Xiang Shaoyun brought Tuoba Wan'er, Xia Liuhui, Du Xuanhao, Han Pojun, the turtle, and the toad as they set off toward the Xia Hamlet. As for the rest of his people, they were handed over to Scarlet Flame Monarch and Devouring Ghost. They would reconvene near Celestial King Province's Ziling Sect.

As Devouring Ghost had just consumed the saint soul fruit, he still needed some time to digest it. Thus, they were in no rush either. Everyone was moving in accordance to the plan. Xiang Shaoyun's group started going through many teleportation formations as they headed toward the Cloud Margin City.

In truth, he had thought of returning to Dong City on his way and visit an old friend, but he changed his mind. At times, it would be better for two parties to not meet. He did not know if he could even return from Ziling Sect alive.

He might have a great number of helpers by his side, but that did not mean that Di Batian and his people were easy opponents. The result of their confrontation was still unknown.

...

The Cloud Margin Pavilion was the ruling organization of the Cloud Margin City. Here, they were kings. This was a place Xiang Shaoyun once stayed at, and he still had some friends here, such as Zi Changhe, Gong Qinyin, and Hua Cheng.

Zi Changhe was nominally Xiang Shaoyun's senior brother. He was someone Xiang Shaoyun had known from the very beginning, and the two were extremely close. Xiang Shaoyun had also given him some high-level battle techniques to help increase his combat prowess.

As for Gong Qinyin, she was someone who once hated him. She eventually found herself falling for him. She had also abandoned archery for the art of zither. At their time of separation, she wasn't even in the Skysoar Realm yet. Hua Cheng was Xiang Shaoyun's sworn sister, and she was deeply in love with Du Xuanhao. She was a Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator when they had separated.

Many years had passed, and a new Emperor had appeared within the Cloud Margin Pavilion. This new Emperor was none other than Gong Qinyin, who wasn't even at the Skysoar Realm back then.

She had used only seven years to enter the Emperor Realm from her cultivation level of the Transformation Realm. She advanced at a record speed that filled everyone with disbelief. She only had a five-star physique. How exactly had she grown so much in such a short period of time?

It turned out that she had an innate affinity with the dao of zither. With the Seven Severing Tunes Xiang Shaoyun had given her as a parting gift, her comprehension of the dao of zither had deepened considerably. Naturally, she had had her own fortuitous encounters as well. That was how she had been able to reach the Emperor Realm so quickly.

Currently, the Cloud Margin Pavilion was hosting a celebration for her breakthrough, conferring upon her the title of Tune Empress. The celebration was held grandly, and the organizations of the neighboring cities all sent their representatives over to attend the ceremony. More importantly, the Dragon Society had also sent their people over, trying to invite Gong Qinyin to cultivate at their society.

Gong Qinyin was dressed formally, showcasing her beauty to all. She had a confident glint in her eyes, and her face was as sleek as a piece of jade that gave one the urge to go and caress her face. Her figure had matured nicely, emanating an alluring charm that made her worthy of being called the number one beauty of Cloud Margin City.

She had countless pursuers, including members of other organizations. However, not one was a young Emperor. They failed to catch her eyes as someone had already occupied her heart.

Shaoyun, you said that you would allow me to follow you if I can enter the Emperor Realm in 10 years. I did it. Do you know? sighed Gong Qinyin inwardly.

Seated off the main stage was Hua Cheng, who was incomparably satisfied and proud of her disciple. Back when she had accepted Gong Qinyin as her disciple, she had never expected her disciple to reach such heights in such a short period of time. As the master of such a disciple, she naturally felt greatly pressured.

With the great pressure, she had managed to advance by three stages, becoming a seventh-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. She had now reached the cultivation level Du Xuanhao had in the past.

With her current strength, she was an incredibly powerful existence within the Cloud Margin Pavilion. With the growth of Gong Qinyin, one could say that Hua Cheng now wielded more and more influence in the Cloud Margin Pavilion.

The previous pavilion master, Murong Qing, and the current pavilion master, Yue Yuze, both gave Gong Qinyin their blessings. They also expressed that if she was willing, she would be lined up as the next pavilion master. However, Gong Qinyin seemed rather disinterested.

The Emperor from Dragon Society that was here to observe the ceremony stood up and said, "Tune Empress is a genius that is fated to become a Sovereign in the future. It is a waste to keep her in your Cloud Margin Pavilion." He stepped forth, looked straight into Gong Qinyin's eyes, and said, "Qinyin, someone as beautiful as you deserve someone like me, crown prince of Dragon Society. From now on, stay by my side. It wouldn't be anything difficult for both of us to become Sovereigns in the future."

The person speaking was one of Dragon Society's thirteen crown princes, Lin Ha the Fifth Dragon. Each of the thirteen crown princes was an individual with extraordinary talent. Back then, Long Yunfei, who competed against Xiang Shaoyun at the Devil Domain, was one of them. This Fifth Dragon was even stronger than Long Yunfei back then.

He was a third-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator, and he was only about 40 years old. For a cultivator, he was still considered a youngster. He was also ugly and fat and was definitely not the match for Gong Qinyin.

Everyone sank into silence, and not even the two pavilion masters dared to say anything. One ought to know that Lin Ha was backed by the Dragon Society, which was a tier-7 organization. The Cloud Margin Pavilion was also operating within Dragon Society's territory. Even the men that had been pursuing Gong Qinyin stayed silent in fear. They might like Gong Qinyin, but it was pointless, anyway, since they did not have the strength to make them worthwhile partners for her.

Gong Qinyin looked at Lin Ha and replied with a gentle smile, "Sorry, but I have never considered joining the Dragon Society. I am also not interested in being your lover. Thank you for your offer."

Lin Ha's face turned cold. With a deep voice, he said, "Think this through. A wrong answer will not only destroy you but the Cloud Margin Pavilion as well."

His voice was filled with threat, and anyone listening to him would not feel very comfortable. The old man beside Lin Ha released his aura. The presence of a peak Emperor crushed down on everyone present, causing them to suffocate.

"My answer remains the same," said Gong Qinyin firmly.

"What you're saying is that you would rather choose the hard way than the easy way?" said Lin Ha with a frown. It was obvious he was in a bad mood.

He was a crown prince of the Dragon Society. No woman had ever escaped his grasp successfully.