Chapter 2733 – Punishment
This showed the power of the Great Sovereign. Luo Shan ruled one of the member universes of the Sixverse a.s.sociation, but he still had to accept the Great Sovereign’s orders.
After Chu Jian read the Great Sovereign’s orders, he looked around and smiled at everyone present. "Everyone, are you willing to obey these orders? If you don"t want to, you can explain things to this junior, and this junior will pa.s.s your message along, Seniors. I’ll even put in a good word for you."
As he spoke, his eyes landed on Luo Shan. Of all the orders that had been given, the one for Luo Shan was the harshest. Given the man’s status as the ruler of the Three Monarchs Universe, his status should technically be equal to the Great Sovereign’s. Despite that, Luo Shan was being punished by the Great Sovereign and ordered to enter the Endless Frontier.
The Endless Frontier was a meat grinder of death. That was just as true for peak powerhouses as it was for ordinary cultivators. No fewer than twenty peak powerhouses had died on that battlefield.
Luo Shan met Chu Jian’s eyes and respectfully replied, "I will obey the Great Sovereign’s orders."
Chu Jian smiled with satisfaction. "Take care of yourself, Senior."
Luo Shan continued, "I hope that additional attention will be given to the Three Monarchs Universe during my time on the Endless Frontier. Will it be protected?"
Chu Jian glanced over at Bai w.a.n.gyuan and the other Progenitors. "That depends on the Origin Universe. Once Monarch Luo leaves, only Senior Monarch Xing and Senior Chen Le will remain in the Three Monarchs Universe. With the pa.s.sage between the two universes open, this place is an ideal universe for Aeternus to attack. How do you people from the Origin Universe intend to help the Three Monarchs Universe?”
Bai w.a.n.gyuan calmly replied, "My Celestial Frost Sect’s Bai Sheng is willing to protect the rainbow wall."
Xia Shenji also spoke up, "Xia Qin will also help defend the rainbow wall."
Specter Progenitor said, "I will come myself."
"Nong Yi will be the last one. Four Progenitors will be enough." Bai w.a.n.gyuan made the decision for Nong Yi, voicing the will of the four ruling powers.
There was no longer any need for them to consider the balance of power. Lu Yin himself was also being sent to the Endless Frontier, which meant that the Heavens Sect would only have Arch-Elder Zen to protect it. As for Mu Xie and Progenitor Smoke, the four ruling powers had no confidence that they could force the two to do anything.
Of the Perennial World’s ten Progenitors, seven belonged to the four ruling powers: Bai w.a.n.gyuan, Bai Sheng, Xia Shenji, Xia Qin, w.a.n.g Fan, Specter Progenitor, and a Progenitor from the w.a.n.g family who protected a planet in the Outer Realm. Additionally, there was Nong Yi and Mu Xie. As for the Fifth Mainland, it only had Arch-Elder Zen, the jiao, and Progenitor Smoke.
In other words, the Origin Universe had a total of thirteen Progenitors, and the Great Sovereign’s orders required half of those Progenitors to leave the Origin Universe and help the Sixverse a.s.sociation. The four ruling powers were sending three of their own, while also forcing Nong Yi to go on behalf of the Perennial World. However, there were still two more who needed to go.
Xia Shenji spoke up next. "We can only speak for ourselves. As for the Progenitors that the Heavens Sect will send, the Junior Sovereign will need to speak with Lu Yin directly. He may not care about Senior Great Sovereign’s orders."
Chu Jian smiled. "I believe that Brother Lu is a sensible person."
Not once did the young man even glance at Sage Yuan, completely ignoring the Sage, despite the fact that Sage Yuan had been ordered to perform the Lamentation of the Sages. His fate was enough to leave anyone speechless, but there was no need to even consider whether Sage Yuan would obey his orders. He had no choice but to go to the Endless Frontier.
Finally, Chu Jian looked over at the Sovereign Shao Yin. "Congratulations, Senior. Master appreciates you a great deal. Without you, this Three Monarchs Universe would have been in great danger."
Sovereign Shao Yin and Chu Jian looked at each other. "I only did what I should, but please offer my thanks to your master for his praise."
"Well, everyone, I"m going to the Origin Universe to deliver Master"s orders to Brother Lu. I hope that all of you will take care of yourselves on the battlefield, especially you, Senior Monarch Luo," Chu Jian said with a smile before making his way towards the spatial pa.s.sage.
As they watched the young man leave, a numb pressure squeezed their hearts. Progenitors and those on that level had reached the pinnacle of human cultivation, but they were still forced to accept orders. They still had a long road before them.
Sage Yuan’s expression was hideous. He actually needed to go to the Endless Frontier, that grindstone of death. It was terrifying even for a peak powerhouse like him.
