The fleet of Void Ships was an astonishing sight to witness, but whether it was Wei Wuyin or the Earthly Saints of Trueborn, also known as the newly established Unchained Heart Sect, they both felt that it was an untimely eyesore. Unfortunately, neither could act without regard given their presence.
Wei Wuyin's Celestial Eyes dimmed slightly; the Nexus War Flag kept concealed within his glabella receded its thrashing aura. Within his Sea of Consciousness, a Spirit of War Commander, Zhan Kongjian, clenched a silvery cube etched with Mystic Runes within their palms tightly as the order to stay their hand was issued.
There was an Earthly Saint in Wei Wuyin's Sea of Consciousness! Moreover, if one looked closely, it wasn't simply one! With their uniquely formed bodies composed of Wei Wuyin's Soul Light, they possessed the ability to mimic certain qualities, and the Seven Source Soul Light, the Primary Light Energy of Eden, could integrate with the Sea of Consciousness without rejection.
Still, ruined plans aside, Wei Wuyin energetically turned to Empress Xiaocheng with a bright, welcoming smile as if this was a casual day. Empress Xiaocheng similarly held a slight cordial smile, but there was an added distance to it. This sense of distance was quite telling.
"...!"
Kong Yi furrowed his aged brows; Wei Wuyin's greeting wasn't appropriate at all in his eyes. Empress Xiaocheng was the Empress of the Aeternal Sky Starfield, loosely the Empress of the entire Grand Cyclic Stellar Region, and to be greeted by a mortal junior in such a way was extremely disrespectful and a sign of lacking status awareness. In truth, he should be deeply bowing or kneeling before the Empress.
Tian Muyang and Tian Lingyu's expressions changed as well. Wei Wuyin could act freely while at the Saint Cyclic Renewal Summit as manners of etiquette were placed on the sideline due to the situation, and how awkward it would be for every last expert, possibly breeding animosity towards the Imperial Clan. That said, if it was the Emperor himself, no one could dare not kneel as a greeting.
However, they were in the outside world, witnessed by countless experts, and Wei Wuyin only clasped his hands in greeting with a friendly smile. This was a sign of equality in status, and to many, this was bringing down the Empress's status and even arrogantly elevating his own.
Wei Wuyin's disrespectful act was actually a lapse of his focus and a combination of the debonair Wei Wuyin's memories. As the Void Voyage Sect's Sect Master, the other Wei Wuyin interacted with the Tian Clan quite often, and mostly with the Empress, and never had to bow, resorting to this friendly clasp of hands greeting each time. It could be considered a grown habit.
As for the distraction, it came from continuous reports from the Ascendants.
"The Sealing Array has been established." This message was received many times, equal to the number of Shadow Eggs invaded, and this made Wei Wuyin relieved. With the Sealing Array established, whether it was transmissions from inside, Void Gates transportation, or reinforcements from outside arriving, they were all cut ruthlessly off.
Stalling had worked exceptionally well. Unfortunately, the fleet of Voidships had essentially ruined his multi-step assault plan, unable to deal Trueborn another devastating blow and preventing them from reacting with Highlords and Earthly Saints. However, this will also act as another distraction, buying some time, so he wasn't too bothered.
Wei Wuyin eventually noticed the anxious expression from Tian Muyang, and only then did he realize that his manners were lacking to the Imperial Clan's Empress, the second-most authority figure of the Imperial Clan. The silence from the Voidships was uncomfortable, and soon, they halted a few miles off, seemingly cutting off Wei Wuyin's route of retreat.
He sighed softly in his heart, realizing that his actions might have induced a little bit of caution from his allies. Not even Tian Muyang and Tian Lingyu were doing anything but revealing their concerned gazes.
'Forget it. Since I didn't kneel to the Imperial Clan's authority immediately, I won't do so in this lifetime.' Wei Wuyin decided mentally, no longer binding himself to his original plans to wear a mask. As for appeasing the Imperial Clan and entering into hostilities with the Imperial Clan, for now, he had bigger priorities, and it was impossible to avoid that eventuality anyhow.
Empress Xiaocheng seemed unbothered by Wei Wuyin's actions, glancing at the Fire Phoenix that eyed her with an innate sense of majestic superiority. It seemed that Wei Wuyin genuinely has an inflated sense of self, and this was likely the result of many different factors, especially the lack of suffering losses or being taught a lesson. Considering he was less than a hundred years old with a personal force that could shake starfields, including his outstanding alchemic talent, it was hard to suffer in the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region.
She proceeded to give Wei Wuyin a knowing gaze, before looking at the vast Dark Void with a seething spiritual light, strongly speaking out: "Friends of the Unchained Heart Sect, will you not greet this Empress?"
"..." The fleet of Voidships was silent, but a few top-notch experts realized something was wrong. After several uncomfortable seconds, spatial ripples diffused out from locations all around Wei Wuyin ranging from two hundred to five hundred miles. This was an insidiously close distance for Ascended beings, and they all revealed their unfathomable aura and masked figures.
There were sixteen Earthly Saints!
SIXTEEN!!
"Oh my heavens!" Tian Lingyu's heart pounded violently. She hadn't even realized that there were Earthly Saints hidden in the folds of fixed space, but she felt deeply disturbed that they were so close to Wei Wuyin!
Kong Yi's eyes turned grim; in his eyes, Wei Wuyin was on the precipice of death, because even he hadn't noticed their presence, and he possessed a Spatial Soul.
Tian Muyang looked at the depths of the defensive array, noticing two other Earthly Saints. This meant that the Unchained Heart Sect had eighteen Earthly Saints! Moreover, this was only what was initially sent, who knew how many they had still protecting their territory or covering escape routes?
