Chapter 147

At the same time, in the Qingyun Merchant Guild of the Divine Prefecture of the Central Region.

With the support of the sect, the Qingyun Merchant Guild has already opened branches throughout the Central Region.

It is striving toward the goal of growing bigger and stronger.

Outside the towering and magnificent pavilion of the Qingyun Merchant Guild, the three Solitarily Invincible descended before the gate.

The three entered without pausing.

The pavilion, constructed with imposing grandeur and golden splendor, being after all a merchant guild under the Qingyun Imperial Sect, cannot afford to lose face.

Seeing the three arrive, the guild's branch chief, an old man with white hair and a youthful face, hurried forward to greet them: "Sirs, orders have come from above; please come inside."

The old man respectfully ushered the three Solitarily Invincible into a secret room.

"Who are these people? Such great face that even the branch chief of the Qingyun Merchant Guild must personally receive them with utmost respect."

"Where did this big shot come from! Even if the head of a forbidden clan came, they wouldn't have this much prestige."

A man in the guild hall exclaimed softly.

His companion beside him made a gesture and whispered: "Shh! Keep it down."

"Haven't you seen the sect attire on these three sirs? At a glance they are eminent figures of the Qingyun Imperial Sect personally descended, so the branch chief personally receives them."

The man finished speaking, pondered a moment, then continued: "I estimate these three sirs have come to investigate the rumor that disparages Qingyun."

"The sect has already wiped out several major forces that spread rumors recklessly in the past two days; now those forces that spread the rumors are surely silent as cicadas in winter."

Upon his saying that, several passersby who had gathered out of curiosity also suddenly understood.

Afterward, they respectfully gazed in the direction the three Solitarily Invincible had gone: "Eminent figures of the Qingyun Imperial Sect! Who knows how powerful they are!"

"Gentlemen, let's pretend we saw nothing today, otherwise…" the speaking man made a throat‑cutting gesture and then said no more.

Meanwhile, in the secret chamber where the guild conducts its affairs.

"Report to the three sirs: based on our investigation these past days, the rumor originally emanated from a certain force in Star Prefecture."

"But we are incompetent and have not identified which force; please punish us, sirs."

As soon as the guild branch chief entered, he respectfully bowed and said.

"It's fine; you can't be wholly blamed, the Central Region is too vast, and to have uncovered this much in just three days is already commendable."

"Notify the Star Prefecture branch of the guild: our three selves will arrive there at noon tomorrow."

The Solitarily Invincible looked at the old man bowing before him and ordered.

"We will obey your orders, sir," the branch chief replied, immediately clasping his hands respectfully.

……

Time flowed, and in the blink of an eye two days passed.

At this moment, nearly half of the Desolate Martial Continent was in an uproar.

The reason is simple: the birthday of the Lingyao Empress of the Hun Tian Divine Kingdom is still seven days away, and the great powers coming to celebrate are as numerous as cow hairs.

Famous pride-of-heaven listees, some hidden pride-of-heaven, and even obscure pride-of-heaven all rushed toward the Chen Prefecture of the Hun Tian Divine Kingdom.

Because of this empress's birthday, a renowned pride-of-heaven gathering spanning the continent will be held.

Those who become famous at the gathering will gain renown spreading across the five regions and will also receive abundant rewards from the divine kingdom.

Even those without a powerful backing can join the divine kingdom and ascend in a single step.

Meanwhile, on the first great continent, Ye Prefecture.

Hidden power, Mirror Moon Valley.

An old man with a deep, solemn aura and white‑streaked hair sat at the valley's peak, gazing downward, holding a barbless fishing rod and angling in the sea of clouds.

"Xiner, I heard you plan to attend this pride‑of‑heaven gathering."

The old man spoke without turning his head, somewhat casually.

Behind him stood a tall, ethereal woman whose features were like a painting.

The woman, hearing this, lightly clasped her hands and said: "Yes, grandfather."

"This pride‑of‑heaven gathering is designated to gather pride‑of‑heaven from all five regions; those hidden pride‑of‑heaven will surely come as well, and Xiner wishes to test herself."

"First, let's gauge the strength of the current generation of pride‑of‑heaven; then we'll have confidence in the later five‑region pride‑of‑heaven grand tournament."

The old man, hearing this, smiled with kind eyes and brows: "Xiner, you are ranked fifth on the pride‑of‑heaven list; do you still need to probe them?"

"Grandfather, you're teasing Xiner again; the pride‑of‑heaven list has never been set in stone, and the true pride‑of‑heaven figures have surely not yet revealed themselves."

If a well‑learned cultivator were here, they would surely recognize this bright‑eyed, white‑toothed woman: the peerless pride‑of‑heaven ranked fifth on the five‑region list, Empress Xiner.

"Haha, grandfather was too talkative; then Xiner, you may go, and grandfather will send Uncle Chen to escort you."

"Di Chen," the old man said, then with a thought called out.

A man in black robes appeared behind him, respectfully clasping his hands and saying: "Valley Master."

"You will escort Xiner to the Hun Tian Divine Kingdom; remember, protect her well—if any mishap occurs, I will hold you solely responsible," the fishing old man said in a deep voice.

"Huh? A bite?" the old man had just finished speaking when the line in the sea of clouds twitched; he chuckled, lifted it, and saw a spirit‑feather bird clamped tightly onto the line's tip.

Meanwhile, in the Tianyan Imperial Dynasty.

Inside a palace of the dynasty.

A youth in noble golden robes murmured: "The pride‑of‑heaven gathering has finally arrived."

"With my strength as fourth on the pride‑of‑heaven list, I will surely secure a place at the gathering."

"I just don't know whether those three will come this time; if they all do, it'll be interesting."

The next day, Qingyun Sect.

In the magnificent Qingyun Hall, Feng Qingyang sat in the chief seat; with a flick of his sleeve, an invitation appeared in midair.

【I am the Azure Emperor of the Hun Tian Divine Kingdom; hearing that the Qingyun Imperial Sect has many strong ones and countless pride‑of‑heaven,

I, acting on the command of the Hun Tian Divine Kingdom's empress, specially invite the sect to attend the pride‑of‑heaven gathering held by my Hun Tian Divine Kingdom.】

「Chaos Heaven Divine Kingdom's invitation? 」

「My Azure Cloud Sect and this divine kingdom still have no relation; why send an invitation to my Azure Cloud Sect. 」

「Besides, Azure Cloud Sect indeed has many strong experts; this is known to all, but top-tier Heaven's Pride has never been revealed. 」

「Could it be that this Chaos Heaven Divine Kingdom knows our sect intends to act against it, planning to strike first? 」

Feng Qingyang muttered in puzzlement.

【「Ding, released a new side quest, participate in the Heaven's Pride Assembly six days later。」】

【「Azure Cloud Sect's disciple, by taking first place at the assembly, shocking the world, can complete the mission; upon completion they will receive a huge reward。」】

「Hah, another mission has come. 」

「Just right, my Azure Cloud Sect's disciple should also make an appearance. 」

Six days later, which is already twenty-five days since the start of accepting disciples on the mountain, my personal disciple Shi Hao and others, under the blessing of the Time-Space Tower, have also made considerable progress.

And by then, the one-month cooldown of the Exchange Mall will basically be over.

Can exchange for the Great Emperor again.