Lord of the Earth

"Tenth place, the Mauryan Dynasty!"

As soon as Guiguzi finished speaking, the Indian and Spanish regions were in an uproar.

"What?! My mighty Mauryan Dynasty is only tenth?"

In the Indian-Vatican camp, Ashoka, hailed as the "first great ruler in the history of the Indian-Vatican," suddenly stepped forward, the ground beneath his feet almost cracking. His blood and energy surged like dragons, and his rage soared to the heavens!

"I personally slew a top-tier god... and my elephant cavalry trampled countless lives in the cataclysm! Such achievements are ranked only tenth?!"

The phantom of the demigod war elephant beneath him roared, shaking the heavens and causing the void to tremble.

Guiguzi's voice was calm yet carried a strange power that suppressed the clamor.

"King Ashoka protected all living beings with the Dharma, and his achievements in slaying the gods and attaining enlightenment are immeasurable. He hereby bestows upon you a 'Bodhi Tree Seed.' This is a wondrous object containing the power of great enlightenment. Planting it in the capital will suppress inner demons, enlighten the minds of all people, slowly heal the wounded soil, and even have a slight chance to attract auspicious Buddhist beasts to dwell there, helping your peacock path to reach new heights."

A golden light, imbued with Zen and vitality, descended and transformed into a seed, warm and smooth as jade, containing boundless light, which fell into Ashoka's palm.

Ashoka felt the tranquil yet immense power within, his raging anger subsided slightly, and a hint of understanding and contemplation flashed in his eyes. He spoke in a deep voice.

"This item... truly aligns with my Peacock Way! Thank you!"

"Ninth place, the Ming Dynasty!"

Guiguzi's voice rose again, ignoring the lingering clamor.

"Our Great Ming Dynasty killed four gods, including one top-tier god, yet it only ranked ninth?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, a dragon-shaped phantom swirling behind him, while the phantoms of famous generals such as Chang Yuchun and Xu Da exuded a fierce and bloodthirsty aura.

"The Hongwu Emperor was known for his ruthless rule in establishing the nation, driving out the Manchus and rebuilding China. He was granted the complete 'Shenji Battalion's Military Manual'!"
This manual contains the secrets of the pinnacle of Ming Dynasty firearms, including the construction methods for a growing divine-level firearms workshop, elite musketeers, tiger crouching cannons, and Franconian cannon training camps. It also contains blueprints for the advancement of top-level divine-level firearms.

May you, with this will of fire and iron, forge once again the mighty Ming Dynasty in the eternal land!

A beam of light, imbued with fire and an iron will, shot towards Zhu Yuanzhang, transforming into a thick scroll of blueprints flowing with fiery runes. Zhu Yuanzhang seized it, and the intricate structure and blazing power on the blueprints instantly ignited the resentment in his eyes, transforming it into a burning ambition.

"Excellent! With such a powerful weapon, the fires of our Great Ming Dynasty will surely incinerate all enemies!"

"Eighth place, the Roman Dynasty!"

The magnificent phantom of the Senate and the bronze eagle banner shone in the western region, while the projections of Caesar and Augustus stood side by side, their eyes deep and profound, and the phantom of the Roman legionary phalanx radiated the brilliance of iron discipline.

"The Roman Dynasty is founded on law and forged with the iron hooves of legions. Order and power are the cornerstones of your conquest. I hereby bestow upon you the 'Legion Code Stone'! Erect this stone in your military camp or the heart of your capital. Its inherent power of order will greatly enhance the discipline of your troops, their ability to coordinate attacks, and the speed of their morale recovery. Furthermore, it will grant you the 'Aura of Law,' which will imbue friendly attacks within its range with a slight 'spell-breaking' and 'deterrent' effect, making your legions true blades of order!"

A colossal stone monument, inscribed with ancient Latin script and exuding an aura of order and steel, materialized before the two emperors. Caesar and Augustus exchanged a glance, both seeing satisfaction in each other's eyes, and exclaimed in unison, "Order is power! This should be the Pillar of Rome!"

