Chapter 910

At this moment, all the tribal high priests and bloodline warriors within a thousand li of Chishan Mountain had gathered in Chishan City, turning the already bustling city into an especially lively hub.

Fortunately, the cultivation experts left behind in Chishan City used Daoist arts to alter the terrain, fill in valleys, and expand the city walls, allowing so many people to flood in at once.

“I never expected Chishan Mountain to change so drastically—I once came here before, when the mountain lord was Huohuo. I remember selling a few rare beasts here in exchange for some Jin Hui tribe goods.”

“Huohuo should have long since relinquished Chishan Mountain. If this land weren’t so barren and incapable of producing powerful warriors, how could a mere Thirty-Master hold onto the Chishan Range? Now that a deity has emerged from Chishan Mountain, with divine protection, peace will endure here for generations.”

Some tribal chieftains voiced these reflections, all while yearning for a brighter future.

Many tribes truly did not wish for war or conflict, but survival on this ancient land demanded it: either plunder others, expand territory, and secure greater living space—or be defeated, absorbed, and reduced to slavery.

Only the birth of a deity could halt this cycle, for warriors in this savage world revered strength above all.

Thus, many longed for Li Yi, the Chishan Mountain deity, to establish the Crimson Gold Nation.

Yet the birth of a deity was exceedingly difficult, especially near Chishan Mountain.

The only tribe with any hope of producing a deity was the Divine Wood lineage of Shenyu City—but many tribal chieftains and high priests dreaded this outcome, for the Divine Wood lineage had thrived here far too long; their bloodline warriors were arrogant and tyrannical, like a blazing sun scorching every neighboring tribe.

If the Divine Wood lineage produced another deity, many tribes would have to consider relocating entirely.

They could not endure another ten thousand years of Divine Wood dominance.

Hence, only after Li Yi became a deity did all tribal chieftains eagerly come here—to see this new deity, and learn how he intended to rule this thousand-li realm.

“I heard that after the fall of the Divine Wood Lord, the Divine Wood warriors fled to the Country of Wind, seeking its protection to avoid the wrath of the Chishan Mountain deity.”

“The Country of Wind also has a deity. It was wise of the Divine Wood lineage to enter it, but they abandoned their sacred tree and their ancestral land—they’ll find it nearly impossible to return. They’ve grown too comfortable, holed up in one great city with only a Hundred-Mountain Lord. If my tribe had all this, we might have already birthed a deity.”

Many tribal high priests gathered together, whispering among themselves.

Suddenly.

Thunder roared from the distant sky; lightning wove together into an unmistakable bolt of radiant energy, and within that lightning, a giant a hundred zhang tall stepped upon white clouds, accompanied by thunder and lightning, appearing before everyone’s eyes.

Even before he drew near, a crushing aura swept over them—every tribe’s strongest warrior trembled in place.

“He’s here—the Lord of Chishan, the Thunder Deity Li Yi—he’s coming this way.”

“The deity said to have shot down ten suns in a single day—I’ve finally seen him with my own eyes.”

“I’ve witnessed the deity of the Country of Wind travel—his passage stirred endless gales. But this is the first time I’ve seen the power of thunder on this ancient land.”

“Of course—legend says the Thunder Deity perished in the Northern Wastes, and since then, divine blood vanished. Now Li Yi has revived his ancestors’ glory—it’s a legend reborn.”

“Li Yi! Li Yi!”

Murmurs, exclamations, cheers—all intertwined, echoing across the entire Chishan Range.

Everyone waited for the arrival of the Chishan Mountain deity, Li Yi.

The cultivation experts within the mountain, seeing Li Yi—a hundred-zhang titan—stride across the clouds, wreathed in lightning, were equally awestruck; such power was simply terrifying.

This earth-shaking might could not be matched even by a Great Completion of the Three Flowers Realm—only a Dao-attained one might rival a deity.

But how many Dao-attained ones remain in this End-Dharma cultivation world?

And Li Yi was so young—his potential boundless. Even the most arrogant cultivation experts now bowed their heads in sincere submission to follow such a transcendent being.

“Lord, you’ve returned.”

High Priest Dou Kun, accompanied by E Ji, Su Ji, the warrior Shan Guo, and the tamed beast Qiong Niu, had already awaited him in the governor’s mansion.

All were deeply moved; the beast Qiong Niu knelt on the ground, its expression pleading and submissive.

For to follow a deity was the supreme honor of their lifetimes.

As lightning and thunder arrived, Li Yi strode into Chishan Mountain; as the auspicious clouds descended, his towering form rapidly shrank. By the time the clouds settled upon the governor’s mansion, he stood at normal human height—even slightly shorter than the warriors of this world, who often reached two or three meters tall.

“Lord.”

