Xiao Jiantian's New Palace

All of a sudden, the mighty Xiao Sect had fallen under the Xiao Clan of the Floating Cloud City. Now... technically, the top four sects in all of the Blue Wind Empire were the Heavenly Sword Villa, Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, Xiao Clan and Heaven Burning Clan (in that order). This news spread like wildfire across the whole nation... but it was overshadowed by Xiao Jiantian himself. A sixteen-year-old Throne from a remote location in the weakest nation by far... every one of the Great Five Sacred Grounds (except for the Eternal Night Royal Family) had sent envoys to see if this was true. The last time such a talent had appeared, his name was Xuanyuan Jiantian and he had been born into the Xuanyuan family as a young master.

Buying off the Floating Cloud City and making it his private land, Xiao Jiantian was above even the Mayor who was allowed to remain as his right hand for now (until a better replacement was found). Xiao Jiantian wasn't bored enough to directly rule over a city, though he'd ensure that it went in the right direction. The Xiao Clan was in an awkward position where their new leader was stronger than the Xiao Sect but they, themselves, were FAR inferior to the Xiao Sect. So the Xiao Clan being above the Xiao Sect... it was kind of true but false at the same time.

To avoid any complications, he didn't move the Xiao Sect into the Floating Cloud City. Instead, he created a formation that could teleport people between the two regions for the sake of convenience. Once the envoys of the Sacred Grounds were certain, their leaders personally sent prestigious elders to sway him into joining their Sacred Ground. Even in this regard, the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region surpassed the rest as a Sword Attendant personally visited Floating Cloud City!

The representatives came almost on the exact same day, too. It was safe to say the Floating Cloud City was honoured beyond belief... and just as busy. Countless people travelled long and far to meet the Heavenly Lord Xiao. They weren't disappointed as Xiao Jiantian presented himself as a graceful young lord... very much unlike his previous overbearing self.

Currently, the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region was by far the strongest of the Five Great Sacred Grounds. They had seven level ten Monarchs, a mighty group that included their Sword Master Xuanyuan Jiantian and the six Sword Attendants. Meanwhile, the others only had two to three... even if all the other Four Great Sacred Grounds ganged up on the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, the winner of such a war was uncertain. The resources Xuanyuan Jiantian had taken all those years ago from the Sun Moon Divine Hall, Absolute Monarch Sanctuary and Supreme Ocean Palace had been the result of this (along with the improved Mighty Heavenly Sword Arts).

And if the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region was forced to the brink... there was always Xuanyuan Jiantian's celestial sanctuary. Legends say that he'd appear at its very entrance in a crisis and immediately wipe out any attackers with a single swing of his sword.

Xiao Jiantian sat in his new chair... or well, throne, as he thought of his many options. All Four Great Sacred Grounds had all essentially offered him a cultivation type of 'full ride scholarship'. A mountain of resources including several kilograms of Purple Veined Divine Crystal, personal mentors for Profound Arts and absurdly luxurious living conditions for a disciple.

Only the Eternal Night Royal Family didn't offer him anything, acting isolated as ever. They were a family-orientated force so outsiders weren't recruited unless they married in. Among all Five Great Sacred Grounds, this one was the only one he didn't have an opinion about. They were essentially the quiet kid that never disturbed him nor greeted him even when he was Xuanyuan Jiantian. As a matter of fact, he'd never even visited them and vice versa!

'They all want me pretty bad...' He chuckled, thinking of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region most. Maybe it was time for a short homecoming... or a change of scenery? If he was officially tied to the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, they would find no issue with him using his sword arts and would, in fact, revere him. But if he was an outsider using their arts or Xuanyuan Jiantian's arts, for that matter... they might very well kill him. That's how serious the family Xuanyuan were when it came to their sword arts!

In the end, it was a rather simple decision to make.

"Senior Sword Attendant." Xiao Jiantian approached Sword Attendant Virtuous with respect, who was ranked fifth among all six Sword Attendants and the only female in the group. It was not the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region who sent her to the Floating Cloud City to sway Xiao Jiantian... but rather she had come herself. It was clear that she did not spend many hours trying to look beautiful, but the Water Branch had complimented her well and so, she gave off a charming and mature woman's aura.

