Chapter 2224 Immortal Paragon
The information about an Immortal Paragon was entirely new to Lin Mu.
While he had learned a bit about the Immortal Court, he was still unaware of their major workings. Though that was not unusual either, as it was mostly information that people of the Immortal Court would know or those at the higher echelons of the realm. For example, an Emperor might know how things went in the Immortal Court, but that information might not be all encompassing.
This was intentional too, as the Immortal Court preferred their internal workings to be limited to those that were within their camp. "They don't have Immortal Paragons at the helm anymore?" Lin Mu heard the surprised voice of Xukong. "Is the Immortal Court in a depression?" he wondered.
"You know of them senior?" Lin Mu asked.
"Of course. Immortal Paragons can be considered as one of the most important cultivators in the entire Immortal Realm. They can dictate the working of an Immortal Court and command great power, both physical as well as political." Xukong replied.
"What did Crown Prince Feng Shun mean by not every Immortal Court leader is qualified to become one?" Lin Mu questioned, seeing that Crown Prince and his companions were still thinking about the ring, giving him some time.
"In order to become an Immortal Paragon, not only does the leader have to be strong and be selected by the majority of an Immortal Court, they also need to gain the approval of the Paragon's Will." Xukong answered. "Paragon's Will? What's that?" Lin Mu asked.
"You can think of it as the collective will of every Immortal Paragon that has been in the Immoral Courts since times immemorial. They decide whether an Immortal would be qualified to become an Immortal Paragon.
As to how they decide this, or what the conditions are, that are unknown to me. Even the immortal courts themselves don't know the conditions. The Paragon's Will is independent of the Immortal Court's control and cannot be opposed." Xukong explained.
"What difference does it make though? If one is considered as the leader of an Immortal Court, it shouldn't matter if the Paragon's Will gives its approval or not, right?" Lin Mu was a bit confused.
"Of course it matter." Xukong replied. "An Immortal Paragon has a Veto right on matters of the Immortal Courts. If there is one immortal Paragon and three normal leaders, the Immortal Paragon's decision will be final.
In addition to this, they also have access to several special privileges that are only granted to the Immortal Paragons, such as special weapons, services and a the entire wealth of the Immortal Court." He explained.
Hearing that, Lin Mu understood the power of an Immortal Paragon.
"So it allows them to trump over other leaders…" Lin Mu muttered.
"It's more than that. The presence of an Immortal Paragon is important for the Immortal Court to have. At the very least there should be a single paragon in every generation. The Immortal Paragons are a sign that the Immortal Court can be trusted in its decisions and that they will stay incorruptible. If there is no Immortal Paragon, the Immortal Court is weakened… the clans that have supported the Immortal Court will not have full trust in its workings, and neither will the other powers." Xukong further explained. "It is a serious issue that they do not have an Immortal Paragon…" Lin Mu could feel genuine concern in Xukong's tone.
"So that ring is something that is only granted to the Immortal Paragons?" Lin Mu asked next.
"Indeed. It is the physical manifestation of the Paragon Will's approval." Xukong answered. "Normally it is inseparable from the Immortal Paragon and only upon their death can it be removed… though it is highly unusual that it is still intact. They usually shatter soon after being returned to the Immortal Court, signaling that the Immortal Paragon has died." He added.
"Hmm…" Lin Mu furrowed his brows, hearing that. He thought about for a bit before thinking of an obvious answer.
"What if the Immortal Paragon isn't dead?" Lin Mu wondered. "What if they merely ascended to the Celestial realm?" "Hmm, in that case the ring would indeed stay intact." Xukong replied. "But that doesn't mean it should be here. An Immortal Paragon Ring is very valuable to the Immortal Court and it cannot be left outside it even if the owner hasn't died.
The consequences of it falling into the wrong hands can be very grave." He added.
"Wait, so simply by having the ring one can have the same rights as an Immortal Paragon?" Lin Mu hoped it was not like that, as it would be a grave oversight.
"Of course not." Xukong said, making Lin Mu relieved. "They will obviously not be accepted by the immortal Court, but that doesn't mean that all the privileges will be voided. They will still be able to access some of the exclusive services and wealth that the Immortal Paragon has.
Since that is bound to the ring itself, rather than the person and one doesn't necessarily need to show their face to use them." He elaborated.
"That… Is quite bad… But also very lucrative." Lin Mu spoke. "Indeed." Xukong nodded. "Though I wonder what generation this Immortal Paragon Ring is from. It is certainly not a ring from the recent generations. Even if I consider the last fifty generations, I doubt a ring would have been left out." He added.
"Looks like we'll have to see it ourselves to know whom it belonged to." Lin Mu said before a shout of shock was heard.
"What in name of heavens!?" "What happened?" Lin Mu snapped out of his conversation and looked at Crown Prince Feng Shun and his companions that were gathered around a hexagonal pillar.
But they didn't reply to him, prompting Lin Mu to check it himself. He walked over and peeked at the pillar that showed a single line.
Seeing the line, Lin Mu quickly understood their shock.