"The entire Earth Federation of Base Cities' Vipers?" Ye Chen's eyes flickered. After a moment of contemplation, he rose, walked to the other side of the room, settled into a nutrient pod, and entered the virtual world.

Yan Huang City.

The ancient, quaint streets bustled with people. A figure materialized out of thin air, his eyebrows sharply chiseled, projecting an air of striking elegance.

Beep! Beep!

A notification for a message flashed.

Ye Chen casually tapped it open: System Notification: "Invitation from the Supreme Council, accept or..."

"Accept."

Ye Chen's figure shimmered, vanishing from the street, and he appeared before an incomparably majestic and grand palace. Looking up, the sky was ablaze with colorful clouds, as if the structure was built among the heavens, emitting an ethereal, dreamlike aura of immortal energy.

Ye Chen walked in leisurely. Ahead lay an arched bridge, carved with dragons and phoenixes. Beneath the bridge, water murmured softly, with green lotuses and jade lily pads suspended on the surface. Numerous young martial artists, dressed as guards, stood upon the bridge. Upon seeing the Invitation Insignia on Ye Chen’s chest, their expressions immediately became reverent, and they stepped aside.

"My Lord, please follow me," one guard said respectfully.

Ye Chen remained silent, following along.

Within the towering palace, there was an oval-shaped, oblong conference table. Around it sat hundreds of figures—men and women—some handsome and dashing, others alluring as fire, some hideously ugly, and others shaped like globes. They were a motley crew, yet they shared one thing: they were all the supreme authorities of the major base cities across the globe!

Consequently, the gaze of every person present was intensely cold.

Above the round table sat eight figures, resembling colossal, crouching beasts, emanating a palpable sense of pressure. Every one of them was expressionless.

"The reason I’ve summoned you all here!" a handsome man seated in the center surveyed the assembly, his voice sharp. "You must already know from the investigations that the Earth is undergoing slow internal changes. In less than a week, massive volcanic eruptions are expected!"

"Intelligence indicates that along the coast of Shanghai City in the China Zone, there is a gateway leading to another ancient world. Deciphering the runes inscribed on the gate requires the power of a Ghost God Realm expert to open it!"

"Therefore..."

"We need to migrate. We need a sovereign... a leader! In the unknown world ahead, I hope we can all remain united. Only then can we ultimately overcome the difficulties!"

The man finished speaking in a deep tone, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

All those present leaned back in their ornate chairs. Some clipped their nails, others remained silent with heads bowed, and a few simply closed their eyes as if asleep.

"Elect a sovereign?" a dry, testing voice sneered. "You are the top eight council chairs of the Celestial Alliance. As I understand it, your previous sovereign was slain by someone. Heh, I suspect your move is driven by fear of internal chaos without a commander!"

The handsome man’s expression remained unchanged. He stated coldly, "That is one aspect. Furthermore, the disaster is a reality; you all should have detected it! Records within the ruins of that ancient world suggest that, if we are not mistaken, that world is a higher-dimensional space gathering all preceding civilizations. If we fail to unite, we will only disintegrate in the end!"

A brief silence fell over the assembly. Having struggled in the apocalypse for so long, they all understood the treachery of the human heart. The law of the jungle exists everywhere; migrating only to be destroyed by another civilization would be a loss that outweighs any gain.

"I agree!" a rugged, burly man boomed. "Though I’m just a butcher with little learning, I know that if we don't unite, we'll likely self-destruct before anyone else can break us! So, I support selecting a sovereign! Of course, it must be the strongest and smartest among us. I have no interest in being ordered around by a fool!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

Many voices chimed in their agreement.

The handsome man nodded. "Naturally. Therefore, the sovereign selected this time must have reached the Ghost God Realm! Investigations suggest that no one here has reached the Ghost God Realm yet. Coincidentally, a Ghost God Realm expert recently awakened in the Spanish Base City. This person previously held the rank of Major General and should be qualified to hold the position of Earth's Sovereign!"

Everyone was momentarily stunned, furrowing their brows.

"Hmph. Are you members of the Celestial Alliance trying to use this opportunity to control Earth?" a cold woman sneered, a claw mark visible on her cheek, making her speech sound particularly harsh.

The handsome man replied calmly, "This individual emerged from the Spanish Base City under the jurisdiction of our Celestial Alliance. If you have objections, what about the others from the base cities present? We need a sovereign. If anyone is unconvinced, they are free to leave our alliance!"

"Said nicely enough..." someone scoffed.

Suddenly, a man wearing a hat spoke in a low voice, "As long as they are a Ghost God Realm expert, they can compete for the leadership of Earth?"

The handsome man paused, then nodded. "Correct!"

"Very well!" The man removed his hat, revealing a face covered in coarse flesh, looking incredibly fierce. He stated coldly, "I am the Chairman of the Vietnam Base City. I am currently at the third stage of the Ghost God Realm, and I intend to vie for this position of Sovereign!"

The handsome man's face shifted slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, "As long as you have the strength, you may." Inwardly, however, he gritted his teeth, thinking, The Intelligence Bureau are all useless pigs!

