Chapter 612: The National Religion, Great Ming Religion!

I am willing to stake my life against the heavens!

With his goal set, Zhong Tian looked at Zhong Shan eagerly, awaiting his father's command.

"Since you agree, it will be much easier. Regardless of success, we must try!" Zhong Shan said with certainty.

"Yes, Father, you make the arrangements," Zhong Tian responded earnestly.

"From today, the Great Yin Dynasty will establish a new institution—the National Religion! It will enlighten the populace and guide them towards both the dynasty and the faith. You shall be the head of this national religion," Zhong Shan declared firmly.

"Understood. From today, the Great Ming Temple will be renamed the 'Great Ming Religion,' under the Great Yin Dynasty, and will gather followers from all over the world!" Zhong Tian said with determination.

"The Great Ming Religion? That will work. With the support of the Great Yin Dynasty, the Great Ming Religion's collection of merits will be twice as effective with half the effort! Furthermore, its mission will be to spiritually and materially align the people with the Great Yin Dynasty," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Yes!" Zhong Tian affirmed.

"There is another benefit," Zhong Shan said with a gleam in his eye.

"Oh?"

"In the future, those with cultivation potential but without talent for leadership or governance will be sent to the Great Ming Religion for further training. There, they can grow by sparring with other experts. The Great Ming Religion will become a gathering place for the elite of the Great Yin Dynasty!" Zhong Shan said with a smile.

As the father and son continued to flesh out their vision, numerous policies and decisions were established. The framework of the Great Yin Dynasty grew ever larger and more complex, an unprecedented structure in history.

Their discussion lasted three days and three nights. Outside the hall, Wang Ku, Emperor Xuanyuan, Bei Qingsi, and others waited patiently. Although they didn't know what was being discussed, the nine thundering warnings from the heavens indicated something monumental.

"The path to cultivating destiny is a secret known only to you and me. The world is vast and unknown, with the Great Thousand World filled with powerful beings. We must ensure this remains confidential," Zhong Shan cautioned Zhong Tian once more.

"Rest assured, Father. This secret will remain with me," Zhong Tian affirmed.

"Good. However, the establishment of the National Religion must be done meticulously. We must consult the Clay Bodhisattva to determine the feng shui for its longevity," Zhong Shan said firmly.

"Understood!" Zhong Tian nodded.

After three days and three nights of intense discussion, the outcome left the waiting experts outside in shock. The higher their cultivation, the greater their astonishment at the nine heavenly warnings.

"Boom～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"

The doors suddenly opened, and Zhong Shan emerged with Zhong Tian, both appearing calm and composed, revealing nothing of their discussion.

Wang Ku and Emperor Xuanyuan looked at Zhong Shan with curiosity, amazed by the endless wonders he brought forth.

Bei Qingsi gazed at Zhong Shan with deep affection. As a newlywed, her attachment to him was profound, her eyes gradually welling with emotion.

"Your son, Zhong Tian, greets you, Mother!" Zhong Tian said respectfully.

"Yes," Bei Qingsi nodded.

Everyone bowed slightly.

"Emperor Xuanyuan, in a while, I will need you to accompany me to Tianlang Island to bring it here," Zhong Shan said.

"Understood," Emperor Xuanyuan nodded and then disappeared. Clearly, with Zhong Shan's emergence, his presence as a guard was no longer needed.

The others showed puzzled expressions. What did it mean to bring Tianlang Island here? They couldn't understand.

"Tian'er, go handle the matters of the Great Ming Religion," Zhong Shan instructed Zhong Tian.

"Yes!" Zhong Tian nodded.

With a clear plan, Zhong Tian worked much more efficiently.

"Wang Ku, take a rest for now. I will review the military situation and then assign your tasks," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!" Wang Ku bowed.

"As for us, let's return to the palace," Zhong Shan smiled at Bei Qingsi.

Five days later, in a palace in Guangling City.

Zhong Shan sat on the dragon throne, facing the main members of the Great Yin Dynasty.

The four legion commanders—Yi Yan, Shui Jing, Shui Wuhen, and Wang Ku—stood before him. Zhao Suoxiang was currently on Tianlang Island and could not attend the meeting.

Next to Zhong Shan stood Crown Prince Zhong Tian.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" everyone said respectfully.

"Yi Yan, what is the current situation?" Zhong Shan asked.

"To the south, we have the Ice-Sealed Empire; to the north, the Yongle Empire; to the east, the Great Cang Empire; and to the west, the Great Yuan Empire. All four empires have mobilized their armies. Our troops have already marched out, and battles might have already begun in some places," Yi Yan reported solemnly.

"Are there any particularly troublesome individuals among them?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"Most of the problematic figures are within our calculations. Although they are a bit troublesome, we can deal with them one by one. The only significantly difficult one is the commander of the Yongle Empire's army. We may need to use extraordinary measures," Yi Yan pondered.

"The Yongle Empire? Gu Xuan?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Gu Xuan's chief strategist, Fan Yipin, is the northern army's commander. His military tactics are highly refined, making him the most challenging opponent. However, Gu Xuan's ambition is too wild; he has extended his reach across two empires to interfere with us," Yi Yan explained.

"Gu Xuan? Haha, the former Four Crown Princes of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty. I didn't expect we'd clash eventually. But I trust you! Use any means necessary to fight. If he has two territories, take one from him to show him what it means to overreach," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Understood!" Yi Yan nodded.

"The Four Crown Princes of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, haha. Perhaps Fan Yipin in the north isn't the most troublesome," Shui Jing said, fanning himself and smiling.

"Oh?" Everyone looked at Shui Jing.

"Your Majesty, I received new intelligence today," Shui Jing said with a hint of excitement.

"Oh?"

"In the eastern part of Shenzhou, chaos has begun!" Shui Jing announced.

"The east? Are you saying the four empires of Dayong, Datang, Yongle, and Chunqiu have started warring?" Yi Yan asked, showing a trace of excitement.

"Exactly. Although it's hard to believe they would go to war so soon after establishing their empires, it is true. This means Fan Yipin in the north won't remain so calm!" Shui Jing explained.

"Good, these are all good news!" Zhong Shan nodded.

"Your Majesty, we are in the southern part of Shenzhou. The southern war involves four or five empires. The eastern part of Shenzhou is similarly embroiled in conflict. Although we haven't received news from the northern and western parts of Shenzhou due to the distance, they must be in turmoil as well, as you said. At this moment, war has spread to almost every corner of Shenzhou!" Shui Wuhen said with a hint of surprise.

"Chaos has arisen, so we must seize the moment and upgrade our empire to an imperial dynasty as soon as possible," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Yes!" everyone responded promptly.

"Tomorrow, you will head back to the front lines. Wang Ku, you will stay in Guangling City to oversee things. Keep an eye on major events, support the three legion commanders, and assist them if needed. Rescue them immediately if they are in danger!" Zhong Shan commanded.

"Yes!" the four legion commanders responded immediately.

"This is my son, Zhong Tian. He will lead the Great Ming Religion as its chief. The Great Ming Religion has numerous experts. If you need support, request experts from Tian'er. Also, engage in activities that generate merit for the Great Ming Religion to collect," Zhong Shan continued.

"Uh? Yes!" everyone was initially taken aback but quickly responded.

"Your Majesty, the relationship between the Great Ming Religion and the Great Yin Dynasty..." Yi Yan asked with a frown.

"The Great Ming Religion is the national religion of the Great Yin Dynasty and a part of our empire!" Zhong Shan affirmed.

"Understood!" Although they were puzzled, everyone nodded respectfully.

A national religion? What was that? The concept was confusing to them.

"I have arranged the political affairs of Qingzhou. I will now return to Tianlang Island to bring the Heavenly Palace here," Zhong Shan announced.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the members responded with excitement.

The Heavenly Palace? The Lingxiao Treasure Hall? No, it should be called the Lingxiao Longevity Hall! They couldn't believe it had been remodeled in just a few decades.

A palace above the nine heavens—such a structure was rare in the world. The Great Yin Dynasty would have a heavenly palace above the skies. Even without considering strength, this alone would make the dynasty unrivaled. Once the Great Yin Dynasty upgraded, it could rightfully claim the title of the greatest empire of all time.

The next day, everything proceeded according to Zhong Shan's plan.

Zhong Shan, Bei Qingsi, and Emperor Xuanyuan set off for Tianlang Island.

Tianlang Island, the surrounding sea:

It was common to see dragons swimming in the sea around Tianlang Island.

For decades, a Heavenly Extreme Realm expert had been closely watching Tianlang Island, unable to sleep peacefully.

This was Ao Sihai, the Dragon Clan's supreme leader.

Ao Sihai had been monitoring Tianlang Island for decades, never relaxing for a moment. Why? He was waiting for someone—Hao Meili.

Ao Sihai's rise to supreme leader was not only due to his strength but also his deep scheming. After his initial setback on Tianlang Island, he refrained from entering the island again. Instead, he gathered all the dragons who knew Hao Meili, confirming her restless nature. She couldn't stay in one place for long, and Ao Sihai was sure she would leave Tianlang Island sooner or later.

When that happened, Ao Sihai planned to capture Hao Meili and force her to reveal the stolen imperial seal.

And so, Ao Sihai waited for decades. This cunning old fox was starting to lose his sanity.

How could it be? Why hadn't Hao Meili appeared yet?

Decades of constant vigilance were taking a toll on him, even with his Heavenly Extreme Realm cultivation. He deployed many dragons to keep watch while he returned to rest.

As soon as Hao Meili appeared, they were to notify him immediately.

But Hao Meili had already gone to the netherworld. Could Ao Sihai still catch her?