Inside the Hall of Inheritance.
Torch flames blazed, illuminating the faces of the five ancient kings, each expression unique, their stone eyes silently watching the young man at the center.
The young man wore a crown embedded with a huge diamond. His facial expression continuously shifted—sometimes indulgent, sometimes angry, sometimes fearful, sometimes joyful—but his eyes remained calm and serene, exuding an aloof tranquility.
No one knew how long had passed when a low sigh echoed in the stone chamber: “The Power of Ten Thousand People?!”
In the brief trial of inheritance, Wu Ming seemed to experience the entire life of King Taler the Conqueror, learning much more than he had ever known.
Most importantly, he had perfectly inherited the core power—the Power of Ten Thousand People—and transformed it into his own strength.
“My initial guess was slightly off. Although the Power of Ten Thousand People can be considered a form of belief, it is not purely faith. Instead, it resembles the Dao of Heavenly Mandate…”
Wu Ming murmured to himself.
The Power of Ten Thousand People was a force only a king who ruled over the masses could obtain.
When such a ruler conquered more and more lands, absorbed increasing numbers of people, and unified his subjects under a single law, the admiration of his people, the fear of his enemies, and even the mysterious flow of fate would all transform into direct power—either enhancing the ruler’s own strength limit or acting upon external objects, forming spells or even supernatural artifacts.
“It sounds quite similar to heavenly mandate—some method of rapidly converting fate into power?”
Wu Ming rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
In the Xianwu universe, such methods did exist, but they were limited to specific cultivation paths like Daoist techniques.
However, the Power of Ten Thousand People, the Power of Kings, was different. As long as a king accumulated enough power, even physical strength could be enhanced, and even the limit of lifespan could be surpassed!
This resembled the Dao of Divine Ascension through faith, yet was not entirely the same.
To put it simply, it was the transformation of spirit into matter, and the influence of consciousness upon reality! Even from Wu Ming’s perspective, it was an extraordinary great arcane art.
“In short, the larger the territory ruled, the stronger the power gained. It’s practically a system tailored specifically for kings…”
Excitement flickered in Wu Ming’s eyes.
He removed the blue diamond crown, nodding in satisfaction: “It wasn’t in vain that I invested so much effort. It truly lived up to my expectations…”
“And also… the serpent…”
Wu Ming summoned the pure memories of Taler I.
This inheritance was almost a battle of will and spirit against the Conqueror’s will. In the consciousness realm, he had nearly experienced the entirety of the other’s life. If his mind had fractured, a second personality of Taler might have emerged, effectively allowing the Conqueror to be reborn in another form.
Of course, what remained now was only pure memory—a tremendous spiritual treasure that Wu Ming valued greatly.
“The theory of ‘World-Destroying Serpent’ was proposed by the Sage, the uncrowned king among the Five Ancient Kings and the founder of the City of Great Learning…”
“He was a scholar of immense knowledge, having explored the origin of the world and even glimpsed its end. The Sage prophesied that in the distant future, the world would undergo a great transformation—a crossroads between light and darkness—so momentous that even the legendary Creator would awaken… This would be the sign of a coming catastrophe.”
For a Creator or World God, every action and word could drastically alter the created world.
Even a simple turn in slumber might bring calamity upon the entire world of Sear.
Thus, the awakening of the serpent would undoubtedly bring disaster.
With the aid of the City of Great Learning, the Five Ancient Kings all swore solemn oaths to prevent the apocalyptic catastrophe of the World-Destroying Serpent.
“A group of ants trying to challenge a dragon?”
That was Wu Ming’s immediate reaction.
How could mere mortals ever comprehend the authority and power of a Creator?
The Sage prophesied that the serpent’s awakening would bring about the end of the world, yet he had appeared multiple times in the Huangting Celestial Realm without causing any catastrophe.
Unless the entire continent of Sear was built upon the serpent’s body, how could its simple movement destroy the entire world?
“Just unnecessary worry…”
Wu Ming casually played with the blue diamond crown as he exited the secret chamber.
“Master?”
Beatrice and the others, who had been anxiously waiting, relaxed visibly upon seeing him emerge: “Thank goodness you’re safe… Just now, Marat sent word. A group of suspicious individuals has arrived in the valley outside, though they seem to bear no ill intent.”
“They actually found their way here?”
Wu Ming showed slight surprise: “Let me go check.”
“This… is the Heart of Deep Blue?”
Only now did Jack notice the crown on Wu Ming’s hand. The dazzling blue brilliance made his eyes widen instantly: “This is the crown of King Taler I the Conqueror!”
