Chapter 21: The Gathering of Sovereigns, Winds of Change Rising

In the grand hall of the Celestial Sanctuary, nine solemn spectral figures hovered midair, emanating the formidable aura of sages. This was the scene of a joint council among the nine great sanctuaries, where their sovereigns gathered through secret projection arts to collectively discuss the mysterious phenomena surrounding Lingxiao City.

At the center of the hall, Tianxu Bian was forced to stand before the sovereigns. A sycophantic smile played on his lips as he bowed slightly, clutching a handkerchief which he pretended to use to wipe sweat, though in truth it masked his nervousness.

After all, it was he who had dealt the fatal blow to the Second Prince of the Exquisite Sanctuary.

“Tianxu Bian!” The Sovereign of Celestial Sanctuary’s voice was deep and authoritative, directly naming Elder Bian. “With the Imperial Might of Lingxiao City manifesting in the world, you, as an elder of Celestial Sanctuary, why is it that all disciples from the other sanctuaries were captured, the Second Prince of the Exquisite Sanctuary has died, and yet you alone have returned? How do you intend to explain this?”

Tianxu Bian immediately assumed an expression of innocent grievance, clasping his hands and speaking in a tone that was both obsequious and faintly comical. “Your Eminence, sovereign lords, please see clearly: I was accompanying the noble gentlemen—no, the elders of the sanctuaries—to aid the Exquisite Sanctuary! We had planned to combine our strength to annihilate the Jiang family and rescue the Exquisite Sanctuary’s prince. But the incident unfolded suddenly, with overwhelming heavenly might. I am but a mere perfected Obliteration Realm cultivator; how could I have anticipated that it was the legendary Imperial Might?”

As he spoke, he wiped his brow with the handkerchief, feigning the weakness of a man struck with fear.

“When this Imperial Might appeared, I had no time to grasp the situation! Heaven and earth bear witness, even the Emperor of Xia, the head of the Jiang family, showed me no mercy, though I am a supreme Obliteration Realm cultivator. My bones shattered instantly. The other sanctuary elders lost their cultivation as well, hanging by a thread. The Jiang Emperor was about to unleash his imperial power to slaughter us all…”

“Suddenly, a heavenly sign revealed a way to survive. The Second Prince, coveting the Jiang Emperor’s wife—cough, I assure you, I have no disrespect toward the Exquisite Sanctuary, only loyalty and the wish to ease the alliance’s burden!”

The Sovereign of Celestial Sanctuary glanced at the other sovereigns’ spectral forms, frowning slightly, and asked coldly, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Tianxu Bian’s eyes flicked as he put on an exaggerated look of astonishment, drawing a circle in the air with his hand. “Under that formidable imperial pressure, the elders seemed to find, as if by fate, a narrow chance for survival. They joined forces to discipline the Second Prince, and, inadvertently, he died…”

“You sovereigns may not know, but the phenomenon was truly unprecedented in ten thousand years! Imagine the sky rending open, beams of rosy light everywhere, thunder rolling incessantly! The elders were so frightened their legs gave out!”

As he spoke, he gestured as if reconstructing the scene.

“Then, that pressure fell like a mountain! Our minds were clouded by the imperial might… we lost control… and ended up killing the Second Prince…”

He furtively glanced at the Sovereign of the Exquisite Sanctuary, noticing no immediate anger, and quickly pressed on. “As for the Lingxiao City ‘Lingxiao Treaty’…”

Clearing his throat, Tianxu Bian’s expression suddenly turned solemn, though his voice trembled slightly. “I had carefully considered that the manifestation of the Imperial Might must carry the will of heaven. The core of the ‘Lingxiao Treaty’ is to preserve peace and development among the nine sanctuaries… and jointly seek the opportunity to ascend to emperor beyond the supreme realm…”

“Speak plainly.” The Sovereign of Celestial Sanctuary interrupted coldly.

Tianxu Bian scratched his head with an embarrassed smile and continued, “Well, actually… I believe Lingxiao City’s Jiang Cheng is right at the center of the storm, hiding secrets of ascension in this realm. It’s likely that in the future, all factions across the four continents and three sacred mountains of our domain will have hidden great powers emerging. To prevent disaster for the sanctuary alliance, I and the other elders pretended to comply, agreeing to Jiang family’s trivial, inconsequential demands!”

Though his words sounded grand, his eyes furtively scanned the other sovereigns’ reactions.

At this moment, the Sovereign of the Exquisite Sanctuary’s brow darkened, her sharp eyes flashing with cold light as she asked, “Tianxu Bian, one prince of my sanctuary is dead, others’ fates unknown, and yet you bring back no useful information?”

Tianxu Bian immediately patted his belly with a beaming smile. “Your Eminence, you don’t know! The other elders remain in Lingxiao City continuing to gather intelligence, and will return safely soon. That was because… I painstakingly negotiated with the Jiang patriarch for a whole day and night, barely securing their cooperation! Surely, you must acknowledge this modest contribution!”

The Sovereign of Celestial Sanctuary’s frown deepened, and the other sovereigns’ spectral figures revealed subtle expressions.

The Sovereign of the Exquisite Sanctuary sneered, “Elder Bian, your day-and-night ‘sacrifice’ truly opens my eyes.”

Unfazed, Tianxu Bian proudly replied, “Naturally. I have always upheld ‘selflessness for the common good’ as my creed, bringing honor to my sanctuary. It is my duty!”

His demeanor caused some of the sovereigns to furrow their brows further.

After their telepathic exchange, the Sovereign of Celestial Sanctuary snorted coldly and waved his sleeve. “Tianxu Bian, you are hereby reprimanded for now. Should there be any future errors, I will not be lenient!”

Tianxu Bian hastily bowed and nodded. “Your wisdom is unparalleled, Sovereign! I shall heed your teachings and serve my sanctuary, the alliance, and Dongzhou with utmost devotion!”

Once the sovereigns’ projections vanished, Tianxu Bian exhaled deeply, rubbing his belly and thinking to himself, “Phew, I managed to bluff my way through. My quick wits do justice to the trust Emperor Jiang placed in me as head of security. Following the future emperor will surely bring greater prospects…”

Unbeknownst to him, after their telepathic communication, the sovereigns regarded him as a frightened fool, utterly useless and bringing no valuable information.

Yet, since he was the only sanctuary member who had been on site and returned alive, they refrained from exposing his ramblings.

In fact, through their shared knowledge, the sovereigns had already devised a plan. Tianxu Bian was being used as a pawn.

Given the Exquisite Sanctuary’s unique role in the incident, they were assigned to spearhead covert operations, with their sovereign personally intervening, employing all means necessary.

As the Danxia Sanctuary had not participated in the Jiang family affair and had heard of the patriarch’s fondness for beauty, especially the sacred maidens, it was jointly decided to dispatch their heir and future sovereign, the Xuanji Sacred Maiden, to Lingxiao City as the public vanguard.

At any cost, she was to arrive before other forces and assess the true nature of this newly risen “Xia Kingdom.”

This was the most promising and concrete imperial secret the realm of Dongzhou had seen in ten thousand years. All sovereigns hoped to break through the Fate Realm and ascend to emperorship, transcending boundaries.

Jiang Cheng, busy with infrastructure and governance, would soon comprehend the impact this imperial might imposed on Dongzhou and the entire realm.

As for this so-called “Xia Kingdom,” no one truly cared what it was.