The border cities of the two dynasties, even though they were hastily prepared for war and their forces were dispersed, still had the presence of a Great Grandmaster.
This was already the pinnacle of power, second only to the emperor.
Both the Ming Dynasty and the Qian Dynasty believed that even if the Taiping Army could be broken through, it would take a considerable amount of time and come at a great cost.
However, the reality was that just one day after the attack commenced, the border city was breached, and its military leaders surrendered immediately.
The Taiping Army, numbering five hundred thousand, entered the territories of the two dynasties without encountering any resistance.
By the time the high command of the two dynasties reacted, the Taiping Army had already reached the next city.
Such speed shocked everyone in the world.
“How did the Taiping Army become so powerful that they could breach the dynasty’s border city in just one day?”
“Hasn’t the dynasty been without war for so long that they have become idle?”
Captured in a day, the border defenses were as fragile as paper.
To those unaware of the true situation, it seemed there was a problem with the dynastic forces.
Even those within the dynasty who did not know the details erupted in fierce arguing, many pointing fingers at the generals and even the Great Grandmaster who were supposed to defend.
These people wouldn’t dare to criticize when the Great Grandmaster was present, but now they freely attacked and some even suggested wiping out the family of that Great Grandmaster.
“…”
This scene suddenly made Mo Yang feel quite irritated.
“Silence!”
The court fell instantly quiet, Mo Yang’s power easily suppressing them.
“Let the army surrounding Heavenly Crown City converge, and let all dynasty’s Grandmasters and the Great Grandmaster gather. Additionally, I will personally take the field!”
“My lord, you must not, you are the backbone!” someone immediately objected, even in a cultivator dynasty, the importance of the ruler was indisputable.
“No more words, I want to see for myself how powerful the army that breaches borders in a day really is!”
Mo Yang insisted, and no one could retort or dared to.
It was indeed sometimes necessary for the dynasty’s ruler to take a stand.
On the other hand, Jiang Dao was hesitating.
His power had declined, then he restored some of it with the Luck Pearl, but he still wasn’t at his peak.
“Let’s go have a look…even if we truly can’t overcome them, with my power, running away shouldn’t be a problem.”
Really no problem?
Not quite, Jiang Dao was very aware that even National Guardian Level masters had disappeared without a trace, if he was targeted, how could he possibly escape.
But who could easily let go of the foundation built over thousands of years?
To truly leave would mean, according to the rules, going to the First Dynasty to become a leisurely prince and waiting for a second chance to lead another region as the emperor.
It is known that even though the Emperor of a subjugated dynasty is still an emperor, that holds a glimmer of hope, a chance to rise as the Emperor of the First Dynasty, especially in this era.
Greed, it is always the primary reason behind the downfall of the mighty.
Having seen the true pinnacle, how could one easily relinquish the hope to climb?
Ultimately, Jiang Dao also headed to the frontlines.
Meanwhile, the Taiping Army had reached the second city but did not advance further.
Apart from needing time to dissipate the influence of the dynasty, the primary reason was to attract more people to come.
To achieve everything in a single battle was the goal of the Taiping Sect.
Of course, there was another important reason, which was even if the army of half a million did not engage in much combat, their consumption of provisions was still considerable; not marching could reduce food consumption.
This time, the reactions from the dynasty people were faster.
The Qian Dynasty responded even faster.
The next day, all the powerhouses of the dynasty had arrived; aside from Mo Yang, there were also two Great Grandmasters and six Grandmasters from the Qian Dynasty.
Such power was even greater than the soon-to-be-destroyed Great Zhou Dynasty, mainly due to the significant improvement in cultivation resources in the real world and the existence of the Spirit World.
Mo Yang stood on the city wall and immediately spotted the same Great Grandmaster from his own dynasty.
He appeared unharmed but somewhat dejected, grieving either his fate or the fate of the Qian Dynasty.
“Ah~” Mo Yang sighed inwardly, then shouted to the Taiping Army, “Could the person in charge come out and have a seat for a talk?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a bright figure appeared on the battlefield, Wang Lingwei.
The Jade Talisman could be used by anyone, but precise control required a Spirit Cultivator.
“We can sit down and discuss.”
Seeing such a young girl, the Qian Dynasty felt nothing particular; the age and appearance of cultivators could not be judged on the surface.
“That’s one of the high-ranking officials of the Taiping Sect, said to be from the Three Counties.”
On the Qian Dynasty side, someone reported to Mo Yang.
Mo Yang’s expression tightened, from the Three Counties…
“Down there by the city wall, is it possible?”
“Yes!”
Wang Lingwei had no objections, having the Jade Talisman of her uncle, even entering the city was no matter.
Soon, both sides were seated together beneath the city wall where the meeting was arranged.
“I want to know, what exactly is your purpose?” Mo Yang went straight to the point, “As far as I know, the Taiping Sect does not seem like a force that would instigate conflict.”
“The Taiping Sect does not instigate conflict only because it lacks assurance and wants to avoid needless sacrifices. We have always known that some things can’t just be resolved by talking,” Wang Lingwei’s reply was clear, countering Mo Yang’s assumption that the Taiping Sect was only about preservation—which would lead only to their disappearance.
