Feng Feiyun smiled and shook his head, thinking what a sorry excuse for a ruler.
Though Sacred Court was weakened, it was still the ruler of Sixth Central on paper. The territory lords couldn’t be too blatant with their disdain.
“His Excellency is giving this emissary ample face by granting him an audience. Other lords might not even bother meeting the emissaries.” Liu Suhong smiled.
The emissary’s group left just as fast as he came.
A bit later, Liu Suhong received a message from an ancestor in Sky Palace – the reason for the emissary’s visit.
Since she was a candidate, her status was different from other disciples. She received information swiftly in order to come up with a plan.
Feiyun had reached a high level with his Grand Change Art. He secretly activated it in order to spy on their conversation.
So it turned out that this emissary was here to deliver a decree worth pondering about – a summon of all successors to participate in a once-in-every-eighty-thousand-years Faction Evaluation.
“Faction Evaluation?”
Feiyun didn’t know much about this but the first part intrigued him. The successor of Crimson hasn’t been determined yet. Who would the old geezers send?
He stopped spying after listening to the important content, not wanting to be caught by the masters.
Liu Suzi and Liu Suhong have both received this information so they glanced at each other. One could see lightning coursing through their eyes as they become competitive.
“Liu Suhong, Liu Suzi, enter Sky Palace!” A majestic voice suddenly came from the palace.
The two were surprised but of course, this was expected. They tidied up their dress and put on a dignified expression as they flew towards the palace.
The happiest was none other than Feng Feiyun. The sudden decree stole everyone’s attention so now, he wasn’t in that much danger.
“How lamentable, for Sacred Court to fall to this level.” The turtle spoke.
“Why? All great powers fall eventually and the young will grow old. If they don’t have the right successors, they will fall eventually. But wait, what is this Faction Evaluation?” Feng Feiyun asked.
The turtle was old and experienced. If it knew about how prosperous the court used to be, it naturally knew more information regarding Sixth Central.
It answered with a wistful voice: “Sixth Central was formed 1,600,000 years ago and had 148 territories. The lord of Sacred Court appointed 148 contributors as Territory Lords, 3 at the heaven level, 9 at the earth level, and 136 at the man level.”
“These three levels are naturally different. For example, a heaven-level could have up to 50,000 domains, an earth could have 30,000, and the last only 10,000.”
“This is naturally unfair so some of them protested. Because of this, the ruler back then said that every 80,000 years, there would be a new evaluation for these levels. The ruler would then decide under certain criteria. They are complicated and let’s not waste time on them right now.”
“The ruler must have been afraid of territory lords conspiring and working together, hence a need to create animosity and competition among them. This great ruler probably didn’t expect Sacred Court to decline so rapidly. Now, the lords are all ambitious and want to take over.”
The turtle’s voice sounded disappointed and regretful.
Feiyun could see how important this evaluation was. He became curious about something else: “Old turtle, why do you know all of this so well?”
“What an idiotic question, I know everything from astronomy to geography, a hundred thousand years into the past and another hundred thousand years in the future. Wisdom masters are mere frauds in my eyes. They can only compete with my grandson at best.”
“Your grandson?”
“Mao Laoshi!”
Feiyun completely forgot about the fruit and wondered if it was still being pursued by the Evil Woman.
A while later, Liu Suzi and Liu Suhong came out of Sky Palace. Other old men came out and talked among themselves. Most stared at Feiyun.
“Brat, you better leave some ace cards around if you want to stay alive.” Sixth Ancestor glared at Feiyun, seemingly implicating something.
They were all big shots from the last generation so most of the crowd members were on their knees.
Feiyun didn’t kneel because he wasn’t a member of the faction. He was surprised because why was this man worrying about him?
“Thank you, Sixth Ancestor. I naturally want to stay alive.” Feiyun cupped his fist and smiled.
Liu Suzi stood behind Sixth Ancestor and sent her a message: “You just need to not hand over the Grand Puppet Art and the treasures from Nine-abyss to Liu Suhong’s group. They won’t do anything for now but once you do, it’s over.”
Feiyun then understood Sixth Ancestor’s comment. His ace cards were his treasures. As long as he kept them to himself, he would have two life-saving talismans.
Sixth Ancestor didn’t want Liu Suhong’s branch to obtain the treasures. There could be other reasons as well.
Feiyun didn’t know what they debated back in the palace. However, they clearly reached a compromise. All in all, Feiyun was temporarily safe.
“Sixth, don’t frighten Feiyun, he’s a good guy. The date for their engagement will be decided two days from now and it’ll commence after the valuation. Feng Feiyun will be our clan’s son-in-law.” Fourth Ancestor smiled.
“Not necessarily, something might happen during the journey, no? Zi’er, let’s go.” Sixth Ancestor smiled.
The sixth branch snorted and left together.
“Sixth, try your best, I’m waiting, keke.” Fourth Ancestor stroked his beard.
Feiyun still had many questions. There must be details hidden from him. It sounded as if he was going to Sacred Court as well.
Of course, he didn’t have to wait long since Liu Suhong came to see him at night.
She wore a peach blossom dress; her skin could be seen beneath the lamplight. She stared at Feiyun with her starry eyes.
He sat on the other side of the table and held an ancient scroll depicting the history of Sixth Central.
“This evaluation seems like a decree from Sacred Court but in reality, it is the plan of Azure Faction. His Excellency has decided to take advantage of this to let Crimson become an earth-level faction.” Liu Suhong said.
“Oh? Azure Faction is the strongest heaven faction right now, they get to use the ruler as a puppet too. Not bad.” Feiyun read a few passages regarding Azure Faction.
“Both I and Liu Suzi will be going in one month. The successor spot will be decided with this.” Liu Suhong continued.
“Crimson is already so prosperous despite being a man-level faction. I wonder what earth and heaven factions look like.” Feiyun smirked.
“We have to decide our marriage date before leaving.” Liu Suhong continued on.
Feiyun closed the scroll and said seriously: “First, I have already married. Second, you have a fiance as well, Eighth Lord of the Gu. If you want Grand Puppet Art, I can give it to you as a reparation since I was in the wrong. However, don’t talk to me about the marriage again. I’m not worthy of the great Liu Clan.”
