Oozing zeal, Silav spun toward Harun, again bowed in reverence, and cupped his hands toward him. Within the Devouring Serpent Lord's palms, all were startled to see a silver tiger token around which filaments of light swirled: a sect master token. From the Devouring Serpent apparition blotting the sky, four figures dropped, all presenting their tokens to Harun.
"All serpents under the heavens only have one sovereign—you, master! That being the case, what use can those tokens have for us. Our resources are yours, our cultivators are yours, our sects are yours, our lives are yours! Since you've chosen to establish your might by trampling on all those worthless clans, we shan't stop you and must support you! But Master, please return to the Serpent clan and rally us all behind the one righteous banner!" Silav exclaimed, with his heterochromatic eyes reddened by emotion.
In tandem, the other serpent clan masters kowtowed and proclaimed the same words, "Master, please return to the Serpent clan and rally us all behind the one righteous banner!"
Instantly, Harun staggered. Although the identity of the sect masters remained secret, the officials and deities could guess that some people would definitely receive a token. The Golden Crow Ancestor, Dilnaz, Rajan, and of course, Silav. If the likes of them didn't receive a token, who else was qualified? All hegemonic deities of the 33 Heavens most definitely possessed one. Thus, no one was surprised to see the silver tokens in the serpent leaders' hands. But who could imagine that they'd so candidly pull them out and offer them to Harun?
It was almost as if they were screaming to the world: "Even if you know that we have them, what can you do? We stand here, attack if you dare!" And no one dared. Such confidence put gods in awe, such loyalty put officials to shame. Now, many failed to doubt Silav's sincerity, and for a second, just a second, Harun even questioned his skepticism. But right afterward, he regained his senses, and arched his head back.
"To think that in this world, there are still such loyal subordinates. I have not lived in vain. Lord Silav, clan leaders, please rise," Harun said while storing the tokens, and wiped off a teardrop tickling down his right cheek.
"Since you insist on my return, I shall not disappoint you. However, I have made a Dao Pledge to meet the 33 Heavens' challenge? How can I retreat? The agreement stands unbroken, for now I must head toward the Imperial Dao Pavilion and prepare for the war. Still, I welcome your assistance. Lord Silav, I believe there is much you wish to discuss, please follow me," Harun said while helping the clan leaders up, greeting them all with a warm gaze and a smile as soothing as the sunset.
Believing Harun had been convinced by his display of sincerity, Silav met his smile, making the two look like sworn brothers reunited after countless years of hardship.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Dao Pavilion is Empyrean territory. Even if the fight must take place there, I believe that living on their soil for a week can lead to many issues. Why not seek an independent place guarded by your subordinates first?" Silav offered. As he didn't want Harun to feel that they were rushing him to the Serpent Domain, Silav carefully picked his words. In any case, as long he breathed, to say nothing of 9,000 babies, even 100,000 celestials couldn't threaten Harun's life—that privilege belonged to him.
"You speak true. But the Imperial Dao Pavilion has the best Origin Essence rooms across the 33 Heavens. There, I can quickly re-cultivate my World-Devouring Serpent Form and live up to your expectations. Moreover, how can we give them the impression that we fear their force? The prestige of my clan is at stake. I shall not retreat," Harun countered, and realizing that he planned to cash in on his Recognized Scholar status, Silav no longer dissuaded him. As things stood, the Imperial Clan wouldn't make any rash move before the clash.
"Very well, we shall escort Your Majesty," Silav said, and alongside the four other clan leaders, lead Harun toward the Imperial Dao Pavilion. While the Devouring Serpent clan's return left many with bitter tastes, all understood that without a God-Emperor, none could suppress them. Even Golden Crow would have to think twice. After all, in terms of Demi-Emperors and Monarch quantity, the Devouring Serpents who once possessed all good fortune—overshadowed all clans.
…
The Highest Heaven's number one cultivation holy land, the Imperial Dao Pavilion stood perched on top of a Divine Jade mountain range. As large as a city, from aspiring to elite disciples, from workers to instructors, the Imperial Dao Pavilion counted 300,000 people. On top of the mountain, a massive white torana-style gateway greeted newcomers, followed by two rows of exquisite pagodas that led the way toward the main hall. There, three Pavilion Elders stood beside the Pavilion Master, who seemed to be expecting Harun's arrival.
A man of few words, the Pavilion Master greeted the serpent group with a smile and said, "We've already prepared your cultivation quarters and reward. The elder here will show you the way. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him." He then turned and stepped into the main hall.
New disciples naturally wouldn't receive the Pavilion master's personal greeting. But with the Recognized Scholar title and serpent clan's apparent backing, if only for the sake of appearances, they had to maintain the pretence. After reaching his assigned pagoda, Harun stepped in with Silav—leaving the others at the gate.
Inside, a 40 square meters room with one meditation mat at the center, stood, surrounded by 38 divine jade chairs, 16 at the front and back, and three at the left and right. On top of those chairs, translucent crystal stones stood with white light filaments swirling around them: Origin Essence Crystals.
"The room provides a vast source of Heavenly Qi, and the crystals fuel you with Origin Essence of the highest grade. The Imperial Dao Pavilion does live up to its name," Silav appraised. Origin Essence was a rare commodity that enabled cultivators to rapidly enhance their Celestial Nature. Once they shed their blood drops on the crystals, they'd mirror and assist them in transforming their nature—helping them save a tremendous amount of time.
For those gifted mortal-born downgraded by Agiri, or those celestials born with high-talent but in low-ranking clans, Origin Essence Crystals possessed an irresistible appeal. Ignoring them, Harun grasped toward the cosmic pouch beside his meditation mat, making it fly toward him. Inside, 80,000 Divine Jades and several room commodities lay. As expected, the Imperial Dao Pavilion provided everything he'd need to complete his plan, and screw over the 33 Heavens—good folks.
Pulling out two mats, Harun set them face to face, one for Silav, and the other for himself.
"What makes you think that I'm the Serpent Emperor's reincarnation?��� Harun directly asked. In the brain joust between Silav and he, before the appointed time, none could betray himself. For Harun who ascended to the Fourth Heaven unaware of his eyes' significance, Silav's words should seem puzzling.
"First, although Double Pupils periodically appear in our line, in over 3.5 million years, the Sovereign Pupils Your Majesty now bear have only been wielded by one person: the Serpent Emperor. Even if you aren't his reincarnation, a profound link must exist between you two.
Second, and this is the most critical point. In the battle over 3.5 million years ago, His Majesty didn't lose. He left," Silav said, and Harun's face contorted at the words.
"The combined strength of Heaven Warding and the Golden Crow Ancestor could at best bring His Majesty to a draw. They didn't have the strength to wound or kill him. Without recourse, Heaven Warding chose diplomacy and held a mental conversation with His Majesty. Afterward, he took the empress and left—leaving the rest of us behind—and the world to the Heaven Warding Emperor. This is the reason why the succeeding God Emperors never dared attack us.
They feared that somewhere in this world, our ancestor still breathes, and that as long as they make a move, his wrath will descend on them all. All along, we also believed the same.
But the world can only have one pair of Sovereign Pupils. If His Majesty didn't perish and reincarnate in you...who the hell are you?" Silav asked, leaving Harun short of words.