Departure

At the peak of Green Mountain Temple in Green Mountain Town, Ye Qiu stood at the edge of the roof, gripping the railing as he gazed into the distance, a reflective look on his face. Even now, he found the events of the past two months unbelievable.

He had originally been nothing more than an ordinary student, yet he had come to the world of Battle Through the Heavens. Now, he even held the power of life and death over six cities. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed impossible, yet it had truly happened to him.

This sudden change made Ye Qiu feel unreal, while also making him fear that it was all a dream. Once he woke up, there would be nothing left. This was also why his state of mind had become unstable.

If not for Fa Hai last time, he would likely have developed a heart demon. It seemed that because this strength had not been earned through solid effort, but granted by the system, then...

Looks like I need to make a trip to the Demon Beast Mountain Range. Ye Qiu thought to himself. He still needed to experience slaughter and battle; only then could he possess a state of mind worthy of his strength.

"Greetings, Marquis!" A streak of light descended, and a burly man appeared behind Ye Qiu. He dropped to one knee and bowed respectfully.

"Rise." Ye Qiu did not turn around, merely speaking calmly.

"Marquis, this subordinate did not know those people were members of the Xiao Family, and thus disobeyed your orders. This subordinate begs the Marquis for punishment!" Xiao Feng did not rise, instead pleading guilty to Ye Qiu.

"It's nothing. This matter is not a big deal, really. I called you back not only because I did not wish to become entangled with the Xiao Family, but also because I have something for you to do." Ye Qiu turned around, helped Xiao Feng to his feet, and spoke slowly.

"What orders does the Marquis have? This subordinate will certainly see them through for you." Deeply moved that Ye Qiu had personally helped him up, Xiao Feng clasped his hands and said.

"Tomorrow is the day Fa Hai opens his preaching platform and exchanges state letters with the Gama Empire. I want you to attend in my place and establish the state letter with the Gama Empire." Ye Qiu took the state letter that the system had prepared from his storage ring and handed it to Xiao Feng.

"What?! The Marquis does not intend to attend the assembly?" Hearing the young man's words, Xiao Feng was utterly shocked. He did not even accept the state letter Ye Qiu was offering him.

"That's right. I plan to go out and gain experience, leaving immediately. While I'm gone, Green Mountain Town and the other five cities will be entrusted to all of you. This is our foothold in the Gama Empire." Ye Qiu paid no mind to his reaction and personally tucked the state letter into Xiao Feng's robes.

"If the Marquis is going out to gain experience, then why not let Pingzhi protect you? That way, Xiao Feng can rest easy as well." Xiao Feng also knew it was impossible for Ye Qiu to remain in a place like Green Mountain Town forever, but letting him leave alone...

"Haha, I'm going out to gain experience, not on a sightseeing trip. Why would I bring guards? I've already spoken with Pingzhi. I told him to work with you to develop our forces with all his strength. There's no need to worry about my safety." Ye Qiu laughed.

"This... yes, Marquis. This subordinate accepts the order. Please take great care while away from home!" Seeing that Ye Qiu had made up his mind, Xiao Feng said no more. He took two jars of wine from his storage ring and handed them to Ye Qiu.

Understanding Xiao Feng's intentions, Ye Qiu did not refuse. He picked up one jar and drained it in a single gulp, while Xiao Feng likewise poured the wine into his mouth.

"Brother Xiao, remember this well: do not get involved with the Xiao Family of Wu Tan City. It would be best not to interfere in any of their affairs. The Xiao Family is watched by both the Soul Clan and the Gu Clan. Once those two clans set their sights on us, we'll be finished." Before leaving, Ye Qiu repeatedly reminded him.

"After Little Fairy Doctor comes out of seclusion, tell her that I've gone out to gain experience, and that she needn't worry." Little Fairy Doctor had entered seclusion two days earlier within the formation Fa Hai had set up, using Buddhist Dharma to suppress her Woeful Poison Body. Since she had yet to emerge, Ye Qiu could not bid her farewell in person.

