side nor the Xia Emperor would have told the No Gap Sect, but the No Gap Sect found out anyway and came specifically to inquire. The Shaoyin clan then admitted that they had banished him to the 'Ancient Wasteland's Extinction Zone.'

The Shaoyin clan wasn't afraid to make it public, after all, the Extinction Zone was vast beyond measure. Even if a True God or Dao Ancestor were to search, no one knew how many years it would take to cover it all. Moreover, True Gods and Dao Ancestors generally didn't want to stay there long, as 'one who often walks by the river will eventually get his feet wet.' Staying long in the Extinction Zone might lead to encounters with powerful enemies emerging from the Ancient Wasteland.

'This No Gap Sect seems to have spies everywhere,' thought the Xuanji Celestial Immortal. 'Even the Xia Emperor's Heavenly Treasure Mountain is far inferior to the No Gap Sect in intelligence.'

'I've come to tell your Shaoyin clan... that your great enemy, Ji Ning, is still alive and has returned.' The golden-robed envoy looked at the Xuanji Celestial Immortal with a smile.

The Xuanji Celestial Immortal's face changed drastically.

'Impossible!!!' he couldn't help but exclaim.

'Impossible?' The golden-robed envoy raised an eyebrow.

'That is the Ancient Wasteland's Extinction Zone. Even Heavenly Gods and True Immortals cannot escape; only those with the strength of True Gods or Dao Ancestors have a chance! Even if a lofty True God or Dao Ancestor were to search, how could they coincidentally find Ji Ning in the boundless Extinction Zone in just eighteen years?' The Xuanji Celestial Immortal shook his head. 'Even if he became a disciple of a True God or Dao Ancestor, I don't believe that a True God or Dao Ancestor would be willing to take the trouble to search and find him so quickly. Ji Ning's luck cannot be this good.'

'Yes, I find it hard to believe too,' sighed the golden-robed envoy, shaking his head. 'Unfortunately, Ji Ning is now in Andong City, at the Black-White College, being affectionate with his Dao companion, Yu Wei.'

'In Andong City?' The Xuanji Celestial Immortal was stunned.

'Yes,' nodded the golden-robed envoy.

The Xuanji Celestial Immortal's face darkened; his mind was in turmoil.

If Ji Ning had returned alive... the implications were different.

First, being able to return undoubtedly meant that Ji Ning had a True God or Dao Ancestor backing him. When the Shaoyin clan had fought Ji Ning before, although they worried that Ji Ning might have become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor, they thought that a Dao Ancestor was of such high status that Ji Ning probably wouldn't be that lucky; the possibility should be small.

But now that possibility had become reality! Ji Ning really had become a disciple of a True God or Dao Ancestor!

Second!

The Shaoyin clan knew very well Ji Ning's strength—a mere youth who hadn't undergone his tribulation had killed two Celestial Immortals and fought eight Celestial Immortals without being at a disadvantage. Such terrifying strength, once he underwent his tribulation and became a Celestial Immortal... would be a disaster for the Shaoyin clan.

And such a prodigy, with a True God or Dao Ancestor as his backing!

It was simply a nightmare!

'He really does have a True God or Dao Ancestor as his master, and he has returned.' The Xuanji Celestial Immortal was panicked. He understood that this was a great calamity for the Shaoyin clan! Even a calamity that the Shaoyin clan had no way to eliminate!

'If your Shaoyin clan defects to our No Gap Sect, we will help you deal with Ji Ning,' said the golden-robed envoy with a smile. 'You fear the Dao Ancestor behind him, but our No Gap Sect does not. Well then, your Shaoyin clan should think it over carefully.'

Whoosh.

Spatial ripples appeared around the golden-robed envoy, and then he vanished into thin air.

The Xuanji Celestial Immortal stood on the mountaintop with a grim expression, then directly tore through space and disappeared, returning to report to the Shaoyin ancestor, the Poison Ugly Celestial Immortal.

...

The Black-White College in Andong City.

Ji Ning did not know that as soon as he returned, the No Gap Sect and the Shaoyin clan had already learned the news. Or rather, even if he knew, Ji Ning was not afraid. Dealing with him now... was not as easy as it had been eighteen years ago.

'Ji Ning, the Yan King and Commandery Princess Xiyue have come to visit,' transmitted the Bihai Celestial Immortal via divine sense.

'Commandery Princess Xiyue and the Yan King?' Ji Ning, who was tasting fruit wine with Yu Wei, immediately stood up. That night, Ji Ning had been with Yu Wei the whole time, whispering to each other. They had talked about many things, and Yu Wei knew about Ji Ning's relationship with Wei Chi Xiyue.

'Let's go greet them,' said Ji Ning quickly. 'Before my battle with the Shaoyin clan, I went to see my cousin. At the time, I was full of confidence, thinking everything was within my calculations. Who would have thought that man proposes, heaven disposes? In the end, I was banished for eighteen years. During these eighteen years, my cousin must have been worrying.'

'As soon as your cousin learned of your return, she came immediately. Clearly, she is very concerned about you,' said Yu Wei.

The two flew side by side into the sky.

They saw at a glance the Yan King and Wei Chi Xiyue, led by the Bihai Celestial Immortal in the distance. Wei Chi Xiyue spotted Ji Ning from afar, and her eyes lit up. It was true—her little brother had really returned.

'Senior Brother Bihai, let me host the Yan King and the Commandery Princess,' said Ji Ning.

The Bihai Celestial Immortal knew that the two had come specifically to see Ji Ning, so he nodded and left.

Led by Ji Ning and Yu Wei, the Yan King and Wei Chi Xiyue descended into Yu Wei's residence. There were no servants in Yu Wei's residence at the moment; they had all been sent to Northmoon Peak. Clearly, Ji Ning and Yu Wei wanted to be alone without disturbance.

As soon as they landed,

Wei Chi Xiyue could no longer hold back: 'Little brother, you really scared me. If you had died, the Wei Chi clan would truly have only me left.'

'I have a tough fate,' said Ji Ning with a smile.

The siblings then began to chat, with Yu Wei occasionally adding a few words, while the Yan King rarely spoke.

After they had talked to their hearts' content,

The Yan King finally said, 'Ji Ning, do you remember the matter you entrusted to me before?'

Ji Ning's face flushed slightly, and he said quickly, 'Have you found all the information about my parents' reincarnation?'