The scene within that realm was naturally visible to all present. Except for Zong Shou, every face wore a grave expression.

Wei Xu managed a wry smile. "This Master Zhu truly refuses to let the matter rest. This time, because of my affairs with the Cang Sheng Dao, my junior brother has been implicated."

"An enemy of the Confucian School—this is a call for every Confucian scholar in the world to rise up against him. Master Zhu employs truly ruthless means."

Zong Shou merely shook his head; he had anticipated Zhu Zi’s reaction the moment he claimed the Seven Swords of Cang Sheng and was mentally prepared for it.

"It's fine. When I returned to the Cloud Realm a few years ago, Yao'er already warned me. If Great Qian is to secure the southeastern regions of the Central Cloud Continent, a direct confrontation with Great Shang is inevitable. This battle was bound to happen sooner or later; it has just arrived a little ahead of schedule."

Though Great Qian had achieved repeated victories since taking charge of the southeastern barbarian lands, effectively sweeping aside all powerful tribal clans, Great Shang had certainly not remained idle. That Yuan Chen Emperor could not simply watch Great Qian swallow the southeast, turning it into a core threat.

Even while fully occupied, Great Shang had caused considerable trouble over the years—fomenting strife among the various clans, secretly supplying arms and soldiers. At times, they even intervened directly.

This ensured that the newly occupied territories of Great Qian never found true peace.

After all, as the central superior nation, Great Shang held considerable prestige among the southern barbarians, possessing ample power to rally support and inspire awe.

For Great Qian to establish a firm foothold, it was imperative to completely extinguish the superior imperial authority of Great Shang. Only then could the southern tribes be truly intimidated, potentially paving the way for an advance into the Central Plains—

Furthermore, he had cleaved all thirty legions of Great Shang soldiers with a single sword stroke. Great Qian now possessed a genuine chance of victory, with considerable odds in their favor.

As for being labeled a Confucian enemy, Zong Shou was not overly concerned. After all, the lands under Great Qian's jurisdiction were barbarian territories, where Confucian scholars were few and far between.

Those present were not truly worried, only feeling a degree of awkwardness. After all, a war between great nations was no trivial matter; victory or defeat would inevitably lead to widespread devastation. Zong Shou had already sacrificed greatly as the Azure Realm of Cang Sheng.

Hearing Zong Shou’s words, they finally relaxed slightly. However, their gazes fell upon the small, listless earth-dog currently slumped on Zong Shou’s shoulder, filled with curiosity.

Yuan Jing and Xuan Shuang exchanged particularly strange looks, their expressions lively. The Holy King manifested, yet he was labeled a Confucian enemy—Master Zhu had truly made a fool of himself this time.

Xiu Guan said, "It is unlikely that even a Saint Venerable of the Ultimate Realm will interfere in this battle, but we must remain vigilant. Since the Azure Realm of Cang Sheng is now safe, there is no need to continue suppressing it with the seven Cang Sheng Sword Artifacts. You may take this sword formation with you, and Wei Xu and the others are yours to command. The fifty thousand Cang Sheng Profound Dragon Riders will also arrive in the southern barbarian lands in ten days."

Now that Zong Shou had clarified his connection to the Cang Sheng Dao, the sect's direct involvement in Great Qian's war effort was entirely legitimate.

Zong Shou frowned. Having the suppression of the Seven Swords of Cang Sheng was certainly beneficial; it effectively eliminated the possibility of an Ultimate Realm Saint Venerable intervening in the conflict.

With the might of the Cang Sheng Sword Formation outside the Azure Realm, it could at least tie down one Ultimate Realm powerhouse. And Wei Xu himself was already an Ultimate Realm Saint Venerable.

But as he heard the latter part of the instruction, he felt a sense of unease.

Just as he was about to refuse, he heard Wei Xu continue, "If I were the Emperor of Great Shang, before personally leading the campaign, I would certainly be extensively conscripting forces from vassal states, noble families, and private armies to meet this challenge."