The Unchained Heart Sect…
Wei Wuyin kicked his acting skills into overdrive, his head swerving as extreme light of shock was effused from his eyes. He had to send Bai Lin a mental message, and she cried out vigilantly, erupting with Nirvanic Flames that enveloped Wei Wuyin protectively.
This gave all those on the Voidship the impression that Wei Wuyin was defenseless until now, entirely ignorant of the Earthly Saints slithering towards him with life-reaping intentions. If it wasn't for the Empress' timely interference, Wei Wuyin's life would've been forfeit!
When they recalled the disrespect earlier, their emotions stirred. They hoped this revelation would teach Wei Wuyin a lesson, and tell him to never underestimate his enemies.
The sixteen Earthly Saints and two Earthly Saints within the defensive array, all gave uniformed greetings to the Empress. They didn't kneel, but their bow was not light, and their androgynous tones carried respect. Perhaps it wasn't towards the Empress herself, but who she represented—the Aeternal Sky Divine Emperor!
This refreshed the belief in the hearts and minds of all those present of the exceptional might that the Imperial Emperor possessed, so much so that these eighteen Earthly Saints of this incredible organization dared not skimp on their show of respect.
Wei Wuyin inwardly rolled his eyes, and Bai Lin restrained the disdain in her eyes. She and Wei Wuyin were the perfect acting duo as they seemed incredibly panicked, twisting and flying here and there, but finding their routes of escape blocked by either Voidship or Earthly Saint. Wei Wuyin even sent out spiritual transmissions, but only bursts of spiritual light erupted when the Earthly Saints of the Unchained Heart Sect intercepted them without moving, their eyes following him wherever he went, exuding their murderous intent.
It wasn't hard for them to intercept a Spiritual Transmission performed by a mere mortal. They were all doing this simply to tell Wei Wuyin this: "Your call for reinforcements isn't coming, fool."
"Alchemic Sovereign Wei, please calm down. No one will act against you." Empress Xiaocheng comforted with a pleasant tone filled with unquestionable dignity. It seemed that she had given her word, and that word must be abided by.
Da Shan watched all this with a quiet gaze. There was a rousing killing light within his golden eyes.
"Your little husband seems to have bitten off far more than he can chew. Look at him, acting like a headless chicken." The Titanic Hell-Crushing Queen couldn't help but shake her little head. However, this was to be expected. Wei Wuyin was a mere mortal and an exceptionally young and inexperienced one as well.
Da Shan glanced at her master, and then her eyes sharpened. She, more than anyone, knew Wei Wuyin far more intimately than anyone present. She knew how profound his plans could become, how insidious his foresight was, and she had never once seen Wei Wuyin panic in his life.
However, she didn't dare to say anything, unsure if her words or transmissions could be heard or intercepted. She trusted Wei Wuyin.
Tian Lingyu sighed with relief. While they were acting against Wei Wuyin, they still saved his life.
"Within life, there are endless opportunities," Tian Muyang said softly to console Tian Lingyu. The latter nodded, given Wei Wuyin's young life, he was bound to flourish. Suddenly, she looked around, observing the countless top-tier sects, associations, and clans that were here with representatives. She frowned slightly, thinking: "Shouldn't the Golden Life Pavilion be here?"
Wei Wuyin soon calmed down, his eyes becoming incomparably gloomy. "You've sealed space," he stated as he looked at the Earthly Saints of the Unchained Heart Sect and the Highlords and Earthly Saint representatives of the countless top-tier Mystic-rank forces. Even the Inferno Solaris Church and Ninestar Sainthall were present, and while their leaders weren't here, they brought their Earthly Saints.
The Voidships and Earthly Saints were all working in conjunction to seal off space. Wei Wuyin continued with a questioning tone with a hint of anger, "You've all planned this?"
Cardinal Song spoke at this moment, "Alchemic Sovereign Wei, you must understand our plight."
As if coordinated, He Bojing, the Earthly Saint of the He Clan, followed: "Your current actions only serve to reinforce our mission. Please understand." While he seemed to be pleading for forgiveness, there was a dark glint in his eyes.
The other Eight Noble Clans were all here, including the Boundless Martial Sect. Even the Tang Clan was present, and Highlord Scarletflame—Sister of the Matriarch, was the representative. While the True Element Sect, Golden Life Pavilion, and Golden Gate Pavilion were notably absent.
The strongest forces of the Aeternal Sky Sect were all here!
And of the current remaining nineteen Starfields, excluding the Great Blue Starfield and United Source Starfield, the leading forces of sixteen Starfields were also here, including some of the less Mystic-tier forces.
The Dark Void was crowded with authority and power that spread across the entire Grand Cyclic Stellar Region!
Wei Wuyin had the urge to say: "All for me?" But he kept his cheeky side in check, only revealing a pair of gloomy eyes and a grim expression resembling a cornered animal. Instead, he coldly asked: "Are you all here to capture me?"
Suddenly, an Earthly Saint of Unchained Heart Sect spoke out: "Fool."
Wei Wuyin sent a chilling glare over and then turned his gaze towards Empress Xiaocheng as if demanding an answer. While the others saw his attitude as disrespectful given how the Empress had just shown that he was at the precipice of death, they didn't say anything as many were thankful if the Tian Clan and Wei Wuyin remained non-allies.
The Empress shook her gorgeous head, "No."
"We're here to resolve the Oathless Calamity of our Stellar Region, little boy." The Empress' simple reply allowed an unexpected speaker to take the stage and speak out excitedly. It was none other than the Lavender Pill Alchemic Sovereign, Xun Yicao!