Sage Monarch

Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven had won a very clear victory, inflicting a devastating defeat on Buddha Shakya-Karma.

Unfortunately, Buddha Shakya-Karma had left with his people, a clear indication that they were going to refuse to accept the authority of the Dao Defense League. In other words, they were now enemies.

Furthermore, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven had come close to losing the shocking battle moments ago. In the end, he won with a move that obviously involved him borrowing quintessence energy from the other three Grand Emperors. Together, the four of them really were invincible.

Injured, and aware that he couldn't stand up to that level of force, Buddha Shakya-Karma had simply fled. Better that than end up getting killed.

There had long been stories about how Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven was at odds with the other Grand Emperors, including Myriadmagic Heavenspan, Ninelimits Paragon, and Heavenearth Vastocean. But apparently they had worked out their issues and were now allied again.

Yang Qi had absolutely no intention of throwing his own hat into the ring. It wouldn't be an easy task becoming the league-lord. He couldn't defeat Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven by himself, let alone all four Grand Emperors working together.

If he rose to a higher level, perhaps a fifth order Nirvanic God, then he might be in a position to fight with them. But even then, he probably wouldn't be able to come out victorious against one of them, much less all four.

When the Four Emperors of the Heavenly Court worked together, not even a Lesser God could kill them, or even force them into retreat.

"Those Dragonfolk were just too stubborn," Daoist Great Void said. "I can't believe they're going to oppose our Dao Defense League. We have to wipe them out!" Raising his voice, he said, "Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven has won a victory over the chief of the buddha dragons. If anyone else out there wants to be league-lord, they'll need to step forward and fight the Grand Emperor. Defeat him, and the title will be yours."

Not a single person said anything in response.

None of the patriarchs present were capable of holding their own against him in a fight. Not even the rulers of the thirty-third ranked immortal worlds could do so. After all, the Eight Tribes Heaven was a thirty-third ranked world, and Buddha Shakya-Karma was a clan chief who had already gained enlightenment of the dao of heaven. He had also been blessed by an ancient buddha, but even he had been unable to deal with the Grand Emperors.

In another corner of the temple, Leaf Dao-Denier and Emperor Tusita were seated next to each other. The former was currently staring intently at Yang Qi. He had originally considered fighting for the spot of league-lord and had been confident in being able to defeat any of the old-timers present. But after Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven's grand entrance, it was obvious that wasn't going to happen.

"Are you going to go up there, Young Master Leaf?" the emperor asked.

"No," Leaf Dao-Denier replied coldly. "Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven is too much to deal with right now. Maybe if I assimilated the entire Tusita Heaven and turned it into a nascent divinity—and at the same time got back King Immortal-Slayer's legacy medallions—I might stand a chance. But I could see in the fighting just now that he's working with the other three emperors of the Heavenly Court. That said, I'm still Young Master Leaf, so one of these days, I'll take over everything! It seems I now have no other choice than to become a dharmaraja, or perhaps a god-general."

"You don't want to be one of the emissaries? Those are even more powerful positions."

Grinding his teeth, Leaf Dao-Denier said, "It's obvious that Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven will only give those positions to people he trusts. Besides, considering how many other top experts there are, and how that punk Yang Qi has been plotting against me, it's not worth the risk."

Back on the stage, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven looked around at the silent crowd and then said, "Does anyone else present wish to issue a challenge?" He actually looked a bit disappointed. "Don't tell me that the dao of immortals has truly sunken to such a dismal state? Back when I and the other Grand Emperors founded the Heavenly Court, there were endless wars. True, the casualties were immense, but at the same time, invincible experts rose up everywhere. It's a real pity to see things like this…."

Soon, the patriarchs began to speak up.

"Grand Emperor, your might is world-encompassing. We're all absolutely convinced that you should be the league-lord."

"As one of the rulers of the ancient Heavenly Court, you're the perfect person to lead the Dao Defense League. None of us could possibly match up to you."

"We have no interest in fighting with you, Grand Emperor. You're the perfect person to be the league-lord."

