He surrendered just like that.

The Seven-Star Emperor knew that compared to his own life, things like dignity meant nothing. As long as he stayed alive, he still had every opportunity. So he knelt, calmly, without shame, without hesitation.

“Sir, I was blind and ignorant. Please spare me.”

Hearing his plea, Xu Zimo slowly sat back down at the head seat. He spoke faintly: “Slap yourself.”

He drank wine as he spoke. The Seven-Star Emperor didn’t dare delay; he immediately began striking his own face.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“You’re not slapping?” Xu Zimo glanced at him.

The Seven-Star Emperor struck harder. Even so, Xu Zimo still looked dissatisfied.

He turned to the gathered crowd. “Is there anyone who can take over and slap him for me?”

At that, silence fell over the hall.

“I can,” the Primal Mountain Emperor said, standing first.

The few who had previously stepped out to support the True Martial Sacred Ground also stood without hesitation. Everyone understood what this meant. The Seven-Star Emperor belonged to the Yue God-Clan. Striking his face was, in effect, striking the face of the Yue God-Clan itself.

That carried a very different implication.

Congratulating the True Martial Sacred Ground might be overlooked, but truly offending the Yue God-Clan, this meant real consequences. Many didn’t dare. Even though Xu Zimo had displayed overwhelming power, the Yue God-Clan also possessed countless formidable cultivators.

More importantly, the Ten God-Clans usually acted as one. To oppose one clan was to oppose all ten. Even though the clans schemed against each other behind the scenes, they maintained a united front publicly.

So, upon hearing Xu Zimo’s command, the crowd remained silent, except for Ouyang Qi, Zhang Wu, and the few steadfast supporters of True Martial. Most people were still watching from the sidelines. Unless True Martial could display the same might they had in their past peak, few would commit.

Xu Zimo didn’t push further. He smiled faintly at their silence, then raised his hand and slapped toward the void.

A thunderous boom exploded. The Seven-Star Emperor’s face was forcibly smashed to the side. His body flew backwards, head malformed and bleeding profusely. He hit the ground unconscious.

“Take him,” Xu Zimo ordered. “Hang him at the city gate for all to see. And spread the word. Tomorrow I will go to the Yue God-Clan. I will destroy the Yue God-Clan, and the so-called Ten God-Clans.”

The hall erupted in shock.

The True Martial Sacred Ground not only intended to destroy the Ancient Dragon God-Empire, they planned to wipe out the Yue God-Clan, and even the Ten God-Clans.

Where did they get such confidence?

Even at their peak, the True Martial Sacred Ground had only fought the ten clans to a draw, and in the end, they were destroyed.

Everyone understood.

Regardless of the outcome, the Absolute God Heaven was about to undergo earth-shaking changes. It was time for them to choose sides. If they chose correctly and backed the victor, the rewards would be unimaginable. Their factions could soar.

A pig that stands in the right wind will fly.

But Xu Zimo seemed to know exactly what they were thinking. He said plainly, “There’s no need for you all to consider it. We do not accept followers.”

The crowd froze.

The True Martial Sacred Ground intended to fight the ten clans alone? Along with all the forces attached to them?

Many could not understand.

“I already gave you all a chance,” Xu Zimo said. “But only a few cherished it.”

“A chance?” the crowd murmured. Then realization hit them. It must have been when he asked who would slap the Seven-Star Emperor, a forced opportunity to show loyalty.

Xu Zimo stood up, looking disinterested.

He turned to the three supporters, including the Primal Mountain Emperor. “Whatever your motives, sincerity or otherwise, since you chose to stand with the True Martial Sacred Ground, I should congratulate you.”

He waved his hand. Three leaves from the Tree of Life drifted forth, each floating before one of the three.

“Live longer. Otherwise you might not witness the day I rule the world. Consider this my meeting gift.”

The three men were overwhelmed, staring at the leaves radiating rich life force.

“Thank you for the gift, Imperial Ancestor!” they said excitedly.

Those around them recognized the treasure, an item that extended life. Many were greedy, but none dared act. The fates of the Southern Fist Emperor and the Seven-Star Emperor were still vivid before their eyes.

“I won’t attend the banquet anymore,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand. “It’s no longer interesting.” He rose and instructed, “Willow, host them on my behalf.”

“As you command, Imperial Ancestor,” Willow Ancestor replied.

Only after Xu Zimo’s figure had vanished did the suffocating pressure lingering in everyone’s hearts finally dissipate.

Immediately, the crowd rushed to surround Willow Ancestor, speaking warmly and politely. Some even hinted they wished to join the True Martial Sacred Ground.

At this moment, in the Yue God-Clan, one of the Ten God-Clans, situated in the northwest, they ruled vast lands. In truth, nearly all the northwest region of the Absolute God Heaven was under their control. The Ten God-Clans divided the entire domain into ten enormous territories spanning hundreds of billions of miles. East, west, south, north, northwest, southwest, northeast, southeast, the central region, and the oceans.

The Yue God-Clan occupied the northwest.

Here stood Yue Mountain, an immortal mountain containing millions of cave-mansions, built specifically to house the clan’s Ancestors and important figures. Cities and structures eventually grew around the mountain, expanding the clan’s territory until it stretched far beyond visible limits.

Now, deep beneath Yue Mountain, inside a secret chamber, the most concealed among all the mountain’s caves, light suddenly flickered in the darkness. Looking closely, that light came from strange patterns etched into the ground. None could recognize them, but each time a pattern lit up, a figure appeared within it.

“The Hundred-Deaths Worm, undying even in death,” a voice murmured from the darkness. “He must be killed.”

Another voice replied calmly, “Why rush? He’s the one so eager to send himself to death. We merely need to wait.”

“What do the other clans say?” another asked.