Chu Capital, Marquis Chu Yu Mansion.
“That’s the situation,” Emperor Chu Yu said with a sense of helplessness. “Of the Imperial Clan’s thirteen branches, only seven royal marquises have the quota for Guest Elders, I have visited them all; but it’s simply impossible to reach an agreement.”
Listening, Luo Feng thanked him with a smile, “Brother Chu Yu, thank you! I know not all relationships among the Imperial Clan’s thirteen branches are good.”
“My Guest Elder is Great Saint Luo He, even if they are not agreeable, they wouldn’t dare to force their way harshly,” Emperor Chu Yu said nonchalantly. “However, they were all unwilling to use the Guest Elder quota for the previous Heavenly Task. Indeed, getting that quota is really difficult.”
Luo Feng nodded. From what he observed through Emperor Chu Yu’s experience, it was indeed troublesome.
“What the royal marquises care about most is their own cultivation path,” Emperor Chu Yu pondered. “After this Heavenly Task, the next major task may not come until over a thousand eras… It won’t be long before Brother Luo He becomes a Godly King, so he won’t be able to participate in the competition within the Primal Chaos Realm. It’s understandable that they are unwilling to agree.”
“It’s hard for me to be of help to them,” Luo Feng agreed.
In the governance of the Flame Wind Ancient Country, more than ninety percent of the affairs are handled by the royal marquises of the Imperial Clan’s thirteen branches; only the truly important matters are reserved for Godly Kings. Even the Godly Kings don’t dare to bully the smaller by killing royal marquises. Should someone dare to do so, even the monarch of the Flame Wind Ancient Country may intervene.
The royal marquises are the core elites cultivated by the Imperial Clan. Conflicts at the same level are tolerated by the Flame Wind Ancient Country. Bullying the weak? Absolutely forbidden!
So, what could Luo Feng do even if he became a Godly King? How much could an invincible Godly King at the First Realm really help the royal marquises?
“Apart from royal marquises selecting Guest Elders, are there any other methods?” Luo Feng inquired.
“According to the rules of our Imperial Clan, royal marquises select Guest Officials of Primal Chaos Realm, while Royal Family God Kings choose God King Guest Elders,” Emperor Chu Yu explained. “Also, the reigning emperor can make exceptions and directly recruit some Guest Elders.”
“The reigning emperor?” Luo Feng shook his head gently; such a trivial matter was not worth escalating to the emperor.
“If the ancestor were to speak, it would definitely be not difficult,” Emperor Chu Yu remarked.
“I’ll think about it some more,” Luo Feng stood up. With his disposition, he was reluctant to trouble his master, Emperor Chu, unnecessarily.
After all, he had just entered the Primal Chaos Realm, and there was no urgent need.
He would find another way once he became a Godly King.
Seeking inheritance didn’t just mean being a Guest Elder; and even if he were one, he wasn’t limited only to the Flame Wind Ancient Country.
“There’s no rush.” Many thoughts flickered through Luo Feng’s mind.
…
Chu Capital, Marquis Chu Ying Mansion.
Marquis Chu Ying, ranking first in the last Heavenly Task, naturally received substantial resources. Additionally, he was personally praised and regarded highly by ‘Emperor Qing’, a promising elite of the Imperial Clan.
Emperor Qing, one of the thirteen emperors of the Imperial Clan, is the most transcendent among them. His open praise motivated even some Godly Kings to seek a connection with Marquis Chu Ying.
“My lord,” a house manager said respectfully, “Luo He does indeed want a Guest Elder quota. Recently, Marquis Chu Yu has been to quite a few places among the Imperial Clan’s thirteen territories, trying with several royal marquises. I heard they all refused.”
“A Guest Elder quota?” Marquis Chu Ying’s eyes were cold. “Who is seeking the quota for?”
“It’s said to be for a newly ascended being of the Primal Chaos Realm. According to intelligence, the eternal true god ‘Yuan’ from Luo He’s Cave Mansion just achieved that realm,” the manager reported.
Marquis Chu Ying laughed, “His old servant Luo Sa has been in the Primal Chaos Realm for quite some time, yet he never thought to seek a Guest Elder quota for him. But as soon as Yuan breaks through, he’s immediately trying to secure a quota. It seems that in Luo He’s heart, this ‘Yuan’ is most important.”
