The Roc departed.
The next day, from the vast sea realm, a sixth-tier cultivator emerged and entered the Great Bright Realm.
Under the perception of countless beings, the Roc flew out of the Great Bright Realm once more.
Its voice boomed across the heavens and earth: "Esteemed sirs, the Heavenly Emperors of the Vast Sea Realm have deliberated and decided to offer up the Vast Sea Realm."
"If the Vast Sea Realm were to degrade in tier, it would be an immeasurable loss to the entire Great Bright Domain."
"The Great Bright Domain shares a common destiny. For greater strength and to avoid wasting energy, the Vast Sea Realm, after deliberation, has decided to be offered to the Great Bright Domain."
"In exchange, the Great Bright Domain will dispatch individuals to the East to escort back the trapped powerhouses of the Vast Sea Realm..."
The Roc's voice was thunderous, resonating throughout the West.
Its words were spoken with great openness.
Yet, amidst the truth and falsehood, only a fool would not see through it.
Needless to say, the Great Bright Realm must have intervened, employing covert actions to force the Vast Sea Realm into submission.
The ambitious sixth-tier Heavenly Emperor from yesterday had likely already turned to dust.
This was the reality of the world.
"Alas."
The realm lords could only sigh.
With the death of a realm lord, the world would no longer be under their own control.
Everyone understood this implicitly, yet they could only suppress it deep within their hearts.
*Screech.*
The Roc transformed once more into its sky-obscuring form.
Its colossal body, dragging the world, began to be slowly pulled towards the Great Bright Domain.
Then, the process of refining began.
Fortunately, the Roc had sent the realm's inhabitants into the Great Bright Realm beforehand.
Otherwise, it would have been a cataclysmic bloodshed.
As for the fate of these people upon entering the Great Bright Realm, no one cared.
After all, the Great Bright Realm had devoured countless worlds, and each time, it spared the lives of the inhabitants, sending them into its domain.
The Great Bright Realm, much like the Thunder Domain, could accommodate any number of beings. At worst, more internal worlds would be opened.
Ninth-tier cultivators had already surpassed certain limitations.
Within a realm, further realms could be established.
An eighth-tier Great World soon vanished.
Moments later...
*Boom.*
Within the Great Bright Realm, four eighth-tier Great Emperors surged into the sky and charged towards the East.
"It's them..."
"Earth, Fire, Water, Wind."
As widely known, within the Great Bright Domain, the Lord of Light was first, and the Roc was second. However, this was only in one-on-one confrontations.
Within the Great Bright Domain, there existed a unique combination.
The combined might of the four Heavenly Emperors – Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind – could be amplified. Much like the Five Elements Thunder Emperors in the South, when united, even the Roc was no match for them. This was the Great Bright Domain's trump card.
"Tsk, tsk."
From within their respective worlds, the onlookers whispered their thoughts to each other.
"They've even sent out these four." In a crimson Great World, a figure spoke.
"Hmph, Yu Hua disgraced the Great Bright Domain, so naturally, they need to reclaim their honor."
"Indeed..."
The onlookers continued to communicate telepathically.
The mention of Yu Hua seemed to spark conversation among them all.
Yu Hua's humiliating retreat was a topic of much amusement, the boastful expedition to the Thunder Domain ending in such a dismal fashion, was it not laughable?
Of course, they only dared to speak of it in private.
Who could they blame? He was the mount of the Lord of Light.
"Heh heh."
A faint chuckle echoed, filled with disdain and scorn.
Defeat too miserably was its own unforgivable sin.
Destined to be looked down upon.
...
The East.
A Chaos Beast, known for its speed, plunged into the East.
The Dragon King, Chen Fan, and the Sword Master all received news from the North simultaneously.
"The Great Bright Domain's four Great Emperors, Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind, are coming to the East to rescue people."
As a paramount power in the West, the Chaos Demonic Butterfly, though not human, could still station spies there.