"You've made your decision, young Xiao Jiantian?" Sword Attendant Virtuous asked.

"Indeed, I have. I wish to become a disciple of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region!" Xiao Jiantian stated with enthusiasm. "With some conditions, of course. You see... I like my freedom."

"Oh?" She blinked, wondering what these conditions would be.

"I won't be able to stay in the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region for long periods of time since I love to go on a few adventures. Also, this Floating Cloud City is quite dear to me so it's likely that I'll be here rather than the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region in my free time. I'd also like to add that all of my property including the Floating Cloud City should remain my own and not be tied with with the Sword Region. If this exception of freedom is given, then I will have no objection to proudly calling myself a disciple of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region!"

"Hmm... you are a strange one." Sword Attendant Virtuous remarked. "Many would be extremely eager to visit and even stay in the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region for their whole lives. But you... ah, I'll allow it. On one condition, however."

"And what may that be?"

"You agree to become my direct disciple and continue to show growth. Otherwise, I will simply have to drag you into the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region for being a slacker."

'Slacking? I'm slacking right now anyway... if I tried, then everyone would lose their minds.' Xiao Jiantian thought about it for a moment before nodding his head. "I wouldn't dare waste my great talent, Senior Sword Attendant!"

"Then it is agreed."

After officially becoming a Mighty Heavenly Sword Region disciple, the other representatives left shortly. His new master passed down the Mighty Heavenly Sword Arts onto him, the Water Branch specifically, before leaving herself. Though, Sword Attendant Virtuous did state that she'd keep an eye on him and his progression time to time.

The status of the Xiao Clan was... incomparable to everything else in the entire Blue Wind Empire just on the back of Xiao Jiantian alone. What kind of existence was the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region compared to a mere Blue Wind Empire, where the strongest person was only in the middle stages of the Emperor Profound Realm? A simple disciple could descend and destroy the entire nation if he wished! That was the difference between the two.

Of course, that would never happen because the Five Great Sacred Grounds did not interfere in the matters of the Seven Major Nations.

A concealed Xiao Jiantian overlooked the crowded streets of Floating Cloud City... never in his life had he seen it anywhere near as busy. Turning to the forests to the west, he created a black sword out of nothing. Then he swung his sword of nothingness in the direction of the forest, creating a suitable plot of land.

'Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art (Nothingness Branch, 2nd Style): Sword Of Creation.'

'Let this land be divine and brimming with prosperity!'

With another swing, a massive and straight hill erupted... one large enough for a whole palace. It was no longer an empty plot of land either, countless rare flowers and other resources had started to grow from his primordial energy. Most importantly, fruits! Heavenly fruits began to grow at his will... strawberries, cherries, watermelons, kiwis, grapes, blueberries... the whole nine yards!

Not all of these were native to the Primal Chaos Dimension, unfortunately, but now he could have it all!

'These taste good... too good!' Xuanyuan Jiantian had a taste of the strawberries he had created and fell in love almost instantly. Immediately, he went on to finish his new home.

Exerting nearly all of his near-endless profound energy, he created a whole four-storied palace. A beautiful and massive garden, combat floor with thirty smaller rooms within it and a formation that would gather an abundance of profound energy from the air, over a dozen large guest rooms, somewhat empty living room, 'creation' room suitable for brewing and blacksmithing, dining hall suitable for over a hundred people, his own lavish room, a natural hot-spring only a kilometre from the hill... it was essentially heaven where all of his needs would be met.

He wondered if it was possible to bring forth more 'modern' technology. His memories of the modern world were somewhat scattered... but he still remembered all of his favourite things to do when he completely focused on recollecting his memory. To his disappointment, he was unable to create a smartphone, a gaming console or a divine PC. But there was one thing he could create!

A... basketball court!

Back home in his first life, he remembered how everyone loved football (soccer, to the Americans) to death. But... his favourite sport was always Basketball and he even had a long-lasting dream of making the NBA. However, he was short, without talent and a bit lazy so he never came close.

He created an entire fifth story to his Palace, recreating it somewhat. The basketball court was at the very centre of the fifth floor and its roofless nature provided pretty great scenery. He decided to have the whole floor dedicated to body refinement and sports in general. Since Sky Profound Realm+ cultivators could fly and those below could jump insane heights, something had to be adjusted. As a result, he added a cultivation-suppressing formation around the fifth floor capable of weakening anyone below the Emperor Profound Realm to their base state without profound strength.

