To Zhao Gongming, Great Shang had originally been nothing more than a somewhat larger Human Race dynasty. Only now did he discover that it was full of hidden talents, with such a powerful Quasi-Saint as Kong Xuan stationed there.
He was also curious what was so extraordinary about Great Shang. Even if many of Great Shang's military generals had some connection to the Interception Sect, that was nothing significant.
Great Shang also had civil and military officials connected to the Chan Sect and the Human Sect. After all, as the center of Human Dao Fortune, Great Shang gathered boundless merit and fortune. Whom its subjects chose as their masters depended entirely on fate.
Now that the Karmic Tribulation was surging, Jiang Ming was making a high-stakes gamble on reform. He wanted to see how far Great Shang could go under his leadership and whether it could break the National Fortune Shackles that, according to the original plot, left it only twenty-two years.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, we became acquainted through battle. With your abilities, why not join Great Shang? At the very least, you could become a regional lord."
Kong Xuan looked at Zhao Gongming and extended the invitation.
"To be honest, Fellow Daoist, I have long been accustomed to freedom. I cannot possibly join a Human Race dynasty; it would affect my cultivation. After all, worldly karmic obstructions would cling to me, and a moment of carelessness could breed inner demons."
Zhao Gongming immediately refused.
Jiang Ming understood that well enough. At the very least, the current Great Shang held little appeal for someone like Zhao Gongming. He had no need for Human Dao merit or fortune; freedom mattered more to him.
Jiang Ming's goal was to eventually transform Great Shang into a fortune dynasty. At that time, everyone would