A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 1384: Tantai Zhenxiao

Naturally, Qi Xuansu could not make any clear promises. He had yet to decide how to handle the matter, and he simply did not have the authority that Great Sage Yan had.

As the only Heavenly Preceptor that was not from the Zhang family and a close confidant of the Holy Xuan, Great Sage Yan had been entrusted with full authority over matters concerning spirits and gods. He could decide with a single word, make promises to True Lord Taiyin, and fulfill them. Qi Xuansu, however, was not even an Omniscient Sage yet. He was still several ranks below a Deputy Grand Master, so even if he made promises, he could not fulfill them and could only report back to Jade Capital.

Ixchel expressed her understanding.

After concluding his journey on the moon, Qi Xuansu had planned to stay in New Paititi for a few more days. However, at that moment, news of victory arrived from the frontlines.

There were two pieces of news.

Huangfu Ji successfully held Monclova with his forces, forcing Robert to withdraw northward.

Although Robert’s steam legion remained structurally intact, the disruption of logistics gradually exposed its weaknesses. With ammunition running low, many of its weapons of destruction became little more than scrap metal. Its overreliance on firearms left it ill-suited for close combat. Seeing that the exchange of strongholds was no longer feasible, Robert had no choice but to retreat.

Meanwhile, the assault on San Antonio, personally commanded by Great Sage Gong, ended in success after more than 30 hours of fierce fighting. They captured the San Antonio Tower and reduced this iconic structure to ashes.

This did not mean Great Sage Gong had fully occupied San Antonio. Under Joseph’s command, the Holy Court’s forces launched a fierce counterattack. However, for Great Sage Gong, the strategic objectives had already been largely achieved. The systematic destruction of San Antonio’s logistics had indirectly forced Robert’s withdrawal, proving that the Western Daoist Order was not merely a passive supporter of the Tawantin Empire. It could strike offensively as well.

With that, Gong Fu saw no need to continue a desperate fight. He issued orders for alternating cover and an orderly retreat, and the main forces of the Western Daoist Order began moving south.

Almost at the same time, Robert crossed the Rio Grande from Del Rio back to the Northern Continent, while Gong Fu crossed from Laredo back to the Southern Continent.

Both sides, with tacit understanding, chose to cease hostilities, and each declared victory in the campaign.

The Holy Court emphasized its capture of Del Rio and the near-total devastation of Monclova. As for San Antonio, it glossed over the situation, simply stating that the invading Western Daoist forces had been repelled and the lost districts recaptured, proclaiming a great victory.

The Western Daoist Order, on the other hand, highlighted its capture of Laredo, its incursion into San Antonio, and the burning of the iconic San Antonio Tower. It also publicized the hardship of the Monclova defense, emphasizing that the invading enemy had ultimately been forced to withdraw empty-handed. They had also declared a great victory.

In short, the Western Daoist Order proved its worth, launching a powerful counterattack and preserving the Daoist Order’s prestige. The Holy Court vented its anger, delivering a forceful response to the bombing of the Evangelical Ministry’s headquarters, demonstrating a hardline stance and calming public sentiment.

Everyone was a winner in their own way.

After the war, both Gong Fu and Huangfu Ji would return to Danxiu Mountain to review merits, faults, gains, and losses according to tradition.

As the Daoist Order’s envoy, it was only proper for Qi Xuansu to attend and observe. Given the formality of the occasion, it was best for his true body to be present as well.

Fortunately, Danxiu Mountain was not far from New Paititi. Formerly known as the Giant’s Watchtower, it was the tallest mountain in the Southern Continent, almost 7,000 meters high. After integrating the Tawantin Empire, the Western Daoist Order constructed Danxiu Palace here and renamed it Danxiu Mountain, establishing it as a counterpart to the Daoist Kunlun Mountain.

When Qi Xuansu arrived at the foot of the mountain, his Liberation Incarnation was already waiting. The two merged back into one, while Madam Wu manifested as an independent entity.

Madam Wu and Qi Xuansu ascended the mountain together. Since Madam Wu was well acquainted with the area, she led the way.

Many members of the Western Daoist Order already recognized Qi Xuansu and did not obstruct him, allowing him to pass freely.

This mountain was characterized by extensive glaciers and numerous hot springs. The snow and ice reached depths of 30 meters, and the climate near the summit resembled that of the polar regions. Its shape was conical, with a crater at the peak. This was typical of a volcano, but unlike Mount Fuyo in Fenglin, Danxiu Mountain had not erupted for thousands of years and was considered extinct.

Danxiu Palace was built atop the volcanic crater, forming a sprawling complex of palaces. While not comparable in scale to Jade Capital, it was still the size of Purple Mansion.

Danxiu Palace was divided into four main sections—one for each of the three great families and a large public area equivalent to the Golden Tower in Jade Capital.

Upon arriving at Danxiu Palace, Huangfu Ji was already waiting for Qi Xuansu and led him to first meet his father, Huangfu Zhao.

