In the Imperial City, within the Tianji Pavilion.
At this moment, the Tianji Pavilion was surrounded by countless elite guard troops, serving as its protectors. Several massive ballistae, emanating a terrifying aura, were positioned at the four corners of the Tianji Pavilion. The arrows mounted on these ballistae were actually made from the bones of colossal beasts.
These four enormous ballistae, originally designed to guard the Imperial Palace, had now been moved here to protect the Tianji Pavilion.
At this very moment, the Tianji Pavilion was the most critical place for the entire human race. In just one more hour, a grand array would be activated to cast a supreme secret technique, guiding the radiant sun into a new orbit, thus completing the millennium-long endeavor known as Zaiyao.
Xu Ran walked through the hall, personally inspecting every detail of the array’s setup, showing no signs of fatigue. Jian Nan and Ye Nu always followed closely behind him, never straying far.
The Radiant Emperor stood in the corner of the hall, silently observing everything, with a dark aura occasionally flickering across his brow.
Finally, Xu Ran finished checking the last array line, raised his eyebrows, and, turning to the Radiant Emperor, smiled, “Once Zaiyao is complete, you will be restored. There’s only one more day; you must endure a little longer.”
The Radiant Emperor replied, “Thank you for your concern, Immortal Envoy.”
Xu Ran, seemingly casually, asked, “How is the injury of the Qingyang King?”
The Radiant Emperor responded, “Today, it seems to have relapsed. He still cannot use his original force.”
Xu Ran smiled and said, “That’s right. The heavenly medicines are indeed effective in treating injuries, but they render the user powerless for three days before complete recovery. I forgot to tell you that.”
The Radiant Emperor’s eyebrows rose, and he slowly said, “So, Immortal Envoy, you had your plans all along.”
Xu Ran chuckled, “Just to prevent certain people from acting rashly. Zaiyao is a millennium event; there must be no room for error. This way, we ensure no chaos ensues.”
“Immortal Envoy is wise,” the Radiant Emperor bowed.
Xu Ran said, “No need for such formalities. Once Zaiyao is successful, you can return to the immortal homeland with me. The immortal world is far superior to this desolate land. I will help you advance on your path to become a Celestial King, providing necessary resources. In time, you could rebuild the glory of the Ji Clan, just as it was in the past.”
“Thank you, Immortal Envoy, for your kindness!” The Radiant Emperor’s face was filled with joy and anticipation.
Xu Ran glanced out the window, his pupils turning a peculiar golden color. After a moment, he said, “Everything is normal. In another hour, the sun will enter its new orbit. How are the defenses and the arrays around the Imperial City?”
Jian Nan replied, “The arrays have been checked and are functioning normally.”
Ye Nu added, “Currently, the floating warships of the human race are almost depleted, offering little defense. Only a dozen ships can take to the sky, and even a duke could wipe them out with ease, let alone a Celestial King.”
Xu Ran nodded, “The barbarians have no further moves either.”
Ye Nu said, “If they stay away, it’s fine. If they dare to come, the array will first reduce their power by thirty percent. Then, we will strike, and they will be utterly annihilated!”
Xu Ran laughed, “An excellent annihilation! Exactly as it should be!”
Jian Nan seemed to have something to say but, seeing Xu Ran’s laughter, wisely kept silent.
As Xu Ran’s laughter faded, a Tianji mage suddenly collapsed behind him, falling silent.
His laughter abruptly ceased, and he turned in shock, only to see the Tianji mages falling one by one, each with blood pouring from their noses and mouths, clearly dying.
“This, this…” Xu Ran’s hands and feet turned cold.
He fixed a sharp gaze on the Radiant Emperor, his eyes like daggers, and asked, “What is happening?”
The Radiant Emperor also appeared somewhat panicked, “Could it be that the strain is too great, causing a backlash?”
Xu Ran sneered, his eyes filled with killing intent.
The Radiant Emperor sensed something, his face returning to calm, “Since Immortal Envoy already knows, why ask more questions?”
