Amidst the towering mountain ranges where the southern border of the Great Yan Dynasty met the Great Desolation, a colossal tower soaring into the clouds spanned heaven and earth.
This place was one of the sixteen "war fortresses" built jointly ten thousand years ago toward the end of the Aberrant Ghost Calamity by the entire sect world, meant to guard against the aberrant ghosts mounting a resurgence from the Great Desolation.
Down to the present day, all traces of the other fifteen giant towers had completely vanished from the world over ten millennia. Only this one remained standing, having been transformed by the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion into its sect mountain, letting the fissures along the tower's lower reaches bear witness to the utter devastation wrought by that ancient catastrophe.
Looking out through the window lattice of the flying pavilion at most of the majestic tower, Zhou Bowen, sitting alone by the window sipping fragrant tea, could not help but show a hint of admiration in his eyes.
No matter how many times he saw it, he was still shaken by this marvel of uncanny craftsmanship.
The body of the tower was massive and imposing, carved with labyrinthine array patterns of every kind, while the countless giant flying beasts circling beside it seemed like sparrows in comparison.
After watching quietly for a dozen breaths, Zhou Bowen slowly withdrew his gaze and let out a gentle sigh.
He remembered ancient texts recording that the former site of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion ten thousand years ago had also been a giant tower—
a tower named Overseeing Heaven that was even vaster and more majestic than the one before him.
Unfortunately, that former site had already been reduced to ashes during the turmoil of the aberrant ghosts ten thousand years ago. Yet it had not been destroyed by those aberrant ghosts, but rather in the human disaster that immediately followed...
Thoughts drifted through his mind, but soon enough, Zhou Bowen's reverie was interrupted by a voice transmission sent into the pavilion.
"Elder Zhou, pardon the wait. The Pavilion Master wishes to see you."
Hearing this, Zhou Bowen's unfocused eyes snapped sharp, the fat on his face trembling as he looked in the direction of the voice.
As far as his eyes could see, there was not a soul. However, on the tower's flank several dozen paces away from the Azure Phoenix pavilion beneath him, Fatty Zhou did spot a deep passageway slowly unfurling.
Spiral stone doors contracted and parted in all directions, revealing a pitch-black passageway dozens of zhang in diameter.
As a former war fortress, the tower's upper and middle sections contained numerous skyports meant for flying demonic beasts to land, and the passageway before him was evidently one of them.
With a shift of thought, his intent-soul reached out, and the Azure Phoenix bird beneath him immediately let out a clarion cry, spreading its wings to glide smoothly into the opening.
Once the Azure Phoenix bird touched down securely inside the massive passageway, Zhou Bowen stepped down from the pavilion. A man dressed in the uniform of an Overseeing Heaven Pavilion deacon came forward to greet him, his voice respectful:
"Elder Zhou, I shall look after your mount. Please come this way; Elder Liyang will escort you to the top of the tower where the Pavilion Master awaits."
Zhou Bowen gave a slight nod and followed behind him, his narrow, squinting eyes gleaming faintly as he swept his gaze across his surroundings, whereupon a flicker of surprise surfaced in them.
The layout inside this dark passageway somewhat resembled a mortal stable.
Only compared to a mortal stable, this place was incomparably larger. Dozens of demonic beasts reared for war lay in orderly rows behind the black iron railings on both sides.
And Zhou Bowen remembered that inside the giant tower, there were dozens of floors just like this one.
In other words,
within this single giant tower alone, thousands of war-bred demonic beasts of various species were being kept...
At the thought, a flicker of helplessness crossed Zhou Bowen's eyes.
Rearing so many demonic beasts made what the Pavilion Master intended to do self-evident.
Yet thinking it over, Zhou Bowen let it go.
Currently, virtually every faction across the Great Yan Dynasty was building up its armaments. If one only focused on amassing money and supplies, then once war truly broke out, one would merely become someone else's granary.
Mulling over these random thoughts, Zhou Bowen was quickly guided out of the passageway by the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion deacon. After meeting the one called Elder Liyang, he navigated the tower's intricate interior through several turns before finally ascending a long spiral staircase to reach the summit of the tower.
Clouds and mists surged atop the tower, intricate array patterns etched into the ground. A woman clad in a pure, majestic white dress stood at the edge of the summit, gazing far to the north, her robes and long hair fluttering in the frigid high-altitude winds.
Glancing at the woman's slender, graceful back and then over at Liyang standing in place, Zhou Bowen asked in a low voice:
"Brother Liyang, aren't you coming over?"
Liyang gave a slight shake of his head:
"The Pavilion Master only stated she wished to see you. I shall take my leave."
With that, Fatty Zhou watched him vanish from the tower's summit without looking back.
Smacking his lips, Zhou Bowen slowly shuffled forward, stopping three zhang behind the woman. He retrieved the Lingtian Instrument from his Sumeru ring, offered it up with both hands, and bowed deeply:
"Pavilion Master, this was entrusted to me by Venerable Taishi before his death to return to you."
