The War Soul Blood Flag was reclaimed by Ye Zhen, but whether Ye Zhen could continue to possess it was another matter entirely. After returning to Black Water King’s City, there would definitely be discussions about who should possess the War Soul Blood Flag, and of this, Ye Zhen was certain.
However, Ye Zhen, who had anticipated this point, wasn’t angry at all, as this should naturally be the way things unfolded.
Even though Ye Zhen had reclaimed the War Soul Blood Flag from the Battlefield of Demon Souls, Ye Zhen alone couldn’t protect the War Soul Blood Flag.
To protect the War Soul Blood Flag, the upper echelons of Qiyun Sect and Sword Origin Sect had almost moved out in full force. Zhongli Jing and Lik Shi were heavily injured, not to mention their realms had fallen, and the price paid was not small.
Moreover, the power of the War Soul Blood Flag was too formidable—it was simply a critical national treasure!
Just now, in the battle against Sword Origin Sect, despite being outnumbered, with the enhancement from the War Soul Blood Flag, Black Water Kingdom had fought Sword Origin Sect to a draw.
Later, Ye Zhen took a risk to upgrade the War Soul Blood Flag to the second rank. Under the 40% increase in combat power of the War Soul Blood Flag, Sword Origin Sect was defeated and even left behind five bodies!
These five bodies weren’t ordinary citizens or True Inheritors, but five Soul Sea Realm elders, just below the Vein Forging Realm warriors.
In the entire Black Dragon Domain, the presence of Vein Forging Realm could be counted on one’s fingers, but Soul Sea Realm warriors were also very rare.
According to Ye Zhen’s knowledge, there were about twenty openly known Soul Sea Realm Martial Artists in Black Water Kingdom. Including the hidden and secluded experts, there were at most thirty Soul Sea Realm warriors.
The number of Soul Sea Realm Martial Artists in Sword Origin Sect, as the archenemy of Black Water Kingdom, was roughly the same, at most just over thirty!
Now, five had been wiped out at once, and the loss and pain were enormous, known only by Sword Origin Sect.
From this, it can be seen that the War Soul Blood Flag was absolutely a treasure that could overturn the outcome of a battle at a critical moment!
This was precisely why Ye Zhen needed to find a way to keep the War Soul Blood Flag in his own hands.
At a critical moment, he might be able to turn the tide with the War Soul Blood Flag.
However, the War Soul Blood Flag didn’t bond exclusively with a single master.
This determined that the high command of Black Water Kingdom could take away the War Soul Blood Flag from Ye Zhen’s hands.
If someone else had asked, Ye Zhen might have been able to refuse, but if Sect Master Guo Qijing asked, Ye Zhen absolutely couldn’t refuse.
Moreover, the high command of Black Water Kingdom taking the War Soul Blood Flag from Ye Zhen wasn’t entirely about seizing the spoils of war or malice.
It could be foreseen that, given the terrifying effectiveness of the War Soul Blood Flag, Sword Origin Sect would definitely try everything to reclaim it. Under normal circumstances, with Ye Zhen’s strength, it would be very difficult to protect the War Soul Blood Flag.
Ye Zhen guessed that this was also why the high command of Black Water Kingdom wanted the War Soul Blood Flag back!
This reason was also why Ye Zhen couldn’t refuse!
Ultimately, with Ye Zhen at the peak of the Spirit Summoning Realm, he couldn’t protect the War Soul Blood Flag.
If an accident occurred, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"How can I keep the War Soul Blood Flag in my own hands?"
Ye Zhen furrowed his brows and pondered deeply.
Looking at the current situation, keeping the War Soul Blood Flag in his own hands was as difficult as reaching the heavens!
Ye Zhen could foresee that, whether for the purpose of securing the War Soul Blood Flag or to protect Ye Zhen, Sect Master Guo Qijing wouldn’t let Ye Zhen continue to possess the War Soul Blood Flag, which was precisely what troubled Ye Zhen the most, and he couldn’t refuse!
