Royal Sacred Sect...
The three Ascendants of the Pill Emperor Hall occupied their seats with Jun Yu seated in the center, his status surpassing even that of his master, the Pill Emperor, and the ancient elder from the Pill Emperor Hall.
While Jun Yu was technically a disciple, his current standing transcended anyone in Grand Xia. The Pill Emperor had intentionally reserved the central seat for Jun Yu to underscore his significance to the other transcendent powers.
A little over a year ago, a cataclysmic event had unfolded within the Pill Emperor Hall.
The sudden appearance of the Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant had sent shockwaves through the Pill Emperor's heart. A single revelation—Qin Wentian as his young master—had driven the Pill Emperor Hall into seclusion, severing their ties with the outside world. Their prestige and influence had plummeted, with numerous disciples meeting their demise. Furthermore, due to the ancestor's attempt to drain the life force of others, cultivators were reluctant to join the Pill Emperor Hall.
During this period, they experienced their lowest point since the inception of the Pill Emperor Hall.
However, recently, a significant piece of news had rekindled the Pill Emperor's hopes.
His personal disciple, the former top ranker of the Heavenly Fate Rankings over three decades ago, had returned.
What's more, Jun Yu had officially become a direct disciple of an elder in the Royal Sacred Sect. This elder happened to be a king in the Great Shang Empire, elevating Jun Yu's status even further. He could now enter the Royal Palace and converse directly with the Emperor of Grand Shang.
Many in Grand Xia failed to grasp the true extent of Jun Yu's current prestige, but as the Pill Emperor Hall's leader, the Pill Emperor was keenly aware of the implications. During the rebellion of the nine grand clans that caused the fall of ancient Grand Xia, the ultimate orchestrator was none other than the Grand Shang Empire.
Grand Shang was once as mighty as Grand Xia, if not more so. They possessed a greater number of Ascendants, far exceeding Grand Xia's capabilities.
The Si Clan, which appeared in the Heavenly Fate Rankings three years ago, was the most formidable among the nine grand clans of ancient Grand Xia. Their disappearance from history was not because they were vanquished but because they had migrated to Grand Shang. With their current strength, no transcendent power in Grand Xia dared to provoke them.
Jun Yu's current status could only be imagined. Therefore, when the Pill Emperor Hall learned of his return, they decided to emerge from seclusion. So what if Qin Wentian was the young master of a certain power?
In the entire world, how many sects or clans could rival the Royal Sacred Sect of Grand Shang?
The Royal Sacred Sect was a true powerhouse, far surpassing the rank of ordinary transcendent powers. It was rumored that even beings beyond the Celestial Phenomenon Realm existed there.
Grand Xia was merely one of the three imperial empires in the world.
The Royal Sacred Sect and the Sacred Royal Medallion were intrinsically connected. Those who possessed a Sacred Royal Medallion enjoyed numerous unique privileges, as they were considered external members of Grand Shang and could undertake a trial in the Royal Sacred Sect to become disciples.
This was precisely why the Chen Clan attached so much importance to the missing Sacred Royal Medallion. Each medallion represented hope—an opportunity for a clan member with extraordinary talent to earn a place in the Royal Sacred Sect. With the medallion in hand, they could venture out to refine themselves. If they proved strong enough, they might be recruited into the Royal Sacred Sect, at which point conquering and uniting the entire Grand Xia would no longer be an unattainable dream.
Jun Yu, once the most exceptional disciple of the Pill Emperor Hall, had ventured out of Grand Xia with the Sacred Royal Medallion in hand over thirty years ago. Now, he returned in triumphant glory.
The attention of the gathered transcendent powers shifted to the Pill Emperor Hall's designated viewing platform, their curious gazes probing Jun Yu's current strength.
However, Jun Yu met their stares with a genial smile. "I didn't expect so many esteemed elders to grace us with their presence today. Jun Yu pays his respects to the elders of the various transcendent powers."
"Noble nephew Jun Yu, you are too courteous," the Chen Clan's powerhouse responded with a chuckle. He then glanced toward the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, a sly smile curling at his lips.
Initially, he believed that the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan lacked the courage for an all-out war. While the series of sneak attacks may have driven the Hua Clan and Wang Clan into retreat, the Chen Clan had discerned the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan's true intentions. Even if the Azure Faction led by Qin Wentian appeared, what kind of commotion could they possibly cause?
With just the Great Solar Chen Clan and the Pill Emperor Hall alone, they boasted a total of six Ascendants, not to mention Jun Yu's extraordinary status.
Did the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan truly dare to act?
"I heard that noble nephew Jun Yu has already joined the Royal Sacred Sect and become a personal disciple of one of its elders. Congratulations to Brother Pill Emperor for nurturing such an outstanding disciple," the Chen Clan's powerhouse congratulated, his words bringing a satisfied expression to the Pill Emperor's face.
The faces of the members from other transcendent powers present paled upon hearing this revelation. While the common people of Grand Xia might remain ignorant of the Royal Sacred Sect's might, transcendent powers were acutely aware of its status. The legendary figures within the transcendent powers of Grand Xia were like ants when compared to the Royal Sacred Sect of Grand Shang. Just a command from them could obliterate a transcendent power in Grand Xia.
Any of the elder-level characters in the Royal Sacred Sect possessed the power to effortlessly crush a transcendent power.
And now, Jun Yu had become the disciple of one of these formidable characters. The Pill Emperor couldn't help but swell with pride.
