146: All races conceded defeat and signed a non-aggression pact.

Yaochi Heavenly Palace was as silent as death.

In the air, there wafted a sense of... awkwardness.

And fear.

Those six Ancestor Kings, who once stood high above and viewed all living beings as mere ants, were now like six quails waiting to be slaughtered, prostrate on the ground, trembling and not even daring to lift their heads.

They feared that if that "Great Emperor" in white robes became even slightly displeased, he would use "Words Become Law" on them, causing them to "shatter" on the spot.

On the other side, the Human Race Cultivators each stood with their chests out and heads held high, their backs straight, finally feeling vindicated.

It felt as if they had instantly transformed from a mistreated daughter-in-law into the master of the house.

They looked at those once-overbearing Primordial Imperial Clans, who were now more humble than dogs, and only one word filled their hearts—

Exhilarating!

It was so damn exhilarating!

"Ahem."

Finally.

It was the Golden Ancestor King, this old monster who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years and had a face thicker than a city wall, who was the first to break this eerie silence.

He didn't dare to stand up.

He simply knelt on the ground, shuffled forward a few steps on his knees to Li Daoxuan's feet, and forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

"L-Lord Emperor..."

Trembling, he pulled out a golden parchment roll made from the skin of an unknown Divine Beast from his robes, holding it high above his head with both hands.

His posture was humble to the extreme.

"This... this is a small... token of... sincerity... that our Myriad Races discussed... overnight... ah no, just now... just now."

"I hope... Lord Emperor... will look it over."

Li Daoxuan did not take it.

He only gave it a faint glance.

"What is this thing?"

"It's... it's a Peace Treaty."

The Golden Ancestor King explained hurriedly, fearing he might be half a beat too slow.

"Our Myriad Races are willing to... maintain eternal friendship with the Human Race and never invade one another!"

As he spoke, he cautiously unrolled the parchment.

One could see that it was filled with dense clauses written in Primordial Divine Script.

There were roughly three main points.

First, the Ancient Myriad Races are willing to retreat to their respective Ancestral Lands and will not step out for a hundred years to show their sincerity.

Second, from this day forward, the concept of 'Blood Food' is abolished. The Myriad Races and the Human Race shall have equal status and coexist in peace.

Third, the Myriad Races are willing to open some ancient Secret Realms and cultivation resources to be shared with the Human Race... As soon as this treaty was read out.

All the Human Race Saint Lords present were stunned.

Each of them gaped, feeling like their hearts were about to jump out of their throats.

Retreating to Ancestral Lands?

Abolishing Blood Food?

Sharing resources?

This... this... this was simply a monumental victory!

This was the supreme glory that their Human Race hadn't dared to even dream of for tens of thousands of years!

To think that just half an hour ago, they were facing the humiliation of having their lands ceded, being penned in, and being treated as Blood Food.

And now.

Simply because that man stood up.

And said a few words.

The entire situation had undergone a staggering 360-degree reversal!

"I... I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"The Myriad Races... actually backed down?"

"More than backing down, this is practically begging for mercy on their knees!"

"The Great Emperor is mighty! Eternal glory to Heavenly Emperor Li!"

After a brief silence, a mountain-shaking cheer erupted!

All the Human Race Cultivators were so moved that tears filled their eyes.

Their gazes simultaneously focused on the Youth in White Robes, who still stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed.

Their eyes were filled with endless fervor and worship.

They were waiting.

Waiting for their Human Race's "Great Emperor" to nod.

As long as he nodded, this "unequal treaty" (for the Myriad Races) would officially take effect!

The Human Race would usher in an unprecedented... Golden Age!

However.

Under the gaze of the multitude.

Li Daoxuan's reaction once again left everyone wide-eyed with shock.

He slowly stepped forward.

From the Golden Ancestor King's trembling hands, he took the seemingly precious golden parchment.

He didn't look at the contents.

He didn't even bother to give it a second glance.

He simply... held the parchment in his hand and weighed it.

Then, he frowned.

"This skin is a bit rough."

As he spoke.

Under everyone's stunned and incredulous gazes.

"Whoosh—"

A ball of golden flame suddenly ignited from his palm.

The flame was small.

Yet it was filled with a terrifyingly high temperature that could incinerate all things.

That "Peace Treaty," made of Divine Beast skin and impervious to water and fire, enough to be an heirloom.

Before that golden flame, it was as fragile as a piece of ordinary toilet paper.

Instantly.

It was burned into... a handful of... flying ash.

"..."

Silence.

A deathly silence.

In the entire Yaochi Heavenly Palace, one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

They stared blankly at the Youth in White Robes, who was currently clapping his hands and blowing away the ash.

Their minds were a complete blank.

He... burned it?

He actually... burned the Peace Treaty that could change the world's landscape?!

What did he want to do?!

Could it be... he really wants to exterminate the Ancient Myriad Races?!

"L-Lord Emperor..."

The Golden Ancestor King was scared to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering; his entire Dragon body was practically collapsing onto the ground, his voice filled with endless fear and despair.

"What... what is the meaning of this?"

"Could it be... you are still not satisfied with the conditions we proposed?"

"If you're not satisfied, we... we can discuss it further... discuss it further..."

"Discuss?"

Li Daoxuan laughed.

He turned around, looking at the six Ancestor Kings who had completely broken down, then looked at the equally bewildered Human Race Saint Lords.

He shook his head.

"You seem to have... mistaken one thing."

He pointed to the pile of ash on the ground still emitting wisps of smoke, his tone flat yet carrying an unquestionable dominance.

"When did I ever say I was going to... sign a treaty with you?"