Willow Ancestor said, “I want to take a single day to prepare a banquet. At the very least, it will serve as a celebration for the founding of our True Martial God-Empire, announcing it properly to everyone. Also, among those who come, there may be people like the saber–sword siblings, potential allies for us.”

“That’s right,” Zhang Brightsun of the saber–sword siblings agreed. “On our way here, we asked around quite a bit. Many are paying close attention to everything you’ve accomplished. A lot of former subordinates or friendly forces of the old True Martial Sacred Ground are planning to come offer their congratulations.”

“And they aren’t afraid of being pressured by the Ten God-Clans anymore?” Xu Zimo replied.

Before this, after Willow Ancestor rebuilt the True Martial Sacred Ground, none of those old forces dared to contact them at all, afraid of getting dragged down with them. It was pure self-preservation.

Although what they did wasn’t necessarily wrong, the great tide of the era had swept the sect into destruction, and no one could go against that tide. Doing so would be openly provoking the Ten God-Clans.

But now that the True Martial Sacred Ground was rising again, and suddenly these people wished to reconnect, Xu Zimo naturally felt some displeasure.

“Many of those old allies or friendly factions truly had no choice,” Willow Ancestor explained. “The sect was too weak after being rebuilt, so the Ten God-Clans didn’t bother paying attention. But if all those old forces had gathered around us, it would have attracted their suspicion, and the sect may have been exterminated again. Without sufficient strength, everyone was powerless.”

“Alright, you don’t need to explain further. I admit some were like that, but most were simply looking out for themselves,” Xu Zimo said with a wave of his hand. “Since that’s how it is, then proceed. Set the banquet for tomorrow. I’ll give one day, let’s see which snakes, ghosts, or oddities choose to show up.”

“Thank you, Imperial Ancestor,” Willow Ancestor said gratefully.

To him, the establishment of the True Martial Sacred Ground required ceremony. Back when he rebuilt it, it had been in desolate silence, no one came to congratulate them, and the sect was revived quietly and unnoticed. But now, with Xu Zimo here, he hoped there would finally be some proper sense of grandeur. In the past the sect had been illustrious; he wished at least a trace of that pride could be revived. If the True Martial Sacred Ground could ever shine again, Willow Ancestor could die without regret.

Willow Ancestor and Wang Hengzhi left to make preparations. First, they spread the news of the banquet. Then they began arranging decorations and supplies. Once they became busy, time slipped away. Anyone who wished to attend would surely arrive by tomorrow.

…

Night passed silently.

Xu Zimo rested the entire day, and throughout the night did not cultivate, instead lying on a chair in the courtyard to relax. The next morning, when he stepped out, he found the palace bright with lanterns and decorations, the air filled with celebration. Every member of the True Martial God-Empire wore crimson robes and smiles.

“Imperial Ancestor! Imperial Ancestor!”

The disciples greeted him warmly as soon as they saw him.

Xu Zimo nodded slightly. “Where is Willow Ancestor?”

“At the palace gates, greeting guests,” they replied.

“Many people?” he asked.

“We’re not sure, but it looks lively. Imperial Ancestor should take a look,” they said with a smile.

Xu Zimo nodded and walked through the streets of the now-renamed True Martial City. It seemed even more prosperous than before. The fall of the Ancient Dragon God-Empire and the recent battles had not affected the common people. As long as the country remained peaceful, they did not care who ruled it.

…

“Dharma Holy Land has come to congratulate the founding of the True Martial God-Empire!”

“The Grand Heavenly River Sect congratulates the True Martial God-Empire!”

“The Falling Blossom God Sect…”

“The Swordless Palace…”

As Xu Zimo reached the palace gates, he heard the announcements. Over a dozen sects had already arrived. From the looks of it, the establishment of the True Martial God-Empire had stirred quite the reaction across the Absolute God Heaven.

Xu Zimo watched with mild interest. Willow Ancestor, dressed in red robes, was full of vigor and spirit, greeting every guest with a warm smile. He welcomed people from morning until noon. By then, most guests had already arrived, according to the records, three hundred and seventy forces in total, as well as thousands of wandering cultivators.

Considering how hastily the True Martial God-Empire had been founded, this turnout was remarkable.

…

After the guests were ushered inside, Xu Zimo noticed that Willow Ancestor’s expression was not joy, but faint concern.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Imperial Ancestor,” Liu Ye said quietly, “there are… a lot of people.”

“And that’s bad?” Xu Zimo asked. “Weren’t you the one who wanted the ceremony?”

“But many of these people were never familiar with our sect, some even had past conflicts with us. I’m afraid something may go wrong,” Willow Ancestor admitted.

“It’s fine. I’m here,” Xu Zimo said casually. “We’re heading to confront the Ten God-Clans anyway. If someone wants to cause trouble, we can kill a few of them as appetizers.”

Willow Ancestor nodded. At this point, all he could do was take things one step at a time and hope the banquet would remain peaceful.

The banquet was held in Azure Star Chamber of the imperial palace, a hall specifically built for entertaining officials. The True Martial God-Empire had simply reused it. Dozens of tables were arranged, each three meters long and two meters wide. Because of the limited time, they served spiritual medicinal cuisine, made from herbs taken from the Ancient Dragon God-Empire’s treasury.

Xu Zimo instructed them not to expose his identity. He entered Azure Star Chamber, found a relatively inconspicuous seat, and sat down.

Nearly a thousand people filled the hall. Before Willow Ancestor arrived, they quietly discussed among themselves.

“The founding of the True Martial God-Empire, does this mean the True Martial Sacred Ground intends to challenge the Ten God-Clans like in the past?”

“That shouldn’t be possible. The sect today is nothing like it used to be. Even establishing a kingdom is already impressive.”

“We’ll know when Willow Ancestor speaks. Ask everything you want clarified.”

“Does anyone have connections in the Ten God-Clans? Do they know how those clans view this?”

Voices murmured all around.

At that moment, Willow Ancestor walked in. He smiled at everyone, took his seat at the head table, and said, “First, we sincerely thank everyone for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come congratulate the founding of the True Martial God-Empire.”

He spoke at length, though mostly with polite and generic words. When he finished, someone immediately stood up.

“Willow Ancestor, I am from the Falling Blossom God Sect,” said a middle-aged man in gray robes with a light smile.