The North River Divine Emperor stood upon the Golden Light Winged Boat, his gaze fixed solely on Dongbo Xueying, ignoring all others. Yet, the twenty-odd World Lords, including the Lord of Starlight, were tense beyond measure. They had no retreat—those unwilling to be enslaved had no choice but to fight with their backs against the wall.
“Is the battle about to begin?”
“Who knows how much of the North River Divine Emperor’s strength will remain under Emperor Feixue’s soul techniques?”
“Though the youngest among the Divine Emperors, the North River Divine Emperor is now the strongest, nearly rivaling a Supreme. Let’s hope Emperor Feixue’s soul techniques can at least halve his power.”
“Regardless, he is still an Emperor-class! Even a Supreme is merely a perfected Emperor-class. At this level, souls differ little; only willpower sets them apart.” The World Lords exchanged silent messages, remaining vigilant, ready for battle at any moment.
Amidst the tension, only two figures seemed at ease.
One was Dongbo Xueying, who had countless avatars. Here, he could fight with all his might without reservation.
The other was the North River Divine Emperor—the one holding the initiative. The decision to fight or not rested solely with him.
As for the rest—whether the World Lords, the Starlight Clan, or even the Divine Generals behind the North River Divine Emperor—all were on edge. Even the First Divine General, the Shadow Duel General, dared not be careless. Against soul techniques, he doubted he could fare better than the Skeletal Divine General. And now, facing a horde of World Lords, only the North River Divine Emperor could remain utterly unperturbed under such a siege.
“Hahaha…”
Laughter echoed through the void. “I’ve heard that among the cultivators of the Heart Realm Continent, there emerged an extraordinary figure whose soul techniques could even subdue Emperor-class beings. Upon learning this, I was filled with admiration! The Skeletal Divine General and his ilk were reckless to provoke you despite knowing your power. Had I been present, I would have stopped them.”
Dongbo Xueying was momentarily stunned.
The Lord of Starlight and the other World Lords were equally taken aback, as were the Starlight clansmen.
What did this mean?
Stopping the battle?
“In the path of the soul, whether in the Heart Realm Continent or the Broken Tooth Mountain Range, Emperor Feixue stands unparalleled in history! Hearing of such a peerless figure filled me with joy. Knowing that the Skeletal Divine General had offended you, I came personally to invite you to my North River World as a guest. Would Emperor Feixue grant me this small honor?” The North River Divine Emperor stood with hands clasped behind his back at the prow of the boat, gazing at Dongbo Xueying.
“An invitation for me?” Dongbo Xueying appeared calm but was inwardly puzzled. He sent a silent message to the Lord of Starlight beside him. “Brother Starlight, what do you make of the North River Divine Emperor’s intentions?”
“I’m equally baffled,” the Lord of Starlight replied silently. “If he intended to fight, there’d be no need for such words. Could he truly mean no hostility and seek friendship with you, Brother Feixue? Still, be wary—there might be some scheme.”
“A scheme? What do I care? This is just an avatar, dispensable at a thought,” Dongbo Xueying responded. “Since the North River Divine Emperor invites me, I’ll go and see what he’s up to. Don’t worry—I’ll send one avatar while the others remain here.”
“Very well, Brother Feixue. Just stay cautious.” The Lord of Starlight agreed, unable to conceive of any threat to a being who could abandon avatars at will. Soul techniques? Dongbo Xueying was the greatest soul practitioner in the history of both the Heart Realm Continent and the Broken Tooth Mountain Range!
…
“Does Emperor Feixue still resent the Skeletal Divine General’s earlier offense?” the North River Divine Emperor asked with a smile.
“Since the North River Divine Emperor extends a personal invitation, I’ll gladly visit. I’ve yet to see the North River World,” Dongbo Xueying replied casually.
The North River Divine Emperor nodded, then glanced at the Lord of Starlight beside Dongbo Xueying. He knew the latter aided the Starlight Clan due to their past ties. “If the Lord of Starlight wishes, he may join us as well,” he offered.
The Lord of Starlight hesitated.
Accompany them?
Emperor Feixue could abandon an avatar at will, but he had no such luxury.
“Thank you, Divine Emperor,” the Lord of Starlight said, manifesting an avatar to follow Dongbo Xueying.
