CH 140

Chapter 140 – But the People Have Changed

Only Zhang Yun, who had been brought here by Daoist Lord Qingxin, was still stuck in the illusion realm.

Wei Yuanwei didn’t mind this and simply took back the large orb of mist. Zhang Yun tumbled out of it, his expression vacant and lost.

Xu Disheng stood up and declared, “You six people may enter the sect.”

He took out a record jade slip and recorded their names and detailed information within, then handed it over to Secret Realms Envoy Wei Yuanwei.

Wei Yuanwei took the jade slip, but he didn’t immediately put it away. He looked over at Emperor Chu and Chu Luo, who was standing next to him. “Realm Master Chu, this young fellow has had sufficient time to think. In the end, will he go or not?”

Chu Luo had returned to Emperor Chu’s side. At this moment, there was a look of hesitation on his face.

Emperor Chu looked at Xu Disheng and said, “Xu Disheng, weren’t you a native of my Chu Territory’s You Province?”

“Yes, Martial Uncle Chu,” Xu Disheng replied.

“Very good. I have a blood descendant with Grade 1 Profound Meridians who I want to send to Mingxin Mountain Range to cultivate. As a person also from the Chu Territory, could you please help look over him for me?” Emperor Chu said. He had his own communication network, and long since learned that Xu Disheng was one of the top 10 in the Sea of Qi division of the Internal Disciple Tournament, had multiple Magic Treasures on him, and could now be unquestionably considered a genius. He was also well aware that right now, Xu Disheng was an intermediary disciple in the Secret Realms Office of Affairs Hall.

Although Emperor Chu was a Realm Master and a peak Dao Foundation stage existence, he knew that he couldn’t push him around anymore. His attitude towards Xu Disheng was now extremely gentle and mild, and right now he was speaking as if he was consulting him on this matter.

However, Xu Disheng knew the root cause of Emperor Chu’s change in attitude towards him. He inwardly snorted and lifted his gaze to look at the ‘Young Lord’ Chu Luo beside Emperor Chu. He came forward and cupped his hands. “Yes, Martial Uncle,” he said.

Emperor Chu waved his hand, and a storage pouch appeared in the hall and landed in front of Xu Disheng.

Xu Disheng didn’t put on any airs. With a thought, the Yin Yang Diagram flashed with black and white light, sweeping over the storage pouch and storing it within. “Thank you, Martial Uncle,” he said.

Chu Luo was extremely sensible. The fierce, imposing air he had when he was scolding that early Sea of Qi stage Daoist Lord earlier was nowhere to be seen. He cupped his hands respectfully to Xu Disheng and said, “Greetings, Senior Martial Brother Xu.”

Xu Disheng nodded and gestured with his eyes, hinting to him to stand behind him.

Chu Luo came forward without a word and stood behind Xu Disheng, the look of hesitation on his face from before completely gone.

Four years ago, Zhang Luo, a descendent of Emperor Chu’s great-great-grandson, was tested to have Grade 1 Profound Meridians. He was also highly intelligent and bright, and earned the right to change his surname to Chu. For the past few years, he had been sticking closely with Emperor Chu and cultivating under his guidance. He often went out to gain practical experience, and had earned the title of ‘Young Lord’.

With a peak Dao Foundation stage cultivator personally guiding him, Chu Luo was naturally no ordinary talent. His aptitude was exceptional, and he had even been exempted from taking the sect entry examination.

A few years ago, there had been three people from the Chu Clan who took the sect entry examination at the same time as Xu Disheng, but Emperor Chu hadn’t looked upon them with much importance. In the end, only Chu Qing’er had entered the Mingxin Mountain Range, while the other two had been assigned to the Outer Region of Zhuri Mountain, where they would eventually die out in mediocrity with the rest.

Originally, Emperor Chu didn’t want to let Chu Luo enter the Sacred Sect this early. His plan had been to have him cultivate until he reached the Sea of Qi stage, at which point he would be able to skip over the barrier known as the Peak Examination and directly enter a Peak. This would be able to give him a higher starting point in the sect.

But Wei Yuanwei’s sudden arrival made him hesitate.

