Shen Ying’s group left Heavens beyond Heaven the second day after the destruction of the array. They handed Chu Xuan over to Chen Ge immediately once all the emperors had regained consciousness. After all, this matter concerned the two continents and the Invincible Sect was a part of Feng Cang continent. Chu Xuan had set up the Zhu Xian Array to incite discord within the continent. Hence this matter was best left to Chen Ge, who was an emperor as well, to handle.

　　Chu Xuan accepted the matter well and did not put up any resistance when Chen Ge sealed all the immortal qi in his body. Whether due to being intimidated by the presence of Shen Ying or because he was certain that Chen Ge dared not do anything to him, no one knew for sure. He was He Chuan’ ruler after all; his death would trigger an all out war between the two continents.

　　Although they did not know how Chen Ge would handle the matter, they guessed that it would keep him busy for some time.

　　Unlike the other emperors who were still indignant over the matter, Lonemoon was uninterested in this type of political intrigue and left with his group of disciples. Their immortal boat and just reached the entrance of Heavens beyond Heaven when a ray of dusky light flashed across the entrance and they saw a figure come running towards them.

　　“Wait a moment!” It was Chen Ge. He flew over hurriedly and stopped in front of the boat. “Sect master Shen and Sect Elders. Why didn’t you inform me that you were leaving. I could have sent you off.”

　　Lonemoon took a look at Chen Ge’s face, which was still swollen and puffy and subconsciously turned his head away. Waving his hand, he unlocked the boat’s defensive array. Then he saluted him and said, “Celestial Emperor, why have you come?”

　　“All of you are my old friends. You’re leaving, so naturally I have to send you off.” said Chen Ge as he descended to the boat. He turned to face the three people before him and curved his lips into a smile. However, this action caused the cut on his lip to tear, causing him to retract his smile in pain.

　　Lonemoon and Yi Qing both looked up at the sky. Er, this had nothing to do with them.

　　“Thanks to you two Sect Elders, I and the other emperors were able to escape unharmed from the Zhu Xian array.” Chen Ge’s thanked them gravely, a look of gratitude on his face.

　　The three of them: “…”

　　They felt an inexplicable feeling of guilt. They realized that he had come alone, unlike before, when he was always accompanied by an entourage of palace staff.

　　“Ahem… Er, Celestial Emperor is too kind. We just did our duty as Feng Cang’s citizens. Besides… wasn’t it Celestial Emperor who destroyed the array?”

　　Everyone had come out of the array unscathed, except Chen Ge, who emerged with a swollen face. As this could not be easily explained away, Lonemoon and Yi Qing decided to tell everyone that the array was destroyed by Chen Ge. They were only his side-kicks. After all, during their fight, his primordial spirit was not within his body. He would not find out… they hoped?

　　“Fellow Immortal Lonemoon exaggerates my capability.” Chen Ge gave a sigh and said with a grateful expression, “The rest of the emperors do not know the truth, but I do.”

　　“What?” Lonemoon’s heart leaped. Wasn’t Che Ge’s primordial spirit missing then? Has he come here to seek revenge?

　　“At that time, my primordial spirit had left my body. I couldn’t move, so how could I have destroyed the array and rescued the emperors?” Chen Ge sighed again. With a look of deep sincerity, he said, “So… you two were the ones who destroyed the array and you must have been the ones who protected my body in the array.”

　　Everyone: “….” Do the other immortals know there is a hole in your brain?

　　“You did it to raise my standing in the eyes of the other emperors. That’s why you told them that I was the one who destroyed the array.” Chen Ge said with a look of conviction on his face.

　　“Hahaha…” Lonemoon laughed heartily and answered without a hint of embarrassment, “It seems nothing can escape your eyes.”

　　Yi Qing: “…”

　　Shen Ying: “…”

　　With such thick skin, he’s without doubt a true businessman!

　　“We haven’t seen each other for a long time, I thought that we had grown apart,” said Chen Ge, shaking his head. “I never thought that you would be the ones to come to my aid at the critical moment. This is the second time that the two of you have helped me. I’m… deeply grateful.” He bent down and bowed deeply to the three of them.

　　Lonemoon suddenly felt that he had been too heavy-handed towards Chen Ge.

