Wayfarer

Within a hall on Taiqing Island, the Taiqing sect master, Lu Yan, convened the four division leaders to gather. He sighed.

"Zhang Feifan, Lan Jiguang, have you both recovered?" Lu Yan asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. We're alright now," Zhang Feifan replied.

Lu Yan nodded and turned to Zhao Yuanjiao and Xiao Nanfeng.

"Over the last few years, the three of us have been in search of new opportunities for the Taiqing Immortal Sect, and have indeed neglected much of the goings-on within it. It was our negligence that resulted in the birth of a traitor like Nalan Qiankun. Fortunately, the two of you were able to stabilize the Ascended and Mortal divisions. You've both worked very hard," Lu Yan said.

Zhao Yuanjiao smiled. "If not for Nanfeng, Sect Master, I would never have known about the true extent of Nalan Qiankun's treachery."

"As a Taiqing disciple, it's only right that I do so," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Lu Yan nodded. "The demonic sect master had urgent business to take care of, but he had me thank you on your behalf. He'll pay you a visit in the near future as well."

"There's no need. The demonic sect master did help me in my time of need as well." Xiao Nanfeng smiled, then asked, "Sect Master, might I know why you've gathered us here? Is there an announcement to be made?"

Lu Yan sucked in a deep breath. "I've gathered you all here because Zhang Feifan has managed to secure a large opportunity, and we must discuss how to handle it. Zhang Feifan, please begin."

Zhang Feifan nodded. "I've held a post in the Imperial Court these last few years, though only a middling position without real authority. I can't influence the appointment of any officials of the Imperial Court, but my daughter, Zhang Lingjun, has been granted a higher status thanks to her mother. She has no small authority in her own right, and has successfully lobbied for a divine position. Whoever is appointed to this position may become an official of the Imperial Court."

"Indeed?" Everyone seemed surprised.

"What's the position?" Lan Jiguang asked curiously.

"A Martial Aspect," Zhang Feifan replied.

"What? A Martial Aspect? There are only seventy-two such Martial Aspects in the Imperial Court, and their numbers are fixed. Only when a Martial Aspect dies in battle or cedes his position for some other reason will a new Martial Aspect be instated. Countless Immortals seek to be a Martial Aspect. How could your daughter have been given the opportunity to appoint one?" Lan Jiguang exclaimed.

"It's because the Martial Aspect responsible for protecting my wife perished in battle. Considering my daughter's young age, the Heavenly Emperor gave her the choice of the new Martial Aspect, who would be in her debt for the future," Zhang Feifan replied.

"So that's how it is..." The cultivators nodded in understanding.

"Division Leader Zhang, might I know who your wife is?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"She was a princess of the Imperial Court, but is now deceased." Pain flashed through Zhang Feifan's eyes.

Xiao Nanfeng got a sense of the situation immediately. Zhang Feifan was the emperor's son-in-law, but with the princess' demise, his position in the Imperial Court was particularly awkward. On the other hand, Zhang Lingjun was the Heavenly Emperor's grand-daughter, and he took particular care of her.

"Can anyone your daughter choose become the new Martial Aspect?" Lan Jiguang asked.

"My daughter may nominate a Martial Aspect, but whether that nominee can become the Martial Aspect in truth will require the approval of the Heavenly Emperor. The nominee is to investigate the death of the previous Martial Aspect and avenge his death," Zhang Feifan replied.

"So the nominee must still prove qualified for the position, then?" Lan Jiguang clarified.

"That's right. Although the Heavenly Emperor has already allowed my daughter special dispensation, her nominee must actually be able to take on the role of that vaunted station. After all, a Martial Aspect too weak for the Imperial Court wouldn't be able to remain in that position for long," Zhang Feifan said.

"A nomination is more than good enough. Who among the seventy-two Martial Aspects isn't a peerless cultivator? However, trying to identify the cause of death of the previous Martial Aspect and his killer will be no easy feat. Whoever can kill a Martial Aspect is almost surely stronger than one," Lan Jiguang said.

"With your help, everything shall be far easier." Zhang Feifan turned to Lan Jiguang.

"My help?"

"You're the lord of the Immortal city of Fengdu, aren't you? The former Martial Aspect died there. With your assistance, we'll be able to uncover the reason for his death."

"In Fengdu? Could he have gone... there?" Lan Jiguang was shocked.

Zhang Feifan nodded, and Lan Jiguang's face turned serious.

Beside him, Lu Yan said, "Nalan Qiankun's traitorous behavior is a warning for us to be more careful when it comes to such an opportunity. We can't allow a traitor to take advantage once again. I intend to vote for Xiao Nanfeng as the nominee. What do you all think?"

"Me?" Xiao Nanfeng furrowed his brows slightly.

"Xiao Nanfeng, I know that you're in the middle of expanding the Dazheng Empire, and you've had great success to date. You may be a little resistant to the idea of being a Martial Aspect, but your Dazheng Empire is still relatively minor in strength compared to those scattered throughout the world. Above an empire lies a divine empire, and above even that lies the Imperial Court. To the Imperial Court, an ordinary empire is still part of the mortal world, and only a divine empire will be recognized by the Heavenly Court. I know you have plans for the future, but entering the Heavenly Court will broaden your horizons and help you understand the machinations of the world at large. The Heavenly Emperor stands at the apex of the world, and being his Martial Aspect is something worthy of your station," Lu Yan explained.

