#1895 - The promise made ten years ago!

“Nine Heavens Empress, that title hasn't been mentioned in a long time. I prefer people call me Xiao Ling now,” the woman said, sitting on the snow-capped mountain top, her face full of coldness.

Immortal Datong chuckled upon hearing this, and said as he walked towards the snow mountain, "In fact, the name Nine Heavens Empress has always been etched in the hearts of all cultivators. Back then, you represented the Water-Fire Alliance in challenging other sects, and even though you were ultimately defeated, you still made a name for yourself. If you hadn't been here in secluded cultivation, the title of the number one person in the Third Heaven wouldn't have fallen on my head, although that title doesn't belong to me anymore now..."

Xiao Ling said upon hearing this, "Speak, what do you want from me by coming here?"

"I didn't expect that after not seeing you for a few years, your temperament has become much more stable. You're no longer the Third Heaven's freak of the past... I'm here just to ask you, is our agreement from ten years ago still valid?" Immortal Datong said.

Xiao Ling's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and the scene of their moonlit rendezvous ten years ago surfaced in her mind.

Ten years ago, on the snowfield, Xiao Ling was wearing only a thin garment, with neat, short hair, walking step by step towards the distant snow mountain. Her eyes were filled with indifference, and the surrounding wind and snow swirled around her, yet dared not touch her at all.

“Nine Heavens Empress, where are you going?”

The next moment, a laugh suddenly rang out. Xiao Ling heard this, looked up, and was surprised to find Immortal Datong descending from the sky.

“Old thing, what are you doing here?” Xiao Ling said coldly, her aura exuding a sense of 'stay away'.

Immortal Datong was not annoyed upon hearing this, but instead came to Xiao Ling's side and said in a deep voice, "In my opinion, the Water-Fire Alliance expelling you from the sect is simply cutting off their own arms. It won't be long before the Water-Fire Alliance completely declines."

Xiao Ling continued to move forward as she said, "I've already said that from now on, the affairs of the Water-Fire Alliance have nothing to do with me."

"You're saying that out of spite. You possess the rare Ice Spiritual Root that is hard to come by even in the entire Nine Heavens, and your talent and aptitude are unmatched. Others may not see it, but I can. You're here to cultivate better. With your ability, if you were to cultivate in seclusion for ten years, I wouldn't even dare to imagine how much your strength would improve by the time you come out," Immortal Datong said.

“Old thing, don't talk nonsense here. You're someone who doesn't cast a net without seeing the rabbit. Speak plainly,” Xiao Ling said.

Immortal Datong narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this, and said, "The Water-Fire Alliance kicked you out because you were causing trouble everywhere and they didn't want to offend other sects, but I, Immortal Sea, don't care about that. If you're willing, you can go to Immortal Sea to cultivate. Immortal Sea has the best cultivation grounds in the Third Heaven. If you want this snow mountain, I can move it over."

“Still not getting to the point. Get lost if you're not going to say it,” Xiao Ling said.

“Heh, as expected of someone called a freak... You really don't mince words. I dare say that in the next few decades, the cultivation world probably won't produce another person like you. Fine, then I'll be direct. Are you interested in completely changing the landscape of the Third Heaven?” Immortal Datong said.

Xiao Ling paused upon hearing this and said, "What do you mean?"

“You should know that Immortal Sea has always been in contact with Demon Cloud Province. This isn't a secret. Many sects do this. Although the two sides are enemies, they also exchange goods. But what most people don't know is that every time I send people to Demon Cloud Province, I secretly set up some formations. I obtained these formations from an ancient secret realm. As long as enough of these formations are set up, once activated, they will allow me to control the entire land of Demon Cloud Province. Most importantly, to control all the opportunities and treasures hidden within this land,” Immortal Datong said.

“According to my estimate, if I can set up nine hundred formations in the four provinces and one sea of the Third Heaven, I will be able to instantly gather all the hidden treasures and opportunities into Immortal Sea. You should know what this means. Ascending in a day isn't impossible. At that time, Immortal Sea will completely become an unshakable existence in the Third Heaven."

Xiao Ling frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "What are you telling me this for?"

“First, I formally invite you to join Immortal Sea. I can promise you that when the time comes, you alone can take 20% of all the opportunities," Immortal Datong said.

"Second, the operation of this formation requires a huge amount of energy, and it requires extremely stable energy. Your Ice Spiritual Root can turn all energy into the most stable state. I need you to work with me."

"Third, you usually like to snatch all kinds of opportunities and treasures. Don't think I don't know. The biggest reason you were kicked out of the sect this time was because you snatched the Water-Fire Alliance Leader's opportunity. I believe you won't miss this opportunity to reap all the opportunities and treasures. When the time comes, you can also vent your anger on the Water-Fire Alliance."

Xiao Ling pondered for a moment upon hearing this and said, "How long will it take you to set up these formations?"

“At most ten years. These formations require a lot of precious materials, and I need a lot of time to collect them,” Immortal Datong said with a smile.

“Then come find me again in ten years,” Xiao Ling said.

“Okay, it's a deal.”

Ten years later, on the peak of the snow mountain, Xiao Ling recalled the events of ten years ago and said in a deep voice, "Have you set up all your formations?"

“That's right. I have to thank Ji Dongfeng for this. After he arrived, he did a lot of earth-shattering things, attracting the attention of many creatures, which gave me the opportunity to set up formations in some secret places. Now, the entire Third Heaven, the four provinces and one sea, are under my control,” Immortal Datong said with a smile.

“But I see that your strength has also improved a lot. You probably don't need my help anymore,” Xiao Ling said.

“This is our agreement. You also know that I keep my promises. If I said I would bring you along, then I will bring you along. Of course, the reason I came to find you this time is not to have you help stabilize the energy, but to have you help restrain Ji Dongfeng. You only need to restrain him for ten seconds for this plan to succeed,” Immortal Datong said.

Xiao Ling said coldly upon hearing this, "Ji Dongfeng's strength is far above mine."

“If I'm not mistaken, you're about to undergo tribulation and ascend, right? Using the Ice Lightning Tribulation to entangle him for ten seconds shouldn't be a problem. Your methods are inherently those of entrapment,” Immortal Datong said with a smile.

“That's right. Once I get up at this moment, the lightning tribulation will descend in at most an incense stick's time. But I still have one question. After I ascend, how will you give me 20% of the treasures and opportunities?” Xiao Ling asked.

“I'm also about to ascend. I swear on my soul and life that after I ascend, I will find you and deliver the opportunities and treasures,” Immortal Datong said.

Xiao Ling pondered for a moment upon hearing this and said, "Ji Dongfeng's strength is too strong. 20% isn't enough. I want 40%."

Immortal Datong chuckled upon hearing this and said, "I knew that your nature wouldn't change. In your bones, you're still the freak Nine Heavens Empress of the past."