“Alright, you may go now,” Marquis Chu Ying dismissed him.
“Yes,” the manager withdrew respectfully.
Marquis Chu Ying looked into the distance.
“I’ve been in seclusion for such a long time, only just completing my work when I hear this news,” Marquis Chu Ying chuckled. “It seems that Luo He and I are indeed fated.”
Marquis Chu Ying had the deepest accumulation among the seven top-rank marquises, and with the tremendous resources from ranking first in the Heavenly Task, he had grasped a branch of the Great Dao over hundreds of eras, and had just come out of seclusion.
Upon emerging, he learned about Luo He’s search for a Guest Elder quota.
“I’ve just grasped a branch of the Great Dao; my Small Universe has not yet transformed, nor has my godly body. Officially, I am still a royal marquis,” Marquis Chu Ying thought. “Using my authority and spending some Imperial Clan Merit Points, I could indeed apply for another Guest Elder quota.”
Within the Imperial Clan, differentiations are made among the royal marquises.
Those few who have transcended Primal Chaos Realm and are considered ‘top-rank marquises’ can even gain opportunities to enter divine places left by Yuan for free! From the moment Emperor Qing favored him, Marquis Chu Ying’s privileges were greatly enhanced.
“Once I break through, I will be a Godly King. I must consider the future.”
“An existence that can become an invincible being in the First Realm of Godly King without external support is rare even throughout the Land of Origin.” Marquis Chu Ying was well aware of Luo He’s potential.
Having made up his mind, Marquis Chu Ying immediately set out alone. He flew over Chu Capital and soon arrived quietly in front of Luo He’s Cave Mansion.
…
Marquis Chu Ying stood outside the entrance to Luo He’s Cave Mansion.
“Pass the message,” Marquis Chu Ying instructed the guards at the door. “Say that Marquis Chu Ying has come to visit Great Saint Luo He.”
“Marquis Chu Ying?” The two guards at the door were surprised, visiting alone without any servants? One of the guards immediately ran back to convey the message.
Marquis Chu Ying waited at the gate.
“Marquis Chu Ying?” Luo Feng also arrived at the doorway, quite curious. Normally, powerful figures would communicate directly through voice transmission, yet here was Marquis Chu Ying, adhering strictly to protocol by sending word through the gate guards.
“Great Saint Luo He,” Marquis Chu Ying looked at Luo Feng, smiling. “I have come to discuss a matter regarding the Guest Elder quota.”
Luo Feng’s eyes brightened; it sounded as though there might be a turnaround?
“Please,” Luo Feng invited him in right away.
Within the guest pavilion.
The two sat down, and Luo Feng personally helped pour the wine, asking, “From what Marquis Chu Ying said, you have a way for the Guest Elder position?”
Marquis Chu Ying nodded, “All first-class marquises of the thirteen Imperial Clan lineages are in competition, with different resources available to each.”
Luo Feng nodded.
“Fortunately, I am one of the more outstanding among the first-class marquises of the Imperial Clan, so I have some privileges,” said Marquis Chu Ying, looking at Luo Feng. “I can find a way to apply for an additional Guest Elder position.”
Luo Feng’s heart leapt with joy.
“The Guest Elder position is rare. Whatever I need to pay, just say it,” Luo Feng said, though he hadn’t dealt much with Marquis Chu Ying, he had to admit that Chu Ying’s demeanor alone was the most extraordinary among the seven first-class marquises of Emperor Chu’s Lineage.
The other six, when facing Marquis Chu Ying, would naturally bow their heads.
It was because, during the long-term competition, Marquis Chu Ying was always far ahead! If it hadn’t been for Luo Feng’s interference in the last Heavenly Task, Chu Ying would have been far ahead in the first place for all three subtasks.
Even with Luo Feng’s interference, Chu Ying still came out first overall in the end.
“Just one position,” said Marquis Chu Ying with a smile. “My visit today was precisely to make friends with Brother Luo He.”
After the past few days of understanding, Luo Feng realized that even though Marquis Chu Ying had a special status and could apply for another position, it was likely to come at a cost. Because within the Imperial Clan, as was always the rule, any resources beyond the free quota had to be exchanged for Merit Points.
