Chapter 1056: The Warhammer Appears

The people didn't wait long.

A few minutes later, a portal opened above the steps of Fubei Deng Square, drawing everyone's gaze; they saw a majestic figure emerge, hovering a hundred meters in the air, quietly overlooking the entire square.

Ryan Augustus!

In that moment, everyone silently whispered the name in their hearts.

That once ordinary name was now bestowed with supreme glory and countless legends, like a hero stepping out of an epic.

No!

He shines brighter than any epic hero, surpassing all humans past and present, standing shoulder to shoulder with the divine in a mortal body!

Everyone in Fubei Deng Square looked up at the man in the sky and saw he was different from before: he wore golden armor, not the powered suit of an Extreme Warrior, but as light and fitted as the old mithril light armor; a symbol of a war hammer crossed with a crescent moon was etched on his chest, the shoulder plates bore double‑headed eagles representing the Empire's Consul, and a blood‑red great cloak draped behind him.

Handsome! Majestic! Solemn!

Lei En slowly descended from the air, his rustling red cape framing his robust frame, the sun rising behind him casting a shadow over the square.

The scene was like a deity descending to the mortal world, stirring boundless awe and reverence in hundreds of thousands, a memory they would never forget.

A complex wave of emotion spread through the crowd.

Whether powerful Holy Soul Wizards or ordinary folk who had not walked the path of transcendence, all quietly gazed at Lei En descending from the heavens, each feeling an indescribable sensation.

Some admired, some envied, and some were fanatical.

Some were indifferent, some scornful, and some hostile.

Yet no one would deny Lei En's greatness and power! Deep within each heart arose a sentiment: this is the pinnacle a man, a human, a mortal can reach—true heroes should be just like this!

Lei En gently landed on the steps and waved toward the square.

"Salutations, Consul!"

"Salutations, Consul!"

"Salutations, Consul..."

The Empire's senators led the chant, and the hundreds of thousands of civilians who entered the square followed with a salute.

The Duke's guard and Thundercast Celestial Soldiers raised their weapons in unison, saluting together; Extreme Warriors, the Empire's Fist, and Iridescent Dragon Knights pounded their chests, while the Rick Guard hoisted the double‑headed eagle banner, fluttering in the wind.

Hundreds of thousands shouted like a tidal wave, soaring into the heavens!

Anxiwodasi suddenly understood why Lei En wanted to be emperor. Standing beside Lei En, he felt an endless surge of exhilaration roiling in his chest, as if he possessed the whole world, the ruler of all things!

What does Lei En himself feel?

Anxiwodasi's heart was filled with mixed feelings; even he could not say whether it was envy or yearning, only sighing softly and suppressing the emotion.

He glanced at the Holy Soul Wizards beside him.

The Silver Star Duke and Storm Queen, the sister pair, looked at Lei En no longer with the former disdain and vigilance; now their eyes were filled only with intoxication. Their appraisal of a handsome, powerful man was no different from that of ordinary women, perhaps even more intense.

Oyin Luo let out a sigh.

Prophet Medif, Sabra, and Keluonamanshe could not hide their envy on their faces, wishing they could take his place.

Conversely, Ao Xi Li Ya was the most composed; a hint of pride lingered in her eyes, but no particular excitement, as if she had long known this day would come.

Black Robe Duke Tuzlei watched with a cold stare, while Howai Master shook his head slightly and sighed.

Lei En raised his hand in signal.

The shouts in the square gradually subsided, returning to silence within seconds, as everyone watched the Consul's next move.

Lei En's gaze swept over the Empire's senators below the steps, lingering briefly on Viola in the front row; he met his beloved's eyes and offered a gentle smile.

Viola's heart surged, her eyes filled with boundless adoration.

Lei En shifted his gaze away, then immediately regained his solemnity, finally focusing on the center of the square, where Tim*Kenan, Kaisitong, and KangJieladeGreatSage, along with their Wizards and Transcendents, who had not taken part in the salute, stood like castaways on a lonely island, surrounded by a raging tide, isolated and helpless.

They knew their situation well: defeated, taken as prisoners, awaiting their fate.

Lei En's cold stare sent shivers through them.

"Master Kenan."

Lei En spoke, his voice not loud yet clear enough for the hundreds of thousands in the square to hear as if in a face‑to‑face conversation, saying, "Not long ago, you told the Empire's senators that the Supreme Council's authority never comes from others, but stems from great power, correct?"

