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Chapter 116: Chapter 113 Heavenly Monarch
Gu Jinlai ultimately decided to keep Jiang Chongshan.
Despite being a hot potato, his years of diligently staying behind closed doors in Star State and devotedly cultivating showed that he was a very conscientious person.
This conscientiousness was not only manifested in cultivation but also in his behavior.
He had no contact with local powers and voluntarily acted as a law-abiding prince to avoid arousing the suspicions of the current Emperor Qian, sparing the country the waste of precious public resources on him.
This was especially true given Daqian’s increasingly weak control over local affairs.
Similarly, it was the realization of this growing weakness that compelled him, as a member of the Imperial Family, to step forward.
He did not aspire to replace Emperor Qian to quell chaos and reunite the country, but only to contribute his own strength to the task of hunting devils, living up to the name of the Jiang Family’s offspring.
If...
he truly could be as conscientious and self-sufficient as he appeared, avoiding trouble, then Gu Jinlai wouldn’t mind having an additional Refining God Peak fighter.
After all, he had too few capable people under his command at the moment.
...
The Demon Path had ten major sects.
The Ten Major Sects could almost represent all the forces standing opposite Daqian.
However, among these ten demon sects, the Heavenly Demon Holy Temple had been breached and split into three, operating in Sun State, Cheng Province, and Green State Province, leaving the other seven; Xuzhen Tower had no fixed abode and did not occupy any territory.
Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, Cold Moon Sect, Demon God Temple, Purple Night Sword Sect, Earth Divine Sect were located in the south and north of Daqian.
Most of them were in the political heartland of the north.
The south was home only to Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect.
At this moment, within the Earth Immortal Temple, or rather the Earth Demon Holy Temple, figures emitting terrifying auras were engaged in ongoing communication.
"In recent years, the Daqian Imperial Family has been plagued with internal and external troubles. The Sanqing Holy Land, with its following of dragons and control over millions of daoists, who pay no grain and no taxes, has become a major concern for Daqian. The alliance between the two has been foretold to doom. Our Ten Great Demon Sects, after decades of recovery of Primordial Energy, have also seen a surge in power, even surpassing the Six Immortal Sects. The reason we are still being suppressed is that we are disunited, leaderless."
A deep voice echoed among the crowd.
Every cause needs a shepherd, someone with absolute ability and charisma to oversee everything.
In the past, the Ten Demonic Sects followed the Heavenly Demon Holy Temple, while the Six Immortal Sects respected the Sanqing Holy Land as their leader.
But now...
The Heavenly Demon Holy Temple had been broken, and although there were remnants left claiming the legitimate lineage of Tian Ji, with barely a few cats and dogs in the sect, how could they convince the masses?
The Ten Great Demon Sects had long been fighting each other, even to the point of mutual attacks.
Like the Netherworld Sect...
Just half a month ago, Venerable Daoist Lu Zhanxian of the Purgatory Sect and Venerable Daoist You Quan of the Netherworld Sect discussed the dao on Jueyun Peak. Although they refrained from a life-and-death struggle out of fear of mutual destruction and the benefit of the third party, there were no shortage of probing battles.
As for the true disciples below Refining God...
They fought even more fiercely, with constant bloodshed and slaughter.
"Lord Di Luo,"
At this moment, another voice rose: "You were originally the elder brother of Emperor Tianji, we trust you and are willing to follow your will unswervingly. Please give us your command on what to do."
Di Luo!
The number one person in the Demon Path after the fall of Emperor Tianji.
Also, one of the top ten experts of Qiantian.
"If possible, I would of course hope to lead the Daoist lineages of the ten sects, to integrate the forces of the world, seize the opportunity, and take charge of the land’s Lucky Qi. In doing so, whether you aim to become Devas or achieve sainthood, it will all be within reach. Even the so-called Half-step Immortals like the Earth Immortals are not beyond ambition."
