The Vortex of War

Within the Black-White College, there were many mountain peaks. The estates of formal disciples were generally located on a single peak, but on the road of an unnamed mountain peak within the college…

A curved moon hung high in the sky, sprinkling down hazy moonlight.

Ji Ning and Yu Wei were holding hands, walking along the mountain path like ordinary mortals.

“It’s wonderful,” Yu Wei said softly.

“Hm?” Ji Ning looked at Yu Wei.

Yu Wei glanced at him with a smile. Yu Wei had always been like a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal world, a truly peerless beauty. At this moment, this heartfelt smile caused Ji Ning to be momentarily stunned. Yu Wei continued, “All these years, my heart has never been at peace for a single moment. It was always uneasy. But now, holding Younger Brother Ning’s hand, I feel incredibly settled. There’s no unease at all.”

“I was the one who was too reckless,” Ji Ning said, ashamed. He had indeed overestimated himself back when they dealt with the Shaoyin clan.

“Don’t blame yourself, Younger Brother Ning. Who could have guessed that they would possess an innate spirit-treasure like the ‘World-Sealing Pagoda’? It’s already extremely rare for a Celestial Immortal to have one innate spirit-treasure. An innate spirit-treasure capable of tearing through space to teleport is rarer still,” Yu Wei said.

Ji Ning smiled. “Let’s not talk about that. Senior Apprentice-Sister, I haven’t yet congratulated you on becoming a Celestial Immortal! You’re ahead of me.”

“Even after becoming a Celestial Immortal, I’m still in a complete fluster,” Yu Wei said, lightly kicking a small stone on the mountain path. The stone flew up, crashing into a distant tree, causing the tree to shake and some accumulated snow to fall off.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Ning asked.

“In the eighteen-plus years since you left, the Anchan Commandery has changed greatly,” Yu Wei said. “For example, the current Marquis of Anchan is no longer Beishan Yin, but Beishan Heihu.”

“Oh?” Ji Ning was puzzled. “Beishan Heihu?”

Back when Beishan Heihu and Beishan Yin had contended for the position of Marquis, Beishan Yin had ultimately won. Even after Ji Ning returned from Mount Innerheart and formed an alliance with Celestial Immortal Tonghe and Celestial Immortal Tuoshan, the Beishan clan of Anchan hadn’t changed Beishan Yin’s position. How had Beishan Heihu taken the throne after he’d been missing for eighteen years?

“Beishan Yin is dead,” Yu Wei said.

“What? Has the Anchan Commandery become so chaotic that even the Marquis of Anchan has been assassinated?” Ji Ning was astonished.

“It’s even more chaotic than you imagine,” Yu Wei said. “Beishan Yin wasn’t assassinated. He was killed by the Immortal Tonghe. He was killed because over half of the high-ranking members of the Anchan Beishan clan wanted to defect to the Seamless Gate. When they made this proposal to Celestial Immortal Tonghe, all those who had already defected to the Seamless Gate, including Beishan Yin who had secretly instigated it, were slaughtered to the last man.”

Ji Ning was genuinely shocked. “How did this happen?”

“It all starts with Celestial Immortal Tuoshan being captured alive,” Yu Wei began, and she narrated the entire story, starting from when she and Celestial Immortal Tuoshan had been ambushed… even explaining the larger situation of the entire Grand Xia.

At the top of the mountain.

Ji Ning and Yu Wei were both sitting at the cliff’s edge, overlooking the night scenery.

“I never imagined the Seamless Gate would be this arrogant,” Ji Ning said, frowning. “Before, the Seamless Gate and the Grand Xia Dynasty were still somewhat restrained. But now… they’ve assassinated so many Celestial Immortals. Are they trying to start a war?”

“I don’t know,” Yu Wei said, shaking her head.

Eighteen years ago, the Grand Xia Dynasty had still maintained a surface-level peace. The number of Celestial Immortals who died was extremely low. Now, however, conflict followed conflict, and Celestial Immortals fell one after another. They’d even gone so far as to capture Tuoshan alive in order to force Celestial Immortal Tonghe to defect. It showed how arrogant they were!

