As the representative of a nation, he was actually inferior to some sects and families, lacking even the qualification to meet Alex privately.

If this matter spread out, it would inevitably turn their White Feather Dynasty into the laughingstock of the world.

"Fourth Prince, forgive my bluntness, but with Saint Lord Alex’s temperament, he will not look highly upon you just because of your status or power." Kaia sneered coldly.

"Arranging you in the second row alongside this Princess is already giving your White Feather Dynasty a lot of face."

"If I were Saint Lord Alex, I would have arranged you in the third row along with Sylas and the other Saint Lineage families."

"You..." Aelin gritted his teeth, looking somewhat irritated. But he immediately gave a teasing smile and mocked sarcastically.

"Of course. Princess Kaia is meticulous and considerate, which perfectly suits Saint Lord Alex’s tastes."

"The Immovable Lord Technique you offered indeed exchanged for the Rakshasa Soul-Extinguishing Technique."

"But so what? Are you not still sitting in this second row with me, also given the same ordinary White Sandalwood Incense?"

This counterattack caused Kaia Star’s composure to slip, her beautiful eyes were filled with anger.

She shot Aelin a cold glance, gave a cold snort, and ignored him.

A moment later, all guests were distributed incense candles. Alex clapped his hands, ordering Third Elder Tobias and Fourth Elder Lara to bring out the three statues.

Of these three statues, the one right in the center was an emperor wearing golden armor and a crown, his entire body sculpted in gold.

This golden-armored emperor was the legendary Great Emperor of Boundless Sky, who relied on the Divine Axe to cleave apart the dark chaos and open up the Azure Origin Continent.

That is to say, the Heaven of the Azure Origin Continent.

The statue on the left was a woman wearing magnificent robes, holding a phoenix scepter in her hand, her demeanor was loving and benevolent, serving as a mother model for the world.

This woman was the Legendary Earth Empress, who used a pair of slender jade hands to create the living beings of the world.

That is to say, the Earth of the Azure Origin Continent.

In comparison, the statue on the far right looked much simpler and unadorned.

This was a long-haired old man wearing a clean, plain robe, his hair and beard were all white, yet he radiated a majestic aura that exuded authority without needing to show anger.

This old man was the founding ancestor of the Hale family, Aether Hale.

Think back to the beginning, before the Heavenly Flame Dynasty was even established, when the world was divided among warlords and flames of war raged everywhere.

Aether Hale started with only three hundred disciples, struggling to survive in that chaotic world. He fought with all his blood and sweat to secure a pure land for his family’s juniors.

Furthermore, he passed down the spark of the Hale family’s bloodline, eventually achieving the title of the world’s number one Saint Lineage family today.

These were the three deities worshipped at the Hale family’s annual Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony. Heaven, Earth, and Man.

The three statues had been brought out, and the crowd geared up in preparation. Aelin Feather and Kaia Star both stood up, wanting to beat the other and be first to offer incense.

However, Alex sat at the front of the stage, delaying in offering the first stick of incense.

In his hand, he held a handful of the Heavenly Jade Purple Emperor Incense that Kaia and Aelin were constantly pining for. He casually waved it around, making them stare in a daze.

His gaze sized up the three statues, and he could not help but suck air through his teeth. "Tsk... why does this look a bit awkward?"

Alex stroked his chin, pondering for a moment, before suddenly smiling mysteriously and waving his hand.

Adrian immediately stepped forward. "Saint Lord, what are your orders?"

"Adrian, go take those three statues..." Alex smiled faintly, leaning close to Adrian’s ear and whispering softly.

After hearing his words, Adrian’s eyes instantly widened, his expression drastically changing.

"Saint Lord, are you crazy?! If we do this, it will definitely cause an uproar in the world, maybe even a massive disaster!"

"Relax, with me here, no one can flip the roof off the Hale family Holy Land." Alex said faintly.

"Just do as I say."

"...Then, alright." Adrian had no choice but to grit his teeth and nod, leading two young disciples to the front of the statues.

The crowd below revealed looks of confusion, not understanding what Adrian was about to do.

However, the next second, everyone present widened their eyes in disbelief.

They saw Adrian actually take the statue of the Great Emperor of Boundless Sky right out from the center of the shrine. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Another young disciple took out the statue of Aether Hale on the right.

Subsequently, the two swapped the positions of these statues.

They placed Aether Hale in the center, taking the position of the primary deity receiving sacrifices.

And they moved the Great Emperor of Boundless Sky to the side, into a secondary accompanying position.

As soon as this was done, it instantly caused a massive uproar throughout the venue.

"My heavens, Saint Lord Alex, what is the meaning of this?!"

"Could he be trying to say that their Hale family ancestor surpasses the Great Emperor of Boundless Sky and the Earth Empress?!"

"This... is this not far too arrogant?!"

The crowd could not help but whisper among themselves, discussing fervently, making the entire venue boil like a pot of boiling water.

Even Cedric, Lara, and a group of Hale family juniors could not help but look completely dumbfounded. What was the Saint Lord’s intention here?

Replacing the position of the Great Emperor of Boundless Sky with the statue of their Hale family ancestor.

This was an unprecedented scandal in all past Heaven Sacrifice Ceremonies.

Did the Saint Lord want to express that their ancestor’s status was above Heaven and Earth?

For a moment, Cedric’s face was full of misery, tears almost falling from his eyes.

Over the years, the Saint Lord had been obsessed with cultivation and paid no mind to other matters, so the annual Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony was always organized and hosted by him.