Compared to the first, for the sake of a woman, it's obviously the latter that's more credible.

Women are indeed important in current times, but not to the extent of giving up an empire, let alone risking life and death over them.

Even for someone of peerless beauty, it's not worth it.

Moreover, some say that with Xiang Qianqiu's defeat and demise this time, he will certainly return stronger next time; then it will be seen whether Xiang Qianqiu is ruthless enough to devour his sons or whether Chen Yuan defies all conventions and commits patricide.

If that happens, then Chen Yuan's story would become quite interesting.

Patricide and regicide make him undeniably a traitor.

Some who are not as strong as Chen Yuan naturally try to tarnish him in other ways, but Chen Yuan pays no mind to such rumors.

If you've done it, there's no fear of what others say.

Even if it's written in the annals, it doesn't matter; there's no need to initiate a literary inquisition, prohibiting everyone from discussing it. One must live with perspective!

Unless everyone is killed, there is no way to stop the endless chatter.

As his achievements grow increasingly higher, these minor matters naturally become insignificant.

History is full of tales of patricide and fratricide, family extermination, yet how many are deliberately remembered? It's just a few lines in the history books.

Chen Yuan's indifference disappointed some, but there's nothing they can do.

And as the news continues to ferment, many have seen the situation clearly, believing that Chen Yuan holds the greatest chance of ultimately claiming the throne, even though they can't get in on the ground floor.

But by jumping aboard midway, they might earn a share in following the dragon.

It's safe to say that the impact of this battle has spread to all corners, and those with ambition are all leaning toward Chen Yuan. The various forces of Qingzhou are actively contacting officials under Chen Yuan's command.

Seeking to pledge allegiance to King Yan to bring peace to the world.

Even the Gu Family patriarch, who once saw Chen Yuan as a major enemy, has had similar thoughts, only hesitating due to his own strength, wanting a face-to-face meeting with Chen Yuan, hoping the other would promise some benefits.

For these people, Chen Yuan almost always welcomes them, allowing his influence to expand grandly.

But for the Gu Family patriarch's hesitations, Chen Yuan directly ignores them, not mentioning their enmity, as he nearly died at their hands once and had to hide countless times to remain safe.

Just as it is now.

An insignificant Gu Family patriarch, an insignificant Yang God—what qualifications do they have to negotiate terms with him?

Faced with such pests and possible future threats, Chen Yuan's choice is to annihilate them, confiscating all resources gathered by the three major families.

After the Goddess Palace, he declared that the Goddess Palace would resolve the remaining powers in Yun State, referring... to the family alliance!

They are now not eligible to oppose him; a defeated Goddess Palace is enough to deal with them.

Amongst the many swirling rumors, Chen Yuan's achievements in that battle have also drawn much attention; whether it was his confrontation with Xiang Qianqiu or his slaying of Manjusri, the head of the four Bodhisattvas, they are all worthy of praise.

Also, due to tangible achievements to rely on, Martial Emperor City quickly listed Chen Yuan in third place on the Heavenly List, officially entering the ranks of the top three in the world.

Before him is longtime second Ye Xiangnan and foremost Xiang Qianqiu!

Their strength is recognized, and they are hailed as levels apart from other Yang God True Monarchs.

The top three on the Heavenly List signify not just status but also prowess; they are the three strongest below immortals, and this cannot be disputed.

Chen Yuan practiced for many years, with countless efforts, finally reaching this Realm level.

Regarding cultivation, he may be lacking in depth because he hasn't yet mastered Rule Power, but in raw strength, he is no less formidable than others.

Proven by Manjusri's downfall!

Though Chen Yuan's ranking has entered another tier, it hasn't stirred a major upheaval, for many are already accustomed to Chen Yuan's skyrocketing strength.

Simply put, they are numb to it....

In peaceful times, changes to the Heavenly List would have great impact, but nowadays, during chaotic times, what truly stirs the world is the struggle between rebel kings over the ownership of the realm.

