Chapter 159: New Function Unlocked
The scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, and the tea on the qin table had long gone cold.
Ji Lingxiu slowly calmed her shock, sitting down only after a long pause. "General Meng, it's not that I don't wish to help," she said softly, "but this matter... must be decided by my master."
Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable firmness.
Meng Kuo bowed deeply. "This subordinate understands. I only ask, Princess... that you might speak kindly of me before your master."
"I will do my best."
Princess Yongtai crouched on the floor, carefully picking up the candied hawthorn fruits that had fallen. Hearing their conversation, she raised her innocent face and asked curiously, "Sister Xiu, is your master very powerful?"
The childlike question softened the heavy atmosphere in the room.
"Yes, very, very powerful."
Ji Lingxiu patted the princess's head, then turned to Meng Kuo. "General Meng, there's something I wish to ask."
"Please, Princess."
"How exactly... was the Imperial Forest Army destroyed?"
The question was like a blade, piercing straight into Meng Kuo's chest.
The old general gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Rather than saying the Imperial Forest Army was slaughtered by the sect clans, it would be more accurate to say... they were betrayed by their own."
His voice carried deep exhaustion. "The Eight Pillar Armies of Great Zhou... must have long harbored their own ambitions."
"When we sent messengers to the other seven armies for aid, not one of them was harmed," Meng Kuo said, clenching his fist unconsciously. "Every message returned with the same promise—'We are coming immediately, hold your ground.'"
"But the Imperial Forest Army fought alone until near annihilation... and never saw a single soldier arrive."
The final words were forced out through gritted teeth.
So that's how it was...
Ji Lingxiu fell silent.
After a long pause, Meng Kuo suddenly raised his head. "This subordinate dares to ask one question."
"Speak, General Meng."
"May I ask... how should one address the power behind you, Princess?" He carefully chose his words.
"How to address it..."
Ji Lingxiu did not answer immediately. She subconsciously looked out the window toward the valley.
The sunlight cast a faint shadow across her flawless profile.
…
Qingzhou.
Tianyun Sect.
Xiao Chen stood before the mountain gate, his black robe fluttering as the treasure Heaven Cauldron at his waist gleamed faintly in the twilight.
He was about to descend the mountain when a weak voice called from behind.
"Brother Xiao... wait."
Turning back, he saw Zhou Xuanxiao clutching his chest, struggling to rise. Blood dripped from his lips, staining his white robe with crimson blossoms.
"Something else?" Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "If not, I'm leaving."
Zhou Xuanxiao gave a bitter smile. "You defeated me, a Longevity Realm cultivator, with just a half-step into Longevity. I admit my loss wholeheartedly." He wiped the blood from his mouth and continued, "But regarding the Ancient Immortal Sovereign's secret realm—it is of great importance. I wish to make a trade."
The mountain wind rose, stirring both of their robes.
"Speak," Xiao Chen said simply.
"Though you've obtained two cauldrons, you still lack two more," Zhou Xuanxiao said, eyes gleaming. "I happen to know the whereabouts of the third. If, once the secret realm opens, you grant Tianyun Sect two entry slots..." He drew a deep breath. "We will willingly offer you the final cauldron."
Xiao Chen's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Agreed," he replied without hesitation.
Zhou Xuanxiao exhaled in relief. After a brief silence, a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes. "Brother Xiao, I have a question."
Seeing no objection from Xiao Chen, he continued, "With your talent, even among the top sects of the Xuanming Continent, you could easily contend for the title of Holy Son. Why... remain in Immortal Spirit City?"
He quickly added, "I mean no disrespect. In Qingzhou, Immortal Spirit City is indeed a pinnacle force, but compared to the vast stage of the Xuanming Continent—competing with the true Holy Sons and Saintesses of the great sects..." A gleam of yearning crossed his eyes. "Such unmatched glory across an era—does it not stir your heart, Brother Xiao?"
Xiao Chen suddenly smiled.
The setting sun outlined the sharp contours of his face. "Of course I long for it," Xiao Chen said quietly.
His fingers brushed the hilt at his waist. "But how do you know..."
He patted the scabbard lightly. "That our sect is lesser than the others?"
Zhou Xuanxiao's pupils contracted sharply.
His breathing quickened. "Then... that means Immortal Spirit City has an even stronger power behind it…"
Xiao Chen merely smiled and said nothing, turning to step down the mountain path.
Zhou Xuanxiao called out loudly, "Brother Xiao, I beg you—enlighten me!"
Xiao Chen paused for a moment, instinctively stopping mid-step. His gaze lifted toward the distant valley…
…
Ding—
A crisp system notification broke the silence within the secluded stone chamber.
Chen Chang'an's eyes snapped open, his brows furrowing. "Strange… why would there be a system prompt now?"
With a thought, a translucent system panel appeared before him. His gaze shifted downward, landing on a line of golden text flashing brightly:
[System has detected activation of a new feature: Sect System. Would you like to enable it?]
[Enable / Disable]
"Sect System?" Chen Chang'an muttered under his breath.
As he focused on it, detailed information unfolded below:
Enabling the Sect System and naming your sect will grant:
Sect Master's Chamber ×1 (customizable design, 30 square meters)
Chamber Trait: Conceals all heavenly secrets! When the host enters, they will enter a special state, immune to all forms of attack.
Choosing to disable the Sect System will permanently lock this feature.
"Founding a sect? Isn't that just painting a target on my back?" Chen Chang'an instinctively reached to select 'Disable,' but when his eyes caught the phrase "immune to all attacks," his hand froze.
"What the—" His eyes widened slightly. "Doesn't that mean if I'm ever in danger, I can just hide in the chamber and be invincible?"
He had no real interest in creating a sect—but still…
"The system's offering is way too generous!"
Without hesitation, he selected [Enable].
The next second, a new notification appeared:
[Please name your sect.]
Chen Chang'an frowned immediately; his chronic naming struggle flared up again.
He rubbed his temples. Couldn't the system just auto-generate some cool, domineering name?
As if reading his thoughts, the system instantly responded:
[Naming rights may be delegated to a character within the Host's pet roster.]
"Fine, delegate it," Chen Chang'an said, tapping casually.
At that very moment—
In the sandalwood-scented music chamber, Ji Lingxiu was about to utter the words "Immortal Spirit Valley" to Meng Kuo when her delicate body suddenly trembled.
Her eyes, clear as a cold lake, flashed with dazzling golden light, as if an incomprehensible supreme will had descended through her gaze.
No—this was not "as if." She truly heard her master's voice.
Meng Kuo watched in shock as countless thin golden Dao patterns appeared around the princess's body, each radiating a pressure that made even his Heaven-Human Realm peak cultivation quiver.
"The sect to which I belong—"
Ji Lingxiu's voice became ethereal and transcendent. With every word she spoke, spiritual energy condensed into golden lotus flowers that bloomed and faded in the air.
"—is the Immortal Spirit Holy Land."
…
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 8 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 64 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise