Chapter 1067: Upper Minister

Dongbo Xueying was slightly taken aback as he stood in the void, gazing down at Feixue City below. He asked, “Master, why not agree directly?”

Back when he had wanted to see the tip of the Chiyun Divine Spear, Fan Tianchong had spoken just a word, and Dongbo Xueying was granted permission. Though the spearhead itself was only worth a few billion, the favor of a single viewing was even less significant! Still, no matter how small, it had established a bond between them. If Fan Tianchong truly sought his help, as long as the benefits were sufficient, Dongbo Xueying had no reason to refuse.

“Aside from the ruler of Gouxue, most in the Black Fiend Four Kingdoms still show respect to the Fan Clan, don’t they?” Dongbo Xueying remarked.

The Black Fiend Great Marsh ruled the Four Kingdoms through slaughter and intimidation.

The Fan Clan, however, relied on sheer, terrifying power to ensure that none of the Four Kingdoms dared to openly defy them. Even in Gouxue, only its ruler was truly arrogant—his subordinates generally still showed the Fan Clan due respect.

The Fan Clan was the uncrowned king of the Black Fiend Four Kingdoms!

In truth, their influence extended far beyond. The northern nine kingdoms of the Xiawind Ancient Nation, along with other second- and third-rate nations in the vicinity, all fell within the Fan Clan’s sphere of influence. The other two of the three great clans within the Xiawind Ancient Nation—the Cang Clan and the Xia Clan—looked down upon external nations with disdain. Only the Fan Clan embraced talents from all corners, absorbing experts far and wide into their ranks.

Though neighboring ancient nations like Yuehua and Motian also sought to infiltrate surrounding kingdoms, their influence paled in comparison to the Fan Clan’s.

“If my guess is correct, Fan Tianchong may come seeking you in a few days,” the Nanyun Monarch transmitted via voice. “But he won’t be able to offer you sufficient terms—he simply can’t. If he approaches you on behalf of the Fan Clan, tell him… you require the status of a ‘High Guest Elder’ and ten thousand grand merits upon completion!”

“High Guest Elder? Ten thousand grand merits?” Dongbo Xueying nearly held his breath.

As one of the highest-ranking core members of the Nanyun Kingdom, he was privy to much intelligence. The Fan Clan typically absorbed external experts either directly into their core ranks or granted them titles like Retainer, Guest Elder, or Guest Elder Elder.

Retainers were the lowest rank—bound to obey the Fan Clan’s every command.

Guest Elders enjoyed more freedom but were still heavily restricted.

High Guest Elders, however, were far more independent.

For external experts, the highest attainable rank in the Fan Clan was ‘Guest Elder Elder’—a position equal in status to the Fan Clan’s own Elders, though without actual authority. For instance, Dongbo Xueying’s master, the Nanyun Monarch, held this very title. Guest Elder Elders enjoyed near-total freedom, rarely involving themselves in the Fan Clan’s affairs.

Only in matters of utmost importance, decreed by the Fan Ancestor himself, would Guest Elder Elders be summoned to act. No one else had the authority to command them directly.

“Master, according to the intelligence Nanyun Holy Sect previously shared, the rulers of the Huozhao and Wofeng Kingdoms are merely High Guest Elders within the Fan Clan,” Dongbo Xueying transmitted, astonished. “And yet you suggest I, a Chaos Realm cultivator, demand such a status?”

“Hah! Don’t underestimate yourself. With your strength, becoming a Cosmic God is inevitable. Once you do, and refine the Five-Phase Sealing Art further, your power will rival theirs without question!” the Nanyun Monarch replied.

Among the rulers of the Black Fiend Four Kingdoms, the Nanyun Monarch and the Gouxue Monarch were legendary figures renowned across the Heartland Continent—capable of surviving even the pursuit of invincible beings.

The rulers of Huozhao and Wofeng, though weaker, still far surpassed ordinary Cosmic Gods. Huozhao, situated too close to the Black Fiend Great Marsh, had become its playground, frequently ravaged. Wofeng, meanwhile, had secretly pledged full allegiance to the Xiawind Ancient Nation. Their struggles stemmed from their rulers’ insufficient strength.

“Once I become a Cosmic God, I can see demanding the High Guest Elder status. But now? And ten thousand grand merits?” Dongbo Xueying was still stunned.

