Chapter 677
The Girls Around Cohen and the Displeasure of the Goddess of Light
Across the mainland, after a brief period of chaos and shock, major powers made decisions and took actions with alarming speed.
Those who can become the supreme ruler of a vast power are all people with decisive minds and outstanding courage.
They may have had a plan in advance, or they may have made a decision on the spot, but at this moment, faced with the "summons" issued directly by the gods with the meaning of an ultimatum, no one dared to truly "fail to arrive on time"!
Thus, under the complex gazes of their respective core members, these men and women at the pinnacle of power on the continent—kings, emperors, popes, high priests, and tribal chiefs—stepped toward the gate of light leading to the gods, each with their own distinct feelings.
Above the Florence Plains, the area shrouded in the radiance of the gods fell into an eerie silence after the portal appeared.
The clamor of hundreds of thousands of troops and civilians on the plains below seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier, unable to reach here.
In the midst of this silence, one figure after another emerged from the enormous silver-white gate of light.
Their clothes varied and their temperaments were distinct, but without exception, they all carried the dignity of someone who had long held a high position and the solemnity that was hard to conceal at this moment.
They quickly scanned their surroundings—the divine avatars hanging high in the sky, the densely packed army below, the astonishing energy fluctuations lingering in the air, and the focal point—Cohen Corleone—who was enveloped in the divine light of the Goddess of Light, surrounded by several stunning women, and had just created the miracle of "god-slaying."
When Shanis Klein, Garin Saint-Mera, Mavis Tinuvel, and Freya—these empresses and queens renowned for their beauty, wisdom, and iron fist—emerged from the portal and all headed straight for Cohen's location…
The atmosphere subtly shifted again.
In addition to Adele, Isabella, Windsordler, Nefertis, who were already around Cohen...
In an instant, Cohen's surroundings seemed to become the most dazzling and complex focus in the eyes of the entire continent and even the gods.
Women of different styles, yet all equally beautiful, of noble status, and with remarkable abilities, surrounded him like stars around the moon.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Surrounded in the center, Cohen's tired expression seemed to freeze for a moment when faced with this sudden and "luxurious" lineup.
He took a deep breath and calmly met the gazes of the female rulers who were walking towards him, women whose mere stomp of their feet could shake the continent. In his heart, however, he sighed helplessly.
Now... it seems even more "lively".
As the Goddess of Light, Aetheril, glanced at the several female rulers who were renowned throughout the entire Prime Material Plane and possessed unique beauty and charm as they walked towards her, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She recognized them, at least through the threads of faith and rumors from the mainland, knowing their identities and status.
Shanies Klein, the Empress of the Middle Kingdom, known for her iron-fisted rule and beauty;
Garlene Saint-Mera, a Saintess of the Starry Clan who once ruled the continent alongside humanity, and now the Empress of the newly established Starry Empire; Mavis Tinuville, the last surviving member of the Arcane Empire's royal bloodline, and the current Arcane Empress; Freya, the Queen of the Kingdom of Ceylon known for her coldness and resilience...
These women, who stand at the pinnacle of human power and charm, are now all heading toward the same person—their lover, Cohen Corleone.
Even though reason tells her that as the emperor of the Effiin Empire in this life, Cohen is bound to be at the center of the power vortex, and it is normal for him to have interactions with various forces and people.
But seeing so many outstanding women gathered together, Aetherel couldn't help but feel a very subtle ripple in her heart.
It was an instinctive dislike of having one's "possessions" coveted by others, and also a slight annoyance at Cohen for "getting into" so much trouble in this life.
She pursed her lips, and the holy light surrounding her seemed to unconsciously brighten a bit, as if declaring her sovereignty.
Just then, a cool, calm, yet almost provocative female voice resounded directly in her mind:
“In fact,” Adele’s voice flowed slowly through her mind, like cool, smooth silk under the moonlight, “besides these few, there are several other sisters in the family.”
Princess Grace Tang of the Eastern Empire, Prince Regent Belmod Vynyard of the Arcane Empire, Princess Melantha Tinuvel, and Claire, a mermaid from the Endless Sea…
They are all wonderful people, and they are all indispensable members of my family, as Cohen and I both acknowledge them.
Yadel paused, as if giving Aetherel time to process her words, then a barely perceptible smile curved her lips as she spoke more directly:
“Ms. Dawn, if you feel uncomfortable with the scene before you, or think that it is different from what you expected…”
You can choose to let go at any time, Cohen. With us, that's enough.
Almost the instant Adael finished speaking, golden flames seemed to suddenly erupt from the depths of Atheriel's pure, holy eyes.
