The Peacock Great Emperor had indeed given Jiang Chen some ideas. In truth, the Peacock Great Emperor had also foreseen that the Asura line and the Peacock Sacred Mountain would eventually come to blows.
He hadn't wanted this confrontation to erupt either, which was why the guidance he offered Jiang Chen was to unite the other Great Emperors and earn their support.
Jiang Chen had made an effort toward this end, visiting numerous Great Emperors.
But in the end, his roots were simply too shallow. On top of that, he had been running around trying to rescue his father for a long stretch, and barely a few days after returning, he had set off again to save Wei Xing'er.
He had never had much time to cultivate relationships with those Great Emperors.
He never could have imagined that the situation in the Glazed Glass Royal City would suddenly take such a drastic and sudden turn for the worse.
The shift came too fast, too abruptly, catching Jiang Chen slightly off guard.
"Everyone, His Majesty entrusted this great responsibility to me. Whether I succeed or fail, the burden falls on my shoulders. You need not worry overmuch. The Peacock Sacred Mountain has held dominion over the Glazed Glass Royal City for three thousand years — such fortune cannot simply vanish overnight. Those who lack such fortune may scheme to their heart's content, but in the end it will all amount to nothing but passing clouds!"
There was a special, almost magnetic quality to Jiang Chen's words, and they instilled an inexplicable sense of steadiness in the hearts of the four Great Minghuang.
"The four of you are the pillars of the Peacock Sacred Mountain. Whether the Sacred Mountain can remain united hinges on you. I may hold the title of Young Master, but my experience is still shallow. Only if you remain unwavering in your loyalty can the Sacred Mountain stand as one solid block. Otherwise, even if I possessed the power to turn the heavens, it would mean nothing without your steadfast support."
Duomei Minghuang spoke: "His Majesty was born with a discerning eye. He has never been wrong about the people he selects. Since he chose you as his successor, there must be a reason behind it. I, Duomei, say the same thing I've always said — as long as the Young Master bears this sense of responsibility, carries this bearing, I will remain loyal without wavering. Success or failure — that is in the hands of heaven!"
"I echo those exact words," Zhensui Minghuang agreed in turn.
Yunzhong Minghuang's eyes were filled with a deep sense of anticipation: "Young Master, His Majesty once told me many things. From the very beginning, I have firmly believed that the Young Master would lead our Peacock Sacred Mountain to glory. His Majesty even predicted that the fortune the Young Master would bring to the Glazed Glass Royal City would one day surpass what His Majesty himself once brought!"
Yehu Minghuang started slightly and looked at Yunzhong Minghuang: "His Majesty truly said such a thing?"
Everyone knew that Yunzhong Minghuang was the most trusted confidant of the Peacock Great Emperor. Among the four Great Minghuang, Yunzhong Minghuang was closest to His Majesty — the chief steward of the Peacock Sacred Mountain.
Yunzhong Minghuang sighed: "I had kept this matter to myself because I harbored certain doubts. But this Lords' Assembly is undoubtedly the perfect occasion to put His Majesty's words to the test."
The other three Great Minghuang looked somewhat astonished, but after hearing Yunzhong Minghuang's account, they each nodded in agreement.
"With such a prediction from His Majesty, we can feel even more assured."
"Indeed. Under these circumstances, we will throw our full support behind Young Master Zhen and stand against the Asura line to the very end."
Only after all four Great Minghuang had declared their positions did they take their leave.
The other three departed, but Duomei Minghuang circled back halfway.
Seeing her return, Jiang Chen felt a mild surprise: "Duomei Minghuang, is there something you wish to discuss privately?"
"Young Master, do you remember the day you visited the Duomei Arena?" Duomei Minghuang's expression remained as cool and detached as ever — it was her signature demeanor.
The visit to the Duomei Arena — of course Jiang Chen remembered. It had been after he completed the Young Master Ranking Challenge but before he entered the Glazed Glass Pagoda for his trial.
"I remember," Jiang Chen said with a smile.
"What I told you back then still applies today. I can see everything you've accomplished in the Glazed Glass Royal City. However, those deeds, impressive as they are, still don't quite measure up to true great achievements. They are not enough to make you the hero of the Glazed Glass Royal City. But this test — if you can pass it, if you can turn the tide against all odds, I, Duomei, will pledge myself to you as my master. For the rest of this life, I will never waver again."
Indeed, Duomei Minghuang had said something very much like this to Jiang Chen before. The accomplishments Jiang Chen had earned in the Glazed Glass Royal City, while she admired them, she felt that only a person's performance at a critical moment could truly verify their ability and character.
"Whether you, Young Master, can shoulder the burden when it matters most, whether you can pass the test of a crucial moment — that is what will determine your level in the future."
Jiang Chen broke into a smile and nodded: "I have always kept your words close to my heart. As for this Lords' Assembly, I find myself rather looking forward to it."
The world of martial cultivation never lacked for challenges at any time.
Jiang Chen viewed this Lords' Assembly as yet another challenge.
Since arriving in this world, he had faced countless trials, large and small. In terms of sheer danger, the previous battle against the Blood Sunflower Demon Emperor had been harrowing enough — but that had been a contest decided purely by martial prowess.
This challenge, in terms of difficulty and when considered from a comprehensive perspective, was without precedent.
Because this time, the challenge might not simply come down to a difference in martial strength. It would be a contest of wits, a test of political skill, and above all, a clash of personal charisma.
Taken together, it was nothing less than a collision of fortune and destiny.
Would the Asura Great Emperor's line seize the moment to rise to power, or would the Peacock Great Emperor's line continue to reign supreme?
After this Lords' Assembly, an answer would inevitably surface.