Banner of Ten Thousand Souls, I Support Your Ascension to the Throne

You ask your eldest brother to calm down first. Right now, the most important thing is to help you find the "Grass of the Northern Territory," which is the "Longevity Grass" recorded on the pill recipe.

This grass only grows in the Northern Territory.

"My fourth brother needs the Longevity Grass to refine a pill and break through his realm, how could I, your eldest brother, not help? What's so difficult about that? Come, follow me to fetch it!"

Oh? Is it really that easy?

Having a wide network of connections really makes things easier.

Sure enough, the martial world isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about worldly wisdom and social relationships!

Chen Jing leads you all the way north, deep into the heart of the grasslands.

Ahead is a towering cliff acting as a natural moat, like a barrier blocking the northern part of the grasslands.

At the foot of the cliff, you see some felt tents that herdsmen often use for their nomadic living.

"The Longevity Grass of our Northern Territory is guarded by the Great Elder. Consuming this grass can extend one's lifespan by five years. It is usually used to prolong the lives of Great Khans who still have unfinished ambitions. Since I am currently in the prime of my life, the Great Elder definitely won't give it to me."

As expected, it wouldn't be that smooth, you think to yourself.

"Then do you have a way, eldest brother?"

Chen Jing laughs heartily.

"Is there any way I wouldn't be able to get what my fourth brother wants? Don't worry!"

An old man with a white beard and white hair walks out of the felt tent.

Li Lingyue tells you that he is one of the two and a half Martial Saints of the Northern Territory, the Great Elder of the North, Gemenghan.

"The Great Khan has brought guests here today; may I ask for what matter?"

Chen Jing says nothing and silently walks up to the Great Elder.

Then, he plops down on the ground, hugs the Great Elder's legs, and starts crying.

"Great Elder!! This handsome young man is my fourth brother! One of my only two close relatives left in this world! Don't let his youthful looks fool you; he only changed his face so he could marry a wife! In reality, he is already in his seventies or eighties. He hasn't reached the Martial King realm, so he doesn't have many years left to live! Great Elder! The most painful thing in this world is to be separated from a loved one for decades, finally reunite, and then have to watch him pass away helplessly! Great Elder! Give me a stalk of Longevity Grass! Let him live a few more years, let us brothers..."

"Why must the Great Khan act like this? Since he is your biological brother, how could this old man be so unreasonable?"

"Okay."

Chen Jing's tears vanish in a single second.

He stands up as if nothing ever happened.

Just like that, you get the Longevity Grass and thank Gemenghan.

Li Lingyue smiles and says, "No wonder eldest brother was able to fight his way out of the brutal succession competition set by the previous Khan. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand tall. He is absolutely no ordinary person."

Chen Jing smiles calmly, and then says seriously.

"This must absolutely not be spoken of to outsiders."

You inform Chen Jing about how the Southern Border, the Central Plains, and the major sects are currently gathering at the Azure Firmament Ridge to set up defenses in advance.

You also pass on the message Li Chengqian asked you to deliver.

"The Five Domains belong to everyone. If the Five Domains are in trouble, the Northern Territory cannot just sit idly by! However, the task entrusted by His Majesty cannot be neglected either! In that case, the Northern Territory will have to divide our forces!"

Being willing to send some people and resources to help is already very good.

Even if the demon race starts a war, only the vanguard will arrive in the early stages.

Gathering an army of a million troops in one place, while also coordinating their deployment and ensuring logistics, is no easy task. It's not like the demon race doesn't need to eat.

Just as you and Li Lingyue are preparing to head to Western Liang to find the "Water of Western Liang."

Li Lingyue receives a missive from her trusted aide.

"The Demon Monkey General led a vanguard of a hundred thousand demons in an attempt to attack the major factions of the Eastern Wasteland. However, all the sects and noble families of the Eastern Wasteland had already followed the Sword Master's arrangements and retreated to the Azure Firmament Ridge defense line ahead of time. The demon race hit empty air this time."

