Chapter 3062 - So-Called Submission

Even as the outside world was beset by storms, Goldstone Island was the very picture of serenity.

“From this day forth, Yun Rong shall be the sect leader’s disciple!”

“Congratulations, Junior Apprentice Sister Yun!”

“You’re still calling her ‘Junior Apprentice Sister?’ You ought to call her Martial Aunt!”

When Yun Rong walked out of the sect’s ancestral hall, a chorus of congratulations was waiting to greet her. Even the most famously strict of the elders were smiling at her, and all of them bowed in greeting. The more ordinary seniors now addressed her as their martial aunt.

Yun Rong’s mind buzzed. She felt as if she were dreaming or hallucinating; it just didn’t seem real.

She headed toward her former residence atop a nearby peak reserved for those yet to formally enter the sect, the lowest echelons of the sect’s hierarchy.

Yan Beigu accompanied her personally, explaining everything she was now entitled to as the sect leader’s disciple.

When they reached Yun Rong’s former place of residence, all of the elders and disciples of the outer sect were waiting for her. They rushed up to greet Yan Beigu and Yun Rong as soon as they arrived, the very picture of warmth and hospitality.

Yun Rong’s heart churned. She thought back to the recent past. As someone yet to even become a formal disciple, she hadn’t even been worthy of conversing with the outer-sect elders.

Simply meeting them was as difficult as ascending the heavens.

Yet now, the elders had practically servile looks on their faces, and they were bowed so low it seemed they were incapable of straightening their backs!

Yun Rong swept her gaze over the outer sect disciples and saw some familiar faces. They’d joined the sect around the same time she had.

The difference was that all of them had become formal outer sect disciples long before her, while she’d been turned away.

Yun Rong vividly recalled how envious she’d been, and how sorrowful and disconsolate.

Yet now, the familiar faces she’d once envied looked at her with jealousy and awe!

The look in their eyes was far, far too familiar; it was the same way she’d once looked at them, a mix of humility and helpless longing for something unattainable!

It was only after they’d gathered Yun Rong’s belongings that Ninth Elder Yan Beigu told Yun Rong yet another piece of news.

Yue Qiu had been severely punished. They’d imprisoned him at the sect’s Cliff of Penitence. He’d have to endure the torment of baleful winds invading his body for ten thousand years. The pain was worse than death.

Yue Qiu's maternal uncle was a grand elder, but he hadn’t pleaded for mercy on Yue Qiu’s behalf. On the contrary, he staunchly expressed that Yue Qiu would be expelled from the sect as soon as he’d been punished, as a warning to the rest!

Yun Liu had been punished, too. She was now imprisoned in the outer sect’s dungeons.

Yan Beigu also said that whether she wanted to spare them or punish them even more severely was entirely up to her. He’d agree to any request!

This left Yun Rong stunned once more. This was her first time experiencing status, privilege, and authority.

All of this was happening purely because she’d served as Senior Su’s guide and earned his recognition. That had been enough to change her destiny completely.

She’d become the sect leader’s disciple overnight, and now, even the sect’s higher-ups treated her with the utmost warmth and respect.

It was to the point that a single word from her could decide Yue Qiu and Yun Liu’s fates!

All of this came as an enormous shock.

They said that when a man achieved the Dao, even his dogs and chickens rose into the heavens.

It was a light, airy statement, but how many had ever truly experienced such a sudden increase in status for themselves?

Now, Yun Rong was one of the few!

But once she’d calmed down, she shook her head and decided against punishing Yue Qiu and Yun Liu any further. Her only request was that they release Yun Liu!

Ninth Elder Yan Beigu was quite surprised, but he agreed nonetheless.

Yun Rong didn’t explain herself.

She vividly recalled what Senior Su had told her: Yun Liu was an excellent whetstone, but it was only by dealing with her herself that she could temper her heart and rid herself of her mental knots!

It was these words that had helped Yun Rong clear her head. Authority and changes in status were empty. The only thing that really mattered was her own personal strength!

One day, she’d prove to the sect that she, Yun Rong, was worthy of being their leader’s disciple!

More importantly, she’d prove to Senior Su that she... hadn’t disappointed him!

......

Su Yi reclined in his wicker chair, gazing into the distant sea of clouds beyond the hall. Salty winds blew in through the windows, bringing with them the music of the churning waves.

“So long as you don’t defy me, how is this any different from regaining your freedom?” asked Su Yi. He took a sip of wine.

The golden-crowned River Ancestor Luo Yu and the enormous River Ancestor Hu Chan stood beside him. Both sank into silence at Su Yi’s question.

Su Yi had stripped away portions of their true names and sealed them in the Book of Destiny. This naturally had little impact on their powers of the Grand Dao.

However, it meant that their destinies were under Su Yi’s control forevermore!

That was what made Destiny’s Chosen so terrifying!