Ten thousand grand merits?

In the Fan Clan’s merit system, that could be exchanged for ten billion cosmic crystals. More importantly, true experts disdained cosmic crystals—they wouldn’t join the Fan Clan for mere wealth. Instead, Guest Elders used these merits to exchange for exclusive secret techniques and legacies. The Fan Clan dangled select treasures to lure them in.

Though their core secrets remained guarded, even the fragments they revealed were enough to make external experts clamor for more. With the Fan Clan’s immense heritage, even these scraps surpassed the Nanyun Kingdom’s entire repository.

“Normally, they’d never agree. But now, they will,” the Nanyun Monarch transmitted. “This involves the internal strife among the three great clans of the Xiawind Ancient Nation. Once they invite you and accept your terms, all will become clear.”

“Understood,” Dongbo Xueying said.

“Just state your demands. Inform me when they approach, and I’ll ensure it happens,” the Nanyun Monarch added. “An opportunity to earn ten thousand grand merits is rare—even for a Cosmic God.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded in agreement.

How much treasure could a Cosmic God accumulate? How high could the rewards for a single mission be?

The Fan Clan typically offered only a few hundred grand merits for Cosmic God-level tasks. For experts like the Huozhao and Wofeng rulers, missions rarely exceeded a few thousand. Such opportunities were scarce—most matters were resolved internally. Only in dangerous situations, when their own forces were insufficient, would they call upon Guest Elders.

For the Nanyun Monarch to suggest demanding both High Guest Elder status and ten thousand grand merits… Dongbo Xueying was understandably shocked.

—

Descending from the skies, Dongbo Xueying traversed the void with a few steps, arriving at his estate within Feixue City. His residence was of princely rank—his current title being ‘Feixue Prince.’

“Your Highness.”

“Your Highness.”

Servants and guards bowed deeply, their eyes brimming with reverence. In the history of the Nanyun Kingdom, Dongbo Xueying was nothing short of a legend.

“My son!” Ying Shan Lihu rushed forward excitedly, with Rong Xinglan smiling beside him. “Xueying, it’s been so long. Your father and I heard of your exploits in Huozhao.”

“Yes! What was that move of yours? They say you captured that so-called ‘Thunder King’ of Tianjian Kingdom in a single strike?” Ying Shan Lihu asked eagerly.

Dongbo Xueying nodded.

Though called a single strike, the Five-Phase Sealing Art was a flawless fusion of five Void Path techniques at the tenth level—far surpassing even the most refined battle formations. Its profundity allowed it to seal space itself, preventing even Dimensional Teleportation from escaping. Once fully sealed, it became an independent spatial suppression, capable of crushing ordinary tenth-level experts to death.

Those who survived the crushing force would still be imprisoned within the Five-Phase Beads.

Thus, once this technique was mastered… Dongbo Xueying’s name spread across the Heartland Continent. This was precisely why the Nanyun Monarch was certain the Fan Clan would seek him out.

“Sister, try this. I brought it back from the Progenitor Ancient Nation.”

Dongbo Xueying spent time feasting and chatting with his family—their knowledge of the outside world was still limited.

Soon after, he announced his seclusion.

“While I’m in seclusion, do not disturb me unless it’s urgent. If the Fan Clan comes, notify me immediately,” Dongbo Xueying instructed.

“As you command, Master,” the demonic dragon responded obediently, its massive form coiled before the towering Void God Tower’s entrance.

Dongbo Xueying stepped inside, beginning his study of the ‘Demon Heart Bell.’

—

Time flowed. Though the Nanyun Monarch had said “soon,” Fan Tianchong’s arrival at Feixue City came over thirty thousand years after Dongbo Xueying entered seclusion.

Within the Void God Tower, a white-robed youth sat cross-legged atop a floating boulder, a golden bell hovering before him.

*Ding-ding-ding-dang~*

The enchanting chimes reverberated through the tower, carrying a terrifying bewitching effect.

“Master, Fan Tianchong has arrived and requests an audience.”

“Finally.”

Dongbo Xueying opened his eyes and stood. The golden bell flew to his waist, tied there before vanishing from sight.

Both the Demon Heart Bell and the Five-Phase Beads could be concealed within his body when not in use.

*Rumble—*

The tower doors opened.

Dongbo Xueying stepped out.