Along the way, Ye Zhen spent his time deep in thought, until they flew to Black Water King’s City, Ye Zhen hadn’t figured out a suitable method.
The Sect Leader of Qiyun Sect, Master of Lishui Sect, and nearly all of the Sect Elders from both sects had arrived at Black Water King’s City, having long received the Talisman Communication, and the Black Water Royal Family had already moved out in full force.
Ten miles from Black Water King’s City, Ye Zhen saw the banners flying and the Guard Army of Black Water Kingdom waiting there.
It wasn’t just the Guard Army; three thousand princes, dozens of princes including Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan, were all arrayed there. Emperor Yuankang, the supreme ruler of Black Water Kingdom, was positioned at the very front of the welcoming party.
This was almost a national-scale welcome.
From afar, the hefty Emperor Yuankang rose into the air with a group of princes and nobles and personally welcomed them from five miles away.
"Sect Master Guo, Sect Leader Chu, for establishing such extraordinary merits for the empire, you’ve labored hard! It is fitting for me to come out and welcome you, absolutely fitting!" Emperor Yuankang laughed, his face squeezing into one mass, and before Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping, he didn’t show the slightest imperial dignity.
What followed were a series of pleasantries that made Ye Zhen’s ears grow calluses, and naturally, there was nothing concerning the Spirit Summoning Realm martial artists like them.
Suddenly, Ye Zhen’s ears twitched—he seemed to hear someone calling his name.
The moment he looked up, Ye Zhen saw Emperor Yuankang’s chubby face, squeezed into the shape of a pancake, smilingly looking at him.
"Ah, this must be the Young Hero Ye, Ye Zhen, who made great contributions in the Battlefield of Demon Souls and captured the War Soul Blood Flag for the first time. Truly a distinguished person with impressive bearing!" Emperor Yuankang said.
"I have seen Your Majesty!"
Ye Zhen bowed slightly.
This is the advantage of being a Spirit Summoning Realm martial artist or a True Disciple; not only could they meet officials without bowing, meet kings without bowing, but even before a supreme emperor, they could stand proudly!
"Young Hero Ye has established such great merits; I most definitely will not be stingy with noble titles. Does Young Hero Ye have any family members? Please report them early so that I may discuss merits and confer titles accordingly," Emperor Yuankang said
At this moment, when Emperor Yuankang referred to himself, he used ’we’ rather than the ’I’ he had used in front of Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping.
This shows how influential the Martial Arts Sects were within the empire—the emperor didn’t dare use the royal ’we’ in front of the Sect Leaders!
Hearing this, Han Shi, Gao Xinglie, Wan Zhanjun, Niu Qing, and Tong Wei behind Ye Zhen all burst into laughter.
Noble titles.
The titles of the Black Water Empire were still precious.
Although these martial artists did not vouch for such titles and saw little use for them, their families needed them. A single title, enough to console the ancestors, was the greatest gift they could offer to their parents.
It was the same for Ye Zhen.
Since he had joined the martial arts world, he could not fulfill his filial duties in front of his parents. Ye Zhen felt quite guilty toward his parents, so upon suddenly hearing that Emperor Yuankang wanted to grant him a noble title, he believed it to be great news that his parents would certainly be delighted about.
In his happiness, Ye Zhen’s thoughts suddenly stirred.
This great achievement warranted a reward from the empire, but Emperor Yuankang’s eagerness to bestow a great reward on himself seemed a bit suspect, didn’t it?
"Ye Zhen thanks His Majesty first!"
"This achievement should be rewarded, as is right! Ah, Ye Zhen, I heard that during the recent battle with Sword Origin Sect, attempting to capture the flag, the War Soul Blood Flag performed an extraordinary feat.
Poor Black Water Kingdom, it has been over a hundred years, and yet has not seen what the War Soul Blood Flag looks like. Could you bring out the War Soul Blood Flag for Us to see?" Emperor Yuankang said.
This request was not unreasonable.
