Chapter 1097: Return to Skytree City
Chapter 1097: Return to Skytree City
Two Crown Princes traveling together enjoyed a level of respect that equaled that of current Emperors, and maybe even surpassed it. After all, they were the new generation poised to become the next true rulers of the continent, destined to reign for thousands of years. Tang San and Xu An'yu's performance in the tournament had already proven they would not be ordinary Emperors. With Xu An'yu being the ruler of Crystal City and future Dragon Lord, and with Tang San preparing to establish a continent-wide network of Towers of Life to push forward the evolution of all life, their status had become so elevated that even Emperors themselves now regarded them as equals.
"Brother Jin, have you decided how you'll assign your clan's elders?" Xu An'yu asked. "Looks like everyone's about to fight over them."
At the moment, no clan on the Daemon Continent could rival the popularity of the Blue Gold Tree clan. Everyone understood that the Towers of Life they would manage would bring immense benefits to everyone, arguably even more so than the Celestial Fox clan's control of fortune.
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor couldn't look after every single race and clan; his role was only to ensure the general retention of fortune across the continent. But life energy was different. Everyone required it. With enough of it, even a second-tier bloodline could eventually evolve into a first-tier one. Lower tiers had even greater potential. Thus, although Tang San himself wasn't seeing guests, the Blue Gold Tree clan's elders were being endlessly courted and tempted by representatives from all over.
However, the elders didn't dare accept lavish gifts or request specific placements, because they all understood one thing clearly: Everything the Blue Gold Tree clan had now was because of Jin Miaolin. Without their new clan leader, they'd have likely been reduced to firewood and fertilizer in the not-so-far future.
Even now, as they neared Skytree City, Tang San had not revealed how he would assign the elders to the various major cities. Not only was Xu An'yu anxious, but so were the elders themselves. Everyone wanted to go to the more powerful cities to receive better resources and support, but all they could do was wait.
Tang San glanced at Xu An'yu and smiled. "Didn't I already promise you? Can't you guess how I'll handle things?"
Xu An'yu chuckled, sending a voice transmission, "I know you promised me the Third Elder. But look… There are only fourteen main cities on the continent, yet your Blue Gold Tree clan has over forty elders. And with the Ancestral Tree's evolution, you'll have even more in the future. Wouldn't it make sense to assign multiple elders to the same city? Don't worry, I can build multiple Towers of Life. You trust the dragon race's resources, right?"
But to Xu An'yu's surprise, Tang San shook his head. "Brother Xu, each major city can only have one Tower of Life. You can build that tower however large you want, but only one per city. Without rules, things fall into chaos, and since the Ancestral Court has already established the rule, we must uphold it, or it'll lead to trouble. You understand what I mean, right?"
Xu An'yu pondered for a moment. "So you mean I can't have two towers, but I can have two elders and keep them both in the same tower?"
Tang San sighed. "When did I say I'd give you two elders? If everyone did what you're suggesting, I'd have none left! Who would guard Skytree City? Who would take care of the Ancestral Tree?"
Xu An'yu laughed. "Alright, I get it, I get it. Let's play the long game. How about this: Just let me take some peak ninth-order clansmen along with the Third Elder. I'll use our resources to cultivate them into Demon Kings. No one can complain about that, right?"
Tang San let out a helpless sigh. "You're really exhausting every possible strategy."
Xu An'yu sighed as well. "I don't have much choice. The dragon race is big, and I have to look out for my people."
Tang San chuckled. "I'm starting to regret bringing you back with me. You clearly planned all this from the start. All your previous comments were just testing the waters."
Xu An'yu grew solemn. "We're brothers, aren't we? What's mine is yours, and all that. In the future, our people will stand together. Who knows? A few hundred years from now, this whole continent might belong to us."
Tang San smiled faintly. "I'm afraid I won't be around for that long."
Xu An'yu blinked. "What? You're not confident about becoming an Emperor? You may have a mixed skillset, but the Emperors are all hoping you'll succeed. When you undergo your tribulation, they'll definitely help. It shouldn't be too difficult."
Tang San shrugged. "Who can tell? Well, anyway, I'll consider your proposal, but I can't promise anything yet. I need to go home and check how my people are doing first."
"Fair enough. Just keep me in mind. I'll personally escort them to Crystal City. I'd like to see who would dare interfere," Xu An'yu said with a grin.
Skytree City was about to become lively. Emissaries from all the main cities were either on the way or had already arrived to greet their assigned Blue Gold Tree elders—the future masters of the Towers of Life.
Tang San already had a plan in mind, so he wasn't worried about the proceedings.
And so, the party returned to Skytree City without issue.
In the distance, the massive city surrounded by lush forest came into view. The life energy in the air was thick and vibrant.
Seeing the city, even Xu An'yu couldn't help but sigh. "What a beautiful place. And the life energy is so abundant. Brother Jin, you have to introduce me to the Ancestral Tree so I can pay my respects."
"Of course," Tang San nodded.
Far ahead, a large number of Blue Gold Tree clan members had already received word and had come out a few kilometers to welcome them. They greeted the returning party with deep reverence.
Every face beamed with excitement. They all knew how much everything that had happened recently meant to their entire clan.
Everything had changed. Though the world itself remained the same, the protagonists of the world were changing—and the Blue Gold Tree clan was about to become one of the most important parts of it.
No longer were they afraid or ashamed. Only pride and purpose remained. The Blue Gold Tree clan was truly rising again.
"Welcome home, Clan Leader! Welcome, Crown Prince!" As soon as they saw Tang San, the clan members all knelt in unison. His prestige within the clan had reached its absolute peak. Their hearts were as one.
Tang San descended with the elders, smiling as he looked over the sea of familiar faces. "Everyone, please rise. I'm still the same person. My status may have changed, but I haven't. Now, let's return to the inner city and pay respects to the Ancestral Tree."
"Yes!" the Blue Gold Tree clan members responded, rising and surrounding Tang San, Xu An'yu, and the elders as they headed toward the inner city.
This was Xu An'yu's first time visiting Skytree City, and everything was new and wondrous to him. When he saw the inner city's goldenwood walls, even he couldn't help but voice his admiration.
Escorted by the entire clan, Tang San led Xu An'yu to the inner city, to the towering form of the Ancestral Tree itself.