Chapter 31: The Sovereign Descends
In the northern district of Azure Blue City, the foremost of the ten cities in the Azure Blue Prefecture.
This was the residence of Prefect Beirut. Because it was within the city, there was no need for a large garrison of guards. Even so, the mansion housed tens of thousands of maids, servants, and guards. At this moment, Linley and Bebe were in Beirut’s residence, keeping tabs on the news about the Red Diamond Crystal circulating in the Infernal Realm.
In the courtyard where Linley and Bebe were, Linley sat on a stone chair, flipping through intelligence files.
“Boss, got any news on the Red Diamond Crystal?” Bebe walked in from the courtyard gate, grinning teasingly.
Linley tossed the file casually onto the table and shook his head with a wry smile. “What news? All the information in these files is based on hearsay. Not a single piece is as reliable as Brody’s case last time. Unfortunately, the army managing the teleportation arrays in the Muya Continent is under the command of a Sovereign. And the personnel are constantly rotated. There are countless soldiers in the Muya army. Finding out exactly where Brody teleported to is far too difficult.”
Even now, Linley still believed…
That the Red Diamond Crystal Brody had obtained back then was ninety percent likely real! His divine clone had stayed behind solely to distract outsiders and draw their attention. Where had Brody’s true body gone? Linley desperately wanted to know.
“It’s really troublesome,” Bebe said, plopping down and grabbing a plump, rosy fruit from the table. He took a big bite, juice dripping from the corner of his mouth. “The Muya army keeps swapping out the soldiers at the teleportation arrays. This month, one squad handles newcomers to the Infernal Realm; next month, it’s another squad. Investigating something from decades ago would involve countless squads and personnel! If you, Boss, launch a large-scale investigation, you’ll definitely draw the attention of the Muya Sovereign!”
Linley nodded slightly.
Last time, when he went after Brody, his excuse had been solid. He simply said he was interested in such a treasure and wanted to take a look. After all, even ordinary prefects and Seven Star Fiends would be tempted by the intelligence and projections. In fact, many of those searching for the Red Diamond Crystal didn’t believe it was a Sovereign’s artifact.
They were after it because of the unique abilities the Red Diamond Crystal had displayed.
Now, that matter had temporarily subsided. But if Linley were to launch a large-scale investigation within the Muya army, digging so deeply, wouldn’t others become suspicious? After all, for someone with a Paragon status, the Red Diamond Crystal wasn’t particularly useful. An occasional inquiry was fine. But persistent, relentless digging? That would raise suspicion.
Bebe snorted disdainfully. “That Brody was indeed a bit greedy.”
“A Highgod who refined a divine spark, wielding a treasure that let him easily defeat Six Star Fiends. He knew how to weigh his options,” Linley said with a faint smile. “And from what I estimate, he spent some money to make multiple teleportations along the way. Who knows where he ended up?”
Bebe nodded in agreement.
“So we’ll never get it?” Bebe asked, unwilling to give up.
“We’ll get it one day,” Linley said with a faint smile, though his tone was resolute.
Linley had already sent his other three divine clones back to the Yulan Continent with their family and friends. He remained here, determined to obtain the Red Diamond Crystal at any cost. To Linley, that crystal meant the only hope of resurrecting Grandpa Doehring! Linley would never give up.
Seeing Linley’s expression, Bebe nodded. “That Brody got the Red Diamond Crystal. He won’t be content to stay ordinary. One day, news of him will surface again.”
Linley smiled and nodded in agreement.
The chilly wind of the Infernal Realm rustled the White Scaled Tree in the courtyard. Its yellowing leaves drifted down with the wind, forming a sparse layer on the ground.
“Hmm?”
Linley and Bebe’s expressions suddenly turned serious. They instinctively looked up. As they did, Linley couldn’t help squinting. “Such blinding light.” The figure in midair was like a blazing white sun, radiating such intense light that one couldn’t help but squint.
A vast, majestic aura emanated from within that dazzling sun.
