“According to the information we’ve received, the Thousand-Ox Dao Court has sent disciples of the Xiao Clan to serve as arbiters.”

As he said this, the Second Prince gave a somewhat awkward smile.

“But what does that have to do with us?” Xia Wanqing still looked puzzled.

At the side, the Sixth Elder gave a quiet cough.

Looking at Xia Wanqing, he explained: “In truth, the Xiao Clan does have some connection with our Martial Heaven Sacred Ground.”

“I’ve never heard of that,” Xia Wanqing asked curiously.

“Many years ago, when the Martial Heaven Emperor still lived, our Martial Heaven Dao Court was just as renowned as the Thousand-Ox Dao Court. At that time, the two powers often arranged marriages between their families,” the Sixth Elder said. “But after the Martial Heaven Emperor was gone, and our Dao Source was destroyed, we fell into decline. Our ties with the Thousand-Ox Dao Court gradually faded.”

“The Second Prince certainly planned this well,” Xia Wanqing said coldly.

“But you may be disappointed, our connection with the Thousand-Ox Dao Court has long since vanished.”

“Lady Xia, don’t be angry. I admit I kept something from you, but I’ll still see that you’re allowed into the Mystic Realm. It’s simply mutual benefit,” Chen Luo said with a smile. “Whether there’s still a connection or not doesn’t matter. Perhaps they’ll honor old ties. I can guarantee that no matter the result, I’ll ensure you all enter the Mystic Realm.”

“Since we’re already here, we might as well see it through,” Xu Zimo said.

“Otherwise, after all this trouble, wouldn’t it be for nothing?”

“Brother Xu is wise as always,” Chen Luo chuckled.

Xia Wanqing glanced at Xu Zimo but no longer objected.

King Star-River walked at the front.

Ahead of them, a group of people had already been waiting.

Leading them was an elder in imperial robes, though the dragons embroidered upon them differed from those of the Star River God-Dynasty.

The elder was aged.

He lacked the sharp edge of King Star-River, instead bearing the air of twilight nearing its end.

His beard was white, his smile revealed gums where teeth had long fallen, and he coughed from time to time.

Yet few here dared to look down on him.

For he was none other than the ruler of the Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty.

He had taken a weak kingdom and raised it into an empire, able to rival Star River God-Dynasty, and even at times surpass it.

For decades, he had looked as frail as now, seeming as if he had little time left to live.

But still he sat firm upon his throne, unshaken.

Behind him were several followers, all smiling faintly as they regarded the approaching King Star-River.

“It has been a long time,” King Breaking-Dawn said with a light chuckle.

“I’d rather our next meeting be inside the palace of the Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty,” King Star-River replied coolly.

“If you have the ability, I wouldn’t mind,” King Breaking-Dawn smiled.

“And where is Xuan Yi?” King Star-River’s gaze swept across the people behind King Breaking-Dawn.

“You’ll see him when the time comes,” King Breaking-Dawn replied with a smile.

King Star-River clearly disliked this answer. He snorted coldly and turned away.

“Isn’t the Heroes Ranking issued by the Star River God-Dynasty?” Xu Zimo asked from the side. “Why didn’t they invite the number one on the list?”

Xia Wanqing glanced at him and explained: “The Heroes Ranking may be published by the Star River God-Dynasty, but they don’t decide the rankings themselves. They don’t have the strength to do so.”

“Then who does?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.

“Don’t tell me you don’t even know the Celestial Citadel?” Xia Wanqing replied.

“The Celestial Citadel updates the Heroes Ranking every month. Then it’s passed down for the Dao Courts, Dynasties, and Empires to publish.”

“The Celestial Citadel? Never heard of it,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

He lifted his gaze toward the so-called Mystic Realm.

Before them, the earth had collapsed inward, forming an enormous pit.

Within that pit, laws twisted and space warped chaotically.

It was exceedingly dangerous.

“And how are you certain this is the relic of the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign?” Xu Zimo asked.

“When the Mystic Realm first appeared, the phantom of the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign ascended into the skies. It illuminated the eternal night for a full day and night,” Chen Luo replied.

At that moment, thunder rumbled across the heavens.

Like a bolt of lightning on a clear day, everyone looked up.

Above them hovered a massive warship.

“It’s the Warship of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court,” Second Prince Chen Luo said.

The great vessel slowly descended. From it, three figures stepped down through the air.

Two men and one woman, all clad in fluttering blue robes.

They looked to be about the same age as Xia Wanqing.

On their robes was embroidered the image of a bull demon bowing low to the ground.

“Where are King Star-River and King Breaking-Dawn?” the youth on the left asked flatly as he landed.

His expression was stern, a long sword sheathed at his back, his hair tied neatly with a band.

His robe was crisp and spotless.

“Honored envoys of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court,” the two kings quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Had their citizens seen this scene, they would have been utterly shocked.

The sovereigns of nations bowing respectfully before a few young people.

Of the three from the Dao Court, aside from the solemn youth on the left, there was also the one on the right,

This one wore the same robe style, but he was slightly plump, with an unreadable smile fixed upon his face.

The woman in the center was colder still.

Like a flower of frost not yet in bloom, her presence radiated such icy power that few dared to look directly at her.

She could only be admired from afar; even that distance carried her chill.

“The three of us come at the command of our master to oversee these proceedings,” the youth on the left said simply.

“Xiao Buhui of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court. Qin Yao of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court. Wang Pangzi of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court.”

“So, disciples of Lord Luo,” King Star-River said with a smile. “In that case, we’ll be troubling you this time.”

“Where are your participants?” Qin Yao asked.

King Star-River gestured, and Sikong Ji and Wu Dao stepped forward.

“King Star-River is clever indeed, recruiting these two,” King Breaking-Dawn said with a laugh.

“I imagine the King Breaking-Dawn’s candidates won’t be lacking either,” King Star-River replied coolly.

King Breaking-Dawn clapped his hands.

Not far away, three figures stepped into the air.

“Xuan Yi. Xie Shitian,” King Star-River named them one by one.

Xuan Yi was ranked fourth on the Heroes Ranking, Xie Shitian fifth.

Beside them stood a young man in black robes, his form shrouded in a gray cloak that left only his eyes visible.

Thus, none could discern his identity.

“So the Heroes Ranking represents the highest combat power of the younger generation in the Four Domains?” Xu Zimo asked Xia Wanqing.

“Not exactly. The Heroes Ranking only includes wanderers or disciples of minor sects,” Xia Wanqing explained.

“For powers like the Dao Courts and Dynasties, there is a separate Overlord Ranking.”

“Overlord Ranking?” Xu Zimo muttered. “What a tacky name.”

“Keep your voice down! These rankings are named by the Celestial Citadel. Do you want to die?” Xia Wanqing quickly cautioned.

“The Overlord Ranking is of much higher caliber than the Heroes Ranking. Those disciples of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court are most likely listed there,” she explained. “That’s why they look down on people like us.”