Chapter 163: Heavenly Martial Sacred Land

After several rounds of drinks the lively atmosphere never faded. Laughter and cheerful voices filled the place.

“It’s been my honor to meet such bold and passionate cultivators like all of you tonight,” Zhuge Xingyun said, rising with a cheerful smile. “But there’s something important I must explain.”

He glanced around at everyone then leapt gracefully into the air, hovering above the crowd.

The moment Zhuge Xingyun spoke, the laughter and dancing instantly stopped, as if everyone had silently agreed to hold their breath.

All eyes focused on the lone figure in midair, every face filled with anticipation.

After a brief pause Zhuge Xingyun’s expression turned serious.

“In the current Upper Realm, apart from the native cultivators and local clans, there are now eight new realms that have each risen above the myriad worlds.”

“After ascending, each of these continents established their own powers. They are:”

“The Eastern Cang Continent, home of the Eastern Cang Sacred Land.”

“The Wuyi Continent, home of the Wuyi Sacred Land.”

“The Southern Sea Continent, where the Southern Sea Sacred Land reigns.”

“The Moonlight Continent, domain of the Moonlight Sacred Land.”

“The Wuchang Continent, where the Wuchang Sacred Land stands.”

“The Battle Soul Continent, ruled by the Battle Soul Sacred Land.”

“The Han Yue Continent, home of the Han Yue Sacred Land.”

“The Yanwu Continent, and the Yanwu Sacred Land.”

“These eight sacred lands are incredibly powerful and occupy the eight corners of the realm.”

Zhuge Xingyun paused again, flashing a gentle smile at the crowd below before continuing.

“Now, you and the lands that ascended with the lost fragments of the Upper Realm have joined in as well.”

“The Upper Realm has grown into a world of nine great powers standing shoulder-to-shoulder. But unless you quickly establish your own force—”

“—when word spreads that you’re here, you risk being split up and picked apart by the Eight Sacred Lands.”

“Men will be worked to the bone, and women… used as cauldrons for dual cultivation.”

“The strong prey on the weak—that’s simply how it works up here. So remember this well!”

“I’ll say no more. If it weren’t for this delicious octopus feast I’d keep my mouth shut!”

After finishing, Zhuge Xingyun ignored the crowd’s shock, floated back to his seat and started eating more octopus as if nothing had happened.

The crowd, who just moments before looked so hopeful, now wore anxious and conflicted expressions. No one seemed to know what to do.

“Right now we’re painfully lacking in top-level power. Even if we build a new force, can we really hold out against them?” a stunning woman said, her eyes dim.

“Sigh… what should we do? Our strength is pitiful. How could we even begin to stand against those powers?” a handsome young man muttered helplessly.

“I have no idea. We’re just nobodies—we can’t change the big picture,” said a disheartened youth.

“So we’re just lambs to the slaughter? This is unbearable!” a burly man slammed his fist into the floor.

Up on the high platform, Nangong Wentian, Xie Lingtian, Murong Qingxue, and their companions were all heavy with worry as well.

They knew nothing about the Eight Sacred Lands’ true strength. Chances were, news of their arrival had already spread everywhere.

Nangong Wentian cautiously asked, “Brother Zhuge, what does it take to become a Sacred Land?”

“Simple enough. The sect master must be in the Sword God Realm, and there must be at least three Sword God Realm experts guarding the Sacred Land,” Zhuge Xingyun replied, downing his wine in one gulp.

Nangong Wentian scowled. “Damn… by my count, only Gu Qingyi and Xuyan have reached the Sword God Realm. We’re still short one person! What should we do now?”

“Sigh, there’s nothing I can do either. That’s just how the rules are up above,” Zhuge Xingyun said, looking troubled.

“If nothing else works, you can always join the Zhuge clan. With our protection, nobody in the Upper Realm would dare lay a finger on you!”

Zhuge Xingyun’s eyes suddenly lit up. He strode forward and gripped Nangong Wentian’s burly hands in his own.

Watching all this, Gu Qingyi could see the hesitation and frustration weighing on every face.

He was starting to feel helpless too, when suddenly he remembered something—the Divine Lotus Fruit he’d obtained after conquering the Divine Path!

