The yellow-robed woman beside him immediately laughed, “Brother Baisha, how many divine-level experts from the entire Anhai Prefecture are participating in this battle? Many have even traveled from distant lands. Out of thirty-two thousand divine-level experts, only a hundred will be selected in the end. You place far too much faith in your little brother Dongbo.” Her laughter was melodious and enchanting, her delicate body trembling slightly, the loose yellow robe revealing her graceful curves.
Yet, she was a notorious and terrifying Third Heaven Realm God known as ‘Venomous Ying Realm God,’ infamous for her mastery of poisons!
Compared to the ‘Witch God’ Dongbo Xueying had once encountered, this Venomous Ying Realm God was countless times more formidable.
“We’ll see when the time comes,” Baisha City Lord said lazily, unwilling to argue further as he continued eating.
The others chatted idly while dining.
Each of them was a figure capable of intimidating entire regions, and they rarely met under normal circumstances.
Before long, Anhai Prefecture Lord suddenly stood up, smiling as he looked outside. His movement startled the five below, who quickly rose to their feet.
“Hahaha, Brother Long!” A deep, resonant voice echoed from outside.
A white-haired, white-bearded elder clad in a thick black robe strode into the hall.
Anhai Prefecture Lord had already descended to greet him. “Brother Moxue, it’s been far too long since we last met. I never expected you to attend the Divine Court’s Myriad Flowers Banquet this time. Come, come, take a seat with me.”
“I won’t stand on ceremony,” the white-bearded elder replied, ascending the dais with Anhai Prefecture Lord, where they sat side by side.
Upon hearing the name ‘Moxue,’ the five below immediately recognized his identity and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Lord Moxue!” they chorused, their tones humble and deferential. Lord Moxue’s reputation was immense—he was a ruler who had carved out his own empire in the Divine Realm, a true hegemon who had once clashed with a mighty figure and emerged unscathed. Yet, he was also an ancient Fourth Heaven Realm God who had lived for countless years.
Many speculated that Lord Moxue had lived so long that his divine heart might collapse at any moment, leading to his demise.
Regardless, as long as he lived, his presence alone was enough to intimidate all.
“Brother Moxue, allow me to introduce you,” Anhai Prefecture Lord said, gesturing to the second seat on his left—the first remained empty. “This is Moyun, a rising star of my Anhai Prefecture. Though young, he has cultivated swiftly, reaching the Third Heaven Realm God in just ten million years.”
“Moyun pays his respects to Lord Moxue,” the black-robed man saluted.
“Ah, youth is a blessing indeed,” Lord Moxue remarked with a smile.
“This is Army Commander Qin,” Anhai Prefecture Lord continued, pointing to the silver-armored woman beside Moyun. “She commands the North Wind Legion within my prefecture.”
Army Commander Qin bowed as well.
“And this is Venomous Ying Realm God, renowned for her mastery of poisons,” Anhai Prefecture Lord said, gesturing to the yellow-robed woman.
“Venomous Ying greets the Lord,” she said softly.
“Hahaha, I know of you. Brother Pucang suffered greatly from your poison,” Lord Moxue chuckled.
“Emperor Pucang was merciful. Had he sought retribution, I would not be standing here today,” Venomous Ying replied quickly.
“This is Baisha City Lord. I need not elaborate further,” Anhai Prefecture Lord said with a laugh.
“Ah, the thieving mouse,” Lord Moxue teased.
The plump, white-robed Baisha City Lord hastily added, “I’ve regretted my actions for countless years and long to return to His Majesty’s grace.” Had anyone else dared call him a thieving mouse, Baisha City Lord would have annihilated them without hesitation. But before Anhai Prefecture Lord and Lord Moxue, he remained meek. Both were legendary figures of immense power.
Fourth Heaven Realm Gods varied in strength—generally, the older they were, the more formidable they became. Yet, they either reincarnated or perished when their divine hearts collapsed.
“This is Ronghai, a bit simple-minded,” Anhai Prefecture Lord said.
“A member of the Metal Clan? They are known for their straightforwardness,” Lord Moxue remarked.
Ronghai King grinned. “Yes, straightforward. Very straightforward.”
“Brother Moxue, what brings you here? The Divine Court’s Myriad Flowers Banquet can be observed from any prefecture,” Anhai Prefecture Lord inquired as they sat side by side.
Lord Moxue smiled. “I came because my seventh daughter is participating in the banquet—right here in Anhai Prefecture.”
“Seventh daughter? You have another?” Anhai Prefecture Lord exclaimed in surprise.