There were pros and cons regardless of whether he chose to enter the Sacred Sect now or wait until the next unified disciple recruitment period.

However, it was Xu Disheng’s appearance that allowed Emperor Chu to make up his mind.

If he was under the care of a recently risen Sea of Qi stage genius of Mingxin Mountain like Xu Disheng, Chu Luo probably wouldn’t experience too much difficulty when he was in the Outer Region.

Emperor Chu wasn’t worried that Xu Disheng would only help him in a half-hearted manner.

As someone who came from the Chu Territory, this label was attached to him and could never be removed from his identity as long as he was in the Shangqing Sacred Sect. In other peoples’ eyes, they were of the same group. This was an undeniable fact.

It was just like how Xu Disheng now had a connection to Celestial Tide Spirit Master and belonged to his influence. This was an irrefutable truth known to all of the people of Mingxin Mountain Range.

On top of that, the gift inside the storage pouch wasn’t light by any means.

Even though Emperor Chu was a peak Dao Foundation stage Realm Master and someone from the same realm as him, he couldn’t forcefully command Xu Disheng to do anything for him. But even under the premise that there was no benefit for Xu Disheng, Emperor Chu could still politely ‘urge’ him in a certain direction.

Wei Yuanwei recorded Chu Luo’s name in the record jade slip, then cupped his hands to Emperor Chu. “Realm Master Chu, we won’t be bothering you any more with these matters. We will be returning now,” he said.

Emperor Chu nodded, then took out another two storage pouches, which he gave to Chu Luo. “The arrangements for you to enter a Mountain are already in place. If you need anything in the future, you can consult with your Senior Martial Brother Xu.”

“Yes, Forefather,” Chu Luo said, bidding farewell with a polite bow before putting away the storage pouches.

At the Sky Platform above the Imperial Court…

Wei Yuanwei boarded the wooden boat first with Xu Disheng and Xing Xing, followed by Qingxin and Chu Luo. Then, the 6 disciples who had passed the exam got on the boat one by one.

A stormy vortex appeared in the sky above them, and the Realm-Crossing Wooden Boat slowly passed through it. All that remained were several dozens of golden-armored soldiers solemnly standing above the Imperial Court.

When the vortex faded, the wooden boat slowly landed, but unexpectedly they were right outside the great hall on Cangming Peak.

Xu Disheng turned to look at Xing Xing.

Xing Xing’s expression was awkward. He had spoken so confidently earlier, concluding that they would surely be going straight to the An Territory. But now, reality was like a big, loud slap on his face.

With a snort, Xu Disheng brought Qingxin, Chu Luo, and the other six disciples with him, disembarking from the wooden boat.

Wei Yuanwei didn’t get off the boat. Instead, he activated the realm-crossing token, and a black vortex appeared above the great hall once more. The realm-crossing wooden boat passed through it and disappeared without a trace.

Upon entering the great hall, Xu Disheng’s brows furrowed.

It was evening now, and there were more than a dozen tables lined up in the hall. There were many disciples within, feasting on spirit fruits and drinking exquisite wines. The sounds of chatter and laughter were unceasing.

“Peak Director,” Xu Disheng greeted, cupping his hands to Yu Jia, who was seated in the seat of honor.

“Just coming back from the Secret Realm, is it? Where is the Envoy?” Yu Jia said, understanding the situation when he saw Xu Disheng and the people behind him.

“Envoy Wei dropped us off back at Cangming Peak, then directly left for the An Territory,” Xu Disheng replied.

Yu Jia nodded and said, “I recall that Wei Yuanwei said that he was going to the Chu and An Territories. The Realm Master of the Chu Territory sent a message, saying that a blood descendant of his might come this time. Where is this person now?”

Xu Disheng turned his head. Chu Luo had been standing behind him all this time. Although he was nervous, he still came forward and said politely, “Chu Luo of the Chu Territory greets the Peak Director of Cangming Peak.”

“Mhm. Take this token and enter the Outer Region of Mingxin Mountain. Wait for… the person beside you to make arrangements,” Yu Jia said, glancing at Xu Disheng. He waved his hand and a Mingxin Mountain outer disciple token landed in front of Chu Luo.