Jiang Yuyun is merely a puppet.

The revival of Great Yu is nothing more than a guise.

Hou Yuxiao intends to use Jiang Yuyu's identity, under the banner of Great Yu, to gather powerful allies across the world, issuing commands in the name of the Emperor to establish authority. Such rumors have been increasingly rampant, circulating widely among the citizens of the Divine Capital, loose cultivators, and various major forces. People's perception of the Yu Divine Palace is also gradually changing.

No matter what people think, at least these sentiments are currently confined to private discussions, not openly acknowledged. Those who have arrived at the Divine Capital from all directions are, with the intention of visiting the host, one after another, heading to the National Teacher's Mansion to pay respects to Hou Yuxiao.

Of course, those of noble status and formidable strength are led by Hou Yuxiao to meet the new Emperor Yu, Jiang Yuyun.

The number of people entering and leaving the Divine Capital each day ranges from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand, including numerous Martial Artists and major forces arriving together. The security has become increasingly stringent; originally, only two hundred thousand Red Flame troops were stationed at the gates, but within just a month, that number has increased to eight hundred thousand.

It should be known that after capturing the Divine Capital, out of the Hou Clan's two million Red Flame Army, only one million three hundred thousand remain. Eight hundred thousand are stationed at the city gates, and the remaining five hundred thousand are all guarding the Yu Divine Palace. According to National Master Hou Yuxiao, the newly established Emperor Yu must be ensured safety, and the Red Flame Army, being the closest to the Emperor, bears the greatest responsibility, thus must guard the vicinity day and night.

......

"Dust Watching Sword Sect has long received the grace of Great Yu. Eight years ago, when Jin rebels revolted and the Divine Capital fell, Mr. Bai yearned to lead sect members and disciples to the Divine Capital to serve Great Yu loyally. However, the fierce battle in Xuzhou meant the route was blocked by the Wuwei King. With Mr. Bai's limited power, taking the entire sect out recklessly could not ensure a safe arrival. Thus, I could only sigh toward the north. Now, with a person of deep understanding and righteousness like the National Master assisting the Prince to ascend the throne and revive Great Yu, I deeply admire him. This time, I have come specifically with sect members and disciples to join, and I ask the National Master to consent. Mr. Bai will surely follow the lead of the National Master!"

In the great hall of the National Teacher's Mansion, Hou Yuxiao sat high in the center in a robe of dark blue and gold embroidery.

Below him, on both sides, were Hou Yucheng and Hou Yujie, followed by Nie Xinchuan, Bai Yunfan, Liu Jianghong, Hou Fei, Hou Ying, Hou Cun... and other martial experts of the Hou Clan.

A middle-aged man in white stood before Hou Yuxiao, who sat in the upper seat, with more than ten people behind him, speaking respectfully and with a devout demeanor, and an extremely humble posture. It was hard to believe this was Master Bai of the Dust Watching Sword Sect from Xuzhou, an Earth Level renowned sect, with legendary power, whose sword could fly like a fairy.

"Master Bai, please stand up quickly. As a minister, fulfilling one's duty according to fate is enough to demonstrate Dust Watching Sword Sect's sincere loyalty to our Great Yu. Though the Divine Capital has been restored, Great Jin still has heavy troops in Zhongzhou. We are in need of people at Great Yu, and the ability of Master Bai to lead your faction to submit is an honor for this National Master!"

Hou Yuxiao exaggeratedly rose from his chair, walked over to help Bai Yunfan up personally, and then greeted the high-ranking members of the Dust Watching Sword Sect behind him. They all felt his warmth, showed satisfaction in their expressions, and were subsequently escorted away by Hou Yuxiao's arrangement.

Much like those who previously joined Great Jin.

Hou Yuxiao watched as Bai Yunfan and the martial experts were escorted to the Gathering of the Virtuous Hall in the Divine Capital, prepared beforehand for these individuals. A glimmer appeared in his eyes as he turned to Hou Yujie with a questioning look.

Hou Yujie understood implicitly, immediately stepped forward, and said: "Dust Watching Sword Sect of Xuzhou, Master Bai Yunfan, Earth Level powerhouse, thirteen Yin and Yang Boundary experts including a total of seventy thousand Martial Artists. Not aligned with the Wanjian Holy Sect, their sect domain was initially in Jiangdong Path. After Wuwei King conquered Jiangdong, Bai Yunfan led sect members to relocate to Chenliu Road. Excluded by other sects with some loss of disciples, Wanjian Holy Sect likely attempted to recruit them, but Bai Yunfan refused."

