The campaign against Zhou naturally drew eyes from all sides.

  Families from every prefecture and major powers watched this war that would decide Great Zhou's fate.

  For the martial world, it was equally pivotal.

  Though today's jianghu was shifting toward cultivators—Qi Core practitioners sprouting like mushrooms after the world's transformation...

  Jianghu was still jianghu, eyeing the court's mood. Even the strongest sects couldn't withstand the court—except transcendent Baiyujing.

  Most would be trampled by thousands of troops.

  Even Dao Pavilion, Sword Pavilion, or Qi Core-anchored sects.

  They awaited the final court outcome to decide the world's ruler and their own paths.

  ...

  Nanjun.

  Unlike the north's endless heavy snow.

  Southern flakes fell like distinct grains, not chaotic goose feathers.

  Sima Qingshan in blue robe, book box on back; behind, a girl in red cape held an oil-paper umbrella, shielding falling snow. Strolling amid flakes, poetic and picturesque.

  "Nanjiang City."

  "Master, are you from Nanjiang?"

  The girl's voice was gentle, curious.

  Sima Qingshan smiled. "No, my home is Nanjin—often invaded by barbarians."

  "Coming to Nanjiang to meet a friend and help him."

  The girl nodded thoughtfully. She'd heard of Nanjin—no wonder Sima Qingshan pitied refugees; he'd grown in hardship.

  Girl named An Miaoyu—poetic name.

  She followed Sima Qingshan to learn painting, Painting Sect's first disciple—his first.

  At Nanjiang's Tang Manor.

  Servants and guards knew Sima Qingshan; soon notified Tang Yimo.

  Tang Yimo, soaked in training gear, rushed from Dragon Gate.

  Saw Sima Qingshan sipping tea in the hall; laughed heartily.

  Big strides, bear hug.

  "Alive and back—good."

  Tang Yimo patted his shoulder.

  Returning unscathed from Beiluo was no small feat; Tang Yimo had visited once—terrifying place.

  Sima Qingshan coughed; Tang Yimo noticed the quiet girl beside.

  Eyes widened—Sima Qingshan外出一趟, brought back a wife?

  Cultured men—smooth.

  Guessing thoughts, Sima Qingshan introduced: "An Miaoyu, my disciple—Painting Sect's first."

  "Tang Yimo, Nanjun Southern Mansion Army Commander."

  Tang Yimo introduced himself first.

  Sat, poured tea, downed it.

  Glanced—Painting Sect?

  Sima Qingshan founding his own?

  "Went to Beiluo, got Young Master Lu's guidance. He said wander the world for unique insights. Though cultivation era now, all paths lead to longevity—Hundred Schools contention benefits progress."

  "So I founded Painting Sect, to contribute modestly, seek a small boat in chaotic cultivation currents."

  Sima Qingshan said.

  "Cultivators' Hundred Schools contention?"

  Tang Yimo pondered.

  "That one in Baiyujing—too unfathomable. Is Baiyujing truly just a pure cultivation force?"

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  Tang Yimo murmured.

  Sima Qingshan to him: "From capital, heard Xiliang and Daxuan campaign against Zhou. Thought Nanjun might act, came to help."

  Tang Yimo smiled: "Nanjun long withdrew from this campaign..."

  "Nanjun... unqualified."

  Words stunned Sima Qingshan; then understood.

  "Because allying with Southern Barbarians' 100,000 army annihilation?"

  Sima Qingshan asked.

  Tang Yimo nodded slightly, shook head.

  "Partly."

  "Also me. Compared to North Xuan King and Xiliang King, I'm far behind. Though Father trained me these three months... gap with those tyrants huge."

  "Barbarian issue lost Nanjun virtue—hard to face new nations."

  "Actually, Nanjun strong—Dao and Sword Pavilions here. In emergencies, invite them; top power no less than Xiliang or Daxuan."

  "But... lost virtue once."

  Tang Yimo sighed.

  "So Nanjun awaits this campaign's result."

  Sima Qingshan thoughtful.

  Admiring glance—Tang Yimo matured from hot-blooded youth.

  Tang Yimo strong but disliked fighting; fought to protect what mattered.

  Sima Qingshan smiled, joking: "As Nanjun's early cultivators, why not join the Hundred Schools contention?"

  "Your body cultivation opposite my painting—different directions, but collision interesting."

  "As future Nanjun ruler, don't you want control over cultivation jianghu?"

  "Master jianghu, stabilize court."

  Joke stunned Tang Yimo.

  Eyes brightened progressively.

  ...

  Beiluo, lake-heart isle.

  Lu in wheelchair; sloppy scholar Kong Nanfei with disciple Meng Haoran approached.

  Bowed to Lu.

  "You can check Western Mountain... the 'Trial Tower' may aid your cultivation."

  Lu leaned, to Kong Nanfei.

  "Western Mountain 'Trial Tower'?"

  Kong Nanfei stunned; twisted, saw cloud-piercing tower, inhaled deeply.

  "Try it. Your disciple... not yet. Wait for Qi Core ninth stage."

  Lu said.

  Meng Haoran's young face flushed red.

  Outside, envied genius.

  Before Lu... trash.

  Kong Nanfei's sloppiness—Lu thoughtful; inspired, carved his path. Narrow now, but could widen.

  "Reach Trial Tower fifth floor—gift something helpful for your noble spirit."

  Lu's words lit Kong Nanfei's eyes.