Her exquisite face still maintained the grace and tranquility of a deity, but the voice transmitted back to Adele through the mental link sounded like that of an enraged lioness, filled with offended anger:
"I do not know who you were in your previous life."
But you think you can make me back down like this? Adele Angelion, you've got the wrong idea!
Cohen Corleone, regardless of his identity in this world or who is by his side, the part of his soul that belongs to the 'shadow' will forever be intertwined with the light of this seat.
This is a contract and bond that transcends time and reincarnation.
Put away your pointless thoughts.
I may not have been fully involved in his past, but I will certainly have a place in his present and future.
If you try to force me to leave this way, you'll only make yourself look foolish and ridiculous!
Adele did not respond further. She merely turned her head slightly, as if attentively listening to Queen Xenise's greeting to Cohen as she approached.
The smile at the corner of his lips was subtle yet profound.
At this moment, surrounded by "beauties," Cohen clearly had no time to perceive the silent yet intense mental battle between the two women with whom he was closest.
He was busy dealing with the situation that had suddenly become extremely complicated.
Shanes Klein stepped forward first, her eyes quickly sweeping over Cohen, lingering for a moment on his slightly pale face and the possible wounds beneath his tattered robes, before she nodded slightly.
"Your Majesty Corleone, the battle just now was truly awe-inspiring."
Your safe and sound condition is a blessing for Alfie and for the mainland.
Her words were appropriate and flawless, but the hidden concern and scrutiny could not be hidden from those who were paying attention.
Mavis Tinuvel, on the other hand, was much more elegant and reserved. She lifted her magnificent skirt and gave Cohen a standard courtly curtsy, her long hair shimmering with a captivating glow in the divine light.
"Your Majesty Corleone, your feat is worthy of being recorded in epic history."
The battle just now, with its masterful use of magic and soul, was truly breathtaking.
If it's convenient for you, I hope to have a discussion with you in the future, as this might be very beneficial to the evolution of arcane magic.
As for where this so-called exchange took place, Cohen knew very well, and the girls knew very well as well.
The other girls also stepped forward, expressing their care and love in various ways.
Cohen responded to each of them.
Fortunately, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the gods in the heavens had not completely dispersed, and hundreds of thousands of eyes below were also paying attention to this place to some extent. These women of noble status, no matter what they were thinking in their hearts, maintained the etiquette and composure appropriate to their status on the surface.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief that they did not make any overly intimate or inappropriate moves.
However, this temporary calm did not last long.
The silvery-white spatial portal continued to rotate slowly above the Florence Plains, like a hub connecting the various power centers of the continent.
Following several empresses and queens, more majestic figures emerged from the portal.
The first person to appear was a tall and robust middle-aged man.
His hair was shaved very short, his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and he walked with an aura of battle-hardened warrior and the faint, unique pressure of the dragon race.
Emperor of the Eastern Region, Eberron Tang. As soon as he appeared, his gaze swept across the entire scene, finally settling on Cohen, who was surrounded by the crowd. His eyes were filled with complex emotions, as if he were thinking of his poor daughter.
Next came a middle-aged man dressed in a deep purple noble robe and holding a cane inlaid with a large amethyst.
With an enigmatic smile playing on his lips, the Emperor of the Western Regions, Clemenceau Munro.
His gaze became more discreet, quickly sweeping over the gods, the monarchs of various countries, and especially Cohen and the group of exceptionally "dazzling" women around him, finally settling on the enormous spatial portal, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly.
Immediately afterwards, a robust old man wearing a thick white fur cloak, with an ancient-style battle axe hanging at his waist, strode out from the portal.
Emperor of the North, Abraham Cox.
After he appeared, he first habitually looked around warily, his gaze lingering for a moment on the incarnations of the gods and the high-hanging holy sword, before looking at the crowd and finally bowing slowly to the Ice Goddess Daphne Ice.
Finally, there was a slightly plump old man with a darker complexion, wearing a gorgeous silk robe in the style of the Southern Regions.
He always wore a warm smile, but his slightly narrowed eyes revealed a businessman's shrewdness and a politician's caution.
Emperor of the Southern Regions, Wilson Alvis.
He appeared to be the most "amiable," and upon his arrival, he gave a slight nod to those around him, as if he were attending a grand banquet.
But his gaze also precisely caught Cohen and the women with special identities beside Cohen, a deep thought flashing in his eyes.
As these male emperors, who held the reins of the strongest human empire on the continent, made their appearance one after another, the area above the Florence Plain instantly became a gathering place for the pinnacle of power in the secular and religious spheres of almost the entire main plane.
The emperors of the eight great human empires, the monarchs of powerful kingdoms such as Ceylon and Windbreak, the supreme leaders of vast churches such as the Light Church, the Prophecy Church, and the Night Watch Church, and even representatives of powerful races such as the orcs...
