CHAPTER 435: CHAPTER 377: JU MANG WOOD EMPEROR, CULTIVATION WORLD

A young girl standing atop two Azure Dragons softly opened her lips, her voice crisp like a phoenix bird’s call.

"Central Plains Emperor, we are willing to surrender!"

The remaining barbarians who heard this were completely dumbfounded.

They spent the lives of a hundred thousand people summoning the Wood Emperor, only to witness her surrender?

Not only the barbarians, but even Song Lin didn’t know how to respond.

Thinking it would be a great battle, he hadn’t anticipated such an outcome.

As if understanding Song Lin’s thoughts, Ju Mang explained:

"You are strong; I am the Wood God. If we were to fight, thousands of miles of vegetation would wither, and countless lives would perish. This is a situation I do not wish to see. The Emperor governs the world, and for them to submit to you is right."

Ju Mang, the Wood God, drew her divine power from life.

If she were to fight Song Lin, it would undoubtedly lead to a catastrophic upheaval, destroying numerous lives and creatures.

Even if she won, Ju Mang would fall from her divine status, her powers diminished.

Thus, surrender was the best solution, ensuring mutual benefit.

Moreover, she was not the guardian god of the barbarians but the Wood God.

"Welcome!"

Song Lin smiled.

Since the other party was so tactful, he decided not to make things difficult.

After this, Yanz State was brought under the Zhou Family’s rule.

This Yanz State was several times larger than the ancient Yanz State under Dayu. The Zhou Army had pushed towards the Eastern Extreme of the land, opening up territories over three thousand miles.

Song Lin didn’t bother coming up with a new name and simply incorporated it into Yanz State’s territory. This way, the abilities of the newly activated tripod could be enhanced greatly, potentially unlocking unique characteristics.

Next, the Zhou Army reorganized on the spot, and Song Lin held an alliance meeting with vassals and meritorious officials at Taishan.

He conferred Marquis Yanz to Hu Ben Army’s Zhongshan, promoted Deputy General Zhou Gong’s descendant Gee to Viscount of Xin Country, and conferred viscount titles to other deputies and meritorious officials in Jie Country, Youi Country, Pi Country, Jiaoo Country, Mountain Country, and Tai Country.

Marquis Lvu was elevated to "Gong" rank and would henceforth be known as Lvu Gong.

The Dragon Soaring Army’s Nine-tailed Yellow Dragon was appointed Lord of the Yellow River, and the Leopard Strategy Army’s Thunder God was made Duke of Lei Country.

Additionally, the barbarian tribes that submitted were rewarded and integrated into the Great Zhou System.

These included Quan, Yu, Fang, Huang, Bai, Chi, Xuan, Feng, and Yang states.

Major states were granted Gong or Marquis ranks, medium-sized states were granted Duke or Viscount ranks, and smaller states were granted Baron ranks.

This also created numerous new surnames.

Most titles were of Duke or Viscount rank, Marquis titles were reserved for meritorious officials who made significant contributions, and Gong ranks were exclusively for officials who accomplished extraordinary feats.

Song Lin was very cautious with Gong ranks. According to his vision, besides the Ji clan, only those who performed remarkable deeds could be granted these ranks.

As for kingships, no one should expect such a title. In the entire realm, only the Zhou Family could bear the status of king; otherwise, the collective wrath of the world would strike against them.

The Emperor Realm, in Song Lin’s design, was based on strength and cultivation level. Being a ruler did not automatically inherit the Emperor status.

The Emperor Realm was equivalent to the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. Song Lin could claim the title of Emperor, but if his descendants did not reach the Emperor Realm cultivation, they could not adopt the title.

As for the even higher rank of Emperor Sovereign... that kind of title, surpassing the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns, was not worth the humiliation of declaring oneself.

After all, this world was different.

Ordinary worlds might allow such proclamations, but in this kind of world, claiming the title of Emperor Sovereign might only become a joke.

After conferring titles to various vassals, Song Lin ascended Taishan’s altar and bestowed Ju Mang the title of Wood Emperor, granting her the incense offerings of the Human Clan as a reward for her allegiance.

Haojing.

Ju Mang transformed into a young girl in a green dress, her curious gaze fixed on the magnificent and grand palace.

The Human Clan could create such breathtaking architectures, and the Goddess presented a tray filled with exquisite jewels.

When Ju Mang saw the jewels, her eyes sparkled like tiny hearts.

She had no concept of wealth but was captivated by the beauty of the jewels.

"Are all of these for me?"

"Of course."

Song Lin signaled the Goddess and God-Man attendants to withdraw.

The Goddess and God-Man attendants were abnormal soldiers worshipped by the royal family for generations.

They were transformed from trees, blooming and bearing fruit to evolve into human form, characterized by the absence of certain organs and human emotions.

Because of their serene and pure temperament, they were favored by royalty and served as specialized attendants.

Song Lin silently watched Ju Mang playing with the jewels.

No matter what the race is, little girls are easy to appease.

Innate Divine Beings truly have two extremes—either as pure as blank paper or terrifyingly intense.

After Ju Mang grew tired of playing, Song Lin finally asked, "Could you talk about the Four Gods? Can they be persuaded to surrender?"

Avoiding conflicts whenever possible was his preference; a peaceful resolution was far better.

Song Lin did not relish killing or conflict, especially since he physically traversed to this world.

