I Cheated While Cultivating

The current Taiwei Monarch was no longer the same as the previous one.

Although they shared the same memories, the same origins, and the same authority, the core of their true spirit and wisdom had been cleansed and reshaped by the Crown Prince.

For the current Taiwei Monarch, the actions of the previous one felt like a play in which he, as an actor, had performed.

In essence, the two were no longer the same deity.

However, because the memories were the same and the origins identical, the new Taiwei Monarch also felt as if he had escaped from death and felt an even deeper fear of the Crown Prince.

“The master of that star in the Ziwei Sector… is rather peculiar.” The Crown Prince looked up at the sky, watching the surging purple qi Star River, with an ominous expression beneath his mask, “A mortal inheriting such a star position, merely at the Middle Third Rank, why would he possess such a powerful authority?”

“It is indeed very strange.” The Taiwei Monarch nodded and said, “The authority held by this Ziwei Master is too strong, absolutely abnormal. Lord Crown Prince, could it be that something in the Ziwei Sector has uncovered some ancient secret technique, activating the power of the Zhou Tian star chart?”

“Unlikely.” The Crown Prince shook his head and said, “Tianyi and Azure Dragon have been all-out resisting the Evil Gods from other realms all these years, they likely haven’t had the energy to explore these matters, and besides them, it’s improbable that anyone would be able to get their hands on the secret technique to expand the authority of the Ziwei Master…”

As he said this, he paused, his voice grave, “The biggest issue is probably with the Ziwei Master himself, is his true identity really as the investigations previously indicated, a reincarnation of that great power from Pure Yang Palace?”

“Most likely not mistaken,” the Taiwei Monarch nodded in agreement.

“A reincarnated Celestial Power with a plan to kill a Tao Lord as a contingency, how dare you move against him now?” the Crown Prince coldly snorted. “Power can truly blind one’s mind, indeed seeking death on one’s own accord.”

“You are right to reprimand me, I shall not dare again,” the Taiwei Monarch hurriedly apologized.

“However, even the most numerous of contingencies eventually run out, especially those effective against those of Upper Third Rank,” the Crown Prince said somberly. “This person must have a great secret, find an opportunity to have someone get close to him.”

“A brilliant strategy, my Lord,” the Taiwei Monarch immediately nodded and said, “The reincarnated powerful being from the Pure Yang Palace is but a twenty-year-old youth, full of vigor and strength. It should not be difficult to get close to him if a beautiful woman is sent.”

“Fool, Zhou Heng has already used so many of his previous life’s contingencies, do you think he has not awakened his memories of his past life? Such a cliché trick…” the Crown Prince first cursed, then nodded and added, “Nevertheless, this is not entirely without merit. There are quite a few powerful beings in the myriad worlds blinded by beauty, but it can’t be just any ordinary woman, or else it would be hard to catch his eye.”

“What does the Crown Prince think about ‘Ling Guang Divine Monarch’?” the Taiwei Monarch suggested.

“Vermilion Bird?” The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed slightly, and after a brief silence while staring at the Taiwei Monarch for a long time, he nodded, “Indeed, she is suitable, but it is only to gather information, nothing more.”

Ling Guang Divine Monarch is another name for the Vermilion Bird Star Officer, one of the very top high-ranking Star Officers in the Taiwei Sector, and the only one to join the upper ranks with an Absolute Fourth Rank Cultivation Realm.

What the Taiwei Monarch did not know was that the real identity of the Vermilion Bird Star Officer in the outside world was that of the Crown Prince’s True Disciple.

“Do not worry, my Lord, I understand,” the Taiwei Monarch quickly nodded, then with some trepidation asked, “Then… Crown Prince, how should we conclude the recent conflict with the Purple Tenuity Sector of Northern Qi?”

“Notify the Tianshi Sector, the Purple Tenuity Sector has violated our Taiwei Sector without cause, taking the position of Star Officer, which goes against the regulations set three thousand years ago, and showing an intent to dominate the three Sectors and the twenty-eight constellations.” The Crown Prince spoke impassively, “Have their Tianshi Monarch pay close attention.”

The Taiwei Sector and Tianshi Sector have always been connected, and the methods for nurturing the birth of Star Deities were also a collaborative research effort between the two.

Thus, not only does the Taiwei Sector have a Taiwei Monarch, but the Tianshi Sector also has a Tianshi Monarch.

