NOVPUB
Chapter 519: Chapter 515 Effects
"Long admired?"
Gu Jinlai observed Duanmu Yufeng’s attitude, finding it both unexpected and yet within reason.
Before coming to Hai Feng City, Gu Jinlai had discussed with the people of Li Yang Cave Heaven.
The Holy Dynasty was indeed powerful, possessing six Supreme Void Immortals with strength comparable to True Immortals, and countless other Void Immortals and Saints.
But the Holy Dynasty was not invincible.
Firstly...
In the end, the Holy Dynasty was comprised of the Six Great Cave Heavens.
The Six Great Cave Heavens had united due to the oppressive existential threat from the Devils, but in fact, it was impossible for the six powers to be completely united as one.
Secondly...
The Six Great Cave Heavens had already lost their once indomitable courage.
They dared not risk breaking through the Devil’s blockade circle even when they knew that the main forces of the Devils had been drawn to the battlefield of the Immortal Country, which showed just how far the Holy Dynasty had declined.
The current Holy Dynasty had almost completely become a tool for the Six Great Cave Heavens to profit from.
Blustering on the outside but timorous within.
Bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
Towards their own people, they exploited and oppressed to the extreme.
Towards those powerful opponents...
No!
Even opponents who were smaller in scale but capable of injuring them, they could show an unimaginable magnanimity that ordinary people could not fathom.
This was the essence of the Holy Dynasty, which many people, including Zhou Yi back in the day, regarded as the Holy Land.
Gu Jinlai was clear on this point, so he went straight to Hai Feng City and virtually swept the resources of three cities clean.
Because he knew such actions would showcase his strength and make the Holy Dynasty realize he was not to be trifled with, and also because what he did was justifiable and within the rules, without truly touching the core interests of the Holy Dynasty.
"It seems that Prince Duanmu can represent the Holy Dynasty, or should I say, the Six Great Cave Heavens?"
Gu Jinlai said.
"Of course."
Duanmu Yufeng, hearing that Gu Jinlai was willing to talk, quickly smiled and said: "We hold immense respect for the people of Li Yang Cave Heaven. In the battle for the Holy Land, Li Yang Cave Heaven held out until the last moment, never retreating until death. Such spirit is like a lighthouse in the darkness, guiding us forward, and worth our deep learning..."
"Spare the unnecessary words. I’d like to know the attitude of the Six Great Cave Heavens towards our visit from Li Yang Cave Heaven?"
Gu Jinlai said bluntly.
"If Li Yang Cave Heaven can accept the system set forth by our united Six Great Cave Heavens, abide by the rules, and integrate into our system, we in the Holy Dynasty would welcome you with open arms."
Duanmu Yufeng said with a smile: "In fact, when we reported the news of Venerable Daoist Gu to the higher-ups, even our patriarch Duanmu Chengyun was astonished to hear that you alone wiped out a million Devils, and he sincerely said that, in an environment surrounded by Devils, what our Holy Dynasty needs is talent like Venerable Daoist Gu’s."
"Is that so? Then, what does Lord Duanmu Chengyun plan for Li Yang Cave Heaven?"
Gu Jinlai asked.
"We intend to invite Venerable Daoist Gu to become an elder of the Holy Dynasty, and we are willing to grant Wind and Rain City to Venerable Daoist Gu as a standing ground for Li Yang Cave Heaven. From now on, our Seven Great Cave Heavens together will further strengthen the Holy Dynasty and combat the Devils. What do you think?"
Duanmu Yufeng said with a smile.
"I am to be the Wind and Rain City Lord?"
Gu Jinlai looked at the Prince with a half-smile: "The Sixth Princess Duanmu Shan died in Wind and Rain City, didn’t she..."
"We also did not expect Zhao Hua’s son to be so frenzied and vicious. That matter... is truly regrettable."
Duanmu Yufeng said, pinning the whole incident on Zhao Hua’s Body.
Listening to this, Duanmu Yao’s expression inevitably dimmed slightly.
However, when Duanmu Yufeng arrived at the scene and did not make a move against Gu Jinlai right away, she guessed this would be the outcome.
After all...
There was no point in making a move.
