On this day, the Beimang Mountain Range trembled. The Azure Cloud Sect, the number one righteous sect of the Great Zhou Dynasty, was completely wiped off the map of Great Zhou within half an hour. The main peak collapsed, their lineage was severed, and the blood of thousands of disciples flowed like a river, leaving no survivors.
The news, like a category ten hurricane with wings, swept frantically across the entire territory of Great Zhou at an inconceivable speed.
Those hidden sects and martial arts aristocratic families—who were usually aloof, feigned compliance with the Great Zhou imperial court, and even secretly accumulated power to grab a piece of the pie in troubled times—all fell into a deathly silence upon receiving this top-secret intelligence.
In an ancient temple deep in the mountains, a Demonic Cult Master who had just broken through to the Eighth Realm of Martial Arts and was preparing to leave the mountain to realize his grand ambitions, was so frightened after hearing his subordinate's report that the teacup in his hand smashed to pieces. The arrogance on his face vanished instantly as he roared at his subordinate, "Pass down my orders! Seal the mountain! Completely seal the mountain for a hundred years! If anyone dares to step half a foot outside the mountain gate, I will personally skin them alive! Also, immediately send someone to the capital to deliver half of the rare treasures in our cult's treasury to the current Emperor. Say it is a small token of our cult's appreciation, and wish His Majesty a long and prosperous life!"
Similar scenes played out continuously across the mountain gates of all the major factions in the world.
The iron-blooded fangs displayed by the Great Zhou imperial family, capable of tearing heaven and earth apart, completely silenced all the ambitious schemers who tried to fish in troubled waters and thought imperial power was waning. Those notorious bandits who had been running rampant in the martial world and had been wanted by the imperial court for over a decade were so terrified upon hearing the news that they tied themselves up overnight and voluntarily surrendered to the local magistrate, terrified that a moment's delay would bring upon them the imperial ancestors' sect-extermination package.
For a time, the entire martial world of Great Zhou was surprisingly quiet, as well-behaved as docile sheep.
At this moment, all factions were ruthlessly pinned to the ground, forced to recognize a cruel reality: as long as the old monsters of the imperial family lived for another day, the world of Great Zhou still belonged to the Wang family! For anyone who dared to challenge the imperial power, the ruins of the Azure Cloud Sect would be their ultimate fate!
The capital, the residence of Zhang Wuji, the Second Minister of the Cabinet.
When the top-secret intelligence of the Azure Cloud Sect being razed to the ground by the imperial ancestors was delivered to Zhang Wuji's study, this leader of the aristocratic families, who usually remained unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, trembled. The secret letter fluttered lightly to the ground.
"It's over..." Zhang Wuji's legs gave out, and he collapsed directly into his armchair, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
He had originally thought that Wang Hao going to the imperial tomb was just a bluff, or at most, he would invite one or two ancestors to intimidate the court. Who could have imagined that this little tyrant would actually cry out all the royal ancestors at once, and their first move would be a thunderous, sect-exterminating strike!
"Skysoaring Realm... A full five Skysoaring Realm mighty figures! And led personally by Emperor Wuzong of Zhou!" Zhang Wuji only felt his throat go dry. With the imperial family possessing such terrifying foundations, how could their aristocratic families even compete? Any overt or covert political schemes appeared pale and laughable in the face of absolute martial power.
...
Meanwhile, the patriarchs of the twelve great aristocratic families of Great Zhou could no longer sit still. They rode the fastest flying beasts overnight, secretly arriving in the capital to gather in Zhang Wuji's secret chamber.
In the Cabinet duty room, the Chief Minister Zhuge Huaijin was first shocked, then overjoyed after hearing the news.
Zhuge Huaijin was so excited that he paced back and forth in the duty room. "With such a terrifying imperial foundation as backing, who would dare to obstruct the new policies of Great Zhou? This Taxation Bureau, this commercial tax, I am definitely pushing them through! Let me see which aristocratic family still dares to trip us up from behind!"
Zhuge Huaijin's back instantly straightened. He immediately summoned the officials from humble backgrounds, preparing to ride this wind and launch the fiercest political charge against the aristocratic family forces.
Deep inside the imperial palace, in the Sweet Spring Hall, Wang Hao was lying comfortably on his dragon throne, listening to Yu Huatian's report on the world's intelligence.
Hearing that the patriarchs of the twelve aristocratic families had secretly entered the capital, Wang Hao was not only unconcerned but positively elated.
"Hahaha, good! Perfect timing!" A wise light flickered in Wang Hao's eyes.
He stood up from the dragon throne, looking at the churning sea of clouds outside the hall, and began to frantically analyze the situation in his mind. Great Zhou had been established for a thousand years. In this long span of time, had there never been a Child of Destiny like Ye Chen, who had a halo over his head and could pick up divine martial arts just by walking around?
There absolutely had been! And more than one!
But why did Great Zhou still stand tall?
