Mount Gods towered above the clouds, its peaks shrouded in swirling mist that seemed to shift and breathe with ancient power.
One by one, powerful figures materialized across the sacred mountain. The moment Han Jue and his two companions arrived, they immediately drew considerable attention from the assembled experts.
"Star Sea Venerable!"
"Han Jue!"
"Junior Brother, over here!" Venerable Ripple called out, her voice cutting through the murmurs of conversation.
"You two go ahead, I'll join you shortly," Han Jue said to Luo Feng and True Evolution Venerable.
"Of course," Luo Feng nodded with understanding. The area ahead was reserved for Universe Overlords, and it wouldn't be appropriate for them to intrude.
The gathering on Mount Gods naturally divided into two distinct sections. The first area, where they currently stood, hosted four-star, five-star, and six-star powerhouses, practitioners possessing combat power ranging from beginner Universe Venerable to high-level Universe Venerable strength.
The second area, located further up the mountain, was where seven-star overlords and above gathered. That elevated space belonged exclusively to Universe Overlords and Universe Masters, the true pillars of humanity.
Despite being only at the Immortal level, Luo Feng's reputation had already spread far and wide. Possessing Universe Venerable-level combat power while still Immortal was unprecedented enough to earn genuine respect from numerous Universe Venerables. He'd cultivated several friendships among them and was also acquainted with True Evolution Venerable, making this social environment relatively comfortable for him.
After parting ways with his companions, Han Jue ascended toward the Universe Overlord gathering area.
"Senior Sister, Jiu Feng," Han Jue greeted them warmly.
Among the assembled Universe Overlords, Han Jue only maintained close relationships with Venerable Ripple and Venerable Jiu Feng. The others were merely nodding acquaintances at best, they knew of him, certainly, but he hadn't cultivated personal connections with most of them.
After all, Han Jue stood among humanity's four top Universe Overlords. The power gap between top-tier overlords and ordinary overlords was substantial enough to create an invisible barrier.
The Universe Overlords gathered here varied dramatically in strength. Some barely qualified for the title, while others approached the threshold of Universe Master power.
"Han Jue," a figure appeared in the distance, approaching with measured steps.
"Master of Heavenly Eclipse Palace! And this is...?" Han Jue's eyes brightened as he recognized the newcomer, though the second figure was unfamiliar.
"This is Venerable Ancestral Tree, also one of humanity's top Universe Overlords," the Palace Master of Heavenly Eclipse introduced with a friendly smile. "I know you're not very familiar with most of our human powerhouses. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your connections."
"Venerable Star Sea, I've long admired your reputation," Venerable Ancestral Tree said warmly, extending his hand.
"Venerable Ancestral Tree," Han Jue clasped the offered hand in a friendly greeting.
Venerable Ancestral Tree possessed a World Tree clone, an entity no less formidable than the legendary World Tree of the Nine Remoteness. His combat power reached Universe Master levels. Before Han Jue's meteoric rise, he'd been considered the strongest human below the Universe Master realm, a title that commanded immense respect.
Yet despite Han Jue claiming that coveted position, Venerable Ancestral Tree harbored no resentment. At their level of cultivation, the strengthening of the human race as a whole brought genuine joy. Petty jealousies were beneath them.
"Venerable Star Sea, do you understand the reason for this Supreme Council?" Venerable Ancestral Tree asked, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
"Of course," Han Jue replied with confidence. "The Primordial Star is about to open."
"Exactly! With the Primordial Star opening, our human race has gained a top-tier Universe Overlord like you, a tremendous advantage that will allow us to seize far more treasures than before!" Venerable Ancestral Tree's excitement was palpable.
The Palace Master of Heavenly Eclipse shook his head slightly, tempering the enthusiasm. "Ancestral Tree, Venerable Star Sea is being watched extremely closely by alien Universe Masters. If he appears at the Primordial Star, they'll likely swarm him immediately. Even if they can't kill him permanently, they'll certainly try to seize the treasures he carries."
"That's true enough," Venerable Ancestral Tree admitted, his brow furrowing with concern.
Even if alien Universe Masters couldn't truly kill Han Jue, their harassment alone would prove monumentally troublesome. The constant interference would make treasure hunting nearly impossible.
"No matter. Once I break through to Universe Master, we'll see who becomes the hunted," Han Jue said with quiet confidence.
"Junior Brother, are you finally ready to break through?" Venerable Ripple asked, her interest piqued.
"Yes. After tens of thousands of years of travel and cultivation, I've gained considerable insights. I estimate the breakthrough will come soon," Han Jue confirmed with a slight nod.
"Excellent news," Venerable Ripple said approvingly.
