"System, open my detailed information!"
In the royal palace's sleeping quarters of the great Han city of Chang'an, observing several golden pillars of light piercing the heavens outside the window, like a divine tree supporting the vast firmament.
After a few breaths, the golden light dissipated. Listening to the dense information in their minds, all the ancient heroes had made significant progress. Especially those like Wang Yue, who had reached the fifth level of Tongtian, now stepping into the legendary realm of Creation!
Nearly half a year of effort, from the Dynasty War to the current human race's joint resistance against the ancient wilderness. The Great Han's forces, baptized by blood, annihilated all the ancient wilderness demonic beasts that invaded human lands in the southwest, and the Great Han subsequently unified the southwest region, completing the main mission issued by the system.
The Fortune Nine Cauldrons were upgraded to level eight. Yang Hao also utilized faith points to traverse three great realms, directly entering Tongtian. The advancement through these three realms brought a small boost of six minor realms to all the ancient heroes!
"Ding!"
"Lord of the Samsara Xuanhuang Pagoda: Yang Hao."
"Cultivation: Tongtian First Level!"
"Cultivation Technique: Universal Azure Emperor Scripture."
"Faith Points: Zero, Killing Points: Twenty Million, Samsara Power: Five Hundred Thousand."
"Summoned Heroes: Fusion Heaven Realm Seventh Level: Zhu Sheng, Wu Yong, Cheng Yaojin, Wan Mizhai (Eighth Grade Alchemist), Bao Zheng, Yuwen Kai, Wei Zhongxian, Di Renjie!"
"Tongtian Seventh Level: Liao Hua, Zhou Yuji, Gao Shun, Jing Ke, Mao Xiang, Zhang Jiao, Changsun Wuji, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling!"
"Tongtian Ninth Level: Cheng Yaojin, Lu Kang, Shan Xiongxin, Zhang Han, Yuan Tiangang, Qi Jiguang, Meng Tian, Yu Chi Gong, Shi Wansui, Yao Li, Wang Baobao, Li Si, Lu Junyi, Sun Simiao (Ninth Grade Alchemist)!"
"Creation Realm First Level: Han Qin Hu, Qin Qiong, Chen Tang, Gan Ning, Ying Bu, Li Wenzhong, Li Bai, Ji Youyu, Xu Huang, Zhou Tai, Gongsun Zan, Zhang Liao, Gao Ying, Cen Peng, Wang Yue, Fu Hao, Hua Mulan!"
"Ding! Main mission completed, reward received: Two thousand-year-old hero summons!"
"Ding! Side mission: Fortune Nine Cauldrons upgraded to level eight (Achieved!), the Great Han Dynasty can be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty. The host shall be the Lord of the Human Emperor over the human lands of the southwest region!"
"Ding! Successful reward: One thousand-year-old hero summon!"
The traversal of three great realms allowed Yang Hao and all the ancient heroes to experience a significant increase in their cultivation realms!
"Alas!"
Yang Hao looked at the detailed panel, a frown creasing his brow, his expression grim. Half a year had passed since the end of the Imperial Dynasty's secret treasure, yet there was no news of Xu Chu, and the Imperial Palace was nowhere to be found!
Every time he asked the system, it would coldly reply that Xu Chu was still alive, but anything else was unknown!
The reason the ancient wilderness demonic beasts obstinately attacked the human lands was also a great mystery, all pointing towards that long-collapsed Imperial Dynasty!
This might have an inseparable connection with the founder of that Imperial Dynasty—Emperor Wu!
Yang Hao sighed, looking out the window. Suddenly, he thought of something and softly called out towards the hall.
"Wei Zhongxian!"
"Your humble servant is here!"
Wei Zhongxian, who had been guarding outside the palace doors, hurried into the great hall and bowed respectfully to Yang Hao. Wei Zhongxian's current cultivation had already reached the seventh level of the Fusion Heaven Realm. In the past, such a figure would have been a cornerstone of a dynasty's protection!