The Vietnamese Chairman let out a cold laugh and said no more.

The other hundred-plus people watched coldly. Although they were powerless to compete, watching the spectacle was entertaining enough.

The handsome man’s expression darkened slightly. He stated coldly, "Since that is the case, I, though young and inadequate, will also compete." Beside him, another stunningly beautiful woman with brown hair smiled faintly. "This humble girl is fortunate to have reached the first stage of the Ghost God Realm. Though I am not as strong as the Vietnamese Chairman, I still wish to try."

The Vietnamese Chairman glanced at her, a cold smile playing on his lips, and did not reply.

The rest of the hundred-plus people watched with cold eyes. Though they couldn't contend, watching the excitement was a welcome distraction.

The handsome man's expression grew solemn. He stated coldly, "In that case, let us request the Virtual Main God to set up a combat stage for a test. Even if one party is accidentally killed, they will not truly die in the virtual world, allowing for full-fledged combat."

Just then, a chilling voice cut through the air. "Esteemed sirs, competing at this crucial juncture seems rather tedious!"

Everyone froze, turning to see who had spoken. It was a woman in white, emanating a cold, icy aura, somewhat aloof, like a snowflake in winter.

"Huaxia Chairman, do you have an objection?" the beautiful woman at the first stage of the Ghost God Realm frowned slightly and spoke coldly.

Murong Xue scanned the assembly with an indifferent expression. Everyone present was a chairman of a major base city, figures of high status, long immersed in bloodshed, their eyes exceptionally sharp. She looked at them, showing not an ounce of fear, and spoke calmly, "You all seem to have forgotten one person."

"Who?"

"The one who killed the Celestial Alliance Sovereign!"

...

Silence descended upon the hall. The major base cities knew through intelligence that the Celestial Alliance Sovereign, Samshit, was an expert at the seventh stage of the Ghost God Realm, possessing the Phoenix Soul Ghost Treasure, and was immensely powerful—evident from his ability to command base cities across several nations. Yet, he was killed.

"You mean the Chairman of the Guangming Base City?" the Vietnamese Chairman said slowly after a long silence, his voice laced with coldness.

The eyes of the others flashed with sharp light, their lips curving into knowing smiles as they watched the three Ghost God Realm experts present. Though they hadn't dueled, everyone present mentally acknowledged that the Celestial Alliance Sovereign was the undisputed number one on Earth—at least, before his demise.

On the highest seat, the handsome man’s expression turned ugly. He shot an annoyed glare at the beautiful woman in white before announcing loudly, "Regardless, anyone who has reached the Ghost God Realm can participate."

The Ghost God Realm expert, the beautiful woman, surveyed the room and smiled faintly. "That Guangming Chairman seems to have quite the reputation. He hasn't arrived yet. Could their base city’s communication be so poor that news hasn't reached him?"

"He dealt with Samshit just two days ago; he’s likely heavily wounded and resting," someone murmured.

"Hmph! He clearly doesn't respect us. Since he won't come, revoke his eligibility."

Muttered discussions arose among the attendees.

"Is that so?" A flat voice suddenly resonated throughout the entire conference hall, instantly silencing all the chatter. Everyone was startled and turned to look in the direction of the sound.

The ancient main door slowly swung open.

Bright light streamed in from the palace entrance as a figure, perfectly straight, slowly walked in step by step, completely enveloped in light, obscuring his appearance. However, the dangerous aura, akin to a primordial beast, clearly permeated the hearts of all present.

What dense killing intent!

The complexions of those present subtly shifted. They considered themselves ruthless killers, yet before this figure, they felt a vast, blood-sea-like killing intent sweeping over them, sharp as ten million swords piercing their minds. Some with weaker wills began to sweat lightly—a natural bodily reaction.

Moments later, the figure entered the main hall—it was Ye Chen. His expression was composed as he glanced at everyone in the room and said plainly, "Who wants to revoke my eligibility?"

Everyone froze. These were the chairmen of the major base cities, kings above tens of thousands, equivalent to feudal lords in ancient times. Ye Chen’s single question was a direct provocation to everyone present!

Arrogant, overbearing!

However, most were rational enough to remember that this man was the expert capable of killing Samshit, a master among the Ghost God Realm! Thus, when the question was asked, no one dared to reply.

In the depths of Ye Chen’s eyes lay profound indifference. Ever since he had tempered his body by absorbing the life essence of prehistoric beasts, a bloodthirsty impulse had seeped into his heart, and his imposing aura grew heavier! In his previous life, his reputation as the "Cold-Faced Blade Fiend" was built upon countless corpses! Under such prolonged, harsh conditions, his gaze had naturally become placid, merciless, and detached, as if viewing all living things as ants, as mere food!

If a lion’s gaze could cause heart palpitations, then Ye Chen’s gaze was a thousand, ten thousand times more terrifying!

Ye Chen surveyed the assembly before walking to the empty seat that was originally his. Sitting down, he glanced beside him. Murong Xue, clad in white, appeared even more beautiful, though a trace of cold aloofness now marked her expression. The girl who had been so bright and lively three years prior had now become the chairman of a base city ruling millions!