The Eternal Supreme Chapter 2402: Who is the Alliance master?
Previously on The Eternal Supreme...
A message token suddenly streaked into the hall from the outside. Upon catching and reading it, Yunxiao’s face lit up with joy, and he vanished from the hall in an instant.
Ding Ling’er had been waiting patiently outside for quite some time. Seeing him emerge, she stepped forward and said, "Big brother Yunxiao, Lord Mu Di sent word the moment he heard of your return. He wishes to see you."
"I understand," Yunxiao replied. "I should certainly pay him a visit."
His previous discussion with Ancient God Maha had left him feeling troubled, and he hoped to get Mu Lindi’s perspective on the matter.
Lingmu Di was currently in seclusion within a spiritual mountain located in the Heavenly River of the Sanctuary.
Traveling by a beam of light, Yunxiao arrived in a matter of moments. Sensing Lingmu Di’s presence, he teleported toward the location with a sense of anticipation.
He found Lingmu Di and Bei Zhinan sitting across from one another in a meditative posture. Thick Qi radiated from their forms as they continued their recovery process.
Yunxiao was startled by their appearance. Both men were in terrible condition, suggesting that the massive conflict five years prior had left them with deep, lingering injuries.
Detecting his arrival, Lingmu Di and Beifeng Nan opened their eyes. They broke their hand seals and turned toward him.
"My health is poor," Lingmu Di said with a nod. "I cannot stand to greet you properly. I hope the Lord Alliance Leader will forgive my lack of etiquette."
Yunxiao quickly cupped his fists in respect and said, "Your Excellency must be joking. You praise me too much."
"Young Master Yun is the head of the Heavenly Martial Alliance," Lingmu Di said, smiling. "One must maintain decorum. Without it, where would your authority lie?"
Yunxiao’s expression shifted slightly. "Speaking of the Alliance Leader position, I actually came to consult Lord Mu Di on a certain matter. But first, may I ask why you were looking for me?"
"Oh?" Lingmu Di asked, surprised. "What is on your mind?"
After a brief moment of reflection, Yunxiao asked, "If I were to depart, who would take over the leadership of the Heavenly Martial Alliance?"
"What?"
Lingmu Di, Beifeng Nan, and Ding Ling’er were all visibly stunned, staring at him in disbelief.
"Young Master Yun is the only one fit for the role," Lingmu Di remarked. "No one else possesses the qualifications to serve as the chief of the Heavenly Martial Alliance." Noticing the shadow of worry on Yunxiao’s face, he added, "Did something occur?"
Yunxiao proceeded to recount his meeting with Ancient God Maha within the Super Mysterious Space.
The three listeners were left speechless.
Ding Ling’er’s heart raced, and a flash of dread crossed her features. She asked with a trembling voice, "Big brother Yunxiao is leaving? Leaving this world behind?"
"A final decision hasn't been made," Yunxiao said with a faint, bitter smile. "However, it is highly probable."
Lingmu Di remained in a daze for a long time before speaking. "I never imagined such a secret existed. The universe is so vast; we truly are no more significant than ants."
Beiming Nan let out a weary sigh and shook his head with a wry smile.
Ding Ling’er was overwhelmed by fear and confusion. Eventually, she found the strength to ask, "What will become of us if big brother Yunxiao leaves? What about me, Hongyan, sister Yunshang, sister Shuixian, little sister Qianqian, and Xiao Hong?"
"Do not fret," Yunxiao reassured her. "Even if I exit this world, I can eventually force open a passage to return. If Ancient God Maha and his peers could transport me using the Cosmic Disk, they can surely travel here with their physical bodies. It will simply be a very difficult process."
Despite his words, Ding Ling’er looked as though her world was crumbling. Without Yunxiao, she felt she would have no anchor and no sense of direction in life.
Yunxiao’s heart pained him as he took her hand. "Have faith in me. Once I have settled in that place, I will open the way and bring you to join me."
Ding Ling’er forced a small smile. "Ling’er is not very bright, and my Cultivation is quite weak. I fear my natural lifespan won't last long enough to wait for big brother Yunxiao. I suppose I will have to rely on the Eternal Celestial Technique."
"Don't worry," Yunxiao said with total sincerity. "My goal is to achieve immortality and wander the stars. If I cannot be with those I love, what point is there in becoming the master of the Ten Thousand Worlds?"
Ding Ling’er felt a wave of warmth in her heart. Feeling the strength in Yunxiao’s grip, she nodded, feeling much more at ease.
Lingmu Di sighed deeply. "If Young Master Yun leaves, the vacancy for the Heavenly Martial Alliance leader becomes a grave problem."
"Not necessarily," Yunxiao countered. "Lord Mu Di could shoulder the burden. In truth, there is no one else I would trust with this position."
"Hahahaha!"
Lingmu Di laughed, though the sound was hollow and lonely. "If I had a few more centuries of life left in me, I might have said yes."
Both Yunxiao and Ding Ling’er stiffened, sensing the hidden meaning in his words.
"What are you saying, My Lord?" Yunxiao asked, his voice full of concern.
"Both His Lordship and I are reaching the end of our natural lives," Beifeng Nan explained with a sad smile.
"What?"
The pair were devastated, their faces clouding over with grief.
"Please do not worry, my Lords," Ding Ling’er said urgently. "I will scour the world for every spiritual herb capable of extending one's life."
