Can I be elected as the leader now

The Sage Lord's Belt was a tribulation-crossing artifact Chen Yi crafted five hundred years ago, inspired by an animation from his past life. Unlike the twelve talismans from that animation, the twelve talismans Chen Yi handcrafted were forged by fusing twelve complementary divine laws!

After all, some of the original talismans had absurdly overpowered abilities Chen Yi simply couldn’t replicate, while others had borderline useless functions—utterly pointless to keep. Take the original Rat Talisman, for example. Its power was to animate the inanimate, granting life to lifeless objects—so broken it could even transcend dimensions, breathing life and magic into fictional characters!

Theoretically, all you had to do was fabricate a story, carve a fake statue of an Immortal Emperor, and the Rat Talisman could summon that very emperor into the world! How utterly broken was that?

Chen Yi lacked such ridiculous powers, so his handcrafted twelve talismans were stripped of many mechanics, focusing instead on sheer, overwhelming stats!

Back then, the Sage Lord's Belt was mass-produced in forty-nine sets, paired with doppelgangers to form the Flawless Unity Array—just like the Three Hundred Sixty-Five Star-Sealing Steles’ Celestial Star Defense Formation—both designed to withstand the monstrous Immortal Ascension Tribulation.

Unfortunately, the Immortal Ascension Tribulation lived up to its monstrous reputation. The Celestial Star Defense Formation triggered its "formation-breaking" evolution, while the Flawless Unity Array awakened its "piercing force" ability.

What could he say?

Only the Immortal Ascension Tribulation could truly excite Chen Yi—and likewise, only Chen Yi could push the tribulation to its limits!

Of course, the present Chen Yi no longer needed such external aids. These tribulation-crossing treasures, born for the Immortal Ascension Tribulation, had long been gathering dust in his vault—perfect to hand over to the old man now.

......

"Come on, defeat me—in whatever way you like!"

On a lifeless star in the outer realms, Chen Dalei was warming up.

This place was vast enough, with no collateral concerns—perfect for going all out. If he got tired, he could just sleep right here!

"You arrogant bastard!!!" Jin roared, his fury erupting as his aura skyrocketed from early-stage Nascent Soul to late-stage in an instant. His terrifying innate flame bloomed like a fiery lotus, melting his tight crimson robe to reveal his towering, muscular frame as he charged viciously at Chen Dalei!

Yet Chen Dalei merely sidestepped, and in the blink of an eye, countered with a backhanded punch that sent Jin crashing to the ground!

"A fierce fist means nothing if it can’t land!"

"Grrr—I’ll kill you!!!"

"Ox’s Might paired with Rabbit’s Speed—kid, your every move is a glaring weakness to me. You’re too slow!"

Chen Dalei’s hand brushed over the Sage Lord's Belt, holding back his strength to avoid accidentally killing Jin with a careless strike.

"Even if I take it slow, I’ll still crush you!"

Bruised and battered, Jin had already conceded the moment they clashed. He had even unleashed his full-power strike with the True Immortal Artifact—the Nine Heavens Blazing Annihilation Spear—his uncle had gifted him... only for Chen Dalei to casually catch it between two fingers.

How was he supposed to fight that?

Even giving his all, he couldn’t win—he hadn’t even managed to pique the man’s interest!

But Jin had always been stubborn—his heart might admit defeat, but his mouth never would. Even if beaten to death, his lips would stay defiant!

"Tsk! You really don’t know when to quit, kid. Turn into a cat!"

Chen Dalei wasn’t fooled by the kid’s tough act.

Activating the Monkey Talisman’s transformation power from the Sage Lord's Belt, he instantly shrank Jin’s eight-foot-tall, hulking frame into a tiny red-furred kitten, then lifted him by the scruff of his neck.

"Well, kid? Convinced now?"

Jin stayed silent, only tucking his tail between his legs in shame.

How could his mighty, eight-foot-tall body be reduced to... this pathetic fluffball?

Frankly, even his turds were bigger than his current form!

This was beyond humiliating—utterly, devastatingly humiliating!!!

"Adorable. You wouldn’t want everyone to know the infamous, lawless Jin has turned into a soft, mewling kitten, would you?"

"Meow—... damn you!!!"

Still new to being a cat, Jin accidentally let out a meow before remembering he could still speak, instantly bristling with rage and embarrassment.

Chen Dalei chuckled warmly. "So, any objections to me being the boss now?"

After a long silence, Jin finally wilted, his tail drooping as he muttered meekly, "Meow... fine. You... you take the lead, I’ll follow. Big... big bro, please—just turn me back!"

He wasn’t afraid of death... but some things were worse than death!

The thought of his friends seeing him like this—tiny, harmless, mewing like he was begging for cuddles—was unbearable. He’d rather die!

"Hahaha! Old man, congrats on your first conquest!"

With the unruly Jin finally tamed, Chen Yi, who had been observing from the shadows, stepped forward with a laugh.

"This is... meow?!"

The kitten Jin had been trying to hide his shame, but the moment he recognized who had arrived—

In a flash!

He leaped forward, sliding into a kneel before Chen Yi, tiny paws pressed together in worship, eyes shining with reverence as he babbled excitedly:

"Tribulation Sovereign! You’re my idol—no, wait, I’m your fanboy—ugh, whatever! I’ve worshipped you forever, and now I finally get to see you in the flesh!!!"

He’d grown up on legends of the Tribulation Sovereign, idolizing his impossible feats, striving tirelessly just for a chance to stand beside him one day.

Honestly, his storage ring was packed with Tribulation Sovereign memorabilia—portraits, sculptures, even secret manuscripts like "The Sovereign’s Humble Beginnings," "The Young Sovereign’s Rocky Path," "Slaying Nascent Souls as a Golden Core—How?!" "The One Who Defied the Era’s Decline," and "A Century of Tribulations—All Foes Are Trash!"

But no matter how thrilling those stories were, they paled in comparison to seeing the real deal.

The Tribulation Sovereign stood before him now—unassuming at a glance, yet radiating an indescribable aura.

It was like standing at the mountain’s base, looking up... only to realize the sun itself hung behind him, and he soared even higher than the peak.

Truly, his idol was peerless!

"Hah, had I known Chen Yi’s reputation alone would work this well, I’d have saved myself the effort," Chen Dalei remarked with a grin.

Chen Yi was about to reply when a sudden disturbance from one of his clones made his expression turn grave.

"Old man, my apologies. I’d planned to help you subdue all the Chosen Ones, but something’s come up. I need to go into seclusion—you’ll have to handle the rest alone."

"With the treasures you’ve given me, this journey’s a breeze. Don’t worry," Chen Dalei replied calmly, locking eyes with him. "But if it’s serious enough to trouble you, it must be no small matter. Just tell me this—how confident are you?"

Chen Yi smirked. "You know me. I never fight a battle I can’t win."

"By the way, here are a few magical artifacts for you. You can arrange them as you see fit!"

As soon as the words fell.

The Red Armillary Sash, Universe Rings, Wind-Fire Wheels, Ruyi Jingu Bang, and Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear materialized in mid-air.

Meanwhile, Chen Yi vanished without a sound.

"Truly worthy of being my idol, leaving with such effortless grace!"

Jin gazed dreamily at the spot where Chen Yi had disappeared, lost in thought for a moment before his attention was immediately captured by those magical artifacts.

Damn it, this is love at first sight!

That irresistible gaze couldn't hide it—there was this inexplicable pounding in his chest, an unstoppable obsession with those artifacts, feeling like he was about to burn up...