Tribulation of Myriad Races

”Su Yu has it.” Tiangu was able to guess the truth even though he didn’t know about the matter. He said, ”There has been no communication between us in recent times. If something like that happened, it must have been Su Yu.”

Immortal Battle Marquis blanked out. He said, ”But...the communication happened through the fate race...”

”The Lower Realm fate race has long submitted to him. I don’t know about the Upper Realm, but Heavenly Fate Marquis can’t be trusted.”

Tiangu asked, ”Desolate, where is the Sacred Marquis?”

Venerable Desolate’s expression shifted slightly as he answered, ”Deep in seclusion.”

”Tell him to exit seclusion.” Tiangu said, ”Let him know that this is a matter of life and death. The survival of our race is at stake.”

Venerable Desolate frowned slightly and said, ”Tiangu...”

Tiangu gave the Venerable a long stare before saying, ”I don’t wish to snatch your authority, but you know nothing about Su Yu. I have to do this if we are to survive.”

His voice turned cold as he repeated himself, ”Tell Sacred Marquis to leave seclusion. I will assume control over the immortal race. If you disagree, you may try attacking me.”

Authority?

Tiangu did not care that much about authority. But he had to do this. He was not snatching power for power’s sake. Rather, he was doing it to save the immortal race. These people were completely clueless about Su Yu. They didn’t understand just how terrifying Su Yu was.

They would keep viewing him with contempt. If only Control King’s lineage were their opponent, Tiangu wouldn’t have bothered to snatch power at this juncture. There was no need for that.

After all, he was still a heavenly king. It was pointless to pit himself against two Venerables. But the situation was urgent enough right now that he had to do it. The two Venerables had unsightly expressions.

Tiangu did not seem to care as he continued flying forward. Before long, they reached the Human Mountain. When Immortal Battle Marquis opened the barrier for him, he flew straight into the immortal race’s encampment.

Sacred Source Marquis was already waiting there with a group of people. Upon seeing Tiangu, he flashed an insincere smile and said, ”You’re finally here, Tiangu. I am preparing a banquet to welcome you...”

Like Tiangu, Sacred Source Marquis cultivated the immortal emperor dao. Many of the immortals cultivating this dao had either died or switched to different daos. But Sacred Source Marquis had been stubbornly clinging to this dao.

In truth, Tiangu and Sacred Source Marquis were related. The two were fellow apprentices to the same master. Both came from Immortal Pseudo Emperor’s line. That was why they cultivated the same dao. However, Sacred Source Marquis was older since Tiangu was someone from late ancient past.

”There’s no need for that.”

After saying that, Tiangu proceeded to ignore Sacred Source Marquis and continued stepping forward. Sacred Source Marquis’ face fell.

Right after entering the encampment, Tiangu released his aura and roared, ”Sacred Marquis, I’m here.”

At that, a tiny hill in the middle of the encampment cracked open.

An ancient being emerged from the crack. With a flicker, he appeared before Tiangu, joy and excitement on his face.

”Your Highness...”

Tiangu raised his hand, his eyes brimming with emotions. ”I’m here, Sacred Marquis.”

”Your Highness!” The old man said with agitation, ”You should have ascended long ago! Advancement is difficult in the Lower Realm!”

”No.” Tiangu shook his head, ”The Upper Realm is not necessarily better. The daos here are too empty. With the same cultivation level, those in the Lower Realm will be stronger.

”But since I’m here, it’s pointless to talk about all that. Convene an assembly of the immortals. Gather all Daofuses. I will assume control over the immortal race.”

”Yes!” Sacred Marquis released a powerful burst of aura. A seal appeared before him as he roared, ”An immortal assembly has been called. All at the Daofuse Realm and above are to report to the main hall. If you are in seclusion, exit. If you are outside, return.”

”Sacred Marquis!”

Venerable Dao frowned. Just as he was about to protest, Sacred Marquis said, ”Do you object, Dao?”

His aura rippled out as he suppressed two Venerables alone. Immortal Battle Marquis and the others released their auras and pushed forth as well. Tiangu remained expressionless. Since he was already here, and since Sacred Marquis was still around, the old order would persist.

Was Sacred Source Marquis trying to compete against him? Sacred Source Marquis was still unworthy of that. Not even the two Venerables could compete against him. Everyone was alarmed to see the confrontation. After many years, the dusty doors of the sealed assembly hall swung open.

***

One expert after another entered the hall.

As of this moment, the real strength of the immortal race was finally revealed.

Before long, the many empty seats in the hall were filled.

Three Venerables.

Six heavenly kings.

Sixty-five Daofuses.

There were seventy-four super powerhouses in the immortal race even after losing so many to Su Yu. The three Venerables sat side by side with Tiangu. As for Sacred Source Marquis and the others, they were seated a step below, showcasing their difference in status.

Sacred Source Marquis remained expressionless. Nobody knew what he was thinking.

Tiangu swept his gaze through the gathered crowd and said, ”I don’t care what you feel about this. From today onward, I will be assuming control over the immortal race. Apart from me, nobody is allowed to issue commands to those at the Daofuse Realm and above.”

