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Chapter 251: Chapter 248 Emperor Daqian
"The demons of Mu State."
Red State, Purgatory Sect.
In a refined and elegant courtyard, Liu Jingtiao looked at the intelligence report in his hands, "When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Our Purgatory Sect must lend a hand. Once the demons of Mu State break through the Cold Moon Sect, the next step will be Star State. And if the demons of Tianhe also breach Yellow State, the two forces will join and become unstoppable. By then, we will be powerless to resist the demons’ sharpness, and everything south of Tianhe will fall."
"I agree with Venerable Daoist Liu’s view this time. Support is definitely necessary. This kind of righteousness, where we put aside our prejudices for the sake of combating demons, will greatly help to improve the image of our Purgatory Sect in the Demon Path. However, the extent of the support requires careful consideration," spoke Zhang Liefeng. "I suggest that one Supreme Elder, three Divinity Transformation, and twenty Refining God Immortals should go. A smaller number is easier to maneuver, and if the situation changes, these people could break through successfully and retreat to Red State."
"Agreed."
Lu Zhanxian nodded slightly, his gaze turning to Liu Jingtiao, "Then, we’ll entrust Venerable Daoist Liu with this task."
"It’s not that I cannot go," Liu Jingtiao said as he looked at the two Supreme Elders. "But Lingxiao City is also at war with the demons of Tianhe..."
"However, Lingxiao City has not asked us for help, which suggests they are capable of holding off the Tianhe demons," said Zhang Liefeng.
Venerable Daoist Lu also spoke, "If Star State truly faces a crisis and seeks help from our Purgatory Sect, I will personally take action and will not stand by idly."
Liu Jingtiao understood the intention of the Supreme Elders.
They wanted Lingxiao City to yield to the Purgatory Sect.
Add to that Lu Zhanxian’s personal involvement, the relationship between both parties could at least return to the honeymoon phase before their conflict with Dragon Sparrow Manor erupted.
Liu Jingtiao glanced at Lu Zhanxian.
Ultimately, it was Venerable Daoist Lu’s desire to control the Purgatory Sect that drove him, unwilling to share its power with anyone.
But Liu Jingtiao knew he couldn’t do anything about it.
Who made him a Peak Monarch?
The Purgatory Sect indeed relied on Lu Zhanxian, one of the ten great masters of the Demon Path.
"I understand," Liu Jingtiao didn’t say much more, simply nodding, "I’ll take people to reinforce the Cold Moon Sect right away."
...
As the Purgatory Sect set out to provide aid, the Netherworld Sect did not turn a blind eye either.
After all, this was a golden opportunity to earn fame.
If the Cold Moon Sect couldn’t hold back any longer, this favor would mean they could draw in many experts to strengthen their own forces during the sect’s mass retreat.
As the situation to the south of Tianhe grew more severe, their calls for help reached the Central State Imperial City.
...
Imperial Capital,
the heart of Central State,
or rather, the heart of the entire Qiantian realm.
This place harbored all the billionaires and nobles of the Qiantian world, an immeasurable number of high-ranking officials and officers.
A brick thrown here might hit three Qi Refinements, two County Masters.
It might still be some way from a world where Hugging Pills are as common as stray dogs, and Gang Condensation wanderers abound, but the number of individuals in the Qi Refining Realm in the Imperial Capital had certainly surpassed one percent.
It was a force that, if aimed directly at Tianhe, had the terrifying capability to drive the Tianhe demons to extinction.
This was also the reason why, despite having marshaled significant forces, the demons only dared to cause trouble locally and refrained from a full-blown outbreak.
In this city, the most central location was a tower in the city center standing three hundred meters tall, radiating brilliant light.
The tower had various names, but the common folk had only one term for it—the Emperor Tower!
The tower where Emperor Jiang Tianji resided.
As people gazed at the Emperor Tower, witnessing the surge of bright light at its pinnacle, it seemed to give them a sense that the Emperor was with them. Thus, no matter the turmoil outside or if a state fell to demons or sects declared independence, it failed to disturb the divine sense of the Imperial Capital’s citizens.
