Chapter 326: Old Friend's Grand Wedding! The Fierce God Arrives! Evil Bone Marquis Again?

Chapter 326: A Wedding of Old Friends! The God of Slaughter Arrives! The Evil Bone Marquis Again?

He watched the young man not far away, who had retracted all his aura, stowed away the refined soul crystals and spoils of war into his storage space, and wore an expression so calm it was as if he had just swatted a few flies. The last shred of doubt in his heart vanished like smoke in the wind.

He finally understood that his rescue this time was neither accidental nor a stroke of luck.

It was because, in his moment of deepest despair, he had sent a distress signal to the thickest, hardest, and most unreasonable thigh among the younger generation of the current universe.

The God of Slaughter!

This title was truly well-deserved!

...

Qin Feng finished tallying the final batch of spoils and nodded with satisfaction.

The entire net worth of these two intermediate Marquises, combined with the vast array of secret treasures the Evil Bone Marquis had discarded to save his own life, was undoubtedly a massive fortune for someone like him, who had just opened up a territory and was in the midst of reconstruction.

He turned and looked at the Marquis of Cloud Bat, who remained in a state of shock, his expression incomparably complex.

Qin Feng could sense the chaotic aura and the loss of origin caused by the shattering of the other's Dao Seal, and even more, he could feel the complex emotions of gratitude and astonishment swirling in the man's eyes.

A gentle smile appeared on Qin Feng's face, softening the lingering murderous aura that had yet to fully dissipate from the recent slaughter. He took the initiative to speak: "Senior Cloud Bat, long time no see."

His tone was calm and natural, as if he were encountering an old friend he hadn't seen in ages, without a hint of condescension, nor a shred of vanity or reserve.

This plain greeting flowed like a warm current into the cold, chaotic sea of consciousness of the Marquis of Cloud Bat, slowly soothing his violently turbulent Dao heart.

The Marquis of Cloud Bat snapped back to reality. Looking into Qin Feng's sincere eyes, he took a deep breath, suppressed the myriad thoughts in his heart, and wore an extremely complex smile.

"Brother Qin..."

He spoke, changing his form of address immediately.

After witnessing such power and reviewing such battle records, if he were to let the other party continue calling him "Senior," it would not be respect, but an insult to himself.

In the world of martial arts, the capable come first.

It has nothing to do with age, only with strength and achievement.

"It has indeed... been a mere forty thousand years since I stood guard at the Ancient Luo King Ruins to protect you."

The Marquis of Cloud Bat's voice carried a touch of emotion, a hint of bitterness, and, more than anything, heartfelt admiration and respect. "To think that the world has changed so much, that the seas have turned into mulberry fields. That you, Brother Qin, have grown to such a degree is truly... a great fortune for our human race!"

As he spoke, he struggled to straighten his body, wanting to offer Qin Feng the most solemn salute.

"Do not call me 'Senior' again. These two words are a burden I cannot bear, and I am ashamed to accept them!"

He looked straight at Qin Feng, his eyes incredibly solemn. "If you hadn't arrived in time today, I, along with this broken Dao Seal of mine, would surely have turned into cosmic dust, dead and gone. Such a life-saving, re-creating grace is beyond repayment!"

He paused, every word ringing with weight, as if he were swearing an oath upon his own soul.

"Great kindness needs no thanks! From this day forward, I, Cloud Bat, owe you a favor! A life! Should you have any command, I will go through fire and water, to the ends of the earth and the depths of the abyss, without hesitation!"

This was the promise of a Marquis-level powerhouse, a vow made upon his own Dao heart; the weight of it was unimaginable.

Seeing this, Qin Feng stepped forward, reached out, and firmly supported him, preventing the grand gesture.

A gentle yet irresistible force emanated from him, making it impossible for the Marquis of Cloud Bat to bow further.

Qin Feng shook his head, looking at him earnestly, and said, "Marquis of Cloud Bat, you speak too heavily. You and I are both comrades of the human race, fighting in this universe fraught with crises; we should naturally watch over and support one another."

His gaze was clear and firm, without a trace of hypocrisy.

"Furthermore, back at the Ancient Luo King Ruins, if it weren't for you seniors holding back the pressure of the myriad races from the outside, carving out a space for me, I, a junior, would never have been able to compete for opportunities in peace, let alone achieve what I have today."

"Therefore, acting today was only right and proper."

A single phrase, "only right and proper," and another, "human comrades," contained no superfluous words, yet held the most sincere and pure emotion.

These words struck the heart of the Marquis of Cloud Bat like a thunderbolt, deeply touching the softest and most painful part of his soul.

