That evening, as the sun dipped behind Alina's fortified peaks, Ameer Ron was escorted by Will to Jalen's residence. The young emperor had requested a private audience.
Jalen was soaking in the hot spring he had carved into the hillside—a sanctuary of steam and silence. Jael floated nearby, eyes closed, his aura pulsing like a sleeping dragon. Calen sat on a stone ledge, legs submerged, tracing qi patterns in the mist. The spring was infused with spirit minerals and formation threads—each breath inside it nourished the soul.
When Will arrived with Ameer, Jalen rose, water cascading off his shoulders. He wrapped a robe around himself and stepped into the main hall, where Ameer waited.
The young emperor bowed. "Thank you for seeing me, Senior."
Jalen waved the gesture off. "You're the emperor now. You don't need to bow to anyone."
Ameer straightened, but his nerves remained. "I came to ask your advice. I've received word that the emperors of Lithia, Tulsa, and Rican wish to meet with me. Their representatives arrive tomorrow at noon."
Jalen's gaze sharpened. "Do you wish to meet them?"
Ameer hesitated. "Honestly… no. They're not coming to congratulate me—they're coming to measure me. I can feel it. But if I refuse, it'll look weak."
"I doubt their intentions.
Jalen nodded. "So what's your decision, your majesty?"
"Senior, I was hoping you'd tell me."
"I'm not the emperor," Jalen replied. "Whatever you decide, it will be done."
Ameer exhaled. "Then I think the wise choice is to accept. But I want Senior to be there."
"I don't mind attending," Jalen said. "But I won't be involved in politics."
"Your presence alone gives me courage," Ameer admitted. "They won't dare disrespect me if you're in the room."
Jalen gave a faint smile. "Is that all you needed?"
"Actually… I've been studying the cultivation method you left behind. I need some pointers."
Jalen gestured toward the study chamber. "Then let's begin."
For the next hour, Jalen guided Ameer through the intricacies of the metal cultivation method. Ameer's qi affinity was metal, and the techniques Jalen had left behind were so refined, so layered, that Ameer couldn't stop rereading them. He had suspected they were ancient clan secrets. But when Jalen casually revealed that he had modified and created most of them himself, Ameer nearly vomited blood.
"These techniques… you made them?" Ameer gasped.
Jalen nodded. "More like took them apart and made them better."
Ameer stared at the scrolls in disbelief. "Then you're not just powerful. You're a creator."
Jalen didn't respond. He didn't need to.
When the session ended, Ameer bowed again and left.
—
The next day, the imperial court of Ron State prepared for the grand reception.
The palace was alive with movement. Formation gates pulsed. Spirit lanterns floated. The people of Alina gathered in ceremonial robes. Ameer's six royal guards—Will, Raye, Elias, Lionel, Tobias, and Latia—stood at attention, surrounding the throne in cardinal formation.
Ameer sat atop the throne carved from earth spirit root, his aura steadier than the day before. Below him, Jalen stood quietly—neither elevated nor diminished. His presence was unmistakable. Around them, the palace's key figures stood in silence, watching.
The first to arrive was the Crown Prince of Lithia, a Peak Sage Realm expert with silver robes and a calm gaze. His entourage followed, each bearing gifts: spirit stones, rare herbs, and formation scrolls.
Next came the Crown Prince of Tulsa, younger but sharper-eyed. His congregation carried healing elixirs and rare metals.
Last was the Crown Prince of Rican, broad-shouldered and solemn. His gifts were weapons—refined, deadly, and ceremonial.
Each prince bowed before Ameer, offering their tributes. But their eyes drifted—always—to Jalen.
They assessed the power structure: a young emperor at Peak Pearl Realm, surrounded by six Peak Sage Realm guards, and flanked by a man whose aura defied classification.
They weren't impressed by Ameer's cultivation. To them, he was a child. But they couldn't deny the power he held. And they knew—without Jalen, none of this would exist.
Then the unexpected happened.
The Crown Prince of Tulsa stepped forward and bowed to Jalen.
"Elder Jalen," he said, voice respectful. "It is an honor to meet a newly appointed elder of the Light Clan."
The room froze.
Even the Ron State officials stiffened. Will and the other guards paled.
The Light Clan—the number one healing clan in the cultivation world. Ancient. Untouchable. Their influence stretched across continents. Not many dared to offend them, not even emperors.
Had Will and his colleagues known this earlier, they would have treated Jalen very differently.
"I thought the Light Clan didn't involve themselves in worldly affairs," the Tulsa prince said.
"As you said, I'm newly appointed," Jalen replied, "so I'm not fully acquainted with the clan's ways. So I apologize if I don't fit your narrative."
"There is no need for Elder to apologize," the prince said quickly.
Jalen waved a hand. "Anyway, I'm not the focus here. The young emperor is. Pretend I'm not here."
"Of course," the prince said, bowing again.
Refreshments were served. Music played. The three crown princes took turns speaking with Ameer, discussing alliances, trade routes, and other things that can help improve relationships between their states and Ron State.
Ameer listened politely. He didn't agree to anything. "I'll review your proposals and give you an answer," he said.
The princes exchanged glances. They believed Ameer was a puppet. That Jalen held the true authority. And in some sense, they weren't wrong. But they weren't entirely right either.
Jalen didn't care about state policy. If he wanted to rule, he would have remained in Ruona, the Hewitt capital named after him—where his wife was a princess and his children held royal titles.
He had chosen Alina. He had chosen Ameer.
Eventually, the meet-and-greet ended. The three delegations departed, their minds racing with calculations and impressions.
—
That night, Jalen and Ameer sat alone in the palace garden.
"How was your talk with them?" Jalen asked.
Ameer smirked. "It's obvious they looked down on me. But it was fun watching them be respectful to someone they deemed a weak nobody."
"It is expected," Jalen said.
"So you're actually an elder of the Light Clan," Ameer said. "It seems Elder has a powerful background."
Jalen shrugged. "I don't need my background to stomp over enemies. But if it helps secure your reign, I don't mind it being known."
Ameer nodded slowly. Even he knew the Light Clan's reputation. Few dared to cross them.
"It's been a long day," Jalen said, rising. "I'll leave His Majesty to rest."
"Thank you, Senior," Ameer said, bowing.
Jalen didn't waste breath correcting him. He accepted the gesture and walked into the dusk.
Ameer remained seated, staring at the stars above Alina. He was emperor. And the world was watching.
And for the first time, he didn't flinch.