Chapter 1039: Clash of the Emperors
Chapter 1039: Clash of the Emperors
Tang San himself wasn't worried at all. Even without Nihil, he had other ways to handle his matches. But if the Ancestral Court didn't allow him to use Nihil, they would have to give him a clear explanation… and compensation. As for how that decision would be made, well, he'd let the Emperors of the Empyrean Dominion and the Solstice Empire battle that out. Given his earlier exchange with the Sunborne Nymph Emperor, Tang San was confident that even if he suffered as a result of this decision, it wouldn't be too bad.
With two victories already secured, his odds of advancing from the semifinals were very high. And with Mei Gongzi doing well too, everything seemed to be on the right track.
Meanwhile, the Emperors of the Ancestral Court were using the break for repairs on the arena to urgently discuss the previous match.
"From what we just saw, this really isn't fair. Jin Miaolin and the Scourge Dragon together are equivalent to two Great Demon Kings combined. And their attributes amplify each other, making them even stronger. Together, they can properly cross the threshold to the Emperor level. Letting them keep competing like this simply isn't fair to the other contestants."
It was the Golden Mammoth Demon Emperor who spoke. The Sky-Splitting Demon Emperor remained silent—it wouldn't do for him to speak out on this issue—but his close friend had no such reservations.
"It is indeed unfair," added the Tenebrous Demon Emperor gravely.
Tang San hadn't yet faced the Tenebrous Dragon clan's contestant, but that clash was inevitable. If the Scourge Dragon could be disqualified now, Tang San's advantage would be blunted, and it was the perfect moment for that. He had already defeated Jin Anguo and Lü Fushou, so being stopped now would be greatly beneficial for the Tenebrous Dragon clan's representative.
"But that's not the whole picture," the Earthshade Nymph Emperor said coolly. "These were the rules set by the Ancestral Court, and Jin Miaolin has broken none of them. He's followed them exactly. What reason do we have to forbid him from using the Scourge Dragon? The decision to auction off the Scourge Dragon was your race's doing. Or you mean to tell me that you didn't take the money?"
The Earthshade Nymph Emperor was in no good mood. The contestant representing the Nethermoon Flower clan had just lost to Mei Gongzi. Now, seeing the Great Demon Emperors trying to gang up on a nymph contestant, she had no hesitation in voicing her support.
"Let's hear from everyone," the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor said, withholding his own stance for now. He then turned to the Sunborne Nymph Emperor. "Sunborne, what's your view?"
The word of Sunborne Nymph Emperor, the Solstice Empire's strongest figure, carried a lot of weight in this debate.
"I agree with Earthshade," the Sunborne Nymph Emperor said evenly. "The rules were set by us. If we change them now, just because someone used them cleverly, who will ever trust our rules again? And more importantly, why shouldn't Jin Miaolin be allowed to claim a throne? You all know that if he ascends and remains in the Ancestral Court, it benefits all of us. The level of life energy he brings is something only the Ancestral Tree could match. It's perfectly obvious that he's the first Blue Gold Tree in history to inherit the Ancestral Tree's full legacy; even their previous Emperor wasn't capable of what he can do."
His statement was clear and firm: full support.
Hearing this, the other Nymph Emperors fell silent. The positions of the Sunborne and Earthshade Nymph Emperors effectively represented the Solstice Empire's stance.
"What do you say, Undying?" the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor asked next.
The Undying Demon Emperor spoke solemnly. "As the referee, I witnessed their clash up close. The Sunborne Nymph Emperor is right: From a rules standpoint, we can't stop Jin Miaolin. But the synergy between his domain and the Scourge Dragon's destructive power went beyond all expectations. Their combination creates a unique cycle of life and destruction feeding each other, accelerating in strength. What we saw wasn't even their limit. But this state isn't necessarily good for them either. The longer it goes on, the greater the risk of destabilization. And if that happens, our protective barriers—and even we Emperors—might not be able to safeguard the arena. With so many of our people here, it could be catastrophic. For their own safety, and that of everyone present, I think we must impose limits. Of course, if we change the rules, we must compensate Jin Miaolin."
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's eyes gleamed. As expected of an old fox like the Undying Demon Emperor! He had found the angle they needed to approach this; not fairness, but safety. That opened the door to negotiation.
He did make a great point, too. The life-destruction combination was unprecedented, and its stability was called into question by the Scourge Dragon's prior madness. If the dragon lost control and that tremendous energy went haywire, how many would die?
"Wise words, fellow Undying. Safety must be our priority," said the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.
"I agree," the Sky-Splitting Demon Emperor said quietly.
"I agree too," the Tenebrous Demon Emperor added at once. "Safety matters most."
"I agree," echoed the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor, ever aligned with his grand-uncle.
The White Tiger Demon Emperor sneered inwardly. You agree? That's the man your daughter loves!
"I agree," said the Golden Mammoth Demon Emperor.
Among the eight Great Demon Emperors, only the White Tiger Demon Emperor and the Sword Saint Demon Emperor had yet to speak.
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's divine sense turned to the White Tiger Demon Emperor, seeking his stance.
"I reserve my opinion," said the latter blandly.
The Empyrean Dominion's interests were united. Even knowing Jin Miaolin was Tang San, he couldn't openly oppose this without revealing their bond. All he could do was abstain.
"I reserve my opinion too," said the Sword Saint Demon Emperor.
Thus, of the eight Great Demon Emperors, five supported limiting Tang San, and two withheld judgment. The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor didn't need to state his view; the outcome was clear.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor was silent for a moment. He hadn't expected the Undying Demon Emperor to find such a persuasive reason. And it was true: If something went wrong, it could doom the entire competition. That was unacceptable to either side.
"Celestial Fox, Undying, I have one question. If we ban him from using the Scourge Dragon, we're effectively eliminating him despite him breaking no rules. So what compensation do you propose? Do we just give him a throne outright?" the Sunborne Nymph Emperor asked, his voice calm but carrying a note of displeasure.
Even the Parasol Tree Nymph Emperor, who had always been close to the Undying Demon Emperor, held his tongue. When the two countries' interests collided, personal ties meant little. Duty came first.