"Current progress (seven hundred million/one billion)."
Noticing that he had already completed more than half of the task of unsealing the Human Emperor Sword, Chu Yuan's eyes sparkled. "Could this so-called Collective Will of All Living Beings represent the citizens of my Great Wu Dynasty? Each person represents one point."
"The host is smart. Each person represents one point of the Collective Will of All Living Beings," replied the system.
"The Great Wu Dynasty was established thirty years ago. It has been blessed with good weather and prosperity. The population has long exceeded one billion. Shouldn't the second seal on the Human Emperor Sword have been unsealed by now?" Chu Yuan expressed slight confusion.
"Some citizens do not belong to the Great Wu Dynasty, so the host cannot obtain their Collective Will," explained the system.
"I see." Chu Yuan had a sudden realization. "Ostensibly, there are billions of citizens under my Great Wu Dynasty. Still, only seven hundred million belong to the Great Wu, while the rest belong to various lords, feudal lords, and wealthy aristocratic families. After the death of the previous emperor, these lords harbored rebellious intentions, probably even proclaiming themselves as kings. The population I control does not all belong to the Great Wu. If I wish to unseal the second seal on the Human Emperor Sword, I must eliminate these lords."
He chuckled coldly, reminiscing about his experiences over the past three years. During the reign of the previous emperor, these lords were granted lands and resources. The moment the previous emperor died, instead of safeguarding the Great Wu Dynasty, they betrayed us, stabbing us in the back. This left us struggling amidst internal strife and external aggression, a situation the Great Wu Dynasty should never have encountered. Eighteen years of memories have now been fully integrated into the laws of this world.
"Then exterminate all these lords and reclaim the population!" Chu Yuan chuckled coldly.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the title 'Master of Thunder Dao'—boosting the power of your thunder-related divine abilities by ten percent!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the title 'Supreme Being of Mankind'—increasing your aura of majesty by one hundred percent in front of humanity, influencing and intimidating them by one hundred percent!"
At this moment, two extremely pleasant dings echoed in Chu Yuan's ears, causing his face to slightly change. He hadn't expected to receive titles after acquiring the Great Thunder Technique and the Human Emperor Sword. The choices made by this god-level Destiny system were indeed terrifying.
"Destiny Points can be used to purchase treasures from the store. The host has three thousand Destiny Points. The system store is now open."
"Shua!"
With the system's voice, the word "store" appeared in front of Chu Yuan's eyes. He immediately clicked to open it.
"Basic Healing Pill!"
"Basic Experience Potion!"
"Grid-Walking Steps!"
"Sky-Crushing Palm!"
"One-time Invisibility Talisman!"
"Soul Forging Pill."
...
Inside the store were dazzling treasures—at least a hundred items—that caused Chu Yuan's eyes to blur.
"With enough Destiny Points, any item can be purchased. The opportunity to grow rich is now," the system reminded. "Purchased items can be stored in the System Space."
"This Soul Forging Pill?" Chu Yuan touched it with his thought and instantly received all the information.
Soul Forging Pill: Five hundred Destiny Points per pill. A Soul Forging Pill can directly upgrade one from the ninth layer of the Meridian Realm to the Soul Forging Realm, making the process painless and perfectly forging the soul.
"The host's realm is detected to be at the tenth level of the Meridian Realm. Recommended exchange for Soul Forging Pill," the system voice reminded.
"Really? An instant upgrade to the Soul Forging Realm, and the soul can be trained to perfection?" Without a second thought, Chu Yuan immediately spent five hundred Destiny Points to exchange for one Soul Forging Pill. In an instant, a pitch-black, chilling pill that resembled deadly poison appeared in his hand.
"Host, please take the medicine."
Thinking about the wondrous capabilities of the system, Chu Yuan swallowed the pill without hesitation.
Upon swallowing the pill, Chu Yuan did not feel any discomfort. Instead, he felt a cold current engulfing him, and his soul seemed to ascend like a feather. He was immersed in the sensation.
