Chapter 779: The Unveiling of Chaos

Chen Xi had no particular comment on Mi Zhu's actions of choosing reputation over wealth. After all, Mi Zhu had already experienced all the riches and glory life had to offer and was simply walking away with a carefree attitude.

"It's not impossible, but it will have to wait another two years. I won't start working on that until then. You know how it is: the further I push back tasks, the more important they are," Chen Xi thought for a moment and said.

"By then, the overall situation in the world should be clearer, and it will be time to handle the fertile lands of the North. We can start the development project then," Li You added, hinting at the prearranged plans for developing the northern territories.

"Yes, these are grand projects that need to be handled separately. They are not small matters, and their impact is massive," Chen Xi shrugged. "In any case, we’ll discuss it when the time comes. Now is not suitable. Let's give Wang Yi another two to three years, and by then, she should be able to present a feasible plan."

"Then I’ll start preparing the funds in advance," Mi Zhu smiled. "When the time comes, I’ll donate ten billion coins all at once."

"You should first focus on uniting the merchants into a single front before thinking about donations," Chen Xi waved dismissively, not paying much attention to Mi Zhu’s grand gesture of donating money for fame. At this point, whether Mi Zhu had one billion or ten billion coins, his lifestyle wouldn’t change much, given his wealth, status, and influence.

"I’ll do my best," Mi Zhu replied with a slightly awkward smile.

When it came to matters concerning Liu Bei, the members of the merchant association would listen to Mi Zhu's command. Even if families like the Wei and Wu clans had objections, they would simply opt out rather than oppose him. But in other matters, they would still bicker and not follow orders.

"In this chaotic world, to accumulate such manpower and resources, only someone like you could pull it off," Xun Yue remarked with admiration. Chen Xi's abilities in domestic governance were indeed astonishing; it was no exaggeration to call him a genius in this regard.

"Enough of this talk. Let’s focus on mobilizing our forces for the Northern Expedition. If the Xuanyuan Cauldron gets taken to Xindu by Yuan Shao, it will become much harder for us to retrieve it. We need to move quickly," Chen Xi smiled, shifting the conversation away from Xun Yue's praise.

While Fenggao remained relatively calm, the rest of the world had descended into chaos, with many losing their sense of reason. Only a few individuals remained clear-headed amid the turmoil.

"Zhengnan, I leave Gongsun Bogui’s burial in your hands. Give him a proper funeral. I’m heading to Yanzhou," Yuan Shao said, patting Shen Pei on the shoulder.

"My lord, leave this matter to me. I will ensure Gongsun Bogui receives a grand ceremony," Shen Pei nodded, expressing no objections to Yuan Shao's sudden change in command. He too had witnessed the emergence of the Xuanyuan Cauldron.

"Zhengli, come with me to Yanzhou. We will retrieve what is rightfully mine," Yuan Shao said, turning to Ju Yi with a calm demeanor.

"I will pave the way ahead for you, my lord!" Ju Yi bowed deeply. "My troops now possess both the will and the strength to enforce that will. Unfortunately, my greatest opponent has left the Central Plains. I wish I could face him again."

"You mean Gao Gongzheng?" Yuan Shao smiled. "He will be under my command soon enough. Lü Fengxian has retaken Jiuyuan and is currently regrouping. It is one of my ministers who governs his territories. So, Zhengli, you will not have another chance to face him."

"What a shame," Ju Yi’s face showed a hint of bitterness. He had been thoroughly defeated in their last encounter, and just as he had succeeded in forging an army with true military spirit, the opportunity to battle his old rival had slipped away.

"Hahaha, mount up! Follow me, and we shall conquer the Central Plains!" For the first time, Yuan Shao openly displayed his ambition to dominate the world.

"I will ride by your side and clear all obstacles for you!" Ju Yi declared boldly. Though the world was filled with talented and extraordinary individuals, Ju Yi firmly believed himself to be among the best.

"What's that...?" At that moment, Zhang He, who was accompanying Yuan Shao, squinted at a streak of azure light across the sky. "That is... a person?"

With the pressure of the Xuanyuan Cauldron and the Imperial Seal unleashed, the hidden immortals of the world could no longer contain themselves. This was the perfect opportunity to seize their fortune. With the nation's sacred artifact in hand, one's luck would soar, and refining it could lead to ascension!

"This path is blocked!" Tong Yuan stood atop the high sky among the clouds, holding his spear and axe, his gaze cold as he faced a Confucian scholar dressed in azure robes.

"Tong Yuan, are you here to stop me?" The voice that echoed in Tong Yuan’s ears was hoarse, making it hard to determine whether it belonged to someone young or old.

"Turn back, and I will not hinder you," Tong Yuan said calmly.

"Then there's nothing more to discuss!" The azure-robed Daoist chuckled. With a slight movement of his hands, blue lightning flickered around his body. In the next moment, he transformed into a deep blue streak, tinged with red, and shot toward Tong Yuan like lightning.

A cold, murderous glint flashed across Tong Yuan’s old face. A layer of icy blue light appeared over his spear and axe as he charged directly toward the azure-robed Daoist.

"Boom!" A thunderous crash echoed in the heavens. A bolt of lightning pierced through the clouds and struck the earth, followed by the slow descent of the azure-robed Daoist.

"I told you, this path is blocked," Tong Yuan smirked coldly as the figure of the azure-robed Daoist gradually turned to ash as he fell.

"If you're careless, you will die." As the words were spoken, an old man dressed in red appeared in the sky. The azure-robed Daoist, who had been turning to dust, suddenly seemed to rewind, his form restored as if time itself had reversed.

"Thank you, Nandou," the azure-robed Daoist bowed weakly to Nandou, his face pale.

"Leave. That artifact is not something you can claim, and Tong Yuan's strength is beyond your reach," Nandou didn’t even glance at the azure-robed Daoist. He kept his gaze fixed on Tong Yuan. "I am heading to the Central Plains. Will you stop me?"

"You said you wouldn't interfere in the turmoil of the Central Plains," Tong Yuan replied calmly.

"I need that fortune," Nandou stated, half negotiating, his tone light yet unyielding, leaving no room for opposition.

The azure-robed Daoist cupped his hands to Nandou and transformed into a streak of lightning, retreating to the northern frontier. Having faced death once, he now knew what truly mattered.

"No," Tong Yuan shook his head. "The affairs of the Central Plains belong to its people. Those who choose that path must bear its cost."

"Then let us fight!" Nandou said, his expression unchanging.

"Turn back, Nandou, or you will die here today!" Nan Hua suddenly appeared on the battlefield. "Retreat to the northern frontier. I’ve said it before—so long as I live, any true immortal who steps into the Central Plains without my permission will die!"

"Such harsh words..." A new voice echoed in the air. A golden-robed youth appeared, looking at Nan Hua. "Do you think we would come here if we were afraid?"

"Beiming..." Nan Hua narrowed his eyes. "Even you, the timid one, have come. Who else is here?"

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