As Ye Zhen nodded, he took out the War Soul Blood Flag and held it in his hand for Emperor Yuankang to see.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Yuankang gave a smile and stretched out his hand towards Ye Zhen, clearly intending to take the War Soul Blood Flag into his hands for a closer look.
In that instant, the expressions of Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping simultaneously changed.
Even if Emperor Yuankang was amiable, he was still the supreme ruler of the Black Water Empire. For such a supreme figure to reach out with both hands to take the War Soul Blood Flag from Ye Zhen’s hands was already a great show of condescension.
Normally, most people would obediently hand over the War Soul Blood Flag to the other party under such circumstances.
It must be said, Emperor Yuankang was very shrewd, even skillfully managing people’s psychology to a fine point.
Once the War Soul Blood Flag was in the hands of Emperor Yuankang, it would be another matter entirely.
The fact that the War Soul Blood Flag did not have unique ownership was common knowledge among the Five Countries, and Emperor Yuankang also knew this.
If so, Emperor Yuankang could simply use the excuse of ’a nation’s precious artifact’ to dismiss Ye Zhen and claim ownership of the War Soul Blood Flag.
In the presence of so many people, Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping naturally could not react on the spot and offend Emperor Yuankang’s dignity.
Once the War Soul Blood Flag was in the hands of Emperor Yuankang, retrieving it would be difficult.
This was also why, seeing Emperor Yuankang reaching out, both Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping’s expressions changed dramatically.
To be honest, even Ye Zhen failed to escape Emperor Yuankang’s calculations with such a humble gesture.
Seeing Emperor Yuankang extend his hands, Ye Zhen instinctively handed over the War Soul Blood Flag.
But just at that moment, a sudden doubt awakened Ye Zhen!
Once the War Soul Blood Flag was in Emperor Yuankang’s hands, could he, Ye Zhen, still get it back?
Ye Zhen had strategized all the way to keep the War Soul Blood Flag, and now, before the real opponent even appeared, it was about to be taken away by Emperor Yuankang. How could Ye Zhen accept this?
Realizing this, just as Emperor Yuankang’s fingers touched the flagpole of the War Soul Blood Flag, Ye Zhen’s hand sharply retracted, and he pulled back the War Soul Blood Flag.
Emperor Yuankang’s hands, reaching out to take the flag, suddenly fell short, and his expression instantly turned very ugly.
This moment, however, caused Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping, who had been frowning deeply, to relax and breathe a sigh of relief.
If the War Soul Blood Flag were to fall into Emperor Yuankang’s hands now, that would truly be troublesome.
"Young Hero Ye, what does this mean?"
His plans thwarted, Emperor Yuankang’s expression darkened as he solemnly asked.
"Uh... Your Majesty, it is like this, upon receiving the War Soul Blood Flag, a mysterious force impacts the mind, causing unbearable, excruciating pain. I feared that it might injure Your Majesty, hence I withdrew!"
With a quick turn of his eyes, Ye Zhen found a suitable excuse!
"Ah, Young Hero Ye is indeed considerate. However, though We have not achieved Spirit Transformation, having been at the Peak of Spirit Summoning Realm for so many years, the force of the War Soul Blood Flag is still bearable..."
"Your Majesty, Ye Zhen’s Divine Soul Cultivation is very powerful. It might indeed injure Your Majesty," said Guo Qijing, timely and insipidly, causing Emperor Yuankang’s expression to stiffen.
"Your Majesty, let us first return to the city," suggested Chu Taiping. "Both our sects and several elders are severely injured from the fierce battle with the traitors of Sword Origin Sect, and we urgently need to enter the city to heal!"
Guo Qijing and Chu Taiping played off each other, leaving Emperor Yuankang without a response, only able to invite everyone first to the city for healing!
While Ye Zhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, he became even more anxious.
Having just returned, the War Soul Blood Flag was almost lost to Emperor Yuankang. How could he truly secure the War Soul Blood Flag?
Especially when facing the protective affection of Sect Leader Guo Qijing?
Ye Zhen’s brows locked tightly again! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we invite you to vote and give monthly contributions at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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