“We couldn’t have done it without you. I Lucius, will forever be grateful for the aid that you have provided for me and my people.”

“It’s fine, you don’t need to kneel, I actually prefer the more snarky Lucius.”

“I had been a fool…”

“Argus, could you do something about this…”

“I don’t think I can, Patriarch Dong. The help that you have given us, this debt is not something that we can take lightly.”

“Hah…”

Zhang Dong gazed at the golden knight kneeling before him, surrounded by a diverse assembly of other armored men. Several years had passed since their arrival in the empire, and after their triumph over the Azure Emperor, they had finally managed to collect all the pieces of their holy relic. Fortunately, upon assembly, it didn't transform into another world-ending threat. It appeared that this war had indeed come to an end.

Although a century had not yet passed, everything could now draw to a close. There was no longer any reason for Argus and the group of golden knights to remain here. They could all return home and present their relics to their king. Zhang Dong didn't know the true purpose of the holy equipment - perhaps another system holder would be summoned to that empire in the future and use it to achieve victory in their adventure. Or perhaps it was merely an empty quest with no genuine purpose, meant to create tension between his faction and others. Regardless, it was now concluded, and these individuals could leave these lands behind.

To them, Zhang Dong was a great benefactor who had allowed them to preserve their forces and accomplish the quest entrusted to them by their holy king. Argus and Lucius, as the two main leaders, would be richly rewarded and perhaps even granted higher positions. Their lives would be secured, and their families would be well taken care of by their kingdom. From what he had heard, Lucius might even request the hand in marriage of one of the princesses, which would elevate him to the title of Arch-Duke. In the future, one of his descendants might even ascend to the throne, something for which they were now profoundly grateful.

“Just get up, we had a deal and I just followed through it. Without your help I wouldn’t have been able to complete my task either.”

Argus and the golden knights rose to their feet, a sense of gratitude and respect in their eyes as they looked at Zhang Dong. Their armor gleamed in the sunlight, and the presence of these noble and chivalrous warriors added a unique aura to Spirit Spring City. It was a testament to the diverse and extraordinary individuals who had gathered under the banner of the United Element Sect. Lucius stepped forward, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Patriarch Dong, if you ever find yourself in need, know that the knights of our order will be at your service. We owe you a debt that can never truly be repaid, but we will do our best to honor it."

Zhang Dong nodded, but he knew that Luciu’s words didn’t carry that much weight. The Duke of the Golden Knights might not have realized yet but the bridges that had opened up were only a temporary measure. Even if he wanted to call for their aid, there would be no way of reaching them.

"Thank you, Lucius. I'll keep that in mind. But for now, go back to your kingdom, and may your people find peace and prosperity."

With their farewells exchanged, the golden knights mounted their horses and rode out of Spirit Spring City, disappearing into the horizon. Zhang Dong watched them go, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. It was the end of an era, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of closure but also one of dread. The people around were all cheering but he could not get over the bad feeling.

In reality, the true mastermind that created this whole debacle was out there and he could not reveal the truth. It had been a few months since the defeat of the Azure Emperor and his sect was still in the process of taking over the Empire. He couldn't help but think about the looming presence of the Overseer but truly the person hiding behind what looked to be a puppet.

The enigmatic figure had orchestrated the entire scenario, manipulating system holders and setting up challenges in this world. It was clear that the one above the Overseer was playing a deeper game, one that transcended individual scenarios and involved something much bigger. What was his purpose and why did they want people to go through trials before ascending?

At first glance, it might have seemed that the system holders like him were giving everything to thrive. However, upon closer examination of the role he played and the events that unfolded throughout the entire scenario, it was far from an easy journey, at least not for a conventional system holder. As he observed Wang Long, he couldn't be certain if the man would have been strong enough to overcome the other emperors. Similarly, Zhang Dong had perished during the clash with the Pride Demon in the secret domain.

