The Da Yu Dynasty

"Young Master, I've heard that many people have already gathered at the outskirts of the Ancient Forbidden Land, eager to witness the former emperor of the Da Zhou Dynasty wielding the Imperial Weapon to break through the forbidden grounds."

Four figures stood on the back of the mighty flood dragon. The man was extraordinarily handsome, and each of the women possessed a unique, stunning beauty of her own.

Chu Xinyue, the Holy Maiden of the Wan Dao Sacred Land, naturally knew what her sect master had been observing recently. Even if she didn't know the exact details, she could easily guess. Not just her sect, but many other sacred land lords and palace masters from both the Eastern Wasteland and Central State had been secretly watching the Ancient Forbidden Land over the past few days.

After all, it had been a long time since anyone at the half-step Human Emperor Realm had attempted to enter the forbidden grounds. What made this instance even more significant was that the former emperor was wielding an Imperial Weapon.

Every Imperial Weapon was a treasure that suppressed and safeguarded the foundation of a sacred land or sect, rarely brought out unless in dire circumstances. The sacred lands and sects that possessed such weapons had once produced Human Emperor-level experts, for only those who had reached the Human Emperor Realm could use their life force to nurture such treasures and turn them into Imperial Weapons.

The Da Zhou Dynasty had indeed produced Human Emperor in the past, and not just one. Thus, they had the qualifications to wield an Imperial Weapon.

However, even though the Da Zhou Dynasty had the right to use an Imperial Weapon, it didn't mean they used it often.

Thus, the news that the former emperor of Da Zhou was wielding the Sovereign Cauldron in an attempt to enter the Ancient Forbidden Land and seize a supreme medicine had caused an immense stir across the Eastern Wasteland.

"Do you think your former emperor will succeed in entering the forbidden grounds?" Chu Xinyue asked curiously, glancing at Ji Lingxian, who was disguised as a man. Many people were curious about this, and she was no exception.

"I… I don't know," Ji Lingxian replied, her face full of worry. Her grandfather might be carrying the Sovereign Cauldron, but his vitality had greatly diminished with age. She wasn't sure if he had the strength to succeed.

Chu Xinyue assumed Ji Lingxian didn't know the answer and turned her attention to teasing Qing Yao, who wore a cold expression. Her eyes gleamed with amusement—what exactly did the Young Master see in Qing Yao?

"Qing Yao, why do you always have such a stern face?" Chu Xinyue leaned in close to Qing Yao's face, playfully exhaling a soft breath.

But Qing Yao didn't respond, merely turning her face away.

"Qing Yao, has your Immortal Physique been awakening recently?" Qin Tian asked calmly, glancing at the woman he had forcefully taken into his service.

In recent days, Qing Yao had quietly focused on her cultivation. Qin Tian highly valued her Immortal Physique, though hers was one of the lower-tier versions of the Immortal Physique.

Still, Qin Tian knew how to enhance Qing Yao's Immortal Physique, though he wasn't ready to reveal that to her yet. He planned to wait until she was completely obedient before making his move.

Eventually, having a maid with an Immortal Physique by his side meant he wouldn't need to fight in battles himself.

Qing Yao glanced at the man who had forced her into servitude. Her face softened slightly as she nodded, indicating that her Immortal Physique was gradually awakening.

"Make sure to diligently cultivate the technique I gave you," Qin Tian instructed.

Qing Yao nodded again, her thoughts unreadable.

Her feelings toward Qin Tian were complicated. Although he had taken her by force, she had initially believed her purity would be lost. But to her surprise, Qin Tian had never touched her. Instead, he had given her rare cultivation techniques, spiritual tools, and precious cultivation resources.

Qin Tian was clear in his intentions. He had not come to the lower realm simply to kill the protagonist of destiny. He also aimed to recruit those who were obedient and possessed great fortune or extraordinary talent.

Of course, loyalty was a prerequisite. Anyone who wasn't loyal would be killed without hesitation.

"Who goes there?" A sudden voice rang out.

Nine black flood dragons pulled a massive palace behind Qin Tian and his group. The palace gleamed with golden light, majestic and imposing, blotting out the sky.

Around the palace stood rows of soldiers clad in black armor, each one radiating a powerful aura. From their presence, it was clear that each soldier was at least at the Origin Realm.

This was an elite army, hardened by battle, their bodies stained with the blood of their enemies.

"Who are you, great seniors?" A man in dark red armor stood atop the palace, his gaze wary as he looked at the flood dragon before them.

The aura of Qin Tian's flood dragon had disturbed the nine black flood dragons pulling the palace, causing them to growl and tremble. Gu Xuan, realizing the flood dragon ahead was far more powerful than theirs, approached cautiously.

The black flood dragons of the Black Flood Dragon Army were only part-blooded, bearing traces of dragon lineage, yet each had reached the peak of the Origin Realm. Normally, they would make lesser beasts cower in fear. But now, they were cowed by the overwhelming presence of the flood dragon before them.

Had it not been for their rigorous training, the black flood dragons might have collapsed.

"We are the Black Flood Dragon Army of the Da Yu Dynasty. May I ask who the seniors are?" Gu Xuan cupped his fists respectfully, aware that anyone capable of taming such a powerful flood dragon must be a terrifying figure, perhaps even a Grand void Realm expert.

He knew better than to offend such a person over something trivial.

"The Black Flood Dragon Army of the Da Yu Dynasty?" Ji Lingxian was surprised as she looked toward the palace. The Black Flood Dragon Army was a renowned force in Zhongzhou, known for their ruthless efficiency, often wiping out entire cities. They were commanded by the crown prince of the Da Yu Dynasty, one of the top prodigies of Zhongzhou.

Zhongzhou wasn't just home to the Da Zhou and Da Xia Dynasties. There were many other ancient dynasties, each of which was a top-tier power in the Qingyun Realm, having produced Human Emperor .

"Pay them no mind. Let's go," Qin Tian said indifferently, glancing briefly at the group. The strongest among them was merely a Grand void Realm minister, likely protecting the young man in the five-clawed golden dragon robe.

But Qin Tian had no interest in them. The Da Yu Dynasty was nothing special in his eyes.

Suddenly, a voice called out.

"Is Princess Ji Lingxian of Da Zhou among you?"

At the center of the palace stood a young man clad in a five-clawed golden dragon robe. His gaze was playful as he looked at their group.

Ji Lingxian, the princess of Da Zhou, had once been the shining star of Zhongzhou, a divine maiden of unparalleled nobility.

But that was in the past. Now, the Da Zhou Dynasty was on the brink of collapse, its future uncertain.

Naturally, in the eyes of some, Ji Lingxian was no longer the gem of Zhong zhou.

The turmoil within the Da Zhou Dynasty was no secret to the top powers, and many of them were eager to watch from the sidelines, hoping to take advantage of the dynasty's decline.