š HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! šāØ
š„ Let the drums of destiny roar as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurersā¦ āļø Buddyschlym! āļø and āļø Moran! āļøšā”ļø Our journey just leveled UP with their arrival!
Also a huge shoutout to our new members:
1.) Master Just Some Guy With A Mustage!
2.) Expert Leon E!
3.) Expert ApocalypseMeow!
āļø Let us welcome them on our this amazing adventure.
***********************************
The doors of the grand hall opened once more, and a figure cloaked in dark red stepped inside. His aura was suffused with an oppressive Heavenly Energy, marking him as a Heavenly King powerhouse. His uniform bore the unmistakable insignia of Blood Red Hellāa crimson crest in the shape of a jagged flame.
He strode forward confidently, though he made a show of bowing respectfully to Shangguan Tianyang and Shangguan Tianyue. "Palace Master Shangguan, Vice Palace Master Shangguan, I bring greetings from the Blood Red Hell. My name is Wei Zhentian."
Shangguan Tianyang offered a polite nod, his expression calm. "Elder Wei, your arrival is unexpected. To what do we owe this visit?"
Wei Zhentian smiled, though there was a distinct edge of arrogance in his demeanor. "I bring an important proposal, one that concerns the very future of the Heavenly Expanse Palace. However, the matter is sensitive. I must request that all others leave this hall."
His gaze briefly flicked to Zhou Weiqing, whose lazy posture and amused smirk seemed to irritate him further.
Before Shangguan Tianyang could respond, Zhou Weiqing chuckled softly. "Oh? A secret so important that it can only be shared with the big bosses? You must think very highly of yourself, Elder Wei."
Wei Zhentian's eyes narrowed as he regarded Zhou Weiqing with thinly veiled disdain. "And who might you be to speak out of turn in the presence of your betters?"
"Me?" Zhou Weiqing grinned wider, leaning back in his chair as if he owned the place. "I'm just a humble junior tagging along. But since you're here, you might as well entertain me. Go on, impress me with your so-called important proposal."
Wei Zhentian's face darkened, but Shangguan Tianyue cut in before he could respond. "Enough, Zhou Weiqing. This is a matter for the Heavenly Expanse Palace to handle."
Shangguan Tianyang, however, raised a hand to stop his brother. "Let him stay, Tianyue. After all, Weiqing isā¦ family. He has as much a right to hear this as anyone."
Zhou Weiqing clasped his hands in mock gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle! You're so wise and magnanimous."
Wei Zhentian's expression twisted briefly in frustration before he regained his composure. "Very well, if you insist. I will get straight to the point.
"The Heaven and Earth Sect is growing stronger by the day, their ambitions unchecked. Their Sect Master, Jason, is a threat not only to Blood Red Hell but to the Heavenly Expanse Palace as well. If we do not act now, they may soon dominate the Boundless Mainland entirely. Therefore, I propose an alliance between our two factions to counter this common enemy."
Zhou Weiqing raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. "Oh no! Heaven and Earth Sect, dominating the entire continent? How terrifying! Tell me, what exactly has Sect Master Jason done to make you so scared?"
Wei Zhentian bristled, but he kept his tone level. "This is no laughing matter, young man. The Heaven and Earth Sect has already annexed two kingdoms and demonstrated power surpassing even the Heavenly Expanse Palace. If left unchecked, they will destroy the delicate balance of power on the mainland."
"Annexed two kingdoms?" Zhou Weiqing rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, I wonderā¦ if they're so unstoppable, why haven't they annexed your Blood Red Hell yet? Surely a righteous faction like yours would've been their first target."
The jab hit its mark, and Wei Zhentian's face turned crimson with suppressed rage. "Do not speak of matters beyond your understanding!"
Shangguan Tianyang finally intervened, his voice calm and measured. "Elder Wei, while we appreciate your concerns, alliances are not made lightly. The Heavenly Expanse Palace has always prioritized stability on the mainland, and we must thoroughly consider all options before committing to such a course."
"Palace Master Shangguan," Wei Zhentian said, his tone more insistent, "this is not merely a suggestionāit is a necessity. The Heaven and Earth Sect's power threatens us all. Only by uniting can we hope to oppose them."
Zhou Weiqing let out a theatrical sigh. "Wow, you're really desperate, aren't you? I almost feel bad for you. Almost."
"Weiqing," Shangguan Tianyue said sharply, though even he struggled to suppress a smile.
But Shangguan Tianyang allowed a small smile to cross his lips. "Elder Wei, Weiqing's words may be blunt, but they do raise an interesting point. If the Heaven and Earth Sect is as powerful as you say, why haven't they made more aggressive moves? Perhaps they do not view Blood Red Hell as a threat worth addressing."
The subtle insult made Wei Zhentian's aura flare briefly, though he quickly suppressed it. "Palace Master Shangguan, I hope you understand the gravity of the situation. If you continue to underestimate the Heaven and Earth Sect, you may find yourself regretting it when they turn their attention to your palace."
Shangguan Tianyang stood, his expression now inscrutable. "Elder Wei, your concerns are duly noted. Rest assured, the Heavenly Expanse Palace is more than capable of defending itself. However, forming an alliance is not a decision to be made in haste. We will deliberate on your proposal and send our response at a later date."
Wei Zhentian's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. "Very well. I will await your response."
As he turned to leave, Zhou Weiqing couldn't resist one final jab. "Safe travels, Elder Wei. Oh, and try not to trip on your way out. It'd be a shame if Blood Red Hell's envoy made a fool of himself."
Wei Zhentian's shoulders stiffened, but he did not reply as he exited the hall.
Once the envoy was gone, Shangguan Tianyue sighed heavily. "Weiqing, must you provoke everyone who enters this palace?"
Zhou Weiqing grinned, completely unrepentant. "Of course! It's a talent of mine."
Shangguan Tianyang chuckled softly. "Sometimes, Tianyue, a little provocation can reveal much. Now we know the true extent of Blood Red Hell's fearsāand their desperation."
Zhou Weiqing chuckled, spinning a golden Heavenly Energy orb idly in one hand, his confidence unshaken.
"Uncle also noticed, huh," Weiqing began casually, his tone laced with mock innocence, "...something odd about our fiery friend's little speech?"
Shangguan Tianyue's gaze sharpened. "What are you implying, Weiqing? Speak clearly."
Zhou Weiqing smirked, tossing the orb into the air and catching it effortlessly. "I'm saying that Blood Red Hell isn't just scared of the Heaven and Earth Sectāthey're terrified. Why else would they send a Heavenly King to crawl on his knees and beg for an alliance? It's not exactly their style, is it?"
Shangguan Tianyang's piercing gaze landed on him. "You think they're hiding something?"
"Oh, definitely," Zhou Weiqing said with a grin. "For starters, some of their elders were captured near the Heavenly Bow Empire's borders and after that, the Kalise Empire and Bai Da Empire changed their rulers. Funny coincidence, isn't it? They suddenly need allies right after their own people get caught red-handed."
Shangguan Tianyue sat up straighter, his tone sharp. "Captured? By whom?"
Weiqing shrugged, feigning ignorance. "Who else? My master, Sect Master Jason, or perhaps the elders. Heaven and Earth Sect doesn't tolerate meddling in their affairs, and Blood Red Hell knows that better than anyone."
Shangguan Tianyue's expression darkened. "If your master captured their elders, why haven't we heard anything?"
"Because," Zhou Weiqing said, his grin widening, "my master doesn't need to broadcast his moves. He lets his actions speak for themselves. But trust me, Uncle Tianyue, if my master wanted to make a statement, it would be loud enough for the entire continent to hear."