Before long, word came that Ye Hongyu had become the new leader of Xiling.
Less than a year into Ye Hongyu's tenure, Xiling had already changed greatly. But more change was coming.
In the spring of Tianqi's twenty-third year, Haotian's human incarnation, the Heavenly Maiden, ascended Peach Mountain. That day, the peach blossoms there, which had not bloomed in twenty years, burst into flower. Countless Xiling followers prostrated themselves to welcome her. For the first time in their lives, they saw a god in the flesh. Haotian truly existed.
Then Haotian entered the Hall of Light, and the lamp that had burned for ten thousand years went out. The hall no longer needed it. With her there, there was light.
For the first time in millennia, Haotian had descended upon Peach Mountain, affirming the gods' rightful place in the world. Those who had commanded the realm under the banner of light rejoiced. With Haotian there, they no longer feared losing their power.
Soon, word reached the Tang Kingdom that Xiling would hold the Radiance Sacrifice on Peach Mountain in six months.
The Radiance Sacrifice was the grandest rite in Haotian World, held only when Haotian revealed a divine miracle. Xiling was certainly not holding it to celebrate a victory in war. That would make it the laughingstock of the world.
The Tang Kingdom, the Academy's Back Mountain.
Shi Yongheng was in seclusion. The Academy's disciples sat together, pooling their ideas on how to respond. Sang Sang had returned to Peach Mountain, and Xiling was holding the Radiance Sacrifice. Matters this grave demanded a plan.
Ning Que asked, "Senior Brother, shouldn't we tell sir about something this important?"
Li Manman shook his head. "Sir is in seclusion. Before he went in, he said Emperor Ming would appear and keep the Butcher