High Priest Dou Kun, E Ji, Su Ji, and Shan Guo all bowed respectfully.

“Summon the high priests and chieftains of all tribes to the governor’s mansion. It is time to settle these matters,” Li Yi said.

“I shall notify all tribal high priests and chieftains at once,” Dou Kun replied, then immediately turned and departed.

Soon after.

Many tribal chieftains and high priests, guided by Dou Kun, arrived at the grand hall.

Though the governor’s mansion, built by the former Chishan Mountain lord Huohuo, was spacious enough, it still could not hold so many; some chieftains and high priests had to stand outside the hall.

Yet they still saw Li Yi, the Chishan Mountain deity.

He sat upon a cloud of auspicious light, relaxed in posture, flanked by two beautiful maidens—utterly devoid of his former dominance and arrogance, instead radiating an inexplicable languor.

“We pay homage to the Lord of Chishan.”

All tribal chieftains and high priests bowed before Li Yi upon the cloud, showing their respect.

Li Yi’s gaze swept over them. He was satisfied with the strength of these tribal chieftains—all were Mountain Lords. Though the Chishan Range was not especially fertile, it was far richer than the Northern Wastes, still capable of producing many powerful warriors.

“Chieftains and high priests of the tribes, I am not your lord—no need for such formalities,” Li Yi said slowly. “And I know why you’ve come here. You wish to join the Crimson Gold Nation?”

“Yes, Lord of Chishan. You are now a deity. By tradition, you must establish a thousand-li nation, and every tribe upon this land shall become your subjects,” one tribal high priest replied respectfully.

“I am chieftain of the Stone Mountain Tribe. I pledge allegiance to the Lord of Chishan and offer all our warriors to serve you. Please accept our loyalty,” said a minor chieftain, kneeling outright.

“Please protect us, Lord of Chishan—I too wish to become your servant,” other chieftains followed suit, kneeling.

“Great Lord of Chishan, please slay the evil dragon of the Great Marsh and save our Fengshui Tribe,” pleaded another chieftain seeking Li Yi’s aid.

Voices filled the hall, growing chaotic.

“Silence.”

Li Yi’s roar sent lightning racing across the heavens, as if the deity’s wrath hovered, ready to strike and obliterate all within the hall.

Terrified by this divine power, every chieftain and high priest fell silent, bowing low, not daring to move.

Li Yi’s expression remained calm as he spoke: “I understand your intentions. As a deity, I shall, by tradition, establish the thousand-li Crimson Gold Nation and protect each of your tribes. But I have conditions. Listen. If you accept, swear your loyalty. If you cannot, leave. I will not hinder you, nor seek revenge—I swear this by the name of a deity.”

Hearing this, the crowd relaxed slightly.

At least they wouldn’t die here for no reason.

A deity’s oath was unquestionably trustworthy.

Li Yi considered. Though he had read little, he knew the tale of the Three Covenants. To govern these primitives, rules must be few—too many, and they’d forget them all.

“The first rule of my thousand-li nation: no tribe shall wage war or plunder another. Whoever strikes first shall bear the wrath of thunder.”

Upon hearing this rule, many tribal chieftains stirred with excitement.

This was precisely what they had waited for—this rule meant long-lasting peace for generations to come.

“The second rule: every tribe within the Crimson Gold Nation must send its strongest warrior to serve me,” Li Yi continued. “Can each chieftain and high priest fulfill this?”

Not a single chieftain or high priest objected. They deemed this perfectly reasonable—even wished they could send more warriors to Chishan Mountain.

Only then could their tribes secure greater benefits and status in the future.

“Since there is no objection, the third rule: no tribe shall betray the Crimson Gold Nation. Any who do shall be deemed traitors, and their entire people shall be destroyed by the deity,” Li Yi said again.

Demanding loyalty was a basic, unyielding rule—no one opposed it.

Li Yi said: “As the Chishan Mountain deity, I have established only these three rules. As a gift, I shall protect every tribe within the Crimson Gold Nation. If your tribe faces a crisis beyond your power to resolve, come to Crimson Gold City for aid.”

“Lord, should we collect tribute from the tribes?” High Priest Dou Kun interjected.

By tradition, a deity received tribute from each tribe to sustain the prosperity of the Crimson Gold Nation.

Li Yi waved his hand. “I will accept no tribute from any tribe. This promise holds as long as I live.”

He understood the importance of taxation, but resources here were too abundant—he would not haggle over the meager scraps of these tribes. If he truly needed resources, he would simply crush stronger enemies and seize what he needed.

Besides, Li Yi had already taken their most precious possession: their strongest warriors.

“We thank the Lord of Chishan for his mercy,” the tribal chieftains and high priests exclaimed, deeply moved.