Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 844 - 827: Great Zhou Empire

Zhouyang, true to his word, after extracting all the Upper Realm secrets from the residual soul of [True Monarch Guangming], directly refined it into flying ash.

And the residual soul seemed to have lived enough, for it did not plead for mercy even once before its demise.

"About today's events, Fellow Daoist Qiao should know what to do."

Zhouyang, having refined the residual soul, turned his gaze full of warning to Qiao Yangming, whose expression was rather unpleasant.

In the prior conversation with the residual soul, he had revealed many secrets, such as Zhou Guangzheng being his son.

Naturally, he did not want these matters to spread and spark speculation.

Once he heard Zhouyang's words, Qiao Yangming's mind trembled, and he quickly nodded in reply: "Rest assured, Immortal Venerable, today's events will remain sealed; I shall not utter a single word!"

"That's good, then. When Zheng'Er grows up, I will bring him to the Immortal Palace for cultivation technique inheritance!"

Contentedly, Zhouyang nodded, tossed these words down, and departed the [Bright Hall] with his wife and child.

"But Immortal Venerable..."

Qiao Yangming wished to say something, yet Zhouyang's figure had already vanished from his sight.

Faced with this situation, he sighed deeply, suppressing the words that had been about to escape.

The events of today brought him considerable shock; his mind has yet to calm completely.

To think that [True Monarch Guangming], revered as a deity by the disciples of the Immortal Palace, had faked death for escape and possessed a genius disciple thousands of years later!

If this news reached the current Immortal Palace disciples, it would undoubtedly trigger a mighty wave.

Furthermore, the residual soul of [True Monarch Guangming] that persisted until now had set its sights on [Master Qianyang] Zhouyang's son, only to be vanquished by Zhouyang.

This news, once shared, would similarly incite a great storm within the Immortal Palace.

Thus, even without a special warning from Zhouyang, Qiao Yangming dared not disclose today's happenings inside the [Bright Hall].

He could only feel fortunate that Zhouyang did not transfer his anger to him or to the Great Brightness Immortal Palace.

Otherwise, the wrath of a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal could suffice to erase the already declining Great Brightness Immortal Palace!

Zhouyang naturally did not care about Qiao Yangming's thoughts.

With Tribulation Crossing cultivation and power, Zhouyang no longer needed to consider the opinions of any non-Tier Seven beings.

Although once informed by Palace Master Yin Hanguang that a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal is akin to a prisoner in the "Spirit Realm,"

Such descriptions merely applied from a broad perspective; in reality, within the "Spirit Realm," a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal is indeed a force to be reckoned with.

Returning to the Zhou Family, Zhouyang shared the insights gained from the residual soul of [True Monarch Guangming] with Lan Daoist to verify their truth.

The outcomes were relatively satisfying: aside from the unclear reason for the Ascension Platform's destruction, Lan Daoist affirmed the other revelations from the residual soul.

While awaiting the adulthood of his son Zhou Guangzheng, Zhouyang busied himself with various undertakings.

Foremost, he planned for his eventual ascension, handing a list of required materials to the Zhou Family, Profound Sun Immortal Sect, and several major forces, instructing their high-tier cultivators to gather necessary materials from various cultivation realms.

Then, honoring a promise to [Master Withered Wood], he sent the demon servants Golden Roc and Bi'Er to visit major powerhouses across the cultivation realms, exchanging top-tier artifact refining materials. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The revision and completion of the "Profound Sun Treasure Manual" also demanded his personal attention.

These comprised pressing matters; upcoming tasks include cultivation of immortal techniques and divine techniques, nurturing the lifebound immortal artifact, all waiting for him to accomplish.

In sum, although having ascended to immortality after crossing the tribulation, alleviating concerns about lifespan and safety, he remained busy with many matters.

For the Zhou Family and forces like the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, Zhouyang's immortal ascension bestowed one major benefit: no enemy dared to attack them initiatively.

The Yuan Ying and Gold Core stage cultivators who had to oversee the mountain gate and key areas could now freely explore the vast world.

