After Dayu changed its official name to Xiayu, congratulatory messages poured in from countries all over the world. The Snowdragon Empire, the now-controlled Crimson Star Empire, and other powerful nations all displayed an extremely enthusiastic attitude.

With the technology available in the Artifact-Nurturing World, news spread instantly. Any nation with even a little bit of capability understood the immense weight behind the name change. As for those countries unable to grasp the internal reality of the situation, they were mostly minor nations with no international influence. Their attitude didn't matter.

Within weeks of the change, the White Tower Federation, Lihuo, and several other nations announced their incorporation into Xiayu, becoming part of it. At the same time, an internal team was assembled within Xiayu to enter the Crimson Star Empire and begin taking control of every facet of the nation.

The higher-ups of the Crimson Star Empire had already been purged by the Snowdragon Empire; combined with strict control over information, the takeover proceeded quietly. Although some minor disturbances occurred during the process, the so-called resistance was easily suppressed by the Snowdragon Empire's forces, which were several times stronger than those of the Crimson Star Empire.

While the international elite experienced a period of sweeping change, the common people felt little impact. At most, they felt that the world had entered a period of relative calm. International tensions, which had the world on the verge of conflict not long ago, suddenly eased. For the average citizen, there was no denying the change was a positive one.

***

On Yuhuang Mountain, Xie Yi'er was moving various precious materials into the villa while providing a detailed summary of each. Beside her stood Kong Xuan, a capable assistant to Kong Fang. Though he shared the surname Kong, he was not Kong Fang’s son, nor were the two related.

Kong Xuan’s cultivation had already reached the peak of the grandmaster tier, and at only thirty-six years old, he had a genuine hope of breaking through to become a martial paragon in the future. Although his strength was negligible compared to a titan like the Snowdragon Empire, Kong Fang had still dispatched him to accompany the Xie family’s transport team, primarily to prevent the Xie family from embezzling the goods for themselves.

Yaoguang believed the Xie family lacked the courage to take what belonged to him while the situation remained uncertain, but he understood the principle of not testing another’s bottom line. Therefore, he tacitly approved of Kong Fang’s precautions.

"Lord Yaoguang, the third batch of materials has been inventoried. Please accept them," Xie Yi'er said after completing her introduction, handing a tablet to Yaoguang.

Yaoguang nodded and asked, "How is the Snowdragon Empire’s research on the Star Gate progressing?"

"The specialists are rapidly analyzing the data obtained from the Lunar Fiend Empire. According to their calculations, the Star Gate's calibration can be completed in six months at the earliest, or a year at the latest. This will allow us to attempt to open the Star Gate without causing significant damage to it," Xie Yi'er explained.

Yaoguang listened for a moment before nodding. "Notify me once the Star Gate's calibration is complete."

"As you wish," Xie Yi'er replied with a slight bow.

"Speaking of which... Although the news from Leng Tianfeng suggests the Artifact Sect was not wiped out as previously claimed, a major catastrophe likely occurred. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why the Artifact Sect cut off contact with this world for decades. Under these circumstances, you will face uncontrollable risks by rashly opening the Star Gate. Are you prepared for that?" Yaoguang asked.

"The Snowdragon Empire will split into two groups. Those who believe they must return to their roots regardless of the cost will enter the Star Gate to take the risk. The others will remain here to survive and develop in this world." Xie Yi'er paused briefly before continuing, "This way, even if the first group meets with disaster, at least some of the Xie family bloodline will be preserved."

Yaoguang nodded. It was not a bad thing that the Xie family was willing to scout the situation ahead of time. After delivering the materials, Xie Yi'er departed. Of course, she only left the villa; she was still physically in Xiayu. She remained in the capital of Xiayu, specifically tasked with maintaining contact and coordination with Yaoguang.

Shortly after her departure, Leng Jun arrived. Accompanying him was Su Yaoxue, the sister Yaoguang had rarely seen.

"Sit," Yaoguang said.

Su Yaoxue did not display an attitude fitting of a strong and independent woman; instead, she sat down obediently. Back in Tiannan's capital, she only knew that Yaoguang and Su Chiming had caused a massive stir in the capital. She knew that with the support of the major aristocratic families, they had replaced the Liao royal family to become the rulers of Xiayu.

However, once she arrived in the capital of Xiayu and saw the nation being treated as the center of the world, with even the eldest princess of the Snowdragon Empire acting with such deference, she faintly realized that her brother’s influence was far greater than simply helping the Su family replace the Liao family.

"The family head told me that you have been practicing martial arts lately and that your progress is quite good," Yaoguang remarked.

"Yes." Su Yaoxue nodded. "Only by practicing martial arts and mastering great strength can I truly protect myself and safeguard the Su family’s current status." After a pause, she earnestly said, "I know this request is a bit forward, and you are likely incredibly busy with very little free time, but I still hope to follow you and train in martial arts."

