Sage Monarch (Sage Emperor)

Yang Qi was very pleased with how things had played out. Not only had he defeated Daoist Great Void with a single fist strike, he had also used King Heaven-Devourer’s talismans to secretly devour some of his opponent’s true energy. Because of that, he knew that the God Trove of Radiance and Light was not something that Daoist Great Void had personally cultivated, but rather something that another top expert had instilled into him.

Obviously, the only person present who might have done that was Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven. That confirmed that Daoist Great Void was working for the Grand Emperor. Therefore, the fact that Yang Qi had injured him was like a slap in the face to Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven.

Obviously, this new league-lord was a very greedy individual. It wasn’t enough for him to just be the league-lord, he wanted to have direct control over the two emissaries.

Yang Qi knew he couldn’t afford to underestimate him.

The instant the energy of the God Trove of Radiance and Light entered him, Yang Qi felt his own true energy bursting on the verge of a breakthrough. Once that happened, he would be a fourth division Shattered God. He’d benefited a lot from using the Fist of the Halls of Heaven on Daoist Great Void.

Furthermore, watching the fight between Buddha Shakya-Karma and Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven had also provided him with a lot of enlightenment.

Although he was fairly certain that he could break through to the fourth division right here on the stage, he decided to wait until he was appointed as the Emissary of Radiance and Light before doing so.

“Very ruthless, boy,” Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven said coldly. “You actually took the God Trove of Radiance and Light from Daoist Great Void.”

Everyone could tell that the man was bubbling with rage. After all, his nickname was Ragefire Broilheaven, and among the other ancient Grand Emperors he had been known as both insufferably arrogant and incredibly unyielding. In fact, the rage in his voice made everyone shiver like cicadas in winter.

“Well, you never know what can happen when fists fly,” Yang Qi calmly replied. Once he advanced his cultivation base again, Yang Qi knew that Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven wouldn’t be able to easily do anything to him. Besides, Yang Qi also had trump cards to call on. He was dead set on becoming the Emissary of Radiance and Light and was convinced that Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven wouldn’t do anything to risk widespread condemnation. “League-Lord, there’s really no need to be so surprised. Besides, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Daoist Great Void to cultivate a technique of radiance and light with me as the emissary. The radiance and light of the world should really be focused on only one person.”

“Well said, boy. But do you really think that someone so vicious and merciless should be the Emissary of Radiance and Light? The emissary should have inner radiance and light as well. But your actions make you seem more like a wretch-devil who cultivates a heretical dao.”

His words made it obvious that he was going to oppose Yang Qi.

Before Yang Qi could respond, a stream of laughter rang out in the temple. Then someone said, “Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven, are you really going to interfere with the selection of the Emissary of Radiance and Light? We all endorsed you to serve as the league-lord because we heard that you do things fairly. And the selection process is a contest of martial skill in which people have already been killed. Nobody complained then, but now you’re talking about being vicious and merciless? Do you really think that you being the league-lord means you can treat the rest of us patriarchs like servants?”

“Who are you?” Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven said, looking around angrily. “Show yourself!”

“Of course.” A swirl of mist parted to reveal an old-timer wearing luxurious yellow clothing, with a golden crown on his head. He had the bearing of a ruler, but at the same time, a scholarly, erudite aura.

Quite a few people immediately recognized him.

“Oh, it’s Pontifex Scour Cloud. He’s been around for a hundred million years, just like Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven. He lurked in the shadows of numerous immortal worlds, forging alliances to create the Scour Cloud Church. Apparently he wasn't interested in challenging Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven for the seat of league-lord, but at the same time he doesn’t want his power to go unchecked.”

“So that's what’s going on. Unfortunately, I don’t think Pontifex Scour Cloud is a match for Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven.”

“That's not the point. It’s one thing for Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven to take charge of the Dao Defense League. But he can’t simply take control of both of the two emissaries. There have to be other people with responsibilities, otherwise, he’ll be in complete control.”

Glowering, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven said, “What do you want, Pontifex Scour Cloud? Are you going to challenge me?”

“No, I wouldn’t dare. I'm just trying to stand up for what’s right. We’re supposed to select the Emissary of Radiance and Light based on skill and ability. Whoever wins becomes the emissary. Not even you can interfere, League-Lord. Didn’t you just tell us that even you will comply by all the rules and regulations of the Dao Defense League? Don’t tell me you’re going to go back on your word.”

“That’s right,” another of the old-timers said. “After the emissaries, we have to pick the dharmarajas and the god-generals. We're all here to bear witness, and things need to be done fairly across the board. We can’t have internal conflicts—or under-the-table manipulations.”

