Star Gate

“Big Claw has returned!” An Empyrean King, possibly a captain of the guards, greeted Big Claw. He quickly looked at Li Hao and smiled. “And a respectful welcome to the return of an exalted emperor!”

No matter how little he thought of the young man, this was still an exalted emperor. He also apparently had some connections to the fifth rank Exalted Void Emperor. Thus, the guard was quite ready to jump to attention. He made sure to be polite, but was not as humble as one might expect.

Li Hao didn’t care. He thought nothing of it—whether this was important to him or not, it was insignificant to the bigger picture.

But while the young man didn’t mind, Big Claw’s expression was unpleasant. This behavior should not be taking place!

According to custom, Li Hao was an exalted emperor that Dragon Observatory had recruited. This was his first visit to Dragon Observatory territory. While they wouldn’t go so far as to wash the streets for him, there should be much more fanfare!

At the very least, an exalted emperor should be out to welcome him. There were more than thirty exalted emperors in Dragon Observatory these days! With so many in the ranks, it was more than appropriate that an exalted emperor be present at the gate!

Big Claw didn’t understand why Li Hao was suffering from such treatment. He was so infuriated for a moment that he could barely speak! Why was his guest being shown such disrespect?!

He speared the guard with a wrathful look, to which the other looked innocently back at him. What are you glaring at me for? I didn’t arrange this!

In truth, no one had arranged anything.

However, the guard grew afraid that the exalted emperor would misunderstand him, seeing as Big Claw kept glaring at him. This was an exalted emperor, after all.

“Don’t look at me, Brother Big Claw,” he transmitted an explanation. “It’s not that we’re giving your guest the cold shoulder, it’s just an unfortunate coincidence! Today is when the Utmost Dark exalted emperor officially joins us with his five exalted emperors. Everyone’s at the palace to welcome them!”

It really was just bad timing, nothing nefarious on anyone’s part!