In appearance, Huangfu Zhao and Huangfu Ji were very similar. The former had a long beard, while the latter had a short beard. Yet in demeanor, they differed greatly. Huangfu Zhao was more restrained and gentle, like many men who grew kinder and calmer with age. It was in stark contrast with Huangfu Ji’s imposing and aggressive presence.

Qi Xuansu and Huangfu Zhao exchanged brief pleasantries with mutual expressions of admiration. Huangfu Zhao praised him as a young hero, mentioning his exploits in Fenglin, Nanyang, and now the Northern Continent. Qi Xuansu kept a modest attitude, saying he was unworthy of such praise and that the elder was being overly generous.

Next, Qi Xuansu met the leader of the Western Daoist Order, Tantai Zhenxiao.

After the position of Grand Master became vacant, the three Deputy Grand Masters established a rotating system to become the Great Sage Lunzhi, which was essentially the Acting Grand Master. The three of them took turns exercising part of the Grand Master’s authority and representing the Daoist Order. Thus, the Daoist Order did not fall into chaos. This was also why the Western Holy Court believed the three Deputy Grand Masters had effectively abolished the Grand Master position and formed a Council of Three.

The Western Daoist Order was essentially also governed by a Council of Three, mirroring the Daoist Order’s structure. However, it still required a representative leader, which was Tantai Zhenxiao.

Both Tantai Zhenxiao and Gong Fu maintained the appearance of elderly Immortals with refined bearing. Yet Gong Fu was slender, while Tantai Zhenxiao was tall and robust, his stature undiminished by age.

Due to Tantai Yun, the Western Daoist Order revered the Martial Arts Practitioner lineage above others. Gong Fu followed the Qi Refiner lineage, while Huangfu Ji and Tantai Zhenxiao were Martial Arts Practitioners.

Strictly speaking, Tantai Zhenxiao was not merely a Martial Arts Practitioner. He was a Manly Immortal.

Among all the Immortals Qi Xuansu had encountered, including the Three Daoist Heirs, Chen Shuhua, Golden Patriarch, and even the three Ancient Immortals, none had been Manly Immortals. Most were Heavenly Immortals, Earthly Immortals, or Godly Immortals.

This was Qi Xuansu’s first time seeing a true Manly Immortal.

As someone from the same lineage but of a lower rank, there was no innate suppression. If anything, the suppression came from his Diviner or Shaman lineages. But the sensation was exceptionally clear.

When Qi Xuansu first looked at Tantai Zhenxiao, it felt as though he were staring directly at a blazing sun, akin to an endless light and heat melting ice and snow.

Qi Xuansu had once read about God Luwu, whose mere presence could alter everything around him, permanently reshaping the environment. Due to God Luwu’s immense blood qi, heat waves surged for kilometers around him, even distorting the air. Any animal or plant that approached would be transformed by his blood qi.

Though Tantai Zhenxiao’s blood qi was not as terrifying as God Luwu’s, it was the most immense Qi Xuansu had ever experienced. It was the most fundamental refinement and the purest form of power.

This was with Tantai Zhenxiao deliberately suppressing himself, his blood qi nearly stagnant. If he fully unleashed his power and allowed his blood qi to circulate, he would not be merely 5 meters tall. Qi Xuansu even faintly felt that not even the Yamata-no-Orochi of Fenglin could rival this Manly Immortal. The Great Yokai like Shuten-Doji or Tamamo-no-Mae were all weakened after resurrection and could not compare to Tantai Zhenxiao at his peak.

Beyond physique and blood qi, Tantai Zhenxiao had refined all 1,200 acupoints across his body, each manifesting a body spirit. This created an indestructible body that was extremely difficult to break and nearly impossible to kill.

If Tantai Zhenxiao were to employ the Void-Shattering Technique, it would not merely shake or distort space. It would truly shatter space itself.

Qi Xuansu stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Great Sage Tantai. I am Qi Xuansu.”

“Chief Deputy Qi, no need for formalities.” Tantai Zhenxiao’s voice was not loud, yet it carried a draconic authority that instilled fear.

Tantai Zhenxiao was not deliberately trying to intimidate Qi Xuansu. This was simply the natural state of a Manly Immortal. Not all Immortals were as serene as Heavenly and Earthly Immortals, who pursued unity with the cosmos.

Godly Immortals had a different style. They always appeared grand, filled with overwhelming divine might and majestic presence that inspired both awe and reverence, unlike the pure oppression and fear from Manly Immortals. This made it easier for them to attract followers and gather incense power.

Unlike Gong Fu, who frequently traveled, Tantai Zhenxiao lived in seclusion. Those who could meet him were at least Heavenly Beings, not so weak as to be frightened to death. At most, they only felt a slight discomfort. Thus, he paid little attention to such details.

“Let us begin.” Tantai Zhenxiao took the lead and walked into the council hall, stopping at the central position before the statue of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor. Gong Fu and Huangfu Zhao stood to his left and right, and the three faced the assembled participants together.