At that moment, at the top of the tower, in a circular Dao Artifact measuring over ten meters in diameter, Jiang Tianji was suspended in the middle of the artifact.
Surrounding him, countless streams of light converged upon his body constantly.
If Gu Jinlai were here, he would recognize this as Lucky Qi.
It was as if the entire Central State’s Lucky Qi was converging on him.
This influx of Lucky Qi filled the relatively young Emperor with a majestic and profound pressure.
This pressure surpassed that of ordinary Devas and had reached the pinnacle of this realm’s tier.
The only surprising aspect was that this pressure seemed stitched together like a patchwork creature, containing various remnants of reluctance and thoughts, making it difficult to unify.
Fortunately, as time passed, the spherical Dao Artifact emitted clear and dazzling light, constantly purging Jiang Tianji’s body.
During this process, he guarded his Divine Sense as the Light cut, dissolved, and purified the lingering stray thoughts, obliterating them completely.
After more than an hour, the light dispersed, and Jiang Tianji’s figure descended, concluding his cultivation.
As soon as he finished cultivating, attendants quickly prepared a change of clothing for him and helped him clean up.
Exiting the room, an elderly servant hurriedly presented a Jade Scroll to Jiang Tianji.
This scroll prompted Jiang Tianji to pause, "What is this?"
The servant trembled, kneeling on the ground, holding up the Jade Scroll, "This... This contains the memories Your Majesty left before your cultivation session this month..."
"Memories before cultivation..."
Jiang Tianji was taken aback then took the Jade Scroll, soon probing into it.
Half an hour later, the "sluggish" and "confused" sensations gradually faded from him, and his eyes once again became sharp and commanding, befitting his status as the lord of all he surveyed.
"Zhou Banban, get up."
Jiang Tianji called out.
"Your Majesty... You should slow down a bit..."
This old servant, Zhou Ji, knelt down and pleaded.
"Slow down..."
Jiang Tianji knew what he meant.
The way of Lucky Qi could enable cultivators to rapidly achieve the level of Devas and further cast Immortal Golden Body.
But this path also had significant drawbacks.
He who wears the crown must bear its weight.
The emperor used the belief of all living beings to harness the Lucky Qi of a nation for cultivation, and in turn, had to bear the hopes and wishes of his people.
Over time, one’s thoughts and ideas would be influenced by the Will of All Living Beings.
Of course, if he ruled his people well, uniting the whole nation with a single purpose, the impact could be minimal, but as for the current Daqian...
The Ten Great Demon Sects and the Five Great Immortal Sects each harbored their own schemes, and even some Great States had been carved up and occupied by local families with grand ambitions, not to mention the chaos caused by devils, leaving the populace in fear.
What unity of will, what unity of purpose?
The key issue was...
With the cultivation of the Qiantian Purple Qi Technique and his position in the Emperor Tower, he could see much further by leveraging the Lucky Qi boost that came with the mantle of the emperor.
Therefore, beyond Qiantian, he could clearly see the terrifying darkness that loomed.
Therefore...
"We can’t slow down."
Jiang Tianji spoke and glanced back at the large Dao Artifact behind him: "With the All Living Beings Plate here, I’m merely losing some memories while purifying the influence of the multitude’s thoughts on me. Currently, my Cultivation has reached the Devas Peak Level, and I need to prepare for the casting of the Immortal Golden Body. There can’t be the slightest delay."
"But Your Majesty, the process of casting the Immortal Golden Body is extremely perilous, and in your current state, you simply..."
"My current state is very good. As long as I get through the hurdle of casting the Immortal Golden Body, once I become an Earthly True Immortal and form my own path through Undying Will Perfection, I naturally won’t worry about the erosion of my thoughts by the multitude’s random thoughts."
Jiang Tianji surveyed the horizon: "Heaven rewards the diligent. The skies of Daqian will eventually be bright again."
