Ch. 216 - Using Power to Intimidate

When Yuan Hangyu said those words, the purple-robed youth, who had been smashing things, paused slightly.

He looked deeply in the direction of the door.

On the Primordial Heartlands, whether it’s an imperial lineage or another top-tier sect, every era cultivates a chosen successor.

If the successor is female, she’s called a Saintess. If male, he’s known as a Holy Son.

…

“You’re Baili Zhenyun?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile, looking at the youth before him.

“That’s not important,” the purple-robed youth replied flatly. “Just don’t try to play me. The consequences wouldn’t be something you can handle. Now speak, what’s your plan?”

“Use power to suppress them,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “Your Baili Imperial Clan is, after all, an imperial lineage, ruling over millions of miles of land. You won’t want your clan’s reputation to be damaged.”

As Xu Zimo laid out his plan, Baili Zhenyun’s expression grew increasingly complicated.

“Brother Xu… will this actually work?” he asked, a little worried.

“We’ll treat a dead horse as if it could still be cured,” Xu Zimo replied with a faint smile. “After tomorrow, once the Saintess ceremony is complete, and Baili Xiao’s position is secure, will you still have a chance to fight?”

“Fine. Then I’ll take the gamble,” Baili Zhenyun snorted. “That Holy Son position was supposed to be mine. If it weren’t for that woman suddenly showing up and cutting in, none of this would’ve happened.”

Xu Zimo smiled and said, “I’ve given you the opportunity. Whether you succeed or not is up to you.”

“Don’t worry. She’s definitely no match for me,” Baili Zhenyun nodded. Then he asked, “Why are you helping me, Brother Xu?”

“Because we share a common enemy,” Xu Zimo said with a cold smile. “My grudge against her is far deeper than yours.”

…

The morning sun cast a bright light over the clear sky. As the first rays of sunlight rose, the Baili Imperial Clan residence was already bustling with activity.

Baili Chengfeng stood at the gates, where the ancient hidden realm left behind by Grand Emperor Chang Kong had just been opened.

All guests invited to witness the Saintess ceremony were entering the hidden realm. Influential figures greeted Baili Chengfeng as they passed.

“Elder Mo! It’s been quite a while since we last met. Welcome!”

“Imperial Clan matters have kept me busy. Brother Chengfeng, you have a fine daughter, her Saintess reputation precedes her.”

“Look over there, that’s the Great Elder from the Mo Imperial Clan,” onlookers whispered in awe.

People like that were rarely seen in public.

“The Dan Imperial Clan is here too.”

“Looks like the Blood Nether Sacred Ground and Supreme Primal Sacred Ground came together.”

“Goodness, the Baili Imperial Clan really lives up to its name as an imperial lineage. Practically every major sect in the Eastern Continent has shown up.”

“Why isn’t the Chi Imperial Clan here?”

“The Chi and Baili Imperial Clans are sworn enemies, they’d never come.”

“This is all about saving face. When these sects host big ceremonies of their own, the Baili Imperial Clan will show up too.”

As tens of thousands of people filed into the hidden realm, the place became packed wall to wall, buzzing with voices and excitement.

Naturally, the important guests were seated in the front, while everyone else stood further back.

The massive enthronement platform was surrounded by a sea of people.

“First of all, I’d like to thank everyone here for attending our Baili Imperial Clan’s Saintess enthronement ceremony,” Baili Chengfeng stood on the platform, dressed in a green robe, exuding commanding presence as he spoke loudly.

“Since our ancestor Grand Emperor Changkong led the Baili Imperial Clan to prominence, it has been thousands of years. Through the tides of history, our descendants have failed to match his glory. But we continue to strive and believe in the younger generation. One day, the clan’s mission and our ancestor’s legacy will shine once more through their hands. A new era has begun, and our Baili Imperial Clan intends to be part of it. This is a time of rising geniuses and competing prodigies. By unanimous decision, we hereby declare Baili Xiao the Saintess of our generation.”

As Baili Chengfeng finished speaking, a boom echoed across the air. Endless spiritforce surged through the sky.

It looked as though a river of stars had appeared in the heavens, suspended from the southeast corner of the sky, radiating dazzling light across the firmament.

A young woman stepped forward through the air, her entire body wrapped in immortal radiance. Ethereal music seemed to echo from beyond the heavens, ringing in everyone’s ears.

Baili Xiao wore a flowing pale purple dress. Ribbons swirled gently around her body.

With the first breeze of winter, the ribbons danced in the wind. Her long hair was loosely tied, but as she descended, it fluttered freely behind her.

Her skin was snow-pale, her lips red, and her teeth dazzling white.

Many people in the crowd involuntarily swallowed as they gazed at her.

“How is this possible? She’s only at the Desolate Meridian Realm?” some of the younger Baili Imperial Clan disciples whispered in disbelief.

Baili Chengfeng slowly pulled out the Saintess token and declared loudly, “Xiao’er, this Saintess token now belongs to you. It carries the hopes of our entire Baili Imperial Clan. May you create your own legend in this new era.”

Just as Baili Xiao was about to accept the token, a sudden shout rang out from the crowd:

“Hold it, I object to this!”

All eyes turned in shock toward the voice. Baili Zhenyun stepped forward from the crowd.

“Zhenyun, what are you doing?” Baili Chengfeng frowned.

“With all of the Eastern Continent’s most influential people gathered here today, I want to take this chance, as an ordinary member of the Baili Imperial Clan’s younger generation, to ask our patriarch a question: What exactly are the standards for determining the Holy Son or Saintess of this clan?” he said loudly.

“In the past, the title of Holy Son was always decided through competition among the young disciples. So why, after Baili Xiao suddenly returned, was the position of Saintess handed to her without any clear process or fair competition? I refuse to accept it.”

Seeing Baili Chengfeng’s awkward expression, Baili Zhenyun swept his eyes across the audience and continued.

“All of us from the younger generation are here today. So I ask, are we part of the Baili Imperial Clan, or is this just a dictatorship where one person makes all the decisions? Many of you must feel the same way. Today, in front of all these guests, it’s time we got an answer. If you won’t stand up, if you choose to be cowards, then I’ve got nothing more to say. It only proves you don’t deserve the title of Holy Son.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted.

“I don’t accept this!” someone shouted, standing up.

“Me neither!”

“Yeah, why does Baili Xiao get to be the Saintess?”

As more voices joined the protest, the sky suddenly darkened.

A massive Sageship slowly descended from above.

“The True Martial Sacred Ground congratulates the Baili Imperial Clan on the enthronement of their new Saintess.”

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