Chapter 826

James did not want to simply act carelessly before he had all the facts in front of him.

Gloom glanced at James and asked, “What do you want to know?”

“I want to know more about the plan a century ago and the incident where the King wiped out the Gu
Sect. I want a thorough explanation of the current power dynamics within the Capital.” Gloom remained
silent. After a while, he shook his head. “It’s too complicated. It’s too hard for me to explain with words
only. You’ll come to understand soon.”

James said, “One last question.”

Gloom looked at him. “Go ahead.”

“Who’s the current King’s preferred candidate in the fight for succession? Where does he stand on this
matter?”

Gloom said, “I don’t know who he’s eyeing at the moment. However, I can say with certainty that the
nation’s development is at the forefront of every decision the King makes. Everything he does is for the
sake of the people, not to purge his political opponents.”

When he heard this, James let out a small sigh of relief.

“By the way… Earlier when you said that I’m now a grandmaster of martial arts, you mentioned that I’m
not even a first rank. What did you mean by that?”

“Naturally, there’s a ranking system for the cultivation of True Energy.”

James tilted his head. “I’d like to know more.”



Gloom continued, “The first rank is the lowest stage of cultivation, while the ninth rank is the highest.”

“That’s it?”

Gloom replied dryly, “This isn’t rocket science, you know?”

“Then how strong would one be at ninth rank?”

Gloom sank into silence. After a few seconds, he shook his head. “I don’t know. For thousands of
years, there haven’t been any records of anyone reaching the ninth rank. If there really was someone,
the only person that comes to mind is the Prince of Orchids. He’s the lord of the Ancient Four’s
ancestors.”

James took a deep breath. He did not expect Gloom to know about this too.

“How about the eighth rank?”

“Records of them are few. As far as I know, only the Ancient Four’s ancestors have reached such a
rank. However, thousands of years have passed, and they are all now buried deep beneath the earth.”
Gloom explained yet again.

“Then the seventh rank?”

“I don’t know.” Gloom shook his head.

“What rank is the strongest grandmaster today?”

Gloom finally stood up. “I’ve said enough. Everything will be clear soon. Within the

document, there’s a secret order from the King. You may now return to the Southern Plains. and
resume your position as the Dragon King. After that, return to the courthouse, obtain the Blade of
Justice, and kill the Emperor.”



Having said everything he needed, he turned to leave.

James watched the man walk away.

This man’s ordinary looks belied his incredible skills.

Even though James had cultivated True Energy and was now a grandmaster of martial arts, he knew
he could not even hold a candle to Gloom.

“Ranks, huh? I wonder what’s Gloom’s rank then.”

James murmured.

He was positive that Gloom was also a grandmaster. He just did not know exactly how strong he was.

“The dynamics in the Capital are more complex than I initially thought.” James sighed and clutched his
temples.

The King had begun closing in on the Emperor.

Eliminating him would only be the beginning.

Once the Emperor is dead, Sol would be thrown into disarray. Anything could happen then. However,
now that it had come to this, James had no choice but to press on.

“Back to the Southern Plains as the Dragon King, huh?”

He murmured absentmindedly.

Tiara was lying on the bed listening to their conversation.



Although she could not understand most of what they were saying, she knew that James had been
reinstated.

“Congratulations, James!”

As he glanced at Tiara, he let out a disappointed sigh. “There’s nothing to congratulate me on. If I had
the choice, I’d prefer the carefree life of an ordinary citizen.”


62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda