Sitting perfectly still, eyes tightly shut, every muscle absorbed the surrounding dense energy in rhythmic contractions.

The Domain Force within his Dantian churned and surged like boiling water.

The gathered form of the Domain Force was entirely different from that of the Qi Cyclone Force. The Qi Cyclone Force rotated ceaselessly around the Dantian's core, much like a vortex, whereas the Domain Force manifested completely differently; in the Dantian, it resembled nothing less than scalding water—constantly rolling but possessing no fixed shape.

The advantage of this continuously rolling Domain Force was akin to an arrow nocked and ready; in an emergency, all power could be unleashed instantaneously, several times swifter than the Qi Cyclone Force.

However, its sole drawback was a lack of stability compared to the Qi Cyclone Force, giving the unsettling impression that it could explode at any moment.

As the absorption rate accelerated, this powerful energy rapidly underwent transformation. The 'boiling water' grew viscous. The difference between a Third-Tier Dou Zun and a Fourth-Tier Dou Zun, though only one rank, represented a fundamental shift between a low-level Dou Zun and a mid-level Dou Zun.

Low-level Dou Zun denoted a rudimentary mastery of the Domain; the mid-level implied a much more practiced control.

Yet, Chen Feng’s spiritual perception was far beyond the ordinary. He could control the Domain of a high-level Dou Zun even at the First-Tier. Therefore, this abrupt shift had little impact on him; his spiritual perception remained unchanged, only the energy within his body felt significantly more substantial and weighty.

“Gurgle…” The Domain Force within his Dantian finally completed its ascension, emitting a muffled sound and releasing an even more potent aura.

“I’ve reached the Fourth-Tier Dou Zun realm!” Chen Feng slowly opened his eyes. “I originally estimated this would take over half a month, yet I achieved it in just half a day, and the cultivation is incredibly stable. It seems this magic array truly possesses remarkable efficacy.”

He sighed softly, then stood up.

“Lord Dragon God, we are ready to depart!” Elder Long Yi arrived at that moment.

Chen Feng nodded, a thought sparking in his mind: “Can this array be moved?”

“Move it?” Long Yi paused, then understood his intention. He replied, “Removing the Yellow Jade Magic Crystals that form the array’s foundation and rebuilding them onto a portable cultivation platform—that, I can manage!”

“Good. Construct a cultivation platform for me that offers the same effect as this one. How long will that take?”

“Roughly one day!” the Elder calculated.

“One day? Even with everyone assembled and using the magic array to reach the Tiger Domain, it will take three days. That leaves us enough time. Prepare it for me on the journey!” Chen Feng instructed.

“Yes!” Long Yi affirmed.

The Tiger Domain and the Dragon Domain were separated by an immeasurable distance of billions of miles; flying would take several years just to arrive. Therefore, their travel relied on the magic array. However, for such vast-distance teleportation, even the largest array could only transport a few thousand people at a time. Transferring seventy or eighty thousand individuals, three days of continuous cycling was the absolute minimum.

Their original plan encompassed three days of travel, three days for negotiation and potential conflict, and three days to return to the Dragon Domain, totaling nine days. Consequently, the Elder had instructed every Dragon Clan disciple to carry ten days’ worth of rations.

For those who had reached the level of Magister or Saint Realm, going without food for ten to fifteen days was manageable, but since combat was imminent, ample preparation was essential. Setting aside food, they carried heaps of top-grade magic crystals, piled like small mountains; every Dragon Clan disciple was loaded with dozens.

Ordinary Dragon Clan disciples lacked spatial accessories, but they possessed their own methods of storage; some even carried hundreds of magic crystals without appearing burdened.

Chen Feng stepped outside the array. With a wave of the Elder’s hand, the Yellow Jade Magic Crystals laid out on the ground, forming the array base, vanished instantly, all collected into his spatial accessory.

When the two returned to the main plaza, everyone was assembled and ready. Excitement shone on the faces of the Dragon Clan disciples.

Many had never left the Dragon Domain since birth. Thus, the dominant emotion wasn't the fear of impending war, but rather curiosity and tension.

“...In our Dragon Clan, there are no cowards. Today, we will show the entire continent the strength of our Dragon Domain! Let the entire continent tremble for our Dragon Domain…” The Second Elder hovered in the air, delivering the final rousing speech.

The seventy thousand disciples about to depart roared in unison, their collective cry echoing between heaven and earth, their momentum surging like a rainbow.

Chen Feng kept the little princess close by his side, tasking Xiao Hu with watching her.

Xiao Hu had indeed successfully advanced to a Ninth-Tier Magical Beast, his strength now equivalent to a Seventh-Tier Magister.

“Hmph, you shrimp soldiers and crab generals think you can attack our Tiger Domain? My father alone is enough to clean you all up!” The little princess sneered, looking at the battle-eager Dragon Clan disciples in the plaza.

The princess’s cultivation was low, merely First-Tier Magister. Fearing her escape, the Elder had sealed seven layers of magic upon her, and Chen Feng had also infused her body with the unique fire damage characteristic of the Fist Emperor. However, both the seals and the fire damage only restricted her ability to expend energy to flee; apart from that, she was entirely normal.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Xiao Hu’s eyes widened.

“What I’m saying is the truth!” The little princess stared him down, refusing to yield. “You clearly belong to the Tiger Clan, yet you insist on consorting with the Dragon Domain people. Truly… ungrateful, forgetting your ancestors, shameless… trading kinship for glory!”

The little princess didn't actually understand the meaning of the idioms she was spewing; if they sounded like harsh words, she used them all at once.

Xiao Hu’s face turned ashen. He raised his small, clenched fists: “Dare to speak more rubbish, and I’ll smash your mouth!”

“Hmph, you dare!” The little princess’s delicate eyebrows shot up. “Do you think I don’t know? You captured me intending to exchange me for the remnant soul of that Flame Dragon. If you dare touch a hair on my head, my father will unhesitatingly kill your so-called Flame Dragon!”

Though spoiled and willful, the little princess was sharp. She had discerned Chen Feng’s objective from subtle clues. Realizing her leverage, her courage swelled, and she dismissed Xiao Hu completely.

Hearing this, Xiao Hu hesitated. He knew Chen Feng’s plan and dared not harm the princess. He stared fixedly at her with large, angry eyes.

“What are you looking at!” the princess shouted back. “Are we having an eye size contest?” As she spoke, she deliberately bulged her own eyes wide open.

Seeing the two bickering, Chen Feng shook his head. Both Xiao Hu and the princess had childlike dispositions; their arguments lacked any logic. Seeing them together resembled a pair of jesters.

By this time, the Second Elder had concluded his mobilization speech and gestured for Chen Feng to speak.

This was the Dragon Clan’s first major war in ten millennia; as the “Lord Dragon God,” it would be inappropriate for him to remain silent.

Chen Feng soared into the air, looking down at the neatly arranged Dragon Domain disciples. His voice boomed across the entire plaza: “I have few words, only one decree!”

Saying this, he surveyed the crowd: “Those who dare offend my Middle Kingdom, however far they flee, shall be hunted down and executed!”

The Dragon Domain had always regarded itself as the Middle Kingdom. Though this statement was brief, the resolve and spirit it conveyed ignited the bloodlust of every Dragon Clan disciple.

“Those who dare offend my Middle Kingdom, however far they flee, shall be hunted down and executed!”

“Those who dare offend my Middle Kingdom, however far they flee, shall be hunted down and executed!”

…………

All Dragon Clan disciples roared the phrase simultaneously, their fists clenched tight, brimming with fighting intent.

