The Supreme God of Martial Arts

Who else would it be if not the leader of the Heavenly Palace?

"Greetings," Austin said flatly.

"How are you doing this fine day?"

"I'm doing quite well," the leader of the Heavenly Palace the reply in an even, careful tone.

"I thank you for your concern.

| do wonder, however, what brings you here?"

His bow was low and humble. He was obviously trying to earn favor.

He might be a renowned cultivator, but he was fully aware that Austin had already surpassed him both in strength and reputation.

He knew that his reign was over, and Austin had effectively taken his place.

"Now," Austin began, casting a meaningful glance at the elder man.

"You have been keeping a rather low profile recently.

| haven't even had the honor or the opportunity to meet you in person."

"Leader Austin, | understand what you are saying.

As a matter of fact, it was my intention to go to the Immortal End World to offer apologies and pay my respects.

| hesitated on account of the numerous offenses | have committed. | was afraid that | will not be pardoned.

But now that you are here before me, | will no longer avoid the acknowledgment of my transgressions.

Please forgive me, Leader Austin, and grantpunishment as you deem fit."

The leader of the Heavenly Palace knew the true purpose of this visit.

They had faced each other many times in the past.

He knew that Austin would not let him go easily.

As the young man grew in strength and power, many top masters who had altercations with him had chosen to lay low. The leader

of the Heavenly Palace was among them.

They remained in their own headquarters and refused to make appearances in public.

They recognized the fact that Austin had becthe ruler of the universe, and there was no changing that.

They also knew the grim reality that Austin would one day cand get even with them one by one.

As a result, the top masters, including the leader of the Heavenly Palace, owner of the Star Island and the emperor of the Sky

Phoenix Kingdom, were living their lives laden with apprehension and underlying panic.

And now it had cto this. Austin had finally cto the Heavenly Palace.

The leader of the Heavenly Palace knew there was no use in trying to escape the fate that was about to befall him, so he

surrendered himself to the young man's whim.

He dared not raise a fight.

The entire universe knew of the battle where Austin had defeated over a hundred masters at the sect ancestor level with a single

move.

The moment he heard news of it was the moment the Heavenly Palace leader accepted the truth that he was no longer a match for

Austin.

"Letsee," Austin said slowly.

He was sporting a cold, emotionless look, as if dealing with the leader of the Heavenly Palace was nothing but a trifle.

The leader, on the other hand, was gripped with unease and a vague sense of danger.

An eerie silence fell between the men.

'It would seem that | meet my demise today, ' the leader thought to himself, fearful but resigned.

He had, after all, relentlessly hunted Austin down countless times in the past.

He held no hopes that his life would be spared.

"Leader Austin, | have committed grave crimes," the leader finally said.

"If you intend to kill me, then | shall not resist.

But | ask you to please spare those who are under my command.

They are innocent, and were only following orders."

"I certainly did not expect you to be so considerate of your men," Austin said nonchalantly, his hands clasped behind his back. "But

when did | ever say that | would kill you?"

"Leader Austin, what are you saying?!" the leader of the Heavenly Palace asked with ill-concealed relief.

"I have once remarked not so long ago, that the universe needs peace, not strife," Austin spoke, his face maintaining the blank

expression he had since the beginning.

"So, | will let you live.

But | am worried, as one would obviously expect, that you might betray me.

My doubts can only be allayed when you giveyour spiritual soul orb.

Do not worry. | will not enslave you.

Consider this your collateral, for your promise to me."

The leader of the Heavenly Palace was appalled at what he was hearing.

But soon enough he made a choice

"I have no objections to serving you, Leader Austin," he spoke slowly, a vein popping in his jaw with the severity of his words. "l am

willing to hand over my spiritual soul orb to you."

With the current level of his strength, the extraction of his spiritual soul orb would be no easy task for anyone besides himself.

If anyone attempted to obtain it with violence, his spiritual soul would explode and destroy itself. This was an effective way

masters at his level to protect themselves from being enslaved against their will.

And thus, the leader of the Heavenly Palace relinquished his own spiritual soul orb to Austin.

"With this, our past grudges are no more,"

Austin said as he took the orb from its master's hands.

The leader of the Heavenly Palace got down on one knee to express his fealty.

"Leader Austin, from today onwards, | serve under your command."

Such were the ways of the world of martial arts. The strong ruled.

The leader of the Heavenly Palace was the strongest in this universe in the past, but Austin had surpassed his strength and power.

It was only right for him to swear loyalty to the younger man. "We will speak more of this later," Austin said abruptly.

"For now | need you to gather speople here."

Austin cited a list of the top-notch masters, including the emperor of the Sky Phoenix Kingdom and the owner of the Star Island.

"As you command."

The leader of the Heavenly Palace immediately set forth to carry out his orders.

Sure enough, the following day, a dozen people were in attendance to Austin.

They presented themselves and bowed low.

These were once the best cultivators in the universe.

And yet, in front of the young man, a wary restlessness consumed them.

Only the leader of the Heavenly Palace was looking at ease, and he was standing on one side of Austin.

On his other side stood the leader of the Sword Palace, the chief of the heaven crow race, and the leader of the Yaksha Palace.

They were all making it abundantly clear that they now served Austin.

Assuming a casual stance and an unconcerned look on his face, Austin gazed at the former best masters of the universe.

With his current standing, he felt neither need nor compulsion to show them much respect.

The air began to feel heavy.

"Leader Austin, | am aware what | must do." The owner of the Star Island stepped forward and bowed to Austin.

Out of all the masters, he bore the biggest grudge, and so he was quite worried that his life might not be spared.

Hence, he took the initiative to speak first and offer his submission.

When the leader of the Heavenly Palace cto get him, he was told that the only way to secure his survival was to surrender his

spiritual soul orb to Austin, and bow to his orders.

To his immense relief, Austin nodded his assent.

The owner of the Star Island spared no moment in handing over his spiritual soul orb.

All at once, before Austin could even say anything, all the other masters rushed forward to surrender their spiritual soul orbs as

well.

"Good," Austin announced, once the rituals were over.

He looked at the masters with satisfaction.

"I will not make you my servants.

You are all equal toin identity,"

he stated with emphasis.

"I need you to work together to maintain the peace of the universe."

"Leader Austin, we understand," the masters proclaimed.

"From now on, we will look to you no matter what happens!"

Austin's only response was a nod, then he turned and left the room without another word.

He felt quite reassured after having secured the promise from these top masters.

Now he fully intended to focus on his cultivation and get ready for his next adventure.

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

mMMwWLIIOfiflO&1