Tim*Kenan gave no reply; he already knew what Lei En was about to say.

"Hehe..."

Lei En chuckled, laced with sarcasm, "I disagree with your view. Power comes from the people; it is the Empire's people's Willpower that grants us authority..."

Hearing this, the tens of thousands of Nuosiruier residents surrounding the square shouted loudly, "Long live the Consul!"

Reporters in the crowd raised their cameras, snapping continuously.

Lei En had to wave again to quiet the crowd, continuing, "However, according to Master Kenan's theory, my strength surpasses yours, so my authority stands above yours. Master Kenan, do you still think so?"

"You win; whatever you say is right," Tim*Kenan managed to utter.

The victor is king.

Though he felt countless grievances, Lei En had overpowered him with brute force and then used his own words against himself; whatever he said could not stand, appearing pale and feeble.

Lei En turned to KangJieladeGreatSage, "GrandSage?"

"Alas..."

KangJieladeGreatSage winced, wanting to plead a few more words but knowing the tide had turned, useless to speak, he sighed, "Everything follows your will. Lei En, whatever punishment you have, direct it at me; I hope you spare the residents of Ai En Floating City, they are innocent."

Lei En gave no answer, remaining silent for now.

He finally looked at Hong Shi, Duke Kaisitong, the once‑threatening, most dreaded enemy, now a solitary figure; his Soul Eye saw Kaisitong's soul reddened to black, filled with boundless hatred toward him.

Some matters were unsuitable to voice before all eyes, and Lei En did not wish Kaisitong to speak recklessly, so he asked nothing.

Lei En proclaimed loudly, "In the name of my lifelong Consulship, I hereby announce the formal dissolution of the Kemi Tis Supreme Council!"

Hundreds of thousands trembled in unison, a roar erupting.

Even though people had already heard of it and knew no further surprises would come, truly hearing Lei En announce the Supreme Council's dissolution still shocked them!

The Supreme Council was founded in New Era Calendar year 1368, having ruled the Empire for 1,177 years.

But today, the Supreme Council has become the past.

People can't help but look up at the sky, gazing at the incarnation of the God of Magic in the heights.

It is well known that the Supreme Council is actually the church of the God of Magic, carrying out the goddess's Willpower and governing the Empire on its behalf. Over a thousand years ago, Augulevi Master led the founding of the Supreme Council, having received the goddess's permission and support, thus enabling the seizure of the Empire's rule.

The captives in the middle of the plaza lifted their heads; this was their last glimmer of hope.

However, they were soon disappointed.

The incarnation of the goddess gave no response, as if detached from the matter.

Tim*Kenan's expression remained unchanged; he had long anticipated this outcome. Without the God of Magic's tacit approval, Lei En would never dare to challenge the Supreme Council. Huo Huai's relinquishment of his vote was clearly because he is a Chosen One, having grasped the goddess's Willpower.

Counting on the God of Magic to stop Lei En is nothing but a dream.

Seeing the goddess's incarnation do nothing, everyone finally understood that the Consul had already received the goddess's support.

And that was not the end.

Lei En continued his proclamation: "Tim*Kenan, KangJielade*Nio, Kailston*Karser, Magna*Eilan, Ma Youfu*Chi Yan, these five not only defied the Consul's orders but also plotted to split the Empire, endangering the lives of Nuosiruier's people, launching an attack with Fu Kong Cheng, and committing an unforgivable crime!"

"Here, I pronounce judgment in the name of the goddess—"

"Strip the five of their Duke titles!"

"Revoke KangJielade*Nio's position as Alchemical Guild Master; in recognition of his past great contributions to the Empire, retain his GrandSage title."

"Terminate Ma Youfu*Chi Yan's special funding for the construction of Fu Kong Cheng."

"Confiscate Tim*Kenan's Longpis Duke domain, confiscate Kailston*Karser's Urg Duke domain, and expel them from the Empire."

"Unless granted my personal permission, they shall never return to the Empire for life!"

The charges and punishments were announced one by by.

KangJieladeGreatSage let out a sigh of relief; years ago he voluntarily relinquished his lands, the Duke title being merely optional, as long as the people of Ein Fu Kong Cheng were safe, he was at ease. He turned his head and saw Tim*Kenan and Kailston*Karser wearing stern expressions.

