Wanyan Xiong, the envoy from the Bei Mo Royal Court, sneered, "Wei Tuxian is old. How many more years can he live? I heard he has less than ten years left."

Zhang Yong’s gaze turned icy as he snapped, "Nonsense! Lord Wei Tuxian still has more than fifty years of life remaining."

Wanyan Xiong suddenly smiled. "Fifty years! Fine, let’s say fifty years! After those fifty years, who will be able to keep Han Feng in check? He’s cultivated the Ten Thousand Demon Gu King! And he’s so young—only twenty years old."

Zhang Yong fell silent, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

The Great Song Empire had a population as high as a billion, making it the strongest and most prosperous of the three great powers. Yet for all its prosperity and abundance of talent, the Great Song Empire had only one Wei Tuxian.

The world’s third-ranked expert, Zen Master Wuxin, was a master outside the secular world and not under the Great Song Empire’s control. The fifth-ranked expert, Demon Slaying Sword Saint Zheng Zhi, was singularly focused on hunting Void Demons.

The sixth was the Bei Mo Royal Court’s Gale Arrow God, Wanyan Youshu. The seventh was the Lanyue Island Master of the Lanyue Sea. The eighth was the Saint Master of the Star Sacred Land. And only at ninth place was the Great Song Empire’s Royal Family Guardian, the Martial Fool.

Within the Great Song Empire, sects were numerous, and its number of Martial Saints far surpassed that of the Bei Mo Royal Court and the Great Zhou Demon Country. However, few of those Martial Saints were under the Empire’s control.

’So this is the Da Feng Empire. Truly prosperous! I will take his place and become the new emperor of the Da Feng Empire!’

A tall, dark-skinned young man with black hair stared at the throne of the Da Feng Empire. His body, rippling with lean muscle, was like that of a leopard, and he radiated a terrifying aura. A fervent glint flashed in his eyes as he drained the wine beside him in a single gulp.

"His Majesty the Emperor of the Da Feng Empire arrives!"

As a herald’s voice rang out, Shu Feng appeared, dressed in a Dragon Robe. He was flanked by the gorgeously attired Xiaozhu and Huang Pu Lihua, his two intended Empresses.

Behind Shu Feng followed the gorgeously attired Yuan Xian’Er and another peerless beauty. This second woman was tall and alluring, clad in a white palace gown, with a gentle and endearing aura. She was Murong Minghua, the treasure of the Great Zhou Demon Country and one of Shu Feng’s four intended Noble Consorts.

Behind Yuan Xian’Er and Murong Minghua followed two Martial Saints: the Thousand Gu Demon Sect Master and the Ten Thousand Profound Demon Sect Master.

’Such beauties, and all four of them are virgins. They are the most exquisite Tripod Cauldrons, perfect for cultivating my Demon Technique.’

The leopard-like young man stared fixedly at Yuan Xian’Er, Murong Minghua, and the other two women, a fervent glint in his eyes.

Before the eyes of the entire court, Shu Feng walked to the throne and sat down, looking every bit the part of a true emperor as he gazed down upon his surroundings with immense dignity.

’He has finally ascended the throne, becoming the founding emperor of the Da Feng Empire! The Great Zhou Demon Country... is finally a thing of the past!’

Zhou Han gazed at Shu Feng on the throne, an incredibly complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

After the Da Feng Empire was founded, Liu Xiong immediately abdicated and became a Tributor for the Murong Family. Zhou Han, after much deliberation, had chosen to enter service and pledge his life to Shu Feng.

"The Kingdom of Ye Lan presents one White Jade Peony! We wish His Majesty the Emperor of the Da Feng Empire divine mastery in the Martial Dao and a boundless lifespan!"

"The Lanyue Island Master presents one Tier Six Tyrant Octopus Core! We wish His Majesty the Emperor of the Da Feng Empire divine mastery in the Martial Dao and a boundless lifespan!"

"..."

Envoys from one nation after another came forward to present their treasures.

The corners of Shu Feng’s mouth lifted into a slight smile. ’Not bad. A few of these treasures contain powerful Source Energy. It feels pretty good to be the Emperor of the Da Feng Empire!’

’If I weren’t the Emperor of the Da Feng Empire, there’s no way these envoys would have so willingly delivered such precious, Source Energy-filled treasures right into my hands.’

"Ming Ye, King of the Ye Lan Country, is here to challenge His Majesty the Emperor of the Da Feng Empire!"

The leopard-like young man vaulted from his seat at the long table, landing in the center of the grand hall. He looked up at Shu Feng on the throne, his face a mask of untamed arrogance.

"Ming Ye, King of the Ye Lan Country? Never heard of him!"

"Isn’t the King of the Ye Lan Country Ming Shifeng? Who is this Ming Ye?"

"He actually dares to challenge Han Feng! He must have a death wish!"

"..."

Countless astonished gazes immediately focused on Ming Ye. The Ye Lan Country was just one of many small kingdoms in the Black Tortoise Realm, founded a mere twenty years ago. Its founding ancestor, Ming Shifeng, was only an ordinary Martial Saint.

That this Ming Ye dared to challenge the new fourth-ranked expert in the world was simply unbelievable.

"How audacious! This is His Majesty’s enthronement ceremony! To cause a disturbance here is a heinous crime! Die!"

A vicious glint flashed in the eyes of the Profound Demon Sect Master. With a furious roar, he leaped into the air. He executed the Great Power Demon King Seal, seemingly transforming into a terrifying Demon King as he blasted the attack toward Ming Ye.

Although the Profound Demon Sect Master had suffered a crushing defeat at Shu Feng’s hands, he was still the leader of his sect and a Top Level Martial Saint. That one attack was enough to grievously injure an ordinary Martial Saint.

"A worthless piece of trash like you dares come here to die? Scram!"

Ming Ye gave a chilling smile and thrust out his palm. Endless Demonic Qi surged forth, coalescing into a terrifying, black-scaled Demon Claw that shot toward the Profound Demon Sect Master.

BOOM!!

With a terrifyingly loud bang, the phantom of the Strong Demon King shattered. The Profound Demon Sect Master was sent flying like a broken rag doll, slamming hard into a nearby wall. He spat out a spray of blood, grievously wounded.

"So strong! He defeated the Profound Demon Sect Master in a single move!"

"What’s this Ming Ye’s background? How can he be so strong?"

"The King of Ye Lan Country defeated the Profound Demon Sect Master in one blow! A man like that must have the terrifying power of a top-five expert. After today, his name will be known throughout the world!"

"..."

Shocked gazes from all around focused on Ming Ye as everyone broke into a flurry of discussion.

A flicker of worry crossed Zhang Yong’s eyes. ’First came Han Feng, and now there’s a Ming Ye! It seems the era of Wei Tuxian’s dominance is coming to an end.’

The Great Song Empire maintained a ranking of the top ten experts in the Black Tortoise Realm. While Wei Tuxian’s position as number one was undisputed, the rest of the list was highly contentious. After all, not even the Great Song Empire knew how many more terrifyingly powerful masters were hidden in the world.

As for this King of Ye Lan Country, Ming Ye, Zhang Yong had never even known he existed.

Ming Ye looked up at Shu Feng with untamed arrogance and smiled haughtily. "So, Han Feng? Was that move enough to qualify me for a challenge? Or will you only fight me after I’ve killed every last Martial Saint at your side?"

Shu Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’This guy is strong! Every bit as strong as the Ten Thousand Profound Demon Ancestor! Could he be another figure on the level of Zen Master Wuxin or Wei Tuxian?’