"That's right. A Grand Emperor is the perfect person to act as league-lord." The representatives of many of the various groups and factions of patriarchs began making similar statements.

As more declarations were made, other old-timer's expressions were flickering with shock. Previously, many of the people present were prepared to carry out plots and schemes in the hopes of coming out on top. But now it was obvious that none of them could possibly become the league-lord. Not even the secret trump cards they had could rival Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven.

Crafty plots, clever machinations, god items, magical treasures… none of them could be anything other than jokes, compared to the power of this Grand Emperor.

"Well, if that's the case," Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven said, "I guess I have no choice but to accept the position of league-lord. After we select the two emissaries, nine dharmarajas, and twenty-four god-generals, we can finally have a unified dao of immortals and an undivided alliance. Henceforth, there will be no more squabbling between different sects and factions. And all resources will be distributed fairly."

The other old-timers were clearly not very pleased, but knew that when you stand under low eaves, you have no choice but to bow your head. The Dao Defense League had a league-lord now, and it meant that they would no longer consist of scattered organizations struggling for power. Everyone was part of one group now, and the previous leaders would no longer be able to be as sanctimonious as before.

If they truly wanted to safeguard or even grow their existing organizations, they would have to secure a slot as one of the god-generals or dharmarajas.

Obviously, the twenty-four god-generals would not be mere figureheads. They would have millions upon trillions of subordinates to lead.

And the nine dharmarajas would lead millions upon millions of the top masters, creating very elite fighting forces. People like that would be able to safeguard their own people, essentially becoming more important than even the leaders of the thirty-third ranked immortal worlds.

In terms of how many immortal worlds were now part of the Dao Defense League, it had to number in the hundreds of billions. In terms of how many immortal worlds existed, the total couldn't be expressed in billions or trillions, but rather quadrillions. Compared to that, the Dao Defense League was like one hair from nine oxen, although it was continuing to grow larger at an astounding rate.

Of course, to truly benefit required one to have a position of immense power. Those beneath them, even elders, would be little more than cannon fodder and servants.

"Congratulations, League-Lord! Sincere congratulations! The Dao Defense League is no longer leaderless!" Words such as these began to echo out everywhere in the temple, causing destiny to swirl. In fact, Yang Qi could actually see the destiny rushing toward Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven, which the man absorbed without hesitation.

'He's taking that destiny to use as the foundation of godly ascension,' Yang Qi thought with a cold smile. He was very curious to see what would happen next.

Looking around, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven said, "The time has come to select the two emissaries. The competition will be right here! First up is the Emissary of Darkness and Gloom. Are there any patriarchs out there who would like to nominate themselves for the spot? Whoever wins will lead the Army of Darkness and Gloom and will be one of the most powerful persons in our organization."

He wasn't exaggerating. All of the patriarchs knew that the two emissaries would be like prime ministers from an imperial dynasty in the mortal world.

Quite a few people were itching to nominate themselves.

Even as a hubbub of voices rose up, a shadowy figure flew over to the stage. It was a devastatingly beautiful woman in black garments, with the fairest of skin, and a flirtatious smile on her face.

Many of the patriarchs were virtually drooling with desire; this woman really was shockingly beautiful. However, when she revealed who she was, many of them nearly jumped from shock and terror.

Black lotuses raining down around her, she said, "I am Devil Empress Wave Charm from the Unrestrained Heaven. Does anyone have a problem with me being the Emissary of Darkness and Gloom for the Dao Defense League? What do you think, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven?"

Looking completely calm, he replied, "So, it's Miss Wave Charm from the Unrestrained Heaven, a majestic heaven-devil. I think you would be the perfect Emissary of Darkness and Gloom for us. However, there are rules here. If anyone wishes to challenge you, you'll have to fight them. By the way, how has your father been lately? Considering he sent you here today, I assume he's going to agree to my request? The Unrestrained Heaven is going to join the Dao Defense League?"

"That's right. Father is currently in the Hell of Mahānata discussing an important matter with some of the suzerains of hell. He's given me full command of the armies of the Unrestrained Heaven and I'm here to formally join the Dao Defense League."