At this moment, they all converged here through that silver-white spatial gate.
Florence has now become the undisputed absolute core of the entire prime plane!
The will of the gods is proclaimed here, and the power of the mortal world converges here. The hero who just performed the miracle of "mortal killing god" is surrounded by beauties.
And a "covenant of the gods" that will determine the fate of countless lives on the continent is about to be announced here.
The storm had been brewing beneath the calm surface for a long time.
We are just waiting for the final bell to ring.
The bell that proclaimed this was personally rung by Madora the Prophet, the Chief of the Council of the Supreme Gods, revered by countless beings as a witness to time and a spy on destiny.
The figure shrouded in the mists of time took a small step forward.
This step seemed to strike the very heartbeat of the entire prime mover plane. High above, the light of all the divine avatars fell silent, ceasing even the slightest flicker.
Below, on the plains, the atmosphere, which had grown increasingly heavy due to the arrival of numerous emperors and the gathering of powerful figures, was instantly overwhelmed by an even larger and more irresistible will.
The whispers and gasps of shock from hundreds of thousands of people were wiped away in an instant, as if by an invisible giant hand.
Madora's voice rang out, echoing directly across the Florentine Plains, resonating in the ears of every mortal ruler summoned there, and resonating in the hearts of every soldier, general, and commoner below.
Furthermore, through some mysterious law, it subtly spread to every corner of the continent, allowing all intelligent beings, no matter where they are, to feel the descent of a will originating from their souls.
His voice was calm, aged, and ethereal, as if it came from the upper reaches of the river of time, or as if it were whispering directly at the level of the world's rules:
"In the name of the Council of the Supreme Gods, in the name of the gods who maintain order and resist chaos, at this moment, here, we hereby announce the final resolution of the Covenant of the Gods to all beings in the Prime Material Plane."
The resolution takes effect immediately. From this moment until the end of the fifth bountiful season and the first snowflake of winter falls—that is, five years.
Within these five years, all existing human kingdoms, alien regimes, independent city-states, and recognized powers on the Prime Material Plane—a total of eight empires, twenty-seven kingdoms, and tens of thousands of scattered duchies, autonomous territories, and tribal alliances…
Madora's voice was flat and monotonous, like reciting a dry list, but each word on the list represented a land, millions of lives, countless joys and sorrows, and a heavy weight of power.
"The total number must be reduced and finally locked at one hundred by the deadline."
The number must be less than this; there can be no more than one.
The cold, hard numbers, like the sharpest guillotine, hung over the heads of every ruler on the continent, and over the fate of every nation.
One hundred!
Ultimately, only one hundred countries will survive and qualify to participate in the next stage of the competition!
Elimination begins immediately, and the methods used are unrestricted.
Madora's voice remained calm, yet it carried a steely coldness:
"War, annexation, alliance, division, conspiracy, betrayal, persuasion, cooperation, power struggles, diplomacy..."
Everything you can think of, everything recorded in history, everything that wisdom and barbarity can do, is permitted and justified.
The gods will also participate in it personally.
We will choose a mortal kingdom as the 'Chosen Kingdom' based on our own will, doctrines, and origins.
They will devote their attention, bestow divine pronouncements, and, within reasonable limits, provide maximum convenience and support—knowledge, power, revelation, and all support except for direct intervention from the entity itself.
The support of the gods is not a free guarantee, nor is it a guarantee of victory.
It is an investment, an expectation for the future.
If the kingdoms chosen and supported by the gods fail to be among the 'hundred' on the final reckoning five years later…
He didn't finish speaking, but the silent chill emanating from him was more unsettling than any threat.
A kingdom abandoned by the gods, or even facing divine wrath for its failures, will inevitably meet a terrible fate.
Madora paused, then continued to state the cruel rules:
Even if you successfully make it into the top 100, the competition is not over.
Being among the hundred nations is merely the minimum qualification to receive the true descent of the divine kingdoms of the gods.
The scale of the future divine kingdom's descent, the breadth of the gathering of faith, and the intensity of divine power feedback are all closely related to the territory, population, resources, and influence of the chosen kingdom.
The more expansive the territory, the more prosperous the population, and the stronger the national power, the more magnificent the divine kingdom it can support, and the more abundant the power of faith that future gods can draw upon.
Therefore, even if they secure a place in the top 100, for their own sake and for the sake of the gods they serve, expansion, conquest, and annexation will remain the main theme for the next five years.
Mercy and conservatism, at this moment, are paths to death and acts of turning away from God's grace.
To reiterate: no restrictions on the means.
