Yama Rising

The international trade conference was split up into six main conferences to be held over three days, during which three major topics were going to be discussed, namely new developments in world trade, re-signing of trade agreements, and erection of new trade agreements. Each major subject was going to be addressed over the course of a day, and the first conference was going to take place the very next day.

Thanatos refused to meet with anyone prior to the commencement of the conference. He was feeling extremely uneasy about all of this, and he needed to remain calm. Only after the dust had settled, and he emerged as the victor, would he meet with all of the underworld representatives requesting an audience with him.

He hadn't even come face to face with his old opponent yet, and his confidence had already been severely dented, which was very unsettling for him.

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Behind the main pagoda, thousands of white doves flew up into the sky. Just like in the mortal realm, these birds were meant to represent peace and prosperity, alluding to the hope that the underworld would continue to develop peacefully without ever being ravaged by war again.

As the doves rose up into the air, a bright red carpet flew out of the entrance of the main pagoda before draping itself over the ground.

Grand and majestic Cathayan-style music rang out across the entire city, and amid this solemn and ceremonial atmosphere, gusts of Yin wind slowly swept past, causing the 34 flags in front of the main pagoda to flap incessantly.

"Has it begun?" Death Goddess Anko took a deep breath, then closed her eyes as she placed her hand over her chest to sense her own spiritual fluctuations.

It was 2 PM, which was the scheduled time for the first discussion of the international trade conference to be held.

She stood up and headed toward the main pagoda, accompanied by her servants. Along the way, she saw many ruler death gods, but the atmosphere of this international trade conference was different from that of all previous editions, and it was a very strange experience.

The GTO had always advocated for a peaceful and friendly business environment, so all past editions of the international trade conference had been very lively, with every single underworld trying to sell their products to other nations. No small underworld would be turned away, nor would any opportunity to do business with large underworlds be passed up.

However, she had already encountered quite a few death gods whom she was quite familiar with, but all of them merely nodded in her direction in acknowledgment before making their way into the main pagoda with absentminded expressions.

Anko drew to a halt in front of the main pagoda, looking up at the point where it vanished into the clouds as she heaved a faint sigh. The servant beside her immediately asked, "Is there anything you would like me to do, Your Excellency?"

Anko shook her head, and only after a long while did she withdraw her gaze as she said in a calm voice, "Let's go in."

Once the conference began, the clash between the four pillars would also commence, and everyone was going to be swept up in their conflict.

Who was going to come out on top?

Prior to arriving at Heavenly Pillar City, she had felt more confident in the three pillars' chances. After all, the Cathayan Underworld had been absent for over a century, losing a massive amount of political power and influence during that time, and there was surely no way that the situation could be turned around in a decade.

However, as soon as she arrived at Heavenly Pillar City, her entire worldview was instantly flipped onto its head!

This was a city constructed on the back of one of the six kings!

This was an extraordinary concept that she was still unable to wrap her head around, and it made her realize that the Cathayan Underworld was just as, if not more prepared, than the three pillars for this clash!

The battlefield was the Cathayan Underworld's home turf, and they were going to be facing a challenge from the rulers of the three pillars. Even though she hadn't stepped into the main pagoda yet, her soul was already trembling with anticipation.

After passing through a teleportation array, she quickly arrived in front of a conference hall, upon which the servant departed in a respectful manner. Anko took a look inside, and a grim look immediately appeared on her face.

Silence.

Many death gods had already arrived, but the silence was deafening, and the atmosphere was completely unlike that of previous editions of the international trade conference!

This was a spacious, tiered, open-air hall situated on the 67th floor of the main pagoda, and there was a disparity of roughly 20 meters between the highest and lowest points of the hall. Looking up at the sky above, Anko was greeted by the sight of a layer of dark Yin clouds, giving this place a particularly gloomy and oppressive atmosphere.

A simple yet intricately crafted screen was situated at the center of the hall, and giant pillars could be seen throughout the hall. There were also lanterns in the corners, designed in the mold of the Harken's head, and faint wisps of smoke were drifting out of the incense burners. A series of lotus flowers were protruding out of gold-plated vases littered throughout the hall, and overall, it was a very tastefully constructed hall that wasn't excessively extravagant, but was still very elegant and aesthetically pleasing.

However, she didn't have any time to appreciate the construction and decor, as her eyes had been completely drawn to something else.

The reason for the silence of all of the Yin spirits wasn't the four pillars. Instead, it was the 10 Yin spirits situated at the center of the hall.

They were so old and frail in appearance that it looked as if they could disintegrate at any second amid even the gentlest of breezes, but none of the Yin spirits present were foolish enough to look down on them. The emblems that they wore on their chests made them worthy of the attention of all of the underworlds.

"My god..." Anko murmured to herself as she quickly made her way over to her seat, then sat down in silence with her face still slightly flushed.

