Seeing the four's attitude at this moment, Evan Chu felt quite gratified in his heart. In the face of absolute strength, the weak have no right to resist.
"You are smart enough to know how to protect yourselves. Since you are willing to submit to me, I naturally won't kill you any further. But there's one thing you must remember: if you act two-faced toward me, the only outcome will be death.
Coldshroud Imperial Palace is now masterless, so you four will jointly manage it. Also, I have another task for you: compile a list of all Ninth-Heaven Arch-Immortal and late-stage Immortal Lord experts in Coldshroud Imperial Palace. I need these people to join a special unit I'm forming.
The Immortal-Beast war may still be more than two hundred years away, but preparations must begin early. I also hope you'll recruit as many capable immortals as possible to expand the army—only then will they be useful when the time comes. This is the most basic duty for anyone in the Immortal Realm." Evan Chu said sternly.
"We will definitely carry out the Palace Lord's orders. Please rest assured!" the four replied in unison. Facing a powerhouse like Evan Chu, they had no qualification to resist.
"Very good. I hope you won't disappoint me. The Immortal-Beast war is no trivial matter—don't let your guard down." Evan Chu said.
"Palace Lord, there's one thing I don't understand. Please enlighten us—did you really kill Zane Zuo, the Palace Lord? If not, and he returns, we'll be doomed." one Immortal Emperor asked.
"Zane Zuo will not be coming back, so you can rest easy. Right now, all that's left of him is his Immortal Infant, which has already escaped into the Demonic Realm. So don't worry about him—just do what I asked." Evan Chu replied.
The four were even more shocked in their hearts. They knew Zane Zuo's strength very well, and for Evan Chu to destroy his body, leaving only his Immortal Infant, and to have easily killed two supreme elders whom even Zane Zuo deeply feared—Evan Chu's strength was truly terrifying to the extreme.
After glancing at the four and seeing their expressions change, Evan Chu said, "That's settled. Coldshroud Imperial Palace is now part of Frostbane Imperial Palace. For now, you don't need to pay taxes upward—all resources can be used for recruiting and expanding the army. If I find out you haven't followed my orders, your end will be the same as theirs."
"Of course we'll remember the Palace Lord's words. When the Immortal-Beast war comes, we'll deliver a powerful army for you. We just don't know what you plan to do with those Ninth-Heaven Arch-Immortal experts," one Immortal Emperor asked.
"Gather all those people and bring them to Frostbane Imperial Palace. You'll understand once they're here. Go make your preparations—I'm heading back now. If you run into trouble, come directly to Frostbane Imperial Palace and tell me. In the Immortal Realm, there's nothing I can't handle," Evan Chu said.
The four bowed to Evan Chu, then flew straight back to Coldshroud Imperial Palace. Evan Chu, too, flashed and teleported away, vanishing from the sky above Coldshroud Imperial Palace.
"I never expected Palace Lord Chu's strength to be this overwhelming. Looks like following him really is promising for our future," one Immortal Emperor said after returning to the main hall.
"That's right. As long as we complete Palace Lord Chu's tasks, I believe we'll have a good life ahead. Now Coldshroud Imperial Palace is our domain—no more worrying about Immortal Stones. This is a real opportunity, so let's treasure it," another Immortal Emperor said.
All four resolved to carry out Evan Chu's orders properly. Meanwhile, Evan Chu quickly caught up with Goldwing. The four Grand Elders on Goldwing's back were shocked to see him return so soon.
"Boss, are you alright? What happened to those two old guys?" Blazefire Immortal Lord asked.
"I killed them both. Only four early-stage Immortal Emperors are left to help with the recruiting. Even if someone is late-stage Immortal Emperor, if they oppose me, killing them is still easy," Evan Chu said.
Hearing this, the four Grand Elders felt a chill of fear. The Palace Lord's strength now truly made him the number one in the Immortal Realm; following someone like him could only mean limitless prospects.
"Let's head back and take care of what needs to be done. Now is the time for us to recuperate and make something happen," Evan Chu said.
After returning to Frostbane Imperial Palace, Evan Chu went straight to his room, while Blazefire Immortal Lord and the others spread out to different cities to relay Evan Chu's orders to each City Lord. Most of them expressed support.
Of course, a small number refused to comply, thinking the task was too difficult. For such people, execution was immediate. Frostbane Imperial Palace now has plenty of people—replacing a few dead City Lords is trivial.
Everything proceeded in tense but orderly fashion. Yvonne Xuan and the other women had already gone into seclusion, and Evan Chu didn't want to disturb them. After a few days, he came to the main hall, summoned the four Grand Elders and several Protectors, and said:
"I need to leave the palace for a while. Keep expanding the Immortal Realm's army. When Da Luo Golden Immortals and Ninth-Heaven Arch-Immortals arrive at the palace, just accommodate them properly. When I return, I'll conduct secret training."
"Palace Lord, how long will you be gone this time? With so many people, we're worried we can't handle it. What if someone refuses to obey and causes trouble?" Second Elder asked.
"Cause trouble? Anyone who stirs up trouble in Frostbane Imperial Palace will only meet one end—death. I trust you can handle killing Immortal Lords. Don't disappoint me," Evan Chu said.
After that, Evan Chu left Frostbane Imperial Palace with Goldwing and flew toward Nolan Nangong's Martial Spirit Dominion. He needed to descend to the lower realm to check on his women, and of course Gus Bullard and Zack Zhao.
During this period, Evan Chu made thorough preparations. He had gathered plenty of basic Immortal Realm cultivation techniques, and his storage ring was packed with low-grade Immortal Stones—more than could be counted, enough for them to cultivate, ascend, and thrive after reaching the Immortal Realm.
Arriving at Martial Spirit Dominion, Nolan Nangong immediately came out to greet him. "Little brother, you really made some big moves this time—your actions shocked me. I never thought you'd subjugate Coldshroud Imperial Palace outright, and even kill two supreme elders. That kind of decisiveness is something I can only admire from afar," Nolan said.
"It's nothing worth mentioning, old brother. I'm just recruiting and expanding the Immortal Realm's army—otherwise, fighting the Immortal Beasts later would be a huge headache," Evan Chu said.
"You might be able to fool others, but you can't fool me. This army is really meant for dealing with the Demonic Realm, isn't it? I didn't expect you'd start preparing so early—I'm honestly surprised," Nolan said.
"The older, the wiser—nothing gets past you, old brother. No one can say for sure about the barrier at the Immortal Realm entrance, so it's only right to prepare in advance. I plan to descend to the lower realm during this lull, so help me make the arrangements," Evan Chu said.
"No problem. Tomorrow I'll have the Grand Elder help you open the barrier to the lower realm. Tonight, let's just have a good drink together, brother!" Nolan Nangong laughed.