68 Future rulers. (2/2)
The one who spoke out this time was Xiong Xieren, the future patriarch of the Puppet God Sect. He had a body that was a little over two meters tall and had shoulder-length black hair that hung down freely. He had pitch black eyes, a slight stubble of white hair decorating his chin. Shortly after Fang Ying and Tian Zheng sat down at the table, the door to the room opened once more, a man and a woman entering, cupping their hands as they spoke out, their voices slightly apologetic.
”It seems we are the last ones to arrive, please forgive our tardiness.”
The people who had just sat down stood up once again, cupping their hands in greeting. Tian Zheng stepped forward, beckoning towards two empty chairs with one hand and casually waving his other.
”Sister Qing, Brother Zemin. Do not pay it too much attention, times are very busy right now after all.”
The ones who arrived now were Zhong Qing, the future matriarch of the Zhong Clan, and Hao Zemin, the future patriarch of the Endless Horizon Sect.
Zhong Qing had loose orange hair that hung down all the way to her knees, her features somewhat sharp and dignified. Because of a fight she had gotten into as a child, her nose was a bit crooked. Her emerald green eyes were constantly slightly narrowed, giving her a perpetually vigilant appearance.
Hao Zemin had blonde hair that was shaved shorter at the sides of his head, while the longer middle portion was combed to the right. He had two large scars on his face, one that split his mouth down the middle and one that went diagonally across his entire face. His light brown eyes seemed to constantly have a curious light in them, sweeping the surroundings as he moved.
The two quickly sat down at the table, the others following suit. Tian Zheng waited for a few more minutes, checking if the last two were going to arrive. But when they did not show up after a few more minutes passed, he decided that it was time to start the discussion.
”It is quite rare for all of us to gather together, but while I would love for us to have a pleasant chat over a cup of tea, I believe that all of you have decided to show up because of the topic of our discussion, the reports we received from our subordinates.”
The atmosphere around the table quickly grew a bit more solemn after Tian Zhen spoke out. After a short moment of silence, one of the women around the table asked the question they were all wondering about.
”Have you managed to confirm that the one they met was indeed the Golden Dragon Prince?”
The girl who spoke was Duan Liuxian, the future matriarch of the Duan clan. She had deep blue hair that was tied into a long ponytail, similar to the one Tian Zheng had. Her skin was a bit rough because it was constantly battered by the coastal winds, her black eyes hiding away her emotions. In response to her question, Tian Zheng gave a slight shake of his head.
”It is still uncertain. His appearance fit the description we have of the Prince, but I have never received a report that the Prince is adept in using arrays. There is also that special golden lightning and strange ice that he used, I have never heard about anyone from the Demon Emperor's family using anything like it.”
Even though the royal family of the Demon Race did not associate much with the outside world, how could the rulers of the continent not know a thing or two about them? Hearing the words golden lightning, Fang Ying's interested was piqued, her eyes lighting up slightly. Seeing her reaction, Tian Zheng assumed it to be curiosity, so he quickly explained.
”Ah, I forgot that you haven't heard about this. Some time ago, we sent a few people to the Cloud Wilderness to investigate a slight disturbance. But strangely enough, not too long ago, everyone we sent was either killed or forced to leave the Cloud Wilderness, all by a single youth. He fit the physical description of the Golden Dragon Prince, he also used the golden flames that the prince is known for, but he also used an unknown type of ice and golden lightning, as well as a strange trapping array that could utilize illusions and sap the strength of anyone within it. We have never heard about the royal family of the Demon Race specializing in any of these things, so there is a chance that he is a mere impostor.”
Only Fan Long and the survivors of the Puppet God Sect had seen Li Yang use his three elements, but as they had shared all the information they had acquired about Li Yang, the information had also reached the other clans and sects.
Fang Ying's eyes grew even brighter after Tian Zheng explained everything, especially when she heard about the array that was used. She forced her excitement down, acting calm yet somewhat interested as she spoke up.
”Sounds interesting. Do you have a description of his looks?”
Tian Zheng was more than willing to take any chance he could get to talk more with Fang Ying, and this was the most interested in something he had ever seen her, so he did not think much about it as he responded.
”According to the reports we received, it should be something like this.”
He stretched out his arm, strands of Qi flying out of his fingertips and quickly forming an image. The image was of Li Yang after he had fused with Shenlong and Jinwu, and thanks to being drawn with Qi, it was very lifelike. Seeing those familiar features, a sweet smile appeared on Fang Ying's face as she grew certain that this 'Golden Dragon Prince' was, in fact, Li Yang. No matter how much time passed, no matter how many things she went through, that was the one face she would never forget. She gazed at the image a little longer before turning back towards Tian Zheng.
”I see, I see. How do you plan on dealing with him?”
Tian Zheng could not quite put his finger on why, but he did not like the smile that had appeared on Fang Ying's face when she saw the image. The smile was beautiful, but seeing it made his chest feel stifled. He quickly swallowed the uncomfortable feeling, putting on the same calm and casual smile he always wore.
”The rulers do not wish to risk anything, as he might truly be the Golden Dragon Prince, so we have been ordered to stay out of the Cloud Wilderness for now. But what do you think, Fairy Ying?”
Fang Ying's eyes returned to the image that floated in the air, a light chuckle escaping her lips as she spoke out in a mysterious voice.
