Lord of the Earth

At this moment, a large number of people had gathered in the "Council Hall" in the core area of ​​the Mysterious Inn.

A magnificent hall, carved entirely from an ancient divine tree, stands solemnly. Its dome is not made of ordinary wood, but is inlaid with countless shimmering "stars," forming a vast "celestial map."

At this moment, the star chart is filled with chaotic, flickering lights, with each spot suddenly dimming or going out completely.

This all signifies that yet another "mysterious inn" has been torn apart and captured by monstrous creatures, and the flames of war are spreading at a visible speed.

"The attacks of the catastrophic creatures are becoming increasingly fierce!"

The famous Song Dynasty general Zong Ze, with his white hair, wore a faded gilded mountain-patterned armor, the armor plates deeply marked with the knife marks from his early years fighting against the Jin. In his hand was a cane made from a bronze battle sword, with a powerful "war" character engraved at the top.

At this moment, the hilt of the knife was striking the spirit wood ground heavily, producing a dull and intimidating sound.

"In recent months, monstrous beings have attacked in waves, their numbers surging, including many demigods and even gods! Our defenses are on the verge of collapse. To date, more than a third of our 'branch stacks' have been completely breached, and none of our personnel have survived!"

Seated on seats arranged in a ring around the perimeter were high-ranking human officials of various skin colors and clothing, all with solemn and iron-like expressions.

These people are all high-level managers in the "Mysterious Inn" system—the "shopkeepers".

The Mysterious Inn and the "Ark of Crossing the World" have similar rules, both possessing the supernatural ability to expand and replicate space.

Depending on its level, each "branch stack" can accommodate anywhere from ten thousand to one hundred million people!
Those present at this moment each manage inns with at least a million inhabitants. Their power and responsibility, if placed in the Eternal Land, are in no way inferior to those of a powerful ruler or a monarch!

The total number of such "shopkeepers" in this area far exceeds expectations.

After all, unlike the "City of Humans Saints" which initially only received fellow Earthlings, the Mysterious Inn expanded its scope of reception to the "human race" throughout all the myriad worlds!
In all the heavens and myriad realms, how many humans are there?
This group, which is a mortal race yet has produced sovereigns, has its greatest advantage in its terrifying population size.

According to incomplete statistics from the Qianxia Dynasty, apart from the ancestral homelands of certain races, traces of human migration and reproduction can be found in almost all major worlds.

Even after numerous "Great Cleansing" calamities that resulted in the slaughter of many humans across various worlds, their total numbers remain astronomical.

It was precisely because of the fortune and power brought by this huge population base that the Mysterious Inn was able to barely withstand the endless invasion of catastrophic creatures.

However, the mysterious inn, which has been "run" since the very beginning of the Eternal Land, is now facing the crisis of "destruction"!
It should be understood that the entire "inn system" prospers together and suffers together.

If the defense of any branch inn fails, all those protected within it will perish, and the defense capabilities of the entire "Mysterious Inn" will also be affected.

"Most importantly, the complete perfection of the rules of heaven and earth in this round, along with the intervention of the gods, has drastically changed the situation..."

Wan Sanqian, adorned with various rare and exotic treasures and dressed in a way that clashed with the inn's rustic and simple style, adjusted his gold-rimmed monocle, his fingertips tracing a gleaming resource ledger, his voice tinged with anxiety:

"More than 90% of the inn's food and medicine comes from exchanging spoils obtained after slaying calamity-stricken creatures. Previously, we were able to barely maintain a balance between income and expenditure."

"However, in the past two years, the rules of heaven and earth have changed drastically, and the total amount of resources dropped after the calamity-stricken creatures were killed has decreased by 30%! Currently, the food reserves are only enough to support the entire operation for three months. If we don't find a way to replenish them, the inn may collapse from within!"

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over every shopkeeper present.

"Can we accelerate the absorption of migrants from the Eternal Land?"

One of the shopkeepers asked, his tone tentative.

"Disaster!"

Zong Ze shook his head and denied it in a deep voice.

"With the world unlocked and the gods returning, it's not just us who are affected. The Eternal Land is now at the eye of the storm! Countless pantheons are frantically 'claiming territory,' and countless human powers, cities, and kingdoms have been conquered, with their people reduced to servants, slaves, or even food for the gods!"

"Although this gives us more opportunities to absorb 'population'... the risks are also relatively greater... After all, although we have a population advantage, we have very few top-tier combat forces that can truly stand up and confront the gods head-on."

"I do have a solution that might solve this urgent problem."

Wan Sanqian spoke again, drawing everyone's attention.