“Indeed,” Lord Moxue nodded.
“Impressive, old man! How ancient are you, yet you’ve sired another daughter?” Anhai Prefecture Lord marveled. “They say it’s rare for Fourth Heaven Realm Gods to have offspring, yet you keep producing them. Seven daughters now, yes? How is her comprehension?”
Lord Moxue was a hegemon who had lived for eons. His eldest daughter was exceptionally talented, reaching the Third Heaven Realm God, while the next five were less gifted. Despite his efforts, they barely became First Heaven Realm Gods.
“My youngest is strong-willed—even my words hold little sway over her,” Lord Moxue praised. “But her comprehension is remarkable, nearly matching my eldest.”
“Oh? Excellent. She may well become a disciple of a mighty figure. What is her name?”
“She disguises herself as a man, calling herself the Seventh Plum Rain,” Lord Moxue said with a sigh.
“Disguised as a man? Hahaha, amusing,” Anhai Prefecture Lord laughed.
As the two conversed above, the five below listened quietly, committing the name ‘Seventh Plum Rain’ to memory.
*Hmm? I recall that among the divine-level experts who passed the Wushan Star Domain’s preliminary selection, aside from Dongbo, there was one named Seventh Plum Rain,* Baisha City Lord mused silently.
—
Over an hour later, a white-robed figure entered the hall.
“The envoy has arrived,” Anhai Prefecture Lord announced, looking down. Lord Moxue, Baisha City Lord, Moyun City Lord, Army Commander Qin, Venomous Ying Realm God, and Ronghai King all turned their attention to the newcomer—the envoy sent by Bloodblade Divine Court.
“Greetings, Prefecture Lord,” the white-robed figure bowed respectfully before raising his head. “By His Majesty’s decree, I am here to oversee the Myriad Flowers Banquet’s prefectural battle. The Prefecture Lord may supervise the entire process.”
“Very well,” Anhai Prefecture Lord nodded. “Envoy, take your seat. Since you’re here, I assume the rules for the three rounds of selection have been finalized?”
The Divine Court envoy seated himself in the first position on the left and replied respectfully, “They have!”
“Then proceed with the arrangements,” Anhai Prefecture Lord commanded.
—
Approximately thirty-two thousand divine-level experts had gathered from across Anhai Prefecture’s star domains, having passed preliminary selections. Many were not native to Anhai—some hailed from material worlds, others from the territories of the Spacetime Island or the Myriad Gods Palace, and still others from remote empires. All had come to participate in the Divine Realm’s grandest event.
These experts now awaited Anhai Prefecture’s orders, biding their time for the prefectural battle.
“Dongbo!” A soldier called out at the entrance of the cave abode.
The gates soon opened, revealing Dongbo Xueying, accompanied by Yu Jingqiu and a group of Xia Clan deities. Dongbo Xueying recognized the soldier as one under Patrol Commander Guan’s command.
“Patrol Commander Guan sent me to deliver this—details regarding the prefectural battle’s schedule and rules,” the soldier said, handing over a golden scroll. “He also instructed that you refrain from wandering these next few days. The battle begins in three.”
“Understood,” Dongbo Xueying accepted the scroll as the soldier departed.
“Let’s see it,” Purple Thunder Emperor, Yunhai, and the others gathered around eagerly.
Dongbo Xueying unfurled the scroll with a smile.
The structure of the prefectural battle remained consistent across generations, though specific rules varied.
“Ranking Battle, Arena Battle, Survival Battle,” Dongbo Xueying read aloud.
The prefectural battle consisted of three rounds:
1. **Ranking Battle**: Approximately 32,000 divine-level experts would compete, with the top 1,000 advancing. The rest would be eliminated.
2. **Arena Battle**: The 1,000 would duel, narrowing down to 250.
3. **Survival Battle**: The final 250 would vie for the last 100 spots.
These 100 would represent Anhai Prefecture at the Divine Court, where they would compete in the ultimate Divine Court Battle before the mightiest existence of the Divine Realm—His Majesty Bloodblade—and the assembly of mighty figures.
*I’ve only cultivated for a little over two thousand years. If I can reach the Divine Court and catch the attention of the mighty figures, I can become their disciple,* Dongbo Xueying thought. *My goal is clear—secure a place in the top 100 and advance to the Divine Court Battle. That alone would mark my success in this Myriad Flowers Banquet!*
“Top 100…” Dongbo Xueying’s eyes gleamed with determination as he studied the three rounds of selection.
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