Chapter 426: Councilman Cyphion

Cyphion teleported his golden ship to the Silverspire family's peak with a click of his fingers. The wall of desolation Qi had actually blocked his attempt at opening a pathway through reality via a portal, so he had been forced to tap into his Inner World to teleport the entire ship instantly. It used far more Qi, but he had been in a rush to escape.

Standing on the ship's bow, he let out a small sigh before addressing the Enforcers gathered behind him at a respectful distance on the deck. "Everyone disembark and gather in the main hall," he instructed the awaiting Enforcers who had accompanied him.

"Yes, Councilman Cyphion!" The Enforcers replied respectfully and bowed deeply before doing as instructed. Despite the outward respect they showed, his senses were in tune enough to feel the resentment and loathing from some of them. But he was unfazed. They were Star Core Realm cultivators—mere ants to a Monarch Realm like him. While he was a beacon of power for the Celestial Empire, they were pawns.

Once they were all out of sight, Cyphion pulled his hand out from the ample folds of his robes—it was shaking. "Hah, what is wrong with me?" His heart was oddly gripped with terror—an emotion he hadn't felt in centuries except when faced with the World Tree.

He gestured for the demon sword he had restrained to float closer, and he looked up. It was larger than he was tall, crafted from a living metal that radiated a bloodlust so thick he could smell it. However, what really concerned him was the black mist coating the blade, which was melting away his spatial Qi.

"Desolation Qi, the enemy of all. Including the heavens. An affinity whose sole desire is to bring death and ruin upon the world." A shaky sigh left his lips. He couldn't believe he had witnessed such an affinity being wielded by such a powerful cultivator. It was both terrifying and beautiful.

It wasn't a known affinity to the masses. However, when Cyphion reached the pinnacle of understanding in spatial dao, he saw the possible paths forward. What could be described as the 'dark' path was desolation. While spatial Qi was like the glue that held everything together, desolation was what would happen should that glue melt away. Chaos, destruction, ruin.

He had dismissed the temptation of treading down that path. Cultivating it would be a nightmare, and as a destruction affinity, it required deep comprehension of every dao to be effective.

But after experiencing how it felt to face a desolation cultivator, he was intrigued—giddy with excitement and fear. He was excited to witness the possibilities of desolation Qi and feared that he, of all people, had felt pressured to retreat from a mid-stage Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

He was a Monarch Realm cultivator—a man who was supposed to be unrivaled by any except the World Tree and perhaps the Chairman if he went all out.

Dare I say it, the discovery of this powerhouse is the greatest of the last thousand years. Cyphion eyes narrowed at the floating demon sword. I can't let anyone in the Celestial Empire learn of this. Not the Chairman, nor Faelorian Lysanthos. Getting on this powerhouse's good side is my chance to surpass them.

Cyphion was one of the two Monarch Realms in the Flower Accord. Yet, because it took him longer to ascend and form his Inner World due to the complexities of spatial affinity, Faelorian Lysanthos managed to secure the leadership position over The Flower Accord before he could. A reality Cyphion refused to accept. Anyone capable of reaching the Monarch Realm was a deeply ambitious and power-hungry person, and Cyphion was no exception. He wanted to rule not only over The Flower Accord but also the entire Celestial Empire.

Until now, such a dream had seemed hopeless as his cultivation slowed to a crawl. Since the 9th layer of creation's Qi density was so sparse, even with grand Qi gathering formations and drinking the World Tree's sap, progressing his cultivation felt like trickling droplets into a vast ocean.

It's also why he had to avoid confronting the desolation cultivator further. Gathering a few more drops of Qi took weeks, but expending it through a technique took a mere second. Hilariously enough, this phenomenon is what kept the Celestial Empire at peace and the fights verbal rather than hurling Qi-filled attacks at one another and devastating the lands below. If two Monarch Realms fought, the true winners of the fight would be the other Monarch Realm cultivators who didn't participate.

The shaking of his hand finally stopped, and he smiled. He felt like this was a defining moment to change his future path from one of monotony and being ordered around to taking charge of what was rightfully his.

Reaching his hand up, he cautiously hovered it near the demon sword. He could feel its intense hunger and the promise of ruin from the desolation Qi shrouding it.

"Relax, demon sword. I'm not your enemy, and I can't keep you." Cyphion explained, and he used spatial Qi to hide his voice. "Listen, I plan to return you to your owner, but first, I need a favor. I will be leaving you here with the Silverspires and all the Enforcers. Now you see, these Enforcers are loyalists to the Chairman, an enemy of mine. They know of your existence and of your owner's powers. Not ideal, right? So here's the favor, I want you to slaughter them all. Let none survive."

The demon sword shuddered with excitement.

"I will be trapping you in a spatial formation, but I will leave a weakness in it during its creation that you can overcome with the desolation Qi surrounding you. Wait for the perfect moment to strike after I have gone. Okay?"

He felt like the sword said yes. But he didn't speak sword, nor had he ever talked with a sentient weapon like this before.

"Good, now follow me. This is going to be fun." Cyphion gently used telekinesis to bring the sword with him, and to his relief, it didn't fight back. As he walked across the courtyard toward the towering palace of the Silverspire family, he recalled the desolation cultivator he had encountered.

Whoever it was, they seemed quite territorial. It was as if they had a line that they weren't willing to cross, even when something of theirs had been taken. I felt the Qi originating from far outside of my own spiritual sense range, so perhaps this went down at the very edge of this cultivator's range of control? If that's so, there's no telling if they won't move closer or if they will send some of their disciples to retrieve the sword. Either way, I have no plans to be here when that happens. I'll let the Enforcers and the Silverspire family absorb their rage, and hopefully, the demon sword will put in a good word for me, and we can foster relations.

He hadn't gotten off on the best foot with the desolation cultivator, but as the technically stronger cultivator between the two, he hoped they could reach a level of mutual respect and put this incident behind them. Though somehow, I doubt that a wielder of desolation Qi will be the most open to offering forgiveness. It takes a certain level of hatred for the world to cultivate desolation Qi, after all.

Cyphion strode into the audience chamber with the demon sword in tow, and the weight of a hundred stares settled on him like a lead-lined cloak. The audience hall was an overwhelmingly extravagant display of wealth—ornate carvings, gold leaf-coated pillars, and flowing silver banners—but he barely spared it a glance. To him, these demonic cultivators were nothing more than wilderness-dwelling savages, their attempts at grandeur a pale imitation of true wealth. It was tacky and rushed. Anyone could dig up some metals and hang them up. What this place lacked was the profound weight that the historical sights of the Celestial Empire had.

An amused smile adorned his lips. It would seem that during my brief excursion, they used the time to set up a proper audience rather than the rushed affair from earlier.

While it had been a confused gathering before, men and women with striking metallic hair and piercing eyes now lined the chamber on either side. The vast majority bore dull copper or iron hues, their position in the hall and clothes betraying a silent hierarchy. As his gaze traveled further into the room, ascending the grand steps that led to a group of elevated seats, he noted a shift. The further up he looked, the more their hair lightened, transitioning from dull bronze to gleaming silver.

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At the peak, four women were sitting upon the lording seats—the weight of their Star Core presences shifting the Qi around them.

Beyond their higher cultivation, the only other distinction between them and those below was the sheer excess of jewelry they wore. Gold, jade, and precious stones dripped from their fingers, ears, and necks, an almost grotesque display of wealth. Yet, to Cyphion, they might as well have been wearing iron shackles.

All that mattered in this world was the power of cultivation, not these trinkets. Other than simple white robes and spatial rings, he didn't need such displays of wealth. He preferred more subtle things. For example, his robes were as plain as the iron-haired people here, except for one crucial detail.

As customary of The Flower Accord, his robes were embroidered with a single flower representing him. His chosen flower was the queen of the night, a simple and unassuming white flower found on a type of cactus. Most would dismiss the simple flower, thinking it showed his purity and lack of desire. However, the flower only bloomed once a year during the night and wilted before dawn. As the time of this blooming was random, one would miss the flower's appearance unless they kept a careful eye on the cactus every night.

For Cyphion, it represented his sly nature and plans for the future. Such a simple flower held so much meaning compared to the pointless jewelry these cultivators adorned like a second layer of skin.

He paused at the base of the steps and looked up at the Silverspire women sitting with the Starweaver family standing behind them. It was almost laughable how they sat on thrones looking down at him as if they meant anything. They were weaker than the disposable pawns under him, yet they were the peak of this backwater family. Perhaps if they were going to live much longer, he would demand their respect. But what use was respect from the dead? That desolation cultivator was coming, one way or another, if he left the demon sword here, and he had seen what this sword could do as it butchered those Star Core Realm cultivators.

"Councilman, you have returned faster than expected and with a weapon of some kind." The woman in the center who had introduced herself as the Silverspire Grand Elder's first wife, Zenovia Silverspire, said. "Was it the dreaded Soul Eater plaguing these lands that caused one of our airships to sound their alarms?"

"It was not," Cyphion replied, gesturing to the demon sword beside himself, "This sentient demon sword was rampaging near Argentum."

"Oh, it was just a sword," Zenovia chuckled and relaxed. "I feared the Soul Eater was knocking at our gates."

"You have nothing to fear for now," Cyphion said causally, "Before I captured it, this sword destroyed an airship bound for the city and a few Star Core Realm guards. But it's safe now."

Their eyes widened as they looked at the restrained sword with fear.

"A ship was destroyed? Do you know any details about it?" The third wife, Selene Silverspire, hastily asked.

Cyphion shook his head and honestly couldn't care less. He had been sent here by the Chairman on a simple mission. Oversee the establishment of the new branch of the Eternal Pursuit Pavilion in Nightrose City. Initially, the Chairman had sent a force of Enforcers loyal to him, but they were wiped out to the east of here before reaching Nightrose City.

So Cyphion had been ordered to investigate and deal with whatever threat had taken out the Enforcers and to then return. Deciding to be cautious, he stopped at the Silverspire peak to gather information. That is when he learned about this 'Soul Eater' that killed anything that had gone near it without a trace.

He had planned to use the Enforcers given to him and force the Silverspires to venture eastward and act as bait, but that had changed.

What if that desolation cultivator is this dreaded Soul Eater? Encroaching on their land would be seen as an act of war. I should sit back for now and let the situation unfold.

It's not like he was in a rush. While the Chairman wanted it done as soon as possible, Cyphion could give any number of excuses for a delay. While spatial affinity wasn't as good in combat, it did give him the most freedom to travel. There was no chance the Chairman would ever step out of the Celestial Empire, let alone all the way out here.

He simply had too much to lose.

This situation was simply perfect. Cyphion could lay the foundations out here for his takeover of the Celestial Empire, away from the prying eyes of the Council. He just had to silence the witnesses and gain the trust of the desolation cultivator. Then everything would fall into place.

The Silverspire women exchanged a concerned look, likely regarding the destroyed ship.

"Your excellency, did you happen to see any insignias or characteristics of the people onboard?" The fourth wife, Lyriana, asked. Unlike the other three wives, her Star Core pressure was respectfully suppressed rather than casually radiating out. Her gaze was also one filled with ambition.

Cyphion shrugged, "I arrived after the ship had already been destroyed—"

"Elders!"

Cyphion raised a brow as he was interrupted by a shout. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a disheveled silver-haired man wearing a robe embroidered with silver and purple stars.

"Oh heavens no!" one of the wives shouted as she stood up. It was the third wife, Selene Silverspire. She clutched the armrest of her chair and looked in horror. "Is my son alive? Where is he?"

"Mistress, he's... dead." The man pointed and glared at the floating sword, "That demon sword tore him to pieces and devoured his soul."

Shards of cosmic Qi-infused metal appeared from the folds of Selene Silverspire's robes and trembled with rage. "This thing killed my son?!" She glared at the sword and screamed as a volley of the star metal shot toward it.

"Please calm yourself," Cyphion casually slapped the volley of metal away without even needing to coat his hand in Qi.

"H-How can I?! That thing killed my son. I have to—"

"Then you will die too," Cyphion said with finality. His voice crackled with power and seemingly traveled between dimensions. "I'm restraining it now, but this sword is exceptionally dangerous."

Selene blinked before collapsing into her seat. Her face was pale and distraught, and her eyes trembled as she stared at the sword. The other wives at her side had differing expressions. The first and second wives seemed amused at the third wife's plight, while the fourth just looked relieved—likely because it wasn't her child that had died.

Cyphion didn't understand them. He had never bothered to have offspring of his own for this reason. They were expensive and unappreciative, and if they were to die, he risked forming heart demons.

"I have more to report, Mistress." The survivor of the attack said, causing Selene to ever so slightly perk up as if it was going to be good news. But Cyphion could already tell it was anything but.

"Go on, what is it?" Selene insisted.

"While that demon sword was the one to slay your son, its owner is the one responsible. Before he died, your son noticed a gaze watching him from above. He said we had earned the ire of a fake god."

"A fake god?" Selene muttered, and her eyes widened as she realized something, "Was it..."

"Yes, Mistress, it was the All-Seeing Eye."

Selene looked crestfallen, and she stared up at the ceiling. "First the Soul Eater, and now the All-Seeing Eye is attacking us?"

"Who is this All-Seeing Eye?" Cyphion asked and felt the room freeze.

The wives exchanged a cautious look, but it was Lyriana who answered him.

"Little is known about him, but he is said to be a benevolent god capable of gifting mortals the ability to cultivate, allowing him to quickly amass millions of devoted believers."

"Benevolent?!" Selene blurted out in rage, "Perhaps your dainty little head is clueless about the meaning of words? There's absolutely nothing benevolent about that evil god. He wiped out the Nightrose family and forcefully overtook Nightrose City, and it looks like we are next!"

"Selene is correct," Zenovia weighed in, "How could you say such nonsense?"

"Ahem," Cyphion coughed into his hand, "You said he can gift cultivation? How is that done?"

"Through pills," Zenovia replied respectfully. It was clear she wanted to remain on his good side despite the chaotic nature of this meeting.

"Pills?"

"Yes," she nodded, "I heard they are made by the Ashfallen Trading Company."

"Ashfallen Trading Company?" Cyphion played with the words in his mouth. They felt familiar, yet he couldn't put his finger on it.

"It's an arm of the Ashfallen Sect." Lyriana helpfully added.

"The Ashfallen Sect?" Cyphion snapped open his Eternal Pursuit Pavilion pendant and checked the rankings. Sure enough, there it was.

[Celestial Empire (Divine)]

[Ashfallen Sect (Divine)]

[Frozen Star Sect (Monarch Realm)]

[Blood Lotus Sect (Pending Re-evaluation)]...

The Ashfallen Sect was right below the Celestial Empire and was given the same classification of (Divine), meaning it was a sect overseen by a deity.

Cyphion narrowed his eyes. If this Ashfallen Sect and All-Seeing Eye were so hostile and had overtaken Nightrose City, there was no way the Chairman would have gotten permission to open a branch of the Eterneal Pursuit Pavilion in that city... unless he had gotten permission.

Maybe he already knows about the desolation cultivator? Cyphion gritted his teeth. Is that why he wanted me to help them set up the branch but then leave? What other dirty secrets are you hiding out here, old man?

Cyphion snapped the pendant closed. "If a deity is involved, I must ask for guidance from the council and more reinforcements." He lied as his hands crackled with spatial Qi. He walked around the demon sword and drew in the air, "I will create a spatial seal on this demon sword to keep it restrained while I'm gone."

"Councilman—" an Enforcer tried to interrupt him, but he dismissed the cultivator.

"All Enforcers are instructed to remain here with the Silverspire family to guard this sword until I return." Cyphion finished the slightly wrong seal and vanished into his Inner World with a click of his fingers. Traversing it, he headed toward the Celestial Empire.

He wanted to be standing near the crystal tree when the Enforcers' life orbs cracked to avoid being blamed for their deaths.