Shui Lingling could only hope that Xiao Chen could appear at the King conferral ceremony safely. Even if he was not successfully conferred King, at least no one would dare to make a move on him openly there.
“There is more bad news. I’m not sure if I should say it or not,” Han Qinghe said, beating about the bush after hesitating for a while.
Shui Lingling’s heart sank as a bad premonition woke in her heart. She said, “Just tell me.”
“The Deity Race has moved as well. Ten great grandmaster-level Martial Sages, who all just erected a Deity Statue, already departed. They intend to block Xiao Chen at the very last moment. No matter what, they will not allow him to make it to the King conferral ceremony on time.”
Erecting a Deity Statue meant that these people had a statue of themselves in the Deity Race’s Divine Hall. They would be able to gain the power of faith from the masses’ worship and praise.
The Deity Race claimed to have three thousand Deity Statues. In reality, most of them were quasi-Emperors. However, the strength that they could burst out with far surpassed that of ordinary quasi-Emperors.
These Deity Race cultivators relied on the power of faith. If these ten Deity Race great grandmaster-level Martial Sages found Xiao Chen, the consequences would be dire.
Shui Lingling’s expression changed slightly. “No way, we cannot let Junior Brother Xiao Chen continue on this path alone. We have to help him.”
Han Qinghe sighed softly, “The Sect Master already said, we are not to make a move. Xiao Chen has to finish walking this path on his own.”
Shui Lingling’s expression changed many times before she calmed down. She was now clear that Xiao Chen chose this path himself.
Back when the two had been on Supreme Sky Star, when Xiao Chen kept his sharpness withdrawn and was unknown, Shui Lingling had seen the hidden True Dragon in his eyes.
He became famous at the final battle of the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking, declaring his identity as the Azure Emperor’s descendant. At that point, he had already been prepared to shoulder everything.
Xiao Chen had to travel this path to Kingship alone. When he finally appeared at the King conferral ceremony, he would inherit the title of Azure Dragon King.
“Let’s go, then. We will go and participate in Junior Brother Xiao Chen’s King conferral ceremony. It is in Tianwu City. He will definitely show up.”
Shui Lingling’s worried expression had vanished. Replacing it was determination and confidence. In that King conferral ceremony, that white figure that never disappointed her would surely show up proudly.
—
In the residence of the Mountain Giant Race in the Kunlun Realm, the Mountain Giant Race’s Young Master, Ren Kongjue, looked at the small rows of words at the bottom right corner of the red invitation letter. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he smiled coldly. “I hope that you do appear. No one ever dared to humiliate me like that before.”
When Ren Kongjue went to the Supreme Sky Sect to propose marriage, Xiao Chen used Lord Jiu to play around with him. Ren Kongjue never forgot this great humiliation.
He had been waiting precisely for this King conferral ceremony to deal the final fatal blow.
—
Among the similarly strong ancient race, the Asura Race, Lan Shaobai, Xiao Yu, and another person discussed an invitation letter.
Xiao Yu’s face filled with doubt as she asked, “Elder Brother Shaobai, why do I not see Xiao Chen’s name on this invitation letter?”
Smiling helplessly, Lan Shaobai pointed to the bottom right corner, at some words written in a similar color to the invitation letter, and said, “Here.”
A look of joy flashed on Xiao Yu’s face before she asked dejectedly, “Why is it so small? I can’t see it clearly.”
The other person beside Xiao Yu turned to Lan Shaobai. “Shaobai, what are your plans?”
Lan Shaobai sighed. In the past year, he had traveled around everywhere. In the end, he found that his own reputation could not move anyone at all.
It was nearly impossible for Lan Shaobai to hold a Heroes’ Convention to compete with Di Wuque’s.
“I will make a move against him. If he can survive that and succeed in his King conferral, I will be willing to stand on his side.”
