Immortal Lord Wisteria—no, Monarch Wisteria’s Dao Manifestation only lasted a single day and night. It was not as short as the average length of Dao Manifestation from those outside the Numinous Sword Sect, nor did it break any records of the longest Dao Manifestation within the sect, either. It was just above average.
After the Dao Manifestation ended, an air of festivity filled the Numinous Sword Sect. Many members came and congratulated Monarch Wisteria. Simultaneously, the number of invitations Ding Mian received increased exponentially.
As part of the custom, Monarch Wisteria held a sermon to explain his comprehension of the worldly law and enlighten those who have not yet mastered a worldly law. During these times, the core members would sit closest to the center, followed by the ordinary members, and only then would the external members, like guest elders, sit. However, Ding Mian was invited to sit in the second row, demonstrating the importance the Numinous Sword Sect attached to him.
Once the sermon ended, the Numinous Sword Sect invited the other sects to celebrate the birth of a new monarch. No matter what would happen in the future, the Numinous Sword Sect was still the hegemon of the Numinous Realm on the surface. So, the invited sects all sent representatives.
Only the first-rate forces had been invited. The second-rate forces and below did not have the qualifications.
Ding Mian also attended the celebration, expecting to see some excitement. But to his disappointment, everything ended peacefully. The first-rate force representatives didn’t even try to cause trouble or make the host lose face. Although they brought some rare gifts to congratulate Monarch Wisteria, it was nothing the Numinous Sword Sect did not have ample reserves of.
Rather, they also gifted Ding Mian with many rare and exotic materials. Compared to Monarch Wisteria’s gifts, the value only barely exceeded his. It was obvious that the first-rate forces wanted to establish a close relationship with this new alchemy lord. They also requested of him to concoct pills for generous rewards, but Ding Mian rejected on the basis that his current capacity couldn’t fulfill all the obligations he already had.
His attitude satisfied the Numinous Sword Sect elders, but the first-rate forces didn’t become mad. They accepted it rather kindly, even inviting him to visit them once he had time. After the celebration ended, Ding Mian discovered that his treatment also increased. It exceeded the standard of what he should have received.
Although he could concoct an eighth-rank pill, he only had one success. His treatment would naturally increase, but the rewards and privileges the sect gave him were that of a seasoned eighth-rank alchemist, not a new eighth-rank alchemist.
Ding Mian soon speculated on the true reason. They wanted to bind him closer to the Numinous Sword Sect and not allow the other first-rate forces to poach him. He didn’t reject their advances. Even if the Numinous Sword Sect was on the decline, it was still much more attractive to him than the other first-rate forces. None of them had a better foundation or heritage.
For the next few years, he did not leave the Numinous Sword Sect, nor did he contact any other forces. Even if they sent invitations or secretly met with him, he simply rejected them. His actions greatly eased the Numinous Sword Sect’s worry toward him. Although it could be acting, his actions of decisively rejecting the other first-rate forces were undoubtedly a sign.
In turn, they treated him even better. Although he was still an immortal lord, his treatment was no different from an immortal monarch guest elder. Of course, that could also be due to the fact that he could consistently concoct eighth-rank pills. Though he could only output one or two pills a year, the Numinous Sword Sect was already very satisfied.
Thirty-seven years later, Ding Mian heard a piece of information that aroused his excitement. On a small island south of the realm, a Sovereign Nine Yang Lotus had appeared. He immediately submitted his application to join the acquisition team.
Originally, the Numinous Sword Sect rejected his application, but he submitted it again and expressed that he would leave for the southern island even if they rejected him. Faced with Ding Mian’s stubbornness, the Numinous Sword Sect agreed to his participation. After all, this was the first request he put forward, and they attributed it to his nature as an alchemist. He wasn’t the only alchemist that wanted to participate, but the others were all rejected for their own safety.
The turning vote was Meng Tingfeng’s guarantee. He joined in order to protect Ding Mian, and besides, Emperor Wujian was going to lead the team.
The mode of transportation wasn’t an immortal boat, but a giant sword. The one standing at the front was Emperor Wujian. At first glance, he appeared like a hunchbacked man in his ailing years. Although he did not exude an aura of decay or death, he would likely only have a thousand years left at most.
Suddenly, he looked back. His cloudy eyes connected with Ding Mian’s clear eyes for a split second.
“What a sharp sense, or maybe it’s intuition?” Ding muttered after Emperor Wujian looked away.
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