Chapter 308: Peerless Sword Bone

Chapter 308: Peerless Sword Bone

2025-01-01

"General Shi, do you really think King Han will surrender so readily?"

Inside the grand military tent, Chu Daoxuan gazed towards the capital of the Return Origin Dynasty, where the atmosphere was tense and heavily guarded.

Shi Zhen's expression remained calm.

"Now that the Return Origin Dynasty is struggling to turn the tide, if he wants to preserve the Han family's bloodline, surrender is the only option!"

"One day's time will give him a dignified chance!"

Dignity—

Chu Daoxuan's heart fell silent.

As night fell—

In the capital, a sudden blaze of fire lit up the sky.

The sound of water flowing in the palace could be heard, and the once-strict capital was now in chaos.

This commotion naturally alerted the Divine Might Dynasty.

Just then—

A piece of news reached Shi Zhen's hands.

"What happened?"

Chu Daoxuan asked involuntarily.

Shi Zhen received a Messenger Jade Talisman and calmly spoke, "King Han slaughtered his concubines and then committed self-immolation in the palace!"

"Huff!"

Upon hearing this news, Chu Daoxuan's expression relaxed.

King Han's self-immolation.

While it was beyond his expectations, it was also within his predictions.

Evidently,

the other party had retained their last shred of dignity.

The next day,

as dawn broke,

the capital's gates swung wide open. Led by the current Crown Prince Han Ye, the high-ranking officials of the Return Origin Dynasty emerged.

Shi Zhen, without hesitation, detained them all and sent troops to occupy the capital, taking full control of the ancient capital that had been under the Return Origin Dynasty's rule for ten thousand years.

---

"Boom!"

In the Nine Provinces,

above the Divine Might Dynasty,

a terrifying destiny converged, and the Sixth Stage Pure Lotus slowly materialized, appearing more solid than ever before.

The pressure from the lotus was heavy, as if capable of suppressing heaven and earth.

When all the cultivators saw the lotus, their faces revealed awe.

"The Divine Might Dynasty's destiny has grown even stronger!"

"This war... Could it be that the Return Origin Dynasty has already fallen?"

The war in the East Domain was somewhat known to the cultivators, and the Divine Might Dynasty's continuous victories, with rumors reaching as far as the Heavenly Origin Prefecture.

After such a long time, it was not surprising that the Divine Might Dynasty had truly conquered the Return Origin Dynasty.

Otherwise,

it would be difficult to explain

why the Divine Might Dynasty's national fortune had soared.

At the same time,

the good news from the East Domain also reached Gu Yang's hands.

"Excellent! Our Divine Might Dynasty has won a great victory, and General Shi Zhen deserves the most credit!"

"Pass on my decree to bestow the title of Marquis of State upon General Shi Zhen, appointing him as General Zhenyuan, ranking him as a First-Rank official!"

Gu Yang's face lit up with joy as he announced the rewards for Shi Zhen.

Upon hearing this,

the court officials' faces changed dramatically.

Marquis of State!

General Zhenyuan!

The former was a marquis, and the latter was a First-Rank official position.

The combination of the two was self-evident.

However,

no one voiced any opposition.

After all, Shi Zhen had just suppressed an entire dynasty, marking the Divine Might Dynasty's greatest victory in its external campaigns.

Under such circumstances, Shi Zhen's prestige in the military was at its peak, and opposing him at this moment could easily offend him.

Afterwards,

Gu Yang announced the rewards for Jiang Mo, Xue Cheng, and Yan Yun.

Although they didn't receive the title of marquis like Shi Zhen, they were all granted the title of count.

After the rewards were announced,

Gu Yang instructed the Six Ministries to dispatch personnel to integrate the 373 prefectures of the Return Origin Dynasty, fully merging them into the Divine Might Dynasty.

Only by winning over the people's hearts could the national fortune of a dynasty be significantly enhanced.

However,

this approach required substantial manpower and resources.

Manpower was one aspect, and establishing teleportation formations between the two dynasties was another.

Looking at the map between the Nine Provinces and the Return Origin Dynasty, there were numerous prefectures and lands in between.

For a brief moment,

Gu Yang contemplated sending a large army to seize these lands, completely connecting the two territories.

But after some thought,

Gu Yang refrained from acting rashly.

With the Divine Might Dynasty's recent victory, various aspects needed to be reorganized. They would wait until everything from the Return Origin Dynasty was fully transformed before making the next move.

There was one more point.

Frequent wars

could easily trigger war-weariness among the soldiers.

Therefore,

with the war just concluded, it was inadvisable to initiate another conflict from all perspectives.

...

Gu Family Estate.

