Chapter 516: Boundless Evil God? True God?

Fojin wanted to concede, intending for Xin Yue to find Zhao Xing's causal line and establish contact. However, he waited an entire day, only to discover that Xin Yue couldn't locate Zhao Xing's causal line at all.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xing learned of this through Ji Si and couldn't help but laugh. "Concede?" he scoffed. "That fellow still wants to maintain his dignity. He's willing to surrender but won't even visit in person. I've built up such momentum; he won't even show his face. No rush, don't contact him. Even if he does show up in person, we'll make him wait."

With the Causal Battle reaching this point, Zhao Xing was confident of victory. He understood that while the Great Zhou might have weaker foundations than the Carlos family, he personally had a far greater chance of breaking through to the God Realm than the Carlos family's demigods. For those in the God Realm, only peers of the same level were considered allies worth caring about. The Carlos High Priest, or his remaining three sons, had very slim hopes of achieving godhood. Given this premise, when declaring war on the Carlos family this time, it was clear who the gods would side with; they would simply vote with their feet.

"The assistance we've received this time, both domestically and internationally, far exceeds what we had during our last forced resistance," Zhao Xing said, looking at Ji Si. "Ji Si, pay close attention to this momentum. Opportunities for causal battles of this scale are rare." He had great expectations for Ji Si! From the very beginning, he was willing to distribute most of the spoils of war to his other allies. Zhao Xing didn't care about short-term gains; as long as they won, Ji Si could advance, and that was the greatest reward. Having a God of Fate Masters by his side in the future would be more valuable than anything. Of course, it wasn't easy for a Fate Master to become a god. This causal battle couldn't elevate Ji Si to godhood unless it involved the entire Xuanling Starfield, or even battles with divine realm participation where Ji Si played a crucial role. However, allowing Ji Si to experience such a war beforehand was an immense benefit.

"Yes," Ji Si nodded, understanding that he would gain significant improvement from this war.

"But since the Carlos family wants to concede, it means this war is nearing its end," Zhao Xing mused. "Draft an optimal exploitation plan and show it to the elders."

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, I've already thought it through," Ji Si immediately produced a plan from his sleeve. "By declaring war this time, the Great Zhou has mobilized human, material, and financial resources far beyond its own capacity. For the Grand Minister to ascend to the God Realm, he cannot be burdened by too much karma. Therefore, 80% of the wealth received from the Carlos family should be distributed to repay this karmic debt. As for the Great Zhou itself, taking two-tenths of the Carlos family's assets will suffice, mainly their overseas territories and business shares."

One who does not plan for eternity cannot plan for a moment; one who does not plan for the whole cannot plan for a part. Zhao Xing nodded, seeing that Ji Si's foresight demonstrated his strategic thinking. Furthermore, it didn't deviate from the original plan: the Great Zhou was to establish a new dynasty at the former site of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom. Spending time to absorb the Carlos family's fixed territories within the empire was less beneficial than simply focusing on business, as the future prospects and potential were far greater than current gains.

"Brother Zhao." Just then, a flame-like causal avatar emerged from the Mind Palace and quickly appeared beside Zhao Xing.

"Captain, what is it?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Fojin has arrived at the Wuye Constellation in the Beihe Star System. He brought a considerable number of realm ships," Yang Baihe reported. "However, he was stopped at Beihe Pass."

"Stopped?" Zhao Xing wondered, "By whom?"

As Yang Baihe reported, a short causal avatar also appeared. It was Yang Lin, the Lord of the Beihe Star System. Wudu, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle. "Yang Lin, you're the one who stopped him?"

Lord Yang Lin of Beihe immediately bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Venerable Five Elements, Venerable Chen An, Venerable Ji..."

"Alright, Yang Lin, cut the formalities. What's the situation?"

"Yes, Fojin was indeed stopped by me. He's currently waiting at Beihe Pass."

"Hahaha, you've grown bold!" Wudu laughed. "You're only a Fourth Calamity Emperor Lord, yet you dare to stop Fojin? Aren't you afraid he'll kill you? Where did you get such courage?"

Yang Lin calmly replied, "That courage, of course, comes from all of you sirs. Though I am not as strong as Fojin, I cannot disgrace your names."

Zhao Xing also smiled. This was akin to kicking someone when they were down. Yang Lin even dared to stop a demigod like Fojin outside the Beihe Star System. In fact, Yang Lin wasn't the first to stop Fojin. Fojin had already been stopped once in the Beiye Star System by the even bolder Jing Yan. Jing Yan was merely a Fourth Calamity Emperor Lord, yet he still managed to completely thwart Fojin. Why would Yang Lin be afraid?

"Did you check them then? He brought so many ships, they can't all be warships, can they?" Venerable Wudu asked. He didn't believe Fojin would be so foolish as to use force and risk mutual destruction after being warned.

"No, they're not warships," Yang Lin replied. "They're all cargo airships, loaded with valuable goods: World Stones, top-grade Dao Soldier materials, Boundary Stones, Five Emperor Coins, and more."

Beihe Pass was a river gate established between star systems, relying on a void river. At this moment, the Carlos family's large fleet was parked at the Cargo Department, undergoing inspection. All members of the Carlos family were dejected, and even when facing the taunts and provocations of lowly attendants, they could only pretend not to notice. They were like a defeated nation coming to pay tribute to a victorious one, subjected to all sorts of difficulties and interrogations along the way. Even Fojin, despite being a demigod, dared not speak up when confronted by those weaker than him; he could only endure. He had to endure because Jing Yan and Zhao Xing were sworn brothers, and the Lord of Beihe owed Zhao Xing a debt of gratitude for his mentorship. Fojin was there to beg for mercy and concede defeat.

"This is too much! These people wouldn't have even warranted a second glance from our Carlos family before, and now they dare to be so arrogant!" Yiping stormed into the ship hall, his eyes spitting fire. "We've been checked repeatedly, over a dozen times, and still, they won't let us pass."

Fojin remained seated, calmly playing his zither, though his demeanor was somewhat cold.

"Brother, how can you still have the mind to play music?" Yiping slumped down, downing a large gulp of wine. There was a time when their Carlos family was the one those outside feared, and countless enemies and rivals had fallen before their blades and authority. Now, the tables had turned, and the taste was truly bitter.

"Second Brother, just consider this a process of tempering your mind," Fojin said calmly. "If you don't want to face it, you don't have to come. Since you're here, endure it."

"I—" Yiping opened his mouth but was powerless to retort, only muttering to himself, "Tempering the mind by breaking the family... Brother really came up with that. So many years of accumulation..."

Fojin and his party were stranded at the river pass for three full months. During that time, almost the entire empire and more than half of the starfield paid attention, knowing that the Carlos family had come to beg for mercy. After the third month, Zhao Xing finally allowed the Carlos family members to enter the Beihe Star System.

"Venerable Chen An, our three brothers have come to atone for our sins," Fojin said, leading his two younger brothers into a temporary, extremely crude hall. The hall was so small that all three had to suppress their sacred bodies, shrinking significantly just to fit. Upon entering