This formation would, of course, be strengthened as he grew stronger himself.

Grabbing a basketball he created, he shot it from deep... and shot the ball over the backboard.

'I'm still trash at this game... somethings never change, haha'

He practised for an hour before taking a break and returning to the Floating Cloud City. The first thing he did was talk with his right-hand man and former Mayor, Yuwen Tuo.

"Heavenly Lord Xiao." He bowed with deep respect when he visited his mansion. "Is there something you might need from this humble servant?"

"I want you to spend a great deal of the treasury's gold on improving the Floating Cloud City. More homes, monuments, better and a greater number of services, farms for greater resources, skilled personnel such as craftsmen and medical experts along with HIGHLY skilled chefs. There must be a reason... no, countless reasons for people to visit the Floating Cloud City and settle in it."

"If at any time you run out of the funds the Xiao Sect provided, do inform me and I will sort it out." He added.

Yuwen Tuo took notes, never missing a single one of his words. "I will put forth my greatest efforts for the Floating Cloud City's growth, you can be certain of that, Heavenly Lord Xiao!"

Xiao Jiantian smiled. "Good, we'll even overshadow the Blue Wind Imperial City in time. One more thing..." Xiao Jiantian stopped. "I want you to take Xiao Che under your wing."

"You want me to mentor him?"

"Yes, teach him all you know in governing in his spare time." Xiao Jiantian nodded. "He is my brother so he should grow a governing mindset."

"It will be done."

"See you around, then."

Xiao Jiantian, two weeks after his marriage, had settled all of the most important matters and was ready to head out for the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace.

"Qingyue, do you still want to be a Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace disciple?"

"I can't." Xia Qingyue replied, a sad expression across her cold face. "My feelings are forbidden..."

It was true that she had liked the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace and was more than willing to dedicate herself to it, just not to the point of losing Xiao Jiantian's favour. With the rule concerning chastity existing, she could never return... or so she believed.

"If you truly wish to become a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace again... then I will make that wish into a reality." Xiao Jiantian smiled. "No matter how uptight those ladies are, they would understand who I am and what you truly mean to their Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. I believe your Master, Chu Yueli, acted far too swiftly and did not process the whole situation properly before leaving you."

"However, now, she and the rest of Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's upper echelon have had more than enough time to think... the real question is, are you willing to return?"

"I still owe my master and the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace for helping me grow stronger..." Xia Qingyue stated, closing her eyes and opening them once more when she had made her decision. "If the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace are willing to make an exception, I would more than gladly return as a disciple and represent them in the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament!"

"I like your resolve." Xiao Jiantian nodded approvingly, flipping her around and into his arms as he flew into the sky. "Then let us go together."

"Wha... what are you doing?"

"Carrying my dearest wife..." He chuckled. "You ride me with no hesitation at night yet you're embarrassed to be carried by me like this."

"Hmph..." Her cheeks turned red as she blushed. Noticing this herself, she changed the topic. "What are you waiting for? Start flying!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Jumping towards the northern-most regions of the Blue Wind Empire, it did not even take him thirty minutes to reach the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. When all of the Sacred Ground representatives were visiting him, he told Chu Yueli to return as he was capable of flying to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace himself.

He let Xia Qingyue go before the entrance of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. They stood together, seemingly a match in heaven. Xiao Jiantian was still rocking short black hair and had a masculine yet nevertheless beautiful facial appearance. He never allowed his hair to grow long... unless he was in closed-door cultivation. He wore clean white robes with patterns of cyan clouds which was relatively modest considering his position. On the other side, Xia Qingyue was beautiful beyond belief. Luscious long black hair, eyes that could steal all light from the world and a womanly figure with ever-growing assets on both sides. She wore a beautiful azure dress that hid most of her long, exquisite and slender legs. Being a daughter of the Xia Clan meant that she also had plenty of jewellery which shined with even a glimpse of light.

Xiao Jiantian didn't bother hiding his profound strength... no, he made sure everyone in the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace knew that he had arrived. "This King requires the immediate presence of the Asgard Mistress!"

