The Holy Land Submits, Undercurrents Stir

The Divine Feather Holy Land was one of the ten most powerful forces in the Heavenly Billows Realm, and its territory was vast. After roughly half a month, Yuan Zhexian and his companions entered the Holy Land's territory. The Divine Feather Holy Son immediately introduced it to Yuan Zhexian. "Young master, our Divine Feather Holy Land currently has hundreds of thousands of outer disciples, a thousand inner disciples, more than twenty core disciples, and me, the Holy Son. Only those at the Grotto-Heaven Realm can serve as outer elders, while those at the Divine Ability Realm serve as inner elders. Core elders are Dao Body Realm experts. As for Samsara Realm experts, they are the foundation of our Holy Land. Every one of them is a supreme elder."

Yuan Zhexian smiled faintly and nodded at the introduction, while Yuan Ruochu and the others curled their lips in disdain. Before long, the group arrived at the gates of the Divine Feather Holy Land. The four golden characters for "Divine Feather Holy Land" stood out on an aged plaque. The Divine Feather Holy Son then led Yuan Zhexian and the others toward Divine Feather Hall. Along the way, disciples constantly bowed to the Holy Son, and he returned every greeting.

Seeing this, Yuan Zhexian said, "It seems you're quite popular in the Holy Land."

The Divine Feather Holy Son smiled. "I usually treat these disciples well, so they acknowledge me as their Holy Son."

He then added, "Young master, we've arrived at the hall. Please."

With that, he led Yuan Zhexian into Divine Feather Hall.

Several experts were already waiting in Divine Feather Hall. At their head was an old man with a withered body and a slight hunch. His blood and Qi were clearly depleted, and he looked as though he might die at any moment. Yet a terrifying presence emanated from him, and everyone in the hall looked at him with reverence. Beside the old man stood an eighth-stage Samsara Realm expert, a middle-aged man with a solemn look in his deep-set eyes. Both sides of the hall were lined with Samsara Realm experts.

When the Divine Feather Holy Son and Yuan Zhexian entered the hall, the Holy Son saw the old man and the middle-aged man and bowed. "Greetings, Ancestor. Greetings, Holy Lord."

The Shenyu Ancestor said, "No need for ceremony, Holy Son."

A Samsara Realm supreme elder saw that Yuan Zhexian and the others remained unmoved and immediately said, "Young master, though you are the distinguished heir of a hidden Lineage, in this world where the strong are revered, isn't it rather improper not to bow before a Quasi-Saint?"

Yuan Zhexian gave the supreme elder an indifferent look. Apart from the few people he respected most, even the king of heaven himself could forget about making Yuan Zhexian bend his waist. But Yuan Ruochu and the others wouldn't stand for it. Given the Divine Son's status, were they worthy of his bow? Yuan Ruochu immediately said, "He's only a Quasi-Saint. Is he worthy? Even Saints and Saint Kings wouldn't dare make our young master bow. What are you, to dare demand a bow from our young master?" As Yuan Ruochu spoke, Yuan Ruochu's presence surged toward the supreme elder.

The supreme elder was a fifth-stage Samsara Realm expert. Seeing Yuan Ruochu's presence bearing down on him, he immediately unleashed his own to resist it, only to be forced back step after step in their first clash. He then exclaimed in shock, "How can someone at the sixth stage of the Dao Body Realm have such a presence? Even I can't withstand it."

Seeing this, the Shenyu Ancestor said to the supreme elder, "It's all right, it's all right." He then said to Yuan Zhexian, "We invited you here as a guest to discuss entering that mysterious space. I wonder what you have in mind, young master."

Yuan Zhexian replied indifferently, "What I have in mind? I do indeed have something in mind. I want your Divine Feather Holy Land to submit to me."

"What? How dare you! Insolence!" The Shenyu Holy Lord and the supreme elders all flew into a rage, wishing they could tear Yuan Zhexian and his four companions apart on the spot.

The Shenyu Ancestor said, "I honored you as a distinguished guest and invited you here to discuss an important matter, yet you make such a joke. Aren't you afraid you won't walk out of these gates today?"

"Oh...? You think I'm joking? Or do you intend to attack us?" Yuan Zhexian asked with a light laugh.

"Since you have so little sincerity, I ask you to leave. Holy Son, see our guests out." Still wary of the hidden Lineage's strength, the Shenyu Ancestor refrained from attacking and immediately ordered them to leave.

"Ancestor, this..." The Shenyu Divine Son was at a loss.

"Didn't you understand me? I told you to see them out," the Shenyu Ancestor said angrily.

Yuan Zhexian continued to smile faintly. "I told you, I came today to make you submit to me."

"Do you really think we're easy to bully?" As the Shenyu Ancestor spoke, his Quasi-Saint presence erupted and surged toward Yuan Zhexian.

