Lin Feng squinted his eyes as he received the voice-projected message from the Black Dragon Jieyu.
He had never heard of the Tan family before. However, the Ancient Yuantian world rang a few bells.
The two main parts of the formation of the great Yuantian world was the Divine Lands, so it was called, and the Barren Expanses.
Surrounding these two Greater Worlds, with them as its core, were a myriad of other dimensional voids and planes. Together, they wholly formed the great Yuantian world.
There were dangerous voids with dimensional storms and chaotic voids that served as battlegrounds. There were also spaces where matter and energy were relatively more stable. In such dimensions, life was precious and minerals were cherished and thus were suitable for the existence of the human race or demonic tribes.
These kinds of dimensional planes were typically referred to as "Middle Worlds". There were many of them obscure and hidden within the dimensions; some had already been discovered and were undergoing development, and some were still undiscovered and were just sitting there waiting for the fortunate explorer.
Such were the origins of the term: Multiverse.
After some millennia of development, the population of humans residing in the Greater World gradually increased and the number of cultivators rose as well.
Some resources for cultivation were recyclable or reusable, but some were non-renewable and the supplies would only dwindle upon continuous usage. Many such valuable resources and whatnot had become extinct in the Divine Lands and the Barren Expanses.
Yet, some of these resources could be found in the Middle Worlds. This was the reason why sects and factions put in so much effort to develop each and every Middle World. The Ancient Yuantian World was one such world and was also considered a relatively big one. It was named an ancient world because it had been excavated a millennium ago by human cultivators.
The seven big families of the Ancient Yuantian World were basically the most powerful and influential families in the Divine Lands and were also interest representatives of third parties in the latter.
For example, Tan Yingjie of the Tan Family represented the Great Qin Empire’s interests in the Ancient Yuantian World.
Many resources had already been transferred from the Ancient Yuantian World to the Great Qin Empire via the Tan Family.
"This person claims to be sent by Wu Qingrou. It looks like Wu Qingrou’s status in the Great Qin Empire is quite solid – he even wields influence over areas outside of their territories."
Tan Yingjie was polite but Lin Feng did not underestimate him. Even though quite a number of resources of the Divine Lands in the Middle Worlds were extinct, other planes tended to have their own dimensional laws.
The Ancient Yuantian World could provide subsistence for all things. However, strangely, it possessed normal thunder and lightning but lacked the void-piercing thunder tribulations.
This meant that the highest level that cultivators in the Ancient Yuantian World could reach was the ultimate stages of the Aurous Core stage and they were unable to advance to the Nascent Soul.
If cultivators in the Ancient Yuantian World wanted to obtain the Nascent Soul, they had to travel to the Divine Lands in the Greater World. This was the reason the Great Qin Empire had such influence over the seven big families of the Ancient Yuantian World, and not because their influence is that wide per se.
Cultivators who had reached the final stages of the Aurous Core stage usually arrived in the Greater World to experience thunder tribulations and form their Nascent Souls. However, their amounts and circumstances were largely controlled by the Great Qin Empire; sanctions and rewards were also included, as per the current situation.
Tan Yingjie, now a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, remained at the Greater World instead of returning to the Ancient Yuantian World. This could suggest that he acted as the spokesperson for his family and the messenger between his family and the Great Qin Empire, thus his status could not have been low.
The fact that Wu Qingrou, the Prime Minister of the Great Qin Empire, had this person running errands for him impressed even Lin Feng.
Thoughts ran through Lin Feng’s head as he continued to say, "You are too polite, my friend. I don’t mind – but you have to ask the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster first."
Upon hearing Lin Feng’s words, the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster’s eyes flickered and replied, "I have no problem with you staying behind to witness the ceremony. What does Wu Qingrou want to give me?’
Prince Chong Yun turned towards Tan Yingjie and stared at him with an expressionless gaze.
Tan Yingjie shook his head. "I have no idea what the item is exactly. Prime Minster Wu said you will understand when you see it."
He subsequently retrieved a jade letter and courteously placed it in the hands of the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster.
Prince Chong Yun’s eyed the jade letter and his eyes sparkled as if he knew something, but remained silent.
As the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster handled the jade letter, his actions slowed down a little bit. After a brief moment of silence, a strange expression came across his face and he nodded in response. "I will consider his opinions. I will reply him later."
Tan Yingjie laughed gleefully at his reply. "I am just a messenger, you don’t have to be so modest."
His vision swept across towards Lin Feng and he smiled again before saying, "I have also come here to cordially invite the Sword of Radiance Sect and the Celestial Sect of Wonders, on behalf of Prime Minister Wu, to participate in the opening ceremony of the Ancient Huanghai World."
Lin Feng turned and glanced at the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster. The latter had a similar reaction and they exchanged a look before Lin Feng’s gaze returned to Tan Yingjie. "One month later?"
The Ancient Huanghai World was similar to the Ancient Yuantian World; they were both Middle Worlds independent of the Greater World.
The dimensional laws of the Ancient Huanghai World were even stranger than that of the Ancient Yuantian World. The Ancient Huanghai World only allowed cultivators below the level of the Nascent Soul.
There was a typically functioning space-time portal connecting the Ancient Yuantian World and the Divine Lands but the connection between the Ancient Huanghai World and the Divine Lands was usually closed shut. One had to wait for a period of time before the entrance will open by itself.
The entrance to the Ancient Huanghai World lay near the northern border of the Great Qin Empire. After a prolonged period of fierce competition and fighting, the surrounding powers reluctantly conceded authority over the Ancient Huanghai World to the Great Qin Empire.
