The third day after the complete annihilation of the invading Jin forces at Bingzhou Fortress, the heroes of the ages stationed at the border fortifications all rushed back to the newly established capital, Chang'an.
Chang'an City, a metropolis meticulously designed and constructed by Yuwen Kai, sprawled majestically, cradled within a ring of mountains.
Gazing out from Chang'an City, one could see surrounding forests and a network of defensive structures like gate towers and arrow towers, each element seamlessly integrated, forming a formidable military bastion that cast a watchful eye over the thirteen prefectures of the realm.
Chang'an City, a grand metropolis imbued with the essence of Huaxia, stood resolute in this异世界, radiating a vibrant and powerful aura.
Three hundred Poison Fangs were strategically positioned atop the corner towers of the city walls, concealed within the darkness, observing the bustling crowds below. On the intricately connected ramparts, uniformly arrayed Jingzhou soldiers and Shu Han elite troops patrolled diligently.
Within the city, five thousand Ningwu Iron Cavalry and five thousand Longwu Army, mounted on their steeds, conducted constant patrols, ensuring the city's defense.
One hundred thousand convict soldiers, each at the Nascent Yuan first layer of cultivation, were neatly dispersed throughout the surrounding forests, forming a protective cordon around the city.
The one hundred thousand convict soldiers were an army acquired by Yang Hao two days prior, purchased with five hundred thousand Faith Points from blind boxes. Upon their summoned appearance, they were immediately assigned to guard and patrol Chang'an City.
In the central plaza of Chang'an City, a towering nine-story platform ascended towards the heavens, surrounded by soldiers, with Washer Elite soldiers forming orderly ranks on either side.
Zhan Zhao, Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu stood guard in layers around the nine-story platform.
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
Three resonant bell tolls echoed across the universe. Following this, the four city gates of Chang'an slowly creaked open. East Wu elite soldiers emerged from the city, their golden spears and long halberds held aloft as they secured the four gates.
Soldiers of pure Nascent Yuan first layer cultivation continuously astonished the martial artists who had traveled from afar, eager to witness the birth of a new kingdom.
*Stomp, stomp, stomp!!*
Dozens of representatives from the Langya Kingdom slowly entered Chang'an City. With the collapse of the Wu Kingdom and the demise of the Ji family, all past grievances had vanished into thin air.
Upon receiving the invitation letter from Bao Zheng, they were, on one hand, deeply intimidated by the strength of this new kingdom. On the other hand, having lost a Grandmaster, the King of Langya alone could no longer prop up the Langya Kingdom. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure.
The news of the Yang family's complete annihilation of three Jin Grandmasters at the border had severely cautioned the surrounding kingdoms, both large and small.
Even the previously arrogant and overbearing Jin Kingdom had reined in its boundless ambition at this moment!
Before Bao Zheng's invitation letter had even arrived, many representatives had already embarked on their journeys, arriving in Chang'an early.
As they gazed upon the majestic city walls and the uniformly Nascent Yuan-cultivated army, they were deeply shaken. This was a far cry from the former weakness of the Wu Kingdom; indeed, the overall strength of their soldiers far surpassed that of their own nations.
Only the faint, ethereal elemental energy permeating the air seemed to reflect the past fragility.
Representatives from nations large and small entered Chang'an City, proceeding step by step towards the imperial palace at its center.
Along the way, they marveled at the city's grandeur and the astonishing cultivation of the soldiers. Such an impregnable city, coupled with a capable army, could both attack and defend.
Various kingdoms, sects, and local powers entered the heavily guarded Vermilion Bird Gate, arriving at the magnificent and resplendent imperial palace.
Immediately, a nine-story platform captured their gaze. Zhan Zhao, Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu, five Grandmaster first-layer powerhouses, guarded the platform, exuding an imposing presence, their every movement showcasing the new kingdom's formidable national strength.
Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu, having undergone meticulous tutelage from several heroes of the ages and benefiting from the medicinal pills refined by Wan Mi Zhai, had all also broken through and entered the Grandmaster realm.
“Is that?!”
“Five Grandmaster powerhouses!!”
“Grandmasters are being used to guard the platform, gasp!!”
As everyone looked on, they were instantly and deeply shocked. These five Grandmaster powerhouses would be renowned heroes in any other nation.
Yet, here they were, merely guarding a platform!
Such formidable strength explained how, in just two years, they had conquered the thirteen prefectures of the Wu Kingdom and swept across the land in this era of competing heroes.
“Grandmasters as guards for the platform; looking at nearby nations, only the Jin Kingdom could match this. The Yang family is terrifyingly formidable!!”
Those who entered the imperial palace secretly marveled. The nations invited to witness the ceremony this time were only the bordering Langya Kingdom, Loulan Kingdom, and Baiyue State. Excluding the powerful Jin Kingdom with whom they had friction, who was not invited, all adjacent nations were present.
The younger generation of martial artists accompanying the delegation showed deep fear in their eyes, clinging tightly to their elders, terrified of inadvertently breaking local customs and suffering disaster.
This was their first time venturing far from their homeland into this era of warring states. On their very first outing, they had been profoundly touched to their souls by this land, feeling their own insignificance.
Led by a contingent of East Wu soldiers, they slowly entered the nine-story platform plaza. On the platform, civil and military officials stood arrayed on either side.
On the left, civil officials such as Chen Gong, Zhu Sheng, Wu Yong, Bao Zheng, Wan Mi Zhai, and Yuwen Kai stood respectfully, observing the arriving members of the delegation.
On the right, martial generals like Jing Ke, Shan Xiongxin, Zhang Han, Gao Shun, Lu Kang, Cheng Yaojin, Zhou Yuji, and Liao Hua stood with stern expressions, their bodies like divine demons, surveying the scene with pride.
On the ninth level of the platform, all the sacrificial offerings were arranged on the altar.
Grandmasters!
So many! Who exactly were these Yang family members? The sheer scale of this event left the attending guests in awe.
*Stomp, stomp, stomp!!*
Hundreds of Vanguard Camp soldiers marched in unison into the imperial palace, encircling the nine-story platform plaza, blocking the countless observing guests in the viewing stands.
Their Nascent Yuan eighth-layer strength shocked many present, especially the mottled bloodstains on their golden spears, which spoke of fierce and bloody battles.
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
Three ancient and resonant bell tolls once again echoed through Chang'an City.
“Hoo!”
“Hoo!”
“Hoo!”
The soldiers within Chang'an City roared with magnificent spirit, their shouts of defiance shaking the heavens!
*Boom!!*
Tens of thousands of soldiers knelt on one knee in unison, their aura soaring to the sky, their might formidable, powerfully impacting the vast universe.
All eyes were fixed on the nine-story platform, filled with curiosity and anticipation.
For a moment, the vast Chang'an City fell into profound silence. Bao Zheng strode towards the eighth-layer platform, facing the entire city, and loudly declared, "The National Founding Ceremony begins!!"
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
Yang Hao, clad in dragon robes and wearing a crown, emerged slowly from the first great hall of the Daming Palace—the Xuanzheng Hall—escorted by a contingent of soldiers.