"Summon Prime Minister Li Si and Minister of Rites Bao Zheng to come and see me!"
"Yes!"
The Fortune Nine Cauldrons had reached level eight. It was time for the Great Han Dynasty to be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty. The side mission still offered one more thousand-year-old hero summon opportunity. The Human King Tablet and the Xuanyuan Sword were now at their peak by absorbing faith points. Only by being promoted to an Imperial Dynasty would these two treasures further increase in level!
As for the Bixi tortoise that inscribed the tablet, it had reached the Tongtian realm through several backlash incidents from the Human King Tablet absorbing faith points. This was also a deserved reward for its efforts in inscribing the tablet.
Yang Hao spread out the memorials on the table, meticulously examining the affairs of the newly occupied territories, especially Tianyue Province and Great Yan Province. In these two provinces, the human race was almost extinct, and their recovery would require time. Not long after, Li Si and Bao Zheng arrived at the hall.
"Your subject Li Si, Bao Zheng, pay respects to Your King!"
"May Your King live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand thousand years!"
"Rise!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The two kowtowed and rose, then stepped aside, lowering their heads slightly.
"Li Si!"
"Bao Zheng!"
Yang Hao looked at the two and slowly said, "The Great Han army marched on four fronts, annihilating the ancient wilderness demonic beast army in one battle, and vast territories spanning billions of miles have now fallen under my Great Han's dominion!"
"Regarding the implementation of these policies and the recovery of local livelihoods, Li Si, you shall lead all departments. Proceed step by step, and do not be hasty!"
"Furthermore!"
"The Great Han Dynasty has unified the southwest region. It is time to be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty!"
"Your Majesty!"
Li Si and Bao Zheng instantly looked up, their faces filled with excitement. The Great Han had grown stronger step by step, and finally, the day of promotion to an Imperial Dynasty had arrived.
"You two shall plan carefully and draft a charter as soon as possible. If there is nothing else, you may withdraw and handle it promptly!"
Yang Hao waved his hand. The two acknowledged the order, kowtowed, and slowly withdrew from the great hall.
...
"Is this the Great Han's Chang'an?"
Ten miles outside the east gate of Chang'an city, Empress Weiyang stepped out of her war chariot and gazed towards the Great Han's Chang'an city.
She was no longer clad in imperial robes, her imperial sword shaking the heavens, but instead wore a snow-white long dress, her regal aura completely withdrawn.
She looked into the distance and saw that Chang'an city was surrounded by mountains and forests, with various military facilities such as gates and watchtowers visible everywhere, tightly integrated, like a military fortress!
In the void, strands of regal might surveyed the world!
Occasionally, golden five-clawed dragons, tens of thousands of feet long, leaped joyfully in the void. At this moment, Chang'an city was like a giant heart, nourishing the vital energy required by the entire southwest region.
Between these gates, watchtowers, and other military facilities, were strands of Qi from the Guiyuan realm.
"Hmm?"
At this moment, Empress Weiyang, Fan Lingyue, her expression suddenly changed drastically. She felt as if several auras from within Chang'an city had instantly locked onto her. In an instant, it was as if thousands of divine mountains were pressing down, and her entire body seemed to have lost control.
However, after just one breath, the oppressive pressure that made Empress Weiyang, Fan Lingyue, suffocated, suddenly dissipated, and everything returned to normal.
"Great Han!"
Empress Weiyang, Fan Lingyue's forehead was covered in cold sweat. Looking at Chang'an city ten miles away, her tense expression gradually eased, and a slight smile began to bloom!
What Zhou Yuji said was correct. The Great Han's foundation was unfathomable!
However, these few terrifying auras just now, with the slightest exertion, could have shattered her completely.
"Empress Weiyang, please!"
Zhou Yuji dismounted and extended his hand forward.
Empress Weiyang, Fan Lingyue, recovered her senses. The two then walked on foot towards the center of the Great Han—Chang'an city!