Darkshadow Sovereign

Darkshadow Sovereign . . .

The fateful events of the day had taken a toll on the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan. With their three ascendants lying lifeless, power shifted dramatically into the hands of Ouyang Kuangsheng's loyal kin. Oddly, not a single soul in the clan dared to voice any objections, and the atmosphere hung heavy with the weight of recent calamities. Nevertheless, the wedding of Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting pressed on, despite the awkward ambiance that clung to the air. For both bride and groom, the events of the day had only deepened their resolve, and no regrets marred their union.

If not for Qin Wentian's timely intervention, the consequences would have been nothing short of catastrophic. Ouyang Kuangsheng had once befriended Qin Wentian because he found the young man intriguing and immensely talented. Little did he know that their friendship would lead to such a pivotal moment in his life. There was no need for words of gratitude between men, especially when Qin Wentian treated him as a brother. Jiang Ting, however, felt compelled to express her thanks.

Following the banquet, representatives of various factions made their farewells, each carrying with them the news of the day's astonishing events. In no time, word of what had transpired spread throughout the Azure Continent like wildfire.

As the festivities concluded, Qin Wentian bade Ouyang Kuangsheng farewell and led his forces on a direct course toward the Azure Emperor Palace. The transcendent power that had once reigned supreme in the Azure Continent wasted no time. They assembled a hundred miles from their own territory, ready to offer their allegiance and merge with Qin Wentian's Azure Emperor Palace. Such a proactive approach garnered admiration for the decisive decision-making of the original palace lord of the Azure Emperor Palace.

Given Qin Wentian's display of power during the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan's downfall, the Azure Emperor Palace's choice had already been made. By welcoming Qin Wentian's forces, they could at least maintain some semblance of dignity, as it would appear they had willingly entered into an alliance. Waiting for Qin Wentian to force his way in would only reveal their submission under duress. Though the outcome remained the same, the former option allowed for a modicum of pride.

There was yet another choice available to the Azure Emperor Palace: they could relinquish their territory entirely, allowing Qin Wentian and his forces to occupy it. However, this would subject them to ridicule throughout Grand Xia, for no one would dispute Qin Wentian's claim as the rightful master of the Azure Emperor Palace.

Therefore, for the Azure Emperor Palace, the best course was to proactively submit. The original palace lord's foresight was a testament to his exceptional wisdom, and the merging of the Azure Emperor Palaces was inevitable.

Ascending the palace steps, Qin Wentian climbed toward the Azure Emperor Palace, while those who had once sought to suppress him during his days at the Emperor Star Academy watched with trepidation. He paid them no heed, their existence now reduced to insignificance in his eyes.

In the grand hall of the Azure Emperor Palace, Qin Wentian occupied the throne. To his sides stood Fairy Qingmei and Old Xing, both senior figures to Qin Wentian, yet they willingly assumed supporting roles in this formal setting. Respect and power had shifted dramatically.

Various important figures of the Azure Emperor Palace filled the hall, including the sect leader of the Mystic Moon Hall, the old Matriarch, Zong Yi of the Zong Clan, the sect leader of the Icespirit Sect, Bing Yuchan, and the grand elder of the White Deer Institute. All eyes were trained on the young man who now occupied the throne.

Below, the original palace lord gazed upon the scene with a sigh. The winds of change were swift, and generations replaced each other with startling speed. This demon-level figure, not yet thirty, had defeated Ouyang Mutian at the peak of Heavenly Dipper. His eyes exuded a mystic light, impenetrable and deep. Faced with an assembly of experts, including Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants, Qin Wentian remained a paragon of calmness. To some, his demeanor was no surprise; it was merely a reminder that a new era had dawned.

The young man before them possessed a heart as fierce as a tiger and ambitions that soared higher than the heavens. Even as he embarked on the monumental task of reunifying Grand Xia, everyone knew that this was but a small, mesmerizing chapter in his extraordinary life.

