The disaster had just ended, and a period of rebuilding was upon the various oases.
Despite this, Bolaimon had set aside many affairs. He was preparing the various gifts that needed to be brought for the envoy mission to the Burning Flame Merchant Guild.
This time, he would personally travel to visit the demigods of the Burning Flame Merchant Guild.
However, the leader of this expedition was not Bolaimon himself, but his grandfather, the one who held supreme power in the Fallen Star City.
Soon,
A magnificent, high-spec envoy delegation's convoy slowly entered the Burning Flame territory.
Upon seeing this delegation, many awakened individuals showed surprise.
Indeed, their Fallen Star City had never assembled an envoy delegation of such caliber. This demonstrated their earnestness. Perhaps, in a short time, Burning Flame City would become their suzerain, and the entire Fallen Star Domain would be settled.
But what truly showcased the sincerity of their Fallen Star City was not just these carts of treasures, nor the princesses, but the two mythicals: himself and his grandfather.
They were currently seated within the opulent carriage.
The hearing of mythicals allowed them to clearly discern the hushed discussions of people within several kilometers, many of which were disparaging.
The dignified former overlord of the great domain, rushing to the Burning Flame Merchant City so soon after the disaster, was a great loss of face.
No matter how one looked at it, Fallen Star City was a super oasis.
It was a powerful force with centuries of heritage and three mythical excellencies presiding over it.
But it seemed to lack the confidence and courage that a powerful force should possess.
Some awakened individuals were heard discussing this.
Within the convoy, the nobly dressed princesses and princes felt a sense of shame.
But they remained silent.
Before departing, they had been repeatedly instructed by their elders.
A six-awakening expert from Fallen Star City swept his gaze across the surroundings, his expression calm.
Beneath the calmness lay disdain.
Disdain for the awakened individuals around them.
He was the lord of the Star Brilliance Fortress, a figure ranked among the top three beneath the mythicals of Fallen Star City. He was keenly aware of the weight of the Burning Flame Merchant Guild.
What could these mortals possibly understand?
Clinging to a powerful patron was not shameful.
And not everyone, not every force, was qualified to cling to the Burning Flame Merchant Guild's coattails.
Most of these awakened individuals, who hailed from large merchant guilds and mercenary groups, simply… lacked the qualification.
They couldn't even comprehend the situation and merely followed others in their discussions.
Listening to the somewhat grating whispers around him, the Star Brilliance City Lord did not become angry. He even felt like laughing.
"This time, our Fallen Star City has shown great sincerity, and by sending our envoy to Burning Flame City earlier than other forces, we are sure to gain more from the Burning Flame Merchant Guild."
Even if it were just a little.
But considering the scale of the Burning Flame Merchant Guild and its rapid development, as long as their Fallen Star City could hitch a ride and gain even a small benefit, they would reap enormous rewards.
Perhaps, they could develop more super oases.
Perhaps, they could obtain epic and legendary creation technologies.
Perhaps, their Fallen Star City could birth a fourth, fifth, sixth, or even more mythicals.
And by then, he, the Star Brilliance City Lord, would have a slight chance to aim for the mythical realm.
This was something he had never even dared to imagine before.
This was the benefit of clinging to a powerful patron! Who wouldn't want to do so?
Everyone did. It was precisely for this reason that their Fallen Star City had begun preparations during the disaster. As soon as the disaster ended and the trade routes were cleared, the delegation immediately departed.
They wanted to be the first to follow the Burning Flame Merchant Guild.
"Within the Fallen Star Domain, no other force is qualified to compete with our Fallen Star City, not even Steel City or Sword Blossom City. However, as time passes, super oases outside the Fallen Star Domain might also want to catch the Burning Flame's express train. We in Fallen Star City must not be careless."
"We must maintain our status as the primary 'follower' of the Burning Flame Merchant Guild."
These were the words of Bolaimon Excellency, not expressed so bluntly, but the meaning was largely the same.
The six-awakening experts in charge of Fallen Star City's affairs remembered this point well.
"But there is no need to worry. Our Fallen Star City and the Burning Flame Merchant Guild are in the same domain, giving us a significant innate advantage. Outer super oases cannot compete with us."
"Moreover, it has only been a few days since the disaster ended, and the news has not yet spread. Other oases are probably still repairing their city walls right now."
They thought.
Before the convoy officially entered Burning Flame City, they could see another delegation's convoy, not much smaller than their own, approaching from a distance.
The emblem on the side of the carriage was very familiar to them.
"It's the delegation from Steel City!"
"My goodness, they arrived so early too!"
"Fortunately, fortunately, Excellency Bolaimon had the foresight to order us to depart immediately, otherwise we would have fallen behind Steel City."
