Chapter 2171: Constructing the Divine Mausoleum
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The man speaking was watched by all who were present, and all of them felt something right there and then.
The Palace’s decision to not take away the divine casket and leave it for those at the Shangqing Domain—where the divine casket was discovered—to deal with it spoke volume of its magnanimity.
They thought that only the likes of the imperial palace would be able to be so magnanimous. They had actually refrained from claiming the body of an ancient god.
The imperial palace would only need to say the word for the divine casket to be delivered to them otherwise.
Yet, those from the imperial palace actually told them to take care of the casket as they saw fit.
But then again, none from the domain itself would have dared to fight the Domain Chief’s Manor for the right to the casket.
As such, the divine casket would probably be left at the Domain Chief’s Manor for good, serving as a sacred relic of the place.
But then again, while that was the common thought among those present, with the titans from the cultivation forces arriving, it was probably not all that easy for the Domain Chief’s Manor to claim the casket as its own.
At that moment, the place appeared unusually silent. The supreme titans were all present. None of them spoke, and they just looked at the chief who just emerged from his residence.
The atmosphere of the place seemed to appear rather weird. It would seem that all of them were waiting for someone else to speak first.
“The great emperor is generous enough to leave the divine casket for us, the cultivators of Shangqing Domain,” someone said. Someone had finally spoken after the silence persisted for some time. The man who was speaking was none other than the leader of the Nanhai Clan. He looked at the chief and continued, “We of the Nanhai Clan were the ones who discovered the divine casket. It was then brought here by the chief to report to the imperial palace. Now that word from the imperial palace has arrived, how would you intend to deal with this divine casket then?”
The divine casket was so out-of-their-world that none of them, despite their powers, were able to learn from it. Yet, they nonetheless knew of the value of the sacred remains which the casket held. That was the body of Great Emperor Shenjia, and it had devolved into boundless runes to the point that the body couldn’t be observed. Even they—the pinnacle cultivators that reigned supreme over Shangqing Domain—would suffer backlash just by taking one look at the body. They also knew repeated looks would even cause serious injuries.
They were thinking if they were able to take it home for further study.
Of course, they were definitely not the only ones harboring such thoughts. None of those from the top-notch cultivation forces wouldn’t have wanted the divine casket for themselves so as to peer into the secrets harbored by the sacred remains. If they were to be able to get more powerful in the future, they might actually be able to learn what the Imperial Realm was like.
Whoever was holding the casket at the moment, the others would probably wouldn’t just back away from claiming it, even if said holder was the Domain Chief’s Manor.
Domain Chief Zhou looked at the crowd, and despite hearing the question clearly, he didn’t rush to give an answer. Although he was the one with the most authority in all of the Shangqing Domain, he was still unable to so casually order people from top-notch cultivation forces around because those people were not actually his subordinates. They were cultivators of the Divine Prefecture like everyone else. And while they would do him favors and give him face, they were not about to comply with his every command.
It was especially so when one such divine relic was concerned. He naturally knew that if the Domain Chief’s Manor were to claim such a relic as their own just like that, he would have invoked the wrath of everyone present. The forces would be displeased with either the Domain Chief’s Manor or with him, so much so that some might actually get into an altercation.
As such, he needed to be cautious with the matter.
“The divine casket of Great Emperor Shenjia was discovered in the Cangyuan Continent by chance. As such, it could be considered as something that belongs to nobody. While many discovered it before, nobody was able to take it away. That is, until all of you came. Then, you all brought the casket here to report to the imperial palace. However, given that the imperial palace’s reply was for us of the Shangqing Domain to take care of it on our own, it was apparent that the great emperor was wise and wished to see the Divine Prefecture be strong. Giving us the divine casket to the Shangqing Domain was an act to see that we could learn by using it.” The chief elaborated, “In that case, we shall not let the great emperor down.”
Everyone was still listening silently, and some were already frowning. The leader of the Nanhai Clan was able to more or tell what the chief meant, and he knew that the chief would probably still intend to keep the divine casket around.
As expected, the chief then continued, “I shall build a divine mausoleum near the Domain Chief’s Manor, in which the divine casket of Great Emperor Shenjia shall be placed. Guards would be assigned to the mausoleum, and all top-notch figures from the continent shall be permitted to enter the place. Any from the Shangqing Domain who are sufficiently powerful will be permitted entry as well, so as to ensure that the cultivators of the Shangqing Domain are able to learn by observing the sacred remains of Great Emperor Shenjia for generations to come. What do you all think of this?”
Everyone knew what the chief meant by what he said. Constructing the divine mausoleum by the side of the Domain Chief’s Manor and placing the divine casket inside was but a ploy for the Domain Chief’s Manor to keep the casket under their control. They could research and learn from the divine casket at all times, yet it was ridiculous for those of the top-notch forces to stay back at the Shangqing Domain all the time.
The divine casket was anything but ordinary, which meant that studying from it was anything but easy.