—
At this moment, in the Corpse Domain, the descendants of three Sovereign Martial Emperors already set off for the Central Province’s Tianwu City under the lead of the Heaven Punishing Corpse God’s personal disciple.
—
In the Chaotic Demonic Sea, when the Merfolk Race’s Empress Yao Yan received the invitation, a light flashed in her eyes. When she saw the unremarkable row of words at the bottom right corner, she said, “It is about to begin? We must send people to bring a gift.”
—
After passing the Chaotic Demonic Sea, in the headquarters of the Heavenly Starry Ocean’s Northern Sea Alliance:
“First Young Master, the King conferral ceremony that you asked me to keep an eye out for will be held in ten days.”
Ye Chen looked disappointed as he said, “I probably do not have time to go. However, there should be no problem with getting Father to prepare a gift.”
—
In the Fiend Domain, Xiao Bai was currently pestering the Spirit Fox King. Her face was filled with smiles as she encouraged one of the five strongest experts of the Kunlun Continent to personally attend the King conferral ceremony.
—
Outside the Tianwu Domain, there were several other places where people who received the invitation all paid attention to those few unremarkable words at the bottom.
Their expressions either turned to one of rage or filled with smiles, showing many different emotions.
Most likely, even the Three Holy Lands could not guess what kind of storm this King conferral ceremony would stir up.
Ten days later, the grand ceremony to confer Kingship would commence.
——
Bustle filled every corner of the Central Province’s Tianwu City. Several renowned cultivators appeared in the streets.
The city grew more crowded with each day. All the topics in the restaurants and inns focused on the upcoming King conferral ceremony.
However, the content of these discussions focused not on Xia Houjue but on the person whose name was barely discernible or noticeable on the invitation.
There were some things that the more one tried to hide it, the more impossible hiding it would become.
Perhaps ordinary cultivators would not notice Xiao Chen’s name. However, those cultivators with at least a certain level of strength would not ignore this subtle variation.
The Three Holy Lands intentionally suppressed Xiao Chen, preventing the world from paying any attention to him. However, the more they did so, the more curious people got and the more this interest spread.
“Did you hear? Xiao Chen is not coming to the King conferral ceremony.”
In a certain bustling teahouse of the Tianwu Domain, someone raised the most popular topic of discussion.
Someone immediately followed up, “I heard about that long ago. There are rumors everywhere. Since the time Xiao Chen left the Profound Domain, he has been under constant attack. First, he stopped the attacks of the Purple Night Sword Sect. Then, he barged across Strange Fire City. Finally, he got blocked by three of the Sovereign Noble Clans.”
“Haha! Those three Sovereign Noble Clans really made a huge joke of themselves this time. They even used their Emperor Grade Secret Treasures, but Xiao Chen still killed their scions and rushed away.”
“However, Xiao Chen is not in such a good situation now. The people of those three Sovereign Noble Clans are looking for him. Some strong loose cultivators seeking easy money also went over.”
“‘Not good’ does not even begin to cover this. Xiao Chen has just a small sliver of a chance of survival. Great grandmaster-level Martial Sages who erected Deity Statues already went over. They are trying to drive him to death!”
“There has been no news of Xiao Chen recently. We don’t even know if he is dead or alive, or how he is at the moment.”
“I think this is too difficult. Even if he could barely stay alive, he would not be able to rush over to the King conferral ceremony in time.”
At the end of the discussion, everyone regretted the situation.
White Robed King Xiao Chen. Since the battle for the top rank of the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking, this name quickly spread throughout the Tianwu Domain.
People dug up all of Xiao Chen’s history after that, which served to burnish his fame even more.
Slowly, people started to accept Xiao Chen’s identity as the Azure Emperor’s descendant.
Originally, people thought that this King conferral ceremony would give Xiao Chen his rightful status with him formally receiving the title of Azure Dragon King.
Who would have imagined that problems would keep cropping up? First, the King conferral ceremony was delayed by half a year. Then, the three Holy Masters secretly played dirty tricks.
