"Judging by your expression, you must have an answer." Long Xiaotian’s voice was tinged with excitement because Mu Chen was smiling.
"Yes, I’ve made a decision. But this is just an agreement between our two teams. As for the Ice Emperor Dynasty, the Sacas Dynasty, and the Luowei Dynasty, we’ll have to see what they want. I can’t abandon the family and friends by my side. But... do you all really think I have what it takes to be the leader of a new faction?" Mu Chen asked.
...
No one spoke. The answer was the smiles on everyone’s faces. Qing Lei and the others from Xuanling showed heartfelt support and anticipation. The six from the Flame Dragon Dynasty showed deep trust and approval. They had all witnessed his performance in the Sacas Dynasty’s Imperial Grand Competition. Since the strong are revered on the Extreme Martial Continent, the man before them was absolutely capable of leading a faction. Not only that, but they firmly believed that by following him, a brighter future was just around the corner.
Mu Chen helplessly rubbed his nose and chuckled. "Alright, I think I know what you all mean."
Clearing his throat, Long Xiaotian said, "In that case, I’ll be the first to call you Boss Mu Chen. As for the other Dynasties’ intentions, we’ll find out the day we enter Holy Tomb Mountain. However..."
At this, Long Xiaotian suddenly changed the subject. "But right now, I have to interview you. Being called ’Boss’ by the Heir of a Dynasty—how does it feel? Anything special?"
...
The smiles that had just been on the faces of the five from the Flame Dragon Empire vanished instantly, replaced by grimaces. As his teammates, they knew Long Xiaotian was about to start fooling around again. In contrast, the five from the Xuanling Empire were completely baffled.
Hearing this, Mu Chen broke out in a sweat. "What special feeling?"
"For example, it gives you a lot of face! Think about it... the status of an Heir of a Dynasty is second only to one but above tens of thousands. But now, you’re the boss of the Heir of a Dynasty, putting you one step above him. That’s got to feel pretty special..." Long Xiaotian closed his eyes and struck a pose he clearly thought was cool as he explained.
Watching Long Xiaotian ramble on, a shadow fell over Mu Chen’s face. Without another word, he turned and vanished without a trace.
"Hey?! Boss Mu Chen, don’t go! Wait for me! I’m not done talking yet!" Ignoring the astonished gazes of the others, Long Xiaotian unleashed a terrifying surge of Emperor Realm Primordial Power and, with a WHOOSH, shot off in pursuit of Mu Chen.
"Is your... captain always like this?" Qing Lei asked, pointing at Long Xiaotian’s disappearing figure, staring blankly at the five from the Flame Dragon Empire.
"He used to be... quite normal. He only became like this after meeting your captain... *Sigh*..."
The one who spoke was a tall young man, about the same age as Qing Lei and the others. His purple Institute Uniform gave him a noble air, but his tone was utterly listless.
Only after the man spoke did Qing Lei realize something. "Right. We were in the same Imperial Grand Competition, but because of the special circumstances, we’ve never properly learned each other’s names even though we’ve met. Since we’ll be tightly bound together from now on, let’s introduce ourselves. I am Qing Lei of the Xuanling Empire, a Third-Ring Martial Sect of the Dark Attribute."
To have others introduce themselves, you must first give your own name. It’s a matter of etiquette and respect.
"Mm, you’re right. I’m Jin Wenhui, a First-Ring Martial Emperor of the Wood Attribute. But I need to correct something. Xiao Tian really didn’t finish what he was saying earlier. Not everyone standing here will ultimately be ’bound together,’" said the man named Jin Wenhui.
"Why?" Qing Lei asked, surprised and confused.
"Remember that assessment Xiao Tian mentioned?" Jin Wenhui said seriously. "It’s not just an entrance test; it’s also a test to sort us into tiers. Just like any academy, Holy Tomb Mountain distinguishes between the elite and the elite of the elite. Your talents are outstanding, so I’m sure you understand what I mean by now. But don’t worry. Holy Tomb Mountain values talent over one’s Martial Artist Realm, so your chances of staying with Boss Mu Chen are still very high." Seeing their spirits fall, Jin Wenhui offered a warm smile, which managed to lift the somber mood.
...
「Three days after the terrifying eruption of Primordial Power.」
At the main gate of the Xuanling Empire, a massive spatial tunnel silently opened. Red Wood Cliff took one last look at the city that had produced such a monster and nodded in satisfaction. He turned to a group of black-clad figures, each one roiling with terrifying Primordial Power, and said, "From now on, you will report directly to the Peak Xuanling Empire and await their orders."
Upon hearing this, the dozens of shadowy figures bowed and shouted in low voices, "Yes, sir!"
With that, under the gazes of the dozens of shadowy figures, Red Wood Cliff led the Earth Attribute construction masters in a light leap into the spatial tunnel. He took one final glance at this nation, now in no way inferior to the Flame Dragon Empire, and gave a faint smile to a certain figure before disappearing completely into the depths of the tunnel.
Down below, the citizens of the Xuanling Empire who had just arrived at the Imperial Capital stood outside the towering city walls, gazing up at the magnificent city before them. Their eyes were filled with shock and astonishment. If not for the two large words hanging on the giant gate forged from White Jade, they wouldn’t have even had the courage to approach!
"Xuanling Empire! This is really our Empire!"
At some point, an excited cry erupted from the stunned crowd, followed by thunderous cheers and roars! A thousand years ago, the Xuanling Empire was but a tiny speck of land. A thousand years later, the Xuanling Empire had grown into a colossal, sky-piercing tree, standing at the very pinnacle of the Flame Dragon Dynasty! It was all like a dream, too incredible to be believed! Yet, this unbelievable reality was unfolding right before their eyes. Other than shouting, they could find no other way to vent their emotions!
"Xuanling! Xuanling! Xuanling! Xuanling!..."
Listening to the surging cheers from below, seeing every face flushed with excitement, Xuan Yin stood atop the massive, broad city wall with an expression that had completely lost its imperial dignity—a goofy grin. The corners of his mouth were stretched in an uncontrollable smile. In the tens of thousands of years of Xuanling’s history, when had it ever been so glorious? Treading on the iron-hard stones of the wall beneath his feet, Xuan Yin still felt it was all too surreal.
Three days ago, the Xuanling Empire was a complete wreck, comparable to ruins, with nothing but broken walls and rubble. Three days later, the Xuanling Empire was magnificently radiant and indestructible, like a paradise from another world.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze locking onto a major city at the edge of the Empire. His eyes held not only admiration but also deep gratitude. It was there that a certain young man had been born. It was he who had brought such brilliant glory to the Xuanling Empire. It was he who had made him the founding Emperor of a Peak Empire. And it was he who had allowed the Xuanling Empire to make its name known across the entire Extreme Martial Continent!
"By my imperial decree, open the gates and welcome our people!"
Just as the subjects below were still lost in a dreamlike trance, a weathered voice imbued with majestic Primordial Power descended from the heavens. For the first time since its reconstruction, the gates of the Xuanling Empire opened...