SWNOVELXO Chapter 385: The Flourishing Age
Chapter 385: The Flourishing Age
Time Supreme, Bai Luohe, He Changfeng, Meng Hao, and the current generation of Holy Sons and Holy Maidens – Xu Lian and Goddess of Nine Heavens Yuan, along with the successive generations of Holy Sons and Holy Maidens who had been cultivating for over five thousand years – returned together in a grand procession to the “main sacred land” of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land .
“Nine Heavens Supremes!”
“Nine Heavens Supremes!”
From the elders down to the disciples, millions upon millions of people within the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands were ecstatic, their fists raised high as they chanted the title of the Nine Heavens Supremes in unison.
The spoils of this campaign against the Divine Thunder Sect camp were staggering!
Four exclusive cultivation zones of Supreme-level, four zones capable of producing Metamorphosis Elixir, and thirty top-tier alchemists – all equivalent to the combined wealth of two or three top-tier factions!
To harvest the entire cultivation resources of two or three top-tier factions in a single war was an unprecedented achievement. Such a glorious feat was rare even in the history of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands.
With such an influx of high-end cultivation resources, the strength of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands would undoubtedly grow further. Naturally, the benefits and treatment of its disciples would also improve significantly. Who wouldn’t be thrilled? Who wouldn’t be excited?
Bai Luohe, He Changfeng, and Meng Hao exchanged glances before bowing respectfully to Time Supreme in perfect unison.
“We humbly report to the Nine Heavens Supreme,” they said.
“Our previous attempts to seize the position of the Nine Heaven Supreme now fill us with shame and regret. We earnestly request that the Nine Heavens Supreme continue to lead the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands!”
“Please, continue to guide the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands into an even more glorious era!”
Hearing these words, everyone in the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands froze momentarily before erupting into thunderous cheers, all pleading in unison.
Time Supreme’s expression remained calm. “I will not remain forever as the leader of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. Once any of you ascend to the second stage of Supreme Realm, I will step down. That was an agreement I made with my master before he passed away. There is no need to discuss it further.”
A silence fell across the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. In terms of both strength and prestige, Time Supreme was indeed the most suitable candidate to hold the position of Nine Heavens Supreme indefinitely. The three newly ascended Supremes still lacked the ability and authority to command widespread respect.
Bai Luohe, He Changfeng, and Meng Hao grew anxious, attempting to explain further, but Time Supreme had already drifted away, disappearing from sight and ascending to the Thirty-Three Stages.
He Changfeng turned to Xu Lian. “Divine Son, your relationship with O is good. Please try to persuade her to prioritize the greater picture.”
Xu Lian couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. Previously, they had competed fiercely for the position of the Nine Heaven Supreme. Now, realizing the vastness of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands’ influence-even going so far as to plant the Divine Thunder Sect camp as a pawn two epochs ago-they had come to realize their own inadequacies in both capability and prestige to manage such an immense operation. Thus, they hoped that Time Supreme would remain in power indefinitely.
“Alright, I’ll do my best to speak with O and urge her to consider the bigger picture,” Xu Lian reluctantly agreed.
He followed her to the Thirty-three Stages and reflected aloud, “The Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands truly hides its depth well. Who could have imagined that the Divine Thunder Sect camp was a force that was separated from the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands two epochs ago?”
Time Supreme replied, “Even I didn’t know until I took over the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands from my master. It was only then that my master revealed to me all the secrets of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. Learning that the Divine Thunder Sect camp was a branch of our sect came as quite a surprise.
At that moment, I also realized the true meaning behind the saying that the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands are equivalent to the combined strength of nine top-tier factions – it wasn’t just rhetoric.”
Xu Lian’s pupils narrowed slightly. “Indeed. I’ve often heard that the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands are the equivalent of nine top-tier factions. At its peak, the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands boasted five to six Supremes, but even then it seemed to fall short compared to the combined strength of nine top-tier factions.
Now I understand that the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands has scattered powerful pawns across the world. If all these pieces were brought together, it would truly rival the combined strength of nine top-tier factions.
Aside from the Divine Thunder Sect camp, does the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands have any other pawns?”
