I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

Chapter 503 Subduing the Enemy Without Fighting: The Fifth Realm, Pan Yue Dynasty.

Shen Ming flew through the skies above the imperial territory, accompanied by the eldest princess of the Divine Flame Dynasty.

Further behind was an army of 100,000 men formed by the six great dynasties.

Li Miaozhen returned to the Patching Heaven Sect first to await news.

This is a power struggle within the imperial dynasty, and the identity of the Heaven-Mending Saintess is prone to controversy.

Li Miaozhen herself didn't care; it was Shen Ming who persuaded her to go back.

"Is this the case only in the Panyue Dynasty, or are other dynasties and powers like this?"

Looking down at the cities that appeared on the ground, Shen Ming couldn't help but ask.

The Pan Yue Dynasty was surrounded by walls everywhere, even villages with fewer than a hundred people were enclosed by earthen walls.

Hundreds of such villages are enclosed within a stone-brick wall.

If you fly high enough, you'll find that the entire Panyue Dynasty is like this, with large city walls inside smaller city walls.

The city walls were not used to defend against foreign enemies, but to enclose people and make them easier to manage.

This was the first time Shen Ming had seen a dynasty like Pan Yue Chao take the use of walls to such an extreme.

"Only in the Panyue Dynasty, people in the village never leave their own ten miles in their entire lives, working day and night, like puppets."

Through this method, the Panyue Dynasty accumulated power over six generations, achieving unprecedented strength that surpassed that of the eight great dynasties.

Moreover, the ultimate goal of the Panyue Dynasty is to sweep across the eight kingdoms, build the longest city wall in history, and restore the might of the divine dynasty. "The eldest princess said.

Shen Ming frowned. These people from the Pan Yue Dynasty were truly pitiful.

In this world where the strong can control everything, it is impossible to rebel by simply having more people.

"It's truly fortunate that this land is so benevolent," Shen Ming exclaimed.

Natural treasures abound, rare and exotic herbs are plentiful, and land for growing crops is everywhere.

Half a day later, Shen Ming's gaze pierced through the layers of thin mist, and a magnificent imperial city gradually came into view in the distance.

The towering city walls, like a sleeping giant beast, stretch across the sky and earth, forming a natural barrier that completely separates it from the outside world.

Within the capital, the streets are wide and clean, and the buildings are towering.

It seems as if all the wealth in the world has been gathered here, with towering red buildings and jade palaces, and shimmering lights between carved railings and jade steps. At a glance, it is like a dream.

In a daze, Shen Ming felt that the poverty he had seen along the way was an illusion.

Strangely, every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, and there wasn't a single person to be seen on the streets.

The emperor did not activate the great formation, nor did he see any army.

The sound of drums suddenly rang out, deafening and earth-shattering, like thunder rolling across the land.

In the center of the imperial capital, a magnificent Ascension Platform rose from the ground.

The entire platform is made of white jade, with steps leading straight to the clouds, resembling a ladder to heaven.

White gauze like clouds, red silk fluttering, a solemn yet magnificent scene.

A woman in a magnificent robe slowly stepped out and stood at the highest point of the Ascending Platform.

"Princess Panyue! The princess of the Fifth Realm!"

Princess! Only one woman in the nine great dynasties deserves this title!

She wore a long palace dress with gold cloud patterns on the hem, and the skirt fluttered in the wind like the clouds in the sky.

Princess Panyue danced in the wind, her long sleeves fluttering as if a thousand moonlights were falling upon the world; every movement was exquisitely graceful.

Her dance moves became increasingly ethereal, her figure tracing graceful arcs in mid-air, as if she were rising from the heavens.

As the music faded, Princess Panyue slowly stopped, her long sleeves trailing to the ground, and gently lifted a jade box with both hands.

In an instant, a dazzling sword light shot into the sky, illuminating the heavens and earth.

It was a precious sword whose entire body shimmered like moonlight, with flowing light seemingly moving across its blade, radiating a sharp and ancient aura.