Now, the situation grew even more appalling. The three Holy Masters openly hindered Xiao Chen. They were currently at the final step, and they shed all pretense of cordiality to make moves against Xiao Chen.
Anyone with a brain would be able to figure out the reason.
Ten thousand years ago, when the Dragon’s Gate was flourishing, the Azure Emperor had been very dazzling, suppressing the other Holy Lands to the point where they could not raise their heads. While they were Holy Lands as well, their titles were empty, ignored entirely.
Naturally, the Three Holy Lands did not want to experience this again.
As the discussions carried on, the King conferral ceremony drew nearer day by day. However, news about Xiao Chen dried up.
It was like Xiao Chen completely vanished. There was no news about the ten Deity Race great grandmaster-level Martial Sages, either.
As for whether the Deity Race great grandmaster-level Martial Sages found Xiao Chen or not, or the results of the battle, these were all uncertain like a rock sinking without a trace in the deep sea, desolate and silent.
——
“He will not be able to make it. The King conferral ceremony is beginning!”
On the day of the King conferral ceremony, there was still no news of Xiao Chen. All the cultivators in the city who held hope for him sighed.
“How unfortunate! If he does not get conferred King this time, he would have to advance to Sovereign Martial Emperor if he still wants the title in the future.”
“That is difficult. First, not to mention whether he is still alive or not, even if he managed to survive, such a blow would leave a shadow in his heart. Whether he can advance to Martial Emperor or not would be a problem.”
“I wonder what the King conferral ceremony is like? Unfortunately, I do not have an invitation!”
Someone looked towards the Tianwu Plaza in the city, revealing a look of curiosity.
The Tianwu Plaza was where the King conferral ceremony would be held this time. However, one needed an invitation in order to enter. To be able to watch the King conferral ceremony, one had to either have the support of a Rank 9 sect or be a famous expert.
Those who met the requirements were not many, mostly the outstanding young talents of the Kunlun Realm.
Some factions that were on good terms with the White Emperor City had sent quasi-Emperors over, showing the White Emperor City a lot of face.
As for Martial Emperors attending, that was a rather remote possibility. Without some great benefit for them, this event would not attract them.
At this moment, fresh flowers filled the Tianwu Plaza. The White Emperor City’s Xia Houjue stood on the tall platform in the center with a smile plastered across his face, appearing very pleased.
Behind the platform stood many golden sculptures, each of which depicted a cultivator whom the Martial God Palace had once conferred King. These represented the greatest honor.
However, Xia Houjue’s smile hid anxiety. He surveyed the crowd. All those who came were famous people in the Kunlun Realm.
All the outstanding young talents with some amount of fame had rushed over.
Xia Houjue felt somewhat fearful of a certain someone suddenly appearing. He feared the total eclipse of his brightness on this day when he was supposed to be in the limelight.
However, at the same time, he was also somewhat hopeful that that person would come. Now that his strength had grown tremendously, he really wanted to defeat Xiao Chen before everyone.
Xia Houjue’s emotions were conflicted and complicated.
Standing beside Xia Houjue, the black-clad old man who was hosting the event gave him a reassuring smile. “Young City Master, there is no need to worry. Based on the news I received, the Deity Race’s ten great grandmaster-level Martial Sages already found Xiao Chen five days ago.”
Xia Houjue rejoiced in his heart. He suppressed his excitement and whispered, “Xiao Chen is dead?”
The black-clad old man replied, “I don’t know about that. As of now, there is no news from either side. However, Young City Master, you can rest assured. Even if he managed to flee alive, he would be severely injured. If he still dares to come to the King conferral ceremony… Hehe!”
He ended with a sinister laugh.
Xia Houjue revealed a similar smile. If Xiao Chen came to the King conferral ceremony in such a state, he would just be asking for humiliation; he would end up playing a supporting role to Xia Houjue.
