The Judge's Turn Rotates; Next Year, It Comes to My House.

Elder Wu Gu could finally listen no longer. He stood up, his voice hoarse and piercing: "Elder Jiang Cang, I have a question for you."

Jiang Cang paused for a moment and said indifferently, "Speak."

"You just said that the Tianque Holy Land, together with the other fifteen Holy Lands, suppressed three hundred and seventy-two supernatural anomalies over the past century, saving tens of millions of lives. I want to ask—of these three hundred and seventy-two anomalies, how many occurred in the Southern Frontier?"

Jiang Cang fell silent for a moment. "Zero."

Wu Gu sneered, his laughter filled with mockery. "What about the Western Borders?"

"Zero."

"The Northern Regions?"

"Zero."

"The Eastern Wastelands?"

"Zero."

Wu Gu threw his head back and laughed aloud, his laughter carrying a suppressed anger and bitterness that had been bottled up for an unknown number of years.

"What a great gathering of the world! What a great response to the supernatural revival! Are the anomalies suppressed by your Central Province the only anomalies, and the ones in our four regions are not? Are the lives in your Central Province the only lives, and those in our four regions are not? In the past century, the thirty-six nations of the Southern Frontier have had twelve cities swallowed by supernatural anomalies, with no less than eight million dead! Have your sixteen Holy Lands of the Central Province ever sent a single person? Have you ever contributed a single ounce of effort?"

Jiang Cang replied indifferently, "Anomalies in each region should naturally be resolved by the respective regions. The existence of the Kunlun Assembly is to coordinate the grand scheme of the world, not to—"

"Bullshit!" Wu Gu was furious. "Then on what grounds do you monopolize the providence of heaven and earth? On what grounds do you make our four regions hand over spirit stones, divine materials, and heaven-chosen geniuses year after year to bleed for your Holy Lands? You take the best resources, cultivate the strongest cultivators, and then tell us—each region must solve its own problems? Is there such logic in this world?!"

These words were spoken with resonant power, ringing loud and clear.

The leaders of the thirty-six nations of the Southern Frontier stood up one after another, glaring angrily.

Although the monks of the Western Borders' Buddhist kingdom did not stand, the sound of their chanting noticeably quieted down, replaced by a silent suppression. Tuoba Xiong of the Northern Regions clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Upon the high platform of the sixteen Holy Lands, there was a blanket of silence.

Jiang Tianchen's expression remained unchanged, though a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.

"Elder Wu Gu." His voice remained placid. "I understand your feelings. However, the distribution plan for the providence of heaven and earth is an ancestral system established jointly by the Martial Gods ten thousand years ago; it cannot be altered by you or me. On behalf of the Central Province, I express regret for the Southern Frontier's losses. If the Southern Frontier truly faces an unmanageable supernatural disaster, you may formally submit a request for aid to the Kunlun Assembly, and the Assembly will use its discretion—use its discretion—"

He weighed his words carefully, "to consider dispatching support."

Wu Gu was almost driven to laughter by his anger. A request for aid? Use its discretion to consider? By the time you finish your procedures, the Southern Frontier will have long been swallowed whole by the anomalies, without even bones remaining!

He was just about to speak again when he suddenly heard a sigh from behind him.

Wang Hao stood up and patted Wu Gu on the shoulder.

"Elder Wu Gu, forget it. There's no reasoning with them."

His voice was not loud, but everyone present was a cultivator, each with sharp ears and keen eyes, and they heard him crystal clear.

"The sixteen Holy Lands of the Central Province have controlled the Kunlun Assembly for ten thousand years; they've long grown accustomed to acting high and mighty. In their eyes, our Eastern Wastelands are barbarians, the Southern Frontier is a Gu-poison nest, the Western Borders are bald donkey temples, and the Northern Regions are snow rats. In short, none of us are human. Since we are barbarians, we deserve to be oppressed. Since it's a Gu nest, it deserves to be swallowed by anomalies. Since they are bald donkey temples, they deserve to chant sutras until they die. Since they are snow rats, they deserve to freeze to death in the ice and snow."

His tone was as relaxed as if he were making small talk, but every single word stabbed like a knife into the hearts of the higher-ups of the sixteen Holy Lands.

Jiang Tianchen's expression finally changed.

Not out of anger, but because every word Wang Hao spoke was inciting the emotions of the four regions. He looked around and saw the flames igniting in the eyes of the Southern Frontier leaders, the monks of the Western Borders gripping their prayer beads tightly, and the snowfield men of the Northern Regions clenching their jaws. Although the seven hundred thousand iron cavalry of the Eastern Wastelands were stationed at the foot of the mountain, the more than forty Sky Soaring Realm experts of the Eastern Wastelands all stood up. They stood behind Wang Hao, their gazes sweeping like blades toward the high platform of the sixteen Holy Lands.

And Wang Hao continued speaking.

"However, Elder Wu Gu, don't be too angry. The cultivators of the Central Province don't have it easy either—think about it, they grew up in this treasured land of feng shui in the Central Province, with enough spiritual energy and boundless resources. Their cultivation speed is as fast as riding a rocket. But when they look up, they find that country bumpkins from poor places like the Eastern Wastelands can actually cultivate to the Sky Soaring Realm, can actually comprehend the Sword Heart, and can actually smack down thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens with just three palm strikes. This feeling is like a pampered young lady discovering that the scullery maid is prettier than she is."

