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Chapter 497: Chapter 493: Going All In
"City Protection Array."
Gu Jinlai thought of the array that had already entered the pre-activation state.
This array was designed to defend against everyone but the Dragon Tears Demon Emperor, and now, him too.
Just in case he was caught off guard when the time came...
Gu Jinlai focused his attention on the Spirit Mechanism Technique, and immediately, a massive amount of starlight began flowing into it endlessly.
"Buzz buzz!"
Ten beams of starlight dissipated in an instant.
Gu Jinlai’s understanding of the Spirit Mechanism Technique quickly escalated to a whole new world.
It was as if he had spent decades, even a hundred years, concentrating on studying this mysterious power, barely uncovering the tip of the iceberg.
Yes!
The tip of the iceberg.
The power of Spirit Mechanism is a divine feature that many True Immortals in the Immortal Country spend a great deal of time and energy to comprehend and utilize, even if Gu Jinlai contributed ten beams of starlight, the change it brought to the Spirit Mechanism Technique was insignificant.
"This volume of the Spirit Mechanism Technique is not complete, it’s only a fragment, yet it has still achieved a gold-grade ranking, comparable to the magic skills of True Immortals. If the complete Spirit Mechanism Technique... I fear it could reach the deep gold grade, comparable to the Cultivation Techniques of an Immortal Master."
As Gu Jinlai pondered this, he did not stop.
Once again, a substantial amount of starlight was channeled in.
After spending thirty-six beams of starlight in total, he finally attained complete insight into the transformation of Spirit Mechanism and now possessed the method to wield it.
And the method of wielding...
Gu Jinlai’s gaze turned to the Chaotic Star Light Body.
There had always been an echo between this Cultivation Technique and the Spirit Mechanism Technique.
After the small achievement of the Spirit Mechanism Technique, this echo clearly strengthened a lot.
Gu Jinlai carefully perceived for a moment and quickly realized something.
"I can harness and collect the spirit mechanism through the ’Child of the Stars’ trait."
Gu Jinlai suddenly understood.
According to the records in the booklet, nowadays, aside from an Immortal Master personally taking action, others could only rely on the mystery of Grotto Heaven to collect spirit mechanisms.
Even if a True Immortal arrived here, without having built a Grotto Heaven, they would be at a loss regarding how to collect spirit mechanisms.
Yet now, Gu Jinlai, relying on the ’Child of the Stars’ trait, could replace the mystery of Grotto Heaven, and had the ability to spontaneously collect spirit mechanisms...
Clearly, his guess was confirmed.
"After my Chaotic Star Light Body achieves Mahayana, my being will start to transform into an Innate Divine Beast, a process that is irreversible... When the Chaotic Star Light Body reaches Cultivation Perfection, my life form will be completely transformed into an Innate Divine Beast. If by that time the Spirit Mechanism Technique is also full, I could begin to collect spirit mechanisms and nurture a Spirit Realm within myself."
Gu Jinlai thought to himself.
Once the Spirit Realm emerged, he could use his little Spirit Realm as a transit point, gradually completing the transformation of Spirit Realm life until, after growing strong enough, he would leap forth and delve deep into the Spirit Realm, stepping completely into the domain of the creator.
"Only the combined practice of the lineages of Innate Divine Beast and Heavenly Master is the correct path to becoming a creator."
Seeing the resonance between the Spirit Mechanism Technique and the Chaotic Star Light Body, Gu Jinlai no longer doubted the path of the creator.
...
Qiantian.
Daqian Court.
Jiang Tianji, listening to the reports from the various ministers before him, remained silent.
"Venerable Xuan Tian, wielding the Sky Extreme Sword, cuts through all opposition like a hot knife through butter, unstoppable by anyone. Duke Zhao Riyue merely suffered the edge of a Sword Qi launched by Venerable Xuan Tian from a distance and sustained severe injuries; the garrison forces within Sun State have completely retreated... If we wish to take back Sun State, I’m afraid only Lord Advisor himself can handle it."
Wang Yizhi reported loudly, his expression filled with gravity.
