ATG: Formation Master c30

“My Prince, this is a message from the Divine Phoenix Empire. They request a temporary ceasefire and wish to talk.” One of the officers brought a small letter.

Cang Long took and read through the content himself.

“Hn. It would seem we have cornered them. This could get ugly, or we could break them.” The Prince reasoned as he burned the letter before looking at his followers.

“Bring me a paper and a quil. I have a letter to write.” 

“At once!” The men scrambled to get what they wanted.

“What are you going to do?” Chu Yuechan asked him as she recalled that fight. Monarchs can’t fight them, which leaves the Phoenix Empire without any trump cards. On top of that, it would seem their Phoenix God is nowhere to be seen.

That means they are doomed either way. Even if they get a truce and end the conflict, the Sacred Grounds would begin to move in and loot them.

No matter what, the outcome is one where they will lose.

“Speak with them,” Cang Long replied as he got his paper and quil and began to write after summoning a chair and a table and getting comfortable at the table.

~~~

A couple of days later, a large tent was prepared in the disputed territory. Cang Long, who used his Dragon Mount, arrived with his Chu Sisters. They had an escort of Formation Masters in the Throne Realm.

They were all dressed in blue robes and Formation armours.

The Phoenix forces had their special troops as well—elders at Middle Stages of Tyrant Profound and an array of Thrones.

“Crown Prince Cang Long, you have this old man’s gratitude for accepting the ceasefire request.” An old man with long grey hair and red robes walked out from the tent. Next to him was a girl dressed in red imperial robes. 

The Prince looked at her. She didn’t hide her face under a veil or coronet. She had blue eyes and long black hair. Honestly, she looked like a fairy in the most literal sense. Sadly, fairies don’t have such dense Fire Profound Energy.

“I do wish to hear what you have to say.” He replied to the old man after looking at the girl.

“In that case, I will formally introduce myself. I am Feng Zukui, The Ancestor of the Divine Phoenix Sect. This is my Great-Granddaughter, Feng Xue’er, she inherited Phoenix God’s Legacy and is the future Mistress of Divine Phoenix Sect.”

“It’s an honour for Xue’er to meet the famous Crown Prince of Blue Wind Empire.” The girl cupped her fist and bowed. She showed true respect to him, if she does that…

Her followers behind her did the same, the elders and even the old man who followed her lead.

He was surprised; this was a 180-degree change. But then again, they are acting like people who ignored their neighbours' burning houses and only began to care when the fire threatened their house.

“Hn. So tell me what you wish to speak about?” He asked, but the Old man motioned to enter the tent.

“Follow us, we can discuss this at a table.” 

Cang Long nodded as he began to follow. His Chu Sisters waited at the tent's entrance with the Phoenix Elders and their escort. 

Inside the spacious tent, there was a table with seats.

As both parties sat down, the old man got to the point.

“I wish to end this conflict. I understand that you have no desire to end it, and I understand that your reasons are that you wish to strengthen your Blue Wind Empire.”

“Mildly put, yes. I desire to stand above Phoenix Empire and Sacred Grounds.” Cang Long summoned a tea set and got himself a drink.

“...I see… may I propose a union?” Feng Zukui all of a sudden proposed.

“My Great-Granddaughter, as your wife, you would have Phoenix bloodline in your descendants, solidifying your rule in Profound Sky Continent.”

Cang Long showed a strained smirk.

This was something he was expecting.

“You assume that I have a high opinion about this bloodline.”

The Princess looked down, she was dissapointed to hear that.

“I see… at least hear us out.” Feng Zukui sighed; he feared that the Prince didn’t have the same awe as other people on the continent.

“Do tell.”

“It would be a union between the blue Wind Imperial Family and the Divine Phoenix Imperial Family.

Feng Xue’er would become your wife and Empress of the Blue Wind Empire, and you would be Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Empire.

You would govern both Empires in a personal union. Eventually, both families would merge into one Sect.”

“And your Clan rules? No Phoenix blood outside the Phoenix clan.” Cang Long asked, as he realised that if this worked, he would technically finish the conquest he began.

“The rules will be upheld; after all, you would be part of the clan, and the same with Xue’er; she would be part of your Imperial Family.” Feng Zukui’s eyes gleamed as he saw that Cang Long was considering this.

“Hmm.. I am not against this, however, I do feel that your clan won’t like me that much.” He shrugged.

“Don’t worry about such minor details. They are all failures. Provoking a war they can’t win, losing so many people.

Their prize is that they will lose their Phoenix Goddess.” He looked angry before looking at Feng Xue’er and smiling a bit.

Of course, Feng Zukui is not stupid. He is confident that his Great-Granddaughter will do her part and learn about the techniques Cang Long created.

Their Phoenix Empire was in decline because their God had died, and there was no more Phoenix Blood for future generations; they needed a new source of power to survive.

And that came in the shape of Formation Prince.

Cang Long stroked his chin as he considered this. This personal union doesn’t sound bad.

“And details about this Personal Union?” 

Feng Zukui looked at Feng Xue’er.

“Whatever Prince Long desires, Xue’er will agree.” The girl replied, knowing that she couldn’t demand anything in this situation.

“Oh? Is that so?” The Crown Prince closed his eyes as he took a sip of his tea. He pondered for a second.

He wanted to finish that huge formation, but he grimaced at the number of audiences he would need to attend. The biggest cities awaited him in the Empire’s Heartland.

He would lose his marbles in the process. It’s better to simply accept this and let the Phoenix People continue to govern their old lands.

“I agree. But under specific terms.” Cang Long replied as he opened his eyes.

The pair of Phoenix Imperials perked up. The Princess smiled as she took a deep breath. 

“Hmph, I hope you know what you are getting yourself into, Princess. I can be a very annoying individual.” 

She smiled at him as she got up and walked around the table before taking his hands. Her actions confused him a bit, and she then brought them closer to her chest, hugging them.

“I believe that my fiancé is a great person who helps others in need. Like what you did in Solid Earth City and other cities you conquered.” Feng Xue’er said to him with a smile.

“You—” He wanted to argue; he did all that to get people to like him. That’s how he made a foreign land his, and that’s why those people proudly hang the Blue Wind Flag and not the Phoenix.

But all this girl cared about was that he helped the people.

Seeing that his descendant already has an effect made Feng Zukui smile a bit. The girl’s kindness overload would make anyone stumble.

Cang Long sighed as he ended up pulling her into his lap and then just hugged her.

Feng Xue’er blushed a bit as she didn’t expect that.

“Shall we iron out the points of this personal union?” The Crown Prince said.

“As you wish, Crown Prince Cang Long.” The Divine Phoenix Ancestor smiled.

