136: Befriend

"A True Immortal Realm expert?"

As Lin Chen listened, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

If the Three Great Academies all possessed True Immortal Realm experts, it couldn't be ruled out that other major powers did as well.

Although the overall strength of the Wending Sect had improved significantly, there were only a few members who were truly presentable. Completing the System mission to 'Awe the Qinggu Heaven Domain' would still be quite difficult.

"Good, continue your investigation. Report any new intelligence immediately."

"Yes, Sect Master."

...Xuanji Immortal Kingdom.

In the imperial court, the atmosphere was even more solemn than usual.

A Shadow-Recording Jade Talisman sent back by a secret agent projected a blurry yet heart-palpitating image in the center of the hall—deep within the Endless Wasteland, above the Wending Sect, a Breakthrough phenomenon like ten thousand immortals paying homage, and a True Immortal aura that soared into the sky, looked down upon all living beings, and made space itself tremble!

The image dissipated, and silence fell over the hall.

The sound of people swallowing their saliva could be heard repeatedly.

After a long time, an old official with white hair and a white beard stepped forward tremblingly, his voice filled with unbelievable horror: "Your Majesty... that aura... is as vast as the sea and exerts pressure over the heavens. It is definitely not something an ordinary Heavenly Immortal can reach! I fear... it is a True Immortal descending upon the world!"

"A True Immortal?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court broke into an uproar!

The True Immortal Realm was an existence that stood at the Peak of the Qinggu Heaven Domain. No matter which great Immortal Kingdom or major Sect it was placed in, they were the ultimate foundation.

Even in the Xuanji Immortal Kingdom, only Her Majesty the Empress could reach this Realm.

Sitting on the dragon throne, shrouded in a hazy immortal light, Empress Xuanji lightly tapped her fingertips on the armrest. No one could see her expression, and only her cold voice rang out: "My dear ministers, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Everyone's eyes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, fell upon the Black-Armored General who had previously advocated for war.

That general's face turned pale and then flushed; he could only brace himself and step forward.

"Your Majesty! A True Immortal... so what if they are a True Immortal? My Xuanji Immortal Kingdom possesses hundreds of millions of miles of territory, our national fortune is prosperous, and we have a million immortal soldiers. Could it be... could it be that we are afraid of a tiny Wending Sect?"

Although he said this, his lack of confidence was obvious for anyone to hear.

Another high-ranking official from the faction that advocated for caution and befriending them, Minister of Rites Su Wenzheng, took a deep breath and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!"

"Speak."

"Your Majesty is wise! A True Immortal, no matter where they are in the Qinggu Heaven Domain, is a strategic existence sufficient for any power to treat with caution. Since the Wending Sect has a True Immortal presiding over it, its foundational strength is at least no weaker than our Xuanji Immortal Kingdom!"

His gaze swept over the general with the ugly expression, and his tone turned sharp: "The key is, General Pang, how can you be certain that this Wending Sect... has only one True Immortal?"

"This... I..."

The general was suddenly at a loss for words, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

One True Immortal could already contend with a nation. If there were two or three... he didn't dare to imagine that scene.

Su Wenzheng stopped looking at him and turned to the Empress, bowing with sincere earnestness: "Your Majesty, although our Xuanji Immortal Kingdom reigns supreme in the Canglan Continent, occupying one-third of the territory, looking at the entire Qinggu Heaven Domain, powerful Sects stand like forests and ancient kingdoms coexist. Our Immortal Kingdom does not have a powerful backer behind it..."

"I believe that in this changing situation, rather than being suspicious and making enemies, it is better to take the initiative to befriend them!"

He paused, his voice steady and powerful: "The Wending Sect has a mysterious origin and unfathomable strength. Establishing a good relationship with such a Sect has only benefits and absolutely no disadvantages!"

"It can both deter the small fries in the surrounding areas and find a potential powerful ally for our Immortal Kingdom to deal with possible future changes!"

"This is the best policy for the benefit of the country and the people. I hope Your Majesty will make a sagacious decision!"

On the dragon throne, Empress Xuanji was silent for a moment.

The immortal light around her fluctuated slightly; she was clearly weighing the pros and cons.

That True Immortal aura could not be faked, and a Sect that could cultivate a True Immortal must have a foundation that was anything but ordinary.

Su Wenzheng's analysis hit the nail on the head.

