After Qin Zi's voice fell, the square descended into a brief silence.
Could someone really be this direct when asking for gifts?
The patriarchs of the various great sects, who had always maintained their dignity, had never encountered such a blatant demand. Perhaps they had seen it happen before, but it had never been directed at them, leaving them momentarily stunned.
"Hehe, of course, we've brought gifts," said an elderly man with white hair, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. With a wave of his hand, a snow-white gift box flew forward.
One of the Divine Kings standing next to Qin Zi immediately reached out, caught the box, and respectfully handed it to Qin Zi.
Qin Zi opened the box, glanced inside, then suddenly waved his hand, knocking the box to the ground. He stood up abruptly, his face full of fury!
"Outrageous!! I have just ascended to the position of Heaven Lord, and you dare to offer me such a paltry gift? Do you have any respect for me as Xuanhuang Heaven Lord?" he roared.
The crowd gasped in shock. No one expected this Heaven Lord, who had no true authority, to be so arrogant.
The white-haired elder froze for a moment, and then his face darkened.
After all, Qin Zi had just publicly humiliated him, and at his age and position, what else was there to care about besides his reputation?
Boom!
A faint golden light radiated from the elder's body, gathering above his head into a massive golden figure, a thousand feet tall, resembling the elder himself, with flowing robes.
Instantly, an overwhelming pressure engulfed the square, making the vast space feel cramped, as if it would burst at any moment.
The other elders seated on the square took this opportunity to release subtle waves of pressure as well, merging with the white-haired elder's aura.
In an instant, divine might surged like a vast ocean!
Qin Zi felt his chest tighten, his vision blurred, and his head spinning, nearly passing out on the spot.
When he looked toward the square, he could no longer make out the elders' faces. In his perception, they had all transformed into radiant giants.
These giants had indistinct faces, radiating blinding light, as if divine beings were seated in the void.
The oppressive force was unbearable.
"Hmph! What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to intimidate the Heaven Lord?"
At that moment, the eight Divine Kings surrounding Qin Zi stepped forward in unison, shielding him from the oppressive force.
Suddenly, the pressure on Qin Zi vanished.
When he looked again, the square appeared calm once more. The elders seemed ordinary, sitting peacefully in their spots, as if nothing had happened.
"May I ask, Heaven Lord, what issue do you have with my gift? Why did you throw it to the ground and insult me?" the white-haired elder asked in a deep voice. His tone lacked the respect one would expect, as he referred to himself as "this old man," clearly maintaining his status.
Qin Zi pointed to the gift box on the ground, where two fruits had spilled out, and sneered, "You, a Divine King, dare to offer only two Heavenly God-grade fruits as a gift? Are you implying that I am only worth such trivial offerings?"
The white-haired elder's expression remained unchanged as he replied coolly, "When giving gifts, it's the thought that counts, not the value. I believe the most suitable gift is the best gift."
"Heaven Lord may have risen to this esteemed position at a young age, but after all, you are still only at the Heavenly God realm. These fruits are just right for your current cultivation. Why wouldn't I offer them?"
His underlying meaning was clear: No matter what position you hold, you're still just a Heavenly God. Know your limits!
"Are you trying to lecture me?" Qin Zi asked coldly.
"I wouldn't dare." The white-haired elder chuckled, turning his head slightly, his face clearly showing disdain.
In his eyes, as long as he didn't openly defy the Heaven Lord, it wasn't considered disrespectful. And as for his condescending expression? Well, that was just an honest reaction, nothing more.
But Qin Zi wasn't one to swallow such humiliation. His father had already advised him to act with authority. As long as he remained the Xuanhuang Heaven Lord, no matter how much trouble he stirred, these old fogeys wouldn't dare flip the table.
Staring coldly at the white-haired elder, Qin Zi sneered, "Daring to speak to me in such a tone... It seems you truly don't respect me as Xuanhuang Heaven Lord. In that case... seize him!"
Whoosh!
The eight Divine Kings, knowing what to do, acted swiftly. Four of them remained to guard Qin Zi, while the other four charged toward the white-haired elder.
"How dare you!!" the elder roared in both shock and fury.
But the four Divine Kings were already upon him, their bodies surrounded by shimmering runes, radiant and powerful. They had already activated their Divine King domains.
Boom!
The white-haired elder unleashed his own Divine King domain, and the five domains clashed and intertwined, filling the air with blinding light and explosions of countless runes.
The other elders in the square frowned, their eyes flashing as they weighed their options.
In the end, they chose not to intervene.
If they all rose up, Qin Zi and the eight Divine Kings would be crushed in an instant. But by doing so, they would overstep their bounds. When the Grand Emperors returned, they would undoubtedly face consequences.
So, they continued to watch.
Better him than us.
If this young Heaven Lord wanted to make an example out of someone, let him. After all, this Heaven Lord wouldn't be around for much longer anyway.
Boom!
Finally, a burst of light exploded as countless runes scattered in all directions like fish swimming through the air.
The white-haired elder, restrained by the four Divine Kings, was dragged out of the golden vortex of runes.
"Heaven Lord, we have him," the four Divine Kings reported with a smile.
"Good, bring him forward!" Qin Zi was overjoyed, recalling his father's instructions—he had to set an example and demonstrate strength!
"Argh! You traitorous dogs! If I had my full power restored, none of you would be a match for me!" The white-haired elder roared in fury, struggling violently as bursts of terrifying energy erupted from his body, yet he remained unable to break free from the Divine Kings' control.
Soon, he was dragged before Qin Zi, standing at the foot of the throne.
"Kneel!"
Qin Zi, standing tall upon the throne, looked down at him, his voice brimming with authority.
"You!!"
The white-haired elder stared in disbelief at Qin Zi, his eyes turning fierce as he bellowed, "A king cannot be humiliated!"
He was a Divine King.
A Divine King could be killed, but not humiliated!
"In my presence, what kind of king are you? If I command you to kneel, you will kneel!"
Qin Zi sneered, and then he ordered the eight Divine Kings, "Make him kneel."
"Yes, Heaven Lord!"
The eight Divine Kings, fully committed, had already made up their minds—they were following Qin Zi all the way, come what may.
If Qin Zi became invincible in the future, they would bask in his glory. If Qin Zi fell, they would fall with him.
This was their all-in gamble.
Boom!
Finally, the white-haired elder was forced to his knees, his knees slamming heavily against the ground.
Boom!
Roar!
At that moment, the heavens trembled, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. The image of a deity howling in fury appeared in the sky.
It seemed... that a king truly could not be humiliated.