909. Competing for the Cloud Temple (I)

After the battle was over, Chen Wentian captured Yun Huoxiao’s soul and imprisoned it inside his soul space. He could use it for cultivation later but he didn’t need it at the moment. He had not yet decided on the next target for a breakthrough to the Spirit King Realm.

After his main soul and the blue dragon soul, the top candidates were Chen Mo, the shadow fox, and the purple jade beetle. The shadow fox would allow him to more easily sneak around more powerful immortals and scheme against his enemies. In the Martial Brilliance Continent, he had already been caught two or three times by the protective measures of various sects and clans. During those times, he had to directly extinguish Chen Mo’s shadow body and withdraw the soul into the soul realm.

As for the purple jade beetle, that would improve his disguise as Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong. If the sword fatty happened to reveal a Spirit King Realm cultivation, it would be with the aura of the purple jade beetle that cultivated sword arts. It would have nothing to do with Chen Wentian and nobody would be able to make a connection.

After capturing the soul, Chen Wentian took over Three Clouds City. Everyone in the city had seen or heard the immortal battle. It left the lord’s castle partially destroyed. The city’s central district adjacent to the castle had been turned to ash from falling blue flames. Since the surviving bandit lords fled, no remaining mortal had the will to resist. Thus, several hundred thousand souls knelt in surrender.

Later in the day, Long Yifei and her forces finally exited the forest and reached Three Clouds City. They were met with an astonishing sight. The main gates were wide open. Bandit guards lined the gate, shouting welcomes and invitations to their new lords.

Like this, Long Yifei entered Three Clouds City at the head of the procession to take hold of her new city in bewilderment.

“How did you do it?” Xuan Xina asked Chen Wentian atop the city gate.

It was her task to accurately record the achievements of the sacred daughter and her acolyte. Chen Wentian had reported the capture of several hundred thousand bandits and the death of a bandit Spirit Lord. Taking the city was one thing, but killing a bandit immortal was a huge achievement.

“How did you sneak into the city? How did you manage to kill one of them while fighting three at the same time?”

Chen Wentian grinned and corrected her, “Actually, there were four Spirit Lord bandits. One more came from another bandit gang.”

Xuan Xina’s eyes widened. What he did was almost impossible. She tried to think if any other acolyte at the Spirit Lord Realm could do such a thing and could only come up with a few names that could be counted on one hand. However, the problem was that they would still have to risk their lives to perform such a feat. Such noble lords were the direct descendants of emperors otherwise people of great status. They wouldn’t risk their lives for a mere sacred daughter.

She studied Chen Wentian with a complex expression. This man took such a risk for his sacred daughter.

“Do you love her that much?” She asked.

“Hmm?” He asked in confusion.

“Never mind,” She shook her head, “I hope that love won’t get you killed in the end.”

“What?”

---

Chen Wentian and Long Yifei stayed in Three Clouds City and didn’t advance further north. There were no other major bandit populations in the region. They had also earned a lot of points so there was no rush. It was never their goal to win the competition. It was good enough to not be at the bottom.

Three days later, Chen Wentian turned his attention to the Temple of the Clouds as the event he had been waiting for was finally here. The special temple would finally be opened and it was a grand event for the cultivators here.

He accepted the invitation from Immortal Blank Eyes Gong Junqing and the Seven Rivers Union to observe the event. In the morning, he left Cloud Edge City’s harbor and entered the sea of clouds. He did not take the Skyward General but instead rented a small flying boat for today.

This time, a wide path had been created in the fluffy white clouds from the movement of many immortals and flying boats. It was easy to follow and impossible to get lost. Soon, he arrived at the location and it was an impressive sight.

A vast gap had been forcefully created in the sea of clouds and only a lonely cloud remained floating in the middle. Surrounding this singular cloud was an array of flying boats. Some were small, personal craft that could seat a dozen people or fewer. Others were several times bigger than the Skyward General, capable of carrying hundreds of people. Aside from the flying boats, countless immortals were flying to and fro. Their auras combined into a powerful, chaotic wave that pushed the surrounding clouds far away.

At this time, nobody had set foot on the cloud temple. The event had yet to start.

Chen Wentian found his destination and headed for a nearby cluster of flying boats.

“Halt!”

“Who are you?”

Two Spirit Lords flew off nearby flying boats and blocked his way when he got close.

“Lord Immortals, I am Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong. I was invited here by Senior Blank Eyes,” Chen Wentian answered and handed over the invitation letter.

“Oh, you are that sword bandit. Junqing mentioned you. Come with me.”

With one of the immortals leading the way, Chen Wentian arrived at a flying boat that was at least one hundred meters in length. He guided the small flying boat beside the far larger one and stepped on board.

“Lord Lin, welcome, welcome!” Immortal Blank Eyes Gong Junqing appeared and spoke warmly.

“Lord Gong, thank you for having me today.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Gong Junqing glanced at the six women behind Chen Wentian.

“Lord Lin, I see that you’ve brought a few disciples. Oh, they are quite interesting.”

Chen Wentian laughed and beckoned. The six women walked up and bowed.

“Lord Immortal.”

“Lord Immortal.”

Each woman wore a dark red battle dress. They each wore a wide-brim straw hat and red veils that hid their features entirely. They were quite eye-catching even if their cultivations were nothing special.

“Lord Gong, these are my disciples, my six great beauties. I am a stingy person and I don’t like my disciples being seen by others. I hope you can understand.”

Gong Junqing chuckled, “Fine, fine. That’s fine. I wish Lord Lin’s disciples the best of luck. I hope they can earn the right to enter the cloud temple. Come, let’s have a drink.”

“Lord Lin, please, this way.”

“Lord Gong, please, lead the way.”

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