Wayfarer

Chapter 479: Sieve of Heaven

Xiao Nanfeng, Zhang Lingjun, and the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost flew above a sea of clouds, where the sun shone brightly and all was pure and spotless as far as the eye could see. A huge set of gates had been erected on a white cloud not too far away—only the gates, without an accompanying watchtower. The gates were wreathed in fog and radiated an aura of divinity. Above the gates were written the words "Eastern Heavenly Gate."

The area beyond the gate seemed to be shrouded from sight, and what lay within could not be discerned from the outside. However, there were a significant number of Immortals flying out. There were plenty headed in as well, but those that did were largely subject to inspections from a number of golden-armored knights by the gate.

"So this is one entryway into the Imperial Court, the Eastern Heavenly Gate?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed in surprise, glancing at the gate that extended hundreds of meters into the air.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost gave Xiao Nanfeng a disdainful glance. "Don't behave like a rube. Come on, let's head in."

"Do I need to register my identity with the guards?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"There's no need. You have the charm of a Martial Aspect and can enter and exit at will. The guards are only for those without tokens that permit free access," Zhang Lingjun replied.

Xiao Nanfeng took out his charm and flew toward the eastern gate alongside Zhang Lingjun.

When the guards saw the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost, they immediately bowed, not daring to stop him. Xiao Nanfeng and Zhang Lingjun followed swiftly behind, furnishing their own tokens that would allow them to pass by unmolested.

Swiftly thereafter, Xiao Nanfeng found himself in contact with a barrier that divided the outside from the inside. His Martial Aspect's charm formed a glimmering golden shield around himself that allowed him to bypass it.

They stepped past the gate and entered a new realm.

"The Imperial Court is a hidden realm? What a unique place..." Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

The Imperial Court hidden realm was extremely large in size, even larger than the Netherworld Palace that he had recently been in. The horizon was vanishingly far away, and the realm was lit up by warm, bright sunlight. Spiritual energy filled the air. There were countless mountains and rivers in the background, tall and imposing, with all manner of beasts, avians, and Immortals roaming the land. Floating islands dotted the air, shrouded with fog for a measure of privacy.

Directly to the north was a large mountain range glistening with rosy light. An incredible number of ornate, palatial buildings surrounded it and caught the eye.

More importantly, above that mountain range was a huge sea of fortune, so vast it seemed that there was no end to it. Xiao Nanfeng marveled at the sight. In comparison, his Dazheng Empire had a sea of fortune not even a ten-thousandth of its extent.

"What impressive fortune..."

He could faintly see a large number of golden dragons surging through the clouds, but because of his vantage point, he wasn't able to clearly make out the entire sea of fortune.

"Beneath the sea of fortune is Mt. Kunlun. The Imperial Court lies atop Mt. Kunlun, home to the Jade Lake, the Peach Orchard, and the Heavenly Palace, the premier palace in the entirety of the known world. Court convenes there, and that's the one place you'll meet His Majesty. This entire realm is known as the Sieve of Heaven, and there are plenty of strong cultivators who have made their home here—alongside the Imperial Court's manifold departments and countless civilians and cultivators," Zhang Lingjun explained.

"Is the Heavenly Emperor at Mt. Kunlun at the moment?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"I don't know, but that isn't something you have to worry about at the moment. You'll be able to pay respects to the Heavenly Emperor during a session of court. Now, you'd better report to the Hall of Martial Aspects, and then have a look at your manor and forces. I'll accompany you."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost had already flown into the distance. Zhang Lingjun and Xiao Nanfeng followed after him; the trio headed toward a large floating island.

The island was shrouded with fog. When the three cultivators neared, soldiers stepped forward, then bowed respectfully and retreated upon seeing the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost.

The three cultivators landed on the floating island, on which countless halls and pavilions were constructed. Each was ornate, and the one at the very center heralded itself as the Hall of Martial Aspects.

A few ordinary officials rushed over. After learning that Xiao Nanfeng was a Martial Aspect whose title had just been conferred, they immediately helped him with the remaining administrative affairs that were required. He handed the corpses of the dead officials over to them to handle.

"Come greet the Eastern Aspect with me," the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost said.

"Who's that?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Zhang Lingjun said, "The world is divided into four great continents, as is the Hall of Martial Aspects. Each quadrant of the Hall is responsible for overseeing one continent and consists of eighteen Martial Aspects. The strongest among the eighteen is the Aspect responsible for the continent and the leader of the eighteen. The Eastern Aspect is Ao Canghai, Martial Aspect of the Vast Seas."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

He followed the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost toward a side hall not too far away. Zhang Lingjun waited for him outside.

The moment they entered the hall, they saw a huge map hung up on the northern wall. A group of officials were perusing stacks of information as they answered a man's questions. The man was dressed in a golden robe and had a hulking physique. His back was to Xiao Nanfeng as he carefully examined the map, analyzing something of great importance.

"Eastern Aspect, Martial Aspect Xiao has come to report to the Hall and to claim his manor keys," the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost said, with incredible politeness.

