Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 1256 - 557: Space Program, Overbearing Envoy (Part 2)

Chapter 1256: Chapter 557: Space Program, Overbearing Envoy (Part 2)

"So, what have you all found out?"

"As we expected, the Northern Continent is now divided into four factions," a disciple whispered. "The Peacock Emperor’s Peacock Demon Country, the Hidden World Three Immortals each have their own power, Gu Hong Taoist’s No Struggle City, Linglong Immortal Venerable’s Heavenly Mountain, and Huang Gu Shangren’s Suspended Island."

Han Qi nodded slowly, "What I found out is quite similar. Although the Hidden World Three Immortals are always mentioned together, the three are not entirely united."

Another disciple replied, "They resemble a Loose Cultivator’s alliance. Their relationships might not be harmonious, but in the current situation, with their status, it’s hard to survive without banding together. Currently, there’s also the conflict between humans and demons in the Northern Continent. Although the Peacock Emperor stands alone, behind him is Leiyin Temple, making the demon race even more arrogant. The Hidden World Three Immortals don’t dare to come forward either."

"If there is a conflict between them, then does that mean we can still win over the Hidden World Three Immortals?" someone said excitedly.

Everyone looked at Han Qi.

This time, Han Qi and his team’s identity was quite complex. They were a merchant caravan and also spies, but most importantly, they held an official status as envoys of the Jiushan Sect.

Zhang didn’t oppose conquering the Northern Continent, but Master Pang and others intervened, after all, war is a serious matter of the state.

Once war breaks out, the resources consumed are considerable. As the socialite of Jiushan, Master Pang suggested using diplomacy first.

Zhang didn’t oppose, but added another task for Han Qi and his team—to gather intelligence in the Northern Continent. Even if negotiations fall apart, it wouldn’t be futile.

Han Qi and these disciples were the ones selected.

Han Qi had been the leader of the merchant caravan for years, accumulating accomplishments, reaching the late-stage Nascent Soul, no longer the low-level cultivator who couldn’t build a foundation and thought of returning home.

At this moment, he was the leader among them.

Han Qi pondered for a while, then raised his head and shook it, "You only see the discord between the Hidden World Three Immortals and the Demon Country, but I think their restraint shows their inclination towards Leiyin."

The disciples exchanged glances and looked at Han Qi in confusion.

"If the Hidden World Three Immortals had other intentions, they should seize the opportunity of Leiyin Temple’s weakness to occupy the Northern Continent. Whether they become an independent faction thereafter, or join the Supreme Dao or us, they’d have more leverage."

His words made a lot of sense, and several disciples couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

"Moreover, before I came, the Sect Leader in the Heavenly Emperor Body also instructed us. He has met the Hidden World Three Immortals," Han Qi continued, "He said the Hidden World Three Immortals were the most tempted by the proposal for the Lu Yao Golden Immortal meeting at the Leiyin Temple’s Daluo Dharma Meeting. They would even betray the Supreme Dao for it."

"This is understandable, compared to other Golden Immortals, the Hidden World Three Immortals have no backing. They couldn’t get involved in the affairs of the Ten Thousand Worlds previously, so they had to remain hidden."

"But if the Golden Immortal Council is established, their voice would naturally be greatly elevated. In the Golden Immortal Council, aside from Leiyin Temple, the Hidden World Three Immortals would likely benefit the most."

Han Qi’s analysis made everyone’s expression drop. A disciple muttered, "Then are we just working for nothing by coming here?"

"That’s why Zhang Taishang thinks using force directly is the best. She said our main goal is to gather intelligence on the Northern Continent, like how many Dao Fruits the Hidden World Three Immortals have, the power of their Sect’s Great Array, to prepare for the war."

"On the other hand, we cannot abandon negotiations," Han Qi said with a flash of determination in his eyes, "We should negotiate with the Hidden World Three Immortals, and not only them, but we must visit every sect. We need to do our best to gather intelligence on the Northern Continent!"

"Yes!"

The disciples looked somewhat dismayed, as if they felt the task was extremely difficult.

"What’s there to fear?" Han Qi glanced around, "This is a rare opportunity for us in Jiushan Sect to achieve great merits! Being part of it is a huge fortune!"

