King James' Conquests Chapter 28: Heaven Basin Secret Realm Shenanigans

The Heaven Basin Secret Realm.

It was me, Beatrice, Itachi, Eleonora, Fen Juecheng and Dongfang Xiu.

We were about to move out of the crowd when Fen Juecheng approached me directly.

“You truly are an unreachable figure, Your Royal Highness.” Fen Juecheng remarked, lowering his head slightly. “I thought you were a heavenly talent before… but, in truth, you were a hundred times more impressive than I could have ever imagined.”

“Ah, so you learned to lower your head,” Beatrice remarked with a mocking tone. “Progress is progress.”

“...” Fen Juecheng smiled slightly. “I wonder, Your Royal Highness… if all of this is a game to you?”

“Elaborate, Young Master Fen.” I replied, tilting my head.

“Were your words… a lie?”

“Why would me being stronger make my words suddenly untruthful?” I raised an eyebrow. “I meant everything I said and did. Yes, I could have used a forceful hand in several matters… but that is not who I am. I would much rather win against people with words. It’s more beneficial to both parties, as I see it.”

“... I see.” Fen Juecheng nodded, taking a deep breath. “You truly are amazing, Cang Chao. You have my sincerest admiration.”

‘Just another glazer.’

I turned away.

“... I was thinking, Your Royal Highness. Would you accompany me in the Heaven Basin Secret Realm, if even for a short time? Your guidance would surely benefit me greatly.”

“... Hmph, you have your elders, don’t you?” I countered. “Would you ask them to walk your hand?”

“I understand, Your Royal Highness. I would only slow you down.” Fen Juecheng replied. “I will take my leave. See you around, younger brother.”

Fen Juechen didn’t seem to reply.

I chuckled.

“Let’s move away from this crowd before I get swarmed.”

…

I left Fen Juechen and Dongfang Xiu to their devices, moving in the direction where the Sky Poison Pearl was blinking. It didn't take all that long for me to get to the frozen lake with Enderman’s teleportation ability.

“Here's the plan.” I gathered up my vassals, replacing Eleonora for Yun Wuxin and Enderman. “My bro Enderman will dash in there and snag that huge lotus flower in the middle. A Tyrant Profound Beast will erupt from under the ice in anger and that's where the A team will step in.”

“Wuxin will be the spearhead, supported by the rest of you. Itachi, you will distract the beast, Beatrice you will shield the rest and decay the beast’s strength. Enderman, you will await further orders. One more thing… do not expend your strength too quickly, Wuxin. Wait for the beast to weaken before finishing it in one powerful blow.”

“You're underestimating me.” Wuxin remarked, whipping out her Zangetsu. “I can defeat it on my own.”

“... Getting arrogant, are we?” I chuckled.

“She's getting a big head.” Beatrice added.

“It's not arrogance, simply the truth. Defeating a beast that is only one great realm stronger than me… that's something my father would easily accomplish. If I can't do that much, I'll willingly grant you the Heretic God’s power.”

“... Sure.” I grinned slightly. “Go on, solo the beast.”

There was something… different about her. Her aura wasn't that of a woman that was reluctant to fight for me anymore. It was more confident, exuding power. The berserk energy of the Heretic God surged violently.

“Alright.” I turned to Enderman, nodding. “Go on ahead.”

He nodded and teleported to the centre of the lake instantly. In the blink of an eye, the lotus vanished and Enderman joined my side with it floating above his palm. It was bloody massive up close.

I took it inside the Sky Poison Pearl while Yun Wuxin stepped forward.

Predictably, the beast had risen from its slumber and shattered through the ice that had been above it.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

An instant.

The beast split in two vertically, falling to the water below in halves. Yun Wuxin’s star-like hair swayed with the wind as the silhouette of a blue wolf flashed behind her. She glanced back at me. At that moment, her aura was beyond tyrannical. The kind that belongs to an apex predator, a being without equal.

Strangely enough, my heart had… skipped a beat.

Such a scene was majestic to me. Yes, that's the word. Majestic. Like the finest painting in the world.

I raised my hands and clapped.

“Most impressive Wuxin.” I smiled. “I didn't even see you move. Now be a good girl and bring the corpse to me.”

“Lazy Brit, can't you get it yourself?”

“Nah, I can't.” I yawned. “Besides, the water down there is probably cold as hell. You're the idiot who flexed like you were in a TikTok edit and let the corpse fall into the lake.”

