Mo Qi said indifferently, "Enough nonsense, make your move."
The Eternal King formed a hand seal, and the light and energy around him surged, forming a disk shape.
Mo Qi proclaimed loudly, "It's been a while since I last used a summoning spell, but for your words today, I'll bring that snow beast back and show you its true form."
With that, Mo Qi placed his hand on the ground and unleashed his ice and snow sorcery. The sky once again gathered winds and clouds, the dark, oppressive layers of clouds churning and roaring like a boiling sea.
A world-shattering howl pierced the heavens, striking the hearts of everyone present.
The Eternal King trembled inwardly. Could he truly summon that snow beast?
Even a single claw of that snow beast was like a mountain peak; one could only imagine the immensity of its entire body.
However, his composure quickly returned. He had dealt with summoned beasts before, so why would he fear this one?
Thus, beams of light rapidly condensed before him, forming a pillar that stretched from the heavens to the earth, striking towards Mo Qi.
Mo Qi paid it no mind, leaving everything to the snow beast.
The onlookers, however, held their breath for him, many gasping in alarm.
At this moment, the clouds shattered like ice, and a colossal figure plunged down from them, as if the very firmament was collapsing.
The figure was so vast it blotted out the sky, its extent immeasurable.
Yet, it exuded an aura of freedom and unbridled power, like a demon slumbering for millennia suddenly awakening, or a sealed god of war breaking free from its shackles.
From a great distance, the Eternal King felt as if Mount Tai was crushing him, a tremendous pressure bearing down from the sky, making it almost impossible to breathe.
With no other recourse, he retracted the divine light aimed at Mo Qi and redirected it towards the snow beast in the sky.
The crowd looked up, catching a glimpse of a colossal, crocodile-shaped demonic beast descending from the heavens. It was pure white and possessed a pair of wings; with every flap, all things around seemed to lift and float.
One of its foreclaws was missing, the very one the Eternal King had severed earlier.
Now, filled with boundless rage, it swooped down, seemingly intent on tearing the Eternal King to shreds.
The pillar of light the Eternal King had condensed was ripped apart by the enraged snow beast's claw as soon as it formed, as if tearing through layers of flesh.
The Eternal King was greatly alarmed, never having expected his divine light to be so vulnerable before this snow beast.
The Eternal King's body vibrated, and he staggered, losing his footing.
Seizing the opportunity, the snow beast lunged, its claw reaching for the Eternal King. Unable to defend, the Eternal King leaped away, attempting to flee into the distance. However, the snow beast flapped its wings, its speed like lightning, its claws extending further, and in an instant, it tore the Eternal King into pieces.
While everyone was still stunned, Mo Qi pointed at the Joy King and the War God King. Seeing the unfavorable turn of events, these two fled, only to be similarly torn to shreds by the snow beast.
The onlookers were dumbfounded. The Eternal King had been instantly annihilated!
The same snow beast, summoned by different individuals, yielded vastly different outcomes.
At this point, Mo Qi prepared to send the snow beast back.
However, the snow beast glared menacingly at the Snow Maiden, terrifying her into silence.
It seemed to be reprimanding the Snow Maiden, suggesting that if her strength was insufficient, she shouldn't summon it so casually, leaving it in such a precarious state only to be easily defeated.
Mo Qi, sensing its displeasure, said, "Go back. I won't summon you again for a while. Return and rest well."
The snow beast seemed to understand. It cast a fierce glance at the Snow Maiden, spread its wings, and flew away, vanishing into the clouds in an instant.
The people on the opposite side stood frozen, feeling as if snow was falling around them.
It was then that they finally realized the former emperor had good reason to find this person to take over.
If he could defeat the Eternal King, he could awe everyone.
At this moment, they felt extremely awkward. If they continued to resist, they would undoubtedly be no match. If they were to surrender, their own words held no weight.
If someone were to step forward and initiate things, perhaps this awkwardness would not have arisen.
The atmosphere was incredibly peculiar, so silent one could hear a pin drop.
Mo Qi couldn't be bothered with them; these turncoats were truly detestable.
But the key was how to use them; if used well, they could achieve excellent results.
