Jiaohan's momentary mental fluctuation subsided as quickly as it arose. Zong Shou inwardly praised the elder, realizing he had underestimated the man before.

Not agreeing would have been the expected response. If Jiaohan had rashly consented to such a momentous proposal without consulting the sect, Zong Shou would have been far more unsettled.

"Very well! I ask that your esteemed sect provide this sovereign with a swift reply! Beyond that, my Qiantian Mountain wishes to place an order for four hundred thousand spirit-armored soldiers. I wonder if your sect would be willing to advance the cost of materials?"

Qiu Wei and Zong Lan, standing behind, exchanged pleased glances, understanding that Zong Shou had already approved their suggestion to expand the army by another four hundred thousand.

Jiaohan showed no hesitation upon hearing this, nodding, "I, Jiaohan, can personally authorize this matter!"

He knew that Qiantian Mountain was currently wealthy and powerful, its latent strength far exceeding the expectations of the various sects.

Regardless of whether the Kongqi Sect ultimately allied with Qiantian Mountain or not, they were certain Zong Shou could repay any debt.

And if they became allies, strengthening Qiantian Mountain's power to increase their chances of victory in this coming war was only natural.

However, a worry settled in his heart: if the Kongqi Sect hoped to reap substantial benefits from this war, they would likely need to commit considerable strength. Perhaps even the sect’s Ninth-Rank Elders would have to participate.

Zong Shou smiled, uttering a soft word of thanks. He took the lead, spurring his horse and guiding the nearly three thousand blood-red cavalry troops back to the western bank of the Evil Spirit Gully.

Then, a golden talisman was seen fluttering in the sky. Just as he broke free from the oppressive dark mist, it dove down to meet him.

It was a communication talisman that, due to the isolation caused by the Gully’s dark energy, had been unable to pinpoint Zong Shou’s exact location, causing it to hover in mid-air. Once he appeared, it descended. Zong Shou caught it, and within moments, the corner of his lip quirked upward.

"Interesting!"

He clenched his hands, crushing the talisman into powder. Ren Bo looked on curiously and asked.

"When did we provoke His Majesty to such anger? Has something happened at the Cangsheng Dao Palace?"

Under his governance, Qiantian Mountain enjoyed peace and prosperity, its people content, guarded by a formidable army—nothing should have gone wrong there.

However, he had recently heard that the young master known as Sword Prince Jueyu had defeated the Tai Ling Sect, the foremost of the Ten Great Sacred Lands, along with nearly all their young powerhouses. It was only a matter of time before he sought out the Cangsheng Dome Realm.

Zong Shou shook his head, letting out a dry laugh, his voice returning to its usual calm.

"It is the Flame Mountain City and the Yunxia Mountain City. They have sent envoys to request an audience. Moreover, they are accompanied by an emissary from the Thousand City Alliance, seemingly intending to demand the return of the territories previously ceded."

Ren Bo and Qiu Wei’s brows immediately furrowed, revealing a flicker of anger.

Jiaohan, however, felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity wash over him. If, before today, his judgment had been that victory was uncertain, now he knew Qiantian Mountain held a one-hundred-percent chance of winning.

Zong Shou’s true target, from the very beginning, had been the powers backing the Thousand City Alliance and the two cities, Yunxia and Flame Mountain.

To demand the return of ceded lands? Had Xiong Yu and Feng Nu both lost their minds and wished to die? Wasn't this tantamount to suicide?

Zong Lan’s teeth ground together, his cold laughter echoing, "So, the Flame and Yunxia Cities are preparing to rely on the prestige of the Thousand City Alliance?"

Zong Shou chuckled dismissively, then continued, "There are also two others, calling themselves Imperial Envoys from the Great Shang. They claim to bear a decree from the Emperor—"

Ren Bo was stunned. Great Shang? The Central Dynasty? What business would the Imperial Envoys of Great Shang have in a 'barbaric region' like the East Lin Cloud Continent...

Changing rapidly into fresh armor and attire, he separated from the Blood Cloud Cavalry and rushed back to Qiantian Mountain City. Having battled in the Evil Spirit Gully for nearly two hours, Zong Shou's body was coated in a significant amount of Yin-Fiend energy.

Thus, he sat in meditation for a while longer, summoning the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, igniting spirit flames that burned around him for a full fifteen minutes, completely purifying the corruption. Only then did Zong Shou proceed toward a side hall within the Hanyan Palace.

Before he even reached the entrance, he heard a clamor of voices inside. Zong Shou paid it little mind, but just as he was about to step through the door, he heard the sound of porcelain shattering violently. He paused.

He listened for a moment and heard a voice state coldly, "My apologies! This tea has gone cold. So cold, so chilly, I couldn't hold it steady. Truly regrettable. Tell me, how long have the few of us waited here—two hours? When will your sovereign deign to show himself? Is this the renowned hospitality of Qiantian Mountain?"

As that voice faded, an ancient voice responded, coolly, "And so what if it is? Years ago, following the orders of the former sovereign, this old man went to Yunxia Mountain to see City Lord Feng Nu and was kept waiting for half a day. If you are impatient, feel free to depart. As for the tea set, it matters not. This item originates from Longze Province, and it is said that it once belonged to your City Lord. Qiantian Mountain now has as many as we desire."

Zong Shou smiled, recognizing the voice of the Old Ritualist, Zong Ling. Indeed, the old man was sharp, meeting every jab with an equally pointed retort, yielding not an inch.

