[Feudal Era – Eastern Province]
While the underwater city was being built in Teyvat, a massive "recruitment drive" was happening in the Warring States Era.
To become a soldier in Su Han's army, one had to master Haki. This meant that even a standard infantryman from Inazuma was a superhuman by this world's standards.
Kaeya Alberich led the Knights of Favonius through the eastern forests.
"We are the envoys of the Celestial Realm," his soldiers announced to a starving village. "Submit, and you will be fed. Resist, and..."
They pointed to a boulder. A soldier smashed it with a Haki-infused fist.
The villagers fell to their knees instantly.
"Food! They have food!"
"Thank you, Immortals! Take us with you!"
Kaeya smiled. "Too easy. We've gathered 3,000 people in one day. At this rate, we'll hit our quota in a week."
Suddenly, the sky darkened.
CRACK-BOOM.
Lightning struck the center of the formation. Kaeya flashed away instantly, but the ground where he stood was scorched.
"Well, well," a raspy voice laughed from the clouds. "Humans? Looks like a buffet!"
A grotesque, toad-like demon riding a cloud descended. It was Manten, one of the Thunder Brothers.
"Where did they go?" Manten looked around, confused.
Shkkt.
A blade pierced his chest from behind.
"Looking for me, ugly?" Kaeya whispered.
"You—!" Manten tried to unleash lightning, but Kaeya's sword turned into ice, freezing his heart instantly.
The toad demon fell dead.
"Brother!"
A furious scream echoed from the sky. A handsome demon with wheels on his feet—Hiten—flew down, wielding a lightning glaive.
"You killed Manten! I'll skin you alive!"
Hiten swung his weapon, unleashing a thunderstorm.
Kaeya yawned. "Boring."
He swung his sword. A single arc of Glacial Waltz cut through the lightning, the air, and Hiten's torso.
Splat.
The brothers were dead in ten seconds.
"Collect the loot," Kaeya ordered. "And keep moving. We have a schedule to keep."
[Western Province – A Daimyo's Castle]
Yelan took a different approach. She targeted the cities.
Standing before the castle gates, she projected her voice. "Surrender your wealth and your people. I offer you sanctuary in the Divine Realm."
The Daimyo laughed. "Kill her!"
Yelan didn't even blink. She fired a single Hydro arrow. It weaved through the air, bypassing the guards, and pierced the Daimyo's throat.
"Anyone else want to play hero?" Yelan asked, her eyes glowing.
The samurais dropped their weapons.
"Pack everything up," Yelan commanded the Black Blade troops. "Gold, grain, people. Leave nothing."
[The Rendezvous]
By evening, the three armies reconvened at the forward base near Kaede's village.
Kujou Sara wiped monster blood off her armor. "15,000 people secured today. Plus thirty minor youkai who surrendered."
Kaeya tossed a bag of jewels on the table. "And a few million Mora worth of gold. Not bad for a day's work."
Yelan, however, frowned. "We're moving too slow. The villagers are scared of us. They think we're demons because of the army."
"True," Kaeya nodded. "Fear makes them hide."
"I have an idea," Yelan smiled. "Let's change the narrative. Instead of conquerors, we are Saviors. We need a figurehead. Someone the people trust."
She looked at Kaede.
"Old woman. Who is the most famous spiritual leader in this era?"
"That would be my late sister, Kikyo," Kaede said reverently.
Yelan pulled out her phone and called Su Han.
"Boss, we need a mascot. Can we use Kikyo's name? And maybe borrow Kagome to pose as her reincarnation?"
On the other end, Su Han laughed. "Brilliant. Yes. Dress Kagome up. Tell the world that Lady Kikyo has returned from the Pure Land to save her people from the demons."
"Understood."
[Tenshukaku – Su Han's Office]
Su Han hung up the phone. Yelan was terrifyingly efficient. Using religion to expedite conquest? Classic spycraft.
With Kagome (who looked identical to Kikyo) as the face of the operation, the villagers wouldn't run away. They would flock to her, begging to be saved. It was a pilgrimage, not a kidnapping.
"System," Su Han mentally commanded. "Claim Mission Reward."
[Ding! Mission Complete: Defeat Black Dragon King.]
[Reward: 80,000 Points.]
[Item: Azure Water Dragon Pearl.]
Item:Azure Water Dragon Pearl.
Rank: 4-Star (High).
Origin: Sky Trace World (Black Dragon Clan).
Effect:
Alchemy: Can increase lifespan by 1,000 years if refined into a pill.Forging: Adds a Dragon Soul to a weapon.Array: Acts as a massive Hydro Spirit Gathering Core.
Note: Consuming it directly grants Black Dragon Bloodline (inferior to your Azure Dragon Bloodline).
Su Han inspected the glowing blue pearl.
"Consuming it is a waste," he muttered. "My bloodline is already superior. But as an Array Core..."
He looked out the window toward the sky above Guyun Stone Forest, where the Sky City (Jade Chamber MK II) was being built.
"If I use this as the core for a Spirit Gathering Array on the Sky City... the cultivation density up there will be ten times higher than Teyvat."
It was decided. The Sky City would become the cultivation capital of the world.
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