The cultivators conducting the inspections were uniformly advanced divine realm. The current celestial emperor’s authenticity aside, he was at least well-equipped.

Anyone who could succeed in usurping the throne was surely a commander of innumerable forces. Ordinary godkings wouldn’t possess the strength or foundations to do the same.

Furthermore, a celestial emperor was often sought out by powerful cultivators who wanted a position of authority.

Thus, this Celestial Emperor Skypillar had a fair few elites under his command despite his false nature. That was evident from the strength of the inspection staff.

“Greetings to Godking Crimsonwaters.” The staff saluted the godking first, then began conducting the scope of their duties.

They patently respected Crimsonwaters only on the surface. Their behavior marked an arrogant air from service to the celestial emperor.

Four rounds of inspection later, one of them turned back to Crimsonwaters, smiling through his teeth. “We’re only doing what is required of us, godking. Please understand.”

The godking smiled faintly and waved a hand, but said nothing back.

He was astute and gracious enough to accept this much in stride. None too pleased, but uninterested in pressing such an insignificant detail.

“Let us go.” A wave from the godking signaled his team’s departure.

A second, third, and fourth inspection awaited them on the road ahead.

Skypillar was cautious indeed, a reflection of his lack of confidence in himself.

Crimsonwaters was very cooperative throughout, showing no sign of anger or annoyance.

Only after the fourth checkpoint did the team arrive within the Taiyuan Sky Palace proper. As one of the more prominent titled godkings, Crimsonwaters and his entourage were situated

in one of the nicest court residences within the palace.

Originally intended for honored guests, the residences had been repurposed to house the most powerful godkings. In the Taiyuan Plane, titled godkings qualified to be housed here numbered fewer than ten.

The residence was abuzz with activity when Crimsonwaters and his men entered. Other godkings had already settled in.

Evidently, many of them had close relationships with each other. Their teams intermingled with one another in earnest greeting and conversation.

Everyone acquainted with Crimsonwaters rose at his arrival. Five godkings emerged from their residences specifically to say hello to him.

Jiang Chen hung out quietly among the crowd, observing the handful of new godkings who appeared. He wanted to see what kind of people they were, what kind of morals and attitudes they possessed.

Observation could yield many details, and he wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity.

The godkings entreated each other with niceties and courtesies, but none of them were easy to read. They skimmed only the surface in their chatter, as if they had an unspoken agreement not to mention Taiyuan Plane’s current state.

It was as if they really were only here to attend a meeting in a realm that had enjoyed hundreds of thousand years of peace. There wasn’t a hint of worry or concern upon their faces.

What a bunch of wily old foxes

.

These cultivators had lived at least a hundred thousand years each. They were beyond experienced in life and had unavoidably accumulated a wealth of experience.

Jiang Chen averted his eyes. There wasn’t much for him to look for here. The godkings shared the same apathy, which disappointed him somewhat. Taiyuan Plane’s history until now had worn away their edges.

They were fearful of what could happen, knowing well that to say too much was mistake enough. This was a kind of sadness all on its own. If no one spoke up, things would only get increasingly worse.

This was the source of Taiyuan’s decay—the lack of any responsible individuals who dared come to the forefront. The masses were silent in a group depiction of the bystander effect. 

Jiang Chen soberly refrained from taking action after moving in. He sensed a monitoring force that pervaded the residence’s every corner.

Even the secret rooms here weren’t necessarily safe from prying eyes.

He chose to meditate until the beginning of the actual meeting.

The same idea seemed to have struck Jiang Huan. Though he came to talk to Jiang Chen from time to time, they exchanged only vacuous words.

They had already discussed the plan with each other beforehand. There was no need to repeat it.

Three days remained until the formal start of the godking vassal meeting. At that time, Skypillar would receive all the vassals at once and listen to their advice, after which a way to return Taiyuan Plane to its rightful operations would be found.

The meeting was slated to be a fruitful one, but shadows swam beneath the surface. Who knew whether there was a conspiracy waiting in the wings? How many would fall prey to unforeseen events? Would Skypillar even be allowed to remain the celestial emperor?

Jiang Chen went through the motions of his schedule everyday.

On the afternoon of the third day, one of Crimsonwaters’ followers informed him that the godking wished to see him.

The young man found this curious. Why had the godking taken an interest in him? They weren’t close enough to be on speaking terms, were they?

But he could hardly refuse.

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