Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

For the siblings, Lei Boyong and Lei Boyu, the destruction of the Ten Thousand Gods Sect was, without a doubt, a wonderful thing. But at the same time, they had also unintentionally stumbled upon a secret of Jinyun Valley:

Chen Che was in collusion with Xiao Chan, a rebel disciple of the Primordial Sect.

This, too, was an earth-shattering affair.

Even the most righteous of people would kill to protect such a secret.

As the realization hit them, the siblings immediately swore a grave and solemn oath: "By the Celestial Dao above! We, Lei Boyong and Lei Boyu, vow that if we reveal even a fraction of what we saw today to anyone else, we shall be struck by ten thousand bolts of lightning and suffer a calamity from which we will never be reborn!"

"Let's add a Divine Sense restriction on top of that!"

Xiao Chan studied the siblings, then after a long moment of contemplation, said, "I will seal everything I have seen, heard, and learned today within my Divine Sense. If I reveal a single word to any outsider, may Yin Fire instantly incinerate me, body and soul!"

"Acceptable."

Naturally, Lei Boyong and Lei Boyu dared not object.

Surviving today was already a stroke of incredible luck; they were in no position to be picky. Once the pact was sealed, the siblings breathed a collective sigh of relief. Their lives were well and truly saved.

Lei Boyong immediately spoke with great respect:

"We pay our respects to you, three Seniors. It is thanks to your intervention that the Ten Thousand Gods Sect was stopped, saving countless mortals and cultivators from utter disaster."

In the battle on Ten Thousand Gods Mountain, Chen Che, Xiao Chan, and Chen Xi had, with their combined strength, completely annihilated the nascent Ten Thousand Gods Sect.

While a major power could have crushed the Ten Thousand Gods Sect with ease, and even if the sect had been established, it wouldn't have dared to launch a large-scale invasion of places like the Primordial Sect or Jinyun Valley. But any region without a Golden Core cultivator to stand guard would have become a Purgatory on earth. For Low Tier Cultivators, a High Tier Cultivator on a rampage was no different from a natural disaster.

Thus, the siblings' gratitude was self-evident.

"You're from Bai State?"

Seeing the siblings nod, Chen Che said, "Get your things. You'll travel with us."

"Yes!"

The Lei siblings were thrilled to learn their destination was Celestial Ghost City, where they would help defend it. With these three Golden Core cultivators stationed at Celestial Ghost Ridge, how could the Star-Picking Sect possibly invade?

But Chen Che's group of three did not share their optimism.

The greatest shock of the day wasn't the establishment of the Ten Thousand Gods Sect, but the revelation that Gongyang Shuo was an Elder of the Star-Picking Sect.

Then again, even the Yu Family planted spies, so how could a Major Sect like Star-Picking, with a legacy spanning nearly a millennium, not do likewise?

There was no telling how many Golden Core Loose Cultivators were secretly associated with them.

"What on earth is that Primordial Ancestor trying to do?"

The trio searched the Mountain God Temple again from top to bottom. After confirming that nothing was left behind, they set a fire that consumed the entire Ten Thousand Gods Mountain, then set out for Celestial Ghost Ridge. Along the way, Xiao Chan couldn't help but speculate.

"Could it be that the Primordial Sect is truly done for this time?"

Its jurisdictions were in complete chaos.

According to Song Yuanxing, the Ten Thousand Gods Sect was just one thorn in their side; who knew how many other Evil Cultivation Sects were out there. These sects were scattered all over. Once they rose up, it would be like Starfire setting a prairie ablaze, causing chaos to erupt everywhere.

"If this continues, the Primordial Sect will collapse from within before the Star-Picking Sect even needs to attack!"

Chen Xi frowned.

It wasn't that the three of them were completely loyal to the Primordial Sect—it was never good for any one sect to become overwhelmingly powerful. Only when the two major sects were evenly matched could they profit from the chaos.

But now, it seemed the Star-Picking Sect was dead set on dismembering the Primordial Sect. Forgetting everything else, just planting the "nail" of the Ten Thousand Gods Sect was enough to leave the Primordial Sect completely overwhelmed.

Who has the will to resist the Star-Picking Sect when you're fighting a war at the front and getting your home ransacked from behind?

"We'll face whatever comes. The world is a vast place; where could we not find refuge?"

Chen Che's expression was calm.

He felt no loyalty to the Primordial Sect and certainly wasn't foolish enough to stand or fall with it. The moment the Primordial Sect collapsed, he would be the first one out the door, taking Jinyun Valley with him.

The Lei siblings didn't dare interject during the journey, so they simply focused on guiding the way.

Sensing that the group intended to eliminate Evil Cultivators, the two also acted as proper guides. Along the way, they took care of several dozen Evil Cultivators who had participated in the "Banquet of the Gods" but hadn't made it to Ten Thousand Gods Mountain.

After a full three days of leisurely travel, the group finally arrived at Celestial Ghost Ridge in Bai State.

Along the way, the siblings gave them a detailed introduction to Celestial Ghost Ridge.

They explained that although it was called a "ridge," it wasn't a single landform but a range consisting of seventeen peaks.

