Reincarnated as a Ginkgo Tree: I Create an Eternal Divine Kingdom - Chapter 110

In Nanjing City, there were hundreds of thousands of people who held faith in him.

Each of these individuals provided only a small amount of faith power—when converted, it didn’t even amount to a year’s worth of lifespan.

But when the faith power of hundreds of thousands of people was combined, it was a different story.

“Eight thousand years of lifespan.”

Su Mu was quite pleased with this.

These hundreds of thousands of people had provided Su Mu with eight thousand years of lifespan.

Even though this was just a one-time gain, Su Mu was still very satisfied.

After all, this was considered an additional harvest.

Su Yan was put in charge of managing Nanjing City.

Huang Shuling and the others also returned to the Misty Forbidden Zone.

“Lord Divine Tree,” Huang Shuling reported, “We have taken control of Nanjing City. Should we continue to advance on other cities? Given the chaos in Qingzhou, if we wish, we can easily take over the entire province.”

“Cease the advance,” Su Mu instructed. “Nanjing City is an important piece on the chessboard. Placing it here is enough. We can advance or retreat as needed; there’s no need to continue the attack.”

If they truly took over Qingzhou, the Misty Forbidden Zone would become the Grand Xia Empire’s number one enemy.

At that point, the empire would spare no effort to attack the Misty Forbidden Zone.

And Su Mu had to admit that he still had some apprehension toward the Grand Xia Empire.

His immediate priority was to enhance his own strength; there was no need to engage in a life-and-death struggle with the empire.

There were many other great nations in the world today.

If he fought the Grand Xia Empire to the bitter end, it would only allow those other nations to reap the benefits.

That would be extremely foolish.

The current situation was the best. He hadn’t occupied all of Qingzhou, so the Grand Xia Empire wouldn’t be cornered.

At the same time, he had taken Nanjing City, meaning that whenever he wanted, he could threaten the entire Qingzhou. This had already delivered a severe blow to the Grand Xia Empire.

“But some people must pay the price,” Su Mu said coldly.

Two individuals played a significant role in the escalation of conflict between him and the Grand Xia Empire.

One was Fang Zhaodong, and the other was the King of South.

These two individuals could not be spared.

Fang Zhaodong was far away in Taikang City, so Su Mu couldn’t deal with him for now.

But the King of Souths’ mansion was right in Qingzhou.

At that moment, Su Yan’s mind was stirred, receiving Su Mu’s instructions.

“Lord Li,” Su Yan said, turning to Li Qianjue, “The Lord Divine Tree has said that if you are willing, you may continue to manage Nanjing City as before.”

“Manage it myself?” Li Qianjue was very surprised.

He was a government official of the Grand Xia Empire, yet the Divine Tree was willing to use him?

“Nanjing City is in a remote location, yet under your governance, it has become the third-largest city in Qingzhou within just ten years,” Su Yan explained. “Lord Li, your abilities are undeniable, and the Divine Tree believes that your true allegiance lies not with the Grand Xia Empire, but with the million citizens of Nanjing City.”

Li Qianjue was silent for a moment.

Even though he knew the taboo of the Misty Forbidden Zone was a tree, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude, as though he had found a benefactor.

Not even the Xia Emperor or the high officials of the Grand Xia Empire knew who he was, but the Ginkgo Divine Tree not only knew him but understood him.

At that moment, Li Qianjue finally understood Su Yan and the Su Family Village.

“Lord Li,” Su Yan said with a slight smile, as if he had guessed Li Qianjue’s thoughts, “If you view the Divine Tree from a different perspective, you might have a different understanding.”

“I’m listening,” Li Qianjue replied.

“There’s a legend that at the dawn of the world, the sages ruled over all beings,” Su Yan explained. “At that time, the human race was in its infancy and was the weakest of all races.

But regardless of whether they were humans or other races, their ancestors all bowed to the sages.

Did anyone at that time think that bowing to the sages was shameful?”

Li Qianjue’s body trembled. “Chief Su, are you saying that the Divine Tree is not a monster, but a being akin to the sages?”

