Hearing Sacred Lord Xiao’s words, the Third Grand Elder was silent for a moment.
Then he laughed and said, “Sacred Lord, you’re overthinking this.”
Sacred Lord Xiao lifted his head, looking at the Third Grand Elder.
“No matter what, he is still a disciple of our True Martial Sacred Ground,” the Third Grand Elder replied. “You also said before, as long as he stays in the sect, you would protect him. Although we didn’t help him completely, it’s not as if we did nothing.”
“I understand,” Sacred Lord Xiao nodded. He then asked, “What about the other elders, how are they reacting?”
“No reaction, very quiet,” the Third Grand Elder laughed.
“Quiet? I think they’re all on edge,” Sacred Lord Xiao shook his head.
“Before, they united to drive Qingshan down from the position of Vice-Lord. Now let’s see how they deal with this.”
Speaking up to this point, Sacred Lord Xiao sighed, “I should go see the Ancestor and explain the situation.”
“Sacred Lord, in my opinion, the Ancestor does not want to interfere in this matter,” the Third Grand Elder said.
“What do you mean?” Sacred Lord Xiao was stunned for a moment.
“Although the Ancestor doesn’t show himself, you and I both know that no movement within the sect can escape the notice of the Ancestors.” The Third Grand Elder continued, “But this time, the matter is so huge, yet from start to finish the Ancestor has not appeared. Think about it, is it because he does not know, or because he does not want to care?”
He didn’t continue after this, the meaning was already clear.
“You see more clearly than I do,” Sacred Lord Xiao gave a bitter smile.
“You’re just too deeply caught up in it to notice,” the Third Grand Elder shook his head. “Though, it’s rare for Sacred Lord to be like this.”
“Then what do you think I should do?” Sacred Lord Xiao asked.
“You don’t need to do anything, or rather, Sacred Lord doesn’t need to look for Xu Zimo, but instead could go to the Vice-Lord,” the Third Grand Elder analyzed. “With the current situation, no matter how well the sect behaves, for that young man it is just adding flowers to brocade, but it can no longer provide timely help. It would be better to start with the Vice-Lord, maybe it will have a miraculous effect.”
Hearing the Third Grand Elder’s words, Sacred Lord Xiao nodded slightly.
Then sighed once again.
…………
A group of people returned from the outside world back to the sect.
At this moment, not just the True Martial Sacred Ground, but even the entire Eastern Continent was shaken.
It wouldn’t be long before the entire Primordial Heartlands knew.
Xu Zimo said to everyone, “I want to go back and rest for a while. If nothing important happens during this time, try not to disturb me.”
Everyone nodded.
They also knew he was tired, or perhaps before the struggle for Heaven’s Will, the best thing was rest.
Back at South Goose Mountain, Xu Zimo took a hot bath, then lay down on his old reclining chair.
Like this, he drank wine and relaxed for three days straight.
Even though during these few days the outside world underwent earth-shaking changes, South Goose Mountain remained peaceful, undisturbed in the slightest.
On the fourth day, Lin Ruhu and Little Gui came to find him.
“Brother Zimo, those imperial lineages have sent people,” Lin Ruhu said.
“Who are they?” Xu Zimo slowly opened his eyes and yawned.
He was only wearing a somewhat thin long-sleeved robe.
Shadow Tyrant was placed to the side, untouched these few days, his hair slightly messy at the back.
“All the imperial lineages that attended the Baili Imperial Clan’s Demon-Slaying Assembly have come,” Little Gui replied. “And some that didn’t attend but had previously taken a stance have also come to apologize.”
“What does the sect say?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Sacred Lord Xiao told me to ask for your opinion, everything is according to you,” Lin Ruhu said.
“Let’s go then, let’s take a look,” Xu Zimo waved his hand and stood up.
…………
In the True Martial Sacred Ground’s reception hall, many leaders of the imperial lineages had gathered.
Sacred Lord Xiao did not appear, instead letting the Grand Elder handle it.
Any one of these leaders was a ruler in their own domain, united they could even shake the Primordial Heartlands.
But now they were restless, sitting like on pins and needles.
If this matter wasn’t resolved, they wouldn’t even be able to sleep at night.
“Master Xu,” seeing Xu Zimo appear, everyone quickly stood up to greet him.
“You all came quite early,” Xu Zimo chuckled.
He casually glanced around: Phoenix Empire, Sword Spirit Empire, Purgatory Sacred Ground… including some imperial lineages he hadn’t seen before, like Grand River God Sect, Azure White Sacred Ground, Sword God Sacred Ground and the like.
“Go ahead then, let’s hear your solution,” Xu Zimo said.
The Heavenly Phoenix Empress of the Ancient Phoenix Empire was the first to stand up.
She waved her right hand, and in her pale palm appeared three drops of blood.
The blood was dazzlingly red, giving the impression that an unparalleled beast was brewing within.
It was as though the blood itself was alive.
The Heavenly Phoenix Empress said, “These three drops are the essence blood of the Ancient Phoenix. I am willing to offer them to Master Xu. Aside from this, whatever Master Xu needs, just say the word.”
The Ancient Phoenix was a god beast from the Legendary Era.
In this current age, ancient creatures had long gone extinct.
Even God Beasts from the Desolate Era were less than one-tenth of what they once were.
The essence blood of such an ancient phoenix was something that once used could never be replenished.
Although for Xu Zimo it was just so-so, he understood that the Ancient Phoenix Empire was bleeding heavily for this.
“Not enough,” he tapped the table with his right hand and said indifferently. “Bring out your Grand Emperor True Treasures, seal it in the True Martial Sacred Ground for thirty thousand years, and in addition, every year you must tribute no less than ten million spirit stones.”
This was what Xu Zimo could think of for now, since these imperial lineages currently had little real use to him.
The Heavenly Phoenix Empress’s face changed slightly, she hadn’t expected Xu Zimo’s appetite to be so great.
Tribute every year, wouldn’t that make her Ancient Phoenix Empire a subordinate force of the True Martial Sacred Ground?
Several other leaders of the imperial lineages also changed color.
“I’m not forcing you, the choice is yours,” Xu Zimo smiled. “I’m a very humane person.”
Not bothering to waste time with them, Xu Zimo turned around with Lin Ruhu and Little Gui and left.
“Grand Elder, if they’re unwilling, then see them out. No need to haggle.”
Watching Xu Zimo leave, everyone was stunned again. They hadn’t expected him to leave so cleanly, as if he didn’t care about this matter at all.
…………
Arriving at Green Mountain, his parents were also there.
“Dad, how have things been lately?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile.
“My Green Mountain’s threshold is about to be worn out from people stepping on it,” Xu Qingshan shook his head with a helpless smile.
“Those who forced me out before, now each one wants me back as Vice-Lord. And also the Sacred Lord.”
“What about the Sacred Lord?”
“He seems to want to step down.”
“And what do you think?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Not interested, even being Vice-Lord is exhausting enough,” Xu Qingshan shook his head.
“True, life rarely allows a few moments of leisure,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“What do you plan to do next?” Xu Qingshan asked.