The entire Lei Feng Realm became busy over these three days.
Countless cultivators rushed from all corners of the Lei Feng Continent to the very center of the realm. The teleportation arrays across various countries on the continent were operating at maximum capacity.
In the starry sky, teleportation arrays between different life planets were also activated, continuously sending cultivators to the continent.
Everyone's destination was singular: the Lei Di Hall.
Alliance Leader Wan had issued an order: he would ascend the throne and inherit the position of Lei Di on this day.
The people were ecstatic, rushing to the central region with no regard for their lives, all to witness this sacred moment, this moment of historical significance, this moment to pay homage to Lei Di.
Wan Lei was a legend. From a cultivator from a humble family, he had grown to become the strongest individual in the Lei Feng Realm. His story had inspired all cultivators.
Simultaneously, Wan Lei's contributions were exceptionally outstanding, unparalleled in history!
This had elevated Wan Lei's prestige in the Lei Feng Realm to its zenith. No one questioned his authority.
Wan Lei's inheritance of the Lei Di position was rightful and legitimate.
Whether it was his identity, bloodline, cultivation, strength, or his merits and contributions, inheriting the Lei Di position was deserved without question.
Indeed, many believed that Wan Lei should not simply inherit the title of Lei Di. It wasn't that he was unworthy of the title, but rather that the title was unworthy of him.
The first Lei Di, Wan Qingyi, had indeed made contributions, but he had only eliminated the Xie Yue Sect, which was an internal conflict within the Lei Feng Realm.
Wan Lei, however, was different. He rose from obscurity, single-handedly established the Lei Di Hall, formed the alliance, faced countless near-death experiences, and eradicated all demons and traitors.
The Xie Yue Sect had only three Tribulation Passing experts.
The nine Tribulation Passing experts from Liu Huo Kai's three families all perished at Wan Lei's hands. Furthermore, the demon marshals who died at Wan Lei's hands, according to incomplete statistics, numbered at least fifty.
Coupled with the forces of the hostile factions, the allied demon forces completely dwarfed the Xie Yue Sect of that era.
Most importantly, Wan Lei defeated an alien race, an invader!
His merits and achievements far surpassed those of the Lei Di of the past by countless leagues.
Therefore, people felt that Wan Lei should establish his own imperial title instead of inheriting the name of Lei Di.
To them, inheriting the position of Lei Di implied the succession of a dynasty and an imperial seat. However, the position of Lei Di had been vacant for fifty thousand years. Wan Lei seemed less like an emperor inheriting a predecessor's throne and more like a founding emperor who had conquered the realm through war.
If Ghost Emperor and others knew these thoughts, they would likely exclaim that this was precisely the relationship between Liu Bang and Liu Xiu.
Regardless of external advice or opinions, Wan Lei did not change his imperial title. The proclamation to the world also stated his inheritance of the Lei Di position.
Even with his current overwhelming merits, he showed no disrespect towards the ancestral Lei Di.
Others praised Wan Lei for his commendable filial piety, deeming it deeply moving. They further recognized Wan Lei's character.
In reality, only Wan Lei knew that he truly wished to use the title of Thunder God. However, he currently needed to employ all means to win over the hearts of the people. The people of the Lei Feng Realm valued filial piety—filial to ancestors, parents, and elders.
Wan Lei had encountered countless wicked individuals in the Lei Feng Realm, but he had yet to encounter anyone who disrespected their parents or ancestors.
On this day, the Lei Di Hall was adorned with colorful banners, and a sea of people filled the grounds. Cultivators stood on every mountaintop and on the main peak of the Lei Di Hall. Many, unable to find a place to stand, hovered in mid-air.
On this day, all cultivators were treated without distinction of rank. Those who arrived early naturally occupied positions closer to the main hall. Those who arrived late, regardless of their prowess, could only stand at the periphery.
The only stipulation was that no one was allowed to cause disturbances, engage in fights, or disrupt the order.
Sui Xiaohang, Tian Suanzi, Wan Liuchuan, and Wan Lei's other close friends had, of course, secured the best positions outside the main hall early on, mingling with the Tribulation Passing experts, and they had also brought Qian Duoduo and others along.
Not only them, but many direct subordinates of the Lei Di Hall, leveraging their advantageous positions, had also directly occupied the best spots.
Originally, the Lei Di Hall's army was sufficient to fill the entire Lei Di Mountain. However, after witnessing the scene, Xi Renjun directly ordered them to maintain public order, which caused the soldiers to protest for a long time.
At this moment, there were nearly a hundred million people at the Lei Di Hall, and this was only for those who could reach it from nearby. Many more were still queuing at the teleportation arrays in the central region.
People jostled shoulder to shoulder, creating a bustling scene. They constantly discussed the day's significant event, excitement evident on every face. Even disciples from the Kai Tian Sword Sect had traveled here, eagerly anticipating Wan Lei's ascension.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky, and everyone was growing impatient from waiting, that two figures flew out from the Lei Di Hall's inner palace.
Wan Lei was still clad in the black dragon robe he wore on the day the Lei Di Hall was founded, while Fang Xiaoyu wore a phoenix robe. Both appeared exceptionally solemn and magnificent.
They arrived above the main hall, and the grand banner on the main hall was replaced from the character "Wan" to the Lei Di banner.
The appearance of Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu instantly ignited the enthusiasm of everyone present.
"Long live Lei Di, long live Empress!"
"Long live Lei Di, long live Empress!"
"Long live Lei Di, long live Empress!"
Wan Lei waved his hand, his voice carrying a commanding tone,
"I ask everyone to wait a moment. I will first pay homage to the ancestral Lei Di."
"It is only right."
The crowd bowed in unison.
Wan Lei nodded, took Fang Xiaoyu's hand, and slowly walked into the solemn great hall.
At this moment, only the two of them were inside the great hall.
But outside, countless eyes were watching.
Regardless of how outsiders compared him to Lei Di, or how they praised him while belittling Lei Di, Wan Lei's reverence for the ancestral Lei Di, Wan Qingyi, remained unchanged.
If nothing else, the Thunder Armor left to him by Lei Di had saved his life countless times.
Furthermore, Wan Lei could never forget the admiration and excitement he felt in his heart the first time he heard about Lei Di's deeds.
"Descendant Wan Lei pays respects to the ancestral Lei Di.
Your descendant has now become the strongest individual in the Lei Feng Realm and has made peerless contributions. I implore the ancestral Lei Di for your permission to allow your descendant to inherit the position of Lei Di.
Your descendant will, like you, lead the Lei Feng Realm and use his strength to maintain the peace of this world.
With the ancestral spirit above, your descendant bows again."
Wan Lei's voice was not just spoken; it resonated throughout the entire Lei Di Hall.
Those outside could hear it clearly.
Wan Lei rose, and together with Fang Xiaoyu, he gazed at the statue of Lei Di for a moment.
Fang Xiaoyu's eyes, which had once held a challenging spirit upon first seeing Lei Di's portrait, now showed no trace of it. She had retracted all her radiance, her gaze calm, as if she were looking at an elder.
Wan Lei took Fang Xiaoyu's hand, turned, and walked out of the great hall,
"Let's go. We will invite all beings to help me ascend to immortality."