"Indeed, Steel City's strength is far inferior to ours, but they began cooperating with the Burning Flame Merchant Guild earlier. If we had arrived late this time, we might have been at a disadvantage in the struggle for benefits."
"Not only that… delegations from Sword Blossom City and the Black Stone Alliance have also arrived!"
Convoy after convoy entered.
The experts from Fallen Star City, while surprised, also breathed a long sigh of relief.
Bolaimon gazed into the distance, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Grandfather, according to our previous plan, we will follow the proper procedures and formally establish relations with the Burning Flame Merchant Guild and the forces behind it… But if we go through all these courtesies, we will likely have to wait for several days before we can personally visit the demigod of Burning Flame."
A few days was actually a very short time.
The actions of mythical beings represented super oases, and during formal visits, numerous courtesies had to be observed.
Etiquette was a manifestation of identity and culture.
It was also a testament to the reverence shown to mythical beings.
However, now, Bolaimon felt a sense of urgency.
Would waiting a few days be too slow?
His grandfather, Orlando, pondered, "Several days is not long. Only by following the process can we demonstrate the sincerity and importance of our Fallen Star City. A hurried visit would only make the esteemed beings of Burning Flame think that our Fallen Star City is a group of ill-mannered barbarians."
This was indeed true.
Fallen Star City was a kingdom with centuries of heritage.
They were also nobles deeply influenced by culture.
"Grandfather, you are right. Let us submit the letter of invitation according to the process."
"For these few days, we will temporarily reside at the Star Mist Manor. This is a luxurious manor within the fourth ring of Burning Flame City, which our subordinates spent a high price to purchase and construct."
"Besides that, if you are interested, Grandfather, we can also tour Burning Flame City. It seems to be even more prosperous than our Fallen Star Royal City…"
Noble mythical beings usually did not wander through streets and alleys like mortals.
However, Burning Flame City was a city of miracles. In just a few years, it had developed to a scale comparable to, or even surpassing, their royal city.
Taking advantage of this period for a discreet tour was not out of the question.
Come to think of it, it had been a year or two since he had last visited Burning Flame City.
As Bolaimon mused and entered the city, he realized that the changes here far exceeded his imagination.
Shops on both sides emanated the glow of treasures.
Epic-grade hover cars and aircraft were visible everywhere.
Even the awakened individuals on the streets appeared to be strong.
Bolaimon was somewhat startled.
He extended his divine sense and probed slightly further, discovering…
If you randomly grabbed ten people on the street, at least one would be a non-human rank.
As they walked, he discovered no less than twenty six-awakening experts.
It was as if six-awakening experts were commonplace here, and non-humans were worth less than dogs.
Yet, six-awakening experts were already high-ranking officials in super forces. Their Fallen Star City only had about twenty to thirty six-awakening experts, with over ten of them cultivated with additional resources in the past two to three years.
"Perhaps it's because Burning Flame City has gathered many external forces, hence the abundance of six-awakening experts."
He was very envious.
The trade volume and foot traffic in Burning Flame City were far greater than in their Star Brilliance Fortress.
He became even more resolute in his decision to follow Burning Flame's lead.
"Perhaps, we should expedite the process and visit the president of the Burning Flame Merchant Guild as soon as possible."
"And seek guidance from the mythicals of the Burning Flame Merchant Guild."
"For example, Ms. Bai, who is in charge of the supermarket."
"Huh…"
Bolaimon turned his head to look at the horizon.
An extremely powerful aura was heading towards Burning Flame City.
In a moment, the clouds in the sky parted.
Four majestic, three-colored pythons with fleshy wings, pulling a lavish carriage, quickly landed outside Burning Flame City.
A petite figure with black hair cascading to her ankles emerged from within, her gaze imperious. However, upon entering Burning Flame City, this being had restrained all her aura.
"It's Lady Ten Thousand Snakes."
"A genuine demigod giant!"
"We must pay our respects to this lady as well."
Bolaimon was not surprised by the arrival of this lady.
But he was soon surprised.
"Seven Stars Alliance…"
"Ancient Moon Dynasty…"
"Crimson Lotus Empire…"
Why had they also arrived? This made no sense!
In the delegation of the Seven Stars Alliance, Bolaimon saw a familiar face.
Just as he was about to step forward to converse and inquire about the situation, his body suddenly trembled. His pupils contracted, and his gaze was fixed on a figure, unable to move away.
"It's the Second Island Master of the Seven Stars Alliance, Excellency Yao Cheng Luosomixia, and this person is leading the delegation?"
"No, why would a demigod Excellency of the Seven Stars Alliance personally come to Burning Flame City?"
