Volume 1, Chapter 118: Monstrous Cultivation Speed
Behind the cavalry, the Zhou emperor emerged from the city,surrounded by ministers, facing the blue-robed man.
"Your Majesty, this man seems to be only a Myriad Realms warrior, not a Void Transformation expert," the Chief Minister whispered to the emperor.
The emperor nodded. "Who are you?"
"Tan Hui, elder of the Mysterious Celestial Sect, at your service, Great Zhou Emperor." The blue-robed man nodded slightly, a perfunctory greeting.
"Mysterious Celestial Sect?" The emperor harrumphed. "Has Elder Tan come to deliver an ultimatum?"
"Your Majesty jokes. I'm here to make peace on the orders of our sect ancestors. After learning the truth of the conflict, they realized it arose from a misunderstanding and sent me to resolve it. The sect promises never to attack Great Zhou again."
"What? Is the Mysterious Celestial Sect afraid of the National Preceptor? They're suing for peace!"
"Peace isn't bad—we didn't suffer losses, and they lost several Myriad Realms experts."
"Are we the first dynasty to make a hidden celestial sect beg for peace? All thanks to the National Preceptor!"
The ministers exclaimed in surprise. No one expected the aloof hidden sect to seek peace first.
Hidden in the shadows, Lin Yu was stunned and disappointed. He had thought the Mysterious Celestial Sect wouldn't accept defeat, that a Void Transformation expert would come—an opportunity to fight and maybe even slay an ancestor. Who knew the mighty hidden sect had backed down!
Tan Hui looked at the emperor, holding up the wooden box. "The ancestors prepared a gift to appease the Great Zhou National Preceptor's anger." He opened the box, revealing the Grand Elder's head.
"Who is this?" The Zhou君臣 (emperor and ministers) were perplexed, recognizing no one.
"This is our Grand Elder, the root of all misunderstanding. The ancestors sent his head as a gesture of sincerity." Tan Hui felt bitter. This was the head of the most powerful elder after the Sect Master, sent as a gift to placate the National Preceptor! But for the sect's sake, it was necessary. Even if the two Void Transformation ancestors could kill the National Preceptor, their deaths would leave the sect vulnerable to other hidden sects.
"Cauldron Lord, is the Mysterious Celestial Sect mad? Killing their Grand Elder to appease me? They might as well have sent his corpse. He must be at least Eighth Rank Myriad Realms, right?" Lin Yu was amazed at the waste. In truth, his conflict with the sect had started with the Grand Elder—without Jiang Xuan's meddling, they would have stayed out of each other's way. The ancestors hadn't killed the wrong person.
"Hehe, I bet those old fools would die after one strike. They don't want to die, so they dare not fight you and fear your revenge. The best way is to find a scapegoat. Too bad—devouring this Grand Elder could have boosted your cultivation." Cauldron Lord sounded regretful.
Tan Hui placed the box on the ground. "The ancestors also said that if Great Zhou persists, the National Preceptor is welcome to visit the sect, and they will settle the grudge personally."
The emperor turned to the Chief Minister. "The National Preceptor isn't here. How can we decide for him?"
"Perhaps claim he's cultivating and invite Elder Tan to stay in the post house. We can then contact the National Preceptor for his opinion." The Chief Minister could only stall.
"Agreed." The emperor sighed.
"Since the Mysterious Celestial Sect is so sincere, let's forget the past." As the emperor spoke, Lin Yu appeared, wearing a bamboo hat and black veil. He waved, and烈焰 (flames) surged, incinerating the head and box to ashes.
"Great Zhou National Preceptor...!" Tan Hui looked at Lin Yu, face paling. "Ninth Rank Myriad Realms... No wonder the Sect Master lost to you. Your strength is incredible!" He was grateful the ancestors hadn't continued the conflict—they might not have defeated a Ninth Rank National Preceptor.
"As long as you leave me be, we can coexist." Lin Yu nodded, slightly disappointed. If only the sect had chosen to fight...
Tan Hui exhaled, bowed to Lin Yu, and left.
"What? The National Preceptor has advanced to Ninth Rank? How much time has passed?"
"Didn't he kill the Sect Master at Eighth Rank? What kind of cultivation speed is this—monstrous!"
"Have you forgotten he was only Seventh Rank Myriad Realms a few months ago?"
The Zhou君臣 (emperor and ministers) were stunned, unable to fathom anyone advancing from Seventh to Ninth Rank in mere months.
"As long as the National Preceptor lives, reaching Void Transformation is only a matter of time." The Chief Minister bowed to the emperor. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! With the National Preceptor, Great Zhou will endure forever!"
"Report! Urgent message from the border!" A distant cry rang out. A horse appeared, its rider bearing a command flag, galloping desperately toward them. The horse collapsed and died from exhaustion. The rider rolled to his knees before the cavalry. "The Great Han Dynasty has launched a surprise attack! Wuxia Pass is in danger! General Su requests immediate reinforcements!"