My Journey to Immortality Begins with Hunting-Chapter 665 – Divine Dynasty? Demon Dynasty? Tang Nian’s Fate - Part 2

Chapter 665 – Divine Dynasty? Demon Dynasty? Tang Nian’s Fate - Part 2

Time passed. Before anyone realized it, summer of the following year had arrived.

The rebel army, now like dragons unleashed or tigers unchained, swept across the Ocean Province with terrifying speed. The Central Capital was completely surrounded, its outer defenses falling one by one.

The capital teetered on the brink of collapse. Even the civilians inside sensed the looming disaster. Desperation turned into resolve as they threw themselves into fortifying the city, clinging to survival.

As for escape, not a chance. No one could leave the capital now.

Far to the north in Swallowcloud Province, at the Li Clan estate, a meeting was taking place.

“Father, it’s all confirmed. That Lord Yu killed both the Heavenly Master and Lord of Arms. He also claims to be the disciple of our ancestor, Li Yuan. Should we make contact with him?” Li Mingze asked.

Sitting before him was an elderly man with snow-white hair, but his spirit remained sharp as steel. This was none other than Li Hu, the founding patriarch of the Li Clans, and one of the legendary Eight Pillars.

Li Hu leaned on his cane, deep in thought.

The Li Clan had always kept a low profile, but few knew that behind the scenes, they controlled the most secretive and well-connected intelligence network in the realm, Heaven’s Quill.

If the Li Clan wished it, it wouldn’t matter whether Li Yuan was in Western Capita or the ends of the earth, they could reach him with a snap of their fingers.

After a long pause, Li Hu finally said, “Act when the time is right. There’s no need to rush. When he needs us, we’ll give him our full support. As for the rest, deal with it later.”

“Yes, Father,” Li Mingze answered with a respectful nod.

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Westgorge Province, formerly Cloudpeak Province.

Under clear skies and drifting clouds, golden sunlight spilled across the deep gorges and mountains.

Outside the Sword Mountain Pass, a vast region unfolded, filled with clusters of buildings whose rooftops shimmered with a golden hue, like giant serpents covered in brilliant scales.

The streets inside bustled with noise and crowds. It was alive with prosperity and flair, no less vibrant than the busiest districts of the imperial capital.

And yet...this was just a town.

Nestled within a sea of deep green forest, the town was built against the mountain, forming a belt of mortal life wrapped around the peaks.

Higher up, five towers pierced the sky.

Four stood in the cardinal directions, evenly spaced.

But at the center stood one more.

This central tower was built atop a perilous, isolated peak. The surrounding cliffs were steep and sheer, impossible to scale. Even the most skilled martial artists would find themselves helpless before its jagged walls.

No one could fathom how the tower had ever been constructed in such a place.

Yet there it stood, undeniably real.

There were, in fact, four paths leading to it.

Four long iron chains stretched out from the central peak, each one anchoring to the top of one of the four surrounding towers.

This was the heart of the Tang Sect, the greatest and most enigmatic force in all of Westgorge.

The Four Towers of the Tang Sect each presided over a unique craft, hidden weapons, mechanical traps, puppetry, and poison.

And at the center, atop that impossible summit, stood the tallest tower of them all. It was the residence of the Tang Sect’s master, Madam Bright Moon. In addition, if the rumors were to be believed, it was also the secluded retreat of the venerable Grand Matron of the Tang Sect.

At the entrance to the Tang Sect, a richly dressed young man was pacing anxiously.

The moment he spotted a disciple coming out from within, he rushed forward and blurted out, “I truly love Tang Yuan. I—”

But before he could finish, the disciple gave a respectful bow and said coolly, “The Madam has spoken. the Tang Sect will not be drawn into any outside entanglements. Young Lord Ji, please return.”

The man in fine robes looked stricken, but managed a sigh. “If I weren’t from the Ji Clan...would things have been different?”

“Young Master Ji,” the disciple interrupted again, tone unchanged, “please return.”

This man was Ji Xing, an outer-branch descendant of the Ji Clan, one of the Eight Pillar Clans.

During his travels in the martial world, he had hidden his identity, as per family tradition. There, he’d crossed paths with Tang Yuan, who had also kept her surname secret. They fought, bickered, and eventually bonded, becoming a pair of unlikely companions.

Feelings blossomed. But the moment they confessed, both were left stunned.

He was Ji, once royalty.

She was Tang, a core disciple of the Tang Sect.

Their relationship quickly came to the attention of their families.

The Ji Clan, curiously, did not intervene. But the Tang Sect issued a firm and unambiguous rejection.

Because the Ji Clan’s position was...complicated.

After all, what fallen imperial house didn’t dream of restoration?

Worse yet, the Emperor had secretly stationed a trusted general in Westergorge, ostensibly to maintain order, but in truth, to keep an eye on the Ji Clan.

As a result, the Ji residence had become a political ghost town, visited by none, spoken of in whispers.

The Tang Sect, being a powerful and autonomous force in its own right, wanted nothing to do with such a volatile clan.

Ji Xing could only leave with a sigh.

The disciple turned back and quietly reported the encounter to the steward in charge of external affairs.

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The steward then ascended the Tower of Hidden Weapons in haste. There, he launched himself onto the chain bridge with practiced ease, running across the swaying iron as if walking on flat earth.

In no time at all, he reached the central tower, entered through the grand ninth-level gate, and knelt before a woman seated at the far end.

“Madam, the Ji Clan’s young master has left.”

The woman wore her hair coiled in an elaborate bun, adorned with a single ornamental hairpin crafted from gold, jade, and peacock feathers. It was finely wrought and stunning in its detail. She was dressed in a rich sapphire-blue gown, regal in cut and color. Her face was pale, her expression cold to the point of stiffness. She stared silently into the distance, as if lost in deep thought, her gaze seemingly far-reaching, far-seeing.

From a different angle, however, it might simply appear that even turning her eyes was a strain.

This was the acting leader of the Tang Sect, Madam Bright Moon.

She gave a slight, disinterested nod. Clearly, the matter didn’t concern her.

Then she spoke a single name, her voice like cold wind brushing across frost.

“Any news about Lord Yu?”

The steward immediately launched into a detailed report, sharing all the intelligence they had gathered on the man.

A long silence followed.

Finally, she asked, “They say Lord Yu’s teacher is Li Yuan. Do you believe it?”

The steward of external affairs was a man of measured temperament. After a moment’s thought, he replied.

“Lord Yu is already a figure whose name echoes across the land. Judging by what he’s done, there can only be one possible identity for his master, Li Yuan. And that would be none other than the peerless figure who once dominated the Central Capital nearly a century ago. But someone from that era...would have long since vanished into the great tides of history. The chances that Li Yuan is still alive are slim. Extremely slim.”

When the name of Lord Yu had first appeared, training Divine Generals in secret and defending the Western Capital from the shadows, most of the great powers simply saw him as a talented rising star. Nothing more.

And as for his so-called master Li Yuan? That could’ve been anyone.

But once he felled both the Heavenly Master and Lord of Arms, people began to wonder if this Lord Yu truly was the strongest under heaven.

If that were true, then there could only be one Li Yuan.

Madam Bright Moon fell silent for a moment. Then she said, “I will write him a letter. Have someone deliver it. Invite him to the Tang Sect as a guest.”

The steward froze.

Lord Yu, renowned across the realm, wasn’t the sort of man who could be moved by a mere invitation, no matter how politely it was written.

Even if the Tang Sect was a hidden juggernaut of power in the outer provinces, there was no guarantee he’d come.

“Go,” she said simply.

The steward dared not object and immediately bowed. “Yes, Madam.”