"Ge Mu, you are situated at the southern border of the Grassland, adjacent to the Central Plains. How do you think we should proceed?" Wu Feng Barbarian God asked subsequently.

"Your two Great Royal Courts send forth elite troops, join forces with the Ancient Golden Royal Court, gathering a million elite Iron Cavalry to annihilate the Central Plains in one strike, with the three of us jointly overseeing.

Even if we cannot conquer the entire Central Plains, it should be enough to seize the northern Three States of the Central Plains. Subsequently, slowly integrate our Grassland tribes thoroughly into the Central Plains..."

"Three Great Royal Courts united, who will be supreme?"

Zhu Ming Barbarian God looked at Ge Mu.

"The Three Great Royal Courts unite, emulating the ancient Xiongnu Royal Court, selecting a true Great Khan to lead the Grassland tribes, and for the three of us to coexist as Barbarian Gods, treating each other equally.

If there's a significant matter, we discuss it among ourselves."

"This won't be an easy task."

Wu Feng, being the eldest, has seen many changes and understands the difficulty of uniting the Three Great Royal Courts. It's likely none of the three royal clans will be willing to submit to the other.

"Time will smooth everything over."

Ge Mu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep and somber.

"Let's first conspire against the Central Plains, and discuss this later."

Zhu Ming Barbarian God observed that the two had reached a consensus, and he nodded in agreement.

...

...

On the other hand, Chen Yuan, having successfully escaped, was unaware that his actions accelerated the collaboration of the Grassland's Three Great Royal Courts.

He only knew that while he hadn't left the Grassland yet, it was still very dangerous, and he couldn't relax his vigilance.

On his way back to the Central Plains, Chen Yuan changed directions multiple times, taking five days to confirm it was completely safe before he could finally breathe a sigh of relief at the border of the Central Plains.

He didn't immediately go to the Nine Dragon Mountain in the South State for a breakthrough, not because he wasn't in a hurry, but because he wanted to see Wei Jinfeng again and take the opportunity to heal his injuries.

After all, upon returning, he would have to continue recuperating.

Moreover, given Wei Jinfeng's strength, his current injuries wouldn't affect him.

Racing along the way, Chen Yuan quickly discovered that Wei Jinfeng was currently within the borders of Liangzhou, confronting the Grassland army outside while continuously training his troops.

Upon reaching Sword Sect Pass, the Barbarians were attacking, but their momentum didn't compare to their previous major invasion, as they were simultaneously forming battle formations and deploying various machines to ascend the city.

The setting sun was as red as blood, and the battle cries shook the heavens.

Chen Yuan stood atop the mountain peaks on either side of Sword Sect Pass, watching the battle unfold before his eyes, as if returning to the days when seventy thousand Iron Cavalry of the Barbarians marched into the Central Plains.

Compared to then, he was no longer the same.

Just a move could quell this battle.

But he didn't intervene, merely watched quietly.

From the alliance of the Three Barbarian Gods encircling him, it was evident that their knowledge during the time of Divine Beast Xuanwu was crucial, and intervention would help rather than harm them.

Once his whereabouts were exposed, the Three Barbarian Gods would arrive.

Liangzhou wouldn't be able to withstand it!

As the sunset fell, the Grassland general signaled to retreat, ending another battle. The city-defending troops were exhausted, starting to rotate positions.

With golden armor and cloak, King Liang, Wei Jinfeng, stood silently atop Sword Sect Pass, uncertain of when this battle would end or when the Central Plains would unite...

While pondering, he suddenly furrowed his brows as a familiar voice reached his ears.

After hesitating for a moment, he instructed the nearby general to guard the city gate, then disappeared into the void, reappearing at the crest of the left side of Sword Sect Pass.

In front of him stood a young man in a black robe, hands folded behind, gazing at the battlefield below, his demeanor calm as water.

"Why does King Yan have time to be here?"

Wei Jinfeng approached Chen Yuan, speaking slowly.

Chen Yuan turned his face, smiling:

"This is also the place where I fought before. Why shouldn't I come?"

"I seem rather petty then."

Wei Jinfeng shook his head.

"You, King of Beiliang, have never been petty."

"Why would King Yan give me such praise? If there's anything you need to say, just speak directly. There's some friendship between us, no need to stand on ceremony."

"Alright, I'll speak plainly then."

"Please."

Chen Yuan gazed towards the northern sky, speaking sternly:

"Liangzhou, at best, has only three hundred thousand Iron Cavalry, which cannot withstand the Ancient Golden Royal Court. Now, it's only because they haven't started a real fight. Once war breaks out, the people of Liangzhou will surely suffer!"

"And so?"

"Therefore, surrender to me. I will protect you from the Grassland."

"It turns out King Yan is here to persuade me to surrender."

Wei Jinfeng laughed aloud, not particularly surprised because he had anticipated this day, especially seeing Chen Yuan dominating the south and eyeing the world; he knew it wasn't far away.

But surrendering to a former subordinate was indeed somewhat... hard to accept.

"Your Wei Family has guarded the Northern Border for the Central Plains, contributing greatly, warranting my personal visit. But this is the first and also the last time. I admire King Liang's aspirations but will not lose focus on the bigger picture."

Chen Yuan spoke earnestly.

"To receive such praise from King Yan is not in vain for my years of bloodshed and struggle." Wei Jinfeng laughed heartily, Chen Yuan was no longer the Golden Envoy of Liangzhou but now the top of the Heavenly List.

Even he fell short.

Receiving such commendation from a presence like that soothed his heart.

"What does King Liang intend to do?"

"Haha, since King Yan's influence has already taken hold, what else can I do? If I refuse, not only would Liangzhou be gone, but the Wei clan would be completely obliterated."

"No, in consideration of our past ties, I would leave the Wei Family with a lineage."

"Then I truly thank you."

"Hm."

"When do you propose I surrender?"

Wei Jinfeng asked with a smile.

"Isn't King Liang curious about the terms I'm offering?" Chen Yuan smirked.

"Almost forgot, why don't you tell me, King Yan?"

"Once King Liang surrenders, Liangzhou will remain under your governance, the three hundred thousand Iron Cavalry will still be yours, following the terms originally set by Great Jin."

"Isn't King Yan afraid I'll amass enough strength and rebel later?"

Wei Jinfeng raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised.

He initially thought Chen Yuan offering him a throne would be difficult enough, considering that the current Yan Army was not like the former Great Jin, which needed him to guard Liangzhou and secretly hoped for the dissolution of the Beiliang Army.

But Chen Yuan already had great influence, leaders of strength in abundance under him, and personally carried a decisive and independent character, making it hard to imagine he would allow the Beiliang Army to grow.

"It's given, and besides, it's not a position of privilege. As long as you're in power, Liangzhou must remain intact, or else I will reduce your rank.

As for rebellion, do you think I fear it?"

"Just for King's Yan statement, if the Wei clan truly harbors rebellious thoughts in the future, please show no mercy, the clan is not what I care for, it's Liangzhou." Wei Jinfeng said solemnly.

"There's no urgency in the matter of surrendering, I will communicate with you. But before that, you must first thoroughly take Youzhou. If things don't go well, I'll send reinforcements."

"Central State can be easily conquered, doesn't King Yan plan to act?"

"The time isn't ripe yet."

"Understood."

"I'm leaving, take care King Liang, be wary of the Grassland's movements."

"Wait."

Wei Jinfeng suddenly stopped Chen Yuan.

"Anything else?"

Chen Yuan looked back.

"Did Xiang Qianqiu truly die by your hand?" Wei Jinfeng asked seriously.

"Yes."

Hearing Chen Yuan's conclusive answer, Wei Jinfeng suddenly felt a slight daze, as Chen Yuan now really resembled Xiang Qianqiu he had seen in the army camp, not just in appearance but in temperament.

"Take care, King Yan." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I'm gone...."

Chen Yuan disappeared into the void, vanishing instantly.

Wei Jinfeng sighed lightly, looking at the battlefield below and became lost in thought, reminiscing about over two hundred years ago.

Sima Yuande seemed to have stood here, promising him these conditions.

An era... is a cycle.

The Wei Family is meant to guard this place.

It seems, after all, not too bad....

Establish territory, as a king of another surname, despite being somewhat desolate, there is nothing wrong with it...

————

Next, it's time to break through the Six Realms.

It's nearing completion....