He thought of the root cause of his near-death experience, thought of that face once so familiar, which had revealed a hideous grin at the final moment, and an uncontrollable grief and bone-deep hatred surged from the depths of his eyes.

His complexion, which had eased slightly upon being saved, instantly turned incomparably gloomy, a pale, sickly shade of iron-blue.

"Comrades..."

The Marquis of Cloud Bat chewed on the word, a self-deprecating and desolate curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He was silent for a moment, his voice becoming hoarse, as if squeezed through his teeth.

"...Heh, it was my most trusted 'comrade' who stabbed me in the back when I was at my weakest, leading to me being hunted down by those three damned bastards until I ended up like this."

He looked up at Qin Feng, and for the first time, bone-deep hatred and killing intent leaked from his murky eyes.

"Hearing you say that today, Brother Qin, truly... stirs many emotions."

"A traitor?"

Qin Feng's gaze sharpened instantly, two rays of divine light flashing in his eyes as he keenly grasped the keyword.

He knew that for a Marquis-level powerhouse to lose his composure like this, what lay behind it was no small matter.

"Yes."

The Marquis of Cloud Bat nodded heavily, his teeth grinding, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust and murderous intent. "It is the people of the 'Myriad Race Sect'! These damned traitors, forgetting their origins and betraying their kin, are all scum of the human race! They are a malignant tumor growing upon us!"

"Myriad Race Sect?"

Qin Feng frowned slightly; he had never heard this name before. "Do they worship the Chaos Evil Gods? Like entities such as Khorne?"

In his understanding, the only things capable of causing large-scale defections among powerhouses were those Chaos Evil Gods who wielded the ultimate powers of the universe.

"Not exactly."

However, the Marquis of Cloud Bat shook his head, his expression becoming unprecedentedly grave.

"They do not worship Khorne, Tzeentch, or the other Chaos Evil Gods we are familiar with, but rather... others, more ancient existences I have never heard of."

He struggled to recall the fanatical and eerie expression of the traitor at the time, saying with lingering fear: "This is a strange force that has only suddenly emerged and grown rapidly in the last few thousand years.

It is said that not only me, but several of our human race's extremely powerful elite battle groups have experienced shocking mutinies, including many Marquis-level, and even King-level powerhouses!"

"I don't know the specific reasons.

I only know that this force has only gradually surfaced within the last forty thousand years.

Before this, within the territories of our human race, there had never been such a large number of high-level powerhouses defecting collectively."

The Marquis of Cloud Bat took a deep breath, seemingly calming his emotions, and continued: "Moreover, their propaganda does not seem to be entirely baseless, which is the most terrifying part.

They claim that our universe is about to face an unprecedented upheaval, that all existing order will be completely overturned, and only by believing in their gods can one achieve eternal life in the new era."

Speaking to this point, a trace of confusion and worry appeared on his face.

"To be honest, the recent universe has indeed been turbulent and filled with strangeness.

The 'Seventy-Two Divine Golds of the Universe,' legendary items rarely seen in hundreds of millions of years, have been emerging one after another in the last few tens of thousands of years, leading countless Emperors and even Sages to fight to the death.

News of the 'Thirty-Six Primordial Fires,' said to be capable of burning all things, has also emerged one after another, and it is said that several have already been captured by powerful existences."

"Even more..."

The tone of the Marquis of Cloud Bat grew heavier. "I have heard that in the chaotic battlefields beyond the Endless Sea, there are even more changes. New Greenskins have ignited their divine fires in the midst of endless 'WAAAGH!' wars!

On the side of the Zerg, new gods have also been born, their evolutionary paths eerie and unpredictable, posing an unprecedented threat to the border defenses guarded by our Holy Academy."

Qin Feng listened quietly, without saying a word.

But his pupils, unbeknownst to him, contracted slightly.

The cascade of information brought by Marquis Yunfu was simply overwhelming.

"The Myriad Races Sect," "a new god," "cosmic upheaval," "seventy-two divine golds," "thirty-six primordial fires," "the birth of a new god"...

These seemingly unrelated fragments converged in his mind like countless trickling streams, slowly pooling into a gargantuan, bottomless vortex.

The universe, perhaps, was truly undergoing a cataclysmic change.

...

"Where is that traitor now?"

Qin Feng’s voice was as calm as still water, as if he were inquiring about a triviality.

Yet, within his eyes, deep as the starry void, a sliver of icy killing intent had already locked onto its target.

For the word "traitor," he harbored a hatred that welled from the very depths of his soul.

A flicker of agony and resentment crossed Marquis Yunfu’s face—not merely from his physical wounds, but from the heart-piercing pain of a comrade’s betrayal.

He drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging blood, and recalled: "He and I... we were in a cosmic hazard zone known as the 'Meteor Fire Abyss,' where we triggered a high-difficulty cosmic mission together. The goal was to seize a map fragment recording the location of the 'Primordial Fire'."

His voice trembled with indignation: "The Meteor Fire Abyss is a treacherous environment, riddled with spatial rifts and stellar debris, and occupied by powerful chaotic entities.

We joined forces, enduring decades of bitter fighting, before finally locating the fragment in the lair of a beast comparable to a high-level Marquis.

But the moment I touched the fragment, he struck from the shadows!"

Marquis Yunfu’s knuckles turned white, his eyes burning with fury: "He used an incredibly sinister alien artifact to instantly shatter my soul and body. Had I not possessed a life-saving treasure bestowed by my master, I would have perished on the spot.

He snatched the map fragment and fled without a moment’s hesitation. I risked my life to track the direction of his spatial jump... it was toward the Thunder Universe City!"

"What is his name? Which battle group does he belong to?"

Qin Feng pressed.

"Mo Yun!"

Marquis Yunfu spat the name through gritted teeth, "He hails from the 'Shadow Moon Gray Wolf,' one of the human race’s elite ace battle groups, and holds the title 'Marquis Zhuwu'!"

"Understood."

Qin Feng nodded slightly, his mind already calculating the implications.

The Shadow Moon Gray Wolf—he knew the name well.

They were a direct-line force under a human King-level powerhouse, decorated with honors and serving as a banner for humanity on the frontier.

For a traitor to emerge from such an ace group, and a Marquis-level core member at that, the nature of this matter far exceeded a simple act of treason.

The "Myriad Races Sect" lurking behind it was like an iceberg beneath the sea; the mere tip exposed already radiated a chill capable of shaking the foundations of the human race.

Thunder Universe City was the domain of King Thunderstorm. Since Mo Yun was fleeing in that direction, King Thunderstorm had to be notified immediately. With his heaven-reaching means, weaving a net within his own territory to intercept a single Marquis would be no difficult task.

As for the existence of the "Myriad Races Sect," it was a world-shaking crisis that threatened the survival of the nation. There could be no delay; it had to be reported to the Holy Academy under the highest level of alert.

Qin Feng looked at the still-pale Marquis Yunfu and said in a deep voice: "This matter is of grave importance; we cannot afford a moment’s hesitation.

We shall return to my Universe City first; it houses a high-clearance teleportation array with a direct link to the Holy Academy headquarters.

Once there, we will act separately."

He organized the plan with clarity: "I will use the highest-level internal channel to report the intelligence on 'Marquis Zhuwu' Mo Yun—including his possession of the 'Primordial Fire map fragment' and his trajectory toward Thunder Universe City—directly to King Thunderstorm, requesting he keep a close watch for this individual.

As for you, use the teleportation array to return to the Holy Academy headquarters with all haste and report the detailed intelligence regarding the 'Myriad Races Sect' to the high command in person."

"Agreed!"

Marquis Yunfu accepted without hesitation. He understood the severity of the situation, especially the Myriad Races Sect's machinations at "Eternal Life Mountain."

He added with a solemn expression: "News of the 'Myriad Races Sect' has likely not been fully disclosed within the human race. Many high-level figures, even some Kings and Emperors in long-term seclusion, may not be aware of its existence.

We must expose this malignancy as soon as possible and put everyone on guard.

Otherwise, once it is fully ignited at Eternal Life Mountain, the consequences will be unimaginable! Brother Qin, let us depart at once!"

"Eternal Life Mountain"—its strategic significance was immeasurable.

Qin Feng understood the weight of these words and did not tarry.

He took a step forward, and a gentle yet infinitely powerful aura instantly enveloped Marquis Yunfu.

The next moment, Qin Feng’s [Ultimate Body] was pushed to its limit, and the space around him rippled like boiling water.

He and the Marquis transformed into a streak of light, nearly impossible for any divine sense to capture.

In an instant, they were hurtling toward [Qin Feng Universe City], suspended in the sea of stars, at a terrifying speed exceeding fifteen thousand times the speed of light.

Enveloped by Qin Feng’s power, Marquis Yunfu experienced the most shocking interstellar voyage of his life.

At first, he could barely distinguish the starry sky receding rapidly, stars and nebulae dragging backward like paint smeared across a canvas.

But after a mere ten-thousandth of a second, all concrete imagery vanished from his vision.

