The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Long before this day came, Fang Kong, under the quiet support of the Fang Clan, had already controlled the royal family of the Eight Ancient Nations for decades.

The entire court and military—top to bottom—were all populated by Fang Clan personnel.

Thus, when the unification into the Great Qian Dynasty was formally announced, not a single voice of opposition emerged.

Or perhaps there were voices—but they were too faint to be heard, or perhaps someone began to object and was simply… silenced midway.

As the Fang Clan procession entered the imperial palace and completed the necessary preparations, the first official court assembly of the Great Qian Dynasty commenced.

Seated upon the imperial throne was Empress Song Yushu, surrounded by the faint silhouette of a true dragon.

The aura radiating from her form was commanding and powerful. All the gathered officials in the great hall prostrated themselves, eyes downcast, not daring to meet her gaze.

Crown Prince Fang Kong stood beside her—tall and composed.

When Song Yushu ascended to the throne as sovereign of the Great Qian Dynasty, she awakened a unique body: the Imperial Body.

This was a rare and growth-type constitution—only those destined to rule a nation could awaken it.

Its strength grew in proportion to the power and prosperity of the dynasty it governed.

Initially, Song Yushu's body was on par with a mid-grade spiritual body, but now, with the founding of the Great Qian Empire, her Imperial Body had leapt to Sacred Body level.

Though it was still the most basic tier of Sacred Body—less potent than something like a Five Element Divine Body—it was, nonetheless, a Sacred Body.

What truly mattered was that as the Fang Clan and Great Qian continued to flourish, her constitution would continue to evolve.

If Great Qian eventually rose to become a Heavenly Court or even an Immortal Dynasty, then her body might one day become a top-tier Sacred Body—or even an Immortal Body.

"All subjects, rise."

"We thank Your Majesty."

The ministers stood and bowed respectfully toward the throne and the crown prince.

Song Yushu proceeded to appoint key officials, deploy military leadership, and formalize court hierarchy. All positions had long since been decided. Each appointment went to those loyal to the Fang Clan and the Great Qian cause—no surprises, no discontent.

As for the former royal families of the Eight Ancient Nations, they had already relocated to Ascension City. The old sovereigns received titles and privileges, becoming major powers second only to the imperial household.

They were still noble houses, yes—but no longer truly royal. They lacked both the status and the strength to challenge the imperial court. The only path for them now was absolute loyalty.

Still, they were not treated unfairly. While none of them were granted one of the Nine Ministries, many received vice-ministerial posts, such as the Six Departments' Deputy Ministers—a gesture of generosity.

At the close of the assembly, Song Yushu announced a final decree:

"From this day forth, Crown Prince Fang Kong shall act as regent. I will not attend court unless necessary."

This had long been decided.

Song Yushu's primary role was to leverage the empire's growing power to evolve her Imperial Body. Day-to-day governance fell to Fang Kong.

And truly, for years now, it had been Fang Kong quietly pulling the strings behind the Eight Ancient Nations.

In terms of knowledge, control, and political acumen, he was far more qualified than Song Yushu. Although officially only crowned as Crown Prince now, he had already proven himself a competent ruler.

After the court adjourned, factions and dignitaries from across the continent arrived in Ascension City bearing gifts and tributes.

Most were received by ministers.

Only those with strong alliances or deep ties with the Fang Clan were greeted by Fang Kong himself.

That included the Fang Clan's two hegemonic allies: the Great Xia Dynasty and the Heavenfire Flame Beast Tribe.

The Great Xia royal family sent none other than the young princess, Ji Yuying.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Fang Kong rose immediately and said with a smile:

"We're family. Sister-in-law, no need to be so formal."

Ji Yuying had long since pledged herself to Fang Mu Ge, even accompanying Fang Ting to the Xuantian Sacred Sect. Though she had not stayed, it was only so Fang Mu Ge could focus on his cultivation.

Given her relationship with Fang Mu Ge, Fang Kong calling her sister-in-law was entirely appropriate.

Ji Yuying smiled softly. "Etiquette must still be observed."

After a brief, pleasant conversation, she excused herself—headed off to visit Fang Mu Ge's parents, whom she had visited many times over the years. To them, she was already considered a daughter-in-law.

The wedding was all that remained.

After a while, Fang Kong grew puzzled.

"Has the Heavenfire Flame Beast Tribe not arrived yet?"

"They have not, Your Highness," replied a nearby eunuch.

Special reception teams had been stationed at the city gates for both Great Xia and the Flame Beast Tribe.

Given that Ascension City was relatively close to the Northern Region, and that Ji Yuying had already arrived an hour ago, their absence seemed odd.

Fang Kong, trained as a ruler and naturally cautious by nature, immediately dispatched scouts to investigate the Northern Region.

As the descendants of Little Grey, the Heavenfire Flame Beast Tribe was more than an ally—they were an extended family.

Perhaps it was pure coincidence.

Or perhaps it was a design of fate.

But on this very day—the day Ascension City opened, the Eight Ancient Nations united, and the Great Qian Dynasty began—

The former Grand Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Jiang Hongye, returned to Cangzhou.

She first visited Duanshan City, as she always had—and there, she learned of all that had transpired.

She then came to Ascension City, where she appeared directly before Fang Kong.

Seeing her, Fang Kong paused in surprise, then stood and bowed respectfully.

"Senior, you've returned."

Whether as the Fang Clan's original patron, helping them rise and establish themselves in Cangzhou, or as a mentor, guiding Fang Kong for years—she had earned his deepest respect.

Jiang Hongye gazed silently at the now-grown Fang Kong and the magnificent city behind him.

After a long pause, she exhaled a breath that felt like it came from the depths of her soul.

"Sigh…"

With mixed emotions in her heart, she finally nodded.

"You've done well."

Most of the Great Qian Dynasty's current territory had once belonged to the Great Zhou Empire.

To see such flourishing prosperity in a land that was once her homeland, Jiang Hongye felt both sorrow and comfort.

When Fang Kong raised his head again, she was gone.

She hadn't left entirely—only sensed something else.

Fang Ting's presence.

Upon seeing him, Jiang Hongye's lips parted, and her eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Previously, even though Fang Ting had used secret methods to seal his cultivation, the gap between them had been so vast that she could still easily see through him.

But now?

She couldn't see through him at all.

That meant only one thing:

Fang Ting had reached her level.

He was now Emperor Realm.

That alone left her astonished.

Just decades ago, when she'd last visited the Fang Clan, Fang Ting had just broken through to Saint Realm.

And now… already Quasi-Emperor?

This kind of cultivation speed was beyond anything she had ever imagined.

Not even in the ancient era, when the world overflowed with spiritual energy and monstrous geniuses were everywhere, had anyone grown this fast.

In her eyes, the most gifted of the Fang Clan should have been the Immortal Bodies of Fang Mu Ge and Fang Ying, or the Battle Immortal Bloodline of Qū Wúbìng.

Never had she expected… Fang Ting.

This speed—not even Immortal Bodies could compare.

She had judged him wrong.