Her gaze roamed over the 10 elderly Yin spirits, and her soul was trembling as she murmured to herself, "Those are the chairmen of the top 10 consortiums! The last time all of them gathered in one place was 1,000 years ago, right after the last world war, where everything had to be rebuilt, and countless business opportunities were presented. In fact, they weren't even as powerful as they are now. At the time, the Argosian Underworld had only recently conquered most of Europa, and the three capital cities of the Aegyptian Underworld, as well as its independent holy city, had also just been founded. After an extensive period of war, new life had to be breathed into the entire underworld, thereby heralding the arrival of a new era, and all of them swooped in on that opportunity. Why have they appeared here this time? Could it be that they're of the opinion that this conference is no less important than the events that transpired 1,000 years ago? Is this conference really that significant? Even if the Cathayan Underworld falls from grace, surely no one would truly dare to kick them out of the four pillars! At the very most, they'll only be stripped of some of their rights, and several centuries later, they'll be able to rise again, so why are all 10 of the consortium chairmen here?! Do they know something that we don't?!"

Right at this moment, a death god who Anko was on rather friendly terms with, Death Goddess Giltine of Lithuania, slowly approached her. If it weren't for the fact that she held half a vote, no one would even remember the death goddess of such a small nation.

Upon reaching Anko, Giltine asked, "Have you noticed their seating position?"

Anko faltered slightly upon hearing this before a thought suddenly occurred to her, and she instantly turned toward the 10 consortium chairmen again, only to find that they were seated at the exact center of the hall with no inclination toward either side!

"Are they... taking a neutral stance?" Anko asked with a stunned expression.

It was generally the norm that allies would sit together with one another, and even though the top 10 consortiums didn't hold any votes, they could sway the policies of many underworlds through their vast wealth and influence, so they were certainly not to be ignored.

However, on this occasion, they had chosen to sit on the fence!

Right at this moment, a burst of faint buzzing rang out, and all of the representative teams up ahead turned around to see what was happening. Anko and Giltine did the same, thinking that the three pillars were arriving, only to find that it was actually six Mythic Spirit representatives of the Alkebulan Underworlds, as well as the other close ally of the Cathayan Underworld, the Five Nation Alliance of Northern Europa!

Jörmungandr, Hela, and Fenrir were all present, and... they were smiling!

It was clear to everyone that the three pillars were definitely going to lash out during this conference, but not only did they not appear fearful in the slightest, there seemed to be a slight hint of elation on their faces.

In reality, they could barely contain their joy, and it took all of their self-control to only be displaying a slight hint of elation.

All of the death gods' brows furrowed slightly upon seeing this, and even the expressions of the 10 consortium chairmen had changed ever so slightly.

They knew more than most of the death gods in the world. For example, they were aware that the three pillars were holding a trump card in the form of the proton and electron Yin runes, but looking at things now, it seemed that the Cathayan Underworld was most likely holding a trump card that was just as devastating!

"This is truly going to be a clash for the ages..." the chairman of the Psalm consortium sighed. "It's clear that both sides are holding trump cards that they each think will have a decisive effect on the final outcome. I have a feeling that we really will be seeing the dawn of the new era here. Even if it's just for the sake of the new energy resource, I'm sure we've made the right decision to come here, but I feel like that won't be all we'll be seeing today..."

Thus, they continued to sit on the fence.

In the face of a new era, they didn't care how they were viewed in the eyes of others.

They had millions of employees in thousands of companies and corporations all over the world, depending on them for their livelihoods, and they didn't dare to take any chances.

Thus, the 10 elderly chairmen remained firmly rooted to the center of the hall in a completely shameless display, telling everyone through their actions that they still hadn't made a choice yet. Their presence was far too eye-catching, and all of the death gods that entered the hall couldn't help but take a few extra glances at them.

Finally, Thanatos also arrived at the conference hall with a smile, but that smile was almost wiped off his face as he caught sight of the 10 consortium chairmen.

Shit! Those shameless pieces of scum!

The representatives of the three pillars were all furious to see this, and they were struck by the urge to crucify these 10 shameless old farts! The Heavenly Fire Research Center had already informed them of the discovery of the electron and proton Yin runes, yet as soon as they arrived at Heavenly Pillar City and realized that the city was constructed on the back of one of the six kings, they immediately changed their stances again!

How could they be so shameless?!

However, this wasn't the time to be going after the consortium chairmen. With the arrival of the three pillars, the entire hall fell silent for a second as a gesture of respect. At the same time, Qin Ye stood up with a smile at the front of the hall and greeted, "Welcome, my friends."

"It is an honor for us to be here, Yanluo Qin." The death gods of the three pillars had to put on smiles again as they made their way to the front of the hall, where their seats were located. As was always the convention in these international conferences, if the four pillars were present, then they had to be seated at the very front. Right as they passed by the 10 consortium chairmen, they cast a seemingly casual glance toward them, but the 10 chairmen continued to look unwaveringly up ahead, completely ignoring the three pillars.

Qin Ye was a little disappointed to be seeing this.

Where was all their flair and sass?

Back during the conference in Nara, even the smallest and weakest of underworlds had dared to oppose the Cathayan Underworld. On this occasion, they were being supported by the three pillars, so why weren't they saying anything now?

Was Heavenly Pillar City alone enough to silence all of them? There would be no fun in taming them if they were going to be so timid and docile to begin with!

He withdrew his gaze as he turned his attention back to the representatives of the three pillars.

Do you think you can continue to ride the fence just by remaining silent? You've seen nothing yet! Heavenly Pillar City is nothing more than a city, and it's nothing compared with the arrival of a new era! Just you wait, far bigger surprises are still yet to come! You're all on my territory now, so I dictate the rules here!