"..."
Hearing this, Tianyuan slowly turned her eyes back. A divine, indifferent gaze fell upon the portly Transcendent Elder behind her, but she said nothing.
Seeing this, Zhou Bowen felt cold sweat drench his back in an instant.
At times, a silent stare was far more unnerving, especially when one had a guilty conscience.
Yet he had no choice but to come report his mission.
Fortunately, before long, Tianyuan's indifferent voice drifted over:
"You failed?"
"Yes."
Fatty Zhou lowered his head even further, his body frozen still, but his heart had quietly begun to race.
He was somewhat afraid the Pavilion Master would drop a line like, "Since you failed, why are you still alive?"
After all, the entire assassination operation could be called an utter failure.
They had provoked the Chancellor's Manor, suffered losses among their personnel, and in a certain sense had even accelerated the unfolding of the calamity.
And as the sole surviving Overseeing Heaven Pavilion elder among the five assassins, Zhou Bowen was undeniably the sole target to bear accountability.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Bowen felt his hands lighten as the Lingtian Instrument was drawn away through the air. Then, Tianyuan's voice, devoid of emotion, came once more:
"I had already anticipated this."
At these words, Zhou Bowen, his eyes still lowered, breathed an instant sigh of relief.
It seemed the Pavilion Master had no intention of holding him accountable.
Yet what she had said could not help but raise a sliver of doubt in his heart.
Already anticipated?
What did that mean?
His brows knitting slightly, Zhou Bowen slowly raised his eyes to look at the Pavilion Master, who seemed untainted by a speck of mortal dust, and asked:
"Pavilion Master, you knew we would fail on this venture?"
Tianyuan looked calmly at him, her voice cool and even:
"The inception of the calamity has become a certainty. To alter destiny is exceedingly difficult."
Hearing this, Zhou Bowen furrowed his brows even tighter. After a quiet breath, he exhaled heavily and said in a low voice:
"Since you knew the outcome, Pavilion Master, why still—"
"It was a necessary attempt."
"Just for an attempt, throwing away three Transcendents..."
"..."
A gaze devoid of any emotion fell upon him, sending a violent shiver through Zhou Bowen's heart. He hurriedly dropped his eyes and whispered:
"Subordinate has overstepped."
Holding the Lingtian Instrument in hand, Tianyuan slowly turned around to gaze far north once again:
"Step down."
Zhou Bowen hesitated slightly upon hearing this:
"Pavilion Master... the specific details of this trip, as well as the calamity Xu Changtian has manifested into, subordinate has yet to report."
Looking at the distant sky, Tianyuan's voice was very faint:
"I will summon you again later. The Saintess is about to arrive."
"..."
Hearing this, Zhou Bowen understood in an instant.
The Saintess had been ordered to go to the Imperial Capital, yet she had defied orders to return here, evidently because of the assassination attempt on Xu Changtian.
If she happened to bump into him, one of the "culprits," it would likely stir up no small amount of trouble.
With that thought, Zhou Bowen bowed once more, and his corpulent figure vanished from the spot in a flash.
For a time, atop the immense giant tower, only Tianyuan's graceful figure remained, standing silently in solitary aloofness from the mortal world.
Time ticked by. Half a quarter of an hour later, a golden streak of light came into Tianyuan's field of view.
Tearing through the sky, the streak of light arrived above the summit in the blink of an eye.
Hovering in the void above the giant tower's peak, the young girl looked down at her impassive master, her small canine biting hard on her lip.
After meeting eyes for several breaths, Tianyuan's cool, gentle voice softly sounded:
"Come down."
Tianyan did not move upon hearing this, remaining suspended in the void. The look in her golden eyes was complex beyond measure as she gritted her teeth and asked:
"Tianyuan...
"Why?"
"..."
Hearing this form of address, Tianyuan's divine golden eyes still showed no emotional ripple whatsoever.
The Saintess and the Pavilion Master both acted on behalf of heaven and held no superior-subordinate distinction; one could address the other as Master according to worldly etiquette, or call her directly by name according to Overseeing Heaven law.
After a brief silence, Tianyuan did not deny anything, simply asking in a clear voice:
"Why do you think it is?"
Tianyan's slender body trembled slightly, her crisp voice turning low:
"The calamity is only a tiny fraction of the reason. The origin of the catastrophe does not mean he is necessarily the calamity itself."
Seeing the inner turmoil on the girl's face, Tianyuan softened her tone slightly:
"I know this."
At those words, Tianyan's fists clenched beneath her sleeves:
"Since you know this as well, then why did you insist on assassinating him by force—"
"You think I was wrong?"
Tianyuan's voice cut Tianyan off abruptly, her divine golden eyes piercing like swords straight into Tianyan's heart. "If it was wrong, then tell me, where does the error in my decision lie? A reasonable proposal from the Saintess is something I would consider."
