The Nine Cauldrons
chapter-12

Emptiness Realm Experts could only sense auras in their own domain. Teng Qingshan never expected that the aura of the Emptiness Realm Expert which he had sensed was from a godly hawk until he saw it with his own eyes.

“What a massive godly hawk!” Teng Qingshan’s eyes fell upon the godly hawk. Almost half of the feathers of the godly hawk were black. The feathers on its neck and head were azure and the feathers on the top of the head were gold. If the Undying Phoenix was described as an elegant and noble queen, then this godly hawk was like an apathetic assassin!

The hawk’s eyes flicked towards Teng Qingshan like sharp arrows.

“Dao of Thunderbolt? This godly hawk is a Godly Thunderbolt Hawk!” Teng Qingshan was stunned as he thought to himself, “Ah, right! During my escape, when I passed through Huyue County City, an Emptiness Realm Demonic Beast, the ‘Godly Thunderbolt Hawk’ attacked Xiao Yao Palace, one of the eight Supreme Sects! Could this be that same Godly Thunderbolt Hawk?”

There were only a few Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts. In the Land of the Nine Prefectures, it was likely that only one or two Godly Thunderbolt Hawks had reached Emptiness Realm.

The godly hawk before Teng Qingshan’s eyes was most likely the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk that had attacked Xiao Yao Palace.

……

The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult stood by the godly hawk as she stared at Teng Qingshan and Li Jun. When she saw Li Jun, a hint of excitement flashed in her eyes. However, her expression became indifferent again when she saw Teng Qingshan, “Eh? Huhe is somewhat capable. He could actually notice the extraordinary features of Uncle Chen.

TLN: Uncle Chen is the name of the hawk.

“Little Jun, come over here immediately,” The High Priestess of Snowy Lotus Cult shouted coldly.

“Teacher.” Li Jun walked over, while Teng Qingshan followed behind.

“Teacher, this disciple was wrong.”

Li Jun lowered her head as she stood before the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult.

Teng Qingshan examined the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult. The High Priestess wore a long blue cloak. She had fair skin and emanated a charming aura. Teng Qingshan had to admit that the High Priestess looked even more charming than the young Li Jun.

“Hm. The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult doesn’t look old at all. I guess she stepped into the Innate Realm at the age of around thirty to forty, which was why she was able to retain her young appearance!” thought Teng Qingshan.

At this moment, the High Priestess stepped forward and held Li Jun’s hands. She scrutinized Li Jun like a mother and eventually smiled as she said, “Hm. You did not lose weight and your face looked healthy. It seemed like you have lived a good life with Huhe.”

Hearing this, Li Jun couldn’t suppress the shyness she felt.

“Hmph.” The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult harrumphed and said, “However, do you still respect me, your teacher? You didn’t even ask for my permission before you got married. You didn’t tell me when you came back. I had been searching for you for three years, but I just couldn’t find you. It’s just like the saying: a woman is born to leave her family!”

“Teacher…” Li Jun shouted.

“I will continue scolding you later.” The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult dragged Li Jun to her side and stared at Teng Qingshan.

Teng Qingshan had a smile on his face. Although the High Priestess wasn’t pleased with Li Jun, Teng Qingshan could tell that the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult still loved Li Jun very much.

“Young fella Huhe.” The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult looked at Teng Qingshan and sneered coldly, “You are capable. You’ve been staring at my godly hawk since you arrived… Based on the fact that you were able to defeat the First Godly General of the God of Heaven Mountain, you are indeed skillful… However, how can you marry my disciple without presenting betrothal gifts and without even informing me beforehand?”

Teng Qingshan froze.

In the Land of the Nine Prefectures, if a man and woman wished to marry, the process of hiring a matchmaker and presenting betrothal gifts is necessary. Li Jun lost her parents, thus, her guardian should be her teacher. After all, teachers were the equivalent of parents. Usually, Teng Qingshan would first make a formal proposal through the matchmaker… However, because they were in the Land of the Nine Prefectures, Teng Qingshan omitted the pre-wedding rituals.

Presently, Li Jun’s teacher’s words were naturally reasonable.

“High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult, I was indeed wrong,” Teng Qingshan apologized.

“Teacher, we were in an isolated island, so we couldn’t…” Li Jun hastily explained.