He would never forget the sight of the fighting and death that occurred on the Endless Frontier. Sage Yuan had done everything he could think of to perform meritorious deeds throughout the years, solely to reduce the amount of time that he had to serve on the Endless Frontier. Unexpectedly, he had just been sent directly to that battlefield.
The Sage glanced over at Sovereign Shao Yin. Sage Yuan had done many tasks for the Sovereign, and yet Sovereign Shao Yin was praised by the Great Sovereign and given a reprieve from the Endless Frontier while Sage Yuan had been ordered onto that battlefield.
Sovereign Shao Yin noticed Sage Yuan’s stare and calmly said, "I will help you accomplish tasks that will help you leave as soon as possible."
Sage Yuan"s expression finally improved slightly. "Thank you, Sovereign."
In another universe, Lu Yin saw Chu Jian approaching.
As soon as the Junior Sovereign crossed the spatial pa.s.sage and entered the Origin Universe, he saw Lu Yin on the Shenwu Continent. Given that the jiao that Lu Yin stood upon was so ma.s.sive, it was difficult to not notice Lu Yin and the beast.
"You must be Lu Yin, the current Dao Monarch of the Heavens Sect. This is our first time meeting, despite having heard of you for so long." Chu Jian smiled at Lu Yin and spoke in a very friendly manner.
Lu Yin"s eyes flickered, as this was an unforeseen variable. Aeternus was too familiar with humanity and knew too much, which always made Lu Yin nervous. Still, he maintained a polite facade, and he said, "I am Lu Yin. And you are?"
Chu Jian smiled. "I am Chu Jian, of the Sixverse a.s.sociation’s Cyclic Universe. The Great Sovereign is my master."
Lu Yin was taken aback. "You are a disciple of the Great Sovereign?"
"Everyone is a disciple of the Great Sovereign, but I am a direct disciple. My name is Chu Jian."
Lu Yin stared at Chu Jian. This was the perfect Junior Sovereign. He had arrived when the Aeternals had stopped their a.s.sault on the Three Monarchs Universe, which made it obvious that the Great Sovereign was getting involved in the current dispute.
Were the Aeternals even aware of the Great Sovereign’s affairs and actions?
"Is there something that I can help you with?" Lu Yin asked.
Chu Jian smiled. "There was a disagreement between this universe and the Three Monarchs Universe, and it nearly led to a fight involving several peak powerhouses. That would create an opening or a weakness that the Aeternals could take advantage of. I am here to deliver Master"s orders. I wonder if Dao Monarch Lu is willing to listen to them?"
Lu Yin arched a brow. "The Great Sovereign"s orders?"
"That’s right." Chu Jian and Lu Yin stared at each other as they spoke.
Lu Yin’s eyes did not move as he replied, "The Great Sovereign and I have no relation or connection to each other."
A smile played at Chu Jian’s lips. "The Great Sovereign is the master of the Sixverse a.s.sociation and can also be considered the common master of all of humanity."
Lu Yin’s eyes instantly narrowed. The common master of all of humanity? This was the first time that he had heard of such a t.i.tle. "So, the Great Sovereign considers himself the master of my Heavens Sect?"
Chu Jian’s eyes left Lu Yin as he looked around. "It should be said that he is the master of the Origin Universe, as you are all still humans!"
Lu Yin stood on the jiao’s head, quiet as he stared at Chu Jian.
Arch-Elder Zen also observed the young man. "The common master of all of humanity? That’s certainly a bold enough claim, though the Great Sovereign’s strength is completely unfathomable. No one can say just how strong the Great Sovereign is."
Only Aeternus’s True G.o.d Wei Yi could be regarded as the Great Sovereign’s peer. The only reason why True G.o.d Wei Yi had not attacked the Perennial World to rescue Undying G.o.d was likely because he had been restrained by the Great Sovereign.
The Endless Frontier was the frontlines of the war against Aeternus. The reason why the Aeternals focused on that battlefield so much was possibly because they feared the Great Sovereign.
The Great Sovereign was not someone on the same level as Sage Yuan.
Even at the very worst, the lowest that Lu Yin could estimate the Great Sovereign’s strength was at the level of one of the Three Realms Six Dao, but he was possibly as strong as even the Origin Progenitor himself.
As for Chu Jian, he had the Chu surname, which had been given to him by the Great Sovereign.
Chu Yuan was from the Heavens Sect era, and he was the only one of the Origin Universe’s Dao Chosen to have met with the Origin Progenitor. Chu Yuan had also received his surname from the Origin Progenitor, and it was even the same Chu surname. It was quite likely that the Great Sovereign and the Origin Progenitor possessed the same level of power.