"Yes, Marquis. This subordinate understands."

"Good. Though the green hills remain, the clear waters flow on. Brother Xiao, we shall meet again someday! Take care!" Ye Qiu said with clasped hands. Then, he activated the Gravity Fruit's Weightlessness Control, causing himself to float into the air. Turning, he flew toward the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

"Take care, Marquis." Watching the figure gradually disappear into the distance, Xiao Feng bowed and said.

The night was hazy. Ye Qiu did not have any dazzling Dou Qi Transformation Wings, so not a single person in Green Mountain Town noticed someone hovering in the sky as he flew away...

The next day, Fa Hai began his first propagation of Buddhist Dharma in the Dou Qi Continent at Green Mountain Temple. With the assistance of one hundred Buddhist disciples, the assembly concluded successfully. Some among the crowd below seemed thoughtful after hearing certain Buddhist truths spoken by Fa Hai. In particular, those of lower strength seemed to find acceptance and faith in the Buddha.

Some even requested to have their heads shaved on the spot and take refuge in Buddhism.

Of course, this was merely the spread of a religion. What came next was the true matter at hand.

In the passage leading from Green Mountain Temple to the site where the two nations would establish relations, Xiao Feng, Lin Pingzhi, and Wang Yi strode forward. Xiao Feng led the way, with Lin Pingzhi and Wang Yi following behind him.

All three wore the formal attire Ye Qiu had prepared for them, representing the ranks of nobility in the Huaxia Empire.

Xiao Feng wore black silk brocade Hanfu embroidered with a black tiger. Five golden stars representing China adorned his chest, while three white stripes marked his cuffs. His collar stood upright, making him look exceptionally imposing.

Lin Pingzhi and Wang Yi wore white Hanfu, their collars slightly lower than Xiao Feng's. They also had five golden stars on their chests, with red-crowned cranes embroidered on their robes and two black stripes on their cuffs.

"Grandmaster Fa Hai, why has the Pingyang Marquis not come? Today is the agreed day for our two nations to exchange state letters, the day we establish relations!" Jia Xingtian sat on the high platform and, seeing no sign of Ye Qiu, found it most strange. Afraid that he might have inadvertently done something to offend him, he quietly asked Fa Hai beside him.

"Oh, the Marquis still has some matters to handle in the Huaxia Empire, so he returned to his country first. Please forgive him, Benefactor Jia," Fa Hai said.

"Then this..."

"Benefactor, before the Marquis departed, he ordered the Sky Dragon Viscount to come and complete the establishment of relations in his place."

"The Sky Dragon Viscount?"

"Benefactor, the Lord will arrive shortly. This poor monk will introduce you then," Fa Hai said calmly.

Yao Ye, seated beside Jia Xingtian, was somewhat unhappy. Since Ye Qiu had said he was a marquis, the Gama Royal Family felt it would be improper for their emperor to meet with him personally. Yet sending a mere marquis would be even more inappropriate. Fa Hai of the Huaxia Empire alone was already so powerful; how could they treat them as equals?

After much discussion, the Gama Royal Family decided to have the eldest princess, Yao Ye, attend the meeting as the royal family's representative, with Jia Xingtian accompanying her. Yao Ye had no objection to this. Even Dou Zong Fa Hai ranked beneath that man, and a marquis was not much lower in status than a princess. Yet the other party had not appeared at all and had instead sent a mere viscount. Was this deliberately humiliating the Gama Empire?!

This enraged Princess Yao Ye, who was usually as calm as an iceberg. Even Jia Xingtian was somewhat displeased. If not for Fa Hai beside him being far stronger than he was, he would have caused a scene in Green Mountain Town long ago.

"The Sky Dragon Viscount, Smiling Wanderer Baron, and Carefree Baron of the Huaxia Empire have arrived!" At that moment, a monk at the entrance to the passage announced loudly.

The crowd below, waiting to witness the establishment of relations between the two nations, immediately stopped their discussions. For a moment, everything fell silent.