Chapter 3136 - The Future Son-In-Law of Divine Reverence Pavilion

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan felt uncharacteristically awkward. He coughed dryly. “I wouldn’t call it ‘having difficulties.’ There was just a little bit of unpleasantness between Divine Reverence Pavilion and some of my disciples and grand-disciples.”

He waved dismissively, unwilling to linger on the matter, then changed the subject. “Besides, what Heavenly Sovereign hasn’t had difficulties with Divine Reverence Pavilion?”

“Heavenly Sovereign Ling lost the most face, as Divine Reverence Pavilion’s commentary included several impartial remarks about the Xuanli Sect. It pissed Heavenly Sovereign Ling off so badly that he came to Divine Reverence Pavilion to demand an explanation personally.

“He said that if they didn’t publicly apologize, he’d dismantle Divine Reverence Pavilion himself!”

Here, Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan couldn’t help but laugh gleefully. “In the end, the Unfettered Continent’s entire cultivation world stepped forth to back Divine Reverence Pavilion up!

“There’s no denying it; the cultivators of the Unfettered Continent are hot-blooded and bold. Each is less afraid than the one before.

“They came from all over the continent, then gathered outside Divine Reverence Pavilion, all to say that if Heavenly Sovereign Ling tried anything, the Xuanli Sect would make irreconcilable enemies of the entire continent!

“They even said they’d rally their fellows from across the Eternal Heavens Domain in condemning the Xuanli Sect! They said they’d leave the Xuanli Sect’s reputation in shambles and make the other Heavenly Sovereign factions ashamed of their association with them!

“That incident caused a huge disturbance throughout the Eternal Heavens Domain. Everyone was watching, and there’s no telling how many people were laughing at the Xuanli Sect’s expense—even other Heavenly Sovereigns.

"The trend was against him. Heavenly Sovereign Ling naturally dared not try anything reckless. In the end, the old-timer swallowed his pride and apologized, too intimidated to even fart. He just slunk off with his tail between his legs.”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan was beside himself with laughter. “All of this happened a long time ago, but it’s a lasting blemish on Old Man Ling’s reputation. People laugh to this day.

“It was after this incident that the whole world learned that Divine Reverence Pavilion wasn’t easily provoked. It might not be a Heavenly Sovereign faction, but they’re the true rulers of the Unfettered Continent, and they enjoy broad support from the continent’s other cultivators.”

Su Yi couldn’t help but sink into thought. Winning the broad support of an entire continent’s cultivation world was no simple matter.

Limitless Palace was the ruling faction of the Divine Wandering Continent, but the Heart-Tempering Sword House had been based in the Divine Wandering Continent too, without ever lowering its head to Limitless Palace.

There were no small number of similar examples. Every orthodoxy had its own way of surviving.

Heavenly Sovereign factions ruled over entire continents, but that didn’t imply that they’d truly unified the factions based there. The reason was simple. There was fierce competition between the Heavenly Sovereign factions.

Anyone who dared conquer and assimilate smaller factions would be thwarted in turn; other Heavenly Sovereign factions would always swoop in and offer lesser factions their support.

All of this was to prevent their rivals from absorbing other sects and expanding their territories. No Heavenly Sovereign faction would permit others to grow unimpeded.

If the world was a chessboard, the Heavenly Sovereign factions were the players, and lesser factions big and small were ultimately all just pawns.

The true competition was between the players.

Given the circumstances, the fact that Divine Reverence Pavilion had occupied an entire continent without the Heavenly Sovereign factions interfering was clear proof of their transcendent status.

But Su Yi knew that Divine Reverence Pavilion’s status was only partially the result of the broad support they enjoyed in the Unfettered Continent.

The most fundamental reason was something else entirely. After all, cultivators revered strength above all else.

And when it came to both strength and foundations, Divine Reverence Pavilion was far more terrifying than they revealed on the surface.

“Little Brother, do you understand now? Without Divine Reverence Pavilion’s approval, there’s no way you can establish the Heart-Tempering Sword House in the Unfettered Continent,” said Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan, his smile vanishing. “And you have a unique status. It’d be obvious to anyone that if you establish the Heart-Tempering Sword House in the Unfettered Continent, you’ll invite a terrifying catastrophe. The aftershock might well affect the entire continent! There’s no way Divine Reverence Pavilion will agree!”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan wasn’t saying this to hurt Su Yi. He just... thought Su Yi had little hope of success.

Su Yi smiled. “Everything is a matter of effort. Just come with me. You’ll see.”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan could tell that Su Yi had reason to be confident, so in the end, he just nodded.

He’d had difficulties with Divine Reverence Pavilion in the past, so he was curious to see how Su Yi would fare. If Divine Reverence Pavilion really turned them away at the door, well, they could just leave the Unfettered Continent and try somewhere else.

There were thirty-three continents in the Eternal Heavens Domain. It wasn’t like the Five Great Continents were the only option.

As flurries flew through the air, Su Yi and Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan arrived at Divine Reverence Pavilion’s main base.

The gates towered over a wide mountain path paved with white jade. It led straight up the towering slope, rising into the heavens like a coiled pearly white dragon.

Su Yi and Ku Xuan had only just arrived at the foot of the mountain when a figure appeared out of nowhere.

He was middle-aged, dressed in apricot-yellow Daoist robes, and he had an otherworldly, extraordinary air.

“Why is it you of all people?” Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan recognized the man at a glance. He furrowed his brow.

“You know him?” Su Yi exclaimed.

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan looked a bit uncomfortable.

