The situation escalated significantly.
Primarily, the cultivators of Treasure Ring Scale State were having a hard time accepting the reality. The Lord of the Divine Realm had descended upon Treasure Ring Scale State, but where was their Ninth Mountain Sovereign?
Were they really not going to intervene?
Even if they didn't show up earlier, now that someone's boss had already come knocking on their doorstep, wouldn't it be too late to stay out of it? Was the Ninth Mountain Sovereign just giving up on Treasure Ring Scale State?
The cultivators and sects of Treasure Ring Scale State entered a state of high alert, and their mindsets began to polarize.
Some cultivators and sects were prepared to die. They figured that even if they died fighting the Lord of the Divine Realm, at least they would gain areputation, and dying at the hands of such a powerful figure would be a glorious end.
On the other hand, some sects were considering surrender, opting to join the Divine Realm. After all, it's better to be pragmatic and survive than to die for a lost cause.
The cultivators and sects of Treasure Ring Scale State had already thought through their next moves, but the Lord of the Divine Realm didn't seem to be giving them the chance to act.
The Lord of the Divine Realm had merely descended upon Treasure Ring Scale State but hadn't taken any action yet. Instead, they stationed themselves at the heart of Treasure Ring Scale State, atop the tallest peak, seemingly waiting for something.
During this time, a Great Emperor of Treasure Ring Scale State took the risk to approach. Standing far away, they asked the Lord of the Divine Realm:
"Why... why have you come to Treasure Ring Scale State?"
Despite being on opposing sides, the Great Emperor still showed the Lord of the Divine Realm the utmost respect.
The Lord of the Divine Realm, however, didn't even spare the Great Emperor a glance. They continued to gaze into the distance, completely unmoved.
"You... sigh, I know that someone like me, an ordinary Great Emperor, isn't qualified to speak with a true supreme existence like you. I understand my place, but out of concern for Treasure Ring Scale State, I dared to come forward. If you decide to kill me for this..."
The Great Emperor closed their eyes, sighed deeply, and continued:
"Then I have nothing left to say."
The Lord of the Divine Realm suddenly turned around, their turbid eyes locking onto the Great Emperor as they replied:
"It's not that I wanted to come to your Treasure Ring Scale State. It's just that my assigned territory is here. In truth, I've always wanted East Jia State. The initial landing point for the Great Emperors of the Divine Realm was East Jia State, but..."
The Lord of the Divine Realm shook their head, looking slightly resigned, before continuing:
"Someone got there first."
"Then... what exactly is your intention?" the Great Emperor cautiously inquired.
"Treasure Ring Scale State is now part of the Divine Realm. I won't interfere with your cultivation or kill any of you. If you want to leave, go ahead; if you want to stay, then continue as you were. Leaving means relocating to other states, while staying means continuing your normal cultivation."
"I don't need your lives; I just want this piece of land. But if you stubbornly insist on arguing with me, then I won't hesitate to kill."
"As an invader, I believe I've been more than fair. Now, it's up to you to decide."
The Lord of the Divine Realm finished speaking and flicked their finger, sending a whirlwind of spring breeze that swept away the heavens and clouds, along with the Great Emperor's figure.
The conversation was forcibly ended.
The news of the Lord of the Divine Realm's words spread rapidly throughout Treasure Ring Scale State. The cultivators discussed endlessly, debating whether to stay or leave.
Most sects were unwilling to relocate. Their roots were here, and leaving would mean abandoning their homeland. Moreover, relocating a sect involved numerous complexities, especially for larger sects, which had to consider factors like fate, karma, and luck.
Small sects and freelance cultivators, on the other hand, didn't have such worries. Without attachments, they were free to leave and even mocked the larger sects for being spineless and willing to be the Divine Realm's dogs.
Whether they were dogs or not was beside the point. The majority of the larger sects decided to stay, remaining in what was now a contested territory between the Divine Realm and the Immortal Realm.
Meanwhile, the Seventh Mountain Lord, who governed Treasure Ring Scale State, remained silent for a long time.