The wisdom, strength, ambition, and cunning of mortals can all be freely displayed. But—
Saints and demigods above them are strictly forbidden from directly interfering in the conquests, annexations, and regime changes of mortal kingdoms.
The 'temple' of saints and the 'prototype of divine kingdom' of demigods have already begun to touch upon and distort the rules of the local world.
Its full force is enough to cause the continental plates to tremble, the elemental tides to become disordered, and the spatial structure to become unstable.
If such combat power is left unchecked and frequently intervenes in mortal wars, the foundation of the main plane will inevitably be shaken, its rules will collapse, and it will fall into an irreversible crisis of destruction.
At that time, let alone the arrival of the gods and their kingdoms, even the survival of mortal beings will be uncertain.
Therefore, we gods will join forces to set up a seal.
This seal is not directed at any individual, but at the rules.
It will cover the entire material plane, suppressing and prohibiting the manifestation and rule-based interference of the 'Holy Temple' and the 'prototype of the demigod kingdom'.
From the day the seal is completed, the strongest reliance of all saints and demigods—the power of the temple and the potential of a nascent divine kingdom—will be completely sealed.
If they wish to intervene in worldly disputes, they can only fight with their physical bodies, relying on their own honed bodies, cultivation power, and exquisite skills, and they can no longer invoke the rules to suppress others with their power.
This is the core rule of the "Covenant of the Gods."
"Five years, one hundred countries!"
Survival of the fittest, the chosen one descends!
The timer begins now.
May wisdom guide our way forward, and may strength safeguard our survival!
May fate...favor the brave and the wise.
Madora's figure, shrouded in the mists of time, slowly took a step back, merging once more into the hazy radiance.
His voice faded, but the content of his pronouncements, the cold rules, and the cruel countdown were branded like a red-hot iron, deeply imprinted on the souls of every ruler, every general, and every person of insight present.
Their return will inevitably sweep across the entire continent like the most ferocious plague.
The sky above the Florence plains was deathly silent.
Only the cold gaze of the gods, like a sharp sword hanging high in the sky, watched over the mortal rulers below.
The declaration is the law.
The words of the gods are the rules.
The elimination process has begun.
A bloody, cruel, and hopeless survival game with the entire continent as the chessboard, billions of lives as the pieces, a five-year time limit, and one hundred seats as the reward!
Almost as soon as Madora finished speaking, the main gods who represented the basic elements and core laws of the main plane in the sky suddenly emitted an incomparably powerful divine light.
The mist of time surrounding Madora, the prophet of prophecy, suddenly surged, as if manifesting a long river connecting the past and the future.
The holy radiance surrounding the goddess of light, Aetheril Dawn, was no longer merely warmth and protection, but had transformed into a pure torrent of light, emitting a clear and melodious sound.
Erebus, the god of darkness; Ares, the god of war and battle; Silova, the god of the sky and storms; Fjorn, the god of fire and magma; Daphne, the goddess of ice and snow…
The seven elemental gods represent the fundamental laws that constitute the world.
At this moment, they were not merely divine incarnations overlooking the mortal world, but transformed into seven torrents of laws piercing through heaven and earth.
There were no incantations or complicated rituals.
Seven divine pillars of light, imbued with the power to shake the very foundations of the world, shot into the sky and converged above the firmament.
Om-! ! !
The entire sky, and even the more distant horizon, was distorted at this moment.
The torrent of seven-colored divine power formed a giant net woven from pure divine power and law runes.
This net is invisible and formless, unseen by the naked eye, but all beings who have stepped into the realm of saints or above felt a sinking feeling in their hearts at that moment.
It was as if some heavy shackles had been silently placed upon their souls and the very source of their power.
The giant net expanded rapidly, sweeping across Florence in an instant at a speed beyond the comprehension of mortals, across the Effiin Empire and its surrounding kingdoms, across the northwestern continent, across mountains and rivers, across forests and deserts...
Within a few breaths, it covered every inch of the sky, every inch of the land, and every ocean of the entire Prime Material Plane.
Then, the light dissipated, and the violent fluctuations of divine power gradually subsided.
The sky returned to its original color, as if the soul-stirring scene had never happened.
But feelings don't lie.
All those present were powerful beings who had entered the realm of sainthood—whether human, elf, dwarf, or ancient beings of other races.
Their expressions changed drastically the moment the seal was completed.
They tried, as always, to communicate with the sanctuary deep within their souls.
That is the symbol of their transcendence of legend and entry into the holy realm, the foundation and home ground for them to unleash their strongest power.
However, there was no response.
The connection between the soul and the temple was completely severed.
They could sense the presence of the temple and the power it contained, but they could not draw out its power or "summon" it into reality.
It was as if an invisible pane of glass stood between them and their most powerful weapons! (End of Chapter)