The man in yellow Daoist robes smiled. “Back then, Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan visited us to ask that we change one of the rankings in the top ten. He believed that one of the Taiwu Sect’s disciples, then ranked eighth, deserved a spot in the top three. That was how the two of us first got acquainted.”

Su Yi felt enlightened, but Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan just snorted coldly. “All of that is in the past. Why bring it up now?”

The middle-aged man smiled. “Indeed, all of that happened a long time ago, but we haven’t forgotten the way you stood at the foot of our mountain, cursed us at the top of your lungs, and insisted that you’d pummel every last one of us.”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan was instantly ashamed and angry. “Could you please not bring that up?”

The middle-aged man let the matter drop, then smiled at Su Yi and clasped his fist in greeting. “Your Excellency Su, our mistress is waiting for you in the Ling Ran Hidden Realm. This way, please!”

Su Yi returned the greeting. “I’ll have to trouble you to guide us, Fellow Daoist.”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan’s eyes widened. He couldn’t help but blurt, “Little Brother, what’s... going on here? Do you two already know each other?”

Su Yi nodded. “I wasn’t trying to deceive you, but Fellow Daoist Qiongqi and his mistress’s identities are rather unique. You’ll understand once we’ve all gotten acquainted.”

The middle-aged Daoist was none other than Qiongqi Mountain Lord.

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan forcefully suppressed his confusion. “Very well.”

Then, the two of them set off, climbing the white jade path up the mountain. When they reached the peak, they saw numerous old-timers waiting there to greet them.

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan’s heart was instantly solemn. These were among the most senior members of Divine Reverence Pavilion. Under ordinary circumstances, it was hard to meet even one of them.

Heavenly Sovereigns had visited on numerous occasions over the years, but not even they received such a grand welcome.

But before Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan could give the matter any further thought, the old-timers smiled and greeted Su Yi, one after another. “This old man is called Yu Liu. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan’s eyelids twitched. Yu Liu is one of the founding elders of Divine Reverence Pavilion. He’s largely unknown in the outside world, but... even Heavenly Sovereigns have to give him face!

“This old man is called Yue Zhao. Greetings, Fellow Daoist.”

“And I go by Fu Ting. Greetings, Fellow Daoist.”

Every last old monster of Divine Reverence Pavilion took the initiative to greet Su Yi, their voices rising and falling in waves.

The sight of their warm, welcoming smiles filled Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan with bewilderment. This welcome was far, far beyond what Heavenly Sovereigns received.

What the heck is going on? No one is better informed than the old-timers of Divine Reverence Pavilion. Don’t they know that Su Yi is deeply embroiled in trouble? Or do they just not know of his plans to re-establish the Heart-Tempering Sword House in the Unfettered Continent?

The part he found the most awkward was that he, a lofty Heavenly Sovereign, had been reduced to a supporting role. Practically no one even bothered to greet him.

Eventually, the Qiongqi Mountain Lord cleared his throat. “It’s getting late. My mistress is waiting to see His Excellency Su.”

The smiling old-timers all considerately stepped back.

Su Yi sighed to himself. Even he was surprised by their fervor; it was almost more than he could take. Fortunately, the Qiongqi Mountain Lord’s timely reminder had helped him break free.

The Qiongqi Mountain Lord let them into the forbidden ground on the back of the mountain, the Ling Ran Hidden Realm.

The hidden realm was a self-contained world swathed in snow-white clouds and clear waters. The scenery wasn’t particularly eye-catching, but it had a natural simplicity to it, like an otherworldly pure land.

As soon as he stepped into the hidden realm, the Qiongqi Mountain Lord said respectfully, “Mistress, His Excellency Su has arrived.”

A tranquil, pleasing voice emanated from within. “Do you really need further instructions? Quick, invite Fellow Daoist Su in already.”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan blinked in surprise. For some reason, that voice sounded somewhat familiar.

But before he could give the matter any further thought, a graceful figure appeared out of nowhere beside Su Yi.

“It’s been a while, Fellow Daoist.” The new arrival wore a long white dress. Her features were picture-perfect, and her figure was tall, slender, and enchanting.

Her transcendent beauty stunned even Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan.

He’d spent his lifetime cultivating; he was no stranger to beauty.

But the beauty of the woman before him went beyond the surface. What really stood out was her deep-seated charm and vibrancy. It was extraordinarily rare, to the point that it dazzled even a Heavenly Sovereign like Ku Xuan.

The woman stood not far from Su Yi, smiling with her eyes. Despite her reserved bearing, there was no hiding her heartfelt delight.

The Qiongqi Mountain Lord sighed to himself. This is the first time I’ve seen the young mistress so happy since I brought her to the River of Destiny.

Su Yi was briefly stunned. He smiled and sighed. “It really has been a while.”

The stunning beauty standing before him was naturally none other than Sovereign Venerate Ling Ran.

He’d first met her back in the God Domain.

Perhaps because the Qiongqi Mountain Lord and Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan were there too, Sovereign Venerate Ling Ran hesitated, then said, “Come on, I’ll bring you to see her.”

Her? It took Su Yi a moment to realize who Ling Ran was referring to. He also instantly intuited that the rift between mother and daughter hadn’t yet closed.

But Su Yi didn’t ask any further questions. He just nodded and agreed.

Sovereign Venerate Ling Ran walked alongside him as they continued into the distance. Ku Xuan and the Qiongqi Mountain Lord walked just behind them.

When he saw the man and woman walking side-by-side, his gaze shifted slightly. Don’t tell me that little brother of mine is... the future son-in-law of Divine Reverence Pavilion?