"Be understanding. Anyone would find that hard to swallow."

The entire venue fell dead silent.

Then, someone laughed.

It wasn't just one person; it was a whole crowd. The leaders of the Southern Frontier were the first to lose control, bursting into hearty laughter. Among the Western Borders monks, a young monk couldn't hold it back and let out a snort. He was glared at by Zen Master Du'e, but the Zen Master's own mouth was twitching slightly. The snowfield men of the Northern Regions laughed like a pack of roaring bears, their voices shaking the very seats.

The top ten heaven-chosen geniuses of the Eastern Wastelands laughed out loud without holding back. Wanyan Gu laughed until tears came to his eyes, and Ye Guyun, in a rare display, curled the corners of his lips.

Up on the high platform of the sixteen Holy Lands, the faces of the sixteen sect masters and representatives turned ashen.

Wang Hao wasn't finished. He turned around, faced the high platform of the sixteen Holy Lands, cupped his hands in a salute, and flashed a beaming smile.

"But having said all that, Sect Master Jiang, I have a small suggestion."

Jiang Tianchen forcefully suppressed his anger: "Speak."

"Your sixteen Holy Lands of the Central Province sit high above, judging the world, putting on quite the grand display. But I feel that, as judges, you should have some real skill. You sit on your white jade platform, looking down on the masses like judges. But what if one day, a barbarian sitting on the green jade seats stands up and smashes the white jade platform to pieces with a single punch—wouldn't the judges look rather pathetic?"

His voice suddenly turned ice-cold.

"So I advise all you sect masters, while your white jade platform is still intact, to thoroughly enjoy the feeling of looking down on others. Because—"

He smiled, revealing eight white teeth.

"You might not be able to enjoy that feeling for much longer."

After saying this, he swaggered back to his green jade seat, crossed his legs, peeled another Fire Spirit Fruit, and ate it with juices splattering everywhere.

On the high platform of the sixteen Holy Lands, the sixteen sect masters stood up in unison.

A terrifying aura descended from the sky, like sixteen massive mountains pressing down simultaneously on the entire Tianxu Peak. Among the tens of thousands of observing cultivators, those with weaker cultivation bases collapsed directly to the ground, finding it difficult even to breathe. Elder Wu Gu's expression changed, and he was just about to summon his Gu insects for defense when he saw that Wang Hao was still sitting with his legs crossed, not having even shifted his posture.

Above his head, a seven-story black pagoda had appeared at some unknown point.

The doors to the first floor of the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda were already open. White lightning surged within the pagoda, and an equally terrifying aura shot into the sky, clashing head-on with the oppressive might of the sixteen sect masters.

Boom!

In the airspace above Tianxu Peak, spiritual energy exploded, and the winds and clouds changed color.

The sixteen sect masters simultaneously took a half-step back.

Wang Hao kept his legs crossed, eating his fruit, and looking at them with a beaming smile.

Sect Leaders, let's not be so hot-tempered. The sixteen of you against me alone is a guaranteed win, but I also have over forty Skysoar Realm experts behind me, and seven hundred thousand iron cavalry stationed at the foot of the mountain. Are you sure you want to make a move here?

Jiang Tianchen stared fixedly at the black tower hovering above Wang Hao's head, a trace of apprehension flashing deep in his pupils.

It wasn't the tower he feared, but Wang Hao himself.

He was at the peak of the Skysoar Realm, and he could tell Wang Hao was as well. However, there was a vast gap even between peak Skysoar Realm cultivators. When Wang Hao flipped thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens with just three palm strikes, Jiang Tianchen had watched the entire process through a jade slip. The sheer power of those three strikes, especially the third one infused with the power of the Lightning Phoenix, was infinitely close to the destructive force of the Martial God Realm.

Moreover, this brat was full of schemes, ruthless and black-hearted. If they fought now, no one knew what other hidden cards he might play.

More importantly, today was the opening day of the Kunlun Assembly. The Sixteen Holy Lands considered themselves the hosts; if they started a brawl with the Emperor of the Eastern Wasteland on the White Jade Square on the very first day, the Kunlun Assembly would become a complete joke.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Tianchen slowly sat back down in the main seat.

Wang Hao. It was the first time he addressed him directly by name. Today is the opening of the Kunlun Assembly, so I will not stoop to your level. But I will remember every single word you said.

Cupping his hands with a smile, Wang Hao said, Sect Leader Jiang is truly magnanimous, I am in awe. By the way, those words I just said, do you think they made sense?

Jiang Tianchen closed his eyes, deciding not to speak another word to this man.

Elder Wu Gu watched this scene from the side, his heart filled with unparalleled shock. Having lived for over three hundred years, he had seen countless heroes and champions, yet he had never met anyone quite like Wang Hao. This guy clearly only had the cultivation of the peak Skysoar Realm, yet he could chat and laugh effortlessly in front of a group of Half-Step Martial Gods. Where did his confidence come from? Just a tower? Impossible. Wu Gu faintly sensed that this Emperor of the Eastern Wasteland harbored something far more terrifying than the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Tower.

