Chapter 79: Truly a Great One from the World of Immortals and Gods

The Empress was quick-witted and instantly understood, nodding with a gentle smile. “I understand! I understand!” Yet, even as the Empress of the Holy State of Spring and Autumn, as she stood before Chen Changsheng, she could not shake the feeling of treading on thin ice.

This was a reverence that came from the depths of her soul, something utterly beyond her control.

“Master Chen and his daughter are honored guests of the imperial dynasty. Everyone, disperse at once! If anyone dares show them the slightest disrespect, they will be executed without mercy!”

Her voice turned cold and commanding. The remaining imperial guards on the scene were struck with terror and dared not linger another moment, scattering in a panic.

With the Empress giving a direct order to kill, who would risk their life by staying?

She then sent a message to Donggong Fu. “Donggong Fu, when you lent the Heaven-Slaying Sword Array to the Southern Domain Prince, it was only because you feared Master Chen would threaten your position. You hoped to use the Southern Domain Prince and that sword array to kill Master Chen. But Xue’er just told me that Master Chen hails from the world of Immortals and Gods. The Heaven-Slaying Sword Array cannot kill him. If it could, he would not be standing here today. If you dare act rashly again, you will be courting your own destruction!”

What?

Donggong Fu’s soul shook violently. He staggered, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Heavens, was it truly this terrifying?

“Ah, Master Chen, I was much too presumptuous just now. Please be magnanimous and do not take offense!”

In the blink of an eye, Donggong Fu broke out in a cold sweat, his face pale with fright.

He then spoke again with utmost respect. “Master Chen, you have awakened the Divine Phoenix bloodline in Xue’er. You are the greatest benefactor of our Holy State of Spring and Autumn!”

Having regained his composure, he thought back on Chen Changsheng’s words. The miraculous medicine that could awaken the Divine Phoenix bloodline in the princess’ body was, in his eyes, no different from a common vegetable.

How unbelievable! What sort of supreme being was this? He had once even thought to use the Southern Domain Prince as a pawn to kill him—how laughable and pathetic!

Chen Changsheng was slightly puzzled. The attitude of this Bird Emperor certainly changed quickly!

“Hmph!”

Donggong Qianxue snorted coldly, her delicate nose raised, clearly still angry at Donggong Fu.

She then produced the ancient, unadorned great stone sword and said lightly, “In fact, Master Chen intended to carve this sword into a pair of stone lions to stand at his doorway. Only for my sake did he refrain.”

Donggong Fu and the Empress were both stunned, a tidal wave of shock surging in their hearts.

This ancient and unadorned great stone sword was the national treasure of their Spring and Autumn Holy State. Yet this Master Chen had nearly carved it into a pair of stone lions!

It was undeniable now—the Heaven-Slaying Sword Array truly could not harm this man.

No wonder the Southern Domain Prince had died!

Donggong Fu and the Empress trembled inwardly.

Soon after, the group arrived at the clearing where the Heaven-Slaying Sword Array had been set. Donggong Qianxue flicked her slender hand.

Boom!

The massive stone sword, fully ten meters high, was thrust back into its original position.

At once, auspicious clouds gathered in the heavens.

Donggong Fu and the Empress finally breathed a sigh of relief. The national treasure was tied to the fate of the state; if it were not returned in time, their nation’s fortune would wane and doom would follow.

“Master Chen, would you and your daughter please enter the palace?”

Donggong Fu addressed Chen Changsheng with respectful deference.

Chen Die’er clung tightly to her father’s hand, her bright eyes blinking—astonished at how quickly even the Holy Emperor of the Spring and Autumn State had come to revere her father.

Yes, Father truly was remarkable.

Inside the imperial hall, Chen Changsheng stroked his chin and said calmly, “Actually, that hot pot I made earlier not only awakened the Divine Phoenix bloodline in the princess, it also revealed the true forms of the Sword of All Beings and the Demon-Slaying Sword, and even drew out a certain Emperor of the Zither.

This world of Snow-song holds not only ancient dragons and the Divine Phoenix bloodline, but the true forms of those legendary swords, and is also the place of the Zither Emperor’s rebirth. It is certainly worthy of study.”

Boom!

Donggong Fu’s mind felt as though a time-bomb had detonated, sending his thoughts into utter chaos.

Heavens—the great changes in the Southern Domain were indeed caused by this Master Chen, sparked by nothing more than a single hot pot meal!

And from the way Master Chen spoke, it seemed his purpose encompassed the entire world of Snow-song!

He truly was a figure from the world of Immortals and Gods!

“Master Chen, I was far too reckless before. I beg your forgiveness,” Donggong Fu said again, trembling inwardly, walking on eggshells.

For a being like this, destroying the Holy State of Spring and Autumn would be the simplest matter.

“Your Majesty, there’s no need for such formality,” Chen Changsheng replied with a faint shake of his head. In truth, he felt a strange sensation—he was clearly just a common man, yet now he seemed to be treated as if he were a sovereign.

He had to admit, it was a most exhilarating feeling.

After a pause, he continued, “The princess told me in Qingshui Town that she returned home this time mainly to attend a certain Feast of Splendor.”

“Yes, the Feast of Splendor!” Donggong Fu and the Empress’ eyes lit up; in the recent chaos, they’d almost forgotten this matter.

Donggong Fu explained, “The Feast of Splendor is about to begin. I had been worrying about it, but now that the princess has returned, it is perfect timing. We must leave at once to attend.”

“The princess also told me about it before,” Chen Changsheng mused, rubbing his brow. “It’s a martial gathering for the princes and princesses of the thirty-six Holy States of the Eastern Realm. But I fail to see—what is the purpose of such a grand event? What does it all mean?”

Donggong Fu replied, “The Feast of Splendor is not unique to the Eastern Realm. The Southern, Western, and Northern Realms of the world all hold similar gatherings at about the same time.”

Chen Changsheng listened attentively, showing a hint of interest.

Donggong Fu went on, “The purpose of the Feast is to select the Holy Son or Holy Daughter, to enter the Sacred Domain.”

“The Sacred Domain?” Chen Changsheng’s eyes lit up. The Gate of the Void was said to exist within the Sacred Domain.

He had always wished to find the Sacred Domain and, through the Gate of the Void, enter the Realm of the Gods.

He had not expected that the Feast of Splendor, which Donggong Qianxue would soon attend, was tied to the Sacred Domain.

“Indeed. The Sacred Domain is the highest existence in the world of Snow-song, where mighty figures gather,” Donggong Fu said. “In each of the four realms—East, South, West, North—only one may earn the right to enter the Sacred Domain, and that person is chosen through the Feast.”

“Your Majesty, do you know if there is truly a Gate of the Void within the Sacred Domain?” Chen Changsheng asked, stroking his chin.

“The Gate of the Void?” Donggong Fu, the Empress, and Donggong Qianxue were all taken aback, exchanging blank looks.

Then, in their hearts, stormy waves surged.