Chapter 101: The Curtain Falls

“Very well. The Radiance Banquet for the thirty-six holy nations of the Eastern Region ends here.”

Sitting astride a snow-white strange beast, Tantai Wushuang spoke in a calm, measured voice. “Princess Donggong Qianxue of the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation, remember what I instructed you earlier. One month from now, enter the Holy Domain and take part in the final trial. At that time, you may bring with you no more than ten relatives or attendants to enter the Holy Domain together with you.”

Now that the stage had been set, she believed the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation would be able to settle the Beidan Holy Nation within a month.

“Understood.”

Donggong Qianxue respectfully clasped her hands to Tantai Wushuang.

Tantai Wushuang then looked toward Chen Changsheng, a charming smile appearing on her face as she said to him with great courtesy, “Young Master Chen, I hope that by then I may see you and your daughter in the Holy Domain.”

“You flatter me, Fairy Tantai.”

Chen Changsheng waved it off casually, and once again sighed inwardly. What a well-bred girl she was. Truly lovely.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Without further delay, Tantai Wushuang immediately rode the snow-white strange beast away at top speed.

Nongyu and Xianlan hurried after her.

In only an instant, the graceful figures of the three had vanished beyond the horizon.

“Princess Qianxue, I am truly grateful that you were willing to take out a supreme sword manual like Seven Forms of Reversal and Disorder to share with the other princes and princesses. If there is ever anything the Jade Orchid Holy Nation can help with in the future, just say the word, and we shall do our utmost. Farewell.”

“Princess Qianxue is truly the number one princess of the Eastern Region. Such breadth of heart leaves the rest of us princes and princesses of the other holy nations ashamed of ourselves. This kindness will be remembered by my Cyan Moon Holy Nation for as long as we live. Farewell!”

One by one, the holy emperors of the holy nations personally came before Donggong Qianxue, thanked her sincerely, and then departed.

Chen Changsheng and his daughter also returned to the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation together with Donggong Qianxue, Donggong Fu, the Holy Empress, and the other experts of the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation.

...

“It is truly beyond expectation. Of all the gains from this trip to the Eastern Region to preside over the Radiance Banquet, the greatest one was actually making the acquaintance of Young Master Chen.”

Riding atop the snow-white strange beast, Tantai Wushuang let out a soft sigh. Her exquisitely beautiful little face was filled with joy, as radiant and dazzling as a summer blossom.

The beast beneath her stepped through the air at a leisurely pace, yet each stride seemed to shrink the distance of space itself, carrying it forward at astonishing speed.

“Yes, it was truly terrifying. The sword intent released from the seventh chapter of Seven Forms of Reversal and Disorder actually failed to injure Young Master Chen and his daughter even a little. They did not even seem to feel it. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it no matter who told me,” Nongyu said from her left, her delicate face still filled with shock.

“Little Mistress, now that we have met a hidden expert like Young Master Chen, there is no need for us to fear that Holy Emperor anymore,” Xianlan said from the right after a moment of thought.

Tantai Wushuang considered this, then said, “That still depends on the future, and on how close I can grow to Young Master Chen. If he is willing to help me, then I will have nothing to fear from the Holy Emperor.”

“The Little Mistress speaks wisely.”

Xianlan and Nongyu both nodded in agreement.

After a pause, Nongyu analyzed, “Little Mistress, Young Master Chen is clearly the power behind the princess of the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation. The reason that princess possesses such pure divine phoenix bloodline and such terrifying strength must be related to Young Master Chen as well.

“As long as the Little Mistress takes good care of the princess of the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation from time to time, I do not think it will be difficult at all to win over Young Master Chen completely.”

“I agree with Nongyu.”

Xianlan echoed her.

“Mm.”

Tantai Wushuang gave a slight nod and exhaled.

For all these years, the pressure the Lord of the Holy Domain had placed upon her had left her unable to breathe freely. From now on, so long as she maintained a good relationship with Young Master Chen, she would no longer need to fear the Holy Emperor.

