The Foundation of the Leo Empire

On the way to Fire God Mountain, Lin Tian's heart was filled with curiosity about the legendary figure Leo I, and he finally couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, what kind of person is Leo I, really?" Laun, listening from the side, also perked up his ears, equally interested in this powerhouse who stood at the pinnacle of the continent.

Porter lifted his head slightly, his gaze carrying reverence and emotion as he spoke slowly, "Leo I became a god through the fire element and has now reached the realm of Mid-God. He is a close friend of the founder of the Golden Shield Empire—the Earth Mid-God Walter I—and the founder of the Frost Empire—the Water Mid-God George I. It is said that they knew each other as early as when they were still in the Saint Domain. They cultivated together afterward, sharing insights, exchanging knowledge, and supporting one another through the long years, until all three stepped into the divine realm together. Later, they joined hands to end the chaotic era, each establishing one of the three great empires, ruling this continent together."

Lin Tian listened and mused to himself: The three of them each founded separate empires—it seems coincidental, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a deliberate arrangement so that all three could harvest faith power. Lost in thought, Lin Tian fell silent and said no more.

Seeing Lin Tian quiet, Laun took up the conversation and asked curiously, "Porter, with the strength of those three predecessors, why didn't they unify the continent and establish a single vast empire back then? Why did they choose to found separate nations? Was it because their power was evenly matched and they couldn't decide a victor?"

Porter gently shook his head and said, "I'm not entirely sure of the specific reason. But according to family records, among the three, our ancestor was the first to become a Mid-God. The other two predecessors only broke through a thousand years after our ancestor reached Mid-God. Moreover, as far as I know, our ancestor's strength actually surpasses that of the other two. I think the reason they established three empires back then might be that our ancestor and the other two had been through too much together, their bond too deep to let power drive a wedge between them, so they chose this relatively balanced approach."

As they talked and walked, they soon arrived at the foot of Fire God Mountain. Porter led Laun and Lin Tian as they slowly descended, pointing at the towering peak before them and introducing it: "What this mountain was called before our ancestor secluded himself here is unknown. Since he made it his home, it has been called Fire God Mountain. Our ancestor lives at the summit, and there is a rule: any Saint Domain powerhouse who comes here must land at the foot and ascend on foot, as a sign of respect for our ancestor." Lin Tian and Laun nodded in understanding.

Then the three of them began their climb. Near the foot of the mountain, many people were diligently cultivating. Lin Tian quietly spread his spiritual sense and sensed that most of these people were warriors at the eighth or ninth rank, with a few mages scattered among them.

Seeing this, Porter explained, "Those who live here are all brought by various Saint Domain powerhouses. Some are direct disciples of Saint Domain experts, others are outstanding scions of Saint Domain families. They train hard like this, and if they are fortunate enough to reach the Saint Domain realm, they have a chance to be recommended as disciples under the lower gods who serve our ancestor. For exceptionally talented Saint Domain powerhouses, they might even become our ancestor's nominal disciples."

Lin Tian's heart stirred, and he asked, "Grandfather, are the formal disciples under our ancestor all god-level powerhouses?"

Porter nodded and said, "Our ancestor currently has three god-level disciples, who are formal disciples. Additionally, there are five disciples he took during his Saint Domain and lower-god stages. Though they only have Saint Domain strength now, they are still considered formal disciples. As for disciples he took during his Mid-God period, if they haven't yet become lower gods, they are only counted as nominal disciples."

Lin Tian couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Grandfather, you said earlier that the Leo Empire has more god-level powerhouses than the other two empires. But counting our ancestor, that's only four gods? Don't the other two empires have any god-level powerhouses besides their founding emperors?"

Porter looked at Lin Tian with a mysterious smile and said, "Who said the Leo Empire's god-level powerhouses are only these disciples under our ancestor? Lin Tian, think carefully. Since you were born, aside from your parents, sister, and brother, have you ever seen any other imperial family members?"

Lin Tian was taken aback. He thought back carefully, and indeed, in this empire that had lasted for thousands of years, he had never seen any other imperial family members besides his own direct relatives. That was truly strange and defied common sense!

Seeing the confusion on Lin Tian's face, Porter spoke slowly, "To ensure the competitiveness of the imperial family and reduce internal strife, our ancestor established a rule when he passed the throne to the next emperor: whenever a new emperor ascends, all imperial family members of the same generation and their descendants must go to Fire God Mountain to cultivate. Only those who reach the Saint Domain realm are allowed to leave Fire God Mountain. But our ancestor also decreed that Saint Domain powerhouses cannot inherit the throne, and if an emperor breaks through to Saint Domain while on the throne, they must pass the crown to the next generation. That's 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 over a dozen god-level powerhouses. From my generation upward, every generation of the Leo Family has produced a god-level powerhouse. This is the true foundation of the Leo Family."

Lin Tian's mind suddenly cleared, and he couldn't help but marvel at Leo I's far-sighted wisdom. This seemingly harsh rule had actually continuously nurtured powerful descendants for the Leo Family, ensuring the family's long-term prosperity on the continent.

The three continued climbing. The mountain path wound and twisted, but the scenery grew increasingly serene. And as they advanced, the spiritual energy around them became denser. Lin Tian could feel that every wisp of air seemed to contain immense power, greatly beneficial for cultivation. Occasionally, they saw disciples training on platforms nestled in the mountainside. Their focused expressions and the sweat they shed all spoke of their thirst for strength.

Laun looked at these young cultivators and sighed, "With an atmosphere like this, no wonder the Leo Family produces so many talents."

Porter smiled and nodded, "Exactly. The family provides them with a good cultivation environment and resources. The rest depends on their own effort and talent."

After more trekking, the three finally arrived before a cluster of buildings halfway up the mountain. Porter introduced, "This is an important cultivation site on Fire God Mountain. Many family disciples gather here to exchange cultivation insights."

They paused briefly among the buildings, exchanging a few pleasantries with some Saint Domain powerhouses they knew. These powerhouses cast curious glances at Porter, Lin Tian, and Laun.

After leaving the building cluster, Lin Tian couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, those seniors seemed to look at me with a special kind of gaze?"

Porter chuckled, "For someone as young as you to step into the Saint Domain is extremely rare in the family. Naturally, they are curious about you."

Then Porter led Lin Tian and Laun to the mountaintop, where a single person sat.