Chapter 10 – A Time of Great Peace

Dragon Tian stood high above the Mortal Realm, gazing down at the vast lands beneath him. He had transcended the boundaries of the Mortal Realm and become one of the supreme rulers of the Six Realms—the Creator-Emperor, the Heavenly God. His golden robes fluttered in the wind, and the Holy Emperor's Sword hung at his waist, exuding an undeniable aura of power and invulnerability. This land, once where he fought and grew, now felt intimately familiar to him.

Yet, beneath the serene expression on his face, there lingered a trace of deep contemplation. The rulers of the Four Ancient Kingdoms—the Qingdi Dragon Kingdom, the Zhutian Phoenix Kingdom, the Baisheng Tiger Kingdom, and the Xuanhuang Martial Kingdom—remained sealed in their eternal prisons. Dragon Tian knew that during the invasion of Long Xie, they had fought valiantly to protect the Mortal Realm, even resorting to forbidden techniques to temporarily repel Long Xie. However, that sacrifice had left them sealed, bound by powerful forces.

"It's time to break their seals," Dragon Tian murmured to himself, knowing full well that only by releasing these four rulers could the Mortal Realm truly usher in a lasting era of peace.

With a graceful leap, Dragon Tian descended from the heavens, landing gently on a vast plain. This area had once been the intersection of the Four Ancient Kingdoms, a place of history and power. Now, the plain was eerily silent, yet the air still carried the strong fluctuations of energy—signs of the seals that bound the four monarchs.

Raising the Holy Emperor's Sword, the golden glow radiated outwards, bathing the entire plain in its light. The silhouettes of the four sealed monarchs began to materialize, their forms frozen in time, surrounded by impenetrable barriers of magic.

"Qingdi Dragon Kingdom's Dragon Emperor, Zhutian Phoenix Kingdom's Phoenix Queen, Baisheng Tiger Kingdom's White Tiger King, and Xuanhuang Martial Kingdom's Xuanhuang Emperor." Dragon Tian spoke their names, each syllable heavy with respect.

"Now, with Long Xie defeated once and for all, you no longer need to suffer under these seals." Dragon Tian raised his sword higher, and the golden light surged toward the seals, beginning to melt them away.

As the seals dissolved, the figures of the four monarchs gradually became clearer. Their eyes were filled with confusion and exhaustion, but soon, they recognized the figure before them.

"Is this... Lord Dragon Tian?" The Dragon Emperor was the first to speak, his voice thick with disbelief and awe. "You... you've become a god?"

The Phoenix Queen's gaze mirrored his shock, though it was laced with deep respect and reverence. "Lord Dragon Tian, it really is you! I never imagined... that you would become a god!"

The White Tiger King and the Xuanhuang Emperor said nothing but watched Dragon Tian with eyes that shone with both respect and gratitude. As rulers of the Mortal Realm, they understood the true meaning of becoming a god—it was not merely a rise in power, but a symbol of immense responsibility and mission.

"Everyone," Dragon Tian said with a gentle smile, his voice imbued with warmth, "You have paid a great price to protect the Mortal Realm. Now, I will undo your seals, so that you may return to the Mortal Realm and continue to safeguard this land."

The four monarchs exchanged looks, then knelt before Dragon Tian in unison, their voices full of gratitude. "Lord Dragon Tian, we cannot thank you enough! Without your intervention, the Mortal Realm would have surely fallen into endless darkness."

Dragon Tian waved his hand dismissively, his tone still calm and kind. "There is no need for such praise. I am simply fulfilling my responsibility. Now that your powers have been restored, it is time for you to return to your kingdoms and continue ensuring the peace of the Mortal Realm."

The Phoenix Queen's gaze softened, her voice sincere. "Lord Dragon Tian, we are deeply indebted to you. Please, allow us to host a grand banquet in your honor in each of our kingdoms, to express our gratitude for your protection."

"Yes, Lord Dragon Tian," the White Tiger King agreed, his voice filled with admiration. "You are the guardian deity of the Mortal Realm, and you have lifted our seals. Such kindness must be repaid with grand celebrations!"