“Don’t worry, Headmaster. Take a look at what I have here!”

Gu Qingyi dug out a fist-sized, bright red fruit with seven radiant leaves from his storage pouch. Its dazzling glow caught everyone’s eye.

“What? The Divine Lotus Fruit? How did you get something like that?” Zhuge Xingyun exclaimed, his face a mask of shock.

Nangong Wentian looked puzzled. “Brother Zhuge, why are you so surprised? Is there something special about this fruit?”

Zhuge Xingyun grinned. “This thing has a legendary reputation! The Divine Lotus Fruit can help someone ascend to the Sword God Realm.”

“Back in the Lower Realm where spiritual energy is scarce, trying to eat it would probably mean failure.”

“But here in the Upper Realm, where spiritual energy is abundant, that’s no longer an issue. With this fruit, you can skip the whole Divine Path and jump straight up.”

“Refine it, and you’ll break through to the Sword God Realm!”

“If I’d found a Divine Lotus Fruit back in the day, I wouldn’t have had to risk my neck on the Divine Path and nearly die.”

“Come on, Brother Gu, let me have a look at that fruit! It’s rare beyond belief—I need to study it!”

“Go ahead,” Gu Qingyi said, his voice calm as he handed the deep red Divine Lotus Fruit over.

“Heh, what a treasure. I won’t hold back then!”

Zhuge Xingyun beamed as he took the fruit, eyes gleaming as he examined every inch.

After a while he reluctantly returned the Divine Lotus Fruit to Gu Qingyi.

“With this fruit’s help, you’ll have another Sword God among your ranks. That means you meet the basic requirements to found a Sacred Land!”

“So, Brother Gu, who are you going to let refine the Divine Lotus Fruit?”

Gu Qingyi was silent for a moment. “I intend to give this fruit to either Elder Li Xun or Headmaster Nangong Wentian. What do you all think?”

Li Xun, overhearing the discussion, exchanged a knowing smile with the ten elders gathered around him.

“Young Master Gu, I don’t need it. Before long I’ll break through to the Sword God Realm in the Upper Realm anyway.”

“Besides, I’m not interested in being the Sacred Lord, so let the fruit go to Brother Nangong!”

“I’ve gained some insights since arriving and feel my cultivation loosening a bit. Brother Nangong, Brother Gu, everyone—if you’ll excuse us!”

Li Xun led the ten former Sky Sword Sect elders in a respectful bow, then slipped into the night and vanished.

Once they’d left, Gu Qingyi smiled, clutching the Divine Lotus Fruit as he rose above the gathered crowd.

“Since Elder Li Xun declined, the fruit now belongs to you, Headmaster! Please, keep leading us onward!”

“What do you all think?”

“Yes! Please, Headmaster—lead us to new glory!” The crowd’s voices rang out in unison.

“We all agree, so you can’t turn us down!” someone laughed.

Smiling, Gu Qingyi handed the Divine Lotus Fruit to Nangong Wentian while the crowd cheered.

“With everyone’s support, how could I refuse? I’ll gratefully accept!”

Nangong Wentian stared at the crimson fruit in his palm. He’d wanted to refuse, but he really had no other choice. So he accepted it, half willing and half resigned.

Under the protection of Zhuge Xingyun and Gu Qingyi, just half an incense stick later, a crimson pillar of light shot up from this borderland and pierced the heavens.

That blazing beam stunned everyone in the Upper Realm. All who saw it understood at once.

Another Sword God had been born on this land.

Nangong Wentian’s eyes snapped open. Scarlet energy surged from his body, spreading everywhere.

An enormous crimson divine wheel appeared behind him, a sure sign that he had officially stepped into the God Realm.

………………………………….

From that day on, everyone worked together, overcoming every challenge that blocked their path.

In the end, Tianwu Academy was renamed the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.

The entire region that had ascended from the Sword Qi Continent became the foundation of their new Sacred Land.

From then on, everyone in the Upper Realm knew that after the Eight Sacred Lands, a ninth force had risen out of nowhere—the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land!

Those newcomers who had just set foot in the Upper Realm now stood proud, secure, and ready to stand tall against all comers.