Chapter Twenty

Three months earlier, the Yunfeng Empire had begun preparations for the Grand Dao Discourse. Considering the large number of attendees, most of whom were cultivators, the organizers had constructed a moon platform atop a mountain not far from the imperial capital. The choice to build the moon platform was not due to the empire’s wealth, but rather because participation in the Dao Discourse was limited to cultivators. In the world of Chengtian, the existence of cultivators was not common knowledge; only those of certain standing were aware of their presence. The moon platform was constructed primarily for the sake of secrecy.

Wang Changsheng and Fang Qing accompanied the Fourth Prince to the foot of the mountain, where they noticed many cultivators ascending the slope. Most of them had reached the peak stage of the Qi Refinement Realm.

“Only those at least at the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm are eligible to attend the Dao Discourse,” Fang Qing explained. “At the very least, one needs to be in the late stage of Qi Refinement. All such people hold some status in their respective nations.”

“There aren’t many at that level in Chengtian—perhaps two or three thousand,” Fang Qing continued. He himself had once been among the ranks of Qi Refinement cultivators. As the Grand General of the Nation, he was well-versed in the various empires of Chengtian.

“Two or three thousand,” Wang Changsheng mused. “But from what I know, there are many cultivators at the Open Vein Realm in Chengtian. It seems the number of participants at this Dao Discourse will be no less than that.”

“My estimate is five thousand,” the Fourth Prince interjected. “The moon platform was built to accommodate such a number.”

As a prince, he naturally knew such details.

When the three reached halfway up the mountain, they saw several guards standing watch. Every cultivator passing by handed over an invitation. Those without invitations could still ascend, provided they demonstrated cultivation at the late stage of Qi Refinement.

“Invitation, please.”

As the three approached, a guard reached out his hand. “No entry without an invitation.”

Both Fang Qing and Wang Changsheng produced their invitations. As an Open Vein cultivator with some renown, Fang Qing had long since received his, while Wang Changsheng’s invitation had been delivered by the leading female cultivator herself.

The Fourth Prince, however, hesitated, an awkward expression flickering across his face—he had no invitation.

“No invitation, and not at least late stage Qi Refinement—no entry,” the guard said, eyeing the Fourth Prince.

The prince’s cultivation had not even reached the early stage of Qi Refinement. He was at the Postnatal Realm, but such martial cultivation was far from sufficient to qualify for the Dao Discourse.

“He is the Fourth Prince of the Yunfeng Empire,” Fang Qing said in a low voice. “Are you saying a prince of this land cannot attend a discourse hosted by his own nation?”

Fang Qing was visibly upset.

Wang Changsheng, too, was taken aback. He and Fang Qing had both gained entry, yet the prince himself was barred.

“A prince?” The guard sneered. “The world is vast, and empires are countless. What is a prince worth?”

Another guard added with equal disdain, “Without the proper cultivation, even a crown prince has no right to attend, let alone a mere fourth prince.”

He placed extra emphasis on “fourth prince,” making it clear that, in the eyes of cultivators, such a rank carried little weight.

All the guards were at the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm. Evidently, they were not subjects of the Yunfeng Empire, for otherwise—even if they refused the prince entry—they would not dare show such contempt.

“You—” Fang Qing glared at them, his expression darkening.

“It’s fine.”

The Fourth Prince looked at them gravely. “If I cannot go up, then so be it.” He turned to Fang Qing. “General Fang, you and Taoist Wang may proceed. I’ll return to the capital and await your news.”

Fang Qing’s brows knit in frustration. “Allow me to escort Your Highness back.”

The Fourth Prince considered, then nodded slightly.

Wang Changsheng was not foolish. Given the prince’s status, such a situation should have been negotiable—after all, the Dao Discourse was being held in Yunfeng’s own territory. To bar a prince, the host, from entry was preposterous. As for those mighty figures from Shentian, such a trivial matter would hardly concern them.

Clearly, this was the work of the Crown Prince, ensuring the Fourth Prince could not mingle with cultivators. Without contact with cultivators, the Fourth Prince would be unable to win them over, and the Crown Prince would dominate the contest for power.

“This Crown Prince is no fool,” Wang Changsheng thought. “Even if these guards aren’t his men, he must have bought them off.”

