148: Chapter 147 Don't use 998

The turmoil in Tianyin Province was brought to a clean and swift end by the thunderous methods of the Taixuan Sect.

Factions from all sides arrived one after another at the ruins of Tianyin City, forming a long line outside the makeshift council chamber.

Jiang Wuji sat in the main seat, with the three from Zixiao standing to the side.

As soon as the leaders of the various factions stepped into the hall, they instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the person in the main seat.

Once all the factions had arrived, the council chamber was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Jiang Wuji slowly raised his eyes. "I am Jiang Wuji of the Taixuan Sect."

"Greetings, Emperor!"

In an instant, all the faction leaders bowed in unison, none daring to show the slightest hesitation.

Jiang Wuji nodded.

"The Huanyin Divine Kingdom provoked the Taixuan Sect and failed to respect the Sect Master's orders; they have been annihilated by our Taixuan Sect."

"From this day forth, everything in Tianyin Province belongs to the Taixuan Sect."

The faction leaders below turned pale, not daring to even breathe loudly.

The Huanyin Divine Kingdom had been wiped out just like that; would they, who had taken advantage of the chaos, also be purged?

Jiang Wuji changed the subject. "However, you factions have shown some sense of timing. From now on, the Sect will allow you to continue guarding your respective territories. Carry on as you were."

When these words were spoken, those below collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

What they feared most was direct management by the Taixuan Sect, which would uproot them entirely.

Now it seemed that, at the very least, their lives were spared, and their territories remained intact.

Before they could say more, Jiang Wuji's voice rang out again, crushing their wishful thinking. "However, rules must be established. First, you must submit tribute resources to the Taixuan Sect on time and according to the regulations every year. No hoarding, no delays."

"Second, you must unconditionally obey any deployments or summons from the Taixuan Sect. No defiance is permitted."

"For those who follow the rules, the Sect will protect your safety and ensure your Sects flourish. In the future, you will have opportunities to exchange for Cultivation resources and Cultivation Technique Legacies from the Taixuan Sect."

"If anyone harbors ulterior motives or acts with duplicity, the fate of the Huanyin Divine Kingdom shall serve as a warning to you all."

Upon hearing this, the minds of those below instantly became active.

Immortal Sect Cultivation Techniques—that was the only Immortal Sect on the Primordial Continent.

If they could exchange for a Cultivation Technique from the Taixuan Sect, wouldn't their factions take off?

But the moment they thought of the fate of the Huanyin Divine Kingdom, their blood, which had just heated up, cooled by half.

The benefits were great, but the rules were strict.

Those who obey get to eat meat; for those who don't, the Huanyin Divine Kingdom is a cautionary tale.

But regardless of what they thought in their hearts, their faces were filled with nothing but respect.

"We will strictly obey the Emperor's orders! We swear our allegiance to the Taixuan Sect unto death and will harbor no ulterior motives!"

Everyone shouted in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized.

Jiang Wuji pointed to the three people beside him. "You should have met these three already: Daoist Zixiao, Xuanhuangzi, and Kunlun Mountain."

"From now on, they are the Inspectors of Tianyin Province, responsible for inspection and supervision."

Daoist Zixiao, Xuanhuangzi, and Kunlun Mountain all stepped forward at the same time.

The faction leaders below bowed hurriedly. "We greet the Envoys!"

Daoist Zixiao stood on the platform, looking at those bowing below, feeling a surge of satisfaction.

In the past, although his Purple Cloud Holy Land was considered a hegemon in the Eastern Region, who would have known him in the Tianyin Province of the Central Region?

Now that he had joined the main Sect, even these Central Region factions had to obediently bow to him.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Fortunately, he had the foresight to submit to the Taixuan Sect early on. Otherwise, how could he have today?

Jiang Wuji waved his hand. "Alright, you may all leave."

Everyone felt a sense of relief and bowed to withdraw.

Once most people had left, Daoist Zixiao lowered his voice and said, "I wonder how the preparations for the Sect's Disciple Recruitment Ceremony are going. A few of the juniors from my family have signed up this time, but I don't know if they'll pass."

Xuanhuangzi glanced at him without speaking. He was thinking about the same thing.

Although the Taixuan Sect had advanced study quotas for affiliated forces, how could advanced study compare to directly joining the main Sect?

