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Chapter 208 Times have changed
Chen Xuan and the other two were greatly surprised.

Wasn't the Immortal Alliance still organizing local cultivators to expedition to Europe? How could it just disappear like that?
Even the Sendai platform is still there!
"Who arranged for you to clean this house?"

"It was a decision made jointly by the four major sects, and the guardians of the disciples are rotated among the sects every year," Wang Wenyi said respectfully. "This is a consensus among the sect leaders. Without the guidance of the esteemed immortal masters, we cultivators would not have reached our current level."

The Four Great Sects?

Liu Shuyue had already asked, "Which four?"

Wang Wenshou cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Dengxiantai, Fengtian Academy, Yaowang Pavilion, and Lianyun Sect."

"What did you say?!" Liu Shuyue suddenly rushed forward, grabbed the other person's collar, and demanded, "What's the name of the last sect?"

Wang Wenshou was startled and stammered, unable to speak for a moment.

Wang Wenyi, steeling himself, repeated, "...It's called Lianyun Sect. Why is the Immortal Master angry?"

"She wasn't angry, just a little agitated." Chen Xuan was equally shocked, but he didn't show it on the surface. "What's the background of this Lotus Cloud Sect?"

"It inherits the lineage of immortals, and its founders are none other than the disciples of the immortal masters, Ji Yun and Ji Lian."

Chen Xuan was completely confused. Had he taken these two as his students?

Liu Shuyue pulled him aside, saying, "These two are Wei Jiu and Wei Hua."

He thought for a moment, "The brother and sister?"

"Do you remember that they had a master before? He died on top of the Tower of Flesh and Blood. But before he breathed his last, he saw his disciples and gave them jade tablets with their Taoist names written on them."

Liu Shuyue stood aside and did not go up to disturb their farewell moment.

It wasn't until Ah Jiu came over and showed her the jade pendant that she realized what had happened.

"Wait a minute!" Chen Xuan asked in surprise, "You knew their names back then? How come you've never mentioned them to me before?"

"I don't know how to say it!" Liu Shuyue gripped his fingers tighter. "Just because their names are related, you're making wild assumptions? Or are you suggesting we force them to change their names? They haven't done anything wrong! Anyone would find that a request strange... So I decided to put the name issue aside for now and focus on building Spicy Village..."

Chen Xuan suddenly realized.

So that's how it is. No wonder Liu Shuyue didn't come to the shop for a while after the Immortal Alliance matter came to an end. Even Lin Qing suspected that the two of them had quarreled.

The relationship is because of this matter.

"It's alright, maybe it's just a coincidence of names?" Chen Xuan said in a relaxed tone.

"I told myself the same thing before, but before it was just a name connection, but now it has become the real Lotus Cloud Sect. I can hardly believe it is just a simple coincidence," Liu Shuyue murmured.

Regardless of whether it was the Lotus Cloud Sect she came from, this matter actually had no impact on her. Even if it were true, it only meant that they had witnessed the past.

Chen Xuan could understand Liu Shuyue's complicated state of mind at this moment—her heart was filled with confusion about the unknown, as well as the discomfort of transforming from a disciple of the Lianyun Sect to the patriarch of the Lianyun Sect.

But if we're going to be serious about it, this is obviously beneficial.

At least her seniority has increased by countless levels.

"In any case, we need to find that brother and sister to confirm." After Liu Shuyue calmed down, Chen Xuan approached Wang Wenshou and Wang Wenyi. "Ah Jiu... no, where are Ji Yun and Ji Lian now?"

"Reporting to the Immortal Master, Sect Master Ji is still leading the battle against the demons in the West."

"Who is the sect leader of the Ascension Platform, and where is he now?"

"Our sect leader is Lady Xu Xuanling, and she is also in the West."

Another person added, "The sect leaders and main forces of the four major sects are currently training in the west, and only a small number of troops will be left here for defense, because the sealing formation has been completed."

"A sealing formation?"

"Yes, you can see it from outside the yard."

Chen Xuan stepped out of the gate and saw that Chang'an City in the distance had changed dramatically—the eroded area had shrunk considerably, but still occupied half of the city. Hundreds of skeletal structures had been erected on the original city walls, encircling the eroded area. These skeletons were covered with densely packed runes, which glowed and dimmed in unison, as if breathing on their own. The faint blue light emitted by these thousands of runes merged together, eventually forming a semi-transparent dome that enveloped the eroded portion of the city like an inverted bowl!
Without a doubt, this is a huge project.