~~~~~~A Bit Later, Back in Blue Wind Empire~~~~~~

“What did you just say!?” Cang Yue, in disguise, exclaimed, her black hair becoming alive as her body was consumed by blue energy.

“Reporting to Princess, Crown Prince has ended the conflict with the Divine Phoenix Empire with a personal union with Snow Princess.”

“I heard that!” The messenger was sent into a wall by the Dharma Body.

“Big Brother already has a princess! Why does he need an outsider?" She ranted angrily. Her bodyguards in disguise could only look at each other with sweaty foreheads; they didn’t dare comment.

The Princess becomes volatile when it comes to Cang Long.

“This is ridiculous!” She bit her nail as he looked furious.

“I've had enough of this place, time for a change of scenery. What is the next place on the list to visit?” Cang Yue asked her maid.

“Reporting to Princess, the next Profound Palace we are to inspect is in New Moon City in the far east.”

“Hmm, fine. Fresh air while flying would help me think.” The princess flicked her hair as she walked towards the exit. The disciples in the Profound Palace only now realised that the nice girl Lan Xuerou was THE Princess of Blue Wind Empire, making them pale from fright!

The elusive Princess with absolute power. They heard rumours about her crushing people with her Dharma Body and all that stuff in Profound Palaces!

~~~

The war between the Blue Wind Empire and the Divine Phoenix Empire has ended with a Personal Union between Crown Prince Cang Long and Phoenix Princess Feng Xue’er.

The word spread like wildfire through the whole Continent. The mysterious princess who just recently had her first public appearance was named Princess Snow after people saw her being awed by snow.

Her beauty was breathtaking, earning the title of number one beauty of the Profound Sky Continent.

“Grandfather! T-This… you can’t—” Feng Hengkong didn’t finish talking as he was sent flying into a wall… again.

“Don’t make me repeat myself! You have failed us! Be grateful that you have land to govern! Crown Prince Cang Long shall remain Crown Prince until he decides to take over your title of Phoenix Emperor! 

I was able to salvage whatever I could, and my granddaughter was able to win him over with her kindness and pure nature. Otherwise, we would be experiencing a siege right now! 

That prince was ready to crush us completely; thankfully, he changed his mind at the last moment.” Feng Zukui explained. His eyes burned with Phoenix Fire. He was angry, to say the least. He didn’t imagine that he would witness the fall of his Empire in his lifetime, but he did!

That makes him angry that he produced such a waste!

“Now prepare for an engagement party! Your son-in-law will have one in Blue Wind Imperial City!” 

“...”

Feng Hengkong wanted to complain that the city is a village compared to his Divine Phoenix Imperial City!

“...I understand.” 

~~~

News of the end of the war and the upcoming Engagement Party has spread through the Empire. The Blue Wind Imperial Forces were returning home after crushing victories in newly conquered lands.

The residents are eager to see their conquered hero return, but it will take time as he leads them back in person. 

Meanwhile, in New Moon City, a teenager carrying a boulder arrived at the city gates.

He dropped the massive stone aside as he checked out his new strength.

“Not bad, I am close to Nascent Profound.” He proudly said to his Master.

“You still have ways to go.” A young girl’s voice said to him.

“Yes, for now, I need to join this New Moon Profound Palace, which my grandfather mentioned, " He said with a small smile. He had received an invitation letter from his grandfather, who had helped an Elder in the New Moon Profound Palace.

He heard from everyone in Floating Cloud City that this is the best place to train. If he shows decent talent, he could be transferred to the Capital. Once there, he could effortlessly train beyond Sky Profound there!

“Then go.” The girl complained, making him grimace, and he began to walk…

The first thing he noticed was that the city was in a jovial mood: people were dancing in the streets, taverns were offering free drinks, and restaurants were offering free food.

“What is going on here?”