Sending only an avatar to the North River World betrayed his fear of perishing. The North River Divine Emperor paid it no mind, but his Divine Generals sneered inwardly. The Divine Emperor’s status was beyond scheming against a mere World Lord—it would be beneath his dignity!
The Lord of Starlight knew this but dared not risk his life, especially after provoking the North River Divine Emperor.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Dongbo Xueying and the Lord of Starlight’s avatar flew toward the Golden Light Winged Boat.
“Upon hearing of Emperor Feixue’s deeds, I longed to meet you. Today’s encounter proves your legend true,” the North River Divine Emperor greeted warmly. “Let us return.”
The Golden Light Winged Boat set off once more, embarking on its homeward journey.
…
North River World.
In the grand hall of the towering palace, the North River Divine Emperor sat at the head of the table, placing Dongbo Xueying at the first seat to his left. The Lord of Starlight, by association, took the second seat, followed by the Divine Generals.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
One by one, the Divine Generals arrived.
“Divine Emperor.”
“Divine Emperor.”
Each paid respects before taking their seats.
When all had gathered, thirty-four of the thirty-six Divine Generals were present—only the captive Mistwind Divine General and Gluttonous Cloud Divine General were absent. The North River Divine Emperor made no mention of reclaiming them.
“Today, I am overjoyed to host Emperor Feixue. In the path of the soul, he surpasses us all—even the Supreme pales in comparison,” the North River Divine Emperor declared. In the Broken Tooth Mountain Range, such irreverence toward a Supreme was unheard of—only one of his stature dared speak so.
Otherwise, the crime of disrespect alone could summon the Supreme’s enforcers.
“Hmm?”
“The Divine Emperor esteems this cultivator Feixue too highly.”
“He values him excessively.”
The Divine Generals harbored mixed thoughts, silently calculating.
The North River Divine Emperor clapped lightly.
Beautiful maidservants entered, bearing exquisite wines and delicacies. Among the dishes, a blue-purple petal rested on a platter—palm-sized, fleshy, and fragrant, evoking an irresistible craving. Every particle of one’s body seemed to yearn for it.
“What is this?” The Lord of Starlight, seated beside Dongbo Xueying, gaped at the petal. “Magpie Blossom?”
Magpie Blossom—a legendary treasure of the Broken Tooth Mountain Range.
Each blossom bore eighteen petals. This feast, serving thirty-four Divine Generals, Dongbo Xueying, and the Lord of Starlight, consumed two full blossoms.
The North River Divine Emperor’s “Magpie Blossom Feast” ranked among the grandest in the Broken Tooth Mountain Range. A single petal matched the value of the “Yin Spirit Fruit” Prince Bloodflame had desperately sought. More crucially, Magpie Blossom petals benefited all natives, unlike the Yin Spirit Fruit, which only aided specific bloodlines.
The Magpie Blossom was key to the North River Divine Emperor’s command over his thirty-six Divine Generals—and the Magpie Blossom Tree was his exclusive possession.
“I—I actually get to taste a Magpie Blossom petal?” The Lord of Starlight trembled with excitement, having only heard myths of such a treasure.
“Let us raise our cups and drink together!” the North River Divine Emperor proclaimed, lifting his goblet.
…
The feast was of unparalleled extravagance, its delicacies rivaling the Magpie Blossom Feast itself.
Dongbo Xueying, aware of its significance, grew suspicious. Was the North River Divine Emperor’s hospitality excessive even as reparation for past conflicts?
The banquet concluded after half a day.
The North River Divine Emperor personally escorted Dongbo Xueying through a vast garden.
“Divine Emperor, speak your mind freely now,” Dongbo Xueying said.
“You guessed I have something to say?” The North River Divine Emperor smiled.
“Two Magpie Blossoms as mere decoration for a feast? That’s beyond extravagance,” Dongbo Xueying remarked. Even as a cultivator, consuming the petal had enhanced his physique by twenty percent—though such gains were wasted on him. For a native King-class, the effects would have been miraculous.
“Hah! For Emperor Feixue’s welcome, two Magpie Blossoms are nothing,” the North River Divine Emperor said, gazing at the horizon. “Tell me, would you share this world with me? My treasures—half for you, half for me.”
Dongbo Xueying was speechless.
…
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