The Legend of Futian

The banquet at the Shangqing Domain Chief’s Manor was ready, and the people from the cultivation forces took their seats.

Ye Futian and the others around him were present, sitting with those from the village. The table beside them sat cultivators of the ancient royal family of Duan.

The chief sat at the main seat, and Zhou Muhuang sat beside him. The seats below him were taken by Zhou Lingxi and some others. All of them had superior bearings.

Chatter was everywhere as soon as everyone took their seats in the banquet. The chief then raised his cup, and everyone quieted down. Everyone everywhere turned their eyes to the chief.

“It is not every day that we all get to gather like this. I’d like to take this chance to see the renowned ones from the cultivation forces of the Shangqing Domain better. The successors of old people, like Muhuang, have reached a decent level of training. There are also many renowned ones behind, and some had even made it to the high-level Renhuang Realms and were perfect at their levels, all of whom would possibly get to the very pinnacle. Right now, those of Four Corner Village have become a part of the world, and quite a number from the village are superb. They look even more powerful than any from the cultivation forces of the Shangqing Domain, including those of the Domain Chief’s Manor. It would seem that since the war all those years ago, the Divine Prefecture would see a new era where renowned ones emerge everywhere.”

The chief made his speech, and it was apparent that he had high opinions of those from Four Corner Village.

In actual fact, the powers commanded by the village were indeed extremely powerful. Other than Old Ma, Fang Gai, Blind Tie, and the other elders were all cultivators whose Great Path levels were perfect. Their combat prowess was also extremely terrifying. Fang Huan was considered one of the later generations. While it could be said that the village had saw fractures among the generations, as all others other than those people mentioned were all incapable of cultivation, the generation after that was all capable of cultivation. As such, the place held terrifying potential.

If one were to consider only those who were perfect at higher Renhuang levels, even if the individuals from all top-notch cultivation forces throughout the Shangqing Domain were to be taken into account, the number would still only more or less equaled those of the village.

People of such levels were few and far between throughout the Shangqing Domain, and Four Corner Village couldn’t be judged using usual conventions.

Of course, two were exiled from the village and were not actually cultivators from the village, and those two were the ones from the Nanhai Clan—Muyun Lan and Muyun Long.

From a certain standpoint, the Nanhai Clan was the top-notch cultivation force that had the greatest number of cultivators at such levels, other than Four Corner Village.

“Those at the zenith will eventually fall, and those at rock bottom will eventually rise.” The lord of Shangyu Deity Nation said, “During the war all those years ago, countless cultivators perished, and countless more died in the chaotic world. Now, with the world united as one and the wars subsided, all forces had finally and gradually regained vitality. The later generations continued to train and develop into what we are today. We will walk towards glory, riding the rising waves we are on right now.”

Everyone nodded. Those of the previous generation had all lived through those times. There had been untold numbers of powerful ones who had perished back then. They were actually considered fortunate to be able to survive and reign over a certain region during peacetimes.

“Indeed.” The chief nodded. “However, a chaotic world gives rise to heroes. Never forget that Donghuang the Great rose to prominence at that age. Among the many renowned figures standing the pinnacle of the 18 domains today, many cultivators managed to shine in that era. They had all retreated to behind the scenes to teach their juniors in order to become great figures themselves in the eras to come.”

Chaotic times saw the rise of the best as well.

“The cultivation environment of present times is far better than what it used to be,” some said, feeling rather impressed. Times changed, and time had indeed changed everything considerably. The eras back then were totally different from the present.

“When the cultivation environment gets considerably improved, the pressure is lacking. As such, the war against the Dark Court this time would serve as an opportunity.” The chief then added, “Muhuang will be heading to the Void Realm this time. I’d like to know your thoughts. What would you do if the imperial palace were to call you to arms?”

“But relax, we’d just chat in today’s banquet, and I wouldn’t mind any opinions put forth. The conflict of the Divine Prefecture is not something that a single force could steer.”

“I would send all core members of the Nanhai Clan. It is indeed an opportunity like none other,” the leader of the Nanhai Clan said. The others nodded, and at that moment, the chief looked at Ye Futian and said, “I heard some rumors saying that Emperor Ye hailed from the Donghua Domain and achieved great fame in the Donghua Banquet. I heard that you went to the Donghua Domain from the Void Realm?”

Everyone turned their eyes to Ye Futian as soon as the chief said what he said. Everyone wondered if Ye Futian really was from the Void Realm.