Qin Wentian's piercing gaze settled upon the palace lord, and his voice carried an unyielding determination as he inquired, "I've heard rumors of another supreme elder within the Azure Emperor Palace. Where is this elder hiding?" It was no secret that the Azure Emperor Palace, founded by the Azure Emperor himself, concealed traces of the enigmatic Azure Factions.

The palace lord hesitated, grappling for an appropriate response. After a moment of profound silence, he replied, "The supreme elder seeks tranquility and solitude. Please pardon his absence."

"Very well," Qin Wentian retorted, unyielding. "If he so cherishes tranquility, let him remain secluded in the mountains for his cultivation. Interacting with the secular world would only torment his soul. As of today, Fairy Qingmei will assume the role of supreme elder, overseeing the administration and governance of the Azure Emperor Palace." Qin Wentian's words were delivered with a calm resolve, leaving the original palace lord stunned. He couldn't help but acknowledge the young man's ruthless decisiveness.

"You, in turn," Qin Wentian continued, directing his gaze at the original palace lord, Chu Lanjiang, "will become the vice sect leader, answering to Fairy Qingmei. What say you?" Though Chu Lanjiang's heart raced with apprehension, he ultimately nodded in agreement.

Inwardly, he sighed. Despite the inevitability of this decision, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his new status as a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant, relegated to the position of vice sect leader. Among the transcendent powers of Grand Xia, he was perhaps the only ascendant with such diminished status. Others of his rank held dominion over their respective sects or clans, while Chu Lanjiang found himself ranked even lower than the supreme elder.

Nonetheless, Chu Lanjiang chose not to leave. To do so would mean abandoning the sect he had dedicated years to nurturing—a place that ran in his veins and harbored a glimmer of hope in his heart. He hoped that under Qin Wentian's leadership, the Azure Emperor Palace would rise to greater heights than ever before.

Old Xing would continue to oversee the Punishment Branch, while Zong Yi, Bing Yuchan, and Elder Bailu would assist Supreme Elder Fairy Qingmei in the administration of the Azure Emperor Palace. Notably absent from this list was Chu Lanjiang, who accepted his omission without complaint.

"Wentian, may my Mystic Moon Hall also join the Azure Emperor Palace?" The sect leader of the Mystic Moon Hall spoke up, her words sending ripples of astonishment through the assembly. While the Mystic Moon Hall had always fought alongside Qin Wentian, it remained an independent transcendent power within Grand Xia. Joining the Azure Emperor Palace was a significant decision.

The sect leader and the old matriarch of the Mystic Moon Hall had pondered this decision at length. They were aware of Qin Wentian's ambition to reunify Grand Xia, and they believed that he would treat them fairly. Once Grand Xia was reunited, the Azure Emperor Palace would hold all the power. At that point, the Mystic Moon Hall's place in the new order would be uncertain. Joining the Azure Emperor Palace seemed the wisest choice.

"Of course," Qin Wentian readily agreed. "Both you and the old matriarch will serve as vice sect leaders and oversee the Mystic Moon Branch within the Azure Emperor Palace."

The sect leader of the Mystic Moon Hall appeared taken aback, gazing at Qin Wentian with a wry smile. "It seems you foresaw our decision long ago."

The Mystic Moon Branch remained under the purview of the Mystic Moon Hall, with both sect leader and old matriarch maintaining their positions. It was the best possible outcome.

Qin Wentian grinned, addressing the assembly. "I'll rely on all of you in the days ahead."

Luo Huan's voice chimed in from below, her laughter filling the air. "Are you planning to go back to your old habit of slacking off?" She couldn't help but be moved as she watched Qin Wentian seated on the Azure Emperor Palace's throne. The young man she had once rescued with Teacher Mustang had achieved remarkable success. To her, it all felt like a dream.