Only then did the man in golden robes turn around. He had long black hair bound behind his back and a middle-aged appearance, his face wide and stern, with thick eyebrows and eyes like a starry sea. His gaze seemed to convey the power of a tidal wave.

Xiao Nanfeng found the hairs on his back rising. The man before him was a peerless hegemon in aura.

He cultivated Hegemon's Fist, and was particularly sensitive to hegemonic aura. The cultivator before him wouldn't pale in comparison to Emperor Wei, whom he had met. Were the four Cardinal Aspects each as strong as an Immortal Emperor?

"Xiao Nanfeng greets the Eastern Aspect." Xiao Nanfeng bowed.

Ao Canghai stared at Xiao Nanfeng for a moment before smiling unexpectedly. "Among the Martial Aspects of the East, you're the only one to not shrink back upon meeting my gaze for the first time. Xiao Nanfeng, is it? I acknowledge you."

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost gaped at Xiao Nanfeng. This was the first time he had seen the Eastern Aspect praise anyone to this extent, despite the fact that Xiao Nanfeng was only an Earth Immortal. Surely he was hardly deserving of such praise?

Xiao Nanfeng understood Ao Canghai's intent. The hegemonic aura he had given off was spiritual suppression in some form and intended to probe his abilities to an extent. Ordinary people would hardly be able to withstand it, but he did.

"Thank you for the praise, Eastern Aspect," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"You've succeeded the Martial Aspect of Sunblaze, so you'll be taking over his forces and demesne. You'll have half a year to handle the transition and get your affairs in order," Ao Canghai continued.

He sent a golden token floating toward Xiao Nanfeng.

"Thank you, Eastern Aspect." Xiao Nanfeng bowed.

"Off you go, then."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded and retreated from the hall.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost didn't follow him out, but Xiao Nanfeng didn't mind. He left in search of Zhang Lingjun.

Within the hall, Ao Canghai waved his hand and sent the officials out of the hall, leaving him alone with the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost.

"Silverfrost, you've done something very foolish," Ao Canghai said coldly.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's eyes widened. "Please enlighten me, Eastern Aspect. I'm not sure what you're talking about?"

"Oh? How could you be unaware of your own actions? Don't think that others are unaware of what happened when you encountered the three-headed serpents. Some of those officials had avatars. What were you thinking? Do you think I'd be kept in the dark?" Ao Canghai demanded.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost blanched. "I was injured, Eastern Aspect, or I wouldn't have had such a difficult fight. I really did try my best."

"And you're still trying to fool me?"

"I wouldn't dare, Eastern Aspect! I..." The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost stopped, gulping in the face of Ao Canghai's ice-cold glare.

"Zhang Lingjun's mother might have done something she shouldn't have, but she was still the Heavenly Emperor's favorite daughter. Zhang Lingjun herself is still the Heavenly Emperor's granddaughter. His affairs are not for an outsider like you to comment on. If anything had happened to Zhang Lingjun while you were responsible for guarding her, even I couldn't have saved you," Ao Canghai declared.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost began to sweat profusely. He hadn't thought too much of Zhang Lingjun until now, but it was clear he should have been far more careful.

"Xiao Nanfeng was a Martial Aspect appointed by the Heavenly Emperor himself, and you were tasked with guarding him. If he had perished to the three-headed serpents, that would have cast shame on the entire Imperial Court. Did you think your petty tricks would be able to fool anyone? The Heavenly Emperor, even? Do you want to die?!"

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's heart thudded. How close had he come to losing everything?

"I was truly a fool, Eastern Aspect. Please, save me!" The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost immediately bowed.

Ao Canghai glared at the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost. "Fortunately, nothing untoward happened, but this sort of behavior can't go unpunished. Withstand three hundred strikes from a venomflame truncheon, then reflect on your actions in secluded cultivation. Don't attempt to mess with Xiao Nanfeng for the time being."

"Understood!" the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost replied, gulping.

"Now, go!"

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost bowed and respectfully left the hall.

After Xiao Nanfeng found Zhang Lingjun and allowed her to show him around the Sieve of Heaven, they flew toward a forested region surrounded by fog.

"Princess, I apologize for having you serve as my guide yourself," Xiao Nanfeng joked.

"I promised Father to direct you, and this is naturally part of my responsibilities. As for my station, you can ignore it. I might be a princess, but I'm hardly unique. There are over a hundred in the Imperial Court, and I'm not a particularly high-ranking one."

"Even so, you're a princess, a granddaughter of the Heavenly Emperor himself! Who would dare look down on you?"

"You don't understand," Zhang Lingjun sighed, smiling wryly.

It seemed as though there were some troubles associated with her station that she found it difficult to voice.

"We're almost there. This is the manor that once belonged to the Martial Aspect of Sunblaze, and now to you." Zhang Lingjun pointed at the distance.

The forest was shrouded with fog. Above it was an erect banner on which 'Sunblaze' was written.