Days later, back in Tor Palace, King Tor was in yet another fit of rage. His graying hair whipped about wildly as he threw anything he could get his hands on across his own office. One could imagine the kind of commotion a Qi Refinement expert would cause doing such a thing daily, but who had the courage to tell a King to stop? Not even the Imperial Censors dared to do a thing after he killed one of their own.
King Tor had exhausted all his options, even breaking the rules to send out his own father to search for Ryu personally. Yet, somehow, Ryu evaded the eyes of even a Half-Step Divine Vessel expert. To make matters worse, the dark clouds from Ryu's awakening still perpetually hung above the Tor Kingdom. Having not seen the sun in almost two years now, the citizens of Tor Kingdom were becoming restless.
"Royal Husband, you cannot continue to do this." Queen Olivia Tor tried to calm Shuren down. Though this was the Palace, there were countless servants, ministers, and miscellaneous persons on its grounds. If rumors that the King had lost his mind began to spread, it would make an already terrible situation worse.
However, Olivia's efforts were responded to with a crisp slap. Stunned, Olivia could only remain silent.
"You damned woman, do you think I don't know what you and your father have been plotting all this time? If it wasn't for my certainty that you would have back stabbed me otherwise, I would have chosen Leilani as my Queen!
"How many matters in this Palace have been your doing?! You're related to Selene's matter, aren't you?! I'm surprised you even allowed Leilani to give birth at all with that vindictive, dark personality of yours!"
Too many terrible things had occurred in Tor Palace after Olivia became Queen. How could King Tor not understand that? However, the Cedar Clan was too powerful, so he had to find a way to cripple them from within. As such, he gave up on love and married Olivia instead. But, he was beginning to regret even that. With a genius like Ryu as his son, what did a trash Clan like the Cedars matter?
It was clear by now that King Tor had lost his mind. He had already forgotten that Ryu's ostracization had nothing to do with the Cedar Clan and everything to do with his actions alone. To stone wall your own son due to the color of his hair and eyes, yet have the audacity to take a moral high horse… Wasn't he too shameless?
Ryu's disappearance was like yet another looming guillotine over Tor Kingdom. When he reappeared next, would it be the day King Tor abdicated? Or would he appear beforehand?
"Royal Husband…" Olivia said in a decidedly softer voice, trying to ignore the stinging pain on her cheek. Despite the enraged boiling sitting in her gut at the King's words, she kept her composure. "… Although that unfilial son of yours acted in defiance, it still benefits you, does it not?"
King Tor's brow furrowed. "Speak."
"Ryu placed first. Amory placed second. Jedrek placed third. Whether it was Ryu's intention or not, to the world, he is still a member of the Tor Clan. According to the original deal, this means that not only does the Tor Clan get first pick of the resources of the past Natural Order Sect, it also means that we get the largest share as well. Though Ryu threw a tantrum, all he did was help you.
"I hear that the Natural Order Sect's Heirloom is incredibly power and is ranked first among the treasures of our Highest Mortal Plane. What need is there to fear Ryu with it in your hands?"
King Tor's eyes lit up like a blazing torch. Like this, the cogs began to move.
**
The heads of the four Kingdoms coalesced just a few weeks later. King Tor's mood had been greatly elevated as well.
King Viri and Lantes still didn't feel great being in the same room with a Tor, mostly because what Ryu had done to their sons was still fresh in their minds. They immediately used this to leverage better positions for themselves and more resources. Namely, the Viri Kingdom laid claim to the elemental Pavilion techniques, while the Lantes Kingdom laid claim to the Weapons and Human Pavilions.
King Tor happily ceded these things, his eyes completely focused on the prospect of owning the [Glove of Order].
Each Kingdom sent a Spiritual Severing expert. Although they weren't allowed to take part in worldly affairs, this matter was a definite exception. After all, it was related to the treasures of a Sect, something that was by definition a martial world affair. Plus, only they would be able to forcibly break the protective formation was with such an expert.
In truth, it was quite a shame to shatter this formation. There was no one on the Mortal Planes capable of creating such a large-scale formation anymore. In fact, these formations were laid by powers of the Immortal Plane back when they treated the Higher Mortal Plane as their backyard. They were just repurposed by these Sects to their benefit.
Days passed as half a dozen Spiritual Severing Realm experts attacked the Illusory Formation. Still, despite the hard work, their eyes seemed to grow brighter and brighter with each passing moment. The prospect of an entire Sect's worth of resources was far too enticing.
Three days later, the formation finally collapsed under the pressure. By the fifth day, it lost its ability to self-repair, allowing what remained of it to be torn away.
The Kings smiled confidently. All this time, they had completely ignored King Opes. Without Ryu supporting them, the Opes Princes collapsed in on themselves. Although Kalmin fought valiantly, managing to place fourth due to Atticus and Silas being unable to participate, in the grand scheme of things, it mattered nought.
Still, King Opes' lips inexplicably twitched, the tell-tale sign of someone trying their best to hold back their laughter. If the three Kings saw this, there was no question that they would have sensed that something was off with these events. However, they were too excited.
Each followed by two Spiritual Severing Realm experts, the Kings walked forward, trying to maintain their Kingly auras despite the happiness in their hearts.
In that moment, the calm Spring atmosphere of the Natural Order Sect was invaded by a piercing cold and rushing snow. Without the formation's protection, the cold temperatures of Opes Kingdom were no longer held back by anything
Suddenly, roars of anger sounded. The three Kings spent hours overturning every stone, yet, they didn't find a single thing worthy of being labeled as a treasure.