Chapter 594: Chaos Lotus (1/2)

Disorder ruled the world of immortals as the new normal, and Nephrite Major was severely weakened. It was now the weakest of not only the nine majors, but also the ten lands and four immortal seas.

She had no celestial emperor or crippled origin dao immortals, but a great many valuable treasures still. The Nephrite court wouldn’t be able to protect their ancestral vein.

Art and Zither Saint only stayed on as the major’s guardians because of the deal between Art Saint and Zhao Changkong. The late celestial emperor had set Art Saint free, so he would protect Nephrite for a century in return. He would take his leave after that, and Nephrite was certain to be consigned to the same fate as Witherdew Major.

Zhao Changkong had received his heavenly mandate from Zhao Fengyang. After his death, the heavenly mandate had returned to the origin of Nephrite Major, never to be recovered. Even if Nephrite selected a new celestial emperor, it would take the new ruler at least a thousand years to gather the heavenly mandate again.

Destruction was thus made inevitable; the major would be reduced to rubble long before then. Hence, as the seniormost member of the imperial family at present, the imperial uncle had no choice but to hand over the ancestral vein for safekeeping.

However, Lu Yun and Dusk Province would never know peace again after accepting such a reward.

Lu Yun knew full well what the imperial uncle was planning, but this was a proposal he couldn’t decline. It was common knowledge that he had only gotten this far in the world because of Zhao Fengyang’s original support.

“You’re gifting me the ancestral vein?” Lu Yun mentally waved off his sudden flash of killing intent and looked at the old man kneeling before him.

“...yes!” Though slightly shamefaced, the imperial uncle’s gaze flashed with resolution when he dwelled on Nephrite’s impending doom a century later. “I believe the lord of Dusk will be able to protect the ancestral vein and tend to this spark of hope for the major.”

“Fine,” Lu Yun sighed and accepted the sphere of light. “By the way, Chen Xiao and Qing Buyi will return soon.”

He then left the palace with Ashu, while the imperial uncle remained on his knees.

“Imperial Uncle...” The Yue patriarch looked at him and reached out to help him up, but the old man remained kneeling in the direction that Lu Yun had left in.

“Dusk Province has enough troubles as it is. Entrusting the ancestral vein to the province will plunge it in even greater danger.” Downcast, the imperial uncle continued, “However, I have to do this, lest all of us be doomed.”

With the restriction against immortals and the human demon in residence, Dusk Province possessed ample tools to protect the ancestral vein. Still, this development would paint an enormous target on their backs, and Lu Yun would be trapped in his territory. It would be difficult for him to expand his influence or build up his faction.

More importantly, once the new Nephrite celestial emperor refined a heavenly mandate after a thousand years, he would be able to collect the ancestral vein with the mandate.

Lu Yun would be left with nothing after all his efforts.

Art and Zither Saint didn’t have any comments. Their guardianship of Nephrite Major for the next hundred years was just a promise they’d made to Zhao Changkong.

……

“You’re just going to take this hit for the Nephrite court?” Ashu asked in surprise as he followed Lu Yun. Although he was a holy lord in the underworld, he wasn’t entirely oblivious to the happenings in the world of immortals. There were still means for the mausoleum keepers to keep up to date with the outside world.

“I can use the ancestral vein to help Dusk Province recover its vitality.” Lu Yun nodded. “I would’ve asked to borrow it even if he hadn’t made the offer.” He shrugged; his reaction had been mere smoke and mirrors.

Ashu stared at the youth, dumbfounded.

“You do realize that your gnat-sized Dusk Province will never know peace again after accepting that ancestral vein? You’ve met people from the Purple Firmament already, and races that still thrive in primordial ruins like the fur seals have emerged as well. [1]

“I’m following you around, but I’m not your servant,” he remarked gravely. “I won’t drive those people away for you.”