Chapter 817 A New Master of Sunlance Academy
“Are you the leader of the Skyhawk Race?”
Kael suddenly pointed toward a first-tier Eternal beast cultivator.
The Skyhawk lord hesitated before crossing the distance in several rapid movements and stopping before Kael.
“That would be me. What may I do for you?”
He adopted an exceedingly humble attitude.
Although the Skyhawk Race held a slightly higher position than humanity in the Sunlance Galaxy, the difference was marginal. There were still several thousand races that could oppress them at will.
The Skyhawk lord, however, had encountered an extraordinary opportunity and somehow broken through to the Eternal Realm. His advancement had elevated the status of the entire Skyhawk Race.
“From this day forward, you will govern Sunlance Academy. What do you think?”
The Skyhawk lord hesitated, glancing toward the remaining Golden Dragon leaders in the distance.
“If they are what concerns you, I can kill them all right now,” Kael said calmly.
“What?”
The three remaining Eternal cultivators of Sunlance Academy immediately retreated.
“Kael, I am now the strongest cultivator left in the Golden Dragon Race,” one of them hurriedly said. “I promise that our entire race will withdraw from Sunlance Academy within a few days.”
The other two Eternal Vice Deans followed his example, assuring Kael that they would never oppress humanity again and that their races would also leave Sunlance Academy.
Kael nodded in satisfaction, then pointed at the Golden Dragon Eternal.
“What is your name?”
“Gawain Yu.”
“Gawain Yu, you and the Skyhawk lord will come with me. From today onward, every member of the Golden Dragon Race will live in the servants’ compound, while the humans and Skyhawks will move into Sunlance Academy.
“When you leave the academy, you are forbidden from taking any treasures or Prime Essence Stones with you. If I discover that anyone has stolen so much as a single treasure or secretly harvested any spirit herbs or medicinal plants, then I’m afraid the Golden Dragon Race will no longer have any reason to exist.”
Gawain lowered his head. “Your orders will be obeyed.”
“Let’s go.”
The leaders of the myriad races descended toward the servants’ compound.
The humans below were still dazed. None of them had imagined that Kael would not only kill the Dean of Sunlance Academy, but also eliminate several Eternal Vice Deans.
“Human cultivators, heed my command. From this day forward, you will live inside Sunlance Academy.” Kael turned toward Gawain. “The Golden Dragons will carry these humans into the academy. See that it is done properly.”
“Yes.”
Gawain signaled the other Golden Dragon cultivators. Despite their obvious reluctance, they began transporting the humans into Sunlance Academy and removed the restrictions that had previously barred them from entering.
The exchange took seven days to complete.
Afterward, Kael made a point of inspecting Sunlance Academy’s medicinal garden. Unfortunately, after stealing the immortal remains during his previous visit, he had buried Dark Spirit Roots throughout the soil. Every spirit herb in the garden had since withered beyond use.
Kael pressed his palm against the fertile earth.
Strands of black mist rose from the soil and gathered in his hand.
Once he had extracted them all, his Voidlink Mirror began to flash. The faces of the Skyhawk lord and Arthur appeared within it.
“What is it?” Kael asked.
“Father, the transfer ceremony is ready,” Arthur replied. “Everyone is waiting for you to preside over it.”
“Very well.”
Kael crossed the distance in several flashes and descended into Sunlance Academy’s martial plaza.
The enormous square was already packed with cultivators. Humans, Golden Dragons, and Skyhawks filled the grounds, while the leaders of the other races had also been granted permission to attend.
After all, the purpose of the assembly was to intimidate the myriad races. Arthur had therefore allowed representatives from every faction to witness it.
“Father!”
Arthur and the Skyhawk lord approached Kael.
The murmuring throughout the martial plaza instantly ceased. Countless gazes converged on Kael at once.
An ordinary cultivator would have felt as though he were walking over thin ice beneath the scrutiny of so many experts. Kael, however, possessed enough strength to crush everyone present. Their attention placed no pressure on him at all.
“In a moment, Father, Gawain Yu will enter with the senior members of the Golden Dragon Race. He will carry the control plate for Sunlance Academy’s grand defensive array, approach you, and place it in your hands.
“That will complete the ceremony. Is there anything else you would like to add?”
“Add?” Kael considered the question.
“For example, Gawain could lead the senior Golden Dragons in kneeling before you, publicly demonstrating their complete submission.”
“Would that be appropriate?” Kael asked after a moment’s thought.
“Lord Lin, have you forgotten how the Golden Dragons used to enslave humanity?” the Skyhawk lord said. “They treated humans as food. Asking them to kneel is nothing. The fact that you spared their lives is already an extraordinary mercy.”
“Very well. We’ll do as you suggest.”
Kael settled into the seat of honor.
Time passed slowly.
Before long, golden light appeared in the distance. Gawain entered the martial plaza with the senior members of the Golden Dragon Race following behind him.
He carried a translucent jade plate in his hands, and his expression was grim.
“Keep moving,” the Skyhawk lord called from the side.
Gawain turned and glared at him.
If looks could kill, the Skyhawk lord would have been carved into pieces.
Until recently, Gawain had stood at the pinnacle of the mighty Golden Dragon Race, while the Skyhawks had failed to rank among even the five thousand most powerful races in Sunlance Academy.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor.
“What are you staring at?” Arthur demanded, stepping up beside the Skyhawk lord.
Gawain’s heart sank.
He might have dared to challenge the Skyhawk lord, but Arthur was Kael’s foster son. He did not dare provoke him.
Taking a deep breath, Gawain continued forward beneath the eyes of the assembled cultivators.
When he reached the high platform, Kael remained seated.
“L-Lord Lin, this is the control plate for Sunlance Academy’s grand defensive array. Please accept it.”
Gawain extended the array plate with one hand.
“Kneel,” Arthur ordered coldly.
“What?” Gawain jerked his head up. “You want me to kneel?”
He looked straight at Kael, needing to know whether the command had come from him or whether the humans below were acting on their own initiative.
“Did you not hear him? Kneel!” The Skyhawk lord strode forward.
“You... You—”
Gawain ultimately swallowed the word traitor.
He was now the strongest cultivator remaining in the Golden Dragon Race. If he died as well, the Golden Dragons would fall from the ranks of the galaxy’s premier races.
The birth of even one Eternal cultivator was enough to elevate an entire race to the highest tier. Any enemy who wished to prey upon its weaker members would first have to consider the Eternal standing behind them.
Without an Eternal, however, a race could be abused at will by every greater power around it. The only way to obtain even the barest protection was to offer tribute to a stronger race year after year.
Even then, if protecting them ever became too costly, their supposed benefactors would sacrifice them like disposable pawns.
A race without an Eternal cultivator possessed no dignity at all.
“L-Lord Lin,” Gawain asked, “is this your will as well?”
“The Golden Dragon Race ruled the Sunlance Galaxy for years, treating humans as food and fastening Soul-Locking Collars around their necks. Since everyone would like to see you kneel, then kneel.”