“Boom—!” A massive column of four-colored light surged upward. The golden-purple thunder plunged into it and was instantly obliterated, even causing the column to grow stronger.
The column shot into the sky, piercing the cloud layers, as if capable of annihilating everything. It rose straight into the thunder!
In an instant, heaven and earth lost their color. The sun and moon dimmed. Only that four-colored radiance revolved in the air. Fa Hua and Lan Ge, standing on the arena, simultaneously heard a vast, majestic voice in their minds.
“The peerless come in a pair. One life, one fate they shall share.”
At that moment, they experienced a bizarre and wondrous world. Scene after scene of strange visions flashed through their minds. They seemed to glimpse the ancient past—the Ice Age. They saw Fa Chu, who obtained The Origin of Law, and Lan Qiong, who first discovered the Elemental Sea.
The winds of change surged. The Seven Holy Ancestors had created a path for humanity’s future. At this very moment, deep within themselves, they felt the auras of the Law Domain and the Blue Domain. Yes—this was the aura of the Main Continent.
These auras resonated with them, as if calling to one another.
In that instant, within their consciousness, they seemed to merge with the continent they belonged to, becoming part of it. It was as though they had fused with heaven and earth, able to sense distant places.
Time slowed—yet it also felt as if an entire century had passed in a single moment.
Yes. The Origin.
Not merely the origin of the elements, nor just the origin of the Codex. The Origin belonged to the entire world—to the Land of Miracles.
Their souls were sublimating. Their bodies were sublimating.
At last, they touched that trace of Cosmic Law.
In that moment of unity, they completed their breakthrough.
Star God.
Their perception rose above the land, overlooking everything, comprehending everything. Like a star chosen in the heavens, they brought light to the world while drawing in its nourishment.
Was this the feeling of the Star God level?
Was this the mastery of Cosmic Law?
The thunderclouds had long since dispersed. A single rainbow stretched across the sky, illuminating everything below.
No. 58 stood silently in the corner of the arena, watching Fa Hua and Lan Ge within the misty radiance of the Peerless Pearl, sensing the aura of their transformation.
Yes—from this moment onward, they had truly become the masters of the Peerless Pearl, fully activating this Divine Artifact’s power.
Though still Ninth-Rank, they had crossed into the Star God realm. Under the Peerless Pearl’s effect, when fighting together, they could truly unleash Star God–level strength.
Their comprehension of Cosmic Law had also laid a solid foundation for their future breakthrough to that level.
Countless citizens witnessed this scene. Though they did not fully understand what had happened, they could sense that something extraordinary had occurred to their Thunder City idol.
Bathed in the rainbow’s glow, every citizen felt their body nourished, as if some invisible restraint had been loosened. Cultivators felt it even more clearly—the elemental energy in the air had grown denser.
Centered on Thunder City, the surrounding Elemental Seas subtly rose by several inches. Even the entire Blue Domain’s elemental aura became noticeably richer.
God-tier beings draw power from the Land of Miracles—and in turn, they nourish it.
At this moment, Lan Ge himself was like an Elemental Sea—one composed of four attributes. With Fa Hua’s support, what he released was the true power of a Blessed One.
The light gradually faded. Lan Ge slowly opened his eyes. His pupils had returned to black, and the overwhelming aura vanished. He once again appeared as a graceful young man.
He did not turn to look at Fa Hua. Instead, he waved his hand casually, as if brushing something aside. “That’s enough. You can go.”
“Childish.” Fa Hua’s voice echoed in his mind, and the figure behind Lan Ge vanished instantly.
A faint smile curved Lan Ge’s lips as he looked toward No. 58. “Do you concede?”
No. 58 looked at him silently, saying nothing.
Lan Ge quickly added, “If we hadn’t held back just now, you’d have been in real danger. Just concede. No need to push it.”
No. 58’s body trembled slightly. Then he gave a silent nod and turned, walking off the arena.
He conceded?
Even Lan Ge was surprised. In truth, he wasn’t even sure whether they had truly defeated him during that breakthrough.
