Augusta summoned all Sovereigns. After all, this matter concerned the distribution of interests in the Overgod Plane of Aether, and no one wanted to be left out.
Beirut and Bluefire also arrived.
The two stood beside the Redbud Sovereign.
Soon, the Four Chief Sovereigns of the Edicts arrived.
Uhtred stepped forward to face Zijing.
"Zijing, congratulations. You've now become equivalent to a Chief Sovereign of the Edicts."
"It was only due to the favor of the Overgod, otherwise I wouldn't have the strength I do now," Zijing replied with a slight smile.
Zijing had once served under Uhtred. But now—
Zijing's current strength was no weaker than the Chief Sovereigns of the Laws. Even Augusta, who possessed a material attack-type Overgod artifact, had failed to break through her innate divine ability. This showed that Zijing's strength might already rival that of the Four Edict Sovereigns.
Of course, the Four Edict Sovereigns were more than just holders of Overgod artifacts. Among them were Divine Beasts, Paragons, and wielders of supreme treasures—their power far exceeded that of ordinary Chief Sovereigns of the Laws. No one believed Zijing was truly equal to the Four Edict Sovereigns.
At most, her material defense could resist an Edict-level attack.
In truth, Zijing herself didn't know her full strength. She had merely borrowed Aether origin energy from Sadius, and how much power she could truly wield was uncertain.
She also didn't dare test her limits. If her strongest ability, the Amethyst Barrier, was broken, she would have no way to withstand enemy attacks.
However, judging by her current assessment, her strength had surpassed Augusta, making her the fifth strongest among all Chief Sovereigns.
Only Orloff was surprised.
He and Augusta were actually one and the same—two aspects of the same being. Augusta held a level of Power of Will beyond that of ordinary Chief Sovereigns of the Laws, and also possessed a material attack-type Overgod artifact.
In truth, Augusta's strength was already comparable to the Chief Sovereign of Death, but Orloff had always instructed Augusta to keep his strength hidden. It had only been revealed once—during the slaying of the Four Divine Beasts long ago.
"Could it be that Sadius revealed our secret?" Augusta sent a divine message to Orloff.
"He shouldn't have. Otherwise, all the other Chief Sovereigns would already know."
"Hmph, that Zijing is just lucky. Her subordinate became an Overgod, and she was rewarded in turn. Orloff, when do you plan to undergo soul mutation?"
"No need to rush. I've already prepared many things. I hope they can increase the success rate. Once this planar war ends, I'll attempt the mutation."
"You better succeed. Otherwise, your two Overgod artifacts will become mine. And don't expect me to honor the so-called 'Sovereign Pact'!"
Augusta could never understand. He and Orloff already had unmatched strength, so why was Orloff still hiding it?
Why not simply kill the other nine Chief Sovereigns and replace them with their own forces? But Orloff insisted on maintaining balance.
Now look—a never-heard-of Sadius had ascended to Overgod, and a Shura was about to become the Overgod of Destruction.
Their former supremacy was no more. Now they even had to risk undergoing soul mutation. It just wasn't worth it.
All the Sovereigns had arrived.
With a wave of his hand, Uhtred summoned rows of giant thrones into the sky. Then he cast a barrier, blocking the surrounding area so even Gods couldn't see what was happening.
"Everyone, take a seat. Since Augusta has invited us all here, I assume you already know the matter at hand?"
"Before the Sovereigns of the Aether lineage exist, should the cities we build in the Overgod Plane of Aether be bound by the previous Sovereign agreement? What are your thoughts?"
The Sovereigns began to communicate via divine sense. Most felt that cities built in the Overgod Plane of Aether should still be subject to the Sovereign agreement.
"I will cast the first vote," said Zijing. "I believe that since the Sovereigns of Aether haven't yet been born, these cities should not be recognized. What—are we to let a hostile Sovereign build a city on my Redbud Continent, and my army isn't allowed to eradicate them?"
"Precisely because the Aether lineage's Sovereigns have yet to be born, and the Overgod has given no decree, we must manage their territories on their behalf until they return."
"Augusta, do the Aether lineage's Sovereigns need you to manage their lands? What a joke." The Chief Sovereign of Thunder scoffed.
"Enough. Time to vote. I support Chief Sovereign Zijing," Uhtred declared.
The other Edict Sovereigns were stunned. Why would the Chief Sovereign of Destruction support Zijing's stance?
After all, Uhtred had already taken control of a teleportation array. Supporting Zijing meant that if turmoil broke out near his array in the future, he wouldn't be able to act freely.
Orloff stood on Augusta's side, as the two had discussed beforehand.
Now, everything depended on the votes of the Chief Sovereigns of Life and Death.
The two were long-time allies, and their votes typically aligned.
Their decision would determine the outcome.
The two pondered deeply, even exchanging many divine messages.
Because—they had both sensed something off.
Why had Zijing suddenly acted to save an unknown Highgod?
Why would Uhtred sacrifice his own interests to support Zijing?
There was only one possibility—Overgod Sadius had intervened behind the scenes.
Zijing had likely acted under Sadius' orders.
Uhtred's support was probably because he saw through it all.
Finally, the two made their decision.
"We support Chief Sovereign Zijing's proposal."
All the other Chief Sovereigns were shocked once again. What had gotten into these three Edict Sovereigns, to throw aside their own interests?
But most of the intermediate and lesser Sovereigns depended on the Four Edict Sovereigns. So when the Four Edict Sovereigns made their decision, the others followed suit.
"Thirty-nine Sovereigns support Chief Sovereign Zijing's proposal. In that case, any cities built before the Aether lineage Sovereigns are born are not bound by the Sovereign Agreements."
Augusta hadn't expected things to turn out like this. What were those three Edict Sovereigns thinking?
In that case, he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless.
His Augusta Clan may not have many resources, but they had plenty of people. He would flood the Overgod Plane of Aether with his forces and fight the Edict Sovereigns for territory.
They made the rules—so they had better not regret it.
"Very well. I accept Chief Sovereign Zijing's proposal. Then let the ownership of territory in the Overgod Plane of Aether be determined by power alone!"
With that, Augusta rose and left.
Clearly, the war over the Overgod Plane of Aether was about to escalate.