CHAPTER 317: CHAPTER 313: ADVANCING TO ANCIENT COURT_1

While the major powers in the East Border were filled with apprehension, the main war legions of the Qin Dynasty’s Divine Court returned to the capital in succession.

Time flowed on, and another month passed, bringing winter. It was December first.

This day was destined to be recorded in the annals of history, remembered forever.

Heavy, goose-feather snow fluttered down upon the Imperial Capital, dyeing buildings, streets, and trees white, creating a unique scene. Young children played and frolicked in the streets—playing hide-and-seek, having snowball fights, and building snowmen. The adults, for a rare change, gathered beneath the snow-laden trees, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked towards the palace.

Today was the day the Qin Dynasty would ascend to become an Ancient Court!

The training field inside the palace, thanks to the Formations arranged there, was warm and vibrant; even the falling snow drifted elsewhere. Elite soldiers stood expressionless, weapons in hand and clad in armor, emanating a brutal aura. Above their heads, billowing Evil Qi stained the Void red, causing its temperature to plummet.

In the center of the training field stood an altar that emanated a sacred aura. Upon it were an imperial desk and a bronze cauldron.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

A sonorous voice echoed from the imperial hall, resonating in the heavens. Music began to play; a troupe of a thousand musicians performed majestic tunes that stirred the blood, showcasing the grandeur of a great nation.

Qin Wudao, leading the officials, proceeded from the imperial hall, walking along the red carpet to the foot of the altar.

Zhuge Liang stepped forward, took out an edict, his face solemn, and read loudly, "Since the dawn of the universe, All Clans have come into existence, dominating the mainland, pursuing Fortune to showcase their legitimacy and seize ultimate power!

"Today, the Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty, by Heaven’s Mandate and with the people’s hearts, using its vast territories and countless Martial Artists as its foundation, holds the Ascension Ceremony to the Ancient Court! We invite the Divine Emperor of the Qin Dynasty to ascend the altar and accept the trial of Heaven and Earth’s Will!"

The content of this passage was similar to that of the previous ascension of the Qin Empire to the Qin Dynasty’s Divine Court. The only difference was that last time it was Li Si who read it; this time, it was Zhuge Liang.

Qin Wudao looked up at the ninety-nine-tiered altar. Without any hesitation, he stepped onto the first flight of stairs.

Suddenly, he felt a slight pressure, perhaps due to the powerful Fortune of the Qin Dynasty’s Divine Court. This pressure was very subtle and did not affect him in the slightest.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Qin Wudao climbed fifty tiers in one go. Only then did he begin to feel some strain, but he could still persist and continued to climb.

It was when he reached the seventieth tier that the pressure increased drastically. It was as if a giant God Mountain was pressing on Qin Wudao’s back, making his face flush red.

Enhance with Fortune!

When he determined he could no longer climb by his own strength, Qin Wudao mobilized the power of Fortune. The pressure instantly lessened, and he climbed another twenty tiers.

Only the last nine levels left!

Standing on the ninetieth tier, Qin Wudao looked up at the remaining stairs, resolved to climb the rest in one go, and silently invoked, The power of all the people, aid me! The power of all armies, aid me! The power of the strong, aid me!

Three profound powers merged into Qin Wudao’s body, making him incredibly mighty, and the surrounding oppressive pressure vanished completely.

WHOOSH!

With a tap of his toes, Qin Wudao’s body soared upwards. In a single leap, he crossed the remaining nine tiers and landed directly on the summit of the altar.

The entire panorama stretched out before him!

Qin Wudao smiled faintly. Spiritual Energy surged, condensing a ball of Imperial Fire in his palm, which he then tossed towards the bronze cauldron.

BOOM!

A cluster of fire rushed to the sky. Under the heat of the Imperial Fire, a dense, azure stream of Fortune surged straight into the ninth heaven.

ROAR!

Above the nine heavens, the Fortune Golden Dragon roared with delight as it flew towards the bronze cauldron. With its mouth wide open, it continuously devoured the azure Fortune.

