The man seemingly asked casually, "If one were to take over the Capital City, who would sit on the throne? Have you all come to an agreement?"

The old man shook his head in silence.

It was unclear whether it was undecided or he had no desire to say.

The man’s eyes flickered as he said, "In my opinion, Old Shopkeeper, you are the perfect choice. After all, Duke Lei and Wind Master are from the Profound Celestial Sect and are only fit to propagate teachings, unsuited to becoming the ruler of a nation."

"Old Shopkeeper, your prestige in Jianghu is immense. With one call, a hundred will respond. As the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, clad in a dragon robe, you could change the world and establish a new dynasty."

"I have no interest."

The old man’s tone was indifferent.

The man inwardly sneered.

The ruler of a nation, reigning over the world — he did not believe that anyone would be uninterested in that position!

If he truly had no interest, why collude with the Profound Celestial Sect and orchestrate such an elaborate scheme?

The old man’s gaze was profound, seemingly reading the man’s thoughts, and said, "Actually, with your family background and experience, you are the most suitable candidate. I, after all, am someone from Jianghu, aged, and not versed in politics."

The man said mildly, "Old Shopkeeper, you’re joking. I am young, and before you seniors, I hardly have any qualifications."

Despite both being Grand Sacrificial Officers, this old man could join forces with Duke Lei, Wind Master, and even the Returning to Void Realm powerhouse in the palace to plot such a grand scheme, aiming to completely subvert Nanxia.

Yet, he was unaware of the details involved, and no one told him, so how could there be no resentment in his heart?

If not for piecing together clues from various news, detecting faint traces, and coming forward to inquire, he would have been unaware until the heavens and earth of Nanxia were overturned.

The old man seemed to sense the man’s resentment and said, "Success requires secrecy. I hope the Crown Prince can forgive."

"Ha!"

The man laughed heartily and said, "Old Shopkeeper, you speak too formally. I am the junior here, just taking this opportunity to observe the means of the seniors."

"The Crown Prince is too modest. At your age, you have cultivated to become a Grandmaster. Your future achievements are immeasurable."

The old man paused, looked at the man, and said meaningfully, "Moreover, the Crown Prince has experts supporting him."

The man’s eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance, then quickly concealed it, not responding.

The old man’s previous words were actually a test, to see the man’s reaction.

Now forty, the man had already cultivated to the Divine Illumination Realm, achieving the stature of a Grandmaster.

In a hundred years, only Emperor Wu had achieved such accomplishments at such a young age.

It’s true his family’s background was profound, and his talent extraordinary, but without the guidance of a superior, it would have been hard to reach this stage.

His becoming the Grand Sacrificial Officer of the Profound Celestial Sect seemed to be directed by the expert behind him.

-----------------

Bibo Island.

Located between Nanxia’s Wu Province and the Three Eastern Sea Islands.

On a boulder by the sea island, a middle-aged man sat cross-legged, dressed in a broad Daoist robe, his head full of silver hair waving in the wind, emitting an extremely terrifying power all around him.

This long hair was not the grey of old age but silver-white, like strands of silver snakes in the night sky, with a hidden arc of electricity flickering at the tips!

"Uncle."

Not far away, a robed man came with Sword Control, it was True Monarch of Longevity, Sun Lingxiu.

Sun Lingxiu descended behind the silver-haired man, bowed, and greeted, unable to help but praise, "Uncle’s power of thunder and lightning has become more refined. Given time, you may break through to the Returning to Void Realm."

The silver-haired man slightly shook his head and said, "Refining the Spirit and Returning to Void requires refining the impurities in the Nascent Soul to achieve the Pure Yang God and reach the Returning to Void Realm."

This was Duke Lei of Nanxia’s Profound Celestial Sect, Sun Jing!

Sun Jing opened his eyes, silver-white electric lights appeared, exuding a heart-palpitating aura, and said slowly, "Breaking through to this realm is extremely difficult. Decades of my hard cultivation didn’t result in comprehension."

