Dust rose from the northern road as the banners of the Heavenly Black Sun Dynasty fluttered in the cold wind. Mounted on spirit beasts older than most men in the realm, their nobles and generals rode with measured pace, armor clinking softly, eyes lowered, hands resting on hilts but unwilling to draw them.
The distant city walls of the Nine God Dynasty loomed like golden cliffs. Feng Hao's golden throne hovered above the courtyard, catching the first light of dawn. From there, he watched them approach — a river of disciplined, wary warriors, each step weighed by fear and respect.
No one spoke. Not a word. Not even the clatter of hooves carried arrogance. The Black Sun Dynasty knew what they were delivering: not just submission, but their entire fate.
Hei Yunchen's father, the emperor of the Remnant Dynasty, rode at the front, his face pale but resolute. Behind him, eldest sons, generals, and nobles followed — each carrying not weapons of defiance but scrolls of surrender, deeds of tribute, and oaths of loyalty.
The closer they drew, the stronger the aura from Feng Hao's throne pressed against their minds. Not a killing intent — yet each heartbeat felt like it might shatter under weight of judgment.
When they reached the central courtyard, the massive gates opened by themselves. The soldiers of the Nine God Dynasty lined the walls, standing motionless as if carved from stone, boots perfectly aligned, hands lightly gripping weapons that gleamed faintly with bloodline qi.
The Black Sun nobles dismounted carefully, heads bowed, keeping distance yet advancing steadily toward the throne. The emperor's hands shook as he held the ceremonial tribute scroll, but he did not waver.
A faint golden wind spiraled down from the throne. Feng Hao's eyes, calm and penetrating, scanned the group. His presence alone forced them to the ground on one knee — and the entire courtyard seemed to acknowledge the shift, stone and air vibrating faintly under the unseen weight of his aura.
Hei Yunchen's father broke the silence. "Lord Feng Hao… Nine God Emperor… we… we come to submit. Our dynasty, our people… we place them under your protection. We accept your authority."
Behind him, the nobles echoed the words, a chorus of restrained fear and awe.
Feng Hao's voice was calm, almost bored, yet each syllable resonated like the tolling of a great bell.
"Speak once more. Do you understand what submission entails? That your dynasty survives not by strength, but by obedience? That your people live not by cunning, but by loyalty?"
The emperor swallowed hard, eyes flicking to his eldest sons, then back to Feng Hao. "Yes… Lord Feng Hao. We understand. We submit fully. We will serve faithfully. Our dynasty, our bloodline… all belong to the Nine God Dynasty."
A golden light descended from the throne, wrapping around the kneeling emperor. Feng Hao raised a single hand. The ceremonial scroll floated forward, glowing faintly, and landed in the emperor's hands.
"This is your marquisate," Feng Hao said. "Your dynasty will live under my title. You will prosper under my blessing, but never forget — your survival is bound to your respect for the Nine God Dynasty. One act of defiance, and the mercy you have received will vanish."
Hei Yunchen, kneeling behind his father, swallowed the lump in his throat. This was no ordinary display of power. This was the full weight of authority, absolute and immovable, yet tempered with calculated grace.
The Black Sun Remnant Dynasty's nobles lowered their heads once more, this time not from fear alone, but from understanding. They had witnessed not just the force of an emperor, but the intelligence of one who measured mercy and judgment like a craftsman handling a blade.
Feng Hao reclined slightly on his golden throne. "Rise," he said. "Your loyalty has been noted. Your titles are your safeguard. Keep them well."
Slowly, carefully, the emperor of the Black Sun Dynasty and his nobles rose to their feet. The submission was complete. The banners that had fluttered nervously now hung in calm order, colors vivid, but weighed with the acknowledgment of their place in the Nine God Dynasty's hierarchy.
Feng Hao waved once, casually, and the golden throne turned, ascending toward the palace above. Behind him, the Black Sun nobles remained kneeling for a heartbeat longer, letting the aura of the throne imprint itself into their very bones — a reminder of why survival depended not on courage, but on knowing when to bend.
And in that courtyard, under the first light of morning, the Heavenly Black Sun Dynasty had become a part of something far greater.
The morning after the submission ceremony, the golden sun rose over the Nine God Dynasty, spilling light across the palace and the courtyard below. Feng Hao, already awake, reclined on his golden throne as a quiet wind rustled through the banners of his now-expanded dominion.
He lifted a hand, the motion casual, almost lazy, yet every servant, soldier, and spirit array nearby responded instantly.
"System," he said, voice clear over the palace grounds. "Sign in."
A soft hum echoed from the throne. Panels flickered into existence before him.
Sign In — Completed
Daily Summoning — Ready
Barracks Status: Level 3 Divine Mountain
Feng Hao's eyes swept the panels. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he murmured:
"Let's see how the new additions are doing."
He gestured, and the Divine Mountain barracks' formations activated.
Ranks of Divine Soldiers materialized first, boots striking the stone in perfect unity. Cavalry followed, winged mounts folding their wings gracefully as they landed, every creature radiating refined qi. Captains, Commanders, and Generals appeared mid-command, their aura steady and unshakable. Even the Divine Marshal hovered briefly before settling among the ranks, his presence enough to stabilize the formations with no command necessary.
Then, the Elder Hall stirred. Doors opened, sliding aside without a sound. A faint golden glow spilled out, and the elders — low, mid, and high level — stepped forward, their steps measured, their eyes flicking over the courtyard and the newly subdued banners of the Black Sun Remnant Dynasty.
[Active Forces – Updated]
Divine Soldiers: +12,500
Divine Cavalry: +1,250
Divine Captains: +625
Divine Commanders: +125
Divine Generals: +12
Divine Marshal: +1
Elders:
• Low-Level Elders: +20 (Qi Sea – Peak)
• Mid-Level Elders: +8 (Divine Bridge – Early)
• High-Level Elders: +2 (Divine Bridge – Late)
• Low level Heavenly King +1 ( Qi Sea – peak)
National Power: 392,300,000 + 210,000,000
Current National Power: 637,300,000
Addition from Black Remnant Dynasty: + 35,000,000 (Population, resources, Combatant contributions)
The Black Sun Dynasty had returned to their fiefdom, obedient and cautious. Feng Hao reclined on his golden throne, voice calm.
"System," he said, "Sign in."
A quiet shimmer spread across the air as the translucent panel appeared.
Sign In — Completed
Reward Obtained:
Building: "Celestial Forge"
Rank: Myth
Level: 1
Celestial Forge – Functions
• Artifact Crafting – Can refine weapons, armors, and mystical implements of all ranks from Heaven Grade to Eternal Grade.
• Qi Infusion – Items crafted within gain innate cultivation resonance.
• Access – Open to anyone the host authorizes.
The forge hummed faintly, energy flowing through the air like liquid sunlight. Its presence alone seemed to bend the courtyard's qi slightly, a subtle reminder that even structures under his command carried power.
Feng Hao simply nodded, satisfied. The sign-in was complete.
He pulled the dynasty panel.
Name: Nine God Dynasty
Rank: Tier 2 Mortal Dynasty
Population: 12,350,000 (includes newly submitted Black Sun Remnant population)
National Power: 637,300,000
Owned Land: 1,150,000 km²
Now it was starting to look like a proper dynasty.