The entire universe seemed to transform into lines woven from bizarre, iridescent colors, forming a spacetime tunnel leading to an unknown end.

His Marquis-level spiritual sense, capable of covering several star systems, became incredibly sluggish, as if mired in the thickest sludge. No matter how he extended it, he could capture no valid external imagery, perceiving only chaos and blur.

The concepts of time and space were utterly subverted in that moment.

"Is... is this fifteen thousand times the speed of light?"

A monstrous wave surged in Marquis Yunfu’s heart, filled with awe.

This speed completely transcended his previous cognitive limits.

Ordinary Marquis-level powerhouses could only burst forth at several thousand times the speed of light for short durations.

Some high-level Marquises proficient in the laws of speed might barely touch the threshold of ten thousand times the speed of light.

The vast majority of entry-level Kings maintained a cruising speed of only a few thousand times the speed of light.

Yet Qin Feng was at fifteen thousand!

Marquis Yunfu realized once more that the "God of Slaughter," who looked deceptively young, possessed a strength that was comprehensive and crushing, with no weaknesses whatsoever.

Whether it was the supreme will forged through ten thousand years of life-and-death struggles, the terrifying combat power that could slay a Marquis, or this shocking speed, all proved that his reputation as "invincible in the universe" was no empty boast.

The long star-path that would have taken Marquis Yunfu months to traverse was, under Qin Feng’s feet, a matter of mere moments.

Soon, at the end of the distorted light, a magnificent super-war fortress radiating iron-blooded majesty slowly emerged.

It resembled a steel beast dormant in the dark universe, forged entirely from an unknown dark-gold metal, its surface engraved with billions of shimmering rune arrays that pulsed and exhaled massive amounts of cosmic energy.

Even from a vast distance, Marquis Yunfu could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from the fortress, enough to chill the heart of any Marquis.

[Qin Feng Universe City]!

The streak of light did not slow, shooting straight toward the city.

With a flash, Qin Feng and Marquis Yunfu descended directly into the teleportation hall at the heart of the City Lord’s Mansion.

The moment his feet touched solid ground, Marquis Yunfu looked around.

The entire hall was a massive teleportation hub, its specifications exceeding many A-level Universe Cities directly under the Empire that he had seen before.

All of this silently spoke to the status and power Qin Feng now held within the human race.

However, Marquis Yunfu had no time for further admiration or reflection.

He ignored the throbbing ache of his own injuries, offering Qin Feng a solemn, respectful salute before saying in a low voice, "Brother Qin, this matter is of the utmost importance. I must depart for the Holy Academy at once!"

"Take care."

Qin Feng nodded, his words concise and direct.

Cloud-Bat Marquis turned resolutely, stepping onto the highest-grade teleportation array capable of spanning endless territories to reach the headquarters of the Human Holy Academy.

With a brilliant flash of light soaring into the sky, his figure vanished instantly from the great hall.

Within the hall, only Qin Feng remained.

He did not immediately ponder his own cultivation; instead, he turned and entered a chamber of absolute isolation.

As a thought stirred within him, the space before him rippled like a stone cast into a still pond. Countless arcane data streams and fragmented runic laws emerged from the void, weaving and spiraling until they formed a complex interface of mysterious beauty.

Qin Feng extended a finger, a wisp of his soul imprint—carrying his primal essence—slowly manifesting at his fingertip to touch the core of the interface.

Hum!

The entire interface surged to life, establishing an encrypted subspace communication channel that no conventional means could detect or intercept.

This was the internal network for the highest echelons of humanity, its security level capable of defying even the prying eyes of gods.

Qin Feng’s divine sense swept rapidly, locking onto the exclusive communication code of "Thunderstorm King" to initiate a request.

He wasted no words, concisely editing a top-secret report detailing the defection of "Zhuwu Marquis" Mo Yun—who was severely wounded and carrying a fragment of the "Primordial Fire Map"—and his flight toward the Thunder Universe City.

With the message sent, the interface slowly dissipated, and silence returned to the chamber.

Only then did Qin Feng find the time to calm his mind and contemplate the profound implications of this sudden crisis.

He sat cross-legged, eyes half-closed, while a fierce storm of deduction raged within his sea of consciousness.

"The Myriad Clan Cult..."

The name echoed in his mind.

"How could they have grown to such a massive scale in a mere few thousand years, or even less?

How could they infiltrate even a core elite battle group like the 'Shadow Moon Gray Wolves'?"

Qin Feng’s brows knitted slightly.

There must be a terrifying power pulling the strings from the shadows.

Yet, the fundamental logic eluded him.

Humanity’s internal vetting was the most rigorous in the universe.