“Did you inform the Xia Emperor?” Ji Ning asked. “Since the Seamless Gate places such importance on Celestial Immortal Tonghe, the Xia Emperor won’t easily abandon him, right?”

“Of course we reported it to the Xia Emperor,” Yu Wei said. “We just received the Xia Emperor’s message today. He sent someone to tell us that throughout the entire Grand Xia Dynasty… many Celestial Immortals have been threatened, given ultimatums. Too many have begged him for help. He told us that we Celestial Immortals should help each other out.”

“Is the Xia Emperor just letting this happen?” Ji Ning frowned.

“Senior Tonghe, however, is extremely powerful. Even the combined assault of thirty-six Celestial Immortals sent by the Seamless Gate was broken apart by him,” Yu Wei said. “Killing Celestial Immortal Tonghe won’t be easy. Our Black-White College, on the other hand… our strength is far inferior to Senior Tonghe’s. We are the ones who are likely to suffer.”

Ji Ning understood Yu Wei’s concerns.

The Black-White College was on the same side as Celestial Immortal Tonghe. If the Seamless Gate was determined to deal with him, they would probably also target the Black-White College, as it had two Celestial Immortals. Killing Celestial Immortal Tonghe was difficult, but killing the Celestial Immortals of the Black-White College was relatively much easier. Neither Yu Wei nor the Diancai Immortal were ordinary, but they had only recently passed their tribulations and were nowhere near Celestial Immortal Tonghe’s level.

“I’m back now, aren’t I?” Ji Ning smiled.

“You haven’t undergone your tribulation yet, Younger Brother Ning,” Yu Wei said, shaking her head. “The Seamless Gate is far too powerful. We must be careful.”

…

That night.

Within the Diancai Immortal’s estate.

“Master,” Ji Ning said, looking at the Diancai Immortal.

“You’re back, you’re back. That’s good,” the Diancai Immortal said, letting out a long sigh of relief as he looked at Ji Ning. Then, he laughed and scolded, “You unfilial disciple. You come back and don’t first come see your master, but instead go looking for your Dao-companion.”

Yu Wei laughed as well from the side.

“Forgive me, Master. This disciple was wrong,” Ji Ning said with a hurried smile.

“Sit down first. Senior Tonghe will be here soon,” the Diancai Immortal said.

Before long, a grey-robed young man with disheveled hair walked in. Ji Ning, the Diancai Immortal, and Yu Wei all rose to their feet.

“Ji Ning has returned,” the grey-robed youth said with a gentle smile and a nod. “I’d heard before that you killed two Celestial Immortals of the Shaoyin clan. What a delight! To be able to resist Karmic Hellfire and return alive… I imagine everyone who knows of this can’t help but admire you.”

“You flatter me, Senior. I was simply lucky; otherwise, I never would have made it back,” Ji Ning said.

“Sit, all of you,” Celestial Immortal Tonghe said.

The four of them sat down.

Celestial Immortal Tonghe looked at Ji Ning. “I imagine you understand the situation now, Ji Ning.”

“I just heard about it. I never imagined that after only eighteen years away, the Grand Xia Dynasty would have become like this. The Seamless Gate has already started to tear off its mask,” Ji Ning said with a shake of his head. “Celestial Immortal Tuoshan captured alive… tch.”

“When a great tribulation descends, who can avoid it?” Celestial Immortal Tonghe looked at Ji Ning. “The Seamless Gate has issued its ultimatum. Naturally, I have long since made preparations. The city of Anchan has been the seat of my Beishan clan for generations. Over countless generations, we have laid down many formations and restrictive spells. I would like to invite your Black-White College to help me control the formations of Anchan City, allowing me to focus single-mindedly on a great battle with the Seamless Gate. The Black-White College will not need to leave the formation.”

“Today, the Xia Emperor’s messenger told me that many have been threatened and given ultimatums. The Emperor cannot help me. It was then that I made this decision. I was planning on telling Yu Wei and the Diancai Immortal tomorrow. Since you have returned, Ji Ning, I will discuss it with all of you tonight,” Celestial Immortal Tonghe said.

Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and the Diancai Immortal exchanged glances.