Everyone was startled, and many unconsciously held their breath.

"The Panhuang Time Sword!"

Jian Li recognized the sword at a glance; it was one of Shen Ming's targets.

Princess Panyue gently raised the sword above her head, facing the distance, her voice clear and cold yet resolute: "The Panyue Dynasty surrenders with this sword, willing to forever abandon war in exchange for eternal peace."

There was deathly silence between heaven and earth.

"That's it?"

Shen Ming was deeply surprised that the six great dynasties had an army of 100,000 men preparing for a major battle.

Who knew that the Panyue Dynasty would surrender without a fight, and seriously at that. Not only did the emperor not activate the great formation, but even the Supreme Golden Hall was left undefended.

“Your power is now firmly established. This is no longer just a personal feud between you and the Panyue Dynasty; other dynasties are waiting to settle scores,” Jian Li offered her analysis.

“Since ancient times, a subject can surrender, but an emperor cannot. What about your Pan Emperor?” Shen Ming asked.

“Having abdicated, the new emperor should be chosen by the Holy Emperor,” Princess Panyue said.

The princess of the fifth realm was in a humble posture at this moment, only seeking to preserve the legacy of her ancestors.

Abdication? More likely, it's a coup.

The Panyue Dynasty has launched several manhunts against Shen Ming.

Someone has to take the blame for this, and Panhuang is the best candidate.

"Please accept the sword, Your Majesty!" Princess Panyue raised the Panhuang Years Sword high once more.

“If you become a god or emperor in the future, they will have been spared a life. If you perish in the future, they will retain the hope of making a comeback,” Jian Li said.

Shen Ming asked Jian Li for her opinion, as the saying goes, "listening to both sides leads to enlightenment."

"It mainly depends on the other six emperors. They will definitely be happy to gain the spoils of war and divide up the Panyue Dynasty without firing a single shot."

I suggest you accept the sword. If you insist on fighting, then you'll be dividing up the Panyue treasury. This involves a conflict of interest, and you can't expect them to be wholeheartedly devoted just because of the title "Holy Emperor."

On the contrary, if you accept the sword, Princess Panyue will prioritize your role and block the other six emperors. No matter how the spoils are divided, they will be distributed to the six emperors in installments only after you are satisfied.” Jian Li analyzed the pros and cons from Shen Ming’s perspective.

Insisting on starting a war will result in countless deaths and injuries, and many unforeseen events.

As Jian Li said, Shen Ming's interests were maximized.

Shen Ming had no objection, but felt that this way of thinking seemed a bit cunning.

However, if the six emperors genuinely agree with the Holy Emperor, they will have no objection no matter how Shen Ming divides the spoils.

On the contrary, if one harbors resentment, it is precisely this kind of thinking that is needed to counterbalance it.

"Is this the way to balance?"

Shen Ming raised an eyebrow. To be honest, he was somewhat displeased, but he had to admit that this way of thinking was necessary.

He looked at the Sixth Emperor, and the Sixth Emperor was also looking at him.

Shen Ming asked Yan Huang for his opinion, wanting to hear his thoughts.

Yan Huang was the linchpin for him and the other five emperors; in the terms of the imperial power, he was their confidant.

"I will obey the Holy Emperor's decree!" said the Flame Emperor.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Shen Ming walked on air, unhurried yet exuding an invisible sense of oppression.

With each step he took, invisible ripples seemed to spread across the world.

In the capital, every household opened their doors and windows a crack, and those inside involuntarily held their breath, their pupils contracting slightly.

Shen Ming's figure stopped in front of Princess Panyue.

"I accept this sword," Shen Ming said.

To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest form of skill, and only then can one achieve true victory.

Upon hearing this, Princess Panyue felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, her eyes filled with tears.

"Holy Emperor! Holy Emperor!"

The next moment, the armies of the six dynasties chanted Shen Ming's name in unison.