Chapter 93: The Six Extraordinary Organizations

At the pavilion.

The tea steamed gently as Dongbo Xueying smiled. “Since the birth of humanity and the race of magical beasts, our Xia Clan has seen the rise of gods in our history, and the magical beasts, across their long history, must have had their own extraordinary geniuses. Yet neither side has ever managed to completely eradicate the other. The struggle between humans and magical beasts is too deeply rooted to ever be resolved permanently—it’s far too difficult.”

“Haha, indeed,” Yi Hong laughed. “Master Dongbo speaks truly. In our history, the magical beasts have caused us many hardships. The Grand Elder of the Witch Temple is merely the most formidable opponent of this era.”

“I must apologize for rambling so far,” Yi Hong continued. “Semi-gods live long lives, and their ultimate goal is always to ascend to godhood and attain truly infinite longevity. After all, even a semi-god’s life only lasts three thousand years. Only true gods possess eternal life.”

“Now then,” Yi Hong said, “let’s get to the point. On the side of humanity, there are six great transcendental organizations, and one hidden in the shadows—the Demon God Society.”

“The six great transcendental organizations are the Earth Temple, the Blood Blade Tavern, the Black and White Divine Mountains, the Cloud and Mist City, the Water Source Taoist Abbey, and the Sea God Palace,” Yi Hong explained. “These six transcendental organizations represent the righteous path, protecting the entire Xia Clan and allowing our people to continue and thrive. Yet, inevitably, some among the transcendents are more selfish. They do not care for ordinary people, not even for their own kin. They care only for themselves, and thus fall prey to the temptation of the Demon Gods. For treasures, for power, they betray themselves to the Demon God Society.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded lightly.

Selfishness?

It was only natural. Transcendents were, by their very nature, superior to mortals. Their path of cultivation aimed at godhood, and with their long lives, many of them initially felt love for mortals and their families. But as centuries passed and their loved ones aged and died, their attachments weakened. Some even became utterly self-centered.

For example, those stuck at the peak of Flying Immortal or Saint levels, seeking more resources to break through or greater power, often turned to the Demon God Society. The Demon God Society was backed by a powerful Demon God who eagerly sent treasures into this world, luring more transcendents into his fold.

“The six great transcendental organizations and the Demon God Society are the main transcendental powers among humanity. As for the minor Dark God and Demon God factions or smaller transcendental groups, they are not worth mentioning. They would never dare to invite someone like you, Master Dongbo.”

“This time, it is the six great transcendental organizations and the Demon God Society who have come to invite you. The Demon God Society may try to contact you secretly, so please, Master Dongbo, do not fall into their trap,” Yi Hong urged. A prodigy who had entered the transcendental realm at the age of twenty-eight, if he were to be lured by the Demon God Society, would be a great shame for the six great transcendental organizations.

“Don’t worry. The Demon God Society is universally condemned, and I have family ties. I would never join them,” Dongbo Xueying replied.

Yi Hong smiled. “Then let me briefly explain the six great transcendental organizations.”

“The Earth Temple worships a very powerful god, one who holds an extremely high status in the Divine Realm, with many gods following him. It is the only organization in our entire Xia Clan world that is allowed to spread its faith. Any others who attempt to do so are considered Dark God or Demon God.”

“Under the protection of a mighty tree, the Earth Temple offers many benefits. Once you join, you gain access to many secret techniques that other transcendental organizations do not possess. The transcendents of the Earth Temple are rivaled only by those of the Blood Blade Tavern, and overall, they are far superior to the other four great transcendental organizations.”

“The Blood Blade Tavern is also backed by a mighty god. Fortunately, that great being does not care for worship, or else it would be hard to say who would prevail in a conflict with the Earth Temple. The transcendents of the Blood Blade Tavern are all experts in killing.”

“The above two transcendental organizations are supported by powerful gods. The advantage of joining them is that you gain access to more resources and secret techniques unavailable elsewhere. The downside, however, is that there are more rules and restrictions.”

“The remaining four transcendental organizations—Black and White Divine Mountains, Cloud and Mist City, Water Source Taoist Abbey, and Sea God Palace—are organizations established by generations of powerful figures of the Xia Clan. They have endured and risen to prominence. They too have deep roots and long traditions. Since they do not worship any gods, these four organizations are freer and less constrained.”

“These four transcendental organizations have also divided the territories among themselves.”

“The five northern provinces are under the control of the Water Source Taoist Abbey.”