  Only awe for Lu.

  Enduring heaven's might, aura bending spines—terrifying.

  Believed Lu; no qualification to be deceived.

  Meng Haoran flushed, wanted to boast 18-strand Qi Core genius.

  But Lu ignored him.

  Kong Nanfei left.

  Dragging reluctant Meng Haoran, wave-walked to Western Mountain.

  Lu smiled.

  Thought; Thunder Surge Art activated, thunder arcs flickered—he vanished, reappeared on Baiyujing second-floor terrace.

  Snow falling.

  Lu held green plum, added peach petal, warmed plum wine.

  Eyes lines dancing, watched capital battle. Anti-Zhou war intrigued Lu.

  Might be fun.

  ...

  Xiliang and Daxuan armies at imperial capital gates.

  Inside, chaos; ministers trembled.

  Overlord's fame known.

  Mohist mechanism city breached—many died.

  If capital fell, Yuwen Xiu wouldn't surrender—ministers dragged down.

  Overlord enraged—they'd die.

  Capital rioted.

  Ministers packed, planned flee with refugees from storm center.

  But despair.

  Yuwen Xiu sealed gates.

  Nobles, officials locked in.

  Iron-clad Black Dragon Guards held gates.

  Tens of thousands elite Zhou soldiers waited silently behind, crowding main streets.

  Storm brewing urgency.

  Worse: imperial decree—fleeing ministers traitors, dungeon, family extermination.

  Several dragged by masked Black Dragons to cells.

  Ministers shivered silent.

  Chaos demands iron law; Yuwen Xiu's came.

  Oppression thickened; citizens angry but mute, powers held breath.

  Leaden clouds, heavy snow.

  Tension filled streets.

  Teahouse.

  Beauty Qianqian worried, angry...

  Black Dragon Guards seized able-bodied men for defense.

  Many resisted, but blades to necks, families' fearful eyes—yielded.

  Donned cold armor, gripped heavy weapons, gathered outside walls.

  Forced to fight.

  Black Dragons held families hostage—desert or defect, kin suffered.

  For families, armored up.

  Zijin Palace.

  Storm pressure; old eunuch inhaled deeply.

  Inevitable.

  Looked up; palace dark, no candles.

  Yuwen Xiu in war attire, golden armor gleaming in shadows.

  Stood before dragon throne, back to eunuch, pondering.

  Didn't go to walls.

  No oversight; stayed in palace, awaiting...

  Outside capital.

  Ten li.

  Earth quaked, snow-mud churned.

  Armies pressed; iron-blood aura like heat waves, whipping snow.

  Xiliang cavalry led; infantry, archers behind.

  Xu Chu horse-front; two forces flooded from directions, merged into tiger-wolf army, straight to ancient, time-worn capital.

  Overlord on chariot, three Xiliang steeds pulling.

  Behind, luxurious carriage; faint graceful shadow.

  Promised her picturesque empire—breaching capital, she witnessed.

  Xu Chu strode with spiked iron balls.

  "My King! Mission accomplished!"

  Voice like bell.

  Overlord laughed, hammered Xu Chu's arm.

  Trusted general; strongest cultivator under him.

  Xiang army commander, Qi Core peak.

  Blind trust.

  "Take Great Zhou capital, enter imperial city—Xiliang seizes world momentum."

  "Great Zhou tyrannical—topple!"

  "Xiliang rises!"

  Overlord declared.

  Xu Chu eyes flashed, gripped ball, roared like bear.

  Echoed through ranks; troops waved weapons, thundered.

  Waves crashed capital walls; Zhou elites atop paled.

  Xiliang cavalry—fierce tigers!

  War intent nearly crushed morale pre-battle.

  Overlord cold, eyed towering walls—higher, thicker than defenses, more troops.

  Fuller war machines.

  Even with him, no easy fight.

  Suddenly, senses stirred.

  Head turned north—smoke, earth tremor.

  Eyes flashed.

  Xu Chu warlike, looked north.

  "Roar!"

  "Roar!"

  Daxuan roared; fine armor, every step weapon swing, furious cries.

  Daxuan battled Xirong year-round—blood no less than Xiliang.

  Xiliang lions, Daxuan tigers.

  Encounter—momentum matched.

  "Here they come."

  Overlord lips curled.

  Xu Chu grinned, excited.

  "Daxuan—North Xuan King's forces!"

  Far.

  Jiang Li silver armor, silver spear, crimson steed like fire, led slowly.

  Saw Xiliang.

  Momentum like tidal waves; even battle-hardened Jiang Li eyes narrowed.

  Overlord's aura strong; Xiliang aggressive under it.

  Jiang Li inhaled; Soldier School heir, inherited Bai Fengtian's mantle.

  Couldn't lag in command.

  Soldier School among Hundred—had troop ways.

  Raised silver spear, spiritual energy roar—like stone in calm pond, rippled huge.

  Daxuan roared under guidance.

  Jiang Li rode; every li, spear wave, shout.

  Momentum twisted rope—stronger, stronger!

  Qi Core energy surged, breakthrough signs.

  Soldier path changed unexpectedly post-transformation.

  Like gathering myriad troops' power.

  Xiliang and Daxuan momentums clashed.

  Two new nations, armies met outside capital.

  Faint booms; snow slowed.

  On Great Zhou walls.

  Zhou elites' morale bottomed.

  Eyed black masses below, trembled.