The land was now one kingdom, and all Ghost Deities and Heavenly Officials in the temples benefitted from this blessing. Their Fortune grew substantially, naturally elevating them as well.

Even the temple by the Tongtian River shone with bright Golden Light. Ying En, the Goddess of Tianjiang, also gained a great surge in Fortune, finally touching the opportunity for her Dragon Ascension.

The Human Dao prospered greatly, drawing the notice of Cultivators beyond the Mortal World.

“As Mortal Dynasty’s Fortune rises sharply, in not too long, individuals with innate talent are sure to emerge.”

“Perhaps there lies an opportunity.”

“Speaking of which, it’s been many years since any visited the Mortal World. In a year or two, I might go to scout a couple of promising seedlings.”

“Well said, well said.”

The various Immortal Mountains gathered to discuss this matter.

Though the Cultivation World was vast and rich in resources, truly exceptional individuals among the path of Cultivators had been rare in recent years. Now, with the Human Dao’s Fortune surging, the chance to revitalize their mountain sects lay within reach.

Naturally, no one would let such an opportunity slide.

The Mortal World’s place as a land that had ended Immortals would soon find itself awakened into a new life.

…………

Xinglong, Year Twenty.

Huai Xu (Season of Pagoda Trees).

The weather gradually turned hot, but the true scorching heat had yet to arrive.

Qingyuan, this borderland city, had many pagoda trees planted around. Towering trees had sprouted fresh, green leaves. As summer approached, faint wisps of floral fragrance began to permeate the air. Branches heavy with pagoda flowers released an alluring, refreshing scent.

At the edge of Qingyuan, where everything had once turned to dust…

A wind, begun at some unknown time, stirred fallen leaves. Dust particles swirled, gradually gathering and cohering into the form of a human.

Chen Changsheng opened his eyes, gazing once more upon this world.

“Hmm…”

He stretched as if waking from a long, deep sleep.

That sleep had indeed been comfortable.

Once his mind cleared, Chen Changsheng started walking towards Yun Manor.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye, yet Yun Manor seemed unchanged.

Chen Changsheng knocked on the manor gate once more. When the door opened, a familiar face greeted him.

“Huh, huh? You…”

The young servant froze—he would recognize this man even if he turned to ashes.

Chen Changsheng smiled warmly. “I didn’t expect to find you still guarding the gate.”

The servant hurriedly ushered him in. “Please come in, Sir! Please!”

“No need for such formality.”

Chen Changsheng entered and made straight for the small courtyard as before.

The servant immediately rushed to find the outer manor’s Steward to report the news.

He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he remembered clearly.

Three years ago, he had been assigned to gate duty with hopes of perhaps advancing into the inner manor. But because he had failed to recognize this particular Sir at the time, he was demoted to the lowest servant status. Only through great effort had he recently regained his post as gatekeeper.

It was the early morning.

The Tabby Cat slept perched atop the courtyard wall—a mystery how such a high perch didn’t result in a fall.

The Black Dog lay near the entrance, presumably on guard duty.

When a figure blocked the light, the dog opened its eyes.

Seeing Chen Changsheng, he paused and said, “You really are punctual.”

Promising three years meant exactly three years.

Chen Changsheng said, “My thanks for watching over the place.”

“Small duty, simply my job,” the Black Dog replied.

Chen Changsheng pushed open the courtyard door and saw a woman watering the plants inside.

At the sight of Chen Changsheng, Manyue froze.

She opened her mouth, asking simply, “Is it time to leave?”

Chen Changsheng nodded slightly. “I still need to find a Grotto-Abode.”

This was something Manyue had anticipated.

“Meow…”

The Tabby Cat yawned, awakened by the noise.

It smacked its lips and turned its head.

“Ah!”

“Good Human Chen! You’re back!”

The Tabby Cat leaped down from the wall, circling Chen Changsheng excitedly.

“Did you bring any good things back for Lihua?”

Chen Changsheng hesitated with a smile. “I forgot.”

“Hmph!” The Cat exclaimed. “What a pity.”

“Was the courtyard too boring then?”

“A bit. Still, far better than before.”

Lihua recalled times past that were boring too, but it had mostly slept through those.

Chen Changsheng smiled. “I shall take you elsewhere to have some fun.”

“Good! Good!”

Lihua grew very excited, not even bothering to ask where.

Chen Changsheng turned to look at the flowers on the tree: nothing was missing.

His gaze settled on the Phoenix Flower.

The aura emanating from this Phoenix Flower felt significantly stronger than years past; it seemed it wouldn’t be long before it completed its rebirth.

Chen Changsheng spent a moment gathering himself.

The Patriarch of Yun Manor, Yun Ze, sought him out. Seeing the Formation Array around the courtyard had been deactivated, he hurried inside to pay his respects.

“Sir, you return! Why did you not send word sooner?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Patriarch Yun is too kind. I am the one imposing here. How could I dare further burden you with formalities?”

“Sir, such words are unwarranted.”

Yun Ze smiled and sat down to chat with Mr. Chen.

Their conversation touched only on matters within the Cultivation World.

Later, Chen Changsheng inquired about Yun Li. The Patriarch told him Yun Li had journeyed to the Mortal World the previous year and had not yet returned.

He also spoke of the sharp rise in the Mortal World’s Fortune.

“A surge in Fortune…” Chen Changsheng asked, “Has the Mortal World been unified?”

“Indeed.”

Patriarch Yun exhaled slowly. “When Fortune rises high, children born with innate Immortal potential emerge in the Mortal World. The major Immortal Sects have plans; all have settled on going to scout for disciples three years hence. I’ve already tasked Yun Li with investigating while there and identifying promising candidates to bring back to Yun Manor.”

“That is indeed good news…”

Chen Changsheng had guessed the Cultivation World would react to the sudden growth of the Human Dao’s Fortune, but he hadn’t known Fortune held such power.

This was also why sects battled fiercely over it—Fortune formed the very foundation of an Immortal path. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“Who unified the Mortal World?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Patriarch Yun answered, “Two kingdoms: Da Xiang and Western Xiao. At the Battle of Ying River, nearly three hundred thousand soldiers fought without rest for more than three days. Da Xiang won by one clever move. Afterwards, they marched directly into Western Xiao territory through Dongyu City. After half a year, it was finally over.”

Chen Changsheng nodded, yet felt something strange.

He had predicted this conflict should have lasted two more years. He never expected it would end early. At that earlier stage, Da Xiang should have stood no chance of victory. That it won against all odds was suspicious.

He looked at Patriarch Yun and asked, “Patriarch Yun, did you dig deeper into that Battle of Ying River? While I practiced Cultivation in the Mortal World, it seemed that battle played out differently than my own foresight.”

Yun Ze replied, “Mr. Chen’s insight is as sharp as ever. Indeed, Da Xiang’s unification was pushed forward by someone behind the scenes.”

“Such boldness?” Chen Changsheng said. “The Karma incurred—not even death would suffice to repay such debt.”

Yun Ze said, “I, too, heard whispers from several sect Elders. The one pulling strings has extremely profound Cultivation—even the esteemed masters on the Immortal Mountains failed to deduce who exactly they might be.”

“Still, there were peculiar signs plain for any observant eye to see.”

“After unifying the land, Human Emperor Zhao Zhen should have inherited the concentrated Fortune of the realm. Yet upon seeing him, it was clear: six-tenths of that Fortune was missing. Its whereabouts remained unknown!”