After the court meeting,

Gu Yang came straight here to meet Gu Qingfeng.

"Father, the Return Origin Dynasty has fallen!"

Gu Yang delivered the good news as soon as he arrived.

His purpose for coming here

was to inform Gu Qingfeng of this news.

Gu Qingfeng's expression remained calm, as if he had expected this all along.

Seeing this, Gu Yang couldn't help but admire him even more.

No matter what, he wouldn't be able to maintain such composure like Gu Qingfeng, even if a mountain were to collapse before him.

"What are your plans now?"

"As far as I know, the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty governs 373 prefectures, with a population of hundreds of millions under its rule. If this power can be utilized properly, it would be ideal.

Otherwise, it will be a never-ending source of trouble!"

"After all, the people can carry the boat, but they can also overturn it!"

Hearing Gu Qingfeng's words, Gu Yang responded without hesitation.

"My plan is to first send people to the East Domain to take over the 373 prefectures, suppress all unstable factors, and then establish academies, implementing the Nine Provinces system.

In this way, within a century, the 373 prefectures can be fully utilized by the Divine Might Dynasty!"

Gu Yang's words seemed simple, but in reality, carrying out such a plan was not so easy.

After all, the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty had governed the 373 prefectures for a full ten million years, and its roots were deeply entrenched. To truly win over the hearts of the people in the 373 prefectures was not a simple task.

However, Gu Yang wasn't overly concerned.

As long as they killed and suppressed a group of people and then implemented policies to benefit the people, a century would be more than enough time.

"Since you have a plan, then proceed according to your thoughts!"

Gu Qingfeng nodded.

He didn't interfere too much with Gu Yang's approach.

After that, Gu Yang stayed at the Gu family estate for half a day, seeking advice from Gu Qingfeng on cultivation matters.

With Gu Qingfeng's current Ninth Heaven Sage realm, guiding Gu Yang was an effortless task.

The insights into the Dao that Gu Yang gained from this were profound.

Half a day later, Gu Yang departed.

Gu Qingfeng looked up at the sky, where the shadow of the Sixth Stage Pure Lotus had already dissipated.

"One Return Origin Imperial Dynasty is not enough to promote the Divine Might Dynasty to an Imperial Dynasty, but this matter can't be rushed for now. Once the essence of the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty is absorbed, the Divine Might Dynasty should be able to take a step further.

At that time, even if it's not promoted to an Imperial Dynasty, it will save a lot of effort!"

The last time the Divine Might Dynasty was promoted, Gu Qingfeng had gained immense benefits.

If it were to be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty in the future, the benefits would only be greater.

Gu Qingfeng even suspected that when the Divine Might Dynasty was promoted to an Imperial Dynasty, he might be able to obtain a Sage Ascension Pill.

After all, when a dynasty emerges, it bestows Ascension Pills for the Divine Transformation Realm, and an Imperial Dynasty bestows Ascension Pills for the Dao Palace Realm. So, it's normal for an Imperial Dynasty to bestow Ascension Pills for the Sage Realm.

But to be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty, the Divine Might Dynasty still has a long way to go.

Even if it absorbs the essence of the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty's ten million years of heritage, it's impossible to achieve it overnight.

After all, the promotion to an Imperial Dynasty is not an easy task.

Throughout the Ancient World, there were actually quite a few ancient dynasties.

But when it comes to Imperial Dynasties, the number drops sharply.

Take the East Domain, for example.

Ancient Imperial Dynasties can be counted on one hand.

Every Imperial Dynasty requires a long time to accumulate power gradually, and only then can it truly be promoted.

As for the Imperial Dynasty above, there is not a single one.

The only Imperial Dynasty Gu Qingfeng knew of was the Taiyi Imperial Dynasty from the ancient times.

Of course, this doesn't mean that from the ancient times until now, only one Imperial Dynasty has appeared in the Ancient World.

It's just that the ancient Imperial Dynasties have been buried in the dust of history, and in today's Ancient World, Imperial Dynasties are non-existent, and Imperial Dynasties reign supreme.

---

Ever since the fall of the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty, the Divine Might Dynasty sent people to take control of the 373 prefectures, officially raising the banner of the Divine Might Dynasty.

This naturally caused quite a stir.

Many forces secretly close to the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty still harbored rebellious intentions, plotting to overthrow the rule of the Divine Might Dynasty and restore the prosperity of the Return Origin Dynasty.

For such people, Gu Yang naturally wouldn't show any mercy.

Whenever they were discovered, he would send a large army to suppress them.

Anyone who dared to collude with rebels would face the severe punishment of exterminating their entire clan.

With such ruthless methods, the 373 prefectures became a river of blood.