Whether weak Chaos Beasts or humans bought through covert means.
In short, as the strongest power in the West, the other three factions would dispatch individuals to monitor them.
This was something the Great Bright Realm was surely aware of.
Within the chaos, Chen Fan, upon receiving the news, opened his eyes.
"Send a message to Lie Tian. Be cautious," Chen Fan commanded.
"Understood."
Beside him, Old Demon Chu quickly departed.
The pursuit of the Vast Sea Realm's powerhouses was their primary objective.
The three factions... Chen Fan, the Sword Master, and the Dragon King.
Towards their enemies, their thoughts were identical: exterminate them all.
Even the Vast Sea had fallen, should their subordinates not accompany them in death?
Not accompanying them would be inappropriate.
Lie Tian, King Yu, General Lei, Immortal Emperor... four eighth-tier cultivators in pursuit.
The Dragon King and the Sword Master's factions had similar forces.
Over ten eighth-tier cultivators in pursuit.
The news spread swiftly, and Chen Fan calmly withdrew his gaze.
Not far ahead were figures sitting cross-legged.
Everyone was cultivating.
Above their heads, ownerless Great Worlds transformed into potent energy, being absorbed by all within.
There were eighth-tier, seventh-tier, sixth-tier... even fifth-tier worlds were present.
"Excellent."
Chen Fan was satisfied.
Through a single battle, the Realm of Life and Death had acquired dozens of Great Worlds.
Each Great World contained an immense amount of energy. The only regret was that the Great Dao universe had been heavily drained.
There was no alternative. The realm lords of these worlds had all perished in the previous battle.
With the realm lords dying, could they leave the Great Dao universe for their enemies?
Absolutely not.
*Boom.*
Among the cultivators, a powerful aura suddenly began to coalesce.
A familiar figure leaped up.
"Mighty strength to move mountains."
In the Overlord's eyes, divine light blazed.
The surging vitality, like a great dragon, coiled around his body.
Potent energy swept across the heavens, and above his head, a massive thundercloud formed.
The heavenly tribulation had arrived.
"Hahaha."
The Overlord roared with laughter.
Without the slightest hesitation, he charged headfirst into the heavenly tribulation.
Heavenly tribulation, so what?
The heavenly tribulation forged the body, it was both a crisis and an opportunity.
With a shout, the Overlord punched out, creating a golden dragon.
*Roar.*
The heavenly tribulation exploded with a 'bang'.
Lightning arcs scattered in all directions.
As for the hint of life within the heavenly tribulation, the Overlord seized it and swallowed it whole.
"Damn it, be careful!"
"Are you crazy? Why don't you move further away?"
"It was just because I reported you last time, are you that vengeful?"
"..."
The cultivators in seclusion were scorched by the lightning arcs.
All of them cursed vehemently.
"Hmph."
The Overlord snorted coldly.
He paid no mind to their pointless complaints.
I intend to break through, what can you do about it?
*Rumble.*
The heavenly tribulation, nine in number, struck down.
Wave after wave of tribulation descended, forcing the cursing powerhouses of the Realm of Life and Death to drag their worlds aside to make way for the Overlord.
Fine.
You're impressive.
You're powerful, alright?
We'll move out of your way.
"Hmph."
The Overlord was finally content.
Bickering and dawdling, worse than a nagging old woman.
In the distance, the crowd resumed their cultivation.
As for the Overlord, aside from Chen Fan, no one paid him any attention.
Strengthening oneself was the supreme path. Instead of watching others break through, it was better to absorb more power to achieve one's own breakthrough.
They couldn't be bothered to watch that guy.
However, shortly after the group had settled down.
*Boom.*
The Mad Emperor broke through.
This cultivator's talent was also exceptionally strong.
Within the crowd, another heavenly tribulation exploded.
"Is this endless?"
"These two brats..."
"You just wait..."
The group cursed and began to relocate once more.