CHAPTER 526: CHAPTER 428: DOMINANCE_2

"Choosing to strike now, is it really just because the ’Summoning Cottage’ added an Immortal?"

"Maybe that’s just an excuse. I’m more inclined to believe he’s been stockpiling magic power in Divine Artifacts over the years, accumulating wealth to once again summon the Dimension Origin Ancestor and Undead Army."

Two Immortals conversed for a long time, analyzed for a long time, and raged for a long time.

But ultimately, they could only swallow their grievances.

They had the courage to hold ’Dawn Island’ and stand their ground in the ’Gobada Islands’, but to leave their stronghold and seize ’Dawn Island’ back from Magic Sound River?

They absolutely dared not.

The ’Dawn Era’ fell silent.

The ’Covenant Church’ also remained mute.

"Too dangerous to provoke!"

Not only did they avoid speaking out, but they even worried that the ’Tyrant’, much like three thousand years ago, might demand compensation alongside annexing territories.

Many days passed in fearful unease.

But luckily, the ’Tyrant’ was exceptionally merciful this time, refraining from further extortion, allowing them to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

After the battle at Magic Sound River.

The ’Summoning Cottage’ swiftly seized four islands, instantly becoming a prominent force within Magic Sound River.

Then, they reorganized troops and appeared ready to settle down and develop Magic Sound River.

But everything was just an illusion.

Two years later, after barely establishing a foothold, before any substantial growth, the ’Tyrant’ Benage led ’Space Rhythm’ Beirut into action again.

This time, they arrived at the ’Elemental Ranch’ near Magic Sound River.

The ’Elemental Ranch’ is another critical site, even more valuable than the ’Taiyang Basin.’ It contains dense elemental energy, home to countless Elemental Spirits.

Within this space, Legendary Mages can rapidly grow and recover their magic power. If fortunate enough to capture an Elemental Spirit, it represents a tremendous opportunity—such a spirit can make one’s magic power more fluid, accelerating recovery in the future.

Thus, the ’Elemental Ranch’ holds significant value.

But when Chen Jichuan led Beirut to the site, the Immortal organization in control—’Dark Night Elf Elder Council’—swiftly came forward and surrendered the ’Elemental Ranch’.

Without a shred of resistance.

The ’Dark Night Elf Elder Council’ is an Immortal organization rooted in the Dark Night Elf race. All its members are Dark Night Elves, including four Immortal Elders. Their collective strength surpasses that of the ’Dawn Era’ and the ’Magic Martial Holy Hall.’

Facing the ’Tyrant’, who had been dormant for years and now resurfaced with vigor, they understandably opted for a prudent retreat.

"Undead Disaster."

"Mirror Image Army."

"Great Mirror Image Technique."

"This is someone we cannot afford to provoke."

The four Immortal Elders of the ’Dark Night Elf Elder Council’ reached rare unanimity for the first time in years.

Thus, the ’Summoning Cottage’ secured its third major stronghold with ease.

Another two years of calm followed.

But this time, no one could rest easy. Especially those controlling major sites near ’Valgrion,’ Magic Sound River, and ’Elemental Ranch,’ insistent dread prevailed.

"Tyrant, Tyrant, stay away!"

One after another, they prayed for misfortune to bypass their domains.

Meanwhile, those uninvolved were merely enjoying the spectacle. Some even started gambling, speculating about the ’Tyrant’s’ next target.

Time slipped by.

Two years passed.

On this day.

In the northern seas near ’Valgrion,’ within the ’Virtual Arena,’ spectators in the stands watched the battles unfold while discussing the ’Tyrant,’ the current hot topic.

The audience of the ’Virtual Arena’ came from all corners, most being seasoned gamblers highly intrigued by such developments.

"Place your bets! Place your bets!"

"Guess the ’Tyrant’s’ next target! The highest odds are twenty thousand to one!"

The arena’s officials eagerly capitalized on the situation, setting up betting pools based on major stronghold targets the ’Tyrant’ might pursue, promptly attracting scores of spectators and gamblers.

Money flooded in.

And just as they reveled in celebration...

On a storm-enveloped island, Chen Jichuan descended with Beirut at his side. With a sweep of his hand, twenty-four Ancestors and a million-strong Undead Army materialized in force!

"The Tyrant!"

"The Tyrant has struck!"

The ’Virtual Arena’ could never have expected—

The clown is me myself?!

...