Sun Lingxiu said, "I heard Uncle mention that among the several Celestial Books, the cultivation method on our ’Thunder Book’ is the most difficult."

"That’s right."

Sun Jing nodded and said, "Fortunately, once the Mystic Masters of our lineage awaken the thunder-attribute Spirit Root and master the power of thunder and lightning, our combat strength surpasses the others."

After a slight pause, Sun Jing said, "I called you over to inform you of the following arrangements."

"The Martial Arts Assembly is generally held in Jingzhou, but when we take action depends on the situation in the Capital City."

Sun Jing said, "Recently, information received indicates Yang Kan of Jiangzhou has already gathered a large army, troops, and supplies have set out, heading directly to the Capital City. Uncle Wang has also presented a paper incriminating Shen Guobao. The Capital City is already under strict lockdown, and a major war is imminent."

"At that time, I, together with your Uncle Du, will lead thousands of Mystic Masters to the Capital City, waiting for a favorable moment to take action."

"You and Lu Xun each lead the Profound Celestial Army, starting from the coastal areas. With dozens of thousands of soldiers, you can easily sweep through and occupy the counties of the Wu and Jiang Provinces."

Upon hearing this, Sun Lingxiu couldn’t help but say, "Uncle, the Wu and Jiang Provinces are empty, the troops are stationed in the Capital City. Just with several Sacrificial Wine leaders, it’s enough, right? I wish to go to the Capital City to assist you, Uncle."

Once the war starts, Nanxia will undergo significant transformation!

The main battlefield is evidently in the Capital City area.

The experts of various Jianghu sects in the Wu and Jiang Provinces are far away in Jingzhou attending the Martial Arts Assembly, and the provincial armies are near the Capital City.

With the strength of dozens of thousands of Profound Celestial Army, complemented by some Sacrificial Wine Mystic Masters, it’s utterly overwhelming, and really has no significance.

After all, he and Lu Xun are Nascent Soul True Monarchs and wish to participate in the excitement of the Capital City.

"No way."

Sun Jing shook his head and said, "You and Lu Xun act according to this plan. Keep an eye on the Capital City’s developments, and if any change occurs, leave promptly."

Sun Lingxiu was taken aback and asked, "Uncle, is there still some variable in this situation?"

"Hard to say."

Sun Jing pondered, "Originally, it should have been foolproof, but the sudden appearance of the Sword Sect, and capturing you alive, rather made me anxious."

Sun Lingxiu laughed and said, "After all, the Sword Sect are also human, they have family. Last time, letting me go was clearly due to some apprehension towards our Profound Celestial Sect."

"Perhaps."

Sun Jing couldn’t fathom the Sword Sect’s intentions.

It’s possible this person, respecting their own status, was unwilling to trouble the juniors.

Sun Jing said, "To be cautious, you and Lu Xun shouldn’t come to the Capital City."

Seeing that his uncle had decided, Sun Lingxiu naturally couldn’t refuse and said, "Uncle, aren’t you taking some Profound Celestial Army when you and Uncle Du head to the Capital City?"

"No need."

Sun Jing said, "The Profound Celestial Army is made up of Martial Artists, cumbersome in action, and attracts too much attention."

"Your Uncle Du and I, with thousands of Mystic Masters, are enough to rival countless soldiers! When the Northern Expedition Army and the Capital Imperial Guard suffer mutually weakening losses, we will appear and, with Empress Yin, easily settle the battle."

Seeing Sun Lingxiu remain silent, Sun Jing stood up, approached him, and patted his shoulder, comforting, "Don’t worry, I’ve also invited two Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the Donglai Continent over, we’re meeting here and heading to the Capital City together."

"One of them is the Island Master of Donglai Continent, Spiritual Wave True Monarch, who is also your martial aunt. You’ll meet her then."

"Hmm."

Sun Lingxiu nodded.