Every warrior’s life, from birth to maturity, was recorded in a vast surveillance system.

To subvert human leaders on such a scale—especially those as iron-willed as Marquis-level or even King-level powerhouses—under such a web of scrutiny was an impossible task.

It defied all reason.

"Unless..." Qin Feng’s thoughts deepened, "this infiltration does not rely on traditional bribery or corruption, but rather on something akin to a slave brand."

Recalling the Cloud-Bat Marquis’s mention of cosmic upheavals and the birth of new gods, a chill flickered through Qin Feng’s mind.

But he was not one to dwell on dead ends.

Without sufficient information, further speculation was futile.

He quickly pushed these grand, unsolvable questions aside, turning his focus inward to examine himself.

External storms would ultimately require absolute strength to quell.

His own power was the eternal cornerstone for facing every crisis.

He steadied his heart and began to simulate his unprecedented "Limitless Path" technique.

In an instant, his sea of consciousness transformed into a vast, authentic starry sky.

The knowledge of thirty billion physical refinement techniques acted as the foundation, an endless expanse of brilliant stars.

The insights from his mastery of "Artifact Refining," "Alchemy," and "Formation Arrays" manifested as three dazzling rivers of stars spanning the firmament, radiating blinding light.

Qin Feng’s will was the sole sovereign of this star sea. He sought to mobilize every star and river, fusing this massive wealth of knowledge, profound insight, and his own understanding of the word "Limit" into a single, unique "Dao Seal" that would represent his supreme path.

Yet, no matter how he tried, no matter how he urged his "pure black" immortal will to integrate and compress them, the knowledge remained a scattered heap of sand.

They could be arranged and synthesized, but he felt the absence of a core "backbone" and "binder."

He lacked the absolute center that could string these thirty billion stars together into a perfect, unified whole.

"The foundation... is still far from enough."

After a long while, Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes, murmuring to himself.

His "Limitless Path" was too domineering, too inconceivable; the resources required to condense it into a true Dao Seal were of an astronomical magnitude.

"The two cores within me, the [Primordial Furnace] and the [Limitless Array], must both ascend to the next level."

He began to calculate calmly.

"The [Limitless Array] is the platform for my power; its level determines the stability of my future Dao Seal.

The most effective way to elevate it is to find more powerful, more incredible array-eye artifacts.

If I could obtain any of the legendary 'Seventy-Two Divine Metals of the Universe' to forge a core for the array, its power would undergo a qualitative transformation."

"And the [Primordial Furnace] is the source of my strength and the root of my refinement.

Its ascension requires the consumption of the universe’s most exotic and powerful flames. For instance... the 'Thirty-Six Primordial Fires'."

At this thought, Qin Feng’s eyes ignited, shining like two stars suddenly lit in the dead of night.

The map fragment that Zhuwu Marquis Mo Yun snatched from the Cloud-Bat Marquis pointed to one of the "Thirty-Six Primordial Fires"!

In that moment, Qin Feng’s path became crystal clear.

He realized with absolute clarity that his cultivation was no longer about mere secluded meditation.

What he needed most now were the unique, rare treasures scattered across the universe!

The Seventy-Two Divine Metals, the Thirty-Six Primordial Fires, ancient divine array discs, fragments of weapons left behind by fallen gods...

All of these had become his urgent objectives.

Having embarked on his Limitless Path, his future lay in constant evolution, breaking through his limits again and again with the help of these heavenly treasures!

Of course, the advancement of his arrays also required knowledge—learning another hundred billion techniques would surely help—but those techniques were always there; he could study them along the way.

But treasures like the Primordial Fires and the Seventy-Two Divine Metals were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

...

Just as Qin Feng’s thoughts raced through the hunting grounds of "Divine Metals" and "Primordial Fires," his battle intent rising, a steady, respectful electronic voice sounded from outside the chamber—it was his mechanical servant, "Pilihuo."

"Master, an envoy from the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom requests an audience. They have brought an invitation."

Qin Feng’s heart stirred; with a thought, the chamber door slid open silently.

Outside, the tall, formidable Pilihuo, covered in dark-red metal armor, stood motionless.

Held precisely by its mechanical force field, an elegant, antique-style invitation floated steadily in mid-air.

The invitation was not crafted from metal or jade, but from a spirit-wood of a gentle, verdant hue. Its naturally occurring grain formed a subtle, auspicious pattern of a hundred stags in full gallop, exuding a faint, refreshing fragrance that calmed the spirit.

More astonishingly, this thin sliver of spirit-wood was imbued with profound spatial techniques, as if it contained a miniature world within; its weight in the hand far exceeded its appearance.

