You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, listening to Zhuge Liang's report below.

"Your Majesty, this is the situation. This Thirteenth Prince from the Imperial Court wanted to recruit experts above the Saint level from our Great Zhou, but I have already refused."

After dismissing the thirteenth prince from the Central Region Imperial Court, Zhuge Liang immediately went to the palace and reported on the matter concerning the thirteenth prince.

"Summon experts above the sage level from my Great Zhou?"

Upon hearing Zhuge Liang's report, Zhou Chen's brows furrowed slightly.

To be honest, Zhou Chen was somewhat suspicious of the purpose behind the Thirteenth Prince from the Imperial Court.

In the Eastern Region, Saint-level experts are extremely rare, considered to be combat power capable of influencing the overall situation. However, in the Central Region Imperial Court, ordinary Saint-level experts are not even worth mentioning; they are not scarce. Let alone combat power capable of influencing the overall situation, they are not even considered high-end combat power.

It's hard to believe that a prince from the Imperial Court would travel thousands of miles from the Central Region to the Eastern Region just to recruit a few Saints who aren't even considered high-level combatants in the Central Region Imperial Court.

Even if the Central Region Imperial Court is short of people, it shouldn't be this bad!

After a moment's thought, Zhou Chen looked at Zhuge Liang and asked, "What does the Grand Chancellor think? This thirteenth prince of the Imperial Court has traveled thousands of miles from the Central Region to the Eastern Region. Is his purpose simply to recruit a few sages?"

It should be understood that the Eastern Region is incomparable to the Imperial Court of the Central Region. The Central Region is the core of the entire Wilderness Realm and the most prosperous place, while the Eastern Region is a barren land. There are only a handful of saints in the entire Eastern Region, you can count them on one hand.

The recruitment of such a few people is hardly worth the Thirteenth Prince traveling all the way from the Central Region to the Eastern Region.

Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the main purpose of this Thirteenth Prince of the Imperial Court is to target General Li. In the Central Region, ordinary Saint-level experts are not scarce, but Saint King-level experts are different. Each of them is basically a powerful figure in various forces, either a sect leader or a Saint Lord. Moreover, he is a Saint King-level expert who can rival a Half-Emperor projection. This is definitely among the top in the Central Region.”

"As for the so-called summoning of experts above the level of saints, it is probably just something that the Thirteenth Prince did on the side while he was at it."

Zhou Chen nodded; Zhuge Liang's view coincided with his own.

He also felt that the Thirteenth Prince of the Imperial Court's main purpose was probably to come for Li Cunxiao, the Holy King. Only Li Cunxiao, the Holy King who could rival the projection of a half-emperor, was worth the Thirteenth Prince's long journey.

of course.

It cannot be ruled out that they might be gathering information or have other motives.

"From now on, all matters like this will be handled by the Prime Minister. Whenever the Thirteenth Prince or anyone else from the Central Region comes, the Prime Minister will be responsible for receiving and handling them."

Zhou Chen knew that the great battle a few months ago had already attracted the attention of the Central Region Imperial Court and other forces in this barren land. There would probably be many more people coming or probing him like this in the future, and he didn't have time to deal with them.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhuge Liang accepted the order immediately.

Afterwards, Zhuge Liang left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Zhuge Liang left, Zhou Chen pondered for a moment, then glanced at Cao Zhengchun standing beside him and asked, "What is that Thirteenth Prince from the Imperial Court doing now?"

"Your Majesty, after the Thirteenth Prince from the Imperial Court left the Ministry of Rites, he first visited General Li's residence, and then visited the residences of General Bai, General Han, and several others, but he was unable to enter any of them. Finally, the Thirteenth Prince left Chang'an directly, heading towards the Liangjie Pass."

As the emperor's eyes and ears, the Eastern Depot was not just for show; the Thirteenth Prince's every move in the city could not be hidden from the Eastern Depot's eyes and ears.

Perhaps, the thirteenth prince didn't intend to hide their whereabouts.

Otherwise, given their strength, it wouldn't have been so easy for the Eastern Depot to track them down.

"Oh, is it so!"

Zhou Chen was surprised to find that the Thirteenth Prince from the Imperial Court had already left.