　　“You’re welcome, Celestial Emperor, it’s… our duty.” After all, they themselves had been trapped in the array. Moreover, the Invincible Sect was also a part of Feng Cang.

　　Chen Ge became even more emotional. Then seemingly recalling something, he frowned and said, “There was indeed a problem during the Immortal Competition. Hui Ling… It was my fault for not being strict with her. I have already withdrawn her champion’s title and ordered her to stay in seclusion for a hundred years. I’ll also launch an investigation to find out how she managed to win the competition.”

　　So saying he waved his hand and an immortal artifact instantly floated in front of them. This was the prize given to the Earth Immortal’s champion. “It was a negligence on my part. I wasn’t aware of my disciple’s wrong actions and was biased. I hope you won’t hold this against me.”

　　Lonemoon fell silent, not knowing how to answer him. Shen Ying reached out to take the dharmic artifact from Chen Ge, thanking him, “Don’t worry. We won’t.”

　　Then she tossed the artifact to the disciple clad in purple behind her. “Little Violet, it’s yours.”

　　The disciple, who was originally the Earth Immortal’s second placed winner, caught hold of it reflexively. Looking a little dazed, she said, “Thank you… thank you Sect Master.” This prize is given by Sect Master! Happiness!

　　“Sect Master Shen is truly magnanimous. Chen Ge thanks you.” Chen Ge saluted them and after exchanging some pleasantries with Lonemoon, turned towards Yi Qing and said, “Actually I have a request to ask of Fellow Immortal Yi Qing.”

　　Lonemoon frowned. He had been wondering why Chen Ge had been so friendly.

　　“What favor?” asked Yi Qing.

　　Chen Ge took out a white object that looked like a seal and continued, “This is the immortal seal of the Chong Lan country. Ge You betrayed Feng Cang, so naturally he has lost the right to be its emperor. As Brother Yi Qing has the highest cultivation level in Chong Lan, I would like to ask you to replace Ge You as its ruler.”

　　“Ruler!”

　　Lonemoon and the other disciples were stunned. He had guessed that it would be no small matter, he even thought Chen Ge might ask Yi Qing to help him wage war against He Chuan. Yi Qing, with his skills, was certainly on par with Ge You. He never imagined that Chen Ge would request Yi Qing to take over as Chong Lan’s ruler.

　　“Fellow Immortal Yi Qing is already a young emperor, as well as a sword cultivator. There is no one in Chong Lan who is as powerful as you. So you are the best…”

　　“I can’t!”

　　“What?” Chen Ge exclaimed, seemingly surprised by his rejection. “Why?”

　　“Because…” Yi Qing replied gravely, ” I won’t have time to cook for Master then.”

　　Chen Ge: “…” What the heck!

　　Lonemoon: “…” You’re a bloody immortal chef!

　　Shen Ying: “…” What a good chef.

　　Lonemoon’s mouth twitched in exasperation. Sighing, he answered on behalf of Yi Qing. “Thank you for your kind offer. But this matter of a new ruler is of utmost importance, not anyone with a high cultivation level can take on the role. Yi Qing used to be an itinerant cultivator. I’m afraid he’s not suited for governance.” If Yi Qing took on the role, officially he would be the ruler, but knowing the freakish characters of the master-disciple duo, it would be left to him to do the dirty job! Taking care of the two hundred immortals in Invincible Sect was already sapping his energy, if he had to manage a whole country… Heh heh… He had no wish to shorten his lifespan!

　　This request has to be rejected!

　　“I know that all of you here have noble characters, fame and power hold no attraction for you. But…” Chen Ge looked conflicted. He had no choice, Chong Lan needed a ruler, and they were the most suitable.

　　“In that case …” There was a gleam in Lonemoon’s eyes as he suggested, “Shall I recommend someone to you?”

　　“Really?” Chen Ge’s eyes shone in hopeful anticipation.

　　“Yes, yes, yes.” Lonemoon nodded his head emphatically. “He’s the best choice.”

　　“I naturally trust Fellow Immortal Lonemoon’s judgement. Who is he?”

　　“He’s…”

　　***

　　A few miles away.

　　Ah choo!

　　Xun Shu, who was just about to lead his tribe members home, suddenly let out a loud sneeze. Why did he suddenly feel a cold draft behind him?