"We actually have another option, which is to bring in reinforcements!"

"As you all should know, although we are fighting against the catastrophic beings for eternity, under the arrangement of the eternal will, it is not just our inn that needs to resist the catastrophic beings..."

"In fact, in order to resist the calamity of living beings, the forces of destiny in the outside world need to dissolve the power of calamity when they advance."

"You must know that in the Eternal Land, there are already human powers like the Qin and Tang dynasties that have risen to the status of imperial dynasties. They not only possess abundant resources and military strength, but also have the ability to 'become gods'! If we can form an alliance with them, we can not only solve our urgent problem of resource depletion, but also open up trade and obtain the food, elixirs, and even weapons we desperately need!"
"I object!"

Within the Western camp, Kevin, the leader of the Knights Templar, slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, the cross emblem on his silver armor radiating a blinding holy light.

"We fought bloody battles in the inn to protect the last sanctuary of humanity. Why should those forces that are developing peacefully in the rear, or even those that may have compromised with the gods and become their lackeys, interfere and plunder our power? What right do they have to share our authority? And how can we guarantee that they are not another knife sent by the gods?!"

His eyes were full of vigilance and undisguised rejection, and his voice was loud, carrying a deliberately exaggerated dissatisfaction.

"Gentlemen, Chinese people already make up more than 40% of the shopkeepers. If we allow them to bring in the Chinese Dynasty, which shares the same language and culture, as an external ally, the interests of us Westerners will be completely marginalized in the future, with no hope of ever rising again!"

As he spoke, his telepathic communication was also rapidly circulating among the Western Continent camp and some representatives from other worlds.

"That's right, I disagree as well."

"Yes, doing so might be like inviting trouble, it's not a good idea..."

Upon hearing this, numerous Western business owners stood up to express their opposition.

"Oh? You all oppose it? Now that the situation is critical, are we just going to wait to die without bringing in external help?"

Many shopkeepers in the Huaxia camp were furious. They were about to be overrun, yet they were still thinking about fighting for power and profit. What was the difference between this and when an ancient dynasty was about to collapse, a group of ministers were still thinking about how to make a profit?

Unfortunately, these Westerners are unlikely to realize this.

After all, compared to the long history of China with numerous examples to draw upon, you can't expect a group of people who treat "myths and legends" as history books to understand this point.

Of course, those who can become "shopkeepers" are not ordinary people, and their opposition is probably for some other reason!
"Perhaps...we can try to gain the support of the human race from this other world?"

In fact, soon after, someone from the Western camp stood up and spoke.

Upon hearing this, many managers in the Chinese camp frowned. In terms of the proportion of managers—the high-level group—China certainly held an advantage.

However, if we consider the total population within the inn system, the vast majority are actually "otherworldly humans" from all the heavens and myriad worlds!
Because the Earthlings do not have the "seal of the gods," they have accumulated a deeper foundation in the Eternal Land, making it easier for them to stand out and become managers.

Apart from a portion of forces such as "hidden sects".

The vast majority of humans in other worlds are born with a heavy "seal of the gods," which greatly suppresses their wisdom, comprehension, and growth potential.

This makes it extremely difficult for strong individuals and high-level managers to emerge from among them, putting them at a natural disadvantage in the competition for status.

"The humans of this other world are burdened by the 'seal,' their intelligence is obscured, and their potential is limited. Investing resources in their training will likely be counterproductive, and they will be unable to shoulder great responsibilities!" A shopkeeper from the Chinese camp shook his head and sighed, expressing the consensus of many present.

"Really? I don't think so!"

Kevin's lips curled into a meaningful smile, as if he had already expected the other party to say that.

The hearts of the Chinese team members sank immediately, realizing that the other side must have a backup plan.

Kevin clapped his hands lightly and raised his voice.

"As it happens, I'd like to introduce you to a friend—Manager Timur, a human leader from the Vast Ocean Realm, whose cultivation has reached the 'Saintly Aspect' realm!"

Before he finished speaking, a majestic figure strode in from outside the hall, nodding to the crowd.

This person's muscles were covered with totem tattoos, his aura was powerful, his eyes were sharp and clear, and the holy power fluctuations around him were extremely solid. He was clearly a true "Holy Manifestation" powerhouse of the seventh level of the extraordinary realm!
"How can this be?!"

A collective gasp of surprise erupted from the hall.

As everyone knows, the human race in the other world is restricted by the seal, and it is already extremely difficult to break through the mortal realm. Only one in ten thousand can reach the Saint level, and those who can cultivate to the "Saint Aspect" level are unheard of!

Kevin was pleased with everyone's reaction and continued to drop bombshell news.