Seeing the Shenyu Ancestor's terrifying presence, Yuan Zhexian opened his Double Pupils, releasing a presence even more terrifying than the ancestor's.

The two terrifying presences collided. Yuan Zhexian stood unmoved, while the Shenyu Ancestor gave a muffled grunt, already injured.

"What?" The Shenyu Ancestor couldn't believe that Yuan Zhexian, despite being at the Samsara Realm, had injured him with his presence alone. Then he saw Yuan Zhexian's Double Pupils and went pale with shock. "Who exactly are you? How can you be so powerful? You absolutely cannot be from a hidden Lineage. Though hidden Lineages are powerful, they could never produce an unrivaled figure like you. And you have Double Pupils. When Double Pupils are born, the Heavenly Dao will surely bestow its blessing, and auspicious omens will descend from heaven. Nothing like that has ever happened in the Heavenly Billows Realm."

Yuan Zhexian said, "I am indeed not from a hidden Lineage."

"Then who exactly are you?" the Shenyu Ancestor asked.

"I am from the upper realm," Yuan Zhexian said calmly.

At those words, everyone's eyes widened as they stared at Yuan Zhexian in shock. They had never imagined that he and his companions were from the upper realm.

The upper realm was the goal they had pursued all their lives. Now, several living people from the upper realm stood before them, and they could scarcely believe it.

Seeing everyone's shock, Yuan Ruochu dropped another bombshell. "Our young master is the Divine Son of the forbidden Yuan Clan."

At this, the Shenyu Ancestor's mouth fell open, while the others didn't understand what those words meant.

The Shenyu Ancestor explained, "According to the ancient records of our Holy Land, the forces of the upper realm are divided into holy lands, holy dynasties, immortal holy lands, immortal holy dynasties, imperial dynasties, imperial clans, and forbidden forces. Only the current heirs of upper-realm forces at the immortal level or above are qualified to be called Divine Sons. As for forbidden forces, they are described in just a few words: above all living beings."

Everyone's mouths fell open and their eyes widened. When they looked at Yuan Zhexian again, their eyes were filled with reverence and terror.

The Shenyu Ancestor had no choice but to believe Yuan Zhexian and Yuan Ruochu. After all, such figures could never appear in the Heavenly Billows Realm, and the ancestor could sense that if Yuan Zhexian wanted to destroy him, it would be exceedingly easy.

The Shenyu Ancestor now set aside his status as a Quasi-Saint and immediately bowed to Yuan Zhexian. "We did not know of your esteemed status, Divine Son, and spoke recklessly. Please forgive us."

Yuan Zhexian smiled. "Those who did not know are not to blame. Your blood and Qi have dried up, and I imagine your lifespan is nearly at its end. If you don't break through to the Saint Realm, I reckon you'll pass away in a few decades."

The Shenyu Ancestor replied helplessly, "Your words are true, Divine Son. That is indeed the case."

Yuan Zhexian waved his hand, and a green pill appeared before the Shenyu Ancestor. It radiated a staggering amount of life force.

"This is...?" Sensing its astonishing life force, the Shenyu Ancestor asked in shock.

"This is an Essence-to-Qi Holy Pill." It could replenish the life essence of anyone below the Saint Realm, and a single pill could add four hundred years to their lifespan. A Quasi-Saint's lifespan was only a little over two thousand years. An additional four hundred years would be irresistibly tempting to a Quasi-Saint nearing the end of his life.

Yuan Zhexian waved his hand again, and six yellow pills appeared beside the Essence-to-Qi Holy Pill. He said to everyone, "These are Nine-Refinement Origin-Returning Holy Pills. They can help those at the ninth stage of the Samsara Realm break through to the Quasi-Saint Realm."

The seven holy pills then floated toward the Shenyu Ancestor and the six ninth-stage Samsara Realm supreme elders.

"These are... for us?" the seven asked excitedly.

"That's right. This is my show of sincerity. Now it's time to see yours," Yuan Zhexian said.

The Shenyu Ancestor hurriedly led the Shenyu Holy Lord and the supreme elders to their knees. With both hands on the ground, they said, "From this day forth, we swear to obey the Divine Son's commands unto death. Should we break this oath, may our bodies and souls be destroyed." This was a Heavenly Dao Oath. Once the oath's contract was formed, anyone who failed to honor it would be struck by divine punishment from the Heavenly Dao, destroying body and soul.

Yuan Zhexian looked at them in satisfaction and told them to rise. He then walked straight to the main seat and sat down. "In the lower realm, address me as young master. There's no need to search for the person who can enter the mysterious space. He will lead us inside. You seven, go into seclusion and refine the holy pills as quickly as possible, then await my instructions. When the time comes, we'll enter that mysterious space."