Another voice chimed in, "Old Ritualist Zong, I have heard that a person who knows their own limitations avoids disaster, and a hero who reads the tides avoids calamity. If Qiantian Mountain were truly mighty, we would not dare act so boldly. But as for the current situation, others may not see it clearly. Surely Old Ritualist Zong, you can see the writing on the wall? Rumor has it that your nation's sovereign has recently become arrogant and obtuse. I did not believe it before, but now I do. Zong Shou the Demon King is young and hot-headed, lacking judgment. Ritualist, you are an old retainer of the late Demon King Weiran—surely you can offer some counsel?"

The corner of Zong Shou’s lips curved into a cold line, and he delayed no longer, stepping into the hall. He walked directly toward the head of the main chamber, toward the steps of the dais, ignoring the assembled guests for the moment.

Glancing down, he saw that the so-called envoys of the Great Shang were indeed that silver-armored maiden. What slightly surprised him was that the young gentleman he had met in the council hall was also present, though his identity remained unclear.

Seating himself upon the throne, only Zong Ling rose to give him a full, deep bow. The young gentleman and the silver-armored maiden merely stood, offered a slight inclination of the head, and clasped their fists in greeting.

"Envoy Ge Xin of Yunxia Mountain pays respects to His Majesty!"

"Zhang Zhe of Flame Mountain greets His Majesty by the command of my Palace Lord!"

The speakers were clad in purple robes, though their ages varied—one in his early thirties, the other nearing sixty. These were the voices from moments before, their expressions calm and cold, yet their eyes betrayed a degree of nervousness.

The young gentleman simply smiled lightly and introduced himself, "Qiancheng Meng Yang Suixue!" He stood tall, radiating grace and poise.

It was the silver-armored woman, however, whose expression held a measure of solemn reverence, "Great Shang's Eastern Pacification Marshal, Kong Yao, pays respects to His Majesty!"

Zong Shou thought to himself, As expected, it is this woman.

The three across from him paused, their expressions momentarily stunned. The rank of Marshal in the Great Shang Dynasty was already a high-ranking official, Third Rank. The title 'Eastern Pacification' must be her honorific. A Marshal with such a title could command hundreds of thousands of elite troops, second only to a Second Rank General. Why would such a high official from the Central Dynasty be here?

Kong Yao, for her part, was slightly curious as she observed Zong Shou seated above. She was astonished by his youth; it was hard to imagine this person commanding massive armies and sweeping across several provinces at the tender age of fourteen.

But as she glanced at the luxurious decorations of the side hall, she couldn't help but shake her head internally. The tables and chairs were made of Red Profound Wood, weighing ten jin each, an item whose value could rival a Fourth-Rank spirit weapon. The incense burning here was the finest Purple Wood Starry Sky Sandalwood. Thinking of the Emperor of her Great Shang, who, despite ruling over vast lands and holding sway over the majority of the Central Continent, strictly practiced frugality daily, the objects used in his daily life were not worth a tenth of what filled this small hall. Kong Yao couldn't help but shake her head internally. Perhaps this man was truly a genius, but he was undoubtedly too young, arrogant, and obtuse—the rumors were correct. That great victory two years prior had certainly established him, but it had also ruined him.

Zong Shou was unaware of Kong Yao’s thoughts. After all four had completed their greetings, he coldly inquired, "What is the purpose of your visit to see this sovereign?"

Ge Xin, hearing this, evidently abandoned any thought of contemplating the purpose of the Eastern Pacification Marshal’s presence. He bowed deeply once more and stated firmly, "By the order of my City Lord, we have come to demand the return of the western half of Longze Province to your nation!"

Zhang Zhe followed suit, his voice carrying a note of chill, "Zhang Zhe is also here for this purpose. The eastern half of Fuyao was the ancestral land of my Flame Mountain. The people constantly yearn for their homeland, and our Lord cannot bear it; we wish to reclaim it now. I request His Majesty to be magnanimous!"

The youth in white smiled slightly, standing to the side without speaking, still observing Zong Shou with that mocking gaze, sizing him up from head to toe.

Zong Ling’s eyes flashed with suppressed anger upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure. He thought, What is this? Two rats squeaking before a giant lion?

Zong Shou also felt a sense of boredom, looking at the few figures before the dais. Finally, he let out a light laugh, "Coincidentally, I have also been meaning to ask your two City Lords: when exactly will you cede the remaining half of Longze and Fuyao to my Qiantian Mountain?"

Ge Xin seemed entirely unsurprised, letting out a cold laugh, "Does His Majesty truly mean this? Are you truly seeking a war with my Yunxia Mountain? This subject should not speak out of turn, but I must boldly advise His Majesty: the foundation of Qiantian was not easily built; do not destroy it over a moment of impulsiveness!"

Zhang Zhe’s eyes narrowed slightly, "My Flame Mountain advances and retreats with Yunxia Mountain; Her Highness Xiong Yu shares the same sentiment. Peace is preferable in all matters; if it comes to armed conflict, it would likely be inauspicious. The Lingyun Sect—"

Before he could finish, Zong Shou abruptly raised his hand and hurled an inkstone with force.

Zhang Zhe instinctively prepared to dodge, but the moment his body moved, he felt a chill invade him, paralyzing him. The inkstone struck his head with a resounding thud, drawing blood. He remained stunned for a long moment.

Zong Shou, still seated on the throne with a placid expression, said, "If you want war, then fight. Why all the unnecessary chatter? You have said enough. Now get out!"

The young gentleman frowned, clearly finding the situation distasteful, and stood up again, "Your Majesty, our Thousand City Alliance also—"

His words were cut short as Zong Shou interrupted him directly, "The Thousand City Alliance? What in the hell is that... RQ