“Ah?” The Taiwei Monarch was struck dumb upon hearing this, blurting out, “Is that possible?”

Wasn’t it us who invaded the Purple Tenuity Sector first?

“Fool,” the Crown Prince coldly snorted. “How could it not be possible? The foundation of the Purple Tenuity Sector is in Northern Qi, and the predecessor of Northern Qi was the Central Dynasty. As long as the Tianshi Sector does not wish for a return to the era of the Central Dynasty’s rule, they will support this narrative.”

“I see, my Lord is wise,” the Taiwei Monarch quickly flattered, his recently enlightened intellect now extremely wary of the Crown Prince, not daring to utter a word of dissent.

Yet, he still harbored doubts and inquired in a low voice, “But, my Lord, how shall I explain this to the organization? My predecessor was too arrogant and presumptuous, and now that the Purple Tenuity Sector has taken two Star Officer positions from us, how should this be managed?”

“If I must handle everything, what use are you?” The Crown Prince spoke coolly. “Or do you think you are not clever enough and should be reformed?”

“No, no, not at all!” The Taiwei Monarch shook his head repeatedly, humbly saying, “Rest assured, my Lord, I will handle it well, certainly!”

“Hm,” the Crown Prince nodded lightly and said indifferently, “Actually, it is normal for a Deity like you not to be very wise. Learn more about how to be a person in the future, and don’t be controlled by power again.”

With that, he turned into a ray of starlight and disappeared within the Taiwei Palace.

Only the Taiwei Monarch was left alone in the grand hall.

“Ah!” The Taiwei Monarch sat down on the chair in terror, his hands trembling slightly in his sleeves, while in his heart a fierce fire seemed to burn.

“I am the God of Taiwei!”

…

The conflict between the Ziwei Court and the Taiwei Court ended in a complete defeat for the Taiwei Court.

Not only did the Ziwei Court reclaim the three Star Officer positions previously taken from them, but they also seized two high-ranking Star Officers from the Taiwei Court, significantly expanding their own celestial territory.

Most crucially, the “Five Emperors’ Seat” merged with the Ziwei Court’s “Inner Five Emperors’ Seat,” as the former was attracted to the latter upon entering the Ziwei celestial territory and began to integrate.

The Inner Five Emperors’ Seat, which had been struggling at the peak of the Absolute Fourth Rank for hundreds of years, finally saw the dawn of a breakthrough and entered a state of seclusion. Without any unexpected occurrences, once he emerged from seclusion, he would be a Celestial Power with his Primordial Spirit residing in the void.

The birth of a new Celestial Man is a matter of great joy for any organization, and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was no exception.

However, this paled in comparison to the new authority Zhou Heng had acquired.

After discussing with The Supreme, Natural Law, Gou Chen, and other high-ranking Star Officers, Zhou Heng decided to wait until the April gathering to disclose the matter to the other Star Officers.

Mainly because at that time, they could also inquire face to face about the opinions of the Azure Dragon and Tianyi, the two leaders.

Since it was only just after February, and there was still plenty of time, and Zhou Heng himself had only recently broken through to the Sect Fifth Rank, he did not stay long in the Purple Tenuity Palace and returned to Taihua Mount after the discussions.

Originally, he had planned to refine and adjust his own Martial Arts, but he was unable to do so as intended. Just after he returned to the Golden Peak of the Jade Void, Chen Xuan came looking for him.

“Junior master-uncle, a sect calling itself the Sword Pavilion has sent an invitation, inviting you to attend their sect-establishment ceremony,” Chen Xuan handed Zhou Heng a red gilt invitation and said, “The person who delivered the invitation said the Pavilion Master is your friend.”

“Friend?” Zhou Heng accepted the invitation, gave it a quick glance, and laughed, “If he says so, then it must be true. I had previously agreed to this, and had discussed it with my senior brother. When he re-establishes the Sword Pavilion, I would go there to support him.”

“So that’s how it is,” Chen Xuan showed a look of realization and asked with some curiosity, “Junior master-uncle, is the Sword Pavilion’s claim true? Are they really the remnants of the Middle Ancient Sword Pavilion?”

In this era, ordinary Martial Artists might not have heard of the Sword Pavilion, but Chen Xuan, as a top disciple of a great Martial Dao Sect, was very clear about the Sword Pavilion’s origins.

