The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

The announcement did not originate from the Annan General's Mansion in Jiangling, but rather from the secret agents originally controlled by the Yin Kui Sect, as well as some suddenly appearing stone tablets and notices engraved with strange star and crescent moon symbols, which simultaneously appeared in the bustling streets and docks of major towns, and even in front of the gates of some martial arts sects!
The content is straightforward, ruthless, and carries a resolute determination to overturn everything:

A proclamation to the world:
From this day forward, the Yin Kui faction is completely severed from the old names, old sins, and old ways of the Demonic Sect!

We take refuge in the Way of Heaven, uphold righteousness and guard our hearts, and take it as our mission to eliminate evil, support righteousness, and protect all living beings!

We hereby establish the 'Heavenly Alliance' to carry out punishments on behalf of Heaven and cleanse the universe!
The remnants of the Demonic Sect, their sins are blatant:
The path of annihilation of emotions involves using living people to refine medicines and feed them to evil beasts, which is a heinous crime deserving of death!

The Heavenly Lotus Sect manipulates merchants, exploits them to the bone, and wreaks havoc on people's livelihoods. Their crimes of exchanging human flesh for grain are too numerous to count, and they deserve to be executed!
The Butian Pavilion, which accepts bribes to buy lives, indiscriminately kills the innocent, assassinates the king, and wreaks havoc on the world, deserves to be punished!
The Demonic Image Sect, falsely claiming divine mandate, bewitches people and aids the wicked; their crimes deserve to be punished!
…………

These evil heretics, harboring filth and poisoning the common people, are the source of chaos in the world! The Heavenly Alliance swears to search the depths of the underworld and exterminate them one by one, to set the record straight and to comfort the souls of the departed!

The way of heaven is clear and evil cannot be hidden!
Those who follow the will of Heaven prosper, those who defy it perish!

—A message from the Heavenly Alliance!

This announcement was like pouring a ladle of ice water into a boiling pot of oil! It instantly caused an uproar!
The Yin Kui faction has rebelled!?

They rebelled against the Demonic Sect! They even established their own sect and raised the banner of "acting on behalf of Heaven"!

What's even more ruthless is that while the Yin Kui Sect distanced itself from the issue, it also exposed the core crimes of the other sects of the Demonic Sect to the world! In particular, the "human flesh for food" charge was a blatant attack, completely placing itself on the moral high ground and nailing the four sects of Extinguishing Emotion, Heavenly Lotus, Mending Heaven, and Demonic Appearance to the pillar of shame as enemies of the world!

The martial arts world was in an uproar! Both the righteous and the evil factions were completely dumbfounded!

Holding the intelligence report, Fan Qinghui, the abbot of Cihang Jingzhai, showed a violent shock and deep doubt on her usually calm face for the first time.

Master Liaokong of Jingnian Temple paused slightly as he twirled his prayer beads, and sighed, "Amitabha, a calamity has arisen."

Standing atop the mountain peak, the reclusive Ning Daoqi gazed southward, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light. He murmured, "What a brilliant move to undermine their strength... what a brilliant Heavenly Alliance..."

The Demonic Sect was engulfed in a massive upheaval, filled with unprecedented panic and rage! Zhao Deyan of the Extinction Path, An Long of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, Yang Xuyan of the Heaven-Mending Pavilion (or his agent), Zhao Deyan of the Demonic Appearance Sect (or others), and others were furious in their respective lairs, yet also felt a chilling dread! The Yin Kui Sect's actions were not only a betrayal, but also a complete exposure of them to the light of day, making them the target of everyone's wrath!
However, before the aftershocks of the announcement had subsided, another name, powerful enough to make the hearts of the entire martial arts world's elite stop, was unearthed, pieced together, and finally confirmed by those with ulterior motives from the fragmented information emanating from Jiangling, falling like a meteorite—

The mysterious man in green robes who used supernatural means to kill Xiao Xian and his two companions at the Jiangling Water Fortress, and whose words sealed the fate of the world…

The mysterious powerhouse who killed Yuwen Huaji in Jiangdu and stole the "Longevity Manual"...

