Within the cocoon of gathered spirit energy, Xu Zimo’s aura grew stronger and stronger. In the end, the pressure he exuded became so intense that no one could approach him.

Inside his body, the Primal Dao Ocean he commanded underwent refinement again and again, becoming ever more powerful. Because Xu Zimo had comprehended every type of Primal Dao, his tempering process took far longer than that of ordinary cultivators.

He remained in the room for a month. Finally, countless celestial visions appeared around the Tribulation Tower before him. These were the Dao imprints left behind by those who had come before.

Xu Zimo slowly opened his eyes. At the moment his eyes opened, all the illusions shattered, an end to every false image. He saw through everything with a single glance.

He put away the True Martial Tribulation Tower, and all the visions vanished as well. Xu Zimo rose to his feet, and the massive cocoon around him burst apart. He looked up at the sea of spirit energy in the sky, then opened his mouth and devoured it all in one breath.

Thunderous roars echoed as the sea of spirit energy surged downward, crushing everything in its path before returning into Xu Zimo’s body. It cycled through countless major and minor meridian circuits.

Finally, thunderous cracking sounds rang from within his body. His strength had multiplied thousands of times compared to when he first went into seclusion.

“So this is a Sage Monarch,” Xu Zimo murmured. He clenched his fist, and the surrounding space twisted and shattered under the unintentional force. Xu Zimo chuckled and shook his head. A Sage Monarch was powerful indeed, though still within his expectations.

His curiosity toward the Infinite Dao realm grew even stronger.

Xu Zimo stepped out of the room, his power withdrawn completely in an instant, making him appear like an ordinary person. As he exited, Wang Hengzhi, Willow Ancestor, and Xiao An’an were already waiting outside.

“Ancestor, you’ve emerged,” Xiao An’an said with a smile.

“Congratulations on advancing further,” Wang Hengzhi quickly added.

Xu Zimo nodded. “As expected. The so-called Sage Monarch stage isn’t unattainable, as long as you have enough resources to comprehend it. The foundation of the True Martial Sacred Ground is indeed deep.”

Just the Tribulation Tower alone had helped him step into the Sage Monarch realm. The True Martial Saint Sovereign’s intentions were not wasted.

“Ancestor, during your seclusion, we handled the matter of the Ancient Dragon God-Empire,” Wang Hengzhi reported. “We’ve absorbed their army, and the dynasty has now changed. I plan to rename the Ancient Dragon God-Empire to the True Martial Nation.”

Xu Zimo nodded slightly. “Any problems? Rebellions?”

“There were a few who didn’t submit, but we suppressed them quickly. With the Paragon Dragon Sovereign and the others dead, the remaining remnants can’t stir up any trouble,” Wang Hengzhi said.

“I leave this place to you. You don’t need to report everything to me. I’m not very interested in these matters,” Xu Zimo said. “Remember this, gentleness is useless. Iron-blooded methods are the foundation of peace. Without cost and fear, the world learns nothing. It is fear that keeps them in line.”

Wang Hengzhi nodded. He was gradually becoming more decisive, no longer as hesitant as before.

At that moment, a disciple hurried over. “Sect Master, Senior Zhao from yesterday wishes to speak with you again.”

Wang Hengzhi frowned. “Can’t you see the Imperial Ancestor is here? Let him wait.”

“But Senior Zhao has been urging repeatedly. I don’t know how to refuse him,” the disciple said helplessly. As much as he wanted to ignore it, the person in question belonged to the Ten God-Clans. Even though the True Martial Sacred Ground now showed signs of rising again, he didn’t dare offend the great clans. Their name alone carried the weight of ages.

The Ten God-Clans were acknowledged as the rulers of the Absolute God Heaven and had been so since ancient times.

Hearing this, Wang Hengzhi snorted. “I haven’t even gone to settle accounts with them yet. What is there to talk about?”

“Senior Zhao said he wishes to pay respects to the Imperial Ancestor,” the disciple added.

“In that case, I’ll refuse him again-”

“Hold on,” Xu Zimo said, stopping him. “What Senior Zhao?”

“Ancestor, during your seclusion, the Zhao God-Clan, one of the Ten God-Clans, approached us,” Wang Hengzhi explained quickly. “They wanted to form an alliance with us. I refused.”

“An alliance?” Xu Zimo laughed. “So, they want to form a pact.”

“Yes, but I don’t trust the Ten God-Clans at all, so I rejected them,” Wang Hengzhi said.

“Interesting. Bring him to me,” Xu Zimo said. Then he asked, “By the way, what about the Wheel-Sun National Preceptor from the Sage Heaven God-Empire?”

Wang Hengzhi brightened with amusement. “The national preceptor and the disciples of the Sage Heaven God-Empire have been extremely uneasy these past few days. They used to look down on us, but after Imperial Ancestor destroyed the Ancient Dragon God-Empire single-handedly, they speak to me with utmost humility. They look like they want to serve us as lackeys again.”

“You handle them as you wish. I can’t be bothered,” Xu Zimo said with a wave of his hand.

“These fickle people, I won’t accept them either,” Wang Hengzhi said firmly.

…

Xu Zimo sat upon the dragon throne. The seat was high, allowing him to look down upon the entire hall. No wonder emperors loved the feeling of being above all, controlling everything.

Before long, Wang Hengzhi led Zhao Zhoutian and Zhao Danyang into the hall. Zhao Zhoutian’s pupils shrank when he saw Xu Zimo. He hurriedly bowed.

“Zhao Zhoutian of the Zhao God-Clan greets the senior of the True Martial Sacred Ground.”

“I’ve heard about your alliance proposal. There isn’t much to discuss between us. What I want to know is, why approach us for an alliance?” Xu Zimo asked.

If they wanted to test him, then he also intended to test the Ten God-Clans.

He had skimmed through the book the old hermit gave him. It contained much about the Ten God-Clans, enough for him to grasp most of their situation.

Zhao Zhoutian replied, “Truthfully, we wished to form an alliance long ago. The Ten God-Clans are constantly scheming against one another. We need a powerful ally. Based on the True Martial Sacred Ground’s previous combat strength, you are more than qualified to join with us.”

Then he asked cautiously, “May I ask… how many ancestors remain in the True Martial Sacred Ground? Are the True Martial and San Dao still alive?”