The Second Elder’s face showed awe. He had spent half an hour motivating them, yet his speech had not been half as effective as Lord Dragon God’s single sentence. “Those who dare offend my Middle Kingdom, however far they flee, shall be hunted down and executed!” What spirit! He wondered how, at such a young age, Chen Feng could conjure such a phrase in such a short time!

Little did he know that Chen Feng had merely borrowed the famous line from the ancient text, adapted from the predecessor Chen Tang: “Those who dare to violate my Huaxia, however distant, will be punished!”

“Depart!” Chen Feng roared, pointing forward. All the Dragon Clan disciples immediately took flight. Seventy thousand experts above the Magister cultivation level filled the sky simultaneously, resembling a vast, dark cloud.

The Dragon Domain’s southwestern edge contained the entry passage—the same one Chen Feng had used to arrive. Now, the entire army converged toward that point.

Chen Feng followed at the rear of the formation. The primary objective this time was rescuing the remnant soul of the Flame Dragon, but this could not be revealed. They had to present the Tiger Domain with the appearance of an all-out, forceful assault to compel them into submission.

Of course, if the remnant soul of Elder Flame Dragon could be rescued, destroying the Tiger Domain afterward would be the best possible outcome.

“You are fully responsible for the offensive and the negotiations. Rescuing the remnant soul of Elder Flame Dragon falls to me!” Chen Feng stated.

“Yes, Lord Dragon God!” The Elder nodded gravely.

The remnant soul of the Flame Dragon, even if not within the [Golden Tiger Divine Hall], was likely nearby. The plan required the seventy thousand from the Dragon Domain, plus the forces from the Purple Garden Magic Territory, the Phoenix Clan, and the Qilin Clan, to create an overwhelming advantage. Then, the Elder would negotiate, claiming they were willing to trade the little princess for the Flame Dragon’s remnant soul or else face mutual destruction.

Even with God-level cultivation, if the Golden Profound Tiger was injured, facing such a formidable force, escape would be impossible. He would likely agree to the transaction. However, whether the Tiger agreed or not, Chen Feng intended to use the negotiation period to sneak into the [Golden Tiger Divine Hall] and retrieve the Flame Dragon’s remnant soul.

Once the Flame Dragon was secured, the feigned attack would naturally morph into a real one. Thus, the key to victory lay in mastering the interplay between genuine action and strategic deception.

The plan devised by the Second Elder considered every contingency; even if the Flame Dragon's remnant soul couldn't be located, Chen Feng would definitely be able to retreat safely, incurring no danger.

After all, Chen Feng held the esteemed title of Lord Dragon God; any mishap would leave everyone else devastated.

Stealing the Flame Dragon’s remnant soul from the [Golden Tiger Divine Hall] wasn't Chen Feng seeking glory. Only the Elder and he had ever experienced the Flame Dragon’s aura. The Elder needed to manage negotiations and command the assault. If anyone else were sent, lacking the Flame Dragon’s soul signature, finding him through mere searching would be impossible.

Therefore, Chen Feng had to undertake the task. However, once others saw the "Light God Palace," their worries dissipated.

ps: I was out for a day and drank a bit with friends; my condition isn't great, so this is only three thousand characters. To apologize, I promise twelve thousand tomorrow...

Below is the announcement for the surge in output... We currently have 74 monthly tickets. From now on, for every additional 15 tickets, Old Cliff will release one extra chapter... meaning four chapters totaling twelve thousand words! If you don't have enough monthly tickets or any at all, please cast recommendation votes. If the recommendation votes reach 2500 tomorrow, Old Cliff will release twelve thousand words the day after tomorrow! If they reach 5000 the day after, the update will still be twelve thousand words the day after that! If there are no monthly tickets, there must be recommendation votes, right? Brothers, to see twelve thousand words every day, send those monthly tickets and recommendation votes! (If monthly tickets and recommendation votes are achieved simultaneously, updates will adhere to the monthly ticket standard...) (To be continued. To know what happens next, please log in to www**m for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!) First release