Heavenly River True Lord tightened his grip slightly, squeezing a distinct crack into the armrest of the throne beneath him, forged from a Ten-Thousand-Year Star Core.
Inside the grand hall stood nine "victims" whose home bases Zhou Ming had just plundered, including Chaotic Ancient True Lord, the Lord of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and the Nine Netherworlds Manor Lord.
Their faces were as black as the bottoms of cooking pots, and the resentment radiating from them threatened to blow the roof off the Divine Hall.
The dozens of True Lords behind them were silent as winter cicadas, yet secretly exchanged glances.
Accusations, complaints, doubts...
Countless gazes shot toward Heavenly River True Lord on the main throne like tangible arrows.
"Brother Heavenly River, say something!"
Chaotic Ancient True Lord had the most explosive temper. He slammed his hand onto the table, and the desk forged from chaos divine gold groaned under the strain.
"You were the one who gathered us all here and swore those 'Returnees' were nothing but turtles trapped in a jar, ours for the taking!"
"And now?"
"We haven't caught the turtles, and they've nearly torn our own homes apart!"
"Amitabha." The Lord of Ten Thousand Buddhas held one hand upright before his chest while the other rolled a string of prayer beads made from World Cores. Yet the speed of his fingers betrayed his inner turmoil.
"The Buddha-light in my Thirty-Three Buddha-realms has dimmed, and even my followers' faith has begun to waver."
"Benefactor Heavenly River, we have yet to see the 'supreme opportunity' you spoke of."
"Instead, this 'boundless karmic burden' has come knocking first."
His voice was quiet, but every word struck Heavenly River True Lord's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Enough!"
Heavenly River True Lord abruptly rose, and a terrifying pressure belonging to the