Fortunately, the formation diagrams Jiang Chen had drawn were only secondary formations of the Danxiao Ancient Sect. Of the sect's ten great formations, he had only rendered one of them.
Su Zhenhuan possessed extremely sharp eyes. At a single glance, she could tell that this particular formation was the most superior among all the diagrams, and her heart coveted it the most.
"Head Su, Head Xia, now that I've drawn these formation diagrams, I have no intention of keeping you in suspense." Since they had already declared their unconditional support for Sacred Mountain Peacock, Jiang Chen naturally played along and spoke in a very forthcoming manner.
Joy appeared in Su Zhenhuan's eyes: "Young Master Zhen, do you truly intend to pass these formation diagrams on to our Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy?"
"These diagrams hold little value for Sacred Mountain Peacock. But for the Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy, they are treasures. In that case, why wouldn't I pass them on to you?"
These words from Jiang Chen were no pretense—they were his genuine thoughts.
Regardless of whether the Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy currently acknowledged it or not, this academy was undoubtedly connected to the ancient Danxiao Sect.
It didn't matter if they refused to admit it for now. Jiang Chen had plenty of time and plenty of methods to slowly bring them to accept that fact.
In truth, Jiang Chen still held the Danxiao Command Token, but he had no desire to use it to intimidate anyone, much less to force the Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy into acknowledging the connection.
Reuniting with one's ancestral lineage had to be willing. Otherwise, even if you held up an ancestor's memorial tablet, the other party might not truly submit from the bottom of their heart.
Jiang Chen, open and magnanimous, handed the formation diagrams over to Su Zhenhuan and Head Xia, and even patiently explained the true essence behind each formation.
This surprised both Su Zhenhuan and Head Xia greatly.
After the transmission was complete, Su Zhenhuan and Head Xia had originally prepared a full arsenal of bargaining tactics—but all those words of negotiation went unsaid.
"Young Master Zhen, you've been so generous. Although our Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy has many women in charge, we women are no less than men. For the Assembly of Feudal Lords, if you've invited us to observe the ceremony, then whenever you need our help, you need only say the word. The Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy may not be an ally of the Glazed Royal City. But as neighbors for many years, we've coexisted quite harmoniously. When it comes to the Glazed Royal City's affairs, whether in public duty or private sentiment, we will not stand by and do nothing." Su Zhenhuan spoke earnestly.
Head Xia giggled: "Besides, we've always admired His Majesty the Great Emperor Peacock for his noble character and integrity. Isn't that right, Sister Su?"
That "Sister Su" carried a teasing undertone.
Jiang Chen didn't understand the implication behind it. He smiled: "It's rare for both Academy Heads to be so forthright. I won't stand on ceremony with you then. If I ever have need of you both, I certainly won't be polite."
With a few formation diagrams, he had won over the Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy and simultaneously strengthened their relationship. Jiang Chen was quite satisfied with this.
The Celestial Cicada Ancient Academy, the Xiayu Heavenly Sword Sect!
Jiang Chen felt that, almost imperceptibly, his number of allies was growing.
The political landscape of the Upper Eight Regions was deeply complex, but with the support of two First-Order sects, Jiang Chen's confidence had grown considerably.
……
The long-awaited Assembly of Feudal Lords finally convened as scheduled in the great plaza before the Glazed Royal Pagoda.
The absence of the Great Emperor Peacock lent this assembly a distinctly eerie atmosphere. Of course, even without the Great Emperor Peacock present, Sacred Mountain Peacock still held the first seat without any dispute.
Jiang Chen saw no need for courtesy whatsoever. As the Young Master of Sacred Mountain Peacock, there was absolutely no reason to be modest at a time like this.
This entire assembly was aimed at him, the Young Master of Sacred Mountain Peacock. If he showed any more restraint, there would be something wrong with his head.
The Indecision Great Emperor's faction—for reasons unknown, the Indecision Great Emperor had actually yielded the second seat to the Shura Great Emperor. And the Shura Great Emperor's faction accepted without the slightest refusal, taking the second seat with no pretense of modesty.
The Indecision Great Emperor took the third seat, the Ocean Great Emperor the fourth, the Mountain Suppression Great Emperor the fifth, the Nirvana Great Emperor the sixth, the Severing Sky Great Emperor the seventh, and the Coiled Dragon Great Emperor the eighth.
The feudal lords below arranged themselves by rank in orderly fashion, entering their designated positions without any dispute.
Open strife and covert struggles aside, as long as the current power structure hadn't changed, it had to follow the old arrangement. Otherwise, it would give others something to hold against them.
As for the guests, there was naturally a designated guest area.
Jiang Chen swept his gaze across it and spotted the Pill Sovereign sitting prominently in the most conspicuous position within the guest section.
The moment he saw the Pill Sovereign, Jiang Chen's expression turned dark.
He had long suspected that the Shura Great Emperor would invite a wolf into the fold, and now that it was confirmed, he couldn't help but feel a surge of fury.
You could have colluded with anyone, but you had to go and collude with Pill Fire City?
Who in all the world didn't know that Pill Fire City was the sworn enemy of the Glazed Royal City? To bring your enemy into the Glazed Royal City—wasn't that just inviting destruction upon yourself?
Jiang Chen's indifferent gaze shot toward the Shura Great Emperor. The Shura Great Emperor returned a faint smile, his own gaze meeting Jiang Chen's without the slightest hint of avoidance, as if issuing a challenge.