The Purple Gold Giant Ship passed through the Profound Yellow Barrier and crossed the North Sea. Nine bells rang out from the direction of the imperial capital.
Outside the imperial capital, Chu Jiang walked along the central avenue toward the palace. The streets on both sides were packed with commoners and cultivators, all gazing excitedly at the white-haired figure in black robes.
"It's the Regent!"
"Lord Director!"
"..."
Within the imperial city, at White Jade Square.
Xiang Qingxiao, the Ninth Generation Chu Emperor, dressed in dragon robes, was the first to bow.
"Welcome back, Regent."
Behind him, Zu Cang, the chief of the Demon Suppression Division; Xiang Taixu, an imperial ancestor; the headmaster of Jixia Academy; the Seven Marquises of the frontier; and the other core figures of Great Chu all bowed in unison.
"Welcome back, Regent!"
Their voices shook the entire imperial capital.
Chu Jiang raised a hand in a gesture for them to rise. "Get up."
His gaze swept over the crowd. In just a few years, every one of them had become far stronger than before. Great Chu's growth could only be called meteoric.
The crowd rose, their gazes toward Chu Jiang complicated.
When he had left, he had already been a legend of the age. Now that he had returned, he was still like a god.
They had all seen that battle beyond the realm—the nailing death of a God King, the tearing apart of a divine decree, the devouring of vast armies. Such methods had long surpassed all imagination.
"Let's talk inside." Chu Jiang strode toward the main hall.
Seats had already been arranged within the hall. Chu Jiang sat in the seat of honor to the left of the Ninth Generation Chu Emperor—the Regent's seat.
A grand welcoming banquet was laid out, its spiritual