Chapter 656: Empress Tina! The Star God and the Divine Pantheon!

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Eternal Night Empire has sent an invitation, inviting you to a banquet."

In the estate, the Crown Princess said to Meng Ying.

On the Divine Lands, kingdoms are ruled by kings, empires by emperors, though this is not absolute, especially when women ascend as monarchs or emperors.

After all, king and emperor are, in some sense, the same thing.

Since Meng Ying and Qing Ling are both empresses and Holy Maidens of the Lord of Flame, Meng Ying is accustomed to being called Queen by those close to her.

After all, calling an empress directly by her title sounds odd among familiar people, while strangers usually address her as Your Majesty.

Of course, conceptually, Meng Ying is a standard emperor.

"Banquet?"

After a moment's thought, Meng Ying asked: "Crown Princess, what do you think is the Emperor of the Eternal Night Empire's purpose in hosting this banquet?"

The Crown Princess considered, then said: "We have united the three eastern kingdoms into one, and the Eternal Night Empire still does not know our true strength—likely, they wish to gauge our stance toward them."

Meng Ying said: "Crown Princess, come with me."

The Crown Princess nodded slightly: "Very well!"

Nightfall came quickly.

That day, the capital of the Eternal Night Empire was unusually lively.

The capital's citizens had watched festivities all day long, each seeing more gold and jewels than they had in their entire lives.

Someone even made a rough estimate.

The total value of gifts presented by the nobles attending tonight's banquet may exceed ten billion gold coins!

These are gold coins!

Yet the most talked-about were the silk and porcelain sent by the Flame Empire.

There was no helping it—silk costing one chi at one hundred thousand gold coins was simply too eye-catching.

The exquisite porcelain was equally captivating.

Some mages even used magic to carve the porcelain's image and showed it to others.

Only when night fell did the public's chatter finally subside.

Meng Ying and the Crown Princess then rode in a carriage toward the imperial palace.

Upon reaching the palace, the Queen's Guard could not enter further—they would wait in a designated area.

Under the guidance of palace guards, Meng Ying and the Crown Princess walked inward.

Meng Ying noticed that all these palace guards were women.

Yet their strength was not weak.

"Could the Emperor of the Eternal Night Empire be a woman?"

Meng Ying wondered.

Only a female emperor would select exclusively female guards.

Soon, Meng Ying learned the answer.

After entering a lavishly decorated grand hall, Meng Ying saw a sovereign dressed in exquisite robes, wearing a delicate crown!

"Indeed, a female emperor."

Meng Ying and the Crown Princess exchanged glances.

The Emperor of the Eternal Night Empire was mysterious—but only to those of insufficient status.

The privilege of being personally invited to the emperor's banquet was exceedingly rare.

Her face bore no veil, so Meng Ying and the Crown Princess could clearly see her features.

It was truly a face that could topple nations and bewitch cities.

She appeared to be in her twenties, yet tomorrow marked her thousandth birthday.

Her magical aura was subtle, but to Meng Ying's senses, she was a Saint Realm!

"Your Majesty of the Flame Empire, please be seated!"

Upon seeing Meng Ying and the Crown Princess enter, the Empress of the Eternal Night Empire rose and gestured them to sit.

Meng Ying and the Crown Princess sat down.

At the long table, there were few people—besides the Empress of the Eternal Night Empire, only Meng Ying and the Crown Princess were present.

The Empress of the Eternal Night Empire exchanged brief pleasantries with Meng Ying, and they exchanged titles.

The Empress of the Eternal Night Empire's name was simple: Tina, Empress Tina.

"We are kindred spirits, Your Grace Meng Ying—no need for formality. Call me Empress Tina."

Empress Tina said.

Clearly, she had sensed Meng Ying's Saint Realm power!

When two Saint Realms are too close, even if they strive to conceal it, they cannot fully hide it.

After mastering the power of the Dao, one naturally acquires traits others lack.

When near, these traits are easily sensed.

On the Divine Lands, if one must choose between Saint Realm and Emperor of a great empire:

Those who crave power choose to become Emperor of a great empire.

Those who crave strength choose to become a Saint Realm.

Yet far more choose to become a Saint Realm than a great empire's emperor!

For on the Divine Lands, Saint Realm represents the pinnacle of power!

Saint Realm also represents another possibility: an extended lifespan, and most importantly, the potential to become a god!

Who among mortals does not wish to become a god?

After sensing the strength of the Dream Sacred Domain, Empress Tina felt a hint of surprise, but her expression remained largely unchanged.

However, her attitude toward Dream had quietly changed.

Now, it was empress to empress, sacred domain to sacred domain.

And the form of address between Empress Tina and Dream was that of sacred domain to sacred domain — each called the other "Your Grace."

After exchanging pleasantries with Dream, Empress Tina turned to the Princess Royal and asked:

"This must be the eldest daughter of Duke Hiling, Princess Royal Your Grace?"

The Princess Royal nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. My father is Duke Hiling."