The entire grand hall was enveloped by a terrifying pressure. Everyone's expressions changed drastically in unison as they looked at the old man in grey robes with horror.
The pressure far surpassed that of a Spirit Soul Realm expert. Clearly, this person had entered the first stage of the Three Thousand Realms: the Heaven Integration Realm!
The so-called Three Thousand Realms was not just one realm, but three layers of realms: the first layer, Heaven Integration Realm; the second layer, Heaven Transformation Realm; and the third layer, Heaven Penetration Realm.
Heaven Integration Realm!
Everyone in the grand hall felt a sudden difficulty in breathing. How many years had it been since a Heaven Integration Realm expert appeared in the Northern Spirit Realm? An expert of that level, let alone in the Northern Spirit Realm, would be considered a truly top-tier expert even within the Hundred Spirit Continent!
There were no fewer than two hands' worth of Spirit Soul Realm experts present, but even with such an overwhelming number, they still felt powerless when facing a Heaven Integration Realm expert.
Because the difference between the two realms was simply too vast.
The Heaven Integration Realm, as its name suggested, allowed one to integrate with heaven and earth, control the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. With a flick of a finger, one could destroy mountains and forests. Spirit Soul Realm experts were absolutely incomparable.
"Is he Liu Jingshan? The former domain lord of the Liu Domain? The expert once hailed as the strongest in the Northern Spirit Realm is still alive, unexpectedly!"
The gazes exchanged in the grand hall all revealed unease. The situation in the Northern Spirit Realm had been maintained for so many years because the power differences between its various forces were not significant; no one was strong enough to conquer the others. However, the sudden appearance of Liu Jingshan had shattered the existing balance in an instant.
A Heaven Integration Realm expert would cause the Liu Domain's combat power to expand to a terrifying level.
Mu Feng continued to glare at Liu Jingshan, his hands clenched. Mu Chen, beside him, also looked very serious. Indeed, that news was not wrong at all.
Mu Chen looked at the other domain lords and noticed their grim expressions. The gazes they directed at Liu Jingshan were filled with apprehension and unease, which somewhat eased his own worries. If all eight domain lords united, they might not necessarily suffer complete defeat against Liu Jingshan. It was just a pity that he didn't know if they had the courage to stand up and collectively resist a Heaven Integration Realm expert.
The suffocating pressure in the air made it hard to breathe. Liu Jingshan casually swept his gaze around, then slowly and unhurriedly stepped forward. Liu Qingtian hastily stood up and vacated the main seat. Liu Jingshan looked at everyone and spoke calmly:
"Many years have passed. I wonder if anyone still remembers this old man?"
"Haha, Elder Liu was once the foremost expert in the Northern Spirit Realm. Although you disappeared for three years, your lingering prestige remains. How could we dare to forget..."
Tang Shan chuckled somewhat unnaturally as he replied.
Liu Jingshan smiled faintly and responded:
"If everyone still remembers, you must also remember this old man's temperament. This fragmented situation in the Northern Spirit Realm has persisted for so many years. I'm afraid I must resolve it thoroughly now."
Everyone's expressions changed upon hearing this.
"Elder Liu, we in the Northern Spirit Realm don't have overly grand ambitions. We don't wish to contend with the great realms in the Hundred Spirit Continent. I think the current situation is good as it is."
One domain lord said with a forced smile.
Liu Jingshan glanced at him and said:
"You may not have ambitions, but this old man does... Starting today, my Liu Domain will establish the Northern Spirit Alliance. This old man will assume the position of alliance leader. Whether you join or not is voluntary. However, let me state beforehand, in this old man's eyes, there are only allies and enemies. Those who are not allies will have no other path."
Many people stiffened their faces upon hearing Liu Jingshan's arrogant threats.
Liu Qingtian and the people of Liu Domain smiled faintly, watching the expressions of the crowd below change continuously. With a Heaven Melting Realm expert, their Liu Domain now possessed a combat power far superior to other forces in the Northern Spirit Realm.
Liu Qingtian glanced at Mu Feng, who remained as still as a lake, a dangerous smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Mu Feng, oh Mu Feng, don't even think about turning things around now."
"Haha, Elder Liu is right. One cannot simply stay put in a corner. The White Horse Gang is willing to join the Northern Spirit Alliance and honor Elder Liu as its leader."
The talkative leader of the White Horse Gang spoke again, his fawning expression eliciting disgust from many.
However, dislike it or not, the current situation completely exceeded the expectations of most people present. With Liu Jingshan casually sitting here, many faction leaders did not dare to utter a single word of protest. The Blazing Flame Domain Lord was still lying on the ground; he was a Spirit Soul Realm expert, yet he couldn't even retaliate against Liu Jingshan.
The immense disparity between the Spirit Soul Realm and the Heaven Melting Realm was undeniable.
Thus, after the White Horse Gang, a few forces stepped forward one after another, but none of the eight domain lords showed any stance, clearly still hesitant and unwilling.
Liu Jingshan still indifferently watched the scene, finally turning his gaze to the eight domain lords and slowly said:
"What about you all?"
The eight domain lords exchanged glances, their expressions very grim.
"Elder Liu..."
Tang Shan sighed, cupped his fists, and said, "Tang Domain is my life's work, so at this moment, I cannot agree to join the Northern Spirit Alliance."
"It seems Domain Lord Tang Shan is not interested in becoming an ally of this old man. In that case..."
Liu Jingshan chuckled faintly, but his smile gradually turned icy, and the spiritual power pressure filling the hall shifted to focus on Tang Shan.