Zong Shou was stunned, then his heart sank. He had overlooked the armies from vassal states and private families. In that case, this war might not be as straightforward as he had imagined.

Calculating carefully, the disparity in troop numbers might be at least six or seven times greater—a crushing, mountainous pressure.

This was primarily due to the Dao Soldiers. Great Qian’s forces in the Cloud Realm were far from fully expanded. They possessed fewer than sixty thousand true Fourth-Rank Dao Soldiers.

Whereas Great Shang, even with reservations from its various vassal states, governors, and noble houses, could likely mobilize over two hundred thousand Dao Soldiers.

He let out a heavy sigh; this battle had certainly arrived at an inconvenient time.

However, it might also be the optimal moment. Great Shang’s national strength was ten times that of Great Qian. In a few more years, their military power could become incomparably formidable. With the valor of the Yuan Chen Emperor, perhaps they could recover their vigor.

His original plan for this war was to employ a scorched-earth policy, engaging in a slow war of attrition against Great Shang in the south, dragging their armies until they were exhausted and internal rebellions erupted.

The southern barbarian lands had been in constant turmoil, causing millions of casualties annually, yet Great Qian could not simply withdraw.

A sharp, brief pain was preferable to a prolonged agony. He needed one decisive battle to strike Great Shang hard enough to force them to retreat defensively, thereby stabilizing the south.

But now, it seemed he had been too idealistic.

After this discussion, Zong Shou was distracted, having no inclination to pay attention to the debates among the others in the tower.

It was nothing more than expressions of gratitude towards Long Ying Ao Kun, discussions on compensation for fallen disciples, and the matter of rebuilding the Azure Realm.

"With the great surge of the Spirit Tide, our Cang Sheng Dao had initially planned to observe the changes in the Cloud Realm and wait for the right moment to act. But now, Yuan Jing and Xuan Shuang have both achieved the Ultimate Realm, and Wei Xu luckily passed his tribulation today. Although the Cang Sheng Dao has not returned to its peak strength, it now possesses the capability to contend. This will inevitably draw the scrutiny of the various sects and doctrines; even if we make no further moves, others will harbor jealousy and schemes. Xiu Guan informed you all of these secrets today precisely so you could be forewarned."

Zong Shou only truly registered Xiu Guan’s final sentence; he paid little mind to the rest. Less than two hours later, everyone dispersed. Zong Shou was anxious, eager to return to Mount Qiantian.

After years apart from Xuanyuan Yiren and Kong Yao, and his child whom he had barely seen since birth, Zong Shou missed them intensely.

For the first couple of weeks after his return, he had forcibly suppressed this urgency. Now, it was completely uncontrollable.

However, before returning, there was the small earth-dog that needed to be dealt with.

Ever since Zong Shou flatly refused its attempt to enter his Soul Sea Void, the little fellow, Xiao Ri, had been sulking, occasionally baring its teeth and claws to show its displeasure.

When agitated, it would furiously gnaw at his sleeve.

"Entering the White Hole Dharma Body can help you achieve your Dao?"

"If you are too late, you won't be able to defeat it later? Is it that Black Qilin? You were never its match in the first place, were you? This is a matter of life and death; you cannot be obstinate."

"You don't fear the threat of malignant energy surrounding you and the danger of death? You little thing, you truly don't know what’s good for you and don't appreciate kindness!"

"Think clearly. In a few decades, Great Qian might be utterly destroyed. Where will you find the Kingly Aura to absorb then? And it’s quite possible that I, Zong Shou, will be recorded as the most vicious and tyrannical foolish ruler in history—"

The Confucian establishment had already branded him with the label of a foolish ruler.

In truth, he didn't hesitate for long; he was simply too annoyed by Xiao Ri’s persistence. Zong Shou made a decisive gesture with his hand, drawing the little earth-dog entirely into his Soul Sea Dharma Body.

But before he could observe the changes within his Soul Sea, a disciple of the Cang Sheng Dao arrived with news.

"The Sect Master of the Sword Sect has come to visit?"