Within the Cloud Realm, the only salvation for Dan'er to survive this calamity lay with Xiu Guan of the Xiuguan Sect. Fortunately, the child was not born with the World-Burning Blood, nor had her advancement fully completed, leaving a slight margin for mitigation.

At this moment, Zong Shou felt a deeper headache. It was a blessing that the Lu family was unaware of Dan'er's existence, and she hadn't yet been inscribed into the clan register; otherwise, complications would surely have arisen.

Xuanyuan Yiren's expression paled slightly; sending Little Dan away meant separation. Though Xiu Guan remained within the Cloud Realm, this individual was as elusive as a free-floating cloud, with unpredictable movements.

Once the matters concerning the Cangsheng Dao were settled, who knew where she might drift off to next? However, while she was a loving mother, she was no ignorant woman; her gaze held sorrow, yet she stated resolutely, "Master Xiu Guan of the Cangsheng Dao?

With him looking after Dan'er, there will certainly be no harm. This is excellent." "This matter is not urgent for now; let's revisit it later!" Zong Shou smiled, understanding Xuanyuan Yiren's reluctance, and he himself was unwilling, after only a few meetings with his own child, to send her away.

He couldn't have his offspring grow up without recognizing their father. However, sealing that World-Burning Blood could no longer be delayed.

"This child only has a nickname for now. When she grows up, let her be called Leping—Zong Leping—" Before his return, he had hoped his descendants, even if they couldn't possess the ambition to crush myriad realms with a sword like himself, would at least live lives of grandeur, never dimming his own prestige.

Now, returning to Qiantian, he only wished this child could live a life full of happiness and peace. Suddenly, Zong Shou recalled Zong Weiran.

In his own childhood, his father must have felt similarly. After saying this, Zong Shou finally looked past his wife toward the large contingent of people waiting behind her.

A carriage drawn by twelve Dragon Horses, a full retinue of monarchical honors. Including Ren Bo, nearly all the dignitaries of Mount Qiantian were gathered here.

Nearly a thousand seventh-tier cultivators hovered in the air, their expressions solemn and respectful. And eighty thousand knights, mounted on Cloud Colts, stood poised in the void.

At this moment, the might of the sovereign was displayed without reserve. Yet, Zong Shou found these people troublesome.

Upon returning to Qiantian, he had countless words to exchange with Yiren. Longing intensely, he wished to lie together for days immediately.

How could he possibly have the patience for these annoying individuals? But before he could speak to dismiss them, Ren Bo had already bowed low, "The Lord's return is a great joy for Great Qiantian.

We implore the Lord to tour the city in person to reassure the populace!" Tiger Qianqiu and Zong Lan, along with Elder Minister Qiu Wei, who were also present to welcome him, gave equally solemn salutes: "The rites due a monarch cannot be lightly cast aside. We request the Lord tour the city!" Zong Shou paused, looking closely at these composed individuals.

After a brief contemplation, he took Xuanyuan Yiren's hand and stepped onto the jade carriage together. Simultaneously, he extended his divine sense, sweeping across the entire city.

In that single instant, countless voices flooded his awareness. "An enemy of the Confucian School?

Could our Lord truly be a foolish monarch?" "What nonsense are they spouting? What were our lives like before?

Barely enough to fill our stomachs! And now?

With just a little diligence, we enjoy fine silks and rich food! If such a ruler is called foolish, what were those former city lords and kings?

Trash?" "I heard yesterday that the Dao, Demonic, and Confucian factions attacked the Cangsheng Dao, but were forced to retreat because of the Lord. That Confucian Sage, Master Zhu Zi, must be furious with shame." "Legend says our Lord is a disciple of the Cangsheng Dao.

That Sage Zhu Zi claims the Lord worships depraved devils and evil ways, disregards propriety, ignores the words of the Sages, and violates the principles of heaven and earth—" "In my view, the equality of the common people isn't so bad." "Wouldn't that throw everything into chaos? Do you want the Lord and the nobility to be treated the same as common folk like us?" "The Lord abolished private armies and eliminated privileges.

Under the law of the nation, the powerful and the common people are equal. Those nobles have earned merit for the state, so it is only natural they enjoy a bit more." "The Great Shang adheres to the words of the Sages, but look at them now—war rages everywhere, and the people suffer.

Yet our Great Qiantian not only guards a pure territory but also enjoys peace and prosperity, with its power growing daily." "But Master Zhu also said that this is ultimately an evil path and cannot last long." "What did those Councillors say?" "I find that the nobles are quite pleased. They all complain about the Confucian School being meddlesome—" "Heh!

If it were me, I wouldn't adhere to those moral strictures either, returning the power of governance to the sovereign, letting him decide life and death. How could I be as at ease as I am now?" "It's still an evil path!

I heard that almost all the academies within Great Qiantian have closed today. Those are learned men; they certainly wouldn't be wrong." Zong Shou frowned.

The state of Qiantian City could be summarized by one phrase: widespread anxiety! No wonder Ren Bo, who detested extravagance the most, had arranged such a grand display for his tour of the city.

He had initially assumed that the territories under Great Qiantian were all so-called barbarian lands and wouldn't be heavily impacted. Only now did he realize that the influence of the Confucian School was much stronger than he had imagined.

Fortunately, the governance of the past decade had indeed won the hearts of the people of Qiantian. At this moment, the majority in Qiantian City still favored him and did not believe the words of Master Zhu.

Academies? He wondered if the Linhai Academy was among them.

Before he unified the Eastern Frontier, these scholars held sway over the public opinion of the entire Eastern Frontier Cloud Land. And the closing of the academies—the impact on the entirety of Great Qiantian was difficult to predict.

However, should he consider these people clueless about their impending doom? Zong Shou gave a harsh smile, then furrowed his brow again.

If he were to strike against these scholars now, it would only play directly into Master Zhu's hands. But as things stood, the longer this situation dragged on, the more detrimental it would be to him.

The plan to drag the Great Shang down by exhausting the Southern Frontier had become an unrealistic fantasy, like a fleeting dream. The foundation of Great Qiantian remained deeply entrenched.

But if this turmoil were allowed to escalate, it would inevitably affect the entire Great Qiantian. It might even destroy the work of molding the will of the Qiantian people over the past decade.

The only strategy now was swift action— He only needed to strike down that Great Shang, strike down that Confucian School, and all the internal strife would naturally subside. Endless cold intent gathered in his eyes, killing intent gradually condensing.

But just then, a few more fragments of discussion drifted through his sea of consciousness. "Although we haven't studied literature, we can discern good from bad.

Without the Lord, how could we martial artists enjoy the wealth we have now?" "Exactly! The Lord, apart from being overly fond of women, has no other faults—" "Fond of women?

Where is he fond of women? The Lord only has Queen Xuanyuan and Consort Kong to this day." "Speaking of which, perhaps there's something wrong with the Lord?

With beauties surrounding him, he only has one Queen and one Consort. What other sovereign is like that?" "Perhaps so, thank heavens there is already a royal—" Zong Shou felt a tightness in his chest, nearly spitting out a mouthful of blood.