A New Bond

Inside one of the most restricted rooms in the Divine Justice Sect, sat Robb who was making use of a few pills along with some of Lei Qianfeng's Divine King Realm cultivation strength.

"It has only been three days yet you're already in the Sovereign Profound Realm. It looks like this method is working well."

"My profound energy seems to stabilise easily even with huge jumps in strength... this new body is really special, I'll definitely surpass my past self in no time thanks to your resources, My Lord."

"It isn't unlikely that you have already surpassed your past self."

"What do you mean by that?"

"We have yet to see what your real battle strength is."

"So I can jump a few stages now?"

"Well, of course, you can. It's an extremely special legacy, there is only one of its kind in the entire Primal Chaos."

"So you didn't lie about becoming a heavenly genius... to give such a precious thing to me, I simply cannot be any more grateful, haha. My life already belongs to you... hmm, what more can I give?"

Aerion shrugged. "I have no idea. Just don't slack off... when you're strong enough, I'll have you in on the conquests."

"Conquests? Then I must be missing out."

"For now. Lei Qianfeng, get over here."

"Yes, Lord Justice."

Lei Qianfeng was given the instruction to simply guard the door. This makes him quite accessible when he is required. He stood next to Aerion as his silver scales drained some of the Divine King's cultivation strength.

"Here, you should be able to take this much with your current strength."

"How much of his cultivation strength is this?"

"About one per cent, ten times the amount as last time."

"Divine Kings have plenty of profound energy if this is just one per cent."

Aerion chuckled. "If you're slow enough, he might recover his cultivation strength faster than you can take it away."

"That would be embarrassing... I'll be sure to prevent that."

"This Lei Qianfeng generally lacks talent, being more than five thousand years old and still in the Divine King Realm. I doubt he'll recover... I suppose he would be called a genius around these parts, it is quite pitiful when Divine Kings like him are almost worthless to Royal Rank Star Realms. Robb, you should never be content with your strength... not until you can look down on everyone else in Primal Chaos!"

"Understood, My Lord!"

~

"Seize everything in the Black Feather Merchant Guild, in the name of Lord Justice, the one, true, Realm King!"

BOOM.

Hundreds of Divine Justice Sect experts rushed inside of the main branch, the Darkya City's Black Feather Merchant Guild. There were about fifteen Divine Spirit Realm elders accompanying the hoard of disciples.

"What... what is the meaning of this!?" A young master of a prominent sect inquired. The panic on his face couldn't be more clear.

"The Black Feather Merchant Guild was getting a bit out of hand... haha, it was about time our great Lord took some of the goods for himself." A Divine Justice Sect disciple stated.

"I love Lord Justice! Things were so damn boring before... all my days were spent closed-door cultivation. But now, everything is different!"

"Hey, that's my money... I have nothing to do with the Black Feather Merchant Guild! I only came here to buy a few things for my Royal Father."

"Man shut the hell up. No one gives a damn who your daddy is around these parts, this is the Darkya Realm!"

"Lawless bandits... touch me once more and my father will turn your Divine Justice Sect into a hill of rubble." The young master repeated.

"Early stages of the Divine Tribulation Realm, he's a genius but remains nothing more than an ant when compared to our elders. Get him!"

BANG.

One elder flew towards the young master but was pushed back by a frightening wave of energy. Nothing but a splatter of blood and a few bones remained of him.

"Who... who is that?"

"Heh, a Divine King, my guardian!"

How troublesome... to think that a Divine King would come to the Black Feather Merchant Guild. Its influence goes beyond the Darkya Realm as the rumours say.

"D-divine King!?"

"Hmph, kill everyone from this Divine Justice Sect for attempting to assault this young master." The young master smirked. "Oh and make sure to rob them clean... this is all in the name of self-defence, after all."

"Your wish is my command."

"Shit... everyone run!"

"Die!"

Heaven Absorbing Silver Claw.

Aerion stopped concealing himself and absorbed the Divine King's attack. The appearance of Justice resulted in the Divine Justice Sect members returning to watch things unfold. They were confident that their Realm King could beat some lapdog of a young master.

"Who are you?"

"I am Justice, the Realm King of this star realm. Before you die, I'd like to know which star realm and sect you come from. I've been thinking about expanding past the Darkya Realm but I can't quite choose which star realm to take. Perhaps, you may be able to assist me in this endeavour?"

"The great Sky Piercing Realm." The young master proudly announced. "A star realm your trash Darkya Realm can't even hope to reach. The only good thing here is the Black Feather Merchant Guild, otherwise, this young master wouldn't even bother coming here."

"The Sky Piercing Realm... you'll have to tell me more after I pacify that Divine King."

An early-stage Divine King as a guardian... it's possible that this Sky Piercing Realm is a Middle-Rank Star Realm which means that it is protected by at least a Divine Sovereign. That's perfect!

He is weaker than me so this should work.

The Emperor.

"Submit to Justice, fellow Divine King, walk a path of light and glory!"

"Yes, My Lord!"

You're going to help me breakthrough to the Divine Spirit Realm which can be considered a great honour.

"Roughen up your young master, his arrogance has been getting out of hand and so, he needs to be disciplined."

"Wha... what!?"

"Hehehe, I always wanted to do this. The punk needs to learn to respect his elders!" The guardian seemed rather joyful with the command as he walked closer to the young master.

"Punk!? No... please, you can't do this, my father would have your head!"