"The Fire God Zhuu Rong is hot-tempered and at the Mythical Realm; the Sea God Yuqiang has cultivation similar to mine, both at the peak of the Emperor Realm. The Western God Rushou, also known as the Golden God, is the strongest among us, possessing Mythical Realm cultivation (Primordial Spirit), making him the most powerful of the Four Gods."

"However, Rushou is not the strongest in this era; the Queen Mother of the West at Kunlun holds that title. Three hundred vassal states such as the Western Quanrong and Xianyun obey the Queen Mother, making her the greatest obstacle to unifying the Nine States."

"I see."

Song Lin immediately understood.

It seemed the mission ahead would still be arduous, likely consuming decades or centuries.

In reality, this translated to roughly three to five years.

Since time passed slower here, at merely a month per year.

"By the way, could you pass your Wood Skill on to me?"

Song Lin inquired.

Ju Mang’s face turned red, remaining silent for a long time.

Song Lin felt confused.

"Ju Mang Wood Emperor Technique is an Innate Divine Ability, not a Cultivation Technique. It cannot be taught orally."

"Apologies, I was being too greedy."

Song Lin realized his error; the Wood God Skill was Ju Mang’s origin. How could she deplete her essence for his benefit?

Ju Mang gave no verbal response but began examining him closely with her luminous gaze as if searching for something profound.

"There is another way."

"What way?"

"Through Yin-Yang exchange, merging body and spirit; you must comprehend on your own."

Ju Mang made a resolute decision.

Two Azure Dragons the size of green snakes emerged from her sleeves, biting open her garment as her flawless body, radiant as moonlight, crystal-clear and pure as jade, was revealed.

"Ah?"

Song Lin was momentarily dumbfounded.

Boom!

The palace doors slammed shut from the wind.

Starlight and moonlight mingled; the night was silent.

The gentle breeze rustled the bamboo forest beside the palace, making a swishing sound, with the old bamboo creaking incessantly through the night.

They practiced cultivation for forty-nine days.

After all, physical foundations vary greatly among people, and the disparity between an immortal and a mortal is even greater.

With Yanz State’s conquest, the fourth tripod of the Nine Tripods was activated.

Qiankun Treasure’s fourth layer—Qingmu Spring Blossom.

The energy from this tripod benefitted Song Lin immensely.

Comprehending Ju Mang’s Divine Skill advanced significantly.

Ju Mang’s Divine Skill was far beyond mere Wood Control Skill; it was not rudimentary spells like vine summoning or tree-man creation.

It delved deeply into Taoist Rules.

The Divine Skill’s name was Ju Mang Wood Emperor Technique; practicing it meant becoming the ruler of all wood.

A single thought could bring forth abundant growth, while another could invoke decay.

The road to full comprehension was still long; it would likely take one to two years to entirely assimilate the fourth layer’s energy of Qiankun Treasure.

This energy was also of immense benefit to Ju Mang.

Afterward, Ju Mang resided permanently at Longevity Palace.

Song Lin conferred Ju Mang the title of Wood Consort.

She practiced cultivation regularly and occasionally managed affairs.

The Eastern Campaign strategy concluded.

Next, Song Lin planned to wage a two-pronged war.

One was to launch a northern offensive against the Beidi Ghost faction, led by Lvu Gong.

The other was to suppress the southern Jingchu Barbarians; Chu Country had not yet completely controlled the south, and Song Lin intended to use this opportunity to expand Great Zhou’s influence into southern regions under the guise of exterminating bandits and offering peace.

Chu Country had not officially rebelled against Zhou yet, so declaring war prematurely would unjustly position the Emperor, and Marquis Ji Gong Mufu would not approve it.

It was better to apply mounting pressure and have Chu Country make the first move.

This was Song Lin’s strategy.

Unwittingly, two years flew by.

In the twenty-third year of King Mu of Zhou’s reign.

The Great Zhou’s strategies had achieved immense success, though final confrontations were still pending. For now, tensions remained beneath the surface.

At this time, Song Lin successfully mastered the Ju Mang Wood Emperor Technique, integrating it into the Cloud Seal System.

Longevity Palace, Emperor’s sleeping quarters.

Life force surged, and all woods revived.

Song Lin hovered in mid-air, meditating, while Ju Mang slept peacefully nearby, her long lashes occasionally flickering.

A green Xuanguang appeared behind Song Lin’s head, resembling a pale green moon.

The ground was covered with vibrant green moss.

Song Lin was gaining insight into the characteristics of Ju Mang Wood Emperor Technique.

A single thought could bring decay, while a single breath could transform into spring.

Swish!

In the next moment, vegetation within miles abruptly withered.

Life force converted into mana, stored within his body to repair the flaws in his physical form.

The following instant, all plants revived.

Song Lin appeared like he had mastered the Wood Rules as a Green Emperor.

Having comprehended this Divine Skill, he realized he would no longer fear wood-based spells and Divine Skills in the future.

Against Divine Skills of equal level or lower, they would have no effect on him; even spells cast by cultivators of higher realms would weaken by thirty percent.

With this Divine Skill achieved, Ju Mang continued her cultivation.

Not wishing to disturb her, Song Lin seized some leisure time to return to the Real World.

Upon entering the Real World, Guu Yuchan approached him.

"Taoist, I request to travel overseas."

"Why?"

"This place is not suitable for cultivation; we request permission to send a group overseas to search for a world where unrestricted cultivation is possible for our surplus disciples."