Back in the Primordial Era there were four main realms that were connected by stairways. These stairways were called Heavenly Fate Steps. Those who walked those steps and pass through from one realm to another would become legendary figures in the future. The four realms were the Earth Realm, Heavenly Realm, Divine Realm and lastly the most terrifying of them the Godly Realm. After the destruction of the stairways, moving forward from one realm to another became an impossible feat. The people could no longer breakthrough from their bottlenecks as their Realms could not accomodate people of higher cultivation level.
The Earth Realm was divided into five major continents. These major continents were the Eastern Continent, Western Continent, Southern Continent, Northern Continent and finally the strongest of them the Central Continent. The Southern Continent was the weakest among them. Although it was the weakest among them it was still a powerful force not to be offended.The Southern Continent was the one that supplied most of the materials used in making high grade weapons. The Southern Continent was ruled by the Xia Dynasty, beneath it were the Nine Ancient Clans and some Top Sects . These Ancient Clans included the Lin Clan, Wei Clan, Zhou Clan, Han Clan, Mo Clan, Qin Clan, Fen Clan, Yin Clan, and the Tang Clan.
When the Xia Dynasty was founded there were no Ancient Clans. These Clans appeared a decade ago, because of their strength they managed to suppress the Sects. The Ancestral Emperor of the Xia Dynasty was a clever person who immediately gave them tittle of Ancient Clans. The leader of the Ancient Clans was the Lin Clan which was led by Lin Fu their patriarch. Lin Fu was a handsome young man with long blue hair that looked like frozen water. The long hair complimented with his blue galaxy like eyes made him appear like the Heavenly Jade Emperor. If not for his deep voice and Adam's apple people would mistake him for a young lady.
At the Royal Hall of the Xia Dynasty a lean middle-aged man sat on what appeared like a Dragon throne with a blood red dragon robe. This man gave off an oppressive aura. This man was the current Emperor of the Xia Dynasty. The Emperor was busy discussing Imperial affairs with his subjects in a harmonious atmosphere. This harmonious atmosphere was broke by the solemn voice that came from the entrance.
" The envoy from the Wukong Sect request an audience with His Majesty."announced a trembling eunuch.
" Let him in."boomed the Emperor's voice.
A figure flashed into the Royal Hall even though it was considered a forbidden act to teleport in the royal palace except for a few. The envoy's eyes were filled with an unbridled arrogance and disdain for everyone including the Emperor.
" Are you not going to give a bow to His Majesty." asked one of the Imperial Guards who could not stand the gaze of the envoy.
" He is not qualified to receive my bow." snorted the envoy.
"You..-." the guard wanted to retort.
"Silence!." Intervened the Emperor as he turned his calm gaze to the envoy as if he wasn't offended by him." How have you been Elder Shia. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit as one of special Inner Court Elders?." asked the Emperor.
' So he is an Inner Court Elder, that's why he is arrogant. ' thought the crowd.
" Same old thing, just looking for an opportunity to breakthrough past my bottleneck. How about you Xia Wenchen." replied Elder Shia.
" Cut to the chase and tell me why you are here in my territory." the Emperor replied with a stoic expression without showing an anger on his face even though he was angered after being called by his first name.
"I shall go down to business then." said Elder Shia when he failed to anger the Emperor.
"Thought so. It's so unlike you to come and see me for nothing." sneered the Emperor
"I was sent by the Sect Master with a proposal that would be good for your current situation. The proposal is to let us have access to the Moon iron ore that is produced by you Southern Continent and our Sect would allow anyone from the younger generation to enter the Wukong Sect as Inner Court disciples. We will not mistreat them. We will even nurture them with our best resources." smirked the envoy after laying out the terms of the proposal.
"Your Majesty you cannot accept the proposal." before the Emperor could speak, the Ministers voiced out their opinions
"Yes Your Majesty these conditions are inhuman. They know that the mine is where most of our income come from yet they still dare utter such ridiculous terms." even the Imperial Advisor who was known for his calmness couldn't stand still after hearing the proposal.
Some of them even started unleashing their auras trying to intimidate the envoy but Elder Shia turned a blind eye to their grievances. This was because he knew that they would not dare lay a finger on him. This confidence came from the fact that he came from the Wukong Sect, a top Sect in the Northern Continent. It was known for its cruel nature and unorthodox way of cultivation. This could massacre a city without even batting an eye. Their reputation made people want to stay a thousand miles away from any Sect member of their Sect. The reason why they still stood even after accumulation of a lot of bad karma was due to their previous generation Sect Master known as the Blood Asura. He was a nightmare for many top Sects due to his bloodthirsty nature and high cultivation. He was at the sixth level of the Human Immortal Realm stage whilst the strongest cultivator of the Xia Dynasty was their Ancestral Emperor who was at the Peak of the Body and Soul Tribulation Realm.
"I'm afraid I cannot accept your generous offer." declined the Emperor with a calm expression even though he was cursing deep in his heart.
'Damn!. Do they think I'm a fool.' cursed the Emperor.
"Your Majesty please reconsider your decision." the Crown Prince, Xia Mang who wanted to enter top Sect hurriedly argued.
When Elder Shia noticed that the Crown Prince accept the proposal he was excited. He could not help but wonder how he became the Crown Prince with his stupidity.
"Xia Wenchen think twice before refusing otherwise humph." snorted Elder Shia
"It's not that I don't want to. It's just that the Ancient Clans would never agree." replied the Emperor as he tried to buy time while he summoned the Ancient Clans.
"Father , the Ancient Clans have no say in this matter." retorted the Crown Prince. The Emperor and his people wondered why they had a foolish Crown Prince.
"Who are these Ancient Clans anyway." asked Elder Shia.
" They are forces with enough power to rival my Xia Dynasty." answered the Emperor.
" Oh. Call them here I want to see if they dare refuse my proposal. We can still discuss the ter..._."
" There is no room for discussion, you can scram now." a soft voice echoed in the hall as a person walked in. He wore white robes that looked like snow with silvery hair.
"Who are you?." questioned Elder Shia with a harsh voice after being cut while speaking.
"This is the patriarch of the Qin Clan, Qin Wuji." introduced the Crown Prince.
"So it's you. Can you consider again." Elder Shia refused to give up.
"No." Qin Wuji gave a one word answer to show his reluctance to converse with him.
" Since it's like that let us kill everyone except for the Crown Prince." said a voice that came from a hole that had formed in front of the envoy due to the collapse of space.
This phenomenon announces the arrival of a Human Immortal Realm stage cultivator. A black robed person walked out from the tunnel.
" Welcome Grand Elder Fu." the arrogant Elder Shia now appeared docile. Everyone went pale except for Qin Wuji after hearing the words Grand Elder.