Monarch's Domain.
Mythic Divine Sanctum.
They were in fact the same ability.
They both belong to the category of domain skills.
The Mythic Divine Sanctum was an advanced version of Monarch's Domain.
The key distinction lies in their effects: the primary effects of the Monarch's Domain were sealing, suppression, and group damage capabilities.
The Mythic Divine Sanctum not only possessed heightened suppression and group damage capabilities but also wielded a special power that the Monarch's Domain lacked: the Dominion of Laws.
But what did Dominion of Laws entail?
In that world, every individual was subjected to the laws of the world.
Their mastery of spells and skills was built upon the existing framework of these laws.
However, if they were thrust into a disordered or alien environment with an entirely different set of laws, their mastered spells would lose all effectiveness... No matter their level of expertise, even a powerhouse could swiftly become obsolete.
However, when one truly mastered the laws themselves, they would not be affected by changes in the environment.
Even if they traversed to a different world, they could still possess immense power.
Moreover, they did not need to learn or master spells.
They could naturally tap into the power governed by the laws.
When a monarch dedicated themselves into an arduous training and profound understanding of their own powers, eventually attaining mastery over the forces of the laws, it signified an ascension from being a monarch into a mythic being.
Mythic level beings were exceptionally rare, more so than monarchs.
Nonetheless, the power of the laws also had varying degrees of strength.
Most mythics could only assimilate the forces of the four fundamental elemental laws: wind, fire, water, and earth. Those who possess greater prowess could incorporate the rarer elemental laws of light, darkness, and lightning.
At a more advanced and distinctive level, there existed a possibility of merging the energy laws of life and death, or harnessing the capabilities of the mind and soul. Such occurrences had been incredibly scarce even throughout history.
However, at that very moment, the silver giant were facing a mythic dragon.
The Dominion of Laws wielded by the dragon were not that of elemental, nor did it stem from mental or spiritual prowess, or even the energies of life and death.
It was a dominion over time and space!
This dragon had complete command over time and space within its domain.
It could precisely manipulate every inch of space and control the flow of time with incredible precision. Such a power was unprecedented and unheard of.
Currently, the Great Demon King stood suspended in the air.
Countless silver giants were hovering around.
All these giants possessed formidable strength.
Even the most ordinary silver giant warriors boasted the strength of Level 4 elites. When engaged in combat, even a Level 4 lord would struggle to prove an equal adversary.
The reason for this was simple.
The silver giants possessed an overwhelming advantage with their physique.
Standing dozens of meters tall with bodies impervious to blades and bullets, they could move mountains and divert rivers with sheer brute force, even without relying on any special abilities.
This was the suppression brought about by their advanced lineage.
The various races within the Chaos Forest dared not to provoke them.
But now, this formidable group of silver giants found themselves utterly defenseless before the Dragon Demon King, like insignificant insects that could be crushed at will.
The overwhelming sense of powerlessness.
The depths of despair.
The crushing oppression upon them.
Such emotions had never gripped the hearts of the silver giants before.
After Zhang Nu completely disabled all of the silver giants, with just a thought, a flicker of teleportation light emanated from his surroundings, and the squadron of the Demon King's royal guards appeared before him.
"Annihilate them!" commanded the Demon King.
Without the slightest hesitation, the dozens of the royal guards sprang into action.
[You've slain a Silver Giant Warrior. Gold +6000!]
[You've slain a Silver Giant Warrior. Gold +6000!]
[You've slain a Silver Giant Warrior. Gold +6000!]
[...]
[You've slain a Silver Giant Elder. Gold +140,000!]
[You've slain a Level 4 Hero. Hero's soul +1! Skill stone +1]
[You've slain a Level 4 Hero. Hero's soul +1! Skill stone +1]
[...]
Under Zhang Nu's control, the space itself transformed into cages, confining the giants and rendering them immobile.
Furthermore, the flow of time within the domain was manipulated, slowing down the silver giants' speed by nearly tenfold, turning them into sluggish beings.
However, strangely enough, the dozens of Demon King's royal guards were unaffected by the altered time flow.
It was as if their speed had been accelerated tenfold.
These individuals were already immensely powerful, and now their attacks, spellcasting, and movement speed were all enhanced by tenfold. Even the most ordinary warmonger royal guard among them could likely contend with a Level 4 overlord.
In this dire predicament, the giants found themselves suppressed relentlessly, with no room for resistance.
The Giant Clan Chieftain, Jin Kui, could only watch in despair as his kin and trusted subordinates were swiftly slaughtered, yet he was helpless to intervene.
They were utterly powerless!
There was not a slightest glimmer of hope!
Even facing off a monarch, the silver giants would have normally charged forward with unwavering determination.
But this was no ordinary monarch, this was a genuine mythic dragon!
The Silver Giant Clan chieftain could never have fathomed the might possessed by the Dragon Demon King of the Darkness Valley. If he had known, he would never have dared to provoke him.
Beings of such magnitude, not only within the Chaos Forest, but even across the vast continents, the numbers of such terrifying titans could be counted on one's fingers.
In the outside world, a mere dozen seconds passed, yet within the domain, several minutes had already elapsed, and the merciless slaughter claimed the lives of countless silver giants.
The gold acquired had exceeded 3 million!
That surpassed the bounty from decimating the Magi Mojo City!
Though their numbers were few, their quality proved amazing indeed!
For Zhang Nu, it was the first time he had wielded the power of spatio-temporal in combat. If he were to employ spatial manipulation under normal circumstances, accurately sealing off each silver giant without impeding his own forces would be nearly impossible.
