On the way to Fire God Mountain, Lin Tian was filled with curiosity about the legendary figure Leo I. Unable to hold it in any longer, he asked, "Grandfather, what kind of person was Leo I, exactly?" Laun, standing nearby, also pricked up his ears, equally interested in this powerful figure who stood at the pinnacle of the continent.
Porter raised his head slightly, his eyes filled with reverence and emotion. He said slowly, "Leo I became a god through the fire element and has now reached the Mid-God realm. He, Walter I—the earth Mid-God who founded the Golden Shield Empire—and George I—the water-element Mid-God who founded the Frost Empire—were close friends. It was said that they had known one another back when they were still in the Saint Domain. They cultivated together afterward, shared their insights and resources, and supported one another through the long years. In the end, all three entered the realm of gods together. Later, they joined forces to end that chaotic age and respectively founded the Three Great Empires, ruling this continent together."
Lin Tian secretly pondered, The three of them founded three separate Empires. It might seem like a coincidence, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like they arranged it this way so that all three could obtain the power of faith. Lost in thought, Lin Tian said nothing more.
Laun saw Lin Tian fall silent and took up the conversation. He asked curiously, "Porter, with the strength of those three seniors, why didn't they unify the continent and establish one vast empire? Why did they choose to found their own nations instead? Was it because their strengths were evenly matched, making it impossible to determine who was superior?"
Porter shook his head gently. "I do not know the exact reason. But according to the family records, among the three of them, our ancestor was the first to become a Mid-God. The other two seniors only broke through one after another a thousand years after our ancestor became a Mid-God. Moreover, as far as I know, our ancestor was actually stronger than the other two. I think they may have established three Empires because our ancestor and those two seniors had gone through too much together and shared a deep bond. They were unwilling to let power create discord between them, so they chose this relatively balanced arrangement."
As they talked and traveled, they soon arrived at the foot of Fire God Mountain. Porter led Laun and Lin Tian down slowly, then pointed at the towering peak before them. "No one knows what this mountain was called before our ancestor secluded himself here. After he settled here, it came to be known as Fire God Mountain. Our ancestor lives at the summit, and there have always been rules. Saint Domain experts who come here generally have to land at the foot of the mountain and then walk up on foot, as a sign of respect for our ancestor." Lin Tian and Laun both nodded in understanding.
Afterward, the three set off up the mountain together. Near the foot of the mountain, quite a few people were cultivating intently. Lin Tian quietly spread out his spiritual power and sensed that most of them were level-eight or level-nine warriors, with the occasional mage among them.
Seeing this, Porter explained, "Everyone living here was brought by various Saint Domain experts. Some are personal disciples of Saint Domain experts, while others are outstanding descendants of Saint Domain families. If they cultivate diligently like this and are fortunate enough to reach the Saint Domain, they may have a chance to be recommended to one of the Lower Gods under our ancestor and become that god's disciple. If they are exceptionally outstanding Saint Domain experts, they may even be accepted by our ancestor as registered disciples."
Lin Tian's heart stirred. "Grandfather, are all of our ancestor's formal disciples Deity-level Experts?"
Porter nodded. "Our ancestor currently has three god-level disciples. Those three are formal disciples. In addition, there are five disciples he accepted when he was still in the Saint Domain and Lower God realms. Though they now possess only Saint Domain strength, they are also formal disciples. As for disciples accepted during our ancestor's Mid-God period, those who have not yet become Lower Gods can only be considered registered disciples."
Lin Tian could not help asking, "Grandfather, you previously said that the Leo Empire had more Deity-level Experts than the other two Empires. But even including our ancestor, there are only four god-level experts now, aren't there? Could it be that the other two Empires have no god-level experts besides their founding emperors?"
Porter looked at Lin Tian, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "Who said that the Leo Empire's Deity-level Experts consist only of our ancestor's disciples? Lin Tian, think carefully. Ever since you were born, aside from your parents, older sister, and older brother, have you ever seen any other members of the royal family?"
Lin Tian froze. Thinking back carefully, that was indeed the case. This empire had been passed down for thousands of years, yet aside from his direct relatives, he had never seen another royal family member. It truly was strange and defied common sense.
Seeing the confusion on Lin Tian's face, Porter said slowly, "In order to ensure the competitiveness of the royal family and reduce internal conflict, our ancestor established a rule when passing the throne to the next generation of emperors: whenever an emperor ascends the throne, royal family members of the same generation and their descendants must go to Fire God Mountain to cultivate. Only after reaching the Saint Domain are they qualified to leave Fire God Mountain. But our ancestor also decreed that Saint Domain experts may not inherit the throne. Furthermore, if someone breaks through to the Saint Domain while sitting on the throne, he must pass the throne to the next generation. That was why I passed the throne to your father back then. So in truth, most of the people on Fire God Mountain are members of our Leo Family. The Leo Family currently has more than a dozen god-level experts. From my generation upward, every generation of the Leo Family has produced god-level experts. This is the true foundation of the Leo Family."
Upon hearing this, Lin Tian suddenly understood and could not help admiring Leo I's far-reaching foresight. These seemingly harsh rules had, in truth, continuously nurtured powerful descendants for the Leo Family and ensured the family's lasting prosperity across the continent.
The three continued climbing. The mountain path twisted and turned, but the surrounding scenery grew ever more tranquil. As they advanced, the spiritual energy around them became increasingly dense. Lin Tian could feel that every breath of air here seemed to contain tremendous power, offering immense benefits to cultivation. From time to time, they saw disciples cultivating on platforms among the mountains. Their focused expressions and streaming sweat all revealed their thirst for strength.
Looking at these young cultivators, Laun sighed. "With such an atmosphere, it is no wonder the Leo Family produces so many talented people."
Porter smiled and nodded. "Exactly. The family provides them with a favorable cultivation environment and resources. The rest depends on their own effort and talent."
After another stretch of arduous travel, the three finally arrived before a cluster of buildings halfway up the mountain. Porter introduced the place, saying, "This is an important cultivation site on Fire God Mountain. Many family descendants gather here to exchange their cultivation insights."
The three paused briefly within the buildings and exchanged a few pleasantries with several Saint Domain experts they knew. When those experts saw Porter with Lin Tian and Laun, curiosity appeared in their eyes.
After leaving the buildings, Lin Tian could not help asking, "Grandfather, the way those seniors looked at me seemed somewhat unusual?"
Porter smiled. "You entered the Saint Domain at such a young age. That is exceedingly rare within the family. Naturally, they are curious about you."
Porter then led Lin Tian and Laun to the summit. There, someone was sitting.
Before you continue