Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing remained calm and focused on his cultivation, with few matters that required his direct involvement.

However, there were many things he needed to be aware of.

He did not need to manage the promotion of the Jade Tablet, but he had to understand it and keep track of its developments.

Although the initial promotion was intended to follow an entertainment route, it would certainly be used for serious matters later on. It couldn't afford for the Emperor Kuihou to tarnish its reputation.

Yu Ziqing himself also listened to the Jade Tablet and had rented out over a dozen channels.

Currently, only a few were broadcasting, including one from Daqian's Second Prince who secretly ran an information station, essentially adding private goods.

This allowed Yu Ziqing to learn a lot about what the Second Prince of Daqian was up to, which increased his understanding of Daqian.

After Daqian's people mixed in, the situation became somewhat chaotic.

Ironically, the only normal ones were the three channels currently opened by the Emperor Kuihou.

The level of song performance was extremely high, and if the song was appropriate, merely listening through the Jade Tablet could bring peace of mind and tranquility.

From lyrics to composition, to arrangement and performance, they often spoke of the high artistic standards of Kuihou Country, which was indeed true.

Although cultivators did not pay much attention to these things, the Emperor Kuihou maintained a high level of sophistication.

At least Yu Ziqing did not find anything chaotic about it.

The Emperor Kuihou truly managed it as a sacred enterprise.

This, too, needed no management but should be known.

Dadui's situation did not need much oversight, but the development had to be understood specifically.

The Jade Tablet couldn't receive Dadui's broadcast content outside deliberately by Yu Ziqing.

He dared not give them specially-made Jade Tablets or Jade Pillars.

The most common version of the Jade Pillar with the Jade Tablet, in areas without interference or obstacles, according to the latest test data, could receive signals normally over tens of thousands of miles.

Yu Ziqing didn't want outsiders to know that Dadui was now using the Jade Tablet for serious matters.

Only two specially-made Jade Tablets were produced.

One was kept by Yu Ziqing himself, and one was reserved for the giant.

The materials used were unlike the ones sold, akin to adding a bit of salt, just a tiny bit.

The top version was made entirely using the hand bones of the Seven Yin King.

This was already the best, and if it couldn't receive signals in the Abyss, then Yu Ziqing would have no solution.

Receiving signals in the first layer of the Abyssal Rift suggested that it might work for the giant as well.

After all, the material was top-tier, inherently marvelous.

The relationships still needed maintenance; for instance, this time, without the giant, he couldn't have resolved the Earth Devil Venerate's issue smoothly, and the Seven Yin King probably wouldn't have left so willingly.

Had the Seven Yin King not actively severed ties, fearing further connections with the Seven-colored Gemstone and severed limb, Yu Ziqing wouldn't have dared use these materials.

Besides the matters of Dadui and the Jade Tablet, Yu Ziqing had to keep his latest information updated about Dazhen, regardless of whether he got involved.

Dazhen's national situation was not the same as Daqian or Dali.

According to Yu Ziqing's understanding, Dazhen resembled a form of enfeoffment; the Emperor Zhen was the leader, and local kings managed their domains almost autonomously.

Thus, Emperor Zhen's control over Dazhen was far less than that of Emperor Li or Emperor Qian.

However, this issue was not the fault of the current Emperor Zhen or You Zhen; it had always been this way.

Each Emperor Zhen, whether consciously or unconsciously, tried to reclaim some territories.

For example, the former King Huai of Dazhen, after being held accountable for some offenses and killed, had his territory reclaimed.

Yet overall, regional kings maintained autonomy primarily.

If the local princes didn't get along with the Emperor Zhen, merely dragging their feet was minor; even outright rebellion wouldn't be surprising.

King Xiang always ranked among the top three kings; however, this fellow lacked the interest in managing his lands, devoting most of his energy to cultivation, leading to his forces not being the strongest.

During the massive north-to-south migration in Dazhen, the southern sealed kings were the most displeased.

Although their territories didn't cover the entire southern region, the influx from the north naturally encroached on their interests.

Now, friction among the kings continued, with conflicts accumulating. At its core, it stemmed from smaller territories with more people.

For Dazhen to relieve internal strife, the most direct method was southern expansion.

Fortunately, a pretext of reclaiming lost territory was available.

Yu Ziqing communicated with King Xiang, as well as maintained contact with Lei Yu of the Lei Clan.

The Lei Clan recently remained exceptionally passive, guarding their territory and not participating.

Should the Lei Clan get involved, surely a direct confrontation would ensue.

Either internal conflict would halve the top ten kings, allowing everyone to have enough, or they'd fight Dali, reclaiming lost lands, and ideally gain extra territory.

But even with the Lei Clan and King Xiang abstaining, the pressure was nearing a breaking point recently.

King Xiang, having resolved his issues, was willing to assist in dealing with a couple of kings to alleviate internal tensions.

However, Emperor Zhen wouldn't allow it, preventing his involvement. Currently, Dazhen had no Crown Prince, and Emperor Zhen intended to make King Xiang his successor, hence he didn't want King Xiang to handle such matters.

The Lei Clan, steadfastly guarding their territory, wouldn't cause trouble or get involved, because they actually leaned towards reclaiming lost lands.

A little delay, after the external commotion subsided, led to the current situation within a few short years.

Dazhen knew, as did Dali and Daqian; everyone was aware of the situation.

That was the crux of the matter.

Dali's Western Desolation Army, after the Abyssal Rift battles, had since guarded that vicinity.