Di Luo’s voice reverberated in the hall: "But, we need a title, a name that is rightful and convincing, one that the ten sects can approve of, and that the people can believe in!"
"A name that the ten sects can approve of, one that the people can believe in..."
An elder with a profound aura, as if suddenly struck by a thought, exclaimed: "The Sky Extreme Sword!?"
"Indeed, the Sky Extreme Sword!"
Di Luo’s eyes sparkled: "As the number one Divine Weapon of the Demon Path... No, it should be the number one Divine Weapon of Qiantian. Its formidable power is beyond doubt. Back in the day, my brother Tian Ji, by comprehending the mysteries of this sword, used its swordsmanship to withstand the siege of the four Earth Immortals including Wushi, Abyss Lord, Tai A, and Xu Wu. He killed two of them and severely injured two, and now the Sky Extreme Sword has re-emerged, and it just so happens to fall into the hands of my junior brother, Wu Tiandi."
Di Luo’s junior brother...
He was from the Human Immortal Hall, which split off after the Heavenly Demon Holy Temple divided into three.
Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal; all terms that refer to the realm just one step away from True Immortal.
This signifies the realm of ascending from mortal to immortal, with the aspiration for everlasting life, and it carries the hopes and expectations of countless cultivators.
"The Sky Extreme Sword, a peerless Divine Weapon, the Supreme Immortal Sword, has a spirit so strong, it chooses its own master. I have established contact with my junior brother. One year from now, on Canglang Mountain along the middle section of Tianhe, we will hold the Divine Sword Assembly and offer up the Sky Extreme Divine Sword!"
Di Luo’s voice rose with decisive resolve: "Any member of the Ten Demonic Sects may test the sharpness of the Sky Extreme Sword Blade. Anyone, no matter who, as long as they gain the recognition of the Sky Extreme Sword and become its master, will be the new leader of our Demon Path. Henceforth, all ten sects will follow his will."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire place was astir.
"Whoever gains the recognition of the Sky Extreme Sword can become the leader of the Demon Path!?"
"Can anyone go and attempt it?"
"This... the Hall Master has great courage! If someone who is not from our Earth Immortal Hall gets recognized by the Sky Extreme Sword, do we also have to obey his orders?"
Various discussions and questions arose non-stop.
"Indeed, no matter who it is, as long as they become the Sky Extreme Sword Master, they will be the new Demon Lord of the Ten Demonic Sects. All experts from the Earth Immortal Temple and the Human Immortal Hall, including myself, will heed their command!"
Di Luo spoke with unwavering certainty.
These earth-shattering words sent a chill through everyone present.
Di Luo...
This was one of the top ten experts in the world.
Besides Master Wushi, who has not been seen since that battle decades ago and is rumored to still be alive, who could confidently claim victory over him?
The current number one expert of the Sanqing Holy Land, who is also considered the number one expert of the Righteous Sect, Wu Zhong?
Tai Yuan, the Daqian Imperial Advisor, hailed as the foremost individual in the world?
Without having fought them, no one could be sure.
Even calling himself the second person under Qiantian skies would not be too much.
Furthermore, many people speculate that Master Wushi of the Sanqing Holy Land was gravely injured and died in that battle years ago. The Sanqing Holy Land has always denied this to avoid instability within the Sect that could lead to the Daqian Royal Family hiding their motives, hence the persistent denial.
If this news is true...
Di Luo could completely claim to be the first in Qiantian!
"I have convinced my junior brother. Now, you all must spread this message. I want every Sect within the Ten Demonic Sects to receive this news. In one year, our ten major Sects will surely be able to rise amidst the chaos and assert the truth, genuinely claiming our place in this world."
Di Luo’s grand voice echoed without end.
The demonic experts felt their blood boil upon hearing this.
"Yes."
"We will follow the Hall Master’s orders with utmost diligence!"
"I will spread the news to everyone immediately..."
At this time, someone expressed, "Hall Master, when we all gather, I fear that Emperor Qian and powers like the Sanqing Holy Land might collaborate again and capture us all at once..."
