Many Matters Great and Small, the Development and Evolution of the Divine Empire

The heavenly voice reverberated, and astonishing phenomena appeared everywhere. Even the universe beyond the Divine Empire was filled with holy, radiant light. Golden lotuses carpeted the ground, the Great Dao circled overhead—it was simply too world-shaking.

The Cultivators and living beings who had come to listen to the sermons for over half a month all felt a deep sense of enlightenment. At the same time, their reverence and devotion toward the Divine Empire grew even deeper.

Even some of the older generation with profound cultivation could not avoid being affected, let alone the younger generation.

After all, apart from that flourishing era countless ages ago, no one in the current epoch had ever witnessed such sermons. No supreme powerhouse would ever explain the Dao and its methods for the benefit of all living beings.

Nowadays, everyone hoarded their own treasures like worthless brooms—no one would freely share their cultivation insights with others for no reason.

The explanations of these Immortal Dao figures contained many ideas that ran counter to mortal conventions, but it was undeniable that these concepts gave people a feeling of sudden clarity, like clouds parting to reveal the mist-shrouded truth.

Those who entered the Divine Empire could listen to sermons at any time.

Not only that, they also had the chance to enter the Sealing Immortals Ranking. As long as one reached the Sacred Emperor Realm, there was an opportunity—no need to painstakingly cultivate all the way to the level of a Hidden Expert.

“For people like us, this is nothing short of a chance to ascend to the heavens in a single step. It’s far too tempting.”

It had to be said that these promises made everyone who had come to pay homage feel their hearts stir. They felt that submitting to the Divine Empire was not something that couldn’t be considered.

Even the Hidden Experts began to consider it, their emotions complicated. They could no longer sit back and wait as they had before.

The true method of becoming an Immortal, the true Immortal Path, was held in Gu Changge’s hands. He could decide at will whether all living beings could achieve immortality.

Now that the Immortal Path had appeared, who could guarantee that Gu Changge wouldn’t interfere? His ruthlessness and cold-bloodedness had been on full display during this period, chilling people to the bone.

Furthermore, the might of the Divine Empire was plain for all to see. The current Immortal Dao existence of the Beyond was none other than the master of the Divine Empire.

Moreover, the Divine Empire intended to establish the Sealing Immortals Ranking. For those Cultivators and living beings whose talent offered no hope of advancing further, this was nothing less than a beacon in the darkness, a gospel in a hopeless apocalypse.

Their cultivation had reached a point where they could basically see no end and no hope.

Yet suddenly, they were told that as long as they could enter this ranking, they could reach the finish line in one leap. In this world, how many people could resist such temptation?

One had to know that even for those unrivaled prodigies, their greatest ambition at present was merely to achieve Dao. As for becoming an Immortal, that was an extravagant hope with no end in sight.

Those who could walk to the step of becoming a Hidden Expert—since ancient times, which of them wasn’t a being of peerless talent, unrivaled in their generation, with world-shaking comprehension?

Gu Changge’s plans, it had to be said, had gripped the current situation of the Beyond firmly in his hand.

Even those sects and forces that had sealed their mountains were deeply tempted, weighing the gains and losses, somewhat unable to hold back.

However, once one entered this ranking, what restrictions would there be, what requirements—Gu Changge did not say directly, didn’t even hint at it.

This point left many people uncertain, worried that there might be a huge pitfall.

Gu Changge’s gaze swept over everyone in the hall. He was not surprised; he had long anticipated their reactions.

Although he had other plans and schemes, for now, the two matters of the Sealing Immortals Ranking and listening to sermons were already enough.

The Sealing Immortals Ranking targeted Cultivators at the Sacred Emperor Realm and above, while listening to sermons welcomed Cultivators of all realms—especially those low-level, most numerous ordinary Cultivators.

As for how to enter the Sealing Immortals Ranking—

Actually, Gu Changge had long since thought it through. There was no way he would simply do a good deed and give the world such a shortcut for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠free.

After entering the ranking, one must sincerely submit to the Divine Empire, entrust one’s life to it, live and die together with the Divine Empire, and be under his control.

Beyond that, one also needed sufficient contributions.

The second point was the real crux. Gu Changge couldn’t possibly let Cultivators enter the ranking directly after joining the Divine Empire—that would be thinking too simply.

The heavens and myriad domains were far too vast and boundless, with many unknown regions waiting to be pioneered.

These Cultivators and living beings who wanted to enter the ranking were, in Gu Changge’s eyes, the simplest and also the most useful tools for expansion.

