Long Zai Tian and Bai Qi walked through the dark forest, with Bai Qi holding a torch to light the way. As they moved, they discussed cultivation, wars, and their visions for the future.
After half an hour, they arrived at the gates of Jean Village. Not a single soul was awake; all the goblins were submerged in deep sleep. Long Zai Tian entered the village, led by Bai Qi toward the [Village Hall] where the Village Heart resided. Long Zai Tian stepped inside and examined the status:
• Name: Jean Village {Bronze - Uncommon}
• Level: Basic (1,200 / 5,000 EXP)
• Village Area: 1 km²
• Village Territory: 5 km²
• Residents: 80 / 600
• Soldiers: 0 / 240
[Conquer] [Destroy] [Relocate]
Without hesitation, Long Zai Tian selected [Destroy].
[Ding! You have destroyed Jean Village. You receive 800 EXP.]
Instantly, the [Village Hall], the [Smithy], and the [Profession Change Platform]—the structures provided by the system—were demolished. The remaining wooden huts, however, stayed intact.
The goblins emerged from their homes, showing little surprise. They had already been living in dread since the morning when Bai Qi had subdued them. He had threatened that if anyone dared to flee, he would hunt them down and grant them the most gruesome of deaths, promising to return later to settle their affairs. They simply hadn't expected "later" to be in the dead of night.
An elderly goblin stepped forward toward Long Zai Tian and Bai Qi. He bowed low and pleaded, "Great Masters, please... do not kill us."
Long Zai Tian looked down at the old creature. "Do not worry, we will not kill you. We will enslave you."
The elderly goblin felt a wave of relief that they would be spared from death, though a heavy sadness washed over him at the prospect of enslavement.
"Now, return to your homes. I will stay here until morning, and then we will set out. Go!" Long Zai Tian commanded. The goblins vanished instantly, each fleeing back to their own home.
He and Bai Qi sat chatting about various things until dawn soon broke. The goblins began emerging from their homes, lining up before Long Zai Tian with their belongings. Long Zai Tian ordered Bai Qi to lead the front while he took the rear. Everyone set off, marching through the forest, and after half an hour, they reached the Great Qin Village.
Li Si welcomed them and offered his greetings. Long Zai Tian entrusted him with the new slaves and told him, "Li Si, take charge of the village affairs. I am returning to Earth."
"As Your Majesty commands. Do not worry; everything will proceed perfectly," Li Si replied.
Long Zai Tian then vanished from his spot….
Long Zai Tian manifested in his room, returning from the World of Heaven's Awaken. He called out, "Zhao!"
A moment later, Zhao entered the room. "Command me, Your Majesty. What is your request?"
"Have the guards go to the Six Elders and my grandfather. Tell them to gather at the Clan Council; I have very important matters to discuss with them. Tell them I am waiting for them in the hall."
"At your command, Your Highness. I shall dispatch the guards immediately," Zhao replied.
Guard Zhao left and ordered his men to deliver the message of His Majesty to the Six Elders and the Supreme Lord. Long Zai Tian rose from his seat, exited his chamber, and headed toward the Clan Council hall, with Zhao following close behind.
They arrived at a magnificent and luxurious hall. This was the Clan Council, where the Elders typically met with the Supreme Lord, Feng Rao, to discuss clan affairs. Long Zai Tian sat in the center, in the chairman's seat where his grandfather usually sat. As the future Emperor, it was now unfitting for anyone else to occupy the central position.
After a few minutes, Long Zai Tian heard the voices of the Elders and his grandfather conversing from a distance as they made their way to the hall. The Six Elders and Feng Rao entered the council and saw Long Zai Tian seated. Everyone immediately broke into smiles. The Six Elders cupped their hands before him, while his grandfather stood to the side, smiling with pride.
"We congratulate Your Majesty on inheriting the legacy of Great Qin. We bless you and pledge our absolute obedience to you, O Emperor," said the head Elder, his hands still cupped in respect.
Long Zai Tian looked at the Elders and said, "Thank you. Please, take your seats, Elders. Sit, Grandfather."
Once everyone was seated, Feng Rao spoke, "So, why have you gathered us here, Xiao Long?"
Long Zai Tian leaned forward, his expression grave. "I gathered you because I have something of immense weight to tell you. I have received secret information from a source I cannot disclose. The Earth is going to be destroyed. The Heaven Awaken World will swallow this universe, including all planets—Earth among them. The universe will reset according to its own laws. We are now in the countdown to the disappearance of Earth, and we will live in the Heaven Awaken World forever."
The Elders and Feng Rao stared at Long Zai Tian in utter disbelief. Feng Rao's voice trembled slightly, "My dear grandson, is what you are saying true? Will the Earth really be swallowed?"
"Yes, Grandfather, unfortunately. This is the reality. Now, we must discuss the policies we will adopt to achieve the greatest gain without drawing too much attention. No one else knows this yet, and that is our greatest advantage. While we establish ourselves and fortify our foundations in the Heaven Awaken World, others will remain in ignorance until the final week before Earth is consumed."
The Elders looked at one another, their minds racing as they began to realize they had to take the World of Heaven's Awaken far more seriously than they ever imagined.
The discussion in the Clan Council continued for three hours. They debated the strategies they would follow to ensure the best possible outcome. After three hours, everyone emerged from the hall with determined smiles. The Six Elders stood before Long Zai Tian, cupped their hands in a final salute, and departed to their respective wings.
Only Feng Rao and Long Zai Tian remained alone in the hall.