Did the Thirteenth Prince leave empty-handed?

This doesn't seem like the way a prince of the imperial court would act.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Chen shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and began to deal with government affairs.

Whether the Thirteenth Prince left or had other ideas, as long as it didn't affect the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was fine.

……

Zhongyu.

Ziwei Mountain.

Towering peaks pierce the clouds, with palaces dotting the layered mountains, shrouded in mist. From afar, it resembles a fairyland, a breathtaking sight.

Every now and then, figures would appear, either soaring through the air or descending on cranes, ethereal and otherworldly, proclaiming the extraordinary nature of this place.

In fact it is.

These ethereal, fairy-like peaks are the location of the 'Ziwei Sacred Land,' one of the four great sacred lands of the Central Region.

On the main peak, in the sect's council hall.

A dozen or so figures sat in rows.

They sat there with deep, resonant breaths, shrouded in mist, their faces indistinct, seemingly close yet far away.

The aura emanating from each of them was no less than that of a sage; to be precise, none of them were less than that of a great sage.

The figure sitting in the main seat was the most dazzling, yet also the most ethereal and hazy.

"Elders, you have all heard about some recent news concerning the Eastern Region. What are your thoughts on this?"

The figure in the main seat glanced at everyone present and slowly asked.

"Sect Master, those rumors can only fool ordinary people. Others may not know, but don't we know? An opportunity to become an Emperor? What kind of opportunity to become an Emperor could there be in that barren land of the Eastern Region?"

"Yes! Let alone the barren land of the Eastern Region, even in our Central Region and the entire Wilderness Realm, it is basically impossible to have any opportunity to become an Emperor. The fact that this news from the Eastern Region has spread to everyone in the Central Region in such a short time suggests that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present exchanged glances that seemed to flicker inexplicably.

Obviously.

None of the people present are mindless.

The news that there was an opportunity to become an emperor in the Eastern Region spread like wildfire in the Central Region in such a short time, and the news is spreading wider and wider. There is obviously something more to it than meets the eye.

"We can't be so absolute. The Great Dao of our world is sealed, but the opportunity to become an Emperor is not necessarily nonexistent, it's just that it rarely occurs. But no matter what, it concerns the opportunity to become an Emperor, so we can't let go of even the slightest possibility."

“That’s right. It concerns the opportunity to become an emperor. Whether it’s true or not, we can’t miss it. I remember that a while ago, Elder Zhong took the Dragon Saintess to the Eastern Region!”

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at the middle-aged woman sitting on the right.

If Zhou Chen were here, he would definitely recognize that this middle-aged woman was none other than Zhong Wuyan, the Holy Land Elder who had come to the Great Zhou with Long Qianqian and was also Long Qianqian's master.

Zhong Wuyan nodded; "My disciple comes from the Azure Dragon Dynasty in the Eastern Region, as you probably all know. Previously, the Azure Dragon Dynasty sent people to deliver news about the Demon Clan and the Yao Ting, so I went to the Eastern Region with my disciple."

"Unfortunately, we were too late. By the time we arrived in the Eastern Region, the Azure Dragon Dynasty had already perished, and the Great Zhou Dynasty had taken its place. I inquired about the situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it is indeed quite incredible. A dynasty that emerged from a small realm has produced one powerful figure after another, even a Saint King at the peak. At that time, this Saint King of the Great Zhou Dynasty was fighting against two Saint Kings from the Demon Clan and the Yao Ting. Even though the two Saint Kings from the Demon Clan and the Yao Ting used their Half-Emperor projection as a trump card, they still lost in the end."

Zhong Wuyan gave a general overview of the situation in the Eastern Regions and some news about the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Everyone present looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

None of them expected that such an unfathomable dynasty would emerge from that barren land of the Eastern Regions.

It's important to understand that experts above the Saint level are not as common as cabbages; even in his Ziwei Holy Land, they cannot be cultivated casually.

A dynasty that emerged from a small realm has produced one powerful figure after another, even a saint. This makes one wonder if the Great Zhou Dynasty truly has the opportunity to become an emperor.

"In any case, the news that there is an opportunity to become an emperor in the Eastern Region may not be entirely unfounded."

One of the elders couldn't hide his excitement as he spoke.