“Brother Chu Ying, thank you,” said Luo Feng. “I’ll remember this kindness.”
Marquis Chu Ying nodded.
That was enough for him!
Being a powerful being himself, he placed even greater emphasis on causality!
Marquis Chu Ying was well aware that the struggle among the upper echelons of the Land of Origin was brutal! The two Ancient Countries of the Imperial Clan were also fighting each other, and there were old powers from non-imperial clans, some of whom were strong enough to arm-wrestle with Emperors and Monarchs.
Like the Lord of Ten Thousand Realms, like those from East Extreme Domain, like the few most dazzling ones in the Second Realm of Godly King, and also the strong Alien race beings hidden in the shadows.
Each party was competing for the resources left by Yuan.
“I am quite outstanding among the first-class marquises, but it’s too difficult to continue being outstanding after becoming a Godly King. One must rely on oneself and also on support,” Marquis Chu Ying saw potential in Luo Feng.
“Is it for the one who originally applied?” Marquis Chu Ying asked.
Luo Feng nodded, “It’s him.”
“Let him come to my mansion,” said Marquis Chu Ying. “By the time he arrives, the application for the position should already be approved.”
“Alright,” Luo Feng nodded.
…
“Me, a Guest Official of Primal Chaos Realm?” Yuan had just broken through, his godly body still in growth, and he was originally consolidating his cultivation in seclusion when Luo Feng summoned him directly.
Luo Feng said, “By becoming a Guest Elder of Flame Wind Ancient Country, you can directly obtain a quota of one hundred thousand Merit Points. Later, you can choose the inheritance you need most in the Inheritance Palace. In the future, you can also gradually accumulate Merit Points to exchange for resources.”
Yuan, having been in Chu Capital for so long, was very clear on how precious the Guest Elder positions were!
Many beings of Primal Chaos Realm had been mingling in Flame Wind Ancient Country, willing to exert themselves for the first-class marquises of the Imperial Clan, all scheming for a position.
“This position wasn’t easy to get, was it?” Yuan asked.
“Go to Marquis Chu Ying’s mansion now. When the time comes, Marquis Chu Ying will meet with you,” Luo Feng said. “No need to ask more about it.”
Yuan nodded without saying much, “Alright.”
He immediately set off for Marquis Chu Ying’s mansion.
Luo Feng watched Yuan leave, also revealing a smile.
“Everything’s finally arranged,” Luo Feng sighed with relief. Another pillar of the human race, “Yuan,” had also become a Guest Elder. With appropriate inheritance and resources, his path was likely to be much smoother in the future.
…
Marquis Chu Ying handled things properly, and on that day, Yuan became a Guest Official of Primal Chaos Realm! He also went to the Inheritance Palace and chose an inheritance he wanted.
When this news spread, it caused some resentment among the beings of Primal Chaos Realm in Chu Capital. They tried all they could and couldn’t get a position, and now a newly advanced being of Primal Chaos Realm got one directly!
But with Great Saint Luo He and Marquis Chu Ying behind this newly advanced being, they could only grumble.
It wasn’t long before Marquis Chu Ying made a breakthrough and became a Godly King!
He was the fourth Godly King of Emperor Chu’s Lineage of the Imperial Clan, causing quite a stir. At the Godly King celebration of Emperor Chu Ying, Luo Feng even personally brought gifts to congratulate him.
******
After Emperor Chu Ying became a Godly King, Luo Feng also went into seclusion, focusing solely on his cultivation.
Days passed by.
The effect of the Clearing Spirit Liquid finally dissipated, and there was only a little residue left from the effect of the Primordial Crystal Spirit Fruit—
“The Ten Directions World Form?” Inside the Star Tower, Luo Feng sat cross-legged, staring at some materials in front of him.
He was focused on comprehending the extremely difficult “Ten Directions World Form” and did not demand to grasp it within the Primal Chaos Realm. Even if he failed, it was still a kind of training for his comprehension.
But at that moment, a complete “Ten Directions World Form” suddenly formed in Luo Feng’s mind.
“Have I really comprehended it?” Luo Feng murmured to himself.
Sometimes, surprises come so unexpectedly.