NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: The Fall of the Grand Dream Dynasty
Three days later, news arrived from the border battlefield:
The Grand Dream Dynasty's Emperor Xiao Tianding and his army of over a million elite soldiers had been utterly annihilated under the iron hooves of the Jiang Dynasty.
This victory was credited to Prime Minister Zuo Xiang, who led the army personally, with support from Grand Marshal Tie Poyun.
The pivotal moment came when three golden-armored warriors, wielding Dragon-Slaying Swords, entered the battlefield. Like gods of war, they crushed everything in their path. It was said that Emperor Xiao Tianding himself was struck by three successive sword attacks, each piercing his chest, and finally, one of them decapitated him, leaving his body in pieces.
Five days later, Jiang HuanYu's system announced:
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! The Jiang Dynasty's Prestige Value has increased by 500 points. Current Prestige Value: 1820 points.]
[Reward package has been delivered.]
Jiang HuanYu's Victory and Xiao Qingli's Frustration
In the imperial palace, Jiang HuanYu sat comfortably in his quarters, basking in his triumph.
However, Xiao Qingli, enraged beyond reason, kicked him forcefully.
"Don't touch me! You scoundrel! You disgusting wretch! Get away from me!"
She retreated frantically, furiously wiping her lips as if trying to erase some vile memory. Her face was filled with disgust and humiliation as she glared at Jiang HuanYu.
For days, she had endured his teasing and harassment. Although only a few days had passed, to Xiao Qingli, it felt like an eternity of torment.
"You're a beast!" she spat, her voice trembling with anger.
Jiang HuanYu, unbothered by her outburst, licked his lips and smiled.
"Ah, my dear consort, your struggle only makes me more intrigued."
"You vile beast!" Xiao Qingli screamed.
"Touch me again, and I'll self-destruct, taking you with me!"
Surprisingly, Jiang HuanYu stopped teasing her and sat down calmly.
System Reward Activation
Ignoring Xiao Qingli's threats, Jiang HuanYu issued a command:
"System, open the reward package."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received the following rewards:]
2,000 Years of Cultivation
Nine Nether Heart x1
Heaven Law Pills x30
Grade-4 Enlightenment Pills x10
Grade-5 Enlightenment Pills x5
Shadow Guards x10
Golden Armor Guards x10
Rapid Breakthrough
As soon as the rewards were distributed, Jiang HuanYu's cultivation surged.
Heavenly Realm Second Heaven…
Third Heaven…
Fourth Heaven…
Fifth Heaven!
His aura stabilized at the peak of the Fifth Heaven, exuding overwhelming power.
Xiao Qingli, witnessing this transformation, was left utterly stunned.
In just moments, Jiang HuanYu had ascended from the First Heaven to the Fifth Heaven. Such rapid progress was beyond anything she had ever seen.
Xiao Qingli's Speculations
"Could he be a hidden powerhouse?" she thought, her heart racing.
"Maybe his cultivation was sealed, and now that the seal is breaking, his power is returning?"
"Yes, that must be it!"
"That would explain how he saw through my past as the Nine Nether Empress. His true identity must be extraordinary!"
From her corner, Xiao Qingli stared at Jiang HuanYu, her mind swirling with questions and unease.
Jiang HuanYu's Plans and Summons
Unaware of Xiao Qingli's thoughts, Jiang HuanYu reveled in his newfound strength.
"I'm only at the Fifth Heaven, yet I feel like my combat strength far surpasses this realm. Even General Feipeng wouldn't be my match now."
Satisfied, Jiang HuanYu turned his attention to the pills in his hand.
[Heaven Law Pills: Allow cultivators at the Soul Realm to break through to the Earth Realm without side effects.**
[Grade-4 Enlightenment Pills: Help Earth Realm cultivators advance to the peak of their realm.**
[Grade-5 Enlightenment Pills: Allow peak Earth Realm cultivators to break through to the Heavenly Realm.**
"These will help me raise an army of elite cultivators," Jiang HuanYu mused.
"With 30 Heaven Law Pills, I can create 30 Earth Realm warriors. Ten Grade-4 pills and six Grade-5 pills will produce a dozen top-tier Earth Realm experts and six Heavenly Realm powerhouses."
After storing the pills away, Jiang HuanYu summoned the Shadow Guards and Golden Armor Guards.
Introduction of the Guards
In an instant, 20 figures materialized silently within the room.
"Greetings, Master!" they said in unison, kneeling before Jiang HuanYu.
Xiao Qingli gasped, her body pressing against the wall in shock.
The guards had appeared without a sound, and their collective aura was terrifying. She quickly realized they were all at the Earth Realm, a revelation that left her heart pounding.
Xiao Qingli's Doubts Deepen
"This man…" she thought, her gaze fixated on Jiang HuanYu.
"How can he summon so many Earth Realm powerhouses at will? Who is he, really?!"
Her wariness toward Jiang HuanYu grew stronger, even as she struggled to understand the full extent of his power.