The Inner Hall of the Heavenly Palace.
Qin Shujian sat on the Imperial Throne, with several seats arranged beside him.
In the seat closest to him sat a burly man, his posture broad and imposing.
As the Heavenly Court Immortals and Gods entered one after another, they froze at the sight of him.
They were curious.
What sort of powerhouse was qualified to sit beside the Heavenly Emperor?
In everyone's memories.
There was no trace of this burly man.
Still.
Curious though they were, they did not ask any questions.
The moment they saw Qin Shujian, they bowed in greeting.
"We pay our respects to the Heavenly Emperor!"
"You may rise."
"Thank you, Heavenly Emperor!"
The gods straightened.
Just then.
Niu Dali and Chu Kuangtu arrived as well.
Although they lived within the Celestial Court, they were not its subjects, so neither of them had attended the usual court assemblies.
But this time.
Qin Shujian had summoned everyone, and they were no exception.
As yet, however, neither had regained his Dao Fruit Realm strength.
But in the eyes of the two men seated above.
Niu Dali and Chu Kuangtu had actually begun to master a measure of the power of reality.
Precisely for that reason.
Neither had broken through to the Dao Fruit Realm.
Otherwise.
With their foundations and the resources now available, breaking through would hardly have been a problem.
"Emperor Qin!"
Niu Dali cupped his hands slightly, but his gaze settled on the man to the left.
In his memories.
He had no recollection whatsoever of this man.
Normally.
Anyone qualified to sit beside Qin Shujian was undoubtedly an existence at the Dao Fruit Level.
As for the Dao Fruit cultivators in the world.
Niu Dali was certain.
He knew practically all of them.
Yet the man before