The group continued conversing in relaxed tones, discussing upcoming opportunities and sharing cultivation insights.
As time flowed onward, more and more Universe Masters gradually materialized on Mount Gods. The appointed hour for the Supreme Council drew ever closer.
Whoosh!
Several imposing figures suddenly descended upon the Universe Overlord gathering area.
"Teacher," Han Jue and Venerable Ripple spoke in unison, both recognizing the newcomer immediately.
"Mm," the Lord of Ice Peak acknowledged them with a brief nod. "The meeting will begin shortly. Wait here."
As quickly as they'd arrived, the Universe Masters' forms vanished once more, teleporting to their designated positions.
More and more powerful beings continued gathering on Mount Gods, the air thick with concentrated divine power.
"Boom~~~"
The heavens and earth suddenly trembled with profound authority.
Every Universe Overlord simultaneously looked skyward. Through the drifting clouds, two massive doors gradually opened, their surfaces blazing with dazzling golden light. Intricate star patterns adorned these gates, depicting the vast cosmos in miniature. The meeting place itself existed within the palace floating majestically above Mount Gods, the legendary Palace of Gods.
"Human powerhouses, assemble!"
A magnificent voice rolled across the heavens like thunder, resonating through every soul present.
Whoosh!
In an instant, every Universe Venerable on Mount Gods vanished, their forms teleported directly into the Palace of Gods.
"Rumble~~~"
The two golden doors slowly closed behind them, sealing away the divine assembly from the outside world.
Inside the Palace of Gods, an enormous round table dominated the vast space, so massive it seemed to stretch toward infinity itself. Exquisitely carved and impossibly huge, it served as the focal point for humanity's greatest gathering.
Surrounding this colossal table stood countless thrones arranged in concentric circles, each positioned according to strict hierarchical order. The arrangement extended as far as the eye could see, accommodating humanity's entire upper echelon.
Han Jue found himself seated upon one of these thrones, flanked by the Palace Master of Heavenly Eclipse on one side and Venerable Ancestral Tree on the other. Above them sat the Universe Masters of the human race in their elevated positions, while Venerable Ripple, being merely an ordinary Universe Overlord, occupied a throne several rows lower.
"Hmm?"
Han Jue's fingers traced the armrests thoughtfully, then his gaze shifted to examine the throne's back. Carved there in the common human script were two characters: 'Star Sea.'
He shook his head slightly. He'd wait until he truly possessed Universe Master-level strength before considering whether to change his title. For now, 'Star Sea' would suffice.
The thrones varied dramatically in size, clearly delineating rank and power. Han Jue observed that the numerous Universe Venerables seated at the lowest tier occupied the smallest thrones, approximately two meters wide.
Intermediate Universe Venerables sat upon thrones ten meters wide.
Advanced Universe Venerables commanded thrones fifty meters wide.
Universe Overlords, regardless of whether they were ordinary or top-tier, all received thrones two hundred meters wide, a recognition of their elevated status.
Rising further still were the thousand-meter-wide thrones reserved for Universe Masters. These imposing seats towered over the assembly like mountain peaks.
Upon these majestic thrones sat the Universe Masters of humanity's five great powers, looking down upon the gathered experts with the absolute authority befitting their realm. These were the super-beings who truly defined humanity's position among the myriad races of the universe.
Although Han Jue's battle record against the Sky Wolf Master had been spectacular enough to shake the cosmos, he couldn't yet be considered a true Universe Master. Therefore, his throne remained positioned below the Universe Master tier, a temporary placement he accepted without complaint.
At the very pinnacle of the assembly, two imposing thrones radiated solemn authority. Both were entirely black, emanating an aura of supreme power that dwarfed even the Universe Masters' seats. One of these black thrones bore the faint carving of a giant axe, clearly belonging to the Huge Axe Creator, the savage-looking giant with thick fingers and disheveled hair who now sat upon it.
The throne beside it, however, remained conspicuously empty.
Han Jue understood immediately, that vacant seat belonged to the Original Ancestor, the first human to reach the pinnacle of power and the founder of humanity's current golden age.
Although this gathering took place within the Virtual Universe where the Original Ancestor could theoretically appear at will, he would not manifest unless the situation concerned humanity's very survival. The Original Ancestor remained suppressed by the Original Universe's will, unable to act freely in most circumstances. His absence spoke volumes about the relative routine nature of this Supreme Council, despite its importance.
The assembled powerhouses settled into their designated thrones, and an expectant silence gradually filled the Palace of Gods. Humanity's greatest experts had gathered. Now the true purpose of this Supreme Council would finally be revealed.