An instant later, the feeling disappeared.
"Soul Forging Realm!" Chu Yuan's lips twitched slightly. For others, breaking through to the Soul Forging Realm felt like having thousands of blades slicing through their soul—it was excruciatingly painful. This time, a simple pill allowed for an easy breakthrough; it was like comparing apples to oranges.
These pills from the system's store couldn't be found anywhere in this empire.
"With my current realm in the Soul Forging Realm, even those in the Original Spirit Realm wouldn't be my match." Chu Yuan gauged his soul and confirmed it had been forged to perfection.
If you compare it, the soul of a martial artist who just broke through to the Soul-Forging Realm would be as soft as cotton, but his soul was as hard as steel.
"In addition to redeeming treasures from the system store, the host may use Destiny Points to boost his realm. For the Soul-Forging Realm, each realm increment costs five hundred Destiny Points. Furthermore, each choice the host makes will grant Destiny Points," the system spoke.
"Destiny Points can also enhance my realm?" Chu Yuan's mouth curved into a smile. "Spend one thousand five hundred Destiny Points to exchange for three realm increases."
He then pointed a finger towards the consumption page.
"Soul Forging Second Level!"
"Soul Forging Third Level!"
"Soul Forging Fourth Level!"
A series of system notifications reached his ears.
Chu Yuan had just broken through to the Soul-Forging Realm and usually would need some time to stabilize his realm, but he directly spent Destiny Points to upgrade by three levels. It was happening at such a speed that it was almost unceasing.
However, he was left with only a thousand Destiny Points.
"Cultivating feels like riding a rocket. So exhilarating!" Chu Yuan exclaimed.
"The host may open the personal panel to check his attributes," the system instructed.
Upon opening the personal panel, Chu Yuan's information was stunningly displayed:
Name: Chu Yuan
Identity: Emperor of the Great Wu
Realm: Soul Forging Fourth Level
Cultivation Technique: Human Emperor Scripture
Equipment: Human Emperor Sword (Paramount Rank)
Divine Abilities: Great Thunder Technique
Title: Supreme Being of Mankind, Master of Thunder Dao
Destiny Points: One thousand
Current Main Line: Within three years, destroy the Great Submerged Dynasty, the Great General Shangguan Qingyun, the Prime Minister Li Yun, sweep across the lords in the country, unify all forces in the nation. If completed, reward??? If failed, vanquished into ashes.
"Compared to my previous life, this start could not be more perfect. Not only do I have the memories of the last three years, but I also have the system!" Looking at the panel, Chu Yuan was quite satisfied.
"Your Majesty, it is time for the court meeting."
At this moment, a shrill voice, similar to a drake's, came in. "Today is your Majesty's first real court meeting. The Great General, Prime Minister, Chiefs of Staff of six departments, senior officials from each department, and all civil and military officials are waiting for your Majesty in the Divine Martial Hall."
The current timeline is three months after the death of the previous emperor. Although Chu Yuan had ascended to the throne three months ago, dealing with the entombment of the previous emperor and the aftermath related to the three hundred thousand Divine Martial Army had left the various departments of the Great Wu Dynasty in total chaos. Usually, he would only receive the officials in his royal study and had yet to hold a proper court meeting.
"[Option One: Attend the court and ascend to the throne, intimidate the senior officials with the might of the Martial Emperor, and obtain one hundred Destiny Points.]"
"[Option Two: Refuse to attend the court, give the senior officials a taste of rejection, seclude yourself to study the system, and obtain one hundred Destiny Points.]"
The Destiny Points rewarded by both options seem to be the same.
"Attend the court and ascend to the throne. Today is my first court meeting. I want to meet these ministers," Chu Yuan made his choice. Although he had arrived in this fantasy world, he had yet to experience a court meeting in this world.
"I know." Chu Yuan announced assertively. "Eunuch Wei, prepare my clothes. I will go to the Divine Martial Hall right away to start the first court meeting of my Great Wu Dynasty after three months."