Is abbadon God? It would be more fun to participate then just spectate.

Even if the other empires don’t think Shang will become the next emperor, I’m suprised they haven’t sacrificed another mage king to kill him just to win the war.

Maybe an illusion ability?

The problem with promoting strong foreign cultivators into official miltary positions is you’re promoting strength and hard work into official positions instead of your current officials who got there because they’re loyalty to the dynasty. And 10 years down the line you’ll realize that your entire military has been taken over by foreigners who got there based on strength not loyalty to your dynasty. Good luck reclaiming that.