The Steward Demonic Emperor
chapter-978

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“Thank you so much, Dragon Ancestor. I’ve gone overboard just now.”

Looking at those now weary eyes, Zhuo Fan expressed his gratitude and turned to Qiao’er, “Take the ten small Dragon Breath Pills and take care of yourself.”

Zhuo Fan placed young Sanzi in his ring and walked for the exit.

Qiao’er bobbed her cute head and placed the golden fireballs in her own ring before following after her dad.

Dragon ancestor shook as he watched Zhuo Fan’s smug figure.

[The kid cheated me out of those ten Dragon Breath Pills, though not for himself but for Qiao’er!]

[What happened to the little Qilin has served as a hard lesson. He really does see those beasts as his son and daughter. A human…]

[Sea Ao, did you ever think that a human would care so much for a spiritual beast…]

“Agh!”

Zhuo Fan suddenly felt his left eye flicker with the black thunderflame and held it in pain as it bled.

“Father, what’s wrong?” Qiao’er cried in concern.

Zhuo Fan shook his head, but the dragon ancestor knew, “Kid, try to use that eye less…”

“Father’s eye?”

Qiao’er looked at dragon ancestor puzzled, “Dragon Ancestor, what’s wrong with father’s eye?”

The dragon stared at Zhuo Fan, who needed a bit of time before recovering. He wiped the blood from his eye and forced a smile, “Thank you, Dragon Ancestor, for your care. I’m fine…”

“Fine?”

Dragon ancestor scoffed, “You know exactly how fine it is, better than me. The danger that eye poses isn’t just to your opponents. I’m certain you noticed from the start. The Apocalyptic Thunderflame Eye’s greatest difference from Heavenly Sovereign’s Purple Lightning Golden Eye isn’t its great power, but volatility. You think the fusion of four sacred beast powers is that easy to handle? Keep playing with fire and you’ll only get burned!”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shook, but then put on a stoic look, “This eye saved me and young Sanzi. If next time it will burn me, I’ll be sure to drag the enemy down with me…”

Grinning, Zhuo Fan pulled Qiao’er’s hand and left the space, to the world outside.

Dragon ancestor remained behind with a speechless look.

[The demonic cultivator brat actually knows the value of sacrifice. He looks more and more like Nine Serenities. Is it the cultivation method or the inheritance, or maybe…]

Zhuo Fan rushed towards the North Sea with his daughter, while the other three lands got northern lands’ call for help. The Central area’s empire was on the move.

At Double Dragon Manor, the nine sects of western lands had gathered at Heaven Reaching Pavilion, all sporting heavy looks. This time’s meeting was a complete shuffle from the one two years ago.

With five sects laid to waste, new powers came out of the woodwork to fill the gap. Despite being weaker, they had the support of Double Dragon Manor to speed up their growth. One in particular among these new up-and-comers was quite eye-catching with its constant expansion of power, the Luo Alliance hailing from the Tianyu Empire.

The head of power in this faction was the top clan in Tianyu, Luo clan.

No one had any inkling how on earth this no-name clan even got to experience such unprecedented growth, not even Double Dragon Manor could explain it.

In just two short years, it went from the previous top lower-three sect power to being a middle-three sect in strength. It simply dwarfed those other new factions that didn’t even have a third of a lower-three sect’s strength. It was the brightest star in the whole of western lands.

And that was just the start. What made the Luo Alliance so incredible and worthy of everyone’s respect was its sudden rise being completely different from the Sword Star Empire’s imperial family’s reign.

What was similar was how they were not like sects, only focused on cultivation and ignoring the people around.

The Luo Alliance and the Sword Star Empire were similar in how they were made up of people from all walks of life, from farmers to officials. At its core was a military clan, leading troops to gain new lands.

The alliance had all grounds covered with the help of its generals and strategists, covering up both the power and the governing aspects, much like a small empire. An empire that was growing by the day. It actually got so good when it came to military matters that the western lands’ military aspects had the Luo Alliance in charge of them.