“Since you have spoken thus, Senior Tonghe, our Black-White College will definitely not disappoint you,” Ji Ning said.

Celestial Immortal Tonghe could tell…

The three great powers of the Black-White College—Yu Wei and Ji Ning were Dao-companions! The Diancai Immortal and Ji Ning were master and disciple. Moreover, Ji Ning had fought ferociously to protect his master during the tribulation. Even when the Diancai Immortal was still a Primal Daoist, he had been willing to fall out with the Shaoyin clan for Ji Ning’s sake. Their relationship as master and disciple was extremely deep. Clearly, Ji Ning could influence both Yu Wei and the Diancai Immortal. Ji Ning was the leader of the Black-White College faction.

After chatting for a while, Celestial Immortal Tonghe left.

Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and the Diancai Immortal, the three great powers of the Black-White College, began their own discussion.

“Whether compared to Celestial Immortal Tonghe, or to the Seamless Gate, our Black-White College is the weakest,” the Diancai Immortal said. “Senior Tonghe understands our difficulties. This is a good plan. We will stay within the formation and assist from the side. If even the formation cannot hold, we will use a greater teleportation to escape.”

“Agreed.”

Ji Ning and Yu Wei both nodded.

Ji Ning didn’t say much. Although the countless battles of the past eighteen years had made him far stronger than before—so strong, in fact, that Celestial Immortal Tonghe might not necessarily be his match—the Seamless Gate was a major power that dared to clash with the Grand Xia Dynasty. If he acted too arrogantly, a True Immortal or Empyrean God might just show up to subdue him.

“Ji Ning, Heavenly Treasures Mountain has had someone stationed at our Black-White College this whole time,” the Diancai Immortal said. “They’ve been waiting for news of you. Now that you’re back, should we tell the people from Heavenly Treasures Mountain?”

“What?” Ji Ning was surprised.

Heavenly Treasures Mountain had sent someone to be stationed here long-term, just waiting for his news?

It seemed the Xia Emperor truly did value him highly.

“Tell them,” Ji Ning said.

After all, his master, Patriarch Subhuti, was also a good friend of Daofather Crimsonbright. The Xia Emperor had treated him fairly well. There was no need to hide it.

“Alright,” the Diancai Immortal said with a nod.

Within the Grand Xia Imperial Capital’s Heavenly Mandate Hall.

The black-robed Xia Emperor and a white-haired old man were sitting across from each other, playing Go.

Slap! The Xia Emperor’s brow was deeply furrowed.

“Xiamang, if one’s edge is too sharp, they will suffer for it,” the white-haired old man said with a laugh, lightly nudging a piece forward. “Best to take a step back and open up the horizon.”

The Xia Emperor paid him no heed.

Slap! Slap! Slap! The sounds of the game pieces echoed through the hall.

“You’ve lost,” the white-haired old man said, rising to his feet. “Xiamang, think it over carefully. Of course, you are a descendant of our ancient imperial clan. You cannot be bullied. If you retreat, do it gracefully. If you fight, do it decisively. If you need help, come find me.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” the Xia Emperor said, rising.

The white-haired old man laughed, then tore through space itself and vanished from sight.

The Xia Emperor’s brow remained tightly locked.

A moment later, a streak of light flew in. It was the Fox Fairy.

“Master,” the Fox Fairy said, her voice lowered.

“What is it?” the Xia Emperor asked.

“Ji Ning has returned,” the Fox Fairy said softly.

The Xia Emperor was startled. “He’s alive?”

“Yes. He returned last night. We just received word this morning,” the Fox Fairy said.

“He could actually come back alive. I even went to ask Du Chou specifically. Du Chou said… he had exiled Ji Ning to the Realm of Annihilation,” the Xia Emperor said, frowning. “The Realm of Annihilation of the ancient ruins… it truly is boundless. And the Void Tides there are extremely powerful. To come out battling against the Void Tides requires at least the strength of a True God or Daofather. It must have been his mysterious Daofather master who intervened. That Daofather truly valued his disciple, to actually go search for him in the Realm of Annihilation.”

“And the Anchan Commandery…” the Fox Fairy said softly.