Just as the Azure Dragon clan's seven-star Fiends were still wondering whether the Four Divine Beast clans truly had branches on the Yulan Continent, a six-star Fiend from the White Tiger clan spoke up.
"Elder, our White Tiger clan does indeed have a branch on the Yulan Continent. It's said they only returned to the Infernal Realm a few thousand years ago."
Another voice chimed in.
"Our Vermillion Bird clan also has one."
"It seems you really are of our Azure Dragon bloodline. Welcome home to the Infernal Realm!"
Jason and the others were overjoyed. They had brought their wives with them to the Infernal Realm, and now they had finally found their roots.
"Jason, then we shall part ways here for now. I will visit the Skyrite Mountain Range when I have the chance. If you need anything, you can come find me."
"Many thanks, my lord."
After that, Jason called over his descendants and their wives, and the group walked over to join the Azure Dragon clan.
"All right, let's continue on our way."
Sadius and Lomio returned to the metallic lifeform.
Their group continued their flight toward Youlan City.
After a long journey, they finally arrived outside Youlan City.
They presented a Sovereign's command token, and the group entered the city with ease.
It had to be said—the city where a Prefect resided was indeed far superior to an ordinary seven-star Fiend's city.
Of the cities Sadius had seen in the Infernal Realm, only Miluo Island could be compared to Youlan Prefecture.
Of course, that was mainly because he hadn't visited any other major prefectural cities.
As soon as they entered Youlan City, Sadius heard Beirut's voice transmit directly into his mind.
"Sadius, you've finally arrived. You really kept me waiting. Someone will be coming shortly to escort you to my estate."
Very soon, a squad of prefectural soldiers came over.
"Are you the esteemed Lord Sadius from the Yulan Continent and his friends? The Prefect has ordered me to escort you all to the estate."
"Lead the way, then."
Before long, they arrived before the most luxurious estate in Youlan City.
This estate was enormous, sprawling across an area comparable to an entire city back in the Material Plane.
Just then, a man and a woman flew out directly from within.
This was the Prefect's domain, so naturally flying here was permitted without restriction—unlike in the rest of Youlan City, where flight was limited.
"Sadius, you're finally here. Bebe, did you miss your Grandpa Beirut?"
Bebe's eyes darted mischievously.
"Bebe missed Grandpa the most!"
"Good. And this is your Grandma Carolina."
Some among Sadius' group looked curious—who was Carolina?
Tarossa explained in a low voice,
"Lady Carolina is the Ice Goddess of the Temple of Ice and Snow, and also Lord Beirut's wife."
Everyone finally understood.
"Bebe, let Grandma take a look at you. You've grown so much! Here, this is a gift from Grandma."
Carolina handed Bebe a spatial ring.
"Thank you, Grandma!"
After binding the ring, Bebe discovered it was filled with a massive number of Divine Sparks, as well as many inkstones, divine artifacts, and various rare treasures.
As a God-Eater Rat, after becoming a deity he could refine Divine Sparks to extract Divine Spark essences and strengthen himself.
If he became a Highgod, he could even use Divine Spark essences to forge Divine Spark weapons.
"And this must be Sadius."
Although she hadn't formally met Sadius before, Carolina immediately recognized him as the rare triple-soul-mutated cultivator.
"Aunt."
"I don't have much to give you, so instead I'll give gifts to your wife and children."
Carolina handed out four more gifts, though they were far less valuable than Bebe's. That was only natural.
"Nien, Liya, what should you call me?"
"Godmother…" The two were a bit shy.
"Yes. Finally, our Beirut family has juniors who've independently become deities."
Carolina gave them each a prepared gift as well.
The others could only look on enviously.
"All right, let's all head inside. The banquet is already prepared."
Beirut paused for a moment, realizing there was someone he didn't recognize.
And this person's aura wasn't weak.
"Uncle, this is Lomio. I met him in the Stellar Sea of Fog. It was after my battle with him that I was able to break through."
Beirut studied Lomio.
This man should also be of Shura-level strength.
"Lord Beirut, I am Lomio Bornes, a lightning-type Highgod. I have long admired your renown."
In the Infernal Realm, any Highgod with some knowledge would know that Beirut of Blood Ridge Continent was the strongest existence beneath the Sovereign of Blood Ridge.
"Lomio, welcome." Beirut smiled.
Not long ago, Leylin had taken on a Sovereign Emissary, and that had made Beirut a bit tempted—he also wanted a Sovereign Emissary of his own.
However, he himself couldn't act too openly.
Beirut's reputation in the Infernal Realm was long established; everyone knew he was the Emissary of Blood Ridge's Sovereign. He couldn't reveal his Sovereign's true identity, so he had never taken on a Sovereign Emissary.
Leylin was different—on the Four Higher Planes, no one recognized him. Even if he revealed his Sovereign identity to Boslo, Boslo wouldn't suspect anything.
But Beirut was different.
If he tried to recruit a Sovereign Emissary in the Infernal Realm, once the other party realized his true identity, it would surely cause a great uproar.
So, his two available Sovereign Emissary positions had always remained vacant.
Inside the estate, a grand banquet was already prepared, waiting for everyone to be seated.
During the feast, Beirut casually asked Sadius,
"Sadius, how strong is this Lomio?"
"Lomio? When we were in the Stellar Sea of Fog together, he broke through to the Shura level. Uncle, you wouldn't believe it—Lomio was able to directly withstand the lightning of the Fog Sea with just his physical body. His bodily defense is nearly comparable to a Sovereign artifact."
Beirut's eyes lit up.
Such a strong physique—if he were equipped with a soul-defense Sovereign artifact as well, it would be almost impossible for anyone to injure him.
That level of defense would be just a step below the monstrously durable Sovereign emissaries themselves.
If this Lomio's combat strength could be further improved, taking him as a Sovereign Emissary wouldn't be a bad idea.
But as someone who had just entered the Shura level, his current strength still fell short compared to other Sovereign emissaries.
One must understand—among the 108 prefectures of the Infernal Realm, every Prefect was a Shura, yet there were only a dozen or so Sovereign emissaries in total.
Even among the commanders of Purgatory who wielded Sovereign artifacts, there weren't many.
So simply reaching the Shura level didn't guarantee the chance to become a Sovereign Emissary.
Only the most exceptional among the Shuras could catch a Sovereign's eye.
"Sadius, I know a Sovereign who has an empty Sovereign Emissary position. He's looking for someone suitable."
"Uncle, you mean… for Lomio to become a Sovereign Emissary?"
"How could I have that kind of authority? I can only make a recommendation. But from what you've said, Lomio only recently became a Shura, so I fear his strength still isn't sufficient to serve as a Sovereign Emissary. If he can create some unique technique and raise his combat power tenfold, perhaps I could help recommend him."
Sadius inwardly rolled his eyes. This Beirut clearly wants to secretly recruit a Sovereign Emissary himself, yet he's still making excuses.
"Uncle, I'll definitely tell him and have him train diligently."
"Remember, you cannot tell anyone else about this matter. If that Sovereign learns that such rumors are being spread, he might pursue the matter personally."