Although Burning Flame City possessed more than one demigod, powerful and mysterious, the Seven Stars Alliance was the overlord of the entire Eastern Ghost Realm!
Only the Ancient Moon Dynasty and the Crimson Lotus Empire could compare to it.
Wait, Ancient Moon, Crimson Lotus… could it be…
Bolaimon gazed into the distance and spotted several more familiar, albeit unrecognized by the figures, important individuals.
Excellency Gu Yue Xiguang.
Excellency Hong Lian Huigang.
These two were even more significant figures.
That was because Demigod Xiguang and Demigod Huigang both wielded authority over level nine oases and were top-tier giants in the Eastern Ghost Realm.
Such figures usually presided over their own core oases.
Why were they all gathered in Burning Flame City today? It was unreasonable! It was mysterious!
As delegations representing super forces arrived one after another, the festive atmosphere within Burning Flame City grew more intense.
At this time, ordinary awakened individuals and the citizens of Burning Flame were merely surprised and proud, nothing more. They knew that the Seven Stars Alliance and the Ancient Moon Dynasty were impressive, but they did not recognize great figures like Demigod Xiguang, Demigod Huigang, or Demigod Yao Cheng, who stood in the heavens.
Only the mythicals were surprised, shocked, and horrified.
And within this 'small' Burning Flame City, no fewer than thirty mythical excellencies had gradually gathered.
"Shadow, you've come too?"
"Hmph, White Lotus, haven't you also quietly arrived at Burning Flame City?"
"Herle, so you are also representing your own force as an envoy to the Burning Flame Merchant Guild?"
"My old friends, it's been a century since we last met. I never expected to meet here in Burning Flame today. We must have a drink."
"Let's go, let's go! I've heard that the cuisine of Burning Flame City is unsurpassed throughout the Eastern Ghost Realm."
Most mythicals moved within the city, concealing their divine radiance and identities.
However, some six-awakening experts of extraordinary status and extensive knowledge recognized these mythical excellencies, and they were immediately struck.
"We ate in the same restaurant as a mythical excellency!"
"The Gastronomy Heaven Restaurant boldly claims to have hosted many mythicals. I initially thought it was an exaggeration, but looking now, it seems to be true. There have been six or seven mythicals entering and exiting these days, and that's only the ones we can identify."
As a result, several high-end dining establishments, such as the Gastronomy Heaven Restaurant, were fully booked.
Although these high-end restaurants offered delicious food, their prices were also exorbitant. Even ordinary six-awakening experts would have to consider their wallets before ordering.
But now, in order to have more opportunities to interact with mythical excellencies, various powerhouses were not sparing money.
They did not know that, in the past, these restaurants were also frequently patronized by mythicals.
Sometimes, even ten or twenty mythicals would dine there together.
It's just that, compared to the leaders and rulers of various super oases, the mythicals of the Hearth Organization seemed unremarkable. They also had no intention of seeking fame. Their own boss/commander/group leader/senior sister did not care about fleeting fame, so how could a mere mythical like themselves be qualified to steal the spotlight?
Mythical? Just a slightly bigger soldier.
The six-awakening experts hoped to establish connections with mythical excellencies.
While contacting old friends, the mythical beings were also immensely shocked.
Too many mythicals had gathered within Burning Flame City.
Never before had any oasis brought together such a number of mythicals. Even the mythical beings present at the Human Alliance Conference were merely projections, incomparable to the current situation.
The mythicals were also aware that over five demigod giants had appeared in this city!
"No, not only."
"If we include the demigods stationed here by the Burning Flame Merchant Guild itself, this city might have six or seven demigods!"
"Hiss—"
The mythicals gasped for air.
The mythicals trembled and behaved themselves obediently.
There were too many big shots; they could only try to minimize their presence.
And only after the big shots had finished their exchanges would they dare to submit their letters of invitation.
How could they dare to snatch the opportunity before the big shots? They could only continue to gather with old friends, eating and drinking.
The overlords like the Ancient Moon Dynasty and the Seven Stars Alliance seemed to be moving somewhat slowly, still waiting for something.
Waiting for what?
A brilliant light bloomed in the sky, dispelling the gray fog within a radius of several hundred kilometers.
On the path paved by the divine light, a being who appeared to be middle-aged strode through the air.
His appearance was extremely blurry.
Or rather, even with the eyesight of a mythical, one could not penetrate the mist that enveloped him.
They could only see a profound symbol.
A symbol representing the laws of heaven and earth, the origin of the universe.
It also represented the identity of the person who had arrived.
"This person is…"
"The Sage Cang Tu!"
"The Great Sage Cang Tu, his true form has arrived!"