That supreme being who, outside Luoyang, startled the wandering monk Ning Daoqi with a single sword strike…

That being revered by the Yin Kui Sect as the supreme leader of the "Heavenly Dao Alliance"...

He is—

nameless!

"The leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance... is Nameless!"

"The 'nameless' who killed Yuwen Huaji and defeated Ning Daoqi!"

"He...he actually integrated the Yin Kui Sect?! And even transformed it into the 'Heavenly Dao Alliance'?"

The entire world, from the highest courts to the farthest corners of the land, fell into a deathly silence after this series of thunderous shocks. Then, even more turbulent undercurrents and towering waves emerged! All eyes were fixed on Jiangling City, which had determined the fate of the world in seven days, and on that name shrouded in endless mystery and terrifying power—Nameless!
A new era has begun, in a way no one could have predicted, with its bloody and magnificent first page turned.

………………

Jiangling, the residence of the Annam General.

The leaden clouds were completely torn apart by the storm that had raged for seven days, and the long-awaited golden sunlight pierced through the carved window frames, spilling onto the huge table covered with river defense maps. The air still carried a faint, lingering scent of saltpeter and blood after the cleaning process.

Dong Jingzhen appeared slightly tired, but his hawk-like eyes were sharper and brighter than ever. He respectfully presented a latest military intelligence summary and a civil affairs brochure to Yi Huawei, who stood with his hands behind his back by the window.
"Alliance Leader, the four gates of Jiangling and the various entrances to the water fortress are now as solid as iron, and the morale of the people and the army has been initially stabilized. Lei Shimeng's navy has been fully integrated, and the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are tightly sealed off. The remnants of the Xiang family and their affiliated forces have been mostly eliminated, and the remaining ones are no longer a threat. Empress Yin... Sect Leader Zhu's methods are truly admirable."

Yi Huawei turned around, his blue robe simple and clean, his aura deep and unfathomable, as if he were not the one who had stirred up the world for the past seven days.

"General Dong, you have worked hard. You have made a great contribution in quelling the rebellion in seven days. Jiangling is just the beginning. The middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and even this broken land, need a new order."

"My subordinate understands!"

Dong Jingzhen responded in a deep voice, a burning flame igniting in his eyes. From a border general distrusted and ostracized by Xiao Xian to a powerful figure now wielding significant military power and controlling vast fertile lands, all of this stemmed from the mysterious and unpredictable "nameless" alliance leader before him. He knew that he was now completely bound to this behemoth called the "Heavenly Dao Alliance."

"Report——!"

A disciple dressed in close-fitting clothes silently slipped in, knelt on one knee, and said with a hint of excitement in his voice: "Reporting to the Alliance Leader and General Dong! The Sect Master has sent word: Ren Shaoming and his three hundred personal guards were intercepted thirty miles outside Baling City! Ren Shaoming was seriously wounded and captured, and all the core members of his 'Azure Dragon Gang' were executed. The main force of the Chu army is leaderless and has mostly surrendered! Sect Master Zhu is escorting Ren Shaoming back to Jiangling overnight!"

"it is good!"

Dong Jingzhen couldn't help but let out a low shout, her face beaming with undisguised joy. Ren Shaoming, entrenched in Baling, commanded tens of thousands of troops and controlled the Dongting Lake region, wielding immense power and posing a long-standing threat to the southern Liang Kingdom. Now, Zhu Yuyan had taken him down with lightning speed!
What does this mean? It means that the vast lands of the former Liang Kingdom (centered on Jiangling) and the former Chu Kingdom (centered on Baling and Dongting), with its millions of people and crucial control over the land and waterways of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, have all fallen into the hands of the Heavenly Dao Alliance in just a few days! Its vast territory, large population, and powerful military have made it a behemoth in the south, second only to the Song Clan!
Yi Huawei's eyes remained calm and still, as if everything was within his expectations.