Sitting at the highest point, the Seventh Mountain Lord could look down upon the entire Treasure Ring Scale State. On clear nights, they could even see the myriad lights of the cultivators' homes.
But now, they couldn't.
The lights of a thousand homes had diminished, with many drifting away to unknown parts of the Immortal Realm, no longer present in Treasure Ring Scale State.
"Are you truly unwilling to act?" the Seventh Mountain Lord murmured, unable to help asking again.
"Or has Treasure Ring Scale State always been a planned sacrifice from the very beginning?"
After pondering deeply, the Seventh Mountain Lord came to a realization.
Whether Treasure Ring Scale State now belonged to the Immortal Realm or the Divine Realm no longer mattered. What was important was their stance as the Seventh Mountain Lord and the ruler of Treasure Ring Scale State.
The Seventh Mountain Lord slowly stood up, shook out their sleeves, and smiled wryly, shaking their head:
"I never expected that our long struggle with the Divine Realm Great Emperors would amount to nothing more than a tragic farce..."
"Well, let me at least bring an end to this joke. Since it’s a joke, it should be amusing for all."
Exactly one month since the Lord of the Divine Realm's arrival in Treasure Ring Scale State.
The Seventh Mountain Lord ignited their Dao, transcending the motifs, and traversed half of Treasure Ring Scale State, leaving behind a dazzling path of brilliant Dao radiance. They moved straight toward the heart of Treasure Ring Scale State to face the Lord of the Divine Realm. Their thunderous roar reverberated across the heavens and earth:
"The Seventh Mountain Lord, Yi Dao, represents Treasure Ring Scale State... for battle!"
This roar echoed throughout Treasure Ring Scale State, shaking mountains and rivers, and reverberating endlessly.
The mountains and valleys resounded with the same spirit. The entire state was filled with righteous indignation.
"Good." The Lord of the Divine Realm slowly spoke, their turbid eyes gleaming with a hint of clarity.
They began to take things seriously.
It wasn't that dealing with the Seventh Mountain Lord required seriousness, but rather a sign of respect for a guardian of the Dao.
The outcome was predetermined and didn't come as a surprise to anyone.
The Seventh Mountain Lord died.
Their body disintegrated into dust, scattered across the heavens and earth, settling into the mountains and rivers, merging with the very land they so dearly cherished—Treasure Ring Scale State.
It was a death worthy of their noble sacrifice.
Chen Xia and the Inner demon observed from afar, watching the entire beginning and end, both feeling a sense of reflection.
"What's your take on this?" the Inner demon asked first.
Chen Xia shook his head and sighed:
"It was the most gentle way to kill the Seventh Mountain Lord."
"Do we stand a chance against him?" the Inner demon inquired further.
"Of course, we do," Chen Xia replied.
"How so?"
"What if, during the fight, he takes a wrong breath and his vital energy is depleted, leading to his demise? Isn't that possible?" Chen Xia answered.
The Inner demon fell silent for a long time before responding:
"Does it really have to be that absurd?"
"You asking that question is already absurd enough," Chen Xia retorted.
"Indeed." The Inner demon nodded, then curiously asked, "What if he comes looking for us? Should we burst into action against him? That old man doesn't seem like a kind-hearted figure. If he comes for us, it probably won't be for anything good."
"Valid question," Chen Xia nodded, deep in thought before crossing his arms and confidently smiling, giving his answer:
"First, we'll reason with him, considering his advanced age. If he's not in the right state of mind and refuses to listen, choosing to fight with us youngsters... well, in the end, it's he who'll suffer!"
"What kind of suffering? " the Inner demon asked.
"If he spills my blood, he'll be stained with karma. Once I become the supreme ruler, can he really walk away unscathed? I'll give him two slaps that'll clear up his cataracts in a heartbeat!"
"Is cataracts referring to me?" A raspy old voice echoed. The Lord of the Divine Realm's turbid eyes gazed at the two in front of them, continuing:
"The next supreme ruler the Martial Emperor has been yearning for appears to be... just so-so."