Swallowing the Stars: Heart of the Martial God

Chapter 215 The Sixth Major Force

The Lord of Darkness, the teacher, had put a lot of thought into his disciple's debut.

Just then, Ling Xuan, who was sitting in the central seat, gently tapped the armrest of the throne with his fingertips, making a crisp sound that attracted everyone's attention.

He spoke calmly, his voice gentle yet carrying a decisive power: "In that case, there's no need to specifically request the clan's primordial treasure."

His gaze turned to the Lord of Youhou, a wisp of light flashing at his fingertips: "I happen to have a pair of 'Time' and 'Space' Origin Treasures, which I can lend to you temporarily to help you complete the transformation and consolidation of your divine body as soon as possible."

As the guardian deity of the Ancestral God Sect, he had explored many secret realms and obtained a spatial origin treasure as early as the Realm Lord era. In the accumulation of the past ten million epochs, he also obtained a time origin treasure.

With his Nine Netherworld clone, these treasures are of little use to him. Taking them out now to support younger generations is making the best use of them.

The Lord of Darkness's sinister smile deepened, and he nodded in Ling Xuan's direction: "In that case, thank you, Emperor Yan!"

This favor is quite substantial.

Activating the clan's primordial treasure once also requires spending ten treasure points.

Lord Youhou hurriedly rose from his golden throne, bowed deeply to Ling Xuan, and said with gratitude, "Thank you, Emperor Yan!"

Ling Xuan nodded slightly and continued, "Since you are going out to take charge on your own, just to be on the safe side... Lord You, come to my Giant Axe Arena headquarters later. I will bestow upon you a 'forbidden artifact,' which contains three of my powers, capable of unleashing three full-force attacks comparable to a fifth-tier Universe Lord. With this item by your side, you will be able to deter those scoundrels and ensure your safety in the secret realm."

His words were calm, yet they carried immense confidence and domineering presence.

Three full-force attacks from top-tier fifth-order universe masters, under the constraints of the original universe rules, this was practically a guarantee of power to sweep away everything!

Upon hearing this, even the founder of the Giant Axe and the Lord of Chaos City nodded slightly, showing expressions of relief.

The other universe lords were even more awestruck, marveling at Emperor Yan's generosity and care for his juniors, and once again deeply recognizing Emperor Yan's unfathomable strength.

Every lord of the universe is a precious asset to the human race and a seed for the birth of a true god in the future.

Ling Xuan already had a plan in mind: once Cao Benqi, that scum, was completely expelled from the human race, he could begin to vigorously cultivate these true core pillars.

He had a vague feeling that that day was not far off.

"Alright, let's move on to the second topic." Seeing that Emperor Yan had agreed and the other powerful figures had no objections, the Chaos City Lord then announced the next topic.

“This issue,” a deeper, more authoritative voice took over, the one from the founder of Giant Axe.

He unusually took over the reins from the Lord of Chaos City, his imposing figure leaning slightly forward, his gaze sweeping over every powerful figure in the room like an axe blade, his expression more solemn than ever before. "The core content of this meeting concerns the future of our human race for all eternity!"

He paused, creating a somber atmosphere in the temple, before slowly speaking: "As you all know, since the time of the Primordial Ancestor, our human race has been supported by five major powers—our Giant Axe Arena, the Virtual Universe Company, the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, the Cosmic Galaxy Bank, and the Cosmic First Bank."

He read out the five names that resonated throughout the universe one by one, each name representing a powerful force and a long-standing heritage.

"The five major powers, each fulfilling their respective roles and complementing each other, laid the foundation for the rise of our human race. This is an undeniable achievement!" The founder of the giant axe first affirmed, then his tone suddenly shifted, his voice like a heavy hammer, "However, times have changed! Since my disciple Ling Xuan rose to prominence, becoming known as the 'Flame Emperor' and shaking the universe, over the past ten million epochs, our human race has ushered in an unprecedented golden age! Strong individuals abound, geniuses emerge in great numbers, our territory is stable, resources are abundant, and our overall strength far surpasses any previous era!"

His gaze, tinged with a complex pride, swept over the assembled cosmic venerables below, many of whom were new faces who had grown rapidly under Ling Xuan's influence.

“Especially the Giant Axe Arena that I created,” he shook his head, a helpless yet proud smile on his face, “the number of Universe Lords alone has reached seven. The Universe Mercenary Alliance, the Universe Galaxy Bank, and the Universe First Bank combined can only rival the Giant Axe Arena. Even the Virtual Universe Company created by the Primordial Ancestor is far inferior.”

Although it was an open secret, the fact that the founder of the Giant Axe himself admitted it at the highest meeting still caused quite a stir.

The venerable ones looked at each other, and could see the shock in each other's eyes.

"While this is fortunate, it is also a hidden danger!" The voice of the Giant Axe Founder suddenly turned heavy, like thunder booming in the temple. "The vitality of a race lies in balance and healthy competition! The dominance of one lineage may bring short-term benefits, but in the long run, it will inevitably lead to an imbalance in resource allocation, a decline in internal vitality, and a setback in the enthusiasm of other brother forces to cultivate successors! It may even... breed unnecessary internal strife and estrangement! This is absolutely not the way for our human race to achieve long-term peace and stability!"