Zhou Ji, after listening, didn’t dare to advise further.
At this moment, Jiang Tianji seemed to "see" something and suddenly asked, "What happened to the south of Tianhe?"
"The Star State’s Lingxiao City has launched a major counterattack against the Tianhe Demons."
Zhou Ji immediately said, "They also sent people here, hoping to get support from Central State."
"Star State, Lingxiao City? I have heard this name several times recently."
"Yes, Gu Jinlai has risen against the odds and seized the territory of Star State. Currently..."
"Don’t talk about the usurpation now. Star State has long been out of our control."
Jiang Tianji shook his head, and after a moment, he seemed to recall something, "Gu Jinlai, he is the one who passed the True Dragon Gate of the Aries Star Palace and even managed to make the Aries Star Palace descend upon our Qiantian again in the future, right?"
"Yes."
Zhou Ji realized the emperor didn’t seem to bear ill will towards Gu Jinlai, and quickly changed his phrasing, "This Heavenly Monarch Gu now raises the banner of the Heavenly Master and seems to have intentions of reviving the Heavenly Master’s Holy Land. At present, a large number of Heavenly Masters are attracted to him, joining Lingxiao City."
"Heavenly Masters... Even though Demon Spirits transformed into devils, having a few more Heavenly Masters is always good for precaution, just in case."
Jiang Tianji said this as he looked towards the south, "If my memory serves me right, isn’t Jiang Chongshan in Star State?"
"Yes, His Highness the Star King has been on the forefront alongside Heavenly Monarch Gu, slaying devils. Not only has his Cultivation broken through, achieving Divinity Transformation, the number of devils who have died by his hand is also in the hundreds."
Zhou Ji knew the true relationship between the emperor and the Star King and naturally only mentioned the positive aspects.
"Not bad."
Jiang Tianji gave a slight smile. Thinking back to the reports about Lingxiao City and the people of Star State living in peace and prosperity, as well as of the White with a tint of Blue that belonged to the Lucky Qi of Star State, he ordered, "Since Gu Jinlai has the intention of fighting against the devils, then decree him as the Governor of Star State and Jiang Chongshan as the Governor of both Jiangzhou States, in hopes that they will continue their efforts to protect our nation and the people."
"His Highness the Star King is also..."
Zhou Ji was somewhat surprised.
The Star King has actually been given a real assignment?
And with the relationship between the Star King and Gu Jinlai, even though the Star King is said to be Jiangzhou Governor, isn’t Jiangzhou still in Gu Jinlai’s hands?
Isn’t this allowing His Highness the Star King to do a favor for Gu Jinlai, indulging his factionalism?
"As for reinforcements..."
Jiang Tianji pondered over his own manpower and hesitated for a moment before eventually saying, "Let General Shang Zhenbei take his Iron Dragon Army south to assist them for now, whether to cross the river or not will be up to General Shang to decide."
"Yes."
...
At the border of Star State, the army was dispatched.
Traveling from the border of Star State into Yellow State and on to Yuntian City would pass through four cities.
Due to orders issued by Zhang Lingjian, along the way, the four cities complied with Gu Jinlai’s requests without any objection, even the "co-defense" of the city was unobstructed by local officials.
Not just these four cities, but Yuntian City was the same.
Upon entering Yuntian City, Gu Jinlai had already taken over this major Yellow State city, countless people poured out to set up defensive installations, preparing for the upcoming battle.
And they had arrived just six days ago.
The Yellow Sky Sect suffered a complete defeat at the Champsosaurus Swamp and retreated six hundred miles, with half of Yellow State falling into enemy hands.
Immediately, Yuntian City, which was located in the heart of Yellow State, was exposed, becoming the frontline in resisting the devils.
Seemingly having reached some sort of agreement, or perhaps because they had taken control of half of Yellow State and no longer worried about their rear, the devils who originally intended to annihilate the Yellow Sky Sect finally turned around and headed towards Yuntian City.