"Send a message: properly settle the surrendered soldiers, and carefully select and appoint capable generals from the former Chu army. Baling is a crucial location and cannot be lost; assign reliable personnel to take over immediately."

He paused, then looked at Dong Jingzhen: "General Dong, the former Liang and Chu have merged, and the territory has expanded rapidly. You shall immediately issue a notice to all counties in the name of the General of Annam, announcing this news. You shall temporarily take charge of all military and political affairs. Lei Shimeng shall command the navy and be responsible for the Yangtze River waterway and coastal defense."

"Subordinates take orders!"

Dong Jingzhen felt a surge of pride and ambition. The leap in power from the lord of a city to the Grand Commander, controlling a vast territory, was like a dream. He knew perfectly well where this power came from, and even more so, the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders.

"in addition,"

Yi Huawei added, his voice carrying a deeper meaning: "The Heavenly Alliance's 'Four Policies for Pacifying the People' must be implemented in the newly acquired territories as soon as possible. Open the granaries and distribute grain, abolish harsh taxes, provide relief to the families of soldiers, and announce this to the world. We must let the people of this vast territory know that the change of government is meant to give them a way to survive, not to subject them to new forms of exploitation."

"Yes! I will get to work immediately and ensure that the new policies will benefit the new land like a spring breeze and rain!"

Dong Jingzhen solemnly agreed.

…………

Lower Yangtze River, Liyang, Jianghuai Army Camp.

"Snapped!"

A rough, large hand slammed down on the table, making the cups and saucers rattle. Du Fuwei's weathered, imposing face was now clouded with gloom and a hint of barely concealed fear.

"Dong Jingzhen? Lei Shimeng? Bullshit!"

"What General of Annam! What Admiral of the Navy! They're nothing but 'nameless' puppets! Those witches from the Yin Kui Sect have actually transformed into the 'Heavenly Alliance'? And they even claim to 'act on behalf of Heaven'? Bah!" He grabbed the Heavenly Alliance's "Announcement to the World" and the secret report on the upheaval in Jiangling from the table, his fingers almost crushing the papers.

"Seven days! Just seven fucking days! Xiao Xian is gone, Xiangyu Mountain has turned to ashes, and that arrogant brat Ren Shaoming was caught like a chicken by that old hag Zhu Yuyan! The entire middle reaches of the Yangtze River, from Jiangling to Baling, a thousand miles long, tens of thousands of troops, all belong to 'Tian'! This nameless one... is he a human or a ghost?!"

Below him, his adopted son and top general, Wang Xiongdan, also wore a solemn expression: "Father, the news is confirmed. The Yin Kui Sect has come out in full force this time, their methods are ruthless and their intelligence is terrifyingly accurate. That Nameless One is even more... unfathomable. Ning Daoqi's retreat outside Luoyang City seems to be no exaggeration. Now that they have integrated the old Liang and Chu territories, their strength has increased dramatically, and their military might... may be heading straight for our Jianghuai region!"

"Hmph! You think you can swallow me whole? Not so easy!"

Du Fuwei's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he abruptly stood up: "Men! Prepare fast horses! Go immediately to Hailing (Li Zitong's base) and Piling (Shen Faxing's base)! Tell those two old bastards, Li Zitong and Shen Faxing, stop pretending to be dead! The 'Heavenly Dao Alliance' is a vicious tiger that has descended the mountain. If you keep pursuing your own little schemes, you'll be torn apart and devoured one by one! Unity means survival, division means death! If you want to live, form an alliance right now! The three of us as one, together we will resist the 'Heavenly Dao Alliance'!"

…………

Lingnan, Songjia Mountain City.

"Seven days to conquer Jiangling, several days to annex Chu... What swift hands, what ruthless heart, what a grand scheme!"

