The Divine Capital, not only the seat of the Tang Dynasty's imperial government, but also the headquarters of the Prime One Church.
Prime One Church Headquarters.
The current sect master, Master Mingtan, was seated cross-legged among emerald lotus blossoms, preaching the true doctrine of the Prime One Church to his disciples. At the height of his teachings, celestial flowers faintly descended and golden lotuses bloomed from the earth, while his audience listened in rapt fascination.
Just as Master Mingtan was about to continue his sermon, his expression suddenly paused. Then he said, "Today's lecture ends here."
Hearing this, the disciples below all showed looks of disappointment.
However, by the time they regained their senses, Master Mingtan had already vanished. The disciples could only rise and bow in unison, calling out, "We respectfully see the Sect Master off..."
After thousands of years of cultivation, Master Mingtan had reached the mid Tribulation-Crossing stage. If he overcame two more tribulations, he would attain Human Immortal status and enjoy true longevity.
Walking swiftly, Master Mingtan arrived before a fragrant peach blossom grove, bowed low, and said, "Disciple greets Aunt Talia."
"Come in." A cool, clear woman's voice rang out.
The peach grove parted, revealing a small path paved with river stones.
"Yes!"
Master Mingtan replied, stepping onto the path and heading deeper into the peach grove.
After walking for nearly a quarter of an hour, Master Mingtan finally emerged from the grove and saw a pavilion. Inside sat a young maiden of ethereal beauty, pure and unworldly, as if untouched by mortal dust.
The maiden had violet hair draped over her shoulders and wore a pristine white dress. Seated there, she exuded an aura of cold elegance.
"May I ask what Aunt Talia has summoned me here for?" Master Mingtan once again bowed respectfully.
The maiden before him was Talia, the Immortal stationed in the mortal world by the Prime One Church. Only when the church produced a new Immortal could she ascend and leave the human realm.
"How many people do you plan to send to Myriad Spirits Island this time?" Immortal Talia asked calmly.
Master Mingtan was a bit puzzled—Aunt Talia rarely concerned herself with worldly affairs. Still, he answered truthfully, "Twelve will suffice, Aunt."
"What are their cultivation realms?" Immortal Talia asked again.
"The team leader, Saint Son Warren Tang, is at mid Soul-Split stage. Co-leader Saintess Lila Li is at early Soul-Split stage. The other ten are all late Out-of-Body stage."
Immortal Talia's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Is there no one among the younger generation at late Soul-Split or Fusion stage?"
Master Mingtan gave a wry smile. "Aunt, for Warren and Lila to reach such realms at their age is already extraordinary. I doubt there's anyone in the entire Tang Dynasty more outstanding than them."
"All right, I understand. You may go."
Immortal Talia waved her hand.
Once Master Mingtan had left, Immortal Talia couldn't help but mutter to herself, "All four Ninth-Rank Spirit Beasts are roaring—there must be a Spirit Beast King about to emerge. If the Prime One Church could obtain such a king, once it matures, it could suppress even Immortals. That way, I could be freed sooner. Unfortunately, the young Spirit Beast King should be at the center of Myriad Spirits Island, and Soul-Split cultivators likely can't reach that far. Am I supposed to go myself? But those four Ninth-Rank Spirit Beasts aren't easy to deal with. If I'm exposed, they'll probably gang up on me!"
The Tang Dynasty has the Prime One Church as its guardian Immortal sect. The neighboring Song Dynasty is backed by the Fire God Church, while the hostile Ming Dynasty is supported by the Witch God Church.
Fire God Church Headquarters, Firecloud Peak.
Master Ron Zhu, the sect master, hurriedly landed before the largest volcano on Firecloud Peak. It was an active volcano, but thanks to the Fire God Church's experts and their heaven-defying methods, it had long been sealed and suppressed.
Then, Master Ron Zhu bowed toward the volcano, "Martial Uncle, your disciple has arrived as ordered. Please show yourself!"
A blur of movement—suddenly, a fiery figure appeared a few meters away from Master Ron Zhu.
He hurriedly performed the universal salute.
The fiery figure raised a hand and said, "Myriad Spirits Island is in upheaval. All four Ninth-Rank Spirit Beasts are roaring, which means a Spirit Beast King will emerge. No matter what, you must bring back the Spirit Beast King. At the very least, do not let it fall into the hands of the Witch God Church or the Prime One Church."
Master Ron Zhu nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Martial Uncle. The Divine Son and Divine Daughter of our Fire God Church have both reached late Soul-Split stage, far surpassing the Saint Son and Saintess of Prime One Church and the Witch Son and Witch Daughter of Witch God Church. I wasn't planning to send them this time, but since we're fighting for the Spirit Beast King, I'll send them in!"
"Good. Don't disappoint me!"
As soon as the words fell, the fiery figure vanished into thin air.
The headquarters of the Witch God Church lies deep within the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range. The range teems with poisonous insects, savage beasts, and toxic miasmas. Even Nascent Soul and Out-of-Body cultivators dare not enter lightly, but for members of the Witch God Church, it's like a home ground: the poisonous creatures and beasts not only spare them but obey their commands.
Deep within the mountains was an extremely remote valley. In the valley stood an ancient tree, beneath which sat an elderly man in the twilight of his years. His skin was black and wrinkled like the bark of the old tree, his clothes were tattered, and his gray hair whipped wildly in the wind, faintly exuding a foul stench.
"Pa, pa, pa!"
It was the sound of shoes stepping on leaves. The next moment, a hunched old man with a cane entered the valley, bowed to the elder beneath the tree, and said respectfully, "Disciple greets Master."
The elderly man, seemingly at death's door, suddenly opened eyes that hadn't seen light in years. Twin beams of divine light shot skyward from his gaze, scattering the clouds above...
"The Four Ninth-Rank Spirit Beasts of Myriad Spirits Island are all roaring. It means the Spirit Beast King is about to emerge. Bring back the Spirit Beast King—I will refine it into a Witch Beast King and secure ten thousand years of prosperity for our Witch God Church!"
"As you command, Master!" The hunched old man bowed again.
Three days passed in a flash.
Under the watchful gaze of the Jade Maiden Sect disciples, Abbess Yvonne led second-generation disciples Xueya and Xuesheng, along with third-generation disciples Lacey Ling, Skyler Ling, Lacey Ling, Ling Mei, and Ling Yao onto a treasure boat.
This treasure boat was a gift from Jason Ji, the patriarch of the Ji Clan.
Compared to flying on swords, traveling by treasure boat was much more comfortable.
The interior of the treasure boat was luxuriously furnished and could accommodate more than twenty people at once.
Even if everyone had their own room, there would still be plenty left over.
As the third-generation disciples watched enviously, the treasure boat soared into the air, heading toward Myriad Spirits Island. Myriad Spirits Island is not within the borders of the Tang, Song, or Ming Dynasties, but instead floats on Spirit Abyss Lake at the intersection of the three. Though called a lake, Spirit Abyss Lake is vast beyond measure.
Departing from Yuyang Commandery, flying by sword would take at least two days and nights, while the treasure boat journey takes about three days. Though slower, it is many times more comfortable.