A few minutes later...
After flying away with everything he had for only a few minutes, Oswald had already disappeared over the horizon of the City of Clouds, leaving behind many of its experts worried.
But it was not for nothing. After leaving his home in a rage, the master of this sect unconsciously used his innate ability while moving to the empire's capital.
And such a thing might not be a problem if it were other people. But Oswald's innate ability was one used for intimidation, something extremely effective against those weaker than him.
In this situation, of the 10 million people in that city, he was the strongest in terms of cultivation. And as such, even though his departure was quick, only a few seconds, millions of people in that city had suffered from that person's ability.
When the experts from the Gray Clouds Sect went out into the streets of that city to check the situation, they found hundreds of thousands of unconscious people in the streets.
The vast majority of people were lying on the ground as if they had suddenly decided to lie down and sleep in the middle of the streets.
Along with them, spiritual beasts had also fallen on the outskirts, with many flying beasts having suffered, falling on top of houses, people, etc.
Meanwhile, the silence that should not be there in such a prominent place permeated that area, making even the sounds of saliva being swallowed noticeable.
"Unbelievable!" A Spiritual Emperor said this with his companions as he saw the situation in that city.
But it was not their fault that they were frightened. That was because Oswald's innate ability was so impressive that those below the 7th stage were defenseless when it was activated.
This man was so powerful that even Spiritual Emperors would feel suppression from a mere glance!
Consequently, the millions of locals had experienced a spiritual knockout because of Oswald's inconsequential action.
"Activate the defenses!" A Spiritual Saint shouted this from the middle of that city, concerned about how vulnerable this place had been left.
"Stay in a state of alert!"
"Find out where the sect master has gone!"
Commands scattered through the streets of that city, while the few individuals left standing tried to control the situation and do something to restore normalcy.
On the other hand, others were already worried about what Oswald might do next.
After all, as much as he was one of the strongest in the Flaming Empire, that did not make the Gray Clouds Sect invincible. No, not only existed cultivators as strong as him in this state but also organizations stronger than theirs.
Consequently, these more experienced people were already starting to get worried!
...
While Maisie's sect was facing an unprecedented situation in the City of Clouds, a whole day had passed since the departure of Minos' grandfather.
However, even if that was only a short time, Oswald had already traveled a distance as great as that from the capital of the Snow Kingdom to Dry City.
That was almost two months of travel for Minos using Maida!
But for someone at the highest level of the 8th stage, that was just a walk in the park.
Hell, not only was Oswald mighty but so was the region he was in. With that, with the manipulation of the spiritual energy external to his body, he had made this path with ease, finally having reached the capital of the Flaming Empire.
Payton was the capital of the empire, home to 12 million people, a place with as many Spiritual Saints per square meter as Spiritual Kings in some capitals in the northern region of the Central Continent.
At the same time, this was the location of the Spiritual Church temple responsible for local affairs and for the northern region, where Gloria worked and lived.
But upon arriving in this great city, Oswald did not waste his time appreciating the local beauties and attractions. No, he already knew every inch of this place, so he went straight to the imperial palace to talk to the old emperor.
He knew that he could not do much against the Spiritual Church, so going to cause a stir in that organization's temple would do little good for his cause. With that said, the best option was to ask the emperor for help so that he would help him concerning the other seven sects.
...
And quickly, Oswald reached the imperial hall, where Harold Edwardstone, level 80, the emperor, sat on a dark red throne, silently watching that white-haired old man.
The emperor looked much younger than Oswald, even considering he had lived a few centuries longer than Minos' grandfather.
But that was not strange. After all, aside from 8th stage cultivators already being able to alter their bodies with ease even in the immediate moments before death, someone at the 9th stage did it much better.
So, the strong, tall, red-haired, brown-eyed man sitting on that throne did not look like someone from a generation before Oswald. But still, the depth in his gaze was incomparable, and even the master of the Gray Clouds Sect was behaving well in front of him.
"What's the matter, Oswald? Why did you ask for a meeting with me so suddenly?" That person's voice resounded through that high-standard area, causing the many Spiritual Saints there to lower their heads involuntarily.
Oswald then made a gesture of greeting and said. "Your Imperial Majesty, this fellow comes here to petition the empire's justice."
"Oh? Justice?" That figure's eyes sharpened at those words.
"Who would make the powerful master Coleman, who recently reached level 79, ask for justice?" The emperor's right hand, level 79, asked that in curiosity.
The others in that place also watched that man in curiosity, not understanding where Oswald's complaints were coming from.
He then said. "My family has been threatened with an order from the Spiritual Church." He then waved a piece of paper in his right hand. "They have authorized the sects of the empire to act in the northern region of the Central Continent against my grandson!"
"So, that's it..."
The emperor looked at Oswald with a smile on his face and asked. "Grandson? Are you saying that that brat causing all this trouble in the north is your grandson?"
This matter had already reached that man's ears. But since the war in the northern region was just entertainment to him, Harold had not bothered to research it thoroughly or act on it.
Therefore, he was surprised at the kinship between Oswald and Minos.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Oswald realized what the emperor was thinking and then said. "Minos is doing in the northern region what he wishes, without any help from my organization. I can assure you of that, Your Majesty."
"Is that so? Then I must congratulate you on having such a talented and daring grandson." Harold smiled before finally pursuing the matter further. "But what can I do for you, Oswald? Do you think I am so powerful as to try to interfere in the church's affairs?"
"I understand Your Majesty's position, but the Spiritual Church has not given any orders for action. It only freed us to do what we thought best."
"Well, what I am asking is that Your Majesty prevents the other seven great sects of the empire from acting against my grandson."
"Hmm, I see..."
The emperor's right hand then said in a solemn tone. "Master Coleman, what you are asking for is impossible. How can we interfere with seven sects for just one person?"
"I am truly sorry for your grandson's situation, but if the Empire starts interfering against its organizations, we will soon ruin our credibility."
"Your Majesty, I advise that we refuse Master Coleman's request." That individual said seriously.
"Yes, the other sects will be sensitized if we interfere in such a way on behalf of the Gray Clouds Sect."
"Master Coleman, this request is absurd!"
Comments arose in the surroundings as the emperor stood silently, looking at that vassal of his.
After a while, he waved one of his hands, causing everyone to be silent. "Oswald, you know I won't do that."
"But from the information I received, the church authorizes all sects in my state to act on that mission. So, you can act in your way against it."
"If you want to prevent the end of your grandson, go talk to the other seven sects. Maybe they will give up on that..."
