Chapter 1127 The Great World's Iron Triangle and Homecoming

On the ruins of the Black Eclipse Star Belt Demon Castle, the Thunder Banner of the East Town King's Mansion, the "Martial" Banner of the Martial Realm, and the "Flame" Banner of the Endless Fire Domain fluttered side by side, making a rustling sound.

This signifies that this star field, which had been eroded by the evil race for many years, has returned to the embrace of the universe.

The counterattack in the Eastern Regions, which lasted for nearly half a year, ended in a complete victory for the "Great Thousand Eastern Regions Allied Forces".

This battle not only completely wiped out the remnants of the evil race who had infiltrated the eastern border, but also recaptured three strategic locations: the "Black Eclipse Star Belt," the "Demon Mist Sea," and the "Bone Wasteland."

They pushed the defenses of the world tens of millions of miles outward, establishing a solid forward base and early warning barrier.

The good news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the world at an astonishing speed.

Especially when the world learned that this counterattack was led by the newly risen Thunder Emperor Mo Yu, and had the strong support of the Flame Emperor Xiao Yan and the Martial Ancestor Lin Dong.

When three legendary figures, all from lower planes and all having reached the Saint-level Heavenly Sovereign realm, joined forces in battle, the shock and heated discussions they generated were unprecedented.

"The Thunder Emperor, the Demon King of Zhendong, with his mid-stage Saint-grade cultivation, fought against the patriarchs of two top demon clans without being defeated, and even launched a counterattack beyond the realm, conquering the Demon Realm! He is truly a once-in-a-millennium hero in our Great Thousand World!"

"Emperor Yan Fentian of the Endless Fire Domain played an indispensable role in purifying the demonic mist!"

"The Martial Ancestor of the Martial Realm possesses divine martial arts, capable of vanquishing evil and suppressing demons, which is truly awe-inspiring!"

"With these three joining forces, our Great Thousand World is as solid as a rock! Even if the evil races from beyond the realm were to try and lay a finger on it, they would have to think twice!"

"After this battle, the prestige of the Zhen Dong Prince's Mansion has risen to a level comparable to that of the four ancient races! Lei Di's position as the Eastern Guardian is truly well-deserved!"

Praise poured in like a tidal wave for Mo Yu, Xiao Yan, and Lin Dong.

In particular, Mo Yu, as the host and the one who led this battle, has reached an unprecedented peak in prestige in the Eastern Region and even the entire Great Thousand World.

Titles such as "Thunder Lord", "Guardian of the East", and "Top of the Three Heroes of the Lower Dimension" quickly spread.

With such illustrious martial arts skills and prestige, the rule of the Prince of Zhen Dong's Mansion became incredibly stable and deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people.

All forces in the Eastern Region no longer harbored any disloyalty and obeyed the royal decrees without question. They even considered it an honor to join the "Eastern Region Garrison Army" or serve the royal government.

The entire eastern territory presented a scene of unity and cohesion unprecedented since ancient times.

On the Tianlei Continent, the main hall of the Zhen Dong Prince's Mansion, the "Zhen Dong Hall," was bustling with unprecedented activity.

A grand victory banquet was underway, with crowds thronging both inside and outside the hall. Representatives from various factions in the Eastern Region and meritorious soldiers of the allied forces gathered together, clinking glasses and cheering loudly, celebrating the hard-won victory and remembering the fallen heroes.

At the head of the main hall, Mo Yu, Xiao Yan, and Lin Dong sat side by side.

Mo Yu was dressed in a purple-silver imperial robe, his demeanor was calm and composed, and although there was fatigue from the battle between his brows, it added to his majesty.

Xiao Yan, dressed in a black robe, smiled gently as he chatted and laughed in hushed tones with Yao Lao, Xun'er, and others beside him.

Lin Dong remained dressed in green, his face resolute, occasionally raising a glass with Lin Diao, Xiao Yan, and others.

"Cousin, now that things are settled here, Brother Lin and I should return. There are still many matters to attend to in the Endless Fire Domain and the Martial Realm." After a few rounds of drinks, Xiao Yan put down his wine cup and smiled at Mo Yu.