The Lord of Chaos City spoke up at the opportune moment, his voice still gentle, "What the giant axe said is exactly what Emperor Yan and I are worried about. A healthy, balanced, and vibrant internal ecosystem is far more important than temporary false prosperity. For this reason, the three of us have discussed it for a long time and believe that changes must be made and structural adjustments must be made."

The founder of the Giant Axe nodded heavily, his gaze once again falling on the disciple he had always been proud of on the central throne. His voice was filled with utmost solemnity and entrustment: "Therefore, I propose that some elite experts and related functions be separated from my Giant Axe Arena, while integrating some powers and responsibilities from the other four major forces, to jointly form the sixth peak force of my human race!"

"The sixth major power?"

"Has it finally come to this?"

"What mission will this new force shoulder?"

A murmur of barely suppressed discussion erupted within the temple. The various cosmic lords displayed a range of expressions: some were surprised, some were deep in thought, and some were filled with anticipation.

The cosmic venerables whispered among themselves, realizing that a brand new era might be about to begin.

"Hehe," the Dark Lord's voice, tinged with a sinister tone, rang out. He stroked his smooth head, his narrow eyes glancing at the Giant Axe Founder. "Giant Axe, you've really gone all out this time. Are you really willing to cut such a large piece of flesh from your own body? I'm curious, who will be in charge of this newborn? And what are they planning to do?"

This is precisely the question in everyone's mind.

The selection of a new dominant power and the scope of its authority will directly determine its status and future trajectory within the human race.

The founder of the giant axe and the Lord of Chaos City looked at each other again, their eyes filled with tacit understanding and determination.

Immediately, they all turned their trusting and expectant gazes to the figure sitting firmly in the center, who had become the backbone of humanity.

The founder of the giant axe spoke in a booming voice, carrying an undeniable authority: "Chaos, and all those present who know of this discussion, unanimously believe that this newly emerging sixth power can only be led by the strongest of our human race in this generation, my disciple, Emperor Yan Lingxuan, in order to gain the respect of the people and shoulder this heavy responsibility!"

The sound echoed through the temple, and no one was surprised.

Ling Xuan's strength, prestige, and achievements have long surpassed the boundaries of power. His becoming the leader of the new force is the will of the people and the popular choice.

The Lord of Chaos City sat enthroned on the Star Throne, his gaze sweeping over every Universe Lord present with eyes as deep as the universe itself. When he spoke, his voice was steady and majestic, as if carrying the weighty responsibility entrusted to him by his entire race:
"Regarding the division of responsibilities..." He leaned forward slightly, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of his throne, "I've discussed this in depth with Giant Axe and Ling Xuan. This new force must not repeat the mistakes made in managing resources and vying for territory."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle in everyone's hearts, then his voice suddenly rose: "Our human race needs a force that transcends the interests of all parties! An elite force dedicated to maintaining internal order and the laws of our race!"

As he spoke, a dazzling light screen unfolded in the center of the council hall, clearly marking the new power's responsibilities and powers: "It will possess independent powers of legislative proposals, judicial trials, and law enforcement oversight!" The Chaos City Lord's gaze sharpened considerably. "It will be responsible for perfecting our race's internal legal system, supervising whether the actions of various powers are in accordance with the rules, arbitrating major cross-faction disputes, and ensuring that the race's ironclad laws are strictly enforced!"

At this moment, the Lord of the Wilderness, known for his sternness, slowly raised his head. His weathered face was etched with solemnity, and his voice was deep and thunderous: "The City Lord is absolutely right. Judicial authority is as heavy as a mountain, concerning the very foundation of our people." He surveyed the crowd, finally fixing his gaze on Cao Benqi, "However, even with his extraordinary abilities, Emperor Yan alone cannot be all-encompassing."

He paused briefly, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of his chair, producing a crisp sound. "I propose that Lord Cao Benqi, the Lord of the Blazing Sun, join this new force as his deputy, assisting Emperor Yan in handling specific affairs." His tone became solemn. "The Lord of the Blazing Sun possesses exceptional talent and enjoys high prestige among the younger generation, which can compensate for Emperor Yan's lack of energy in managing specific affairs."

These words immediately sparked a murmur of whispers within the council chamber.

Many cosmic lords nodded in agreement, exchanging approving glances.

“Cao Benqi is indeed a suitable candidate,” a cosmic lord dressed in a star-patterned robe whispered to his neighbor. “After all, he is a genius on par with the Flame Emperor.”

“Although his recent performance has declined, he is still a fourth-order universe lord,” another nodded in agreement. “Moreover, he hasn’t yet assumed a key position within the clan, and he needs this kind of experience.”

Cao Benqi, who was sitting below the Lord of Lanzang, had been absentmindedly lost in thought, but upon hearing this, his eyes instantly lit up with surprise.