He conceded? Does that count as winning by default? Lan Ge asked inwardly.
More like winning by stupidity, Fa Hua replied. That man is likely a true Star God. He was holding back.
Only then did the audience begin to react. Cheers rose—but quickly faltered, replaced by murmurs of dissatisfaction.
No. 58 had lost…
Which meant most of the bettors had lost everything.
The only real winner… seemed to be the officials.
A beam of multicolored light descended from the sky, landing beside Lan Ge. It was the Grand Elder of the Blue Domain.
“Let us congratulate Lan Ge. He has set multiple records—the youngest Ninth-Rank in Thunder City, and the youngest champion of the Grand Competition. A prince who has never let up—a model for Thunder City.” The Grand Elder spoke with a warm smile, sparing no praise.
Yet Lan Ge felt something was off. This Grand Competition had felt rushed—far more so than ten years ago.
Lowering his voice, he asked, “Who exactly is No. 58? Don’t tell me you don’t know. He’s at least near Star God level. You’re the foremost figure in the Blue Domain—you must know. And he was wearing a mask.”
The Grand Elder acted as if he hadn’t heard. “Next, we will present the award to the champion of the Grand Competition—our prince. Award presenter, please come forward.”
Lan Ge blinked, stunned.
Award presenter?
Shouldn’t the Grand Elder be the one presenting it?
And wasn’t the competition supposed to determine the next Lord of Thunder City?
Yet the Grand Elder showed no sign of announcing that. Lan Ge felt increasingly confused.
Footsteps sounded from the opposite side of the arena.
For some reason, the moment Lan Ge heard them, his heart skipped.
They were too familiar.
Especially that crisp tap, tap, tap—the sound of crystal-heeled shoes, a signature of the Blue Domain.
He turned instinctively.
As the two figures ascended the steps and their faces came into view, Lan Ge froze.
The crowd fell silent.
The Grand Elder quietly stepped aside, standing at the edge of the arena as if uninvolved.
The two figures approached.
The woman in palace attire suddenly quickened her pace. Tears shimmered in her eyes even as she smiled. She rushed forward, threw her arms around Lan Ge, and spun him once in place.
“Xiao Ge—surprised? Didn’t expect this?”
“People of Thunder City—long time no see.” The deep voice of the man rang out as he waved to the stunned crowd.
“Your Majesty—it’s His Majesty!”
“All hail the King!”
Yes—the ones who had come to present the award were none other than the King of the Blue Domain’s Free Nation, Lord of Thunder City—Lan Xiang—and his wife Xiang Yun.
Lan Ge’s parents.
The two who were believed to have fallen to the Demon Race.
Below the arena, Lei Mingyang’s mouth twitched. “It’s him. It’s him. I knew it! That liar! He fooled me!” He wiped at the corner of his eye as he spoke.
It had been more than two years since Lan Xiang last appeared.
After the matchmaking event, the couple had vanished. The Grand Elder claimed they had entered seclusion after being injured in battle—but that explanation had always been met with doubt. Still, with all officials supporting it, Thunder City had remained stable.
And now—
They had returned.
All doubt vanished in an instant.
Not only had the prince returned as a Ninth-Rank…
The King and Queen had returned as well.
Cheers erupted. The crowd fell to their knees en masse, their devotion heartfelt. It was Lan Xiang who had led Thunder City to prosperity, making it the richest city in the Blue Domain and allowing its people to live in peace.
Lan Ge stared blankly at his mother, feeling her tears against him. His throat tightened. His emotions surged uncontrollably.
“You… you’re alive…” His voice came out hoarse.
“Yes! Surprised?” Xiang Yun held him tightly.
“You… you never died?”
“You could say that. In a sense, we were only in a state of suspended death. And to help you grow faster, it also served as a form of tempering. You didn’t disappoint us. In less than three years, you reached Ninth-Rank. We couldn’t be more proud,” the Grand Elder said kindly.
“Grand Elder, you—” Xiang Yun shot him an angry glare.