Before taking over the nest, at least join it first.

Soon, the Dragon Lord revealed his identity, and in an instant, the scholars were in an uproar.

This was none other than the legendary Dragon King.

It was said that at the Dragon Clan assembly, whoever became the leader would enjoy endless wealth and glory.

With such a powerful figure joining this event, the value naturally increased. However, the downside was that Wu Yi's limelight was completely overshadowed, giving a feeling of stealing the host's thunder.

Of course, Wu Yi didn't show any dissent; instead, he personally came forward to greet him.

Ao Qing gave Wu Yi a meaningful glance.

"King Ying? Your reputation precedes you."

"You flatter me. The arrival of the Dragon Lord graces my humble abode beyond measure."

"Haha! If the Dragon Lord were to come, why not send advance notice, so I could have prepared a proper welcome?"

The hearty laughter of King Yan, Wu Lang, came from outside the door.

Looking outside, one could see King Yan leading a large, impressive group, giving the Dragon Lord ample respect.

"The virtuous name of King Ying is widely revered. I have long admired your reputation. Thus, I took the liberty of coming unannounced to listen to your teachings. Please forgive me if I have been forward."

Ao Qing then introduced Ao Jie, the Jungle Taoist of Holy Might Forest, and Taisu of the Liqi Mansion to the participants.

King Yan was overjoyed to learn that so many powerful figures had pledged their allegiance.

It was well known that Heavenly Masters were forbidden from participating in the struggle for the throne, so the most powerful allies within reach were those in the Transcendence Tribulation Stage.

The arrival of so many experts meant tremendous support for the contention.

Additionally, it also allowed for Wu Yi to be replaced.

The Dragon Lord's prestige far outweighed that of Wu Yi.

Regardless of how widespread Wu Yi's fame was, it could never surpass the millennia-long standing of the Dragon Lord.

Sharing this news with his mother would undoubtedly leave her delighted.

Soon, the Dragon Lord joined King Yan's faction.

The news spread across the capital in an instant.

Many forces were secretly shocked. While the Master of the Mystical Sect wasn't much of a surprise, given that the Eight Prince's fiefdom was within the jurisdiction of the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance, it was natural for members of the Mystical Sect to support their prince.

But the Dragon Lord was far from ordinary.

The fame of the Jiuhe Dragon Lord reached beyond other alliances, ranking among the top in all the aquatic Dragon Clan factions.

It was believed such a figure wouldn't easily involve himself in matters of contention for the throne. Yet, here he was, taking a clear stance, significantly bolstering the strength of the Eight Prince's faction.

The state of affairs now consisted of the Seven Alliances and Four Factions.

The Seven Alliances referred to the seven Taoist Alliances, including the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect.

The Four Factions referred to the Eight Prince, Third Prince, Crown Prince, and the Tenth Prince.

As the Heavenly Masters refrained from direct involvement, the responsibility fell to Masters, Grandmasters, and others of lesser rank.

The Eight Prince's faction seemed to be gaining momentum.

At the Yan King Mansion—

The Yin King paid his respects to Consort Nan Jing and explained the plan to replace Wu Yi.

"So, you want Ao Jie to become the academy leader? Can he handle it?"

"He may fall short of Wu Yi in certain aspects, but he is also a man of profound erudition. Combined with the Dragon Lord's reputation, it will not take more than a few months for him to supplant Wu Yi. At that point, you may deal with Wu Yi as you see fit."

The Yin King spoke in a deferential tone; after all, the other party was just like him—a peer in the Heavenly Tribulation Stage.

Not to mention, she was from a prestigious and orthodox lineage; engaging in combat would not favor his side.

The Yin King's words hit the sore spot directly.

Nan Jing saw Wu Yi as a thorn in her side, compounded by the later inclusion of Song Lin.

The reason for pushing someone like Wu Yi into prominence was none other than his talents and knowledge.

Now that an opportunity to replace him presented itself, how could Nan Jing let it pass?

With the Dragon Lord joining, Hongwen Academy's stature grew exponentially. Apart from attracting students from humble families, it also drew those from major noble clans.

As time passed—

The Dragon Clan seemed to have underestimated one thing: their renown was substantial, but Wu Yi's scholarship and the academic doctrines introduced by Song Lin could withstand the test.

The limelight of the Dragon Lord still couldn't completely eclipse Wu Yi.

Eighty percent of the people were captivated by the principles of practicality and statecraft introduced by Song Lin; these resonated with the needs of the world, which had grown weary of hollow theories.

Despite the Dragon Clan's best attempts to emulate, they couldn't conceal the stench of their elitist bloodline worship.

...

In the story's world:

On the battlefield—

The Zhou Army stood in a neat formation, their weapons uniformly crafted from shimmering Mystic Iron, and their armor reflected dazzling golden light.

Facing them were thirty thousand Vassal States' coalition troops.

Compared to the Zhou forces, the Vassal States' troops looked more like beggars, their morale already diminished by seventy percent.

Leading the thirty-two divisions was Marquis Lvu, astride a unicorn.

In his hand, he wielded a flaming scarlet blade, eight feet long and dragging on the ground.

In the sky were four Divine Dragons.

On the other side, an eccentric figure with red hair and red eyebrows, heavily tattooed and disheveled, stood atop a hundred-foot-long Fire Snake.

It was clear that he hailed from the Chu Barbarians; only they could possess such an appearance.

As expected, they had colluded with the Southern Barbarians and Eastern Yi, emboldening their arrogance.

"You all refuse to submit to royal authority. By the Emperor's decree, I am here to punish you. Lay down your arms now, and there may still be a chance."

