Over the past year, Chen Jiuyang had thought things through very clearly.
The core of the Town Guardian system's power ultimately rested on the Human King Sword 'Sun and Moon', a semi-ancestral artifact of immense power.
However, when facing beings of the Immortal King and Immortal Emperor level, it might not be so effective, and in the future, there would be outbreaks of demon calamities.
Whether it was forbidden lands, demon calamities, the great dark tribulation, or the manifestation of myriad ghosts, the Human King system was far more useful than the Town Guardian system.
The Town Guardian system was better suited as a backup.
The significance of the Five Great Holy Lands lay in their search for the whereabouts of the Life Scroll.
And in this life, Chen Jiuyang already knew that he was the reincarnation of the Life Scroll. The major forbidden lands and the Five Great Holy Lands would be completely clueless, unable to grasp him. Furthermore, it was still a question whether the ninth and final chess game could even commence.
Before the major forbidden lands were pacified, the Human King system established by the Five Great Holy Lands was still very useful, and it was best not to disrupt it.
The Yan Emperor, at this moment, should be preparing an ancestral artifact to disrupt the Human King system, intending to bring the Town Guardian system to the forefront.
This matter should be a joint effort between the Yan Emperor and the Jixia Academy.
In his previous life, Chen Jiuyang had to destroy the Five Great Holy Lands because of Yao Zixuan. In this life, to pacify the forbidden lands, he had to ensure the survival of the Five Great Holy Lands.
After leaving the Meteor Immortal Cliff, Chen Jiuyang headed directly to the Northern Territory to find the Yan Emperor.
...
Northern Territory of the Dragon Kingdom.
The Northern Guard Army.
The King of Yan was standing with the current Master of the Jixia Academy and Wu Mu, discussing how to disrupt the Human King system.
"Since the resurgence of destiny, within a mere two months, the Five Great Holy Lands have become rampant, solely pursuing their own interests and indiscriminately recruiting talented disciples..."
"The authority of the Human King system remains in their hands..."
"If this continues, we will return to the Immortal Ancient Era of long ago, where the common people are mere flesh on a chopping block."
"Since you, Fengyun, have prepared the Town Guardian system and placed its source of power upon the 'Sun and Moon', then prepare to let the Town Guardian system take center stage."
It was the same in his previous life, discussing this matter here.
If the power of the Five Great Holy Lands was not restrained, the common people would eventually become slaves to the Five Great Holy Lands, forever under their control.
Even if extremely powerful martial arts prodigies were born in the Dragon Kingdom, if they did not align with the wishes of the Five Great Holy Lands, they might be stifled in their cradle.
"Report! Your Highness King of Yan, there is someone outside the military camp claiming to be Chen Jiuyang who wishes to see you, stating it is urgent."
"Chen Jiuyang..." A flicker of doubt crossed the Yan Emperor's eyes. "Why would he seek me out at this time..."
Wu Mu and the Master of the Academy looked confused. "Who is Chen Jiuyang?"
The Yan Emperor said, "I shall go and meet him first."
Chen Jiuyang concealed his aura, appearing like an ordinary person. At this moment, the Yan Emperor was still at the peak of the Near Emperor cultivation, unable to see through Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang smiled. "King of Yan, long time no see."
"Indeed, it has been some time since we last met," the Yan Emperor nodded slowly, having not seen Chen Jiuyang since their last encounter. "Is there something you need me for this time?"
Chen Jiuyang said with a smile, "It's not safe with so many people around. Take me inside. I also wish to meet the Master of the Academy and Wu Mu."
In his previous life, Wu Mu, despite being the strongest in terms of actual power, was willing to die of old age, all to prevent anyone from guessing that the Town Guardian's power system originated from the Human King Sword 'Sun and Moon'.
The Yan Emperor's pupils contracted, and his expression changed slightly.
His military camp was protected by the Jixia Academy's ultimate formations, which even the Five Great Holy Lands could not penetrate. Wu Mu and the Master of the Academy had used Confucian power to teleport directly here, and outsiders could not possibly know of their presence.
