"Currently the Eagle Kindom is preparing for war. We suspect that they know about the ties between the Sect and the Empire, but are sure that the Empire will not be able to provide much aid. Their plan is based on taking one island after another and leaving the Empire until last... A plan that is perfectly sound if considered that they were the power with the fewer losses and biggest buildup during and after the war. The all-island alliance talks were broken down as neither the Qiu family representatives nor our Sect own participated. For the former, they cited that they will be the first line of defense and so call for aid, but will not follow orders from others. Albeit it can be considered stupid, they are simply trying to hide the fact of their internal problems in hopes of resolving them before the attack. Plus, they are too sure of their defenses. After all, the Golden bay defenses are nearly impossible to break. As for landing an army somewhere else, the only suitable alternative would be Coastal Hill City. The latter, not their land after all"

Using the small pause between qi transmissions, Wu Guang raised a question about something that he had just heard

"Excuse me for the interruption, but why did our Sect refuse to participate?"

"Officially? Because of you"

"Me?"

"We have already prepared a plan as to how to fight this war, and the alliance would only make us send members of the sect to their deaths under someone else leadership. So yes, this may sound cynical, but we don't have any obligation towards the powers that fought against the Empire before. So if the Eagle Kingdom wants to attack their old allies, let them. For this, we used the excuse of your disappearance to refuse to work along with the 'Leaf Shadow Sect'. And the latter had no say in the matter as we provided proof in the face of someone called Yi He, the person who followed you after the duel and turned out to be a confidante of the Wangs and member of the Sect as well"

"..."

Imagining that Wu Guang could be upset or start doubting the moral qualities of the Sect, a prompt explanation was added by Deng Zian.

"The plan includes a method to guarantee the evacuation and subsequent safety of the mortals in our territory, as well the ones living in the lands that join up with us"

"I see"

"A call to all cultivators that want to join us will be also made. We will also send elites to help if needed, but we will be not entering the Qiu's snake-den or working along with the Wangs. Especially as both of these so-called powerful families have been trying to arrange a deal with the Kingdom"

"They truly think that they will be able to?"

"Who knows? But the attempts are being made, and so there is a possibility of them selling others to guarantee their safety"

"Understood"

"Returning to your questions about the war reasons, there is almost no doubt about the Eagle Kingdom truly believing the prophecy that says that the plane will expand and their island will be partially or fully destroyed. But both the Sect's and the Empire's know someone is playing on this fear"

"So someone is instigating the war?"

"Indeed, and this someone is most probably the person who calls himself the Revered All-Seeing Grandmaster. The captured people as well spies have been saying the same thing, that this prophet is so listened to that it could be said that the one with the crown is him and not the King"

"So bad?"

"Between the information and clues, it does indeed appears like it. Still, we don't have any clue as to why this mysterious prophet that appeared from nowhere a few years ago wants to start a war so badly. After all, if the prophecy is true and the signs of an expansion appear, not even the Black Empire would refuse to help the Kingdom inhabitants"

"Hmm, that leaves the last matter... Why I got the sensation that the Sect is not worried about the war?"

"To say the truth, we are worried. Any war means victims not only from both sides but also from the non-cultivators. Still, there is indeed nothing to fear from the Eagle Kingdom. The Sect will not fall in this war"

"Why?"

"There are two great barriers on the island, prepared exactly for this situation. The first one is the wall that surrounds the sect, while the other one is the Boundary Hill City north wall. With the mortals evacuated to the Wildlands, the Eagle Kingdom will have no way to proceed except try and siege the Sect. They will not risk leaving the Sect entire forces in their rear"

"But..."

"How will the Sect that only has a single Sage realm cultivator fight against the dozens of equal cultivators that the Kingdom can dispatch? You are slightly mistaken as the Sect's actual core is a bit more powerful than what you have learned until now. There is also the matter of the Imperial support"

"..." Wu Guang's felt himself being played again. Deng Zian did honestly answer every question asked, but the answers only generated more questions. A few things even got mystified.