Some of the other old-timers recognized who had just spoken, and knew he was a person that was not to be trifled with. “That’s Patriarch Golden Calamity from the Golden Cauldron Heaven. He cultivates an energy art focused on natural and man-made catastrophes. Everywhere he goes, he brings calamity.”

Now that these two had spoken out, more old-timers gave voice to similar sentiments. Obviously, they weren’t too pleased about the idea of Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven being able to have so much power over them. Now that Yang Qi had stuck his neck out, there were plenty of people willing to jump in and give opposing opinions. After all, if Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven truly devolved into a rage, he would vent his fury on Yang Qi instead of them.

Of course, there was no way that the Grand Emperor would resort to outright killing people. That would subvert the entire Dao Defense League and put them all in danger. Yang Qi was aware of this, and it was for that exact reason that he had taken advantage of the moment to defeat Daoist Great Void and seize the position of Emissary of Radiance and Light.

Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven let loose a long sigh. “Fine. You have some good points. We do need to establish a strong foundation for the Dao Defense League, by means of law and order. And you’re right. Not even I, the league-lord, should have direct control over all of the emissaries, dharmarajas, and god-generals. That said, are all of you really sure you want this young man to be the Emissary of Radiance and Light? If not, step forward to challenge him. Remember, whoever gets the position will have a lot of power and will lead the majority of the armed forces.”

Obviously, the Grand Emperor was playing politics. There were plenty of old-timers in the Dao Defense League, and considering how many ambitious old-timers there were there was no way the new league-lord would be able to exercise ultimate power right away. It was really a win-win situation for him to pit them against each other. If the old-timers challenged Yang Qi and lost, they would still hate him. If they won, there would be less unity, making it much easier for the Grand Emperor to achieve his broader goals.

Some of the old-timers who were already on Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven’s side began quietly offering him their opinions.

“Grand Emperor, there are far too many patriarchs who are downright obstinate and unruly. I honestly can’t believe they would dare to ignore your orders! You really need to put them in their place.”

“It’s only natural for you to have to resort to a bit of trickery to maintain power. The Dao Defense League is like a dish of loose sand right now. These patriarchs really need to be brought under control.”

“That’s what I'm trying to do. Don’t worry, I’m still in control here. I have a feeling that none of these old-timers will be able to take the position of Emissary of Radiance and Light from this kid.” Apparently, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven still had more tricks up his sleeve. “Let’s see how the fighting goes.”

WHOOSH!

Yang Qi looked around and could see that there were still some of the old-timers itching to have at him. And he was trying to decide exactly how to deal with them.

Suddenly, one of them blurred into motion to appear in front of him. It was none other than Pontifex Scour Cloud, whose cultivation base he couldn’t assess.

“You’re impressive, boy,” he said. “But the Emissary of Radiance and Light will have only one superior and many subordinates. I somehow doubt that you qualify to have power like that.”

“Go ahead and make the first move, Pontifex Scour Cloud,” Yang Qi said with a faint smile.

CRASH!

Pontifex Scour Cloud thrust his finger out in an attack, causing everything around him to shrink down into a single point.

SNICK!

In the blink of an eye, the finger attack was at Yang Qi’s chest, but he didn’t move a muscle. He just let the attack hit him. As a result, boundless power flowed into his body.

“What?” Pontifex Scour Cloud’s eyes widened in shock. ‘The power of that finger attack can pierce an immortal world! How could he possibly just take the blow? Did he lose so much vital energy in the fight with Daoist Great Void that he can't move? Well fine, I’ll just completely and utterly defeat him!’

With that, he poured more true energy into the attack. He attacked with complete viciousness, hoping to pierce Yang Qi through. Yet it was like his true energy was just pouring into a bottomless pit, and he suddenly realized that he was about to be completely drained!

“You! What energy art is that?”

“Don’t look so surprised, Pontifex Scour Cloud,” Yang Qi replied. “I can see that this finger attack of yours is backed by the faith of the common people. However, dealing with faith is no simple task. You’re not in the legion of gods, so exercising control is difficult. Your true energy isn’t pure, therefore you’ll have a hard time reaching the next level. So I've taken the risk to accept your true energy, which I will now purify and give back to you. Henceforth, your cultivation will progress much more smoothly.”

As Yang Qi was speaking, Pontifex Scour Cloud felt true energy flowing back into his body. And it was none other than the true energy he had just released. But it was far purer than before, and seemed to contain the quintessence of the common people. As it returned to his sea of energy, he backed up and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Young Sir! You have my admiration! Considering you have abilities like this, you have my complete support to be the Emissary of Radiance and Light! I look forward to your rule!”

All of the other old-timers were quite surprised to have events turn out in such an unexpected way. But some were not so quick to be convinced.