"Zhou Leng." The enormous Mountain and River Origin, towering over six stories high, quickly paced forward, stopping before Zhou Leng.

"Mountain and River Origin." Zhou Leng smiled, nodding as he gazed at the old friend he had known for many years.

Mountain and River Origin was still much the same, his skin more delicate than the typically rugged appearance of giants, appearing like a large, square-faced man.

The difference was, many scars now adorned his body, and his eyes, compared to before, had lost much of their pure light, replaced by a hint of calmness.

Both were in their early twenties, yet there was an inexplicable sense of weariness about them.

"Congratulations on being re-elected as one of the Ten Monarchs."

"Just sheer luck. You... how have you been these days?"

Zhou Leng’s voice carried a touch of melancholy, the two had not met in nearly a year, yet it felt as long as a decade.

After Ten Thousand Yang Celestial Fall, Mountain and River Origin had never set foot in the Dragon Country again.

Mountain and River Origin lightly chuckled, saying, "All is well. It seems I’ve had an epiphany, simultaneously gaining the inheritance of giants, along with some unknown divine techniques."

"Indeed, you’ve always been a top-tier prodigy," Zhou Leng responded.

"I always thought Zhang Xinglie could also ascend to Martial Sainthood..." Mountain and River Origin’s voice grew dry, trailing off.

The two stood in silence, turning to look at the plaza before them.

Numerous demigod giants were gathered there.

And among them, a middle-rank demigod beastman.

The middle-rank demigod beastman had entered the Giant World, requiring a sacrificial offering of immense resources to pass through the Two Realms Barrier, those resources enough to easily nurture three or four middle-rank demigods.

The middle-rank demigod beastman also looked over.

With just one glance, Zhou Leng recognized him, the son of the Demigod King’s Judgement Bone, known as a once-in-a-millennium prodigy among beastmen, Judgement of the Sea.

Unlike regular demigod beastmen, he had a vertical crack on his forehead, resembling a vertical eye.

Judgement of the Sea stared at Zhou Leng, slowly saying, "You’re quite fortunate, during my Starry Trial, you claimed the new emperor rightfully belonging to the beastman race. We shall compete on the Desolate Ancient Path."

Having said that, he crossed his arms over his chest, turning his gaze forward.

Mountain and River Origin whispered, "Be careful. I heard the beastman race spent an enormous amount to cultivate him. The Starry Trial he participated in harnesses the true power of a high-level civilization, unlike our fragmented trials..."

"He spent many years in such high-level trials, reportedly more than five years, only just emerging..."

"I heard from my elders that Judgement of the Sea should have acquired higher-level powers, now surpassing giants of a higher realm in ability."

Zhou Leng watched Judgement of the Sea’s back, nodding, "He indeed possesses the powers of a high-level civilization."

"Can you sense it?"

"Yes."

"Then you must be cautious, it seems the elders were right. One complete Starry Trial equals ten thousand ordinary trials. Have you undergone a complete Starry Trial?"

Zhou Leng pondered, shaking his head, "Probably not complete, if there were, it was at a lower level, not at the demigod level. Even the strongest Dragon Transformation Egg seems incomplete too."

"Naturally, the Starry Trial of the Giant Dragon is incomplete," Mountain River Celestial Peak interjected as he approached, "but this time, the Desolate Ancient Path offers a chance to become a complete Starry Trial with effort."

"This time the Desolate Ancient Path is that special?" Zhou Leng inquired.

"Very special, do you see that light?" Mountain River Celestial Peak pointed into the distance.

There, in a distant mountain, starlight spread across hundreds of kilometers, emanating a dense aura.

"I noticed it on the way, it truly is extraordinary." Zhou Leng could distinctly sense the cosmic power of the starlight.

"That is the entrance to the Desolate Path. Each time it appears, the more intense the power, the higher the trial level..."

"We’ve scoured all historical records, never has there been such a grand desolate phenomenon, not even one-tenth as grand. It’s likely that the Starry Giant Race encountered a major event, causing them to wield divine power to expand this Desolate Ancient Path..."

"The trial takers for this Desolate Ancient Path are restricted to middle-rank demigods or below. Upper-rank and above will open in a few years..."

"This Desolate Ancient Path might very well decide the rise and fall of our Giant Race. I’ve heard the Hell Lords have intervened, depleting vast resources to expand the Demon Giant’s Desolate Ancient Path entrance, allowing more demons to enter..."

"Not only that, the Hell Lords bestowed those trial takers with formidable power... do you know why?"

Zhou Leng replied, "Recently, a lot of demon demigods have perished?"

"More than a lot, we don’t know who, has been wiping out newly ascended and lower-rank demon demigods completely," Mountain River Celestial Peak and Mountain and River Origin glanced at Zhou Leng.

"Blood of Tyranny is indeed formidable," Zhou Leng stated.

"Brother Zhou Leng!" Gold Li bounced over, "Where’s the Queen?"

"She cannot participate in the Desolate Ancient Path, so I sent her back first."

"You must be careful, I’ve heard demons are threatening that if they encounter you on the Desolate Ancient Path, they’ll make you suffer," Gold Li said.

"What’s it got to do with me?" Zhou Leng feigned innocence.

"Well, they’re saying either you or Blood of Tyranny killed their demigods, and if they can’t kill Blood of Tyranny, they’ll kill you, accusing you of holding three Ten Monarch titles back-to-back," Gold Li added.

"Demons are indeed unreasonable," Zhou Leng remarked.

Mountain River Celestial Peak and Mountain and River Origin stayed silent, those demigods left no evidence, yet you greatly diminished the Demon Worship Sect, slaughtering at least a billion; when the Ten Realms connect, demons would go mad seeking you out.

Zhou Leng gestured towards Judgement of the Sea with his chin, asking, "What benefits did the beastmen offer you?"

"During the previous Ten Realms War, they helped us significantly, promising a favor, and are now willing to pay a high price, so we agreed."

Zhou Leng nodded. Previously, the beastmen allied with the Humanoid Alliance, later betraying them to join the Demon Alliance, yet remained neutral towards giants and dragons, never becoming enemies. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Gold Li said, "Judgement Bone claimed that when the Ten Realms connect, they will seek revenge on your human world."

"Oh? Then I must be on guard," Zhou Leng recorded it in the Demon Brain, then sent a message to the Martial Saint group, although it couldn’t be sent due to lack of network, it would automatically transmit upon connection, preventing him from forgetting.

That is the Demigod King, nearly the strongest force in the Ten Realms.

Last time, a strike from Judgement Bone left him seriously injured, only surviving thanks to the protection of the Universal Furnace, whereas other demigods would have perished.

The Demigod King has nearly touched the edge of becoming a Void God, just a breath away from advancement.

Each Demigod King in the Ten Realms is a millennial prowess.

Zhao Dongjun, formidable as he is, only slightly edged out Judgement Bone in spars, lacking certainty in defeating him.

Mountain River Celestial Peak glanced around, speaking softly, "If Judgement Bone truly makes a move on you, once the Ten Realms connect, you could summon the Peak Demigods of our Giant Race and the Demigod Kings to fight under the guise of the Frost Giant King. Though not as strong as before, we can still gather three Demigod Kings."

"Is that feasible?"