In the palaces of the Ancient God Tribe, a profound silence reigned. Present were the foremost supreme powerhouses of Manzhou, all listening with bated breath as Yan Song recounted Li Xiaotian's story.
Throughout the telling, gasps of disbelief echoed, and some could not help but utter quiet exclamations of shock.
These were, after all, overlord-level experts, their mastery over their emotions honed to perfection, capable of remaining unperturbed even as Mount Tai collapsed before them. Yet, they were all stunned, their minds reeling with incredulity.
And all of this was due to Li Xiaotian, a mere child in his twenties.
Indeed, to those who measured time in centuries, two decades was negligible. Some could spend a hundred years in a single period of seclusion. Now, a descendant of later generations, with less than five years of cultivation experience, had grown to a level that instilled them with trepidation.
Terrifying cultivation speed, the Emperor-level slaying overlords, the youngest overlord-level expert, the foremost figure in the world. Every title attached to Li Xiaotian was enough to shock them.
But this was not the most crucial aspect. What truly mattered were Li Xiaotian's experiences. Single-handedly aiding the later Great Qin Dynasty to unify Yanzhou, daring to challenge overlord-level forces while still at the Emperor-level, and leaving calmly after causing great trouble in Fozhou!
If they had not heard these accounts firsthand, they would never have believed them to be true.
Within the palace, Tian Xiang, abandoning her languid posture, her alluring eyes glinting with curiosity, had initially emerged from seclusion to witness the Golden Body expert who dared to challenge the Ancient God Tribe. She had not expected him to be so legendary, his beginnings so astonishing.
Gu Qiankun, his expression unchanged, felt a flicker of apprehension. He admitted that despite his internal disdain for Li Xiaotian, he could no longer afford to underestimate him.
After Yan Song finished speaking, a prolonged silence fell upon the hall, as everyone contemplated Li Xiaotian's extraordinary tale.
After a long while, Gu Qiankun let out a light chuckle, drawing everyone's attention.
"Esteemed sirs, it seems this matter is no longer solely between my Ancient God Tribe and Li Xiaotian. The lives of the later generation humans, I believe each of your tribes has been stained with them, have they not?" Gu Qiankun said unhurriedly, his gaze sweeping across the assembled leaders.
Manzhou occupied the northernmost region of Earth. Although sparsely populated and harsh in conditions, it had once harbored numerous small kingdoms. However, since the resurgence of heaven and earth, they had all vanished. All traces of modernity had long been eradicated by the formidable power of the various tribes of Manzhou.
Upon hearing Gu Qiankun's words, the expressions of those present soured. From Yan Song's account, they understood the immense importance Li Xiaotian placed on the later humans, those seemingly insignificant ants. Li Xiaotian's aid to the Great Qin Empire in unifying Yanzhou stemmed largely from his inability to tolerate the oppression of the ancient forces upon the later generation humans.
Of course, many present harbored a sliver of hope, for Li Xiaotian was from Yanzhou, and he had only assisted its people. Yet, even knowing this, a sense of unease lingered in their hearts.
"Naturally, those ants were eliminated, and since Li Xiaotian is not from Manzhou, he may not care about their deaths. However, esteemed sirs!" Gu Qiankun continued, his tone becoming serious. "Do not forget what we in Manzhou have always strived for! Li Xiaotian is a man of Yanzhou, and our Manzhou will undoubtedly launch another war in the future. Therefore, would you prefer to kill a still-not-overly-powerful enemy, or face a future enemy who will bring us despair?"
Instantly, the expressions in the hall changed! They all understood Gu Qiankun's implication. With Li Xiaotian's talent, breaking through to the Heavenly level was merely a matter of time, and he even had the potential to become an ultimate powerhouse in the future. If their Manzhou were to invade the other three continents again, they would inevitably face such a formidable enemy. Would Manzhou then fail once more, only to be sealed away again?
Even Tian Xiang's expression turned grave. The Myriad Demon Royal Court, after all, was the second-ranked power in Manzhou, and when Manzhou marched south, the demon races would undoubtedly be among the primary forces. She was well aware of the situation of the demon races outside Manzhou; they were essentially in a state of being herded. Aside from the Southern Sea Forbidden Zone, all other forbidden zones were utilized by the human race for military training. The Myriad Demon Royal Court did not wish to remain perpetually confined to Manzhou, nor did it wish to become a demon forbidden zone. Thus, they could only join forces with Manzhou humans, invade southward, and carve out a territory for themselves. Therefore, in the long run, Li Xiaotian was a great enemy to their Royal Court!
"Li Xiaotian must not be spared! He cannot be allowed to leave Manzhou alive!" someone declared in a deep voice in the hall, the reason simple: they did not wish to see a powerful enemy rise.
"Li Xiaotian inherited the demonic master's legacy, is now a Golden Body expert, and possesses monstrous talent. Such a person has a high probability of becoming an ultimate powerhouse in the future. He must die!" another individual added, their voice laced with killing intent.
Of course, many more remained silent, their eyes filled with apprehension.
"Heh heh, there is something I believe I must mention: Li Xiaotian has a very good relationship with the Ancient Village, and his wife and daughter are descendants of the Invincibles!" Huo Tongzi sneered, his tone chilling.
Upon hearing this, the people in the hall immediately became agitated, their faces contorted with murderous intent. Even Gu Qiankun could not suppress a flicker of killing intent. Invincible powerhouses, the God Slayers!
A legend had existed in Manzhou since time immemorial: the world was initially ruled by gods, and all living beings were created by them. The gods were supreme. For countless years, the gods ruled the world, controlling life and death, the laws of existence, and possessing omnipotence. This continued until the emergence of the Invincibles!
The Invincibles overthrew the rule of the gods, destroyed them, and eradicated all traces of their existence. The Ancient Gods were among these deities, gods of Manzhou. However, due to their immense power, the Invincibles found it difficult to kill them, eventually resorting to sealing the Ancient Gods into slumber. Furthermore, to prevent the people of Manzhou from tampering with the seals, those Invincibles cursed Manzhou, forbidding the birth of any Invincible within its borders.
Indeed, Manzhou had never produced an Invincible, for the humans of Manzhou were descendants of the Ancient Gods, and they were all cursed. A prophecy foretold that the Ancient Gods would eventually awaken, resurrecting the deities, and the world would return to its original course. As descendants of the Ancient Gods, they were destined to punish the God Slayers and pave the way for the gods' return. Thus, the people of Manzhou, from the very core of their being, harbored animosity towards Invincibles and hatred for their descendants. This was a belief, a destiny, a hatred etched into their very bones.
The ancient invasion of Manzhou southward was not only to occupy more fertile lands but also to eradicate all descendants of the Invincibles in the Nine Continents. Huo Tongzi's revelation undoubtedly solidified the resolve of the Manzhou powerhouses present to kill Li Xiaotian.
"Li Xiaotian! Hmph! Esteemed sirs, do you still believe this is merely a matter for my Ancient God Tribe?" Gu Qiankun scoffed.