"The True Immortal Palace has immense power, in just a few months, it has swept through Green State Province, Cheng Province, and Sun State, assembling hundreds of thousands of elite forces... With the Venerable Xuan Tian’s overwhelming strength, no one can withstand his sword edge. We urge Your Majesty to make an early decision, to recognize Wushi, Wu Zhong, and Wunian, the three True Men, and seek the support of Sanqing Hall against Venerable Xuan Tian, or else, if he continues to lead his army northward, even the Imperial Capital, Central State, may be engulfed in the flames of war."
Long Yuantu then spoke.
"Venerable Xuan Tian..."
Jiang Tianji looked at Long Yuantu: "It seems that no one in Qiantian can control him anymore."
"After Venerable Xuan Tian shattered the Golden Body of Blood Demon Emperor Luo, his combative strength may have already exceeded the scope of a Peak Saint. In one-on-one combat, there is no one who can match him; not the Lord Advisor, not Immortal Wu Zhong, not Immortal Wunian, nor the Kings both South of Tianhe and in Cold State."
Long Yuantu said.
"That King of Tian Nan destroyed three Demon Emperors from the Three Thousand Marshes with a single blow six months ago, one of which was a notorious Demon Emperor, said to be top-tier among demon emperors. With such strength, surely he can deal with Venerable Xuan Tian?"
A minister asked, puzzled.
His words caused Long Yuantu, Wang Yizhi, and others to pause in their expressions.
It was a while before he said, "That King of Tian Nan is ultimately not a true Saint; his strength relies entirely on External Objects, whether he can contend with Venerable Xuan Tian... is also an unknown."
"At this point, Your Majesty might as well ask Star King to invite the King of Tian Nan to the Imperial Capital for a discussion. The Star King and the King of Tian Nan have a considerable relationship; if he makes the request, the King of Tian Nan should agree to join forces in devising a strategy against Venerable Xuan Tian."
Another Cabinet Minister, Zhao Riyue, suggested.
After speaking, he added seriously, "Sun State is now adjoining Central State, Venerable Xuan Tian, having taken down Sun State, might directly lead his forces into the Imperial Capital if he has any rebellious intentions."
Jiang Tianji heard this and fell quiet.
"Please, Your Majesty, make a decision soon."
Long Yuantu said.
Zhao Riyue also followed, bowing: "Venerable Xuan Tian is unlike anyone else; he is the Sky Extreme Sword Master, and the chaos brought by Emperor Tianji seems like only yesterday. If we fail to make swift decisions, once Venerable Xuan Tian grows stronger, the turmoil of a century ago with Emperor Tianji may well recur!"
"The turmoil surrounding Emperor Tianji has now come into focus. After seizing Green State Province, Cheng Province, and Sun State, Venerable Xuan Tian will certainly not rest on his laurels. His next step will inevitably be to further expand his territory."
Wang Yizhi declared loudly, "In my view, we should follow the example set by Master Wushi of old and request that the Emperor’s Master intervene, inviting the national guardian generals from the North, the South, Immortal Wu Zhong, Immortal Wunian, and uniting the power of the five great Saints to strike against Venerable Xuan Tian together. While he has yet to sweep over Qiantian, we must slay him to preserve peace for the world."
"So, how do we convince them to join forces against Venerable Xuan Tian?"
Jiang Tianji said, "Shall we persuade them with the tale of lips and teeth feeling the cold? Do you ministers believe you can convince them with this argument?"
"This..."
Wang Yizhi, Long Yuantu, Zhao Riyue, and the others exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
"If only Master Wushi were still with us. As the supreme figure in the world, he could suppress Venerable Xuan Tian from acting so arrogantly and presumptuously as the second successor of the Sky Extreme Sword..."
At this moment, Zhang Hanhai, the Guardian Minister, heaved a sigh.
His statement, however, flashed a surge of anger in Jiang Tianji’s eyes.
Over the years, with the secret propaganda of the Sanqing Hall, many people had learned that Jiang Tianji was behind the plot to assassinate Master Wushi. Yet, Zhang Hanhai still brought up this topic — wasn’t that the same as reproaching him to his face?
Right away, Jiang Tianji stood up, "If you all believe that you can indeed persuade Immortal Wu Zhong, Immortal Wunian, the Northern King, and the Southern King, to join the Emperor’s Master in a united front against Venerable Xuan Tian, then quickly come up with a proposal."
After speaking, he swung his hand fiercely and left the court.
The crowd looked at each other, deeply worried.
