When someone stood up, Willow Ancestor narrowed his eyes slightly. He smiled and said, “Brother Luo, do you have something to ask?”

“Long ago, the True Martial Sacred Ground served as the leader of our Northern Faction. But ever since the sect declined, our Northern Faction has been scattered, each force acting on its own. Rivalries rise in the divine nations. I wonder, now that you have returned, do you intend to act as leader once more?”

“Brother Luo, you flatter us. In the past, we guided everyone only because all of you followed willingly. The True Martial Sacred Ground has never tried to rule anyone,” Willow Ancestor said. “As for whether we have plans now, we will not force anyone, and to be honest we are quite busy. We have no such intentions for the time being.”

“I have something I want to ask as well,” said another voice.

On the other side, the Southern Fist Emperor of the Southern Fist God Sect rose to his feet with a smile. “The True Martial Sacred Ground destroyed the Ancient Dragon God-Empire. Which ancestor of your sect carried this out? Could they come out and let us meet them?”

“I cannot make decisions on matters concerning the ancestors,” Willow Ancestor replied calmly. “If Brother Southern Fist is curious, you will meet them when the time comes.”

His expression chilled. The Southern Fist God Sect had kicked the True Martial Sacred Ground when they were down. Back when the sect stood at its peak, the Southern Fist God Sect’s ancestor, One Fist, offended an ancestor of the True Martial Sacred Ground and was killed with a single punch. From that moment on, the two forces carried an unresolved grudge. When the True Martial Sacred Ground stood tall, the Southern Fist God Sect could only bow their heads. After the decline, however, they even dared send people to humiliate them.

So it was natural that Willow Ancestor showed no warmth toward the Southern Fist Emperor.

Hearing Willow’s answer, the Southern Fist Emperor was clearly unhappy. He frowned and said, “Willow, this is a bit perfunctory. We flew millions of miles to come here and congratulate the founding of the True Martial God-Empire. Are your ancestors so lofty that even meeting them is this difficult?”

After speaking, he looked around at the assembled crowd. “Everyone, don’t you agree?”

Only a few people voiced support. No one there was a fool. If he wanted to stick his neck out, let him. The others would simply wait and watch.

Before Willow Ancestor could respond, an elderly figure stepped forward. “Southern Fist, we came to congratulate the True Martial Sacred Ground. We are guests and they are the hosts. Since when do guests make things hard for the hosts? If you are unwilling, you may leave right now. No one forced you to come.”

The Southern Fist Emperor snorted coldly and turned his gaze toward the old man. The man was huge, at least three meters tall, like a small giant. His muscles were well developed. Age had not diminished his overwhelming presence.

“So it was you. Primal Mountain of the Titan race,” the Southern Fist Emperor said with a laugh. “What, you acted like the True Martial Sacred Ground’s dog back then, and you still want to serve as their dog now?”

“You are going too far, Southern Fist. You bully others past all reason,” Primal Mountain shot back angrily.

“The Titans are all muscle and no brain,” the Southern Fist Emperor sneered. “Back then you could have kept yourselves safe when the True Martial Sacred Ground was destroyed. Instead, you brought ruin upon yourselves and declined along with them.”

“Whether we declined or not was our choice. But your Southern Fist God Sect became dogs of the Yue God-Clan, and I don’t see that making you stronger,” Primal Mountain said with a cold smile.

The Southern Fist Emperor’s face darkened. “Primal Mountain, do you want to challenge me?”

“Then fight. Do you think I fear you?” Primal Mountain roared.

At that moment, thunder rumbled across the sky, as if some colossal thing were descending. Outside the great hall, the heavens dimmed, covered by a massive shadow. Everyone turned their attention to the phenomenon.

Willow Ancestor was the first to step outside and look up. A gigantic spirit ship hung in the sky. It stretched several kilometers across, its surface shifting with surging spirit energy that blanketed the world below. Above the ship a flag fluttered, bearing a skull symbol. At the center of the skull was a single blood-red character.

Yue.

Seeing this, many faces changed. Everyone here knew that flag well. It belonged to one of the Ten Great Clans, the Yue God-Clan, famed for the Infernal-Creation Eternal-Canon that shook the entire Absolute God Heaven. Anywhere there was sound, the Infernal-Creation Eternal-Canon took effect.

Most frightening of all, a Yue God-Clan ancestor once killed a Grand Emperor using nothing more than the sound of that emperor’s own voice. In the Absolute God Heaven, it was common knowledge that when facing the Yue God-Clan, one must never produce any sound at all, not even a cough.

Before trouble struck the True Martial Sacred Ground many years ago, the Yue God-Clan had been involved. Now, at this critical moment when the sect had resurfaced, the Yue God-Clan had arrived. It was hard not to think of that past massacre.

Everyone stared at the Yue God-Clan’s airship, waiting to see what they intended.

A powerful pressure descended as the ship’s gate opened. A figure stepped out. At the moment he appeared, violet light burst around him, and purple stars orbited his body. He slowly lifted his head.

“It is the Seven Star Emperor,” someone exclaimed. “He proved the imperial path through the power of the stars. One of the Yue God-Clan’s strongest emperors.”

“He actually came here himself. That means the Yue God-Clan takes this event seriously.”

“I wonder if he came alone, or if he is only the one leading the way.”

People murmured among themselves.

The Seven Star Emperor’s purple robe waved in the wind. He looked down at the crowd and said, “The Yue God-Clan congratulates the founding of the True Martial God-Empire.”

Although his words were congratulatory, he spoke from above, full of pride, as if his presence itself was a reward.

“So the Yue God-Clan is here to congratulate them,” someone whispered in surprise. “I thought they came to cause trouble.”

“Hold on. Let’s see what happens.”

Willow Ancestor lifted his gaze toward the sky. “The founding of the True Martial God-Empire does not require congratulations from the Yue God-Clan.” His words were sharp and direct, leaving no room for courtesy. The True Martial Sacred Ground and the Ten God-Clans had long been locked in a death feud. There was no kindness left between them.

If the Yue God-Clan truly came to offer congratulations, they would not have arrived with such arrogance.

Hearing this, the Seven Star Emperor did not grow angry. He chuckled. “Willow, that temper will harm your health.”

“What concern is that of yours?” Willow Ancestor replied coolly. “If you have nothing else to say, leave. You are not welcome here.”

“No need to rush. I am here under the God Lord’s orders to deliver a decree,” the Seven Star Emperor said.

“What decree?”