Establishing the System

With matters at Chessboard Mountain settled, Zhou Yuan had no further concerns.

After bidding farewell to Fairy Cai Feng of Phoenix Perch Mountain and the Grand Unity Great Sages who had come to support the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range, he summoned the clouds and mist, leading the demon populace of Chessboard Mountain in a grand procession towards the Wei River.

Atop the mountain peak, Fairy Cai Feng watched Zhou Yuan depart before turning to the assembled Grand Unity Great Sages.

"Fellow Daoist Taiyuanzi's journey to the Wei River can be considered a deep dive into enemy territory."

"We cannot afford to slacken on our end either."

All the deities present agreed.

They looked up at the sky.

As their Dharma eyes operated, they could still see the laws of the heavens vibrating. The Five Elements Great Dao and the Creation Heavenly Secrets were in opposition, and with each roar, an invisible ripple of aftermath surged, shattering and returning countless bubble worlds to ruin.

This was the struggle between the Dao Lords of the Phoenix Perch Mountain lineage, the Five Directions Imperial Dynasties, and even the Dao Lords of the Three Sovereigns Palace.

Fairy Cai Feng's heart stirred.

She knew that no matter what victories the Grand Unity cultivators below achieved, they could not truly alter the course of this great battle.

Only the Dao Lords dwelling in the highest heavens were the chess players who controlled the grand momentum of Heaven and Earth.

"The Dao Lords of the Five Directions Imperial Dynasties rely on the luck of their imperial dynasties for cultivation."

"'But their luck is also their downfall.'"

"'If the imperial dynasties decline, they too will likely suffer a backlash.'"

Even from the perspective of a Dao Lord, such backlash was insignificant.

However, it was often the slightest difference that led to entirely different outcomes.

"'And this is the meaning of our presence in the Myriad Spirit Mountains.'"

Never mind what Fairy Cai Feng and the others were thinking.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuan unleashed his great magic, leading his entourage through the clouds and mists towards the Wei River.

Vast amounts of water vapor billowed, and the immense spectacle drew the attention of numerous beings along the way.

"Which deity is traveling now?"

"Judging by the direction, it seems they're heading towards the Wei River."

"There appear to be countless beings hidden within these clouds and mists. We should be cautious and avoid provoking them."

Zhou Yuan heard the discussions from below and frowned slightly, muttering to himself:

"My technique for gathering mist and clouds is still too ostentatious."

"This technique is suitable for heavenly soldiers and generals traveling in later eras, capable of gathering supreme momentum in an instant."

"But at times, it is inappropriate."

Now that battles were raging and they were in the midst of a heavenly calamity, even he did not wish to attract trouble.

The Grand Ancestor of Longevity Mountain seemed to be skilled in the Pot Heaven Technique.

His Universe in a Sleeve was incredibly powerful.

"If I have the chance, perhaps I can learn a thing or two from him."

As Zhou Yuan thought this, spiritual energy surged around him, the clouds and mists condensed, and with a sudden rush, his travel speed increased.

After an unknown period of time, the scenery before them suddenly became clear.

The vast Wei River sparkled under the sunlight.

Tribes and beings continuously settled along its banks.

Rat and the other old acquaintances from Chessboard Mountain looked towards the Wei River with curiosity, feeling both apprehensive and excited.

The spiritual energy here surged, and spiritual materials were abundant.

The Water Mansion was the Great Lord's dojo, which spoke volumes about the Great Lord's vast enterprise.

The Wei River was broad, offering great potential.

Only Guizhenzi looked at the tribes and beings, scattered cultivators, and minor demons constantly surging towards the banks of the Wei River, secretly marveling:

"The Lord truly possesses great magnanimity and vision."

"The more beings gathered along the Wei River, the greater the strength that can be consolidated."

"With this killing calamity arising, it is the moment to achieve great deeds."

"If the Lord so desires, he has the opportunity to swallow the surrounding water veins."

Guizhenzi's eyes gleamed.

With the Phoenix Perch Mountain lineage backing him, any territory Zhou Yuan conquered could not be easily seized by ordinary beings.

The more water veins Zhou Yuan occupied, the more resources his subordinates could share.

Joining the Wei River lineage might be a great opportunity!

Zhou Yuan glanced at the Wei River, upstream and down, and had a clear understanding.

Old Man Qingrong and the others had certainly put thought into this.

After returning to the Water Mansion.

Zhou Yuan summoned everyone under his command.

After they were familiar with each other.