Given Gu Jinlai’s strength, even if the Duanmu Family Patriarch personally took action, it was doubtful he could kill him.
Yes!
Just as a Peak Void Immortal could defeat top-level virtual immortals, killing one with ease proved difficult.
Gu Jinlai might not be an equal match for their patriarch, but escaping was not a problem.
After all, the so-called Great Divine Ability Users who were Supreme Void Immortals were theoretically at the pinnacle of the Void Immortals.
Supreme Void Immortals above depend entirely on the power of Divine Weapons.
Indeed, if we put aside External Objects and Divine Skills, Supreme Void Immortals, Great Divine Ability Users, National Guardian Void Immortals, and Peak Void Immortals essentially have no difference in their foundation or Realm.
It didn’t mean that their chances of breaking through to become a True Immortal would increase because of their stronger battle power.
Those Supreme Void Immortals who received Divine Weapons might even outright ruin their paths to becoming True Immortals.
"It looks like the Holy Dynasty has already investigated the matter clearly."
Gu Jinlai smiled slightly: "Then regarding the matter of being a Demonic Cultist..."
"A misunderstanding, this was also a misunderstanding! The Holy Master has now understood the whole story and knows that Venerable Daoist Gu is a meritorious figure who slays Devils. You have not only been removed from the list of Demonic Cultists but have also been slated to receive the Demon Extermination Medal from the Holy Dynasty—the highest honor medal from the Demon-slaying Hall!"
Duanmu Yufeng said, actually presenting a medal.
This medal...
Indeed it was just an honorary medal.
Besides great honor, it had no other value.
Since the establishment of the Holy Dynasty, only three have been issued.
At this time, another Void Immortal by the side of Duanmu Yufeng, Si Xuanyuan, also spoke, "My fellow disciple from Taiao Cave Heaven, Si Xinghui, was deceived by malevolent influences, clouded by deceit, and believed the slanderous words of a vile person. This led him to join Wu Yan and Lei Xuanyu in accusing Venerable Daoist Gu. Though he’s not the mastermind behind this mischief, I will now take him to Taiao Cave Heaven, suppress him in the Heavenly Thunder Platform, and have him whipped by the Heavenly Thunder Whip for three years as a form of punishment and discipline!"
In the midst of speaking, he swept Si Xinghui away with him.
Gu Jinlai cast a glance at Si Xuanyuan.
Si Xinghui was already a Peak Saint, and with Divine Weapons and Divine Skills, his combat power was comparable to a Seventh-Rank Saint.
Being punished by the Heavenly Thunder Whip may sound severe, but if he truly endures for three years, it will greatly assist his future Tribulation and achievement as a Void Immortal.
However, Gu Jinlai had no real intention of completely tearing his face with the Six Great Cave Heavens.
At present, he lacked the strength to do so.
A mutual step back to maintain balance was the best outcome.
He nodded, "Since the matter has been clarified, it should be easy to handle. However, on our first visit from Li Yang Cave Heaven to the Holy Dynasty, we went to Liuhuo City and Purple Thunder City. It just so happens that the ones who falsely accused me of being a Demonic Cultist are the Lords of Liuhuo City and Purple Thunder City, Wu Yan and Lei Xuanyu. These two and the two cities shall be punished and managed on behalf of the Holy Dynasty by me."
No sooner had he spoken than Wu Yan and Lei Xuanyu’s faces drastically changed.
They quickly turned to Duanmu Yufeng with pleading looks.
But Duanmu Yufeng shook his head and said, "Venerable Daoist Gu, it’s not that we refuse your request but that Liuhuo City and Purple Thunder City are vital to our Holy Dynasty’s defense system. The disruption of one city might be bearable, but if two or three cities were removed from the system, it would greatly affect our defense against potential threats."
He looked at Gu Jinlai with a solemn expression, "Venerable Daoist Gu should understand the importance of this defensive system to our Holy Dynasty."
As he spoke, he added, "Or perhaps, can Wind and Rain City remain within the system?"
Gu Jinlai knew that what Duanmu Yufeng referred to as "leaving the system" actually meant the projection of the Cave Heaven Power.
Several cities leaving the Holy Dynasty’s defense system would inevitably prevent the projection of the Cave Heaven Power to the borders.
