Convene

Convene . . .

In the Azure Continent, the Unmatched Realm stood as it always had, disengaged from external affairs. It served as a sanctuary where Grand Xia's budding geniuses would flock to cultivate. Passing the realm's tests granted them the honor of becoming disciples of the Unmatched Realm.

On this day, an uninvited guest materialized within the Unmatched Realm's hallowed confines. Several elite disciples cast inquisitive glances at the newcomer. Despite his youth, he exuded an aura of extraordinary distinction. He hardly resembled a novice seeking guidance, and his cultivation was anything but weak.

"You've arrived," a figure emerged at this moment. It was none other than the expert who had previously evaluated Qin Wentian. Now, faced with Qin Wentian, he couldn't help but be awed by the depths of the young man's growth, unable to discern his true potential.

"Senior, did you anticipate my return?" Qin Wentian inquired curiously.

"Now, is there even a need for you to address me as 'senior'?" The man shook his head, adding, "They are all waiting for you."

"They?" Qin Wentian wondered. The tester turned and gestured for him to follow.

Qin Wentian nodded and trailed behind him as they ascended one of the thirty-six mountain peaks.

There, numerous figures came into view, leaving Qin Wentian utterly taken aback.

Fan Le, Yun Mengyi, Qin Zheng, and Mu Feng—all of them were present. But conspicuously absent was Ouyang Kuangsheng, the one whose roots lay in the Azure Continent. This peculiar absence pricked Qin Wentian's curiosity. His friends had all pursued their own paths when they departed the Royal Sacred Region. Yet, witnessing their reunion within the Unmatched Realm stirred suspicions that something significant had transpired.

"Boss, you've finally returned. If you hadn't shown up soon, we wouldn't know what to do," the usually carefree Fatty Fan Le confessed, his typically jovial countenance tinged with genuine concern.

"What's happened?" Qin Wentian inquired, his feet touching down upon the mountain peak.

"That damned Ouyang Aristocrat Clan," Fan Le cursed. "I never liked them from the start—they broke faith and betrayed our alliance when Jun Yu appeared. Now, the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan boasts three Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants and wields more power than ever before. They grow increasingly overbearing, even seeking an alliance with the Jiang Clan to assert dominance over Grand Xia. Their ambitions know no bounds."

"The Jiang Clan and Ouyang Aristocrat Clan have long maintained an amicable relationship. It's only natural that they'd seek an alliance. Moreover, Ouyang Kuangsheng is betrothed to Jiang Ting, so it's unsurprising that the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan seeks to rise in prominence, especially following the Great Solar Chen Clan's downfall," Qin Wentian commented.

"Indeed, their intentions aren't surprising. However, because the elderly Ouyang Ancestor betrayed our alliance in the past, it triggered a conflict within the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, particularly between Ouyang Kuangsheng and his clan members. The Ouyang Aristocrat Clan had long erased Kuangsheng's name from the list of potential leaders. During his return, tensions with his clan escalated further. Kuangsheng ended up clashing with one of the core geniuses nurtured by the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, defeating and injuring his adversary. This greatly enraged the Ouyang Clan, resulting in his expulsion from the family registry. He's no longer considered a member of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan," Fan Le explained with ire.

"What happened next?" Qin Wentian's eyes gleamed with intensity.

"Qin Zheng, please continue," Fan Le prompted, shifting his gaze to Qin Zheng.

"The person defeated by Ouyang Kuangsheng is named Ouyang Zicheng. He's a Heaven Chosen nurtured by the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan. His cultivation has reached the sixth level of Heavenly Dipper. Since Kuangsheng departed Grand Xia to roam the Royal Sacred Region, Ouyang Zicheng incessantly pestered Jiang Ting, actively pursuing her," Qin Zheng elaborated.

Qin Wentian's countenance underwent a subtle change. He understood that Ouyang Kuangsheng was not a man driven by ambition or thirst for power. He disdained the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan's authority and coveted neither status nor influence. His sole motive was his love for Jiang Ting. Years ago, before his departure, he had vowed that as long as Jiang Ting's heart remained unwavering, he would marry her and make her his wife upon his return to Grand Xia.

