Chapter 196: Feathers of the Upper Realm
Yuan Jiang was silent for a long while, unable to find the right words. Deep down, he knew his little junior niece was right—this was no longer about whether they wanted to be involved in the affairs of the Upper Realm. They were already in it. The moment he had gone up to investigate the Swallowing Sky Beast incident, they had stepped into certain people’s line of sight. Whether he liked it or not, Yun Jiao, Bai-shidi, and even their master were now entangled in the matter.
He clenched his fists at his side, hesitated a while, and finally sighed in defeat. Then, he began to tell her everything about the situation in the Upper Realm.
“Little junior niece, do you remember I once mentioned that the Upper Realm has four Heavenly Courts—East, South, West, and North—each ruled by an Emperor?”
“Yes.” Yun Jiao nodded.
He continued, “Currently, the Immortal Realm has no Heavenly Emperor. The previous one had four children, each of pure celestial blood and immense power, none weaker than the other. Each rules a direction as an Emperor. But the relations between them… are not exactly harmonious. When the former Heavenly Emperor fell, he left no heir to the throne. So, naturally, the question of succession arose.”
“So… they’re fighting over the inheritance?” Yun Jiao raised an eyebrow. “Palace drama, huh?”
“Uh…” Yuan Jiang froze but still nodded reluctantly. “Yes. The position of Heavenly Emperor has remained vacant. Over time, conflicts deepened, and tensions grew among the four. Eventually, each established their own court, renaming their domains as the Four Heavenly Courts. The immortals of the realm divided their allegiances accordingly. Outwardly things appear calm, but behind the scenes, strife continues—centered on who holds the legitimate claim to the Heavenly Emperor’s seat.”
“Oh.” Yun Jiao frowned slightly. Even the human world had exams and merit-based promotions now, promoting equality in cultivation resources—and yet the Immortal Realm was still stuck fighting over a throne? Feudal politics, really?
“My junior brothers and I, along with several disciples and nephews, serve under the Eastern Heaven’s Emperor, Xingxi,” Yuan Jiang said with renewed pride. “Emperor Xingxi is utterly unlike the others—gentle in temperament and disinclined to conflict. If not to protect his followers, he would never have involved himself in the struggle. He’s the only one among them who bears no prejudice toward those of us who ascended from the mortal world.”