Unless Chen Yuan becomes the universally accepted number one on the Heavenly List, it's difficult to incite the same level of shock as before. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

After concluding the battle at Goddess Palace, Chen Yuan entrusted the palace to Li Suqing, allowing Feng Jiuge, who had been marked with a Prohibition, to redeem himself; then he returned with his people.

Initially, Feng Jiuge even wanted to offer himself as a companion, becoming a close aide to Chen Yuan.

But such a woman, having previously been an adversary and now seeking to become a partner, he found hard to accept and straightforwardly refused.

He, Chen Yuan, does not lack women now, nor does he desire too many.

Great endeavors and immortality are the things he pursues!

Xiang Qianqiu's previous discussions with Lu Guangsheng proved accurate. Before Chen Yuan returned to Shuzhou, he signaled the malicious elder Yang Huatian, stationed at the border, to lead the Yan Army in a full-scale assault on Blood State!

Times are different now; Xiang Qianqiu has lost the larger game, Seven Killings Hall withdrew from contention, Heavenly Demon Hall supports him—the Blood State is already in his pocket.

It can be fully reclaimed!

It was a thoroughly victorious campaign because with the retreat of Seven Killings Hall and Heavenly Demon Hall, Liangshan troops were isolated, lacking support, coupled with Xiang Qianqiu's Sound Transmission Talisman ordering it, causing many of Xiang Family's crucial members in the army to disappear, resulting in massive confusion.

Yang Huatian seized the opportunity, leading the charge and forcefully breaking through Liangshan army's ranks, countless soldiers surrendered and joined the Yan Army like dominoes.

Viewed from the map, it's practically as if the black influence has dyed half of Blood State black.

Numerous notorious Blood State rogues, seemingly formidable, ruthless, were like ants trying to topple a tree in the face of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, utterly helpless.

Crushed outright....

The reclamation of Blood State is ongoing amidst much fervor, as Chen Yuan's Yan flag now covers half of Blood State, though at the cost of some casualties, but it is wholly worthwhile.

Of the Thirteen States in the world, aside from Jiao State, most are critically contested by military powers, yet if one truly speaks of fertile lands, none surpass the Southern areas.

Chen Yuan holds the southern Three States in hand, virtually placing himself in an unbeatable position.

Commanding the Central Plains!

Being eager to return to Shuzhou, Chen Yuan and his group wasted no time on the way and returned to Yan King Mansion in Shuzhou City in less than a day.

Upon returning, the first thing he did was urgently dispatch Zhao Danqing, Gigantopithecus, and Taoist Chong Xu, three formidable Yang God level experts, to reinforce Zhen Nan Pass.

When he returned from Southern Border, Southern Border had already stirred; not only had Mo Ying Demon God ascended to Demon Emperor, but also the demon tribe continued to covet Zhen Nan Pass.

He carried most strong allies to Yun State, voluntarily entering Xiang Qianqiu's trap was a necessary strategy; once accomplished, part of the forces had to be diverted to guard against the demon tribe advancing north.

Even Chu Changfeng used the Heavenly Book to send messages, hoping reinforcements would arrive swiftly.

Otherwise, if the demon tribe truly launched a grand northward attack again, merely relying on himself and the city-protecting array at Zhen Nan Pass would not hold against those strong Demon Gods.

The second task, Chen Yuan dispatched people to support Yang Huatian in formally taking control of Blood State's territory!

Heavenly Demon Hall allegiance makes Demon Domain unmovable; Seven Killings Hall possesses considerable power, and can't be pressured too much; he occupies what originally belonged to Liangshan's territory and part of Seven Killings Hall's territory.

Not pressing too hard, but he's claimed quite a few regions.

The third task was letting Taoist Tianxu, True Monarch Chong Xu, and Jiang He officially begin annexing Qingzhou into the territorial map.

Regrettably, Liangshan is deserted, Xiang Family members missing; otherwise, Chen Yuan genuinely wanted to capitalize on his advantage and seize Xiang Qianqiu's Qi Fortune as well.

Therefore, Chen Yuan directly issued orders to the Jinyi Guard below to exhaustively trace Xiang Family's whereabouts throughout the southern Three States!

After a long period of judgment, he can almost conclude that the Xiang Family's lair is within the southern Three States!