The Holy Emperor of the Holy Domain, a high-level Great Evolution Venerable, was one of the most formidable figures in the Snow Chant World, his strength utterly unfathomable.

But she believed that before Young Master Chen, he would amount to nothing.

...

The Beidan Holy Nation was already in complete uproar.

This time at the Radiance Banquet, the Beidan Holy Nation had suffered too grave a loss. Prince Hua Wuhen had been annihilated in body and soul by Donggong Qianxue, and worst of all, the nation-defending treasure of the Beidan Holy Nation had been destroyed.

“Holy Emperor, with the nation-defending treasure destroyed, the fortune of our Beidan Holy Nation will surely decline at great speed, eventually heading toward ruin. At this point, we must attack the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation.”

“That’s right. Only by destroying the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation, seizing their territory, and taking their nation-defending treasure can we find any path to salvation.”

“Holy Emperor, you must make a decision as soon as possible. It would be best to strike the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation by surprise. That way, we will have a greater chance of success.”

“...”

Outside the imperial hall, all the ministers of the Beidan Holy Nation had gathered, their clamor endless.

Inside the hall, the Holy Emperor of the Beidan Holy Nation, Hua Manlou, sat upon a luxurious throne covered in exquisite beast hide. His face was ashen with rage, and his chest rose and fell violently.

“Holy Emperor, there is truly no time for hesitation now. We must strike with full force and take the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation in one fell swoop.”

An old minister with half-white hair said to Hua Manlou, “When Prince Hua Wuhen was announced to have obtained the qualification to enter the Holy Domain, judging from Tantai Wushuang’s later attitude, even though Donggong Qianxue has now also obtained the qualification to enter the Holy Domain, if we attack the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation, the Holy Domain will certainly not come to their aid. This is precisely the best opportunity for us to act. If, in the future, Donggong Qianxue enters the Holy Domain, whether the Holy Domain will still help the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation is another matter entirely.”

“Minister Situ, do you think I do not want the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation to become famous throughout the Snow Chant Continent at once?”

Hua Manlou drew in a deep breath and said through clenched teeth, “But just how strong the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation truly is, neither you nor I has the slightest certainty.

“If we are to attack them and ensure there is no possibility of failure, we will need to invite the three ancestors.

“Yet back then, the three ancestors gave strict instructions: while they are in seclusion, no one may disturb them, or they will kill without mercy.”

Minister Situ said helplessly, “Holy Emperor, matters have reached the point where we can no longer care about so much. At the very least, this old minister is willing to go and ask the three ancestors to emerge from seclusion. If they wish to kill someone, then let them kill this old minister.”

Hua Manlou could not help but frown as he looked at the old minister.

The old minister’s gaze hardened. “So long as the three ancestors can be brought out of seclusion and the Beidan Holy Nation is saved from this calamity, this old body of mine is yours to dispose of.”

“Minister Situ, I have put you in a difficult position.”

Hua Manlou nodded. “Come, I will take you now to the sacred mountain where the three ancestors are in seclusion.”

The two of them left the imperial hall.

“Holy Emperor, have you decided to attack the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation?”

The ministers gathered outside hurriedly asked.

“If we do not attack the Spring and Autumn Holy Nation, are we simply to stand by and watch the Beidan Holy Nation perish?”

Hua Manlou snorted coldly.

“Good, excellent! The Holy Emperor is wise!”

The ministers of the Beidan Holy Nation were all overjoyed.

“Minister Situ, let us go!”

Hua Manlou paid them no further mind. He waved to Minister Situ and rose into the sky.

Minister Situ hurried after him.

Before long, the two arrived outside the sacred mountain of the Beidan Holy Nation.

The sacred mountain of the Beidan Holy Nation was somewhat unusual. Its center was an open plain, while around it stood three stone peaks that resembled three divine swords. Within the surrounding space, strange currents could clearly be seen surging and flowing.

Clearly, a formation was present here.