And unlike the sprawling mountain ranges of Chu State, these peaks were mostly sharp and jagged, like daggers and blades piercing the sky. Looking up, one could faintly make out dark shadows circling in the clouds—the Celestial Ghost Bats that made the ridge their home.

Nestled among the peaks was a small hill, no more than three hundred meters in elevation. This was the location of Celestial Ghost City.

Detouring around the ridge was too time-consuming, while a direct crossing meant a confrontation with the Celestial Ghost Bats. Thus, Celestial Ghost City served as a vital chokepoint.

The trio had passed countless abandoned towns along their journey, ravaged by Evil Cultivators with bodies strewn everywhere. They had expected Celestial Ghost City to be in a similar state, but were surprised to find it bustling with extraordinary life, packed with cultivators coming and going.

"This place has always been a major crossroads, so it was never empty. After the Star-Picking Sect began their attack, cultivators from the front fled here. On top of that, sects from the surrounding Bai State have also sent people to help, which is why it's so crowded," Lei Boyong explained respectfully.

Chen Che nodded slightly.

Wangluo Sect disciples!

Battle Gang Sect disciples!

Celestial Sword Sect disciples!

Many of the cultivators wore their Sect's attire and personal Tokens, making them easy to identify, though Chen Che had never heard of any of these sects.

Chen Che wasn't surprised.

After all, the Primordial Sect ruled over more than just a single Sect. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of Foundation Establishment Sects under its command. If one were to count the Qi Refining Realm Sects, many of which consisted of just a handful of members, the total could easily exceed ten thousand.

"Valley Master Chen, Senior Chen, Senior Fushan, my family has arranged accommodations. If you three would…"

Lei Boyu said, cupping her hands, though her eyes were secretly stealing glances at Chen Che.

"That won't be necessary."

Chen Che waved his hand. "Go back to your family. We're going straight to the City Lord."

Seeing her hesitate, he added:

"Don't overthink what happened on Ten Thousand Gods Mountain. The matter is concluded; you just need to be discreet. Besides, we're here to defend the city. We need the City Lord's cooperation. What would it look like for us to be staying with your family?"

"This is far enough."

"...Yes."

Lei Boyu opened her mouth, but in the end, she just nodded and stood still, watching the three of them disappear into the distance.

Lei Boyong walked over and patted her on the shoulder comfortingly.

"We're not part of their world, after all…"

"Mm."

Lei Boyu nodded emphatically.

She knew in her heart that they were Golden Core True Masters. It was already a monumental blessing that she had not only survived Ten Thousand Gods Mountain but also had been allowed to travel with them this far.

...

The three of them ambled down the street and soon spotted a massive mansion in the distance that took up nearly the entire city center.

Judging by its scale and location alone, it was obvious who resided there. Without real power, the mansion would have likely changed hands within a fortnight.

Zuo Mansion.

The residence of City Lord Zuo Qinlong.

However, according to the Lei siblings:

While Zuo Qinlong was a formidable power—the master of Celestial Ghost City and a cultivator who had been at Core Formation for over two hundred years—his descendants had suffered repeated calamities in recent decades. The direct line of his already small family was now almost completely wiped out.

Now, only the old and infirm were left in the mansion.

But even a wrecked ship has some good iron left. The guards at the gate were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"You there."

Chen Che spotted a guard from a distance and beckoned him over.

The status of a guard depends entirely on their master.

The poor have no use for them.

For the powerful, however, a guard is like a seventh-grade official at the Prime Minister's gate. To hold such a position, one needs a keen eye. If you offend someone you shouldn't, your own master will personally crush you before the other party even needs to act.

Indeed, the guard on duty saw the bearing of Chen Che's group and realized they were extraordinary. He hurried forward cautiously.

"How may I help you three…?"

Chen Che didn't make things difficult. "Tell your City Lord that Chen Che of Jinyun Valley is here to see him."

The guard's face drained of color upon hearing this, and he scrambled inside the mansion to report.

Another guard respectfully escorted the three of them into the mansion, where a beautiful serving girl brought them Spirit Tea. Before long, an old man emerged from the inner courtyard. He appeared to be past sixty, with a full head of white hair and a matching beard, and he radiated a powerful aura.

The old man was powerfully built, his long hair held in place by a Jade Crown. He wore a moon-white robe with gold trim that emanated its own commanding presence. Even Lu Wanli would have paled in comparison.

This was Zuo Qinlong.

He first performed a salute to Chen Che. "Valley Master Chen, Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Fushan. Forgive my failure to greet such esteemed guests at the gate."

"Let's dispense with the mortal formalities."

Chen Che waved his hand and cut straight to the chase. "I presume, City Lord, that you know we are here under orders from the Primordial Sect to defend Celestial Ghost City."

"..."

Zuo Qinlong's brow furrowed. "Forgive my bluntness, but are you three the only ones who came?"

"Why? Is the situation that grim?"

Chen Che keenly sensed the hardship in the man's tone.

Zuo Qinlong heaved a long sigh.

"I won't hide it from you three. 'Grim' is no longer a strong enough word. You could say the whole edifice is on the verge of collapse. The Primordial Sect is in mortal peril. From what I can see, I fear it won't even last another half a year!"

Chen Che's brow furrowed. "Please be more specific, Fellow Daoist Zuo."