"What Minister Su has said is very much in line with my thoughts."

The Empress finally spoke, making the final decision: "Being friends with the strong is always better than being enemies with the strong. The Wending Sect has just arrived here, and our Immortal Kingdom taking the lead to show goodwill precisely demonstrates our stature as a great nation."

"Minister Su."

"I am here!"

"I appoint you to take full responsibility for the matter of befriending the Wending Sect. Immediately prepare generous gifts: one hundred thousand High Grade Immortal Crystals, one hundred Medium Grade Immortal Treasures, one thousand pieces of Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade, ten bottles of Nine-Transformation Soul-Returning Pills... In addition, attach a state letter written by my own hand to express the goodwill of myself and the Immortal Kingdom."

"You must personally deliver them to the Wending Sect and hand them over to its Sect Master."

This gift list was worth a fortune, enough to show the sincerity and boldness of the Xuanji Immortal Kingdom.

"I receive your command! I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Su Wenzheng bowed and accepted the order, breathing a sigh of relief in his heart while also feeling the heavy responsibility on his shoulders... Some time later, in the Endless Wasteland, outside the mountain gate of the Wending Sect.

Su Wenzheng, the Minister of Rites of the Xuanji Immortal Kingdom, dressed in solemn court robes, followed by a line of sharp-looking Immortal Palace Guards, arrived slowly, escorting dozens of shimmering immortal carriages loaded with rare gifts.

Looking at the Sect Protecting Grand Array ahead, where immortal light was dense and stars rotated, as well as the looming, magnificent palaces and pavilions behind the array, Su Wenzheng was secretly shocked.

Although this Wending Sect was a newcomer, looking at the atmosphere of this mountain gate, it was actually a few points more grand and majestic than the imperial city gardens of his Xuanji Immortal Kingdom.

He straightened his clothes and hat and was about to have his followers go forward to announce their arrival when suddenly—

"Hey! Who's that? Acting all sneaky!"

"Bringing so many boxes, are you here to sponge off my Wending Sect or what?"

"State your name!"

"If you dare to trespass, be careful that This Immortal makes you suffer more than you can handle!"

A slightly arrogant voice sounded... Who was speaking?

Su Wenzheng searched for a long time before finally discovering a black dog standing at the mountain gate, baring its teeth and staring at them.

It seemed to be full of hostility towards them.

Su Wenzheng was stunned.

He was a first-rank official of the Immortal Kingdom, yet he was being scolded like this by a watchdog; he felt a slight surge of anger in his heart.

But thinking of the heavy responsibility of this trip, he suppressed his displeasure, took a step forward, and cupped his hands towards a Disciple who looked like a lead Guard:

"This fellow immortal, I am Su Wenzheng, the Minister of Rites of the Xuanji Immortal Kingdom. By the order of Her Majesty the Empress of our country, I have specially prepared modest gifts to visit your Sect Master to discuss important matters."

"...I, I'm not."

That Disciple was a bit embarrassed and even stuttered as he pointed at Xiao Hei and said, "He's the boss."

"How detestable!"

"How dare you look down on this Emperor... wait, look down on This Immortal!"

Xiao Hei was ignored and immediately became furious. He released a terrifying pressure of the Peak Earth Immortal Realm without any concealment and shouted: "This Immortal is the 'Chief Inspector of Mountain Patrol' personally appointed by the Sect Master, the Black Emperor Immortal Lord! Do you know the rules? Looking for the Sect Master? Pass This Immortal's test first!"

A watchdog... was actually a Peak Earth Immortal?!

Feeling that pressure which was like a mountain or a Peak and far exceeded that of an ordinary Earth Immortal, Su Wenzheng's face changed drastically, and waves of shock rolled through his heart!

A Peak Earth Immortal expert would definitely be a pillar of strength even in many major powers, but in this Wending Sect, they were actually used to Guard the gate? Could it be... that this Wending Sect truly is a supreme Sect from an outer domain?

Their strength is unfathomable!

Sweat broke out on Su Wenzheng's forehead, and he hurriedly bowed, explaining incoherently:

"Ah! High Immortal... High Immortal, please calm your anger! It was I... I was blind, a dog's eyes... no, a human's eyes looking down on a dog, ah, that's not right either! I misspoke, I misspoke!

"Your High Immortal majesty, I admire it immensely!"

"I am just getting old and muddled, please forgive me, High Immortal!"