"The Sanqing Holy Land sits atop a billion Daoists and holds great power with their achievements, having reached the pinnacle of conflict with Daqian. They will certainly find it difficult to ally once more. Besides... I have chosen the Canglang Mountain in the middle of Tianhe for a reason... If they indeed come, not to mention whether they can cope with us, external pressures will only unify everyone even more. By then, when the Sky Extreme Sword Master makes a call to arms... the great cause will be accomplished!"
It was clear that Di Luo had considered everything thoroughly.
Upon hearing his words, the crowd no longer had any doubts. They hurried in all directions to spread the message.
...
The grand movements of the Earth Immortal Temple filled the north of Tianhe. Due to the separation by Tianhe, Gu Jinlai, who was in the south, did not receive the news immediately.
At this moment, he looked at the frantic Zhou Mingshi with some astonishment.
"Heavenly Monarch! Heavenly Monarch! To think that after forty years, I would actually see the birth of a new Heavenly Monarch! Gu Star Master... Heavenly Monarch Gu, you are the hope of our Heavenly Master Lineage!"
Zhou Mingshi said respectfully to Gu Jinlai, bowing in reverence.
The manner...
Was akin to worshipping a deity.
The cause...
Was merely Gu Jinlai’s plan to personally teach Zhou Mingshi how to imbue a "Thunder" Gatling Gun with spirit.
Having interacted with Zhou Mingshi for half a year, he had some understanding of him.
This...
Was a somewhat reclusive Heavenly Master who liked to research new things and was grateful for kindness shown to him.
That was why he offered Zhou Mingshi the chance to work with the "Thunder" Gatling Gun.
He just hadn’t expected his demonstration of True Spirit Possession to ignite such a fervent passion in Zhou Mingshi.
"Forty years?"
Gu Jinlai listened to Zhou Mingshi’s words, "Are you saying... it has been forty years since a new Heavenly Monarch was born?"
"The Heavenly Monarch is the ultimate goal that all Heavenly Masters strive for in their lifetimes. With the appearance of a True Spirit, one can transform ordinary iron into a Spiritual Artifact, how mysterious is that? However, the cultivation of a Heavenly Master involves a process of losing one’s essence during Qi Refining and Divinity Transformation."
Zhou Mingshi’s eyes were somewhat dreamy, "In the past, Heavenly Masters used to hunt Demon Spirits, then extract their spiritual nature to craft Spiritual Artifacts, earning a substantial income. This allowed them to afford various spiritual pills to replenish Essence and extend life. This is how the Heavenly Monarch lineage has been maintained. But now... as soon as Demon Spirits appear, they immediately merge with Fierce Beasts. The efficiency of our Spiritual Artifact crafting has drastically declined. Without Spiritual Artifacts, we can’t exchange for resources. Moreover, with the rise of cultivators, and the hunting of devils and demons... the situation for Heavenly Masters is becoming more difficult every day..."
As Gu Jinlai listened, he couldn’t help but ponder.
Zhou Mingshi looked at Gu Jinlai, especially his robust form and the faintly raging Qi Blood Power within, and found himself involuntarily swallowing.
He really wanted to ask if Gu Jinlai had found a new path for Heavenly Masters.
Only...
Such a secretive and precious lineage made him fear that asking might get him killed to silence, so he forcibly suppressed this burning desire.
"Since Heavenly Monarchs are so rare, do you think..."
Gu Jinlai looked at Zhou Mingshi, "If I spread the news of my ascension to Heavenly Monarch, could it attract many Heavenly Masters to serve?"
Zhou Mingshi was stunned, then affirmed with conviction, "It can! It most definitely can!"
After speaking, he immediately added, "If Heavenly Monarch Gu is also willing to take time out of his busy schedule to provide guidance to Heavenly Masters, it will only take a few years for Lingxiao City to become the Heavenly Master’s Holy Land!"
