Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 432 Rewards Bestowed By Then Emperor!
Previously on Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!...
As soon as the Emperor took his seat, the entire mood within the Grand Ceremonial Hall shifted in an instant.
Individuals at the Great Ascension Realm even sensed a natural burden weighing on their forms—not the crushing power from cultivation levels, but a presence that stirred deeper unease.
Authority!
The type forged through endless years of sovereign command.
Once more, the Emperor's eyes scanned the chamber, moving with measured intent. He showed no haste. He held back his words for the moment.
It was only when complete silence enveloped the hall that he at last began to speak.
"Today," the Emperor declared steadily, his tone balanced without excess volume, still resonating sharply into every part of the expansive space, "we mark our triumph!"
His statement remained straightforward.
"The Demonic Forces stand driven back. The Beast Tide lies shattered. The Desolate Heaven Empire's frontiers endure unbroken."
He halted for a short interval.
"No single soul brought about this success."
His look drifted over each group assembled there.
"The clans."
"The sects."
"The commanders and cultivators holding the vanguard."
"And the Cultivators who sacrificed their blood."
The Emperor gave a subtle nod—barely noticeable.
"For this, this Emperor recognizes your efforts."
Those words held profound gravity.
As though he towered over all who gathered.
In a realm such as the Starfall Empire, such a pronouncement could pass as routine.
Yet within the Desolate Heaven Empire, things stood apart.
Families like the Bai, Li, and Zhao held status close to that of the Imperial Family itself.
Declarations of this sort seldom—if ever—surfaced before them.
But on this day, the Emperor voiced it without pause.
He asserted his dominion openly.
Curiously, the Bai, Li, and Zhao Clans appeared unperturbed by it.
For they understood that mere words held no value.
True power alone counted.
Next, the Emperor's attention turned.
It focused more sharply toward a particular spot.
The Bai Clan!
And right in their midst—
Bai Zihan!
The Emperor's stare rested there just a touch longer than required.
Not in an overt manner.
Still, Bai Zihan perceived it distinctly.
(Hostility?)
No!
It lacked that blunt edge.
It resembled... scrutiny.
Bai Zihan maintained his composed stance, face impassive, breaths even.
On the surface, he matched the tales perfectly—a disabled youth showing no signs of qi.
(This Emperor...)
The reality before him clashed with the reports in his possession.
Assuming Kong Zhanhong's account proved true—and Bai Zihan placed faith in it—this Emperor ought not to occupy that throne.
Unless—
(A fleeting restoration? Or an imposter?)
The latter choice appeared unlikely amid such a throng of masters.
Anyone other than the well-known Emperor would face swift exposure.
So the former?
That held water.
Certain elixirs existed to briefly revive one's life force—despite the harsh consequences later.
Though scarce and invaluable, such items remained virtually unknown in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
What truly lay behind it?
Only heaven knew!
Another possibility: the Emperor had faked his ailment for years to mislead foes, much like Bai Zihan's own scheme.
Yet if so, Bai Zihan puzzled over the timing of this unveiling.
Regardless—
Bai Zihan resolved to probe this matter further.
In the meantime, the Emperor pressed on.
"Deeds deserve recompense. This gathering serves precisely that purpose."
With that, he lifted his hand in a faint motion.
Imperial servants advanced at the signal, bearing items encased in glowing arrays.
Though still concealed, their emanating essence alone quickened pulses and stole breaths.
The Emperor's tone sounded again.
"The foremost achievement," he announced evenly, "falls to Grand Elder Bai Ren."
The instant the name resounded across the hall, numerous eyes darted toward the aged form amid the Bai Clan's lineup.
Bai Ren advanced with unhurried steps.
This figure had himself struck down Gou You, a key figure in the Demonic Sect.
The one who tracked and eliminated a Half-Qilin—a being seen as utter disaster.
His accomplishments stood beyond dispute.
"The defeat of Gou You."
"The destruction of the Half-Qilin."
"Thus," the Emperor went on, "your deeds claim the top honor."
Following his cue, a servant approached and displayed the prizes. Murmurs of awe spread through the assembly.
Ten vials of crystal hovered upward, each marked by scarlet seals.
Within, a dense red essence swirled lazily, pulsing with fearsome life force.
"Ten vials of Half-Qilin Refined Blood."
Even Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian failed to mask their shifting faces.
The purified essence from a Half-Qilin could reshape a common cultivator's fate.
Ten vials—
Under an alchemist's craft, they might yield superior elixirs.
Treasures like these evaded grasp, no matter the fortune spent.
Following that—
Yet another servant came forth.
A set of protective gear materialized in the air.
Plates gleamed akin to liquid ore, fitted without flaw, inscribed with intricate guard sigils.
A subtle feral aura emanated—timeless and commanding.
"A Mid Heaven-Grade Armor, forged from the Half-Qilin's own skin."
Silence gripped the chamber.
Mid Heaven-Grade!
Such an item proved exceptionally scarce, even among elite families.
Armed with this gear—and a Saint-Grade blade—who dared challenge Bai Ren for real?
Bai Ren received the gifts with poise, offering a light fist salute.
"This old man expresses gratitude to the Emperor."
The Emperor gave a single nod.
His focus moved onward.
"The next honor," he stated, "goes to the leader who guarded the Northern Defense Line."
Attention converged. "Commander Wei Zongyuan."
Commander Wei moved ahead.
His gear stayed simple, demeanor firm—yet the admiration filling the space was clear.
Differing from Bai Ren's dominant personal might, his role varied.
"Prior to aid's arrival," the Emperor noted, "you defended the Northern Defense Line from ceaseless demonic onslaughts."
"Later, you steadied the field, directed the pushback, and prevented further havoc from taking lives."
"Without your leadership," he added flatly, "the Northern Defense Line would have crumbled."
Doubt found no foothold.
A breach there would have devoured vast lands.
Countless souls perished in imagination alone.
"Therefore," the Emperor declared, "your honor places second."
Presents kept flowing—from Immortal Realm powerhouses, then to Commander Wei of the Great Ascension Realm.
Afterward followed heads of clans and sect leaders, honored not just for their own feats, but their groups' overall input.
The Bai Clan gained extra lands plus a hefty portion of demonic beast cores and supplies.
The Li and Zhao Clans came after.
And finally—
The Emperor uttered once more. "Now," he intoned deliberately,
"Bai Zihan of the Bai Clan!"