The Xuanhuang Emperor nodded solemnly. "We will host a feast in each of the Four Ancient Kingdoms to show our gratitude."

Dragon Tian smiled softly and nodded. "In that case, I will not refuse. However, there is no need for extravagant displays. What I desire most is to see the people of our kingdoms living in peace and prosperity."

"We will make sure this feast becomes a symbol of our shared peace," the Dragon Emperor promised, his eyes glinting with determination.

And so, the Four Ancient Kingdoms began preparations for a magnificent feast.

A few days later, emissaries from all four kingdoms arrived before Dragon Tian, each presenting him with a formal invitation. Dragon Tian accepted with grace, and together with Long Yan, he traveled to the Mortal Realm's different corners to participate in these grand celebrations.

The first stop was the Qingdi Dragon Kingdom, where the palace was resplendent with gold and jewels, exuding both majesty and elegance. The Dragon Emperor himself came out to greet Dragon Tian and Long Yan, his face alight with joy.

"Lord Dragon Tian, Lady Long Yan, welcome to the Qingdi Dragon Kingdom!" The Dragon Emperor bowed deeply, his ministers following suit.

Dragon Tian smiled warmly, signaling for them to rise. "There is no need for such formalities, Dragon Emperor. Today is a celebration of peace; let us all relax and enjoy."

The Dragon Emperor nodded and led Dragon Tian and Long Yan into the palace. Inside, the hall had been decorated lavishly. Long tables were laden with delicious dishes, and the palace maids and guards worked in perfect harmony, ensuring that everything was in order. The atmosphere was one of both grandeur and warmth.

"Lord Dragon Tian, please take your seat." The Dragon Emperor gestured, offering Dragon Tian and Long Yan the seats of honor, right beside the throne, a clear sign of the highest respect.

Once seated, the banquet began in earnest. The Dragon Emperor raised his cup, smiling warmly at Dragon Tian. "Lord Dragon Tian, this first toast is for you. You have lifted our seals and brought peace to the Six Realms."

"To Lord Dragon Tian!" Everyone in the hall cried out, raising their cups in unison. The air grew vibrant with celebration.

Dragon Tian raised his cup, his eyes scanning the room, and then spoke softly. "This cup I raise in your honor. Your perseverance and efforts have brought us to this moment. May peace continue to endure in the Mortal Realm."

As the evening wore on, Dragon Tian and Long Yan spoke casually with the gathered lords and ladies, no longer holding themselves above others as deities, but instead, as friends. The conversation flowed freely, and the atmosphere grew even more convivial. For this night, everyone seemed to forget their stations and simply relished the peace they had worked so hard to achieve.

As night fell, the feast came to an end. The Dragon Emperor stood and smiled at Dragon Tian. "Lord Dragon Tian, though tonight's banquet has ended, this is only the beginning. The Phoenix Kingdom, the White Tiger Kingdom, and the Xuanhuang Martial Kingdom will also host feasts in your honor to continue celebrating our newfound peace."

Dragon Tian nodded with a smile. "I look forward to it. Thank you for your hospitality. Tonight's feast has made me feel the warmth and harmony of the Mortal Realm."

Long Yan nodded as well, adding, "May this peace and joy continue forever in the Mortal Realm."

"It will," the Dragon Emperor assured them, his voice resolute. He turned to Dragon Tian, saying, "Lord Dragon Tian, we will continue to contribute to the peace of the Mortal Realm, and we will not fail your expectations."

Dragon Tian rose, shaking the Dragon Emperor's hand. "I trust you, and I believe that the future of the Mortal Realm will only shine brighter."

With heartfelt farewells, Dragon Tian and Long Yan left the Qingdi Dragon Kingdom, continuing their journey to the next kingdom. This celebration was just the beginning. As newly elevated gods, they would continue to protect the Mortal Realm, ensuring that peace and prosperity would remain for all eternity.

End of Chapter 10 – A Time of Great Peace

The dawn of a new era began, under the protection of the gods, and the peace of the Six Realms would endure for as long as they stood vigilant.