The expression on Ouyang Ancestor's face grew increasingly unsightly.
Qin Wentian had already fulfilled his promise by drawing the members of the Hua Clan and Wang Clan away. Even before the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan could take action, Di Tian had generously provided two of the nine ultimate arts as a gesture of goodwill, allowing their members to cultivate them in preparation for the impending confrontation with the Great Solar Chen Clan.
However, Jun Yu's sudden appearance had disrupted their plans.
His lofty status, in particular, sent shivers down Ouyang Ancestor's spine.
The longstanding enmity between Qin Wentian and the Pill Emperor Hall was rooted in deep-seated bloodshed. If the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan allied with Qin Wentian to assault the Great Solar Chen Clan, it was clear how Jun Yu would react.
Once again, doubt plagued Ancestor Ouyang's heart.
The sect leader of the Mystic Moon Sect also wore a grim expression. She sensed Jun Yu's extraordinary status and watched as the situation evolved into something she hadn't foreseen.
"Aren't you busy cultivating in the Royal Sacred Sect? How do you find the time to return, noble nephew?" Old Man Tianji inquired, his laughter breaking the tension in the air.
Jun Yu met Old Man Tianji's gaze with a composed demeanor and replied calmly, "I've heard of the tumultuous events unfolding in Grand Xia. Someone had the audacity to make a move against my Pill Emperor Hall. How utterly arrogant. Now that I've returned, I hope the various transcendent powers will afford me some respect. If you encounter Qin Wentian in the future, please capture him. I shall personally take him into custody."
Jun Yu had learned of the past events from the Pill Emperor. He knew there was a formidable force behind Qin Wentian, and thus, he had no intention of killing him. Should Qin Wentian appear, he must be taken alive. Jun Yu would personally oversee his interrogation, extracting his secrets and uncovering the identity of those supporting him.
"That's only natural," agreed the Chen Clan's powerhouse, nodding. He then directed his attention to Bai Qing, his tone turning sinister. "This woman is a close associate of Qin Wentian and is implicated in the theft of my Chen Clan's Sacred Royal Medallion. If the medallion does not surface today, we shall kill this woman after we've had our fun and display her unclothed body for all to see. Let's see if the thief dares to reveal himself, and whether Qin Wentian will make an appearance today."
With his words, a chilling intent emanated from him, filling the air.
Members of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan and the Mystic Moon Sect planned to wage war against the Great Solar Chen Clan? He was determined to show them the meaning of "regret."
He genuinely wanted to see who could stop him on this day.
"Disgraceful," spat the Mystic Moon Sect's leader upon hearing the Chen Clan's powerhouse's venomous words. "Regardless of the circumstances, you are still an Ascendant, a pinnacle existence in Grand Xia. To resort to such despicable means and utter such base words is utterly deplorable."
"You and the others were the first to resort to deplorable tactics, conspiring to steal our sect's Sacred Royal Medallion," retorted the Chen Clan's powerhouse, his voice thundering. "As long as I retrieve the medallion, I care not about the methods employed."
The Great Solar Chen Clan members seemed to have been influenced by Jun Yu.
Jun Yu, once a Pill Emperor Hall genius and a holder of the Sacred Royal Medallion, had returned. Consequently, the Pill Emperor Hall's status was destined to soar. Who would dare to antagonize them now? As for the Great Solar Chen Clan, they only possessed three medallions every hundred years. Each medallion represented an opportunity. How could they afford to squander even one?
"What a ludicrous joke! You dare to make such shameless claims?" sneered the Mystic Moon Sect's leader. "Chen Wang was killed due to his own incompetence, that's all there is to it."
The Mystic Moon Sect's leader braced herself, glaring at the Ouyang Ancestor. Yet, he remained motionless, as though he couldn't sense her gaze, standing there like an unyielding mountain.
"It seems that the Mystic Moon Sect disagrees," the Chen Clan's ancestor coldly laughed. He waved his hand, and a palm imprint gripped Bai Qing.
Seeing Bai Qing's vulnerability, the Mystic Moon Sect's leader felt her heartache intensify. She cherished Bai Qing deeply, but if the Ouyang Ancestor didn't take action, not only would the Mystic Moon Sect's experts fail to rescue Bai Qing, it was almost certain they would meet their end here as well.
Were they to abandon Bai Qing, standing by idly as she faced humiliation and death?
"Haven't you already promised to act? You've already received two of the nine ultimate arts. Why hesitate now?" The Mystic Moon Sect's leader communicated her thoughts to the Ouyang Ancestor. However, she received only a sigh in response.
"You've seen the situation," sighed the Ouyang Ancestor, his voice resolute. "The Pill Emperor Hall boasts three Ascendants, and with Jun Yu's status, if my Ouyang Aristocrat Clan acts against the Chen Clan, we will undoubtedly offend the Pill Emperor Hall as well."
The Mystic Moon Sect's leader seethed with anger upon hearing these words. Yet, she felt powerless. Although this turn of events was infuriating, it was clear that the Ouyang Ancestor intended to withdraw his support, content with being a spectator.
"Senior Ouyang, once Qin Wentian arrives with his forces, we wouldn't be at a disadvantage even if we clashed head-on," Qin Wentian transmitted his thoughts to the Ouyang Ancestor. The Ouyang Ancestor hesitated but ultimately chose to ignore him, closing his eyes instead.