Linley strained his eyes to make out the figure inside. The newcomer had golden hair and golden eyebrows. His face was clean-shaven and fair, but his golden eyebrows hung down past his earlobes. A loose white robe embroidered with golden patterns draped over him, accentuating his tall stature. His eyes were like two miniature suns, so piercing that one couldn’t meet his gaze.
“A Sovereign?” Linley instantly judged. “Light aura… must be a Light-type Sovereign. What is a Light-type Sovereign doing here?” Linley was puzzled.
“Greetings, Sovereign,” Linley said, bowing.
“Greetings, Sovereign,” Bebe also bowed immediately.
The Light Sovereign coldly looked down at Linley and Bebe. His gaze was indifferent, like an emperor surveying his subjects. After a long pause, the Light Sovereign finally spoke. “Are you Linley?”
“Yes,” Linley replied, outwardly respectful but inwardly racing with thoughts.
Why was a Sovereign here? Was it for the Sovereign’s artifact? Or for Chegwin? Facing various possibilities, Linley instantly thought of multiple responses. Though he had many ideas, he was still nervous and uneasy. After all, a Sovereign had come in person. If he wanted to kill Linley, it would take no more than a flick of his hand.
Although the Sovereign had arrived, the Light Sovereign also deployed a domain, isolating the area around Linley and Bebe from the outside world. No one outside could see what was happening inside.
“A Sovereign?”
Beirut, the master of this mansion, turned his head toward the sky above Linley and Bebe’s location. His expression changed. “Why is a Light Sovereign here?” After a moment’s hesitation, he gritted his teeth and flew toward Linley and Bebe. He feared the Light Sovereign, but Linley and Bebe were people he deeply cared about. He couldn’t just ignore them.
At that moment, Linley and the Light Sovereign hovering above were in conversation.
“That’s right. Over this matter, many Sovereigns in the Infernal Realm have taken notice. However, it’s clear that the news was fabricated. I don’t have the nine spirit pearls, nor do I have the Sovereign’s Decree,” Linley said, looking up at the Light Sovereign, speaking calmly.
The Light Sovereign’s eyes flared with light, causing Linley, who was looking up, to feel a sting in his eyes.
“Linley. I’ll give you one chance. Hand over the nine spirit pearls. Or… die!” the Light Sovereign said coldly.
Linley’s heart tightened. “Why is this Light Sovereign so certain I have the nine spirit pearls? No, the only ones who know about this are Bebe, Olivier, and Mordo. Mordo died long ago. Olivier and the others have returned to the Yulan Continent. There shouldn’t be any leaks.”
“Sovereign, I truly don’t understand,” Linley said, looking up with feigned anger. “Last time, that Wind-type Sovereign questioned me the same way. Now it’s clear that the news was false. Whether the Sovereign’s mission even exists is uncertain. Why are you so adamant that I have the nine spirit pearls?”
Just then, a strong fluctuation rippled around them. Someone had pierced through the Sovereign’s domain and entered.
“Hmm?” The Light Sovereign turned to look.
“Whoosh!” A figure shot in. Linley looked closely and saw that it was Beirut!
“Grandpa!” Bebe exclaimed joyfully.
The Light Sovereign looked down at the figure below. When he saw Beirut, his expression darkened. He snorted coldly, “Beirut, you still have the nerve to face me?”
Beirut was startled by the voice. He looked up, his expression changing. He exclaimed, “Light Sovereign!”
“Light Sovereign?” Linley was shocked.
According to the intelligence Linley had gathered, among the eleven Sovereigns, the four Rule Sovereigns were the strongest. Right below them was the Light Sovereign!
“Light Sovereign, what are you doing here?” Beirut asked, remaining composed.
“Doing here?” The Light Sovereign’s gaze turned icy as he looked at Beirut. “Your friend Linley here claims he doesn’t have the nine spirit pearls and says the news about the Sovereign’s mission is false. Unfortunately, I now know for certain that your friend is lying!”
Beirut stood beside Linley.