Within the Zhou Family, this shift was most noticeable; save for a few high-tier cultivators, its members ventured to explore and roam across various cultivation realms.

Outside, invoking the Zhou Family's name commanded respect, even from Nascent Soul cultivators who dared not belittle them.

The family hierarchy's previously troubling succession issue ceased to provoke anxiety following Zhouyang, the family's patriarch, achieving immortal ascension.

Even Qi Cultivation stage cultivators know a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal's lifespan extends a thousand years.

As long as Zhouyang, the family patriarch, remains, why worry about the absence of Nascent Soul cultivators?

Who would dare, with reckless courage, to threaten the Zhou Family guarded by a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal?

When one ascends to immortality, even the chickens and dogs rise to heaven.

While Zhou Family cultivators may not follow Zhouyang, the patriarch, in ascending the Upper Realm, they indeed relish substantial benefits in the Lower Realm.

In their regard, other cultivators harbor only jealousy.

Why didn't their sect or clan produce a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal?

The Cultivation Realm has never advocated equality; major sect disciples and clan cultivators enjoy superior treatment naturally.

Time flies, eight years pass in a blink.

One day, while revising "Profound Sun Treasure Manual," Zhouyang encountered a challenging section, unable to resolve it despite prolonged effort, thus strolled outside the seclusion chamber for solace.

His residence had transitioned from the cultivator-thronged Lingxi Peak to a newly emerged spirit peak within the Desert Sea.

This Spirit Peak stands alone in the vast grassland, merely a Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Peak, and when Zhouyang arrived, no cultivators were practicing on it.

Upon arriving, he used an Illusion Array to conceal it and entered seclusion on the mountain, comprehending the "Profound Sun Treasure Manual" cultivation technique.

Unexpectedly, after eight years had passed, although no cultivators discovered the existence of this Spirit Peak, dozens of nomads had migrated to a nearby small lake, herding and residing.

"Mortals are now starting to migrate everywhere?"

Zhouyang looked at each nomadic tent from afar, pondered for a moment, then suppressed his cultivation aura, disguising himself as an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, controlling his sword to fly toward the nomad camp.

The flying sword beneath his feet was the Tier Six Flying Sword, the "Great Derivation Celestial Spirit Sword," but it was sealed by him without spiritual light, appearing as an ordinary Tier Two Lower Grade Flying Sword.

Once he arrived over the nomad camp, he observed the nomads immediately kneeling collectively to greet and worship him, all shouting, "We greet Lord Immortal Master."

Seeing this, Zhouyang softly spoke with a gentle tone: "There's no need for formalities. I, Zhou, am merely passing by this place and have some matters to inquire of you."

Saying this, he immediately descended on his flying sword, landing on the ground.

"I am Yang Dongchuan, honored by my brothers to serve as the leader. Lord Immortal Master, feel free to ask me anything; I will surely tell all I know!"

Seeing Zhouyang land, a robust middle-aged man in a sheepskin coat swiftly approached to introduce himself proactively.

"So, it's Leader Yang."

Zhouyang glanced at the middle-aged man, indifferently asking, "I flew here over hundreds of miles without encountering other mortals, yet, in this place, you camp and herd. Why is this? With not even a cultivator among you, aren't you afraid of being eaten by demon beasts?"

Having become a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal, his Divine Sense extended clearly over a thousand miles, so his claim of no other mortals within hundreds of miles was undoubtedly correct.

"Lord Immortal Master, to clarify things, we naturally didn't wish for this. However, the Lord Immortal Master protecting us previously perished in magical combat with other Immortal Masters, leaving us without shelter. If we don't migrate far from oases with Spirit Mountains, we'll become slaves to the victor's family!"

Yang Dongchuan replied to Zhouyang's inquiry while gritting his teeth: "Rather than serving as cattle and horses, oppressed all life, we prefer to risk adventuring deep into this prairie!"

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang frowned: "Though unwilling to enslave yourselves in your original place, you could migrate to other towns. Why settle deep in this desolate prairie?"

