Upon entering the city, what greeted them was architecture that was all made out of stone. Towers built out of layered stones, bridges constructed from boulders, taverns, shops...
The place was bold and imposing, rough and magnificent.
It was unlike the Dragon God Empire’s architectural style, yet there was a different kind of bold and rough beauty to it.
People went to and fro in the wide, spacious streets. 50% of them were humans and 40% of them Beast People, with demi-giants making up less than 10%. As for the Titans, there wasn’t even a single one.
This was the most direct reflection of their reproduction rates. Since the Titans’ were the weakest, their numbers were naturally the smallest as well.
“Why do these Beast People look like they’re leading very comfortable lives when the Titan Empire and the Beast People Empire are constantly warring?”
The Beast People going to and fro in the streets looked happy and cheerful, unlike the tragic state that Meng Lei had imagined them to be in. Weren’t they captives and slaves?
“There’s more to it than meets the eye, Master.”
Bubbles explained, “The Beast People who live here are basically all refugees who couldn’t live on in the Beast People Empire.
“Beast People are diligent, honest, and hardworking. They can do many things that Titans cannot. As a result, they are fairly welcomed in the Titan Empire and lead much better lives than what they do in the Beast People Empire.”
Bubbles explained, “Their peaceful, comfortable lives have allowed these Beast People to cultivate a sense of belonging to the Titan Empire that’s much stronger than what they have for the Beast People Empire.”
“I see!”
Meng Lei was enlightened.
“Sir, our store has brought in a new batch of Chrysanthemum Sky Pigs. They are fresh and tasty with a smooth and tender texture! Come on in and have a bite! First come, first served, you snooze, you lose!”
In front of a restaurant, a sexily-dressed Fox-Woman waitress called out to passersby as she solicited customers. Her voice was sweet, pleasant, and intoxicating.
“Chrysanthemum Sky Pigs?” Something occurred to Meng Lei, and he said, “Let’s go! I’ll treat you guys to a meal!”
“A meal?”
The four half-deities were taken aback. Nevertheless, they still followed Meng Lei and entered the restaurant.
With a menu in her hands, an adorable and charming Cat-Woman waitress with a sweet smile asked, “Esteemed guests, what would you like to eat?”
“Chrysanthemum Sky Pigs!”
Meng Lei said, “I’d like 100 roasted pigs!”
“1-100 pigs?”
Startled, the Cat-Woman waitress thought she had misheard, and she asked, “Esteemed guests, are you sure you want 100 roasted Chrysanthemum Sky Pigs?”
“You didn’t mishear me. 100 pigs it is!”
Meng Lei chuckled and said, “Go ahead and prepare them. We can finish them!”
“A-alright!”
It was only after the astounded Cat-Woman waitress left that a smiling Meng Lei said, “Chrysanthemum Sky Pigs are good stuff. One is worth quite a few gold coins! Have more later, don’t stand on ceremony with me!”
“Yes, Master!”
The four subordinates’ lip corners spasmed as they responded.
Treating us to Chrysanthemum Sky Pigs, which cost only a few gold coins?
“In your opinions, who do you think will win in the Showdown Before The Gods this time?”
“I think the Blue Frost King has a chance of winning. As of now, he has already won 19 successive matches without a single loss. He’s definitely the number one candidate for the Child of God!”
“The Blue Frost King? No offense, but had his previous opponents not been that lousy, would he be able to maintain his current battle records?”
“Hurhur, so you don’t think he’s up to it? Why don’t you do it if you think you can, then!”
“Hey, let’s keep it to simple chatting! Don’t you start a fight!”
“I won’t! In that case, why don’t you tell me who you think can claim the final victory?”
“In my opinion, I think Prince Poserei’s chances of victory are the highest. Think about it, eight out of ten Child of God candidates during the last ten years were from the imperial royal family, while the kingdoms only took two places. It’ll definitely be no exception this year, either!”
“The Child of God selection looks only at one’s combat prowess, not their backgrounds!”
“So, you don’t believe me? Wait and see, then!”
“What are they talking about?” asked a puzzled Meng Lei as he gestured at the two people seated at another table a short distance away.
“Probably the Showdown Before The Gods!”
A smiling Bubbles explained, “The Showdown Before The Gods is a grand affair held once every ten years in the Titan Empire. All young talents and heroes under the age of 35 are eligible to take part in it.
“The victor may then enter the holy temple and receive the Titan Spiritual God’s blessings to become the new Child of God, thereby leaping high beyond their current positions into a bright future!”
“I see!”
Enlightened, Meng Lei remarked, “That’s somewhat similar to the Dragon God Empire’s exchange competition.”
“The Titan Empire’s Showdown Before The Gods is much grander than the Dragon God Empire’s exchange competition!”
A smiling Bubbles said, “It’s said that it has already started 50,000 years ago after the Titan Spiritual God achieved godhood. On top of that, the Titan Spiritual God would also personally give his blessings. All those that receive his blessings will be able to step into the half-deity stage within 100 years!”
“100 years? Become a half-deity?”
Astonished, Meng Lei asked, “That’s not quite possible, is it? If that’s really the case, the Titan Empire would have been overflowing with half-deities a long time ago. What’s left for the other three empires, then?”
“There’s more to it than meets the eye, Master!”
Bubbles said with a wry smile, “All the Children of God who received the Titan Spiritual God’s blessings would be led away