“Lying?” Linley said firmly. “Sovereign, even if you are a Sovereign, you cannot slander someone without cause.”
“Slander?”
The Light Sovereign flipped his hand, and a green parchment appeared in his palm. Then, his divine power surged, and streaks of Sovereign power shot out from the green parchment. Lines of text and images appeared in midair. This was a simple application of projection-like abilities.
Linley, Bebe, and Beirut all saw the text and images in the air.
“The Sovereign’s Decree?” Beirut was stunned.
“That… that’s the Sovereign’s Decree?” Linley was shocked.
The text contained a detailed description of the Sovereign’s mission, nearly identical to the content on the parchment Mordo had spread.
“Linley. I’ve obtained the Sovereign’s Decree, proving that the news is true. It seems the information wasn’t fabricated. I suggest you stop quibbling and hand it over directly,” the Light Sovereign said coldly, looking down at the three below.
“Boss, that’s the Sovereign’s Decree. This is bad,” Bebe said anxiously.
Linley looked up and said, “Sovereign, I congratulate you on obtaining the Sovereign’s Decree! It seems the Sovereign’s mission is indeed real. But I must say—does the fact that the mission is real mean that the claim about the nine spirit pearls and the Sovereign’s Decree being in my possession is also real? Clearly, the Sovereign’s Decree is in your hands.”
“Stop quibbling. I have no interest in arguing with you. Hand it over or not? If not, don’t blame me for taking action,” the Light Sovereign issued his final ultimatum.
“Lord Augustus,” a voice rang out.
The Light Sovereign’s gaze swept over. Within his isolated domain, a figure gradually materialized—a man with blood-red hair and a blood-red robe. Linley felt a surge of relief. “Blood Peak Sovereign!”
“Parsh?” The Light Sovereign frowned.
“Lord Augustus,” the Blood Peak Sovereign said with a smile. “I’ve received information that everything was due to false rumors. It was proven not long ago that the authenticity of the Sovereign’s mission is still uncertain. The claim that Linley has the nine spirit pearls is also false.”
The Light Sovereign glanced at him coldly, then flipped his hand, showing the green parchment to the Blood Peak Sovereign.
The Blood Peak Sovereign’s eyes swept over it, and he was startled. “This is the Sovereign’s Decree?”
“No doubt about it. Clearly, the news is true. I don’t think the information would be spread carelessly. This Linley must have the nine spirit pearls,” the Light Sovereign said coldly, turning his gaze to Linley. “Linley, I said you have only two choices: hand them over or die. Choose.”
The Light Sovereign completely ignored the Blood Peak Sovereign’s presence!
“Sovereign,” Linley said, looking up. “You don’t believe me when I say I don’t have the nine spirit pearls, and you want to kill me? But I should mention that I have divine clones elsewhere. Even if you kill me, you won’t be able to open my spatial ring. So even if I had the nine spirit pearls, killing me wouldn’t get them for you. And I don’t have them anyway.”
“Divine clones?” The Light Sovereign frowned. “Where?”
“In a material plane,” Linley answered honestly.
“In my Yulan Continent plane,” Beirut added with a smile.
“Hmph.” The Light Sovereign cast a cold glance at Beirut.
“Very clever, hiding your divine clones in a material plane,” the Light Sovereign said coldly. “You say you don’t have the nine spirit pearls. Then unseal your spatial ring and let me inspect it. Do you dare?”
“If you inspect it and find nothing, will you leave, Sovereign?” Linley countered.
“Stop wasting time,” the Light Sovereign said, his expression darkening.
“Fine. Since you, Light Sovereign, insist on inspecting my spatial ring based on your own assumptions, I, Linley, will allow you to inspect it this once.” Linley willed it, and his body split into two. He took out two spatial rings, unsealed them, and looked up at the Sovereign with a faint smile. “I’m sure you know, Sovereign, that these are my only two clones right now. Go ahead and inspect the rings.”
Linley then tossed them up to the Light Sovereign.
PS: First chapter!