Feiyun shook his head and said: “The supreme ruler became a puppet after just 30,000 years. That’s quite fast.”

“This wasn’t something done overnight. Sacred Court’s decline is due to them being rotten with luxury and decadence.” 

“All in all, we can summarize it down to two reasons. First, they lacked capable successors and this trend eventually reached a point of no return.”

“This is the reason why the other territories are very serious with choosing their successors. They didn’t mind massacres for the sake of finding the strongest.”

Liu Suhong’s voice became serious at this point: “The second reason is that the Azure Territord Lord became too powerful, virtually unstoppable in Sixth Central.”

She didn’t wish to dwell on this forbidden character and paused.

After a while, she continued: “There are three big shots beneath him, each can make the world quake. Sacred Territory Lord, Elder Lin, and Sky-seer Daoist, a first-ranked court official. They aren’t to be trifled with.”

“What is the territory lord like?” Feiyun asked since he was about to go report there.

“He has two identities, a descendant of Sacred Court and the first disciple of Azure Territory Lord.”

“How strange for him to take in a descendant of Sacred Court.” Feiyun said.

“Not at all, Sacred Territory has a rule that only member of the Long can become the territory lord.” She said.

“Their last name is Long?” Feiyun said.

“Indeed. Though you are recommended by Elder Lin, some might still make it difficult. It’s best to exercise caution tomorrow.” She said.

“Don’t worry.” He smiled.

“And, your cultivation…” Her eyes became brighter.

“I haven’t.” He shook his head.

The light in her eyes dimmed down. She grabbed her red hat and coat again and then left, disappearing into the snowy night.

Feiyun went over and opened the window, seeing nothing but white: “This weather, sigh.”

***

In just one night, three feet of snow covered all of Deep South, enough to reach the waist.

Feiyun wore a clean white robe bound by a belt ribbon. He walked slowly on the snow but in reality, each step took him ten miles away.

He reached the residence of the territory lord around noon or so.

The palaces here have been drowned by snow. The red pillars could still be seen, looking conspicuous among a sea of white.

“Sacred Territory Palace.” These words were written on the main gate. One would have to look up all the way to see them.

The characters were frightening and dignified, carrying the immensity of mountains. Each contained a different type of power. Weaker cultivators would be forced to their knees.

Feiyun found himself to be several times heavier than before.

“Trespassers will be killed.” Cultivators riding armored elephants rushed over. Their eyes were bright and aggressive as they surrounded him.

Feiyun calmly took out a seal and said: “My name is Feng Feiyun. I was recently promoted to be a domain lord and am here to sign the official documents.”

“You, a domain lord?” The leader looked at Feng Feiyun and sneered before paying attention to the seal.

“Yes, Battle Domain.” Feiyun nodded.

“Battle Domain Lord? Are you playing with us, you’re still not a Heaven’s Emergence.” The leader said.

“Maybe he bought this title.”

“As if you can just buy one, you do it then.”

These soldiers were all brilliant cultivators, hence their position at the residence. The leader was at the first level of Heaven’s Emergence.

“The seal is real, but…” He smiled and said: “Brat, your cultivation is too weak. Tell the truth, where did you find this seal?”

Feiyun politely cupped his fist and said: “Elder Lin told me to report here today.”

“Elder Lin, huh…” The leader was about to mock him but his smile froze right away: “What, did you say Elder Lin?” 

“Bam! Bam!” The group immediately jumped down from their elephant and kneeled in the snow with the exception of the leader.

The leader turned pale and kneeled: “I didn’t know that you were a descendant of Elder Lin, please forgive me…”

His head was touching the snow with beads of cold sweat.

“I am not a descendant of Elder Lin.” Feiyun said.

“Ah, you must be his student then.” 

“I am not a student either.” Feiyun shook his head.

The leader became confused, not knowing what to say.

“Take me to the place to sign official documents for my position.” Feiyun smiled.

The leader no longer dared to disrespect Feiyun. Elder Lin was a big shot in Sixth Dynasty. This youth was recommended by him, meaning that the guy was above his status.

A domain lord was a high position so the process was rather complicated. It took a whole day to finish the documents and records.  However, Feiyun didn’t get to see the territory lord.

“The territory lord won’t meet a newly-appointed domain lord?” Feiyun asked.

The leader who has been doing the paperwork for him smiled: “Brother Feng, you are different from the others. New domain lords would need to meet the territory lord first before finishing the official process. Just this meeting alone might take several months, the same with the documents. It requires connections and briberies too, all in all, it would take a year.”

His name was Huo Da, a senior colonel in the residence.

“So I’m pretty lucky?” Feiyun smiled.

“Of course, those geezers wouldn’t dare to disrespect Elder Lin.” Huo Da said: “You just have to wait to meet the territory lord before going to your post.”

“I still have to go report to Heaven Restoration Chamber, goodbye then.” Feiyun said. He didn’t expect things to be so simple. It seemed that he had underestimated Elder Lin’s influence.

“Heaven Restoration Chamber?” Huo Da nearly jumped in disbelief and wondered about Feiyun’s background.

His eyes darted back and forth as he contemplated his next move. He then sank to the ground and disappeared from sight.

***

Huo Da manifested into reality above ground again. This time around, he was inside a golden palace with bright lights and fog. 

In front of him was a woman wearing a noble dress with long ribbons draping on her shoulders.

Her skin was as white as snow. She slightly frowned after hearing this: “Such a young domain lord? Elder Lin seems to favor him, what is this old fox doing? Could this be a future chess piece?”

“Esteemed Consort, this youth is also a member of Heaven Restoration Chamber.” Huo Da kneeled on the ground.

The woman stood up after hearing this, astounded.

Suddenly, a girl in white appeared from thin air. She held a guqin and wore a white veil, looking as pretty as a fairy.

Huo Da thought that she was out of this world and couldn’t look away.

She slightly bowed and revealed her gorgeous voice: “Snow Consort, I believe the crux of this issue lies in whether this youth was sent by Elder Lin or by Azure Territory Lord.”

“Is there a difference, Ling’er?” The consort asked.

“Of course.” The girl nodded and stared at Huo Da: “Have you figured out his identity?”