Chapter 1707: Upgrade Territory! Upgrade Kingdom!

Chapter 1707: Upgrading Territory! Upgrading Nation!

Before dawn.

Zhou Zhou, meditating within the Palace of Reincarnation, slowly opened his eyes.

He recalled the fruits of his meditation that night, a smile blooming upon his face.

During that single night, not only had he made tremendous progress in the cultivation of his willpower, but he had also expended vast quantities of Lordly Talent Crystal Fragments to elevate his Supreme Holy Body to the mid-level Supreme Holy Body tier. Furthermore, he successfully upgraded his three other Law Techniques—“The Whole World Belongs to the Sovereign,” “All Lands Are the Sovereign’s Domain,” and “The Supreme Sovereign of the Nine-Five”—to mid-level Will Techniques.

The Technique “The Whole World Belongs to the Sovereign” had been elevated through the use of the Supreme Mind Crystal.

The other two Law Techniques, however, had been painstakingly comprehended solely through his unparalleled insight and the miraculous time ratio of 1:10,000 years offered by the Palace of Reincarnation.

Now, this mid-level Will Technique, “The Whole World Belongs to the Sovereign,” manifests a domain capable of influencing mid-level Will Transcendence practitioners. Should he activate it and enter the realm of top-tier Will Transcendence, under the strength of his profound Will Origin Power, this mid-level Will Technique would even extend its influence to top-tier Will Transcendence practitioners.

Previously, this Technique had only allowed a limited number of vast worlds to become exclusively his own territories.

And now, upon reaching the median will technique—where "the entire world is the sovereign's domain"—its activation can instantly alter the ownership of three vast universes, transforming them into exclusive territories under Zhou Zhou's control.

The only limitation is that this will technique may be used only once per day.

When Zhou Zhou first learned of this effect, he couldn't help but feel that this rule technique was utterly beyond reason.

This is literally just stealing someone else's territory.

It's completely unjust.

The only thing Zhou Zhou was grateful for was that this unjust technique was under his own control.

If it were in the hands of another powerful being, the moment they arrived, a single thought would turn the supreme universe into theirs—something that would absolutely infuriate them.

Although he could simply eliminate such a being outright, the real issue was the sheer annoyance it would cause.

"From now on, let my duplicates use this rule technique to annoy the rulers of other vast universes?"

Zhou Zhou whimsically pondered it.

As for which of the fragments?

Naturally, it was Zhou Yu, currently leading the grand cosmic conquest.

And as for the second will technique—"In the Realm of the Earth, No Subject is Above the Sovereign!"

The enhancement of this technique remains unchanged from before.

After activating this technique, one can consume half of their internal will essence to instantly alter the thoughts and wills of all beings across a single great cosmos, transforming them all into loyal subjects.

This technique can be used no more than three times per day, targeting three different great cosmic powers.

When the original self or any of the fragments invoke "Sovereign," this technique can elevate its influence to alter the thoughts of top-tier will transcendence-level beings.

One can command them to do whatever one desires, and they will obey without hesitation—this includes making top-tier will transcendence-level beings serve as loyal subordinates.

Zhou Zhou couldn't help but marvel, murmuring to himself:

"Throughout the heavens and earth, none is the sovereign's land; among all the realms, none is the sovereign's subject. When combined, they are utterly invincible."

"The first controls territorial allegiance; the second governs the spiritual loyalty of the people."

"With both strategies in motion, which great cosmic force could possibly stand against it?"

As for the final Will Technique—Nine-Five Supreme Ruler—it has also undergone tremendous enhancement.

Now, when He activates both 'King' and 'Nine-Five Supreme Ruler,' he exerts overwhelming suppression and psychological pressure upon all lords of mid-tier transcendental and lower-ranking domains within the ultimate void cosmos. Any abilities directed against him are weakened by 20%, with a 20% chance of being completely nullified.

His own troops and officers, under the influence of Nine-Five Supreme Ruler, gain a 300% surge in combat effectiveness!

When He manifests as the Nine-Five Supreme Dragon God and is present among the ranks of his army, no attack below the level of quasi-eternal immortality can harm him.

Moreover, when He embodies the Nine-Five Supreme Dragon God, the random blessings bestowed upon his soldiers are all of Will Transcendental rank.

Every officer and soldier receiving such blessings experiences a massive enhancement in combat prowess, survivability, and every other aspect of capability.

Zhou Zhou nodded in satisfied approval.

The harvest of this night was simply enormous.

Thanks to the upgraded Realm of Cyclical Rebirth.

Otherwise, he would have absolutely been impossible to achieve such immense gains in such a short span of time.

"Almost there."

"When my armies conquer half of the Supreme Vast Cosmos, I will be able to elevate the Realm of Cyclical Rebirth to the Mythic-Class Unique tier."

"Then, the Realm's capabilities will further strengthen."

"Unknown what effect the Realm of Cyclical Rebirth will have at that point."

Zhou Zhou's heart brimmed with anticipation.

Then, with a mere thought, a Lord's Talent Interface appeared before him.

