Yan Territory.
The sky stretched vast and hazy, the autumn leaves withered yellow.
With the Yan Mountains at its back to the north, the Taihang Mountains to its west, the Bohai Sea to its east, and the Central Plains to its south, this land had always been the foremost stronghold against the various barbarian peoples. The Tuoba clan had risen from Dai Territory, crossed the Yan Mountains, and marched straight into the Central Plains. They therefore paid particular attention to this region, inviting practitioners of the Immortal Dao to hold it.
Tuoba Chunyan had left the capital to take up his fief nine years ago.
In just a few years, the Prince of Yan had changed enormously. Like a dragon entering the sea, he was no longer constrained by the nobles and court officials. Even his own elder brother could barely keep him in check.
Now, centered on Ji City, the Prince of Yan commanded a great many immortal and Buddhist cultivators, monsters, and demons. He showed every sign of ignoring orders from Luo Capital and forming a nation of his own.
Ji City, inside a temple.
The temple was ancient and small, occupying only a corner in the east of the city. Its walls bore many magnificent, hideous paintings of Heavenly Demons and the Desire Realm, radiating green-black light.
A plaque hung before the temple, inscribed with:
[Emptiness Temple]
The temple was indeed utterly empty. Only a black-robed monk sat motionless in the main hall, demonic light rising and falling beside him as demon heads of every size burrowed out of it.
Over the past few years, Xu Xuan had collected and read a considerable number of Buddhist Teaching scriptures. He had also specifically sought out ancient Buddhist cultivators from Mount Sumeru for reference, and was now confident of