As soon as the divine mausoleum was finished, the divine casket would be put completely under the Domain Chief’s Manor’s control.
However, the way the chief put it was so perfect that they couldn’t come up with any reason to object, as it would be more ridiculous to think that the divine casket could be placed on their respective continents instead.
Furthermore, the ground they stood on at that very moment was right outside the Domain Chief’s Manor.
The leader of the Nanhai Clan said that they were the ones who discovered the divine casket, but what the chief said had practically denied such claims. The divine casket was dug out by chance, to begin with, and the ones who discovered it earliest were not even qualified to get inside. If anyone were to be said to be the earliest to observe the divine casket, it would be Muyun Lan and Ye Futian. Yet, it was not to say that the casket would belong to any who laid eyes on it first.
The divine casket belonged to none, and any would be able to fight to claim it.
However, given that no one fought over it and it had been brought to the Domain Chief’s Manor instead, it was only natural that the chief got to call the shots.
Silence blanketed the place yet again. No one said anything, and they all seemed to be thinking.
Despite feeling displeased deep down, no one stood out to object to it. Anyone who dared to object first would have gotten on the bad side of the chief, after all. Furthermore, such objection would be futile all the same.
Moreover, the chief didn’t say that the divine mausoleum would be constructed within the Domain Chief’s Manor’s grounds, and the place would be built elsewhere instead. That meant that he had indeed taken into consideration the thoughts of others. He would have simply built the place inside the Domain Chief’s Manor and then claimed the casket as their own otherwise.
But then again, as far as practical application was concerned, the divine casket was still practically theirs.
“If the divine mausoleum is to be built, is it to say that my juniors would be allowed to train inside at any time we wish?” the leader of the Nanhai Clan asked.
“That is a given,” the chief replied. “All from the top-notch cultivation forces of the Upper Nine Heavens, including those from Four Corner Village, would be permitted to freely enter the divine mausoleum at all times.”
Everyone nodded, seemingly having accepted the proposal.
In terms of raw power in the Shangqing Domain, those of the Domain Chief’s Manor would probably still be the most powerful. Even those supreme beings would hardly be able to match Zhou Muhuang—the young master—let alone the chief himself.
Furthermore, the cultivation forces also deemed it imperative to not offend the Domain Chief’s Manor unless absolutely necessary. Even if there were to be anyone who didn’t agree to it, it eventually still wouldn’t have changed anything.
There was literally nowhere else the divine casket could be placed after all.
“Well then, given that the chief has given his word, we will naturally not object to the proposal,” the leader of the Nanhai Clan said, giving face to the chief. He agreed to the proposal right away.
“I’m fine with it as well,” the leader of the Lu Clan seconded the decision.
With two of the greatest clan leaders having agreed to it, it would be pointless for the others not to be alright with it. Everyone else then agreed to the proposal of having the divine mausoleum built near the Domain Chief’s Manor, placing the divine casket within.
“Well then, that settles the matter. I shall order for the construction of the divine mausoleum and place the divine casket within. When the construction of the divine mausoleum is completed, we shall gather around and discuss some other matters. The actual purpose of bringing you all together was actually to discuss something else. But the case with the divine casket has taken precedence instead,” the chief said, and everyone nodded. The purpose of them being there was not initially due to the divine casket.
The appearance of the divine casket was but an accident.
At that moment, Ye Futian, who was recovering by the side, opened his eyes and looked at the Chief. With the divine casket not being taken away by the imperial palace, he would be able to rest easy as that meant that he could have more time to learn from the sacred remains.
Those of Four Corner Village were allowed to enter the divine mausoleum any time after all.
“There would be no need for you to rush then, Sir Ye. You will have plenty of time to learn from here on out.” Zhou Lingxi smiled at Ye Futian as she spoke to him. She saw that Ye Futian had seemed to be racing against time, sustaining injury after injury. Yet, he still insisted on learning.
However, there was no longer a need to do so.
Ye Futian nodded and said, “The great emperor is indeed magnanimous.”
“Indeed.” Zhou Lingxi nodded and added, “Well, then, in that case, let’s head outside. How about I give you a tour inside the Domain Chief’s Manor, Sir Ye?”
Ye Futian looked at her and said, “Thank you, Princess Lingxi. I’m indeed getting exhausted from training from the past several days, and a break would be nice. However, I’ll be taking a rest in an inn so that I don’t get in your way.”
“Sure.” Zhou Lingxi didn’t say anything else. She nodded and added, “When you have the time, we shall walk around in the manor again.”
“That would be nice.” Ye Futian nodded, and both of them walked outside.
Zhou Lingxi bode him farewell as soon as they both emerged outside, returning to the Domain Chief’s Manor, which caused the chief to look at Ye Futian.
Ye Futian went back to where his own place and saw cold eyes looking at him. He felt rather exasperated as he rubbed his brow and said, “Let’s head back.”