Lei Yun handed a file to Yaoguang. He took the documents and said, "Show me the fist art you are currently practicing."

Without any hesitation, Su Yaoxue stood up. She did not feel embarrassed practicing in the living room. Years ago, when she was starting her business from scratch, she had been forced to drink until she vomited just to secure an order on more than one occasion. There was nothing to be embarrassed about in front of her own family.

After ten minutes, Su Yaoxue finished her fist art routine. Yaoguang looked up again and asked, "Do you truly intend to train with your whole heart?"

"Yes," Su Yaoxue replied firmly.

"Then train," Yaoguang replied simply, as if it were a minor matter.

"I will be staying at Yuhuang Mountain's villa for the foreseeable future. If you have any questions regarding your cultivation, you may simply ask me."

After speaking, Yaoguang glanced at Su Yaoxue once more before turning to Ai Li inside the house. "I'll give you a prescription. From now on, you'll be responsible for preparing her medicine."

"Yes, Young Master," Ai Li replied softly.

"Take her to choose a room first," Yaoguang instructed Lei Yun. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Yes," Lei Yun said, extending a hand toward Su Yaoxue in a welcoming gesture. "Miss, this way please."

Not long after Su Yaoxue left, Yaoguang’s phone rang. Upon answering, Su Chiming’s voice came through the line. "Has Yaoxue arrived?"

"She has."

"Sigh. Sorry to trouble you. I told her that you're busy with your own affairs, but she is simply too stubborn."

"If this had been a month ago, I would not have had much time to teach her. However, I now have a bit of leisure. Since she is here, so be it." Yaoguang paused briefly before adding, "Besides, she is likely the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Su family, isn't she?"

"That is true," Su Chiming said. "That young girl has ideas, brains, and a mind of her own. She can also endure hardships. Even among her peers, she can be called exceptional. Truly, no one in the third generation of the Su family can compare to her, not even Yaoyu, who is currently managing the Buzhou Group."

He paused for a moment. "That is why I hoped you could give her an opportunity."

"That's fine," Yaoguang replied calmly.

He knew Su Chiming was stating the truth. Su Yaoyu was too soft-hearted and a bit of a people-pleaser. With such a character, she would find it hard to achieve great things. No matter how she was cultivated in the future, she would, at most, be suited for a service-oriented administrative role.

In comparison, Su Yaoxue was significantly stronger. Without receiving any help from the Su family, she had used her accumulated allowance to start a company worth a hundred million, almost from scratch, managing dozens of subordinates in an orderly fashion. This alone was enough to demonstrate her skills.

Of course, compared to someone like Xie Yi'er, the eldest princess of the Xie family, she had many flaws. But true talents were always cultivated. The high officials surrounding an emperor were usually the same group who followed him to conquer the world in the beginning. Was it because every one of them was naturally gifted or brilliant? Not necessarily: they simply learnt and grew through constant experience.

As long as he was willing to invest resources and effort into her cultivation, Su Yaoxue’s achievements would not be inferior to Xie Yi'er’s within a few years.

Yaoguang knew that if the situation in the Great Cangwu World turned out to be relatively stable, he might go there to look for opportunities to quickly reach immortality and gain more security. Given the current state of the Su family, they might not be able to handle such an enormous challenge. At that moment, he came to a decision.

"The overall strength of the Su family is lacking. Su Hua, Leng Jun, and the others should also visit me more often when they have time. Additionally, don't hesitate to use cultivation resources. Such things are meant for cultivation; they are essentially worthless if left sitting in a warehouse," Yaoguang said.

Upon hearing those words, Su Chiming’s tone carried an irrepressible joy, even as he questioned Yaoguang. "W-won't this be too much trouble for you?"

"It will not take up much of my time," Yaoguang replied.

His current cultivation did not rely on comprehending new realms or requiring seclusions. The speed of his growth depended on his physical endurance and recovery capacity. During his daily training, he was not busy. When his body reached its limit, he spent his remaining time either deeply assimilating information from the Martial Dao and Refiner branches or communicating with Leng Tianfeng to learn more about the Lunar Fiend Empire and Cangwu.

Adhering to the philosophy that if one is tending one sheep, one might as well tend a flock, he stated, "Get the people from the External Affairs Hall to come over in groups. I'll pick the good ones to teach personally. As for the rest, they'll be useful for other stuff."

The Soul-Nurturing Pills produced by the Five-Emperor Soul-Refining Furnace were much more effective than Psyche-Concentrating Pills. Anyone who consumed them would experience a massive surge in their mental power. With improved mental power, they would achieve twice the results with half the effort, whether in daily cultivation or in condensing psychic will in the future. While consuming them might cut off their path, making it impossible to reach even higher realms, there was also a chance they might never make as much progress without the Soul-Nurturing Pills.

"Good, good, good!" Su Chiming excitedly repeated the word three times. "I will have them go over immediately."

"Mhmm," Yaoguang responded and hung up the call.