Chapter 511: The Era of the Dazhen Dynasty

Han Jiguang pondered for a moment.

"Father, I am willing to lead the army to pacify the chaotic region," the Second Prince suddenly offered.

"What do you all think?" Han Jiguang asked his ministers.

"Your Majesty, I support the princes' proposal. Although the Grand Light Empire was destroyed, our core strength remains intact. Now that we have advanced to an imperial dynasty, we only need to consolidate our current territory, which will take about two years. If the prince leads the army to the chaotic region now, by the time the consolidation is complete, the Grand Light Imperial Dynasty will be ready to launch a full-scale attack on the chaotic region and take it in one decisive strike," one minister advised.

"I agree!"

"So do I!"

All the ministers voiced their support, advocating for an attack on the chaotic region. After all, with the strength of an imperial dynasty, defeating a kingdom should not be difficult.

"Your Majesty, there is another advantage to attacking the chaotic region now," the minister added.

"Oh?" Han Jiguang asked, intrigued.

"Currently, few people know that the Grand Light Imperial Dynasty is the successor of the Grand Light Empire. The eight dynasties in the chaotic region won't be concerned. However, given time, they might realize it. If we attack later, and they form an alliance, even if we conquer the chaotic region, we would be severely weakened. So, it's best to attack now," the minister explained.

Han Jiguang nodded in agreement.

"Han Wei, step forward!" Han Jiguang commanded.

"I am here!" the Second Prince responded eagerly.

"I appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Southern Campaign, leading three million troops from the left three routes of the Grand Light Imperial Dynasty to conquer the chaotic region!" Han Jiguang declared.

"Yes!" Han Wei shouted excitedly.

The Ice Soul Divine Sword obtained from the Netherworld Heaven had been consumed by the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail years ago. The residual energy had permeated Zhong Shan's body, allowing his cultivation to break through to the third layer of the Royal Extreme Realm. Although the progress wasn't significant, the energy required at higher levels was immense. Achieving a breakthrough with just one sword was more than satisfactory for Zhong Shan.

In the chaotic region, Zhong Shan's shadow body sat cross-legged in the main hall of Guangling City, where the army was assembled. The six corps commanders waited outside the hall.

While the shadow body sat, consolidating the cultivation level achieved by the main body, an extraordinary transformation occurred due to the shadow body's cultivation technique, the Ten Thousand Shadows Celestial Scripture.

The Ten Thousand Shadows Celestial Scripture had broken through to the ninth layer, doubling the number of shadow clones Zhong Shan could create. This was the first notable change. The second change, however, was a rare transformation mentioned in the scripture—occurring only once in a million practitioners who reached the ninth layer.

The transformation happened in the eyes. Zhong Shan felt a cool energy in his pupils, although he couldn't activate it yet. This cool energy signified the beginning of the transformation. Once it matured, it would grant the shadow body an incredibly powerful ability.

The Eyes of Reincarnation!

The name of this transformation was the Eyes of Reincarnation.

The Eyes of Reincarnation? The Ten Thousand Shadows Celestial Scripture only briefly mentioned this, indicating that Zhong Shan would have to discover its powers on his own. The name suggested immense power. Among all the techniques Zhong Shan had encountered in the Divine Continent, none had involved reincarnation.

The Ten Thousand Shadows Celestial Scripture and the Red Luan Celestial Scripture are both twelve-layer cultivation techniques.

The Ten Thousand Shadows Celestial Scripture advanced rapidly due to the unique constitution of the shadow body. As for the Red Luan Celestial Scripture, Zhong Shan progressed through it steadily.

The Red Luan Celestial Scripture had just reached the sixth layer, and its formidable abilities might even make those at the Celestial Extreme Realm envious. Zhong Shan was still unsure of the powers the remaining six layers would unlock.

He pondered the significance of these "Celestial Scriptures," as no other cultivation techniques in the Divine Continent were named so. What deeper meaning did they hold? Moreover, why had Mud Buddha once wanted to destroy the Ten Thousand Shadows Celestial Scripture? Was it merely to fulfill an ancestral promise?

Zhong Shan's suspicions deepened, but these were things he had to discover on his own. He could not ask anyone, no matter how close they were, just as he couldn't mention the red bead that had accompanied him through his journey.

Feeling the energy within his shadow clones, Zhong Shan stood up and walked to the grand hall's entrance. With a wave of his hand, the doors swung open.

"Clang~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

As the doors opened, a deafening roar of voices surged in from outside.

"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"

"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"

The sound was like a tidal wave, filling Guangling City with the soldiers' cries of loyalty.

The palace where Zhong Shan stood was slightly elevated, and below, on the platform, stood the six commanders of the Dazhen Dynasty.

Farther away, elite soldiers carried six large flags.

Lin, Wei, Yi, Corpse, Shui, and Shui!

The six grand banners were held by various individuals.