Some frowned upon hearing that. A heavenly king said, ”Tiangu, this is not the Lower Realm.”

Tiangu shot the speaker a glance and said coldly, ”This is the Upper Realm, but it changes nothing.”

”Tiangu, you...” The heavenly king protested, ”You are being too domineering here. Do you even know the Upper Realm? What are you trying to do right after arriving? Have you been doing a good job in the Lower Realm? We all know you were beaten so badly you were forced to seal the realm and wait for reinforcement.”

It wasn’t like he had done very well in the Lower Realm. He had been beaten badly by a newcomer. Why was he feeling confident enough to snatch power right after arriving at the Upper Realm?

The heavenly king continued, ”Things are different in the Upper Realm. Over the years, we have gained more and more powerhouses under the leadership of the Venerables. We have been growing well, surpassing even the other races. Tiangu, you are new here. You should step aside—”

”Audacious!” Immortal Battle Marquis roared, ”You dare? As a mere newly advanced pseudo king, who are you to say all that here?”

The heavenly king’s face fell as he stared at Immortal Battle Marquis. Immortal Battle Marquis spat, ”And what do you think you’re looking at? Back then, this attitude of yours would have been enough for you to be punished for disrespecting your superiors. After Immortal Pseudo Emperor’s disappearance, His Highness has been elected as the leader. The immortal race has grown well over the past one hundred thousand years, and that is all thanks to His Highness. Each epoch, it was His Highness who had awakened to lead our race to victory.”

”Are you unhappy about this development?” Immortal Battle Marquis said, ”Shut your mouth even if you’re unhappy. Since His Highness is already here, he should naturally rule the Upper Realm as well.”

Silence descended.

After a short wait, Sacred Marquis smiled and said, ”Since nobody is protesting, His Majesty will be running things before His Imperial Majesty’s return.”

At that, Venerable Dao said, ”I believe Tiangu still knows too little about the Upper Realm. Why don’t we have Tiangu learn from Sacred Source for a bit first...”

Sacred Marquis disagreed, ”There is no need for that. What is there to learn about a tiny backwater like the Upper Realm? Everyone here knows His Highness. It won’t be too hard for him to assume control. We can finish handing power over in three days.”

Sacred Source Marquis’ face shifted, but ultimately, he answered, ”Yes.”

Tiangu looked over. He knew very well that this senior brother of his would not accept him willingly. Over the years, their relationship had deteriorated due to their competition over the immortal emperor dao.

In truth, he didn’t want a conflict with any of these people. Any internal conflict would only harm the immortal race as a whole. Alas, the others might not share the same thought.

”Come here, Sacred Source.”

Everyone frowned. Was he taking this chance to make a move against Sacred Source Marquis? He had just returned. Wasn’t he being too impatient here? Tiangu had never been an impatient man. Why was he in so much of a rush?

Sacred Source Marquis’ eyes flickered. Was Tiangu picking a fight with him right away? Tiangu had never acted like this before. Something seemed to have changed with him.

Sacred Source Marquis cursed inwardly. Tiangu was getting too unrestrained just because he had Sacred Marquis’ support.

Even if he hadn’t contributed much over the years, he had at least toiled hard for their race. He had been keeping things running whenever the two Venerables were in seclusion. Was Tiangu really brash enough to make a move against him so openly?

Numerous thoughts surfaced in his mind.

Step by step, he approached Tiangu. He wanted to see if Tiangu was really brash enough to kill him openly. Would Tiangu dare to do so?

Venerable Dao and Venerable Desolate watched on with solemn expressions. When they looked at Sacred Marquis and noticed how he was staring at them coldly, helplessness swelled within them.

Sacred Marquis was the biggest trump card of the immortal race. He was a powerhouse at Venerable Corona’s level. Or one could even claim that he was slightly stronger than Venerable Corona.

With the support of Sacred Marquis, Immortal Battle Marquis, and the others, they could only allow Tiangu to take control unless they wished to split the immortal race into two. Sacred Source Marquis continued stepping forth. Before long, he was standing on the step below Tiangu’s seat.

Less than a meter separated the two. As their gazes met, Sacred Source Marquis’ eyes flickered with stubbornness. Would Tiangu dare to kill him in the open? They were fellow disciples of the Immortal Pseudo Emperor. And he was Tiangu’s senior brother.

So what if he was unwilling to acknowledge Tiangu’s leadership? Things might be different in the past, but Tiangu had spent so many years in the Lower Realm. His strength had remained stagnant while Sacred Source Marquis had grown into a heavenly king many years ago.

Sure, Tiangu had advanced recently, but he was still too new to the level. They were similar in status, yet he was stronger than Tiangu. In that case, why should the immortal race bow to Tiangu instead of him?

Ignoring the previous epochs, Tiangu had done very badly this epoch. Under his leadership, the Lower Realm immortals had suffered massive defeats against humanity. And here he was, trying to snatch power after such a disastrous performance? With that in mind, he continued staring at Tiangu stubbornly.

However, Tiangu remained perfectly calm as he said, ”You’re my senior brother. You have never acknowledged me. I know that.”

Sacred Source Marquis remained silent. So he knew. Good.

”Back then, I was indeed too arrogant and domineering.”