Spirit Vessel

Normally, reaching the sixth level of Nirvana would grant one the title of unmatched genius.

Of course, this was only a relative title. None was truly unmatched because a territory was too vast. Each domain had a diameter of one hundred million miles or so. Who knows how many geniuses were still hidden?

In a few villages or abandoned forests, top cultivators might live reclusively and their disciples might not even come out.

Moreover, some true masters would only show themselves when absolutely necessary.

The hidden geniuses of immemorial clans would only be summoned back, the same for the battle-hardened monsters on the myriad race battlefield.

“I and Liu Suzi will lead the expedition to Sacred Court this time. The geniuses from the domain are all prideful and arrogant, they might not play nice with you.” Liu Suhong stood with her hands behind her back. A considerable force flowed around her.

Their engagement has been decided two days ago with the three seventh-ranked half-demons acting as witnesses.

The half-demon alliance fully supported the engagement. The three seventh-ranked half-demons felt the same way, thinking that half-demons were on the rise.

The news of the engagement shocked everyone back in the alliance. They felt elated because who would call them slaves now? Since when could a slave marry a beautiful princess?

This caused an earthquake in the other territories too. Thus, it was of utmost significance for all the half-demons in the world.

The main branch in Sixth Central sent out a message to every other branch. It caused all the half-demons to become motivated - that even a frog could eat swan meat with enough effort and they could become frog princes one day.

Of course, the young geniuses gritted their teeth, thinking that wretched half-demons should be massacred. The engagement was completely unacceptable akin to a flower pinned to a pile of manure.

Those who didn’t know Feng Feiyun felt the urge to kill him.

This was a story of a beggar marrying a princess. All the beggars would become happy while the rich young masters would want to kill them and take their place.

It was a matter of feeling resentful and indignant - if even I can only look up at the princess, how dare a lowly half-demon marry her?

In short, the engagement had both benefits and potential problems. Liu Suzi gained the support of all half-demons. The experts from the alliance would also help her become the next successor.

On the other hand, the nobles would criticize her for doing so. After all, they truly cared about their reputation. This was the reason why she reminded Feiyun about the trip.

He put down the history book and stared at the geniuses standing in the distance: “I just won’t hang around them. However, I do think that you should try to get on their good side. I’m sure they’ll affect your competition.”

Currently, many successors from the domains preferred Liu Suzi instead after hearing about the engagement.

Nonetheless, she still had plenty of supporters.

“I still think the first princess will win. Her fiance is not a regular half-demon. He obtained the huge spirit stone from Nine-abyss and a peerless treasure.” An old man from Ocular Domain smiled.

“I have a few connections in the half-demon alliance. Their main branch couldn’t assess Feng Feiyun’s blood, there is a chance that he is a half-phoenix. His potential is boundless.” A cultivator from an immemorial clan said.

“The fourth ancestor is a wise and calculating man, the same for the first princess. They won’t do anything that has no benefit. Our half-demon son-in-law might pleasantly surprise us.”

These people received key information and guessed that Feiyun was special. Thus, they put their money on the first princess.

The trip this time wasn’t only to participate in the Faction Evaluation. More importantly, it was a competition between the two princesses. The winner would become the successor; the loser would certainly be killed.

The domain lords and immemorial clans were making a bet as well. Winning meant being in the grace of the next territory lord. Betting wrongly meant being pushed aside.

For Feiyun, it would be better for Liu Suhong to win. First, he was her fiance, at least on paper. Most importantly, the half-demons would benefit from this.

The problem with half-demons right now was their lack of confidence and ambition. They needed a legend for motivation so that they would be able to fight for their dignity.

Feiyun wanted to be this legend. He had a long conversation with Lord Qing Ji regarding this matter.

Ever since Long Luofu’s tribulation, he felt that in certain circumstances, a man couldn’t only think about his own benefits.

This might be the difference between a “man” and a “father”.

A man was willing to betray the whole world, ready to become a devil at any moment. They could massacre on a whimn and were possessive. They believed that they were born to fight, and that fighting was a legitimate reason for death.

Their personality would change after becoming a father. They started thinking about other matters and cared more for those nearby. They began worrying about their victims and the latter's family members. How would their children survive? Did they truly deserve death?

This wasn’t a matter of becoming indecisive but rather, gaining reason and rationality. It was a maturing process. The man would become more attractive and prudent, no longer as irresponsible as before.

This was a reason why he agreed with Liu Suhong recently. In the past, he would rather die fighting than acquiesce.

Of course, if given the chance, he would still choose to become a devil again for the sake of Nangong Hongyan. This wasn’t a matter of being impulsive or unreasonable, just something that must be done with courage and decisiveness.

Liu Suhong has reached the sixth level. She said: “The domain teams are bringing their top ancestors. For us, seven important ancestors are coming. Fourth and Sixth Ancestor are included.”

Feiyun frowned. These geezers will be problematic since they wanted his Grand Puppet Art and secret treasure. He could only wait for them to make their move and react accordingly.

***

It was finally the day of departure. The expedition grew larger and included 100,000 cultivators. The majority of them were young geniuses.

Naturally, it was also divided into two camps - Liu Suzi and Liu Suhong.

Liu Suzi had the number advantage with around seventy percent of the crowd.

They crossed through an ancient portal and reached Sacred Court’s South Pole Star on the same day.

This was one of the five main stars of Sacred Court, floating eight thousand meters above the ground. One could go up using elaborate stair systems.

Though Sacred Court has been declining for a long period, it was once the central authority of this dynasty. Its prosperity dazzled spectators; spirit veins floated upward like galaxies.

However, they didn’t have too much time to take in the scene. The group was taken to a mansion owned by the Liu for a long time now. Nobles like them had a position in the capital.

Alas, Feiyun didn’t have time to rest. He was chosen by Liu Suhong to be a messenger visiting Azure Faction.

Liu Suhong wrote with wonderful calligraphy. The characters contained the dao. After she finished, she sealed it in a letter and gave it to Feiyun: “The goal this time is to elevate Crimson into an earth-level territory. Given our resources and talents, we are absolutely qualified. Now, Sacred Court is but a puppet, Azure Faction is the true ruler of Sixth Central.”