The disciples exchanged glances with each other.

Han Qi continued, "With the sect supporting us, and the Nine Nether Emperor secretly promised me, if I die unfortunately, the Underworld will remember my merits, and I can come back again in the next life!"

The disciples exchanged glances, hearing the underlying meaning in Han Qi’s words, their expressions becoming increasingly strange.

"The sect is just waiting for a reason to act against the Northern Continent!" Han Qi said with a bandit smile, "We are here to earn merits alive or in death! What’s there to panic about?"

After thinking it over, the disciples found his argument quite reasonable, stood up collectively, and loudly agreed.

...

Han Qi and his group marched proudly to Gu Hong Taoist’s No Struggle City. Though called a city, No Struggle City occupied nearly a third of the Northern Continent, its area larger than the previous Hundred Immortals Alliance.

No Struggle City was considered the capital of Gu Hong Taoist’s power.

Gu Hong Taoist was quite an interesting person, with the demeanor of a Loose Cultivator. The No Struggle City he established was tolerant and inclusive, as long as no trouble was caused after entering, regardless of one’s background, he tolerated them.

As a result, No Struggle City became the top major city of the Northern Continent, housing all kinds of cultivators: selling medicine, magic artifacts, furnaces, and even themselves, a myriad of businesses.

As they strolled through, Han Qi and the others were both amazed and slightly uncomfortable.

"There are indeed many people here, but it’s too chaotic. I checked, and the magic artifacts in the shops aren’t great, yet they’re ridiculously overpriced, just scams," a disciple quietly transmitted to the others. "Transport is also inconvenient."

Han Qi nodded slightly. Other aspects could be attributed to perspectives or resource issues, but transportation truly troubled them.

Under the governance of the Jiushan Sect, the Thick Earth Magnetic Array was already widespread, and within the array, the Shenxiao Warship’s speed was quadrupled. Since Han Qi’s team was on the sect’s highest-grade urgent mission, they traveled on expedited routes, moving more than ten times faster than piloting the Shenxiao Warship alone.

But once they reached the Northern Continent, their pace slowed considerably. It took them over three months to travel from the coast to No Struggle City, a stark contrast.

Looking at the crowded scene, Han Qi took a deep breath of the murky air, and sighed, "This feels familiar."

"What?"

"The Jiushan Sect I saw in my early years was much like this," Han Qi gave the recruits a glance, his tone suggesting disdain for their lack of experience, "Back then, we didn’t even have the Shenxiao Warship. Travel relied entirely on personal mana."

"..."

The disciples exchanged looks of sympathy, seemingly surprised at his past hardships.

Han Qi chuckled, feeling the changes over time deeply. He was now an absolute veteran in the Jiushan Sect. When he joined, there were only a thousand disciples in the Jiushan Sect; now, he heard it was nearing a million.

Those who had witnessed the old Jiushan Sect were one in a thousand among current disciples, and they couldn’t even grasp what he said.

"You all just happened to meet the Sect Leader and didn’t suffer much," Han Qi shook his head, seeming a bit envious, "Otherwise, you would have to survive in such a sect."

"..."

"But even so, given most of your original qualifications, you wouldn’t have made it into the sect anyway."

Hearing this, the disciples felt a sense of relief, yet felt two extra degrees of pride when looking at the No Struggle City’s cultivators.

After airing his laments, Han Qi led the disciples towards the northern part of No Struggle City, to Guanlan Palace.

They’d heard that when Gu Hong Taoist was free, he cultivated in Guanlan Palace. At this moment, spirits high, they walked in formation, drawing attention. Onlookers, puzzled by the spectacle, followed out of curiosity.

Upon arriving at Guanlan Palace, a few disciples guarding the palace approached, looking cautious.

Han Qi cupped his fists and declared loudly, "May I trouble you to announce the arrival of Han Qi, special envoy of Jiushan Sect, to visit!"

Though his tone was polite, his aura was overpowering, as if ready to fight his way in if not granted entry.

The disciples of No Struggle Palace were stunned, reflexively glancing back at the palace gates to confirm they were indeed home, then uniformly looked back at Han Qi—were Jiushan Sect cultivators this audacious?