The Sealing Immortals Ranking sounded simple, but it involved re-enacting the heavens—using the vast Power of Faith to mold True Immortals. In the process, it might even trigger heavenly tribulations, heavenly punishment, and the like.

However, these matters were not what Gu Changge needed to consider right now, because he also knew that with this kind of pie-in-the-sky method, only by actually bringing out the pie could it trigger a true sensation.

Afterward, many guests in the hall prepared to take their leave, deciding to return to their clans to discuss the matter in detail. They would not make a decision so quickly.

For forces like the Longevity Gu Family and the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty, there were not so many worries. After all, the Divine Empire was founded with Gu Changge as its Divine Lord—he was the Young Master of the Gu Family and also its future head. The two were one and the same.

And the current Empress of the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty was Gu Changge’s wedded wife.

From this perspective, forces like the Longevity Gu Family and the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty actually existed as the foundation of the Divine Empire, with no relationship of dependence or submission.

Between them, there were no conflicts of interest either.

Gu Changge did not speak, merely watching everyone in silence, his expression serene ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and calm.

The countless subjects and believers of the Divine Empire prostrated themselves devoutly outside, and the vast Power of Faith surged forth, converging toward the resplendent great sun above the Heavenly Court.

Within it was the Golden Fortuity Cauldron that Gu Changge had refined. He had re-refined it in another way—not only could it collect the Power of Faith, it could also serve as a vessel to transform the Power of Faith into other Source powers.

The so-called Sealing Immortals Ranking was, in essence, forged by relying on this Source power of faith, allowing Cultivators whose realms had not reached the Immortal Dao to wield Immortal Dao power.

In the following days, the Divine Empire was newly established, its radiance shining across ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the heavens. News about this place had long since spread, circulating through the various universes.

Many sects and forces, after consideration, decided to submit to the Divine Empire as subjects.

However, after that day, Gu Changge did not appear publicly again. All matters of the Divine Empire, great and small, he handed over to Yin Mei to handle.

Previously, Yin Mei had been in charge of all sorts of affairs for the Great Chu Celestial Dynasty, the Alliance of Thousand Merchants, and other forces, so she was long since adept at handling such matters.

In addition, Gu Changge also summoned Yan Ji from the Chaotic Star Territory to assist Yin Mei.

Hei Yanyu of the Celestial Ancient Continent was herself an extremely ambitious individual. After consideration, seeing that she had no objections, Gu Changge also handed her a portion of authority.

The Divine Empire was newly established, and there were quite a few matters to resolve. Gu Changge himself was not very interested in these trivial matters, nor did he want to spend time and energy on them—so this arrangement saved him the trouble.

During these past few decades, he had not been idle either. While refining the Demon Lord’s True Blood, he had once again refined six puppets, numbered from Ah Da all the way to Ah Jiu.

Among them, Ah Er was naturally the Palace Master from when the Nether was annihilated, and the Reincarnation Ancient Heaven was named Ah San by Gu Changge.

Their strength was all comparable to Remnant Immortals, even above the thirty-six Star Kings.

And these thirty-odd Star Kings were genuine Hidden Experts. Some had their spiritual intelligence erased and were forcibly refined by Gu Changge. Although their cultivation dropped somewhat, they could still easily crush Dao Achievers.

Others were Hidden Experts of various sects with profound cultivation who voluntarily submitted to serve Gu Changge.

All in all, in terms of foundational strength, the Divine Empire was no weaker than any sect or force since ancient times. Immortal Grade Artifacts alone numbered many.

The vast majority of these were obtained when Gu Changge slew those Hidden Experts during the Resplendence Universe Incident, and in the end, they were all poured into the imperial treasury.

One had to know that in the past, those immortal sects had at most one or two Immortal Grade Artifacts as their foundation. None could be as extravagant as the Divine Empire.

“The Divine Empire is newly established, and the territory under its jurisdiction, besides what was previously occupied—some domains far away in other worlds can actually be included as well.”

“For example, over in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, everyone knows of the relationship between the Sky Deer Goddess and you. She governs that territory on your behalf, so by rights, the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains should also belong to the Divine Empire.”

“And then there’s the Demon World, Empress Yao Xi...”

In the great hall, Gu Changge was quietly flipping through the many Jade Tablets before him, reviewing the various matters handled during this period.

Beside him, Yin Mei wore a snow-white long dress, her figure tall and graceful, her flawless jade-white face bearing a serious expression as she recounted these matters.

“These issues don’t actually require too much deliberation.”

“As for the Sky Deer Goddess, when the time comes, just establish a Sky Deer Hall within the Divine Empire as a token gesture, and she’ll understand what to do.”

