Yunxiao Palace

Five days later, Fu Qing finally negotiated the exchange student arrangements with the Blue Flame Empire and set off with Mo Qingkuang, Chen Kong, and the others. 

Diplomacy between countries can be both difficult and easy. With official approval, even the journey of hundreds of thousands of kilometers between Tianxuan Empire and Blue Flame Empire can be quickly traversed using government-controlled teleportation wormholes. 

However, it's a sad reality that upon arriving in Northern Province, further use of teleportation arrays required the approval of the actual controllers of the Northern Province, the Yunxiao Palace. 

On the Tianhan Continent, the human-controlled territories are divided into two major empires: Tianxuan in the south and Blue Flame in the north. 

The area where Tianxuan Empire and Blue Flame Empire meet is the Northern Province. 

The actual controller of Northern Province is the Yunxiao Palace, one of the four major sects, located on Wuliang Mountain. With a thousand-year legacy, it has produced many talented individuals. 

All teleportation arrays in Northern Province have to transfer through Wuliang Mountain. Fu Qing, leading Mo Qingkuang and the others, had to visit Wuliang Mountain to use the central teleportation array to reach the city closest to the Blue Flame Empire. 

Using the spatial array to arrive at the central teleportation array plaza on Wuliang Mountain, Mo Qingkuang noticed there weren't many people around. 

It didn't match his expectation of a bustling center of operations. 

What he didn't know was that the use of teleportation arrays was costly. Generally, only those with certain status and capital could afford it. 

The teleportation array was located halfway up Wuliang Mountain, with the peak at least a thousand meters above, shrouded in clouds and mist, resembling a fairyland. 

Yunxiao Palace was located at the top of the mountain, surrounded by clouds, like a heavenly palace. 

The name Yunxiao Palace derived from this. 

Upon reaching Wuliang Mountain, Fu Qing did not rush to the Blue Flame Empire. Instead, he shouted loudly, "Zhou Niubi, Fu Qing from the Imperial Academy is here to pay respects!" 

Fu Qing's voice was loud and clear, penetrating the eardrums and echoing throughout Wuliang Mountain, attracting the attention of several young disciples guarding the array. 

Seeing Fu Qing's strange and arrogant behavior, although they didn't know who Zhou Niubi was, they didn't dare to provoke him. 

One of them timidly stepped forward and asked, "May I ask, senior, are you here to see someone?" 

Fu Qing laughed heartily. The young disciples were not very strong, probably just miscellaneous disciples of Yunxiao Palace, tasked with guarding the gates and sweeping the grounds. 

He didn't make it difficult for them, "He'll be here soon." 

As soon as he finished speaking, a Daoist with an immortal demeanor slowly descended from the clouds at the top of Wuliang Mountain, like a celestial being descending to the mortal realm. 

But his mouth spat out, "Fu Qing! Are you crying for help?" 

Fu Qing retorted without hesitation, "Donkey's ass! Zhou Niubi, I come to your Yunxiao Palace, and you don't even offer a meal?" 

The old Daoist, called Zhou Niubi by Fu Qing, waved his dust brush and said indifferently, "My Palace is humble and cannot accommodate the grand presence of Principal Fu." 

At this moment, the young disciples on the side respectfully saluted, "Greetings, Patriarch!" 

It turned out that this old Daoist, called Zhou Niubi by Fu Qing, was Zhou Xuanqing, the Patriarch of Yunxiao Palace, a third-rank Martial Emperor. 

"Report to the Patriarch, this..." The young disciple was about to report Fu Qing's loud behavior and disruption of the public order but was interrupted by Zhou Xuanqing raising his hand. 

"No need, you may leave." 

"Yes." 

The young disciples withdrew, realizing that this chubby man who dared to call the Patriarch Zhou Niubi was someone they couldn't afford to offend. 

"Fu Qing, what business do you have at my Yunxiao Palace?" Zhou Xuanqing asked lightly, showing no intention of inviting Fu Qing to sit down. 

Fu Qing laughed, revealing a set of neat teeth, and said arrogantly, "What else? I'm here to challenge your Palace." 

Zhou Xuanqing was taken aback, then seemed to remember something and resolutely shook his head, "No fighting is allowed here! Last time, we almost tore down Yunxiao Palace. This time, if you cause trouble again, I won't let you off easily!" 

"Look at you, acting all scared. It's not you and me fighting! We're too old for this; let's save our strength and let the youngsters have a match!" Fu Qing sneered. 

"Oh?" Zhou Xuanqing finally regained his calm demeanor, his gaze sweeping over the people behind Fu Qing. 

His eyes finally rested on Chen Kong and Mo Qingkuang, who stood at the forefront. 

"Earth Spirit Body? Wind Spirit Body? Fu Qing, it seems you've brought the elites of your Imperial Academy." Zhou Xuanqing smiled. "This one must be your direct disciple, Chen Kong, and that one must be the newly crowned martial champion, Mo Qingkuang. Truly deserving of their reputations." 

"Enough chit-chat. Call out your disciples. My Chen Kong wants to take on ten of them!" Fu Qing said arrogantly. 

Chen Kong was exasperated, "Teacher, I don't want to." 

This crazy teacher was putting him in a tough spot! Yunxiao Palace was one of the four major sects, and their overall strength was even higher than the Imperial Academy's. There were definitely disciples stronger than Chen Kong. 

It was already challenging enough to deal with one opponent. And now, Fu Qing was asking him to take on ten? 

"Why are you panicking? Yunxiao Palace may have a big reputation, but they're not that tough. Back in the day, when I came to challenge Yunxiao Palace, I fought ten of them!" Fu Qing glared at Chen Kong. "This old donkey here was one of those ten!" 

Zhou Xuanqing's face darkened, "Fu Qing! Why don't you mention how you were strung up and beaten back then?" 

Fu Qing coughed awkwardly and said nonchalantly, "Cough, cough, it was ten of you against one of me. It's normal that I couldn't win!" 

Then he proudly puffed out his chest, "But things are different now. The pupil surpasses the master! What I couldn't do, my disciple will accomplish!" 

"I won't do it!" Chen Kong's face was cold, looking extremely aggrieved. 

"Alright, it's settled then. Zhou Niubi, go get your people." Fu Qing ignored Chen Kong's refusal and waved dismissively at Zhou Xuanqing, signaling him to call for reinforcements. 

Mo Qingkuang also felt sorry for Chen Kong, having such an unreliable teacher who did things on a whim. 

When they had set out, Fu Qing hadn't mentioned anything about fighting. This was clearly a spur-of-the-moment decision! 

Zhou Xuanqing's face looked displeased. Fu Qing's words were clearly disregarding Yunxiao Palace. 

Although Zhou Xuanqing knew Fu Qing had always been like this, facing it directly still made it hard to contain his anger. 

"Fu Qing, don't think that just because you picked up a disciple with an Earth Spirit Body, you can do as you please. We at Yunxiao Palace may be Taoist cultivators, but we are not to be trifled with." Zhou Xuanqing's face was cold, his years of cultivated composure starting to crack under Fu Qing's provocation. 

Fu Qing showed no signs of restraint and became even more arrogant, "Feeling defiant? Come fight me! I'm ready for it!" 

His provocation came with no pressure. Times had changed. 

In the past, the four major sects were closely allied, and they had the Blue Flame Empire secretly backing them. Tianxuan often had to retreat in most situations. 

But now, the Blue Flame Empire couldn't pose a threat to Tianxuan in the short term. With the empress of Tianxuan holding the fort, it was time to settle accounts with these ambiguous traitors! 

"I'm here to cause trouble. What can you do about it?"