It was precisely the new Ultra-Class Unique Lord Talent he had ascended to through his Supreme Holy Body this evening.

[Lord's Innate Ability: The Supreme Architect of the Ultimate Universe (No Superior, Unique)]

[Supreme Architect of the Ultimate Universe: A Lord's Innate Ability focused on territorial construction! Enables you to build various structures across the entire cosmos at unprecedented speed and efficiency, earning acclaim throughout the Ultimate Void Universe for your unparalleled infrastructure services.]

[Specific Ability Effect 1: The construction efficiency of all buildings within your territory increases by 10,000 times.]

[Specific Ability Effect 2: Life-based professionals participating in construction gain an additional 100,000 times the ascension energy.]

[Specific Ability Effect 3: Life-based professionals involved in construction generate more inspiration during the building process. There is a 50% chance they will gain insight into superior architectural designs, resulting in learnable and replicable blueprints—some of which may reach the unique, unrivaled level of design, unmatched by any other.]

[Specific Ability Effect 4: When constructing defensive structures, defensive strength increases by an additional 1,000%; when constructing offensive structures, attack strength increases by an additional 1,000%, capped at the level of Upper Supreme Will State.]

[Specific Ability Effect 5: Your territory's populace finds it significantly easier to progress into transcendent careers in architecture, becoming skilled life-based professionals. They also gain a greater likelihood of mastering rule-based techniques, evolving into deities of architecture. There is a minuscule chance they will attain will-based techniques, ascending to rare, elite beings of supreme architectural will.]

[Specific Ability Effect 6: Your territory becomes renowned across the entire Ultimate Void Universe, drawing countless powerful and masterful architectural life-based professionals who come seeking opportunities to join your domain. There is a chance to attract life-based professionals at the Supreme Will level to join your territory.]

[Specific Ability Effect 7: Life-based professionals in architecture within your territory gain a three-tier boost in their life-based potential (architectural direction), and when ascending, they are more likely to receive inspiration, enabling them to progress to the next level.]

[Specific Ability Effect 8: When your territory and its members go on military expeditions, they are more likely to recover architectural blueprints from enemy spoils. There is a small chance of obtaining special blueprints—such as race-specific, miraculous, cosmic megastructures, unique, or exclusive architectural designs.]

After reading it, Zhou Zhou nodded with satisfaction.

With this Lord's gift, Zhou Shiba, Zhou Shishi, and Zhou Wu would now build divine realms in the Crimson Great Universe, the Yellow Sky Great Universe, and the Supreme Great Universe at least ten times faster.

That was precisely why He had chosen to refine this—once nearly forgotten—Lord's ability.

Not for any other reason.

Only to further accelerate the pace of territory and realm upgrades.

At that very moment,

a message from Zhou Shiba and Zhou Shishi suddenly reached Zhou Zhou's mind.

Zhou Shiba: "The 20 mid-level Crimson Lord Realm states have been upgraded. Have the 10 mid-level Lord Realm territories in the Supreme Great Universe also been upgraded?"

"If so, you may proceed with further realm upgrades."

Zhou Shishi: "The 10 four-tier Supreme Realm factions, 10 lower Supreme Realms, and 3 mid-level Supreme Realms have all been conquered. If the rest is in order, your body may now upgrade as well."

"Wow, you two didn't coordinate it—came together on purpose, did you?"

Zhou Zhou exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course."

The two duplicates spoke in unison, then added: "Once our original form is upgraded, we'll immediately begin working on the next upgrade requirements."

"This Supreme Realm is so dull—let's rush straight into one capable of challenging Will Transcendence realms. I want to play."

That last statement was clearly from Zhou Shixi.

Zhou Zhou always sensed that this person had inherited more of his own aggressive nature—otherwise, why would he be pushing so urgently every day?

"Alright."

"Then I'll go upgrade first."

Zhou Zhou said with a smile.

Rising in rank is naturally a good thing.

Counting it up, this was three consecutive upgrades of territory rank and two of nation rank—all within a single day.

He had never encountered anything like this before.

One word—pure bliss!

He instantly teleported above the celestial realm of Jiaoyang, and with a single thought, chose to upgrade the nation first.

The next moment,

a textual prompt appeared.

[Notification: You have fulfilled all conditions for advancing the Jiaoyang Divine Nation to the fourth-tier Supreme Nation. Do you wish to elevate the Jiaoyang Divine Nation to the fourth-tier Supreme Nation?]

"Advance!"

Zhou Zhou said.

[Tip: You have one opportunity to change the location of the Holy Capital. Change or retain?]

"Retain!"

[Tip: Your choice has been confirmed!]

[Tip: Your vassal territory—the Third-Rank Supreme Dominion—Jiaoyang Holy State—is undergoing promotion…]

[Tip: Promotion successful!]

[Congratulations! Your Third-Rank Supreme Dominion vassal territory—Jiaoyang Holy State—has officially been elevated to a Fourth-Rank Supreme Dominion vassal territory—Jiaoyang Holy State!]