When it came to such a powerhouse, no matter how much Lu Yin did not like the situation, it would be nearly impossible for him to do anything about it. His only source of confidence was Mister Mu. Lu Yin’s master had a.s.sured him that the Great Sovereign would not attack him. However, even if Lu Yin was safe from the Great Sovereign himself, the Three Sovereigns and Nine Sages under the Great Sovereign’s command were not powers that the current Heavens Sect could contend with.
The Great Sovereign represented the entire Sixverse a.s.sociation. Being that man’s enemy also meant being an enemy of the Sixverse a.s.sociation as a whole. This was nowhere close to the same level as Lu Yin"s confrontation with Luo Shan.
Silence filled the area.
As for Chu Jian, he was smiling carelessly. No one could ignore the Great Sovereign. No one dared to disobey the Great Sovereign. Regardless of how unruly this Lu Yin was, what of it?
Lu Yin remained silent for some time before finally asking, "What are the Great Sovereign’s orders?"
Chu Jian’s smile grew wider and wider. "Master says that Luo Shan and Lu Yin have incited a war between two parallel universes. He orders that they both be punished by serving on the Endless Frontier. Any who refuse…" After a pause, Chu Jian looked up. "Will be condemned for betraying humanity.”
Arch-Elder Zen"s eyes grew large. He had spent some time helping protect the Three Monarchs Universe, and he had naturally learned of the horror that was the Endless Frontier.
Was the Great Sovereign actually punishing the Dao Monarch by sending him to the Endless Frontier?
"Dao Monarch!" Arch-Elder Zen could not stay silent.
Lu Yin stared intently at Chu Jian. He was being punished and even being threatened with the charge of betraying humanity. The Great Sovereign truly did regard himself as the common master of all humanity.
Chu Jian just smiled as he looked at Lu Yin. "Dao Monarch Lu, are you willing to obey Master"s order?"
"What will happen if I refuse?" Lu Yin asked.
Chu Jian considered the question. "I will help Dao Monarch Lu speak with Master, but if Master is not satisfied, he will act according to his orders. My Cyclic Universe’s Three Sovereigns and Nine Sages, as well as the rulers of each member universe of the Sixverse a.s.sociation will drop by this universe whenever they have the opportunity. We’ll just have to see how things play out after that and if Dao Monarch Lu can handle all of them.
"Based on my many years of experience," Chu Jian continued with a smile, "It is highly unlikely that anyone will help Dao Monarch Lu go against Master."
Lu Yin solemnly said, "So, refusing these orders is no different from confronting the entire Sixverse a.s.sociation?"
Chu Jian replied, "Possibly. Still, if Dao Monarch Lu believes that the current Heavens Sect is the same as the previous Heavens Sect, where they used to rule, then feel free to try. Maybe you will even come out on top and everyone will bow to your wishes, Dao Monarch Lu?"
Lu Yin laughed. "You’re overthinking things. The former Heavens Sect is gone forever. The current one shares nothing more than the name.
"In that case, since the Great Sovereign has spoken, I, Lu Yin, should obey."
Chu Jian was not at all surprised by the situation. How could anyone disobey the Great Sovereign’s orders? It was simply impossible.
The Junior Sovereign was ignorant of just how glorious the Heavens Sect had been in the past, which was the reason why the Sixverse a.s.sociation as a whole hated the Heavens Sect. Chu Jian only knew that the Great Sovereign was currently the lord of all humanity and that he himself was the perfect Junior Sovereign. Lu Yin was nothing more than the master of the Origin Universe’s pathetic Heavens Sect. How could such a person deal with Chu Jian or compare to him in any way?
While Chu Jian appeared to be friendly and kind to Lu Yin, it was really nothing more than condescension, which the Junior Sovereign felt for everyone. How could he feel anything but condescension for mere ants?
Chu Jian represented the Great Sovereign himself, so even when he was interacting with Sovereign Shao Yin, he had only used the term “senior” as a measure of courtesy without any true feelings behind it.
Lu Yin was completely beneath Chu Jian’s notice. No matter how incredible Lu Yin’s talent or experiences were, what did it matter? Chu Jian believed that his future was inestimable to Lu Yin’s own. It still remained to be seen whether Lu Yin could even survive his time on the Endless Frontier.
"This must be the legendary jiao!" Chu Jian looked around, his eyes lighting up.
Lu Yin looked down and glanced over the ma.s.sive form.
The jiao bared its teeth at Chu Jian and roared.
"It"s truly impressive. Very majestic," Chu Jian said admiringly as he observed the beast.
The jiao understood that it was being looked down upon, and it reflexively reared its head and bared its teeth and claws in an attempt to be intimidating. However, it became upset that Chu Jian showed no fear at all; instead, the youth merely looked more excited.
This expression infuriated the jiao, and as its anger rose, it tried to be more intimidating. Each action only increased Chu Jian’s appreciation, which created an endless cycle.