Upon hearing this, everyone showed a trace of understanding on their faces.

Hou Yucheng shook his head and directly said: "This indicates that the Dust Watching Sword Sect couldn't stay in Xuzhou, so they thought of coming to our place."

Hou Yuxiao gently smiled and nodded: "The Earth Level and even Sky Level forces that have joined this past month essentially share similar circumstances with Dust Watching Sword Sect; almost all were implicated by the battle of the Holy Land. Unwilling to merge with the Holy Land, they lost their territory, and their sect strength was severely damaged.

"With their strength, merging into the Holy Land would mean losing all influence, akin to being swallowed, but the chaos in the world has already been set. The top management of these sects is thinking about how to maximize their interests while finding a way out!

Our strength isn't as formidable as the Holy Land, but by holding the banner of Great Yu, we can naturally become the core of the world. By joining, they can ensure some influence while temporarily enjoying peace, and also gain the advantage of moral obligation. Unless foolish, most will come at this time."

Hou Yujie's words were well-received by everyone.

During this time, numerous forces had suffered due to the Three War Lines of Great Jin.

The loss of some sect members was secondary, but the fatal blow was that these forces lost their lands that they depended on for survival. With every conquest by Great Jin, a significant number of Martial Artists lost their support. Joining Great Jin's ranks meant having to abide by the Jin Laws, much like Great Jin's soldiers, acquiring resources through military merits, which they were unwilling to accept. Thus, more and more martial forces are seeking alternatives, and Great Yu is presently the best option.

Great Yu occupied the Divine Capital; it holds the moral justification from the Divine Dynasty, a natural advantage.

Controlling the Divine Capital are Hou Yuxiao, accurately speaking, the Hou Clan, Jiangbei Alliance, and Lu Family. The strength of these three families isn't overwhelmingly strong like the Holy Land. An ordinary Sky Level force arriving can attain some influence, much superior to joining the Holy Land.

Moreover, Great Yu's current strategic position is evident to many observant individuals.

The Divine Capital acts like a nail embedded in Great Jin's territory; all three battle lines of Great Jin have come to a halt, clearly pondering how to deal with the seizure of the Divine Capital.

Recapturing the Divine Capital is exceedingly challenging!

Eight years ago, when attacking the Divine Capital, all Six Saints of Great Jin participated, of course, the Great Yu Holy Dynasty's strength was much greater back then. But now, even without the Six Saints, at least a Saint's intervention is required.

Anything involving a Saint's intervention is not simple.

Step back ten thousand steps—would the alliance allow the Saints to freely act?

The cessation of Great Jin's three battle lines has already highlighted the issue.

Great Yu who controls the Divine Capital has become a critical link in the anti-Jin forces; Great Jin needs to find a way to address this situation, while the alliance seeks recruitment. Paradoxically, despite Great Yu's current lack of power, its importance exceeds imagination.

Joining Great Yu has become the most lively matter in the world this past month.

"Four Sky Level forces, eleven Earth Level forces, over ninety other influential groups, counting loose cultivators and all sect members, at least tens of millions of Martial Artists have already decided to join my Great Yu's ranks. The cultivation level of these people is not low, if truly able to be organized successfully and even expanded into an army, our troops will increase explosively..."

Hou Yucheng's tone was somewhat excited; during this month, he followed Hou Yuxiao to meet many individuals. Although unsure of the exact numbers and not responsible for receiving those who joined, those Martial Artists would inevitably be incorporated into the military, eventually commanding them.

"This is the influence of revival!"

Hou Yuxiao sighed softly, his gaze flashing gently, before dismissing everyone in the hall. He then turned to Hou Yujie and asked: "Old Fifth, any news sent back recently?"

Hou Yujie was surprised upon hearing, replied softly: "He's still in Wangchuan Road City, if there's any news, Zhuang Feicheng will definitely transmit it back. Great Jin's attention is entirely on us now; they won't notice him!"

Hou Yuxiao pondered for a moment, nodded slightly, just as he was about to speak, his brows suddenly furrowed, his face changed drastically, quickly turning towards the direction of the Yu Divine Palace.

"National Master Hou, it's been a while..."

A sound, gentle and elegant, echoed by Hou Yuxiao's ear. Although the voice was exceedingly soft and spoke calmly, it frightened Hou Yuxiao enough to make his body freeze for more than ten breaths before recovering. Once his expression settled, he briefly instructed Hou Yujie and vanished from the great hall of the National Teacher's Mansion.