It was the next day, and above the city had appeared 6 envoys from each of the Great Sects in the Cangxuan Heaven.
Praise had wrung out upon their arrival since these were the 6 people who made getting into the Saint Remains Domain possible.
While everyone was focusing their attention on the envoys who had arrived, Julong was spending his time in a much more productive manner.
Having made it to the peak of the Middle Illusory Realm of his Spirit, reaching the Heavens Gate Realm immediately made him step into the peak of the Advanced Stage, or the Great Perfection Stage if one wanted to refer to it as such. This meant that all he had to do was cultivate for a short amount of time to break through into the Corporeal Realm.
The best outcome was if he broke through into the Corporeal Realm before the Saint Remains Domain opened, which was undoubtedly very soon.
In all honesty, he wasn't sure what it was Zhou Yuan was trying to achieve aside from obtaining Cultivation Treasures from the Domain. If he was correct, the Envoys were there for more than just opening the Domain.
Yao Yao had allowed Julong to stay with her inside of her room, as long as he was willing to sleep on the floor, something he did not object to. At least he had somewhere to stay. So that's where he was currently, his legs crossed and his hands forming a sign as he sat on the blankets that were laid out on the floor for him.
In front of him were some Genesis Treasures that he had taken out of his universe bag. They were also provided by Zi Xiao, but they would, unfortunately, run out at some point, so entering a Sect at some point seemed like a good idea. It was a good thing that the envoys were there, as he was assuming that was their second goal; recruiting.
Feeling around him, his Ancestral Dragon Spirit appeared on his forehead. It quickly identified the objects laid out in front of him, sucking in their essence along with the Genesis Qi around him, allowing him to begin refining his spirit for the breakthrough he was about to have.
As time went on, he could slowly tell something was happening to his Spirit. Instead of retaining its normal blue colour - like everyone else's Divine Spirit, his slowly became a gold colour as it became more corporeal.
Just as the breakthrough approached, the room was bathed in bright golden light. If anyone were watching they would have been blinded for a few seconds.
When it died down, the spirit that was nearly corporeal that rest in between Julong's brow, was now fully corporeal, and permanently gold. He had a feeling the colour had something to do with his unique Spirit. The colour of the Ancestral Dragon was gold after all.
All of a sudden a knock came to his door. Opening it he was met with the face of Zhou Yuan.
"I saw a strange light come from here, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I had a breakthrough into the Corporeal Realm just now."
"I had a breakthrough last night and was practising Grade 3 Genesis Runes. How about we go celebrate at the House of Geniuses."
Julong hadn't properly celebrated his recent breakthroughs properly, and so he decided it was a good idea.
"Why not. Let's get going then. I'll pay."
House of Geniuses - Diner
When sitting down at the table, they were greeted by an attendee who asked for their order. At first Zhou Yuan attempted to order some wine. It was a rather eloquent wine, something he wasn't expecting from him. But it wasn't good enough for Julong. Instead, he ordered a more expensive bottle of Tao Wine.
It was brought to them with two glasses. They poured one each and began drinking.
"Well, it's better than the one I was going to order, that's for sure."
"It is more expensive after all, not that always means that it's better."
Zhou Yuan nodded with a small grin, lifting his hand as if to toast.
"To our breakthroughs!"
Julong returned the gesture.
"To our breakthroughs."
They then drank in silence enjoying the view from the table they were seated at. At least they were enjoying it until they were interrupted by a smoking middle-aged man. Despite not looking like much, Julong could tell he was indeed powerful.
"Hmm, you youngins... not bad."
He was clearly referring to the Tao Wine if his gaze being locked onto the bottle was anything to go by. Zhou Yuan shook his head, pushing an empty cup toward him.
"Try some."
He poured some inside of the cup and drank it all in one go.
"Very good!"
"If you like it so much, I'd be willing to give you the rest of it. I only wanted a glass or two as a quick celebration."
Julong couldn't help but be amused at the man's reaction to the wine.
Taking the bottle, he held to his body like a grand treasure.
"I'll be giving you my thanks then, young one."
His attitude then turned to a somewhat serious one.
"Despite having wanted to taste the wine, just a little, it wasn't my full intention of coming over here. Curiosity brought me to you two. Tell me, why is it one of you receives such respectful gazes and the other one pity to no end."
He was clearly referring to how Zhou Yuan was looked at with pity thanks to his rivalry with Wu Huang, and Julong who was looked at like a higher being because of his unbeknownst power which people could feel by being near him.
"I have a quarrel with Wu Huang. One where only one of us will come out alive. Everyone believes that I will lose hopelessly."
Taking another sip of the wine, the man whose name they still hadn't received looked at him with amusement.
"Then it seems you are rather unlucky. That boy has even been interviewed by the Sacred Palace, and whether he comes out on top in the Saint Remains Domain or not, they will be willing to take him as a disciple."
"The Sacred Palace? As in the most powerful of the 6 Sects?"
"Mhmm."
This was news to Julong. He didn't know much about the Heaven and its Sects, but he was sure if someone as despicable as Wu Huang was taken without a head being turned about his prior actions in life, he was sure the Sacred Palace was a place he didn't want to be. it almost reminded him of Zhun Lao.
"Young one, the Saint Remains Domain will be opening tomorrow. If you wish to take your revenge, that will be the time for it. Just make sure you get stronger in the time before your battle."
With that, he took the wine and left, though not before Zhou Yuan tried to ask for his name, though receiving no response.
"What an interesting fellow. I'd be willing to bet who we were just speaking to was an Envoy from one of the 6 Sects."
Julong was sceptical of the man. He didn't seem like a bad person, but Julong still couldn't determine his intentions.
"Well that's good, isn't it? If we do well, we have a backing, do we not?"
"I guess."