Xiao Nanfeng had rescued him from a sticky situation, and he naturally wanted to repay him. This opportunity, that countless cultivators would fight each other bloody for, he intended to give to Xiao Nanfeng.

"Thank you, Sect Master. I don't mind the nomination, but I worry that it would be inappropriate for someone such as me."

"I support Nanfeng," Zhao Yuanjiao said immediately.

"And I as well," Zhang Feifan added.

For some reason, Lan Jiguang seemed somewhat reluctant to endorse Xiao Nanfeng. He was momentarily silent, but eventually sighed and said, "I don't object, either."

"In that case, it's settled. Zhang Feifan, go find your daughter and have her nominate Xiao Nanfeng," Lu Yan said.

"Understood!" Zhang Feifan said.

"Does the Taiqing Immortal Sect have to give anything up for this opportunity?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"My daughter does have a request. She'd like to pick out a spiritual cultivation technique in the illusory realm associated with the Taiqing Grandmaster," Zhang Feifan said.

"Although Zhang Lingjun isn't a member of the Taiqing Immortal Sect, she is your daughter and can be considered half an honorary member in truth. In exchange for an opportunity of this magnitude, I believe an exception can be made this once. What say you, division leaders?" Lu Yan asked.

"We approve!" the four division leaders replied simultaneously. [1]

After the discussion, the cultivators left the hall together and flew toward the Vault of Scriptures. A large group of Taiqing disciples awaited them there and bowed formally. Zhang Lingjun was present as well, with Immortals guarding her on either side.

"Father? Have you finished your discussion?" Zhang Lingjun asked.

Zhang Feifan nodded. "The sect master has agreed to the proposal. You may seek a spiritual cultivation technique from the Taiqing Grandmaster, and we have chosen to elect Xiao Nanfeng as the nominee for the Martial Aspect."

Zhang Lingjun gave Xiao Nanfeng a complicated look as she nodded. "I will report to the Heavenly Emperor as soon as I can."

Xiao Nanfeng bowed, not saying a word.

Zhang Lingjun turned to Lu Yan. "If you wouldn't mind, Sect Master Lu."

"Please follow me," Lu Yan said.

"Wait outside," Zhang Lingjun commanded her guards.

"Understood!" her subordinates replied.

Lu Yan and Zhang Feifan brought Zhang Lingjun into the Vault of Scriptures, while everyone else waited outside. An hour later, the vault suddenly shook. Intense red light radiated from all its windows.

"What's going on?!" Xiao Nanfeng rushed over in worry.

The cultivators rapidly reached the fourth floor of the Vault of Scriptures.

The praying mat on which the Taiqing Grandmaster had sat suddenly blazed with intense red flames that encapsulated Zhang Lingjun. Lu Yan and Zhang Feifan were guarding her.

"What's going on, Sect Master?!" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"The Grandmaster's praying mat has attuned to an owner," Lu Yan said.

"Attuned to an owner?"

"A legend passed down the Taiqing Immortal Sect is the inheritance of the Taiqing prayer mat, one of the Taiqing Grandmaster's remaining possessions. One day, it shall attune to a cultivator, and that cultivator shall be the Taiqing Grandmaster's official apprentice across space and time. That cultivator shall lead the Taiqing Immortal Sect to the vaunted heights it reached during the Grandmaster's era." Lu Yan's eyes shone expectantly.

"The Grandmaster's official apprentice? Even though Zhang Lingjun isn't a disciple of the Taiqing Immortal Sect?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned in worry, as did the others.

Lu Yan replied seriously, "Even if she's not, she's still the Taiqing Grandmaster's official apprentice. The Grandmaster will bequeath to her his secret techniques and have him lead the sect to greater heights. Everyone, guard Zhang Lingjun!"

"Understood!" the cultivators chorused.

The praying mat on which Zhang Lingjun sat had vanished, leaving only the raging flames. However, rather than hurt her, the flames only served to protect her.

When Zhang Lingjun's guards found her unharmed, they relaxed. They took up positions around the vault and assumed their duties.

Zhang Lingjun sat there for three days and nights. Three days later, as red flames seeped into her body, she slowly opened her eyes.

"How are you feeling, Lingjun?" Zhang Feifan asked in worry.

Everyone looked at her expectantly; only Zhang Feifan was worried that his daughter would be possessed.

Zhang Lingjun sucked in a deep breath. "Don't worry, Father. I'm better than ever before. I met the Taiqing Grandmaster!"

"What?!" everyone exclaimed.

"It must have been a remnant soul fragment. He said that my soul was most suited to his inheritance, and he's passed countless secret techniques on to me! Not only that, he's taught me about rules and laws of the natural world. There's simply so much that I've yet to process and intuit for myself!" Zhang Lingjun cried out in excitement.

"Did the Grandmaster say anything about the Taiqing Immortal Sect?" Zhang Feifan pressed.

Everyone looked expectantly toward Zhang Lingjun.

"I'm afraid not." Zhang Lingjun shook her head.

Everyone seemed to consider that a pity.

"Perhaps all that soul fragment possessed was what the Grandmaster wanted to pass on to his inheritor," Lu Yan said.

Everyone nodded regretfully.

1. I'm waiting for Xiao Nanfeng to ask about the great evil that lies at the heart of the Taiqing red moon... ☜

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