Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Over ten Sovereign Lord Elders were gathered inside the palace, accompanied by other senior experts. When Qingyu arrived, all of them immediately rose and bowed.

Qingyu offered a faint nod before taking her seat on the central throne. However, she didn’t sit directly in the center—she chose a position slightly off to the side. She then glanced meaningfully at Long Chen and said, “Long Chen, come sit beside me.”

The entire hall was shaken by her words. While Long Chen was a Spirit Awakener, sitting beside the mountain lord carried a meaning far beyond status.

Even Long Chen was caught off guard. As his mind turned rapidly, he knew this seat wasn’t something to take lightly. It could very well become his cage.

“It would be better for a junior like me to stand. It’s good for the back,” Long Chen replied calmly.

Long Chen’s words carried two layers of meaning. On the surface, he sounded casual. But in truth, he made it clear that he had no interest in any position of power within the violet blood race. Such a position could be irresistibly tempting to other disciples, but not to him.

In truth, Qingyu had extended the offer as a test. She wanted to see whether Long Chen was willing to stake a claim in the affairs of the violet blood race. Would he commit? Would he lead? And beyond that, it was a show of force to the Jiuli race—a way to declare Long Chen’s status within the violet blood race’s ranks.

However, Long Chen’s rejection was not outside her expectations.

Standing at her side, Long Chen remained calm. Qingyu gave the others a nod, and one of the Elders gestured for the palace gates to open.

A group of people walked in, led by a silver-haired elder with a white beard. Although he was old, he exuded a refined, transcendent aura. His eyes were deep and his gait graceful. Every movement he made seemed to command the space around him. He was a Sovereign Lord.

Behind him walked eight more Sovereign Lords. They were rather young, appearing in their thirties, with steady auras and extraordinary composure. They were definitely not ordinary Sovereign Lords.

Following them were over thirty young disciples. They were all Sovereign sprouts.

This delegation from the Jiuli race was clad in white robes and shoes, appearing untouched by worldly dust. They gave off a pure and noble feeling.

“The Jiuli Divine Palace’s Zhao Manjiang greets Mountain Lord Qingyu. We came in haste and offered only humble gifts. Please do not think poorly of us,” greeted the silver-haired elder.

The eight Sovereign Lords behind him each stepped forward with a delicate treasure box.

Though no one could see what was inside, it would be impolite to open the gifts here. An appointee would later assess their value and ensure an appropriate return gift was prepared.

Qingyu smiled slightly. “The Jiuli race and violet blood race fought side by side during the primal chaos era to secure humanity’s future. We’ve always been allies. I had intended to pay my respects to the Jiuli Divine Palace, but it seems I’ve delayed it too long. Forgive me.”

Standing beside Qingyu, Long Chen observed Zhao Manjiang and the others. Other than Zhao Manjiang, they were all staring at him. From their gaze, Long Chen could tell that they had come for him.

From their lack of surprise at Long Chen’s position beside the mountain lord, it was clear they knew exactly who he was. There was no confusion, only calculation.

Zhao Manjiang and Qingyu exchanged the usual polite words. Only after sufficient flattery and formality did Zhao Manjiang have a chance to introduce themselves.

Zhao Manjiang was an assistant palace master of the Jiuli Divine Palace. Contrary to Sovereign Mountain, the Jiuli Divine Palace had four palace masters and eight assistant palace masters.

The assistant palace masters were the left and right hands of the four palace masters. Thus, an assistant palace master was a very high position. But of course, it was a level inferior to the mountain lord.

That was why Qingyu had simply waited inside the palace to welcome them. If they were on equal status, she would have gone out to welcome them.

After the formalities were done, Zhao Manjiang finally got to the point.

“I have come this time to strengthen the unity between the Jiuli and violet blood races. In the future, we will have our tribulations together, paving a path for the ten thousand races. Also…” Zhao Manjiang looked at Long Chen. “The Long clan of the Jiuli race wishes to formally invite Long Chen to return.”

Long Chen didn’t respond. He neither bowed nor spoke, simply looking at Zhao Manjiang in silence.

The atmosphere turned awkward very soon.

The eight Sovereign Lords behind Zhao Manjiang frowned, and the disciples glared in open irritation. It seemed that Long Chen was even more insolent than the rumors had claimed.

Even Qingyu couldn’t bear it and gently said, “Long Chen, you are a disciple of my violet blood race, but you also carry the Jiuli bloodline. Assistant Palace Master Manjiang has traveled far to see you. Regardless of the past, his effort alone deserves your courtesy.”

Qingyu was urging Long Chen to speak and not escalate things further.

Zhao Manjiang added, “Long Chen, I’m aware of your conflicts with the Long clan and others. But the past is the past. Right and wrong no longer matter. What’s important is the present—the Jiuli Tower has awakened.”

A visible ripple of shock ran through the room.

“All the Jiuli race’s top heavenly geniuses are undergoing their final bloodline awakening inside the Jiuli Tower before stepping into the Human Emperor realm. You are also qualified to enter. If you miss this opportunity, you may regret it for the rest of your life. We came for this, and this alone.”

Even Qingyu was shocked to hear this. The Jiuli Tower had awakened? That was one of the ten great primal chaos divine items.

But why had it awakened, while the violet blood race’s Violet Gold Bell still slumbered? After all, the Violet Gold Bell was also a primal chaos divine item.

The Violet Gold Bell and the Jiuli Tower were equals—divine treasures that held the karmic luck of their respective races. The idea that the Jiuli Tower had awakened first deeply unsettled the violet blood experts.

“He is lying… The Jiuli Tower has not awoken.”

The Earth Cauldron’s voice rang out in Long Chen’s mind.

Long Chen had already suspected something was off. He refused to believe that the prideful Jiuli race would send such a powerful delegation just to invite a single disciple—especially one who wasn’t even a Sovereign sprout.

“Is their target me… or you?” Long Chen asked.

“I would say both. They want to use my power to quicken the recovery of the Jiuli Tower,” replied the Earth Cauldron.

As Zhao Manjiang continued to drone on about unity and sincerity, Long Chen’s gaze turned icy. The cold killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable.

And then, he finally opened his mouth.

Just one word.

“Scram.”