“It seems like you’re interested in the earth-rank cultivation method I possess. Let’s make a deal,” Long Fei Yun bluntly said.
“A deal?” Duan Ling Tian raised an eyebrow. This reminded him of the deal he made with Liu Feng Gu, the City Governor of Bloody Specter City, when he first ascended to the Spirit Overarching Heaven. At that time, Liu Feng Gu promised to do his best to provide Duan Ling Tian with the best cultivation environment and resources. In return, Duan Ling Tian had to kill Zhou Tong, the First Revered Elder of Nine Specters County. The deal was a complete success.
“Yes,” Long Fei Yu nodded and said in a dignified manner, “As long as Brother Duan is willing to promise me one thing, the earth-rank cultivation method is yours.”
“What is it?” Duan Ling Tian asked.
“I hope that… Brother Duan will participate in the martial competition that’s organized by the Imperial family of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom. With your strength, you’ll definitely win the competition and be selected to represent the kingdom in the Martial Competition of the Wasteland.” Long Fei Yun paused for a moment before he asked, “Brother Duan… I assume you’ve heard about the Martial Competition of the Wasteland, right?”
“Yes,” Duan Ling Tian nodded and continued to say, “The Martial Competition of the Wasteland is organized by the Three Major Sects of the Wasteland. The best powerhouses younger than 100 years old from all the Celestial Kingdoms in the Wasteland will compete against each other. The most outstanding participant will be given a chance to join one of the three major Celestial Sects in the Wasteland.” He had learned about the Martial Competition of the Wasteland the first day he arrived in the capital of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom. He was quite interested in the martial competition. After all, joining the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland would provide him with a platform to further improve his strength.
“You’re right,” Long Fei Yun said with a nod. Since Duan Ling Tian knew about it, there was no need for him to further explain.
“Thirteenth Prince, your request can’t be as simple as just wanting me to participate in the martial competition, right? I’m sure there must be more to it than that,” Duan Ling Tian said as he stared at Long Fei Yun intently.
Long Fei Yun nodded in reply to Duan Ling Tian’s question. “With your abilities, there’s no doubt you’ll be selected to represent the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom in the Martial Competition of the Wasteland. I’m sure your performance will be remarkable. At that time, all three major Celestial Sects will definitely want you to join them. When that time comes, I hope you’ll choose to join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect!” His breathing seemed to quicken as he spoke.
“The Martial Dragon Celestial Sect?” Duan Ling Tian cocked an eyebrow. “There must be a reason why you want me to join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect, right?”
“Yes.” Long Fei Yun nodded. “I want you to join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect because it rules over 13 high-rank Celestial Kingdoms. This includes the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom…”
“What?!” Duan Ling Tian exclaimed, “The Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom is under the rule of the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect? Moreover, they rule over another 12 high-rank Celestial Kingdoms?” He was slightly startled to learn that the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom was a vassal state of the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect.
“Brother Duan, it’s only natural you don’t know about this. Only the direct descendants of the Imperial families are privy to this matter. After all, it’d be humiliating to all the Imperial families of the Celestial Kingdoms if people find out about it. Therefore, the Imperial families kept this a secret,” Long Fei Yun explained, “It’s not just the high-rank Celestial Kingdoms, even the intermediate-rank and low-rank Celestial Kingdoms are all vassal states of the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland. Similar to the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect, the Tai Yi Celestial Sect and the Thousand Spiders Celestial Sect rule over 13 high-rank Celestial Kingdoms respectively. This is apart from the intermediate-rank and low-rank Celestial Kingdoms. Otherwise, why do you think the high-rank Celestial Kingdoms aren’t invading and conquering the intermediate-rank and low-rank Celestial Kingdoms? It’s because they’re all subordinates of the three major Celestial Sects. Those who initiate a civil war would be severely punished by the ruling Celestial Sect!”
Upon listening to Long Fei Yun’s explanation, Duan Ling Tian gained more knowledge about the Spirit Overarching Heaven. It answered many of the questions he had on his mind as well. Previously, he had found it strange how all the Celestial Kingdoms managed to peacefully coexist. It was only natural for the strong to conquer the weak after all. Now, he finally knew why there seemed to be no conflict among the Celestial Kingdoms!