"Because Great Zhou represents the Dao of Humanity!" Wang Hao deduced inwardly. "A Child of Destiny represents the Dao of Heaven, fed by the heavens. But Great Zhou, established for a thousand years, has condensed the human destiny and national fortune of billions of commoners! No matter how strong the Dao of Heaven is, can it be stronger than the will of billions of living beings in this mortal world? It might be stronger, but Great Zhou has always existed."
Wang Hao completely understood. As the Emperor of Great Zhou, he was the Human Emperor! Gathered upon the ancestors was the human destiny accumulated by successive generations of Great Zhou. When the two clashed, a thousand years of history had already proven it: Great Zhou still existed, which meant that humanity could conquer the heavens! The Dao of Heaven also had its limits, and the ancestors of Great Zhou had definitely killed their fair share of these so-called Children of Destiny in the past!
"If I hadn't transmigrated here, and that foolish tyrant of a father and the weak original owner of this body had squandered the people's support and scattered the human destiny, Ye Chen might have really been able to overthrow Great Zhou," Wang Hao sneered. "But now that I am here, the inner treasury is full, the people's hearts are gradually returning, and the national fortune is flourishing day by day. Coupled with my cheat system... Ye Chen, what do you have to fight me with?"
Thinking of the twelve aristocratic families gathering in the capital, Wang Hao's eyes instantly turned into two large gold ingots.
"These secular wealthy families control seventy percent of Great Zhou's wealth. Since you have delivered yourselves to my door, if I don't harvest you like a fresh crop of leeks, I would be doing a disservice to your long journey here!"
Wang Hao's brain worked rapidly, and an extremely massive and devious commercial harvesting plan began to take shape.
"Aren't they afraid of my martial power? Then I will give them a chance to 'buy peace with money'." Wang Hao sneered inwardly. He prepared to immediately list the remaining royal enterprises on the market.
"The limited edition red sandalwood dragon-chair sofas from the Royal Furniture Store, the Royal Liquor Industry featuring the 'National Brew 108' brewed by the Wine, Vinegar, and Noodle Bureau, the Royal Brocade Workshop presenting the 'Great Zhou Fashion' launched by the Imperial Wardrobe Directorate, the VIP annual passes for the Royal Theater under the Bell and Drum Office, and the specially supplied Royal Fruit and Vegetable Store cultivated by the Imperial Gardens Bureau..."
Wang Hao had even figured out the routine: first, spread the rumor that as long as one bought stocks in the royal enterprises, it meant they supported the Emperor's new policies and were loyal subjects of Great Zhou. Then, manipulate the stock market to drive the prices sky-high. When those twelve aristocratic families poured their real gold and silver in to show their loyalty, he would precisely cash out at the peak, delivering an ultimate, nuclear-level leek harvest!
"I not only want your power, but I will also win the very pants off your bodies!" Wang Hao smiled like a villain.
Right at this moment, the mechanical voice of the system suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding! The host has successfully signed in at the Imperial Tomb, items are being distributed...]
[Ding! Intelligence updated: Because the royal family's hidden reserves struck with overwhelming force, the Twelve Noble Families are terrified and have gathered in the capital to discuss countermeasures. Grand Secretary Zhuge Huaijin's confidence has surged, and he has resolved to push the new policies forward at all costs.]
"Oh? It arrived?" Wang Hao thought, checking his system space.
He saw an item exuding an ancient and eerie aura floating quietly in the space—a Cursed Artifact: The Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda!
Wang Hao pulled up the item panel:
[Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda (Cursed Artifact Ranking: 56)]
[Appearance: A miniature nine-story black pagoda. The body of the pagoda is covered in scorch marks from lightning, and a purple lightning bead is inlaid at its peak. Faintly, the wails of thousands of lightning prisoners can be heard from within, accompanied by the muffled rumble of thunder.]
[Ability (Imprisoning Thunder as Weapons): This pagoda can actively absorb and imprison the power of lightning from heaven and earth. In battle, the pagoda doors can be opened to release the might of thunder. Floors one through nine correspond to a full-force strike from a martial artist of the first to ninth realm, respectively.]
[Side Effect: Activating this pagoda requires suppressing it with one's divine soul. As the number of uses increases, the backlash becomes extremely severe. Male users will become completely impotent, while female users will gradually become barren. Special Declaration: The system holder, Wang Hao, is exempt.]
Looking at this introduction, Wang Hao's face twitched. "This thing... how should I put it? It's a bit of a dud."
Although it could unleash a ninth-realm attack, the prerequisite was that he first had to absorb lightning of equal power to store inside! Where on earth was he supposed to find so much high-level lightning to strike it? This was clearly a seasonal artifact that depended entirely on the weather. During summer thunderstorms, he might be able to recharge it a bit, but in winter, was he supposed to use it as a heavy lump of iron to smash people over the head?
As for that side effect, Wang Hao didn't care in the slightest. He was immune anyway.
"Forget it, I'll just keep it as a decoration. It looks pretty intimidating, at least." Wang Hao casually tossed the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda into a corner of his storage ring to gather dust.
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
