Beneath the dome of the Seven Star Domain's main hall, twelve Coiling Dragon Pillars encircled the round council chamber. Fist-sized luminous pearls studded each pillar, lighting the hall as brightly as day.
The Dragon Clan elder's voice rang with a metallic resonance, its trailing notes stirring faint echoes beneath the dome. "His Highness the Holy Son truly is the foremost genius of the Seven Star Domain. Such spirit-"
His gilded cuff brushed the tabletop, and his aged fingers tapped three times against the green jade desk. "In my three thousand years roaming the star domains, he alone has shown the makings of true greatness."
Sharp intakes of breath rose from the lower seats. The notoriously overbearing Dragon Clan was openly praising someone. It was more startling than thunder outside the hall.
The Azure Bird elder rolled his jade prayer beads between his fingers, his gaze sweeping the crowd. Three hundred years ago, the Dragon Clan elder had broken three of his disciple's ribs. Yet now he was being so humble. Had the wheel of fortune truly turned?
At the far end of the long council table, several elders from minor families were whispering through voice-transmission techniques.
"I heard the Heavenly Abyss Domain sent thirty Supreme God-level prodigies this time..."
The Bear elder clenched his paws beneath the table until his knuckles cracked. "My boy has only just become a Soul Emperor. If he goes, he'll probably end up as target practice."
The Leopard elder licked his lips, the silver rings on his pointed ears swaying with the motion. "But the Domain Lord said the top thousand will receive stellar marrow fluid. That stuff can help break through the Soul Saint bottleneck..."
Suddenly, the Nangong Family patriarch's crimson-scaled armor gleamed blood-red in the pearl light. He sprang to his feet, drawing