“Hmph, so what if you guys were in an isolated island?” The High Priestess interrupted. Her brows raised as she said coldly, “Couldn’t you have waited and get married when you returned to the Land of the Nine Prefectures? Huhe, you must have known that the Heavenly God Palace couldn’t possibly allow Li Jun to marry you, therefore, you chose to do the deed in a faraway place like the isolated island and only notify us when it’s too late for us to do anything, didn’t you?”

Teng Qingshan just felt helpless.

Do the deed? Notifying later? What kind of words were these!

“Teacher, I was the one that wanted to…” Li Jun tried to explain again.

“You are still speaking for him,” The High Priestess interrupted and glared at Li Jun. “Little Jun, don’t trust men so easily. Men are cunning. They are not as simple as you think. If ‘Huhe’ wanted to marry you, why didn’t he say anything on the God of Heaven Mountain? And why didn’t he tell the people of the God of Heaven Mountain that you are sailing away with him? Instead, he secretly took you away.”

Teng Qingshan and Li Jun exchanged glances. Li Jun also felt the helplessness that Teng Qingshan was feeling now.

Secretly took Li Jun away?

Li Jun was the one that secretly climbed onto Teng Qingshan’s vessel.

“It looks like the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult is filled with anger.” Teng Qingshan thought to himself, “It makes sense, Little Jun is the number one beast taming master in the Heavenly God Palace. It’s impossible for the Heavenly God Palace to marry Little Jun to an outsider; it would be equivalent to giving away one’s own treasure. The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult was probably scolded by the people of the Heavenly God Palace.”

According to Teng Qingshan’s knowledge, the Heavenly God Palace was a very huge organization. It controlled the God of Heaven Mountain and the Snowy Lotus Cult… Teng Qingshan didn’t know the total number of branches. However, it was obvious that—the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult held an even lower status than the God of Heaven of the God of Heaven Mountain.

Even though the status of the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult was lower than the God of Heaven, her possession of an Emptiness Realm Demonic Beast caused the level of her status to become very close to that of the God of Heaven.

……

“Eh? Little Jun, did you reach Innate Realm?” Suddenly, the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult cried out.

Li Jun froze.

“Teacher, did you just…” Li Jun was slightly surprised.

“I felt that you are slightly different than you were in the past. Looking at your eyes, the glint of your ‘Spirit’ is reserved. It’s obvious that your ‘Spirit’ has improved.” The High Priestess was elated as she said, “Therefore, when I held your hand, I instilled some of my Innate True Origin into your body… I can’t believe that you had actually attained Innate Realm.”

The High Priestess of the Snow Lotus Cult was so excited that her face flushed.

“A seventeen years old innate expert… This..this…” The High Priestess was extremely excited.

Li Jun could only look at Teng Qingshan with a helpless expression.

Teng Qingshan himself was in a state between laughter and tears. Li Jun did reach the Innate

Realm. However, she was only able to make a breakthrough and attain the Innate Realm through the use of the Blazing Flame Red Lotus Seeds. However, because the Blazing Flame Red Lotus Seeds did not exist in the Land of the Nine Prefectures, the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus naturally thought that Li Jun achieved a breakthrough by herself.

“ I didn’t expect that my disciple to be this capable as well. My Martial Senior Brothers all viewed themselves as extraordinary people and thought that their own disciples were extremely competent. However, their disciples are no match against you.”

“A seventeen years old Innate Expert.” The High Priestess’s eyes gleamed as she said, “Only the fugitive, Teng Qingshan, of Gui Yuan Sect can compete against you.”

Li Jun froze again, while Teng Qingshan rubbed his nose.

The HIgh Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult probably didn’t know that Huhe was Teng Qingshan. If she knew that the fugitive Teng Qingshan was before her eyes and was already an Emptiness Realm Expert, she would probably be stupefied.

“Huhe!”

The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult glared at Teng Qingshan and then glanced at her disciple Li Jun. With a helpless expression, she harrumphed and said, “Huhe, since you have married the future High Priestess of my Snowy Lotus Cult, you must join the Heavenly God Palace. Are you alright with this?”

“The future High Priestess?” Teng Qingshan was stunned.

“Teacher, me as the High Priestess?” Li Jun hastily said, “No way, I…”

“Hmph.”