He sure did get the attention he sought, having the Palace Mistress appear before him along with all Seven Fairies. The Seven Fairies of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace was the sect's greatest pride, having all achieved the late stages of the Sky Profound Realm. They were the reason why the Xiao Sect was ranked third a good length behind the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace.

"What would Heavenly Lord Xiao want from our Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace?" Gong Yuxian inquired, showing respect because of his high status and strength.

"It is Big Daddy Xiao to yo-" Xiao Jiantian chuckled, stopping when he felt Xia Qingyue's cold profound energy creep up his back.

"Excuse my husband's terrible manners." Xia Qingyue stated, bowing respectfully. "He's a little... unpredictable but I assure you he never meant it in an offensive way."

"You broke our most sacred taboo... what reason do you have to show your face to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace again?" Gong Yuxian turned to her with a cold gaze matching her tone.

"Tch, don't blame Qingyue." Xiao Jiantian stepped forward, ahead of Qingyue. His stance was one of supreme confidence and was as unshakeable as a mountain. "Blame me for it!"

Gong Yuxian turned to him, though even she wouldn't dare to severely offend him. His master was a level ten Monarch... a peak existence in all of the Profound Sky Continent!

"It was my fault that I was so dazzling that I overshadowed your Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace." Xiao Jiantian stated, placing the blame on himself. Then his expression turned from apologetic to critical. "However..."

"You wouldn't even make an extra-special exception for me? I understand that the Frozen Cloud Art is extremely important to your sect but me having it... hahaha." Xiao Jiantian laughed. "Do you honestly believe that this King will ever be using such a 3rd rate Profound Art!?"

"If anything, you should be honoured that I even have it!"

Gong Yuxian bit her lip, suppressing her anger. Though, she didn't really know how to respond in the face of Xiao Jiantian's influence. It's not every day that a disciple of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region visits... in fact, it never even happened before. "You've still not stated what you want. If it is to merely insult the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, I'd like to ask you to leave."

"A duel!" Xiao Jiantian stated out loud. "I want a duel against the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace in the honour of my wife, Xia Qingyue!"

"A duel... against the entire Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace?"

"If I win, Chu Yueli will sincerely apologise for expelling Qingyue. If I lose... you can have anything you want from me including several kilograms of Purple Veined Divine Crystal! Hell, I'll even bow before you. As an added handicap, I will even suppress myself to the profound strength of the first level of the Sky Profound Realm!"

"The first level of the Sky Profound Realm?" Gong Yuxian looked rather confident, thinking of how the Purple Veined Divine Crystals would benefit the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. Even a small piece the size of a nail was a priceless treasure... with several kilograms, they could possibly surpass even the Heavenly Sword Villa!

"And, in the impossible case that you manage to win, all you want is an apology?"

"Would it be better if I said I wanted to own the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace?" Xiao Jiantian shrugged. "If you want, you could add that to what I have to gain."

"If you truly are that formidable, then I wouldn't have a say in that matter." Gong Yuxian replied. "You could take whatever you wanted if you can truly defeat me at the first level of the Sky Profound Realm!"

"Take whatever I wanted..." Xiao Jiantian pretended to blush a little. "What if I wanted you?"

"Hmph...! I can't believe that such a vulgar man is the husband of Qingyue..."

"I was only kidding, you know." Xiao Jiantian shrugged, smiling mischievously. "Come on now... you look old enough to be my mother!"

"..." Gong Yuxian did feel a little embarrassed by the insult, deciding to ignore it completely. "The Seven Fairies and I will duel you as there is no reason to involve anyone else."

"Fine by me."

"Jiantian... you don't need to participate in an impossible fight for me." Xia Qingyue looked into his seemingly unfazed azure eyes. "You don't have to..."

"Have some confidence in me, alright? I wouldn't set myself up to be embarrassed... never mind in the presence my dearest wife!" Xiao Jiantian pat her head and smiled. "Use this as an opportunity to witness the Sword Art I've been teaching you... at its very peak."

Creating a luminous azure sword from his profound energy, Xiao Jiantian ascended into the skies gracefully. His tyrannical aura completely vanished... replaced by a serene, calm, expression. It was as if he had become a completely different person within a single instant!

"Ladies of ice, let us commence this dance."