Chapter 253: Annihilation

The Crown Prince took out a document sealed with the Senate’s stamp. “Esteemed colleagues, this morning, the stewards delivered this list to us. As in previous years, the Senate has nominated five hundred officials and requests the imperial family’s approval.”

The ministers murmured amongst themselves. Everyone already knew this news, but it was repeated here again. The Senate acted as if nothing had recently transpired, submitting the list regardless. The five hundred individuals on the list were mostly scions of noble families within the Ten Sword Sects. The senators had always controlled the resource-rich star systems through these sects.

“The senators are delusional,” the Chief of the Privy Council, a staunch opponent of the Senate, remarked. “A thousand core star systems are the essence of the Galactic Empire, all strategic points and resource bases. Whoever controls even a portion of these systems gains immense financial and military power. In the past, the senators used this method to share the empire with the Emperor, which was already an act of treason. Now, the senators’ power has greatly diminished. If they gain control of the Di Star System, it would be like restoring their strength, leading to endless troubles.”

Many ministers nodded in agreement. The Chief’s words struck a chord. In truth, the senators were not entirely confident about the list, but those five hundred resource-rich planets were ones the Senate absolutely refused to abandon. Thus, they submitted the list, hoping their former prestige still held weight and that Emperor Yinglie would still grant them face.

“What do you suggest, Chancellor?” the Crown Prince asked the Chief of the Privy Council.

“Treat it as nonsense!” the Chief of the Privy Council scoffed. “We will select our own people. The senators have already been crushed by the Emperor and dare not say anything.”

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows but said nothing.

However, the Minister of Internal Affairs shook his head. “No, no, Chancellor, you’re too hasty, too hasty.”

“Oh?”

“Those five hundred resource-rich star systems are the last bastion supporting the Senate system. The senators would never relinquish them,” the Minister of Internal Affairs said with a worried expression. “If those systems are lost, the Senate would be cut off from its future. If we completely ignore the Senate, as you suggest, it would provoke a backlash from the senators.”

“So what? They’re just a few stray dogs,” the Chief of the Privy Council said arrogantly.

“Chancellor, although the Ten Sword Sects have collapsed and two stewards are severely injured, if the remaining three hundred senators and seven stewards unite their efforts, who among us can withstand them?” the Minister of Internal Affairs sighed.

This question indeed stumped everyone.

Even if the Senate was a dying tiger, it still had sharp teeth and claws. No faction could yet swallow it whole. Everyone’s plan was to watch it age and die.

But if provoked to its breaking point, the Senate could unleash its full power, causing great chaos. No one, not even Emperor Yinglie himself, could survive such a confrontation, let alone the ministers standing in the grand hall.

Realizing the severity of the issue, the ministers turned their gazes to Yang Hao, who had not spoken yet.

“Why are you looking at me?” Yang Hao felt uneasy. “Oh, I get it—you all enjoy the benefits, and now you want me to risk my life, right?” Yang Hao scoffed as he shook his head. “Forget it, everyone. I’m not powerful enough to oppose so many senators. The Senate has been deeply entrenched in the empire for so many years; trying to overthrow them all at once is wishful thinking.”

“Lord Yang Hao, what do you think we should do?” the Privy Council minister asked humbly.

The old man was clever. He knew Yang Hao had an irreconcilable feud with the Senate, so he assumed Yang would side with him.

But no one expected Yang Hao to have changed his stance today.

He coughed and recited the words he had prepared in advance. “In my opinion, the Senate has made great contributions to the empire. Just granting them five hundred star systems is not excessive at all; it is entirely reasonable and should be approved.”

“What?” Everyone was shocked.

Except for Qin Feng and Emperor Yinglie, who remained calm and calculating, the other ministers were furious.

Although these officials feared the Senate, they were ultimately loyal to Emperor Yinglie. They had tolerated the Senate for decades, and recently, they finally felt a sense of relief. But now Yang Hao suggested yielding to the Senate again, which was hard for the officials to accept.

“Coward! You’re such a coward!” the Chief of the Privy Council raged. “At a time like this, you’re still afraid of the Senate? Give them resources, and you’re just fattening them up to be devoured later.”

Even the conciliatory Minister of Internal Affairs felt uneasy. “Although the Senate is still powerful, yielding so much at once is too humiliating. Perhaps we should make minor concessions to appease them.”