"Where is my Fu Kong Cheng?" Tim*Kenan asked in a deep voice.

Indeed!

KangJieladeGreatSage finally realized that Lei En's announced punishments did not mention Fu Kong Cheng.

Although Fu Kong Cheng was no longer an invincible symbol, vulnerable before Lei En's iron fortress, it remained a powerful magical construct, into which countless effort and wealth had been poured; all his achievements resided within Fu Kong Cheng, and his students and school also depended on Fu Kong Cheng for cultivation.

"That is my spoils."

Lei En said lightly, "I have little interest in your Fu Kong Cheng, but if you wish to reclaim it you must prove one thing."

"What thing?" the GrandSage asked.

"Prove that you are qualified to continue governing Fu Kong Cheng." Lei En shouted, raising his right hand as if summoning something, "I allow the three of you to join forces and battle me; if you survive, I will return Fu Kong Cheng to you."

Boom—!

As the words fell, a thunderclap rang out in the sky.

The crowd in the plaza looked up and saw the bow of the Augustus shimmering a kilometer above, a golden beam descending like lightning, racing toward Lei En on the steps, landing instantly in his hand, where he grasped it tightly.

The light dispersed.

Only then did everyone see that it was a war hammer!

The hammer was about a meter long, its head and shaft forged as one, gleaming with an uncanny metallic luster. The rectangular head had sharp edges, symmetrical on both sides, its striking face a square etched with various golden runes; at the junction of head and shaft, each side bore a golden dwarf portrait wearing a war helm, stern in demeanor and fierce in gaze.

From the dwarf's eyes streamed golden lightning, spreading outward like opened wings, gradually expanding until it wrapped the surface of the head.

Lei En raised the hammer high, emitting intense thunder energy.

Everyone in the plaza felt the hammer's extraordinary nature; being Empire folk, they instantly guessed its origin.

Thunder God's Hammer!

It once wreaked havoc in the hands of Emperor Erfa, forging the Oriense Empire, and passed through the hands of many emperors, symbolizing imperial authority as the "Thunder God's Wrath, the Skull‑crushing Curse Hammer," the world's strongest Legend Grade weapon!

Among the Empire's people there is a deep belief: whoever wields the Thunder God's Hammer is the emperor of Oriense!

"Thunder God's Hammer!"

"This aura, this form, matches the legend exactly; this is the true Thunder God's Hammer, not a counterfeit forged by others."

"The goddess above, the Consul actually obtained the Thunder God's Hammer!"

"Does that not mean…"

Everyone stared in astonishment, the discussion erupting.

Everyone had grown up hearing the legend of the Thunder God's Hammer, so the powerful weapon was familiar to them.

The last time the Thunder God's Hammer appeared was over a thousand years ago, when the "Usurper" Wa Er Deng wielded the hammer, claiming imperial legitimacy, gaining support from many factions and wounding "Ka Fa Lan Ci Er Shi" on both sides, ultimately causing the imperial house's downfall and allowing the Supreme Council to seize power.

More than a thousand years have passed, and the Thunder God's Hammer resurfaced.

This time, the Thunder God's Hammer is in the Consul's hand; today the Consul dissolved the Supreme Council and seized the Empire's supreme authority!

People couldn't help making connections.

The Consul's power and wisdom naturally far surpass Wa Er Deng's; the gap between them is like fireflies versus a bright moon, comparing the Consul to the Usurper is sheer insult to the Consul.

Even without the Thunder God's Hammer, the Consul is the greatest ruler in the Empire's history!

The Thunder God's Hammer merely adds a few legendary hues.

Yet it also signals something…

The senators representing the Empire's southern aristocracy stared at the Thunder God's Hammer, their faces showing fervor; had the timing been right, they would have knelt and shouted for the Consul to ascend the throne and be crowned emperor, racing ahead of everyone to claim that merit.

Tim*Kenan coldly gazed at the Thunder God's Hammer, "You indeed have long harbored ambition."

Not just him.

Anxiwodasi was also shocked; he only now learned that Lei En had obtained the Thunder God's Hammer. Previously Lei En's usual weapon was also a war hammer, but that was a replica forged by a dwarf rune master; Lei En told himself it was a "Thunderbolt Hammer," merely epic‑grade.

The Thunder God's Hammer's reputation in the Empire is immense; its symbolic meaning even exceeds its actual power.