Lin Dong nodded: "The defense line of the Eastern Region is now solid, and the evil forces inside and outside the region will not dare to invade again in the short term. The Martial Realm warriors have been away from home for a long time, and it is time for them to go back and rest."

Mo Yu raised his cup and said sincerely, "Without Brother Lin and Cousin Xiao Yan's strong support, the Eastern Region would not be as peaceful as it is today."

Mo Yu and the millions of living beings in the Eastern Region will remember this. Xiao Yan's cousin's Endless Fire Domain is located in the far north of the Great Thousand World, and Brother Lin's Martial Realm is located in the far south of the Great Thousand World. My Thunder Prison is located between these two forces, making it the center of the Iron Triangle.

"If you two ever need anything in the future, the Prince of Zhen Dong's Mansion will do everything in its power to help!"

"Haha, we're brothers, no need for formalities!" Xiao Yan laughed, clinked glasses with Mo Yu and Lin Dong, and drank it all in one gulp.

"If that Holy Heaven Demon Emperor dares to come again in the future, the three of us brothers will join forces to deal with him once more!"

"That's exactly right." Lin Dong also finished his drink, his gaze resolute.

The following day, banners fluttered outside the Heavenly Thunder Continent.

The massive allied forces of the Martial Realm and the Endless Fire Domain, amidst the cheers and farewells of countless powerful figures from the Eastern Region, sailed into the enormous spatial portals and embarked on their return journey.

Mo Yu personally led the core members of the royal palace to the edge of the continent, watching his two brothers' figures disappear into the spatial ripples. A warm current surged in his heart, and he felt an even greater sense of responsibility on his shoulders.

After seeing Xiao Yan and Lin Dong off, Mo Yu did not bask in the joy of victory. Instead, he immediately began to deal with the post-war matters, rewarding those who had contributed and reorganizing the internal affairs.

On this day, he summoned Feng Wuyai, Dongfang Shuo, and the Venerable Baosheng to a private meeting in the council chamber deep within the Thunder Emperor Palace.

The three men came as summoned.

Feng Wuyai was dressed in a light blue linen robe. Although his breathing was still weak, his eyes were clear. His injuries had stabilized and he was recovering thanks to the resources provided by the Prince's Mansion.

Dongfang Shuo changed into a brand-new black robe to cover his tattered imperial robe. His face was still pale, but his breathing was steady. His eyes had lost their usual arrogance and gained a calm and complex look.

The Venerable Baosheng still had that same prosperous appearance, habitually playing with the two newly acquired spirit pearls in his hands, his small eyes darting around as he surveyed the simple yet dignified layout of the council chamber.

"Please be seated, all three of you." Mo Yu sat upright in the main seat, his voice calm.

The three of them sat down as instructed, feeling somewhat uneasy.

It is unclear what the powerful and influential Demon-Slaying King of Zhendong intended to do by summoning these "repentant" worshippers to a private meeting.

Mo Yu's gaze slowly swept over the three of them, and he got straight to the point: "This great victory in the Eastern Region, which drove out the evil spirits and recovered lost territory, owes much to the three of you."

He looked at Feng Wuyai: "Feng Gongfeng, when the Tiangong Continent was in danger, you braved the danger and rushed to Xiaojing's aid, fighting against the Blood Sea Demon Emperor Mingtao and holding him back, thus gaining a crucial opportunity to turn the tide of the battle."

Furthermore, in subsequent allied operations, the Law of Wind assisted in reconnaissance and early warning, achieving remarkable feats.

Feng Wuyai stood up and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty is too kind. This is my duty and also my way of atonement."

Mo Yu then looked at Dongfang Shuo, his gaze carrying a deeper meaning: "Dongfang, you fought Li Wujiu alone in the Shattered Star Belt. Although you were ultimately defeated, you bought time for the main force of the allied forces to assemble."

