Chapter 741: The Wager, Seclusion for Breakthrough
Within the ancient grand hall, a heavy silence fell the moment Mo Yu's words about incorporating their factions echoed through the chamber.
Those present were all Earth Sovereigns—rulers of their own domains, supreme within their sects and mountains, wielding absolute authority over vast territories.
To suddenly bow to another, especially to this newcomer Mo Yu, felt unnatural and even suspicious.
Mo Yu, however, remained composed, his face betraying no emotion. He had anticipated this reaction from Feng Yuanzi, Zhong Cang, and the others. They shared no prior bonds; subduing them now would not be effortless.
"Lord Thunder Emperor," the Beast Dominion Lord said, his eyes narrowing slightly, "your strength is undeniable, your combat prowess formidable. But like us, you are merely a Lower Earth Sovereign. To command us all… it may not convince everyone."
The other five Earth Sovereigns remained silent, but their expressions mirrored his—subtle reservations, unwilling to be the first to voice dissent.
Under their skeptical gazes, Mo Yu smiled faintly. He lifted his head toward the Beast Dominion Lord and said calmly, "The current situation is that you need me to purge the Outer Evil Clan's corrupting runes from your bodies. It's not I who begs you to join my banner—that is the foundation here."
He paused. "Of course, I understand this comes suddenly to you. Resistance is natural."
The Beast Dominion Lord met Mo Yu's eyes deeply before speaking softly. "Lord Thunder Emperor, your prowess surpasses us all, but your reputation is still nascent, your foundations unsteady. To stand above us six… even if we yield, our subordinates will cry foul on our behalf. It could breed discord."
The Beast Dominion Lord was clever—his words flattered while gently refusing, shifting blame to their followers.
Mo Yu nodded with a smile and turned to Feng Yuanzi, the Barbarian Wilderness Sect Master, and the other three. "The rest of you share this sentiment, I presume?"
The five exchanged smiles, responding measuredly. "Though Lord Thunder Emperor's strength is exceptional," Feng Yuanzi said, "your experience remains somewhat limited. It might not sway the masses."
They held no desire to antagonize him. A Lower Earth Sovereign of such might was rare; his potential could one day elevate him to true supremacy. More pressingly, they still needed his aid against the corrupting runes.
"Hehe, Lord Thunder Emperor," Feng Yuanzi continued, "in my humble opinion, why not this: the six major powers of the Bloodrock Realm form an alliance, with you as its nominal leader. In daily affairs, our factions remain autonomous, non-interfering. What do you say?"
The Beast Dominion Lord and others pondered briefly before nodding. An alliance offered unity without total surrender—surface loyalty to Mo Yu, while retaining their thrones. With his protection overhead, it was a win.
They turned expectant eyes toward Mo Yu.
His brows furrowed slightly. With his methods, he could consolidate such a loose alliance in time—but he had no patience for delays.
Deciding firmly, Mo Yu chuckled dryly. "I understand your doubts. But what if I assure you I can break through to Upper Earth Sovereign?"
Feng Yuanzi and the others' expressions shifted, surprise flickering across their faces as they stared at him.
Upper Earth Sovereign?
The step from Lower to Upper seemed small, yet the gulf was vast. The Ice Pavilion Lord, empowered by Outer Evil forces, had sought to dominate the entire Bloodrock Realm—proof of an Upper Sovereign's terrifying might and deterrence.
Mo Yu already rivaled one as a Lower Sovereign. If he ascended, his power would become monstrous, leaving them all far behind in both realm and combat ability.
Exchanging glances, Feng Yuanzi and the rest considered it. If Mo Yu truly broke through, serving under him held appeal. His strength was proven; should he one day reach Heaven Sovereign, their united force could rival the Great Thousand World's superpowers.
"Lord Thunder Emperor," Feng Yuanzi asked, his aged eyes glinting, "do you truly have confidence in breaking through to Upper Earth Sovereign?"
"Hehe, when have I ever deceived anyone?" Mo Yu laughed lightly. "Here's the wager: if I achieve Upper Earth Sovereign within half a year, you join my banner. If I fail, I'll purge your runes for free. How's that?"
Breaking through in half a year was daunting, but with the perfect-grade Divine Spirit Liquid, Mo Yu believed it feasible. His Heavenly Gang Thunder Body already granted him extraordinary cultivation speed.
He had been in the Great Thousand World for some time now, with no word of Cai Lin or Xiao Yan. He trusted Xiao Yan's resilience, but unease lingered about Cai Lin. Thus, he sought a loyal base under his command—not just to forge a super force, but to mobilize aid if danger befell them.
