75: With all nations paying tribute, undercurrents begin to emerge.

The news that the Cloud Court was announcing to the world and widely recruiting talents spread rapidly, as if it had grown wings, reaching every corner of the Demon Spirit Continent.

For a time, the roads leading to the Cloud Court were bustling with carriages and boats like weaving shuttles. Not only did the major Empires, Sects, and aristocratic families of the Human Race send their highest-ranking delegations, but even the habitually reclusive departments of the Yao Race, the deep-sea species, and even the descendants of some ancient Spirit Races dispatched envoys. They carried rare treasures, Cultivation Techniques, and Secret Manuals, heading towards that land, which was now enveloped in a Holy Light halo, filled with awe and anticipation.

Outside the Cloud Court's mountain gate, the reception square, which used to seem somewhat empty, was now packed with people, yet the order was impeccable. All the forces who came to pay respects, regardless of their past grievances, restrained their auras here and dared not cause the slightest trouble. Nie Li coordinated the overall situation and managed the logistics effectively, while Yun Hao and Yun Qiao also assisted in receiving envoys from all sides, showcasing the Cloud Court's demeanor and strength as the continent's leader.

“The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty, Empress Phoenix Nine Heavens, presents the ancestral Phoenix blessing and the nation-guarding Divine Artifact, the ‘Seven-Colored Plume,’ to Court Master Yun!” The master of ceremonies announced loudly.

Phoenix Nine Heavens came personally; she wore a Phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, her face exquisite, followed by a group of Divine Dynasty Elders, maintaining an extremely humble posture. She held a radiant jade box in both hands, which sealed a seven-colored feather emitting vast divine energy—it was one of the Foundations upon which the Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty was established.

Yun Feng sat in the main seat of the hall, his aura contained, appearing like a Mortal, yet no one dared to meet his gaze directly. He nodded slightly, and a servant naturally stepped forward to accept the congratulatory gift.

“Your Majesty Phoenix is thoughtful,” Yun Feng said calmly. “I, Yun, remember the help you rendered in the past.”

Phoenix Nine Heavens felt a chill in her heart and became even more respectful: “Court Master speaks too seriously. Resisting the Abyss and protecting this world is our duty. The Heavenly Phoenix Divine Dynasty is willing to follow the Court Master forever and jointly guard the peace of this world.”

Following this, the leaders of hegemonic forces that once dominated their regions—the Wind and Snow Realm, the City of Radiance, the War God Hall... one after another stepped forward, offering heavy gifts and expressing their submission and desire for alliance. Their attitudes were incredibly humble, even carrying a hint of panic, fearing that this newly promoted World Master might hold grudges over past slights.

Yun Feng treated everyone equally, encouraging them with kind words, and did not become arrogant due to his massive increase in strength; this demeanor further won the admiration of the crowd.

However, beneath this magnificent scene of nations coming to pay tribute, which seemed utterly peaceful, subtle undercurrents quietly began to surge.

Late at night, within the secluded chamber where Yun Feng was in closed-door cultivation, located in the Cloud Court Forbidden Ground.

He was not immersed in the increase in his power, but rather sank his consciousness into his body, engaging in deep communication with the transformed “System”—or rather, the “Heavenly Mandate Core,” which was a Fusion of the System, the chaos source blood, and the world heart imprint.

Countless streams of information flashed through his consciousness, concerning the more fundamental Laws of this world, the composition of the endless Void Realm, and... more truths about the “Abyss.”

“The Host has initially stabilized the Heavenly Mandate Realm, and permissions have been upgraded. Information database unlocked: The Abyss is not a single entity, but a collection of chaotic Laws that erode thousands of planes. The force that invaded the Demon Spirit Continent this time was merely one ‘Dominator of Annihilation’ and its subordinate forces.” The cold, mechanical voice carried a hint of solemnity.

“Dominator of Annihilation...” Yun Feng murmured internally. “How many existences like it are there?”

“Insufficient permissions; unable to ascertain the full extent. However, based on the residual information analyzed from the swallowed ‘Dominator of Annihilation,’ there are older and more powerful Abyss Wills above it. They also engage in conflict with each other, but their attitude toward orderly worlds is uniform.”

Yun Feng's gaze was profound. Sure enough, the trouble was far from over. A single Dominator of Annihilation had nearly doomed the Demon Spirit Continent; if an even more powerful existence were to descend...

“Furthermore, it is detected that due to the Host's promotion to Heavenly Mandate, the world heart is fully activated, and this world's coordinates in the endless Void Realm have significantly increased in ‘energy level,’ making it easier to be perceived by other powerful existences. Not only the Abyss, but also some predators wandering the Void Realm, and even explorers from other orderly worlds, may be attracted.”

Blessing often harbors misfortune. The promotion of the world also brought greater risks.

Just then, Yun Feng's heart stirred. He detected an extremely subtle Divine Thought, carrying a cold, deathly silent aura, attempting to penetrate the Cloud Court's outer barrier and peer inside.

This aura... was of the same origin as the previous Abyss energy, yet purer and more cunning!

“Hmph, still not giving up?” Yun Feng let out a cold snort. He did not alert the enemy, but merely moved his Divine Thought; the probing intent instantly seemed to hit an invisible barrier, letting out a muffled groan before retreating in panic.

“It seems there are still rats hiding in the dark. The cleanup work is not yet complete.” A cold light flashed in Yun Feng's eyes. His Divine Thought spread out quietly like a net, covering the entire continent, beginning the search for the remnants lurking there, those inextricably linked to the Abyss.

The celebrations and tributes continued openly, and the Cloud Court's prestige grew daily. But on a level unknown to others, a cleanup operation targeting the lurking crisis had already begun.