“The six central provinces are governed by the Black and White Divine Mountains.”

“The four southern provinces are managed by the Cloud and Mist City. Though only four provinces, the south is fertile and prosperous, with a large population.”

“The four overseas provinces, including all the seas, are nominally under the jurisdiction of the Sea God Palace. However, the sea area is far larger than the land, and the Sea God Palace cannot fully control it. Thus, many smaller transcendental organizations have established their bases overseas.”

Yi Hong smiled. “Our Anyang Province is one of the five northern provinces. Here, any renowned transcendents, aside from those of the Earth Temple and the Blood Blade Tavern, are usually only invited by the Water Source Taoist Abbey.”

“But you, Master Dongbo, are different.”

“You are a transcendental, yet not affiliated with any organization, and you are so young… so all the transcendental organizations will sincerely invite you.”

“Oh, and Master Dongbo, now that you have become a transcendental, the city of Yishui will automatically become the territory of your Dongbo Clan,” Yi Hong added. “If you join the Water Source Taoist Abbey, then the entire Qinghe Prefecture will secretly fall under your Dongbo Clan’s control. If you do not join the Water Source Taoist Abbey… then your Dongbo Clan will find it difficult to exert influence over Qinghe Prefecture.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded lightly.

He already knew this.

Transcendents enjoyed privileges.

Flying Immortals and Saints could directly gain control over a county. This was their personal territory, fully under their command.

Semi-gods could gain control over an entire prefecture!

Moreover, the families of transcendents could secretly control even more regions. For example, since the Water Source Taoist Abbey controlled the five northern provinces, its transcendents wielded great power in those regions. If Dongbo Xueying joined, he could immediately place his people in all official positions in Qinghe Prefecture, except for those of the Longshan Pavilion.

Though nominally still under the Empire, in reality, it would be fully under his control. Even the influence of a transcendental family could extend to surrounding prefectures.

After all, even the Si Clan, with only Si Lianghong, had quietly gained control over the entire Qinghe Prefecture.

How much more so for the families of truly powerful transcendents!

As for the imperial family?

Without the Longshan Emperor, the royal family could no longer rival the deeply entrenched six transcendental organizations. They were now merely a façade.

“I’ve said all I needed to say, Master Dongbo. Please think carefully about which side you should join,” Yi Hong smiled. “Actually, it doesn’t matter much if your family controls a small territory. For a transcendental, personal strength is what truly matters.”

“I will consider it,” Dongbo Xueying nodded.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Oh, by the way, who will be the first Marquis of the Dongbo Clan?” Yi Hong asked.

“My father,” Dongbo Xueying replied.

Normally, transcendental families could inherit the title of Marquis for a thousand years, after which it would be reduced to Earl.

If one ascended to Semi-God, the title could be inherited as Duke for five thousand years.

If one became a god, the six great transcendental organizations would temporarily bow in submission, and the family would become the imperial lineage, continuing until the next god was born, at which point the imperial status would be revoked.

…

Yi Hong and Dongbo Xueying conversed for nearly an hour, shared a simple meal, and Yi Hong then stayed in the castle for the night.

That evening, Dongbo Xueying also spent time with his parents and younger brother.

The family was joyous, though the Dongbo Clan remained small in numbers. Even if they controlled vast territories, they still had to rely on outsiders to manage them.

“Whoosh~~~”

In the dead of night, the wind blew.

Dongbo Xueying lay in bed, already drifting into sleep, his heart filled with contentment.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

“Hmm?” Frowning slightly, Dongbo Xueying, clad in loose sleepwear, stepped onto the corridor. His figure flickered twice and he was already outside the Xueshi Castle, atop a nearby hill.

On the hill, atop a bare, rocky outcrop, crouched a man. Half of his hair was shaved, while the other half hung down.

He crouched there, eyelids drooping, slowly sharpening a blade against the stone. Though his eyes were half-closed, he could clearly sense an approaching presence—an aura filled with sharp transcendental battle energy, and an even more powerful physical force.

“Dongbo Xueying,” the half-bald man said, ceasing his sharpening and lifting his gaze. His eyes gleamed with a sharpness that made Dongbo Xueying’s heart tighten. This was a truly terrifying opponent.

“I didn’t expect that, just after becoming a transcendental, your physical strength would already reach the mid-stage of the Flying Immortal level. Did you awaken an ancient bloodline in your mortal days?”