"Are you forty already, old man? Gongjin says you're quite capable, so I plan to involve you in a grand venture. When you look back in your old age, you won't regret your life!" Sun Ce declared with an exuberant gesture.

Sun Ce's straightforwardness becomes startlingly blunt, almost friendless; the first half of his statement nearly choked Zhang Hong, but the final words reminded Zhang Hong of someone—Liu Bei, and he found himself regretting.

"Will I not regret?" Zhang Hong murmured to himself while holding a wine goblet, his spiritual capacity slowly dispersing, purifying endlessly. Finally, Zhang Hong drained his drink and slowly rose to his feet, "I've already regretted once in my life, so I don't want a second time."

"Greetings, my lord. I, Zhang Hong, am willing to follow in your footsteps and serve you with utmost dedication!" Zhang Hong bowed deeply to Sun Ce, his determination surprising both Zhou Yu and Zhang Zhao, leading Sun Ce to quickly rise and help Zhang Hong up.

As Sun Ce departed with Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, he pondered what exactly had happened; it seemed like he hadn't said much, yet success came unexpectedly.

When Sun Ce had Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong join his ranks, high above, Yu Ji's face bore a subtle smile.

[I've driven Sun Ce's vitality number to its extreme limit. Such abundance cannot last long, forcibly raising the vitality number has even turned the fate of people like Zhang Hong. It won't be long before Sun Ce's vitality number reaches its lowest point in history.]

Yu Ji watched Sun Ce silently, intrigued by him because Sun Ce harbored extraordinarily immense fate, typically seen in those around whom the world revolves.

Converting calamities into blessings, divine protection, and aid from nobility are typical of such individuals, yet Sun Ce seemed exaggerated—when needed, people come; when military forces were needed, commanders rally to him; when laying claim to the world, wise ministers and valiant generals gather from afar, bowing headfirst.

This is entirely a "Son of Mandate of Heaven" template, hence Yu Ji was curious: if Sun Ce were eliminated and his fate absorbed, what results would emerge—would the Mandate of Heaven truly change?

Yu Ji, with a smile, transformed into a stream of light, already prepared for martyrdom. Only with such a mindset could taking down Sun Ce be possible, for Sun Ce, already possessing a high fate number, would not be utterly shattered even after passing through a peak.

"Bofu, what's wrong?" Zhou Yu asked as Sun Ce suddenly halted, seemingly having caught a glimpse of Sun Ce, face full of blood, moments ago.

"Uh, nothing..." Sun Ce replied, momentarily disoriented, smiling afterward, though he too wondered why a notion of Zhou Yu abandoning him arose suddenly.

[How could Gongjin abandon me?] Sun Ce thought, stepping forward, puzzled but disregarding it, for he and Zhou Yu were sworn brothers and related by marriage, without considering that if he fell, Zhou Yu's departure might effectively occur.

After Yu Ji flew away, he continued observing Sun Ce for a while, witnessing an intensely shocking scene.

Even though fate was stimulated by Yu Ji's secret technique, Sun Ce's vitality maintained a peak state for an extended period.

During this time, Sun Ce's mind was extraordinarily clear, strength soared rapidly, existing training barriers shattered consecutively, reaching unmatched strength levels daily, causing even Zhou Yu to wonder if issues arose, yet as these days extended, Zhou Yu grew accustomed.

More terrifyingly, once vitality was thoroughly stimulated, individuals occasionally traveled great distances to seek him out, even the obstinate Zheng Du submitted to Sun Ce's dominance, and the remaining major families in Eastern Wu knelt under Sun Ce's might during his visits.

Then, diverting from Wu Commandery towards Shanyue, under the suppression of martial force, spirit, and ambition, he astounded Shanyue tribes, who, though not directly kneeling, conceded to Sun Ce's might, acknowledging Sun Ce's position, willing to accept his rule as long as Sun Ce held the "Undying" status.

After subduing Shanyue, circling to Jingnan, the already submissive tribes of the Wu Creek Barbarians led by Shamoke directly bowed under Sun Ce's dominance, ensuring Eastern Wu, Jingzhou, South Huai River acknowledged Sun Ce's authority as long as he lived.

Thus, with Sun Ce's prominent fate, countless issues troubling Yuan Shu's domain unraveled smoothly, until one day, as the full moon waned, Sun Ce's fate sharply declined, reaching its nadir, then encountering his most dangerous assassination event, ultimately...

Of course, Sun Ce was yet unaware he was about to reach life's peak; he pondered whether to marry Da Qiao, having remained unmarried in this life. The unparalleled beauty Da Qiao was a fitting match even before he inherited the title, thus successfully becoming his wife.

Similarly, for Zhou Yu, although his status had shifted, the resolute minds of these two ensured no aristocratic family from South Huai River, Eastern Wu, or Jingzhou could obstruct these prodigies of destiny.

Meanwhile, at Mount Tai, Xuu Shao was revising his last list, except that he was quite troubled about the Civil Official List and General Ranking—the rankings he previously arranged were obsolete due to eliminations, necessitating revisions which required time, he intended to release some leisurely content first.

"Teacher Cai, Master Xuu has issued the List of Extraordinary Women." At Cai Yan's residence, aristocratic daughters surrounded Cai Yan, chattering away, while Cai Yan played the zither quietly, feeling uninterested. Even if ranked, it wouldn't matter, for whom she awaited was not there.

"Yueying, you made the list!" Wang Yi, gripping Huang Yueying's shoulder, faced dissatisfaction—why hadn't she ascended?

"I think Master Xuu is courting disaster..." the Second Miss Cai, propping her head, commented to her sister, "tsk tsk tsk, even Empress Fuu, Lady Gan, Lady Bianh, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao made it, indeed using life to draft the list."

Second Miss Cai's words brought a fleeting smile to Cai Yan's lips before she tapped Cai Zhenji's forehead, "You, you! Who made you elope back then!"

"Tch." Cai Zhenji, clutching her little sheep Yangg Fa, squeezed it, "I'll still instruct my son, keeping distance from such affairs. Come, call me aunt~"

"Master Xuu is truly using life to comment..." noticing some unusual characters in the listed women, Chen Xi couldn't help but wipe cold sweat away, "But how did my maid end up on the list?"

"Chen Yun, last?" Jia Xu casually inquired as soon as the list arrived, Chen Xi possessing it before he even saw it.

"How do you know?" Chen Xi asked perplexed.

"Your reputation, besides, she is the most famous and excellent of all performers." Jia Xu said casually, taking the official announcement, sweeping his mouth into an amused twisting, "Truly commenting with one's life!" (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) and vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)