The number of cultivators who perished in the rebellion was even greater than those who fell during the war between the Divine Might Dynasty and the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty.

The Divine Might Dynasty's cruel methods further incited rebellious sentiments among the cultivators.

However, Gu Yang didn't back down even a step.

In his eyes, if there was rebellion, then he would kill until no one dared to oppose him, and the problem would naturally be resolved.

In a short time, the 373 prefectures became a sea of blood.

Each order that was issued represented the lives of tens, hundreds, or even millions of people.

Over the course of three years, countless forces were annihilated, and over a hundred million cultivators perished in the process of rebellion.

In the face of the Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty's relentless slaughter and disregard for cultivator lives, the remaining people eventually grew fearful.

They discovered that the Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty didn't care about public opinion or the condemnation of the masses.

However, when it came to attempts to overthrow its rulers, the Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty had only one response—kill!

Consequently, the remaining cultivators were filled with dread.

Amidst this, Gu Yang took advantage of the situation, recruiting a portion of the local forces to serve him, transforming them into the court's sharpest weapon to directly suppress various factions.

Immediately after, numerous policies benefiting the people were announced, quickly gaining acceptance among the cultivators of the 373 prefectures.

By the fifth year, the influence of the Return Origin Imperial Dynasty had been suppressed to the extreme.

Aside from a few die-hard loyalists, the others gradually accepted the rule of the Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty.

---

"Your descendant, 'Gu Yang', suppresses the 373 prefectures of the East Domain with iron-blooded means, causing countless deaths and striking fear into all. The rumors of a cruel ruler spread far and wide!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Yang', supports 373 local forces, stabilizing the chaotic situation!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Yang', demonstrates extraordinary ruling methods, easing the rumors of a cruel ruler, and his reputation among the common folk gradually improves!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Yang', obtains an ancient heritage, and his strength increases!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Yang', enters seclusion to cultivate, gaining various insights in his cultivation, and his cultivation level slightly increases!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Yang', hears slanderous words from his subordinates about Marquis of State Shi Zhen, whose merits overshadow the ruler. He immediately reprimands them on the spot!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xuan', receives a vast amount of resources from the Great Void Holy Land, and his potential as a Heaven Phoenix Divine Body is awakened, significantly increasing his cultivation!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xuan', breaks through to the Dao Palace Realm!"

"Reward: +500 Points!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xuan', becomes increasingly renowned in the Great Void Holy Land, and he is recognized as a potential Ninth Stage disciple of the Ninth Heaven Sage!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xuan', leads the Great Void Holy Land's cultivators to suppress the maleficent unrest!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xuan', receives guidance from a mysterious powerful figure, and his strength increases!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', consumes a Demon Core Pill, greatly increasing his cultivation!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', accidentally enters a forbidden land, facing life-threatening dangers. In the end, relying on his own opportunities, he successfully escapes the forbidden land, gaining immense opportunities!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', obtains an Imperfect Imperial Armament and is recognized by the Great Sage as a potential future Emperor. It is believed that he has the potential to reach the Emperor Realm!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', is attacked by demons 236535 times!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', is attacked by demons 1169778 times!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', relying on his absolute strength, slaughters a demonic sect. A slumbering Demon Lord awakens, but is no match for the Imperfect Imperial Armament and is directly killed on the spot!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', angrily beheads the Demon Lord, shaking the demon realm, and various factions vow to exterminate this human prodigy at all costs!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', is attacked by demons 2366639 times!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', is attacked by demons 5369778 times!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', consumes a large number of Demon Core Pills, and his cultivation is about to break through to the Ninth Stage of the Dao Palace Realm. However, he believes his foundation is unstable and suppresses the urge to break through, continuing to refine his foundation!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Xiu', encounters your deadman, Gu 47!"

"Your descendant..."

"Your descendant, 'Gu Sheng'an', receives guidance from a mysterious powerful figure, breaking through to the late stage of the Grand Master Realm!"

"Reward: +200 Points!"

"Your descendant..."

"Your descendant, 'Gu Sheng'an', consumes an ancient medicinal pill, reaching the peak of the Grand Master Realm!"

"Reward: +200 Points!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Sheng'an', cultivates the Lotus Sword Scripture, gaining sudden enlightenment, and successfully comprehends the 13th level!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Sheng'an', enters an ancient forbidden land to cleanse his bones, aiming to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm in the strongest state possible!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Sheng'an', undergoes a great transformation in his innate talent, significantly increasing his strength!"

"Your descendant, 'Gu Sheng'an', enters seclusion to cultivate, breaking through to the First Stage of the Divine Transformation Realm!"

"Reward: +300 Points!"

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end