“If you aren’t willing to accept this, you’re welcome to choose death,” Su Yi said casually. “Forgive my shameless boasting, but in my eyes, you two aren’t all that important. I disdain wasting my energy trying to manipulate your destinies.”

River Ancestor Luo Yu and River Ancestor Hu Chan exchanged glances. Both were in low spirits.

“I trust you, Chosen!” River Ancestor Luo Yu clasped his fist. “If you have any instructions, I shall assiduously carry out your orders!”

River Ancestor Hu Chan hurriedly chimed in, “That goes for me, too!”

Su Yi couldn’t help but find this a bit of a pity. He’d contemplated just killing the two River Ancestors. If he did, he could refine their power and use it to nourish the Book of Destiny, while sparing them effectively gave him two new subordinates. Both approaches had their merits, but he had to pick one or the other.

That was why Su Yi had let the two River Ancestors decide for themselves, leading to this scene.

Su Yi pondered briefly, then reached a decision. “Accompany me to Shattered Star City tomorrow.”

Earlier, on the Dragonbone Worldship, Heavenly Sovereign E said that Su Yi had best come find him in Shattered Star City within two weeks’ time. If he didn’t, he’d have to bear the consequences.

Su Yi had initially disregarded the threat. He was unwilling to let Heavenly Sovereign E lead him around by the nose.

But that was then, and this was now. Two River Ancestors plus Heavenly Sovereign Qingyi were enough to change Su Yi’s mind.

He wanted to take the initiative to attack and kill Heavenly Sovereign E!

“Got it!” Both River Ancestors agreed.

It was then that someone knocked on the door. Sect Leader Lu Mu and several Crimson Kite Daoist Court higher-ups had come calling.

“Come in,” Su Yi said casually.

Lu Mu and the others entered, only to jump in surprise when they saw the two River Ancestors standing beside Su Yi.

Both emanated auras so terrifying that the visiting experts could barely breathe.

“Don’t be afraid. We follow Destiny’s Chosen now. In other words, we’re all one big happy family,” said River Ancestor Hu Chan, a big, friendly smile on his face.

It was just that to Lu Mu and the others, his smile was extraordinarily sinister and unsettling. None of them had forgotten that he was a bloodthirsty killer who delighted in devouring his enemies. He was brutal and perverse.

Su Yi waved. “Give us some space to talk.”

Neither River Ancestor dared delay. Both turned and left the room.

Only then did Lu Mu and the others relax and wipe cold sweat from their brows. The sight of two River Ancestors standing in their midst had been far too scary.

A moment later, their hearts shook as they realized something: both River Ancestors had submitted to Su Yi!

“What did you come here to discuss?” said Su Yi. “If it’s about drinking and partying, forget it.”

He sounded a bit exasperated.

The banquet they’d arranged started two days prior, then continued uninterrupted until the previous night. Su Yi had long since lost track of how many cups of wine he’d consumed.

That said, the dancers, with their lithe bodies and graceful movements, had left a deep impression on him.

Even rarer, all of them were alluring without being vulgar or garish. Each was full of endless charms.

Even Su Yi pounded the table and exclaimed over them.

“Your Excellency Su, we aren’t here to drink this time,” Lu Mu said hurriedly. “An emissary of the four top factions has come to see you.”

Su Yi blinked. “Have they decided to submit?”

“They have!” Lu Mu nodded.

Su Yi pondered briefly, then rose. “Come on, let’s go.”

Emissaries of the Profound Phoenixes, Heavenly Dragon Mountain, Divine Stratagems Court, and the Nine-Headed Serpents were waiting for him. Their ranks included Feng Ruhuo and several other familiar faces, as well as old monsters of even greater seniority.

For instance, the progenitor of the Profound Phoenixes, Feng Yinyue, had come in person.

This lineup was undeniably spectacular, but everyone in it felt conflicted.

Submitting was a fundamentally unglamorous act.

Moreover, this was Crimson Kite Daoist Court. The disparity between this visit and their last visit was jarringly enormous.

However, once Su Yi appeared, the emissaries of the four factions no longer dared to let their thoughts wander. All of them got their emotions under control and respectfully averted their gazes.

Especially when they saw that River Ancestor Luo Yu and River Ancestor Hu Chan were now following Su Yi like attendants.

That was enough to erase any lingering objections the emissaries might have had!

Feng Yinyue’s heart filled with excitement. She was River Ancestor Luo Yu’s Dao Partner, so she was surprised but delighted to see him alive and well.

If they were going to submit, they had to act like it. Thus, the emissaries of the four factions had come, not just to announce their decision, but to offer proof of their surrender.

These included various covenants of the Grand Dao, jade slips, talismans, and the treasures with which they protected their sects.

They were like emperors of the mundane passing on their seals to their successors as they abdicated.

Each of the four factions prepared a generous gift, too.

It was only then that Su Yi learned that he’d recently gained a new title: the Master of the Four Seas!