Chapter 1121: The First Four Head Count

Night fell.

In a side hall of the Xia Wind Imperial Capital, candles were lit, bathing the entire space in a warm glow. Numerous Cosmic Deities sat scattered around, each with a table before them laden with fine wine and delicacies, attended by maidservants.

Though laughter and conversation filled the air, what truly occupied the minds of these Cosmic Deities was the impending announcement of the coveted slots.

“Among those competing for the slots, only Flying Snow Divine Emperor and the Flame Fiend Overlord have completed their assassination missions. I believe Flying Snow Divine Emperor is certain to secure one of the four slots.”

“May your words prove auspicious.”

Dongbo Xueying raised his wine cup in acknowledgment.

The hall was packed with over sixty Cosmic Deities, all gathered to share in the revelry. After all, the competition for slots to enter the Heart God Palace was no trivial matter. Even legendary figures from external nations, such as ‘Old Ancestor Fuxi,’ lacked the qualifications to enter! Only when the inner city of the Heart God Palace opened, amidst the chaos of battle, might they have a slim chance to fight for fortune.

“Whoosh.”

Amidst the clinking of cups, a figure suddenly materialized at the center of the hall—a yellow-robed elder.

“Elder Xia.” The Cosmic Deities perked up, greeting him respectfully.

“It’s time,” Dongbo Xueying thought, his heart tightening. “Thirty thousand mission merits—even in history, that’s an indisputable guarantee of entry.”

There was no other way.

For other Cosmic Deities, even if they were ‘determined to win,’ they merely sought to break through their bottlenecks. If they failed, they could always try again later without much consequence.

But Dongbo Xueying was different! Wait for the next opening? By then, his homeworld might have already entered the next era.

“It’s beginning.” Thousand Yang Divine Emperor sat quietly, his eyes burning with fervor. “I’ve prepared eighteen thousand mission merits, far surpassing Dongbo Xueying’s assassination mission rewards. With this many merits, I should be able to enter. This time, I must succeed.”

“Hmm.” The Flame Fiend Overlord smiled confidently.

Grandmaster Fuyi remained seated, his expression serene and unreadable.

Under the collective gaze of the Cosmic Deities, the yellow-robed Elder Xia smiled and announced, “The time has come. Even if treasures are offered now, it’s too late. The ranking of mission merits has been finalized. The first place goes to Grandmaster Fuyi—fifty thousand mission merits.”

“Fifty thousand?”

“So many? With Grandmaster Fuyi’s status, a mere word within the Xia Clan would secure him a slot. Yet he spent fifty thousand mission merits?”

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

Because this was a competition for slots, the exchange rate for mission merits was deliberately low. Offering fifty thousand mission merits meant a loss of over fifty billion cosmic crystals—a sum even an Overlord would wince at. The combined value of Dongbo Xueying’s Crimson Cloud Spear and Five-Phase Beads paled in comparison.

“Impressive.” Dongbo Xueying’s heart sank. Grandmaster Fuyi had indisputably secured a slot.

“Tch.” The Flame Fiend Overlord’s eye twitched. He had assumed his merits would be close to Grandmaster Fuyi’s, but the gap was staggering.

“The second place…” Elder Xia’s voice boomed through the hall, “goes to Flying Snow Divine Emperor—thirty thousand mission merits.”

Whoosh!

Every gaze in the hall snapped toward the white-robed youth seated among them. Shock rippled through the crowd. This Flying Snow Divine Emperor from the Southcloud Nation was truly ruthless.

“Thirty thousand mission merits?”

“He’s a newly ascended Cosmic Deity, yet he offered so many treasures? The capture of the Flamebane Fiendlord only earned him twelve thousand merits. Beyond that, he prepared another eighteen thousand? That’s madness! Normally, ten thousand merits would suffice for a slot.”

“How extravagant.”

“Did the Southcloud Monarch back him? No wonder he’s the wealthiest among Overlords.”

“Even the Southcloud Monarch wouldn’t squander resources so recklessly on a disciple, would he? Thirty thousand merits?”

Whispers and hushed discussions filled the hall.

Grandmaster Fuyi’s status was so lofty—nearly rivaling invincible existences—that his extravagant spending was understandable.

But Flying Snow Divine Emperor, ‘Dongbo Xueying,’ wasn’t even an Overlord! His expenditure was downright shocking.

