Ten days had passed, and Fang Yang had been granted entry into the Monarch’s Camp.

On this day, the sky had yet to fully brighten, and remnants of the night still lingered.

On the nearly deserted main road, a carriage bearing the great banner of Taiyin slowly approached.

Inside this carriage, Fang Yang and Second Uncle Fang sat facing each other.

The carriage sped toward the inner city, its destination the Monarch’s Camp.

"Quick, make way!"

"You have no sense at all! What’s the point of keeping you?"

"Chen’Er, quickly come out with your father and pay our respects..."

The moment they entered the inner city, their carriage encountered others.

Among them, many of the carriage owners were Clan Leaders from the Silver Tribes.

When they saw the carriage flying the great banner of Taiyin, they all moved aside, some even clasping their hands in salute.

This scene moved Second Uncle Fang to remark, "It’s been a long time since anyone from the younger generation of our Fang clan has commanded such power and prestige."

Although he was merely riding on Sen Yue’s coattails, it was still a testament to Fang Yang’s ability.

After all, the ability to borrow such influence is a skill in itself!

Facing his uncle’s praise, Fang Yang remained calm and said, "Power should not be used to its fullest, and influence is never permanent."

"Heh, I suppose I got carried away." Second Uncle Fang shook his head with a small, gratified laugh.

He had watched Fang Yang grow up since he was a child. Aside from his own daughter, Fang Yang was the one closest to him.

Now, seeing Fang Yang display his talents, surpassing his older brother of the same age and even ancestors from their youth, Second Uncle Fang was overjoyed. He felt as if his own prized Qilin was finally making his mark on the world.

「A short while later.」

The carriage stopped before a grand palace, where Second Uncle Fang would wait.

This was the current Monarch’s Camp!

Guided by the acolyte Mingxin, Fang Yang stepped into the Monarch’s Camp.

The first thing he saw were several old men with scholarly auras, as well as Jiang Venerable Sword and Ji Juyun!

These two leaders had also arrived early, just like Fang Yang, perhaps to avoid giving anyone cause for gossip.

At that moment, everyone looked at Fang Yang with curiosity.

Fang Yang announced his name and greeted them with the etiquette of a junior.

Afterward, Fang Yang stood quietly at the back, listening to their lofty discussions without speaking.

"Our forces are strong and our horses are sturdy! We should first attack and break the Dongfang Race who occupy the Sky Islands!"

"Nonsense! If you ask me, we must first go after the Minghai Race, who are near the vast ocean!"

"..."

The clamor gradually grew.

Those who arrived later also joined in, tirelessly debating.

Meanwhile, Fang Yang’s main focus was on Jiang Venerable Sword and Ji Juyun.

’Jiang Venerable Sword: a Sword Dao Cultivator at the Tier Five Peak realm. He was once a Dao Seed. His physique is the Sword Flood Dragon Sacred Body. His Ancient Sword Flood Dragon Transformation technique is overwhelmingly powerful, and his combat strength is astounding, second only to Sen Yue...’

’Ji Juyun: an extremely rare Fortune Dao Cultivator. He was originally at the Tier Four Peak realm but is now at Tier Five Elementary. He is suspected to possess a perfect-grade Golden Toad Spirit Body. His karmic fortune is profound, making him quite formidable...’

Such incredibly powerful heaven-sent talents actually seemed commonplace in the Monarch’s Camp.

And he, Fang Yang, now had the opportunity to be in the Monarch’s Camp, standing alongside talents of this caliber.

It had to be said that his status had risen yet another notch.

He had truly transformed from being a mere chess piece to someone with a seat at the table.

However, here, he was the youngest and had the lowest realm. He could only be considered a minor figure. It was best to just stand aside obediently!

"I was but an idle crane in the mountains."

"Who chanced upon a scripture and glimpsed Changsheng."

"To be hailed as lord is not my heart’s desire."

"I only wish for the storms to subside."

"..."

A celestial white mist suddenly rose in the hall, followed by waves of Daoist chants that drowned out the noisy disputes.

Under everyone’s gaze, Sen Yue, clad in a Purple Gold Daoist Robe, descended from the air, his bearing transcendent and otherworldly.

At that moment, everyone fell silent, raising their heads to gaze up at Sen Yue, who was seated on the high throne.