"Seventh place...The Great Han Dynasty..."

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, remained expressionless, but Wei Qing and Huo Qubing beside him had piercing eyes, sharply scanning the rankings further ahead!

"Emperor Wu of Han was a man of great talent, and Wei Qing and Huo Qubing were unparalleled. They fought against the Xiongnu in the north and expanded the territory. Their ambition to conquer new lands was like a dragon soaring to the heavens. He is hereby granted the 'Dragon City Flying General Order'! With this order, you may choose a strategic location to build the prototype of the 'Dragon City Fortress'. You can also temporarily summon the heroic spirits of the champion cavalry to assist you, and slightly enhance the potential and breakthrough opportunities of all cavalry units, helping your Han cavalry continue to gallop across this eternal land!"

A black iron token, seemingly formed from countless iron-blooded battle spirits, pierced through the air and landed in Liu Che's hand.

The token felt heavy in his hand, and a surge of fighting spirit and pioneering energy coursed through him. Liu Che gripped the token tightly, his furrowed brows slightly relaxing, and a sharp edge rose within him once more.

"General of Dragon City, you shall achieve another great feat! I accept you!"

Sixth place: Mongol Yuan Dynasty.

The phantom of the Thunder Wolf growled beneath Genghis Khan, his cold gaze sweeping over the rankings with the silence and sharpness characteristic of a grassland overlord.

"A peerless hero, conquering thousands of miles, a majestic eagle of the grasslands, surveying the world with awe; his speed and vision are the keys to victory. Bestow upon him the 'Eagle of the Sky Totem Pole'!"

"Establishing this pillar at the heart of the royal court will greatly enhance the speed, impact power, and stamina recovery rate of the cavalry within the territory, and grant them 'eagle eyes,' making them even more formidable on grasslands and deserts. The power of the totem can also condense 'Wind and Thunder War Eagles,' soaring through the skies to serve as your eyes, ears, and claws!"

A rugged stone pillar, imbued with the power of wind and thunder and topped with a proud eagle, suddenly descended beside Genghis Khan.

Genghis Khan's rough, large hand stroked the cold surface of the totem pole. The giant thunder wolf beneath him growled, and the power of wind and thunder subtly gathered under its claws. He nodded slightly, his eyes gleaming even brighter. Though he did not speak, the hand that gripped the reins tightly said everything.

Next came those who made the top five contributions, each of whom was even more remarkable.

"Fifth place, the Great Qin Empire!"

Guiguzi's gaze fell upon the Qin army, which boasted tens of millions of elite soldiers. Every soldier he looked at resembled a cold-blooded weapon of war!
"My Great Qin, with its millions of elite soldiers fighting to the death, its Great Wall fortifying the walls and keeping the gods at bay, and its Tai'a sword slaying a god... how could it only rank fifth?"

Ying Zheng's gaze was sharp as lightning, and his authoritative voice carried a hint of doubt. Generals such as Meng Tian and Wang Jian also had solemn expressions.

"Unified by the First Emperor, unparalleled warriors, the Great Wall stands eternally, protecting our land, its defensive resolve as firm as a rock. I hereby bestow upon you the 'Great Wall Soul Stone'! This is a fragment of the Great Wall's primordial essence; possessing it can greatly enhance existing Great Wall-like defensive structures, granting them a slight 'Soul-Suppressing' and 'Boundary-Severing' power. It can also serve as a core, quickly establishing 'miniature Zhenyue Passes' in places without the Great Wall, ensuring the Qin Dynasty's walls remain forever secure!"

A dark golden stone, exuding an aura of vastness, weight, and solemnity, seemed to bear immense power and endless flames of war as it steadily fell into Ying Zheng's outstretched palm.

"The Soul of the Great Wall... Excellent! I accept it."

