Chapter 254: Chapter 14: Do You Concede That Qinghui Surpasses the Blazing Sun?

The most tangible effect was that the Path of Transcendence had become smoother and simpler to walk, with the requirements for advancement loosening considerably.

In a chaotic era where one general’s triumph is built on the bones of ten thousand, there would be no shortage of opportunities for glory.

Transcendents, once a minority, would begin to spring up like mushrooms after a rain. The influx of new Legends would greatly diminish the prestige of the Legendary Celestial Rank.

But an easier Path of Transcendence was not necessarily a good thing. When the Celestial God Law had previously enveloped the Mortal World, the Extraordinary Path had been neatly laid out. It was completely safe, devoid of danger; one simply had to climb and train.

After the Law faded, new Transcendents, even while walking the paths of the Celestial Gods, could be led astray and fall into the madness and confusion of Chaos Undivided. The Extraordinary Path, once as safe and harmonious as a child’s playground, had suddenly changed, now carrying the risk of one losing control and descending into madness.

All sorts of Forbidden Techniques and daring experiments would emerge one after another. The only limit would be one’s imagination, not one’s audacity.

It couldn’t be helped; friend and foe shared the same origin. To put it bluntly, the Power of Order was merely Chaos Energy that had been specially filtered and purified.

But Westheid was pleased. The Celestial God Law was a shield for mortals, but true Powerhouses could use this crisis to expand their own strength without limit.

Above the rank of Legend lay the Ascension Ladder.

In the past, merely speaking of the Ascension Ladder—let alone walking it—was enough to draw immense criticism and be branded a heretic.

’In any case, reaching the Legendary Tier is just the beginning. Only from this day forward can I truly be called a Powerhouse.’

Westheid stood with his hands clasped behind his back, glancing at the giant tree now consumed by embers. He drew Shadow-Born slightly from its sheath once more. The damage it sustained from his use of the Late Prayer Combat Technique had been completely repaired during his ascension to the Legendary Tier.

This meant he could unleash another ultimate move. A perfect opportunity to test the power of a Legend.

SHIIING—

The instant the blade left its sheath, a soft, clear, and brilliant light flared. An ethereal, crescent-shaped blade of energy materialized, appearing as if carved from luminous jade—so pure, so translucent, it was beautiful beyond words.

This was no external power like the Devouring Dragon Thunder or the Flame of Extinction, but the purest Glowing Radiance. With a gentle wave of his hand, the ethereal blade of concentrated Glowing Radiance cleaved straight down, tearing into the Corrupted Holy Tree, which was already on its last legs.

Under the heavy blow, the colossal tree splintered, lost all stability, and came crashing down. At the same moment, the ethereal blade of Glowing Radiance exploded, transforming into the phantom of a brilliant moon. The expanding energy of Glowing Radiance swept away the surrounding ash, smog, dust, and miasma.

A fresh, clean aura washed over every soldier who had entered Winter Fall Main City. They first shivered, then felt an incredible sense of comfort as the wounds from the previous battle healed completely.

"Is this... Firefly Blade, Breath of Life, and Sanctity Manifestation from the River of Qinghui? Brother, you’re finally..."

Yolanda was so moved she was on the verge of tears. For so long, she hadn’t seen Westheid use the ancestral techniques of the Qinghui Clan, only those strange powers from unknown origins.

’He’s finally using the Power of Glowing Radiance! Now *that’s* the Qinghui Patriarch!’

Westheid didn’t particularly care about the elemental nature of the power he had just used; he was simply a little surprised by his own handiwork.

’Is this the Energy Level of the Legendary Celestial Rank? No... I should say my T0 Talent is even more heaven-defying at the Legendary Tier.’

’Yes, yes, yes! This is the level of power I was hoping for!’

Having done all this, Westheid turned his head and laughed with abandon.

"Gentlemen! I promised you three things: to break their ranks, to slay their commander, and to seize their banner! Have I not now fulfilled my promise?"

’Of course he did! He absolutely did! He did it with ease!’

Overwhelming emotion swelled in the chests of the Qinghui Guard. They gazed up at the moon-like orb that had scattered the miasma and gloom, so choked with feeling they could not even cheer.

"Yeah! His Majesty has defiled the Corrupted Holy Tree! His Majesty is invincible!"

"Long live Qinghui!"

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

"..."

Amid the tide of cheers, Westheid laughed and said good-naturedly,

"Damn it, you think I need you to tell me? Get back to it! Mop up the remaining corrupted creatures, and then spread the news of our victory!"

"Long live His Majesty!!"

After their cheers, the most devoted of the Qinghui Guard began to clean up the battlefield with renewed passion. With the fall of the Corrupted Holy Tree, Winter Fall Province was officially declared liberated.

There was no need for him to personally oversee the remaining cleanup.

Westheid helped Mivana to her feet, and they slowly made their way back toward the rear lines.

Mivana said, "So this is the power of a Grand Knight."

Westheid nodded. "Yes. Do you regret it? You could have reached this tier as well... It’s not too late. The provinces near the border will surely have more Little Holy Trees falling to corruption." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"No. After this, I must leave. I’m still very worried about the situation in Dusk Lamp Territory."

The Wolf-eared Maiden shook her head slowly but firmly, declining Westheid’s offer to help her advance.

She didn’t have such a deep-seated desire to grow stronger; or perhaps, she simply never doubted her own potential. Her confidence was something Westheid truly envied.

’Sigh. If I didn’t have my own cheats, I have no idea how I’d ever catch up to these favored daughters of heaven.’

"...If that’s the case, you should head back first. I’ll open up a path to the Country of Yonglan as soon as I can and rendezvous with you there."

Westheid said after a moment of thought.

Now that he had ascended to the Legendary Tier, he spoke with much more confidence. A trip to the Country of Yonglan was certainly feasible now.

The border of the Country of Yonglan wasn’t too far from Winter Fall Province—only four or five provinces away. If the Little Holy Trees in those regions hadn’t been corrupted, the journey would be even quicker.

"Okay, then it’s a promise."

Mivana didn’t object to Westheid’s offer of support, nodding seriously.

On their way back, the Qinghui Guard spread the joyous news everywhere: "We’re victorious!"

Yolanda, leading the way, proudly addressed the Imperial citizens who had been observing the battle from the rear.

"Everyone! Are you now willing to admit that the pure light of Qinghui outshines the blazing sun?"

The people from the Pioneer Territory, who had been overjoyed at the Qinghui Legion’s smooth victory, were stunned by her words.

’What the hell? Can she even say that?’

In the Imperial context, the one and only sun was the Divine Ancestor, the Radiant Holy Tree. Any vocabulary or statements touching upon the subject had to be handled with extreme care.

Although the people of the Qinghui Territory received the blessings of the Pure Holy Spirit and weren’t technically Holy Tree Believers, to be so confrontational was a bit...

"Ahem!"

Westheid immediately coughed twice, calling back the overexcited Yolanda.

Yolanda, realizing her blunder, awkwardly...

"Brother..."

"You’re being a bit too blunt. It’s not time for that yet."

’Even though everyone close to me knows what I’m thinking, showing my hand so openly is undignified. Very undignified.’

’How can I praise one side and denigrate the other while still flying the Imperial banner?’

’Wouldn’t that tarnish my brilliant and martial image?’

Westheid coolly held up a finger and said,

"Remember the two kinds of indiscretion, and always leave yourself an out. Can’t you learn from my virtues?"