“It must be! Such a beautiful blue diamond—there’s no second like it across the entire continent!”
Caritan’s eyes sparkled with excitement, reminding Wu Ming of the legendary dragons who loved shiny treasures. Often, women and dragons shared the same passion for glittering objects.
“It is indeed genuine, but it’s just a crown…”
Wu Ming casually tossed it to Beatrice: “Keep it!”
“U-Understood! My lord…”
Beatrice’s voice trembled. Beside her, Ava already looked stunned.
“This is no ordinary crown—it is the symbol of kingship!”
Caritan knelt on one knee: “When Taler died, the blue diamond crown mysteriously vanished. A prophecy quietly spread: whoever obtained the crown of the conqueror would surely conquer the entire Windfly Plains and dominate the continent of Sear!”
Her eyes burned with fervor: “My lord, you are the Chosen of Prophecy! The future king!”
“Hmm?”
Wu Ming had initially taken it lightly, but when he saw Ava kneeling as well, and Jack nodding in agreement, he suddenly understood.
Although the blue diamond crown had become a mere object after the inheritance, its symbolic meaning far surpassed his expectations—comparable even to the imperial jade seal of ancient times.
“Today’s events must remain a secret! Not a word of this leaves this place, understood?”
His expression turned solemn, his voice grave.
“We understand!”
They all shouted in unison, even Marat showing no sign of negligence.
Only after watching Beatrice carefully wrap the crown and place it into a satchel did Wu Ming clap his hands together: “Alright, let’s go out and see who our patient guests are…”
With the Dragon Heart sword hanging at his waist, he led the way out of the cave.
Blazing sunlight poured down, mountain winds howled, and the previously silent valley now stood occupied by a dozen shadowy figures.
Under the sunlight, their armor shimmered, and the white cloaks behind them were as pure as clouds in a blue sky.
“The Holy Order’s Knights of Glory?”
Wu Ming’s expression shifted slightly: “The Church found us here? Is it because their hidden network is too vast, or did someone betray us?!”
Sometimes, a single scene was enough to plant seeds of suspicion in a leader’s mind.
But he shook his head, quickly dismissing the thought. After all, his entire group was under his absolute control. Even if there were a traitor, there had been little opportunity for outside communication.
“Sir William Wallace!”
The knights parted, revealing the figure of an elderly man.
He wore a linen robe, barefoot, with a kind smile on his face: “We meet again!”
“I never expected to meet you here. May I ask for what purpose you have come, Bishop?”
Wu Ming smiled brightly, though his hand rested on his sword hilt.
“I have been waiting…”
The bishop spoke in an almost mystical tone: “Waiting for the arrival of the legendary Chosen of Prophecy!”
He smiled mysteriously: “Sir, have you obtained what you sought within?”
“You know what lies inside?”
Wu Ming narrowed his eyes slightly.
“In the Church’s secret scriptures, we had only recently pinpointed its location here.”
The bishop bowed respectfully, his tone solemn: “And here, I must also thank you for eliminating the cannibal wizard and saving the entire Windfly Plains. This heroic deed shall be remembered by future generations!”
At these words, Wu Ming remained calm, but behind him, Ava and Marat’s faces lit up with joy.
They had risked their lives to slay the cannibal wizard, not wanting to remain nameless heroes. But at the time, no one had witnessed their deeds, and their bravery had gone unrecognized—a source of regret.
Now, with the endorsement of a Church bishop, everything changed.
Fame, honor, immense wealth, and status were now within reach.
“Gentlemen and ladies…”
The bishop glanced around with a smile: “If you don’t mind, I would like to speak privately with Sir William here.”
He gestured, and the Knights of Glory slightly bowed before exiting the valley entirely.
“You all go outside and wait for me too!”
Since the bishop had dared to come alone, Wu Ming naturally had no fear. He gave the order directly.
Once Beatrice reluctantly disappeared beyond the valley entrance, Wu Ming turned, fixing the bishop with a steady gaze: “Now you may speak!”
He had always felt the Church and the bishop were shrouded in mystery. Though they controlled an extensive network and possessed considerable power, they remained unusually low-key. Their repeated attempts to befriend him without offering anything concrete had puzzled him.
Today, it seemed, was the moment the veil would finally be lifted.
“William Wallace!”
The bishop’s eyes, filled with white light, asked in a sacred tone: “Do you wish to become the King of the Windfly Plains? The savior of the entire continent?”
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