Alas, this was ultimately just a fantasy! Countless beings shook their heads slightly, filled with sorrow. What merit did they have to be accepted by Shi Letian, to become subjects of the Ancient Lion Kingdom?
He was a true god who shook the four directions!
Watching the Ancient Lion Kingdom's procession, four divine fire realm beings carried a palanquin, gradually approaching to within dozens of feet of the blood-red mist, and slowly stopped.
Nie Qiuying, who was seated in the distance, slightly opened his eyes. After a glance at Shi Letian, whose imposing aura was undiminished by the years, he rose and bowed slightly towards Shi Letian!
Shi Letian glanced at Nie Qiuying, who was young and a prominent figure among the younger generation of true gods, then rose and returned Nie Qiuying's bow.
For Shi Letian, without immense fortune, he would likely remain only in the true god realm. But Nie Qiuying was different; he was young, and youth was capital. Furthermore, as both were in the true god realm, Shi Letian had no pretense to put on.
After Shi Letian returned Nie Qiuying's bow, he sat back into the palanquin. The Blood Sea Suspended Coffin was not the domain of true gods; it was merely to provide a presence for their Void God beings. More importantly, it represented the prestige of the Ancient Lion Kingdom.
Once Shi Letian and Nie Qiuying were seated, they each closed their eyes. The current spectacle did not warrant their full attention. With a single palm strike, truthfully, more than half of the beings present would perish on the spot.
Still, many beings were rapidly arriving from afar towards the Blood Sea Suspended Coffin. The number of beings grew rapidly, densely packed, yet it was eerily quiet. No one dared to speak, lest they provoke the two true gods, Nie Qiuying and Shi Letian.
"The flag of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty, that's the flag of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty!"
Before long, a scream suddenly erupted from the terrifyingly silent crowd of onlookers. Countless beings immediately stood up and looked into the distance.
A dazzling crimson light from afar, like a divine sun descending, pierced the eyes of many beings. Yet, it was not blindingly dazzling, but rather exceptionally gentle.
"It's Prince Shu Ning of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty!!"
"Heavens! Another true god!!"
The entire procession of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty, each astride a fierce flame tiger burning with roaring flames, their four paws treading on the void, causing the space to hum with the intense heat!
At the forefront of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty's entourage was a true god in prince's formal attire, Shu Ning. His white beard flowed, his eyes flickered as he surveyed the beings around him, his expression benevolent, as if looking at his own children. He even extended his palm to wave at the crowd.
Shu Ning, an elder true god of the Domain Dao Province, gained renown not through his boundless combat power, but through his mediatory skills, which endeared him to the beings of the Domain Dao Province. This individual harbored no grand ambitions, and even abstained from participating in the power struggles of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty.
Even if friction arose between the five great powers of the Domain Dao Province, as long as he was present, he would invariably step forward, a look of distress on his face, saying, "For my sake, let this matter go!"
Given his true god strength and the backing of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty, with him present, disputes would be quelled. Thus, he was affectionately called "Old Mr. Nice Guy" by many.
"I wondered who it was. So, it's you!"
Shi Letian turned his head slightly, looking at Shu Ning, who was so kind-faced and interacting with the surrounding beings, and his expression immediately darkened.
"Brother Le, I rushed here as fast as I could. I didn't expect to arrive at this place before you, hahahaha!"
"Oh, the Sword Bone lineage has also arrived!"
Nie Qiuying looked at Shu Ning, his mood also significantly soured. He did not rise but nodded slightly at Shu Ning, then closed his eyes.
"Hmph!"
Shi Letian let out a cold snort and turned his head back, no longer looking at Shu Ning.
Seeing that they both seemed to dislike his arrival, Shu Ning gave a wry smile and glanced at the five Void God beings behind him, softly saying, "Let us go and rest there for a while!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The five Void God beings behind him bowed in salute and proceeded to sit down about twenty feet to the left of the Sword Bone lineage.
The arrival of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty immediately elevated the grandeur of the Blood Sea Suspended Coffin by another notch. This did not signify that the beings were particularly welcoming of Shu Ning, but rather that with the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty's arrival, the Blood Yuan Heavenly Dynasty and the Dragon Elephant Ancient Kingdom would not be far behind.
Before Shu Ning and his entourage had even settled down, thunder roared from the distant horizon, with dull claps that made the earth beneath them tremble slightly!
"Judging by this commotion, it's likely the people from the Dragon Elephant Ancient Kingdom. I wonder who will be leading them this time!"
Shu Ning frowned slightly, looking at the trembling ground beneath his feet. Excluding the Gate of Fortune, among the five major powers of the Domain Dao Province, only the Dragon Elephant Ancient Kingdom wielded the Great Dao of Strength. Their innate bloodline forged their formidable and fierce demeanor.
The Dragon Elephant race was a lineage passed down from ancient times. After hundreds of millions of years of change, their ancestors' peak power had long since faded, but they were not too weak. At the very least, they could ensure their race remained a dominant force in the Domain Dao Province without decline.
"It's the Dragon Elephant Ancient Kingdom. That's Yun Si, a true god of the younger generation. He is Nie Qiuying's most formidable opponent on his cultivation path. Since they stepped onto the path of cultivation, they have been competing, fighting their way out of seas of blood, opening up their realms, and achieving the true god status!"
"With the younger generation of true gods from the Gate of Fortune yet to emerge, these two are undoubtedly the strongest in the Domain Dao Province!"
A being, gazing at Yun Si, who was two zhang tall with arms like two giant pillars, exclaimed in shock.
"Roar!"
A mighty roar, far greater than the imposing aura of the Sword Bone lineage, the Ancient Lion Kingdom, or the Crimson Sun Heavenly Dynasty, and without any attempt to conceal it, Yun Si's arrival was declared in high-profile fashion.
With a single roar, containing a faint dragon's cry, dozens of Dragon Elephant Ancient Kingdom beings strode across the land, their steps swift. Every time they stomped the earth, it shook!
"Yun Si, you've gone too far!"
"Clang!"
A sword cry resounded in all directions. A divine sword of the heavens emerged, its sword energy vibrating, powerfully suppressing the shock brought by the Dragon Elephant Ancient Kingdom's beings!
"Heh heh, Nie Qiuying, why are you everywhere!"
Yun Si roared, laughing heartily. His gaze fell upon Nie Qiuying's figure, growing even more excited. They had clashed hundreds of times, yet never had a victor been decided. Both regarded each other as their cultivation rivals; without the other's demise, their cultivation paths would not be at peace!
"Yun Si pays his respects to the two seniors!"
Yun Si looked at Nie Qiuying, then his gaze settled on Shu Ning and Shi Letian. He bowed respectfully to them. Shu Ning and Shi Letian also quickly returned the courtesy.
Though older than Yun Si, as they were all in the true god realm, they were to be treated as peers!
"Boom!"
After completing his salutations, Yun Si stomped the ground with a sudden impact, his voice echoing. His eyes provocatively fixed on Nie Qiuying.
...