This man bore the bearing of a formidable hero.
In his heart, Jiang Chen had formed a preliminary judgment of this Haotian Great Emperor.
Of course, though Jiang Chen harbored such thoughts, his expression betrayed nothing. He maintained a pleasant smile, looking utterly harmless.
"Young Master Jiang Chen, ever since Shangguan Yanqing returned from Blissful Royal City, he hasn't stopped praising your accomplishments at such a young age. Seeing you today, this Sect Master can confirm that the rumors were no exaggeration. Come, come — please, come inside. This Sect Master would love to properly welcome Young Master Jiang."
Haotian Great Emperor was exceedingly hearty.
"Sect Master Haotian, there's no need for a welcome reception. I've come today because I have some important matters to discuss with Sect Master Haotian. If you have the time, perhaps we could find somewhere to talk in detail?" Jiang Chen cut straight to the point, dispensing with empty pleasantries.
Haotian Great Emperor was mildly taken aback. He had hosted many prominent figures from the Upper Eight Regions before, all of whom placed great importance on the formality and scale of such reception rituals.
He hadn't expected that the young master of Blissful Royal City would be completely indifferent to these niceties. This surprised Haotian Great Emperor somewhat, and at the same time sent a chill through his heart: "This Jiang Chen, so young, yet able to disregard such elaborate formalities. This one remains unmoved by favor or disgrace — truly a man destined for greatness."
As these thoughts passed through his mind, Haotian Great Emperor laughed along: "Very well. This Sect Master has always believed in letting the guest take the lead. Young Master Jiang's disregard for trifling formalities is precisely the bearing of a true martial artist. Come — I'll take you somewhere."
Haotian Great Emperor waved his hand. "None of you need follow. I'll take Young Master Jiang for a walk in the rear mountain."
Everyone from the Nine Suns Heaven Sect was taken aback.
Seeing the four Great Emperors following closely behind him, Jiang Chen smiled mildly. "Get to know the higher-ups of the Nine Suns Heaven Sect as well. I'll take a walk with Haotian Great Emperor."
"Young Master, you..." Ocean Great Emperor was somewhat worried. Having pledged himself to Jiang Chen's service, he naturally feared for the young man's safety.
"It's fine." Jiang Chen waved dismissively, unconcerned.
"Ha ha ha! Truly, heroes emerge from the young. I greatly admire your boldness, Young Master Jiang. Let's go."
Under the watchful eyes of all, Haotian Great Emperor and Jiang Chen walked side by side toward the rear mountain.
Half an hour later, they had ventured deep into the rear mountain, where they came upon a secluded valley with a quiet stream. The surroundings were wonderfully serene, and strolling here filled one with a sense of tranquil delight.
"Young Master Jiang, how do you find this place?"
"Wonderful. The scenery is peaceful — a hidden paradise." Jiang Chen praised.
"Heh heh, Young Master Jiang, look at this tree. Just over a decade ago, it was merely a sapling. Now, after ten years, it has grown into a splendid canopy. The changes of this world are like white clouds shifting into grey dogs — unpredictable and awe-inspiring. Think of you, Young Master Jiang. Ten years ago, you were languishing in your youth in some remote corner of the Myriad Image Region. Yet now, you command the winds and storms of the Upper Eight Regions — one stomp of your foot and the entire human domain trembles."
Haotian Great Emperor was overcome with emotion.
Unable to see through Haotian Great Emperor's intentions just yet, Jiang Chen simply smiled coolly. "Sect Master Haotian, if we're going to bring up old stories, it would take a long time to tell. That's not why I've come today."
"Ha ha, quite right, quite right. Those past trifles are all insignificant in the grand scheme. Both Blissful Royal City and the Nine Suns Heaven Sect are great powers of the Upper Eight Regions. To remain entangled over minor grievances would be unwise. Earlier, Grand Elder Chen Lei and Grand Elder Wu Gong acted out of momentary anger — I hope Young Master Jiang won't take it to heart."
Jiang Chen laughed. "I expected such things before I came. Yet I still came resolutely. As you said, Sect Master — better to be friends than enemies."
"Exactly so." Haotian Great Emperor nodded.
"Sect Master Haotian, you're a straightforward man, and I, Jiang, don't like to beat around the bush. I'll just come out with my purpose."
Haotian Great Emperor's expression turned serious. "Please, speak freely."
"I've come to make a deal with Haotian Great Emperor." Jiang Chen smiled enigmatically.
"A deal?" Haotian Great Emperor was somewhat puzzled. "Please elaborate, Young Master Jiang."
"Sect Master Haotian should know that the Eternal Celestial Capital and I share a deep, sea-like enmity. And your sect and the Eternal Celestial Capital have never been on good terms either. As neighbors, you've been at each other's throats ceaselessly. By that reckoning, at the very least we share a common enemy — would you agree, Sect Master Haotian?" Jiang Chen asked with a smile.
Haotian Great Emperor pondered for a moment, then nodded. "The Nine Suns Heaven Sect and the Eternal Celestial Capital are indeed far from harmonious. There have been some disputes. However, to call them enemies of that irreconcilable caliber — we haven't quite reached that point."
Jiang Chen smiled. "How can one tolerate another sleeping beside one's bed? The Nine Suns Heaven Sect and the Eternal Celestial Capital are neighbors — don't tell me neither of you has ever entertained thoughts of swallowing the other whole?"
Haotian Great Emperor laughed. "Ambition is one thing; reality is another. Both our sects have such ambitions, certainly. But in reality, neither has the strength to devour the other, nor can either afford to launch that level of confrontation."
Haotian Great Emperor was extraordinarily slippery, his words watertight, leaving no opening whatsoever for Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen, however, remained perfectly composed. He smiled. "Well then, it seems I was being presumptuous. I had thought that, on this basis, there might be an opportunity for cooperation between Blissful Royal City and the Nine Suns Heaven Sect."
"Ha ha, Young Master Jiang, the door to cooperation with the Nine Suns Heaven Sect is always open. But Young Master Jiang wouldn't be planning to borrow our strength to take on the Eternal Celestial Capital, would he?" Haotian Great Emperor laughed. "Such a matter is no joking matter."
"My Blissful Royal City will move against the Eternal Celestial Capital sooner or later. Even without the Nine Suns Heaven Sect, destroying the Eternal Celestial Capital would not be a problem. I invited Sect Master Haotian because I intended to share some benefits, to expand our mutual interests and strengthen our relationship. It seems, Sect Master Haotian, that you're not particularly interested."
Haotian Great Emperor remained impassive. As the master of a sect, he obviously could not make such a rash decision lightly.
What if Jiang Chen was merely testing him?