“Senior Brother,” Fang Qing said, bowing to Wang Changsheng. “Please go ahead. I will escort His Highness back and then return.”

Wang Changsheng nodded.

He continued up the mountain as Fang Qing accompanied the prince back to the capital.

Upon reaching the summit and stepping onto the moon platform, Wang Changsheng was struck with awe. In the far right corner, he saw a cloud boat—the very vessel that had brought the powerful figures down from Shentian.

But it was not the cloud boat that shocked him—it was the platform itself.

“The entire moon platform is perfectly smooth. Apart from the central dais, there are no buildings,” Wang Changsheng marveled. “This wasn’t built; it was split from the mountain in a single stroke by a mighty cultivator…”

Such a feat was beyond Wang Changsheng’s imagination—the moon platform had not been constructed, but carved out in one blow by a being of immense power. Though he lacked such strength, he could perceive it, especially with the lingering blade intent, which left him deeply shaken.

“The methods of cultivators are truly frightening…”

Wang Changsheng was no stranger to the wonders of the world. He had traveled through the starry skies aboard a cloud boat—those sights were even grander. But those were forces of nature; though spectacular, they did not move him as deeply as this display of sheer power.

Since arriving in the cultivation world, he had spent only a few days in Shentian before journeying by cloud boat to Chengtian. He knew cultivators were formidable, but had never witnessed their true might. This gathering was his first encounter with the assembly of powerful cultivators.

Though the event had not yet begun, Wang Changsheng could already sense the overwhelming strength of those present.

After his initial shock, he noticed many cultivators sitting cross-legged around the platform, lost in contemplation.

“They’re all meditating on the traces of blade intent left on this platform,” Wang Changsheng realized.

For those who practiced the blade, such an opportunity could yield immense rewards—an insight here could be worth years of hard training.

Wasting no time, Wang Changsheng found a corner, sat cross-legged, and began his own meditation. Even though he was not a blade cultivator, such comprehension would still be beneficial.

But just as he was settling in, a series of dull booms echoed from within the cloud boat, disturbing all present from their meditations.

“Who made that noise? I was just grasping the essence…”

“Who is it? Show yourself!”

“It came from the cloud boat above…”

Many of the cultivators had been absorbed in their insights and were understandably annoyed at the interruption. Yet, upon realizing the sound came from the cloud boat, none dared voice their anger. Regardless of who the important figures on the cloud boat were, the sharp blade intent left behind made it clear that defiance would be fatal.

Wang Changsheng, too, awoke from his meditation and saw a group of people emerging from the cloud boat. Each wore a light veil over their face. With a graceful leap, they landed on the central dais.

“Silence!” one of the maids commanded from the dais, her voice quelling the murmurs below.

The crowd fell instantly silent.

The lead cultivator at the front spoke: “Fellow Daoists, for many of you, this may be your first time attending a Dao Discourse. Of course, for those from Shentian, such gatherings are not unfamiliar.”

“Allow me to introduce ourselves—we are from Yun Palace Peak.”

At these words, a wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

“They’re powerhouses from Shentian?!”

“Yun Palace Peak—I know of them. In Shentian, they’re a top-tier force!”

“So, it’s Yun Palace Peak backing the Yunfeng Empire!”

Some cultivators in Chengtian had come from Shentian—though often driven out, as Shentian was a far superior environment for cultivation. If one could survive there, why come to Chengtian?

Most cultivators present, however, had grown up and cultivated within Chengtian, and had only heard tales of Shentian.

But the mention of Yun Palace Peak caused a stir. Only those who had been to Shentian knew its true might.

In Shentian, Yun Palace Peak was an unrivaled power, with only a handful of forces capable of standing against it.

“Yun Palace Peak… why does that sound so familiar…” Wang Changsheng mused.

He was certain he had heard the name before—not during his brief time in Shentian, as he had barely arrived before being sent away by his second uncle.

Then it struck him—Li Fusheng!

Wang Changsheng instantly recalled that his knowledge of Yun Palace Peak came from Li Fusheng. During their journey on the cloud boat, Li Fusheng had spoken often of Yun Palace Peak, even sharing some of its secrets with him.