Deliberate Provocation

Nangong Liuli and Beiming Xue both snorted coldly and said nothing.

Ximen Wushang didn't mind. His gaze finally settled on Bai Li Jing Hong in the Central Domain's section, and he rasped, "Domain Lord Bai Li, it's been many years. You're as impressive as ever."

Bai Li Jing Hong rose, his expression calm. "You're too kind, Domain Lord Ximen. Please, have a seat."

Ximen Wushang nodded and walked to the first seat in the Western Domain's section. The dwarf, the beautiful woman, and the giant man stood behind him, their chilling gazes sweeping across the hall and making many people's hearts tighten.

Now, the Domain Lords of all five regions had gathered.

Though Lin Hao wasn't present, everyone knew that standing behind this newly crowned Sword Emperor were Sword Venerable Xuanyu, who was above the True Saint Realm; Yun Qingtian of Azure Firmament Academy, a high-tier True Saint; King Ba Wu and three other academy powerhouses, all high-tier True Saints; and the support of the entire Eastern Domain.

By that reckoning, the Sword Emperor had at least six True Saint-level fighters openly backing him—and their strength was formidable.

But the Western, Southern, and Northern Domains had seven True Saints between them. The Western Domain was particularly formidable. Ximen Wushang himself was a high-tier True Saint, and with his secretive ways and unknown trump cards, his true strength was unfathomable.

On the surface, the five regions had gathered to deliberate today. In truth, undercurrents surged, and the various forces were entangled in a complicated web.

Whether Lin Hao, the Sword Emperor, could subdue the assembled heroes and truly take his seat upon the Nine-Dragon Imperial Throne remained to be seen.

The great hall fell briefly silent.

Everyone was waiting for the leading figure of the day—the legendary Sword Emperor, Lin Hao.