Artifact Refining City was stirred up.
With the arrival of the Martial Emperor to Artifact Refining City, and the participation of Ou Yanming, the son of Ou Yangzi, in the Artifact Refining competition, it turned into quite the event.
In the midst of the many king cities of Middle Mystic, who hadn't heard of the Great Wu? The bloody scene of Xuwang City was still imprinted in their minds as if it was the aftermath of Asura Field.
This emperor was so terrifying that even Jin Chiyang, the great Refining Master, had to show him respect.
They all knew just how much better the welfare in the Great Wu Dynasty was, compared to the Mystic Imperial Dynasty. After all, what other powers could provide so many King-grade God Pills to a virtual god?
Like a constant star suddenly rising, Great Wu was dazzling and attracted countless people to pledge allegiance to it.
The Great Wu Emperor, terrifying as he was.
What was he here for this time?
Every day at Chu Yuan's residence, countless people from the king cities sought an audience with the Martial Emperor. Some even wished to offer their kingdom's most outstanding women to him. Even if they couldn't be his consorts, becoming a concubine in his harem was still considered advantageous.
The women of the city were all enamored with the Martial Emperor. They made up their minds to marry no one but him.
Why? Because the Martial Emperor was too dazzling, and too young. He wasn't like those ancients who seclude themselves for tens of thousands of years. Yet he controlled a large empire that even the Mystic Emperor Dynasty dared not carelessly offend.
At this moment, within the mansion of Jin Chiyang.
Beside Jin Chiyang sat several elders with formidable power.
"City Lord Jin, unexpectedly Ouyang Ming also attended, with ill intentions, of course." An elder looked at Jin Chiyang and said.
"Ouyang Ming is a genius of artifact crafting, just like Ou Yangzi. He lost a hundred years ago, reluctantly left, and this time he obviously has confidence that he is going to beat you in the Artifact Refining competition." Another elder said.
"I have never taken Ouyang Ming very seriously. If not for the Martial Emperor backing him, I wouldn't even bother to look at him." Jin Chiyang sneered, "Has he progressed this past hundred years, or I have just been wasting my time?"
"Ouyang Ming isn't worrisome, but we have to beware of the Martial Emperor backing him. Have you met this Martial Emperor yet? Is his strength as terrifying as the rumors say?" An elder asked.
"At least he is unfathomable, I cannot sense his limit. When he was destroying Xuwang City, he might not have even used his full strength." Jin Chiyang responded with a serious tone, "Actually, I'm not worried about the Martial Emperor coming, what I worry more about is the Mystic Imperial Dynasty."
"Mystic Imperial Dynasty!"
Hearing this, all the elders present showed solemn expressions.
There were True Gods in the Mystic Imperial Dynasty, more than one in fact. If it wasn't for the Formation in the Artifact Refining City possessing the power to trap and kill True Gods, they probably would've been completely submissive to the dynasty by now.
"The Mystic Imperial Dynasty has tried many times to make our Artifact Refining City surrender. They promised me an opportunity to break through to True God, but their ulterior motives were painfully obvious. There's no way I would become a subject of the Mystic Emperor.
Once I enter the Mystic Emperor's power, it would be difficult to disentangle myself later." Jin Chiyang said scornfully, "I heard they sent a very skilled Refining Master this time to compete in the Artifact Refining competition, hoping to defeat me."
"Indeed, the Mystic Emperor has ulterior motives. In the Artifact Refining City, whoever is the strongest refiner becomes the City Lord."
The elders nodded in agreement.
"But I'm not worried about that. I have already understood all the essence left by Ou Yangzi. If Ouyang Ming wants to compete this time, I'll make good use of him. Let him go against the Mystic Imperial Dynasty. If even he can't defeat them, it will be a big disappointment."
Jin Chiyang continued, "I have a premonition that the Mystic Imperial Dynasty may not let us be free anymore."
"City Lord, what do you plan to do about this?" An elder asked.
