The improved female villains regained their memories.

The hall fell silent instantly.

Su Murong looked around and, seeing that no one was speaking, nodded.

This was her sect. Su Murong didn't say anything on the surface, but he was very satisfied in his heart.

Since she reformed the system and implemented the popularity cultivation system, she has gradually cultivated her own team. Five years ago, with the death of Guan Hongyi, the last force of resistance, no one in the world could stop her.

More and more people are entering Su Murong's inner circle. Among them are former colleagues, those who swore to be loyal to Su Murong to the death, and former cultivators.

Su Murong promoted all her confidants to the position of elder. In the discussion just now, these people undoubtedly stood on Su Murong's side, and not one of them questioned her.

Unfortunately, that's not enough.

Su Murong thought expressionlessly.

What she wants is not unimpeded access, but to devour the popularity of everyone in the world. This idea is undoubtedly in conflict with the interests of everyone in the world. This is the true meaning of using the world to support one person. If her true thoughts were exposed, probably no one would be happy except for her die-hard fans.

Therefore, that alone is not enough.

In fact, Su Murong was well aware that no matter how she cultivated him, as long as his true thoughts were exposed, he would be abandoned by everyone. But she had to do it. The main world was like a mysterious and unpredictable sea. She could not go alone. She had to bring her crew with her.

Currently, only the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise, two of the Four Celestial Spirits, have made a clear statement. The Azure Dragon and White Tiger have not yet expressed their opinions. Moreover, Su Murong also wants to see if there are any other promising talents.

Good seedlings are rare, and those who can be taken to the main world are even rarer. Su Murong has his eye on one person, and that is Mu Chaoyang.

Mu Chaoyang is perceptive and can understand things without being told. Moreover, he is intelligent, courageous, and relatively loyal to me. If he can accept me, I might be able to take him along.

"I could test him," Su Murong thought, and continued, "Zhuque, explain the situation in detail."

"Yes." Zhuque, a trusted confidant, bowed slightly and then said to everyone, "Just a few days ago, the lord met with the heads of several major families. These people have more or less control over various industries, and some of them are related to Lord Su Murong's cultivation system."

Su Murong's cultivation is the cultivation of popularity.

Since it's about cultivating popularity, it requires the help of external forces, such as food, sleep, music therapy, and so on.

Good food replenishes vital energy, good sleep replenishes and nourishes the body and mind, and good music cultivates the body and mind. Cultivating one's vital energy is inseparable from the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Some powerful families monopolize these industries, and since these industries are linked to cultivation, they can no longer be considered as livelihood industries.

Everyone looked at each other.

Some people were angry, some gritted their teeth, and some slammed their fists on the table and cursed. Everyone felt the immense pressure Su Murong was under.

To maintain one's rule, one must know how to share; this principle remains unchanged throughout history.

That person high above, seemingly alone, is actually the result of compromises with many parties behind the scenes.

Su Murong suddenly laughed and said, "Zhuque, everyone here is one of us, why are you afraid to bring it up? I'll be frank, this is both a threat and a deal."

“The families want to protect their own interests, and I want to protect my rule. For the past five years, I have ignored them and they are somewhat uneasy. A few days ago, they invited me to go. To put it bluntly, they wanted a definite answer. The so-called petition signed by the joint signatory was just to urge me to agree.”

"Then, Sect Master, have you agreed?" someone asked.

"Of course...no."

The sudden change caught everyone off guard.

The man, puzzled, continued, "What should we do if those people continue to pressure us?"

"Good question."

Su Murong laughed, then his expression changed, and he said coldly:

"This coercion is completely useless," she sneered. "Do you think they'd dare come up and hit me?"

Everyone was slightly taken aback.

Chapter 190 I Don't Hate Him

Su Murong sat upright, his gaze sharp as he swept over the crowd, and spoke again: "Don't you all understand? Times have changed. The old era is gone forever."

"The original Yan royal family possessed all the spiritual energy of the world. In order to maintain their own rule, they naturally had to cede some of their interests to aristocratic families, allowing them to govern the world for them. Later, the spiritual spring collapsed, the royal family died, and Wang Tiande usurped the throne. Although he monopolized the cultivation resources and system, on the one hand, he needed someone to write a righteous chapter for his rule, and on the other hand, he was worried that a genius would emerge from an aristocratic family and surpass him. Therefore, Wang Tiande also made compromises."

"Politics is the art of compromise. Why do I say that? Because you alone cannot swallow up all the interests of the world. You need someone to help you, to do things for you, to take the blame for you, and to handle everything that you can't handle on your own. This has been the case with imperial systems since ancient times. The monarch sits comfortably on his platform, watching others fight and struggle for the interests he throws out. What saints and wise rulers, what benefits they share with all the people—it's all nonsense. Haven't you heard of the sacred deeds of the Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns, which have deceived countless travelers?"