Long Fei Yun continued to say, “That’s one of the reasons I want you to join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect. After you rise in ranks in the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect, I hope you’ll help me to become the Emperor of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom!” After he finished speaking, his eyes were flashing determinedly.
Duan Ling Tian asked, “You really think I’ll be capable of helping you become the Emperor of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom after I join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect?”
“Well, it’s better than nothing, right? At least, I have a small ray of hope.” Long Fei Yun smiled self-deprecatingly. He was well aware that he stood no chance against his brothers, the fourth and seventh prince. It was impossible for him to become the Emperor of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom since his father would never let him ascend the throne unless his father was out of the picture. However, his father was constantly guarded by strong powerhouses. Not only that, but his father was a powerful heaven-rank Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial as well.
“You would exchange an earth-rank cultivation method just for a glimmer of hope? Is it worth it?” Duan Ling Tian asked.
“It’s absolutely worth it. I don’t think it’s a loss to impart the earth-rank cultivation method to you… In exchange for a glimmer of hope to be the next Emperor of Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom, I think it’s a good deal for me. Although nothing is certain, all I ask of you is that you help me ascend the throne once you have enough influence in the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect to intervene in the matter of throne inheritance in the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom!” Long Fei Yun clearly expressed that he was determined to make this deal even if it was not 100% certain that Duan Ling Tian would be able to help him ascend the throne. All he asked was for Duan Ling Tian to help him if Duan Ling Tian was able to do so.
“If I’m not mistaken…” Duan Ling Tian narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully with a faint smile, “Once I join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect, based on my innate talent, it won’t be difficult for me to obtain an earth-rank cultivation method, right?”
“Yes.” Long Yun Fei nodded.
The calm expression of the middle-aged man who stood behind Long Yun Fei suddenly vanished. His expression darkened as soon as he heard Duan Ling Tian’s words. His gaze was as sharp as knives when he looked at Duan Ling Tian. It was as though he was warning Duan Ling Tian that he would kill Duan Ling Tian if Duan Ling Tian rejected Long Fei Yun’s request.
Duan Ling Tian ignored the middle-aged man and said, “If that’s the case, why should I agree to your request?”
“Apart from the earth-rank cultivation method, I will give you a Celestial Pill formula as well.” Long Fei Yun replied patiently despite Duan Ling Tian’s repeated inquiries.
“What pill formula?” Duan Ling Tian raised an eyebrow. He was not interested in ordinary pill formulas.
“The formula of the Overarching Heaven Pill!” Long Fei Yun calmly said.
Long Fei Yun’s words struck Duan Ling Tian like a bolt of lightning. He was stunned. “The formula of the Overarching Heaven Pill?”
The Overarching Heaven Pill was rare not only in high-rank Celestial Kingdoms, but even in the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland. As far as he knew, the formula of the Overarching Heaven Pill was largely unknown. That was why none of the Celestial Alchemists in the wasteland could refine them. The pills possessed by the three major Celestial Sects were obtained from outside the Wasteland.
“Y-you have the formula of the Overarching Heaven Pills?” Duan Ling Tian looked at Long Fei Yun as his breathing quickened.
If a peak Great Overarching Golden Celestial took an Overarching Heaven Pill, it would guarantee an almost success to becoming an Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial. If it was taken by an Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial, it would greatly improve his or her cultivation.
The Overarching Heaven Pill would help a peak Great Overarching Golden Celestial similar to how a Violet Sun Golden Celestial would benefit from the Great Overarching Pill. Similarly, it would help an Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial like how a Great Overarching Pill would help a Great Overarching Golden Celestial.
Naturally, the Overarching Heaven Pill was superior to the Great Overarching Pill even if their effects were similar. The Great Overarching Pill was a mediocre Celestial Pill, a top-notch mediocre Celestial Pill that only a handful of mediocre Celestial Alchemists with the right Celestial Fire were able to refine. Similarly, the Overarching Heaven Pill was also a top-notch prominent Celestial Pill that only a few prominent Celestial Alchemists were able to refine.