Qin Feng reached out, and the invitation transformed into a streak of light, settling into his palm.

As he injected his divine sense, the invitation flickered, unfolding a soft curtain of light before him.

Within the glow, lines of elegant text written in the common tongue of humanity emerged. The core message was a sincere invitation from the sovereign of the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom, requesting that he, the newly appointed Lord of the Territory, attend the wedding ceremony of Princess Ling Yao in the capital three months hence.

Qin Feng’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He had never held any interest in such political pleasantries.

Whether in his past life or the present, he preferred to resolve matters with his fists and his spear. In his view, wasting time on such hypocritical displays of pomp was far less practical than hunting chaos-beasts in the void.

His mind was currently consumed with how to elevate his strength, how to seek out "God-Gold" and "Primordial Fire," and how to translate his vision of the "Ultimate Path" into reality.

A political marriage ceremony could not stir even a ripple of interest within him.

He was on the verge of a flat refusal, but when his gaze inadvertently swept over the name of the groom at the bottom of the invitation, his eyes, usually as still as an ancient well, faltered.

Lei.

A simple, solitary character, yet it instantly sketched out a figure in his vast, sea-like memory—one not entirely familiar, yet certainly not a stranger.

Qin Feng’s mind immediately conjured the image of the few leaders he had encountered back on Blue Star, that nascent civilization.

Among them was a youth of steady temperament and impressive strength named Lei.

Years later, when he had been passing through the Red Feather Universe Kingdom to temper his own body, he had encountered Lei and his companions once more outside the Red Feather Pass, where he had shocked the galaxy by slaying "Limit-level" black holes while still at the Black Hole stage.

Though they had no deep friendship, they had crossed paths several times; there was a thread of karmic connection between them.

"A marriage alliance?"

Qin Feng murmured to himself, his slender fingers tapping rhythmically against the jade armrest of his quiet room, producing a crisp, melodic sound.

A flicker of doubt and contemplation crossed his eyes.

According to the database organized by Pili Huo when he took over the territory, the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom was a powerful nation established by the "Spirit Deer" demon clan. Among the seven hundred and eighty-three universe kingdoms under Qin Feng’s command, its strength ranked within the top twenty.

And Lei was a pure-blooded human.

A demon princess marrying a human—the political implications behind this were well worth pondering.

Especially since this had occurred just after he had descended upon this territory and established his authority with thunderous force; it was difficult not to suspect that this was aimed at him.

He glanced at the date on the invitation again. Three months—the time was more than sufficient.

"Very well. Having just taken over this domain, beyond merely establishing my might, I do need a more intuitive understanding of the various factions under my command. I shall take this opportunity to go out and see exactly what medicine the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom is brewing in its gourd."

Qin Feng made his decision.

He did not resent his subordinates showing him goodwill and submission, but he needed to confirm whether this goodwill was sincere or if there was an ulterior motive.

This wedding ceremony was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for observation.

Moreover, the appearance of Lei had piqued his interest.

Meeting an old acquaintance was, after all, never a bad thing.

...

Meanwhile, countless billions of light-years away from the Qin Feng Universe City, in the capital of the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom, a fierce debate capable of deciding the future of the entire nation was unfolding.

The center of power in the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom was not a cluster of golden, worldly palaces, but a "living" council chamber.

It was an immensely massive "Jianmu" tree, its canopy vast enough to shroud several planets, its trunk as thick as a star.

The entire Elder Council was a colossal treehouse, naturally grown, spiraled, and sculpted by the branches and leaves of this Jianmu, which had lived for countless eons.

Sunlight filtered through the layers of leaves, transforming into millions of soft, dappled spots of light that fell upon a floor paved with vines and flowers.

Yet, this peaceful sanctuary was currently shrouded in a tense, combative atmosphere.

At the center of the council, upon a throne naturally formed from the main trunk of the Jianmu, sat a middle-aged man with a majestic, awe-inspiring countenance.

He wore a crown woven from thorns and star fragments, draped in a verdant robe that seemed to flow with starlight. He was the ruler of the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom—the Spirit Deer Sovereign.

He was a genuine peak Domain Lord, only a step away from the rank of Marquis, yet his deep eyes were filled with exhaustion. His brows were locked, and he watched the Elder Council, which was on the verge of tearing itself in two, in silence.

Below the throne stood dozens of powerful figures.

They were the pillars of the Spirit Deer Universe Kingdom—members of the Elder Council, each one a powerhouse who had stepped into the Domain Lord level.

At the head of the left side stood an elder with white hair and beard, yet an exceptionally burly frame.