[Tip: You may display your Holy State's rank at any channel!]

Zhou Zhou nodded with satisfaction.

Then He opened the Holy State promotion interface.

[State Name: Jiaoyang Holy State]

[God Sovereign: Sovereign of Boasting Sun]

[God Nation Rank: Fourth-tier Supreme Nation]

[God Nation Flag: Stars Revering the Sun]

[God Legions: Boasting Sun Legion (Mid-tier Supreme Legion), Monster Legion (Mid-tier Supreme Legion), Dragon God Legion (Mid-tier Supreme Legion), Multinational Legion (Mid-tier Supreme Legion), Heavenly Map Legion (Mid-tier Supreme Legion), Homeland Defense Legion (Lower-tier Supreme Legion)]

[Requirements to Ascend to Lower-tier Supreme Nation: Territory rank upgraded to Lower-tier Supreme Territory, 10 Lower-tier Will Core Nuclei, Conquest of 20 Upper Sovereign Nation Lord Territories under the command of the Crimson Sovereigns (0/20), Conquest of 10 Upper Sovereign Nation Lord Territories not under the command of the Crimson Sovereigns (0/10), Conquest of 10 Lower-tier Supreme Nation forces from any vast cosmos (0/10), 10 million independent territorial regions, 100 million divine beings of the native race in worship, 2000 artifacts of any race (2000/2000), 1 million divine beings of the native race at Sovereign-level in worship (1 million/1 million), 1000 divine beings of the native race at Supreme God-level in worship (27,359/1000), the Lord's personal power level reaching Lower-tier Supreme Will Level!]

Zhou Zhou nodded slightly after reading it over.

Looking at these requirements, it seemed quite achievable—merely requiring some time, at most.

And the most time-consuming aspect, naturally, would be establishing nations within the Supreme Vast Cosmos and the Crimson Vast Cosmos.

"But I possess ample resources for nation-building, and I have the newly acquired 'Ultimate Cosmic Infrastructure Master,' a unique, tierless infrastructure-based divine talent exclusive to the Sovereign Lord."

"I believe it won't take long before I fulfill all these conditions and successfully upgrade my nation to a Lower-tier Supreme Nation once again."

Zhou Zhou thought it through in his heart.

Then He ceased further contemplation, and in an instant, the following vanished without a trace: 400 basic units of foundation materials, 10 lower-tier will source cores, 100 yao units of source crystals, 1 million units of chaotic divine treasures, and 10,000 units of ultimate void crystals.

A textual prompt appeared.

[Congratulations! Your lower-tier Supreme Holy Nation has successfully advanced to the mid-tier Supreme Holy Nation!]

[Your territory has successfully ascended to a mid-tier Supreme Territory!]

[Your lower-tier Supreme One-Mind Array has been upgraded to a mid-tier Supreme One-Mind Array.]

[Territory stone pillar durability has increased to: 500 yao / 500 yao!]

[Your territorial expanse has expanded to 1000 zhe km × 1000 zhe km × 10 billion meters!]

[All fog monsters within the newly added territorial expanse have been expelled!]

[The crimson fog will no longer appear within any of your territorial domains!]

[You have received an upgrade reward: The Box of Supreme Architectural Blueprints (Mid-level Supreme Will Rank)!]

[Lord's Talent Prompt: Your Crimson Nidus can now be upgraded!]

[Lord's Talent Prompt: Your Enigmatic Trading Fleet faction has been enhanced!]

[Lord's Talent Prompt: The divine officers of your Life Ark have grown stronger!]

After reading it through, Zhou Zhou nodded in satisfied approval.

Then He turned his gaze to the next requirements for territorial upgrades.

[Building Upgrade: 5,000 units of wood, 5,000 units of fine sand, 5,000 units of metal, 5,000 units of stone, 10 Supreme Will Core units, 1,000 yao units of source crystal, 10 million units of chaotic divine relics, 500,000 units of ultimate void crystals, subduing one hundred lower-tier Supreme Sovereign States, ten mid-tier Supreme Sovereign States, three upper-tier Supreme Sovereign States, possessing 500 lower-tier Supreme Will Realm warriors, 100 mid-tier Supreme Will Realm warriors, and 10 upper-tier Supreme Will Realm warriors!]

After reading it through, Zhou Zhou murmured in astonishment.

The requirements for upgrading to an upper-tier Supreme Territory were clearly far higher than before.

Especially those demands regarding subduing states and possessing powerful warriors—just hearing them sent a shiver down his spine.

"At this rate, there'll be no leveling up for the next three to five days."

"The requirements placed upon the strongest are simply beyond the imagination of any ordinary faction."

Zhou Zhou shook his head, lost in thought.

A staggering total of six hundred and ten Supreme Will realm powerhouses required!

Good heavens.

So this was the sheer magnitude of a High Supreme Kingdom?

Zhou Zhou clicked his tongue twice in amazement, then tossed these requirements over to Zhou Shiwu and Zhou Shiliu, eliciting a chorus of bizarre outeries from the two.