"Wang Tiande wants to share because although he controls the cultivation system, to put it bluntly, his core foundation is still the world. He has to make everyone follow his system. But what about me? Hehe, you are free to choose not to follow the human cultivation system I created and continue to follow the old path of cultivation, as long as you are not afraid of falling behind yourself."

"So, everyone, do you understand now? The initiative in the world's affairs is in my hands. If you're not satisfied, you're welcome to try something else, if you can do it."

"What benevolence and righteousness, what morality?"

"What wise ruler, what sage king."

"What's the point of being remembered in history, or being remembered for generations?"

"No matter how much you boast, it's all for the sake of profit."

“Now, I’m offering them the benefits, and they’re still so ungrateful. They still think they can snatch the scraps like before. I’m not the royal family of Yan, nor am I Wang Tiande.”

"Practice it or not, they've given us face. Trying to force me? Fine, let them come. I want to see if there are more powerful families or more common people."

Everyone was shocked.

Su Murong suddenly changed his attitude and burst into laughter: "You must remember one thing, the world's power is in my hands, not in the hands of others. You only need to watch my expression, you don't need to watch others. In front of me, they are nothing but a pack of howling dogs."

"So, there's no need to be afraid, no need to be confused, no need to panic. Just remember, as long as I'm here, that's enough."

"As long as the fundamental law remains with me, then whatever we say is just a matter of words. What they say, we can say as well."

"We will heed the Patriarch's instructions," the crowd said in unison.

After the meeting ended and everyone dispersed, Mu Chaoyang had just stood up when Su Murong called him back: "Chaoyang, you stay."

At the same time, she called out to the other four spirits: "You too."

The Azure Dragon and White Tiger were confused, but out of trust in Su Murong, they chose to stay. The Black Tortoise vaguely guessed what was going on, and its usually silent expression changed somewhat.

Is it finally time to begin?

“Chaoyang.” Su Murong looked at Mu Chaoyang and gave him a kind smile. “You have been following me for some time now. Speaking of which, you have made great contributions to me.”

Mu Chaoyang was silent for a moment before speaking: "Is the sect leader finally planning to take action against everyone in the world?"

"As expected, you knew."

“I know.” Mu Chaoyang nodded calmly. “I knew it the moment I started practicing the sect leader’s technique.”

Su Murong was silent for a moment before asking, "Since you know this, why did you choose to continue following me?"

"There's no reason why, I just want to."

"..."

Su Murong carefully examined the boy standing below. He held his head high, neither humble nor arrogant, showing no fear even though he already knew his future fate.

"...You don't have to die."

"Sect Master, you need not show favoritism for my sake."

Mu Chaoyang cupped his hands in greeting and said, "You are destined for great things. If you are going to do it, then do it. I would be very happy if I could contribute to the sect leader's cause."

Su Murong closed his eyes, and after a while, he opened them.

"I understand."

Mu Chaoyang bowed slightly, then turned and left.

Now that everyone was on their side, Su Murong coughed lightly and looked at Qinglong and Baihu, asking, "What do you think?"

Azure Dragon and White Tiger knew they couldn't escape this time.

For the past three years, they have never paid any attention to Su Murong's hints, always pretending to be crazy and fooling around. For example, the white tiger, despite how loudly it barked just now, as if it were very loyal, has never actually expressed any intention to follow Su Murong.

As for Qinglong, he's been spending his days with men, using one and discarding the next. It's truly remarkable that he was able to attend this conference.

Knowing they couldn't escape this time, they decided to give up. The white tiger was the first to stand up and said:

"I am willing to follow my lord, even unto death."

Qinglong also stood up and said, "I am willing to follow you, my lord, and I will never regret it even if it means my death."

At this point, the four celestial spirits had all expressed their submission.

"it is good."

---

Late at night, Su Murong and Zhuque walked slowly.

The evening breeze was much cooler, but the Central Plains remained the same as before, with thick clouds obscuring the stars.

But Su Murong was no longer the Su Murong of the past. She looked up at the sky, frowned slightly, and waved her sleeve, and the clouds and mist dissipated on their own.

"My lord, when we go to the main world, will we encounter many powerful people?"

"possible."

"Then I will definitely cultivate diligently and protect my lord well!"

"it is good."

"My lord, my lord!"

The moonlight, having dispelled the clouds, drifted down and fell upon Zhuque's face, making her appear like a piece of warm jade through her veil: "You will go to find him, won't you?"

Su Murong stopped and looked at Zhuque: "What?"

"I said you would go to him, right?"

"..."

Su Murong's silence caught Zhuque's eye. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Does the Lord like him?"

"..."

Still no answer.

So Suzaku thought for a moment, first shaking his head, then nodding: "My lord likes him!"

“He lied to me.” Su Murong looked at Zhuque, his eyes burning with a dark light. “He approached me, used me, and put on an act. Even his death was part of the deception.”

“But my lord, you don’t hate him.”

Another long silence followed.

After a long pause, Su Murong finally answered, "Yes, I don't hate him."

She touched her bosom, took out a sachet, looked at it, and repeated: