Augusta was startled.
This is bad… am I about to become the chicken he kills to scare the monkeys?
Hearing Sovereign Locke's question, Augusta's heart turned cold.
Of the four remaining Law Sovereigns, three had already agreed with Locke's proposal. If he alone opposed it, Locke would absolutely make an example of him.
No matter how much resentment he held toward Locke, when facing him directly, Augusta still felt a deep unease.
After all, as the embodiment of all the negative aspects of the Fate Sovereign Orloff, Augusta possessed almost none of Orloff's virtues.
When his life was at stake, Augusta would not hesitate to drag Orloff down with him.
Just as Orloff frowned and prepared to step forward to defuse the situation for Augusta, a single sentence from Augusta caused him to stop in his tracks.
"If they want to become the number one elemental plane, they should first surpass my Light Divine Plane!"
"This time, I will spend three million years stabilizing the Laws of the Light Divine Plane—so that all you can do is watch its back!"
"Hahaha, it seems all of you Sovereigns are quite reasonable. That puts my mind at ease."
Locke was very satisfied with the choices of the four Law Sovereigns. His forceful stance had not been in vain.
"Additionally, due to the shortage of Water Sovereigns in the Water Divine Plane, I will temporarily assume the position of Water Sovereign until a new one emerges."
Compared to his earlier proposals, this declaration drew no objections.
After all, if not for Locke's intervention, the Water Divine Plane would have collapsed within a million years.
Calling him its savior would not be an exaggeration.
"Sovereigns, I know that due to the previous Sovereign War, many of you have formed your own factions and allegiances."
"But I hope that all of you can devote part of your time to maintaining the stability of the divine planes."
"If you fear being ambushed while leaving your protectors, then when you go to regulate the Laws of a plane, you may notify the four Rule Sovereigns—or me."
"We will be responsible for your safety."
"Yes, Sovereign Locke."
This final statement allowed all the Sovereigns to breathe a sigh of relief.
With the backing of the four Rule Sovereigns and Locke himself, no Sovereign would dare launch an attack during such periods.
Even the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns were satisfied with this arrangement.
Under Locke's proposal, they would need to spend two hundred thousand years every hundred million years stabilizing their respective planes—a time when they would be at their most vulnerable.
And unfortunately, they had longstanding grievances with the Wind Sovereign Deya.
But with Locke's guarantee, things were different.
Even if Deya had a hundred times the courage, he would not dare risk being hunted by both Locke and the four Rule Sovereigns.
"Sovereign Wordred."
After addressing the main purpose of the assembly, Locke turned to the Destruction Sovereign.
"My proposal is complete. Do you have any objections?"
"Hmph."
Wordred snorted but did not voice opposition.
As a Sovereign, maintaining the stability of a plane was part of his duty—and this was something he had never neglected.
The Chaotic Sea, after all, was the region in the Infernal Realm where conflicting Laws were most intense. Wordred's suppression of it was, in essence, no different from Locke and the others regulating the Laws of their planes.
"And what about you, Fate Sovereign Orloff? Do you have any objections?"
"No. Sovereign Locke's proposal is sound. I support it."
Orloff shook his head, not opposing Locke despite their earlier conflict.
"I agree as well."
The Life Sovereign Wawaya nodded.
Among all Sovereigns, she was the one who disliked conflict the most. During the last Sovereign War, the Life Divine Plane was the only Supreme Plane where no Sovereign had fallen.
Of the seven Life Sovereigns, only Lilia's twin-soul Underworld Sovereign was not present there.
Influenced by Wawaya, the Life Sovereigns also avoided conflict.
It could be said that, aside from the Underworld, the Life Divine Plane had the highest proportion of its native Laws among the four Supreme Planes.
In the Underworld, under the Death Sovereign's "Heart of the Underworld," the Death Laws accounted for seventy-five percent—and even without regulation, that ratio would not decline.
Other Supreme Planes were different.
Though created by the Overgods with seventy percent Law dominance, the Destruction Sovereign and Fate Sovereign rarely regulated their planes due to their focus on cultivation. Thanks to their subordinate Sovereigns, the ratio remained stable but did not increase.
The Life Divine Plane, however, had reached seventy-one percent.
"Don't look at me."
When it was her turn, the Death Sovereign crossed her arms, her gaze proud and domineering.
"With me here, the Death Sovereigns don't need to regulate anything. The Underworld will always be the strongest Supreme Plane."
"In that case, my proposal for this Sovereign Assembly ends here."
"Additionally, the Snowfall Sovereign's escape led to the near collapse of the Water Divine Plane. This is a grave crime."
"Next, I will pass judgment upon the Snowfall Sovereign. I invite all Sovereigns to observe."
"If there is anything improper in my judgment, you may speak freely."
Immediately, Locke's soul power spread outward, spanning countless material planes.
In the Panlong universe, material planes were innumerable. Even for a Sovereign, locating another Sovereign hidden within one was no easy task.
However, Snowfall Sovereign had fled with the violet crystal containing the profound mysteries of World Freezing.
Within that crystal was a strand of Locke's soul essence.
Through the resonance between souls, Locke quickly located the material plane where Snowfall Sovereign resided.
With a gentle wave of his right hand, an image projection appeared within the spatial turbulence.
"Snowfall Sovereign?"
When they saw the figure meditating within a metallic castle in the projection, the gathered Sovereigns were shocked.
They had no idea how Locke had found him so quickly.
Either he had left some mark on Snowfall Sovereign—or he possessed some method of tracking Sovereigns.
As if sensing their doubts, Locke explained:
"As you all know, tens of thousands of years ago, I sealed the profound mysteries of World Freezing into a violet crystal and gave it to Snowfall Sovereign."
"That is why I was able to find him so easily."
Whether they truly believed it or not, all the Sovereigns nodded along, playing their part.
…
Snowfall Plane.
Snowfall Sovereign let out a slow breath.
Just moments ago, he had resolved another issue in his cultivation of World Freezing, slightly increasing its power.
Yet the more he studied it, the more despair he felt.
At first, he had believed he could master it within a thousand years.
Now, after tens of thousands of years, he felt he hadn't even touched its true essence.
No matter how much time he spent, it seemed impossible.
"…Sigh."
Looking at the violet crystal in his hand, his expression grew complicated.
He was certain Locke had not tampered with it. There were no traps, no hidden difficulties.
Each time he immersed his soul within it, he could refine the technique as if he were the original caster.
Yet the power of his version was worlds apart from Locke's.
The crystal had indeed improved his strength—but it had also deepened his despair.
The more he understood, the clearer it became: mastering this technique was impossible.
Suddenly, he froze, swiftly storing the crystal away.
Before him, the Laws of Fate condensed into a projection—Locke's rule-based clone.
"Sovereign Locke!"
Even though it was merely a clone, Snowfall Sovereign's expression changed, and he immediately bowed.
Though Sovereigns were invincible within their native material planes, Locke was no ordinary Sovereign.
A being who had reached Great Perfection three times.
Even his clone might possess the strength of an Intermediate Sovereign.
Snowfall Sovereign did not dare assume he could suppress it.
"Snowfall Sovereign."
Locke's clone opened its eyes, his gaze cold.
"Not long ago, I convened the fourth Sovereign Assembly."
"The contents were as follows."
Using the projection, Locke displayed everything that had transpired.
"Snowfall Sovereign—do you have any objections to the duties established in this assembly?"
"No, Sovereign Locke."
"Then, do you admit your crime—abandoning your duty and causing the Water Divine Plane to verge on collapse?"
"…"
Previously, he would have denied it.
But after witnessing Locke's actions…
"I admit my guilt, Sovereign Locke."
"Good."
"Then will you leave this material plane and accept judgment—or resist to the end?"
Silence.
"…Sigh."
After a long pause, Snowfall Sovereign spoke.
"Sovereign Locke… may I know my punishment?"
"Oh?"
Locke raised an eyebrow.
"If it is too severe, you intend to resist?"
"Yes."
Snowfall Sovereign straightened, his expression cold.
"I have only one life. If your punishment threatens it, I will not leave."
"If you want me dead, then you must sacrifice another Sovereign to destroy this plane and force me into the spatial turbulence."
"Otherwise…"
He did not finish—but everyone understood.
He would hide here forever.
Locke shook his head.
"Your punishment will not cost you your life."
"But if you think hiding here makes you untouchable—you underestimate me."
As the clone spoke, Locke himself extended his right hand toward the projection.
"Edict: Spatial Transference!"
With that, he pulled—
And before the stunned gaze of all Sovereigns, Snowfall Sovereign vanished from the projection.
The next instant, he appeared—still seated—before them in the spatial turbulence.
As if he had been dragged straight out of the projection itself.
The Sovereigns collectively sucked in a breath.
(End of Chapter)
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