Chapter 184: The Review Meeting

The Dongyuanzhi Kingdom has a peculiar national structure, being a diversified nation primarily based on sects. Here, there are over ten thousand sects of various sizes, and in each region, there exists a major sect that oversees local livelihoods and various affairs, similar to a government.

Well-established sects do not necessarily become the administrators of their regions, but regional administrators must be one of the local, powerful sects, as the position is something to compete for.

The entire Dongyuanzhi Kingdom is filled with a competitive atmosphere, akin to the jungle law of survival of the fittest, making its overall national strength the comparatively strongest among the four countries of the Ancient Spirit Realm.

Governing a region carries both responsibility and colossal interests and power, so many people wish to obtain it. However, this power requires not only competition but also a special assessment, which serves as the line of contention and is essential to keep Dongyuanzhi Kingdom from truly descending into chaos.

Among these thousands of sects exists an unparalleled giant, founded by one of the Four Saints who quelled the Evil Demons, known as the Eastern Yuan Holy Sect.

The Eastern Yuan Holy Sect, along with five historically longstanding sects within Qiguo that, while not as powerful, still form a strong alliance equivalent to a national government.

This is the absolute dominator and rule-maker of the Dongyuanzhi Kingdom.

Led by the Holy Sect, aided by the Five Yuan Sects, they command the multitude of sects, with the top six holding jurisdiction over nearly half the national territory; the remaining sects governing their respective areas must also be assessed by the Holy Sect’s emissaries for their strength, lineage, and various reputations before qualifying for such significant power.

Thus, the Dongyuanzhi Kingdom operates in a way similar to feudal lords managing vast lands.

However, those sects granted governing rights must regularly tribute to the Holy Sect alliance and respond to their summons when necessary, or accept sporadic assessments from above. They are not truly independent city-states.

Therefore, the Dongyuanzhi Kingdom is not like the Western Yuan Spirit Kingdom, where the West Saint reigns supreme. Here, the governing body is formed by the Holy Sect leader and the five sect leaders, totaling six individuals. Further, thirty-six seats are established under them, with local sect leaders participating in military and state affairs when necessary.

While normally the five sect leaders and heads do not reside in the capital, Xingyuan City, and the Eastern Saint handles matters independently, in special situations or when needing to mobilize hidden forces, at least the top six must gather to vote together.

Now is such a rare and significant moment that’s hard to come by in over a decade.

As Wen Zhengyang strode through layer upon layer of guards into the main assembly hall directly under the Holy Sect in the heart of Xingyuan City, six figures were already waiting for him.

The General of the Black Scale Army remained unshaken by the grand spectacle at hand, simply bowing with dignity and greeting the six individuals seated in two layers of “1 and 5.”

“I, General Wen Zhengyang of the Black Scale Army, pay my respects to Your Holy Monarch and greet the five sect leaders.”

“Thank you for your hard work, General Wen. No need for excessive formalities.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After a brief exchange, the dignified Holy Monarch sitting high above, whose face couldn’t be clearly seen due to lighting and perspective, wasted no time and got straight to the point.

“General Wen, within the past month, what discoveries did you make at that ancient site? Why has that place suddenly appeared in the world?”

Wen Zhengyang raised his head slightly and exchanged glances with one of the seated old men for unspoken communication before responding respectfully.

“Regarding the crucial events of this trip, I have reported to our sect master. I wonder if Your Majesty is aware?”

“Yes, I have seen the message from you, but the information is not detailed enough, and some content is rather significant; we still need you to describe it in detail yourself.”

“Of course.”

Seeming to anticipate the response, Wen Zhengyang nodded. After all, gathering all the leaders of the Five Yuan Sect from various regions to this place, even with the element of the “Four Saints Selection Tournament” involved, clearly shows the Holy Monarch’s seriousness about this matter; he would not easily let him leave with just a few words.

Wen Zhengyang understood the objectives of these prominent figures and realized what they most wanted to confirm.

“The site is an ancient tomb built a thousand years ago, housing a fearsome demon lord, and this tomb…”

Pausing, the General of the Black Scale Army solemnly continued.

“…was personally constructed by the legendary Spirit Hidden Saint Immortal, the Spiritual Fox Priestess.”

Upon hearing this, even those who had already known beforehand displayed surprise.

“It’s truly the remnant of the Spiritual Fox Priestess!?”

“This is a major event… What a coincidence that it reemerges at this critical moment. Does it signify something?”

“This is too significant; we must find a way to inform the Immortal Island…”

“Cough, cough!”

The Eastern Yuan Holy Monarch, seated alone at the top, tapped the armrest of his chair, finally quieting the murmurs of the five sect leaders, then subtly inquired.

“General Wen, you claim that the tomb was left by the Spiritual Fox Priestess. What evidence do you have?”

“Your Majesty, I witnessed the statue of the Priestess in the depths of that tomb, and I had the fortune to communicate with the remnants of her will. At least a hundred commanders of my Black Scale Army can verify this; you can inquire with them one by one to confirm that what I say is true.”

“The will of the Spiritual Fox Priestess…”

The Holy Monarch quietly mulled over Wen Zhengyang’s statement for a long time, while the other five sect leaders exchanged glances. After a while, he finally spoke again.

“So, does that mean we can find a part of the Spiritual Fox Priestess, or at least her will, in that tomb?”

Wen Zhengyang shook his head.

“Regrettably, that is only a tiny fraction of the Priestess’s remaining powers; after employing some astonishing divine abilities and locking the tomb and the revived demon lord, she fell into slumber. I believe it is now pointless to forcibly excavate the tomb.”

The Holy Monarch’s shadowed eyes squinted slightly.

“Is this your reason for retreating from the Wangxi Basin? Seems a bit rash, doesn’t it? Even if the tomb is resealed, a place involving such an important figure as the Spiritual Fox Priestess should at least have adequate military forces stationed to monitor it for a time, yet you directly withdrew all the Black Scale Army.”

Seeing the armored man remain silent without any intention to explain, the Holy Monarch suddenly slammed the armrest of his chair, standing up abruptly!

“Wen Zhengyang! You have some nerve! If you omitted points in your letter, that is one thing; but to come here and dare to withhold information in front of me, do you think I’m completely unaware of what happened there?!”

Although the sudden outburst from the Holy Monarch startled the other five sect leaders, who felt he was ready to drag Wen Zhengyang out and chop him, the General remained calm and composed.

“I would never dare withhold information, Your Majesty. I simply hope you understand that some things cannot be spoken of, regardless of facing you or the five sect leaders. Even if it means I must be executed, the outcome will remain unchanged.”

“This is not only for myself but also for everyone present here, for Qiguo, for the countless beings in the Ancient Spirit Realm. I earnestly hope Your Majesty and the sect leaders understand.”

   

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