For ordinary nations, this step was extremely important. Only when the bronze cauldron generated enough azure Fortune could their Fortune Golden Dragon undergo transformation and allow the nation to be promoted to a true Ancient Court.

But for the Qin Divine Court, this step seemed almost optional, because the Qin Dynasty’s Fortune Golden Dragon had long since transformed into an Ancient Court-level Fortune Golden Dragon. The Fortune produced by the bronze cauldron, at best, merely provided the Fortune Golden Dragon with a hearty meal.

Approximately two hours later, the azure Fortune gushing from the bronze cauldron completely vanished. The sated Fortune Golden Dragon had turned entirely azure, its body having grown considerably larger. Judging by its size and the density of its Fortune, the Qin Dynasty’s current Fortune had almost reached the apex for an Ancient Court.

ROAR!

The Fortune Golden Dragon roared, soared into the sky, and flew towards the distance. With its mouth wide open, it spewed forth a dense stream of Fortune’s power, initiating a downpour of fortuitous transformation.

Great! With this shower of fortuitous transformation, the power of the Qin Divine Court will be able to grow rapidly again! No, it should be called the Qin Ancient Court now!

Qin Wudao thought excitedly. After each such fortuitous transformation, the Qin Dynasty’s national strength would surge explosively, like a geyser, producing many powerful Martial Artists.

"It’s a fortuitous transformation! Everyone, hurry and cultivate!"

"The last time the fortuitous transformation descended, I broke through to the Fasang Realm. This time, with its help, I will surely achieve Nirvana!"

"Haha, the heavens have not forsaken this old man! I missed the last fortuitous transformation, but this time I will seize the opportunity, break through to the Saint Realm, and extend my lifespan..."

As the fortuitous transformation descended, the citizens of the Qin Ancient Court were stirred into a frenzy once more and hurriedly entered secluded cultivation.

"All soldiers, heed my command! Sit cross-legged and cultivate now!" Zhao Yun walked to the front of the arrayed troops and issued the command loudly.

These soldiers were elites from the major war legions or Martial Artists on the verge of a breakthrough, perfectly positioned to use this fortuitous transformation to enhance their strength. It was worth noting that the training grounds, being closest to the altar, were where the fortuitous transformation was most concentrated. Cultivating here for a day was more beneficial than several years of normal cultivation.

Including Qin Wudao, all court officials began to cultivate, forming Spiritual Energy vortexes around them. Many ministers successfully broke through in their cultivation.

BOOM!

Above the altar, a golden beam of light erupted from Qin Wudao’s crown, suffused with terrifying imperial might. With the help of the fortuitous transformation, he successfully shattered his bottleneck and advanced to the Saint King Realm!

"What a pleasant surprise!" After stabilizing his aura, Qin Wudao opened his eyes, from which two golden dragons seemed to flash, and said joyfully. He hadn’t expected to break through so easily with the help of the fortuitous transformation.

He looked down. The ministers were still cultivating. The entire training ground was silent save for the whistling of Spiritual Energy.

This fortuitous transformation continued for two full days before finally subsiding. The cultivating ministers woke up one after another.

Once all the ministers had awakened, the state promotion ceremony resumed. Watched by the eager eyes of the assembled officials, Qin Wudao walked towards the imperial desk beside the bronze cauldron.

Upon the imperial desk lay the ’Nine Dragons Jade Seal’ and the ’Investiture of the Gods’.

"Imperial Edict! Zhao Yun, for leading the army to attack the Canghai Ancient Court, expanding our territories, and achieving glorious military accomplishments, is hereby appointed as an Earl of the Qin Ancient Court..."

"Imperial Edict! Zhuge Liang, for leading all officials, managing the affairs of the realm, and ensuring the nation’s continuous progress, is hereby appointed as an Earl of the Qin Ancient Court..."

"Imperial Edict! Huo Qubing, for slaying the Tianlin Emperor..."

Qin Wudao announced loudly, bestowing titles according to the merits of his officials.

Without a doubt, the person who had achieved the most was Zhao Yun, followed by Zhuge Liang, Huo Qubing, Li Yuanba, Guo Jia, and the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders.