Chaotic World Book

November in Puyang.

Wang Zhaoqing had been besieging the city for more than three months, from the peak of autumn, when the horse was plump, to the first snowfall, which then grew heavier, until today it was almost as thick as goose feathers.

It was deep winter in November.

Wang Zhaoqing looked up at the snowflakes above and then around at his soldiers, each of them rubbing their hands around the braziers. Seeing him look their way, they all shrank back their gaze.

Such snowy weather was not suitable for fighting, let alone besieging a city. Not to mention besieging, just setting up camp alone was a struggle – they labored in the snow, while those in the city were sheltered from the wind and snow, comfortable. This standoff was not equal at all.

Previously, when the barbarians from the north came in winter, they would generally retreat. Could they retreat?

Being called a rebellion, trapped under a mere city for more than three months without achieving anything, retreating disgracefully in the snow—truly a joke to the world.

Even Maitreya Sect achieved a more remarkable presence. The Wang Family, an aristocratic family for a thousand years, is this all?

Truly in a dilemma.

But Wang Zhaoqing had no choice...

In terms of military strength, they were mightier than the Cui Family, always preparing for rebellion, unlike the Cui Family's regular operations. Moreover, their troops were generally more formidable, many of the soldiers had been subtly transformed by the Yin Qi of the Sea Race. On paper, they should have been pushing forward, but in reality, the defenders always had the advantage in a siege, and Cui Yuanyong, being a seasoned warrior from the battlefield, left him no advantage.

And also, there was a particularly frustrating special force in the city, only a few thousand in number, but each one was like a mini Zhao Changhe, charging and rambling on the battlefield with red eyes like a herd of insane, burning bulls. In front of them, his army didn't look like formations but rather a bunch of shiny ingots. Each time they sallied out to break the lines, this group sent them into disarray, growing stronger each time, claiming war could level them up.

Who understands what it feels like to face thousands of Zhao Changhes on the battlefield? Especially the leader, Xue Canghai – wasn't he supposed to be a disgrace as a fighter who had been defeated in his class? How come his strength felt almost as if he had reached the level of the Earth List?

In terms of finance, food, and equipment, the Cui Family was no less robust than the Wang Family. The Wang Family, through maritime trade, might have been somewhat wealthier, but that wasn't enough to crush people to death.

Not to mention, the city had been pouring boiling oil for three months and still had reserves; it was almost as if underneath Puyang City, oil could be produced directly. Let alone boiling oil, there was also boiling excrement, not only enormously insulting but also absurdly harmful – one infection meant death, bringing plague. Disgustingly, this fertilizer-like strategic material seemed infinite, as if everyone in Puyang City did nothing but defecate five times a day.

The first sight of buying excrement in bulk from other regions—what had turned Cui Yuanyong from a refined gentleman into this...

In terms of powerful figures, the Wang Family had numerous guest elders from the Earth List and Human List but so did the Cui Family. Moreover, siblings Cui Yuanyong and Cui Yuanyang were powerful in their own right, making it very difficult to storm the front or assassinate.

Regarding the top fighting power… Wang Zhaoqing bitterly smiled to himself.

His father had been severely injured along with Cui Wenjing, the injuries relatively lighter, and he had been expected to recover quickly to join the battle, but the first thing he did after recovering was head to the sea.

Wang Zhaoqing understood, going directly to the battlefield might have triggered an unknown reaction from Xia Longyuan, perhaps better to attempt a flanking maneuver via the sea. Hai Pinglan driving a wedge, of course, Wang Daoning knew it; it was one of the plans in collaboration with Hai Pinglan to wear down Xia Longyuan. Acting on the sea wasn't less crucial than fighting in Puyang.

But then, Wang Daoning got beaten back by Xuanwu of the Four Symbols Sect and not just beaten back but also made a public announcement about it!

Wang Zhaoqing always felt that the Cui Family inside Puyang City was laughing uproariously, even causing his own soldiers to start darting their gazes nervously.

Regarding strategy to outflank, he used to anticipate cooperation from Wan Tianxiong in the south, but after the incident with Xuanwu fighting Wang Daoning was announced, Vermilion Bird didn't care who was right or wrong. It changed faces faster than flipping a book—arguing that "my Xuanwu must be right, surely it was Wang Daoning bullying my Xuanwu," and the alliance was blown.

Don't expect cooperation from Wan Tianxiong this time—be glad if he doesn't turn against you.

How could they continue this war?

It seemed hardly connected with Xia Longyuan anymore; even if Xia Longyuan died now, the situation ahead felt like a quagmire, hard to navigate.

Wang Zhaoqing didn't even understand how it had come to this. His father had planned for so long; was it all just dependent on cooperation between the Four Symbols Sect and the barbarians, solely relying on the Sea God? With the Sea God gone, was there truly no fallback plan?

Recently, his uncle Wang Daozhong was also here assisting in the siege without much success, and he had gone back a few days ago to consult their father about what could still be done.

Wang Zhaoqing looked at the heavy snow filling the sky, thinking that they must endure until news from his father arrived; he couldn't believe his father only had this much up his sleeve, really just hoping for the so-called Sea God?

If he wasn't mistaken, his father had had other plans for the Sea Race from the beginning...

"Strengthen the defenses! Beware of a night raid from the city amidst the snow!" Wang Zhaoqing commanded loudly: "What is this military appearance? Father hasn't ordered a retreat, indicating there must be a backup plan. The plans of the Heavenly List are not for you to guess. Just defend the camp well!"

The soldiers had responded in a sparse and desultory manner, had they gone from being attackers to just "holding the fort"? Were they still contemplating strategies from the Heavenly List, after being beaten back by Xuanwu's punch?

...

Langya Wang Family.

Wang Daoning sat cross-legged at the top of a high tower, gazing into the distance at the sea.

The snow floated down like cotton, and the landscape was a pure white. The distant coast, usually visible, was now assimilated into a silver expanse, almost indistinguishable from the sea.

Footsteps sounded up the tower behind him, and his brother's voice came, "How are your injuries, elder brother?"

Wang Daoning slowly said, "It wasn't a direct hit from Xuanwu, most of the force was deflected. The injury wasn't severe, and I've recuperated over these days."

Wang Daozhong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then immediately said angrily, "What's the deal with the Four Symbols Sect? They talk about alliance, alliance, but aside from the sea opening proposal, they've hardly done anything an ally should do. Instead, they oppose us at every turn!"

"Heh…" Wang Daoning gave a bitter smile, "Xuanwu is Hai Pinglan's daughter, who could have expected that."

Wang Daozhong: "…"

He was feeling the unpredictability of the world when suddenly, something felt amiss, "That's not right, elder brother. Weren't you supposed to oppose the Sea God with Hai Pinglan? That was our original plan after getting Sea Mud, why are you now siding with the Sea God and clashing with Xuanwu? Could it be that the Sea God has really controlled your mind?"

Wang Daoning sighed softly, "The Water Soul and our Divine Soul are tightly intertwined. If I harbored any thoughts of resistance in front of the Sea God, I would suffer backlash and die. It wasn't the right time."

He looked strangely into the distance, "Unexpected indeed… that the Sea God would genuinely fall… At this moment, the Water Soul remaining in our bodies has become ownerless. Have you refined it?"

Wang Daozhong said, "I just refined it, and now I am stuck at the threshold of the Third Layer Secret Treasure… Give me some time, and maybe I'll have a chance to breakthrough. If Zhao Changhe dares to impersonate me again, I'll ensure he does not return!"

Wang Daoning frowned, "The Sea God died at the hands of Zhao Changhe, you dare underestimate him?"

"That was a severely injured Sea God. Zhao Changhe just capitalized on the opportunity. The Chaotic World Book makes it clear; he's merely at the Second Layer Secret Treasure. He can't surpass me in such a short time," Wang Daozhong seemed reluctant to discuss this further. He continued to inquire, "Did elder brother refine it too?"

Wang Daoning hummed affirmatively.

A look of ecstatic joy appeared on Wang Daozhong's face.

The former Wang Daoning was already in the late stage of the Third Layer Secret Treasure. During the battle between Cui and Wang, both sides were near breakthrough, and without Xia Chichi's sneaky attack, he could have won; even the attacker, Xia Chichi, got injured. With this power and refining the part of the Water Soul that belonged to him, today's Wang Daoning was at the Imperial Realm!

In fact, initially, the Wang Family was gambling.

This epoch had never seen anyone reach the Imperial Realm, and a few years ago, people did not know Xia Longyuan was so aberrant. They thought he was just an old man who messed up his attempt to break through to Imperial Realm. How to break through to the Imperial Realm was a question on every Heavenly List person's mind.

As Ying Wu took the path of collecting broken spaces, possibly never to complete it, Wang Daoning, during his search for Sea Mud, came into contact with the Sea God and felt the invasion of the Water Soul.

He knew it was the power of the Imperial Realm, albeit a weak one; he could potentially absorb it, therefore using it to facilitate his breakthrough. So, he plotted accordingly and joined forces with the Sea Emperor.

Wang Daoning made many preparations for this, for instance, his son, Wang Zhaoqing, was firmly kept away from touching the Sea Mud. He could die, but the seed of the next generation had to be preserved.

Aside from being highly speculative, the original plan had no significant problems. However, he hadn't foreseen the Heavenly Book... through the Heavenly Book and the Power of Faith, the Sea Emperor rapidly recovered, his efficiency leaving Wang Daoning astounded. A weak divine entity transformed into an irresistible psychic invasion, catching him almost off guard.

Wang Daoning increasingly felt a sense of desperation, many things began to be out of his control, henceforth displaying an "anxiety" incomprehensible to others, completely unlike the operation of an Aristocratic Family, stemming from this. The anxiety wasn't his, but the Sea Emperor's, eager to expand his faith, which even Zhao Changhe figured out.

Now, finally achieving his wish, the Sea Emperor had fallen, and the enlightenment of the Imperial Realm left behind was fully received. Now he might be the second Imperial Realm entity after Xia Longyuan in this world, and all the risks taken were worth it.

Wang Daozhong joyfully said, "Did elder brother anticipate the Sea Emperor's fall?"

Wang Daoning paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I am ashamed. Even though I might have anticipated the fall of the Sea Emperor, it was dependent on Xia Longyuan... The course of events is not under our control; we were just gambling. Fortunately, regardless of how the Sea Emperor died, we won the bet. Now, with Xia Longyuan injured, the sole Imperial Realm entity in this world is me."

————

PS: Damn, you guys are too strong, not only did you finish, but you also exceeded by so much… Come on, brace yourselves~

Thank you to Fifth Master, Rich Brother, Chen Yi, Jellyfish, Su Mu, and other friends for your staunch support, thank you to Tracing Plums in Snow, Shen Xi, and rabbit who lost her dreams, and other lords for joining the alliance, thanks to all the brothers who voted~