89: A King-level Divine Kingdom is now open!

Shortly after the scale grew hot, the enemy scouts were completely eliminated. Shen Xiaochuan knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

As news of the scouts' destruction spread, he stood before the Main Hall and raised his hand to manifest a light screen.

"Alert lifted."

As his voice fell, the warriors patrolling the city sheathed their weapons, the Archers on the watchtowers loosened their bowstrings, and the defensive Formations on the city walls gradually dimmed and extinguished.

He turned and stepped into the great hall.

The long table had long been prepared, with thirty-five seats empty. Zhou Mingrui sat in the front row clutching his notebook, Shen Yan leaned his blade against his feet, Ling Feng stood quietly to the side, Karl flipped through the register in his hand, and Yang Lie adjusted his collar. Anna led Lolia in through the side door, followed by Lilith and Lilia, who together pushed a dining cart.

"My Lord," Lilia said softly, "we are ready."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded in acknowledgment.

The silver cover was lifted to reveal golden, glistening chunks of meat. Steam rose, and the aroma instantly filled the air.

"This is Canglan Tiger choice meat," he said. "Only you could create such a flavor."

Lilith looked up at him, her fingertips tightening slightly as she gripped her apron.

"This is not a reward." Shen Xiaochuan's gaze swept over the crowd. "It is a testament to the journey we have traveled together."

He raised his wine glass and stood up.

"This glass is a toast to everyone in Skydome City."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.

As soon as the wine was finished, Zhou Mingrui spoke up excitedly: "My Lord, the commercial street can open tomorrow, and I've already arranged the promotion!"

"Very good."

"The defensive fortifications can be reinforced by another layer. I've re-surveyed the terrain to the northwest; it's suitable for setting traps," Shen Yan added.

"See to it."

"The intelligence System needs an upgrade," White Snow Princess spoke up. "Currently, we rely on manual delivery, which is too inefficient."

"Zhang Heng will be responsible for technical support, Huang Lu will coordinate resources, and Chen Zhanbei will assist with the defense layout."

"Yes!" the three of them responded in unison.

The meeting continued.

Topics ranged from grain reserves to troop deployment, and from city construction to diplomatic strategies. Karl suddenly raised his hand: "My Lord, in the future... can we be called the 'Elders'?"

For a moment, no one responded.

Shen Xiaochuan looked around at everyone: Zhou Mingrui was looking down taking notes, Shen Yan clenched his fist, Ling Feng’s lips curled slightly, Yang Lie stared at the table, and Anna gently touched Lolia’s palm.

Just then, a flurry of urgent footsteps broke the silence. A warrior rushed in: "My Lord, an unknown energy fluctuation has been detected to the northwest!"

"The name is not important," Shen Xiaochuan spoke slowly. "What is important is that this city is no longer just my city."

He paused.

"We are going to build a place of freedom—where there is food to eat, a voice to speak, and a path to walk. Whether you are a blacksmith, a cook, or a soldier, you can stand here and say what you want to do."

The entire room fell silent.

A moment later, applause rang out.

First Karl clapped, then Zhou Mingrui, then Shen Yan stood up abruptly and applauded vigorously. Ling Feng smiled, White Snow Princess followed suit, Huang Lu shouted "Good!", and Chen Zhanbei slammed the table hard.

Anna's eyes turned red.

Lolia lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Shen Xiaochuan said no more.

He sat down, picked up a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.

The taste was familiar, a flavor he had tasted many times before. But this time, it was different.

The feast lasted until late into the night.

By the time the last person left, the horizon was already showing the white of dawn.

Shen Xiaochuan returned to his sleeping quarters, took off his outer clothes, and lay down on the bed.

Closing his eyes, his body was exhausted, but his thoughts were exceptionally clear. The struggles and battles of the past few months flashed before his eyes.

In the past, the first thing he did every day upon waking was to check if his faith points had increased and if his tasks were completed.

Now, he could finally sleep in peace.

He fell into a deep sleep.

He didn't know how long had passed when a crisp notification sound reached his ears.

[Ding—]

Immediately following, a server-wide announcement echoed through the Void Realm:

[Server-wide Announcement: Deity Number 9527 [Shen Xiaochuan] has successfully promoted to a king-rank divine kingdom!]

[Achievement Unlocked: [King of Dawn]]

[Became the 37th king-rank deity of the Milky Way Galaxy - Orion Arm]

[Triggered civilization observation alert; multiple Star Domains are recording this event]

Cheers erupted instantly. Shen Yan slammed a fist against his chest, making a dull thud as a sign of respect to his Lord.

Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes.

He sat up and pulled up his interface.

As the news spread, a roar came from inside a black warship in the distance: "Impossible! How can an Earth deity promote to king-rank!"

Shen Xiaochuan sneered: "Now, it's our turn to counterattack."

He closed the interface, got up to dress, and walked out of the room.

In front of the Main Hall, the morning sun was rising.

Zhou Mingrui was already waiting, clutching his notebook, his eyes shining with light.

"My Lord!" He hurried to meet him. "Did you see? The whole server is spamming your name!"

Shen Xiaochuan nodded.

"Call them here."

"Who?"

"Everyone."

In less than ten minutes, everyone arrived one after another.

Shen Yan led the White Tiger Legion in Formation below the steps, Ling Feng flew down from the city wall, Karl nearly tripped while running, Yang Lie straightened his collar and stood in line, and Anna supported Lolia as they walked over slowly.

Shen Xiaochuan stood upon the high platform.

"We have ascended."

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire field went silent for a second.

Then, ear-splitting shouts erupted.

"We've ascended!"

"King-rank!"

"Skydome City has survived!"

Shen Yan struck his chest heavily with a fist.

Ling Feng threw his head back and laughed loudly.

Karl jumped in place with excitement.

Anna hugged Lolia tightly, and the two of them spun in circles.

Zhou Mingrui flipped open his notebook, his hands shaking slightly, yet he continued to record.

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand.

The clamor came to an abrupt halt.

"This is not the end," he said. "This is only the beginning."

He took out the kings treasure chest and placed it on the table.

"Next, more people will set their sights on us. Stronger enemies and harder tasks will come one after another. But we are not afraid."

He looked into the distance.

In the starry sky, beams of light lit up one after another—those were observation signals sent by other civilizations.

He knew the news had already spread throughout the stars.

A deity from Earth had attained king-rank.

He withdrew his gaze and reached out to grip the treasure chest.

"Now, open the chest."

Click.

The latch opened.

A golden light leaked through the crack.

The whole field held its breath and watched. Anna gasped, "It's a First-Order Godhood!"

He was just about to lift the lid.

Suddenly, a rift tore open in the sky, and a black warship slowly sailed out, hovering over the city.

The warship was incredibly massive, its surface inscribed with complex runes, and countless tentacle-like pipes hung from its bottom, writhing slowly as if they possessed life.

A cold voice drifted down from the heavens: "Shen Xiaochuan, hand over the king-rank treasure, or Skydome City will cease to exist!"

The arrival of the black warship was merely the beginning. Shen Xiaochuan knew that even more powerful enemies were approaching. And he would make everyone who looked down on him pay the price.