How did this young man know?
How much else did he know?
The Yan Emperor's expression shifted for a moment, then he said softly, "Follow me."
In his previous life, Chen Jiuyang had never been to this Northern Territory, to the renowned Northern Guard Army.
Chen Jiuyang followed the Yan Emperor inside and met Wu Mu and the Master of the Academy.
Chen Jiuyang got straight to the point. "The Human King system must not be abolished. The Five Great Holy Lands are not the greatest enemies; the major forbidden lands are the true enemies hidden behind the scenes."
This statement caused the expressions of Wu Mu and the Master of the Academy to change drastically.
"The new ancestral artifact system can only be used as a contingency, and it would be best to remain hidden among the Sword Bearers."
Wu Mu stared intently at Chen Jiuyang. "Young man, who are you, and why do you know so much?"
"Who I am is not important," Chen Jiuyang said calmly. "The important thing is that although the Five Great Holy Lands act rampantly, the Town Guardians, as a contingency, will eventually have the strength to overturn the Human King system, but not now."
"The actions of the Five Great Holy Lands are still within acceptable limits."
"This is all I can say. Think carefully, think carefully."
Without the Human King system, the Dragon Kingdom would face more trouble. The vast demon tribe within Meteor Immortal Cliff would be the first to emerge, followed by the changes in the final chess game, and the manifestation of myriad ghosts.
Compared to the more cunning old monsters within the forbidden lands, the old fossils of the Five Great Holy Lands, who only desired eternal life and ascension to the immortal realm, were somewhat more amiable.
After saying these words, Chen Jiuyang turned and left, unafraid that the Yan Emperor would make a move against him.
He left the Yan Emperor, Wu Mu, and the Master of the Academy in silence, frowning in thought.
The unprecedented change in the Dragon Kingdom after thousands of years, the destruction of the Five Great Holy Lands, and the disruption of the Human King system were likely instigated by forbidden lands, but they could not be calculated.
The Yan Emperor was the reincarnation of the Sui Gu Great Emperor's true spirit, and it was impossible for him to be schemed against or spied upon. The Master of the Academy, possessing an ancestral artifact of Confucianism, would not be schemed against. Wu Mu, with the semi-ancestral artifact of the Human King Sword, would also not be schemed against. Therefore, Chen Jiuyang dared to speak the truth without fear of being spied upon.
Having been away from home for so long, if it were not for a matter of great importance, Chen Jiuyang would not have come here first.
He took a car back to Ziyang County. Ziyang County was still the same backward county it used to be. It took four hours to drive from Fengcheng to reach it; there was no high-speed rail.
Familiar, like an unchanging old urban area.
But upon returning home, there had been significant changes. The former Qingzhu Village was now covered by a forest, with houses deep within the bamboo grove, diverting the Qing River.
Chen Jiuyang bought some things and carried his suitcase home. "Dad, Mom, I'm back."
This time, he wouldn't have to leave again. He could focus on cultivating, cultivating in low-key fashion...
After more than a year apart, Zhang Xiuzhen and Chen Jianmin were even more robust than before. With higher wages and better meals, their bodies had grown stronger.
Zhang Xiuzhen and Chen Jianmin felt that their son had returned from studying abroad, and their family's foundation had also strengthened. The wages saved were enough to provide Chen Jiuyang with a down payment for a house in Fengcheng.
"It's good that you're back," Zhang Xiuzhen and Chen Jianmin said with smiles.
"Son, you've been gone for so long, you don't know. Oh, a big boss near our house built a magnificent courtyard with nine entrances and nine exits! It's incredibly luxurious!"
"I wonder what kind of family could live in such a fine house."
Chen Jiuyang rubbed his nose and smiled. "Mom and Dad, is there a possibility that this big boss is me?"
"This kind of big house is being built for our family to live in."
"Ah?" Zhang Xiuzhen and Chen Jianmin were stunned.