This is a golden opportunity to become an emperor!

If they could obtain it, they might be able to advance further, and it wouldn't be impossible for them to even catch a glimpse of the splendor of the Emperor Realm in their lifetime.

You have to understand how difficult it is for someone at their level of strength to advance further.

Without sufficient opportunities and good fortune, relying solely on one's own cultivation, one might not be able to advance any further, even until death.

"Sect Master, my disciple is, after all, the Holy Maiden of my Ziwei Holy Land. Unlike ordinary disciples, she represents the dignity of my Ziwei Holy Maiden. Her family and clan have suffered misfortune. As the sect behind her, if my Ziwei Holy Land does not make any statement, what will become of my prestige?" "Please, Sect Master, do justice for my disciple."

Normally, Zhong Wuyan would never make such a request.

After all, the Great Zhou Dynasty was not weak; it could be described as unfathomable. The Holy Land would not wage war against the Great Zhou Dynasty because of a grudge against a Holy Maiden.

But right now, the timing is perfect. The news that the Great Zhou Dynasty has the opportunity to become an emperor has spread, and the Holy Land is unlikely to let it go. The great grudge of the Holy Maiden Long Qianqian can be put to good use right now, which is exactly what we want.

Therefore, Zhong Wuyan immediately spoke up and made her request.

As Long Qianqian's master, she knew that Long Qianqian could never let go of this grudge, but if she wanted to take revenge on the Great Zhou, it would be very difficult for Long Qianqian and her alone to succeed. So they could only rely on the Holy Land.

And that's all she could do for her disciple, Long Qianqian.

Upon hearing Elder Zhong Wuyan's request, the figure seated in the main seat did not express an opinion, but instead looked at everyone present; "What do you elders think?"

An elder who was close to Zhong Wuyan pondered for a moment before speaking, “Sect Master, Elder Zhong is right. After all, the Dragon Saintess is the Saintess of my Ziwei Holy Land. She is different from ordinary disciples and represents the face of my Ziwei Holy Land. Although my Ziwei Holy Land does not interfere in the struggles between the forces behind the disciples, when it comes to the face of my Holy Land, we still have to give an explanation.”

"Yes, indeed, the Great Zhou must give my Holy Land an explanation."

The other elders present all nodded in agreement.

Whether they were seeking an explanation from the Great Zhou for the sake of the Holy Land's reputation, or for the rumored opportunity to become emperor, only they themselves knew the truth.

Upon hearing this, the sect leader, seated in the main seat, glanced at an elder beside him and said, "Then I'll trouble the Grand Elder to make a trip to the Eastern Region first!"

"Yes, Sect Master."

……

Ancient tribe.

Wenrenjia.

Inside the council chamber.

Wenren He, the patriarch of the Wenren family, sat in the main seat and looked at the woman below who exuded the aura of a saint, saying, "Qingwu, congratulations. After a second life, you have finally achieved the position of a saint. You have achieved your wish."

"I have to thank the clan for their help. Without their help, Qingwu would not have been able to break through to the Saint Realm in such a short time."

The woman said gratefully.

indeed.

Without the help of her clan, she could not have broken through to the Saint level in such a short time.

It's important to understand that achieving the status of a sage is not so simple. It's not something you can achieve simply by being exceptionally talented or by accumulating resources; it requires sufficient foundation and resources.

For ordinary forces or individuals, breaking through to the Saint realm is extremely difficult, not because they lack talent, but because they lack the foundation to achieve sainthood. Only a powerful force like the Wenren family has such sufficient foundation.

"That's because you've proven yourself. The clan just gave you a helping hand. If you hadn't proven yourself, even the clan couldn't have helped you."

As one of the eight ancient clans, the Wenren family has tens of millions of members in its various branches and lineages, but only a very small number of them are able to achieve the status of a sage.

Those who achieve sainthood within the age of one hundred are even rarer.

That's why Wenrenhe said that women are ambitious. With the sagehood that women achieve within the age of one hundred, they have already caught up with the top tier of geniuses in the family and are qualified to enter the core ranks.

The woman's lips curled into a slight smile at the clan leader's praise.

Saints under the age of one hundred are rare even among ancient clans like the Wenren family.

