Chapter 918: Junior Ancestral Tree

The light surrounding the Sunborne Nymph Emperor flickered three times, then Tang San was blasted away by a surge of power, landing several dozen meters away.

"What a powerful ability..." the Sunborne Nymph Emperor murmured, unable to conceal the astonishment in his eyes.

In just that brief moment, he had attempted no fewer than three methods to block Tang San's Life Deprivation Domain, but even with his cultivation, he was unable to do so. And he was an Emperor! Tang San wasn't even remotely on the same level as him, yet this ability still worked on him!

"Does your life deprivation ability have some kind of absolute effect?" the Sunborne Nymph Emperor asked, puzzled.

Tang San shook his head and replied, "Absolute? I don't think so, but unless someone's power exceeds the Ancestral Tree's, they will be affected by my domain to some extent. Still, the domain has significant limitations. First, the domain is only ten meters in diameter. Second, if I'm struck hard enough to be knocked off balance while using it, the effect stops immediately. So it's only effective against those at or below my level. Against someone like you, Your Majesty, it doesn't mean much."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor was naturally far beyond the level of beings that could be restrained by this method. Rong Yang had been different; once caught in the Life Deprivation Domain, his body had quickly weakened, and from there the imbalance only grew. This wouldn't work against an Emperor.

Even after hearing this, however, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor didn't change his opinion. "If even an Emperor can't resist it, I'd say it

is

practically absolute. Everyone, take note: Don't get too close to this little one. They say the Blue Gold Tree clan is weak in battle, but with this ability, that's no longer true. It may not take your life, but it will definitely shave a few years off your lifespan. The Blue Gold Tree clan truly isn't what it used to be."

He had fully acknowledged Tang San's strength. The Life Deprivation Domain was undeniably powerful; to a peer, getting close was simply not an option.

Rong Yang deeply agreed. If he had just kept attacking from a distance, using pure energy, the flames might still have been assimilated, but he probably could have broken through the domain if he used a weapon. By contrast, once he was inside that domain, he doubted he could last even ten seconds. The speed and intensity of the life deprivation ability were truly overwhelming. Only by experiencing it firsthand could one grasp how terrifying it really was.

"Your Majesty, does this mean I've passed the first phase of the evaluation?" Tang San asked with a smile.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor chuckled, raised his hand, and pointed at Tang San. "Consider it passed. You've certainly surprised us today. Next is the second part: The six of us will vote. If the majority agree, then you'll have officially passed."

"Yes. I humbly ask for your consideration," Tang San said, turning and bowing to each of the Emperors in turn.

When Mei Gongzi faced this same trial in the past, she would never have passed had it not been for Tang San's covert assistance. But now that Tang San stood here himself, the Emperors' reactions were far more simple and direct.

"All in favor, raise your hand," said the Sunborne Nymph Emperor, lifting his own hand first.

The Earthshade Nymph Emperor followed suit, and the other four Emperors didn't hesitate and also raised their hands.

Tang San's earlier performance had clearly won their approval. Whether it was abilities, potential, or value to the Solstice Empire, nothing was lacking.

During the fight with Rong Yang, the benefits Rong Yang gained from Tang San's flame assimilation were evident to any Emperor-level divine consciousness. Someone like this would only bring benefit to the Solstice Empire. As for him trying to use his power to gain authority, that was not really worth the concern. Though the Life Deprivation Domain was unique, its drawbacks were equally visible, and the Blue Gold Tree clan wasn't known for grabbing power anyway.

"For the final trial, you were supposed to undergo a baptism powered by the will of the Ancestral Court," said the Sunborne Nymph Emperor with a smile. "This trial is meant to test a city lord's adaptability and resistance to assaults from all sides. But given what we've seen already, I think we'll skip it. With your ability to guard yourself with a life assimilation barrier, no amount of energy will be enough to shake you. Moreover, all the Celestial Pillars already acknowledge you anyway. There'd be no challenge at all."

Tang San was slightly taken aback. "Then... Your Majesty, does that mean my evaluation is done?"

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor nodded with a smile. "Yes, it is."

Tang San couldn't help but feel a bit odd inside. If Mei Gongzi knew how easily he had passed, she'd probably start yelling something about unfairness. Well, in all fairness, it

was

awfully smooth.

"Thank you, Your Majesties, for your recognition," Tang San said, bowing deeply to the six Emperors again.

The Soul Capturer Nymph Emperor chuckled. "Just don't get any of us killed, and there's no need to thank us. You're representing the Ancestral Tree now. Just like Sunborne said, you're basically a junior Ancestral Tree yourself. Judging from your life force level, I have to agree. In my entire lifetime, I've never seen someone with such high-level life force."

Tang San looked a little embarrassed. "Right, about that... I have to apologize for the matter with the Adamant Nymph Emperor...."

The Soul Capturer Nymph Emperor gave him a sideways look. "Regret, my ass. Don't pretend you didn't know the Ancestral Tree was going to deal with him. Without the Ancestral Tree standing behind you, would you have dared to challenge an Emperor openly?"

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Tang San didn't answer. He just smiled awkwardly.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about what can't be undone," said the Sunborne Nymph Emperor. "When I have time, I'll personally visit Skytree City to pay respects to the Ancestral Tree. I am the one who should offer an apology, on behalf of all of us. After all these years, we failed to protect its heirs. That was our responsibility, and we have failed to fulfill it."

The other Emperors all nodded in agreement.

Tang San's smooth evaluation was undeniably tied to the Ancestral Tree's slaying of the Adamant Nymph Emperor. That single act of power had turned it into the most powerful deterrent. With the Ancestral Tree's true state unknown, who would dare make a move against Tang San or the Blue Gold Tree clan now?

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor raised his voice. "I hereby declare: from this moment, Jin Miaolin is officially the city lord of Skytree City. He shall hold the same authority as all other city lords and is now a vital figure of the Solstice Empire, with the right to participate in all meetings of the Ancestral Council."

All six Nymph Emperors nodded slightly in Tang San's direction. "Acknowledged!"

"Now, there's one more matter to discuss. Jin Miaolin, tell everyone about your proposal for neutrality. Before we present it to the full Ancestral Council, we'll discuss it among ourselves to make sure we are on the same page."

Tang San understood right away—this was the Sunborne Nymph Emperor publicly stating his support. He thus nodded and repeated the ideas he had previously shared with the Sunborne Nymph Emperor.

At first, the Emperors were surprised, but as Tang San expounded on it, they began to grasp the underlying reasoning.

Of course, he didn't mention the part about potentially using his newly-demonstrated abilities against the Empyrean Dominion in the future. Such words couldn't be spoken lightly, as they could lead to serious consequences.

Even though the Empyrean Dominion and the Solstice Empire were in fact at odds, they remained publicly cordial. Moreover, some Nymph Emperors had close ties with Demon Emperors. For instance, the relationship between the Parasol Tree Nymph Emperor and the Undying Demon Emperor was especially strong, even surpassing the ties between some Nymph Emperors. Therefore, when Tang San explained his ideas, he focused on how the proposal would benefit the Blue Gold Tree clan and bring long-term advantages to the main cities.