Yet, within the domain, Zhang Nu felt that every inch of space and time obeyed his command.
The utilization felt effortless and seamless, completely at his whims!
Was this the effect of mastering the laws?
At the very least, within his own domain, the Dragon Demon King felt godlike.
Of course, suppressing an army of silver giants was no easy task. Sustaining the domain exacted a heavy toll on Zhang Nu's MP, depleting it at an alarming rate.
Having slain over eight hundred giants, and amassed a staggering fortune of five to six million gold coins, the Demon King released his domain's grip, granting the giants freedom of movement.
Though barely a minute had passed in the real world, they felt as if they had struggled in the depths of hell for countless years.
Now, although free from confinement, they lay sprawled on the ground, utterly defeated.
Their will to fight was completely shattered.
The giant chieftain, Jin Kui, hastily begged for mercy, pressing his head to the ground. "Great Lord, have mercy! We were foolish and will never dare transgress again!"
A cold smile curled upon the Demon King's lips.
In an instant, he appeared before the giant chieftain, pressing him beneath his foot.
"You all boasted of flattening the Darkness Valley. If I were to simply spare you now, wouldn't it make me seem weak?"
The Giants' chieftain, towering over fifty meters, wept like a child, tears streaming down his face. The fright he had just experienced had shattered his dignity and pride.
"We had no choice!"
Jin Kui cried out, "Without the Heart of the Ancient God to suppress the Ancient Daemonic Lair, the entire Thunderclap City would have suffered. We were desperate! We were left with no alternatives!"
As expected, the Ancient God's Heart of the giant clan was not a mere trinket.
It played a crucial role in suppressing a dangerous region within Thunderclap City. Now that it had been stolen, there was a risk of losing control over that area, posing a threat to the survival of the entire city.
Zhang Nu was taken aback by this revelation. After all, the Giants were known for their formidable strength. What could instill such fear in them?
Pondering for a moment, Zhang Nu vanished before the giant chieftain, his figure reappearing before a giant elder.
This particular giant elder was one of the six Heroes, the only one remaining now. The other five had been dispatched.
"I don't need much deliberation to figure out that you and your group of Heroes are the ones who stole the Heart of the Ancient God," Zhang Nu questioned directly.
"Tell me, where is it now?"
The giant Hero was alarmed by the Demon King's knowledge of his identity.
He hastily pleaded, "Great Demon King, spare me! I'll tell you everything. Yes, we collaborated with the Divine Sword Heroes Guild to steal the Heart of the Ancient God. However, it has already been taken out of the Thunder Highlands!"
The Divine Sword Heroes Guild again?
That seemingly fragment of an Evil God.
Now it had fallen into the hands of the Divine Sword Heroes?
Zhang Nu had not anticipated the far-reaching influence of the Divine Sword. It seemed their efforts in the Chaos Forest had not been in vain.
As for these giant Heroes, why were they aiding Su Wenhao?
Zhang Nu could not be bothered to ask.
It was not difficult to guess the reasons behind the giant warriors' alliance with Su Wenhao.
It must have involved promising them benefits and support to help him become the city lord of Thunderclap City.
Furthermore...
For these Heroes, stealing the Heart of the Ancient God and blaming it on the Demon King was a perfect opportunity to incite Thunderclap City to kill the Dragon Demon King. They could effortlessly exploit the immense combat strength of the giant clan for their own gain.
"It was you!"
"You treacherous traitor!"
The giant chieftain Jin Kui roared in fury. The silver giant clan was known for its unity, and such betrayal had never occurred before. They had never suspected their own kin.
But now, the elder by his side had betrayed his own kin.
Betrayed Thunderclap City!
The giant Hero pleaded in terror, "Great Lord, as long as you spare my life, I will help you retrieve the Heart of the Ancient God!"
Zhang Nu chuckled, "No need to trouble yourself. I will personally retrieve it. As for you, you are of no use to me anymore."
With that, a fierce surge of abyssal thunder and lightning erupted from the Demon King, enveloping the giant elder in an instant.
"Ahhhh! Ahhhh!"
Several agonizing screams echoed.
[You've slain a Level 4 Hero. Hero's soul +1! Skill stone +2!]
The giants were once again stunned.
Their astonishment stemmed not from the death of another giant elder, it was the fact that the Demon King had unleashed the power of lightning to dispatch a silver giant.
It was simply unimaginable to them!
It must be noted that silver giants could feast on lightning. They possessed tremendous resistance against any form of lightning-based attack. Among all types of elemental damage, they were the least vulnerable to lightning.
However, a single giant elder was effortlessly slain by the Demon King's lightning attack!
This not only demonstrated that the lightning manipulated by the Demon King was far from ordinary but also reaffirmed the terrifying power the Demon King possessed!
"Great Demon King!"
"It's all a misunderstanding!"
"We were deceived!"
"As long as you can forgive me and our kin..."
"We are willing to follow you and serve you!"
Zhang Nu received a notification.
[1665 silver giants have surrendered to you. Accept?]
The reason Zhang Nu did not exterminate all these giants was that he intended to recruit them. After all, their strength was indeed formidable.
In addition to that, Zhang Nu desired Thunderclap City.
Once he obtained Thunderclap City, he would control Thunder Highlands. And with control over Thunder Highlands, he would dominate the western region of the Chaos Forest. Thus, the majority of the Chaos Forest would fall into the hands of the Dragon Demon King.
With matters progressing to this stage, his plan to unify the Chaos Forest was nearly fulfilled. The most influential cities had already pledged their loyalty to the Demon King.
Faced with this predicament, the other cities had no alternative but to submit or face annihilation.
There existed no third option.