Therefore, the woman is very satisfied with her current achievements, and it has not been in vain that she reincarnated and cultivated herself again.

If Zhou Chen or some of the old ministers of the Great Zhou were here, they would be surprised.

Because the woman who achieved the position of sage was none other than Consort Zhen, the former emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the birth mother of the current emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Wen Qingwu, who should now be called Wenren Qingwu.

"What brings the clan leader here today?"

Wenren Qingwu composed herself and looked at the clan leader in the main seat, asking a question.

She didn't believe that the clan leader, who was usually elusive, had summoned her simply to praise her.

"You've probably heard about the news circulating about the Eastern Region these past few days!"

Wenren Qingwu was taken aback, a complex expression flashing across her face.

I've heard it so many times, I'm practically sick of it.

She never expected that the Great Zhou Dynasty could reach this point; it was both unexpected and astonishing.

"I heard that the emperor of the Great Zhou and Wudao are twin brothers, both your sons?"

Wenren Qingwu frowned slightly. She could tell that the clan leader was not only asking questions, but had actually already confirmed the matter. She had not told anyone about it, and she did not know how the clan leader knew.

Wenren Qingwu nodded; "Yes, clan leader."

"However, due to some events, the emperor of the Great Zhou did not grow up by my side, and Qingwu is already a thing of the past for the Great Zhou. Not many people care about her."

Wenren Qingwu had basically guessed the purpose of the clan leader's summons.

Therefore, she told the truth without any concealment.

Wenren He naturally understood the meaning behind Wenren Qingwu's words, but he didn't care. Instead, he smiled and said, "After all, the emperor of the Great Zhou is also of the Wenren family bloodline. The Wenren family can't just sit idly by and watch what happens in the Eastern Region."

At this point, Wenren He looked at Wenren Qingwu and said, "Recently, all sorts of news have been circulating in the Eastern Region. The Great Zhou in the Eastern Region is likely to be in considerable trouble. Since it is of the bloodline of my Wenren family, my Wenren family cannot stand idly by and allow some petty people to bully our Wenren family. Therefore, I hope that you, Qingwu, will go to the Eastern Region. Speaking of which, it must have been a long time since you went back to the Great Zhou!"

Upon hearing this, Wenren Qingwu replied without hesitation, "I will obey the clan leader's orders."

She knew she had no right to refuse. The clan leader's seemingly conciliatory tone was actually unquestionable. As a member of the Wen family, she had neither the right nor the qualification to refuse the clan leader's request.

"Alright, I will send an elder to accompany you to the Eastern Region."

……

"Have you heard? A great opportunity has appeared in the Eastern Region."

"What great opportunity could there be in that barren land of the Eastern Region?"

"You don't know this, do you? It's already spread that there's an opportunity to become a saint in the Eastern Region."

"That can't be right! I heard it was an opportunity to become an Emperor, not an opportunity to become a Saint!"

"Whatever the opportunity may be, it's a great one. Many powerful figures have already gone to the Eastern Region. Are you going or not?"

"Tch, if there really were such an opportunity, would it still be our turn? Those powerful sects and ancient clans would have already taken it over."

...

Discussions and murmurs echoed throughout the city.

The news about a great opportunity in the Eastern Region spread wider and wider, with various versions appearing.

The version about Emperor Cheng's fortuitous encounter has particularly captivated many people, including powerful forces like the Holy Land and the Ancient Clan.

It should be understood that the opportunity to become an emperor is something that even powerful forces like the ancient clans of holy lands can only come by chance.

Therefore, upon hearing this news, many forces and powerful individuals flocked to the Eastern Region.

For these powerful individuals, whether the news is true or false, they will not let go of any possibility as long as there is even the slightest chance.

In a short time, many forces in the Central Region and various independent experts flocked to the Eastern Region, fearing that they would be a step behind and miss the opportunity.

In particular, some old monsters with little lifespan left rushed to the Eastern Region, hoping to seize opportunities to further improve their stagnant strength and extend their already limited lifespans.

And the Eastern Region, a barren land in the eyes of everyone in the Central Region, is about to experience its moment of glory, becoming the center of the storm and the focus of attention from all sides. (End of this chapter)