Tang Shan's body tensed, and the mighty spiritual power within him surged out, coalescing into a giant golden tiger with incredibly powerful spiritual energy fluctuations.
"Graoooooow!"
The golden tiger roared fiercely, and Tang Shan's eyes showed ferocity. He moved like the wind, his surging spiritual power transforming into golden tiger claws, striking at Liu Jingshan like lightning.
Tang Shan knew Liu Jingshan's formidable power well. He immediately went all out, understanding that facing a Heaven Melting Realm expert, one should not hesitate from the start.
But facing Tang Shan's explosive attack, Liu Jingshan's expression remained unchanged. His cloudy eyes showed disdain, and he slowly waved his withered hand, casually flicking it out.
"Whoosh!"
The moment that hand struck out, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth seemed to be controlled and guided at an astonishing speed, converging into a radiant ball of spiritual power, which then shot out, colliding with Tang Shan's sharp tiger claws.
"Boom!"
Violent spiritual power impacted the main hall, shattering the stone floor into spreading cracks, and a stone pillar was pulverized by the force of the impact.
In mid-air, Tang Shan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his body recoiling, and the golden tiger behind him also faded significantly.
In almost a single move, Tang Shan, whose strength was close to the late Spirit Soul Realm, was utterly defeated.
"Father!"
Tang Tian'er cried out in alarm, her face turning pale at Tang Shan's severe injuries.
Liu Jingshan stood still indifferently, then struck out another punch from a distance. Incredibly violent spiritual power, like raging waves, roared and slammed towards Tang Shan. This move was clearly meant to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.
Mu Feng saw the sudden turn of events in the hall and quickly tilted his head to say:
"Zhou Ye, if the situation worsens, immediately take Mu Chen and flee to the Northern Spiritual Academy!"
Zhou Ye's face twitched. He knew that even Mu Feng wasn't confident enough to handle this crisis. A Heaven Fusing Stage expert was truly too powerful for them, capable of breaking the balance of the Northern Spiritual Realm.
Mu Chen remained silent, his fists clenched, and a crazy, bloody red color appeared in his dark pupils.
He disliked the idea of watching his loved ones be killed while he himself fled far away, only to return years later for revenge. That was absolutely not his personality. Even if staying meant a near-certain death, he had to find a slim chance of survival for all his loved ones.
"Pfft!"
Mu Feng gave his instructions as if they were his last words, then his body shot out quickly, suddenly appearing in front of Tang Shan. The spiritual energy in his body surged out without reservation, and he roared as he threw a punch.
"Boom."
Crimson spiritual energy, like erupting flames, fiercely resisted the incoming violent spiritual energy.
A fierce wave of air exploded outwards. Mu Feng's body trembled, and he retreated a distance. His fists shook, and he looked gravely at Liu Jingshan, saying in a deep voice:
"Elder Liu, there's no need to be so cruel, is there?"
"Mu Feng? You had a resounding reputation when you were young. I didn't expect you to achieve what you have today; it's truly not simple."
Liu Jingshan looked indifferently at Mu Feng, an extreme coldness emanating from his eye sockets. He said:
"However, today, whoever obstructs my Liu Territory from dominating the Northern Spiritual Realm, this old man will kick them aside!"
"Then I shall seek guidance from Elder Liu!"
Mu Feng growled in response. He knew that given the current hostile situation between Mu Territory and Liu Territory, Liu Jingshan would absolutely not let them go. There was no retreat, so it was better to risk everything in a desperate gamble.
"Brother Mu, let's go together!"
Tang Shan struggled to stand up and said in a deep voice. Mu Feng alone was absolutely no match for Liu Jingshan. If they didn't join forces, they might not have any chance left.
"Everyone, I don't want to dedicate half my life's efforts to the Liu Territory. If you still hesitate, then it will be your turn next!"
Tang Shan swept his gaze over the remaining territory lords and shouted loudly.
The six territory lords' expressions changed upon hearing this. Taking action now was choosing a side. If Mu Feng and Tang Shan were dealt with, they would have no choice but to humbly bow their heads to the Liu Territory.
"Elder Liu, this time you've gone too far. Hong Territory is already doing very well; there's no need to join any Northern Spiritual Alliance!"
Hong Ling, the Lord of Hong Territory, also bit her lip and shouted loudly.
"My Luo Territory also doesn't want to join!"
The Lord of Luo Territory stood up abruptly and responded loudly.
"And Yan Territory!"
Lie Yan, who had been injured earlier, also shouted in indignation.
In just a few short seconds, including Mu Feng and Tang Shan, five territory lords had stood in opposition. The other three territory lords were still hesitant, as a Heaven Fusing Stage expert truly exerted too much pressure.
In the main hall, numerous leaders of smaller forces watched the spectacular scene unfolding. How many years had it been since such a lineup of factions appeared?
"Five territory lords... haha, anyone else?"
Liu Jingshan slowly looked at the five people on the other side, merely curling his lip into a sneer.
"A bunch of calves unafraid of tigers..."
Liu Jingshan, who had been hunched over, suddenly straightened up. His robes fluttered without wind, and an extremely extreme spiritual energy fluctuation, like a roaring whirlwind, swept through the hall.
"Rumble!"
Liu Jingshan's cloudy eyes grew increasingly fierce. He stepped forward forcefully, and as the giant rocks fell, the main hall, unable to withstand the immense pressure of his spiritual energy, began to collapse.
That terrifying spiritual energy, accompanied by Liu Jingshan's heavy, murderous voice, surged upwards.
"If you've made your choice, then don't blame this old man for being heartless!"