Chapter 98: The Younger Brother’s Decision

That night.

A piece of news spread like a hurricane across Qinghe City, and quickly reached every corner of the land.

The news was—Dongbo Xueying, the Lord of Xueying Domain in Yishui City, Qinghe County, had become a Transcendent being!

Countless people were stunned.

Across Qinghe County, many rejoiced and celebrated. Inns and teahouses buzzed with chatter, each person proud that their hometown had produced someone of Transcendent might! No matter where one was in the Longshan Empire, tales of Transcendents always drew eager ears.

A Transcendent disguised as an old beggar, a spoiled noble of a powerful clan who bullied the beggar, only for the entire clan to be destroyed.

Another tale told of a chance encounter with a Transcendent whose identity was hidden, leading to meteoric rise and becoming a person of great renown.

In short!

In legends, anyone connected to a Transcendent was either involved in extraordinary adventures, great clans, or faced terrifying entities like abyssal demons, monstrous beasts, or even gods themselves…

“Our Qinghe County has produced a Transcendent being!”

“I always knew Dongbo Xueying, who at twenty-two could fight against Xiang Pangyun to a standstill, would eventually ascend. Look, only a few years have passed, and not even the Heifeng Abyss could stop a Transcendent!”

“They say Dongbo Xueying has been obsessed with spear techniques since childhood, mastering them to a profound degree. At fifteen, he already possessed the strength of a Silver Moon Knight.”

“You underestimate Dongbo Xueying! He killed Xiang Pangyun at twenty-two! At fifteen, he must have already been a Title-ranked warrior!”

…

Many stories spread, growing more exaggerated with each telling.

In truth, this was quite normal—tales of Transcendents were always filled with the fantastical.

…

By the next morning alone.

An alchemical airship landed at the foot of Xueshi Mountain, and a group of people ascended from there.

“We are titled knights and mages of Qinghe County, and we have come to pay respects to Lord Dongbo Xueying,” spoke six figures standing at the castle gates. Each was of Title-rank, led by the alluring, red-haired beauty known as Si Lianghong. Possessing a Blood Demon Body, her charm was overwhelming, causing the ordinary guards at the gate to flush with heat and stir with desire.

Yet upon hearing her words, all were surprised.

All of Title-rank?

Within moments, Si Lianghong and her five companions were granted entry.

“The Lord is over there,” a maid guided them.

The six saw two figures seated beneath a pavilion in the distance. One was a refined and noble youth, a true dragon among men. The other, a black-clothed young man, appeared ordinary at first glance, but all six of them, having reached the state of unity with Heaven and Earth, could faintly sense the invisible pressure radiating from him—an oppressive force that made their hearts pound with fear.

“Greetings, Guardian,” the six respectfully bowed.

Dongbo Xueying finally turned his head. “What is it?”

Si Lianghong, the leader, replied respectfully, “We have received orders from the Water Source Monastery. From now on, Qinghe County will be under the governance of the Guardian’s clan, and we will all do our utmost to assist. If the Dongbo Clan has any needs, please command us without hesitation!”

“I understand,” Dongbo Xueying nodded.

“Guardian,” Si Lianghong suddenly whispered, channeling her voice through the power of Heaven and Earth so that only Dongbo Xueying could hear, “Our Si Clan has a girl named Kong Youyue. It is said she has a past connection with you. May I ask how the Guardian intends to deal with her?”

Of course, Si Lianghong was well aware of Dongbo Xueying’s history!

She had once paid no heed to Kong Youyue, but now she dared not act rashly—neither daring to elevate her too highly nor to eliminate her.

“Youyue?” Dongbo Xueying recalled the young girl.

Youyue was a cunning girl who had once angered him greatly. The reason he had been so furious was because Kong Youyue had lived in Xueshi Castle for over six years, growing up before his eyes. Though there had been no love between them, they had been friends. Yet it turned out everything had been an act, a deception.

“Let things take their natural course,” Dongbo Xueying said simply.

“Let things take their natural course?” Si Lianghong dared not ask further, only silently pondering his words.

Soon after, Si Lianghong and her group departed.

Dongbo Xueying had little to say to them—they had only come to show their allegiance. As for bringing gifts—offering gifts to a Transcendent? That was nothing but a joke!

“Brother, that was Si Lianghong? She’s hundreds of years old?” Qing Shi whispered, still quite nervous and excited.

“She transformed into a Blood Demon Body, giving her an eight-hundred-year lifespan,” Dongbo Xueying replied. “Qing Shi, I ask again—do you truly wish to go to Changfeng Academy?”

“Yes,” Qing Shi nodded. “A mage still needs a master’s guidance to progress further. I really want to walk further down the path of magic. In fact, the last time you fell into the Heifeng Abyss, I deeply regretted not cultivating diligently enough. That was when I realized—relying on external power is an illusion. True strength lies in oneself. I want to gain more power.”

He never wanted to feel that helplessness again.

“Very well,” Dongbo Xueying nodded in approval. “Father and Mother have just returned. Spend a few months with them first. There’s no rush to go to Changfeng Academy. I will arrange everything for you there and find a Transcendent mage to be your teacher.”

“Thank you, brother,” Qing Shi nodded. He didn’t feel awkward about relying on his brother’s strength to find a master.

If he could have a Transcendent as a teacher, he would be more than willing.

…

Dongbo Lie and his wife soon learned of their younger son’s plans to attend Changfeng Academy, and though they felt reluctant, they understood. Both had lived lives filled with danger and death, so they were not overly sentimental. They knew that attending Changfeng Academy would be greatly beneficial for their younger son. Besides, it wasn’t as if he would leave immediately—it would be a few months before he went. And even after he left, they could still visit the academy’s outskirts to see Qing Shi.

Distance? With alchemical airships, it was no longer an issue.

Dongbo Xueying left behind many gold notes and other treasures from Xiang Pangyun to his parents. Inside Xiang Pangyun’s storage artifact had been a small pile of gold notes. This hidden agent of the Demon Race, who took pleasure in slaughter, had completed countless missions for the Blood Blade Tavern over the years, earning him a vast fortune. After years of accumulation, even with various expenses, he still left behind over eight million gold coins.

It was staggering! Perhaps only the immensely wealthy Si Clan in Qinghe County could rival such a sum.

Days passed.

Dongbo Xueying spent quality time with his parents. After all, once he departed for the Water Source Monastery, he would soon be heading to the Ember World. In the Ember World, he might be gone for several years, or even over a decade.

This made Dongbo Lie and his wife feel reluctant.

Just reunited, both their sons were about to go their separate ways. At least for their younger son at Changfeng Academy, they could still visit.

But Dongbo Xueying’s journey to the Ember World was one they could never follow.

“Hu~~”

An alchemical airship descended at the foot of Xueshi Mountain. From it stepped a large group of people, led by the silver-robed woman Mo Yang Qi! Behind her were elders from the Mo Yang Clan and other elites, all visibly tense.

They gazed up the winding mountain path, eyes fixed on the faint outline of the castle atop the peak.

Mo Yang Qi took a deep breath.

The others’ hearts beat wildly.

“This is the moment that will decide the fate of the Mo Yang Clan,” Mo Yang Qi steeled herself and gave the order, “Come, follow me up the mountain.”

Obediently, they all began their trek up the mountain path on foot.