After Sikong Ji and Wu Dao stepped forward, both bowed slightly and greeted, “We pay our respects to King Star-River.”

“You two young talents are too polite. This time, I’ll be relying on you,” King Star-River said with a smile.

“We will give our utmost for the Star River God-Dynasty,” Wu Dao replied.

“And what about Xuan Yi?” King Star-River turned his head and asked.

Sikong Ji and Wu Dao exchanged a glance, both falling silent for a moment.

“He went over to the Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty.”

Xuan Yi, ranked fourth on the Heroes Ranking.

King Star-River slapped the throne heavily. His expression shifted between anger and restraint before his brows finally relaxed.

“If we can obtain the inheritance this time, within the Star River God-Dynasty, you may ask for whatever you desire,” King Star-River said. “As for the others, it doesn’t matter if they don’t favor our Star River God-Dynasty.”

“Your Majesty, should we depart?” the old crone beside him rasped.

Her entire body was wrapped in a black robe. Her steps made no sound, her form hunched and shriveled.

“Let’s go,” King Star-River waved his hand.

“And the third participant?” Jade Cauldron True Immortal asked from the side.

“Without Xuan Yi, who will compete?”

King Star-River didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to the princes.

“Which of you will step forward? Whoever wins will become the Crown Prince.”

Excitement flashed across their faces.

The position of Crown Prince had been undecided for so long. They had schemed and fought in the shadows, yet there had been no clear judgment.

Now King Star-River’s words were plain: victory meant the Crown Prince’s seat, but defeat, well, the consequences needed no explanation.

The meaning could not have been clearer.

“Prepare to move,” King Star-River waved again, his voice tinged with fatigue.

He closed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.

“Lady Yu,” the Second Prince turned to Yu Huashang, “when the time comes, I may trouble you to act.”

“My duty is only to protect you,” Yu Huashang said coolly.

“If I go into the arena, my life will be at risk. That counts as protection too, doesn’t it?” Chen Luo said.

“I promise you, if I become Crown Prince, I’ll see to it that Tranquil World Tower becomes the number one power in the Star River God-Dynasty.”

Yu Huashang stayed silent.

The group moved out with the main force. Their numbers were not massive, but far from small.

“It seems only we’ve been kept in the dark,” Xu Zimo glanced at Xia Wanqing with a smile.

“I also feel this matter isn’t so simple,” Xia Wanqing nodded.

The strange actions of the Star River God-Dynasty all seemed to hint at something greater.

“Let’s take it one step at a time,” Xia Wanqing sighed.

The Mystic Realm wasn’t far from the Star River God-Dynasty.

Heavy imperial troops were stationed to guard it.

After following the main host for about two hours, they finally encountered the Star River God-Dynasty’s soldiers.

During this journey, the princes had racked their brains, each determined to seize victory in the coming contest.

As for what kind of contest it would be, Xu Zimo and the others still had no idea.

“Your Majesty,” a general clad in black armor knelt on one knee in greeting.

King Star-River slowly opened his eyes.

In that instant, his weariness vanished. An awe-inspiring aura surged from his body.

This was the true presence of a sovereign.

Above ten thousand people.

His eyes gleamed with sharp brilliance. Just one glance was enough to make others feel crushed by pressure.

Dressed in his imperial robe, he slowly rose from his throne.

“Have the envoys of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court arrived yet?” King Star-River asked.

“Not yet, but the Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty’s people are already here,” the black-armored general replied.

“They came rather quickly,” King Star-River snorted coldly. “Let’s go meet them.”

He descended, with Jade Cauldron True Immortal and the crone flanking him. The princes, along with Wu Dao and Sikong Ji, followed behind.

“Second Prince, what is going on?” Xia Wanqing stepped forward and asked. “We only came for the Mystic Realm. If it’s inconvenient, we can leave.”

“Since we’re already here, I won’t hide it from you,” Chen Luo thought for a moment before speaking. “You should know of the Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty.”

Xia Wanqing nodded.

There were countless dynasties across the Four Domains of the north, but near Sovereign Mountains, the two largest were Star River God-Dynasty and Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty.

“Our Star River God-Dynasty and the Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty both fall under the rule of the Thousand-Ox Dao Court. Some time ago, the Dao Court issued an order: to consolidate all powers within its territory. The Star River God-Dynasty and Breaking Dawn God-Dynasty have warred for a thousand years. Now they are to be merged.”

“Merge?” Xia Wanqing was stunned.

This was no small matter. For the people, and especially the rulers, it was far from a welcome change.

If merged, what would happen to the current royal families?

Who would be the ruler?

Neither side’s royalty would willingly submit.

“You’ve likely thought of this too. If resolved by war, it would be unwise, both sides would suffer greatly,” Chen Luo explained.

“So the Dao Court has been considering a simpler solution.”

“This Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign’s inheritance serves as the opportunity?” Xia Wanqing asked.

“The inheritance appeared in the Star River God-Dynasty. At first, we thought it was just an ordinary legacy. Father assigned it to me. But when I returned to the palace, I learned this inheritance may be far more than it seems. A great secret lies within it,” Chen Luo said.

“The Dao Court decreed: whoever obtains the inheritance must submit it to the Dao Court, and in return, they will be acknowledged as ruler of the merged empires.”

“I still don’t quite understand,” Xia Wanqing shook her head. “If that’s the case, why not just search for the inheritance fairly? Why bring people like Wu Dao and Sikong Ji?”

“That’s the problem. The Mystic Realm has restrictions, only one person may enter at a time,” Chen Luo explained.

“Whoever goes in first has a massive advantage. The two empires quarreled over this endlessly. Finally, the Dao Court decided it would be settled by contest. Each empire will select three young elites. A best-of-three match will determine who gets to send their candidate in first.”

At this, Xia Wanqing finally understood.

“If that’s so, why bring us along? This has nothing to do with Martial Heaven Sacred Ground.”

“The Dao Court only cares about the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign’s inheritance. The other treasures inside don’t interest them,” Chen Luo smiled. “At that time, we can let you enter too. Think of it as them eating meat while we drink the broth.”

“Second Prince, you’d best speak plainly,” Xia Wanqing said coldly, unmoved.

This explanation made no sense.

Why would Chen Luo help Martial Heaven Sacred Ground for no reason?

Because of Li Xiaoyuan?

He was nothing more than a dog, no one would care about him.

Other than that, there was almost no connection between them.

“If you won’t tell us, then we won’t accompany you.”

Seeing Xia Wanqing about to leave, Chen Luo quickly stopped them with a laugh.

“Actually, there is a reason. This contest between the two dynsaties will have special overseers sent by the Dao Court. Essentially, referees.”