The others didn’t care at all about Medusa’s death. The Seven Great Kings were all under the influence of the four Emperor factions, but they were constantly vying for power, both openly and secretly.
What they wanted was the position of the seventh king. As long as one of their own could rise to that position, their own status would greatly increase.
The group was furious, their anger aimed squarely at the Celestial Vault organization.
Meanwhile, a man in a black robe sitting in the back of the room furrowed his brows, remaining silent.
He was Shadow King, one of the Seven Great Kings. He had long since allied with Senren and knew that Medusa had escaped Dark City. Even if something had happened to her, it had nothing to do with Senren.
Nine Phoenix Emperor’s actions were clearly aimed at redirecting blame elsewhere.
It seemed that her true intention was to target the Celestial Vault.
“Enough!” Nine Phoenix Emperor’s voice rang out, cutting through the argument. She spoke calmly, “Of course, we will seek vengeance, but the most important thing right now is to choose the new king and stabilize the current situation.”
“Right.” War King immediately spoke up. “I propose that Yumson take Medusa’s place and become the seventh king.”
Yumson was his subordinate, already at the mid-level of the nine-star rank, a powerful figure.
“I oppose,” said God King immediately, contradicting him. “I recommend Eddie for the seventh king position.”
Eddie was his man as well, and similarly, a mid-level nine-star.
The argument between them reignited.
Heavenly King and Forest King remained silent.
The strongest warrior under Forest King was Sword Demon, who had nine-star strength, but his cultivation hadn’t reached the full nine stars, so he didn’t meet the requirements.
Heavenly King wasn’t bothered. He knew Nine Phoenix Emperor had likely already made arrangements, and debating further wouldn’t help.
“Apologies for being late,” a voice suddenly interrupted their argument.
It was John.
He looked at Nine Phoenix Emperor, gave a slight bow, and said, “Greetings, Nine Phoenix Emperor.”
Nine Phoenix Emperor frowned, displeased.
She had invited John to the King’s Meeting, but she hadn’t expected him to show such disrespect by arriving late. Clearly, he didn’t regard her authority highly.
“John, what are you doing here?” Forest King asked in surprise.
The others also looked at John with curiosity, confusion written across their faces.
To attend the King’s Meeting, one must have Nine Phoenix Emperor’s token.
In other words, his presence meant that Nine Phoenix Emperor had granted him permission.
John didn’t respond to the others. He simply nodded at Forest King and Heavenly King, then walked confidently to the only vacant seat, sitting down without hesitation. He looked around and said indifferently, “I’m sitting here. Who agrees? Who disagrees?”
“Outrageous!” War King slammed his fist onto the table, anger flaring in his eyes. “You, an eight-star weakling, dare to sit at the same table as us?”
This wasn’t just about a seat—it was about status, the position of one of the Seven Great Kings.
Forest King quickly caught on and smiled, speaking up, “I agree.”
Heavenly King glanced at Nine Phoenix Emperor and added, “I also agree.”
He too had realized that John’s appearance was sanctioned by Nine Phoenix Emperor.
In other words, John had taken the position of the seventh king, replacing Serpent King Medusa.
It was likely that Medusa’s death was also caused by this human.
“Hmph, a nine-star is required to be a king,” God King spoke coldly, his gaze sharp as he looked at John. “If an eight-star weakling is allowed to take a seat here, we might as well disband.”
Nine Phoenix Emperor furrowed her brows. His words were clearly a provocation.
Just as she was about to speak, John interrupted, “Oh, if any of you have a problem, feel free to take a shot.”
He said, looking provocatively at the few who had raised objections.
“Outrageous!” War King was the first to stand up, his voice icy. “I’d like to see what you have to back up that arrogance.”
With that, he struck decisively, not giving John any time to react.
Whoosh!
The sound of rushing wind filled the air as a terrifying pressure swept toward them.
John’s expression grew serious. He could sense that the other party was a nine-star peak powerhouse.
He didn’t dare underestimate him and clenched his fist, ready to meet the blow.
Boom!
A massive rumble sounded as the shockwave from the clash of their forces shook the surroundings. Fire Phoenix immediately acted, stabilizing the space around them.
One figure flew backward.
It was John.
War King remained firmly in place, his brows furrowed and his eyes flickering.
He had expected this punch to obliterate John instantly, but to his surprise, the human had managed to block it.
Although John’s cultivation was only at the peak of eight stars, he had clearly exhibited the strength of a mid-level nine-star.
“Cough!” John steadied himself, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The power of a nine-star peak powerhouse was still overwhelming. Having been caught off guard, he had been injured.
However, he wasn’t discouraged. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he provocatively said, “Come again!”
“Impudent!” War King was now enraged. To be provoked by a mere human, a weakling, was intolerable. He glanced at Nine Phoenix Emperor, seeing that she made no move to stop him, and decided not to hold back any longer.
Whoosh!
A violent gust of wind surged as John’s power surged. In an instant, he transformed into a towering giant, his aura exploding with terrifying force.
Heaven and Earth Transformation was in full swing, and the immense pressure spread out.
The others couldn’t help but frown, retreating quickly to give him space.
