Chapter 196: The Rise of a New Power

After countless small worlds ascended and merged, the God Realm’s population exploded. The once spacious domain quickly became overcrowded as major factions vied for space.

It took years of hard negotiations and integration before these tangled forces finally united into a single entity.

Now, every power in the God Realm looks to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land for guidance.

Following closely behind are the Eastern Cang Sacred Land, Wuyi Sacred Land, Southern Sea Sacred Land, Moonlight Sacred Land, Wuchang Sacred Land, Battle Soul Sacred Land, Han Yue Sacred Land, and Yanwu Sacred Land.

But the changes didn’t stop there. On top of the original Nine Sacred Lands, three new sanctuaries emerged—True Yang Sacred Land, Yin Yang Sacred Land, and Sun Moon Sacred Land.

At the same time, after a fierce battle, the Sword God Domain was also successfully absorbed into the God Realm.

From that moment on, the God Realm was divided into four vast regions: the True God Domain, Cultivation Domain, Reincarnation Domain, and Mortal Domain.

Each of these four domains anchors a corner of the world—east, south, west, and north—standing proud and echoing one another across the realm.

To the east lies the True God Domain, the broadest region in the God Realm, and also the home of the Sword God.

Down south is the Cultivation Domain, where all cultivators below the Sword God Realm gather, as do the Twelve Sacred Lands.

Up north the Mortal Domain is a paradise for ordinary people, a place where those without the right to cultivate can live in peace.

To the west is the Reincarnation Domain, the final stop for the departed, drawing in lost souls and guiding them toward rebirth.

Despite all these changes, the cultivation hierarchy didn’t budge. The old ranks remain:

【Sword Practitioner Realm, Sword Qi Realm, Sword Sea Realm, Sword King Realm, Sword Emperor Realm, Sword Saint Realm—each with nine tiers.】

【Sword God, Peerless Sword God, Jade Sword God, Radiant Sword God—divided into lower, middle, and upper tiers.】

【Eternal Sword God: The Creation God stands alone above all, creator of everything!】

Once an ordinary peak, Divine Sword Mountain now pierces the heavens at the heart of the True God Domain. It’s grown to a staggering size—ten thousand times wider and thousands of times taller than before.

Since then, Divine Sword Mountain has stood like a mighty beast spanning earth and sky, the pinnacle landmark of the entire God Domain.

No matter where you are in the God Domain, you only need to lift your head a little to catch sight of this towering, awe-inspiring mountain.

It’s like a colossal tower reaching into the heavens, impossible to miss, striking reverence into the hearts of all who see it.

Naturally, Divine Sword Mountain became the heart’s desire of everyone across the world.

Because atop this legendary mountain dwells the one who stands above all gods—Gu Qingyi.

Right now, he sits at the very summit, peerless in his glory, honored as the undisputed number one beneath the Eternal Sword God.

Gu Qingyi’s fame stretches across the land. Every Sword God acknowledges him as their lifelong pursuit.

Even ordinary cultivators and mortals across the God Realm look up to him with sincere admiration and awe.

He shines like a beacon cutting through cosmic darkness, the pillar and symbol of faith for all who strive for more.

………………

Time slipped by unnoticed—four and a half months raced past in the blink of an eye.

Divine Sword Mountain, once humble and unremarkable, had been utterly transformed.

That small courtyard was gone, replaced by an opulent, dazzling palace that spanned as far as the eye could see.

The floors were paved in smooth blue stone, each tile fitted perfectly together, making a flawless mosaic from inside to out.

Anyone standing here could sense the place’s ancient and mysterious energy.

At the entrance stood the Enlightenment Tree, soaring a full kilometer into the sky. Its massive presence never failed to leave people stunned.

The trunk was so thick it would take a hundred people, hand in hand, to circle it.

Its sprawling branches and dense leaves formed a natural parasol, sheltering the palace below in coolness and tranquility.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, scattering a dreamy pattern of light and shadow across the ground—an enchanting sight.

Beneath the old and mysterious Enlightenment Tree, something truly intimidating rested.

It had fur as vivid as flames, its whole body shining with brilliant orange, almost bursting with vitality.

From a distance it looked every bit like a majestic, powerful lion, enough to leave anyone in awe.

But up close, you’d spot the alert stance and sharp gaze of a wild wolf, brimming with cunning and energy.

This mysterious being was none other than Dahuang.

Over the past months, Dahuang had undergone a dramatic transformation.

He’d grown several times larger, more awe-inspiring and enigmatic with every passing day.

More than that, he broke free from the System that once bound him, discovering freedom for the first time.

Now, Dahuang was no longer just an ordinary dog. He’d become a system-wielding giant canine.

Staying by Gu Qingyi’s side these days, Dahuang enjoyed his protection and nourishment.

He was lucky enough to gain an immortal soul, an incredible blessing.

With this unique opportunity, Dahuang set out on the path of cultivation like a true human practitioner.

Through tireless effort and pursuit, he’d already advanced to the ranks of a lower-level Sword God.

A gentle breeze ruffled Dahuang’s fur. He stretched out a paw, lazily opened his eyes, and yawned, tongue lolling out.

He glanced at the resplendent palace behind him, where two lively figures were caught up in playful pursuit.

A young woman chased after a fleeing young man with a broom clutched tightly in her hand.

“Stop right there! No more running!”

“Then catch me if you can!”

“These two…” Dahuang shook his head, already used to their antics.

He sighed with a hint of resignation in his voice. “You two do your thing. Dahuang didn’t hear a thing—naptime calls.”

With that, Dahuang stretched, drooped his jowls, and drifted back to sleep.

“Gu—Qing—yi! You are driving me nuts!”

A furious shout burst from inside the palace.

The whole place trembled. Even the dozing Dahuang was jolted awake.

“Hey, Lian’er! It was just a bite of cake, do you really have to be this mad?”

“There you go again! That cake took me ages to make, and it was supposed to be for Sister Ruyan’s daughter!”

Nangong Lin squeezed the broom so hard her whole body started to tremble.

“Lian’er, are you talking about Liu Ruyan’s daughter?” Gu Qingyi scratched his head in disbelief.

“When did Ruyan have a child? How old is she now? And what’s her name?”

While Gu Qingyi’s guard was down, Nangong Lin crept up and grabbed his ear from behind.

“Ouch!” Gu Qingyi yelped.

“Sister Ruyan’s little girl is called Yan Ruyu. She’s just half a month old—and I’m her godmother, too!”

Still fuming, Nangong Lin gave his ear another twist, her voice thick with complaints.

“I made that cake as a gift for my goddaughter. But the second I looked away, you snatched it!”

“Lian’er, how about we make a deal?” Gu Qingyi tried to gently pry her hands off his ear.

Nangong Lin paused, face full of annoyance. “What do you want to negotiate about?”

“Well… can’t you let your husband save a little face? I mean, I have a reputation. If someone saw this, it’d be embarrassing…” Gu Qingyi pleaded.

“Hmph! Fine…” Nangong Lin huffed, arms crossed as she let go.

“Lian’er, are you still mad?”

“What do you think?” Nangong Lin’s lips parted slightly, her voice cooling off. “If only—”

Before she could finish, Gu Qingyi darted forward, pulling her tight and pressing his lips to hers.

“Mmm!” Nangong Lin’s eyes went wide, disbelief all over her face as her cheeks turned scarlet.

“Lian’er, your lips are so soft and sweet. They taste almost as good as—” Gu Qingyi couldn’t help but give her a quick squeeze.

“Mmm, let me go!” Nangong Lin’s blush deepened as she playfully slapped at him, flustered.