"..." Tianyan's breath hitched slightly, her bright golden eyes fixed firmly on her master below.
"Although we cannot be certain that the origin of the catastrophe is the calamity itself, as long as there is a chance, it is worth trying."
Looking at the girl whose chest was heaving, Tianyuan spoke with a voice as indifferent as snow. "Tianyan, our Overseeing Heaven Pavilion is no place for sentimental romance. Right now, your emotions are swaying your judgment. Come find your master once you have calmed down."
With that, Tianyuan slowly turned around, dragging her cascading, intricate white gown as she walked unhurriedly toward the interior of the tower.
Gazing at her master's departing back, Tianyan, hovering in midair, gritted her silver teeth and slowly closed her eyes.
The next instant, a profound ripple instantly spread around her.
As this ripple propagated, the trembling of Tianyan's delicate body and her tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed.
When she opened her eyes once more, those clear golden eyes were filled with the same divine indifference as Tianyuan's.
With a surge of air currents, she descended slowly onto the summit of the tower. Staring at Tianyuan's back, Tianyan spoke in an emotionless voice:
"Master, you said just now that the calamity was only part of the reason. Is the rest because of me?
"Do you believe that so long as you kill Xu Yuan, my feelings for him will gradually fade with time?"
Hearing this indifferent tone, Tianyuan's footsteps halted at once. She turned slightly to look at the golden-eyed girl behind her and did not deny it:
"There is that consideration. I once warned you that matters of love must be resolved by you yourself. Your identity and his are destined to have no future together.
"Presently, the roots of our Overseeing Heaven Pavilion are planted among the sects. If we wish to survive and grow strong, that brings an irreconcilable conflict with the Prime Minister's Manor behind Xu Changtian."
Tianyan stepped forward slowly, speaking clearly:
"Now that the great calamity is approaching, there is a possibility of cooperation between our Overseeing Heaven Pavilion and the Prime Minister's Manor."
"And just how large do you think that possibility is?"
Tianyuan's robes fluttered as she raised a hand to tuck a few strands of hair behind her ear, fixing her eyes on the girl before her.
"Furthermore, if that Xu Changtian truly is the calamity itself, what will you do then?
"Will you betray your sect,
"or kill him with your own hands?"
"..."
Atop the towering summit, the cold wind howled past as the two women stared at each other in silence.
And amidst that silence,
wavering gradually surfaced from the depths of Tianyan's indifferent eyes.
With the emergence of this hesitation, the profound ripple surrounding Tianyan steadily dispersed, and that faint divine indifference in her eyes rapidly reverted to its usual state.
The State of Divine Emptiness had been broken!
Witnessing this, Tianyuan instantly felt a pang of trouble in her heart.
She realized she had somewhat underestimated Tianyan's feelings for Xu Changtian.
This rebellious disciple's feelings for that Xu Changtian had actually reached a point where not even the State of Divine Emptiness from the Heaven-Deducing Art could suppress them...
Reason told Tianyuan that she should immediately deal with this variable that was Tianyan.
If the Overseeing Heaven Saintess defected to the enemy, it would be equivalent to the Great Yan Emperor rebelling against himself.
The loss this would inflict on the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion would be incalculable.
Yet regrettably, the present situation did not permit her to do so.
In this generation of the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion, only Tianyan was a Saintess capable of inheriting the position of Pavilion Master, and the impending calamity also required a "Tianyan" to meet the trial.
After several breaths of silence, Tianyuan gently exhaled, her voice softening slightly as she shifted the topic:
"Tianyan, your deliberate return surely isn't just to ask your master for the reasons, is it?"
The disruption of the State of Divine Emptiness had caused Tianyan some backlash. Wiping away the trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, she stared at her master and asked softly with a hint of hesitation:
"Is Xu Yuan... still alive?"
Hearing this question, Tianyuan glanced toward the far north and said:
"The operation failed. Only one survived."
Hearing this, a flash of immense relief instantly crossed Tianyan's eyes, but it was quickly followed by conflicted feelings.
Xu Yuan being alive made the heavy mood weighing on her these past days instantly relax.
Yet for her sense of belonging to the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion, this news left her feeling somewhat lost.
In this assassination attempt, the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion had lost three Transcendents...
Watching the expression in Tianyan's eyes, Tianyuan felt a little more at ease this time.
At least, the Saintess was still very far from taking the step of betraying the sect.
With that thought, Tianyuan said softly:
"This outcome was already within your master's expectations."
Tianyan was slightly surprised to hear this, asking in confusion:
"Since you clearly knew it would fail, Master, why—"
Tianyuan's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of solemnity:
"This was an attempt to end the calamity, as well as your master's consideration for the future.
"Over these ten thousand years, the Overseeing Heaven Pavilion's loose system of control has rested upon the Heaven-Deducing Art. Now that the future can no longer be seen, we need an external enemy to rally the various sects below us together."
Chapter 450