Sen Yue was like an emperor, looking down upon the heroes with immense majesty.

’So you want to be an Emperor, too?’ A random thought inexplicably flashed through Fang Yang’s mind.

At this moment.

Sen Yue narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over each of the heroes present.

In truth, he already had a specific strategy in mind for which Golden Clan to attack.

But as an enlightened, sacred, and wise ruler, he couldn’t completely steal his subordinates’ thunder.

Otherwise, the collective fortune he had gathered would be greatly diminished.

If that happened, it would be very difficult for his fortune-gathering giant flood dragon to transform into a true fortune dragon.

He was still planning to become the bearer of the Hundred-Year Celestial Mandate for the Xuan Domain!

"Today, the grand situation is settled, and our troops are sufficient. We ought to lead our armies to restore clarity to the world."

"But where should our armies strike?"

"All of you, if you have any strategies, speak them one by one."

Sen Yue spoke softly, asking the heroes for their counsel.

In that instant, the name of the Dongfang Race flashed through Fang Yang’s mind.

But he remained silent, adhering to his principle of observing and listening much, but speaking and doing little.

He believed that everyone present assumed he was just here to broaden his horizons.

Being too young was a disadvantage, but it was also an advantage.

In an instant, the hall erupted in clamor once more.

Aside from the few old men with scholarly auras, the heaven-sent talents like Jiang Venerable Sword, Ji Juyun, and Qingkong all began to voice their opinions.

Strangest of all, their arguments grew louder and louder, as if shouting could drown out opposing views and win Sen Yue’s approval.

’This is a bit of a farce,’ Fang Yang thought, a certain beautiful illusion shattering in his mind. ’It feels like a shoddy traveling troupe—chaotic and not at all as brilliant as I imagined.’

Feather fans and silk turbans, turning enemies to ash with a smile and a word?

Chained warships, a hundred thousand vessels set ablaze in a fiery chain reaction?

Heh, none of that. Not a trace.

It was as they said: first clash, then figure out the path forward.

The heroes answered one after another, each airing their own views.

In the end, the main proposals came from Jiang Venerable Sword, Ji Juyun, and Qingkong.

Jiang Venerable Sword proposed attacking the Dongfang Race, Ji Juyun proposed attacking the Minghai Race, and Qingkong went even further, suggesting they split their forces to attack both Golden Clans!

Sen Yue nodded at all three different opinions, showing no obvious preference.

He had already used his arts and Divine Techniques to deduce all the possibilities; he just wanted to see if he had missed anything.

But since everything was proceeding according to his deductions, he was relieved.

Seeing this, Sen Yue’s gaze shifted, landing on the person at the very back.

And at the very back was precisely where Fang Yang stood!

"Fang Yang."

The moment Sen Yue spoke his name, the hall fell abruptly silent.

In that instant, the gazes of Qingkong, Jiang Venerable Sword, Ji Juyun, and everyone else all focused on Fang Yang.

Their gazes were all different, yet each seemed to contain a kind of terrible Magic Power.

Fang Yang suddenly felt as if he were shouldering a heavy mountain. His heart raced, and he felt the immense pressure.

"What are your thoughts? Speak freely..." Sen Yue said in an encouraging tone.

As Fang Yang’s mind raced, the ball of light in his mind—his [Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune] talent—suddenly flickered, and text appeared:

[The troops are ready, the intention is clear. The monarch seeks counsel, the heroes contend. It is best to hide one’s light and bide one’s time; it is forbidden to show one’s edge.]

Then, three fortune slips flew out:

[Mid-Upper Lot: Unremarkable. Propose attacking the Dongfang Race. You can obtain a Tier Three opportunity. There are no future worries. Auspicious.]

[Middle Lot: Average. Advise a primary attack on the northern territory of the Dongfang Race. You might obtain a Tier Four opportunity, but this will plant the seeds of future disaster. You must act with caution in the future. Neutral.]

[Mid-Lower Lot: Remain silent, or shock the world. Submit a "Memorial on Ten Victories and Ten Defeats," strongly advocating a fire attack on the northern territory of the Dongfang Race. You can obtain a Tier Five opportunity. However, this goes against the harmony of heaven, will make the heroes wary, and will displease the monarch. Inauspicious.]