Invincible Divine Destiny Selection System Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Morning Meeting_1

The foundation of the Great Wu Dynasty was built upon martial excellence. For more than a decade, the first emperor engaged in relentless warfare against neighboring realms, crushing countless enemies before the nation was finally established. Consequently, the crest of Dawu features neither dragon nor phoenix, but the singular character: Wu. It represents a martial spirit that shatters and obliterates all resistance.

Chu Yuan wore an imperial robe of deepest black, a shade as dark as dried blood, stitched with patterns of blades and swords that served as symbols of slaughter.

Emblazoned upon the fabric was the character Wu, appearing incredibly sharp and domineering.

"Your Majesty."

An elderly eunuch stood behind Chu Yuan; though his hair was white, his skin remained as radiant and smooth as a child's.

This was Eunuch Wei. Having served two successive emperors since the country's birth, he had proven his unwavering loyalty as a high official.

In that moment, Eunuch Wei perceived a transformation in Chu Yuan. The young man radiated a peerless majesty, his eyes flashing with an electric intensity that seemed capable of exposing any hidden plot. He appeared even more imperial than the late emperor; his presence was so formidable that looking at him directly felt impossible.

"Let us go," Chu Yuan said with a slight nod.

"Depart for the Divine Martial Hall!"

Eunuch Wei’s high-pitched voice rang out, and Chu Yuan took his place within a palanquin pulled by nine flood dragons.

Constructed by the founding Emperor, the Divine Martial Hall resembled the character Wu when viewed from afar. Rising like a massive, upright blade, it suppressed its surroundings and embodied the martial conviction of the previous ruler. It served as the traditional site for the emperors of the Great Wu Dynasty to take the throne.

The interior of the hall was vast. Luminous pearls were set into the ceiling like a field of stars, shining down on the hundreds of ministers who had already gathered.

A middle-aged man with graying hair stood on the left. Despite his years, he projected a violent aura, his gaze as piercing as a hawk's. This was Shangguan Qingyun, the Supreme General of Great Wu, who commanded vast military forces. He was a premier warrior who had achieved the peak of the Divine Abilities realm.

On the right stood a white-haired elder. Dressed in formal regalia, he carried a somewhat somber air. He led the six ministries as the head of the civil service. His name was Li Yun, and he had also reached the pinnacle of the Divine Abilities realm.

Together, Shangguan Qingyun and Li Yun were considered the twin pillars of the Great Wu Dynasty.

"Our Great Wu Dynasty was once the supreme power among the Five States. We prospered under the first Emperor and were on the verge of total unification," someone whispered.

"But who could have foreseen this? The Emperor died suddenly, and the cause remains a mystery. To make matters worse, the 300,000 elite Divine Martial Troops vanished alongside him. Our nation's power was gutted in a single night," another sighed.

"The rumors are even more terrifying. People say the Emperor's death was divine retribution—that the heavens wish to destroy Great Wu. Some believe our downfall is inevitable!"

"These whispers are fueling chaos among the populace. The empire is teetering on the edge of collapse!"

"The other four kingdoms desire our lands, and we are surrounded by them on all sides. Both the court and the borders are in shambles, especially with the greedy Emperor of Dian watching us."

"Now that the second Emperor of Dawu is ascending, we don't know if he can restore order. If we can just survive this storm, we might not lead the Five States, but at least we can protect our foundation and avoid being conquered."

"The second Emperor looks the part, but he is only fifteen—far too young. The previous Emperor left behind a total disaster. I fear it's too late to save anything. Our luck has run dry."

"It seems we must look out for ourselves and prepare for the worst. I wonder what the Supreme General and the Prime Minister are planning?"

"They lead the military and civil officials. We must follow their lead. That is the only way to ensure the safety of our families."

"Quiet! The Emperor arrives!"

.....

Throughout the Divine Martial Hall, officials spoke in low tones, airing their anxieties about the future of Great Wu.

This was the hallmark of a failing regime—a state of deep unrest. It signaled the potential fall of a dynasty; when officials and commoners alike start looking for an escape, the end is near.

However, Shangguan Qingyun and Li Yun remained strangely composed, merely trading a brief look.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Eunuch Wei’s sharp, echoing voice filled the chamber.

The carriage, pulled by nine flood dragons—each a powerful beast of the Original Spirit Realm—arrived with a sound like rolling thunder.

Chu Yuan stepped out of the royal transport with the Sword of the Human Emperor hanging at his hip. His stride was firm, and his eyes flickered with the Great Thunder Technique, appearing like orbs of lightning.

Two columns of golden-armored divine guards flanked him.

He walked slowly to the shimmering golden throne and sat down. Instantly, an overwhelming wave of sovereign authority radiated from him, making him appear as the absolute ruler of the world.

"This presence! This imperial pressure! His Majesty is transformed!"

"I feel a strange sense of inferiority looking at him, as if I am standing before a divine Sovereign!"

"A true Emperor among men!"

"This is His Majesty's first formal court session!"

...