He has been the ruler of the universe for over a thousand epochs, and although his status is revered, he has never been able to truly intervene in the core affairs of the human race.

He couldn't even get involved in the affairs of the Giant Axe Arena, which he always resented.

"Even that sycophantic wretch, Venerable Qianyue, can wield power..." This thought gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. "And what about that damned little beast, Ling Xuan, who has long since taken control of the Giant Axe Arena!"

Thinking of this, his fingers, which were resting on the throne, unconsciously tightened, and his knuckles turned white from the force.

But then another thought made his face darken—did he have to take orders from Ling Xuan from now on?
This thought ignited a burning jealousy within him, like a tangible flame.

"I object."

A cold voice suddenly broke the murmur of conversation in the council chamber, as if the air had been frozen by a polar wind.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Lord of Ice Peak sitting motionless on the Star Throne, his face as cold as frost.

All the lords of the universe looked over curiously, wanting to see what insightful opinions this powerful figure, known for his cold demeanor, would offer.

The Lord of Chaos City frowned slightly, his tone filled with doubt: "Junior brother, why is that?"

The Lord of Ice Peaks slowly raised his head, his eyes, which seemed capable of freezing time and space, staring directly at Cao Benqi: "I do not object to the establishment of a sixth major power, nor do I object to Emperor Yan taking charge of human punishments and overseeing the five major powers."

His voice was icy cold and devoid of any emotion, "But I oppose the Lord of the Blazing Sun joining as well."

"Why is that?" Cao Benqi suddenly sat up straight in his seat, his face instantly turning ashen.

Although he was unwilling to be subordinate to Ling Xuan, being publicly rejected like this made him feel utterly humiliated.

The Lord of Ice Peaks didn't even glance at him. His slender fingers lightly tapped the air, and a massive light screen instantly unfolded in the center of the council hall: "Cao Benqi's conduct is unethical; he has been repeatedly recorded for violations during his time at the Giant Axe Arena." His voice was like reading a verdict. "He acts recklessly, solely based on personal whims, completely devoid of any sense of community."

The screen began to display Cao Benqi's deeds over millions of eons in a flowing manner.

Each and every incident is shocking.

A collective gasp filled the council chamber.

If these crimes were committed by a cosmic sovereign, he should have been imprisoned in the starfield prison long ago.

Only because Cao Benqi is the Lord of the Universe, with great strength and extraordinary potential, has everyone turned a blind eye.

"Damn it!" Cao Benqi stared at the list of crimes displayed on the light screen, all recorded by Qian Yue Venerable and Feng Li Venerable, high-ranking members of the Giant Axe Martial Arts Arena. He was filled with rage. "Those two vile women!"

He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.

In his mind, it was only natural for the Lord of the Universe to enjoy some privileges, but now that his shortcomings had been exposed in public, he felt extremely ashamed and indignant.

He could almost feel the silent mockery of the cosmic venerables below, which made him feel extremely uneasy.

"Bingfeng, what do you mean?" Cao Benqi suddenly stood up, his divine power surging, and the temperature in the entire council hall rose sharply.

"The meaning is clear." The Lord of the Ice Peaks finally gave him a cold glance, his gaze as if he were looking at an ignorant child. "Someone like you is completely unqualified to wield the power of punishment for humanity. You yourself act improperly, yet you aspire to be a enforcer of the law. How can you expect to command respect?"

"Bingfeng, do you want to die?" Cao Benqi was furious. A wisp of flames flashed around him, and the powerful pressure caused the entire council hall to distort.

"With your strength," the Lord of the Ice Peaks said expressionlessly, without even changing his posture, "you are not qualified to say such a thing."

"Benqi!" Lord Lanzang finally spoke up, his face filled with disappointment and anger. "How dare you speak like that? Lord Ice Peak is a pillar of our human race! How can you talk to me like that!"

As a teacher, he knew that his student had flaws in character, but he was even more annoyed by his student's lack of self-awareness and tactlessness.

Moreover, what the Lord of Ice Peak said was not without reason—how could such a law enforcer, with his own numerous misdeeds, possibly win the respect of the people?

Cao Benqi's face turned bright red after being reprimanded by his teacher in public.

He gritted his teeth, his heart filled with resentment: "Others can say I can, but I can't say I can go back?"

Ling Xuan sat upright on the Star Throne, his face expressionless, but inwardly he was sneering.

He knew Cao Benqi's true colors better than anyone else.

If this source of trouble were to infiltrate the law enforcement system, when it comes to rectifying discipline in the future, someone could simply say, "Your Lord of the Blazing Sun has done the same thing," leaving him speechless.

Moreover... a cold glint flashed in his eyes; this person would be a hidden danger sooner or later.

With this in mind, Ling Xuan spoke calmly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Since someone has questioned Cao Benqi's impartiality, then let this matter drop."

He turned his gaze to the crowd, his tone calm yet brooking no argument, "For now, let Venerable Qianyue serve as my deputy. For the past ten million epochs, she has acted with fairness and is perfectly suited for this role."

(End of this chapter)