“He’s a traitor!” the Chief of the Privy Council fumed.

“Haha!” Yang Hao stood up and patted his pants. “You all talk so lightly, as if you don’t have to pay with your lives when offending the Senate. How come I always end up fighting them? How come it’s always my Dan Ding Sect that suffers casualties? You want to use me as a pawn? Do you think I’m that foolish?”

“You…” The Chief of the Privy Council was so angry he nearly collapsed.

Yang Hao, seemingly indifferent to seniority, continued, looking up at the sky. “I’ll give you two choices, Chancellor. One: reject the Senate’s proposal and lead your fleet to bomb the Senate Mountains. Two: fully accept the Senate’s demands and coexist peacefully.”

“Don’t you fear that the Senate, once replenished with resources, will target your Dan Ding Sect again?” the Chief of the Privy Council demanded.

“If things get really bad, I’ll just run back to the Oracle,” Yang Hao said with a smile, already acting like a shameless rogue.

At this point, the court discussion nearly broke down. On one side were the furious ministers, and on the other was the superlord Yang Hao, who was smiling and acting like a scoundrel.

Emperor Yinglie sighed and asked the Crown Prince, “What do you think?”

The Crown Prince’s face paled. After hesitating for a long time, he stammered, “I think… lately, the royal family and the Senate have been at odds, and we really should ease tensions…”

“Since that’s the case…” Emperor Yinglie slapped the throne and issued an imperial decree, “We will approve the Senate’s list as Lord Yang suggested.”

“What?” The ministers were stunned, unable to believe their ears or that the mighty Emperor Yinglie on the throne had truly spoken those words.

But Emperor Yinglie had already left with Tai Feng, returning leisurely to the inner palace. Before leaving the grand hall, he cast a meaningful glance at Yang Hao.

The message was clear.

“Little guy! I know exactly what you’re up to,” Emperor Yinglie chuckled inwardly.

Yang Hao indeed had ulterior motives. Such intentions were new to him before, but since being joined by the female strategist Ling Ziyang, Yang Hao had learned to employ schemes and intrigue.

Ling Ziyang had received special training from the Senate since childhood, mastering various tactics and political strategies. Now that she was by Yang Hao’s side, she naturally took on the role of his female advisor, diligently assisting him.

Despite her large belly, Ling Ziyang still exerted herself, her beautiful face glowing under the lamplight. When she rested her chin and frowned in thought, it truly seemed as if the world moved with her furrowed brow.

Yang Hao quietly brewed tea. Tea was now a precious commodity, especially the premium tea imported from the Oracle, reserved for imperial use. Only a lord like Yang Hao, who had close access, could enjoy it. Watching the pale green tea swirl in the cup and the fragrant steam rise, taking a sip, the aftertaste was endless.

“They haven’t arrived yet?” Ling Ziyang was roused by the aroma and asked.

At this moment, the two of them were not within the Dan Ding Sect but in a forest within the jurisdiction of the Merchant Guild. The house here was reserved for Yang Hao as a council member, and this was his first time using it—to meet some special people.

“They’re early yet,” Yang Hao sipped his tea, still calculating in his mind. “Do you think there might be any loopholes in today’s plan?”

“Even if the Senate is omniscient, they couldn’t have anticipated your move.”

Ling Ziyang smiled and leaned her head on Yang Hao’s shoulder. “They think you approved the list to avoid provoking them into desperate measures. Who would have thought you had a countermove?”

“This countermove is all thanks to your information.”

Ling Ziyang playfully kissed Yang Hao. “Actually, the senators are quite detached and don’t want to meddle in too many affairs. So regardless of which star systems they control, they hand them over to the Ten Sword Sects. The five hundred officials on that list are all under the Ten Sword Sects.”

Yang Hao sighed. “I never imagined, not even the senators or myself, that it could be done this way.”

“Once successful, you’ll be the most powerful person in the world,” Ling Ziyang’s eyes sparkled. “Who would have thought that Lord Yang Hao, an archenemy of the Senate and the Ten Sword Sects, could ally with and control the Ten Sword Sects?”

“Hmph!” Yang Hao exhaled deeply, pouring another cup of tea to suppress his excitement.

Indeed, who would have thought that Ling Ziyang could come up with such a creative and bold idea?