“Empress Yao Xi—the same goes for her.”

Gu Changge nodded, not paying much mind to these small matters.

The Sky Deer Goddess was very clever. Back when the Beyond conquered the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, she had displayed extraordinary decisiveness and rationality.

At a time like this, she certainly wouldn’t go against Gu Changge’s wishes.

As for Empress Yao Xi, she was probably already considering how to lead the Demon World into the Divine Empire’s fold—she just hadn’t spoken up yet.

On the contrary, what Gu Changge was actually looking at now was the submission status of the various sects and clans. Compared to his expectations, it was actually somewhat slower.

But thinking about it, this made sense. Although the Divine Empire was powerful, with an Immortal Dao existence presiding over it, the environment of the Beyond was changing. Perhaps in the near future, the Celestial Domain would border it, a great collision would occur, and everything would be reshuffled once more.

Gu Changge now, unless absolutely necessary, did not plan to subdue those sects and forces by forceful means as he had before.

Because the Beyond had only just recovered its peace and tranquility—in the eyes of ordinary Cultivators, it was his founding of the Divine Empire that had resolved these problems.

So if Gu Changge were to break this situation again at this time, it would greatly affect the faith and the Divine Empire’s reputation, which actually ran somewhat counter to his long-term schemes.

Founding the Divine Empire and absorbing faith was one aspect.

On the other hand, Gu Changge was considering that once the Celestial Domain bordered the Beyond, the current situation would change drastically. He had to hold the Beyond firmly in his grasp to have any chance of seizing the initiative in such circumstances.

After all, for the Celestial Domain, the Beyond was its foundation. Over these years, rather than saying the Celestial Domain had abandoned the Beyond, it was more like a rootless duckweed, drifting unsteadily.

Gu Changge didn’t even know what the current state of the Celestial Domain actually was.

That was why he made preparations in advance—regardless of whether the Celestial Domain’s situation was good or bad, it must not affect him.

“Gongzi, since these issues are set aside for now, now that the Divine Empire is established, should we...”

“During this time, I’ve collected quite a few opinions from various sects and noble families. They hope to obtain a portion of authority within the Divine Empire as well.”

“They don’t want it so that after submitting to the Divine Empire, everything belongs to the Divine Empire as if they were swallowed whole. This has been the key issue all along in their considerations of submission.”

Yin Mei then spoke, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she raised these issues. Since the Divine Empire had only just been established, many matters had been handled haphazardly all at once, without careful division of various powers and duties.

Although Gu Changge was honored by the world as the Divine Lord, in private, she was still accustomed to calling him Gongzi.

“These matters—you should have already considered them?” After listening, Gu Changge nodded. He knew that since Yin Mei spoke this way, she must have already figured out how to handle it and was merely informing him.

“Ji Qingxuan and I discussed it. We decided to divide the various sects and forces into nine grades according to their strength, and beyond that, further refine them into tiers such as Mortal, Spirit, Divine, Saint, Emperor, and Immortal.”

“According to the different tiers, their territories and authority would be divided, and they could be promoted or demoted as their strength changes.”

Hearing this, Yin Mei nodded very solemnly, and at the same time handed a very thick booklet to Gu Changge, which detailed the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠process and methods of how to divide authority and other such affairs.

Gu Changge read through it carefully and found nothing inappropriate. Although this imitated mortal customs in some ways, overall, it was arranged with consideration for the foundational strength of the various races and sects of the Beyond’s heavens.

“Perhaps we could also use this to establish rankings.”

“In this world, no matter who it is, no one can escape the two words ‘fame and reputation.’ Forces, clans, or powerhouses—all are the same.”

Yin Mei then spoke again, mentioning another plan.

Over these years, while she managed the Alliance of Thousand Merchants, she had set up institutions similar to divine calculation and heavenly secret agencies in various places, specifically collecting information from all regions to arrange various rankings, which had proven quite effective.

So she felt that if the Divine Empire ruled over the heavens and myriad worlds, it could naturally establish all kinds of rankings.

From Hidden Experts at the top down to ordinary prodigies, or the foundations of noble families and clans, weapons and artifacts, Transcendent techniques and cultivation methods—all could be ranked.

The benefit of this was that it could gather Fortuity and absorb faith, thereby making all living beings more submissive and fostering a sense of identification with the Divine Empire.

“This idea of yours is quite good. I hadn’t thought it through carefully before.”

Gu Changge expressed his approval. He also understood clearly that in this world, no matter who it was, no one could escape fame and fortune.