The second prime fell silent. Jiang Chen didnât even need to bother with the ten sacred lands. Why would he care about someone like a mere prime?
âIâll enlighten you if you yet remain ignorant of the situation. Jiang Chen singlehandedly turned the tides of battle. Without him, the ten sacred lands would already lie in ruins! In this case, who dares object to him claiming what is rightfully his? Who has the right to do so?â
Eternalâs forefather denounced coolly, âDo you think Jiang Chen is still the young man you can order around? You better change the way you treat him, or he can take your title from you with a few words. Do you understand?â
The second prime broke out in a cold sweat. He knew Jiang Chen was good, but he didnât expect the forefatherâs indulgent attitude toward the young genius. It didnât stem from only appreciation or respect for talent, but from wariness or even fear.
Realizing that heâd been too harsh, the forefather sighed softly. âI may have gone overboard, but thatâs for your own sake. Jiang Chen has fully spread his wings. Even I have to show him some respect. Given his power and the three sacred beasts under his command, even I canât stop him from anything he wants to do. An Kasyapa is also another one of his powerful helpers.
âA good number of divine cultivators also pledged their loyalty after the battle. The only thing stopping Jiang Chen from leaving us is our prior relationship. If you destroy what little attachment he has to the sacred land by starting a feud with him, heâll treat us as strangers.â
The ten sacred lands had been lofty rulers for a long time. Senior executives like the second prime were used to being superior to everyone else. Although Jiang Chen had played an important role in the resolution of the rebellion, it was still difficult for him to recognize the fact that the young genius had become more influential than he.
Heâd been displeased with Jiang Chen since the moment the young man was introduced into the sacred land by Ziju Min, blaming the newcomer for taking the spotlight from the other young geniuses.
Sui Chen, especially, had lost his place to Jiang Chen, and he belonged to the second primeâs faction. That was why the second prime couldnât let go of his grievances for the young man.
Therefore, he kept butting heads with Jiang Chen.
The forefatherâs words were a club to the head. He suddenly realized how immature heâd been. If Jiang Chen had taken personal offense, the second prime wouldâve long lost his title.
More importantly, it was the young genius who had made Eternal the head of the alliance.
If they had a falling out with Jiang Chen, Eternal would be nothing more than any other sacred lands. In other words, the ladâs strategic importance exceeded even the forefatherâs.
Theyâd made an investment in Jiang Chen, but the young manâs progress had far surpassed their imagination.
âThink hard on it.â The forefather concluded by flinging down this parting shot. He wasnât interested in wasting further breath. If the second prime refused to see reason, the sacred land would happily get rid of the man. Jiang Chen was the irreplaceable one. There was no choice at all.
Jiang Chen didnât mind the second primeâs attitude. Heâd foreseen the manâs reaction, but he no longer needed to care about other peopleâs opinions.
He would do what he had to do.
Eternalâs forefather sought Jiang Chen out. He wisely didnât mention a word about the divine decree or the second prime, but instead asked Jiang Chen for his opinion regarding Ziju Min.
âElder Ziju has been helping you and making substantial contributions, Jiang Chen. I plan to make him the fourth prime. What do you think?â
The forefather knew Ziju Min was the tie between the sacred land and Jiang Chen. They had to get on the elderâs good side to stay in Jiang Chenâs good graces.
Jiang Chen wasnât surprised. âWhat does Elder Ziju think?â
He wasnât particularly enthused. Ziju Min had sworn to take Jiang Chenâs side. No matter how high a status he was given in the sacred land, he would be Jiang Chenâs confidante first. Besides, Ziju Min had received a divine decree from Jiang Chen. He would ascend to divinity sooner or later. The title of the fourth prime would then be beneath him.
âElder Ziju has never been one for fame. He doesnât fight for personal power. Iâd like to make the decision myself.â The forefather was trying to keep Jiang Chen happy through Ziju Min.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âYouâre in charge of the sacred land, but itâs better to ask the elder himself.â
âSure, Iâll ask him.â The forefather was no fool. Jiang Chen had brought up Ziju Minâs opinions a few times. He wasnât going to ignore that.
âThings are settled at the moment in Myriad Abyss, Venerated Forefather. I plan to return to the human domain tomorrow and reactivate the Great Formation of Heavenly Souls Confinement. I wonât return anytime soon. Once I do, Iâll go to the offworld battlefield.â
They were facing both demons from the inside and invaders from the outside, but Jiang Chen believed they should prioritize the former. He at least wanted to prevent the human domain from being dragged into a war against demons.
That had always been his goal, and the forefather knew it as well. He had hoped Jiang Chen would go to the offworld battlefield as soon as possible, but he wasnât going to force the young man.
He nodded. âThen I wish you good luck.â
To the forefatherâs surprise, Ziju Min turned down the offer to be the fourth prime, showing little interest. The greatly astonished forefather couldnât help but ask, âWould you explain your reasons, Elder Ziju?â
Ziju Min didnât try to find excuses. He explained, âJiang Chen gave me something for my pursuit of martial dao some time ago, Venerated Forefather. Iâll like to take the opportunity to ascend to the divine realm. Therefore... Iâm unable to serve the sacred land well just yet. I hope youâll forgive me.â
âThe divine realm?â The forefather started. As if remembering something, his eyes widened in surprise. âDid Jiang Chen give you resources for the divine realm?â
âYes, he gave me a divine decree. Iâve been refining it and making good progress.â Ziju Min added earnestly, âI hope youâll keep the secret for me, Venerated Forefather.â
The forefather still hadnât recovered from the shock. He hadnât expected Jiang Chen to do that.