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In the era when the Mortal Great Emperor bore the mandate of Destiny, the Heaven Expanse Sage had just been born.
From a young age, he possessed extraordinary bones and innate talent.
At that time, before the Mortal Great Emperor ascended, he had also given several pointers to the Heaven Expanse Sage.
As a result, the relationship between the current Heaven Expanse Holy Mountain and the Immortal Mortal Sect was also quite good.
After the Heaven Expanse Sage grew stronger, he led the Holy Mountain of that time to ever greater splendor.
Ultimately, the Sect Gate was renamed Heaven Expanse Holy Mountain and also possessed the strength to contend with ordinary Imperial Rule Immortal Sects.
......
Vast peaks stood between heaven and earth.
This great mountain was composed of more than a dozen peaks put together.
Some had moved mountains and shifted stars, using Supreme Divine Power to merge several great mountains into one.
This was probably the accomplishment the people of Heaven Expanse Holy Mountain were most proud of.
Because this mountain had been assembled before the Mortal Great Emperor ascended.
The great mountain was enshrouded in mist, making it impossible to see its end from the base.
Majestic and magnificent were merely words that describe one aspect of the mountain’s surroundings.
Xu Zimei uttered softly.
"Who patched the sky in the northwest? This mountain stands as a pillar supporting it.
......
I once looked down from the summit, where the expansive aura joined the Penglai fairyland."
Then, his body surged with Spiritual Energy, and with a leap, he soared toward the mountain’s peak.
The higher he flew, the more he could feel the mountain’s imposing aura.
Perhaps there were indeed few peaks in the Shenghua domain that could compare with this Holy Mountain.
When Xu Zimei reached the top of the mountain,
there were clouds entwined, offering a pleasant scenery.
A gentle breeze carried wisps of smoke and drifted past the Immortal Trees on the mountain peak.
On a smooth boulder at the mountain’s summit, two elders with white beards and extraordinary temperament sat.
The breeze stirred their Immortal Robes. When the wind stopped, even the air seemed to freeze, as if space itself had solidified.
Upon Xu Zimei’s arrival, both elders opened their eyes simultaneously.
A faint Immortal Might radiated from them.
"It seems you were prepared," Xu Zimei said indifferently.
"We have been awaiting your esteemed arrival for some time," the elder in white robes stood up and replied.
"What do you mean?" Xu Zimei asked casually.
"I am the Heaven Expanse Sage, the founder of this Holy Mountain," the elder on the left introduced himself.
"This is Elder Yunfan of the Immortal Mortal Sect."
Xu Zimei glanced at the elder on the right, not expecting that the Immortal Mortal Sect really took good care of Heaven Expanse Holy Mountain.
The Immortal Mortal Sect may only have one Great Emperor,
but since the Mortal Great Emperor ascended not long ago, the War Generals he left behind were still young.
They were in their prime, with limitless potential.
Therefore, no one knew how strong this sect truly was.
Even in the Shenghua domain, Extinct Heaven Sect did not have as much fame as the Immortal Mortal Sect.
......
"What, trying to pressure me? Or do you think you can detain me?" Xu Zimei asked composedly.
"You misunderstand, I am only here to mediate the incident," Elder Yunfan hastily replied.
"Mediate?" Zimo asked with a smile.
"Our Holy Mountain has no intention of being your enemy," the Heaven Expanse Sage stated.
"We are willing to apologize for this matter and hope to come to an understanding with you."
"I’m willing to talk, but I have two conditions," Xu Zimei stated.
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"Please speak, I’ve already had someone release your friends from the Martial Extreme Holy Sect," Heaven Expanse Sage replied.
Xu Zimei nodded and said, "First, Yin Caier, the source of this incident, must die."
"That can be arranged," Heaven Expanse Sage nodded slightly, agreeing to the request, prepared for such an outcome.
"Second," Xu Zimei paused briefly, and continued, "I want your Heaven Expanse Astrolabe."
"That’s impossible," as soon as Xu Zimei finished speaking, Heaven Expanse Sage’s expression changed slightly, and he flatly refused.
"Your Excellency is rather demanding."
"You should understand," Xu Zimei said indifferently, "I’m not discussing this with you.
I’m ordering you.
Even if you disagree, it’s nothing more than me destroying your Sect Gate to find it myself or you handing it over to spare your life.
In either case, I just don’t want the hassle."
"Do you really have that much confidence?" Heaven Expanse Sage narrowed his eyes and asked lightly, with a dangerous glint in his gaze.
"The last person who asked me that question was from the Yin-Yang Sect, and now the grass on their graves is one meter tall."
Xu Zimei spoke calmly, "You may try if you wish."
"You," Heaven Expanse Sage’s face changed, as he took a deep breath looking at Xu Zimei.
"Let’s all not quarrel," Elder Yunfan interjected from the side, addressing Xu Zimei, "Your Excellency, it’s not that we are unwilling.
It’s just that the Heaven Expanse Astrolabe is too important to my old friend.
Perhaps you might consider another condition."
"Do you have the right to negotiate?" Xu Zimei replied indifferently.
"Are you representing yourself, or the Immortal Mortal Sect?"
"I naturally only represent myself," Elder Yunfan hastily responded.
He turned his head and glanced at Heaven Expanse Sage.
The two were communicating using spiritual energy transmission, and Xu Zimei did not interrupt.
After a moment, Heaven Expanse Sage stepped forward, looked at Xu Zimei, and said, "Your Excellency, I can agree to your terms.
However, I have a small request, and I wonder if Your Honor would consider it?"
"Let’s hear it," Xu Zimei nodded slightly.
"Our Heaven Expanse Holy Sect happens to have a vacant position for an Honorary Elder. I wonder if Your Excellency would be interested?" Heaven Expanse Sage tentatively asked.
"You’re trying to win me over? That’s interesting," Xu Zimei smiled.
He replied, "I should make it clear to you in advance,
when I was in Extinct Heaven City, I killed the Holy Buddha Child and also grievously wounded both Ghost Demon Heir and Young Master Luohe,
effectively offending the three Imperial Rule Immortal Sects behind them.
If you want me to be an Honorary Elder, you should think it through."
"This..." Hearing Xu Zimei’s words, Heaven Expanse Sage hesitated for a moment.
"Heaven Expanse Brother, think carefully. Where on the path to Becoming Emperor is there no risk," Elder Yunfan beside him advised.
"Your Heaven Expanse Holy Mountain has no hope of aligning with Destiny in this era.
If you don’t seize the opportunity, you are destined to be outsiders in this era."
"But if those three Imperial Rule Immortal Sects place blame upon us, we cannot bear that responsibility," Heaven Expanse Sage said with some conflict.
"Heaven Expanse Brother, you’ve become more and more cowardly as you’ve aged," Elder Yunfan retorted.
"Where is your boldness from when you came alone to our Immortal Mortal Sect to learn from our Mortal ancestors?
Now, you hesitate in everything you do."
Struck by Elder Yunfan’s words, Heaven Expanse Sage was taken aback.
Then he laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "I’ve become entrenched, unable to be as carefree as I once was."
"After all, after a million years, both you and I will become but a handful of dust underfoot. Why not do something grand in this limited life?
Take a gamble, perhaps it will reveal a different vista," Elder Yunfan said with a smile.
Heaven Expanse Sage pondered for a while and finally nodded.
He looked at Xu Zimei and asked, "Would Your Excellency be willing to join us? Heaven Expanse Holy Mountain is also willing to take this bet."
