At the same time, in Central Province, within the Great Xia Ancient Dynasty.
Deep within the palace, celestial lamps shone as brightly as daylight.
This ancient palace lacked the transcendent grandeur of the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty, yet radiated an immensely weighty aura of human imperial majesty. Beneath an enormous Black Dragon Pillar, the Xia Emperor stood atop a raised dais with his hands behind his back, holding the invitation from the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty.
"As expected, Great Zhou could no longer restrain itself." The Xia Emperor's deep, authoritative voice rang out.
Before him, Great Xia's Crown Prince, Xia Wushang, and Third Prince, Xia Wujie, stood on opposite sides. Xia Wushang's features were sharp as blades, but before the Xia Emperor, he kept all the domineering might of the human emperor way contained within his heart. Xia Wujie, meanwhile, wore military attire, his gaze like that of a wolf or tiger.
Xia Wujie could not resist stepping forward. "Father, do you mean they're finally going to take that step?"
"Not finally. They've been forced into a corner where that is the only step left." The Xia Emperor turned, a faint trace of mockery flashing through his eyes. He casually tossed the invitation onto the desk, his tone remaining even, as though discussing a game of chess whose every move he had already seen through.
"I said long ago that Great Zhou's prosperity these past years was like oil bubbling over a raging fire. In truth, they were only traveling farther and farther down a dead-end road. This step is both their own choice and one they have no choice but to take."
Xia Wushang had remained silent until now. Slowly, he raised his eyes. "Then, Father, do you mean that regardless of how Great Zhou's gambit turns out, it