"We are barbarians!"

The red-haired man's words implied that such ideals meant nothing to him.

"Attack!"

Marquis Lvu wasted no time with chatter.

At his command, a hundred thousand troops surged forth.

Marquis Lvu lightly nudged his unicorn, which leapt a hundred feet into the sky. He swung his scarlet blade downward, unleashing a hundred-foot arc of fire.

Beside him, Hu Ben Zhong Shan let out a resonant roar. His body expanded to a height of a hundred feet, transforming into a white-striped, red-maned tiger.

Roar!

The tiger's cry echoed across the heavens, causing all beasts to flee.

Hu Ben Zhong Shan charged ferociously, pinning the Fire Snake's elevated head under his massive paw.

Sizzle!

The snake's head was ripped off, and the barbarian atop it had his bones and sinews crushed into pulp with a single strike.

In less than a single exchange—

The barbarian was slaughtered on the spot.

Hu Ben Zhong Shan's terrifying prowess owed largely to Song Lin.

The Netherworld Demon Dharma taught by Song Lin allowed him to channel the ancient bloodlines of Divine Demons into his dharma image.

Soon, the Zhou Army stormed the opposing formations, their disciplined and professional troops effortlessly massacring the coalition forces like cutting through weeds.

After a ten-percent casualty rate, the coalition forces disintegrated, and the Monarch of Yong was captured.

In this era, it was rare to execute nobles. Typically, they were captured and exchanged for ransom from their homeland.

Even among political adversaries, wholesale executions of families were uncommon; exile was the usual form of punishment.

With this battle concluded, both the Central Pass and the Central Plains' vassals submitted, restoring the prosperous era of King Cheng.

In the Longevity Palace at Haojing—

The Yu Tripod, one of the Nine Tripods at the center, radiated dazzling golden light.

Its surface bore four large characters: "Soaring Beyond the Skies."

From the tripod's mouth wafted cloud-like energy, faintly forming images of mountains and rivers.

This was the cloud energy required for the first layer of the Qiankun Treasure, "Soaring Beyond the Skies."

Resembling mist, the cloud energy was incredibly versatile, capable of transforming into countless things.

Depending on each individual's cultivation technique, unique skills could be comprehended.

If all nine layers were mastered, representing the Nine States' submission, one could ultimately unlock the supreme skill.

Within the royal family's secret records, only King Wu, Ji Fa, was documented as having mastered this ultimate skill, named "Heavenly Destiny Vault of Heaven." It was by this very skill that he had subdued the Nine States' tribes.

Of course, the skills comprehended varied from person to person.

Observing the rising cloud energy, Song Lin began to grasp how he could refine his cultivation.

With a single thought, a "Transform" Cloud Seal took form in the void.

This was a Cloud Seal of the 72 Transformations.

The cloud energy wove around the Cloud Seal, gradually permeating it.

This was the finest grade of natural essence, encompassing both turbid and pure energies.

In the real world, it could at least refine into First-rank True Qi.

As the days turned into months—

In the twelfth year of King Mu of Zhou—

A beam of golden light shot into the heavens, prompting the vassals to submit and offer tribute.

Within his secret chamber, Song Lin exhaled a single breath.

A doppelganger identical to himself materialized in the room.

The doppelganger's appearance and demeanor transformed completely, morphing into the likeness of Marquis Lvu.

Aside from lacking spells and Divine Skills, the clone was indistinguishable in aura and mannerisms.

Beyond human forms, he could now transform into animals, plants, inanimate objects—large or small, without limitation.

"The 72 Transformations are complete."

Song Lin thought to himself.

Previously, the 72 Transformations only allowed for the creation of duplicates. Now it granted true transformative abilities, becoming the genuine 72 Transformations.

The "Transform" Cloud Seal grew increasingly intricate.

This was the first layer of the Qiankun Treasure that Song Lin had mastered: "72 Transformations."

Soon, after Marquis Lvu's triumphal return, Song Lin received grand recognition and rewards.

"Replenish the army, consolidate the vassals, and prioritize eastern expansion—targeting Xu Country and the Huai Yi as the first objectives!"

The Eastern Yi consisted of two groups: the Eastern Yi of Qingzhou and the Huai Yi, represented by Xu Country in Xuzhou.

Xuzhou bordered Great Zhou, posing a considerable threat to Haojing and Luoyi.

Moreover, Xu Country was a prominent power formed by the remnants of Yinn Shang, allied with thirty-two neighboring marquis states.

Clearly, as a tiger lying at the bedside, it could not be ignored.

Conquering Xuzhou would also secure another Tripod.

Without delay, Great Zhou united with the Central Plains, deploying two thousand war chariots to launch an offensive against the Huai Yi. Meanwhile, messengers were sent to Chu Country.

Negotiations aimed to form an alliance, splitting the spoils with Chu after crushing the Huai Yi.

"By decree of the Emperor of Great Zhou, the King of Chu is commanded to dispatch troops against the Huai Yi..."

Though Chu was stronger than Great Zhou, the Heavenly Mandate rested with Zhou. Coupled with the benefits of attacking the Huai Yi, the ambitious King of Chu, Xiong Ai, dispatched six divisions with eighteen thousand cavalry to join the campaign.

This campaign might last for several years.

Bored of the prolonged battle, Song Lin returned to the real world.

In the real world, all seemed calm on the surface.

However, Wu Yi's situation wasn't looking good, as the Dragon Clan and Holy Might Forest made their move.

At this moment, Zhengxin sent a terse message:

"The Capital is in turmoil—King Ying faces grave danger."

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