The next morning, Fiendstar’s team arrived at the G.o.dking manor’s gathering point. The G.o.dking’s managing staff were ready to count the partic.i.p.ants.
When it came to Fiendstar’s turn, it was discovered that they were down one person.
“Where is your Sectmistress Han? Does she not know the time of our departure? Why is she not here yet?”
“In response to the elder,” Jiang Chen replied smoothly, “Sectmistress Han has run into a few problems with her cultivation. She has shut her doors and will not emerge until she resolves them. I don’t think she’ll be able to make it to the meeting.”
It was fine that someone couldn’t make it. The G.o.dking manor wouldn’t agree to bringing any extras, since each sect had a strict allotment.
On the other hand, there was no reason to inquire too deeply about one party not making full use of their spots. The executive frowned, “Are you sure she’s not coming?”
“Yes, I am.” Jiang Chen nodded.
“Well then, the spot will be reallocated to another from the G.o.dking manor,” the executive stated matter-of-factly.
“Of course.”
Elders Ge and Xu were relieved to see the G.o.dking’s apathy on the matter.
The two old men didn’t care about whether the sectmistress actually went or not. It didn’t affect them in the slightest.
If the two Elders Zhen wanted to excuse themselves too, so much the better. The two old men would be in charge of the Fiendstar Sect’s team then.
Unfortunately, the two unlikable Zhens insisted on attending. This made Ge and Xu a little uncomfortable, though it was a sentiment they could only keep to themselves. They didn’t dare express a hint of displeasure before Jiang Chen, lest their attendance itself be thrown into question.
The executive related the Fiendstar Sect’s circ.u.mstances to G.o.dking Crimsonwaters. Astonished, the G.o.dking called Jiang Chen over.
“We meet again, Elder Zhen Junior.” There was an elusive tone to Crimsonwaters’s smile.
“Hail, my lord.”
“Why haven’t I heard about Sectmistress Han’s closed door cultivation before now?” The G.o.dking incisively pointed his look at Jiang Chen.
“She said there’s no reason to disturb anyone with her personal life. There’s no problem if we’re down a person, is there?”
“Is she really cultivating behind closed doors?” Crimsonwaters put extra emphasis on repeating the question.
“That’s what she told me, yes,” Jiang Chen nodded.
The G.o.dking looked deeply in the direction of the Heavenly Crimson Lake, then sighed. “I hope what you say is true. Sometimes, that girl thinks too much.
“You may return to your sect members, Elder Zhen. Remember, when we reach the Taiyuan Plane proper, you should speak little and observe much.”
Crimsonwaters dismissed Jiang Chen, who became contemplative about the G.o.dking’s prior words. It was probable that he suspected Han Shuang already.
However, it likely had to do with a potential scheme regarding the Heavenly Crimson Lake rather than her rescuing the Taiyuan Celestial Emperor.
Regardless of the G.o.dking’s speculations, it didn’t much matter. He and the entourage were about to depart, which meant he had no time to deal with Han Shuang.
Fiendstar was relatively unremarkable among the throng of its fellows. Jiang Chen and Jiang Huan planned to maintain a low profile throughout the trip.
The group from Crimsonwaters numbered roughly a thousand. Most were the G.o.dking’s elites, with the five sects comprising only a minority.
Fiendstar had only thirty-some people among the group. The four elders in attendance were accompanied by various other executives.
Because of Han Shuang’s absence, the team was a bit disorganized compared to the others. A quick tongue-las.h.i.+ng from Jiang Chen immediately brought them into line.
A single airboat would’ve been sufficient to hold everyone in the entourage, but they split into two vessels before departing for Taiyuan.
Jiang Chen brimmed with enthusiasm to return to the realm that he hadn’t seen for several hundred thousand years. He was finally on his way home!
He could scarcely contain his excitement.
Crimsonwaters wasn’t far from the Taiyuan Plane proper, but a transportation formation was required nevertheless. The formation was large enough to manage entire airboats.
The vessels took flight once more after the transmission, this time in Taiyuan atmosphere.
All the land beneath them had once been ruled by his father. The mountains and rivers looked the same still, but the people living here were entirely different.
Jiang Chen watched the scenery outside with wonder, as if nothing had changed about everything he saw. The colors and flavors of the earth, sea, and sky tasted so heartachingly familiar to him.
Jiang Huan was just as emotional as his ‘nephew’. They came nearer and nearer to the intimacy of Jiang Chen’s previous life.
The core of the Taiyuan Plane was naturally where the celestial emperor’s heritage was located – the Taiyuan Sky Palace. The building had changed hands countless times, each new controller usurping his predecessor as celestial emperor. Each was a G.o.dking who hadn’t received the recognition of the universe or the heavenly dao.
The airboat flew two days and two nights before gradually slowing its pace.
The flags.h.i.+p in front gave orders to the one behind to disembark for inspection. They were close to their destination, and the Taiyuan Sky Palace’s security demanded that they be checked.
Already, jade pillars were visible in the distance, their great stature soaring into the heavens. Thunder boomed and lightning crackled between them; tigers and dragons and various other visions besides could be seen.
This was a potent restriction that airboats who didn’t receive inspection couldn’t pa.s.s.
The Coiling Dragon Pillars of Heaven and Earth!
Jiang Chen was filled with reminiscence and sentimentality. These pillars had stood since his father was celestial emperor. This was the gate into the sky palace.
He wanted to walk past almost immediately. He had dreamt a very long time about returning here.