The moment anyone spoke up to oppose Grand Elder
"I think Fellow Daoist Shangguan is right. When it comes to understanding the outside world, we who have been cooped up in our sect really can't compare to the patrol envoys who travel far and wide. Even we, who've been holed up in our mountain gate, have heard the Young Lord Zhen's name thundering in our ears. His momentum is already unstoppable — like a dragon returning to the ocean. There's no point trying to fight it."
"Indeed, that Young Lord Zhen seems absolutely invincible. Perhaps he's destined to become a milestone figure in the human domain. Someone like that will inevitably lead an era. Would our Nine Suns Heaven Sect really be so foolish as to actively make ourselves the stepping stone for his rise, the backdrop against which he ascends? That would be incredibly stupid."
"That grudge — if we tally things up between us, neither side really came out ahead. If we insist on settling the score and fight to the death, we'd definitely end up worse off."
"Sect Master, I think going against the current is far worse than going with it. We should make peace with Glazed Royal City and seize the opportunity to gain some actual benefits!"
It had to be said —
While the debate was still raging, a figure came rushing in from outside: "Sect Master! Four elders and one youth stand outside the mountain gate. They carry extraordinary bearing and unfathomable strength. They claim to be honored guests of Glazed Royal City, and they request that the Sect Master personally come out to greet them."
"What?" Everyone present froze. They had barely been speaking of Glazed Royal City, and now someone had actually arrived.
Shangguan Yanqing, however, brightened. "Sect Master, they specifically asked for you to come greet them personally. Could it be that the Young Lord Zhen himself is paying us a visit?"
Young Lord Zhen?
A dark, murderous light surged across the faces of Grand Elder Chen Lei and Grand Elder Wu Gong.
Emperor Haotian pondered for a moment, then spoke. "Chen Lei, Wu Gong — regardless of whether the visitor is the Young Lord Zhen or not, you must not act on impulse. A personal grudge is a small matter; the future of our sect is what truly matters. Under no circumstances should you be reckless."
"All of you, come with me to see whether this visitor is truly the Young Lord Zhen whose fame shakes the heavens!" Emperor Haotian strode out in long steps.
Most of the senior leaders followed the Sect Master without hesitation.
Grand Elder Chen Lei and Grand Elder Wu Gong stared at the departing figures, exchanging a glance of utter frustration, their faces dark with belligerence. They were both furious and powerless.
……
From beyond the mountain gate came the hearty laughter of Emperor Haotian.
"I heard auspicious birds singing in the branches first thing this morning and wondered what good news might be on its way. I never imagined that honored guests from Glazed Royal City would grace our door — so that's what the omen was referring to!"
Emperor Haotian's face was wreathed in smiles as he hurried forward, cupping his fists toward
"Young Lord, this is the Sect Master of the Nine Suns Heaven Sect, titled Emperor Haotian. His cultivation is even above mine,"
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile and stepped forward as well. "I have long heard that the Nine Suns Heaven Sect boasts Emperor Haotian, whose might commands respect in all directions. Meeting you today, the reputation is well deserved indeed. I am Jiang Chen. I came uninvited — I hope the Sect Master doesn't mind?"
Jiang Chen was perfectly courteous.
"Not at all, not at all!" Emperor Haotian welcomed him with a smile, grasping Jiang Chen's hand. "Young Lord Jiang Chen, your esteemed presence brings great honor to our Nine Suns Heaven Sect. Please, come inside, come inside!"
Both men were thoroughly enthusiastic, carrying on as though old friends reuniting, chatting and laughing with perfect amity.
Emperor Peerless and the others remained at Jiang Chen's side, never straying a step.
In truth, with four great emperors at their side — plus Jiang Chen's own ability to contend against the Asura Great Emperor — even venturing deep into the Nine Suns Heaven Sect, they felt little trepidation.
After all, their group's combined strength was equivalent to five great emperors.
The entire Nine Suns Heaven Sect might not even possess five great emperors. Generally speaking, it would take two or three first-tier sects combined to match the strength of Glazed Royal City.
So, psychologically, they harbored very little fear toward the Nine Suns Heaven Sect.
Emperor Haotian personally stepped forward and began introducing the senior leaders who had accompanied Jiang Chen.
When he came to Shangguan Yanqing, Jiang Chen smiled. "Ambassador Shangguan is quite impressive. You must have gained something from the Dragon-
"Haha, I have Young Lord Jiang Chen to thank for all of it." Shangguan Yanqing was quick on the uptake. He noticed that Jiang Chen referred to himself as Jiang Chen rather than Zhen Shi.
So he promptly shifted his form of address to "Young Lord Jiang Chen" rather than "Young Lord Zhen."
After the Nine Suns Heaven Sect had finished their introductions, Jiang Chen formally presented the four great emperors at his side. When everyone saw how these four great emperors deferred to Jiang Chen in everything, a chill ran through their hearts. They were inwardly astonished — what kind of charisma did this Jiang Chen possess, to command such absolute obedience from these proud and untamable great emperors?