My Crazy Upgrade System

After everyone else had evacuated, Yi Tianyun continued with the coronation ceremony. Everything proceeded as planned, regardless of what the outside world was saying.

When Yi Tianyun placed the meticulously crafted crown on his head, it signified his coronation as emperor!

"From this moment on, the Celestial Cloud Mansion is officially the Celestial Cloud Empire, and I am the Celestial Cloud Emperor!" Yi Tianyun’s eyes glinted as he spoke in a cold voice. "I will lead everyone to a more glorious future! An Empire is not the limit, but a stepping stone to becoming an even stronger Divine Kingdom!"

"Greetings, Great Emperor!"

Everyone knelt on the ground and bowed deeply. However, only the Celestial Dragon Empire witnessed this; no one from the other empires was present. To Yi Tianyun, the opinions of outsiders were irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was his own people!

Whether others acknowledged him or not was of no consequence; the approval of his own people was what truly mattered.

"You may rise!" Yi Tianyun motioned for them to stand. One by one, they got to their feet, their eyes filled with reverence.

This level of loyalty, built over many years, was not something easily achieved. Even when Yi Tianyun did things that seemed reckless, they never chose to abandon him.

However, this was only part of the story. Many who were not as resolute had chosen to depart, along with some Cultivators who had originally planned to live here.

Provoking the World Dragon Empire, coupled with the fact that their loyalty was lukewarm at best, made their departure completely understandable.

All at once, the originally sizable population plummeted by more than half. Some cities were even completely deserted, their residents too afraid to stay. This situation also affected some Cultivators with only moderate loyalty. While they believed in Yi Tianyun to an extent, seeing so many others leave made them want to follow suit.

In any case, the situation had deteriorated to the point of collapse. Those who were going to leave had already gone. The ones who remained were the most loyal.

"DING! Quest ’Coronation as Great Emperor’ successfully completed. Rewards: 100,000,000 Experience Points, 500,000 Madness Value, 100,000 Sin Value!"

"DING! Final quest ’Become the First Empire’ has been accepted. Completion Reward: 2,000,000,000 Experience Points, 20,000,000 Madness Value, 2,000,000 Skill Level (can be allocated to any skill), 2,000,000 Sin Value, and the title ’I Am the Great Emperor’!"

’Now *this* is the real grand prize, the true quest completion. I never thought I’d have to become the First Empire to finish this task. It seems this quest demands that I become the absolute strongest; there’s no other way to complete it.’

’Initially, I thought establishing the Empire was just that—establishing an Empire. Who knew that after I finished, I’d find out I need to become the strongest? The previous steps were just a small mission, a little bait to lure me in. Now I see it was only one part of the whole task.’

’Still, this is great. It means I get several hundred million extra experience points. What’s not to like?’

’The First Empire, is it? It seems even the heavens can’t stand the sight of the World Dragon Empire...’ Yi Tianyun smirked. ’If I just overthrow the World Dragon Empire, won’t I become the First Empire then?’

’Two billion experience points, twenty million Madness Value, and two million Sin Value... The numbers are staggering. The reward is incredibly generous, but the twenty million Madness Value and two million Sin Value are what truly make my heart pound.’

After he became the Great Emperor, news of the event spread like wildfire. All the other empires learned what had happened, and they couldn’t help but shake their heads, certain that the Celestial Cloud Empire was doomed.

The World Dragon Empire had already issued a threat. Forcibly establishing an Empire in defiance of them would not end well. Just as they had foreseen the Celestial Cloud Empire’s founding, they could now see its impending doom.

Everyone was watching from the sidelines, ready for a good show. No one believed the Celestial Cloud Empire could possibly defeat the World Dragon Empire. The foundation of an Empire with Five Kings was not something any ordinary power could hope to match.

And that was only their strength on the surface. Heaven only knew what their internal situation was like. What the public knew was one thing; their true power was another entirely.

"A mere fledgling Empire dares to defy our command!" With a roar of fury, Emperor Shilong slammed his fist on the table. The sturdy furniture instantly shattered into dust.

The ministers below trembled, none of them wishing to be the target of the Great Emperor’s wrath.

"Emperor Shilong, newly minted Great Emperors are always brazen. He not only killed our people, he even dared to destroy Lord Ming Chen’s clone! He’s only this arrogant because he knows our Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom can’t ascend to this realm. If he dared to come down to us, we would have torn him limb from limb long ago!"

An elderly man with a sinister aura sat at the side, his gaze icy. His cultivation wasn’t high—only at the Void Spirit Realm—yet he sat as if he were Emperor Shilong’s equal.

Without a doubt, this elder was an expert dispatched by the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom. Unable to deal with Yi Tianyun themselves, they had no choice but to seek help from the most powerful empire, the World Dragon Empire.

However, their intelligence was woefully out of date. They had yet to discover that Yi Tianyun had previously made a trip to their realm; this was the advantage of his disguise. No matter how much chaos he had caused or how many Cultivators he had killed, they were completely unaware. They still believed Yi Tianyun was confined to the Mortal Realm, their information hopelessly obsolete.

"I wonder what power is backing him to give him such nerve. To say he single-handedly slaughtered all the Great Emperors of four empires... I refuse to believe it. He must have had help!" Emperor Shilong’s eyes were filled with skepticism.

"Whatever help he may have, I’m certain he will be unable to make a single ripple before Emperor Shilong!" The elder said with a slight smile. "As long as Emperor Shilong can eradicate the Celestial Cloud Empire, our Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom will make you three promises. First, a Divine Artifact, delivered with our own hands. Second, should any of your disciples descend to the Netherworld, they will be given absolute priority and be carefully nurtured! And third, we will form an alliance with you. I trust you’ll agree this is a favorable deal."

Emperor Shilong’s eyes flickered. This was precisely why he was entertaining the offer. The benefits were substantial—a Divine Artifact, plus an alliance with the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom! An alliance with a Divine Kingdom was, of course, an excellent opportunity.

Especially to deal with a mere third-rank power, how could the World Dragon Empire refuse? It was perfectly normal to crush a minor power for one’s own gain.

"I have one question," Emperor Shilong inquired. "Why do you want the lands of the Netherworld Continent and the Celestial Realm Continent so badly?"

"That is not something Emperor Shilong needs to concern himself with. You need only help us conquer the territory," the elder replied with a faint smile, revealing nothing.

A cold glint flashed in the depths of Emperor Shilong’s eyes, but he didn’t let it show. He simply smiled faintly and said, "No problem. A trivial little empire can be flattened in an instant! I’ve made so many empires bow their heads in submission, and the Celestial Cloud Empire will be no exception... If they refuse to obey, then death is their only path!"

"No, Emperor Shilong," the elder said in a cold voice. "I don’t need their submission. I want them annihilated."

Emperor Shilong was taken aback for a moment, but then he nodded. "Very well!"