Who else would it be if not the leader of the Heavenly Palace?
"Greetings," Austin said flatly.
"How are you doing this fine day?"
"I'm doing quite well," the leader of the Heavenly Palace the reply in an even, careful tone.
"I thank you for your concern.
I do wonder, however, what brings you here?"
His bow was low and humble. He was obviously trying to earn favor.
He might be a renowned cultivator, but he was fully aware that Austin had already surpassed him both in strength and reputation.
He knew that his reign was over, and Austin had effectively taken his place.
"Now," Austin began, casting a meaningful glance at the elder man.
"You have been keeping a rather low profile recently.
I haven't even had the honor or the opportunity to meet you in person."
"Leader Austin, I understand what you are saying.
As a matter of fact, it was my intention to go to the Immortal End World to offer apologies and pay my respects.
I hesitated on account of the numerous offenses I have committed. I was afraid that I will not be pardoned.
But now that you are here before me, I will no longer avoid the acknowledgment of my transgressions.
Please forgive me, Leader Austin, and grant me punishment as you deem fit."
The leader of the Heavenly Palace knew the true purpose of this visit.
They had faced each other many times in the past.
He knew that Austin would not let him go easily.
As the young man grew in strength and power, many top masters who had altercations with him had chosen to lay low. The leader of the Heavenly Palace was among them.
They remained in their own headquarters and refused to make appearances in public.
They recognized the fact that Austin had become the ruler of the universe, and there was no changing that.
They also knew the grim reality that Austin would one day come and get even with them one by one.
As a result, the top masters, including the leader of the Heavenly Palace, owner of the Star Island and the emperor of the Sky Phoenix Kingdom, were living their lives laden with apprehension and underlying panic.
And now it had come to this. Austin had finally come to the Heavenly Palace.
The leader of the Heavenly Palace knew there was no use in trying to escape the fate that was about to befall him, so he surrendered himself to the young man's whim.
He dared not raise a fight.
The entire universe knew of the battle where Austin had defeated over a hundred masters at the sect ancestor level with a single move.
The moment he heard news of it was the moment the Heavenly Palace leader accepted the truth that he was no longer a match for Austin.
"Let me see," Austin said slowly.
He was sporting a cold, emotionless look, as if dealing with the leader of the Heavenly Palace was nothing but a trifle.
The leader, on the other hand, was gripped with unease and a vague sense of danger.
An eerie silence fell between the men.
'It would seem that I meet my demise today, ' the leader thought to himself, fearful but resigned.
He had, after all, relentlessly hunted Austin down countless times in the past.
He held no hopes that his life would be spared.
"Leader Austin, I have committed grave crimes," the leader finally said.
"If you intend to kill me, then I shall not resist.
But I ask you to please spare those who are under my command.
They are innocent, and were only following orders."
"I certainly did not expect you to be so considerate of your men," Austin said nonchalantly, his hands clasped behind his back. "But when did I ever say that I would kill you?"
"Leader Austin, what are you saying?!" the leader of the Heavenly Palace asked with ill-concealed relief.
"I have once remarked not so long ago, that the universe needs peace, not strife," Austin spoke, his face maintaining the blank expression he had since the beginning.
"So, I will let you live.
But I am worried, as one would obviously expect, that you might betray me.
My doubts can only be allayed when you give me your spiritual soul orb.
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