Reverend Insanitys Biography of Qitiab

The sky was a deep, untainted blue, and the vast land stretched endlessly, blanketed in lush green. Rivers shimmered like silver dragons ascending into the heavens.

This was the Tianchuan Grasslands of the Northern Plains. While it wasn't as renowned as the greatest pastures of the Northern Plains, it was still among the finest regions.

The most fertile grasslands of the Northern Plains were occupied by powerful tribal clans. Across the vast steppe, tribes followed the water and grass, with the strongest tribes staking their claims on the richest pastures.

Tianchuan had no dominant tribal clan, but several large families vied for supremacy. Among them, the Ma, Fei, and Cheng families were the strongest, all possessing the qualifications to contest for control over Tianchuan.

Now, with the Fei family annihilated, only the Ma and Cheng families remained as the dominant forces at the Tianchuan Hero Assembly, splitting the region into two factions.

Several other strong families were still observing, hesitant to make a choice due to their deep-rooted foundations.

At this moment, the Ma and Cheng factions faced off, each side composed primarily of its own elite warriors. Though the Ma family held a slight numerical advantage, the Cheng family was no weaker. This was still a hero assembly, not an all-out battle—hence, both sides exercised restraint and opted for duels to determine superiority.

At the center of the gathering, a grand dueling stage had been constructed.

On the stage, two Northern Plains Gu Masters clashed fiercely, both at the Fourth Rank of cultivation.

"Coward! If you have the guts, fight me head-on! What's the point of running like a scared rat!?"

A thunderous roar filled the battlefield.

Cheng Hu, his voice booming like rolling thunder, was enraged. His opponent, Ma Ye, staggered under the impact of the soundwave, his ears ringing, his mind shaking. He retreated hastily, trying to regain composure.

Ma Ye was one of the Ma family's strongest fighters, known for his swift movement and nimbleness, but against Cheng Hu's ferocious assault, he was forced onto the defensive, appearing utterly disheveled.

Cheng Hu was the younger brother of Cheng Long, the Cheng family's patriarch. A Transformation Path Gu Master, his raw power was overwhelming, and he was renowned for his brutal combat style. He had already secured four consecutive victories, and his fifth triumph seemed imminent.

Despite his dominance, Cheng Hu felt frustrated.

"Damn it! If it weren't for my brother warning me not to kill anyone, I would've crushed this guy already!"

The Cheng faction cheered, their voices surging with excitement.

"Haha! Let them witness the might of the Cheng family!"

"Cheng Hu, mighty and invincible!"

"Cheng Hu! Cheng Hu!"

At the Cheng family's seat, Cheng Long watched with satisfaction.

Though the Ma family had been expanding aggressively, swallowing weaker tribes in their ambition for the Royal Court, he still believed he had a chance.

After all, this was only the Hero Assembly. If the Cheng family could prove its strength, it could attract renegade Gu Masters and other tribes to its banner, closing the gap with the Ma family.

His brother Cheng Hu was his greatest asset—an unrivaled Fourth Rank warrior in Tianchuan.

Meanwhile, on the Ma family's side, the atmosphere was grim.

Some remained silent. Others scoffed.

Seated at the center, Ma Shangfeng wore a calm expression, but inwardly, he felt heavy pressure.

After destroying the Fei family, the Ma family had left forces behind at Warm Marsh Valley to consolidate their gains. Even Ma Zun had remained there to tame the Terrorclaw Horse herd.

While the Ma family's forces were technically superior, crushing the Cheng family outright would still come at a steep cost.

Thus, Ma Shangfeng chose to wait—wait for the reinforcements from Warm Marsh Valley to arrive and overwhelm the Cheng family with sheer force.

But when Cheng Long suggested dueling as a means of contest, Ma Shangfeng had to accept.

In the Northern Plains, warriors respected strength above all else.

Refusing would make him appear cowardly, a disgrace for any Northern Plains leader.

And so, he agreed.

However, Cheng Hu's dominance was undeniable. The Ma family's Fourth Rank fighters were outmatched, and Ma Shangfeng himself, a Fifth Rank Gu Master, could not step in lightly.

"The Ma family's foundation is still too shallow. Our high-level combat strength is lacking. If we are to compete for the Royal Court, we must recruit stronger warriors."

Just as Ma Shangfeng resolved to strengthen his forces, a messenger Gu Master rushed to his side, whispering something in his ear.

Ma Shangfeng's eyes lit up.

His previous gloom instantly vanished.

At the same time, a distant force entered their line of sight—though most were still too focused on the duel to notice.

Ma Shangfeng suddenly laughed.

"Hahaha! Cheng brothers, your bravery is truly admirable. Why not pledge your allegiance to my Ma family?"

Cheng Long frowned.

They were winning.

That was supposed to be his line!

Ma Shangfeng… what was he playing at?

Suddenly—

A resounding neigh echoed across the battlefield.

A single horse's cry, majestic and piercing, filled the heavens with unrivaled might.

Then—

A chorus of horse cries followed!

Neighs upon neighs, a tidal wave of sound swept across the plains, shaking the earth itself.

"What is happening!?"

"So many horses! Unicorn Horses, Terrorclaw Horses, Wind Horses, Flamehoof Horses…"

"Could it be… Ma Zun!?"

Gasps filled the air.

All eyes turned.

On the horizon, a massive cavalry force surged forth like a tidal wave.

Countless Northern Plains horses galloped forward—thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands!

The earth trembled beneath them.

Fifty thousand warhorses, moving as one!

Riding among them were elite Gu Masters. Chariots loaded with supplies rumbled forward. A towering banner, emblazoned with the mighty "Ma" character, billowed in the wind.

"This is the power of a Master of Enslavement Path!? Absolutely terrifying!"

"The rumors were true—Ma Zun has tamed twenty thousand Terrorclaw Horses!"

"Ma family's gains from defeating the Fei family must have been immense…"

Shock.

Awe.

Reverence.

The battlefield shifted in an instant.

Cheng Long's ambitions crumbled.

"I see now… The Cheng family was never meant to rule Tianchuan."

A thought formed in his mind.

"Perhaps… siding with Ma Zun isn't a bad choice."

"Big Brother…" Cheng Hu returned, his bravado gone. Even he felt a chill at the sight of Ma Zun's unstoppable cavalry.

The Cheng family instinctively gathered around their leader, their previous confidence shattered.

Victory through dueling was only possible when the forces were evenly matched.

But with Ma Zun's overwhelming cavalry, this was no longer a contest—it was conquest.

Morale among the Ma faction soared.

The symbol of their family, their true leader, had arrived!

Ma Shangfeng raised his cup.

"To my brother, Ma Zun!"

Cheng Long sighed. Then, he stood, smiling wryly.

"Ma Zun, I have long admired your name. It seems… we must place our bet on you."

With that, the Tianchuan Hero Assembly concluded.

Ma family—undisputed rulers of Tianchuan.