In the Quiet Chamber, Chen Cuo slowly closed his eyes.
"This third branch is different."
He recalled the scenes that had unfolded along it—
This time, Chen Cuo had neither abandoned the mortal world nor fought for the Chen Kingdom. He had not taken the throne as Great Chen's emperor, either. Instead, he had used the Huai Region as a shield to protect the Chen Kingdom's border.
Thus, after Northern Zhou destroyed Northern Qi, north and south settled into a standoff.
Before long, news came that Northern Zhou's emperor had suppressed Buddhism and Daoism, stirring up conflict within his own realm. His march to swallow the land finally halted, giving the mortal powers room to breathe.
In their place, the various sects came under direct threat.
Soon, Chen Cuo received a plea for help from his Master’s Sect, so he sent an Incarnation north.
Along the way, he saw the Northern Lands growing ever more prosperous. In contrast, the Daoist Order and Buddhist School were withering. But with his mental strength limited, he had little time to investigate. His priority was to keep moving.
When he reached the Great Hua Secret Realm, he again encountered the many Soldiers who could break through supernatural powers. This time, Chen Cuo did not abandon his foundation in the Huai Region. With support from his true body, he held off the first assault. In the end, though, Daoyinzi had to exert his full strength to repel the invading Soldiers.
Daoyinzi ascended as a result, and Yan Yin Zi temporarily took over as sect leader.
To be safe, and because the Secret Realm had suffered considerable damage, Great Hua Mountain sent one branch of its lineage to seek refuge in the Huai Region, preserving a Seed for the future.
Within the Huai Region, Chen Cuo