As Mo Yu pondered, Feng Yuanzi and the others traded looks, temptation evident—even Zhong Cang and the Blood Shark Lord nodded subtly.
They knew of his perfect-grade liquid, yet doubted such swift ascension. Even they, after centuries, had stagnated as Lowers. The breakthrough was akin to scaling the heavens.
"Very well," Zhong Cang said, nodding toward Mo Yu with cupped hands. "Though we've had our misunderstandings, if you purge our runes and ascend to Upper Earth Sovereign, I, Zhong Cang, will lead the Asura Gate under your command!"
"The Blood Shark Tower as well."
"And the Barbarian Wilderness Sect."
"The Beast Dominion too."
"Hehe, this old man has no objections." Feng Yuanzi chuckled.
Only the Snow Valley Mistress remained. Mo Yu turned to her, the sole female Earth Sovereign present. "And you, Snow Valley Mistress? Your thoughts?"
She bit her red lip, hesitating. "Lord Thunder Emperor, the Snow Valley is unique—our disciples are all women. If we join you, I hope you won't dismantle our valley. Allow us to stand as a separate branch."
Mo Yu considered briefly before nodding. "Acceptable."
Relief washed over her. "Then the Snow Valley agrees."
"Hehe, with that, the wager is sealed," Mo Yu said. "The Thunder Dragon Heaven-Shattering Seal can suppress the runes' erosion for now. Wait patiently."
With a wave of his sleeve, the seal materialized and expanded to hundreds of feet wide.
Feng Yuanzi and the others leaped atop it, seating themselves in meditation.
Upon contact, they felt the Outer Evil corruption's assault on their spiritual power halt abruptly.
Joy lit their eyes. A sacred artifact's power was extraordinary.
Yet they knew suppression was temporary—true eradication required Mo Yu's personal intervention.
And Mo Yu was preparing his breakthrough.
Ambivalence crossed their faces. They hoped he failed, preserving their independence—yet feared betrayal if he did, leaving them tainted.
"Guard me," Mo Yu said to the Feng Emperor with a smile, glancing at the six Sovereigns on the seal.
The Feng Emperor nodded.
Mo Yu's mind stirred, summoning the golden embryonic Divine Spirit Liquid. He swallowed it whole.
Buzz!
Instantly, the region around him erupted in radiant light as the liquid's ancient essence exploded outward, enveloping him completely.
The light permeated his body like an endless tide.
His flesh boiled, greedily devouring the influx. It felt like an infant nursing the sweetest milk—an instinctive hunger.
The foreign spiritual power clashed with his own, like ink spilling into clear water, gradually thickening and enriching his core.
Under this ancient baptism, every muscle, bone, drop of blood, and strand of spiritual power transformed profoundly.
From afar, Feng Yuanzi and the others suppressed their runes with the seal, but their attention fixed on Mo Yu.
Before them, thunderous radiance bloomed. At its heart, a slender young figure sat in meditation.
Though Mo Yu restrained his aura, the churning spiritual energy leaked terrifying pressure, making even the Earth Sovereigns' scalps tingle.
As time passed, the light expanded, warping space itself under the strain.
Even the nearby Feng Emperor retreated lest he be ensnared and immobilized.
"Such cultivation devours heaven and earth…" the Feng Emperor murmured in awe at the spectacle.
In the Great Thousand World, Lower Earth Sovereigns were strong—but Uppers dominated realms. Among the four divine clans, they led as patriarchs.
That step was the dream of countless Lowers, the Feng Emperor included.
"If you truly ascend," he whispered toward the glowing figure, "and unite the Bloodrock Realm's forces… Mo Yu, your future is boundless."
With his battle prowess, an Upper breakthrough would render him invincible at that level—perhaps even challenging higher. Their new force would conquer not just the Bloodrock Realm, but claim a seat in the North and the Tianluo Continent!
"The perfect-grade Divine Spirit Liquid's benefits are endless."
Within the light, feeling the monumental shifts, even Mo Yu's steady mind stirred with delight. No wonder Lower Earth Sovereigns coveted it—the essence's wonders were profound.
"Yet its power is vast; absorption will take time. Breaking through to Upper Earth Sovereign can't be rushed."
Sensing the drawn-out process, Mo Yu relaxed inwardly. His talent was peerless, but true growth demanded patience and refinement.
Even the finest jade required careful carving—and time to temper.
Without his decade of accumulation on the Dou Qi Continent, he might not have erupted into Earth Sovereign upon arriving here.
His eyes closed slowly, mind condensing as he sank into deeper cultivation. In this prolonged baptism, he would digest his gains fully.
Only then, through accumulation and release, could he breakthrough further in this absorption!
Time flowed onward in that eternal, quiet stillness.
(END CHAPTER)
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