“That is the World Gate, leading to the Xia Capital in the Ember World!” On the summit of an icy peak within the Water Source Daoist Temple, where spatial ripples undulated, Gongsun Yuan said, “Come, let’s go in.”
“Mm.” Dongbo Xueying also felt anticipation rising within him.
He knew what awaited beyond the Ember World and was naturally more eager.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The two flew side by side into the World Gate. As they passed through, they felt as though their entire bodies had plunged into water—a momentary sensation of resistance—then with a sudden pop, they emerged on the other side.
“This—”
Dongbo Xueying gazed in awe.
He now stood beside a World Gate atop a high mountain. Although it was night, moonlight bathed this world. Before them lay a magnificent, majestic city. Its nine main avenues twisted like nine divine dragons. Around it stood numerous mansions, large and small, arranged in perfect disorder.
At the very center of the city sat a grand palace radiating endless majesty. It shimmered with a faint glow of flame, making it the brightest beacon in the darkness of night.
“The Xia Capital,” Dongbo Xueying murmured.
“Yes, this is the Xia Capital, the true capital of our Xia Clan!” Gongsun Yuan’s eyes burned with fervor. “Through generations, though our Xia Clan has faced many crises—such as the birth of a divine being among the Monster Race, demon invasions, even incursions from beings of other worlds—it is precisely because of the Xia Capital and the Ember World that our clan has remained prosperous and unbroken.”
Gongsun Yuan pointed toward the magnificent palace radiating a hazy glow of flame in the distance, “At the very heart of the capital lies the Ember Palace! It was named ‘Ember’ to symbolize the passing of the torch, generation to generation.”
“How many times have the material worlds outside been reduced to wastelands, with commoners nearly wiped out and our Xia Clan gravely weakened?”
“But even if we were temporarily defeated, we still had the Ember World!”
“This Ember World is home to billions of commoners! And within the Xia Capital remain nearly all of our clan’s most vital legacies. When war becomes unwinnable, even the Transcendents retreat here to the Ember World,” Gongsun Yuan continued. “We wait for the right moment, then reclaim our world.”
Dongbo Xueying nodded.
Divine power transcends all other forms of transcendence.
When the Monster Race first birthed a god, our Xia Clan could do nothing to resist. The six great Transcendent organizations immediately moved their entire headquarters into the Ember World without hesitation—to preserve our strength! The Ember World is a vast Transcendent realm, and gods cannot enter it!
In the earliest days, the Monster Race rampaged, nearly slaughtering every commoner in the world. Monsters multiplied, spreading across nearly every land and sea!
But in the end, the gods were expelled from this world!
And then the Xia Clan would strike back!
Our clan’s foundation runs deeper. Without divine interference, we could utterly crush the Monster Race!
The hatred between us only grew deeper. When our clan birthed a god, we often sought to exterminate the Monster Race entirely! Occasionally, we would negotiate—such as when humans were at a disadvantage, transferring as many commoners as possible into the Ember World.
“Monster Race, demons from the Dark Abyss, beings from other worlds…” Gongsun Yuan said. “These are the many crises we face. And it is because we have fortified the Ember World so securely that our Xia Clan has endured. All of our clan’s laws and decrees are established here in the Xia Capital.”
The imperial palace in the outside world?
That’s merely for show!
Organizations like the Longshan Pavilion and imperial armies are all directly controlled from the Xia Capital! Otherwise, how could the imperial armies have so many Transcendents stationed within them?
…
Dongbo Xueying and Gongsun Yuan flew side by side.
The Xia Capital, after countless ages of continuous expansion and refinement, bore layer upon layer of terrifying formations. Its stability far surpassed even the formations beneath the Black Wind Abyss! Remember, it had endured countless invasions by half-gods from other races, each arriving with powerful divine artifacts.
Yet the Xia Clan had cultivated this place for millennia. No matter who dared to invade, they could only end in defeat and retreat!
“The Xia Capital is usually home to many Title-ranked warriors undergoing trials,” Gongsun Yuan pointed toward the countless mansions below. “And many Transcendents as well! Nearly all Skyborne Transcendents reside here, and even Saint and Half-God level Transcendents have mansions here. They occasionally visit the Xia Capital as well.”
“Then why are the six great Transcendent organizations still headquartered in the outside world?” Dongbo Xueying asked in confusion.
This Xia Capital could serve as the gathering place for all Transcendents.
“To protect the commoner world,” Gongsun Yuan replied. “The commoner world outside is the most stable and perfect, capable of nurturing countless commoners—it is the foundation of our Xia Clan, the home of our ancestors! The six great Transcendent organizations guard the world. Once demons from the Abyss, beings from other dimensions, or other threats are discovered, they must be exterminated immediately!”
“I understand,” Dongbo Xueying nodded.
The Ember World is safer.
The commoner world is peaceful when undisturbed, but when great upheavals occur, it becomes terrifying! Historical records describe the invasions of Abyssal demons, many of which caused unimaginable destruction. Transcendents must remain vigilant, always ready to respond!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The two flew onward until Gongsun Yuan led them down to the entrance of one of the many mansions.
The mansion gates were already open, with guards standing at the entrance. Inside stood rows of servants and handmaidens, who had been waiting nearly an entire day.
“This is your new master, Master Dongbo!” Gongsun Yuan announced directly.
“Salutations, Master!”
In unison, thousands of people knelt in deep reverence.
“What is this?” Dongbo Xueying asked in surprise.
“This is your mansion now,” Gongsun Yuan smiled. “If you’re not satisfied, you can choose another, but… I suspect you’ll be quite pleased. The other nine Transcendents from your Anyang Province all have mansions surrounding yours.”
Dongbo Xueying looked around in astonishment, “All around here?”
“Look, that mansion is the residence of Elder Changfeng, Chi Qiubai. The one next door is the home of the Demon Blade Elder, Peng Shan,” Gongsun Yuan explained. “To welcome you, our fellow townsman, the nine Transcendents from Anyang Province have all gathered here in the Xia Capital.”
“Oh,” Dongbo Xueying felt a surge of emotion.
Nine Transcendents had come, yet he had lingered at home for a full month—embarrassing.
Yet he could feel that the Transcendents of Anyang Province, at least, were united among themselves!
“As for the guards, servants, and handmaidens in your mansion, hahaha, every mansion has them. Even the mansions of Title-ranked commoners have over a hundred servants. After all, they come here for life-and-death trials; naturally, mundane tasks are handled by servants,” Gongsun Yuan added.
“Do they receive wages?” Dongbo Xueying, having once been a lord, asked immediately.
“Haha,” Gongsun Yuan chuckled at the question. “Rest assured, their wages are paid by the Ember Palace! In truth, countless commoners are eager to serve Transcendents. Wages are secondary; the real incentive is the opportunity to learn spells and obtain powerful martial techniques. There’s even a chance to learn high-grade or even supreme martial techniques.”
Dongbo Xueying blinked. His own “Threefold Flame Method” was merely mid-grade.
“Alright, go inside and rest for now. My task is complete once I’ve delivered you here,” Gongsun Yuan said.
“Thank you for the trouble, Elder Gongsun. Won’t you come in for a while?” Dongbo Xueying invited.
Gongsun Yuan replied, “Tomorrow, Elder Changfeng and the others from Anyang will certainly welcome you. It’s nearly dawn now, so rest well. You have much to attend to ahead.”
Dongbo Xueying hesitated, then nodded, no longer pressing him.
Indeed, he had much to do.
There would be many Transcendent friends to meet, and especially the upcoming Transcendent Life-and-Death Battle—he needed to prepare thoroughly!
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