Those who had risen to become the very best among the great clan forces naturally possessed tremendous pride — not a single one of them was willing to concede to another.
Especially in the trial arranged by His Majesty the Peacock Emperor, everyone wanted to showcase their best, everyone wanted to stand out, everyone wanted to overshadow the rest and become the singular, unrivaled existence.
Therefore, even within the same great clan, no one was willing to yield to anyone else.
Take the three from the Panlong Clan for instance — Young Master Ji San, Young Master Liuxiang, and Ji Zhongtang. Though their personalities differed, at this moment the relationship between them was one of direct competition. They would not show each other any courtesy simply because they hailed from the same family.
If members of the same clan were already like this, then members of different clans went without saying.
However, when the clan scions arrived one by one before the towering cliff of the Thousand Peacock Scroll, they received a piece of news that nearly made them vomit blood on the spot.
"You have arrived too late. His Majesty the Emperor's fortune has already been claimed by a destined one." Cloudbright Emperor's words were delivered in a flat, detached tone, yet they landed like a basin of ice water dumped from head to toe in the dead of winter, sending a chill straight through their hearts.
"How is that possible?"
"Yes, we came so early — how could someone else have already taken it?"
"That can't be right. Every notable genius from every clan is right here! Who could have claimed it?"
"Lord Cloudbright Emperor, it's not that we can't accept defeat — but if we lose, at least let us understand how. Every genius among the clans knows exactly where everyone stands. Every name worth mentioning is standing right here. Not a single one of us has received this fortune."
"Exactly, Lord Cloudbright Emperor — are you telling us that none of us got it, but some unknown nobody did? That's impossible, isn't it?"
"Could it be that His Majesty's own direct-lineage disciples also participated in the trial?"
These clan scions were utterly bewildered. Clearly, they could not accept this outcome with any composure whatsoever.
This was no trial — it was practically a scam!
Had it not been a trial personally decreed by His Majesty the Emperor, they would have already turned on the spot in fury.
Fortunately, the Peacock Emperor's majesty was absolute, and Cloudbright Emperor was an elder of the same caliber as their respective clan heads — arguably even more prestigious than most of them.
So, despite their doubts, they did not dare grow too insolent.
But not daring insolence did not mean they could calmly accept what was happening.
After all, it all looked far too absurd. Every genius among the clans was present, and not a single one had received the fortune.
Yet Cloudbright Emperor told them they had arrived too late — if that wasn't stringing them along, what was it?
Unless His Majesty the Peacock Emperor's own direct-lineage geniuses had also taken part in the trial.
But there had been no prior word of the Emperor's direct disciples participating. If they had known they would be competing against His Majesty's own people, they would not have been so blindly optimistic. Their expectations would not have been so high, and consequently, the psychological blow would not have been so devastating.
Faced with the young ones' questioning, Cloudbright Emperor did not grow angry. Instead, he offered a faint smile. "You don't believe it? Having a questioning spirit is a good thing. However, the Emperor's fortune is no child's game. Return to where you came from, and you will see the answer for yourselves."
Cloudbright Emperor's words gave no definitive answer. But they undoubtedly made one thing clear: this was iron fact, and no amount of doubt on their part would change it.
At this point, the more pragmatic among them already understood that the situation was unchangeable and ceased to press the matter, merely sighing as they turned to walk back.
But the majority of these talented young heirs still could not come to terms with reality, lingering beneath the Thousand Peacock Scroll.
"Could this perhaps be another test from His Majesty the Emperor?"
"That makes sense! Perhaps it's testing the firmness of our Dao Hearts?"
"Well said!"
"Heh heh, we were nearly fooled. It looks like this really might just be a test."
One had to admit — these clan scions were quite level-headed. To recover from their anger so quickly and consider whether this might be a new test required a remarkable ability to regulate one's emotions.
But Cloudbright Emperor could only smile bitterly and shake his head. He knew that no matter what he said now, these people would not be able to accept it any time soon.
Truthfully, even Cloudbright Emperor himself had not fully come to terms with it.
He simply could not fathom what manner of monster this Alchemist King Zhen was. Passing three consecutive challenges was one thing — but beneath the Thousand Peacock Scroll, after contemplating it for less than a quarter of an hour, he had pierced through a fortune that His Majesty the Emperor had hidden so skillfully and claimed it outright.
At that speed, even Cloudbright Emperor felt a twinge of inadequacy.
"No wonder these young people don't believe it. Had I not witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it either. If anyone had told me this, I would have refused to believe it as well."
Even now, Cloudbright Emperor was still reeling with shock. Alchemist King Zhen's speed in clearing all three challenges, combined with the speed at which he had comprehended the Peacock Scroll — at this very moment, Cloudbright Emperor still had not fully recovered from the impact.
"Where on earth did the Panlong Clan find such a bizarre Alchemist King? His talent in alchemy defying the heavens would be one thing — but his martial talent appears to be no less impressive? Could it be that the destined successor His Majesty the Emperor has been searching for over a thousand years is standing right before us?"
Cloudbright Emperor was a die-hard loyalist of the Peacock Emperor.
If there was anyone in this world who believed in His Majesty the Peacock Emperor's theories regarding fortune and destiny, it was undoubtedly the Four Emperors who served under him.
They were the Peacock Emperor's most faithful followers. Whatever the Peacock Emperor said or did, they followed without condition.
And so, they were fervent supporters of the Peacock Emperor's fortune theory.
Cloudbright Emperor found himself wondering — could it be that this Alchemist King Zhen was the one of great fortune His Majesty the Emperor had been seeking?