Lin, Wei, Yi, and Shui were relatively normal, but the banner for Mr. Corpse was held by a group of skeletons, with a golden skeleton raising the massive banner, looking both eerie and bizarre.

"The Dazhen Dynasty now embarks on its campaign to conquer the world. The six corps shall fully capture the chaotic regions, expanding the territory of the Dazhen Dynasty!" Zhong Shan proclaimed.

"Yes!" the six commanders responded in unison.

Among them, Wei Yinglan looked at Zhong Shan with the most admiration. Last night, Zhong Shan had summoned her privately and given her a hundred immortal beans.

A hundred Royal Extreme Realm experts. Although the upcoming battle wouldn't be particularly dangerous, it was clear that her great-uncle cared deeply for her.

Yinglan clenched her fists, determined not to disappoint her great-uncle. This battle would be a decisive victory. She looked at Zhong Shan with resolve and a touch of softness in her eyes.

Apart from Yinglan, Zhong Shan had also summoned Lin Xiao and Yi Yan privately.

Lin Xiao and Yi Yan were in charge of the flanks on either side of Yinglan's forces. Zhong Shan had given them strict instructions to protect Yinglan on the battlefield. They understood and nodded.

Zhong Shan had always been very protective of Yinglan, pampering her from childhood. Even when he allowed her to take charge independently, he secretly dispatched guards to follow her.

Ba'er once said that Yinglan was Zhong Shan's lifeblood, and it wasn't an exaggeration. Yinglan resembled Zhong Shan's first wife, Kui'er, whom he loved deeply. Thus, he cherished Yinglan, Kui'er's grandniece, immensely. Whatever he couldn't give Kui'er, he tried to provide for Yinglan. He would find and give her anything she desired.

Yinglan wanted to lead troops, so Zhong Shan fulfilled her wish, providing her with the strongest battle formation, the "Eight Gates Golden Lock." She wanted to go to war, and Zhong Shan supported her, having the two commanders assist her strategically. He also gave her the immortal beans for creating soldiers and sent elite shadow guards for protection. It was a comprehensive safeguard.

"There shouldn't be any problems," Zhong Shan thought to himself, looking towards Yinglan.

"Move out!" Zhong Shan commanded.

"Roar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"

Countless soldiers roared, their voices shaking the heavens.

The era of the Dazhen Dynasty had arrived!

With this battle, Zhong Shan aimed to establish the Dazhen Dynasty's position on the Divine Continent. He wanted the name of Dazhen Dynasty to resound throughout the world. Zhong Shan had returned!

The six corps commanders led their troops out.

Lin Xiao led 200,000 troops to the northwest.Wei Yinglan led 200,000 troops to the north.Yi Yan led 200,000 troops to the northeast.Mr. Corpse led twenty skeleton soldiers to the south.Shui Wuhen led 200,000 troops to the east.Shui Jing led 200,000 troops to the west.

From Guangling City, they marched in all directions. Of course, these were general directions, and specifics would need to adjust continuously during the war.

As the large army set out, the chaotic region received two declarations of war.

The first came from a power to the north of the chaotic region called the Grand Light Imperial Dynasty. Only the northernmost dynasty received this declaration first.

The Emperor of the northernmost Supreme Imperial Dynasty sneered coldly at the declaration. Did outsiders dare to encroach on the chaotic region?

The chaotic region's eight dynasties were not to be trifled with. They were forged through continuous warfare, their soldiers incredibly fierce. Any one of the chaotic region's dynasties could match two or three outside dynasties.

An outside dynasty attempting to invade the chaotic region? History had seen many such attempts, but all had failed. The Supreme Imperial Dynasty's emperor dismissed it as a joke and only sent scouts to investigate.

Then came an even more shocking revelation.

The very center of the chaotic region had been occupied by a new dynasty? The eight dynasties had never touched the center for fear of becoming a common target, but now a new dynasty had taken root there? And apparently, it had been there for many years?

This news enraged the royal families of the eight dynasties. This new dynasty, the Dazhen Dynasty, dared to provoke not just the eight dynasties but nearly a hundred kingdoms?

What audacity! What a joke!

Did the chaotic region become a cake that anyone could take a bite of?

One versus eight? And against such fierce dynasties? Was the Dazhen Emperor out of his mind?

Yet, the daily reports began to make the emperors take this more seriously.

It seemed that the Dazhen Dynasty had simultaneously issued declarations of war across the chaotic region. No matter how far the scouts traveled, the declarations were delivered at the same time.

It became apparent that the Dazhen Emperor had long prepared for this.

The chaotic region was entering a period of turmoil.

"The Dazhen Dynasty is attacking all eight dynasties and numerous kingdoms simultaneously and has been lurking for over ten years. This Dazhen Dynasty is no ordinary force. Gather information on the Dazhen Dynasty immediately, including details on its commanders!" ordered one emperor.

This wasn't the only emperor reacting this way. The declaration had caused a huge stir, prompting all emperors to quickly issue similar orders.