You're Dreaming Too Big—Are You Even Worthy of Being My Slaves?

As the mechanical chime sounded, Old Patriarch Mu froze, a look of bafflement flashing in his eyes. The Eyes of the Sky were rarely activated, but simulated drills were conducted almost like clockwork. Even the robots executing the subroutines could not tell whether it was a drill or real combat. Every drill had proceeded in an orderly fashion; a situation like this had never occurred before. *Command execution failed.* *Unknown error encountered.* "What unknown error? Initiate self-diagnostic!" Old Patriarch Mu blurted out. He made no attempt to conceal his voice, and it fell right into the ears of the Seventh Prince, Gongyi Cai, and the others. The Seventh Prince's eyes showed astonishment, seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening. Gongyi Cai was taken aback. He, too, had run drills for the Eye of the Sky activation sequence. An unknown error... this was a problem virtually impossible to encounter. The Eye of the Sky operated on an isolated architecture, disconnected from any external networks, and ran continuous self-diagnostics every second. Furthermore, the robots stationed on an Eye of the Sky were of the latest generation, with error rates far lower than humans'. Most importantly, the Eyes of the Sky resided high in the celestial expanse, like ramparts in the heavens. Aside from another Eye of the Sky, no weapon in this world could affect one. After all, an Eye of the Sky was a war bastion bristling on the exterior with almost all the most cutting-edge weaponry known to man. Yet... an unknown error had occurred. And... it appeared to be happening not just to one Eye of the Sky, but across all of them simultaneously—a concept bordering on unthinkable. Gongyi Cai could not begin to imagine what had gone wrong. "Initiating self-diagnostic... Beep... Eye of the Sky under unknown attack. Entering Level 1 Alert. Engaging defensive measures..." At the electronic prompt, Old Patriarch Mu's face drained of color. The Eyes of the Sky had actually come under attack! Level 1 Alert was the highest alert status. This indicated the attack was so severe that... the Eye of the Sky might be incapable of repelling it. "Who is it? Ancient Witch, Can Star, or another of the Seven Martial Stars families?!" Old Patriarch Mu's hawk-like gaze snapped onto the Seventh Prince. Only another Eye of the Sky could inflict such a crisis upon an Eye of the Sky in so short a time. Naturally, Old Patriarch Mu suspected that the royal family had colluded with the other Seven Martial Stars families to strike against him. "Activate the Starry Sky Net! Let me see what in the world is happening!" With the Eyes of the Sky under assault and locked in defensive mode, they could not transmit real-time video feeds. Old Patriarch Mu had no choice but to activate the Starry Sky Net. The Starry Sky Net was somewhat analogous to satellites on Blue Star; suspended high in outer space, it could capture images and video footage. In an instant, following Old Patriarch Mu's command, holographic projections materialized in midair across the hall before everyone's eyes. The first image to come into view was none other than Eye of the Sky Mu-01. In the cold, desolate expanse of space, a colossal war bastion hung solitary against the void. Within this steel colossus, one could faintly make out countless bizarrely shaped mechanical vehicles traversing paths and various conveyor belts in motion. Densely packed robots patrolled like ants. Retracted gun barrels sat cold and unyielding. A war fortress of such scale evoked an impression of pure sci-fi, immense proportions, and heavy industrial power. The steel fortress functioned in methodical order, resembling a deep-space beast lying in wait for the moment to bare its fangs. Suddenly, a flash of light seemed to sweep past. *Bang!* This was not a sound, but an impact. The massive steel behemoth suddenly brightened, as if illuminated by a brilliant floodlight. In the next breath, the dense swarms of robots upon the steel beast disintegrated into fragments. The terrifying steel rampart collapsed as fragilely as building blocks, its main chassis breaking apart. The seamless steel construct shattered into pieces, an image straight out of a science fiction movie. Yet this was reality. An Eye of the Sky, which would have emerged unscathed even against the most powerful missiles, had suffered over eighty percent damage to its main structure in just an instant. What in the world was that light? Who on earth... could damage an Eye of the Sky? The Mu family members in the hall stared at the shattered Eye of the Sky, utter incomprehension in their eyes. Old Patriarch Mu's face was livid with rage. "Who is it? Who the hell is it?! I'll make them pay for this!" To repair this single Eye of the Sky would take decades at the very least. Right then, however, a voice drifted eerily through the projection into everyone's ears. It defied all scientific laws. "These Eyes of the Sky really are quite something. A single breath actually couldn't blow it entirely to dust. "Husband, hold me tighter... Your servant needs to free one hand." The slightly coquettish voice echoed in the ears of everyone present. The Mu family disciples all paled. If what the voice said was true, she had blown down an Eye of the Sky fortress... with a single breath? What kind of incomprehensible, titanic power was that?! Yet before they could ponder any further, an even more terrifying scene appeared. In the fathomless depths of space, a radiant glow flared, ten times—a hundred times—more brilliant than before. Vast as an ocean, the light resembled