"I never expected that the talented disciple will come and pay me a visit. This is a very rare occasion." Ancestor Trest said while enjoying his tea. Currently, Xiaolei requested an audience with the ancestor in which the latter approved. He knew there was a reason why this man appeared in front of him, "Do tell, what reason do you have for seeking an audience with me?"
All eyes of the Firestander Faction was on Xiaolei. He was an unexpected visitor, after all. Why would someone from the Firelord Faction pay them, an enemy faction, a visit? It's not like they were friends, after all.
Xiaolei took a deep breath and explained, "Ancestor, although our factions aren't blending well, I always thought of your faction as my family, too. I cannot let it fall and will never let it happen."
"Beating around the bush with sweet words will get you nowhere, Xiaolei." Ancestor Trest shook his head. He wasn't buying the words of the other party, "But if that's all you want to say, then you can yourself out."
Being chased out immediately, Xiaolei closed his eyes and recollected his thoughts, "Ancestor Trest, I will be holding a meeting in the Grand Courtyard, and I want to invite you as the leader of the Firestander Faction to be present."
"A meeting? You want me to go to a meeting held by your faction?" Ancestor Trest raised his brow. His wrinkles crumpled more, "I will be crazy if I do."
Ancestor Trest was known for being hot tempered despite his age. He was very hard headed too, not willing to listen to other's opinions. For him, his opinion was what mattered and should matter in the whole sect.
"I know that this is hard, Ancestor. But we need your presence during the meeting." Xiaolei tried to persuade the old man. He wouldn't get out of this place unless he successfully reeled the ancestor in, "The sect needs to unify in order to prevent our destruction. As you already know, Heavenly Shadow is on our tail. And judging by their actions, they will soon attack us."
Xiaolei paused for a moment and explained again, "We all know how devious that sect is. They aren't even an imperial lineage but they are aiming to devour us. As a lineage with two emperors, can you, as the ancestor, take it?"
It was not a secret that Heavenly Shadow was aiming for Firegate. In fact, even mortals knew this. They declared their stance and even publicly announced how they wanted to deal with Firegate.
And Firegate as of now, with no allies to turn to, was like a lone man surrounded by a pack of wolves. If the two factions didn't unite, the destruction was imminent and no one could save them.
Ancestor Trest harrumphed and said, "If that old man is not petty and just handed over the rights to us, the Firegate will not be this low. At the very least, we have a fighting chance against that Heavenly Shadow. But what did he do? Because of pride or whatsoever, he is willing to pull the gate down with him? Then so be it, let's all go down if that's the case."
In other words, the ancestor had long accepted that the destruction would come. Unless the other faction handed over the authority, the Firestander Faction wouldn't do anything to stop it.
For Ancestor Trest to go this far meant that he had resolved this for a long time now.
If we couldn't take it, then let's destroy it.
The ruthlessness of the person named Ancestor Trest was over the roof that it suffocated Xiaolei. Just imagine, he was willing to let many people die over something like this? What's his difference compared to the ancestor of the Firelord Faction?
Xiaolei clenched his fists tightly. Since it came to this, he had no choice but to play his last card. He didn't want to, but for the sake of their sect, he had to.
Soon, he took out a small metal. It was like a coin with symbols engraved. Ancestor Trest's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Why is the Authority in your hands?"
The coin was named Authority, and the sole symbol of the highest ranking person in the sect. Anyone holding this coin would immediately have the ability to command anyone even the oldest ancestors.
It was rumored that this coin was already gone due to the passages of time. But who would have thought that it's in the possession of the most talented disciple of the sect?
"Ancestor Trest, this coin symbolizes utmost authority and not even you can escape it. You know what will happen if you don't follow the orders of the holder of Authority, right?" Xiaolei said. His voice was stern. He wouldn't back down again.
"I asked why the hell that coin is in your hands? I was told that it was lost a long time ago." Ancestor Trest's expression wasn't good. He was pale as white. He didn't anticipate that Xiaolei would have this coin.
"Why I have it is none of your business, Ancestor Trest. All you have to answer is my order." Xiaolei responded. Since he was holding the coin, his position rose. He didn't want to use this, actually. But he already lost all available options and he needed to make Ancestor Trest go.
After all, the coin was too precious that it would incite further greed from the other faction. In any case, he believed that Young Noble would be able to solve this problem so he didn't have to worry about anything.
Ancestor Trest looked at Xiaolei with deep and cold eyes. Eventually, he asked, "When is the meeting?"
"Tomorrow, after sunrise. The other faction leader will also be there. And I hope you can come alone." Xiaolei said, "We are not planning any petty tricks so rest assured that we won't harm you."
"Tomorrow, sunrise it is then." Ancestor Trent nodded, "I will be there at the Grand Courtyard, so don't worry."