The Nine Provinces were jointly governed by nine Command Envoys. That was the rule by which the Nine Provinces operated.
Though Gao Xian was a seventh-rank powerhouse whose cultivation far surpassed that of the other eight Dao Venerables, within Taiyi Hall of Yellow Mystery Heaven, his status was equal to theirs.
Strictly speaking, Dao Venerable Dao Hong's prestige was even greater than his.
Xuanming Heavenly Venerable naturally wielded enormous influence over the Nine Provinces. That was not something a Mysterious Underworld could compare to.
If the nine Command Envoys of Taiyi Hall truly convened to deliberate, he would have only one ally: Zhi Zhen.
Zhi Zhen belonged to the direct lineage of Daluo. No matter how close her relationship with him was, it would be difficult for her to openly fall out with Dao Hong. Even if Zhi Zhen stubbornly supported him, it would only be two against seven.
Ninth Grandpa had a solid relationship with him. But judging from past circumstances, Ninth Grandpa could make flexible adjustments, yet he could not openly violate the rules he himself had established.
If Li Zizai truly wanted to deal with him, he could simply apply at Taiyi Hall to enter the Yellow Mystery Platform for a duel, just as Gao Xian had dealt with Beiming and Wanbao.
What would he do then?
Gao Xian knew very well how dire that situation would be. As long as he remained in the Nine Provinces, he had no need to fear Li Zizai. Without the Nine Provinces' protection, he could only flee in wretched disarray.
Of course, that was merely the worst-case scenario.
The dignified Great Freedom Celestial Venerable presumably would not stoop so low as to come personally to deal with him. But if Eastern Pole Heavenly Lord stepped in, Gao Xian would not