“The third place goes to the Flame Fiend Overlord,” Elder Xia continued. “Twenty-six thousand mission merits.”

The Flame Fiend Overlord smiled faintly, though his joy was muted.

Grandmaster Fuyi’s merits were nearly double his.

Even a junior had surpassed him.

For the prideful Flame Fiend Overlord, this was a slight sting. Securing a slot was still a success, but his obsession with face made it hard to swallow. He was so arrogant that he refused to join any of the three great clans, preferring to rule his own faction independently.

“The fourth place…” Elder Xia went on.

The hall fell silent.

The remaining Cosmic Deities competing for the last slot tensed.

“It must be me. I prepared eighteen thousand merits—there’s no way I’m not in the top four.” Thousand Yang Divine Emperor’s eyes burned with anticipation.

“…goes to Fuchun Island Master—twenty thousand mission merits,” Elder Xia announced with a smile. “Grandmaster Fuyi, Flying Snow Divine Emperor, Flame Fiend Overlord, and Fuchun Island Master—congratulations to the four of you. As the Heart God Palace gradually opens, His Majesty the Xia Emperor will lead you all inside once it is fully accessible.”

With that, Elder Xia vanished.

“Haha, Brother Flying Snow, congratulations! To spend so much for entry—truly admirable.”

“Brother Flying Snow, you’ve earned our envy. I’ve yet to set foot in the Heart God Palace despite all my years of cultivation.”

The hall erupted in congratulations.

Most were directed at Dongbo Xueying, the Flame Fiend Overlord, and Fuchun Island Master. Only a handful dared approach Grandmaster Fuyi, whose aloof demeanor kept most at bay. Only fellow Overlords and close acquaintances ventured to offer their regards.

Soon, Cosmic Deities began departing. The gathering had served its purpose—now that the slots were announced, there was no reason to linger.

Grandmaster Fuyi was the first to leave.

The Flame Fiend Overlord exchanged a few perfunctory words before exiting as well.

“Interesting.” The Nine Venoms Sect Master smirked. He hadn’t contributed a single merit to the competition.

Most participants only fought fiercely if they were desperate to enter. Others gauged the competition—if the odds seemed favorable, they’d pool their resources. If not, they wouldn’t waste a single merit.

In previous years, when four slots were available and no assassination missions were completed—and no figures like Grandmaster Fuyi were involved—the competition was milder. Ten thousand merits usually sufficed. Sometimes, even six or seven thousand could snag a slot.

This time?

Though four slots were announced, Grandmaster Fuyi’s presence effectively reduced it to three.

Then Dongbo Xueying and the Flame Fiend Overlord completed their assassination missions, raising the bar even higher. Most participants, who had only hoped to test their luck, withdrew immediately. They knew the competition was fierce, and the cost of securing a slot would be exorbitant—hardly worth it.

With their near-eternal lifespans, they could simply wait for the next opportunity.

And indeed, the fourth-place finisher had spent twenty thousand merits—utter madness.

“I didn’t make it… so close, so close.” Thousand Yang Divine Emperor’s face darkened as he stormed out.

—

Dongbo Xueying, however, was in high spirits. Though he sensed the subtle displeasure of the Xia Wind Cosmic Deities toward an outsider claiming a slot, he paid it no mind. Apart from a few familiar faces, most regarded him with thinly veiled disdain.

This was expected.

After all, the Xia and Cang Clans never accepted outsiders. Only the Fan Clan was open to external talents.

He couldn’t expect them to treat him as one of their own. For him, the Xia Wind Nation was merely a means to an end—securing entry was all that mattered.

“Xueying, you actually gathered thirty thousand merits? That’s quite the sacrifice,” the Southcloud Monarch transmitted, pleasantly surprised after learning the results from a friend.

“Since I captured the Flamebane Fiendlord, I had to seize the opportunity. The competition was too fierce—I didn’t want to take chances, so I went all out,” Dongbo Xueying replied.

“Indeed, the Heart God Palace is worth the cost. Seize this chance. If you’re lucky enough to obtain a peak-tier treasure, you’ll reap immense rewards.” The Southcloud Monarch was clearly delighted.

Dongbo Xueying had long since made up his mind.

Soon after, he returned alone to Flying Snow City, retreating into seclusion within his Divine Emperor Manor to cultivate in peace, awaiting the day the Heart God Palace fully opened.