Chapter 101: The Ten Strongest Enfeoffed (Down)

The Supreme Divine Emperor’s words were as precious as gold, his decree immutable once spoken. No matter how much controversy the appointment of the Roc Marshal aroused, the Divine Emperor Nanluo had already bestowed the title with his golden edict; thus, the position of Marshal was undoubtedly secured for the Roc Divine Lord.

After conferring the title upon the Roc Marshal, Nanluo finally turned his gaze toward those troublesome figures. Indeed, in Nanluo’s eyes, the remaining top ten from the Dao Debate—Five Elements Dao Sovereign, Shuikun Divine Lord, Shasoul Divine Lord, Earthpeace Divine Lord, Seven Desires Divine Lord, and Slaughter Divine Lord—each was more vexing and difficult than the last.

Of course, cause and effect are intertwined; all these troubles were brought about by Nanluo himself. Who else but Nanluo would suddenly announce a grand Dao Debate and make it known throughout the world, naturally drawing the attention and participation of countless powers?

Nanluo pondered for a moment, his eyes resting on the six formidable figures atop the central white jade platform, and decided to first resolve the troubles that would be easier to settle.

“Earthpeace Divine Lord, Shasoul Divine Lord, step forward and receive your titles!” The majestic voice of the Divine Emperor Nanluo resounded through the heavens, echoing in the hearts of all beings.

Earthpeace Divine Lord, clad in earth-yellow armor, bore a resolute and steady countenance; Shasoul Divine Lord, wrapped in a silver-white divine armor radiating killing intent, looked cold and stern. At the summons of Nanluo, both were slightly shocked as they gazed at him.

From the spectator seats, millions of deities watched in astonishment as Nanluo prepared to confer titles upon two divine lords at once. Wasn’t the Divine Emperor Nanluo accustomed to appointing only one at a time? Why two now? What had happened?

A string of questions surfaced in the minds of all present, answers eluding them. The envoys of the three great clans—Candle Dragon, Phoenix Radiance, and Qilin Blaze—were nearly dizzy from the unpredictable actions of the Divine Emperor Nanluo. First, he appointed the Roc Divine Lord; now, breaking with custom, he was bestowing titles upon two at once. What was Nanluo truly thinking? What was his aim?

As they gazed up at Nanluo, enthroned high above the clouds, a sudden realization dawned upon Candle Dragon, Phoenix Radiance, and Qilin Blaze: the Divine Emperor’s strange behavior was far from over; this Dao Debate would only grow more bizarre!

In that moment, the words spoken to them by their respective emperors before departure echoed simultaneously in the minds of Candle Dragon, Phoenix Radiance, and Qilin Blaze: “The Dao Debate will be a most magnificent performance!”

“A most magnificent performance?! What did His Majesty the Dragon Emperor (or Phoenix, or Qilin) truly mean?” Puzzled and uncertain, the three envoys once more focused their attention on Nanluo.

Atop the white jade Dao platform, Earthpeace Divine Lord and Shasoul Divine Lord first exchanged a glance of slight surprise before casting a subtle, almost imperceptible look at each other, a doubt rising in their hearts: Had the Divine Emperor already recognized who we truly are?

In the instant Nanluo called upon them, countless thoughts flashed through their minds, but outwardly they immediately knelt in joy and gratitude.

“Your humble servant Earthpeace (Shasoul) awaits the Divine Emperor’s decree!” They bowed with heads lowered, their tones filled with respect.

Seated upon the Ten Dragon Thrones, Nanluo’s brilliant golden eyes scrutinized Earthpeace and Shasoul, noting every detail of their behavior, including their barely noticeable exchange.

Indeed, as Earthpeace and Shasoul suspected, Nanluo already knew their origins. The City of the Gods, centered around the Hall of All Deities and protected by the Grand Celestial Star Array, was a fortress of unimaginable power. Seated within, Nanluo could perceive every thought of every soul inside the city, mastering all its changes.

From the very moment they set foot within the city, the backgrounds of Earthpeace and Shasoul were known to Nanluo. Except for those exalted, transcendent holy beings, Nanluo, with the City of the Gods at his command, could stride freely across the primeval world, suppressing all beneath heaven.

“The forces represented by Earthpeace and Shasoul are worth drawing into alliance with the divine race. Let’s give them hope,” Nanluo mused as he considered their placements.

“You two are ranked among the top ten of the Dao Debate, your cultivation profound and formidable. I hereby appoint Earthpeace Divine Lord as Grand Earth Marshal, first rank, to govern the mountains and rivers of the Northern Wilds; Shasoul Divine Lord as Supreme Slaughter Marshal, to lead all matters of conquest and war.” The commanding voice of Nanluo rang out across all realms.

Ecstatic, Earthpeace and Shasoul immediately knelt and proclaimed, “We thank Your Majesty the Divine Emperor! We pledge our lives, willing to face fire and death in your service!”

Compared with the other newly appointed marshals, their words were laden with overt loyalty. Yet, aside from Nanluo, few sensed the true import of their pledge, and none could explain why.

Upon hearing them, Nanluo knew they had understood his intentions; otherwise, why would their words carry such a strong note of allegiance?

With Earthpeace and Shasoul settled, the remaining Five Elements Dao Sovereign, Shuikun Divine Lord, Seven Desires Divine Lord, and Slaughter Divine Lord were each formidable and problematic in their own right.

“Shuikun Divine Lord, step forward and receive your title!” Nanluo’s golden eyes fixed on Shuikun, ready to deal with this one—whose accession offered both great profit and great peril.

Shuikun Divine Lord, garbed in a silver robe and long silver hair, approached with a free and unrestrained air, bowing respectfully. “Shuikun awaits your decree!”

“Did you come to the Divine Court in search of vengeance, or to pledge allegiance?” Nanluo’s divine voice sounded suddenly in Shuikun’s mind.

Shuikun’s expression remained calm as he gazed at Nanluo, a flash of brilliance in his eyes—not surprised by Nanluo’s supernatural means, but rather by how quickly Nanluo had learned his true identity.

Shuikun had assumed it would take the Divine Emperor some time to uncover who he truly was—never expecting him to know so soon.

Vengeance? Allegiance?

Though Nanluo appeared to offer two choices, in truth, he was refusing Shuikun’s entry into the Divine Court by other means. If Shuikun declared vengeance, Nanluo could reject him outright. If he professed allegiance, Nanluo could cite distrust as his reason for refusal.

Shuikun’s expression grew grave. He thought to himself, “So this is a trap, laid in wait for me to walk into!”

Though previously he had dismissed the praise others lavished upon Nanluo, now, confronted in person, Shuikun found himself in awe of the Divine Emperor’s cunning and methods. No wonder he was regarded as an equal to the Dragon Emperor—truly, he was formidable.