Unexpectedly, Yang Dongchuan showed a face full of helplessness after hearing his words, shaking his head: "Lord Immortal Master, you may not know, mortals like us, lost of Immortal Master shelter, upon arriving at other towns, would face heavy protection fees, and even if allowed to stay, we'd become servants of local clan mortals, no different from being slaves."

Hearing this, Zhouyang realized the issue.

The situation Yang Dongchuan described occurs because Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm still adheres to the old practice where cultivation clans manage mortals.

As cultivation clans manage mortals, they naturally treat their own clan's mortals differently from others.

Especially now, in Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, apart from the Yellow Sand Sect with weak presence, other sects are absent.

Without sects, mortals not from cultivation clans, even if by luck gaining access to cultivation techniques, can only become loose cultivators without joining a sect.

Simultaneously, without sects, mortals lack shelter from cultivators and have no choice but to become slaves of other cultivation clans to avoid dying in the wild.

If this situation persists long-term, it undoubtedly harms the entire cultivation realm's interests.

Upon realizing this, Zhouyang understood he must intervene, or else the younger generation of Zhou Family would take significantly longer to recognize the harms of this situation.

Or even if realizing this situation's harms due to Zhou Family being the largest in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, they may be reluctant to change it.

Thinking of this, he nodded toward Yang Dongchuan: "I see. This was Zhou's oversight. Thank you, Leader Yang, for clearing my doubts."

Yang Dongchuan heard this and quickly waved: "No need for thanks from the Lord Immortal Master! Is there anything else the Lord Immortal Master wishes to ask?"

"No further questions. This place is insecure; take this token. If encountering danger, run there; Zhou's Array is set there, securing your safety."

As Zhouyang spoke, he casually took out a token made from Spirit Jade for Array entrance and threw it to Yang Dongchuan, before flying away from the nomad camp.

After flying a distance, he withdrew the flying sword, transforming his figure into golden Escape Light heading towards Lingxi Peak.

Before long, Zhouyang returned to his cave mansion atop Lingxi Peak.

Then, a Telepathy was sent, summoning Zhou Family's current Clan Leader Zhou Chuanxing to the cave mansion.

This was Zhouyang's first summons after achieving Immortal Ascension and Zhou Chuanxing, upon receiving the summon, felt extremely elated.

"Today's summon is for you to lead the Zhou Family to handle a matter critical to Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm's future prosperity and decline. You must not neglect it."

Looking at the junior whose face can barely hide excitement, Zhouyang conveyed his thoughts to him.

According to Zhouyang, to change the family mode of Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, there's only one way: establishing a nation!

Only by establishing one or more, dozens of mortal nations, can mortals be governed by mortals, separating immortals from mortals, effectively alleviating the hardships faced by people like Yang Dongchuan.

In the past, establishing a nation in Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm was impossible because mortals were confined within oases, unable to connect with the outside world.

But the current Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, where desert area occupies less than one-fifth of the total, is filled with expansive grassland, offering a better foundation for nation-building than Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm's existing nations.

"The mortal nation's king need not be from Zhou Family, but can be from influential families with numerous mortals, while Zhou Family must station cultivators supervising them, ensuring those mortal kings implement various laws and policies."

"For the specific formulation of laws and policies, you may consult with clan elders, referring to other cultivation realm mortal nations."

Having finished his directive, Zhouyang gestured to Zhou Chuanxing to retreat.

"Please rest assured, Ancestor. I and Zhou Family will strictly implement Ancestor's directive and accomplish this swiftly."

After firmly delivering a guarantee, Zhou Chuanxing respectfully saluted Zhouyang and withdrew to undertake the task.

Three years later, the grand mortal empire named the "Great Zhou Empire," along with seventeen subsidiary mortal kingdoms, was established within the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm. All mortals in the realm, including Zhou Family, became citizens of these nations.

Meanwhile, Zhou Family's "Xiao" Generation Elder Zhou Xiaofeng successfully formed a Nascent Soul, becoming Zhou Family's second Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator after Zhouyang.