I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 1027 A Harsh Era
The birth of Zhang Xiang is an absolutely crucial event for the entire Northern Lands, and it will influence the future landscape of the Northern Lands.

Especially after Zhang Chen arrived in the North and took over all affairs of the North as the advisor to the Prince of Pingbian, the Prince of Pingbian gradually retreated into the background as power was transferred. The family behind the Prince of Pingbian was also under Zhang Chen's control through a series of attacks and suppressions. Now Zhang Chen is the only person in charge of the North and is the uncrowned king of the North. The Prince of Pingbian even secretly spread the news that he would pass his throne to Zhang Chen, who is also of the Zhang family bloodline. As a result, Zhang Chen's status in the North has risen steadily and has continued to soar.

The birth of Zhang Xiang sparked a three-day celebration throughout the northern region. The Zhong family held a grand banquet, constantly welcoming and sending off guests from all directions.

Everyone knows that Zhang Chen loves Zhong Xiang alone and has only one wife. If Zhang Chen inherits the throne in the future, then Zhang Xiang will be the only crown prince of the North and the future heir of the North.

Zhang Chen paid little attention to the celebrations in the north. On the second day after Zhang Xiang's birth, he resumed his busy map-finding activities. He even began to use his beast-controlling technique, constantly sending falcons to roam in all directions, surveying the various regions of the world, and then transmitting the information back.

Time flew by, and the revelry in the North gradually cooled down. Zhang Xiang then displayed his extraordinary abilities, speaking after seven days and running around the land after a month, which became a legend in the North.

Zhang Xiang was precocious, so Zhang Chen immediately told him to become Xie Xuan's disciple. The North was certainly not lacking in great Confucian scholars; whether it was Zhong Wubai or Zhou Qiucheng, both were renowned figures. Unfortunately, Zhang Chen didn't agree with their teachings, but he was quite satisfied with Xie Xuan's "teaching without teaching." Most importantly, Zhang Chen could use Zhang Xiang's apprenticeship to further strengthen their relationship. Now, Zhang Chen was increasingly reliant on the Xie family, father and daughter, and naturally wanted to find a way to win them over further.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. The North became more harmonious, and Zhang Chen's control over the North became more and more effective. The Zhang family of Kyoto also took root in the North, and the entire North was in a peaceful era.

The great calamity of the end of Dharma has now affected sixth-order cultivators. As for cultivators above the sixth order, they have long been abandoned by the times under the calamity of heaven and earth.

Zhang Chen's courtyard
Zhang Chen was studying the materials in his hand, while Wang Ye was practicing standing meditation not far away. Qi was surging around his body, and there was a flow of Qi under his skin, as if a small tadpole was swimming inside.

“Wang Ye is incredibly talented. No wonder you took him in as your godson. He’s only one step away from condensing his martial arts blood and qi. In just six years, he has gone from martial arts cultivation to the point of being indestructible and about to condense his blood and qi. Such talent is rare in the world.” Cheng Yu sat not far from Zhang Chen, his feet casually propped up on the stool, lazily cracking sunflower seeds.

Cheng Yu has now grown into a young woman with fair, smooth skin and stunning beauty, in no way inferior to Xie Lingyun and Zhong Xiang. However, her lifestyle is far too unruly, and she acts like a boy, completely disregarding rules.

However, Zhang Chen was happy to see this, since he himself was not a person who followed the rules.

Wang Ye is now fifteen years old and looks like a teenager. Zhang Chen put down the documents in his hand and looked at Wang Ye, thinking about how to take care of him in the future. After all, Wang Ye is his own son, and he can't treat him badly.

"Wang Ye is growing up now, so you need to find him something to do. What are your plans for settling him in?" Cheng Yu spat out a sunflower seed shell and then spat the seed fragments onto Zhang Chen's face before asking.

Zhang Chen wiped off the melon seed shells, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Once his martial arts cultivation breaks through and he refines his qi and blood, we can send him to lead the demon army to expand our territory and conquer the nearby minor lords. As the Great Calamity of the End of Dharma becomes more and more severe, and countless twelfth-level experts have fallen, I have not taken action in recent years, and my prestige has been declining. So we can send Wang Ye to make some moves. Whatever territory he conquers, I will give it to him and allow him to carve out his own territory and govern himself."

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Cheng Yu nodded, agreeing with Zhang Chen's plan: "Then should I release the news first?"

The demon race is currently in a state of panic, with countless intelligent demon beasts searching for ways to avoid their impending doom. If Zhang Chen were to speak, countless sixth- and fifth-tier demon beasts would rush to serve him and become his most loyal servants. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for Zhang Chen to want to use the demon race to expand his territory in Chengdu and Chongqing.

Zhang Chen nodded: "Alright."

Then the two stopped talking and just watched Wang Ye practice martial arts. Wang Ye inherited the power of the Blood God. Whether it was his aptitude or his bloodline, he was a first-rate talent and was born to practice martial arts. His achievements today were within Zhang Chen's expectations.

Another hour passed, and Wang Ye stopped practicing martial arts, wiped the sweat from his body, and came to Zhang Chen, bowing respectfully: "Father!"

"Have a seat," Zhang Chen said to Wang Ye.

Wang Ye sat down respectfully. Zhang Chen put his hand on Wang Ye's shoulder and carefully sensed the energy in his body. Although he had lost his magic power, the Five Elements Authority was still an extraordinary power that could sense the energy of other people's internal organs.