Survival was no simple feat, and even with the system, people would still perish. It wasn't unreasonable to consider that the creators of this system didn't intend for everyone to survive, but rather to persevere the ones that could push through. This was one possibility, while another could be that the scenario would offer a challenge that each system holder could theoretically overcome without becoming overwhelmingly difficult. It would allow more people with some aptitude to get through without losing too many of them.

Zhang Dong contemplated these questions as he gazed at the sky above. The Golden Knights had departed, leaving him alone in his residence. In the distance, he could hear the laughter of others. The once-small city he had established had grown into a bustling metropolis, and they were now even constructing a secondary grand palace to rival the Azure one that he had destroyed. At least for his people, this was an age of prosperity, the time for the United Element Sect had arrived.

He had ascended to the status of a true emperor, the uncontested number one cultivator in the entire world and empire. There was nothing that could oppose him or would dare to challenge his authority. His forces had established themselves as the new dynasty, poised to dominate for as long as he guided them. With nearly a thousand years of life left, he could prepare them for the future, just as the emperors who came before him had done.

Even though everything had gone his way, he couldn't escape the feeling that there were still challenges ahead. The enigmatic puppeteer who had orchestrated the scenario remained a looming threat, and the true purpose behind the system's existence eluded him. If he continued to look at the life of his predecessor, things had gone in a similar fashion. The man had conquered the whole empire and plotted for a thousand years before ascending into supposedly a higher realm.

Nonetheless, what lay beyond that point remained uncertain, but it was a matter he would eventually need to explore. Time may seem like a non-issue when you lived for a thousand years, but inevitably, he would reach that limit. Nascent Soul Cultivators could maintain their peak strength for roughly six to seven hundred years before age began to take its toll. He wasn't even a hundred years old yet, so he still had time to make preparations.

One thing was certain - he couldn't afford to relax just yet. Everything he had built and everything he knew could be swept away in an instant at the whim of an unknown force. If it wasn't the Overseer, then perhaps someone else had an interest in his fate. It was evident that he was only temporarily allowed to exist in this realm, without truly comprehending the full scope of what was transpiring.

Perhaps, if he unleashed his full power, he could potentially defeat that puppet, but there were likely more like it out there. He had no chance of emerging victorious without ascending first. He could only hope that the mutated cultivation realm he had within him would ultimately lead to success.

With a sigh, he returned to the present moment. The celebrations in Spirit Spring City were in full swing, and he couldn't allow his worries to dampen the joy of his people. They had come a long way, and they deserved this moment of happiness.

Zhang Dong decided to join the festivities, at least for a while. He mingled with his sect members, citizens, and guests from the remnants of the Long Clan. The transformation of the city into a vibrant and prosperous place was a testament to their hard work and resilience.

He witnessed numerous faces and old sects from years gone by. Everyone bowed in his radiant presence, for to them, he was the most potent cultivator to ever exist—an individual who had ended a dynasty that had endured for a hundred thousand years, a living legend. They all sought a place by his side, imploring him to accept them into his sect, even if only as servants.

The same scenario unfolded with his disciples and even his own children. Everyone wanted them to betroth their daughters or sons. One of the grand chambers had to be transformed into a treasury to house all the gifts that his children were receiving.

Despite just entering their teenage years, their value was intrinsically linked to their father, who held dominion over it all. If he desired it, they would be granted anything they wanted, and he was somewhat concerned that this might corrupt their character. Receiving things without having to truly earn them could potentially lead to unethical behavior, something he hoped to prevent at all costs.

‘The few years that I wasn’t here might have done them good, but Jun has been getting a bit arrogant lately and I don’t want him to turn into another young master, I might have to give him some proper fatherly love then…’

As the night sky adorned with stars took over, Zhang Dong found himself standing on the balcony of his residence, contemplating the future. The city below was illuminated with lanterns and laughter, and the festivities showed no signs of slowing down. It was a beautiful sight, and he took a moment to appreciate the happiness he had brought to so many.

With a determined expression, Zhang Dong turned from the balcony and made his way back to the celebration. The night was young, and there was still much to do. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay in wait. The Golden City had risen, and he would do everything in his power to ensure it shone brightly and for his loved ones to prosper…