"Since everyone has their own opinions, I'll just say it straight: this person will definitely become a calamity in the future. He’s a bad omen for any Emperor‑Realm power," said the Fiend Palace Lord.
"What does the Palace Lord mean?" Vice Palace Lord Harper hadn’t expected the Palace Lord to already want Evan Yang dead.
"He made me lose face, and I’ve clashed with him before. If I don’t kill him now, am I supposed to wait for him to wipe me out later?" said the Fiend Palace Lord.
Quentin Qing added, "Exactly. My son was injured by him. If we don’t act against him, the Qing Family won’t have a good ending."
Everyone voiced their stance. Vice Palace Lord Harper also said, "My family has had conflicts with him too. Whether now or in the future, we absolutely can’t let him keep going like this."
"So you all agree with me. That’s why I’ve already called him to Beryl Waters Palace. We can make a move any time in the next few days—but ideally, it shouldn’t happen inside Beryl Waters Palace," said the Fiend Palace Lord.
"In Beryl Waters Palace? We can’t make a move? Why?" Vice Palace Lord Harper asked, puzzled.
"Do you want everyone pointing at me, saying I had him brutally killed right in Beryl Waters Palace?" The Fiend Palace Lord, concerned about his reputation, replied.
Everyone exchanged glances. After thinking, Quentin Qing said, "We could use poison. Doesn’t the Fiend Palace Lord have that Million‑Year Venom Toad? Just get some of its poison onto him—he’ll definitely die in a few years, just like my son did. If I hadn’t found a detox master, he’d probably be dead already."
"Oh? I’d actually forgotten about that," said the Fiend Palace Lord.
So the Fiend Palace Lord took out the toad—this was the Million‑Year Venom Toad Evan Yang had brought. Right now, the toad was sealed, staring at them with angry eyes.
"Why isn’t it moving?" Vice Palace Lord Harper asked curiously.
"No idea. It’s been like this ever since I got it. I don’t even dare touch it—its poison is too strong," said the Fiend Palace Lord. "Here’s what we’ll do: get some venom from it, put it in wine or somewhere he’ll touch, and see how he tries to defend against it." Vice Palace Lord Harper suggested.
"Alright, I’ll go arrange it now," said the Fiend Palace Lord.
Quentin Qing and the others nodded. After settling this matter, the Fiend Palace Lord spoke up, "Actually, the main reason I called everyone here is that I need your help with something else."
"Please go ahead, Fiend Palace Lord," Vice Palace Lord Harper said, as if he already knew.
Quentin Qing and the others exchanged glances, not understanding yet. The Fiend Palace Lord continued, "The Territory War Contest is about to start again. You all know that Ethereal Sanctuary controls many planets in the Central Region, but there are still disputes with other palaces. So I want to ask all the clan heads and sect masters to help me, to support Ethereal Sanctuary together."
Everyone gasped at the mention of the Territory War Contest. If you’re lucky, you can gain many planets; if not, your clan or sect might be destroyed.
So one sect member said, "I’ll go back and discuss with the other elders."
"Us too," others echoed.
Gradually, everyone said they'd go back and discuss. In the end, only Quentin Qing and the Harper Family remained.
"What about you two?" the Palace Lord asked with a sigh.
"This Territory War Contest happens once every hundred thousand years, and each time lasts over a century. When it starts, bodies will be strewn everywhere. If things go wrong, we could even lose all our current planets," said Quentin Qing.
"Don’t worry about that. A few of our elders in Ethereal Sanctuary have said they’ll bring in outside aid. As long as your clans and sects join us, we’ll definitely defeat the other factions. Then our Sanctuary Star System can seize many more planets, and they’ll be distributed according to each clan and sect’s merit," the Palace Lord tempted.
"Outside aid? What do you mean?" Quentin Qing asked, a bit tempted.
"Of course, this outside aid comes from some very ancient sects. You’ll find out when the time comes," said the Palace Lord.
"What are the odds of winning?" Quentin Qing asked.
"Eighty percent. If you join, our chances will be even better. By then, every clan and sect should be able to get at least a few dozen extra planets. Isn’t that great?" said the Palace Lord.
More planets means more territory and more power. That’s exactly when clans can grow stronger, so Quentin Qing was tempted. He finally said, "I’ll go back and tell them. I’ll reply in a few days."
"Alright, go ahead," said the Palace Lord. Quentin Qing nodded and left, leaving Vice Palace Lord Harper to look at the Palace Lord and ask, "Is the outside aid real?"
"Yes, that's what the elders said," answered the Palace Lord.
"If that's true, then beating the other factions really is possible," Vice Palace Lord Harper said with a smile.
"Exactly. That’s why I asked them just now. Let’s wait for their replies. If we can pull in more clans, even better. After all, some clans and sects don’t want to give up their current planets," said the Palace Lord.
"Even if we lose, each clan or sect only has to give up one or two planets. But if we win, we can gain much more, right?" said Vice Palace Lord Harper.
"That’s right. Our Ethereal Sanctuary controls over a hundred planets in the Central Region, and other clans have quite a few as well. If we form an alliance and beat the other factions, we can get even more," said the Palace Lord.
"Our Harper Family has fifty planets there too. If chances are good, we’ll contribute those fifty planets and join in," said Vice Palace Lord Harper.
"Got it. Now it all depends on the others. If we can bring them in, it’ll be a huge advantage for us. Their strength isn’t great, but they have numbers—plenty of disciples," said the Palace Lord.
"Understood. So, how long until the next contest?" asked Vice Palace Lord Harper.
"I’ve already received notice—there’s a hundred years left. Preparations have begun, and they contacted me decades ago. I just attended a meeting and came back," said the Palace Lord.
"I see. Then we need to recruit as many clans and sects as possible within the next hundred years. If they don’t join us, or join the other factions, it’ll be trouble," said Vice Palace Lord Harper.