Once again, the High Priestess interjected. She casted a glare towards Li Jun and said, “In our Snowy Lotus Cult, only the Saintess can become the High Priestess. I have only three direct disciples and only one of the three can assume the position of the High Priestess. Although your Great Senior Martial Sister and Second Senior Martial Sister have already reached the Innate Realm, your Great Senior Martial Sister is already over one hundred years old, while your Second Senior Martial Sister is already over eighty years old. How could they compete with you? If you aren’t going to be the High Priestess, who is going to be the High Priestess?”

“Huhe, joining the Heavenly God Palace will only bring you benefits,” The High Priestess said as she stared at Teng Qingshan.

“High Priestess.” Teng Qingshan cupped his hand and replied, “I still hope to establish my own sect, so…”

The High Priestess smiled kindly as she said, “Young fella Huhe, isn’t it just establishing a sect? The Heavenly God Palace doesn’t prohibit this. As long as you attain Emptiness Realm and become an Emptiness Realm Expert, you can establish your own sect. Your sect will be a branch of the Heavenly God Palace.

Hearing this, Teng Qingshan felt puzzled. “Establishing a sect only after the attainment of Emptiness Realm?”

“It’s apparent that the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult had not attained Emptiness Realm, so why does the Snowy Lotus Cult exist?” Teng Qingshan thought to himself.

“HIgh Priestess, speak no more of this.” Teng Qingshan smiled. His voice sounded very determined, showing that there is no room for negotiation.

“You…” The High Priestess’s countenance darkened.

“Hmph, go out first. I want to talk to my disciple.” The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult said coldly.

Teng Qingshan cupped his hand and went out of the garden.

As a cold breeze blew, Teng Qingshan felt refreshing and cool.

“It seemed my marriage with Little Jun has displeased the Heavenly God Palace greatly. They even want me to join them,” Teng Qingshan shook his head and said to himself. After all, the Foreign Dignitary was still a ‘foreigner’, an outsider. A Foreign Dignitary was not a member of the Heavenly God Palace.

After a while…

“Huhe, come in.” The High Priestess’s voice sounded.

Teng Qingshan smiled as he shook his head. He could only walk into the garden again.

……

At this moment, Li Jun stood beside the High Priestess. The High Priestess looked at Teng Qingshan. Her expression appeared ghastly. “Since you refused to join the Heavenly God Palace, I will not force you. However, Little Jun is a member of the Heavenly God Palace. Since she had joined, it’s impossible for her to withdraw. If she betrayed and left the sect, she would be pursued and killed by the sect!”

Shocked by these words, Teng Qingshan hastily glanced at Li Jun. He only felt a sense of relief when he saw Li Jun winking at him.

“High Priestess, the marriage of Little Jun and me has no relation with betraying and leaving the Heavenly God Palace.” Teng Qingshan said.

“I just gave an order. I ordered Little Jun to go to Qingzhou…and take control of the two hundred thousand soldiers of the two troops of the Snowy Lotus Cult, the ‘Red Fiery Division’ and the ‘Azure Dragon Division.’” The High Priestess gazed at Teng Qingshan and said, “Of course, she might not be able to subdue those soldiers… You are a Foreign Dignitary, thus, I can’t command you. Whether or not you, the husband, are willing to help Little Jun is up to you.”

Teng Qingshan frowned.

“Command a great army of two hundred thousand? For what purpose?” Teng Qingshan’s facial expression changed.

“You are smart but you can’t guess why?” The High Priestess mocked and laughed.

“Qingzhou is controlled by Xiao Yao Palace. However, you guys can still gather two hundred thousand soldiers in Qingzhou?” Teng Qingshan was astonished as he said, “High Priestess, the Heavenly God Palace is about to do something to Xiao Yao Palace?”

“We have endured for over a hundred years. It’s time for some action.” The High Priestess said indifferently, “Qingzhou is the prefecture with the biggest population. Xiao Yao Palace has no right to control this prefecture.”

Teng Qingshan’s facial expression changed drastically. A wave of emotions surged in his heart.

The eight Supreme Sects of the Nine Prefectures had been peaceful for over a thousand years. For over a millennium, the structure of the Land of the Nine Prefectures had remained unchanged.

But now…

The Land of the Nine Prefectures was about to experience an upheaval.