"We shall obey your command, Divine Son," everyone said, cupping their hands and bowing.

Once the matter was settled, Yuan Zhexian and Yuan Ruochu returned to the Gathering of Fate restaurant to await Zhao Zixuan's arrival.

After Yuan Zhexian left, the Divine Feather Holy Son had nothing to do, so he drank heartily with the core disciples. During the gathering, they kept asking him questions.

"Holy Son, who is that important person?"

"That's right, Holy Son, please tell us."

"Come on, Holy Son, satisfy our curiosity."

His face red from drinking, the Divine Feather Holy Son said, "I can't tell you who that important person is. But there's one thing I can tell you."

"What is it, Holy Son?" everyone asked curiously.

"Before long, our Holy Land's supreme elders at the Samsara Realm and above, along with the Holy Lord and the ancestor, will go to that mysterious space," the Divine Feather Holy Son replied.

"The mysterious space? I heard countless experts perished after entering it. What are the Holy Lord and the ancestor thinking?" one core disciple said.

"That's right. I heard only one person went in and came out safely. That person is wanted throughout the Heavenly Billows Realm now. Everyone wants to capture him and make him lead them into the mysterious space," another core disciple immediately added.

"There's something you don't know. That lord has already settled the matter. The man agreed to lead him into the mysterious space, and he'll take the ancestor and the Holy Lord along too," the Divine Feather Holy Son said drunkenly.

"Then, Holy Son, when will that lord go to the mysterious space?" a core disciple asked.

"When the time comes, the l-l... bleurgh..." The Divine Feather Holy Son began vomiting, then collapsed drunk on the table.

One of the core disciples' faces darkened, and he muttered grimly to himself, "That man agreed to enter the mysterious space...?" Then another core disciple called to him, "Gou Shuang, what are you spacing out for? Come on, drink..."

After the feast, Gou Shuang returned to his room cautiously, looking left and right before shutting the door. He went into the bedroom and took out a communication stone. When he stirred his spiritual power, a voice came from the other end.

"Why have you contacted me?"

Gou Shuang immediately said, "My lord, I have something important to report."

"Hmm? What is it?" the voice asked in puzzlement.

"Today I was drinking with the Divine Feather Holy Son, and he let something slip after he had too much. He said an important person would lead the Shenyu Ancestor, the Shenyu Holy Lord, and a group of supreme elders to that mysterious space."

The voice replied disdainfully, "Apart from that young man, everyone who entered perished there. Those people? They'll only meet their deaths if they go in. Has the Shenyu Ancestor grown senile? Does he want to destroy the entire Divine Feather Holy Land? All the better. When the time comes, our Dragon Palace can take the Divine Feather Holy Land's territory without lifting a finger."

Gou Shuang added, "But my lord, that important person has already dealt with the young man you mentioned. He agreed to take the important person, the Shenyu Ancestor, the Shenyu Holy Lord, and the others to that mysterious place."

"Oh? Is that so? Who exactly is this important person you're talking about?" the voice asked in shock.

"I don't know either," Gou Shuang replied. "The Divine Feather Holy Son didn't reveal his identity, and I don't know what method he used to persuade the Shenyu Ancestor, the Holy Lord, and the supreme elders."

The voice said, "Hmm. You've done well. Continue watching them, and report any sign of movement to me immediately. I'll reward you handsomely afterward."

Gou Shuang immediately said with delight, "Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"

Meanwhile, the Dragon Palace's council hall was filled with experts. The Dragon Palace Master asked, "Fifth Supreme Elder, what is it? Why have you summoned us all in such a hurry?"

The Fifth Supreme Elder replied, "A spy has just reported that the Divine Feather Holy Land is preparing to deploy all its forces to that mysterious space."

"What? All their forces? Do they want to bring about the end of the Divine Feather Holy Land?" an elder asked.

The Fifth Supreme Elder continued, "The young man who can enter has already agreed to take them in with him."

"What?"

Not only the elders but even the Dragon Palace Master rose to his feet. "They found him first?" he asked in surprise. "Did they use threats and inducements?"

"I don't know, but I heard there's an important person stirring things up behind the scenes," the Fifth Supreme Elder said.

"An important person?"

The Fifth Supreme Elder then asked, "Palace Master, what should we do?"

The Dragon Palace Master pondered for a while. "The Divine Feather Holy Land is deploying all its forces. The commotion is bound to be considerable and will surely alert the other forces. There's also a mysterious figure behind it. Our Dragon Palace can't swallow this alone. Rather than that, we might as well inform the other forces in advance and obtain some resources in exchange."

The others responded, "A wise decision, Palace Master."

The Dragon Palace Master continued, "The five supreme elders will be responsible for visiting the major forces. There's no time to lose. Set out now."

"As you command, Palace Master." The five bowed, then left one after another to visit the major forces.