"Sis Luo Huan, I'll need your assistance in managing our resources," Qin Wentian grinned, turning to his ally. Luo Huan, too, had risen to prominence and wielded significant power. The Azure Emperor Palace was renowned for its vast wealth, controlling an entire auction street and numerous transaction grounds, marketplaces, inns, and restaurants.

...

With the reorganization of the Azure Emperor Palace underway, its original members faced a complete reshuffling. The Zong Branch, Icespirit Branch, White Deer Institute Branch, and Di Branch were all granted substantial authority. Meanwhile, the Punishment Branch under Old Xing retained its considerable power. However, the Celestial Palace Branch's information network under Fairy Qingmei saw no addition of manpower, as it directly supplanted the old Azure Emperor Palace network.

With myriad tasks at hand and a tumultuous period ahead, Qin Wentian chose to delegate responsibilities and maintain a remarkably hands-off approach.

In the external world, the echoes of the wedding-day turmoil continued to reverberate throughout Grand Xia.

News of Qin Wentian's triumphant return, his slaying of the three Ouyang Aristocrat Clan ascendants, and the alliance forged with the Jiang Clan, all culminating in his seizure of the Azure Emperor Palace, quickly spread across Grand Xia. Representatives from various transcendent powers had borne witness to these events and now carried tales of his exploits far and wide.

The Pill Emperor Hall bore the brunt of this storm. It was not the Emperor Azure Palace, and Qin Wentian had vowed to level it to the ground in the past. Now that he had returned, there would be no negotiation—only bloodshed. The Pill Emperor Hall's experts trembled with terror, swiftly dispatching emissaries to the Hua Clan, the Star-Seizing Manor, the Wang Clan, and even to other transcendent powers like the Shi Clan in Ginkou and the Yan Continent, desperately seeking aid.

These powers shared a history of conflict with Qin Wentian or had ties to the death of the Azure Emperor millennia ago. Now, as they beheld the ascent of a figure more formidable than the Azure Emperor himself, they felt compelled to act.

In Ginkou, a potent, shadowy force lay hidden. Although not a transcendent power, none of Grand Xia's transcendent powers dared to underestimate it. In fact, they viewed it with a measure of trepidation.

On this day, the Pill Emperor of the Pill Emperor Hall personally arrived at this enigmatic place.

"Why has the Pill Emperor graced my humble abode?" A faint beam of light emanated as the Pill Emperor was drawn to the location. The voice belonged to an elderly man dressed in gray, his back turned to the Pill Emperor. He seemed almost like an apparition within the shadows.

"Darkshadow Sovereign, how have you been?" The Pill Emperor inquired, his voice soft.

Laughter echoed in response as the gray-robed figure slowly turned, revealing only a pair of blood-red eyes within the shroud of darkness. It was a chilling sight.

"You've paid a price equivalent to a fifth-ranked divine weapon just to find me. You certainly have deep pockets," the sinister figure laughed. "Speak, who do you wish to eliminate?"

"Qin Wentian," the Pill Emperor declared. The only person who could compel the Pill Emperor to enlist the Darkshadow Sovereign's services was none other than Qin Wentian. The pressure he faced was palpable.

"Very well, but the cost for this contract...I'm afraid your Pill Emperor Hall won't be able to bear it," the gray-robed figure taunted, his laughter growing more ominous.

"He's merely a peak Heavenly Dipper character. Even if his combat prowess rivals Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants, it couldn't possibly warrant a higher price than the one we paid for the Azure Emperor's assassination," the Pill Emperor retorted coolly.

"Azure Emperor? You can't compare the cost of his assassination to Qin Wentian's. Qin Wentian is the man who safely retreated after slaying Royal Sacred Sect disciples in the Royal Sacred Region. The price to eliminate him is at least a hundred times higher than the cost to assassinate the Azure Emperor. You'd best reconsider," those blood-red eyes bored into the Pill Emperor, sending shivers down his spine. It was as though, at that moment, he truly comprehended the terrifying nature of the young man in question.