Even in the face of utter despair on the Heavenly Craft Continent, he burned his very essence, risking his life to block Li Wujiu's fatal blow to Xiao Jing's Spirit Array, protecting the core of the allied forces and Xiao Jing's safety. Such loyalty and bravery are evident to me.”

Dongfang Shuo's body trembled slightly. He raised his head and met Mo Yu's gaze with a complicated expression.

His initial intervention was certainly motivated by a sense of righteousness and atonement, but it also reflected his consideration for the future of the Dongfang family.

But Mo Yu's public affirmation of his "loyalty and bravery" was of great significance to him.

His lips twitched slightly, but in the end he only bowed deeply: "As a defeated general, I dare not boast of my achievements, but only seek to be true to my conscience and to the world."

Finally, Mo Yu looked at Venerable Bao Sheng, a rare smile in his eyes: "Venerable Bao Sheng, although you came for profit, you have been entrusted with a task and you must be loyal to it."

In the battle on the Heavenly Craft Continent, you held off the Thousand Blade Demon Emperor Tu Feng, preventing him from joining forces with Ming Tao and You Ji. Your contribution was immense. In the subsequent allied battles, your many treasures and insights also provided considerable assistance.

Venerable Baosheng chuckled and rubbed his hands together, saying, "King Mo, you are wise. This old man only has this much ability. I do my best to help out for the money. If I can be of any help, it is fate."

Mo Yu nodded slightly, his tone becoming solemn: "Rewards must be given for merits, and punishments must be imposed for mistakes. This is the foundation of the Royal Palace and also the principle by which I conduct myself."

Although the three had committed crimes in the past, they stepped forward, risked their lives, and made great contributions in this great battle that concerned the survival of the Eastern Region and even the entire world. Their hearts are worthy of scorn, and their actions are commendable.

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, and slowly said, "Therefore, I have decided today to remove the 'Thunder Heart Lock' from the three of you!"

Upon hearing this, the air in the council chamber seemed to freeze for a moment.

Feng Wuyai, Dongfang Shuo, and Baosheng Venerable all trembled violently at the same time, and suddenly looked up at Mo Yu, their eyes filled with disbelief, astonishment, ecstasy, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Once the Thunder Heart Lock is released, it means that they are no longer prisoners or sinners controlled by others, whose lives are in Mo Yu's hands, but have truly regained their freedom!

Although they are still nominally servants of the Prince's Palace, their nature is completely different!

"King Mo...is this true?" Dongfang Shuo's voice was somewhat hoarse. He had thought that this Thunder Heart Lock would accompany him for a long time, perhaps even for life, as a mark of his past mistakes.

Feng Wuyai also took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

He chose to wear a lock as an offering, though out of necessity, it was also with the intention of atoning for the sins of his people and fighting for a glimmer of hope.

Now that the shackles have been removed, this sudden trust has left him deeply moved.

The Venerable Baosheng's small eyes widened in surprise, and he even forgot to play with the spirit pearl in his hand.

He agreed to wear the lock only because of the circumstances and the exchange of benefits; he never thought it would be removed so quickly!

This Thunder Emperor truly possesses extraordinary magnanimity and breadth of vision!

"I never speak lightly."

Mo Yu said calmly, while raising his hand, his five fingers spread wide, gently clenching towards the three people's foreheads, and then releasing.

"Buzz!"

At the same time, all three felt a slight tremor and a sense of relief from the depths of their souls, as if an invisible but ever-present heavy shackle had been quietly unlocked and dissipated.

The Thunder Heart Lock mark, condensed from the essence of Mo Yu's chaotic thunder and imprinted deep within their sacred cores, transformed into tiny specks of lightning that drifted out from between their brows, merged into the air, and disappeared.

In an instant, a long-lost sense of freedom, a feeling of complete control over one's own destiny and power, filled the hearts of the three.

Although my strength did not increase, my mind and spirit became clear and my senses were sharp, as if I had been relieved of a heavy burden.

"The Thunder Heart Lock has been unlocked." Mo Yu withdrew his hand and looked calmly at the three of them.

