Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

After dealing with the affairs of the aristocratic families, Qian Tian walked to the window, looked towards the direction outside the palace, and called out:

"The Prince of Yuan—Qian Yuan—is summoned to the palace."

Shortly after, a middle-aged man dressed in a prince's python robe strode into the bedchamber.

His face bore a resemblance to Qian Tian's, but he possessed a more amiable demeanor.

He is none other than the younger brother of the current Emperor Qian, Prince Qianyuan, who is in charge of the Imperial Clan Court.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Qian Yuan bowed in greeting.

"My brother, there are no outsiders here, so there's no need for such formalities."

Qian Tian gestured for him to stand up. "I called you over so late at night because I have something important to ask you."

A hint of doubt flashed in Qian Yuan's eyes: "Your Majesty, please speak."

"What do you think of the local kings who are not of the same surname?" Qian Tian asked.

Upon hearing this, Qian Yuan's expression hardened: "Your Majesty means... Prince Jing and Prince Wu?"

"Exactly." Qian Tian nodded. "Prince Jing, Prince Wu is recruiting soldiers in the southern border and secretly colluding with other forces."

"...Your Highness, you must know about these things, right?"

Qian Yuan remained silent for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I have heard about this, but they are, after all, descendants of the founding heroes and hold military power. If we deal with them rashly, it may cause chaos."

"I did not say that they should be dealt with immediately."

Qian Tian said calmly, "But we can't let them continue like this."

"Your younger brother is in charge of the Imperial Clan Court and has long maintained connections with members of the imperial clan and regional princes. It is most appropriate to entrust this matter to you."

He looked at Qian Yuan, his tone solemn:

"Keep a close eye on them for me, see which forces they contact, and the movements of their generals..."

"Report immediately if there is any unusual activity," Qian Tian said coldly.

Qian Yuan understood his elder brother's meaning: to first ascertain the background of the non-royal king in order to prepare for future actions.

He bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree. However... wouldn't this be too obvious?"

"Whether it's obvious or not is not important; what's important is letting them know that I'm watching them."

A meaningful glint flashed in Qian Tian's eyes. "It's good to give them a proper warning and let them behave themselves."

"Your Majesty, I understand what to do."

"Go."

After Qian Yuan left, the palace returned to silence.

Qian Tian stood by the window, gazing at the gradually brightening morning light on the horizon, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Purging the powerful clans and restraining the vassal kings—these two moves will inevitably stir up undercurrents in the capital, but he has no other choice.

The great ship of Daqian has been tossed about in the wind and rain for too long. He must personally steer the ship to a steady position, even if the process is accompanied by pain.

"Great Ancestor, Ancestor," he slowly bowed towards the east.

"Your grandson is incompetent; this is all I can do for now."

"If you are watching over us from heaven, I hope you will bless the Great Qian Dynasty and help it overcome this calamity."

The sunlight outside the window pierced through the clouds, shining brightly on the dragon throne, but it could not penetrate the heaviness in the emperor's heart.

.....

Qianzhou

Tianfeng City.

The Prince Wu's residence was located in the city center, with vermilion gates and high walls, heavily guarded.

From a distance, it exudes a solemn and austere atmosphere unlike any other mansion.

As a king of a different surname guarding the southern border, King Wu's power in Tianfeng City was deeply entrenched.

The mansion was filled with experts, and ordinary cultivators didn't even have the courage to approach it.

At this moment, inside a secret chamber deep within the Prince's mansion, candlelight flickered, illuminating the Great Qian map hanging on the wall.

The map was marked with dense, cinnabar-colored symbols, giving it an unusual feel.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three faint whooshing sounds came from the sky, as fast as lightning, landing behind the artificial hill in the backyard of the Prince's mansion.

His figure was hidden in the shadows, and his aura was completely concealed, so that even the guards in the mansion did not notice him at all.

A moment later, the three figures appeared outside the secret chamber.

