Ascending the Throne

Judging by the ink-dark clouds that had earlier shrouded the mountain peaks and Marquis Anqing's madness, Steward Liu knew this was a colossal disaster. It might well spiral beyond anyone's control, leaving him to take the fall as a scapegoat.

He couldn't afford to offend either side, so he might as well slip away and lie low.

Steward Liu was every bit as slippery as he seemed. Barely half an hour after he left, Futuo Mountain—by then deserted after repeated searches by the imperial guards—quickly sprang back to life.

Countless Mechanical Birds descended, and influential figures from countless sects and Aristocratic Clans gathered. The royal court even hurriedly sent a Wind Observer Envoy to make inquiries.

The reason was simple: the Yin Tribulation that had gathered around Futuo Mountain had been far too terrifying. Though it lasted less than half an incense stick's time, the shock it caused was immense.

Taking into account the commotion when the Void Heaven Divine Palace appeared, the arrival of the Fierce Rhinoceros with its ancient beast bloodline, and the frequent cloud tribulations during the Battle of the Imperial Arena, every force that received word knew that some extraordinary treasure had appeared at Futuo Mountain.

In an instant, the major forces dispatched their nearest men to Futuo Mountain, racing there in a frenzy.

Inside the gloomy hall, Steward Sun was sweating buckets. His thick, black mustache, shaped like the character for "eight," looked as though it had been rinsed with water. He gazed at the hundreds of men gathered in the hall, all bristling with killing intent, and felt his vision darken. His throat felt stuffed with thick cotton, and he had no idea how to begin.

"Sun, speak up at once! What scheme has Futuo Mountain been up to this time, that you've brought