Chapter 8: Chen’s World Item

In the heart of Chen's capital, a grand celebration was underway.

The Lord of Chen sat at the head of a lavish banquet, surrounded by his most trusted officials and generals. The air was filled with the scent of roasted meat and the clinking of goblets. Laughter and drunken boasts echoed throughout the hall.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" a eunuch flattered. "With Tang destroyed, this land now belongs solely to you!"

Lord Chen smirked, swirling his wine. "Hah! The Tang Kingdom was nothing without a world item. Crushing them was easier than drinking water."

And he had every right to be proud.

Among the surrounding nations, Tang had been one of the strongest. Now, with its downfall, Chen's territory had expanded exponentially. It was only a matter of time before they became the undisputed overlords of the region.

"Indeed, our victory was effortless," a general agreed. "The Gravity Ball alone was enough to end them."

The Gravity Ball, Chen's world item, had turned the war into a slaughter. The moment it was activated, the gravity in Tang's lands had increased tenfold, pinning their soldiers to the ground. Helpless and unable to move, they had surrendered without a fight.

"The power of world items is beyond mortal comprehension," another official mused. "An army of millions is worthless against such artifacts."

With the Gravity Ball, Chen's forces had swept through Tang's lands like a wildfire, looting and pillaging without resistance. Within weeks, they had seized the capital and claimed the entire kingdom as their own.

World items were the true rulers of this world.

"But what of Tang's prince?" Lord Chen asked, narrowing his eyes.

Eliminating Li Xiao was crucial. As long as he lived, he remained a symbol of resistance. Capturing him would ensure complete control over Tang's remaining forces.

"My Lord… there is unfortunate news," a general said hesitantly.

The room fell silent.

"The Eagle Report from General Fei Ying just arrived. The mission to hunt down Prince Li Xiao has… failed. Our entire force of 100,000 soldiers was wiped out."

A sharp crack rang through the hall as Lord Chen's goblet shattered in his grip.

"What did you just say?" His voice was dangerously low.

Even in the fall of Tang, Chen had not suffered such losses. Now, a mere scattered remnant had managed to annihilate an entire army?

"Explain yourself," he demanded.

The general swallowed nervously. "Prince Li Xiao fled toward the Forbidden Lands of the Gods… and there, an ancient god appeared."

A chill spread through the room.

The Forbidden Lands of the Gods—a place of legend, said to be cursed, where divine beings had fallen in ancient times. No one who entered had ever returned.

Most had dismissed it as mere myth.

And yet, if a true god had emerged from that forbidden place…

"Are you certain of this?" one official asked, his voice uneasy.

"My informant would not lie. Even if this being is not an actual god… he is an unimaginable force."

A heavy silence settled over the banquet. If this ancient god had taken Prince Li Xiao under his protection, then they might have angered a being beyond their understanding.

Lord Chen's grip tightened on the armrest of his throne.

Then, suddenly—he laughed.

"A god? So what?" His eyes gleamed with defiance. "Chen is stronger than ever. No matter who this being is, if he dares to stand in my way, I will see for myself whether these so-called gods are truly invincible!"

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