Song Zhi put down the carrier pigeon in his hand, his usually refined and composed face now showing barely concealed shock. He looked at his elder brother in the main seat: "Brother, the 'Nameless' and the 'Heavenly Alliance' have swept across the land. The speed of their integration, the ruthlessness of their methods, and their combination of appeasement are unprecedented. What's even more terrifying is the banner they've raised... 'Acting on behalf of Heaven, cleansing the universe,' directly targeting the remnants of the demonic sect, abolishing oppressive policies, and benefiting all people... This is no longer a simple struggle for supremacy, but a reshaping of the foundations of order!"

Song Que, the Heavenly Blade, stood tall and straight like a blade, silently beneath the massive "Heaven" character in the Sharpening Hall. His gaze seemed to pierce through the stone walls of the mountain city, landing on the turbulent Jiangling a thousand miles away. He did not immediately respond to Song Zhi, his fingers unconsciously tracing the hilt of the ancient longsword at his waist.

"Yin Kui has passed away... The Demonic Sect has committed suicide..."

Song Que's voice was deep and magnetic, like a secluded spring in a deep valley: "This nameless one can turn the world upside down with a flick of his wrist, turning the most yin and evil power in the world into his own, and then turning against his own side to strike directly at the heart of the demonic sect. This cunning, this spirit, this control over people's hearts and power... is indeed an astonishing talent."

He slowly turned around, his eyes sharp as lightning: "What's even more intriguing is his 'Four Policies for Pacifying the People.' Opening granaries to distribute grain, saving people from dire straits; increasing pay and providing relief, winning over the army; abolishing harsh taxes, relieving the people from their suffering; settling old scores, winning back the hearts of the people... Each policy directly addresses the root cause of the chaos. Dong Jingzhen is merely an executor he pushed to the forefront. This man... his ambitions are far from small; he is by no means a mere warlord of a city or region."

"Then let's..."

Song Zhi tentatively inquired. The Song Clan, controlling Lingnan, possessed well-trained troops and ample supplies, making them one of the most powerful forces in the land. Faced with this suddenly rising behemoth, a decision had to be made as soon as possible: war or peace, alliance or resistance.

Song Que's gaze returned to the enormous character "天" (heaven), and after a moment of silence, he finally uttered only two words:
"Just wait and see what happens."

"Pass down the order: all passes in Lingnan shall closely monitor the movements of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Wherever their orders reach, have people record them in detail, no matter how small, and report them to me. Without my order, not a single soldier shall enter the territory of the Heavenly Dao Alliance."

"Yes!"

Song Zhi understood immediately. What Song Que wanted to see was not only the military strength of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, but also what kind of atmosphere existed under this "Heavenly Dao," and what kind of "Heaven" that Wuming intended to establish in this chaotic world!
...............

Jiangling.

The top deck of the naval flagship "Zhenjiang".

The night was as dark as ink, and the river breeze, carrying moisture, poured into the cabin. The once luxurious cabin belonging to Xiangyu Mountain had been stripped of its decadent atmosphere, replaced by a stark and somber atmosphere. The severely injured and unconscious Ren Shaoming was chained to a steel rack, his breath faint.

Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the rolling Yangtze River flowing eastward outside, with Shan Meixian standing beside him.

The hatch slid open silently, and Zhu Yuyan, dressed in black, floated in. Though travel-worn, she couldn't hide her unparalleled elegance and a hint of sharp, murderous aura from completing her mission. "Alliance Leader, Ren Shaoming has arrived. This scoundrel was arrogant and, despite being severely injured, attempted to sever his own meridians, but I managed to stop him."

Yi Huawei turned around, his gaze falling on Ren Shaoming, his expression neither sad nor happy.

"The leader of the Iron Cavalry, 'Azure Dragon' Ren Shaoming... is quite a local hero." He slowly approached, extending his right index finger, a strange light flowing from the tip of his finger. This was the true energy of the method he had comprehended by combining the essence of Flower Wandering and Punishment Escape Technique—"Birth and Death from the Mind."

He lightly touched Ren Shaoming's brow with his fingertip.

"Ugh—!"