She suggested that Yang Hao approve the Senate’s list but simultaneously undermine their foundation by luring the Ten Sword Sects to his side. If the Dan Ding Sect could control the Ten Sword Sects, it would sever the Senate’s roots all at once, leaving them isolated.

What an imaginative plan.

Although Yang Hao found it hard to believe, remember that he had just fought a life-and-death battle with the Ten Sword Sects, seizing all ten of their sacred swords and injuring five clan leaders.

Under such circumstances of deep enmity, expecting them to switch allegiance seemed an impossible task.

But Ling Ziyang analyzed it logically. Although the Ten Sword Sects feared the Senate, they feared the destruction of their families even more. Now, the one who controlled the Ten Sword Sects’ fate was not the Senate but Yang Hao himself, making him their greatest fear.

Moreover, the ten sacred swords were originally bestowed by the至尊to the Ten Sword Sects. Now that all the sacred swords have changed hands, it brings not only shame but also the threat of annihilation to the Ten Sword Sects, likely provoking the Senate’s displeasure.

Therefore, at this moment, if Yang Hao combined both threats and promises, offering safety to the remaining sword sects, there was a good chance of success.

Now, the Ten Sword Sects were merely a hollow shell. Among them, the Beast Heart Sword Sect, the Divine Wrath Sword Sect, and the Starlight Circus had already been destroyed by Yang Hao. The Black Wind Sword Sect was led by the Black Wind Steward, so only six sects—Wang Clan, Light Sword Sect, Shadow Assassin Clan, Yan Clan, Illusion Feather Sect, and the Xiu Shi Grove—were truly active.

Today, Yang Hao had invited the leaders of these six sects.

Being invited by an enemy was indeed strange, so the six leaders arrived late. However, regardless, all six sects arrived unspokenly and simultaneously. Wang Clan’s Haiwang Gong and Xiu Shi Grove’s Qilian Xiu Shi were naturally the leaders among the six. Upon arrival, they said not a word, merely glaring hatefully at Yang Hao across the table.

“Have some tea!” Yang Hao showed no trace of his earlier domineering aura, which had once marked him as a man-killer and a sword-thief. When one’s martial cultivation reaches an unparalleled height, there is no need to intimidate others through sheer force.

“We don’t need tea,” Haiwang Gong, leaning on his cane, said with a fiery temper. “Lord Yang Hao, what do you want with us? Are you going to humiliate us again?”

“Of course not,” Yang Hao smiled, leaning back in his chair comfortably. “I’m here to discuss returning the six sacred swords to you.”

“Return?” All six exclaimed in unison.

Yang Hao secretly rejoiced. This carrot-and-stick approach was indeed effective. At the mere mention of recovering their sacred swords, these old men were already beside themselves.

“The sacred swords are your sects’ treasures. It’s not good for me to keep them,” Yang Hao said nonchalantly. “Have some tea, have some tea.”

This time, they couldn’t refuse even if they wanted to. They exchanged glances and, closing their eyes, drank the tea as if it were poison.

Surprisingly, it was harmless and even fragrant.

Qilian Xiu Shi lightly coughed, softening his tone. “Lord Yang Hao, we did have some misunderstandings in the past, but…”

“No need for ‘but.’ We all had our own masters to serve. I understand,” Yang Hao waved his hand generously. “Those who didn’t know their place have already been dealt with. The elders here today could become friends.”

“Friends…” The word, rich with meaning, left the sect leaders momentarily stunned.

Could the Ten Sword Sects and Yang Hao truly become friends? They had been enemies for so long, from Yang Hao’s days on Remon Star, all the way to Earth. One by one, the sword sects were crushed by Yang Hao until only six remained, and not a single sacred sword was left. The Ten Sword Sects and Yang Hao should be enemies, bitter enemies.

But upon reflection, there was still a sliver of hope for the Ten Sword Sects.

Because to Yang Hao, the Ten Sword Sects were already too weak to be considered adversaries. It seemed that with just a flick of his finger, the remaining six sects would vanish from the universe like the Divine Wrath and Beast Heart sects before them.

Haiwang Gong and Qilian Xiu Shi looked at the young, invincible Yang Hao before them, an involuntary sense of fear rising in their hearts. This fear was something they had never felt even in the presence of the stewards and senators.