Kunlun Mountain listened to this, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Since the Kunlun Clan had submitted to the Taixuan Sect, they had not had many opportunities to perform meritorious service. This time, he had volunteered to come to Tianyin Province specifically to earn more credit.

As for the juniors in the clan, he had also sent a few over. Whether they could be selected would depend on their own fortune.

Jiang Wuji kept his eyes closed, ignoring the thoughts of the three.

Tianyin Province had just stabilized, and he still had to sit in command here for a while; he couldn't leave.

On the other side. Xuanqi City.

Feng Wuya, accompanied by Liu Yuniang and over twenty Disciples from the Changsheng Hall, stood at the city gate.

It was Liu Yuniang's first time in the Eastern Region. Looking at the towering giant city before her, she couldn't help but gasp. "Senior Brother, is this Xuanqi City? The Spiritual Qi is so dense."

Feng Wuya nodded and led the group toward the city gate.

Xuanqi City was already packed with people.

The streets were filled with Cultivators, wearing various attires and speaking with different regional accents, creating a noisy clamor.

Some set up stalls to sell Spirit Medicine, some sparred in the street, and others stood in high places, shouting slogans at the top of their lungs.

The Disciples of the Changsheng Hall followed behind, looking around, their eyes unable to take it all in.

"Do you want to join the Immortal Sect? Do you want to ascend to the heavens in one step?"

A middle-aged Cultivator stood by the roadside, holding a stack of Jade Slips, shouting at the top of his lungs. "It's not 998 now, not even 98, just ten Spirit Stones! Ten Spirit Stones! And I can sell you a guide to the Immortal Sect!"

A group of people gathered around, some skeptical. "Is that true? I heard the Immortal Sect's exam only has one stage."

The vendor waved his hand, his face inscrutable. "That is wrong! Although there is only one stage, do you know the mysteries within?"

"The Heart-Questioning Heavenly Ladder tests one's Heart-Nature. But do you know how it specifically tests you? How to pass it?"

"My guide records the various illusions of the Heart-Questioning Heavenly Ladder in detail. I guarantee that after reading it, you will be confident and have a sure chance of success!"

"Keep bragging." Someone in the crowd laughed.

The vendor was about to retort when his expression suddenly changed. He stowed away the Jade Slips and turned to run.

Everyone turned back to look and saw a team of Disciples dressed in the attire of the Law Enforcement Hall walking toward them.

The leader was a young man with the corners of his mouth slightly curled, wearing a half-smile—it was Qin Feng.

"Make way."

Qin Feng led the Law Enforcement Disciples through the crowd, his gaze sweeping toward the direction the vendor had fled.

He let out a scoff. "Coming to Xuanqi City to swindle people? Are you tired of living?"

A Law Enforcement Disciple beside him asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother, should we pursue?"

Qin Feng waved his hand. "Forget it, he's a small fry, not worth the effort. The Disciple Recruitment Ceremony is imminent; keep a close watch and don't let anyone cause trouble."

Qin Feng turned around and bowed to the crowd. "Everyone, you have come from afar, naturally for the Sect's grand event."

"I will reiterate: there are no shortcuts to joining the Sect. Do not be deceived."

Hearing this, the crowd discussed it for a bit and gradually dispersed.

Just as Qin Feng was about to lead his men to continue patrolling, he caught a glimpse of a few people standing outside the crowd.

Qin Feng paused for a moment, then quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Elder Feng, Senior Brother Lei, you have returned."

Feng Wuya nodded. Lei Yan also smiled and returned the salute. "Junior Brother Qin Feng."

Qin Feng glanced at Liu Yuniang beside them, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Feng Wuya introduced her. "This is my Junior Sister, Liu Yuniang."

Qin Feng hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Senior Liu."

Liu Yuniang nodded slightly.

Feng Wuya looked at the sky. "We will first go to the Sect to pay respects to the Sect Master; we can chat later."

Qin Feng nodded. "Please go ahead, Elder Feng. Senior Brother Lei, Senior Sister Gu has been talking about you every day; you've finally returned."

Lei Yan smiled but didn't respond.

Qin Feng stood there watching their retreating figures, then turned and continued his patrol.

The hustle and bustle of Xuanqi City continued, and the day of the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony drew closer day by day.