Xu Ran gritted his teeth, “Did you do this?”
The Radiant Emperor smiled, “Most of them are brave men who died willingly. A few who were hesitant to part with their flesh and blood were persuaded with some means.”
Xu Ran reached out and grabbed the Radiant Emperor by the neck, lifting him up. The Radiant Emperor, though a Celestial King, offered no resistance, like an infant.
Xu Ran sneered, “Do you think this lowly sinner has any means to escape my punishment? Even if you are a Celestial King, Zaiyao is in my hands. Anyone listed in it will not be able to use even a shred of their original force before me!”
The Radiant Emperor, initially shocked, now relaxed, “I thought my skills were insufficient, shaming our ancestors.”
“I granted you eternal life, power, wealth, and even protection for your clan! What dissatisfaction could you have to act like this?” Xu Ran’s voice grew harsher.
“Put me down, and I’ll tell you.”
Xu Ran released him, and the Radiant Emperor, straightening his attire, said, “The Ji Clan, since the founding by the First Ancestor, has fought without ever falling behind. In the shadows, we have continuously sacrificed for Zaiyao. Now, the bloodline of the First Ancestor is nearly extinguished! What did our ancestors strive for? Was it eternal life, or wealth and glory? With our descendants nearly gone, how can we talk about eternal life or glory?”
Xu Ran involuntarily took a step back.
“The First Ancestor’s edict: When the world is in turmoil, the Ji Clan must lead. We have held the throne for twelve hundred years for the sake of the people. Today, you ask me to abandon millions and return with only a thousand. If I did, how could I face my ancestors or the soldiers and citizens who trusted me with the throne? Abandoning the masses for one person’s immortality, such immortality, I Ji Jiani, am ashamed to accept!”
“You, you…” Xu Ran’s face twisted in anger, unable to speak. After a long moment, he roared, “In the eyes of the immortals, all beings are like dogs! What are millions to us, mere sinners with no cultivation, no different from ants! Achieving the Great Way and elevating the Dao Court, can it be done with ants? Even billions of ants are useless. One sun can wipe them all out!”
The Radiant Emperor replied, “Thousands of years ago, the Ji Clan was also like ants. Today, although Ji Jiani has become a Celestial King, I have not forgotten my roots. If the Envoy sees all beings as ants, then I am also an ant, no different from the common people.”
Xu Ran’s brows furrowed, “You are stubborn and unyielding.”
“Death for the people is a worthy death.”
“Then die!” Xu Ran suddenly struck the Radiant Emperor’s head!
The Radiant Emperor’s body turned gray, and he struggled to turn his eyes towards Li Hou, but could only manage halfway before he could no longer move.
Quietly, his body turned to sand, then smoke, circling the pillar three times before disappearing.
“Who else dares to defy me!” Xu Ran roared.
After his roar, he realized that, aside from Li Hou, there were no other imperial figures left standing in the Tianji Pavilion, only Jian Nan and Ye Nu, and his own followers.
Xu Ran’s eyes twitched, sensing that his subordinates’ gazes had changed.
Steadying himself, he asked Li Hou, “Is there still a way to remedy this?”
Li Hou, appearing unfazed, said, “Let me think.”
“Good! Hurry up!”
Ye Nu approached Xu Ran, whispering, “What if she can’t think of anything?”
Xu Ran’s face darkened, “If she can’t, then let the sun pass through the heart of the Eternal Night! If I can’t get the river of blood, I’ll destroy this world!”
“Understood, sir!” Ye Nu’s face was icy.
At that moment, a thunderous clap resounded from the heavens, and an indescribable, majestic mountain appeared above the Imperial City! Its appearance caused the city’s defensive array to waver, on the verge of breaking.
Seeing the mountain’s presence, even Xu Ran was startled, “What is this?!”
“Mountain of Eternal Night,” Li Hou said softly, her voice a mix of sigh and lament.
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