Whispers of War and Ancient Legacies

Southwest Miao Territory.

This region, situated in the southwest of the Northern Lands, was characterized by an endless expanse of mountain ranges, peaks upon peaks, rumored to number a hundred thousand.

Each mountain peak had its master, leading their respective families to thrive and multiply there. Legend held that their ancestors had traveled from distant lands to seek refuge, and their descendants had since taken root.

Within Green Bamboo Mountain.

Fangyuan gazed at the hazy weather in the distance, observing a caravan making its way through the mountains.

These caravans traversed between the various peaks, not only for trade but also to bring news from the outside world.

The news of a demon city’s destruction within the borders of Zhao Kingdom had also begun to spread throughout the Miao Territory.

“My cultivation is still too low. Though this journey has allowed my Blood Leech Gu to reach its peak, it is not enough.”

Fangyuan sighed, then turned to depart, a look of resolute determination gradually appearing in her eyes.

“Next, it will be the Green Sapling Legacy…”

In this Miao Territory, the methods of cultivation differed from the outside world. They practiced Gu, which was considered the spirit of all things. Though there were slight differences, it could similarly lead one to the Great Dao.

****

Within the Qin Royal Palace.

The Qin King sat regally upon her throne, listening to the reports of her ministers below. She wore a dark Xuan-colored ceremonial robe. In Qin, black was held in the highest esteem.

“Your Majesty, the emergence of a demon city within Zhao Kingdom’s borders has truly brought devastation to its people, leaving them in utter misery.”

“It seems Zhao Kingdom bears the signs of impending ruin; it is no longer a kingdom worthy of the name.”

Two civil ministers spoke, their faces etched with lament.

“Your Majesty, let us unite with the various states, dispatch our armies to Zhao Kingdom, and resolve the plight of its common people!”

A military general stepped forward, kneeling on one knee as he spoke.

“Indeed, we implore Your Majesty to send forth your troops and rescue the common folk of Zhao!”

Numerous ministers chimed in, one after another.

The Qin King, seated upon her throne, remained silent, her palm gently tapping the armrest of the throne, clearly lost in thought.

‘Yu Qingxuan, Qin Yan…’

She murmured softly to herself.

‘Sister, you truly have raised two remarkable disciples. Or perhaps, this is a gift you’ve bestowed upon me, upon Qin Kingdom?’

A demon city had appeared within Zhao Kingdom’s territory. Whether Zhao Kingdom was aware of it or not, this leverage had been seized by other nations, and an invasion of Zhao Kingdom would now be seen as entirely in accordance with divine will.

****

Within the Zhao Royal Palace.

In a grand hall, the Zhao King gazed at the woman before her, her expression a mask of panic.

Now, all nations were rubbing their fists and preparing for war. Such a colossal problem emerging within Zhao Kingdom’s borders had given everyone leverage, and other states would likely unite to carve up Zhao.

The Zhao King, she was in peril.

The Zhao King could only place her hopes upon the woman before her, for she was the Sect Master of Tiancheng Sect, the largest sect within Zhao Kingdom.

“Sect Master Li, what is to be done? This accursed demon dragon, of all places, chose to appear within my Zhao Kingdom. Now that it is known throughout the land, I fear it bodes ill for our Zhao Kingdom.”

“Your Majesty, there is no need to panic. With my Tiancheng Sect present, I imagine they will not dare to mobilize their armies immediately,” Sect Master Li stated. “In that case, it would be better to strike first. We shall attack Wei Kingdom, demonstrating our strength to deter other nations.”

“It seems this is our only recourse. Yet, I still do not understand why such a demon city would be hidden within my Zhao Kingdom’s borders.”

The Zhao King nodded, then her gaze shifted to the Tiancheng Sect Master before her.

In response to the Zhao King’s inquiry, Sect Master Li remained silent, her eyes flickering as she pondered something.

****

Outside, the situation was rapidly escalating.

Meanwhile, within a secluded cave dwelling of the Yanqing Sect, an atmosphere of tranquility prevailed.

Two women sat before a chessboard, clearly engaged in a game. One, clad in a dark Xuan-colored Daoist robe, was none other than Qin Nianci. Across from her sat the Yanqing Sect Master, whose raven-black hair was streaked with wisps of white.

Qin Nianci was seen removing two of the Sect Master’s black pieces from the board.

“Nianci, it has been a long time since I’ve seen you act. This time, your move is far more formidable than in years past. A Nascent Soul stage flood dragon, directly slain by your single sword stroke.”

The Sect Master’s gaze remained fixed on the chessboard, clearly contemplating her next move.

“The flood dragon was severely wounded, otherwise, even I would have found it somewhat troublesome to deal with.”

Qin Nianci replied, watching the Sect Master intently playing the game.

“Those two disciples of yours have now become renowned throughout the entire Northern Lands,” the Sect Master said, raising her head to look at Qin Nianci. “Qin Kingdom has also acquired a pretext for war, and the time to carve up Zhao Kingdom is imminent.”

“When a nation rises, the people suffer. When a nation falls, the people suffer still.”

Hearing these words, Qin Nianci sighed, seemingly filled with profound emotion.

“To think that Nianci, who once swept across the Northern Lands, would utter such a lament. Indeed, as one ages, such sentiments become common,” the Sect Master responded with a smile upon hearing this.

Hearing this, Qin Nianci merely smiled, offering no verbal reply.

The air within the cave dwelling grew silent for a moment. The Sect Master looked at the chessboard before her; no matter how she considered it, this affair was clearly Qin Nianci’s machination.

And this game before her, she had already lost.

****

Thousands of years ago.

A Void Refinement realm cultivator led humanity to this Northern Land to seek refuge.

At that time, it was still the dominion of the demon race. Among all beings in heaven and earth, phoenixes were revered among birds, Qilin among beasts, and dragons among scaled creatures. Humanity, interspersed among them, struggled to survive.

To establish a sanctuary for humanity in these Northern Lands, she single-handedly battled two ancient demon lords of the Void Refinement realm, severely wounding one and slaying another. Alas, she herself succumbed to her grave injuries and died within the Northern Lands.

As she lay gravely wounded and nearing death, she utilized unprecedented power and her lifelong cultivation to establish a magnificent secret realm.

It would open once every ten years, and cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage were forbidden entry. Cultivators who entered the secret realm could seek out the numerous boons left behind by the deceased Void Refinement realm cultivator.

This was what was known as the Green Sapling Legacy.

Like a whale falling, giving life to myriad creatures, she used her everything to establish such a vast inheritance for future young human cultivators.

Logically, such an inheritance should have long been monopolized by the major sects and kingdoms. However, this Void Refinement cultivator had evidently foreseen this, and to prevent it, she had placed restrictions. Any individual or sect attempting to monopolize the secret realm would suffer karmic repercussions.

Nevertheless, after successive attempts, the major sects eventually established the Green Sapling Grand Competition. For seven days, each major power would select a representative to enter the secret realm ahead of other cultivators in the Northern Lands.

This meant that cultivators from major powers would have an additional seven days to explore the secret realm compared to ordinary cultivators.

Of course, were it not for the existence of the restrictions, ordinary cultivators would have no chance of entering such a secret realm. It seemed the Void Refinement realm cultivator who established the secret realm understood human greed well.

She was truly great, leaving behind her entire legacy for future generations. She was also a sagacious cultivator, ensuring her inheritance was bestowed equally upon all human cultivators across the Northern Lands.

There was not a single formidable cultivator who had risen in the Northern Lands who had not entered this Green Sapling Legacy.