However, Ouyang Zicheng's incessant pursuit of Jiang Ting had incensed Ouyang Kuangsheng, given his fiery temperament.

Moreover, Qin Wentian suspected that Ouyang Zicheng's advances toward Jiang Ting weren't solely his own doing. This had to be the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan's scheme. Just as they had once hoped Ouyang Kuangsheng would be with Jiang Ting, now that Ouyang Kuangsheng was uncontrollable, they sought to replace him with another individual and form a marriage alliance.

Fan Le's fury continued to pour forth. "In recent days, the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan and the Jiang Clan announced a wedding between Ouyang Zicheng and Jiang Ting. The wedding is set for nine days from now, and they've invited the various powers of the Azure Continent as witnesses."

Qin Wentian's eyes glinted with cold resolve upon hearing this news. Now, he understood why Fan Le and the others had gathered here. It was all due to Ouyang Kuangsheng's predicament. However, their current strength rendered them powerless to change the situation before a transcendent power.

"Ouyang must be going mad after hearing this news. Where is he now?" Qin Wentian inquired once more.

Back when he had fallen in love with Mo Qingcheng, Ouyang Kuangsheng was already romantically involved with Jiang Ting. This enduring relationship spanned over a decade, and it was clear that Jiang Ting held deep affections for Ouyang Kuangsheng as well. If this marriage with Ouyang Zicheng was something Jiang Ting willingly accepted, Ouyang Kuangsheng would have willingly stepped aside and roamed the world. Evidently, Jiang Ting was being coerced into this, and Ouyang Kuangsheng might even be imprisoned to force her to accept this marriage.

The objective of this marriage was to signify a united front between the two transcendent powers and their intent to rule over Grand Xia. Whether Jiang Ting was willing or not held no significance for them. Although she held a distinguished status within the Jiang Clan, she wasn't a candidate for succession. Hence, her destiny was to be sacrificed for the greater cause.

"Currently imprisoned by the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan," Qin Zheng replied.

"What should we do?" Fan Le looked at Qin Wentian, seeking guidance.

The cold resolve in Qin Wentian's eyes deepened. Initially, he had thought that his first battle upon returning to Grand Xia would be against the Pill Emperor Hall. But now, it seemed that the situation in Grand Xia was undergoing a transformation. His first battle might just take place in the Azure Continent instead.

"Wait for me at the Unmatched Realm. I need to make a trip outside," Qin Wentian instructed his friends. They still had nine days, which should be ample time.

With a flicker of his silhouette, he disappeared into thin air. His abrupt departure left Fan Le and the others stunned, and they exchanged bewildered glances.

...

Two days later, in a forest within the Spirit Continent, a small city was nestled. Although it appeared modest, it frequently welcomed various demonic beasts arriving and departing.

Qin Wentian regarded the small city with a bemused heart. It seemed to be a covert stronghold constructed by Fairy Qingmei as the command center for the Azure Emperor Palace. This "Azure Emperor Palace" was naturally established by the Azure Factions that had chosen to follow Qin Wentian back then.

"Who are you?" Even before Qin Wentian landed, several veiled maidens appeared in the small city. They exuded an air of mystique, encircling Qin Wentian.

"I am Qin Wentian," he declared, and at the sound of his voice, the maidens froze, their eyes wavering with uncertainty as they gazed at the young man before them.

"You've returned," a voice resonated from the air. Qin Wentian then spotted a captivating figure appearing before him. After all this time, Fairy Qingmei remained as beautiful as ever.

"Why haven't you greeted the palace lord?" Fairy Qingmei chided the maidens.

"Your subordinates greet the palace lord," the maidens bowed in unison.

Qin Wentian nodded in acknowledgment. He noticed that the moment he revealed his identity, the killing intent emanating from those below dissipated completely. Numerous figures soon emerged, standing on the ground, their gazes fixed upon the young man. Had the legendary youth from yesteryears finally returned?

"We greet the palace lord," they all genuflected. Qin Wentian scanned the people below and broke into a smile. Their strength had notably improved compared to when he had left Grand Xia.

Among the crowd, a voluptuous woman in a red dress with elegant features was flashing him a charming grin.

"Why haven't you attended to the palace lord yet?" Fairy Qingmei instructed the women.