Time Supreme remained silent, clearly indicating that this was confidential information.
Xu Lian refrained from pressing further and instead changed the subject. “The Divine Thunder Sect camp has grown so large, claiming to be three top-tier factions in their own right. Doesn’t the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands fear that the Divine Thunder Sect camp might betray them? If a pawn were to jump out of the chessboard, it could spell trouble.”
Time Supreme responded, “Betrayal? It’s not as simple as you think. The Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands is an ancient and powerful faction with deep reserves. The Divine Thunder Sect camp is merely a splinter group of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands. While it may appear to be a top-tier faction on the surface, in reality, the Divine Thunder Sect camp lacks any real foundation. If they were to betray the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, they would lose the protection of our reserves and inevitably be destroyed. Therefore, betrayal is not a viable option unless the Divine Thunder Sect Camp finds its own foundation, allowing it to truly become a top-tier faction.”
Xu Lian understood. To determine whether a faction is truly top-tier, one must look beyond the presence of Supreme-level experts and assess whether it possesses a solid foundation. A faction without a foundation is like a rootless floating weed, incapable of achieving top tier status.
Xu Lian asked, “What about the Blazing Flame Sect and the Divine Flower Palace? Are they not splinter groups of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands?”
Time Supreme shook her head. “No, they are not. They are allies – or rather, subordinate factions.”
Xu Lian frowned. “Subordinate factions?”
Time Supreme explained, “The Blazing Flame Sect and the Divine Flower Palace possess both Supreme-level experts and their own foundations, qualifying them as top-tier factions. However, they lack confidence in their own reserves. As such, they have chosen to align themselves with the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, seeking the protection of our deeper reserves.
If anyone attempts to destroy the Blazing Flame Sect or the Divine Flower Palace, and their own reserves prove insufficient to repel the threat, the reserves of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands will intervene.
Think of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands as an empire. In this analogy, the Blazing Flame Sect and the Divine Flower Palace are vassal states under the empire’s protection. That is the nature of their relationship.”
“Lacking confidence in their own foundation…” Xu Lian couldn’t help but find it amusing. There were indeed differences in the depth of these reserves. “The waters of this world run deep. It’s likely not just the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands with such intricate setups. Other high-level factions probably have their own hidden arrangements as well.”
Time Supreme nodded. “That’s for sure. Since ancient times, this world has been shrouded in layers of mist. But one day, the fog will clear, and only then will we see the true face of the entire realm.”
Xu Lian agreed. “Only when the tide recedes can we see who is swimming naked… or who is wearing two or three layers of clothing – or even heavy armor.”
Time Supreme chose not to dwell on the metaphor. “No matter how the world changes or how the balance of power shifts, strength is always paramount. Now that we’ve brought back thirty top-tier alchemists, the production of Metamorphosis Elixir will accelerate. On average, we’ll be able to produce one every seven months. You should focus on improving your strength.”
Xu Lian chuckled. “Haven’t I already told you? My main cultivation revolves around achieving a state of mental clarity. As long as the necessary resources are available, I can ascend to the Supreme Realm at any time”.
Time Supreme replied, “I’ll ensure that over seventy alchemists work tirelessly day and night to refine Metamorphosis Elixirs.”
This was great news for Xu Lian. With a steady supply of Metamorphosis Elixir secured, he began to consider the cultivation resources needed for the Supreme Realm. “In this war, our Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands seized four exclusive cultivation zones of Supreme-level. Does this mean that once I reach the Supreme Realm, I won’t have to worry about cultivation resources?”
Time Supreme explained, “Supreme-level cultivation resources are different from ordinary ones. Having more exclusive zones doesn’t necessarily guarantee a greater output of Supreme-level resources. Luck and strength also play a role.”
Luck and strength? Xu Lian was confused. Even with so many exclusive zones for Supreme-level cultivation, success still depended on luck and strength? What did that mean?
“You’ll understand once you reach the Supreme Realm,” Time Supreme said cryptically.
She didn’t elaborate any further. Instead, she waved her hand, conjuring countless screens of light that displayed the current state of affairs and battles across the world. As the leader of the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands, she had to stay constantly informed of these developments.