Chapter 681 - Imperial Banquet_1
The first year of Divine Martial.
As the bell tolls, the entire Imperial City erupts into cheers. Countless citizens witness history as an imperial dynasty officially rises to the legend of the empire.
From today, they are the citizens of the empire, carrying the glory of the empire.
At this very moment, within the Imperial Palace, an incomparably luminescent power sweeps out like the brightest sun, dispelling darkness and bringing light to the entire Imperial City.
"The Divine Martial Empire, everlasting glory!"
"The Divine Martial Emperor, eternal and undying!"
Cries resound like a tidal wave!
Their voices roll in like a staggering wave!
The citizens kneel towards the direction of the Imperial Palace, offering up their faith, pure and unrivaled. In their hearts, the Divine Martial Emperor is the only deity, an irreplaceable heaven.
Only with the Divine Martial Emperor, can there be a heaven in the Divine Martial Empire.
"His Majesty decrees a new calendar, today is the first day of the first year of Divine Martial, the fresh beginning of the Empire!"
With the initiation of the new calendar, the Divine Martial Empire enters a new phase.
Today is also the day of the imperial feast. Many will come from all over the Eternal World to attend the feast of the Divine Martial.
This imperial feast is no ordinary festivity.
Everyone knows, the Five Ancient Empires are watching closely, fully prepared and ready to launch an attack at any moment. The battle that will change the eternal world's landscape is finally approaching, opening a new chapter in history.
"Divine Martial Empire."
From the start of the first year of Divine Martial.
One by one, the figures continuously enter the Divine Martial.
"So this is the Imperial City of the Divine Martial Emperor."
The Sovereign of Saint Heaven arrives.
After all, he and the Divine Martial are both in the eastern region.
Gazing at the infinitely vast, majestically imposing Imperial City, his face shows a complex expression. The strength of the other party is already far superior to his.
The Sea Sect's allegiance, the conquest of the Demon Territory, have given the Divine Martial Empire too many powerful allies.
"Sovereign of Saint Heaven."
The Heavenly Demon Saint has arrived as well.
Similarly, he notices the complicated mindset of the Sovereign of Saint Heaven.
"This Divine Martial Emperor is too terrifying. He conquered the Demon Territory, the Saint Turtle Demon pledged his loyalty, and even powerful beings like the Heavenly Dragon Saint and Purple Phoenix are pulling his chariot. Even though we are still saints, we are insignificant to him."
The Heavenly Demon Saint is also extremely bitter.
The changes in the world's power structure are happening too rapidly.
At this point, the Divine Martial Empire has become a giant able to contend with the Five Ancient Empires. Hosting the imperial feast and gathering so many powerful beings, has solidified the Divine Martial Empire's position.
"I'm afraid we can never return to the situation we had before."
The Sovereign of Saint Heaven looks towards the inside of the Imperial Palace, a presence shining a myriad of light, whose terrifying pressure makes him feel suffocated, his heart trembling with fear.
"Sovereign of Saint Heaven, Heavenly Demon Saint, the Great Emperor has prepared the imperial feast. Please enter."
The person welcoming them speaks.
"We shall attend the feast"
The Sovereign of Saint Heaven and the Heavenly Demon Saint, looking towards the massive Imperial City, feel a strong sense of oppression.
"The Divine Martial Empire, the Divine Martial Emperor, such great might!"
Those attending the imperial feast come in an endless stream.
Soon after, another group of people arrive. Their skin is bronze-colored, embodying an explosive power. Leading them is a black-haired old man, not particularly tall, but his muscles are firm as rocks.
"Guests from the Ancient Demon Sect, please enter the imperial feast!"
Someone outside the Imperial City welcomes them.
The Ancient Demon Sect was the greatest demonic sect in the Eternal World. Its leader, the Ancient Heavenly Demon, was an antique-level existence. Back then, he had penetrated deep into the Dragon Nest and hunted down the Dragon Clan, and in the end, he managed to leave unscathed, leaving the Heavenly Dragon Saint powerless against him.
Immediately following that.
There was a giant chariot in the empty sky, shrouded in immortal mist. On it were several veiled fairy maidens.
"Distinguished guests of Holy Light, please join the Imperial Banquet!"
The group from Holy Light also attended this time. They had even attended Dawu's royal feast. However, this time, their Holy Light Master personally attended the Imperial Banquet.
People from the Ancient Sect arrived.
Following closely were a group of individuals engulfed in thunderous winds. They were from the Wind Thunder Sect of the central region, the number one sect of the region.
Almost all the powerful individuals in the Eternal World who had a reputation to uphold had gathered in the Imperial City of the Divine Martial Empire.
The Imperial Banquet signaled the omen of a battle about to commence.
After they entered the Imperial City, they were led into a mysterious, ancient world. They arrived in a city basking in divine light, filled with tall and imposing buildings. Everywhere they looked, the architectural brilliance was astonishing.
"What an awe-inspiring place. The Divine Martial Emperor actually built such a divine city within the Imperial City!"
As the group entered and traversed the divine city, they were taken aback. The entire city was a marvel of engineering, with its terrifying layout.
In the heart of the city, at a central hub, stood a divine temple as if towering over heaven itself. On the path leading to this temple, there was a heavenly staircase composed of countless steps. Only after traversing this staircase could they meet the Divine Martial Emperor.
"The location of the Imperial Banquet is within the divine temple, and His Majesty is already awaiting your presence!"
Li Canghai and the Saint Turtle Demon appeared to welcome everyone, following Chu Yuan's instructions.
"Li Canghai, you've directly joined the Divine Martial Empire. You used to compete with my Wind Thunder Sect!"
A man spoke up.
"Haha, Elder Wind Thunder, those are things of the past. The fight back then made me realize that not pledging loyalty to His Majesty would only lead to a dead-end. The war in the Demon Territory further consolidated my decision to follow His Majesty."
Li Canghai laughed heartily, "Elder Wind Thunder, you should put the past behind you too. Why not pledge your allegiance directly to His Majesty? You will definitely have to do so sooner or later. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show your loyalty and receive His Majesty's rewards."
"That depends on whether the Divine Martial Emperor has the ability to make me do so."
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Elder Wind Thunder's eyes flickered.
"What a domineering Emperor. Does he expect us to climb up the monumental staircase to meet him?"
The Ancient Heavenly Demon scoffed.
The Martial Emperor's grandeur was overwhelming. Does expecting us to ascend a monumental staircase and placing himself on high suggest that he considers himself the master of the Eternal World?
"Ancient Heavenly Demon, I also have to ascend this enormous staircase to meet His Majesty, what do you think?"
The Saint Turtle Demon spoke indifferently.
This was not merely an Imperial Banquet. It was more than celebrating the attainment of the Dynasty. It marked the beginning of the quest for dominance in the Eternal World.
The Divine Martial Empire was striving to establish its hegemony.
"Let's go."
The weaker gods didn't express any objections and began to ascend the monumental staircase. Each step they took released a burst of divine light.
"Let's go!"
The Master of the Ancient Sect, Holy Light Master, Elder Wind Thunder, and formidable gods like the Ancient Heavenly Demon began to ascend the staircase.
At this point, they would meet the Divine Martial Emperor first and discuss everything else later.
As they ascended the monumental staircase, their gaze fell on the divine temple. At the end of the staircase, a majestic aura was condensed into the phantom image of the Divine Martial Emperor, as if he was observing and overlooking them.
With glorious divine light, they finally reached the end of the divine temple.
"Distinguished guests, His Majesty is already prepared for the Imperial Banquet within the temple, waiting for everyone!"
Two great spirit guard giants, seemingly holding up the sky, guarded here. Seeing everyone ascend the monumental staircase, they pushed open the doors of the temple.
"This pair of great spirit guards!"
Upon witnessing the army of great spirit guards guarding the entrance for the Divine Martial Emperor, everyone was astounded by the Emperor's domineering presence.
"Please enter," said the Saint Turtle Demon.