"There's no need to count, we surrender, we're willing to surrender. Please, your Majesty, don't resort to violence!"
His body as though charcoaled, Zhao Kong quickly roared, mustering all his strength!
"I, Zhao Kong, and all of us from Wanxuan Sect, pledge our loyalty to Dawu and surrender to your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Rushing to consume a few elixirs to regain a bit of his vitality, Zhao Kong quickly knelt down, submitting to Chu Yuan. Inwardly, he felt extraordinarily bitter, he had no other choice.
He, a formidable expert who had peered into the ninth layer of Divinity, was not a match for Chu Yuan. Even with the Sect's large defensive formation, if the Divine Cannon and that banner capable of incinerating the sky and boiling the sea were to bombard, the entire Sect would be razed to the ground. What else could he do in way resistance? It was better to surrender.
With Zhao Kong's surrender, the other Sect Elders also exchanged glances with each other, then knelt in submission.
"Zhao Kong, you've made a wise choice. I don't mind annihilating the Wanxuan Sect. After all, if I cannot claim a power for my own, its destruction is stronger than its existence."
Chu Yuan waved his hand to withdraw the Divine Cannon and the Blazing Sky Banner.
"Your Majesty, the Wanxuan Sect has a total of fifteen strong practitioners in the Original Spirit Realm, five thousand masters of Divine Abilities, most of which are in the first or second level of Divine Abilities, fifty thousand in the Original Spirit Realm, and five hundred thousand including and below the Forging Soul Realm.
Besides, we control thirty-six cities, with a population of approximately one billion, providing disciples and resources for our Sect."
Zhao Kong honestly revealed the full strength of the Wanxuan Sect.
"There are fifteen expert practitioners in the Original Spirit realm, five thousand with Divine Abilities. However, for a two-star Clan, the number of practitioners in the Original Spirit realm and below is considerably less, and the population is not as much as a one-star dynasty like Lianqian."
Chu Yuan was quite satisfied with the number of experts in the Original Spirit realm and masters of Divine Abilities that the Wanxuan Sect had.
It's just that the population was slightly less compared to dynasties of the same star level.
"Your Majesty, Clans are, after all, different from dynasties. Our mission is to cultivate more high-level experts. Maintaining cities is simply to enlist talents from among the mundane population. Those who are vulgar do not have the qualifications to enter the Clan, unlike dynasties that recruit armies from an endless population. Given the resources of the Clan, we can only train so many disciples.
Any more would just be a burden unless we are promoted to a higher star level."
Zhao Kong proudly said, "If it is a battle between armies, our Wanxuan Sect is naturally not as good as a two-star dynasty of the same rank, but if it is a single combat between powerful warriors, it is definitely difficult to compete with our Sect."
The difference between a Clan and a dynasty was vividly displayed here.
This was the difference between the path of the individual and the path of the masses.
"Alright, I have a basic understanding of your strength. The Wanxuan Sect will henceforth be integrated into Dawu. You can no longer follow the rules of your Clan. I will send someone to implement the laws of Dawu. As for your arrangements...."
Zhao Kong pointed to the place in the middle of the forest where countless palaces were standing, and said honestly.
"There was no trouble in the past, but I'm here now and that's trouble." Chu Yuan said.
"Master of the Southern Forest Sect, His Majesty is here. Aren't you going to hurry up and see His Majesty?"
Zhao Kong roared.
"His Majesty? Which Majesty? It's been a long time since we had visitors at the Southern Forest Sect."
As expected, with Zhao Kong's roar, many figures flickered in the forest. An elder dressed in green appeared in front of them.
This elder had an awe-inspiring aura of ancient wood about him, robust and resilient.
With him at the center, the lush life energy, the entire forest was providing him power. His mana was mysteriously calm and steady, although not at the tenth level of divine abilities, he wasn't far off either.
"So young, you must be the Saint of Dawu." This elder was the Master of the Southern Forest Sect, he said calmly: "Zhao Kong, you're not staying in your own Sect and you've come to my Southern Forest Sect, what an unusual visitor."
"Master of the Southern Forest Sect, it's not me, it's His Majesty who has come here. Not long ago, I decided that the Wanxuan Sect, as a whole, will pledge allegiance to Dawu. I am no longer the Sect Master of the Wanxuan Sect, but the commander of the Fire Army of the Wanxuan Division."
Zhao Kong said with a cold laugh.
"What? You're actually pledging allegiance to a newly promoted two-star dynasty?"
The Master of the Southern Forest Sect was greatly surprised, but he soon regained his calm and said coolly: "This doesn't seem like your style. If I'm not mistaken, Saint of Dawu, you are here today to make my Sect surrender and pledge allegiance to your Dawu. You really have great ambition, having swallowed four countries you now want to swallow my Sect."
"You're very smart." Chu Yuan said.
"The snake that tries to swallow the elephant dies of greed. Beware not to choke yourself to death!"
Some of the elders behind the Master of the Southern Forest Sect, upon learning of Chu Yuan's intentions, first expressed shock then let out disdainful shouts.
"Alright."
The Master of the Southern Forest Sect raised his hand, he then said: "Now that the Saint of Dawu has come to visit, no matter what his intentions are, my Sect can't lose its manners, lest we become the laughingstock of others. If the Saint doesn't mind, why not take a seat in our Sect as a guest of honor? It would be better for everyone to discuss any matters, there is no need for bloodshed."
[Option 1: Enter the Southern Forest Sect, gain 300 Destiny Points.]
[Option 2: Don't enter the Southern Forest Sect, gain 300 Destiny Points.]