Sovereign Conference

The Sovereign Conference

Lincoln scrutinized Aridona, unimpressed by his tactic. Such a clumsy attempt to sow discord would have no effect on Orf, but it might work on Dark, the Darkness Chief Sovereign. After all, Dark had joined forces with Augusta to plot Aikes's death, so he probably wasn't very broad-minded.

"Of course you should pay your respects to Lord Orf before coming to see me, Aridona. You've said too much," Dark said sternly. "But when meeting Lord Orf for the first time, it really is appropriate to send a Sovereign clone."

Now that the stage had been set, Lincoln naturally had to say something too. "Lord Orf, everyone, ever since I learned that my Sovereign Spark was connected to Lord Augusta, I haven't dared leave my home plane. I've come to visit Lord Orf this time because I'd like to ask how this matter can be resolved."

Orf laughed when he heard that. "That's easy. We'll convene a Sovereign Conference and invite Uterede and the others, along with Augusta. We'll explain the situation clearly, and that will set the record straight for you."

If Lincoln hadn't known what Orf was really like, he might have thought he would be completely won over. It was no wonder so many Sovereigns had pledged themselves to him.

"However, the August Garden isn't the right place for a Sovereign Conference." As Orf sent out a message to notify the others, he ushered the Dark Sovereigns toward Star Mountain on the Destiny Continent below. "Lincoln, I know your Dark Sovereign Clone has its concerns, but I guarantee Augusta won't lay a hand on you. Come along and meet everyone, too."

"All right," Lincoln said, while inwardly planning to arrive later. He'd have to leave the Material Plane sooner or later; he couldn't hide there forever.

As he headed for Heaven, Lincoln's Water Divine Clone went to the Underworld to pay Death Chief Sovereign a visit, while his Wind Divine Clone briefly left Aier and went to Hell to visit Destruction Chief Sovereign. Unfortunately, Destruction Chief Sovereign had no interest in him, a mere Intermediate Sovereign, and didn't meet him. More surprisingly, Life Sovereign was visiting the Underworld.

"Eldest Sister, did you spend some time observing Lincoln before?" Vivian asked. "Does that mean you disagree with what I said earlier?"

Hela smiled. "The possibility you mentioned does exist. But from what I can see, the little fellow is far too cautious. Even now, he doesn't dare let his Sovereign clones leave the Material Plane. He's so careful that I doubt he'd ever hunt down a Sovereign."

Vivian fell silent for a moment. She knew that although she and her "Eldest Sister" were as close as could be and had supported each other for countless years, once Hela had made up her mind, it was almost impossible to change it. The fact that she'd said this much meant she already cared a great deal about Lincoln.

Vivian silently considered the matter. Lincoln had been her Sovereign Envoy for many years, and she knew better than anyone how he'd tried every means imaginable to increase his strength back then. Still, she smiled. "Eldest Sister, I'll take your advice. But if I find out he's going to hunt a Sovereign, I'll stop him. If necessary, I'll destroy his Sovereign clone."

Hela laughed heartily and was about to speak when she suddenly paused. Turning to Vivian, she said, "We were just talking about him, and now he's here. Though he's only sent a Divine Clone. He's at the Nether Hotel now. I'll bring him over."

Before long, Lincoln's Water Divine Clone came in alongside Death Chief Sovereign's Energy Avatar. He was a little surprised to see Life Sovereign there.

"Thank you for looking after me for the past few centuries, Chief Sovereign. I've come to express my gratitude!"

"Lincoln, I have to say something about that. You were my Sovereign Envoy for almost ten million years, yet you never once came to thank me. The last time you came to see me, it was because you needed a favor. Why go out of your way to thank Eldest Sister?" Life Sovereign said with a smile, studying Lincoln's Divine Clone thoughtfully.

Lincoln hastily explained, "Please don't tease me, my lord. I served you for so many years, and you've never been one for formalities."

Hela joked, "You little rascal, you've been a Sovereign for over a thousand years, yet you're still so timid that you won't let your Sovereign clones leave the Material Plane. With me"—she glanced at Vivian—"and Vivian backing you up, what are you afraid of? You don't really have a grudge against each other. Do you think Augusta would dare come knocking on your door?"

Lincoln laughed, too. "He may not dare provoke you, but you can't watch over me every moment of the day."

Hela was about to say something, but paused again. Her gaze toward Lincoln turned a little more serious. "Lincoln, did you visit Orf as well?"

Lincoln immediately understood: one of the Sovereigns in Heaven must have sent a message. He briefly explained his visits to the Three Grand Sovereigns, but the frost on Death Chief Sovereign's face didn't thaw in the slightest.

"Vivian and I will go. You can head back on your own; you've already paid your respects." With that, she vanished in a streak of gray light. Vivian shook her head and sped away in a flash of green light.

Lincoln smiled helplessly and had no choice but to leave Nether Mountain alone. As he passed through the area of multicolored clouds, however, he paid particular attention to it. If he wasn't mistaken, the tree in the purple mist really was the Nether Fruit Tree. But its aura didn't seem like that of a Sovereign. Could it be that, at this point in time, it hadn't yet become a Sovereign? He wondered whether Nether Fruits from a Nether Fruit Tree that wasn't yet a Sovereign could still let someone advance directly to Asura.

Half a day later, more than sixty Sovereigns had gathered on Star Mountain. Orf's Sovereign Conferences usually had a high attendance rate. Of the more than seventy Sovereigns, almost everyone had come, except for those with two Sovereign clones or those who weren't in one of the eleven major planes. Lincoln was among the last few to arrive.

The Sovereigns looked at this familiar yet unfamiliar Dark Sovereign. Some Low-Sovereigns began to marvel at his good fortune: he'd actually obtained an Intermediate Sovereign Spark.

Many Sovereigns who knew what had happened, however, turned their attention to Augusta, Chief Sovereign of Light.

"Everyone," Orf began. Once the other three Rule Sovereigns and Lincoln, the person at the heart of the matter, had arrived, he recounted the events again from beginning to end. Then he invited the Sovereigns to give their opinions.

After hearing the account, Destruction Chief Sovereign looked at Life Sovereign. "Vivian, is that really what happened?"

Life Sovereign once again explained the circumstances surrounding the Supreme God Oath.

"In that case," Death Chief Sovereign said, stepping forward, "I believe Lincoln became a Sovereign without violating the Sovereign Pact in any way. Augusta can't use this as an excuse to hunt Lincoln down in the future."

"I agree," Orf said next.

"I agree, too." This time it was Uterede. As far as he was concerned, the matter didn't even warrant a Sovereign Conference. An ordinary Intermediate Sovereign was of no consequence.

"I agree, too." Vivian was the last of the Four Rule Sovereigns to speak, and with that, the matter was settled.

"I agree, too." Six more voices followed. The six Law Sovereigns had also stated their positions. Usually, once the Four Rule Sovereigns reached a conclusion, the other Sovereigns were only going through the motions by voicing their agreement.

Chief Sovereign of Light remained silent until Orf spoke. "Augusta, it's your turn. What do you think?"