Zhao Yun! Dragon Domain!

Night once again shrouded Wutan City, and the Xiao Family residence lay silent.

After confirming that Xun Er was fast asleep, Gu Long gently shut the window of his room.

It seemed it was time to use that trump card.

His consciousness sank into the System Space, where a summoning card shimmering with silver light and inscribed with the words "Zhao Yun" floated silently.

The power of a Peak Nine-Star Dou Ancestor was enough to stir monstrous waves across the Jia Ma Empire and even the Black Corner Region.

"Use the Zhao Yun Summoning Card," Gu Long silently said in his heart.

There was no earth-shaking phenomenon, only an exceedingly faint distortion in the space before him, as though the light had briefly been obscured.

The next moment, a tall, pine-straight figure appeared silently in the room.

The newcomer wore silver armor. Though he carried no spear, he stood perfectly upright, his features handsome and his gaze sharp yet restrained and profound.

The instant he appeared, an immense aura involuntarily spread out.

Though it lasted only a moment, it made Gu Long's breathing tighten.

Almost at the same time, Gu Long keenly sensed an extremely subtle fluctuation in the aura at Ling Ying's hidden position outside the courtyard!

A Peak Dou Emperor was exceedingly sensitive to energy fluctuations at such close range.

Not good!

Just as Gu Long's thoughts turned and he considered how to explain it, the silver-armored General before him slightly furrowed his brow, apparently realizing that his leaked aura might draw attention.

Ripples spread through the space around him, and his vast, ocean-like aura instantly withdrew without a trace.

Standing there, he seemed to merge with the surrounding shadows. If one had not seen him with their own eyes, it would have been nearly impossible to notice his presence.

Outside the courtyard, the faint disturbance in Ling Ying's aura also gradually subsided, as if he had attributed that fleeting anomaly to his own imagination.

After all, a Dou Zong-level existence, especially one at the peak of Nine Stars, had reached perfection in controlling his own power.

If he deliberately concealed it, there was no way a Dou Emperor could easily detect him.

Gu Long secretly let out a breath of relief, while also marveling at Zhao Yun's degree of control.

As expected of a top-tier summoned character produced by the system.

"Your subordinate Zhao Yun, Zhao Zi Long, greets Lord!"

The silver-armored General dropped to one knee and cupped his fists in salute. His low voice carried a metallic ring, while his tone brimmed with absolute loyalty.

"General Zi Long, please rise."

Gu Long made a token gesture to help him up, joy rising in his heart.

He studied Zhao Yun and went straight to the point.

"General Zi Long, I summoned you here because I have an important duty to entrust to you."

"Please give your orders, Lord. Yun will not refuse even death!" Zhao Yun rose to his feet and looked calmly at Gu Long.

"I want you to go somewhere—the Black Corner Region."

Gu Long walked to the table, dipped his finger in tea, and roughly sketched the outline of the Dou Qi Continent on its surface, marking the approximate locations of the Jia Ma Empire and the Black Corner Region.

"That is one of the most chaotic regions on the continent. Sects stand everywhere, slaughter never ceases, and there are no absolute rules—only the strong devouring the weak."

Gu Long's tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable decisiveness.

"I want you to establish a force there that belongs to us. Its name will be—Dragon Domain!"

"Your task is to gradually consolidate the various forces in the Black Corner Region. Use any means necessary: annexation, alliances, and destruction if necessary.

In the early stages, focus on gaining a foothold and accumulating resources. There is no need to rush, but you must ensure that absolute control of Dragon Domain remains in your hands."

Gu Long looked at Zhao Yun, his gaze sharp.

"I need the Black Corner Region to become my future rear base for resources and troops, a force capable of stirring the continent at critical moments. Can you do it?"

Zhao Yun did not hesitate in the slightest as he cupped his fists.

"Rest assured, Lord! Yun will not fail this heavy trust. I will surely lay a foundation for Lord in the Black Corner Region and make the name 'Dragon Domain' resound in all directions!"

He had no questions about why Lord had chosen the chaotic Black Corner Region.

His absolute loyalty to Gu Long made him carry out orders without reservation.

"Good!" Gu Long nodded.

"Set off at once. Be careful on the road and avoid exposing your tracks as much as possible.

I will send you the initial funds and resources needed to establish the force through the system over time.

If there is an emergency, or if you achieve any preliminary results, you may also contact me through the system."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Zhao Yun saluted once more.

Gu Long thought for a moment, then added.

"There is a Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region. Its Inner Academy has the Falling Heart Flame, which will be of great use to me in the future.

You must keep an eye on relevant information, but do not act rashly for now, lest you alert the enemy."

"Yun understands."

After giving his instructions, Gu Long said no more.

Zhao Yun cupped his fists toward Gu Long once again. With a flicker of his body, he swept out through the window like a ghost and vanished into the vast night.

The room returned to tranquility. Only the still-damp map on the table proved that everything just now had not been an illusion.

Gu Long walked to the window and gazed in the direction of the Black Corner Region, his eyes deep.

Sending Zhao Yun to the Black Corner Region was a decision he had reached after careful consideration.

With himself and Ling Ying here in Wutan City and the Jia Ma Empire, they were sufficient to handle matters for the time being.

Moreover, though there were many opportunities here, the scope was too small and unsuitable for the early growth of a faction.

The Black Corner Region was different. Its chaos was both danger and the best cover and breeding ground.

With Zhao Yun's Peak Nine-Star Dou Ancestor strength, aside from Jia Nan Academy, he could sweep through the Black Corner Region.

Establishing Dragon Domain was not merely for gathering resources; it was also preparation for confronting the Soul Clan in the future.

He could not rely on the Ancient Clan forever. He had to possess power that belonged to him alone.

This was a hidden move, one that would play a decisive role in the future.

He felt the surging Dou Emperor power within his body, then glanced at the resources and Heavenly Flames in the System Space that had yet to be used.

"Check in."

As usual, he completed his daily routine.

[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Low-grade Spirit Stone x1000.]

Spirit Mu Jins?

They seemed to be an energy currency better suited to a cultivation system. He had no use for them for now, so he would store them first.

Gu Long sat cross-legged and continued cultivating the Soul Condensing Art while consolidating his Dou Emperor cultivation.

Zhao Yun had already been dispatched and the piece had been placed. Next, he needed to continue strengthening himself and settle matters here in Wutan City.

In the distant Black Corner Region, as Zhao Yun infiltrated it, a storm that would sweep through the entire chaotic land quietly continued to brew.

And the source of it all was the planning of a ten-year-old boy in a small courtyard of the Xiao Family in Wutan City.

Time quietly passed, and Gu Long's life in the Xiao Family remained peaceful.

Every day, he checked in, cultivated, accompanied Xun Er, and occasionally displayed a little of his extraordinary insight before Xiao Zhan, quietly showing some of his worth.

As for Xiao Yan, after that night, he had completely behaved himself. Whenever he saw Gu Long or Xun Er, he would take a detour.

Yet the aura around him began to decline slowly at a baffling rate.

From One-Star Dou Practitioner to the ninth stage, seventh stage, then third stage, this bizarre speed of regression stirred quiet whispers within the Xiao Family.

Xiao Zhan grew anxious every day over Xiao Yan's declining cultivation.

The genius halo Xiao Yan once possessed was rapidly fading, and the fall of a genius was gradually unfolding...