Jiang Chen didn’t yet know why he’d been summoned. Simply to yammer on about these idle trifles? Surely Lord Crimsonwaters wasn’t that bored?

“This king is assessing whether you’re qualified to be my successor.”

The declaration exploded in Jiang Chen’s ear like a thunderclap.

Successor?

Where did this suddenly spring from?? He had had very few dealings with the godking thus far.

He responded haltingly, searching for the right words, “My lord, this junior’s never directly interacted with you before today. You surely can’t have that deep of an impression of me, so I can’t make heads nor tails of this.”

“Heh, there’s something called affinity at first sight. You might look at someone for a lifetime and feel nothing, but feel a kinship the moment you lay your eyes on the next person. Elder Zhen Junior, anyone who reaches the godking level tends to have some peculiar thought processes.”

It did make sense when Jiang Chen thought it over.

Lord Crimsonwaters chuckled at the lack of response. “What? You’re not showing much of a reaction, even though this must be an enormous shock.”

Jiang Chen raised a quizzical eyebrow. “What kind of reaction does my lord want?”

“I merely wish to hear your thoughts.”

The young lord shrugged and countered with a question of his own. “My lord, you’re in the prime of your life while Crimsonwaters is thriving and peaceful. Isn’t it too early to talk of a successor?”

“Who knows?” the godking chuckled. “Things might not be the same after the godking conference. It’s always a good idea to plan for a rainy day.”

“It seems a little excessive.” The young lord chuckled.

“Not so. Reportedly, there’s a certain movement intent on proposing we change Taiyuan’s name at the conference. It’ll either be a change of dynasty or the death of us all. There is no middle ground.”

“A name change?” Though he’d already heard this tidbit, Jiang Chen feigned astonishment. “Won’t that discard the plane’s blessings? Aren’t they afraid to be spurned by the supreme dao and cause a calamity?”

“As you say. There are insane people out there.” The godking sighed. “Do you understand now why I’m in a hurry?”

Jiang Chen squeezed out a smile. “If so, isn’t that dumping all of the pressure on me?”

“Exactly, that’s why I want to see if your resolve and charisma are up to the task.” The godking smiled gently.

Jiang Chen stayed silent. Charisma or no charisma, he wasn’t especially interested in ruling over a lesser world. He had his own goals to tend to.

Crimsonwaters Minor was simply another step in his journey.

The godking sighed, reading his answer from his reluctance. “To think the mantle of a lesser world’s ruler would be so unappealing nowadays. It would seem this plane’s indeed beyond redemption.

“I originally thought the older generation had lost the courage to change, lost the drive to push their ideas forward. I thought the youngsters could take up the torch, but it seems even you lot falter in the face of the responsibilities. Is Taiyan Plane truly at the end of the road?”

The godking’s tone was pure sorrow.

Jiang Chen was taken aback. He’d thought Godking Crimsonwaters a collected man, not one to be so despondent in front of others. Was the man losing his nerves as the pressure of the oncoming conference started to weigh on him?

The young lord urged, “From time immemorial, there’s always been a certain recoil before karma runs its course. Destiny still has plans in store for Taiyuan.”

“Oh? Are you certain?” the godking asked.

“I hear that Celestial Emperor Taiyuan isn’t dead yet, so his plane’s fortunes live on with him. Or at least until he passes away and his creation token is retrieved by the supreme dao. The token and the blessings from the universe it confers are the cornerstones of a plane’s fortunes. In other words, the latter is intimately linked to the celestial emperor. His Majesty Taiyuan is simply in an awkward spot, hence the oppressive atmosphere in his realm. But there’s hope as long as he lives.”

It wasn’t the first time the godking had heard this argument, but no one had ever put it forward in such a direct and incisive, let alone logical explanation of fate and karma.

The destiny of a greater world hinged upon its celestial emperor.

But currently, Taiyuan’s legitimate sovereign was away while all sorts of fake emperors tried his shoes on for size. Such blasphemy and heresy naturally brought bad luck to the realm. It was punishment from the supreme dao for sinning against their true ruler.

Lord Crimsonwaters looked at the young man. He suddenly felt there was more to him than met the eye. It was a waste for him to be a mere Fiendstar elder.

“Elder Zhen Junior, your insight’s equal to that of a godking at least. Seeing you a mere elder of an insignificant sect makes me tear out my hair in despair.”

“My lord, status is as transient as clouds. What does matter is that I stay true to myself. I have an agreement with Sectmistress Han, so I will abide by it.”

“Fine. In sixty years, I hope that I’ll still be alive and in a position to make the same offer.” The godking smiled self-deprecatingly as he lifted his tea cup. “Elder Zhen Junior, I won’t see you out.” he said, signaling the end of the conversation.

Jiang Chen stood up. “This junior bids my lord farewell.”

All his tension vanished once he exited the mansion. His trip had proven worthwhile. At the very least, he’d planted a seed in the godking’s mind.

The only way out was to support Celestial Emperor Taiyuan. All other choices led to a dead end. If the godking were to realize this simple truth, then his godking friends would also support him and fight the good fight.

That would be the best possible reinforcement for the celestial emperor’s cause!

For Jiang Chen, it was a most desirable outcome. He couldn’t wait. He truly looked forward to the start of the conference.

Taiyuan was still shrouded in a dark miasma, but at the very least, many had come to their senses and set out to dispel the fog. And after darkness came the dawn!

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