Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"This elixir is extraordinary!" The woman from the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers opened her eyes and took a deep breath.

Then, she began to explain to Sect Leader Wan.

"It’s a pity we cannot master this alchemy method," Sect Leader Wan sighed. "But my decision back in the Falling Star Mountain Range was the right one."

A radiant smile spread across her face at the thought.

If not for that, how else could her Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers have befriended the Lingyun Sect? How else could they have made the future Pill King owe them a favor?

"Of course. Ling Fei is destined to become the king of the Alchemy Dao in our Southern Wilderness," the woman said.

"But even though our sect has formed a good relationship with the Lingyun Sect, it’s still not enough in the end," Sect Leader Wan said, a hint of worry in her voice.

’If only we could form a marriage alliance with the Lingyun Sect.’

A marriage alliance would make them true allies.

"But it seems Ling Fei already has a lover," an Elder beside her frowned.

"In the Martial Arts World, it’s normal for a man to have several wives. Even if he already has a lover, it doesn’t matter," Sect Leader Wan said with a wave of her hand.

"True," everyone nodded in agreement.

Even high-ranking officials and nobles among mortals could take several concubines, to say nothing of the future Pill King of the Southern Wilderness.

While the members of the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers and the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple were overjoyed, the Elders of the Beiming Sword Sect were visibly dejected.

"The major sects are all gathering to congratulate Ling Fei. It’s said the Lingyun Sect even promised to gift each sect one Spirit Awakening Pill after the competition ends," an elder in the hall reported to Beiming Huahai, who sat on the dais.

The look on his face was grim. The Beiming Sword Sect had always been the hegemon of the Southern Wilderness.

But now, because of a single competition, because the Lingyun Sect had produced a talent like Ling Fei, the entire situation was beginning to shift.

It wasn’t hard to imagine that if the Lingyun Sect were allowed to continue growing, they might just become the true rulers of the Southern Wilderness.

Upon hearing this news, the faces of the Beiming Sword Sect’s Elders turned cold and grim.

"That Yuan Huaitian is so shameless, using Spirit Awakening Pills to win everyone over so quickly," Beichen Xinghe snorted.

"You need not worry about these things. I have my own way of dealing with it." Beiming Huahai’s expression was severe. His gaze then shifted, falling upon the black-robed woman in the first seat to his lower left. "You Ji, regarding our last discussion, has Shangguan Wan’Er agreed?"

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, Wan’Er has agreed. However, Ling Fei is now a heavily protected figure in the Lingyun Sect. Killing him will not be easy," You Ji said. "Never mind Shangguan Wan’Er, who is at the Celestial Pill Realm; even a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator might not succeed in an assassination attempt."

Besides, making a move here would incite the wrath of all the other sects.

"We can’t kill him here, but what about inside the North Spirit Ruins?" Beiming Huahai said coldly.

"The North Spirit Ruins!" You Ji’s gaze faltered at his words.

"This time, Ling Fei must die. Tell Shangguan Wan’Er that if he doesn’t die, she will," Beiming Huahai said, his voice like ice.

"Yes!" You Ji nodded and took her leave.

"Making Ling Fei’s lover kill him... It’s foolproof." Savage smiles appeared on the faces of Beishan Jianxiong and the others in the hall.

The gloom from moments before instantly vanished.

"Killing Ling Fei is just a convenient side task. The real show is about to begin," Beiming Huahai said with a sinister expression, the corner of his mouth twisting into a cold smirk.

"The real show?" Beishan Jianxiong looked surprised. "Sect Leader, you have other plans?"

"Don’t ask about it. When the time comes, you will follow my orders," Beiming Huahai said, his eyes flashing with imposing authority.

"Yes!" Hearing this, Beishan Jianxiong didn’t dare ask any more questions.

In the Beiming Sword Sect, Beiming Huahai was an absolute king. No one dared to cross him.

...

「Late at night.」

You Ji arrived at Shangguan Wan’Er’s courtyard.

She felt a sense of helplessness.

"Master!" As if sensing her presence, Shangguan Wan’Er pushed open the door and stepped out.

Upon seeing her otherworldly disciple, You Ji sighed softly and entered Wan’Er’s room.

"The Sect Leader has ordered you to kill Ling Fei in the North Spirit Ruins. Otherwise, you will be the one to die," You Ji said, her gaze wavering.

"Kill Ling Fei... in the North Spirit Ruins!" Shangguan Wan’Er felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. "Is there really no other way?"

"There is no other way," You Ji said. "Ling Fei has demonstrated peerless talent. The leaders of every sect are flocking to him. How could the Beiming Sword Sect possibly allow him to continue growing?"

"Mm." Shangguan Wan’Er nodded. She sat down in her chair without a word, but the image of Ling Fei filled her mind.

Today, Ling Fei had displayed his mastery on the Alchemy Platform, bathed in endless glory.

Shangguan Wan’Er, watching from below the platform, had been happy for him too.

’As long as you are well, that’s all that matters... But alas...’ Shangguan Wan’Er thought, her reflections ending in a long sigh.

All her longing, all her affection, was useless now.

"Have you made your decision?" You Ji asked. Shangguan Wan’Er’s calm demeanor made her own heart ache.

She knew her disciple must have already made up her mind.

"Mm," Shangguan Wan’Er nodded.

"What is your decision?" You Ji pressed.

"You will know once I enter the North Spirit Ruins," Shangguan Wan’Er replied.

You Ji frowned at her words.

’If she had agreed, why wouldn’t she say so explicitly?’

’This must mean she hasn’t agreed.’

’In that case, only death awaits Shangguan Wan’Er.’

"Have you thought this through?" You Ji asked again.

"I have," Shangguan Wan’Er replied.

"It’s a pity... I am not a Divine Mansion Realm Powerhouse," You Ji sighed.

"I will never forget your kindness and guidance, Master," Shangguan Wan’Er said, looking up.

Without her master’s dedicated guidance over the past year, she never would have made such tremendous progress.

"Is there anything you wish to say?" You Ji asked.

"If I live or die, I hope that you can protect my family, Master," Shangguan Wan’Er said, looking up.

"I will do my best." You Ji shook her head slightly, then rose and departed.

’In life, love is the most precious thing of all. But it is a tragedy when one lacks the power to protect it.’ You Ji sighed, then vanished into the moonlit night.

...

In the main hall of the courtyard where the Lingyun Sect was staying.

"Sect Leader, these are the Spirit Awakening Pills I refined." Ling Fei had specially refined two Spirit Awakening Pills for the Sect Leader and Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun.

He wanted them to test the elixir’s effects.

After all, he had only ever given Spirit Awakening Pills to Low Level Demon Birds and Low Level Cultivators, and while they were effective...

High Level Cultivators were a different matter entirely.

Their Divine Souls were powerful and their experiences were far beyond that of ordinary people. Ling Fei couldn’t be certain what effect the Spirit Awakening Pill would have on them.

That’s why he wanted Sect Leader Yuan and Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun to try it.

This would give him a better baseline for when he performed alchemy in the future.

"The Spirit Awakening Pill!" With the elixirs in their hands, both Yuan Huaitian and Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun felt a surge of excitement.

"Heh, well then, let’s take these elixirs and give them a try," Sect Leader Yuan said with a smile.

"Indeed," Grand Alchemist Yuan Chun agreed with a smile.

They were aware that Ling Fei had already sent elixirs to the Great Sun Thunder Sound Temple and the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers.

Those guys had probably already taken theirs by now.

These were elixirs refined by their own sect’s genius. How could they let themselves fall behind!

’How humiliating would that be if word got out!’