The ’Virtual Arena,’ also known as the ’Eight-direction Arena,’ gets its name from these two reasons:

First, there are eight such arenas scattered across the Divine Throne World’s eight cardinal points.

Second, the arenas attract visitors from all corners. Anyone holding credentials can construct a virtual identity and engage in battle, spectate, or gamble.

Due to its pervasive gambling culture, people here often amass fortunes or, far more commonly, lose everything, earning the arena its alternative name—’God and Demon Arena.’

One thought ascends to godhood; another plunges into demonhood.

This place follows its own rules, offering exceptional freedom. True bodies are unnecessary, nor is real-name registration. Credential holders can generate virtual avatars from anywhere at any time.

The arena boasts fierce combat, featuring even Immortals using pseudonyms to defend and challenge as combatants.

It also showcases the most exhilarating wagers, where the stakes oscillate between meteoric wealth and devastating ruin, encapsulating both divinity and depravity within a single choice.

"The gambler’s paradise!"

"The duelist’s temple!"

The origin of the ’Virtual Arena’ has long been a mystery. Countless organizations and Immortals have researched its secrets, yet none have succeeded in replicating a ninth arena.

For millennia, each ’Virtual Arena’s’ emergence sparks fierce contention.

Take the southeastern arena, claimed by the ’Coastline Alliance’ at great cost—they abandoned three other strongholds to wrest it from rival organizations.

Over tens of thousands of years, the arena has generated immense wealth for the ’Coastline Alliance.’

What’s particularly tempting is the gambling culture spreading across the Main Continent and Pan-plane domains. Here, red-eyed gamblers willingly trade treasures, Holy Artifacts—anything—for a chance to reverse their fortunes.

Even sell their Divine Artifact!

Imagine how lucrative this has been for the ’Coastline Alliance.’ Their profits mirror their prioritization of the arena’s defense.

The ’Coastline Alliance’ has constructed Magic Formations and long-distance teleportation Magic Formations within the arena.

If attacked, these formations enable swift mobilization of elites and armies for defense.

The arena even hosts three stationed Immortals alongside dozens of Legendary Mages and two fully-organized military corps year-round.

Under such conditions...

Not even the ’Coastline Alliance’ expected the ’Tyrant’ to target the ’Virtual Arena’ as his third strike.

...

"Haha! Now this is entertainment!"

"When the trouble lands at your door, well played!"

"Good on the ’Tyrant’! Tear down the ’Coastline’!"

"Come on, come on! Officials set up bets; I’m betting you can’t hold the arena against the ’Tyrant.’ Put two thousand-to-one odds if you’ve got confidence!"

...

The audience in the arena always relishes chaos.

With a million-strong Undead Army and sky-darkening Dimension Origin Ancestors marching outside, they weren’t frightened but had adrenaline rushing, even urging the arena officials to open gambling pools.

Chaos and excitement surged.

Within the arena.

Inside the virtual council hall.

Ten Immortals of the ’Coastline Alliance’ manifested.

Only three of them were physically present at the ’Virtual Arena,’ while the remaining seven projected themselves from other locations.

"Has Benage lost his mind? He dares attack the ’Virtual Arena’?"

"He won’t succeed. This site hosts two organized military corps, totaling forty thousand elite soldiers, fully capable of fending off his Undead Army and Mirror Image Army."

"The arena is surrounded by a ’Forbidden Magic Formation.’ Once activated, his combat abilities will be nullified. If he dares invade, we’ll kill him once and teach him a lesson!"

"You three handle the immediate situation; we’ll join you shortly."

"Let’s dispatch a few more corps. Benage’s armies aren’t easy to handle. I’ll personally make a trip to the Undead Realm to consult the sovereigns there, uncover who’s collaborating with Benage and shut down his Undead Army at the source!"

The ten Immortals deliberated, swiftly formulating their countermeasures.

Unlike the ’Dawn Era’ or the ’Dark Night Elf Elder Council,’ the ’Coastline Alliance’ wielded tremendous power. Its ten Immortal leaders boasted formidable combat prowess, far surpassing figures like the ’Star Shining King’ or the ’Dawn Scholar.’

They did not fear the ’Tyrant.’

Beneath the Immortal tier, the ’Coastline Alliance’ commanded vast armies, ruling over a dozen empires, hundreds of small nations, and fielding hundreds of elite battalions—not easily overpowered by any collective force.

This was one of the continent’s most elite organizations, with deep foundations and terrifying strength.

For once, the ’Tyrant’ had collided with a formidable opponent.

...