Ren Shaoming, still unconscious, suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream, his body convulsing violently as if his soul had been thrown into a millstone! The domineering and powerful "Azure Dragon True Qi" within him, capable of shattering stone tablets, melted and disintegrated rapidly like ice and snow under the scorching sun before the profound power of "Life and Death from the Heart"! Even more terrifying was that this power did not simply destroy; while annihilating his original foundation, it forcibly guided his remaining life essence and blood to operate and condense along a completely new and ruthless trajectory!
A moment later, Yi Huawei withdrew his finger.

Ren Shaoming stopped convulsing and slumped onto the rack. His previously arrogant and fierce aura vanished completely, replaced by a bottomless stillness and emptiness. His eyes were unfocused, devoid of any spirit, leaving only an absolute, mechanical, and irresistible obedience to the person before him, imprinted deep within his soul.

"Qing'er," Yi Huawei said calmly.

"Disciple is here!" Bai Qing'er smiled sweetly and stepped forward.

"This person is entrusted to you. Control his mind with the 'Charming Maiden Technique' and supplement it with the 'Heart Seal' forged by the 'Birth and Death from the Mind'. Keep him 'alive' as a puppet for you to control the remaining forces in Chu, appease the surrendered soldiers, and, when necessary... 'use Chu to control Chu'. Tell the outside world that Ren Shaoming has repented and, to atone for his past sins, is willing to pledge allegiance to the Heavenly Alliance and General Dong Jingzhen."

"Yes! Qing'er will definitely make this 'Azure Dragon' the most obedient watchdog in the Alliance Leader's hands." Bai Qing'er's eyes gleamed with an excited and eerie light.

Zhu Yuyan watched this scene with a chill in her heart. "Life and Death from the Mind"! It was even more domineering and direct than Shi Zhixuan's unpredictable "Undying Seal Technique"! It destroyed his mind, seized his body, and held the power of life and death in his own hands! This was no longer martial arts, but almost a supernatural power! Her awe for the alliance leader before her deepened even further.

"Yu Yan,"

Yi Huawei looked at her: "Integrating Yin Kui, reorganizing the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and establishing a strict hierarchy and oversight system are urgent matters. What I need is a true Heavenly Dao sword that is as wielded as an extension of my own arm and that upholds justice, not the old lair of the Demonic Sect that harbors filth. You should know how to deal with those who are hard-to-change in their habits and who outwardly comply but inwardly defy me."

"Yu Yan understands!"

Zhu Yuyan bowed, her voice resolute: "The old Yin Kui has been burned to ashes along with the 'Proclamation to the World.' From this day forward, only the Heavenly Dao Alliance's Enforcers of Law will remain! Anyone who disobeys the Alliance's rules and tarnishes the name of 'Heavenly Dao,' regardless of kinship, will be personally sent 'back to heaven' by Yuyan!"

"very good."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, his gaze once again turning to the vast river and the boundless night sky outside the window.

With Jiangling secured, the middle reaches are now in our grasp.

The hasty alliance formed by Du Fuwei, Li Zitong, and Shen Faxing was nothing more than a desperate struggle by cornered beasts.

Song Que's decision to observe and wait for the situation to unfold was a wise choice, but it also meant that he saw threats and possibilities.

The true eye of the storm, however, is Li Yuan in Chang'an, Wang Shichong in Luoyang, the ever-watchful Turks, and the Jingzhai Zen Temple hidden behind the scenes... The eyes of all the heroes in the world are now focused on this place.

The banner of the Heavenly Alliance is fluttering in the chaos of war!

He stretched out his finger and gently drew a line in the air towards the vast Yangtze River and the dazzling starry sky.

The profound energy flowing through the fingertips in "Birth and Death from the Mind" seems to be outlining the future trajectory of the world.

The cycle of birth and death arises from the mind.

This new order, shattered by the mountains and rivers, will be cleaved, shaped, and defined by the sword in his hand called "Heavenly Way"!
A new era is surging in with the mighty Yangtze River, unstoppable! (End of Chapter)