Cultivating Disciples to Breakthrough

At the same time Xuan Hao was making his way back to the Star Shattering Sect to prepare for a possible response from the Blue Sea Empire, Bai Shenyang’s battered figure flickered through the sky at an unsteady pace. The remnants of Xuan Hao’s Sky Splitting Sword still lingered in his body, distorting his qi and making every breath agonizing. He had fought with everything he had, but in the end, he had been forced to retreat.

With a final push, he tore through space and emerged above an endless ocean seconds later. Below him, the vast waters of the Oceanheart Lake stretched beyond the horizon, the serene surface hiding the power struggles and conflicts raging across the empire unbeknownst to most.

Looking into the distance, a massive island with a floating island above it could be seen, the capital city of the Blue Sea Empire and the Imperial Blue Palace. The location where the emperor resided alongside himself and many of the other powerful cultivators of the Blue Sea Empire.

Gritting his teeth, Bai Shenyang forced his body forward, streaking across the sky like a falling star, until he finally landed before the imperial gates with a solemn expression on his face. Ignoring the looks of surprise being thrown his way by the guards in front of the imperial gates.

He understood their shock given his current state wasn’t that pretty, with his robes still torn and blood still present around his lips, but he couldn’t care less about the thoughts of these guards as he pushed forward and stepped through the hastily opened gates and entered the imperial palace.

Informing the rest about the situation through a talisman could be done, but he didn’t feel the need to do so as his life wasn’t in danger, and he only ended up injured.

…

Inside the palace’s grand hall, the atmosphere was tense. Ministers, officials, and even a few ancestors sat in discussion, their faces dark. At the center of the hall, seated upon a throne of deep blue jade, was Emperor Liang Shengtian, his regal presence suppressing the room like a vast ocean pressing down from above, as he listened to the discussion taking place with a contemplating expression on his face.

”Hm? Shenyang is back?”

Rustle~

Following the sudden words from the emperor, everyone present turned their heads and looked at the entrance to the grand hall. Only to see Bai Shenyang walking in covered in blood and with a still torn robe that he had not yet switched out of.

”Shenyang… What happened to you? Did you perhaps encounter a Demonic cultivator in the Demon King Realm…?”

As everyone was left in a state of shock upon seeing Bai Shenyang, one of their empires Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators, in this of state, the emperor spoke up and asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

”Your Majesty, I didn’t encounter a demonic cultivator, but instead an elder from the newly emerged hidden ancient sect, the Star Shattering Sect. Because of me discovering two of the Blue Sea Empire’s enemies under his protection, we ended up fighting and… I lost… I believe we should act against the Star Shattering Sect before it has a chance to become a bigger threat to the empire.

Although it’s an ancient hidden sect, it’s clear that it’s hostile to our empire and has intentions to expand further. Possibly intending to become a second Hidden Sky Sect. If that happens, our territory will shrink by at least a third, possibly even half! Not to mention, we can also ask others to lend a hand, as the Star Shattering Sect isn’t just a problem to us!”

Finished saying what he had been contemplating on his way back, Bai Shenyang looked around the room, but instead of urgency, the room remained quiet. On the throne, the emperor’s expression remained unreadable, while one of the ministers let out a long sigh.

”Bai Shenyang,” the emperor finally spoke, his voice calm but heavy, ”I understand your concerns, but the empire has no resources to spare for this.”

Bai Shenyang’s heart sank. ”What do you mean, Your Majesty? This is the perfect time to suppress them before they grow any stronger!”

Another elder, Grand Minister Hai Tian, shook his head. ”We do not doubt your words, but at this moment, the empire faces an even greater crisis. The demonic cultivators from the Frozen Wastelands have begun to move more seriously and their Demon King Realm cultivators are participating more actively in the attacks around our borders. We cannot afford to start another battlefront. Especially with an ancient hidden sect that might be as strong as us. Even asking for others to help is difficult given that their situation isn’t much different from ours.”

Bai Shenyang clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palm as he thought about Chu Yang who had managed to get away after killing a member of his family. ”But-”

”The discussion is over,” Emperor Liang Shengtian interrupted. His gaze was firm, leaving no room for debate. ”For now, the Star Shattering Sect is not our priority. You are dismissed. Go back and recover, we will need you in the coming years when the demonic cultivators become more aggressive.”

”This… I understand…”

Barely managing to mutter a few words in response to the emperor, he lowered his head, suppressing the frustration burning in his chest before turning around to leave the room. His attempt to get the emperor’s help in moving against the Star Shattering Sect had failed…

Leaving the palace, Bai Shenyang walked through the imperial palace in silence. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over through the pristine corridors. Even though he moved in the direction of his cultivation room, he couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness he felt.

The empire would not act.

But Bai Shenyang was not one to give up so easily. If the emperor refused to listen, there was still one person who might help.

The Crown Prince, Liang Yunfei.

If there was anyone who had a chance of at the very least helping him get revenge for his dead family member and making things more difficult for the Star Shattering Sect, it would be him. Not to mention, one of the people Xuan Hao had protected was the culprit behind… Ehm… A rather unfortunate accident…

Determined, Bai Shenyang turned toward the eastern palace, where the crown prince resided. The fight with Xuan Hao might have been lost, but the war was far from over, he would make sure he regretted protecting those two people.