“This is a matter of personal interpretation,” Su Yan replied. “But what do you think, Lord Li?”

“I understand,” Li Qianjue said after a brief silence. “Since the Divine Tree does not disdain me, I am willing to govern Nanjing City on behalf of the Divine Tree.”

“Excellent,” Su Yan said, clearly pleased.

He knew that Li Qianjue’s abilities were exceptional—certainly better than his own.

“Additionally, I must trouble you, Lord Li, to deliver a message to the imperial court: Hand over Fang Zhaodong, or Nanjing City will only be the beginning.”

“Very well,” Li Qianjue agreed, his tone cold. “If, at this point, the Grand Xia Empire still insists on protecting Fang Zhaodong, then the empire is truly beyond saving.”

He harbored deep resentment toward Fang Zhaodong.

After all, everything that had happened was Fang Zhaodong’s doing.

As the Misty Forbidden Zone took control of Nanjing City, the world had plunged into chaos.

The human race’s ruling order was being challenged like never before.

The Grand Xia Empire, the Roman Empire, the Haori Alliance, and the Guo Holy Sect were all being struck by the beast tide.

Even with the use of the Nation Protecting Treasures, they couldn’t quell this wave of beastly aggression.

Many nations had their territories occupied by some forbidden zones.

Just within the Grand Xia Empire alone:

Not only was Qingzhou in chaos, but other provinces were as well.

Among the worst were Qingzhou, Bingzhou, and Longzhou.

Qingzhou was invaded by the Misty Forbidden Zone.

Bingzhou was invaded by the Extreme North Forbidden Zone, which occupied twenty percent of the province’s territory.

Then there was Longzhou.

A disaster in the Eastern Sea had triggered a tsunami that flooded half of Longzhou and completely occupied thirty percent of its territory.

Comparatively, the Misty Forbidden Zone had taken the least amount of land among these three top forbidden zones.

In Taikang City.

The high officials of the Grand Xia Empire gathered.

“Is it confirmed?” the Imperial Prince asked, his expression extremely grim.

“It’s confirmed. Nanjing City has been completely occupied by the Misty Forbidden Zone. Our forces can no longer infiltrate it,” the High Priest replied helplessly. “Moreover, Qingzhou Prefecture has reported that Nanjing City has sent a message demanding we hand over Fang Zhaodong, or else Nanjing City will only be the beginning.”

“Outrageous!” The Imperial Prince was furious. “These monsters dare to threaten us after taking over the city. They deserve to die a thousand deaths!”

“Enough,” the Grand Chancellor interrupted impatiently. “At this point, what’s the use of spouting these meaningless threats? Bingzhou and Longzhou have been invaded, and Qingzhou is one of the three affected provinces. The other provinces also need to be on high alert. The reason the situation has deteriorated to this extent is largely because the other forbidden zones know we are fighting the Misty Forbidden Zone, and have lost two of our Nation Protecting Treasures in the process. If we continue like this, Imperial Prince, have you considered the consequences?”

The Imperial Prince’s expression was dark, but he was at a loss for words.

He had made threats before.

But now every time he did, he was met with a slap in the face.

The monsters of the Misty Forbidden Zone were not afraid of the empire.

Every time the empire ignored the Misty Forbidden Zone’s warnings, it retaliated, and every time, the empire suffered.

The other officials were also silent.

This time, the Misty Forbidden Zone had truly shocked them.

They realized that the Misty Forbidden Zone was serious about retaliation and would make the Grand Xia Empire pay the price.

The Grand Xia Empire had deep foundations, and if it truly went all out, it could undoubtedly destroy the Misty Forbidden Zone.

But the cost would be more than the empire could bear.

Given the strength the Misty Forbidden Zone had displayed, even if the Grand Xia Empire destroyed it, the empire would be severely weakened.

At that point, it wouldn’t just be a matter of resisting other nations— the Grand Xia Empire might even lose control over the various forbidden zones within its own territory.

“So what do we do now? Are we really going to hand over Lord Fang?” someone asked in a grave tone. “If we do that, we’ll be humiliating ourselves in front of the entire world.”