This emperor, who was the greatest emperor of all time, gripped the Soul Stone tightly, feeling the immense power within it resonating faintly with the supreme treasure deep within the Xianyang Palace. His solemn expression finally revealed a hint of approval, and he said in a low voice.

"Fourth place, the Pharaoh's Dynasty!"

The phantom of the Golden Sun Boat flowed on the Nile. Ramses II held a scepter, his face shrouded in mysterious golden light, appearing relatively calm. The ancient empire's foundation was like an unfathomable desert.

"Nero's grace, the Pharaoh's eternity, the Sun God's might, shining through all ages, its legacy and divinity are the foundation of the nation. I hereby bestow upon you the blueprints for the 'Sun Obelisk'! Building according to these blueprints will gather the Sun God's power, transforming sand into fertile soil, accelerating crop growth, and granting friendly forces within its range the 'Sun's Blessing.' The obelisk itself is a powerful source of light energy and a defensive tower, and even offers a glimmer of hope to connect with the Sun God's power, continuing the Pharaoh's glory!" A scroll of blueprints, made of golden papyrus and radiating the eternal brilliance and mysterious aura of the sun, slowly floated before Ramses II.

"The gift of the sun god, the glory of the Nile. This thing shall be placed on my land."

The pharaoh unfolded the blueprints, golden light illuminating his eternally serene face, ancient wisdom flowing in his deep eyes.

"Third place, the British Empire!"

Entering the first three stages, the competition among everyone is undoubtedly fierce.

The projections of Queen Victoria and Elizabeth I are elegant yet sharp, with the massive phantoms of dreadnoughts looming behind them, interwoven with steam and magical runes.

"The sun never sets, its cannons never cease to shine, and the oceans bow before it; its ambition to explore and conquer has never waned. Granted the 'Royal Dreadnought Core'! This core, a fusion of the Empire's pinnacle naval craftsmanship and magical technology, can significantly enhance the speed, armor, firepower, and magic resistance of the existing fleet. It can also serve as the core drive to construct the 'Prototype Royal Dreadnought,' possessing the might of a 'magical main cannon,' the formidable strength of a 'steam shield,' and the capability of 'ocean-wide positioning,' laying an unshakeable foundation for your exploration and conquest of the endless seas!"

A mechanical core, perfectly integrated with intricate gears, robust steam pipes, and dazzling magical crystals, exuding surging power and an aura of destruction, floated before the two queens.

Victoria and Elizabeth's eyes met, their gazes locked on this core, and the glory of the British Empire seemed to be rekindled within it.

Queen Victoria spoke with elegance and firmness: "The seas will always be the stage of the British Empire. This core will guide us toward new glories!"

"Second place, the Great Tang Empire!"

Next, Guiguzi looked at the Tang Dynasty camp.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, calmly accepted the prize, which was second only to the first-place winner.

However, deep within his eyes, there was a fleeting glint of shrewdness and an almost imperceptible sharpness.

The generals of the Tian Ce Mansion, such as Li Jing and Qin Qiong, also subconsciously straightened their backs.

This "second" is significant for the Tang Dynasty, which had suffered the trauma of the An Lushan Rebellion but demonstrated remarkable resilience and terrifying potential in this battle.

It is both an affirmation of glory and a silent spur – only one step away from that supreme position!
This seemingly small step is enough to ignite an even fiercer flame in the hearts of ambitious emperors and renowned generals.

"The Heavenly Khan's majesty is as vast as the ocean, attracting all nations to pay tribute. This is a glorious chapter in history, and his inclusiveness and way of governing are unparalleled among all emperors. Therefore, I bestow upon him the title of 'Heavenly Pivot of All Nations'!"

"Establishing this extraordinary structure in the heart of the capital will gather the auspicious energy from all directions, greatly enhancing the speed of cultural integration, the chances of attracting talent, and the prosperity of commerce. It will also bestow upon you the title of 'Heavenly Khan,' helping you to achieve a glorious era, benefit all nations, and rule over an even more expansive territory!"