This man, this Yang Hao, had once been a weak student, but in a short time, he had become the most powerful and unfathomable existence in the universe. His terror lay in the fact that those who had opposed him were already dead, and the factions that had stood against him had been crushed.

Qilian Xiu Shi knew he was here as a defeated enemy, a stray dog.

Yet Yang Hao, unexpectedly, said he would return the sacred swords and even become friends.

This left the six leaders stunned, their hearts trembling.

Finally, Qilian Xiu Shi was the first to regain his composure. He took another sip of tea before asking, “Lord Yang Hao, may I ask what conditions you have for returning the sacred swords to us?”

“There are no conditions. In the past, we each served our own masters. If that’s no longer the case, I’ll naturally return them to you,” Yang Hao said calmly, diligently pouring tea for everyone.

Now, even the most foolish person could hear the implications in his words.

Haiwang Gong’s face darkened. “Lord Yang Hao, don’t forget—the Ten Sword Sects have always been under the Senate’s control. What do you mean by ‘no longer serving our own masters’?”

“In ancient times, even fire had to be drilled from wood, but now spaceships can traverse several star systems in an instant,” Ling Ziyang’s melodious voice laughed. “Everything in this world changes. What can’t change?”

“Your meaning…” Qilian Xiu Shi seemed to hear the most terrifying news. “Your meaning… is that we… should betray the Senate?”

After saying this, Qilian Xiu Shi himself turned pale. He looked left and right. If the Senate found out, even ten heads wouldn’t be enough to pay the price.

“You’ve been with the Senate for many years, but now it’s clear their power is waning. If you continue down this path, you’ll only meet your doom,” Yang Hao’s voice began to turn cold.

“Impossible!” Haiwang Gong and the leader of the Light Sword Sect shouted together. “How could that be?”

The six men simultaneously wiped sweat from their brows, genuine cold sweat.

“The life and death of the Ten Sword Sects is not in the Senate’s hands but in mine!” Yang Hao suddenly slammed the table, startling them.

Yang Hao’s expression instantly turned fierce and domineering. “When I destroyed the Beast Heart Sword Sect and the Divine Wrath Sword Sect, it was just a matter of lifting my hand. How much effort would it take to destroy your six sects?”

“The Ten Sword Sects have a history spanning centuries, not shorter than the Senate’s. To see it end like this is truly regrettable,” Ling Ziyang sighed, genuinely sorrowful.

“As long as the Senate exists, you won’t find it easy to eliminate us!” Qilian Xiu Shi still stubbornly held on.

But Yang Hao had already torn away their last veil of pretense. “Still relying on the Senate? I’m afraid the stewards and senators only see you as the most despicable tools. Otherwise, why would they allow a mere concubine to manage you? Moreover, you’ve already lost the至尊’s sacred swords bestowed upon you. How long do you think the Senate will tolerate you?”

These words from Yang Hao struck the leaders’ hearts like hammers.

The leaders were already trembling. Although the ten sacred swords had been bestowed by the Supreme Being upon the Ten Sword Sects, they were merely entrusted to them for safekeeping. While the sects regarded them as precious treasures, losing them meant committing the offense of dishonoring the Supreme Being, and the Senate had the authority to impose punishment at any moment.

Now, the sword sects still had some use, so the senators naturally wouldn’t act rashly. But if the Senate regained power, the Ten Sword Sects would be in grave danger.

The bigger issue was that the ten sacred swords were the symbol and emblem of the Ten Sword Sects. With them, they could expand their influence and recruit disciples. Now that the swords were lost, whether the six major sword sects could continue to develop was uncertain.

Seeing the fluctuating expressions on the six leaders’ faces, Yang Hao began to dangle the carrot again. He turned around and pulled out a large package, spreading it out on the table.

The six leaders of the Ten Sword Sects’ eyes immediately lit up. What Yang Hao had brought out were indeed their six sacred swords. But it wasn’t just that; with each sword, Yang Hao had added something small yet enticing.

“These are the appointment letters for the ten star systems in the outer regions. As long as the Wang Clan agrees, not only will you get back the Sword of Immortality, but you will also permanently manage these ten star systems.”

Yang Hao pushed the appointment letter and the Sword of Immortality toward Haiwang Gong.

Haiwang Gong’s eyes turned green. The Wang Clan had always wanted to establish their family base in the outer regions, but after several consecutive setbacks from Yang Hao, this plan was completely ruined. When the Wang Fleet was destroyed, Haiwang Gong thought his dream was forever unattainable. Who would have thought Yang Hao would present such a generous gift.