He wore beast-hide armor, his exposed skin covered in ancient demon totems. His falcon-like eyes were piercingly sharp, and the unbridled, surging demonic aura radiating from him seemed to freeze the very air around him.

He was the leader of the conservative faction, an advocate for the supremacy of demon bloodlines, harboring great vigilance and rejection toward humanity.

At the head of the right side stood a middle-aged man who appeared refined and elegant, his temperament more akin to a human strategist.

He held a folding fan carved from some unknown divine jade, dressed in a scholarly blue robe, his gaze calm and profound.

He was the representative of the pragmatic faction, advocating for reading the situation, adapting to the strong, and seeking the greatest benefit for the clan.

The remaining dozens of elders stood clearly behind the two, forming two strictly divided camps.

The focus of their argument was the core event involving the invitation just sent to the Qin Feng Universe City—the marriage of the Spirit Deer Princess.

"Sovereign! This subject cannot agree!"

The Great Elder’s voice was as loud as a bell, filled with unquestionable majesty and fury, echoing through the massive treehouse and causing countless leaves to rustle.

"Marrying our Spirit Deer clan’s most precious pearl, Princess Ling Yao, to the eldest son of the Evil Bone Marquis of the Heavenly Centipede Universe Kingdom is our nation’s best and only choice!"

He took a step forward, his wild demonic aura intensifying: "The Evil Bone Marquis is a long-renowned Marquis-level powerhouse, shaking dozens of surrounding star sectors!

He belongs to the demon race, just as we do, our bloodlines connected!

By marrying into his house, we not only gain the firm protection of a powerful ally but also use this opportunity to integrate the wavering demon factions around us, forming a formidable force that no one would dare underestimate!

This is the foundation of our demon race’s self-strengthening!"

At this, his tone shifted sharply, his piercing gaze stabbing like a knife toward the Second Elder on the opposite side, his voice filled with undisguised contempt.

"And that ‘Lei’—what is he?

A mere junior from a remote human territory, from a small, unheard-of universe kingdom!

No background, unknown potential!

In terms of strength, status, or bloodline, how is he worthy of our noble princess?

To marry the princess to him is a humiliation the Spirit Deer clan has never suffered since its inception!"

His emotions grew more agitated, and he almost pointed at the Second Elder’s nose as he roared: "Is it just to fawn and beg for mercy from that new, so-called ‘God of Slaughter’ Lord?!

Do not forget! Before that boy named Qin Feng arrived, our Spirit Deer Kingdom had been safe and sound in this star sector for millions of years; we never needed to pay a single cent of tribute to anyone!

Now, not only are we having thirty percent of our revenue siphoned off every year, but we are expected to grovel and send our most noble princess to curry favor with one of his nameless underlings?

Where is the dignity of our demon race? Where is the backbone of the Spirit Deer clan!"

The Great Elder’s words were passionate and stirring, prompting the conservative elders behind him to nod in agreement, their spirits inflamed.

Faced with this storm of accusations, the Second Elder merely twirled the jade fan in his hand, his face devoid of panic as he calmly began his rebuttal; his voice was low, yet it reached the ears of every elder present.

"Great Elder, that is where you are mistaken."

He offered a faint smile before his gaze suddenly sharpened: "You see only the superficial power of the Evil Bone Marquis of the Heavenly Centipede Universe, yet you seem to intentionally or unintentionally ignore his nature, which is as greedy as an abyss.

The Heavenly Centipede clan has always been known for their cruelty, tyranny, and insatiable hunger; to form an alliance with them is to invite a tiger into one's home.

Today, he may shelter us under the guise of an 'ally,' but tomorrow, in the name of 'family,' he could strip the Spirit Deer clan down to the bone and devour us whole!"

"As for the taxes..."

The Second Elder paused, surveying the hall, "The Great Elder seems to have forgotten the most fundamental truth. We have developed in peace for millions of years not because of our own strength, but because we have always been sheltered by the 'Human Race,' a towering tree capable of shielding us from the storms of the universe.

Thirty percent of our revenue is the price for absolute protection and peace, for immunity from chaotic evils, and for safety from the covetous eyes of other powerful races.

No matter how you calculate it, this is a bargain for us!"

His tone grew heavy, his eyes burning as he looked at the Great Elder, enunciating each word: "Most importantly, Great Elder, the times have changed!

The 'heavens' of this star sector have a new master!

The rise of [Qin Feng Universe City], that super-fortress which sprang up in a single day, has announced to the entire universe the arrival of a new sovereign; this is an irreversible and glorious tide!"

"That 'Lei' may seem unremarkable now, but he stands behind the Red Feather Universe, which is itself a formidable power.