Lingmu Di shook his head. "There is no need. At our level of Cultivation, what worldly medicine could possibly help? There is no point in wasting your resources and effort."
"Lord Mu Di is correct," beifeng Nan agreed. "The primary reason we wanted to see you was to say our goodbyes. We feared that if we didn't meet now, we would have to resort to the Eternal Celestial Technique. I didn't think you would present us with such a difficult dilemma."
Seeing Yunxiao’s sorrowful expression, Lingmu Di chuckled. "With all we have experienced, do you think we haven't made peace with life and death? There is no need for sadness. Regarding a successor for the Heavenly Martial Alliance, I do have someone to suggest."
"Who is it?" Yunxiao inquired.
"Wei Qing," Lingmu Di stated.
Yunxiao’s face darkened slightly. He hesitated, though he didn't voice his objection immediately.
"Haha!" Lingmu Di laughed suddenly. "It appears the Alliance Leader was already considering him."
"Wei Qing is indeed a strong candidate," Yunxiao admitted with a nod. "In terms of raw talent, strategic thinking, and sheer ambition, he is unparalleled. My concern is that his moral compass is skewed. In a world of chaos, he is a fantastic ally. But in a time of peace, a man like that tends to stir up trouble."
"I share those worries," Lingmu Di said. "While the Alliance Leader is present, you can keep him in check. But if you leave this world, I doubt anyone would be capable of suppressing Wei Qing in every aspect."
"If that is the case," Yunxiao asked, "why would My Lord still recommend him?"
Lingmu Di gave a faint smile, but his gaze turned icy. "That depends on your resolve, Alliance Leader. If Wei Qing cannot be utilized safely, I would suggest removing him immediately to prevent a future catastrophe. Once you are gone, nobody will be able to stand against him."
Yunxiao looked conflicted. "Che You is a True Dragon of this era. He should be able to maintain the peace of the Heavenly Martial Realm."
Lingmu Di laughed. "Che You is a powerful warrior, but he lacks the mind for grand strategy. He won't be able to match Wei Qing's schemes in the long run. You only say that to comfort yourself. If you truly believed he could restrain Wei Qing, you wouldn't be asking for my advice."
Yunxiao remained torn, his palms beginning to sweat. "Kill Wei Qing? And if I do, who would be left to lead the Alliance?"
Lingmu Di thought for a moment. "Wei Qing is a rare genius, but there are others. If the world could be brought to follow her, Miss Ling’er would be an excellent choice. However, her current prestige is too low to command the respect of the masses."
"Lord Mu Di, you overrate me. I couldn't possibly do it," Ding Ling’er interjected quickly.
"You are too humble, Miss Ling’er. Your contributions have been vital," Lingmu Di said kindly. "It is simply that in a world where martial prowess is everything, people often overlook your achievements."
"What if we appointed Wei Qing as the leader but established a council of Elders to limit his power?" Yunxiao suggested.
"That would not work!"
"A man of his genius," Lingmu Di said gravely, "must either be trusted completely with the world, or be destroyed. If you give him power but surround him with obstacles, it will only breed resentment. He would likely cause trouble just to spite you, making things even worse."
"Kill Wei Qing... sigh."
Yunxiao was clearly struggling to make such a cold-blooded decision.
"The Alliance Leader is only thinking about the internal state of the Alliance," Lingmu Di noted. "Have you considered the broader state of the Heavenly Martial Realm, or the relationship with the Devil Realm?"
Yunxiao cupped his fists. "What are you implying? Please, Lord Mu Di, explain."
"You are the only person the Demon Race respects," Lingmu Di observed. "Once you depart, a massive void will open between us and the Monster Race, the Demon Race, and even the Sea Race. Who will manage those diplomatic ties?"
"Wei Qing spent years in the Devil Realm," Yunxiao said seriously. "He has strong ties with the Fiends. He is actually the best person to handle inter-realm affairs. As for the Demon Race, Ai Hui is on good terms with Tian Zhaozi and Yuan Gaohan; they can bridge the gap through the Alchemist and Art paths. Regarding the Four Seas, they have lost most of their powerhouses and won't be a concern for millennia."
"Then it seems we are even more dependent on Wei Qing," Lingmu Di laughed. "Inter-realm stability is paramount. Yet, his character remains a massive hurdle."
Yunxiao felt a headache coming on. He suddenly remembered Yuan, the female Holy Demon who had once been obsessed with killing him. They had formed a temporary truce to fight the Six-Winged Clan, but now that the threat was gone, would she resume her vendetta?
He wasn't personally afraid of her, but if she decided to take her anger out on the Heavenly Martial Realm after his departure, it would be a disaster.
If he left, the only ones who could potentially face Yuan were Che You and Jiu Yuan. However, Lord Jiu Yuan’s current status was unknown, and even if he lived, his personality made it unlikely he would intervene.
A cold, murderous intent flickered in Yunxiao’s eyes. He contemplated whether he should enter the Devil World and eliminate Yuan before leaving to ensure safety.
Noticing the change in his gaze, Lingmu Di asked what he was thinking.
Yunxiao shared his concerns regarding Yuan.
Lingmu Di pondered this for a moment. "In that case, it would be best for you to visit the Devil World and try to resolve the conflict with Yuan peacefully. If that fails, then you must kill her to prevent future chaos!"