“…” Mo Yang was silent, for that was indeed the case—the Taiping Sect hadn’t initiated attacks, merely others’ speculations, “Then what is your purpose?”
“Simple. To unify and eliminate the existence of dynasties and empires, ensuring the imperial system ceases to exist.”
Wang Lingwei, upon being reminded by Wang Sheng, also roughly understood the dynastic system.
“Eliminate the dynastic system?!”
The only ones present who knew what this was about, besides Wang Lingwei, were Mo Yang and Xing.
This single statement alone revealed the goal of the Taiping Sect.
Erasing their Qian Dynasty was not the primary objective but a means to completely undermine it.
“Do you realize what you’re doing? Without the dynastic system, the Human Race will lose its absolute power of suppression!”
Wang Lingwei felt nothing; this was an imbalance in information.
“If relying on this method is the only way to suppress other races, then the Human Race is ruined. Before the Master of Destiny appeared, the Human Race also relied on itself to suppress countless other races.”
Wang Lingwei had been instructed by Wang Sheng on some points to make, but all were factual.
The Master of Destiny, at least for now, seemed to be harvesting strength from all over the world to enhance his own power.
This was the greatest disaster for the Human Race.
Mo Yang remained silent, unable to refute, as was Xing.
Wang Lingwei continued, “Mo Yang, I could actually address you as Uncle, and that is precisely why someone dictated that I should converse so politely with the Qian Dynasty, to give a chance. Both the dynastic system and the imperial system have severe flaws and cannot be left as they are.”
Mo Yang and the other accompanying officials were all shocked.
“Uncle?”
Mo Yang instantly understood, and his suspicions were confirmed.
“So it was that Wang brother indeed!”
He paused for a moment before speaking, “I can feel some problems too, but mere talk is futile.”
Some things, despite willingness to compromise, cannot just end happily.
“Of course!” Wang Lingwei nodded. In fact, the main reason for this discussion was to ensure that after demonstrating their strength, everyone within the Qian Dynasty would willingly cooperate; otherwise, there would be no need for so much talk.
As she spoke, she used her spiritual power to manipulate the hidden Jade Talisman and pressed it towards the people of the Qian Dynasty.
The top forces from the Qian Dynasty were all present, but facing this kind of oppression, they still could not resist and had to passively endure.
Mo Yang felt immense pressure internally, yet there was also a hint of relief.
Only a force like this could truly suppress certain voices within the Qian Dynasty to minimize unnecessary casualties.
Soon, the pressure dispersed.
“What will you choose now?” asked Wang Lingwei.
A group of powerful figures exchanged looks.
Some were reluctant; some were fearful, then all eyes finally turned to Mo Yang.
“The Qian Dynasty will fully cooperate with you all.”
Facing such pressure, any resistance would not even cause a ripple.
A light statement had determined the life and death of a dynasty; such is the world of individual might.
Some were extremely reluctant, like another top Grandmaster from the Qian Dynasty.
He was very ambitious, always lurking, planning to eventually steal the victory and become part of the imperial family.
But this ambition had hardly arisen when it was quenched; the strength of the Taiping Sect had inexplicably become powerful.
What of a top Grandmaster? Facing this kind of power, he was nothing but an ant.
“Then we’ll need your cooperation, but some cannot remain.”
Within the limits set by Wang Sheng, the Taiping Sect could also carry out some of their own actions, such as killing those who have committed senseless murders.
“Qian Ying, who massacred a village chief and 1032 people six months ago…”
Qian Ying, that was the top Grandmaster.
Hearing this statement, he instantly realized the danger and thought to flee.
But facing the Jade Talisman, how could he possibly have a chance to resist? A flash of sword light emerged from the talisman, and everyone was momentarily dazed. When they regained their senses, a top Grandmaster was already lifeless on the ground.
“This is the evidence; some public cases must be settled.”
Wang Lingwei produced some documents—it was both a deterrent and an act of vengeance.
Mo Yang looked at the documents and finally sighed.
Is the dynasty truly not fitting to exist?
On the other hand, the battleground of the Ming Dynasty was much more straightforward and brutal.
The Ming Dynasty was controlled by the Jiang Family, who had done plenty of ruthless deeds to enhance their power, to the extent that there was no need for negotiation.
But Huangtian also endured until Jiang Dao appeared before he played his trump card.
All of the Jiang Family were controlled.
“Jiang Dao?”
Huangtian looked at the approaching Jiang Dao, somewhat surprised.
“I didn’t expect to capture you directly; indeed, it’s fortunate!”
Jiang Dao, he was the key target of this operation as revealed by Liu Jian’an.
“…” Jiang Dao remained silent; he had felt an ominous premonition the moment Huangtian appeared and wanted to leave.
But the gap was too vast, and he was instantly subdued.
He tried to struggle, “You must want us to cooperate, as long as…”
But he was interrupted before he could finish.
“Indeed, cooperation is needed, but it does not include the Jiang Family. Someone has ordered that others may be spared, but all of the Jiang Family must die.”