Mo Qi glanced back at Shui Bing and said, "Miss Shui Bing, these people will be under your command from now on."
Upon seeing the magnificent army, Shui Bing's heart bloomed with joy. "Alright, brother-in-law."
Mo Qi coughed dryly and continued sternly, "I am entrusting these people to you so that you can properly train and discipline them. They should be useful in critical moments and should not be mere spectators again."
Shui Bing felt no embarrassment and maintained her cheerful smile. "Don't worry, it won't happen again. Besides, I wasn't sure of your stance earlier. If I had known your attitude, I wouldn't have just watched."
Mo Qi pondered for a moment, feeling her words held some truth. He then said, "Then take these people down with you."
Shui Bing accepted the order and left. The myriad soldiers vanished from sight in an instant, and the previously oppressive sky became clear.
Mo Qi then ordered that Qi Ao Lai, Ling Feng, Ji Zhuo, Chan, Lian Xin, the Snow Maiden, and Linghu Xiao Xian be settled, while he, accompanied by Shui Han, entered the great hall. This would likely be his long-term residence, and he needed to familiarize himself with the environment.
"Within this Heavenly Palace, who are the individuals I can consult with?" Mo Qi asked directly after settling down.
Shui Han understood his meaning; he wanted to know who could offer him advice on how to deal with the impending invasion of the Golden River world.
"The Four Emperors. Besides them, you've killed everyone else who could offer advice," Shui Han replied. "However, at this moment, the Four Emperors are all defending the Silver River. Gong Gong is pressing hard, and once he conquoys the Silver River, he will advance directly towards the Heavenly Palace."
Mo Qi took a deep breath. "If he doesn't come to me, I will go to him."
"That's perfect. Let's head to the Silver River's Silver Island," Shui Han suggested. "Firstly, to assist the Great Emperor in repelling the enemy, and secondly, there are more people there who can offer you advice."
"Alright, it's settled. We'll rest for a night and leave tomorrow," Mo Qi declared.
After that, the two fell silent. Mo Qi thought for a long time and then asked, "Do you know where Shui Wan Cheng went?"
"I don't know. I don't want to hear that person's name again," Shui Han stated.
"Alright," Mo Qi quickly replied.
It seemed that making small talk could easily lead to trouble!
Shui Wan Cheng was her father in that world, yet as a parent, he had not provided his children with the expected care. Instead, he had exploited and harmed them at every turn. The damage he inflicted on Shui Bing and Shui Han was likely etched into their very beings. Therefore, her unwillingness to hear his name was understandable.
"What did Shui Bing call me?"
"What she calls you is her business; I can't stop her," Shui Han replied calmly.
"...I have a question. As the Heavenly Emperor of the Silver River, shouldn't there be a few Empress Consorts or concubines?" Mo Qi asked, hinting at something.
"Well, the previous emperor had none," Shui Han responded.
"The previous emperor was an oddity; we shouldn't emulate him."
"As you wish. I can't control you anyway."
"But I want to control you," Mo Qi said, looking at her with a half-smile.
Shui Han glanced at him, then quickly averted her gaze.
"I will only be controlled by you if you walk the righteous path and do good deeds. Otherwise, not only will I not be controlled by you, but I will also lead the charge against you."
"How could I do bad things? I am a good person and naturally walk the righteous path. It seems we are destined to be together."
Before Shui Han could reply, the Snow Maiden requested an audience outside the hall.
Shui Han felt a bit uncomfortable and seized the opportunity to say, "Then I'll be going out."
With that, without waiting for Mo Qi's response, Shui Han exited.
A moment later, the Snow Maiden entered. Just as she was about to pay her respects, Mo Qi waved his hand. "There's no need for such formality between us."
However, in the Snow Maiden's eyes, the two were strangers, and she didn't feel the closeness he spoke of.
But she didn't insist on bowing and directly stated, "I've seen your ice and snow divine abilities used masterfully. I wish to ask for your guidance."
Oh?
Mo Qi was quite surprised. Initially, he thought some miraculous fate had caused the Snow Maiden to feel a sense of kinship, leading her to seek him out. He hadn't expected her to be here to learn martial arts.
This was too cliché!