“Sure.” She smiled slightly.

…

After finding the Water Seed and separating it from the rest of the body, I observed it closely. With my current body, there was no way in hell I’d be able to handle three profound strengths… let alone quite possibly the worst mix of fire, water and wind. I definitely needed the Heretic God’s Profound Veins to accomplish such a feat.

“Wuxin, you want this one?” I held the bead in my palm.

“Depends on if you’re willing to give it to me.” She shrugged.

“See, it’s rather useless to me…” I grabbed the bead with two fingers, raising it up like it was an aeroplane. “Open wide; the water seed is going in.”

“...” Yun Wuxin kept her mouth closed. “Can’t you just give it to me?”

“The aeroplane is experiencing some turbulence… a barrier of sorts.” I chuckled, pressing it against her lips. “Even so, the pilot is quite determined to get through the storm.”

“You’re impossible.” She sighed, opening her mouth.

“Zhooom.” I let go of the seed, retracting my fingers. “Another happy landing. Too bad I won’t get any cultivation levels from it, nor will you.”

“Unfortunate.”

“Regardless, now you have a duty to master the water laws.” I took off the fire seed necklace I had been relying on, tossing it to Yun Wuxin. “And the fire laws, too. Master both, and you will be immensely strong.”

“... Won’t this slow down your progress?” She questioned, tilting her head slightly. “It’s quite unlike you to do something like this.”

“Have you ever played a game of Chess?”

“... No, I haven’t.”

“The King hardly moves…  the other pieces do it for him.”

~

With Endergoat’s (not a typo) assistance, I was able to find my ice lotus flower. More accurately, Xia Qingyue. She was going quite fast for a Sky Profound Realm expert… though I wouldn’t expect any less from her.

She paused when she sensed my aura.

“Your Highness.” She remarked, turning to face me in the skies. I had come alone.

“Fairy Xia.” I smiled slightly. “How are you doing on this fine day?”

“You seek something from me?”

“You’re no fun…” I chuckled, shrugging my shoulders. “Though, we shouldn’t act like I’m the only person who seeks something.”

“...”

“Out of everyone, I would say that you have benefitted the most from my… kindness. Would I be wrong to believe that you seek more?” I floated around her. “Or is this… the limit of your ambition, Xia Qingyue?”

“It is not.”

“That’s what I thought, too. You and I are alike in this regard. We pursue strength relentlessly for one reason or another… and we will never quite be satisfied until we reach our goals.” I stroked my chin. “In which case, I believe that we can aid each other. Swear fealty to me, Fairy of the Frozen Moon.”

“What happens if I do not?”

“I might be petty, but I’m not like these other baboons in power.” I chuckled, shrugging my shoulders. “If you object to my offer, I suspect that you will be subject to the interests of… other forces. Forces that are beyond you. Ling Kun has seen your physique first-hand, and he is more than willing to speak for a few shiny crystals… to lustful men with power who were not raised to be quite as considerate as me.”

“You seem very convinced as if it is a fact.”

“Oh, it is.” I smiled. “They are quite like children; they do not know the meaning of no. Of course, if you joined me, I would shield you and even your sect from such threats. Naturally, I would also invest in your growth as much as possible… as your strength would become my strength.”

“In which case, me serving you and being a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace is not mutually exclusive?”

“No, of course not.” I shrugged. “You can remain a disciple if you so wish. If anything, it is my desire to place the entire Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace under my banner… so you will not have to fret about ‘betraying’ them.”

“If that is true, then I have no reason to object.” She nodded. “You have quite the golden tongue, Your Highness. You know just the right words to say… and how to say them.”

“Oh, you flatter me.” I chuckled. “Well, I take it that you accept my offer?”

“I will swear fealty to you.”

“Alrighty, that settles that.” I turned away.

“Is that all you need?”

“I trust that you are a woman of your word, Xia Qingyue. We’ll talk about the future after the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament.”

There was just one more matter to settle… admittedly, something rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Even so, I was a petty individual. I sent Enderman to hunt down a certain sect master personally.

~

Xiao Juetian was chilling, flying around, you know… doing his thing. He found a nice little treasure during the first couple of hours and was feeling pretty good. He kept hustling - until…

The sky suddenly turned dark purple, a veil of night enveloping his surroundings. Xiao Juetian raised an eyebrow, feeling a hand grasp his neck and choke the air out of him. Yet, strangely enough, he saw no hand. He felt nothing, even.

This suppression… was from sheer strength alone.

“What is this… who is there? Show… yourself!” Xiao Juetian struggled to speak without stuttering. His eyes suddenly widened when a figure emerged from the darkness.

It was blacker than night, with deep purple eyes that shined through. It was freakishly long, tall and blocky. Its stare was chillingly indifferent, leaving Xiao Juetian speechless.

“... What… are you?”

It didn’t answer, raising its arm and dragging the sect master in.

…

The next thing Xiao Juetian saw was Beatrice, Itachi, Enderman and James, all gathered up around him. He didn’t have a good feeling about this, to say the least. He felt an aura of death radiate from Beatrice, an aura of chilling terror from Enderman, absolute indifference from Itachi… and then he saw the grin from James.

That grin killed any hopes of surviving he had.

“Please take a seat, good sir.” Beatrice created a chair. “Old men like you need a break from time to time.”

“... Your Royal Highness-” Xiao Juetian looked at James, his throat feeling as if a dagger had been wedged within.

“You wouldn’t deny my fiancee’s hospitality, would you?” James tilted his head slightly.

“... Please, spare me.” Xiao Juetian lowered himself to the ground. “Forgive me for being an absolute fool and even daring to believe that I could take your life. It was an act done out of madness, rage-”

“I insist, Sect Master.” James smiled as his blue eyes shone with a dark light. “If you don’t sit yourself down, I’ll just have to help you.”

“...” Xiao Juetian reluctantly got off the ground and sat down.

“That’s a good dog.” James chuckled, walking around the chair. “Now, now… what shall I ever do with you?”

“Please, I beg of you…”

“I’m a just and benevolent prince, of course… I wouldn’t treat the people of my Empire unfairly. Even if they might be braindead and treasonous beyond words, I should be considerate of their circumstances.” James chuckled. “Yes, the worthless sects that plotted against my royal father… seeking greater influence. The young master who brashly attempted to explode my technique and his father, who tried to take my life.”

“If I did not have such wonderful vassals, if I did not possess the power that I do… ah, I’d be dead.” James shrugged, activating his Sharingan. “I will give you one chance to prove that you are worthy of living in my world. It’s simple, really.”

“Defeat me one-on-one, and you can walk free of all your crimes. I’ll even forgive the Xiao Sect of their insolence.”

“... I couldn’t possibly defeat you, Your Royal Highness.”

“Why not? I will lower myself to your cultivation level.” James tilted his head. “Are you saying that you can’t defeat a junior of the same level?”

“Of course… a heavenly genius like you only comes once every ten thousand years. How could I, a simple sect master, match you?”

“So you realise just how worthless you are.” James chuckled, deactivating his Sharingan. “A shame… if you had impressed me, even a little, I might have considered letting you go. Now you will die a thousand deaths.”

“... No-”

“If you will, Beatrice.”

“Yes, my sweet King.” Beatrice’s lips curled into a sadistic smile. “You’re in my care now.”

“Make sure my boy Enderman finishes him off… no doubt; he has some kind of seal that informs the Xiao Sect of who murdered him.”

“Of course.”

…

I subbed out Itachi for Zero once Xiao Juetian had died his ‘thousand’ deaths. Naturally, Zero tried to get a slice of me, but I wagged my finger and put her to the side. With all of them gathered up before me, I decided to incentivise my vassals.

“Since all my objectives for the Heaven Basin Secret Realm have been cleared, the only thing that remains is clearing this place of all its treasures.” I smiled, looking at each of them. “Of course… this is a task that I will leave to you, my faithful vassals - with added incentive.”

“Which is?” Beatrice smiled slightly.

“Whoever brings me the most value, a combination of quality and abundance… will be able to ask one reasonable wish from me, and I will comply. In Zero’s case, she could ask me to fulfil her desires.” I chuckled, glancing at Beatrice. “A date, ‘special’ attention from me… anything that is reasonable and within my power.”

Everyone but Beatrice and James froze.

“This wish is mine alone.”

Beatrice looked at James with a smile, flying off.

“Cheater.”

He chuckled.

In due time, the rest broke free and began searching.

‘I wonder who will win… and what kind of treasures they will find for me? Perhaps there are things that Yun Che missed, given that he spent most of his time on the Azure Cloud Continent.’

(Sorry, this chapter came a day late, I had some things to do)