"Under Manager Timur, there is now a medium-sized inn with a population of one million! His governance skills and strategic vision are both first-rate!"

These words caused a huge uproar.

The position of innkeeper is not something that can be obtained solely through force; it also requires exceptional management skills, resource allocation abilities, and a strategic vision. For a human from another world to become the innkeeper of an inn serving millions of people is almost unbelievable!
This undoubtedly signals something.

The Western camp may have already mastered some methods to lift or bypass the "seal of the gods"!

"Things... have become tricky."

Even Zong Ze's expression instantly became extremely solemn.

He instantly realized that this was the real reason why the Western camp suddenly launched an attack today—they had the ability to win over the largest group of alien humans in the inn system, enough to shake the dominant position of the Chinese camp that had lasted until now!

Timur stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell.

"Everyone, we represent our fellow human beings from all realms who did not originate from our ancestral land. Today, we have some things we must say!"

"Your Excellency Kevin is absolutely right! Our alien race comprises nearly 80% of the inn's total population. Yet, for a long time, we have received less than 20% of the various resources! This is an extreme injustice! We demand a reconsideration of the resource allocation plan and to gain a voice and status commensurate with our population proportion!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his eyes to the otherworldly representatives behind him.

The group immediately understood and loudly echoed, shouting "Improve treatment!" and "Strive for fairness!" The council chamber erupted into chaos, the noise almost lifting the ceiling.

Boom!Boom!
Zong Ze's face turned ashen, and he slammed the bronze sword and staff in his hand down heavily on the ground again, his overwhelming pressure forcefully suppressing the commotion.

"Enough! The main reason for the human alliance's crushing defeat at the hands of the gods was their incessant infighting! Now, with calamity looming and the end of the world on the horizon, do you intend to repeat the same mistakes?! Lord Kevin, I understand your opposition to bringing in outside aid and your fear of losing power. But I ask you, without external help, how will we overcome this food crisis? How will we feed these millions of hungry mouths?!"

The old general's hair and beard bristled, and he roared angrily:
"And you, you keep complaining about the unfair distribution of resources, but do you know that most of the resources for each branch must be obtained by fighting for them in the outside world? Our fellow beings from another world are limited by the seal, so their individual combat strength and ability to acquire resources are indeed relatively weak. This is not something we are deliberately making things difficult for, but the reality!"

His gaze pierced Timur like a sharp sword, and he exuded a demigod-level aura.

"On the contrary, let me ask you: who painstakingly drew the 'Tranquility Runes' you wear that can withstand the impact of the calamity? Who provided the affordable 'Blood Bathing Pills' you took when you were injured? It was the Taoist priests of my Longhu Mountain! They are the descendants of the medical school among the Hundred Schools of Thought of China!"

"Have they ever raised the price by even an inch because you are not Chinese? Have they ever charged you an extra gold coin?!"

Zong Ze was heartbroken, his gaze sweeping over the representatives of the Western Continent and the other world.

"This mysterious inn is not the private property of any one family or lineage! The position of 'manager' is a responsibility and a duty! If we continue to fight amongst ourselves, we will collapse from within without any demonic attacks!"

Kevin remained unmoved, instead letting out a cold laugh and abruptly changing the subject.

"Elder, it's not that we're unwilling to cooperate, but we must consider all aspects carefully. If the powerful ally we bring in harbors ulterior motives, how can we control them with the full power of their divine kingdom? I fear that we might end up being devoured by them instead of using them to fight them!"

These words struck at the biggest weakness of the Chinese camp's proposal.

Although some people in the mysterious inn are able to break through to the Divine Realm, they are extremely lacking in the key materials for refining the "Divine Kingdom".

A deity without a divine kingdom to rely on can only exert 70% of its combat power at most. When facing external deities with complete divine kingdoms, they are at a disadvantage from the start. If external aids take this opportunity to turn the tables, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"In that case, all the resources and treasures we've fought so hard for with our lives will probably end up benefiting others..."

Kevin spoke with conviction, seemingly considering the bigger picture, but in reality, he had outmaneuvered Zong Ze.

Just when the two sides were deadlocked and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

The heavy doors of the council chamber were suddenly pushed open.

Two figures stepped in side by side.

One was a warrior whose crimson-gold divine armor, gleaming with a cold luster, had just "slain a god," while the other was a middle-aged man dressed in a blue cloud-and-goose official robe in the style of the Qianxia dynasty, with a refined face but unfathomable eyes like a deep pool.

Their sudden arrival instantly drew everyone's attention, and the once noisy hall fell silent in an instant. (End of Chapter)