He secretly sent a voice transmission to Wang Hao: Your Majesty, you just said that the Southern Borders is nothing but a Gu-poison nest in the eyes of the Central State. I have taken note of those words.

Wang Hao replied, Elder Wu Gu, I didn't say that to offend you, but to make you understand a truth. In the eyes of the Central State, your Southern Borders and my Eastern Wasteland are grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If they can squeeze you today, they can squeeze me tomorrow. If we fight our own separate battles, we will forever be lambs to the slaughter. But if we join hands—

He didn't finish his sentence.

But Wu Gu already understood.

If the thirty-six nations of the Southern Borders were singled out, they were nothing before the Central State. The same went for the twenty-six Buddhist domains of the Western Reaches. The Northern Domain's snowy plains were not even worth mentioning. Although the Eastern Wasteland was strong, with a monstrous emperor like Wang Hao holding the fort, their foundation still couldn't compare to the Central State's ten thousand years of accumulation. But what if the four domains joined forces?

That would be a power capable of shaking the very foundations of the world.

Wu Gu remained silent for a moment before sending back, What does Your Majesty want?

Wang Hao's reply came swiftly: I want nothing. I just want the seating arrangement at the Kunlun Assembly to be reorganized.

A sharp glint flashed in Wu Gu's eyes.

Reorganized how?

Wang Hao smiled.

The seat of the judge rotates; next year, it comes to my house.

The first day's meeting ended hastily in a bizarre atmosphere.

When Jiang Tianchen announced the adjournment, the sun had only just begun to set in the west. According to the original agenda, the first day was supposed to conclude at least the first sub-topic on the resurgence of anomalies. But after Wang Hao's disruption, the sect leaders of the Sixteen Holy Lands collectively lost their composure and had no mood to continue.

As the crowd dispersed, tens of thousands of cultivators filed out, their discussions buzzing like a swarm of bees. Everyone was talking about the earth-shattering remarks made by the Emperor of the Eastern Wasteland. Some cursed him for being arrogant and ignorant, others praised his extraordinary courage, but even more were guessing—what would happen tomorrow?

The sect leaders of the Sixteen Holy Lands did not leave Tianxu Peak. They gathered in a secret hall deep within the Kunlun Law Enforcement Palace. Sixteen figures sat around a massive jade table, their faces as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

This brat must be eliminated, Perfected Chiyan, Sect Leader of the Chixiao Holy Land, was the first to speak. His voice sounded like churning magma. Today he dares to openly provoke the Sixteen Holy Lands on the White Jade Square; tomorrow he will dare to lead his army up Kunlun Mountain. Such a person cannot be left alive.

Li Tianxing, Sect Leader of the Starfall Holy Land, said in a deep voice, How do we eliminate him? That tower above his head is the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Tower, ranked fifty-sixth on the Anomaly Artifacts List. It can unleash the white lightning of a Martial God. You saw his personal combat strength as well; he defeated thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens with three palm strikes, including your own son. Furthermore, there are seven hundred thousand iron cavalry stationed at the foot of the mountain. This is Kunlun's territory; we cannot be the first to strike.

So we just let him continue to be arrogant? Su Muzhe, Sect Leader of the Falling Cloud Holy Land and the only female sect leader, spoke with a voice as cold as ice. Today he incited the four domains to join forces against the Central State. If he succeeds, the ten-thousand-year ancestral system will be ruined in a single day.

Dugu Yijian, Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land—whose very name was Dugu Yijian—spoke calmly: His incitement has already succeeded. Before that old poison Wu Gu of the Southern Borders left, he invited Du'e of the Western Reaches and Tuoba Xiong of the Northern Domain to a banquet at the Eastern Wasteland's camp tonight. Do you think they are just going there to eat?

Silence fell over the secret hall.

After a long while, Jiang Tianchen spoke.

For tomorrow's second meeting, the original agenda was to discuss the distribution plan for the world's fortune. He paused. According to the ancestral system, the Central State takes fifty percent exclusively, and the four domains share the remaining fifty percent. The Eastern Wasteland gets twenty percent, the Southern Borders fifteen percent, the Western Reaches ten percent, and the Northern Domain five percent.

This plan has been implemented for over ten thousand years, Li Tianxing nodded. We just need to read it out as usual tomorrow.

Jiang Tianchen remained silent for a moment before suddenly saying, Let's change it.

Everyone was stunned.

Change it how?

The Eastern Wasteland will be reduced to ten percent. The Southern Borders, Western Reaches, and Northern Domain will remain unchanged. Jiang Tianchen's tone brokered no argument. Since Wang Hao wants to be the alliance leader of the four domains, let him pay the price of being the leader. I want to see if the Southern Borders, Western Reaches, and Northern Domain will still follow him when he leaves Kunlun in disgrace with his Eastern Wasteland people.

The secret hall was dead silent for three breaths.

Then, the sixteen sect leaders nodded simultaneously.

This was a venomous scheme. Removing the firewood from under the pot, striking directly at the vital point.