"From this day forward, the three of you will be the official guest elders of my Zhen Dong Prince's Mansion, enjoying complete autonomy."

They hold a prestigious position, do not bow to the king, enjoy the highest resource allocation and authority of the royal palace, and are free to leave or stay; the royal palace will never force them to.

"I only hope that the three of you, remembering our shared battles and the suffering of the people of the Eastern Regions, will extend a helping hand should the Royal Palace face another calamity in the future."

At this moment, Feng Wuyai, Dongfang Shuo, and Baosheng Venerable were all experiencing turbulent emotions.

Mo Yu's actions not only pardoned their past sins and removed the shackles of control, but also granted them extremely high status and respect, as well as complete freedom of choice!

This magnanimity and breadth of mind, this trust and sincerity, shocked and impressed even these old monsters who had lived for countless years.

"boom!"

Dongfang Shuo was the first to bow, clasp his hands in a fist and say in a deep voice, "King Mo's heart is as vast as the sea, and his kindness is as high as a mountain!"

Dongfang Shuo was foolish in the past and made a big mistake, but thanks to King Mo's not abandoning him, he was treated as a national hero!

From this day forward, Dongfang Shuo and the Dongfang family are willing to wholeheartedly submit to the Royal Palace, pledge allegiance to King Mo, and protect the Eastern Region, with absolutely no disloyalty!

This oath is witnessed by heaven and earth, and testified to by the soul! This time, he truly submitted.

Feng Wuyai also bowed deeply, his voice carrying a rare hint of excitement: "I, Feng... am ashamed. King Mo repays evil with kindness, and your kindness is like giving me a second life."

The Wind Spirit Clan is willing to serve as a bulwark for the Royal Palace for generations, at the beck and call of King Mo! I, Wind Spirit, am also willing to serve the Royal Palace to repay King Mo's trust!

Venerable Baosheng touched his nose, put away his usual joking manner, and said seriously, "Although I am used to being carefree, I also know how to repay kindness."

Since the King of Ink has treated me so generously, I, an old man, cannot be too ungrateful. I will accept this position as a guest elder!

If the Prince's Palace needs my help, please don't hesitate to ask, Prince Mo!

"Of course... as for the reward, hehe, we can discuss it..." In the end, he couldn't help but reveal his true nature, but the sincerity in his eyes was genuine.

Mo Yu looked at the three of them with a gentle smile on his face, and personally stepped forward to help Dongfang Shuo and the other two up.

"Please rise, three elders. It is my good fortune and the blessing of the Eastern Region that the Royal Palace has three such helpful people."

Let bygones be bygones. In the future, I hope the three elders will work together with me and the entire royal court to defend the Eastern Region and safeguard the world!

"We are willing to serve King Mo! To defend the Eastern Region together!" the three responded in unison, their voices filled with an unprecedented sense of identity and belonging.

A simple meeting and a ceremony to remove shackles completely won over the hearts of the three Saint-level experts.

By combining kindness and severity, and clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments, he demonstrated both swift and decisive measures and boundless benevolence.

This incident has unprecedentedly consolidated and strengthened the internal cohesion and high-end combat capabilities of the Zhen Dong Prince's Mansion.

The news sent shockwaves through the Eastern Region once again.

Countless forces admired Mo Yu's demeanor and skill even more, and were more optimistic about the future of the Zhen Dong Prince's Mansion.

The original allied forces, such as the Wind Spirit Clan and the Eastern Family, no longer harbored any resentment due to the Ancestor's complete acceptance of their loyalty and truly integrated into the Royal Palace system.

The foundation of the Zhen Dong Prince's rule was now as solid as a rock and unbreakable.

Mo Yu's gaze, however, had already turned to the more distant future, to the extraterrestrial evil race hidden in the endless abyss of darkness, which could make a comeback at any moment.

He knew that the calm might just be a brief prelude to the storm.

Only by continuously strengthening ourselves and enhancing the power of the Zhen Dong Prince's Mansion can we better protect our families in the face of future changes...