It was the pinnacle Martial Dao Sect before the War of Tianyang, personally established by the “Sword Saint” — one of the Middle Ancient Nine Saints — and was considered the ancestral home of Sword Dao in the world.

At the peak of the Sword Pavilion, even the Pure Yang Palace could hardly be compared to it — at least on the surface.

However, this ancestral home of Sword Dao had mysteriously vanished 3000 years ago, along with sects like the Longevity Way and the Pure Land Sect, involving dozens of Celestial Men and ten Tao Lords.

It was a colossal disaster.

Now, suddenly a person claiming to be a remnant of the Sword Pavilion has emerged, publicly establishing a sect with the claim of reviving the Sword Pavilion, which is bound to attract attention and skepticism.

“It should be correct,” Zhou Heng nodded and said with a smile, “Fang Wen is a bit unusual, and going to the Sword Pavilion does more good than harm.”

…

The Sword Pavilion’s sect-establishment ceremony was set for the eighth day of the second month, and the invitations were sent out well in advance.

However, Zhou Heng had been in seclusion until then and went directly to the Ziwei Court afterward, so he had not received it.

By the time he got the invitation from Chen Xuan, it was already the third day of the second month.

Only five days were left until the ceremony.

As everyone knows, the preparation process for a sect-establishment ceremony is extremely cumbersome. Since the Sword Pavilion boasts the revival of the Sword Saint’s legacy, even as a minor faction, they must make every effort to make the ceremony grand and cannot dismiss it lightly.

Therefore, Fang Wen and his disciples had started the preparation work early.

The materials needed for the celebration were actually manageable, as Fang Wen had the Longevity Way as an “investor” to provide both labor and funding, dressing up the Sword Pavilion’s ceremony site appropriately.

The key, however, lay in the “guests” who would come to congratulate them.

For a newly established sect, especially one with the claim of reviving an ancient legacy, its credibility depends on the status of the guests who come to offer their congratulations.

After all, the world is skeptical, and if the ceremony only attracts nobodies and obscure minor sects, even claiming the legacy of a great ancestor would be meaningless.

In fact, the greater the claim, the higher the requirements for congratulatory guests.

With Fang Wen openly declaring the revival of the Sword Pavilion and the rejuvenation of the Sword Saint’s legacy, if the world’s top Martial Dao Sects do not come to congratulate, it would be difficult to gain trust and even more challenging to establish a foothold.

Without public trust and a foothold, it’s unlikely people will come to seek apprenticeship. If no one comes to seek apprenticeship, before long, the sect would have to close, becoming the laughing stock of others.

Moreover, because Fang Wen came from the Longevity Way, even if experts from the Longevity Way came to congratulate them, it wouldn’t convince others of the true lineage of the Sword Saint.

It would only seem like the Longevity Way shamelessly using the Sword Saint’s name to start a subsidiary sect.

Therefore, the attendance of other prominent Martial Dao Sects was extremely important for Fang Wen and his newly accepted disciples, as it related to the survival of the Sword Pavilion.

Depending on his past relationships, Fang Wen had barely managed to get a few of his peers from the ranking list to come.

For instance, “Buddha’s Wrath” Cheng Zhi from the Infinite Temple, “White Dragon Lady of Heavenly Mountain” Li Qingyao from the Yaochi Sect, and “Vermilion Bird’s Thunder Envoy” Chu Qingchuan from the Shenxiao Sect.

Although they were True Disciples of top Martial Dao Sects and even directly taught by Celestial Men, they were still young and couldn’t fully represent the will of their sects.

Simply put, their status was insufficient.

Thus, for the Sword Pavilion, the most important figure was Zhou Heng.

As the master of the Pure Yang Palace and younger disciple of Yan Shouyi, the number one Celestial Man in the world, as well as the little uncle to all the seventh-generation disciples, the reincarnation of a great power with a formidable martial reputation, Zhou Heng was definitely a heavyweight “guest.”

He was more than capable of representing the will of the Pure Yang Palace.

As long as Zhou Heng could attend, the Sword Pavilion’s sect-establishment ceremony would be guaranteed success.

However, after sending the invitation, there had been no response.

Now, with only five days left until the ceremony, Fang Wen, no matter how composed, couldn’t help feeling a bit panicked.