Only a few individuals who had covert connections with the Sanqing Hall exchanged glances... contemplating something unknown.
...
At the top floor of the Emperor Tower.
When Jiang Tianji returned here, Star King Jiang Chongshan was already waiting for him.
Apart from him, the magic stabilizer of the Daqian Dynasty, Emperor Master Tai Yuan, was also present.
Upon seeing Jiang Tianji, both of them stood up and saluted, "Your Majesty."
Jiang Tianji nodded to the people around him.
His gaze fell upon the Dao Artifact at the center of the room—the All Living Beings Plate.
This was the treasure seized when the previous Emperor Qian and the Emperor’s Master exterminated the Jialou Divine Mountain.
It was precisely because of the existence of this treasure, which significantly reduced the side effects of using Lucky Qi to cultivate, that Jiang Tianji managed to train into a Deva in an exceptionally short period and perfect various aspects, reaching the Peak Level Devas.
Yet, simultaneously, due to the influence of this treasure and the Will of All Living Beings, he was always unable to gather his Undying Will.
Stuck at the peak level of Devas for decades.
"Your Majesty has summoned us here, is there something you’d like to instruct?"
Tai Yuan inquired.
Jiang Tianji didn’t speak; instead, he stared at the All Living Beings Plate and asked, "Emperor’s Master, do you think that if I activate the power of all living beings with the All Living Beings Plate, I could suppress Venerable Xuan Tian?"
"To leverage the power of all living beings with the All Living Beings Plate?"
The complexion of Emperor Master Tai Yuan changed, "While the All Living Beings Plate can indeed reduce the backlash effect of the power of all living beings, there must be a limit to this reduction. Venerable Xuan Tian has legitimately claimed the Tian Ji Sword, and his strength is greater than that of ordinary Devas who have had divine weapons acknowledge their masters. Even with the support of all living beings, Your Majesty is ultimately only a Deva, and the chances of success are probably less than ten percent..."
After speaking, he immediately said, "Moreover, Your Majesty, if you really do this... it would be somewhat okay if successful, recovering Cheng Province, Green State Province, and Sun State, even after expending some Lucky Qi, the final outcome would be break-even. However, if it fails... Yan State will be the next Central State."
"What about a Saint?"
Jiang Tianji looked at Emperor Master Tai Yuan, "If I became a Saint, could I then suppress Venerable Xuan Tian?"
"A Saint!?"
Tai Yuan was startled, "Is Your Majesty confident?"
"You just need to tell me whether it’s feasible."
Jiang Tianji said.
"This..."
After some thought, Tai Yuan spoke, "If Your Majesty could ascend to Saint, then with the aid of the power of all living beings against Venerable Xuan Tian... there would be a seventy to eighty percent chance of victory."
"Seventy to eighty percent is enough,"
Jiang Tianji said, "If I succeed in becoming a Saint and slay Venerable Xuan Tian, then join forces with you, Emperor Master, to recover Moon State, and thereafter push outwards to the surrounding areas. In no time, we might even unite all of Qiantian, putting an end to the current strife."
Such a Qiantian would certainly be a better place than before Master Wushi’s death.
"Your Majesty, if you rashly attempt to forge an Immortal Golden Body without having formed the Undying Will, I fear..."
Tai Yuan expressed with some concern.
"The Will of All Living Beings may not be unusable to cast the Immortal Golden Body."
Jiang Tianji spoke confidently while glancing at Jiang Chongshan, "Next, I will enter seclusion at the Emperor Tower. Star King Jiang Chongshan will keep the state in order. Emperor’s Master, please support him well..."
"Your Majesty..."
Tai Yuan and Jiang Chongshan spoke at the same time.
"You need not persuade me, my mind is made up!"
Jiang Tianji said firmly, "If I can become a Saint, all problems will be resolved."
Then, with a pause in his tone, he spoke out loud, "Zhou Ji, draft the imperial edict."
"Yes."
Zhou Ji at the side responded with a worried tone.
"If I fail to become a Saint... then let Star King succeed the throne, ascend as Emperor, and issue the order to summon the King of Tian Nan to the Imperial Capital... appointing him as Grand Tutor, National Guardian General."
Jiang Tianji looked at Jiang Chongshan, "When the time comes... the future of Daqian will be in your hands."