Before the Xiu Shi Grove and Illusion Feather Sects, Yang Hao placed several tattered books along with their sacred swords. Seeing the confused eyes of the two leaders, Yang Hao said, “These are ancient cultivation scriptures from the cultivation era, long lost even in the Senate. If you agree, these scriptures will belong to you.”

Qilian Xiu Shi’s hands trembled, his shock nearly causing him to faint. As a true connoisseur, he could instantly discern that what Yang Hao had produced was genuine. After the Supreme Immortal Sect had unified everything, nearly all cultivation techniques and scriptures were gathered by the Senate. Only the steward senators had full access to these materials, while ordinary senators could view only one or two. The Ten Sword Sects fared even worse, dependent on accumulating continuous merits to be granted a few pages of secret texts, which were always carefully selected and controlled by the senators.

The scriptures Yang Hao brought out were the essence stolen by Qianlong Pavilion from the Senate Mountains back then. Any one of them could support a huge sect.

For the Yan Clan, Yang Hao kept it simple: “My master was the leader of the Dan-Ding Dual Cultivation Sect back then. He said he would write down some formulas for you.”

That was enough, more than enough.

If the Yan Clan leader hadn’t had such strong self-control, he would have knelt down to thank Yang Hao with full devotion and loyalty.

What was the Dan Ding Sect? It was the ancestor of alchemy and medicine. The Yan Clan had learned only a fraction of its techniques and yet managed to establish their own sect. If they could obtain the Dan Ding Dual Cultivation Sect’s secret formulas, it would mean more than mere survival for them; the Yan Clan could potentially become the most powerful and influential sect of all.

Yang Hao made promises to each of the six sword sects, making everyone’s hearts blossom with joy and gratitude. However, promises were just promises. In the end, it all came down to the final test.

Yang Hao then took out six black pills and placed them in front of the leaders, who, unable to resist the temptation, were about to draw their swords: “These are special pills crafted by our Dan Ding Sect. Please, give them a try.”

Yang Hao wasn’t a fool, and neither were Hun Yuanzi and Ling Ziyang. They clearly knew that the people from the Ten Sword Sects couldn’t resist the temptation of so many benefits, so accepting the conditions was inevitable.

The key issue was whether, after accepting the conditions, they could remain loyal to Yang Hao or if they would surrender again under pressure from the Senate.

Therefore, Yang Hao and Hun Yuanzi had developed these “Soul Devouring Pills.”

During the great cultivation era, these Soul Devouring Pills were classified as first-level banned substances, a major reason why the Fuqi Sect insulted the Danding Sect by labeling them as a cult. Even within the Danding Double-Cultivation Sect, the production and dissemination of these pills were strictly prohibited. If Hun Yuanzi had not been the leader of the Danding Sect, he would not have possessed the formula for these pills.

The Soul Devouring Pills were a type of mind-control pill. After taking them, there was initially no reaction. However, each pill had a one-month effectiveness. If, after a month, the person didn’t continue taking the Soul Devouring Pills, their mind would completely deteriorate, making them obey the person who administered the pills.

The terrifying aspect of these pills was that the person who took them either obeyed the commands and took one pill a month or refused the commands but still ended up being controlled after their mind deteriorated.

Once taken, the effects could never be undone.

Looking at the six Soul Devouring Pills, the leaders of the Ten Sword Sects were stunned. Although they didn’t know what these pills were, they had already witnessed the power of丹鼎派’s medicinal pills. Naturally, they understood that Yang Hao wouldn’t let them off the hook so easily.

If they took the pills, they would be forever under Yang Hao’s control.

But if they didn’t take them, it meant certain death.

How should they choose?

Even someone as fiery-tempered as Haiwang Gong could only back down now: “Lord Yang Hao, we’re just small fry. There’s no need for such valuable pills, right?”

Yang Hao tapped the table, displeased. “I’ve already shown my sincerity. Now it’s your turn to show yours.”

But this sincerity was too costly.

The six leaders gazed at the pills before them, fully conscious of their significance. If they truly swallowed them, the Ten Sword Sects would forever belong to the Dan Ding Sect, never to rise again.