A phantom image of a nine-story glazed tower with an exquisite design, incorporating elements of various civilizations, and exuding an aura of inclusiveness and dominion over all directions.

The tower stood solid before Li Shimin, its body shimmering with light, as if illusory figures of envoys from all nations were paying homage.

A glint of light flashed in Li Shimin's deep eyes, a subtle sharpness suppressed by his composure. He raised his hand and gestured, the tower transforming into a stream of light that disappeared into his palm.

"The ocean embraces all rivers, and thus the great way is achieved. This pivotal point should be erected in Chang'an to demonstrate the grandeur of our Tang Dynasty!"

And the force that performed the best throughout the entire "Competition for Heaven Ceremony," whose comprehensive merits truly surpassed all others and transcended all dynasties, was now finally revealed—

"The number one spot definitely belongs to my Great Qing Dynasty!"

"Does the Qing Dynasty even deserve this? In my opinion, it should be our Ottoman Dynasty that stands alone at the top!"

"Hmph, the people of the East are too arrogant, still indulging in their past glory. If you ask me, the first place should definitely belong to the Western dynasty! Especially the Beacon Kingdom, whose dynasty made outstanding contributions in the restoration of the City of Saints, it should definitely be number one."

In the City of Saints, many people are already debating and are full of anticipation for the top forces that have not yet appeared in the top ten.

Guiguzi's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of barely perceptible expectation, clearly echoing between heaven and earth:

"The supreme leader, and also the one who made the greatest contribution and achieved unparalleled merit in this battle—the Qianxia Dynasty!"

"Xia Tian, ​​the ruler of Qianxia, ​​turned the tide amidst the calamity. His will and actions have earned the recognition of the Holy City and the favor of the will of the Nine Provinces! He is hereby granted the 'Seal of the City Lord of the Holy City' and appointed as the City Lord of the Holy City!"

A phantom model of an exquisitely crafted, radiant "City of Saints," seemingly embodying the boundless possibilities and hopes of humanity, materialized around Xia Tian amidst countless awestruck gazes.

Immediately, it transformed into a dazzling divine light and entered his palm.

In an instant, Xia Tian felt himself completely merged with the magnificent human holy city beneath his feet. The city was him, and he was the city. Vast and unparalleled power and heavy responsibility were simultaneously bestowed upon him, and deep within his soul, he seemed to hear the resonance of the will of billions of humans.

"This seal is the core of the Holy City's authority, and also the heavy responsibility of protecting the destiny of the human race! Whoever holds this seal will rule this city, gather heroes from all over the world, control the gods and demons of the eight wastelands, and lay the foundation for eternal peace for our human race!"

Guiguzi's voice, like a resounding bell, echoed in Xia Tian's heart.

"Qian Xia?! It's actually Qian Xia!"

"A... Celestial Empire established by a... lord?"

"The Seal of the City Lord?! He has actually become the lord of this holy human city?!"

The results, once revealed, shocked the world!
"This... how is this possible?! A human lord's strength is actually ranked among the top dynasties?!"

The results, once revealed, caused a global uproar!
Shock, disbelief, scrutiny, jealousy, anger...

Ten thousand emotions erupted in the hearts of countless forces and numerous human races.

In particular, many powerful kingdoms and empires in the West originally thought that the pinnacle of glory in this "Grand Ceremony of Competition for Heaven" would inevitably be achieved among ancient and powerful quasi-empires such as Rome, Macedonia, and Persia, or among equally powerful ancient Chinese dynasties.

Unexpectedly, the one who ultimately won the crown and surpassed all the dynasties of destiny was a force that was founded by a "lord" and built from scratch in the Eternal Land—Qianxia!
All eyes, filled with scrutiny, inquiry, even a hint of hostility and profound shock, instantly focused on Xia Tian, ​​who stood atop the holy city! (End of Chapter)