divine might, something mortals could never fathom or describe. Witnessing this ocean-like majesty, everyone in the hall instinctively felt the urge to prostrate themselves in worship. Beneath that divine might, the terrifying behemoth of an Eye of the Sky shattered and turned to ashes like a ladybug struck by an orbital weapon. It was as though a grand spectacle of fireworks had been ignited in space, unimaginably resplendent. Across Qinyuan, many people gazing up into the night sky caught sight of the fireworks in the heavens. Simultaneously, the alerts rang out: "Warning: Connection to Eye of the Sky Mu-01 lost." "Warning: Connection to Eye of the Sky Mu-02 lost." ... "Warning: Connection to Eye of the Sky Mu-13 lost." Chime after chime echoed through the hall. The Mu family disciples stood frozen in sheer horror, their souls nearly leaving their bodies. "How is this possible?!" "Thirteen Eyes of the Sky... obliterated in a single breath?!" "I don't believe it!" "It has to be a false alarm! A false alarm, that's it!" Blood rushed to the eyes of the Mu family disciples; they could not accept this reality. The arrogance and overweening pride that once filled their eyes were wiped away clean. The destruction of thirteen Eyes of the Sky—what did that mean? Everyone present understood all too well. It meant the Mu family's privileges would vanish entirely. It was precisely because they held thirteen Eyes of the Sky that the Mu family ranked undeniably among the top three families in Qinyuan Kingdom. Now that the Eyes of the Sky were destroyed, everything was... gone. None of the Mu family disciples had ever imagined what life would be like without the Eyes of the Sky. For their might was so absolute that even gods would tremble before them. And yet, thirteen Eyes of the Sky were now gone. "Gone... All gone..." Old Patriarch Mu croaked, his vitality and spirit dissipating completely as his posture hunched over in an instant. The Eyes of the Sky were everything. The royal family had been reduced to mere figureheads after losing their Eyes of the Sky. The Mu family could not fathom the kind of tempest that awaited them. "The Mu family will end at my hands... I am a sinner... Wuwu..." All his former arrogance had deserted him. Looking like a frail candle flickering in the wind, the old man seemed to have aged twenty years in a heartbeat. In his twilight years, he actually burst into tears. The patriarch presiding over the Mu family, one of the most powerful men in Qinyuan Kingdom... when all was said and done, wasn't he just an ordinary mortal? After all, without cultivation talent, the differences between individuals on Arch Star were not all that vast. The greatest gap lay merely in where they started. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been cases where a single small town produced an entire cohort of founding generals and renowned ministers. Right then, a playful voice reached everyone's ears. The hearts of the Mu family disciples seized up. The voice was identical to the one that had just echoed through the Starry Sky Net. "Husband, whom should we kill?" Along with the voice, everyone felt a breeze sweep through the hall. There, standing in the center of the hall, was a young couple, appearing like a pair made in heaven. "It was her... she destroyed the Eyes of the Sky!" "How could they get here so fast?!" "Ah..." Panic erupted among the Mu family disciples, their legs quaking uncontrollably. In the outside world, their influence knew no bounds; a casual remark from them could sway a region's economy or decide a provincial official's appointment. Yet at this moment, they felt utterly feeble and puny. The Seventh Prince's gaze swept over the young woman. Although her beauty was breathtaking, like a banished immortal descended into the mortal coil, he dared not look too long. His eyes shifted to the young man's face. Recognizing the familiar visage, pleasant surprise flooded his expression. "Mr.... Mr. Qi, I am the Seventh Prince!" His voice trembled slightly. Indeed... the one who annihilated the thirteen Eyes of the Sky was Mr. Qi's... companion. Mr. Qi had traveled to the Imperial Capital intending to settle scores with the Mu family. Upon receiving Wang Wenmin's phone call, the Seventh Prince had acted immediately. To invest in Qi Yuan meant shielding him and helping him clear away the obstacle of the Eyes of the Sky. He hadn't anticipated that upon arriving at the Mu family, he would be subjected to such humiliation. The Mu family had shown no regard for his royal status. He had felt thoroughly defeated, assuming his plan was ruined. He never imagined destiny would play such an astounding joke on him. Mr. Qi... had wiped out all the Eyes of the Sky virtually single-handedly. What did that even signify? It was beyond imagination, beyond comprehension. Didn't that mean if Mr. Qi wished it, the remaining Eyes of the Sky in the heavens could be destroyed at any moment? Wouldn't that make Qi Yuan the true uncrowned king of Qinyuan Kingdom—no, of the entire Arch Star? "Oh, a prince? Quite rare. In all my years, I've seen plenty of princesses, but princes not so many," Qi Yuan greeted him casually. After greeting him, Qi Yuan's gaze swept across the hall, his brows knitting tightly. "Fear? Killing intent? Hatred?... Hmm, I think all these people should be killed. Not a single one is innocent," Qi Yuan said offhandedly. With a single sentence, he sealed the fate of the three hundred Mu family descendants in the room. The Mu family members turned pale, their gazes locking onto Qi Yuan in pure terror. Where was their lofty bearing now? They looked like dead dogs. "Ah... Mr. Qi, the