The order of the empire, which had lasted for hundreds of thousands of years and divided the loyalties of billions of people, would undergo a complete transformation. The Senate would be pushed to the brink, and once their branches and roots were severed, the Senate might truly be overthrown by Yang Hao.

All of this hinged on the six pills before them.

How could they possibly swallow them?

Yang Hao sneered and raised the stick again: “If you don’t take the pills, whether the Senate succeeds or fails, lives or dies, it has nothing to do with you. I guarantee that within forty-eight hours, the Ten Sword Sects will completely vanish from the universe. At that time, the Senate probably won’t even extend a hand to help. However, if you take these pills, even if the Senate collapses, the Ten Sword Sects can still maintain their former glory, even develop better. After all, a person who doesn’t act for their own benefit will be condemned by heaven and earth. As leaders of the Ten Sword Sects, is the life and death of the Senate worth your lives?”

Yang Hao’s words made the six leaders’ faces turn awkward. Although the words were harsh, they were the truth. The Ten Sword Sects relied on the Senate, and the Senate used the Ten Sword Sects. It was originally a relationship of mutual exploitation. Now that Yang Hao’s power had greatly increased and the senators had repeatedly suffered defeats, there was no need for them to die together.

Although they thought this way, the matter was still of great importance. Every action could trigger a cosmic upheaval. The six leaders’ eyes gleamed with eagerness, but no one dared to act rashly. Now, whoever moved first might be the first to die from the Senate’s retaliation.

Ling Ziyang understood the nuances well. She and Yang Hao had prepared for this and laid the groundwork.

Now the time had come. Ling Ziyang raised her finger, her crystal-clear nail gleaming under the lamplight. She subtly made an imperceptible gesture.

Suddenly, the newly appointed leader of the Shadow Assassin Clan, who had been silent all along, reacted. He stood up abruptly, grabbed Yang Hao’s pills, and without hesitation, stuffed them into his mouth, chewing a few times before swallowing. “The Shadow Assassin Clan will follow Lord Yang Hao’s lead.”

This action greatly surprised everyone. In the other leaders’ imagination, the Shadow Assassin Clan should have been the most loyal to the Senate, as almost all of them were carefully cultivated by the senators over many years and would not be used unless absolutely necessary.

Yang Hao, however, had a smile on his lips. This was indeed the backup plan he and Ling Ziyang had prepared.

The Shadow Assassin Clan had indeed been loyal to the Senate, but that was before. However, after the battles at the Comet Source and the Annihilation Bureau, the Purple Robe-level assassins loyal to the Senate were nearly wiped out. Ling Ziyang had once served as the leader of the Shadow Assassin Clan. Although she didn’t show it, she had cultivated a considerable number of loyal followers, including the current new leader, who was one of Ling Ziyang’s confidants.

So the breakthrough began here.

Yang Hao waved his hand, sending a document over. “Here are the Judgment Sword of the Shadow Assassin Clan and the《Blood Strike》sword techniques.”

The leader of the Shadow Assassin Clan swiftly drew the Judgment Sword. The dark force of judgment immediately spread. After being separated for so long, this sacred sword belonging to the Shadow Assassin Clan finally returned to his hands.

At this point, the balance in the hearts of the other five leaders was completely overturned.

If everyone refused, it was one thing, but if only one sect refused, it was another.

The leader of the Yan Clan swallowed the pill in a flash, his eyes shining as he looked at Yang Hao.

Yang Hao flicked his hand, sending over the Healing Sword and several pre-written alchemical formulas into the Yan Clan leader’s hands.

At this point, the rest of the matters proceeded smoothly.

One by one, whether willingly or reluctantly, they all helplessly swallowed the Soul Devouring Pills prepared by Yang Hao.

Watching Haiwang Gong finally swallow the pill, Yang Hao felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

He indeed had the right to feel relieved. Since Yang Hao’s journey began on Remon Star, he had continuously fought against the Ten Sword Sects. The struggle with these ten sects had run through Yang Hao’s entire life.

Now, everything was over. The Great Ten Sword Sects, the guardians beneath the Supreme, had finally surrendered completely to Yang Hao.

From this night onward, the forest outside was quiet, but under the lamplight, everyone knew that the night and day of the empire, every inch of its land, had undergone tremendous changes.

Now, the most powerful force in the universe, the most capable player in the game of chess, had become Yang Hao.