"Your daddy isn't here now, is he? Maybe if you cry a little bit louder, just maybe, he'll float down like an angel and save you. Hahaha..."

Bang, boom, bang, boom!

Aerion readjusted his mask.

Well, this kind of hatred was unexpected.

"Argh..." The young master's face was swollen all over the place. His nose was practically broken along with his left eye. The Divine King had punched him many, countless, times but his blows weren't quite strong enough to kill him.

Aerion started to feel sorry for the young master. "I believe that is enough."

"Yes, My Lord." The Divine King stopped and let go of the young master.

"Warriors of justice, find me the owner of the Black Feather Merchant Guild. Drag him out... if you need to."

"There's no need for that, I am standing here."

"Oh, so you're Mr. Ji?" Aerion turned to the person who had spoken.

"And you must be the new Realm King of the Darkya Realm, Lord Justice."

"Seize him, along with anyone else of importance, and loot this place clean. Divine King, you will see my commands carried out. Once you are done with the Black Feather Merchant Guild, immediately return to the Divine Justice Sect. The young master will be taken as well... do not disappoint me." Aerion turned around and left the Black Feather Merchant Guild.

"Yes, Lord Justice!"

Now that the most powerful sect apart from my own, the Jade Sword Sect, and the influential Black Feather Merchant Guild have both fallen into my hands, the Darkya Realm is one giant leap closer to being under my complete control. Now I'll leave the weaker settlements to my forces while focusing on my cultivation strength and stabilising all that I've gained. Then I can look onto other star realms... the Sky Piercing Realm, huh? It sounds like a promising place to unleash my divine tribulation lightning...

Aerion smirked.

This is just the beginning.

~

Aerion sat on his throne in a very casual manner. It wasn't even comparable to the Iron Throne but with Justice sitting on the rather average throne, one could still feel an overwhelming pressure as they looked upwards. He had the young master, Mr. Ji and Ji Ruyan all bowing before him.

"I want all of you to leave, excluding those three people."

The crowd in the hall did so without a single question being brought up. "The Sky Piercing Realm... you will tell me more about it, won't you?"

"Yes... of course, anything you need to know. Just don't kill me..."

"Perhaps, if you join my Divine Justice Sect. You may leave now... but do not stray too far or I'll have you killed."

"Alright..."

"Now then, the Black Feather Merchant Guild." Aerion pulled out countless Profound Imagery Stones and sprayed them across the ground. "Do you recognise what these are, Mr. Ji?"

"Profound Imagery Stones..."

"And do you know what they show?" Aerion asked, despite already knowing the answer. He was merely making Mr, Ji admit to his misdeeds. "Feel free to release a few of them if your memory isn't the best."

"I... did many wrongs but it was the Black Soul Divine Sect who forced my hand. I never wanted to partake in any of this..." Mr. Ji replied. "I, however, am willing to bear the blame."

"Oh, how noble of you!" Aerion clapped. "I, however, am wise enough to understand who is at fault." He stood up from his throne and descended.

"The main culprit is already rotting away slowly, day by day. But you are still to blame for some of this... so I will not be merciful in my judgement! Everything which belongs to the Black Feather Merchant Guild, except for necessities, will be stripped away and placed into the Divine Justice Sect's treasury."

"After that is done, I wish to form a new bond between the Black Feather Merchant Guild and Divine Justice Sect." Aerion grabbed one of the Profound Imagery Stones and crushed it with his right hand. "You won't have to complete any underground trade deals under me... in fact, they will be forbidden!"

Mr. Ji silently nodded.

"The Divine Justice Sect will take 50% of all profits under this new bond, providing it with protection in exchange."

"That's... too much."

"Oh, is it now? Make it 70% then. In turn, it would be my obligation to destroy this evidence and clean away the stains." Aerion's voice grew colder in tone "If you can't accept this kind offer... then I'll just have to forcefully take the Black Feather Merchant Guild for myself. I'll be getting 100% in that case... perhaps that is what I'll do, after killing you and your daughter."

"Alright, alright, I give in. There will be no need for any bloodshed."

"Good, I'm rather glad that you can understand. Also, rename the Black Feather Merchant Guild to the White Feather Merchant Guild... a white feather represents protection and the Divine Justice Sect's uniform is now white as well. It's quite fitting, don't you think?"

"Of course... this will symbolise the beginning of a new era."

Aerion smiled. "You understand me well. Your daughter... is she married?"

"Could Lord Justice be interested? Hehe... no, she is not married."

"Hmm, her looks are above average. It is rare to find someone like her unmarried... she doesn't seem to be the cold beauty-type either. I was merely asking out of curiosity, I already have far more beautiful wives of my own anyways. There was no intent behind my question."

"I see, but the rumours say that you do not have a woman?"

"I do not come from the Darkya Realm. Hmph, sign this contract which binds the White Feather Merchant Guild to the Divine Justice Sect before you leave. I will visit once in a while to see if things are running smoothly... if you turn out to be a loyal and hard-working subject, then I will reward you greatly in the future."

Mr. Ji nodded after accepting the contract. "I understand."

"Good, you may leave."

He burned away every Profound Imagery Stone and returned onto his throne. Once they left, he removed his mask and swallowed a pill. Then he drank a nice cup of wine to celebrate.

It's done, there is no longer a conquest in the Darkya Realm worthy of my attention. My forces will handle the rest, led by that Divine King. It is time I look into other star realms, this Sky Piercing Realm in particular...