You and Chen Jing are invigorated.

"Excellent!"

"However, both sides have already started fighting at the Azure Firmament Ridge. Our soldiers and martial artists from the Southern Border have already suffered quite a few casualties..."

A look of pity flashes across Li Lingyue's eyes.

She cultivates the Dao of Incense, naturally possessing compassion for the people who worship her.

You hold her hand.

"Go. Fight side by side with your people."

The tacit understanding between you and Li Lingyue needs no words.

Li Lingyue takes out a life-sized golden statue of herself from her storage ring.

"If you encounter danger, inject the Three Qi into this golden body, and it will transform into an incense avatar. I will be able to fight with my full strength for you for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

Impressive!

Having cultivated martial arts for many years, you have never heard of such a technique.

This is undoubtedly an ability exclusive to the Dao of Incense!

More than just a golden body, Li Lingyue also gives you quite a few treasures unique to the Southern Border for self-defense.

This leaves your eldest brother, standing to the side, at a loss for what to do.

It would be quite awkward if he didn't give you anything as well.

In reality, you have the Nine Provinces Cauldron.

In the human realm, what danger could possibly exist that couldn't be resolved by hiding inside the Nine Provinces Cauldron?

You tell Li Lingyue and your eldest brother that they don't need to give you anything else. Later on, whether it's resolving the internal problems of the Five Domains or dealing with the demon race's attacks.

As top-tier combatants, they will be the ones charging at the very front, and they will also need the help of treasures.

No matter how many of these items you hoard on yourself, you won't be able to inherit them once the simulation ends. It's better to let them stay where they can truly shine and be put to good use.

Year 59, 77 years old.

You replaced "Ageless Male God" with "One with the Sword."

You replaced "Wandering Dragon Playing with Phoenix" with "Veteran Tomato User."

You step onto the land of Western Liang.

The Myriad Soul Banner can no longer hold back and becomes restless.

You have no choice but to release it from your body.

As soon as this guy comes out, it roars wildly at the heavens and the earth.

"Spiritual Weapon Kingdom of Western Liang!! Your Emperor has returned!!!"

The Demon Refining Pot speaks in a sarcastic tone.

"Oh my! You really know how to flatter yourself. Who acknowledged you as the emperor of spiritual weapons? I think I have more of an emperor's bearing!"

"Shut up! You broken chamber pot! Go roll your dung balls!"

"Yo, barbaric immortal weapons are just so vulgar. Pah!"

The two of them start arguing again.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain.

One refines souls, the other refines demons; each has its own specialty, and neither yields to the other.

In the last simulation, the Myriad Soul Banner didn't have an immortal weapon body and couldn't out-argue the Demon Refining Pot.

This time is different; there is no essential difference between the two of them. At most, the artifact spirit of the Myriad Soul Banner hasn't fully recovered yet, but it's not far off.

It truly is a case of a needle's point against an awl's tip.

But no matter what, with the Great Dao Immortal Weapon, the Nine Provinces Cauldron, suppressing them from above, they ultimately still have to follow your commands.

"The Water of Western Liang," true name "Dust-Forgetting Water," is a type of heavenly material and earthly treasure that only appears in the waters of Western Liang.

Although the pill recipe clearly describes the properties of this water, there are no detailed records on how to obtain it.

It only says you have to come to Western Liang and try your luck.

That would delay things too much.

You head straight for the imperial palace of the Spiritual Weapon Kingdom of Western Liang, preparing to help the Myriad Soul Banner seize power and support its ascension to the throne!

After that, you will use the emperor to command the vassals, mobilizing all of Western Liang, be it human or weapon, to help you search together!

[Becoming the emperor makes one an easy target. It is not a wise choice.]

[Let the Myriad Soul Banner act as the Emperor of Xiliang, but he must answer to you!]

[Jie jie jie... I reap the rewards, and you take the blame!]

[Is this what it feels like to be a powerful minister? I suddenly understand Qin Rong!]