The conflict between Brother Cheng and the Domain Master of the Scarlet Snow Domain was unseen by outsiders.

But the effect was immediate and visible.

Just one day later, four Vice Lords received 'special care' from above.

Celestial Rainbow Territory had been delisted!

From now on, the Scarlet Snow Domain would no longer protect Celestial Rainbow Territory.

This bad news was transmitted via the Communication Immortal Talisman.

The four Vice Lords and a group of Elders wanted to explain, but the higher-ups gave no such opportunity.

Thus, everyone collectively collapsed.

"What are we supposed to do?"

"Oh heavens, why would the Domain Master suddenly issue such an order?"

"What can we do now?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"It's over, it's over..."

The four Vice Lords were as anxious as if the sky was falling.

Not being protected by the Scarlet Snow Domain seemed to be no big deal, and Celestial Rainbow Territory seemed to be losing nothing.

But in fact, hidden behind this was a very deadly crisis.

Territories like Celestial Rainbow Territory hadn't been eyed by other territories or incoming Emperor Realm Fifth Layer mainly because they were under the Scarlet Snow Domain's protection.

Last time, Jiang Cheng took down Jin Chong and replaced him as Lord.

If the other four Vice Lords and a group of Elders had all opposed and called for aid from the Scarlet Snow Domain, the domain would have sent experts to 'suppress the rebellion'.

But everyone strongly supported it at the time, so those above didn't bother.

The Lord protects the Realm Master, the Domain Master covers the Lord, while those below must offer tribute above; this is the survival law of the True Ice Realm.

Brother Cheng refused to hand over that part of the Origin Aura, so now the Domain Master was furious and no longer protected Celestial Rainbow Territory.

The consequence was that other territories and casual experts could now attack Celestial Rainbow Territory recklessly.

And as this news spread, it quickly stirred up great waves among neighboring territories.

"What has Celestial Rainbow Territory done?"

"The Domain Master has issued a thunderous wrath; did someone in Celestial Rainbow kill his family?"

"I heard Celestial Rainbow Territory changed its lord a few days ago, someone named Jiang Cheng."

"The Domain Master seems to dislike this Jiang Cheng!"

"Whatever, anyway, this is our perfect opportunity!"

"Right, our opportunity has come."

"Celestial Rainbow Territory is quite a good place; my cousin doesn't have a mark yet."

"I am already in Late-stage Fourth Layer of Emperor Realm, just because the lord positions are full with no vacancies, finally there's a chance!"

"Snatch the Lord's Mark from Celestial Rainbow Territory, temporarily turn them into unclaimed territory, can't we freely plunder their Origin Aura?"

"The Domain Master claims he won't interfere, but actually is encouraging us to attack Celestial Rainbow Territory!"

"If we cater to this situation, we might even gain recognition from the Domain Master."

In the meantime, many forces and experts outside were rubbing their hands together, eyeing fiercely.

People harbored various thoughts.

Just three days later, Celestial Rainbow Territory welcomed a large batch of foreign experts.

Among these people, some came from other territories in the Scarlet Snow Domain, some even traveled from other domains millions of miles away.

There's no choice; unprotected territories open for legitimate attacks are few and far between.

This is a piece of meat that everyone wants to sink their teeth into.

Facing this situation, the four Vice Lords were anxious as ants on a hot pan, flustered and restless.

"The Scarlet Snow Domain not only ignored our calls for help but secretly incited those attackers."

"They said as long as they conquer Celestial Rainbow Territory, they will receive the Scarlet Snow Domain's protection in the future."

"Oh my God, this is intentional provocation!"

"How did we offend the Domain Master for him to target us like this?"

At this stage, the four Vice Lords and Elders still didn't know the reason.

"Now the city is full of experts; just in the Early-stage Fourth Layer of Emperor Realm, there are at least forty of them! We're practically on the brink of exploding!"

"Yuan Xi from Red Star Territory, Gan Qing from Wuchan Territory, Zhu Song from Liusheng Territory, and Gu Fan from Dongqian Territory have arrived."

"Heavens, these people are all Mid-stage Fourth Layer of Emperor Realm!"

This power is far stronger than the current Vice Lords present.

In terms of strength, comparable to the former Lord Jin Chong.

Sending out just two of them could flatten Celestial Rainbow Territory, and yet so many came down at once.

"More so, it's said that Wei Chang from Kuangzhao Territory arrived today also."

"What?"

"He came too?"

"He's Late-stage Fourth Layer of Emperor Realm!"

"This man has always harbored ambitious desires to seize a Lord's Mark but never got the chance; he couldn't sit still this time!"

Then, a messenger Elder came in from outside.

"We're in trouble, Di Yong has arrived too!"

The Vice Lords in the hall stood up instantly.

"Which Di Yong?"

"Could it be the one from Jue Ling Domain?"

"Yes, it's him!"

"It's over! Another Late-stage Fourth Layer expert…"

The Vice Lords were utterly disheartened.

They had no fighting spirit left.

"What do we do?"

"What do we do now?"

"Should we surrender?"

"But we just pledged loyalty to Lord Jiang; besides, Lord Jiang can even evoke the Five-Colored Origin himself."

"Replacing him with someone else, even Di Yong and Wei Chang couldn't do that."

These locals still hoped Jiang Cheng would continue as lord.

"If only Lord Jiang's position could be maintained…"

"It's impossible; those people won't stop until they seize the Lord's Mark."

"Even our Vice Lord's Mark might not be safe; Celestial Rainbow Territory will be completely reshuffled."

"Should we escape?"

While they were fretting over here, Gong Qing was similarly pondering a way to break the deadlock.

"Outside, there are two Late-stage Fourth Layer experts and more than a dozen Mid-stage Fourth Layer …"

Brother Cheng thought to himself, are you going to persuade me to flee again?

No chance, with so many people coming to deliver spoils of war, I couldn't be happier.

So he interrupted her: "Okay, okay, you don't need to analyze, I won't leave."

Gong Qing's delicate face froze slightly, showing a bitter smile.

As expected, the Lord would go wild again.

She couldn't watch him continue on this self-destructive path, she had to find a way to lighten his burden.

She frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly said: "Do you really dislike being lord and want to wander around?"

After following Brother Cheng for so many days, she had figured out a bit of Brother Cheng's temperament.

This lord wasn't suited for long-term ascetic cultivation.

Even with such favorable conditions, he probably wouldn't stay long.

Perhaps one day he'd want to slip away.

"Yes, yes, why?"

Gong Qing smiled: "As your Military Advisor, I want to lighten your burden."

Brother Cheng was taken aback: "How to lighten the burden?"

"You can first give the Lord's Mark to me, I'll keep watch for a few days, and when you want to return, I'll give it back to you."

"This…"

Brother Cheng was genuinely surprised this time.

This woman usually urged him to cultivate, and now she's offering him a break?