Sovereign of the Ashes

Lady Bev, the leader of the Magus Civilization, had her own reasons for seeking help from the Daoist faction first instead of turning directly to the ever-helpful Dragon Clan.

That was because the Daoist faction remained the true ruling force within the Immortal Realm Civilization.

Just as Lady Bev currently held supreme authority over matters concerning the Magus Civilization, the Daoist faction was essentially the face of the Immortal Realm itself.

Although Buddhism had risen rapidly in recent years and was beginning to rival Daoism in influence, and although the Yao Clan had regained much of its former glory through its massive population and the bloodlines of certain extraordinary great yaos, the Magus Civilization still regarded the Daoist faction as the Immortal Realm’s central authority.

There was a saying within the Immortal Realm—Buddhism was originally Daoism.

In other words, the Buddhist faction had originally branched off from the Daoist faction.

Many Buddhas and eminent monks of the Buddhist Sect had once been Daoist cultivators themselves.

Even some of the overlord-level Buddhas and Bodhisattvas[1] may once have been fellow disciples under the same Daoist sages.

The three Daoist sages Lady Bev sought assistance from represented the three core branches of the Daoist faction.

The White-Eyebrow Sage represented the Human Sect. As the founder of Mount Shu Sword School, he was said to be Laozi’s[2] nominal disciple[3].

The Immortal Emperor of the South Pole represented the Chan Sect. As a direct disciple of Celestial Venerable Yuanshi, he excelled in governing the immortal court.

Celestial Venerable Duobao represented the Jie Sect. He had once been the final disciple accepted by the Sect Master Tongtian[4] and was now the leading figure among the Jie Sect’s followers.

By seeking help from these three sages, the Magus Civilization was also indirectly showing its respect toward the Daoist faction of the Immortal Realm.

Torch Dragon naturally understood just how much influence the sects behind those three sages wielded within the Immortal Realm.

So after a brief joke or two, he stopped pressing the matter and let it pass.

Harlin, the Rank Five mage, quickly departed through Qingyang World’s teleportation array, heading back to the Magus Civilization.

Before leaving, he received a pure white dragon pearl from Bi’an.

The dragon pearl functioned somewhat similarly to the crystal balls used in Magus World.

Inside it was a rough record of the combat strength the Dragon Clan of the Immortal Realm had mobilized during this operation.

Aside from rescuing White Stella and the others, Bi’an also hoped Bev and the Magus Civilization would arrange a suitable war zone for the Dragon Clan.

Compared to Suanni’s fiery and impatient temperament, Bi’an—who wielded the profound geo-elemental laws—was clearly far more composed and steady.

Because of the Dragon Clan’s massive mobilization from the Immortal Realm, Tomov and the others’ original diplomatic plans would likely need to be readjusted.

Although most of what Torch Dragon said was meant jokingly, one thing he said was absolutely true—with such powerful reinforcements from the Dragon Clan, there was little need to seek help elsewhere.

The Magus Civilization also had to consider whether the arrival of so many powerful reinforcements would negatively affect the situation on the civilizational battlefields or its own interests.

Unless something unexpected happened, Tomov and his group would likely remain in Qingyang World for some time.

After all, he needed to wait for Lady Bev’s latest instructions.

Just before Harlin departed, the Flood Dragon King, who had remained silent the entire time in Qingyang World, suddenly spoke.

“In addition to our armies, two more of the Yao Clan’s Eight Great Sages, along with many other brothers, may join the Magus Civilization’s war effort in the coming days.”

Harlin exchanged a glance with Tomov.

After Tomov gave a slight nod, the Rank Five mage finally stepped onto the teleportation array and left.

While the Dragon Clan of the Immortal Realm was speaking with the Magus Civilization’s representatives, Yunmeng, the current master of Tianyi Palace, approached the former palace master, Dong Fangbai.

“Grandmaster, my incompetence has caused you to be disturbed in your seclusion again,” Palace Master Yunmeng said with a trace of guilt.

Below them, the fires caused by the exploding alchemy furnace were gradually being brought under control.

The cultivators of Tianyi Palace seemed quite experienced in handling situations like this.

Several dragonkin in the sky, including a few at the Great Luo Golden Immortal and Quasi Sage realms, had also kindly stepped in to help.

Hearing her words, Dong Fangbai shook his head.

“This isn’t your fault. Matters involving cooperation between two top-tier civilizations are complicated enough that even sage-level beings might not handle them well, let alone you.”

“Besides, I’ve watched your growth all these years. You’ve done very well,” he added.

The little girl who once wore twin pigtails had now become “Palace Master Yunmeng”, a cultivator whose name carried some influence throughout the Immortal Realm.

Dong Fangbai could not help feeling emotional.

As he looked at the fair-skinned and graceful female cultivator before him, he was reminded of his own daughter.

That only deepened the emotions in his heart.

Dong Fangbai’s daughter was named Dong Nichang. She had once been the master of Tianyi Palace and also Immortal Maiden Yunmeng’s teacher.

Back then, Dong Fangbai ventured deep into the Immortal Realm to cultivate in seclusion. After receiving the true teachings of Supreme Daoist Master Laozi, his mastery of alchemy advanced tremendously.

That experience laid the foundation for his later ascension to the Sage Realm.

However, when Dong Fangbai finally returned from the depths of the Immortal Realm, he discovered that his daughter was gone...

All that remained was a young girl with twin pigtails, doing her best to keep Tianyi Palace running.

At the time, Dong Fangbai asked Immortal Maiden Yunmeng where her master had gone.

Yunmeng answered that after her master left with a group of people, she never returned.

Later, after stepping into the Sage Realm and gaining a deeper understanding of the Astral Realm through both Laozi’s teachings and his own insights, Dong Fangbai gradually began to suspect where his daughter had gone.

Whenever he thought of it, he could not help but sigh.

Looking at Immortal Maiden Yunmeng standing before him, Dong Fangbai suddenly felt an uneasy sense of foreboding.

“With the Dragon Clan of the Immortal Realm joining the Magus Civilization’s war effort, the peace our Immortal Realm has maintained for tens of thousands of years is about to be broken.”

“The various Great Sage Courts and immortal courts will inevitably be drawn into the conflict one after another. Even the Yao Clan and the Buddhist faction will not stay out of it.”

He paused briefly, then continued, “A great tide is rising, and storms are coming. You’re still too weak. If possible, you should also continue improving your alchemy skills. I have already refined several batches of Seven-Pattern Violet Golden Pills. Go retrieve them later and see whether you can break through to the Quasi Sage Realm in the near future.”

“Grandmaster!” Palace Master Yunmeng’s eyes immediately filled with emotion.

Dong Fangbai raised a hand slightly before asking, “What is the success rate of your Six-Refinement Golden Pill now?”

“About thirty percent,” Palace Master Yunmeng replied with her head lowered.

In truth, a thirty percent success rate was already remarkably high.

After all, these were immortal pills capable of greatly restoring even Great Luo Golden Immortals and Quasi Sages.

It was no wonder Tianyi Palace occupied such a special position within the Immortal Realm Civilization.

As long as sage-level beings did not offer their services, Palace Master Yunmeng could network with most renowned powerhouses of the Immortal Realm through her alchemy skills alone.

Moreover, Tianyi Palace was not lacking in those capable of refining sage-level immortal pills.

Dong Fangbai himself was the best example.

“For now, aside from cultivating your Dao arts, you will also study the refinement of Seven-Refinement Golden Pills under my guidance,” Dong Fangbai said.

“Understood.” Palace Master Yunmeng nodded respectfully.

Looking at the female cultivator who had grown up before his eyes, Dong Fangbai could not help but say softly, “I have always treated you as though you were my own daughter.”

“Grandmaster...” Palace Master Yunmeng’s expression softened with emotion.

Translator’s Notes:

1. In Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is a person who has attained, or is striving towards, bodhi or Buddhahood. Often, the term specifically refers to a person who forgoes or delays personal nirvana or bodhi in order to compassionately help other individuals reach Buddhahood. ☜

2. Laozi (c. 6th century BC), sometimes spelled Lao Tzu or Lao Tze was an ancient Chinese philosopher. He is the founder of philosophical Daoism, and is considered a deity in religious Daoism and some other ancient Chinese religions. ☜

3. Nominal disciple refers to a disciple who is registered under a master’s name, but has not yet formally completed all the initiation rites or received the master’s true teachings. ☜

4. Sect Master Tongtian, or sometimes translated as Grandmaster of Heaven, is the younger brother of Celestial Venerable Yuanshi. He has appeared as an antagonist in many legends, classic novels, and television series. Most notably, he features The Investiture of the Gods, a classic Chinese novel. ☜