Mu family targeting you had nothing to do with me!" "Mr. Qi, spare my miserable life! I have money, I have wealth, I have women—I can give them all to you!" a middle-aged man cried out in a panic. Without the Eyes of the Sky, they had no power to resist a cultivator of Qi Yuan's caliber. Standing before Qi Yuan, they were as helpless as common folk standing before them. After all, this was a ruthless being capable of obliterating the Eyes of the Sky, a terrifying existence elevated above the gods. How could the Mu family have provoked such a person? Their pride, dignity, and arrogance were completely wiped out. At that moment, a chill flashed through Ning Tao's eyes beside him. "Offering women to bribe my husband? You deserve to die!" At her words, the middle-aged man stiffened and collapsed limply to the floor. His breath ceased instantly; he had dropped dead on the spot. The room fell dead silent. The Mu family disciples dared not utter a single word, staring at Qi Yuan as though he were a demon god. Right then, a heavy thud echoed. The formerly arrogant Old Patriarch Mu fell to his knees, his cloudy eyes dull as ash. "Offending Mr. Qi is entirely the fault of me, Mu Wangshan. "This monstrous crime warrants my taking my own life in apology. "I beg Mr. Qi to consider how difficult it has been for the Mu family's heritage to endure, and leave... some lineage for my Mu family. "The entire Mu family is willing to become your servant clan!" Old Patriarch Mu was also a ruthless man. With the Eyes of the Sky destroyed, he knew the Mu family's ruin was only a matter of time. Not only would Qi Yuan refuse to spare them, but their past enemies would not let them off either. They had virtually no hope of turning the tables. Their sole chance lay in securing Qi Yuan's forgiveness. Thus, steeling his heart, he offered the Mu family's millennia of accumulated wealth as an apology gift to Qi Yuan in exchange for a glimmer of survival. After all, the millennia-long accumulation of a great family was a titanic fortune; anyone would be tempted. Hearing Old Patriarch Mu's words, Gongyi Cai's breathing turned rapid. The Seventh Prince's eyes grew complicated as well. Offering the entire Mu family as a servant clan—Old Patriarch Mu was indeed an old fox. Hardly anyone in this world could turn down such a colossal tribute. "No, Grandfather! Our Mu family has endured for three thousand years, standing as an aristocratic clan for a thousand of them! How could we become a servant clan?!" A young Mu family member stepped forward, tears streaming down his face, clearly unable to accept this reality. As a true member of the ruling aristocracy, he possessed the pride inherent to highborn scions. Millennia of heritage would not permit him to bend his knee and serve as a slave. Immediately, another Mu family disciple spoke up: "I'd rather die than be a slave!" This sentiment resonated with many. They could hardly imagine what kind of humiliation awaited them as a servant clan. Yet most of the Mu family disciples present were secretly tempted. At this juncture, just staying alive was a blessing; how could they afford to care about pride? "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're dreaming too big," Qi Yuan remarked, disdain flickering in his eyes. "A bunch of debauched, good-for-nothing trash like you—are you even worthy of being my slaves? "Wouldn't that make me lose all face?" Qi Yuan naturally looked down on the Mu family. Their wealth, foundation, and heritage were completely beneath his notice. To him, their value was less than a good joke that made him laugh. These NPCs were truly hilarious, daydreaming like that. "So... let's just kill them all. Wouldn't want to let them off easy by letting them keep dreaming," Qi Yuan said calmly. Astonishment flashed through Old Patriarch Mu's eyes. Qi Yuan's response was completely beyond his expectations. How could anyone refuse the millennia of accumulated wealth of the Mu family? Yet before he could think further, his consciousness froze. In that instant, the two hundred-plus Mu family descendants in the hall all collapsed as corpses. The Seventh Prince's mind was reeling, terror welling up from the depths of his heart. Gongyi Cai trembled violently, too scared to make the slightest move. "Ah, so much quieter this way. Having them chatter in my ear all day would be far too noisy," Qi Yuan said blithely. Killing over two hundred high-and-mighty aristocrats was as casual to him as crushing ants. "Oh, right. If I remember correctly, there should still be at least several thousand more in the Mu family? Or tens of thousands? Should we... wipe them all out?" Qi Yuan murmured to himself, looking at Ning Tao. "If Husband wishes to kill them, your servant can cast a spell right now. Anyone in this world carrying Mu blood will perish instantly," Ning Tao answered earnestly. In her world, Qi Yuan was everything. Whatever Qi Yuan commanded, she would carry out. As these words reached the ears of the Seventh Prince and Gongyi Cai, their faces drained of color. Such a horrific spell... was too terrifying! And this woman's heart... was utterly frightening. If that spell were cast, those who died wouldn't just be in the tens of thousands—it could easily be in the millions. "No, if I did that, wouldn't I become a bloodthirsty maniac? I'm not someone who slaughters the innocent indiscriminately," Qi Yuan demurred. He was a good person; he never slaughtered the innocent, exterminated entire clans, or imposed guilt by association. "I've got it! Why don't we hold... a referendum!" A smug grin spread across Qi Yuan's face as a satisfying solution came to mind.