Yet it fell into the hands of the least deserving.

Conversely, one could say it fell into the hands of the most deserving. In today's world, is there anyone more qualified than Lei En to wield the Thunder God's Hammer?

Could this be destiny's design, that Lei En is fated to become the emperor of AoRuiEnSe?

All along, Anxiwodasi has not supported Lei En's plan; he was only forced forward by Lei En's promises of profit, having to stand by Lei En, and now he hesitates.

The others are even more unsettled.

The Empire rumors that the Consul is the reincarnated soul of Emperor Alpha, which today seems likely true.

Otherwise, how could the Consul become the master of the Thunder God's Hammer?

Lei En ignores the people's cries, raises his war hammer toward the three Holy Soul Wizards in the center of the square, and shouts again: "If you want the Fu Kong Cheng, you must survive in my hand."

"Alright!"

Tim*Kenan and the GrandSage are still hesitating, but KailiSitong loudly agrees.

He stares fixedly at Lei En, showing no concealment of his hatred for Lei En; this is his sole chance to turn the tables. If Lei En hides inside the Star Destroyer, he has no chance. Lei En daring to issue the challenge must be extremely confident, yet it cannot be missed.

"Hong Shi…"

Tim*Kenan whispers, "He's looking for an excuse to kill us."

"I know," KailiSitong says unmoved, "Even if he's stronger, the three of us together are still opponents, aren't we? He's only been a Holy Soul Wizard for a few years, while all three of us are above Thirty-level; even if we can't kill him, we can protect ourselves."

"GrandSage, you've ascended?" Tim*Kenan's complexion changes.

The GrandSage KangJieladeGreatSage had been stuck at the Level 29 bottleneck for centuries, thought impossible to break through, yet silently rose to Thirty-level.

"Just broke through a few years ago," the GrandSage nods slightly.

Tim*Kenan was originally somewhat hesitant.

He no longer needs to gauge Lei En's strength by level, and Lei En suddenly brandished the Thunder God's Hammer, clearly intending to kill the three of them as stepping stones to the imperial throne.

Now knowing the GrandSage also ascended to Thirty-level, and KailiSitong's will is so resolute, he suddenly feels quite moved.

As KailiSitong said, three Thirty-level Holy Soul Wizards joining forces are definitely enough to protect themselves. Most importantly, refusing Lei En's challenge means they cannot reclaim their Fu Kong Cheng, will be expelled from the Empire, and will never have a chance to rise again.

If they can kill Lei En, his steel fortresses will lose their master.

Lei En's army would also have no one to command it.

Everything Lei En created—territories, wealth, influence—would vanish with his death.

The situation reverses instantly!

"GrandSage, we should give it a try," Tim*Kenan says without hesitation, turning to persuade KangJieladeGreatSage, "Our Fu Kong Cheng must never fall into his hands. In view of our long friendship, please the GrandSage lend me a hand."

KangJieladeGreatSage considers for a few seconds, then finally nods: "Alright."

"We agree."

Tim*Kenan responds loudly.

Wow……

Hundreds of thousands of people are stirred; many think the Consul's challenge is unwise—one person taking on three Holy Soul Wizards, two of whom were once the Empire's three great leaders, and one who is now the longest‑lived GrandSage of the Empire. Even those who have confidence in the Consul can't help but break into a cold sweat.

Anxiwodasi and the others try to persuade Lei En, but he remains unmoved.

Bang bang bang bang……

The Rick Guard, the Duke's Guard, and the Thundercast Celestial Soldiers move, positioning themselves at the side of the square, clearing the central area. Extreme Warriors and the Empire's Fist spread out, forming a human wall with their bodies, while the iridescent Dragon Knights take to the sky.

The people beside Tim*Kenan's three also depart, leaving only three Holy Soul Wizards in the center of the square.

Bang!

Lei En transforms into a bolt of lightning that lands before the three, less than a hundred meters away; the Thunder God's Hammer in his hand crackles with golden lightning, exuding a powerful aura that suffocates even those far away.

Tim*Kenan, the GrandSage, and KailiSitong wear grim expressions, exchange a glance, and then disperse.

The battle is about to erupt!

I thought this chapter could be finished, but I'm a bit short on content. I'll continue writing right away, update late at night, and everyone can read it in the morning.

(End of Chapter)