Once word of the Pine Crane Pill got out, it would inevitably attract the attention of various parties.
Jiang Chen had long since prepared for this. In fact, the Pine Crane Pill was bait — he wanted to see how many big fish it could lure out once it was released.
How many factions with ulterior motives were lurking within the Glazed Glass Royal City?
In truth, though tossing out the Pine Crane Pill had been a move of necessity, it was also a brilliant gambit. It might very well sow discord between the Asura Great Emperor and the outside forces, driving a wedge between them.
Of course, the brilliance didn't stop there.
Of the seven great emperor factions in the Glazed Glass Royal City, the Coiling Dragon Great Emperor and the Oblivion Great Emperor were naturally supporters of Peacock Sacred Mountain.
The Indecision Great Emperor and the Mountain Suppression Great Emperor — the two neutral parties — were greatly shocked when they heard the rumor of the Pine Crane Pill and rushed to verify whether the news was true.
When they finally confirmed that it was genuine, their hearts churned with restless thoughts.
"Young Master Zhen… Young Master Zhen…" The Mountain Suppression Great Emperor was a straightforward man by nature, but now his eyes were filled with a complicated light. "It's not that I, Mountain Suppression, don't understand the stakes. It's that the Asura Great Emperor has gone too far. If I didn't have unspeakable difficulties of my own, I would never have agreed to his call for a Vassal Assembly… Alas!"
As for the Indecision Great Emperor, he was calmer by comparison.
The rumors about the Pine Crane Pill continued to ferment.
On the Asura Great Emperor's side, though they were seething with rage, they could find no suitable way to counter the advantage the Pine Crane Pill rumor had given Peacock Sacred Mountain.
…
Jiang Chen, for his part, had taken no further action after the news of the Pine Crusher Pill broke.
Time ticked by, second by second. Only one day remained before the Vassal Assembly.
Jiang Chen gazed toward the southeast and let out a soft sigh. "So the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy truly isn't coming after all?"
He still harbored some hope. He felt that if outside forces were to be invited, having two on his side would be more reliable than just one.
Just as Jiang Chen's thoughts wandered, a secret report arrived: "Young Master, the First Academy Master of the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy has arrived at Vermilion Bird Street with a Vice Academy Master and a group of trusted subordinates. Should we guide them to Taiyuan Pavilion, or to Taiyuan Tower?"
Both Taiyuan Pavilion and Taiyuan Tower were their territories — two locations directly across from each other.
"Taiyuan Tower!"
Jiang Chen had never imagined that on the very last day before the Vassal Assembly, the people from the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy would finally arrive.
He was delighted. "It seems my bait was tempting enough after all. Ha ha."
The fact that the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy was willing to come meant they were deeply interested. As long as they took the hook, Jiang Chen had more than enough confidence to keep them hungry.
He quickly arranged a private meeting room.
This time, the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy was taking things very seriously. Su Zhenhuan, the First Academy Master, had led the delegation personally. Among the entourage was Academy Master Xia, who had crossed paths with Jiang Chen during the previous events in Pillfire City.
Su Zhenhuan was the First Academy Master, while Academy Master Xia was the lowest-ranked Vice Academy Master.
In addition to these two Academy Masters, several young genius disciples had come along — all outstanding figures of the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy.
"Young Master Zhen, should I call you Pill King Zhen, or Young Master Shao?" After the guests had settled in, Academy Master Xia looked at Jiang Chen with a pleasant smile and asked.
Jiang Chen chuckled. "Whatever Academy Master Xia prefers to call me, I'm fine with. Oh, and it's truly an honor to have First Academy Master Su grace us with her presence — my humble abode is all the brighter for it."
In terms of seniority, Su Zhenhuan was of the same generation as the Peacock Great Emperor. In fact, when she was young, there had been some history between her and the Peacock Great Emperor, though the two had ultimately not ended up together.
The Peacock Great Emperor had naturally never mentioned any of this, and though the passage of time had dimmed the past, Su Zhenhuan had not entirely forgotten those old memories.
Ever since setting foot in the Glazed Glass Royal City, Su Zhenhuan had been in a complicated state of mind.
When Jiang Chen brought it up, she seemed to snap back to herself, resuming the poised bearing befitting her position as First Academy Master.
"Young Master Zhen, your reputation has preceded you throughout the southeast region. As they say, the student surpasses the master, and the young phoenix sings clearer than the old. You, Young Master Zhen, have been on the scene for barely a decade, yet in terms of renown, you already rival the Peacock Great Emperor himself. I must say, I am truly impressed."
These were pleasantries, and Jiang Chen didn't take them too seriously. He smiled. "For First Academy Master Su to praise me so generously, I confess I'm blushing a little."
"Young Master Zhen, you know I'm a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush." Academy Master Xia smiled. "You sent word to us saying you had some formation diagrams for us to examine — diagrams that have a great deal to do with our Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy. Is that so?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Jiang Chen produced a scroll and offered it forward. "Academy Master Xia, please take a look."
Academy Master Xia received the scroll and opened it, but rather than examining it herself, he handed it to Su Zhenhuan. "First Academy Master, please look at it first."
Su Zhenhuan was the First Academy Master, and Academy Master Xia was the lowest-ranked Vice Academy Master. The order of precedence had to be observed.
Su Zhenhuan unrolled the scroll. From the very first glance, her gaze seemed to be seized by what she saw, unable to look away.