More importantly, according to our intelligence, he is an old acquaintance who has met our new lord, Lord Qin Feng, several times!

Marrying the princess to him is not a humiliation, but a gesture of goodwill and total submission to this new hegemon!

This is sophisticated political wisdom, a far-sighted strategy for the next million, even ten million years of our clan's future!

Besides, Lei and the princess are truly in love."

"Preposterous!"

The Great Elder’s face flushed with rage, his fury erupting as the terrifying aura of a Domain Master exploded outward like a physical storm, causing the exotic flora in the hall to sway violently and shattering countless motes of light, "My demon race would rather be a broken jade than a whole tile! How can we bow and scrape before a human junior!"

"Utterly foolish!"

The Second Elder did not back down; he flicked his jade fan, and a gentle breeze swirled around him, subtly neutralizing the Great Elder’s violent pressure as he said coldly: "Your stubbornness will lead the Spirit Deer clan into an abyss of eternal ruin!"

"Who are you calling stubborn!"

"I am talking about you!"

The supporters of both sides could no longer restrain themselves, and their verbal conflict escalated rapidly.

Finally, the two hot-tempered elders let out a roar and summoned their life-bound artifacts; in an instant, spiritual energy surged through the hall, treasure light flashing, as an earth-shattering internal strife threatened to erupt.

"Enough!"

At that moment, a roar of supreme majesty, like thunder descending from the nine heavens, exploded deep within the souls of every elder.

The Spirit Deer King, who had remained silent, slowly rose from his throne.

As he stood, an aura far beyond any elder present—a fathomless, vast, and star-like pressure of a peak Domain Master—instantly enveloped the hall.

The weight was like a mountain, the majesty like a prison, instantly smoothing over the chaotic spiritual energy; all arguing, fighting, and posturing ceased in that heartbeat.

Every elder, whether conservative or pragmatic, turned pale and lowered their heads, not daring to meet the burning fury in the King’s eyes.

The King’s majesty was revealed in its entirety.

The Spirit Deer King’s gaze, like sharp blades, swept slowly across each elder before resting on the still-resentful Great Elder, his eyes filled with undisguised disappointment.

"Great Elder, your vision remains trapped in the old era."

He spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying an undeniable sense of finality: "You... you have no idea what kind of terrifying existence we are facing."

He paused, as if weighing his words, before his voice turned deep and solemn, as if revealing a truth that would shatter everyone's perception.

"Do you think 'God of Slaughter' is merely a hollow title? Do you think he is just a lucky junior prodigy?"

"I tell you, you are all wrong!"

The Spirit Deer King’s voice rose sharply, "Before those seven hundred and eighty-three Universe Lords, the mechanical servant he revealed..."

He took a deep breath and slowly uttered a few words, each one like a mountain crashing down upon the hearts of the elders.

"That... was a 'God-Forbidden' construct!"

At the mention of "God-Forbidden," the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Every elder, including the once-furious Great Elder, felt their pupils constrict, their faces drained of color, revealing a horror and dread that rose from the depths of their souls.

To use a "God-Forbidden" level mechanical being as a mere servant...

"Now, do you think a mere Evil Bone Marquis of the Heavenly Centipede Universe matters at all in his eyes?"

The Spirit Deer King’s voice was filled with bitterness and lingering fear.

"I will tell you one more thing,"

His voice was quiet, yet it sent a chill of palpitations through every elder, "The marriage to Lei was never a choice. It is the only path to survival for the Spirit Deer clan under the tide of this new era!

It was I who took the initiative to propose the marriage to Lei through the Red Feather King!

It was I who expressed the Spirit Deer clan's most thorough and unreserved submission to our unfathomable new lord, Lord Qin Feng!"

As he finished, the Spirit Deer King flicked his long sleeves, delivering the final verdict.

"Enough, this matter is not to be discussed again! My will is set; Lingyao shall marry Lei! See to it that the Lord is invited to attend in person!"

The King’s will was like divine law, not to be defied.

Faced with the terrifying reality of a "God-Forbidden servant," which crushed all psychological defenses, every voice of opposition vanished.

The elders, regardless of their previous opinions, bowed in unison and accepted the order.

"We obey the King's command!"

However, at the very back of the line, the Great Elder kept his head deeply bowed, and no one could see the expression on his face.

But deep within his lowered eyes, a flash of extremely subtle, murderous light flickered.

He retreated slowly with the others, but the moment he turned to leave the hall, a faint, imperceptible ripple of divine sense tore through space, traversing an immense distance toward the direction of the Heavenly Centipede Universe...