“Not bad, kid. You’ve got some skill!” War King said, his voice tinged with surprise as he looked at the transformed John. Despite his astonishment, he struck without hesitation.
A black spear appeared in War King’s hand. Gripping the spear tightly, his aura erupted, equal to John’s. With a roar, he launched himself at John, attacking decisively.
Boom!
A violent clash of energies rang out, and both of them were sent flying back.
However, it was clear that John was at a disadvantage.
Though his strength had increased, he was still no match for a peak nine-star powerhouse.
“Come again!” John roared, his battle intent soaring as he rushed at War King once more.
Boom, boom…
Terrifying energy surged, and the two were soon locked in a fierce battle, unable to separate in such a short time.
But it was evident that John was still at a disadvantage. He was no match for War King.
Even so, his performance had already shocked everyone.
The fact that he could face War King head-on proved that John’s strength was at least on par with a mid-level nine-star.
“This kid’s strength has grown so fast!” Forest King exclaimed, stunned. He could feel that John was now as powerful as him.
Heavenly King furrowed his brow, his gaze focused on John. “World-in-Hand!”
He muttered under his breath. In the chaos of the battlefield, Nine Phoenix Emperor couldn’t sense the changes in John’s World-in-Hand.
But Heavenly King was highly sensitive to The Overseer’s powers, and he could tell that John’s World-in-Hand had undergone a significant improvement.
However, it was still a step away from perfect fusion. He was certain that John could break through at any time.
“Interesting.” Heavenly King observed John, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
What he didn’t know was that John had already fully fused with World-in-Hand, but was intentionally keeping it hidden.
Boom!
Another violent explosion of energy, and John’s massive form was once again sent flying.
“Hmph, kid, with your level of power, you’re not even close to being my match!” War King sneered. Yet, in his heart, he was shaken to the core.
John’s cultivation was only at the peak of eight stars, but he was able to unleash the strength of a mid-level nine-star. This made him fully qualified to be a king.
But War King didn’t want to admit it. No matter what, he had to make sure one of his own people ascended to the throne.
“Is that so?” John furrowed his brow. He had a feeling that if he could fuse the three avatars of World-in-Hand, he could defeat War King.
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However, doing so would expose his full integration with World-in-Hand, and John wasn’t ready to reveal that trump card just yet.
He could summon War King into World-in-Hand, but doing so would also expose his secret. In the end, the only choice would be to kill him.
But killing War King could make Nine Phoenix Emperor unhappy.
“Dragon Transformation!” John roared, and a long, resonant dragon’s roar echoed throughout the universe. In an instant, he transformed into a massive golden divine dragon.
By refining the divine dragon bloodline and adding the power of Heaven and Earth Transformation, his strength was instantly multiplied by four hundred times.
Whoosh!
A gale of wind roared as his enormous dragon tail swept toward War King.
“Not good!” War King’s expression changed slightly. He raised his spear to block, preparing to resist.
Boom!
A deafening crash rang out, and War King felt an overwhelming force hit him. He was sent flying through the air, barely managing to steady himself. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
“This… War King is actually injured!” The others stared in shock, unable to believe their eyes.
In his dragon form, John now possessed strength comparable to a peak nine-star warrior.
“Looking for death!” War King roared in fury, and a massive shadow of his spear flashed as he launched an attack toward John.
“Enough!” A sharp command rang out. Nine Phoenix Emperor acted decisively, summoning a burst of flames that forced both men back.
John’s body surged with power. He canceled both his dragon and Heaven and Earth Transformation forms. Looking at War King, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he spoke, “Thank you for your restraint, senior.”
War King gritted his teeth, his expression shifting between anger and indecision. He had no intention of showing restraint, but this human had dared to mock him.
“Hmph!” War King snorted coldly. With Nine Phoenix Emperor intervening, he didn’t dare make another move.
The group returned to their seats.
Nine Phoenix Emperor spoke indifferently, “John will take Serpent King’s place as the seventh king. Does anyone have any objections?”
“I agree,” Forest King immediately responded.
“I agree as well.” Heavenly King followed suit, offering John a friendly smile and a nod, signaling his support.
“Thank you, seniors, for your support,” John stood and said.
The others remained silent, fully aware that with John’s strength, even if they opposed it, it wouldn’t make a difference.
“My lord, since John has replaced Serpent King, I suggest that Serpent King’s territory be handed over to him.” An elder spoke up.
And offering John a courteous smile, but his intentions were far from kind.
This elder was Sea King, one of the seven kings, and controlled a vast ocean territory.
Medusa’s domain lay at the intersection of Forest King’s lands and Dark City, controlled by Celestial Vault. It was clear Sea King was trying to push John into dealing with Dark City.
“I second that!”
“The Endless Desert is a strategic location that cannot be lost. With young brother John guarding it, we will be at ease.”
“Indeed…”
The others, each with their own ulterior motives, voiced their agreement.
John sneered inwardly. They had no idea that the Endless Desert had already been absorbed into his power. Medusa’s territory bordered Dark City, and while the area had been tainted, John had little interest in it. But, for lack of better options, he had no choice but to take it.