"Is it the power of rejection? Maybe...," Fang Yuan said indifferently, a faint smile flashing across the corner of his mouth.
In fact, he hadn't felt the slightest bit of rejection. His previous speculation had been confirmed. The so-called world rules and the will of heaven and earth had no effect on him.
In this situation, whether or not to ascend was merely a matter of his will.
"Alright, everyone, now report on your achievements over the past few days," Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
"Yes!" Gao Shang stepped forward, his voice loud. "We are honored not to fail in our mission, and all the countries of the Western Continent have now submitted..."
"Very good," Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction and then ordered, "Proclaim my decree: Three days from now, hold a grand court assembly, and summon the leaders of each country to come here and present themselves."
"Understood!" All the ministers responded in unison.
...
For the next three days, Fang Yuan did not wander around but instead stayed in the underground treasury of the Federal Holy See.
He attempted to find a clue from the higher realms here. The Pope, being the closest connection between this world and the higher realms, might have hidden clues about the higher planes in the sacred texts he treasured.
If he could find some information, it would increase his chances in the future invasion of the upper world.
That's right, since the higher realm was so determined to intervene in this world, why couldn't he take the initiative?
Although his current combat power was limited, with only him capable of fighting and Ruan Tianhe barely being a helper, everyone needs dreams, right?
After some searching, Fang Yuan indeed made a discovery.
It was a journal-like book, judged to have been written by the Pope himself based on the handwriting. It recorded some fragmentary clues about the higher realms:
The Pope was loyal to a force called "Heaven," and her direct superior was an angel named Yofele.
Though the Pope revered these beings as true gods, Fang Yuan regarded them merely as ordinary powers.
"Heaven... A term from myth in a past life, and here, it has become a reality," Fang Yuan mused, rubbing the pages. "Since angels exist, could beings like God... also...?"
His thoughts drifted. Since the book mentioned that "Heaven" was only one of many forces in the upper world, did that mean other mythological systems could also be real? For example, the Eastern Heavenly Court, Jade Emperor...
At this thought, a gleam of excitement flashed in Fang Yuan's eyes. The appearance of the upper world seemed even more exciting than he had imagined.
Besides this, Fang Yuan unexpectedly discovered a clue about the next level of the Martial Saint in this journal.
It was a mysterious realm called "Heaven and Earth Realm." According to the journal, when a martial artist gathers nine types of elemental forces, they must integrate these powers and cultivate an "Inner Heaven and Earth" within their body.
To reach this level, one must practice a supreme technique known as the "World-Dividing Technique."
The name of the "World-Dividing Technique" was indeed majestic. Its true meaning was to open a small world within the Martial Saint's body.
Only Martial Saints who had gathered the nine elements would have the qualification to attempt this feat.
"No wonder..." Fang Yuan thought deeply as he closed the journal.
"According to the Pope's record, there are so many gods in the upper world. It turns out that the realm above Martial Saint is to open a world within the body. Isn't that the ability of a Creator God?"
However, the problem was that such profound techniques could not be found in this world. If he wanted to achieve the power of creation, he would have to ascend to the upper world.
"Well," Fang Yuan sighed lightly, but his gaze grew firmer, "Once everything is settled, I will go to the upper world."
...
Three days later, the Federal Holy See's grand hall was filled with people.
Fang Yuan sat high on the former Pope's throne, and below, the leaders of various forces from the Western Continent gathered:
The King of Mist Court, the Leader of Iron Spine, the Emperor of the Federation, the representative of the Crow Trade Guild... and standing at the very front was none other than the King of Longzhen—
Wearing a dark golden scale-patterned robe that outlined her curvaceous and graceful figure, two coiled dragon horns atop her head gleamed with a metallic luster, and a long dragon tail swayed elegantly behind her.
Indeed, the King of Longzhen was a queen, and she bore some characteristics of a Western dragon.
The Queen of Longzhen stood tall before everyone, while the other leaders, though unwilling, could only grit their teeth in silence.
Who would have thought that the formerly discriminated Longzhen would now become the greatest contributor to the Xia Emperor's conquest of the Western Continent?
Truly, fortune changes. These monsters, now daring to ride on their heads.
However, everyone soon turned their gaze back to Fang Yuan, high on the platform.
Most of the Western Continent's nobles were seeing this legendary figure for the first time, and their first meeting... was as subordinates.
Though they were unwilling in their hearts, they could not deny the strength of his forces.
They had carefully investigated this former enemy,
Half a year ago, he was just a commoner from the Yan Kingdom. Yet in such a short time, he swept across Yan Kingdom with lightning speed, overthrew the dynasty, and then rushed through the Eastern Continent in a month.
The countries of the Western Continent originally thought their combined forces would be enough to resist this rising power, but to their shock, they were instead defeated in record time!
They were conquered in just one week!
It was an unimaginable humiliation.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." The Queen of Longzhen was the first to kneel, and the other monarchs followed suit.
Fang Yuan's gaze swept across the crowd. He couldn't help but praise the actions given to Ruan Tianhe and the others. They had done an excellent job.
They had successfully subdued these so-called Western nobles, not a single red or orange name visible above their heads.
Fang Yuan spoke, "I have summoned you here today to announce an important decision."
"From this day forward, the Eastern and Western Continents will be unified, and only my Great Xia will be supreme."
"All Western countries will become provinces, and you kings will be reappointed as generals."
"Furthermore, I will establish the Western Pacification Department, headquartered in Longzhen, with the Queen of Longzhen as the first Western Pacification Commissioner..."
Fang Yuan leaned forward slightly, and his voice grew filled with pressure:
"You will still govern the Western Continent, but I... will govern your lives..."