He then assigned their duties one by one.

Guizhenzi was a veteran True One Realm cultivator, already familiar with Zhou Yuan, and had come from a prominent clan. While he sought refuge with Zhou Yuan to avoid future conflict, the most crucial reason was his belief in Zhou Yuan's development.

Thus, he was willing to bring his entire clan to pledge allegiance.

He was like a small shareholder investing with assets.

After Zhou Yuan treated him courteously, he appointed Guizhenzi as the General Manager of the Water Mansion.

He would be in charge of all central affairs of the Water Mansion.

This elder was extremely shrewd and knowledgeable, so managing the overall situation of the Water Mansion would not be difficult for him.

"This old servant will certainly not betray the Lord's high expectations."

Guizhenzi's heart surged with emotion.

To be entrusted with such a significant responsibility immediately upon joining the Wei River lineage, even Guizhenzi, with his composure, couldn't help but feel a touch of gratitude.

"Perhaps, I can try to have more clan disciples join the Wei River."

Seeing Guizhenzi appointed as the Grand General Manager of the Water Mansion.

Old Man Qingrong and the others were somewhat envious.

But after all, he was a True One Realm cultivator.

A full major realm higher than them.

Even if they had some subtle thoughts, they didn't dare to reveal any of them.

Zhou Yuan swept his gaze lightly over those below. He didn't care about the thoughts of his subordinates.

After all, in the Primordial Great World, power resided within oneself.

As long as one was strong, everything else was a minor detail.

"The Water Mansion is newly established, so we shall set up an Inner and Outer Prefecture Division."

"The Inner Prefecture Division shall have four halls: Pill, Artifact, Treasury, and Internal Affairs. These four halls will manage all matters concerning the operation of the Water Mansion."

"The Outer Prefecture Division shall have twelve guards, who will be in charge of all matters of conquest."

Old Man Qingrong, having attained enlightenment from a banyan tree, was a spirit of flora and fauna with some achievements in the Dao of Alchemy.

He was appointed as the Hall Master of the Pill Hall, responsible for all matters of planting, cultivation, and alchemy within the Water Mansion.

Mangcang had a rough and violent temperament, having attained enlightenment from a rhinoceros. He possessed immense strength and was skilled in the Dao of True Fire, with exquisite artifact refining techniques.

He was appointed as the Hall Master of the Artifact Hall, in charge of mineral veins and artifact refining.

Jin Yuanzi, having attained enlightenment from a three-legged golden toad, loved dealing with wealth. Appointing him to manage the treasury as the Hall Master of the Treasury was the most secure choice.

As for the miscellaneous and chaotic matters that needed to be handled by the Internal Affairs Hall, they were handed over to the only female cultivator among them, Madam Jiuzhen.

This woman was a white fox spirit, but not from the Qing Qiu lineage; she was a genuine wild fox.

Although her strength was slightly weaker compared to cultivators of the same rank, she possessed a delicate and clever heart.

These four Hall Masters were overjoyed upon hearing Zhou Yuan's appointments.

They immediately pledged their loyalty.

"As for the commanders of the twelve guards of the Outer Prefecture Division, they will be appointed from among you, Rat Ancestor Zishu, Ox Ancestor Chouniu... Pig Ancestor Hai Zhu."

"You may select elite disciples from your clans to join the guard teams, or choose from the tribal beings who worship my Wei River Water Palace on both banks of the Wei River."

"This guard team shall prioritize quality over quantity."

Zhou Yuan emphasized the last sentence heavily.

Rat Ancestor Zishu and the others immediately bowed and said:

"We will certainly not dare to disrupt the Great Lord's arrangements."

Zhou Yuan nodded, then beckoned them forward.

He explained the methods of battle formations, the Dao of Condensing Sha, and the techniques for forging Dao Soldiers one by one.

These techniques were derived from his reference to the methods of forging Dao Soldiers from his past life's Dao lineages, combined with the ancient Heavenly Soldier training methods from the Water Ancestor's inheritance in this world, and the techniques for refining Tianshui Imperial Dynasty's Dao Soldiers revealed by the Eighteenth Prince of the Tianshui Imperial Dynasty.

Listening to him, the commanders like Rat Ancestor Zishu had divine light flashing in their eyes as they repeatedly nodded.

With these Dao Soldiers by their side, they could even contend with Divine Demons of the True One Realm.

After all matters were properly arranged, Zhou Yuan gave everyone a few more instructions before assigning tasks and sending them away.