"It is actually a good thing for me that the Martial Emperor is coming, it brought me a surprise. The stronger the Martial Emperor, the better. If one tiger is strong, everyone will be suppressed, but what if two tigers are fighting? When chaos arises, heroes will rise."
Jin Chiyang seemed to have everything under control, "I've met the Martial Emperor, he is an ambitious person. He will never tolerate being suppressed by the Mystic Emperor. I foresee a battle between these two Imperial Dynasties. After this Artifact Refining competition, I will support him, let him fight against the Mystic Emperor."
"Correct, let the two tigers fight, we'll reap the fisherman's benefits!"
"The Artifact Refining competition will start soon. This time, in front of everyone, I will favor the Martial Emperor and stay away from the Mystic Emperor to boost his momentum. If possible, I can also set up a sub-city in the Eastern Mystic Domain to express my stance."
Jin Chiyang had already devised a strategy.
"Help the weak and defeat the strong, let the two forces balance."
The Artifact Refining Competition was soon to start.
This time, an unusually large number of people had come.
Many knew that the Artifact Refining Competition, seemingly a once-in-a-hundred-year event, was now teeming with undercurrents. Representatives of the Xuanzun Dynasty had arrived, and even the Martial Emperor had come in person.
Such a major event was inevitably a magnet for those who loved excitement.
At an incredibly vast square in the Refining City.
This place was exceptionally large, accommodating tens of millions of people who were here to watch together.
The Artifact Refining Competition, which had initially been an exchange between Refining Masters, had now evolved into a power struggle among major forces.
Chu Yuan headed towards the Artifact Refining Square.
Along the way, countless pairs of eyes were fixed on him.
"There's a screen in the sky above the Refining City."
Chu Yuan glanced up. In the sky above the Refining City, a massive screen displayed the scene of the Artifact Refining Square in full view so that even those who couldn't get in could be part of the unprecedented spectacle.
The Refining City sure knows how to entertain.
"Your Majesty, that's a formation used to record images. If you wish, I can arrange for it when we return," Ouyang Ming said.
"Arrange for a few of these when we get back," Chu Yuan responded, nodding. This was just like a live broadcast, through which knowledge of martial arts from strong masters could be disseminated, benefiting everyone in Great Wu.
"It's easy to set up, albeit not particularly practical. There's also a transmission formation that can be arranged throughout Great Wu, but that is highly resource-intensive and requires significant effort. But once established, it would significantly accelerate information dissemination," mentioned Ouyang Ming.
"Handle these matters after we move the Refining City," Chu Yuan instructed.
It appears our emperor already counts the Refining City as his own.
With His Majesty so confident, Ouyang Ming too was brimming with endless faith.
Upon arriving at the Refining Square, it was packed with countless strong individuals. Even deities were commonplace here - one could effortlessly spot one.
"Martial Emperor, you finally came."
Having waited for Chu Yuan, Jin Chiyang greeted him immediately after his arrival.
"I would not miss the Artifact Refining Competition," Chu Yuan responded.
"Haha, that's good then. I've already prepared your seat, Martial Emperor. Please, take your place!" Jin Chiyang said.
As Jin Chiyang finished his sentence,
In between Heaven and Earth, two exceptionally magnificent golden thrones ascended, symbolizing the highest authority.
"Martial Emperor, please take your seat!"
Jin Chiyang promptly took his place on one.
The two golden thrones were evenly positioned, seemingly suggesting that their statuses were equal, with neither being superior. Yet, it had the hidden intention of putting the Martial Emperor on a pedestal, making him the center of everyone's attention.
After seeing it, everyone's eyes widened. Jin Chiyang had invited the Martial Emperor to sit on the Golden Throne. This was unheard of.
Even when true Gods had come before, Jin Chiyang wouldn't have allowed them to sit on the Golden Throne. But yet, he'd permitted the Martial Emperor to take this seat.
Chu Yuan glanced at him, understanding his thoughts. He moved and took his place on the Golden Throne.