Ch. 317 - Gathering of Imperial Lineages

The earlier attack on the Darksky Tiger had been meant as a show of force, to intimidate and gain an upper hand in negotiation. But now, Xu Zimo clearly didn’t play by the rules. And the old man had no way to argue.

To carry the Heaven's Will, it was a gamble. If the Fan Clan bet right, they could ride that wave straight to the heavens. But if they were wrong? The risk was too great. It might ruin them completely, even wipe out their clan.

“Looks like you weren’t ready for this negotiation,” Xu Zimo smiled as he turned, walked out of the pavilion, climbed onto the Darksky Tiger, and slowly headed off.

“Come find me again once you’ve figured it out.”

“Wait, I’m coming with you,” the girl beside him suddenly called out, looking straight at Xu Zimo.

“Hm?” Xu Zimo turned his head, watching her with curiosity.

“I said I’m going with you,” the girl repeated firmly.

“Yiyi, you...?” the old man looked at her in surprise.

“My marriage was never mine to decide,” she said calmly. “I’d just end up marrying someone for the family’s sake anyway. If that’s how it is, I might as well choose to believe in him.”

“I haven’t agreed yet,” the old man sighed.

“He’s backed by the True Martial Sacred Ground,” the girl replied. “You won’t find a better choice. The Buddha Realm will eventually find out. That relic slot was earned by an ancestor’s life. We can’t just give it away to them.”

The old man stayed silent for a while before finally nodding. “You’re right. The Buddha Realm won’t let that spot go.”

He looked up at Xu Zimo and said, “Young Master Xu, I agree to all your terms. I just hope that one day, when you have the power, you’ll help the Fan Clan.”

“I’ll take the relic slot,” Xu Zimo said, pointing to the girl behind him. “But her? I never said I’d take her.”

“Whether you agree or not,” the girl said, pursing her lips stubbornly, “I’ll follow you.”

The old man watched the scene, silently hoping this could work out, that Xu Zimo might treat the Fan Clan kindly for the girl’s sake. So he didn’t argue with her.

He then said a few more words to Xu Zimo and left alone.

The Ruins of Divinity wouldn’t open anytime soon. He needed to head back and deal with the Buddha Realm.

...

As the old man disappeared into the distance, the girl beside Xu Zimo said nothing. Her celestial eyes stayed fixed on him.

“If you want to follow, then go ahead. I don’t mind,” Xu Zimo chuckled.

He lay down on the Darksky Tiger’s back, closed his eyes, and rested lightly.

Autumn rain fell. A breeze stirred the willow branches on either side of the road. Drizzles fell on the muddy trail beneath a gray sky.

The Darksky Tiger walked steadily forward.

The girl in her light blue robe silently followed. Rain had soaked her long hair.

On the muddy road behind them, two sets of footprints, one large, one small, stood out clearly.

...

The Buddha Burial Temple was located in the Eastern Continent.

Xu Zimo still planned to pass through the route by the Grand Myriad Mountains, it was much faster.

But as the Darksky Tiger passed a valley, it came to a slow stop.

Xu Zimo sat up and looked behind. The girl was still stubbornly following.

She had no idea how far she had walked. Her long robe was covered in mud, and her face was full of exhaustion.

Xu Zimo didn’t say anything. He looked into the valley and was a bit surprised by what he saw.

The valley was full of people, many of them familiar faces.

The imperial lineages of the Western Region had all gathered here, including the Purgatory Sacred Ground, Divine Sun Sacred Ground, and True Martial Sacred Ground.

Leading the True Martial Sacred Ground group was the Seventh Grand Elder, Tianzhen.

But it wasn’t just sects from the Far West. Even top sects from the Eastern Continent had shown up.

Blood Nether Sacred Ground, the Chi Imperial Clan, the Dan Imperial Clan, the Mo Imperial Clan, the Baili Imperial Clan, the Supreme Primal Sacred Ground

Along with them were many first- and second-tier forces.

The whole valley was bustling. Not only the valley floor but even the mountainsides were packed with people.

At the front, of course, were the elite imperial sects.

“What’s going on here?” Xu Zimo looked around and patted the Darksky Tiger’s head.

“Let’s go have a look.”

...

The Darksky Tiger leapt down and charged toward the valley.

At the entrance, two disciples stepped in to block them.

“Which sect are you from?” one of them asked coldly, looking at Xu Zimo.

“Just here to watch the fun,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile.

“This valley is locked down. Rogues and unaffiliated cultivators aren’t allowed in,” the disciple replied.

“What if I insist?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Friend, look inside before you try forcing your way,” the disciple sneered.

“What’s going on?” a white-robed young man suddenly approached.

“Senior Brother Zhuo,” the two disciples greeted him quickly.

“This rogue cultivator tried to force his way into the valley. We stopped him.”

“Really?” the white-robed man glanced at Xu Zimo, his gaze pausing briefly on the Darksky Tiger beneath him, then lighting up as he saw the girl behind.

He turned, frowning slightly, and scolded the two disciples.

“Idiots. These two are my friends. Who said they can’t enter?”

He then turned and smiled at Xu Zimo. “Brother Wang, it’s been a long time.”

“Indeed, long time no see,” Xu Zimo replied with interest.

“Well, can they enter or not?” the white-robed man snapped.

“Senior Brother Zhuo’s friends can go in, of course,” the two disciples quickly stepped aside.

“Please, Brother Wang,” the white-robed man gestured politely and walked with Xu Zimo and the girl into the valley.

Watching them leave, one of the guards shook his head.

“Sigh, another prey targeted by Senior Brother Zhuo.”

...

The valley was huge, though not empty, there were scattered trees throughout.

“I’m Zhuo Yihang. May I ask your names?” the white-robed man asked with a smile.

“Xu Zimo.”

“Fan Tianyi.”

Xu Zimo cupped his fists and smiled. “Brother Zhuo, thanks for helping us earlier.”

“No problem,” Zhuo Yihang smiled. “You don’t seem like bad people. Just a small favor. But the situation in the valley is complicated. It’s best not to wander around. Why don’t you come sit with me for a bit?”

“That might not be appropriate,” Xu Zimo said hesitantly.

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