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Especially the last two ones... What was the real strength of the 'Three Hills Sect'? And what was that about Black Empire's support?

Still, it was not that Wu Guang would not find out later, after all, he was currently traveling towards the Empire to finish the key that would unseal the pocket realm where the main core disciples and elders were.

Speaking of which, Wu Guang could not help but ask

"I still can not understand how the pocket realm key disappeared. And neither why I was chosen for the task. I was a mortal less than half a year ago"

"The key disappearance is a mystery to me as well and so I can not give you an answer. As for you, there were three reasons. The first is that you are someone unrelated to both the Sect itself and every member of it. Secondly, it is what you said, you were not a cultivator a few months ago. As for the third one, it is because you intend to leave the plane"

"What being a cultivator or not has to do with it? And why leaving the plane is so important?"

"If I am not mistaken you were explained that the one to bind the key has to reach the Soul realm before what... 20?"

"Yes"

"Well, you were not told the entire truth"

"Again?"

"No, this time it was mostly to avoid pressuring you. The one to bind and use the key has to indeed reach the Soul realm before turning 20, but there is also another requisite. To have been cultivating for less than 11 moons to reach it"

"I see, I now understand why only fresh disciples were considered"

"Indeed, and you met with Chen Deming as a mortal, but became a Spirit realm cultivator after a single month. What's more, you did not meet with any problems while doing so and continued advancing at a record speed. You are currently equal in level to people lauded as geniuses who have been cultivating for years. As for leaving the plane, it is indeed something important. You should first understand that the key also serves as the mark of succession"

"Meaning that..."

"You will be becoming the Sect's successor. And not even the Headmaster himself would be able to do anything about it. So as soon as you surpass his cultivation and reach an acceptable age, you would have to take over. The lifeline of the Sect is that pocket realm and it was his Imperial Majesty's will that such rules were set by the founder..."

"But as I intend to leave the plane the situation changes"

"Yes. The key would lose its owner as soon as you leave and the pocket realm would remain open. Then the Headmaster will be able to select and train the one to succeed him. I can not deny that we are using you to solve our problems, but on the other hand, we will also do everything you request and help fulfill your goals as well"

"Like getting me permission to enter the forbidden grounds of the Astral Gate?"

"That as well. I sense that the night is growing short, so before we stop, do you have any further questions?"

"Who exactly was the founder of the Sect?" This question indeed bugged Wu Guang. From what he understood, it was someone close to the Emperor. But except that, no other information was provided. And finding out the identity was an important matter, as truth to be said, this mysterious founder was, until now, the only expert that Wu Guang could not gauge.

"Hmm, I can not say that it is taboo to mention him, but I doubt that his name will give you anything. As for Xiang Zexi's life and story, even I don't know more than the fact he was part of the Imperial Guards. Anything else you want to ask right now?"

"No" Wu Guang had a few questions remaining, but he decided to restrain himself from asking. Especially as he felt that he was being gently pushed towards leaving.

In any case, now that he knew why he was selected and knew what was expected from him, his situation was, at last, became clear. Being used wasn't a very nice thing, but as Deng Zian had implied, he would also be using them in turn.

"What do you plan to do during the sailing time?"

"If there are no emergencies, I intend to spend most of the time to meditate and settle down my cultivation"

"That is good. There will be a suitable place for you to make your attempt provided after we make landfall, so your preparation is well-timed"

"Understood"

"When you feel like it, I have instructed the captain to explain to you about the customs and culture of the Empire. He will also be responsible for providing anything you may need while onboard"

"Mm, do senior intends to seclude?"

"Indeed, right now..." This last qi transmission was a tad weaker than the ones before, and Wu Guang could only guess that Deng Zian had met some kind of trouble or his current condition wasn't good.

So to avoid disturbing him, Wu Guang silently saluted and quickly left the cabin.