In exchange, the Great Qin Empire would have to host a ceremony, also known as the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai, when the entrance to the ancient world opened up.
The inauguration of the Spiritual Conference would see each and every participating sect and power send their sub-Nascent Soul stage champions to compete with one another for the privilege of passage into the Ancient Huanghai World. After years of development, the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai gradually became a grand event and something of a pageant. On many occasions, participants show up not for entry permission but simply took the chance to learn more about their rivals and about each other.
Tan Yingjie continued, "Yes, one month. Exactly thirty days later, the entrance to the Ancient Huanghai World will reopen."
"I would like to thank the Great Qin Empire for the invitation. If unforeseen circumstances do not occur then the Celestial Sect of Wonders will be there." Lin Feng nodded his head lightly and gave his confident reply. His main aim right now was to expand his sect’s influence and reputation; he would definitely not let this chance slip through his fingers.
Lin Feng glanced at Prince Chong Yun out of the corner of his eye and suddenly realized that the Prince was a lot more composed and calmer than before.
Just as he heard Tan Yingjie declare Wu Qingrou’s invitation for Lin Feng to attend the event, the Prince was initially stunned but flames subsequently poured out of his eyes.
This kind of anger was way stronger than the one he harbored previously against Xiao Yan.
This kind was dark, cold and full of murderous intentions.
It was apparent that Prince Chong Yun was completely unaware of Wu Qingrou’s arrangement.
However, after the momentary fit of rage, Prince Chong Yun abruptly returned to a state of calm.
Prince Chong Yun did not display any attempt at protesting or whatnot against Wu Qingrou’s decision to invite the Celestial Sect of Wonders and the Sword of Radiance Sect to the Spiritual Conference of Huanghai. It was as if the issue did not concern him at all.
Lin Feng was honestly surprised. Tan Yingjie was a little worried, however, as he recalled Wu Qingrou’s instructions: "If the Prince developed any animosity or antagonized the Celestial Sect of Wonders or vice versa, you must declare the invitation immediately. Take heed, take heed."
"Prime Minister Wu… What you’re doing is just fueling the fire!" Tan Yingjie sighed as he turned to look at Prince Chong Yun. He knew that he had to explain to the Prince later on, and that even though he had a look of cool temperament the Prince was breaking at the seams.
"According to previous information, Shi Chongyun is highly dominant and the weight of his words cannot be trifled with. But what is Prime Minister Wu trying to do now that he’s patronizing the Prince?" Lin Feng contemplated whilst observing Tan Yingjie and Prince Chongyun. "Could it be that the Qin Emperor wants to elect a new crown prince? That’s not quite possible, is it? He doesn’t even have another son."
"Wait!" Lin Feng’s pupils contracted rapidly. "The person that stole Xiao Budian’s foundation of Tao, Shi Tianyi, has enjoyed some serious reputation in recent years and is touted to become the next legendary prodigy."
"Of the four big families of the Great Qin Empire, the Shi Family was the most special as they were a branch connected to the royal family by bloodline." Thoughts spun around Lin Feng’s head in the blink of an eye. "If the Qin Emperor requests the adoption of Shi Tianyi into the royal family proper…"
As Lin Feng pondered on one side, the Sword of Radiance Sect gleefully accepted the Great Qin Empire’s invitation.
The Supreme Radiance Swordmaster glanced at Lin Feng and then at Xiao Yan behind him before he said, "There are four more days before the arranged battle between your disciple and Murong Yanran. We will converge again four days later at this exact place for them to carry on. What do you think, Master Lin?"
"I remember the date very clearly." Lin Feng knew in his heart that the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster intended to execute some plans of his own in the next four days but he was unafraid. He turned to look at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan looked serene and composed and gradually nodded his head. "I have no problem with it, master."
Lin Feng nodded his head in response and turned back towards the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster. "It will be as you’ve said."
"Please direct Master Lin and his disciples to the resting areas please, the Azure Clouds Grandmaster," the Supreme Radiance Swordmaster gave out his order blandly. The Azure Clouds Grandmaster bent over as a greeting and took Lin Feng and company to the guest room.
Behind them, Prince Chong Yun was staring at Tan Yingjie with an expressionless look.
Lin Feng smiled and ceased to bother himself with what was going on. They leisurely followed the Azure Clouds Grandmaster to the guest pavilion and settled down.
Lin Feng extended his consciousness outside as he sat in the pavilion and saw Xiao Budian and Tuntun standing outside. Two pairs of eyes were scanning Xingyun Peak and they seemed like they were spying for something. Xiao Budian whispered, "Is there any nice food up at Xingyun Peak?"
Tuntun swallowed a ball of saliva and replied, "Of course there is. Everyone knows about the Red-Feathered Crane of the Sword of Radiance Sect…"
Lin Feng could not hold back his laughter as he heard the ongoing conversation. He looked towards the other pavilion where Xiao Yan crossed his legs in silence. His eyes were closed and it was apparent that he was meditating as final preparations for what was to come.
Inside Yue Hongyan’s room, she was also quietly meditating with her legs crossed. Of Lin Feng’s other disciples, only Wang Lin could match the effort she put in while practising and cultivating. The two of them did not waste a single second.
As the day passed into night, Lin Feng was resting inside his pavilion before he was jolted awake. He grunted and said, "You wish to die?"
In the middle of the night, one of Shi Chongyun’s servants appeared outside Yue Hongyan’s room.