Without the amplification of the Cave Heaven Power, even Supreme Void Immortals would struggle to contend with Demon Gods.
It was almost the bottom line for the Holy Dynasty, or rather, the Six Great Cave Heavens.
After pondering for a moment, Gu Jinlai said, "One of Li Yang Cave Heaven’s top ten True Inheritors, Liu Feihua, died in Liuhuo City. Don’t you think, Liuhuo City owes Li Yang Cave Heaven an explanation?"
Duanmu Yufeng frowned deeply and it took a long while before he responded, "We are also sorry for the tragedy that struck your sect’s True Disciple. We can hand over the culprits Wu Yan to Venerable Daoist Gu for punishment..."
"Not enough!"
Gu Jinlai shook his head, looking at Duanmu Yufeng, "Our Li Yang Cave Heaven had only two True Disciples escape! Only two remain! And among them, the one with the most potential to shoulder the task of revitalizing Li Yang Cave Heaven died in Liuhuo City! With no successors... how can Li Yang Cave Heaven even speak of inheritance?"
This statement...
Duanmu Yufeng got the message.
The barefoot are not afraid of those with shoes.
For a moment, he couldn’t help feeling a headache.
After a while, he finally said, "Liuhuo City! At most, we can add Liuhuo City! But we absolutely cannot yield when it comes to Purple Thunder City!"
After finishing, he waved his hand, "Otherwise, I will have no choice but to invite our Patriarch to speak personally with Venerable Daoist Gu."
"Liuhuo City."
Gu Jinlai looked at Duanmu Yufeng, estimating this was indeed the limit.
He nodded in agreement.
"Then, Venerable Daoist Gu’s appointment will soon be issued, and at that time someone will communicate with Venerable Daoist Gu regarding the details. We will take our leave first," said Duanmu Yufeng.
A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall.
Although he possessed the power of a top-level virtual immortal, standing before Gu Jinlai still made him feel a great pressure, clearly lacking confidence.
Having dealt with the matter appropriately, he immediately took Duanmu Yao to leave first.
Si Xuanyuan bowed and also quickly departed with Si Xinghui, leaving Wu Yan and Lei Xuanyu, the city lords, pale-faced.
...
"Are we just leaving like this?"
Duanmu Yao looked bewildered.
She seemed to have trouble accepting the outcome.
She looked at Duanmu Yufeng, "Is it true that our ancestors..."
"I know what you want to say," replied Duanmu Yufeng. "If two or three of our Six Great Cave Heavens’ Patriarchs took action, we could indeed kill Gu Jinlai without issue. But firstly, Gu Jinlai comes from Li Yang Cave Heaven, who knows what kind of trump cards he might still hold. Any unforeseen developments that cause even the slightest injury would not be worthwhile. Secondly... Gu Jinlai has other uses, such as... probing the Devils."
"Probing the Devils?"
Duanmu Yao quickly thought of something, "Him?"
"Over the years, the Devils’ blockade of our Holy Dynasty has intensified day by day, and we must do something to break the deadlock. We also know that seizing outsiders as pawns is akin to slowly committing suicide, but before, we had no choice, right? Now that there’s a possibility, we naturally need to explore change," explained Duanmu Yufeng. "Although those from the Immortal Country claim that the Devils’ main forces have moved to the battlefields of the Immortal Country, should we just take their word for it? What if it’s a ploy by the Immortal Country’s people to use us in a Besiege Tactic?"
"Didn’t we send people to investigate..." Duanmu Yao said.
"Although we dispatched investigations, the Devils have deeply concealed the information, and we cannot be certain," responded Duanmu Yufeng. With a cold laugh, he continued, "It just so happens that Gu Jinlai has emerged at this time. The Dragon Tears Demon Emperor used the Star Trace Demon God’s identity to force Gu Jinlai, and it backfired, with the emperor dying at Gu Jinlai’s hands. Now, will it make a move or not?"
"At this point, the Star Trace Demon God is caught in a difficult position and will likely have to take action," said Duanmu Yao.
"And once it makes a move, regardless of the outcome between it and Gu Jinlai, it will be beneficial for us either way! So, why bother about a temporary gain or loss?" Duanmu Yufeng said with a slight smile.
