Su Miao stepped into Lingxiao Palace of the Heavenly Court.
She raised her eyes toward Suiren Clan, who sat behind a desk in the hall, reviewing official documents.
Hearing the movement, he looked up. When he saw Su Miao standing in the doorway, his expression showed no surprise.
He set down his brush, rose to his feet, and bowed.
"What brings Sect Master here?"
Su Miao slapped the gift list onto the desk before him.
"This—are the Human Race offering up the position of Heavenly Emperor?"
"Explain yourselves."
Suiren Clan lowered his head to glance at the sheet of paper, then beckoned toward the rear of the hall.
At once, a whole crowd came flooding out from behind the hall.
Xuanyuan walked at the front, followed by Youchao Clan and Ziyi Clan, with dozens of Human Race Elders behind them.
Before Su Miao could react, Suiren Clan had already bent both knees and knelt, leading the others with him.
Su Miao froze for a moment, then rushed forward in great strides and reached out to support Suiren Clan's arm.
"You mustn't! You mustn't! Get up, quickly!"
She tugged, but could not move him.
Suiren Clan pressed down on her hand.
"Sect Master."
Suiren Clan looked up at her. His voice was as booming as ever, yet beneath that resonance lay a thread of solemnity.
"The Human Race has only come this far thanks entirely to Sect Master's support."
"The position of Heavenly Emperor should rightfully be held by Sect Master!"
He held up the palm-sized golden Seal of Authority in both hands, raising it before his forehead.
Su Miao recoiled half a step in fright.
You're going this far?
She was genuinely startled.
The position of Heavenly Emperor?
The Human Race was placing the entire authority to rule the Heavenly