The leader raised his hand and waved, a wisp of black smoke swept past, and the door to the secret chamber opened silently.

The three stepped in, their steps light and graceful, as if they were walking on thin air.

Inside the sealed room,

King Wu was deep in thought, staring at the map, when he heard a noise and suddenly looked up.

Upon seeing the person's appearance clearly, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his body, which was sitting upright in the chair, involuntarily trembled slightly.

He quickly stood up, bowed to the three men, and said in a voice filled with undisguised reverence, "Greetings, Your Excellencies."

All three were dressed in black robes, their hoods obscuring most of their faces, revealing only their sharp, defined jawlines.

He exuded a faint, chilling aura, as if he came from the deepest hell.

The mysterious leader glanced coldly at King Wu, his gaze so intense it sent chills down King Wu's spine.

He did not respond to King Wu's bow, but went straight to the main seat in the secret chamber and sat down.

The other two stood on either side, like two emotionless sculptures.

"How's the preparation of what I asked you to prepare going?"

The mysterious leader spoke, his voice hoarse and cold, like two rusty iron pieces rubbing against each other, making King Wu's scalp tingle.

His scarlet eyes gleamed eerily in the candlelight as they slowly swept across the secret chamber, finally settling on King Wu's face.

King Wu quickly lowered his head, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and reported urgently:

"My lord, everything is almost ready."

"The essence blood, resentment bone powder, blood-red crystals, blood-patterned flags... of ten thousand cultivators born in the Yin year and Yin month have all been collected."

"Now we only need one last thing—the Netherworld Flower."

He paused, then quickly added:

"I have sent people to find out that the Linglong Chamber of Commerce will be holding a large auction in Qingzhou City in half a month, and the Netherworld Flower will be up for auction."

The Netherworld Flower is an extremely poisonous flower that grows in the Netherworld. Its petals are dark purple and contain a strong yin energy.

Once placed in the center of the array plate, this item can accelerate the transformation of the surrounding blood energy into pure evil power, making it the core item for setting up the Bloodthirsty Array.

It can also be used for cultivation, increasing a cultivator's physical strength and vitality.

After listening, the mysterious leader narrowed his scarlet eyes slightly, his tone completely calm:

"The three of us have been ordered to come here to assist you in handling this matter."

"Thank you, my lord!" King Wu was overjoyed. With the help of these three mysterious figures, he would feel much more confident.

"Alright, since it's available at the Qingzhou auction, we must get our hands on it."

The mysterious man interrupted him, his tone suddenly turning stern, "Even if we have to steal it, we have to get it! There can't be the slightest mistake."

"Yes! Your subordinate understands!" King Wu replied hastily, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

The mysterious leader slowly stood up, walked to the map, and spoke with a chilling fervor:

"Remember, once the Bloodthirsty Array is complete, immediately raise an army."

"The goal this time is to throw the Great Qian Dynasty into complete chaos."

His voice seemed to come from the abyss: "The blood of those who die in war will be the best nourishment, enough to feed our ancestor."

"I will make everyone involved in this war a sacrifice for the awakening of our ancestor, leaving no one alive!"

"When the Ancestor recovers to his peak, it will be the beginning of turmoil in the Eastern Region."

King Wu felt a chill run down his spine, but dared not show the slightest change in expression, and simply bowed and replied:

"Yes! Your subordinate will do his utmost to live up to the expectations of you, sir and the patriarch!"

The mysterious man seemed to nod in satisfaction, said no more, and turned to walk into the depths of the secret chamber with the other two.

There was a hidden door, behind which lay an even more secret hideout.

As the hidden door closed, the secret room returned to silence, with only the flickering candlelight remaining.

King Wu slumped in his chair, his back soaked with cold sweat.

He stared at the vermilion markings on the map, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—

There was both a desire for power and a fear of the forces behind those three mysterious figures.

But now he has no way out.