Some even believed that if not for the Sword Star Empire having the entire central area in its grasp and threatening the other four lands, the Luo Alliance’s mild and nurturing environment would lead it to become just another behemoth.

Alas, ifs had no place in this world. The Sword Star Empire was the strongest, barn one, drawing the fledgling Luo Alliance into becoming a member of the ever growing resistance against their onslaught, and making its future uncertain.

As with all things, only the first would go down in history, while the second would be forever swallowed by the forgotten ages.

In many instances, there was only one victor, with the second plagued with mediocrity. It would either surpass the first or forever be in his shadow.

This painted the Luo clan’s awkward situation. It had the potential to become a second Sword Star Empire but not the time. One needed time, fate and luck.

Zhuo Fan had laid the groundwork for them to build on, but not even he could fight the world’s nature. The timing to hold a land for itself had passed and now they had to wait for the next…

The people had gathered in a narrow room, with Luo Yunhai, the Alliance Leader flanked by Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang, as he frowned in thought at everyone.

The Exalted Double Dragons had taken the main seats with heavy looks, holding a jade slip and pensive. Exalted Hei Ran began at last, “People, I have called for you today, elders, venerables, sect leaders and clan leaders, to discuss a very sensitive and important topic. Sword Star Empire is on the move!”

“What?!”

Everyone tense at the grave news, throwing the room in chaos from their loud attempts at finding more from the ones next to them. Only Luo Yunhai’s team remained firm and silent.

[More like find nothing! These sects’ decrepit fools have no idea what it means to have someone stab you in the back.]

They did not have the calmness required by war.

Eyeing them coldly, Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng shook their heads.

Ahe-hem…

Exalted Bai Mei cleared his voice and said, “I have good news and bad news. The good news, eastern lands’ Shangguan Clan Head has succeeded in retrieving the Soaring Sword from the traitorous Shangguan Feiyun. The bad news, not long ago, the strongest in northern lands had fought with the North Sea demon and suffered grave injuries. Sword Star Empires capitalized on this and is now marching on northern lands to plunder the Heaven Sealing divine sword. The Sea Bright Sect is calling for help from everywhere, hoping to unite against the central area’s assault.”

“Exalted, who are they sending in this time for the northern lands to be so desperate to ask for help?” One man asked.

Exalted Hei Ran’s eyes grew dark, “Sixteen people have entered northern lands. The one leading the juniors is Sword Star’s crown prince, to temper himself, while Invincible Sword leads the other.”

“Baili Yutian?!”

Sss~

Everyone gasped from shock, “The monster comes out himself? No wonder northern lands are in panic!”

Exalted Hei Ran sighed, “That’s the least of our problems. Baili Yutian isn’t alone, having with him five Sword Kings of the Baili Clan. Oh, right, you must’ve only heard of this title used in Sword Star Empire but don’t know their power. Then here it is. Our strongest man, Danqing Shen, is now the Dragon Cleaving Sword King of the central area!”

“He’s a Sword King?”

“Yes. In other words, every Sword King is on Danqing Shen’s level at least. There are eight more beside him that are defending the central area, and above them stand Invincible Sword, Baili Yutian!” Exalted Hei Ran’s eyes shook and gnashed his teeth, “I never even realized how Sword Star Empire has gotten so strong. Baili Yutian aside, now the empire has grown so strong it will make even the four lands alliance experience heavy losses in a war.”

Everyone started and paled.

How did one even begin to fight that? And their western lands had just lost five sects two years ago, becoming the weakest area. They would suffer even more in such a war.

Only Luo Yunhai’s eyes shone and cupped his hands, “Exalted, what are your thoughts regarding northern lands’ plea?”

The Exalted gave him a long look and nodded inside.

[The Luo clan is amazing indeed to have that kid come from them.]

All the other sect elders were looking scared for their lives at such grave news while only the Luo clan was firm, thinking of the next step.

[A true military clan…]