At the same time, the surrounding area of ​​Chang'an City also changed dramatically—the markets and houses at the foot of the city walls were all abandoned, and the farmland had all turned into overgrown wastelands. Next to the official road north of this residence, a tall building has been erected, its shape somewhat resembling the old Moon-Gazing Tower. Standing on the top, one should be able to take in the entire city of Chang'an.

"That building is..."

"The Star-Picking Tower, jointly built by the four major sects, is where the cultivators stationed in Chang'an reside," the two quickly explained. Chen Xuan nodded. "And what about the people in the city? Where have they all gone?"

“They’ve all been moved away,” Wang Wenyi replied. “After all, this place is too unsafe; we only need to leave the cultivators behind.”

“I’m afraid it won’t be easy…” Liu Shuyue said in a low voice, “Many people have lived here for generations.”

"You're right, this was indeed not easy, it took a total of five years."

Time is one thing, the methods used are another… Certainly not everyone left willingly. Chen Xuan knew this, but didn't say it aloud. "So you're only responsible for cleaning this house? Didn't the sect leader give any other instructions?"

"Yes," the two nodded. "Lord Xuanling said that if the Immortal Master shows up, they must be asked to stay and be notified to return immediately."

"Looks like she misses me quite a bit," Chen Xuan chuckled.

"Forget it, I think they want to see Master Liu, not you." Lin Qing pouted.

"Alright, don't bother notifying her. I'll go there myself," he said to the disciples of the Ascension Platform.

The two looked at each other, but neither dared to raise any objection. "Yes, yes... this junior understands."

Going to the front lines where Britain and France were fighting was not difficult.

Others may not be there, but Joan of Arc will always be there.

The three returned to the main store from the branch, went up to the second floor, and arrived at room 210. They used their room cards to open Jeanne's room. The room was still designed like an old castle, dark and cold; there were few signs of life inside, indicating that the other party would almost never enter this room. The back door opened easily, and Chen Xuan went out first, finding himself in a brightly lit office.

In the center of the room was a large sand table filled with flags of various colors.

The sand table was surrounded by all sorts of books and scrolls.

The floor was covered with bedding and blankets.

This was undoubtedly where Joan of Arc lived, but it was clearly not a proper bedroom; she probably used the command room as her sleeping place.

Meanwhile, the room was swaying slightly, as if it were floating on the sea.

"Are we on a ship?" Lin Qing asked curiously.

"Let me see..." Chen Xuan glanced around, found a porthole letting in light, leaned over and looked out. Immediately, goosebumps rose on his back. "Holy crap, we're in the sky!"

"what?"

"From the sky?" The other two also came closer.

He was certain he wasn't mistaken; he was indeed on a ship. From the edge of the porthole, he could see the flat, wide side deck and various cannons protruding from it. Below him was indeed the ocean, a hazy gray curtain.

The problem is that the ship is hundreds of meters above the sea surface, at which height the waves are as fine as silk threads.

And there's far more than one such ship!
Looking up through the porthole, one would see a dozen or so flying ships filling the sky. Their square, imposing shapes were quite different from Western sailing battleships; they resembled more of the ancient Chinese silver-shipped barges. These ships moved slowly through the air, their tops adorned with colorful banners, and their towering hulls prominently displayed numerous cannon ports, making them appear like imposing aerial fortresses!

Just then, the door suddenly opened, and Joan of Arc and a group of soldiers in military uniforms appeared in the doorway.

Upon seeing strangers in the room, the soldiers all paled.

"Who are you!?"

"Beware of assassins!"

"Put your hands up!"

With a few shouts, they simultaneously shielded Joan of Arc behind them and drew their pistols.

Joan of Arc was startled when she saw Chen Xuan, then shouted, "Stop! How dare you be so disrespectful to the divine messenger!"

"Your Excellency, Divine Envoy?"

Everyone was stunned.

Joan of Arc pushed through the crowd and strode to Chen Xuan. As before, she placed her hand on her chest and bowed deeply, giving him a full bow. "It's been a long time, Your Excellency. You must be here today by divine command to bestow your blessing upon the Allied forces' counterattack?"

(End of this chapter)