Hengsheng stepped aboard the skyship, his gaze drawn to the immense metallic structure that shimmered under the sunlight. The ship's sleek, aerodynamic design was adorned with intricate golden runes glowing faintly—a testament to the craftsmanship and arrays of the Lan Clan's master artificers. The hum of the ship’s energy core resonated through the air, giving the entire vessel a sense of life. Around him, other clan members moved with purpose, their robes rustling softly in the controlled breeze created by the skyship’s internal systems.
Inside, the atmosphere was no less awe-inspiring. The corridors were lined with polished metal walls, etched with artistic depictions of the Lan Clan’s storied history. Luminous orbs floated above, casting a soft, warm light. The ship’s energy flowed smoothly through visible arrays along the floor and ceiling, further enhancing the ship's ambiance.
A pair of Hengsheng’s personal servants waited near the entrance. They bowed politely, their movements precise and deferential, before leading him to his quarters. As he followed, Hengsheng's thoughts drifted to the journey ahead. It would take two months to reach the Golden City, the heart of the Metal Flow Plain.
Though the skyship was significantly faster than Lan Ju’s flying treasure, the sheer scale of the Metal Flow Plain made the journey arduous. Spanning a region larger than Earth’s solar system, the Metal Flow Plain was dotted with treacherous terrains and the territories of other powerful forces. The need to avoid unnecessary conflict made the guidance of elders like First Elder Lan Mingzhi indispensable.
Hengsheng’s room was spacious and well-furnished. The walls were adorned with golden engravings of protective arrays, which softly pulsed with spiritual energy. A large, comfortable bed occupied one corner, while a polished table and chair set rested near a transparent window that offered a view of the endless skies. A cultivation mat, surrounded by an ambient qi-gathering array, lay in the center of the room. The air carried a faint metallic tang, a reminder of the Metal Flow Plain's abundant metal qi.
Feeling relieved, Hengsheng dismissed his servants and shut the door. He wanted to avoid mingling with the other juniors for now, especially given his current cultivation level. His plan was simple: stay secluded in his room and focus on cultivation. With the system’s assistance, he estimated he could reach the middle stage of Qi Gathering within a month, which would be more than enough to deal with nuisances like Xiaorong.
Just as he was about to sit down and begin his cultivation marathon, the air around him rippled, and the room shimmered unnaturally. In an instant, the familiar surroundings of his quarters vanished, replaced by a grand, elaborately decorated chamber.
Startled but keeping his composure, Hengsheng quickly scanned the room. His eyes landed on the figure of First Elder Lan Mingzhi, who was seated calmly at a jade desk. The elder’s expression was as stern and composed as ever.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hengsheng immediately bowed deeply. “Greetings, First Elder.”
“You may sit,” Lan Mingzhi said, his voice even yet commanding. “I have a matter to discuss with you.”
Hengsheng nodded respectfully and took a seat across from the elder, his curiosity piqued. “What matter requires your personal attention, First Elder?”
Lan Mingzhi leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Hengsheng. “What do you think about this gathering?”
Hengsheng frowned, slightly puzzled by the question. Why would the First Elder ask something so obvious? Nevertheless, he replied, “Isn’t it for the younger generation to compete for opportunities inside the secret land at the base of the continental pillar?”
Lan Mingzhi nodded but added, “That is true, but it is not the whole truth. Let me ask you this: why do you think the Golden Sword Sect is willing to share the resources within their territory with others?”
Hengsheng raised an eyebrow at the unexpected question. “Aren’t they forced to do so? If they refused, wouldn’t they risk being ganged up on by everyone else?”
Lan Mingzhi chuckled lightly, as if Hengsheng had told a good joke. “That’s a common misconception. But even if all the first-rate sects and clans, along with the twelve second-rate forces—including our Lan Clan—attacked them simultaneously, they would still stand unshaken.”
Hengsheng’s frown deepened. “Do they have True Immortal cultivators?”
Lan Mingzhi nodded gravely. “Not just one or two, but dozens of them.”
Hengsheng’s eyes widened in shock. The continent’s situation was far more complicated than he had imagined. Most people believed that the last True Immortal to appear was over a million years ago, a woman from the Silver Lotus Pavilion. She had left the continent after only 10,000 years, and many wondered why she didn’t overthrow the Golden Sword Sect and claim their position as overlords. Now Hengsheng understood the answer: she couldn’t.
“If they’re so powerful,” Hengsheng asked cautiously, “why would they share their secret land with everyone else?”
Lan Mingzhi’s expression turned serious. “Because that is the way of Heaven. If they hoarded all the resources and blocked others’ paths to ascension, Heaven would punish them. Such punishment would be a catastrophic blow to their Qi Luck.”
The term caught Hengsheng off guard. “Qi Luck?” he repeated, his tone laced with curiosity.
Lan Mingzhi explained patiently, “Qi Luck is a hidden attribute that influences destiny it manifests to all living beings under the heaven or Specially made items like Qi luck artifacts. The brighter one’s Qi Luck, the more favorable their fate becomes. For powerful cultivators or sects, it ensures their prosperity, prevents calamities, and even makes it less likely for incompetent heirs to be born into their lineage"
“But this isn’t something just anyone can see or understand. Mortals and cultivators who are still bound by Mortality laws can’t perceive Qi Luck. Only those who’ve reached the False Immortal realm or higher can see it for what it truly is. And for those who can, it’s like looking at the threads of destiny itself, It is a closely guarded secret among the most powerful forces.”
Hengsheng processed the revelation with awe. The concept of Qi Luck seemed to explain many mysteries of the cultivation world. “Does our Lan Clan possess a Qi Luck artifact as well?”
Lan Mingzhi nodded. “Yes, but it is heavily guarded by the Grand Elder. Knowledge of this artifact is restricted to high-level elders and the main bloodline of the clan. Ensure that you do not speak of it outside this chamber.”
Hengsheng nodded solemnly. “Understood. Is that all you needed to tell me?”
Lan Mingzhi shook his head. “No, there is more. I have a secret mission for you.”
Hengsheng raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Lan Mingzhi’s gaze turned cold, his voice dropping to a frigid tone. “You have to kill every single Thunderclap Blade Sect disciple inside the secret land. Leave none alive.”
Hengsheng’s breath hitched at the chilling directive. “What reason do we have for such an extreme act? They are the masters of the southern Metal Flow Plains, a first-rate force. Wouldn’t this be incredibly dangerous?”
Lan Mingzhi’s voice remained icy. “If you wish to understand, we must go back to the founding of the Lan Clan 300,000 years ago. Everyone believes we rose to power as a second-rate force within a million years due to the genius of your grandfather, Lan Wangtian. But that… was merely the surface of the story.”