Few actually knew about that, as they had only heard that Ye Futian was originally from Donghua Domain, and he was hunted by the Domain Chief’s Manor of said domain. There was a wanted notice issued against him, and there were even people of top-notch forces in that domain attacking Four Corner City just to do so, but they failed nonetheless.

Ye Futian was stunned, as he never anticipated that the chief would ask him such a question. He took note of the eyes on him and replied, “I was indeed, but that was something that happened many years ago.”

“When you left the Void Realm, had forces like the Dark Court made it there?” the chief then asked.

“Yeah. Before I left, the Dark Court did open a passage leading to the Void Realm,” Ye Futian replied. In actual fact, he was involved in the incident the whole way, and he played a great part in what actually happened, but he didn’t elaborate on any of that.

“I assume that the Dark Court was only probing their way into the place when they first arrived. How were things back then?” the chief continued.

“Two of the seven kings of the Dark Court were there, and a good number of formidable people arrived. The devil generals were there as well, but there had been two divine generals from the imperial palace being there as well,” he replied. The chief nodded slightly. “They were probably probing only then. The entourage seemed formidable, but they had yet to send the best of their forces. Things might have changed considerably over the years.”

Ye Futian didn’t say much, as he didn’t want to talk too much about himself back in the Void Realm.

“It had been difficult for you to come all the way here from the Void Realm. I’ve heard quite a few things about you. You arrived first at the Donghua Domain, then to Four Corner Village, and then to where you are now, rising to prominence along the way. Lingxi told me a lot about you, and the way I see it, your achievements in the future won’t be any less than Muhuang’s,” the chief continued. Many wore peculiar expressions, and the way they looked at Ye Futian changed.

Many among them knew how extraordinary he was and his future was definitely be anything but ordinary. They were not surprised that the chief was holding him in such high regard as well, but the key to their surprise was the meaning behind what the chief said.

The chief mentioned both Zhou Muhuang and Zhou Lingxi when he talked to Ye Futian, and the meaning behind that was something worth looking into.

“You flatter me, chief. The young master is already at the pinnacle of Renhuang, and that is my goal,” Ye Futian replied. He looked rather humble, yet one would wonder if that was really his only goal.

That was a level that he would definitely reach.

“Among the many renowned ones throughout Shangqing Domain, only you get to look at the sacred remains of Great Emperor Shenjia in the divine casket. I heard from Lingxi that you were able to learn through it. I’d say such an appraisal would be apt. In fact, said appraisal might have been watered down instead.” The chief laughed heartily and continued, “Lingxi never complimented anyone like that, and you’re the first one that caught her attention. She has mentioned things about you quite a few times.”

That rocked the minds of the formidable ones around, and the banquet became unusually quiet, as everyone had their ears perked.

What is the chief trying to do here?

Those behind Ye Futian looked rather complicated as well, especially Xia Qingyuan. She turned her eyes at the chief, wondering what the man meant by what he said.

Ye Futian felt rather weird about it all as well, being rather puzzled as to why the chief brought such things up on an occasion like that. Zhou Lingxi was of esteemed status, and her social standing was high. She had extremely formidable powers as well, and such a person would catch massive amounts of attention. However, many wouldn’t have any other thoughts, as they knew just how impossible those thoughts could be.

“Thank you for your compliments, Princess. It might just be me being lucky that I’m able to look at the sacred remains of Great Emperor Shenjia.” Ye Futian replied.

“There is no need to be so humble. I could naturally see just how good you are myself. Lingxi hardly sees anyone that she is impressed with, and she speaks highly of your level. I agree with what she said. You two may get in touch more in the future when you have the chance. It would benefit both of you if you two could train together,” the chief smiled and added. His intentions behind his words became increasingly obvious.

Zhou Lingxi didn’t look sheepish or shy as well. As a very esteemed female Renhuang of Shangqing Domain, she appeared at ease, as she smiled as she looked at Ye Futian.

Is the chief trying to make Ye Futian his son-in-law? That was the thought that came to the minds of everyone present. Muyun Lan and Nanhai Qianxue had been a couple that everyone deemed to be a match made in heaven, and the Nanhai Clan gained themselves a powerful son-in-law.

They wondered if the Domain Chief’s Manor was trying to pull the same trick as the Nanhai Clan.

Furthermore, it was apparent that not only was Ye Futian’s potential not below that of Muyun Lan, but he could actually be above Muyun Lan.

Many cultivators from the Nanhai Clan wore complicated expressions. Zhou Muhuang had invited Ye Futian into the Domain Chief’s Manor before, and the latter refused. Yet, if Ye Futian were to be the son-in-law of the chief, he would then naturally be considered as a member of the Domain Chief’s Manor nonetheless.