The Sovereign’s palm strike traversed the distance of hundreds of star domains, crushing a person in the Mixed Universe Realm...
Wang Xu found it hard to imagine what kind of power this was.
"Hmph!" The Sovereign wiped away the Mirror Flower Water Curtain, his face stern, "Due to poor supervision, the duties of the Domain Masters of the three star domains are revoked and replaced by more capable individuals."
"Yes." The man with facial tattoos responded and withdrew.
Immediately after, numerous individuals vested with significant authority reported the major events occurring in various star domains. Wang Xu listened on the side and roughly understood the operational process of the Cosmic Country.
It was like a pyramid, layers upon layers conveying information from the bottom to the top: Star Lord, Star River Master, Master of the Star Domain, and finally to the noble royal family, through step-by-step selection, reporting only the truly necessary matters for the Sovereign to decide.
Matters the Sovereign could resolve on the spot were handled directly; those that couldn’t be resolved in a short timeframe were delegated to Yin Gu or other strong figures to complete.
About three days later, after all ministers reported and retreated from Li Hall, someone noticed Wang Xu in the corner and whispered among themselves, speculating about Wang Xu’s background.
"Wang Xu, I forgot to ask you if you are willing to become a ’Guest Minister’ of our Tai Long Cosmic Country?" The Sovereign turned his gaze to Wang Xu after the ministers departed.
After the hall was opened for three days, during which Wang Xu cultivated in the corner, he opened his eyes when the Sovereign spoke: "Guest Minister?"
Among the ministers, only Yin Gu remained. He smiled and said, "A Guest Minister is a type of national post. Once you become a Guest Minister, you may hold a position in the Cosmic Country. Unlike us ministers, you don’t need to fulfill any duties, and each year, the Cosmic Country will give you substantial offerings."
"Of course, if there’s a troublesome matter, we may ask you to help, but the decision to step in is yours. We will never force you; you’re completely free."
Yin Gu understood well that disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, the Cosmic Alliance, and the Mercenary Martial Arts Hall are inherently free-spirited and unruly. Their strength is formidable, yet they resist being bound by national positions, preferring to roam freely and face danger, growing stronger in life-and-death situations.
The position of Guest Minister is perfect for them, as it requires only a titular title, without any obligation, while still receiving the Cosmic Country’s offerings. Occasionally, when there is a thorny issue, they might be asked to intervene; out of years of offerings, they usually agree.
This is a gesture of goodwill and a disguised recruitment method.
Wang Xu nodded slightly, revealing a smile: "My homeland is Tai Long, securing a position in Tai Long is something I couldn’t wish for more."
"Haha... Good, very good." The Sovereign was very pleased. The Cosmic Country being able to attract a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion boded well for its future development.
Suddenly, a crisp and pleasant female voice was heard, and both the Sovereign and Yin Gu smiled. Yet upon hearing this voice, their expressions changed to a bitter one.
Wang Xu turned his head towards the voice, and his eyes immediately lit up.
A petite and exquisitely pretty girl, with eyes as bright as stars and wearing a flaming red long dress, walked in.
Her sheer beauty, unlike Tang Yan’s gracefulness or Su You’s stunning allure, exuded a youthful, lively vibe, as if she were the girl next door—pure and lovely.
The adorable girl puffed her cheeks, pouted her lips, and her ponytail swung with her movements. Ignoring Wang Xu and Yin Gu, she went straight to the Sovereign, pulling on his arm, and said coquettishly: "Father, you promised to take me to play last time. I waited until after the National Hall meeting to come; you better keep your word!"
The Sovereign displayed a helpless smile: "Bing Qing, I really want to take you to play, but so many important issues were reported in the National Hall meeting, I must handle them one by one. Please understand your father."
"No, no, you said the same thing last time. This time, I won’t believe it, no matter what. Father, take me to play..." The adorable girl shook the Sovereign’s arm insistently.
"Marshal Yin Gu, is this the princess?" Wang Xu asked softly.
Yin Gu gave a wry smile and nodded: "This is the second princess, ’Bing Qing,’ and there’s also the eldest princess, ’Bing Xun.’ The second princess is outgoing and cheerful, speaking and acting boldly without fear of anything, while the eldest princess is reserved and elegant, well-educated and reasonable. The two are polar opposites in personality."
Wang Xu realized and silently shook his head, offering silent condolences to the Sovereign.
"... Father, who is he?" Princess Bing Qing, while acting coquettishly, suddenly glanced at Wang Xu and pointed at him, asking.
"My name is Wang Xu. I was invited to visit. Greetings to the second princess." Wang Xu slightly bowed.
"Oh? You’re new here?" Princess Bing Qing narrowed her bright eyes and, with a mischievous look, turned her eyes, raising her head to say to the Sovereign: "Father, since you’re busy, let him accompany me to play."
Wang Xu widened his eyes, shocked by Princess Bing Qing’s sudden request, hastily waving his hands: "No, no... With your status, Princess Bing Qing, I am just a..."
"You have no choice!" Princess Bing Qing glared at Wang Xu, who shrank his neck. Princess Bing Qing seemed so lovely, but when she spoke, there was no room for doubt. Indeed, this was the National Hall, and she was a princess, second only to one person, above thousands. Who would dare go against her will?
"Bing Qing, do not be rude." The Sovereign said, "Wang Xu is a Guest Minister. If you want to play, I can have Yin Gu accompany you."
"No, I refuse, I want him to play with me!" Princess Bing Qing’s stubborn temper flared up, and the Sovereign was left with no strategy.
"Wang Xu, I’m afraid you will have to endure some inconvenience." The Sovereign gave a wry smile, "Bing Qing is a bit playful, still retains childlike innocence. Just consider it as helping me fulfill my duty as a father, taking her to play around."
The Sovereign had spoken, so Wang Xu naturally couldn’t refuse, "Wang Xu accepts the order."
"Hehe." Princess Bing Qing saw this, her sparkling big eyes narrowed into crescent moons, and without further ado, she pulled Wang Xu out of the National Hall. Wang Xu was helpless; it seemed that the days ahead would be rough.
As soon as Wang Xu and Princess Bing Qing left, only the Sovereign and Yin Gu remained in the National Hall.
"Sovereign, what do you think of this Wang Xu?" Yin Gu asked.
"I have probed his qualifications, mediocre and ordinary, but to achieve such accomplishments, he probably had considerable encounters." The Sovereign’s gaze was deep, "This person has traveled all the way from the peripheral Star Domain, not comparable to ordinary people, and his nature is gentle. As long as the Cosmic Country treats him well, he should not leave."
Yin Gu nodded, for talents like Wang Xu, their future potential is boundless. Once they rise and reach higher levels, it often attracts the solicitation of other Cosmic Countries.
This happens frequently in the cosmos, with many talents growing up, each faction vies for them, offering olive branches, often leaving their domicile Cosmic Country for greater benefits.
However, Wang Xu is different. He inherently has his encounters, and what others can offer him is very limited. As when the Sovereign asked him to name a reward, Wang Xu thought for a long time and surprisingly only asked for a Palace-Level warship. If it were a truly ambitious person, they would ask for an upper-rank position, considerable wealth, treasures, and so on... Therefore, Wang Xu counts as one of the few anomalies.
"I have a persistent feeling that there’s a familiar aura on Wang Xu." The Sovereign’s eyes drifted, "Perhaps there’s some connection between us."
"Princess Bing Qing, where are we going?"
In the sky, Wang Xu and Princess Bing Qing were seated on the back of a Nine Nether Electric Wing Bird, passing through the clouds, flying forward.
The Nine Nether Electric Wing Bird is a Black Hole Level Star Giant Beast, quite close to Princess Bing Qing, but holds animosity towards Wang Xu, making him at a loss for words.
"Someplace fun." Princess Bing Qing looked mysterious, making Wang Xu have a bad premonition.
Two hours later, the Nine Nether Electric Wing Bird’s speed gradually slowed down, and Wang Xu saw a small town below.
This was a modest place, with no advanced technological buildings or any affluent traces, more like a small ancient village.
"Let’s go down." The Nine Nether Electric Wing Bird stopped not far from the village, Princess Bing Qing walked down stepping on thin air, Wang Xu followed closely.
"You can go back now." Princess Bing Qing patted the Nine Nether Electric Wing Bird, which excitedly let out a cry towards the sky, gave Wang Xu a malicious glare, then flapped its wings and ascended. Wang Xu had never despised any Star Giant Beast, but this Nine Nether Electric Wing Bird was the first.
"Let’s go in." Princess Bing Qing said, stepping forward, heading into the village.
Wang Xu followed at a leisurely pace, eyes glancing around. As soon as he entered the village, he felt his Spiritual Consciousness tremble slightly. It was evident that someone had just probed him with their Spiritual Consciousness.
"There are many powerful auras." As soon as Wang Xu entered the village, he immediately sensed many formidable auras. Although their realm was the same as his, Black Hole Level, the strength of their aura was enough to rival White Hole Level.
Wang Xu was startled, his heart filled with vigilance.
Princess Bing Qing led Wang Xu through twists and turns. Along the way, Wang Xu noticed that those radiating powerful auras, each wore sumptuous robes, signifying esteemed status, certainly not ordinary.
These people, upon seeing Princess Bing Qing, greeted her respectfully. From their gestures, Wang Xu saw the shadow of many ministers in the National Hall, and suddenly realized many things.
They must be the descendants of the many ministers. This place was likely accessible only to those of such status. Just what was special about this place that attracted so many royal relatives?
Soon, Princess Bing Qing led Wang Xu to a Bronze Giant Gate, causing Wang Xu to pause. This Bronze Giant Gate was incredibly similar to that in the Endless Inheritance, the only difference being it lacked the carvings of the Four Endless creatures.
"Princess Bing Qing, are you looking for the ’Five-Colored Stone’ again?" At this moment, a young man in a luxurious purple robe walked over casually, his eyes red, his hair scarlet, making Wang Xu slightly sidelong glance.
Princess Bing Qing raised her chin, "Of course, my elder sister has already found the ’Four-Colored Stone’. No matter what, I must find the Five-Colored Stone to surpass her."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xu’s mouth twitched. He initially thought Princess Bing Qing had some grand ambition, but it turns out she was merely competing with her sister. (To be continued. If you work, please visit the Qidian website [qidian.com] to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)