"You've already reached the pinnacle of your martial arts prowess. All you need is a thousand-year-old herb to successfully condense your Qi and blood. Go back to the storeroom and fetch three more ancient herbs to help you break through your martial arts realm and enter the Qi and blood cultivation stage," Zhang Chen instructed. As the ruler of the Northern Lands and the refuge, he had no shortage of resources. Various demonic beasts, eager to please him, continuously sent all sorts of spiritual herbs from the Great Wilderness. Although the end of the world would reduce the medicinal properties, the place could still accommodate sixth-tier cultivators. For thousand-year-old herbs, the current upheaval in the world didn't have a significant impact.

Wang Ye's face lit up with joy upon hearing this: "Thank you, Father."

Zhang Chen nodded and released Wang Ye: "You've reached the age to settle down and start a family. It's time to think about your future. I plan to allow you to recruit a million demon beasts to expand your territory after you break through the martial arts qi and blood barrier. You can then subdue the few disobedient minor lords in the vicinity. The territory you conquer will be your future domain and your family business."

Wang Ye was taken aback upon hearing this, and then quickly slid off the stool and knelt on the ground: "Your son will certainly not disappoint you, Father. I will definitely build a foundation for you to see. A mere group of minor lords are nothing. I have a million-strong army of demon beasts. If I cannot pacify all the lords, I might as well just kill myself."

Over the years, Wang Ye has not only practiced martial arts, but also studied military strategy and other skills under Xie Xuan. As a young man full of vigor and vitality, he is naturally willing to try and create a new world.

Seeing that Wang Ye was not afraid at all, but instead full of fighting spirit, Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Go and break through your martial arts qi and blood. I will prepare a weapon for you later, so that I can help you."

Wang Ye excitedly ran out of the courtyard. At this moment, a figure walked over from a distance and said irritably, "Are you really comfortable letting him go out and make his own way in the world? He has never led troops before. Although he has studied military strategy, it is just theoretical. If something goes wrong, you will regret it."

The person who came was Xie Lingyun, and her voice was full of complaints.

Zhang Chen scoffed at this: "I allow Wang Ye to go out and make his mark, conquer territories and establish his own rule. The major families in Goulan County and the major forces in the North will never miss the opportunity to ride his coattails. They will definitely send their elite disciples to Wang Ye's command to expand his territory and make his mark. With the assistance of those elite strategists, what trouble could possibly arise? Besides, believe it or not, once the news gets out, the demonic beasts that come to answer the call will all be at least fourth-tier or higher. There will be at least ten thousand sixth-tier demonic beasts. With such a massive force, they can just sweep through the land. Who in the world can stop them?"

The world is becoming increasingly chaotic. Although Zhang Chen does not seek to dominate the world, he still needs to have enough strength to protect himself. After ten years of development, everything in the North has been on track and has reached saturation. The North has been recuperating for ten years, while the various warlords have been in chaos for ten years. Now is the time for Zhang Chen to take action to consolidate his territory and foundation.

Zhang Chen's words left the other party speechless, but he was still worried and said, "I am also well-versed in military strategy. I am not comfortable letting him go out alone. I should go with him. There are countless cunning and treacherous people in the major families. We need to be careful so that the kid is not put on a pedestal."

“Sister, if you want to go, just go. But you must wear protective gear.” Zhang Chen said to Xie Lingyun, “I will prepare a protective item for you, so that you will not be ambushed and lose your life.”

Zhang Chen planned to seal a bolt of lightning for Xie Lingyun. The lightning power he now possessed was an absolute weapon of mass destruction; even the most ordinary heavenly lightning could run rampant in this world.

The power of that lightning punishment was the power of the Heavenly Dao, and it was not affected by the Great Tribulation of the End of Dharma.

Xie Lingyun nodded without refusing, and then the three of them dispersed. Zhang Chen pondered what kind of weapon he should prepare for Wang Ye. After thinking it over, he thought of the innate divine iron he had nurtured in his Middle Thousand World. Although it would turn into ordinary steel in the Dharma-ending World, regardless of the extraordinary power it contained, its material alone was top-notch.

Moreover, when the innate divine iron is taken out, it does not immediately turn into ordinary steel. Rather, as the great calamity of the end times worsens, the power of the steel deteriorates.

As soon as Zhang Chen had a thought, a piece of innate steel appeared. As soon as the steel appeared, the innate energy within it began to leak out wildly, and the overwhelming innate energy was released. In just a few breaths, it had already transformed into acquired steel, and the innate power had transformed into acquired power.

Although the innate steel has been reduced from innate to acquired, it still contains a sharp and powerful energy. That is the power of the acquired steel's Geng metal essence, and it still contains a sharp and powerful energy.

As Zhang Chen thought this, the innate steel seemed to twist and flow like water, and in an instant, after being forged a thousand times, it transformed into a long sword that gleamed with a cold light in the air.

Zhang Chen stroked the spear, then, after thinking for a moment, inscribed several feng shui formations he had previously deduced into it, adding a touch of mystique to the spear before finally putting it down with satisfaction.

As for how to seal the power of heavenly lightning, this was no problem for Zhang Chen. As his Heavenly Dao Eye of the Middle Thousand World continued to evolve, Zhang Chen gradually glimpsed some of the mysterious secrets.

(End of this chapter)