Chapter 17 – The Council of Heavens
In the Celestial Phoenix Realm, where palaces floated among rivers of golden clouds, a bell rang nine times — its echo shaking every realm beneath Heaven.
It was the Call of Concord, a summons only used when the balance of the Seven Realms was threatened.
Inside the Hall of Radiant Divinity, seven thrones gleamed in an endless circle of light and shadow. Their rulers appeared, each cloaked in their realm's might.
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The Qinglong Emperor of the Azure Dragon Realm arrived first. His armor shimmered with blue scales, his eyes cold and ancient as a calm ocean before the storm.
> "The omens grow stronger," he said, his voice like rolling thunder. "A mortal boy has awakened the Golden Heavenly Dragon. Impossible… yet the signs do not lie."
The Yan Emperor of the Vermilion Flame Realm leaned back lazily, fire swirling around his fingers.
> "So what if a mortal grasped dragon qi? Mortals burn the brightest before they turn to ash."
From the shadows, the Serpent Queen of the Serpent Shadow Realm chuckled softly. Her laughter slithered through the hall like silk and venom.
> "You underestimate him, Yan. My assassins vanished one by one after entering the Earth Realm. No trace, no scream. Only silence. He devoured them."
The air turned cold.
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The Lion King of Valor growled, his golden mane rippling like a sunlit flame.
> "Then he must be crushed quickly. If he bears dragon blood, his strength will rise beyond control."
The Iron Tyrant of the Black Iron Realm slammed a massive gauntlet on the table, the hall trembling.
> "Talk less. Give me his location. I will crush his bones myself."
The Lotus Saint from the White Lotus Realm sighed, her divine radiance masking a hint of disgust.
> "Brute force again, Iron Tyrant? We are rulers, not beasts. Perhaps the boy is Heaven's will. To defy it is blasphemy."
The Celestial Emperor finally opened his eyes.
He sat upon the highest throne, his robes woven from starfire, his face serene — yet his gaze pierced through realms.
> "Heaven's will does not favor rebellion," he said softly. "That boy… Ye Tianlan… is a fracture in destiny. If he reaches us, the Heavenly Dao itself may unravel."
The hall grew silent.
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The Qinglong Emperor folded his arms.
> "Then it is settled. The mortal threat must be extinguished."
But the Serpent Queen smiled again.
> "Extinguished? Or controlled? Perhaps he could serve a purpose — a weapon to use against your enemies, Qinglong?"
Flames burst from the Yan Emperor's hand, his temper igniting.
> "Your poisons cloud your logic, serpent. This boy will destroy us all if left alive!"
> "Enough!"
The Celestial Emperor's voice thundered through the hall. Even gods bowed their heads.
> "I will not allow another war between realms. The last one shattered half the Heavens. We will act together — quietly, precisely."
He turned his gaze toward the Lotus Saint.
> "Send your divine oracles to monitor his growth. The moment he steps beyond his mortal shell, I will send my Envoy of Heaven to erase him."
The Lotus Saint bowed with a deceptive smile. "As you command, Your Majesty."
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The meeting ended, but distrust lingered. One by one, the rulers faded from the hall, each carrying a different intention.
The Qinglong Emperor's eyes burned with cold fury.
> "A descendant of the Xu Clan… again. I should have ended that line long ago."
The Serpent Queen caressed a dark gem, whispering to herself.
> "Xu Lian, Ye Tianlan… I wonder, will you dance to my tune or break the strings I weave?"
And high above, the Celestial Emperor stood alone before the heavens.
He gazed into the mortal world where a young cultivator meditated beneath storming clouds.
> "Come then, child of rebellion," he murmured. "Show me how you plan to shatter Heaven."