The other ancestors calmly sat there after Splendorous made her demand without being taken aback This was all part of their plan.
The disciples outside the hall were staring at Li Qiye with different emotions - mainly negative towards Li Qiye.
They didnât know what was about to happen. Only the members of the upper echelon were part of the planning.
Li Qiye looked at the saintess and smiled: âSo ultimately, all of you wish to deny this marriage and have it annulled.â
âThatâs right.â The saintess coldly said: âMarriage is the most significant event in life where the partiesâ social status must be in harmony. You are no longer the king of Nine Secrets, and War Saint is heading for destruction, no longer on the same level as Godstep Sect! Be smart and personally back off instead of doing something so senseless.â
Splendorous made it clear enough without holding anything back. This was indeed the case - marriage was of the utmost importance. Before everything became decided, she grasped the best opportunity in order to change her fate.
She would never marry this incapable king and be connected with him in the future.
She had unlimited potential, not only beautiful but also talented. How could she agree to a husband like him? She was a phoenix soaring on the horizon and couldnât be tied down to a man like this. The nine firmaments were her goal!
âSocial status must be in harmony? You? You arenât qualified to bring that up before me.â Li Qiye smiled and shook his head.
âYou!â The saintess turned red and glared at him, anger churning deep inside.
âYouâre just a homeless dog right now, stop boasting so shamelessly!â A disciple outside yelled with indignation.
Even White Crane Young Noble scoffed in response: âCanât even appreciate a favor.â
âAhem.â Heavenly Crane interrupted everyone and revealed a smile: âYour Majesty, the young ones are too impetuous, please forgive them.â
Li Qiye didnât respond, only staring at Heavenly Crane with a thick smirk.
The sect master said seriously: âYour Majesty, we are one of the five great powers in Nine Secrets, so we can keep our words and have no intention of changing our mind about the marriageâ¦â
âFather!â The saintess was alarmed. This was completely different from her request so she became afraid that her father might actually marry her off.
âAhem.â Heavenly Crane coughed again and continued: âYour Majesty, our saintess should indeed marry you as long as everything fitsâ¦â
âFather! I rather die than marrying this useless king!â The saintess was astounded and cried out.
âBehave!â Heavenly Crane acted awe-inspiringly just like a sect master and raised his voice: âIt is not your place to speak during an important event for the sect.â
The saintess angrily stomped her foot before stepping to the side. She didnât dare to act impudently before the ancestors.
Meanwhile, White Crane Young Noble was surprised. He didnât expect this development after hearing his master.
Heavenly Crane continued: âYour Majesty, because of our sectâs status, the marriage of our saintess is a grand event and canât be taken lightly. Donât you agree?â
âAnd?â Li Qiye smiled, seemingly amused.
âYour Majesty, my daughter will marry you soon, so it is about time for you to present the bride token. May I ask what you have in mind?â Heavenly Crane smiled heartily.
âWhat do you want?â Li Qiye leisurely asked.
Heavenly Crane went on: âYour Majesty, as you already know, I only have one daughter and Godstep only has one saintess. Her marriage should be grand, thatâs only appropriate for a man of your stature. In my opinion, the bride token requires five True Emperor Treasures, at the very least.â
The saintessâ eyes became wide open. This was the opposite of her expectation.
White Crane Young Noble smirked, realizing his masterâs intent.
The ancestors remained calm, not surprised in the slightest.
Meanwhile, the disciples outside the hall took a deep breath. This was definitely a big ask. Their sect didnât have that many imperial treasures, and definitely couldnât afford to give them away for any reason, whether it be a dowry or bride token.
They calmed down then stared at Li Qiye with a gloating smile, full of disdain. They believed that this fallen king would never be able to afford this much.
âAnd if I canât?â Li Qiye smiled.
Heavenly Crane replied: âYour Majesty, if you canât afford this bride token, then there is nothing we can do. After all, how can we marry away our golden daughter without enough consideration? This is your inability to marry her, meaning that this marriage will be nullified, and the fault is on you, not us. Please understand.â
The initially-unhappy saintess revealed an excited expression, finally understanding what her father was trying to do. He came up with a perfect excuse to end the marriage without suffering criticism.
If Li Qiye couldnât handle this bride token, then the marriage would be over. It was his own fault for being unable to fulfill his obligation, no longer an issue of their sect reneging.
âCanât even handle the bride token? Stop dreaming about marrying our saintess then.â The ones outside started whispering among themselves.
Everyone was waiting for Li Qiye, including the ancestors and Heavenly Crane. They all had a flash of greed in their eyes, albeit barely noticeable.
This was because Li Qiye used his sphere to injure White Crane yesterday. This was an incredible treasure.
It wasnât surprising for him to possess something like this since he must have had access to War Saint Dynastyâs treasury - the largest one in Nine Secrets.
Thus, Heavenly Crane wanted to know how many treasures Li Qiye took with him. Just thinking about this made him greedy.
If Li Qiye had enough on him, perhaps even an ancestral weapon, it would be a godsend opportunity for their sect. They would never stop until they take it all from him.
During his reign, Lucidity King had taken numerous treasures from Imperial and filled the dynastyâs vault. It contained highly-coveted items. Perhaps Li Qiye had taken some or even all of them before leaving War Saint Dynasty.
âFive imperial treasures? It's no big deal.â Li Qiye casually said.
Everyone was stunned, including Heavenly Crane. He didnât expect for Li Qiye to agree so fast.
âNonsense! Do you think imperial treasures are mere cabbages? That someone can just take out five of them?â White Crane sneered.
âOnly five imperial treasures, not five ancestral treasures - itâs no problem.â Li Qiye smiled.