"Your subordinates greet the palace lord," the women chorused, bowing.

"Very well." Qin Wentian nodded. He sensed that the menacing intent he had encountered earlier had vanished entirely. He turned his gaze to the people below and smiled warmly. "Everyone, attend to your own tasks. There's no need to concern yourselves with me."

With a faint voice, Qin Wentian descended next to the woman in the red dress, breaking into a jovial laugh. "Senior sister, have you been well all these years?"

"How have I been? Trapped here, drowning in the endless sea of duties you so generously bestowed upon me," Luo Huan chimed with a playful glint in her eyes, her voice as melodious as a serenade, leaving others utterly captivated.

Qin Wentian's gaze lingered on Luo Huan's enchanting figure. Her curves were still as alluring as ever, radiating an irresistible allure. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Senior sis, your figure remains as enchanting as before. I can't even tell where you've lost any weight."

Luo Huan sauntered over, gracefully straightening Qin Wentian's collar. Her lips, painted a shade of ruby red, curled into a seductive smile as she teased, "Your honeyed words haven't lost their charm. But it seems you've grown even more handsome. Tell me honestly, have you been thinking about me?"

"Senior sis, you mustn't tempt me like this..." Qin Wentian replied with a wry smile. Luo Huan responded with an even more tantalizing smile, "Why does it matter? Your little girlfriend isn't here. You can do whatever you desire with me, and senior sis won't hold it against you."

Qin Wentian's face contorted into a bewildered expression, and upon seeing his awkward reaction, Luo Huan playfully retreated a few steps, releasing him.

"Didn't Qing'er return with you?" Fairy Qingmei inquired. Qin Wentian's countenance darkened slightly upon hearing that question; he wasn't quite sure how to respond.

"Qing'er has always been elusive. If she doesn't wish to see me, it's challenging for me to contact her," Qin Wentian replied with a bitter smile. Fairy Qingmei understood Qing'er better than anyone else. She also knew of Qing'er's extraordinary background. When she heard Qin Wentian's response, a peculiar glint flickered in her eyes, and she chose not to press further on the matter. Instead, she redirected the conversation, "Is your return aimed at fulfilling the late Azure Emperor's wish of reuniting Grand Xia?"

"After all this time, it's high time I fulfill Senior Azure Emperor's aspiration," Qin Wentian affirmed. "Senior Qingmei, I intend for our first battle to be in the Azure Continent. I need all the experts from my Azure Emperor Palace to convene there within six days and meet me at the Unmatched Realm. Can this be arranged?"

"Six days? No problem," Fairy Qingmei agreed with a nod. Her deep eyes bore a hint of a smile as she added, "Should we also invite the Mystic Moon Hall?"

"If the Mystic Moon Hall is willing, they're welcome to join us," Qin Wentian concurred.

"Are you planning to stay here or return to the Azure Continent first?" Fairy Qingmei inquired further. "Members of the White Deer Institute and the Punishment Branch under Old Xing are nearby. Many of them have missed you and would love to see you again."

"Right, in that case, I'll stay here for an extra day," Qin Wentian decided. Fairy Qingmei smiled and issued a command, "Prepare a room for the palace lord to rest."

"Fairy Qingmei, is that really necessary? He can just stay with me," Luo Huan teased with a mischievous glint.

Coughing awkwardly, Qin Wentian's face reddened. "What I meant was staying in the same courtyard. Senior sis, what are you thinking?"

Luo Huan's eyes twinkled with amusement as she giggled, "Junior brother, why are you so flustered?" Qin Wentian hastily made his escape. Only his senior sister Luo Huan could tease him so shamelessly.

In contrast, Bailu Yi was much more reserved. She remained as pure and lovely as ever. Her wide eyes sparkled with joy upon seeing Qin Wentian, and she engaged him in a delightful conversation. From time to time, she sought his guidance on divine inscriptions. After two hours of chatting, Qin Wentian accompanied Bailu Yi back to her place. Perhaps it was because Bailu Yi was running out of topics or maybe it was her innocent gaze, which occasionally held a certain depth that left Qin Wentian feeling inexplicably flustered whenever her eyes met his.