Chapter Eighty-Four: The Merit of Conforming

Those who obey the gods will flourish! Those who defy the gods will perish!

This declaration, first revealed to the world by the Divine Lord Miaoyan, has echoed through the annals of the divine race, becoming their supreme principle in dealings with outsiders. Because of this doctrine, the divine race has annihilated countless living beings, flooding the primordial world with endless souls of the dead. Because of it, innumerable creatures have either willingly submitted to the divine race or resolutely taken up arms in rebellion.

By steadfastly upholding the supreme principle that "those who obey the gods will flourish, those who defy the gods will perish," the divine race has gained immense benefits, but at equally great cost. Yet, regardless of the gains or losses, even if the world itself falls and races are wiped out, the divine race never wavers from its supreme doctrine.

The divine race stands supreme above all! Those who obey will flourish, those who defy will perish! This is their pride.

No matter what the future may hold, at least in the dawn of the divine race, this doctrine hastened their expansion, laid the foundation for their eternal legacy, and aligned with their grand trajectory of development.

Divine Race Chronicle: Miaoyan's Legacy

The supreme declaration, "those who obey the gods will flourish, those who defy the gods will perish," swept through the northern wilderness like a tempest from the heavens, accompanying the extinction of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan, and even spread to the primordial realms.

With the downfall of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan, the divine race forcefully announced their arrival to the northern wilderness. The myriad tribes of the north, especially the ten great tribes—no, excluding the Xuanming Black Serpent clan, it is now the nine great tribes—have begun to prepare themselves for the coming of the divine race.

Tiansha Waters. Tyrant Palace.

The exterior of Tyrant Palace resembles a fierce Tiansha Shark, exuding boundless dominance, perfectly fitting the aesthetic tastes of the Tiansha Shark tribe.

Three towering figures sat side by side, with the Tiansha Shark Chief, Tyrant, occupying the central throne. Flanking him were the Sky Steel Monkey Chief, Sky Steel, and the Sky Force Bull Chief, Sky Force.

Above the hall floated a crystalline screen, playing the entire sequence of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan's destruction.

"What a domineering law of fate!" Tyrant Shark Lord's eyes gleamed as he witnessed Divine Lord Miaoyan unleashing the Judgment of Fate, unable to suppress his admiration.

Sky Steel Monkey Lord and Sky Force Bull Lord watched the screen with grave expressions, nodding in agreement.

Such memory crystals appeared immediately after the demise of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan and spread widely among all the northern tribes—even the great primordial clans such as the Eastern Sea Dragons received one.

Though the northern tribes could not trace the origins of these crystals, it was clear to anyone with sense that only the divine race could produce such exquisite and vivid records.

The divine race's intent was obvious: to display their power to the world and thereby force the northern tribes into submission.

Admittedly, this strategy proved highly effective. At the very least, tribes below the rank of the nine great northern tribes were already preparing to pledge their allegiance.

First, resisting the divine race was impossible—the fate of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan, the second largest tribe in the north, was plain to see.

Second, the divine race’s methods toward those who refuse to submit were ruthless in the extreme.

Death itself was not terrifying; what was, was the erasure of the mind.

Divine Lord Miaoyan's Judgment of Fate slew all Black Serpents who resisted the divine race, sparing only those who submitted.

Though the clan was not entirely exterminated, the survivors became devout followers of the divine race.

Was such a clan still the formidable Xuanming Black Serpent clan, once ranked second in the north?

Now, they existed in name only, reduced to nothing more than a loyal hound of the divine race.

Submit to the divine race, and one might retain autonomy and survival; defy them, and not only does one face death, but will also be transformed into a loyal dog.

Right and wrong, the northern tribes had already made their decision.

Yet for the nine great tribes, while they feared Divine Lord Miaoyan's Law of Fate, they feared the divine race's strength even more.

From the memory crystal, it was clear that the divine race's Miaoyan, Thunder Lord, Baihua, Dark Lord, and Martial Lord had all attained the cultivation of mid-ranked divine lords.

What was truly terrifying was that the divine race had thirteen divine lords. If all possessed power above the mid-ranked level, then their strength would rival that of the nine great tribes.

Coupled with their innate supreme treasure, the Temple of All Gods, it seemed the overall strength of the nine great tribes might even fall short of the divine race.

"I once thought that, though the divine race had thirteen lords, they were merely lower-ranked and posed no threat. Today, seeing this, I finally understand the divine race's true might."

"The five are mid-ranked divine lords. If all are such, the divine race is invincible. Truly, they are the chosen of fate!"

The usually bold and combative Sky Steel Monkey Lord, facing the overwhelming strength of the divine race, found himself helpless, and spoke with a sigh.

"Indeed! The divine race is now the chosen of destiny, their power soaring day by day. In time, we may only look up to them in awe," Sky Force Bull Lord said gravely.

"Hmph!" Tyrant Shark Lord suddenly sneered, "Black Sky offended the divine race and tried to drag us down with him. Thankfully, we were wise enough to refuse him immediately. Otherwise, today we would share the fate of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan—existing in name only!"

"True!" "Shark Lord speaks wisely!"

Sky Steel Monkey Lord and Sky Force Bull Lord both spoke with relief.

"Monkey Lord, Bull Lord, the divine race's dominance over the northern wilderness is unstoppable. Why not pledge ourselves early and earn merit for following the trend?" Tyrant Shark Lord smiled at his guests, finally revealing his purpose in inviting them.

"Merit for following the trend?" Sky Steel Monkey Lord's eyes shone with surprise.

"Precisely," Tyrant Shark Lord confirmed, locking eyes with the astonished Monkey Lord and Bull Lord. "Merit for following the trend."

"The divine race's reign is inevitable! The nine great tribes will all submit, sooner or later. But among the nine, the Xuanwu clan holds greatest respect. If all submit together, the divine race will surely focus only on the Xuanwu."

"But if our three clans are first to pledge allegiance, what do you think the divine race will do?" Tyrant Shark Lord flashed a cunning smile.

Sky Steel Monkey Lord's eyes now radiated excitement. "The divine race will surely regard us highly. In time, we may not be beneath the Xuanwu clan."

Sky Force Bull Lord, though excited, also grasped the subtlety of this merit, thinking to himself: "To attract the divine race's attention, the three clans must unite, aside from the Xuanwu. This must be why Tyrant invited Monkey Lord and me here."

"But how do we earn this merit?" Sky Force Bull Lord suddenly hit upon a crucial problem. "After all, we can't even find the divine race."

"Indeed, that is an issue," Sky Steel Monkey Lord stroked his chin, frustrated.

Yet Tyrant Shark Lord laughed. "Do not worry, gentlemen. The divine race’s annihilation of the Xuanming Black Serpent clan, such a grand gesture, is surely paving the way for their imminent arrival. I believe they will reveal themselves very soon!"

"That makes sense!" Both Monkey Lord and Bull Lord quickly agreed, seeing the logic.

But before their words faded, an urgent shout came from outside the palace gates: "Report! An invitation from the divine race!"