”What I think? I think that the Cloud Wilderness should truly be feared. After all, one never knows what sort of monsters can be born there, hidden from the eyes of the world.”
No one else in the room understood the hidden meaning behind her words, understood the true terror that was Li Yang. In their past life, he had only been able to use the elements of lightning and destruction, but now he seemed to have also gained the ability to control both fire and ice. This was simply adding wings onto a tiger! Of course, since no one understood the true meaning of her words, Tian Zheng could only nod his head with a smile.
”Your words are quite wise, the unknown should be feared.”
Tian Zheng dissipated the image that was floating in the air, feeling an inexplicable sense of uncomfortableness whenever he looked at it. He was just about to continue the discussion when the door to the room was suddenly thrown open, two people entering and interrupting Tian Zheng.
”Is Fairy Ying here?”
The two people that entered were a man and a woman, a few servants with panicked expressions rushing in after them. One of the servants quickly bowed to Tian Zheng, nodding his head at the two people.
”Forgive us, Elder Brother Zheng, they ignored our words and simply barged in.”
Tian Zheng and the others stood up from their seats upon seeing the two people. He waved his hand at the servants, indicating for them to leave before he cupped his hands at the two newcomers.
”Don't worry about it, there is nothing you could have done to stop them. Brother Yunshi, Sister Jingyi, I am glad that you have decided to join us today.”
The two people that had arrived were Quan Yunshi and Mao Jingyi, the future patriarch of the Heaven's Gate sect and the future matriarch of the Roaring Soul Sect. With the two of them arriving, all future leaders of the ten great powers had gathered in the room.
Quan Yunshi looked exceedingly normal, his body somewhat slim, his black hair hanging down to his ears and slightly covering his brown eyes. But his entire body radiated an overbearing pressure that pushed down on the surroundings, making it clear to all that he was a strong person.
Mao Jingyi had a tall body that lacked the normal softness that one would expect from a woman, rippling with slender muscles filled with explosive power. Her violet hair was just as long as Quan Yunshi's, hanging down to her hair, but not covering her emerald eyes.
The two of them completely ignored Tian Zheng, their eyes landing on Fang Ying. They both gave her a slight bow, cupping their hands as they spoke out.
”We greet you, Fairy Ying. Our masters, Fang Xiulan and Fang Yazhu, asked us to come here today so that we could ask you a question. What does the evening sun shine upon?”
Quan Yunshi and Mao Jingyi were actually rather confused about this current situation. Their two sects had always had a rival-like relationship, the sect matriarchs seeming to have some feud with each other. But after their people returned from the Cloud Wilderness with a message, the two matriarchs had met in person, ending all hostilities and entering an alliance.
Fang Ying was also a bit surprised at the turn of events, but the moment she heard their question, her face lit up with a smile, quickly and naturally responding.
”The evening sun shines upon the lonely monarch scavenging for food.”
This was a saying from her past life, a saying that very few people in the world knew, a saying known only to Li Yang's closest friends. Quan Yunshi and Mao Jingyi matched eyes, nodding their heads and pulling out two interspatial rings, handing them to Fang Ying.
”It seems you are the person they hoped you would be. Please take these, they asked us to hand them over if you gave the correct answer.”
The interspatial rings were handed to them by their masters, the matriarchs of their sects, so out of respect, they had not checked the contents. But even if they wanted to, the rings were sealed with a special method, preventing them from being opened by those who didn't know how to undo the seal. The two cupped their hands once more to Fang Ying, bidding her a quick farewell.
”Sadly, we must leave now, as there are still many things we need to handle. May you have a pleasant day, Sister Ying.”
With the two sects now entering an alliance, as the future rulers, there were a lot of things that the two of them had to handle. The two left the room, not having looked at Tian Zheng or the others even once. Tian Zheng's mouth twitched slightly at being ignored like that, even after he went out of his way to greet them, but his face quickly returned to its normal smile as he turned towards Fang Ying.
”What a surprise, Junior Sister Ying. I was unaware that you knew the matriarchs of the Roaring Soul Sect and the Heaven's Gate Sect. Would you perhaps regale us with the tale of how you met?”
His eyes narrowed slightly after he spoke. He had never heard about Fang Ying having met anyone from the Roaring Soul or Heaven's Gate sect, much less the matriarchs. First, it was those two letters, then the sweet smile when she saw the image, and now this. Tian Zheng felt that he was slowly losing the control he had over Fang Ying, filling him with a sense of unease.
Fang Ying looked at the two rings, her lips curling into a reminiscing smile when she saw the seal within the rings. So despite the long passage of years, those two jealous crybabies had managed to survive? She quickly put away the rings, cupping her hands at Tian Zheng and the others.
”It is a very dull story, so as to not spoil the mood, I won't bore you all with it. Please forgive me, but something that requires my immediate attention has popped up, so I will take my leave now.”
She did not bother waiting for any response after speaking, immediately leaving the room. Tian Zheng wore an ugly expression, something that the servants outside the room saw after Fang Ying opened the door. One of the servants stretched out his arm to say something, but a silver line flashed through the air, slicing open the hand of the servant. He quickly pulled back his arm, looking at the now growling Langshen with an aghast expression. In the end, no one stopped Fang Ying from leaving the tower and returning to her own house to undo the seal on the two rings.