As the cries of 'Sovereign' filled the room, Chu Yuan’s status soared in the hearts of his subordinates. The officials were stunned by this display of dominance. Even the expressions of Shangguan Qingyun and Li Yun shifted.

"Ding! The host has chosen option one, gaining 100 Destiny Points."

The system chimed.

"My lords, you have all labored greatly."

While the ministers stood in shock, Chu Yuan gripped the Emperor's Sword. With the Supreme Man title active, he appeared impossibly grand and distant. He spoke: "The passing of the late Emperor three months ago was a catastrophe for Dawu. You have surely been exhausted and troubled by the state of the realm. Today marks my first court as the new Emperor of Dawu."

He scanned the officials. Though they served the state, they were all powerful cultivators with deep foundations.

In this world, imperial dynasties and the path of Cultivation were intertwined.

These men could soar through the heavens and seek immortality.

"The Emperor is presiding!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

The dazed officials finally recovered. Chu Yuan's aura was so crushing that they instinctively shouted their loyalty and knelt in unison.

"Rise," Chu Yuan commanded. "You may speak freely on any matter."

"The fate of the late Emperor is a tragedy of cosmic proportions. He was a brilliant and brave leader who conquered four nations to build Dawu. His personal strength was so great it terrified our neighbors. For years, they came to pay tribute; it was a golden age.

The 300,000 Divine Martial soldiers were especially peerless," a middle-aged man said, stepping forward to praise the late ruler. This was Liu Yong, the Chief of Staff for the Ministry of Industry. He sighed, "If the previous Emperor were still with us, Dawu would..."

"Oh? So you, Chief of Staff, believe that Dawu is currently in its final hours, waiting for the darkness to swallow it?"

Chu Yuan looked down from his high seat, his eyes locking onto Liu Yong.

Chu Yuan knew Liu Yong was a corrupt man and a lackey of the Prime Minister. In the future, when the Prime Minister turned traitor, Liu Yong would steal the Ministry's resources to join the Dalian Imperial Dynasty.

He had already noted this betrayal.

"I did not say that. I only meant that if the late Emperor were here, the four nations led by Dalian would never dare to rebel. Your Majesty, you are brave but young, and in these dark times, I worry..."

Chu Yuan’s sharp reprimand and the weight of the Supreme Man title terrified Liu Yong. He tried to stammer an explanation, but only made things worse.

"So you mean to say that if the late Emperor were here, you would all be perfectly loyal, ready to die for the throne. But because I have ascended, the Empire is falling apart, loyalty has faded, and the elite troops are gone.

Since I lack absolute power, you believe Dawu's collapse is certain. You think the nation will be destroyed. Therefore, are you, the Chief of Staff, already looking for a way out?"

Chu Yuan’s words were like daggers, cutting through every excuse.

With his knowledge of the next three years, he knew exactly who was a patriot and who was a snake.

"I... I... I!" Liu Yong was paralyzed with fear. He never expected Chu Yuan to expose his inner thoughts so bluntly. Drenched in sweat, he dropped to his knees. "I never meant that! Your Majesty's wisdom is divine!"

Even though Liu Yong was a Divine Realm cultivator, Chu Yuan was the Emperor. His sovereign dignity was suffocating, and he still commanded forces loyal to the throne.

Dawu had not fallen yet. Even a dying giant is dangerous. If Liu Yong admitted to treason now, not even the Prime Minister could protect him.

"Then you believe I lack judgment and am unfit to rule?" Chu Yuan pushed harder.

"Your Majesty, Liu Yong has no such thoughts. He is completely loyal to the Dawu Dynasty and to Your Majesty."

Seeing Chu Yuan dominate the court, Li Yun finally stepped in.

"The six departments follow the Prime Minister. If Liu Yong is loyal to his master, then the Prime Minister must be loyal to his King."

A cold, unreadable expression crossed Chu Yuan's face.

"I helped the late Emperor build this nation and have served as Prime Minister for thirty years. My loyalty is beyond question."

Li Yun, a cunning old fox, understood the threat. His face darkened. He hadn't expected Chu Yuan to be so difficult today. He had assumed the boy would be panicking after inheriting such a mess.

He thought a little pressure would make the young Emperor easy to manipulate.

Instead, the boy was incredibly sharp. If Li Yun weren't so confident in his plans, he would have feared his secrets were out.

Furthermore, the Chu Yuan standing before them felt like a different person entirely.

In the past, Chu Yuan was bold but still showed his youth. Today, he radiated a chilling, seasoned authority.

They did not realize they were facing an Emperor who had returned from three years in the future.

A soul who had traveled through time and been reborn.

'Go ahead,' Chu Yuan thought coldly. 'Keep playing your part.'

His heart was now as hard as iron. After living through the events of the last eighteen years, his mercy had vanished.

"Choice One: Continue the court session, hear the ministers' reports, and receive 100 Destiny Points."

"Choice Two: Dismiss the court immediately with a display of arrogance, leaving a carefree impression, and receive 100 Destiny Points."