### Chapter 3: Kings vs. Kings (17) (Bonus Chapter)
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The celestial being who saved over four hundred thousand people in Thousand Bird City was referred to as the Queen Mother, but for the common folk, that was just fluff.
What really mattered was that many folks had seen it with their own eyes: she tossed her magical item into the air, and poof! It transformed into a giant, four-legged beast that held up the soon-to-fall Floating City.
After surviving such a mess, they needed an outlet for their emotions, and Thousand Bird City needed a new totem and pillar. Otherwise, how could they stand against the ugly ruins before them?
Suddenly, a shout from who-knows-where rang out: “It was the Queen Mother who saved us!” This seemed to trigger a mass kneeling, with everyone fervently yelling her name, convinced that such worship would earn them blessings from the “Queen Mother.”
They could almost forget their destroyed homes and the heartbreak of lost loved ones—almost.
Meanwhile, the quiet internet crowd erupted. They thought Thousand Bird City was done for, doomed to destruction. But no! The Cold Moon Goddess had done the impossible and saved most of the people!
Her merit was beyond measure.
【Strong Brother donates 1000 Spirit Coins to the Cold Moon Witch!】
【Cold Little Rain donates 1000 Spirit Coins to the Cold Moon Witch!】
【Tang Tong donates 1000 Spirit Coins to the Cold Moon Witch!】
【Li Xiaocong donates 100,000 Spirit Coins to the Cold Moon Witch!】
【Duan Mu (Fatty) donates 1 Spirit Coin to the Cold Moon Witch!】
……
Gongsun Ding witnessed the whole process, going from despair to flickers of hope, then to sheer astonishment. In just a matter of thirty seconds, he practically tasted every flavor of life: sweet, sour, bitter, and everything in between.
At that moment, he reaffirmed: he did not betray his sect, nor did he go against his master’s will.
Because Thousand Bird City was not just a simple cultivation sect; it was also the guardian of all its citizens.
What did the hardworking folks of Thousand Bird City hope for in return?
Isn’t it that when disaster strikes, the sect would stand up and shield them from the storm?
If the master had not intervened, Thousand Bird City would have faced a ruinous end—survivors would have barely been in the double digits.
Even if one day, Thousand Bird City faced accusations and attacks from the other six great sects, he wouldn’t regret it. At least he fought for the survival of the people.
Although he didn’t know where the shout of “Queen Mother” came from, the master standing proudly in the sky seemed unbothered.
So, he led the remaining sect disciples to kneel in reverence, thanking her for her saving grace.
But just then, he noticed a group from Heavenly Sword Sect standing westward against the sunrise, one of them looking like an ethereal immortal.
Ling Xiaozu?
Gongsun Ding suddenly jolted upright.
What on earth were the folks from Heavenly Sword Sect doing here?
d*mn it, didn’t they see Thousand Bird City crash and burn with no one caring? Did they think they could waltz in and pick the fruit?
As the newly appointed sect leader of Thousand Bird City, was he supposed to let them have their way?
Gongsun Ding immediately took to the sky, stopping on his flying sword about 50 meters away from the Heavenly Sword Sect crowd.
“Gongsun Ding, sect leader of Thousand Bird City, welcomes you all! May I ask why my Heavenly Sword friends have come for a surprise visit?”
Ling Xiaozu jumped a bit. “Where’s Sect Leader Li?”
Gongsun Ding replied coolly, “My master has ascended to immortality.”
“Li Ying Tian is dead?” Ling Xiaozu said, even more shocked.
No wonder during the downfall of Thousand Bird City, the Cold Moon Witch was up in the sky, but there was no sign of Li Ying Tian.
“Who killed him?” Ling Xiaozu asked, his tone grave.
The seven great sects were like family, and he had known Li Ying Tian for years. Although they weren’t best buddies, they at least had common interests.
With Li Ying Tian dead, although the aftermath fell under his sect’s management, Ling Xiaozu—the head of the Seven Great Sects—had every reason to inquire.
Gongsun Ding didn’t shy away from the topic. After all, a cultivator must act in accordance with his heart. Even if he had pledged loyalty to the Cold Moon, he didn’t need to dodge such a big issue.
“My master died by the hands of the Queen Mother.”
Ling Xiaozu looked at Gongsun Ding with doubt in his eyes.
“Queen Mother?”
“Your master is dead, and you dare call the murderer ‘Queen Mother’? What gives you the right to take over as sect leader?”
Gongsun Ding maintained a flat expression. “What my qualifications are to lead this sect has nothing to do with you.”
Ling Xiaozu’s gaze drifted past Gongsun Ding and finally rested on the Black-Clothed Woman.
He had never met the Cold Moon Witch, but from the disciples’ reactions, he realized she was the one who invaded the Small Thousand World and took the Monster King.
Now here she was again, hovering over Thousand Bird City, with the Nightmare Beast she brought from the East Sea materializing right here too, transforming into a massive statue to save the plunging Floating City.
Connecting these dots, Ling Xiaozu suddenly understood—this woman had plans bigger than just snatching an Exile.
She was a schemer of the highest order, having set everything up from the start.
And Gongsun Ding? He was just a poor, clueless sap, like a child being played as a puppet by the Cold Moon Witch.
The Nightmare Beast obeyed the Cold Moon Witch’s commands, further cementing her role as the actual controller of the Ji Shen organization. The so-called Extermination of Immortals was probably just another one of her tricks.
First, she orchestrated someone else to kidnap the Exile, then she personally eliminated Li Ying Tian for daring to resist.
Next, she saved the Floating City and won over the hearts of the citizens, convincing them she was their savior and giving her rightful claim to the Thousand Bird City territory.
Gongsun Ding, as the head disciple, wasn’t very strong but was perfect for being a puppet.
Once he was given the leadership position, he’d be even more grateful, wiping thoughts of his master’s d*ath right out of his mind.
Such cunning, such meticulous planning—just imagining it sent chills down one’s spine.
If this opponent was allowed to grow, the consequences would be beyond anyone’s imagination.
Though he was a sect leader, he was also a pivotal figure among the Seven Great Sects, responsible for maintaining the safety of the entire mortal realm.
This time, Heavenly Sword Sect’s urgent assistance to Thousand Bird City was spot on. Otherwise, how would they uncover the enormous conspiracy lurking beneath the surface, like an iceberg?
“Gongsun Ding, if the other six great sects don’t recognize you as the sect leader of Thousand Bird City, then you can’t claim that title.
Not to mention, you are recognizing a thief as your father, and a leadership position obtained through such means? There’s no way Heavenly Sword Sect will allow someone like you to be head of a sect!”
Ling Xiaozu’s gaze sharpened. “Luo Ying, apprehend Gongsun Ding. He will face public trial after this matter is settled. The world demands accountability!”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Luo Ying floated out slowly, sword pointed at Gongsun Ding.
“Apologies, Junior Brother Gongsun, but you’re kind of in the way!”
……
P.S.: Dinner’s here! Hot and fresh!
