In the grand imperial camp, within a luxurious tent:
Prince Shen Yunqing sat cross-legged on a couch, the Emperor’s Blade resting across his knees. His eyes were half-closed as he entered deep meditation to restore his energy.
Suddenly, he sensed a burst of light before him and opened his eyes wide, discovering a golden-armored deity standing at the center of the tent.
Though the figure did not introduce himself, Shen Yunqing instinctively recognized him as a divine being.
The deity stood nearly ten feet tall, fully clad in golden armor, with a vertical eye in the center of his forehead. His aura was vast, majestic, and sacred, as solid as the ocean, compelling one to kneel in reverence.
“I am your ancestor, the Benevolent Sage Emperor,” the golden-armored deity spoke, his voice like thunder, reverberating with a deafening force.
The Shen family traced its lineage to this divine being. As Shen Yunqing felt the resonance of their shared bloodline, all doubt vanished. He leapt to his feet and bowed respectfully before his ancestral forebear.
The Benevolent Sage Emperor’s face appeared somewhat blurred, his divine presence too overwhelming to gaze upon directly. “The Dao of Heaven operates independently of my existence or your demise. Originally, the imperial dynasty’s fate had reached its end, and I could not interfere. Now, Heaven has revealed a glimmer of hope. I intend to unite the celestial deities to assist you and prolong the dynasty’s fortune for another thousand years.”
Overjoyed, Shen Yunqing hurriedly knelt and asked how he, an unworthy descendant, should proceed to welcome the descent of the celestial gods.
“The pathways between Heaven and Earth were severed by ancient sages, making it difficult for us to enter the mortal realm. However, the Nu River is an exception—it can be used to construct a temporary ‘Skyward Path.’ Even if we only descend for a few moments, our power will be sufficient to annihilate the rebel forces,” the Benevolent Sage Emperor explained calmly, clearly already having a plan.
Shen Yunqing quickly asked, “How is the ‘Skyward Path’ to be constructed? Du Huaishang has divine assistance—will they attempt to hinder your descent?”
“There is no need for concern. This matter is highly confidential. By the time they realize what is happening, our mission will already be accomplished,” the Benevolent Sage Emperor replied steadily, as solid as a mountain. “As for the ‘Skyward Path,’ listen carefully…”
He then detailed the method of constructing this special altar to Shen Yunqing, concluding with, “You may seek assistance from several priests of the Blood Sea Sect.”
Shen Yunqing was startled. Was the Blood Sea Sect’s ancestor truly a divine being? Even his ancestral forebear had to seek help from that deity?
As he pondered, the Benevolent Sage Emperor radiated a brilliant golden glow. Streams of sacred willpower swirled and soared into the sky, exuding an aura of transcendence.
Shen Yunqing felt a sudden jolt in his mind, his perception growing hazy. Before his eyes, everything shattered like a mirage.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the ornate but empty tent, with no trace of divine presence—had it all been a dream?
He looked down at the Emperor’s Blade, noticing it trembling slightly, emitting faint glimmers of light, no longer calm, as if anticipating the return of its former master.
“Could it not have been a dream?” Uncertain, Shen Yunqing quickly summoned the eunuchs to fetch “Martial Emperor” Dugu Shi and the “Mystic” Wen Jing for consultation.
Dugu Shi sat calmly, his towering figure seemingly filling the tent. Wen Jing listened with a relaxed and indifferent gaze as Shen Yunqing recounted the entire incident.
After hearing the details of constructing the “Skyward Path,” Wen Jing suddenly stood and clasped his fists. “Congratulations, Your Highness! With the descent of celestial deities, the rebels will soon be crushed!”
“Was it real?” Shen Yunqing still felt uncertain.
Wen Jing chuckled, “With the Emperor’s Blade by your side, malevolent forces cannot approach. If not the Benevolent Sage Emperor, who else could have visited you in a dream? And with the Emperor’s presence, we need not fear the deities arriving through the Skyward Path siding with Du Huaishang!”
“As for the ‘Skyward Path,’ in my humble opinion, its design is indeed profound and intricate, capable of connecting with the heavens.”
At this point, Dugu Shi spoke slowly, “If it was truly the Benevolent Sage Emperor’s vision, we should give it a try.”
Though uncertain about the “Skyward Path,” he chose to place his faith in the Sage Emperor.
Reflecting on how his ancestor would never harm him, Shen Yunqing felt a surge of determination. He rose abruptly, gripping the Emperor’s Blade in one hand and gesturing fiercely with the other. “Summon the priests of the Blood Sea Sect! We shall construct the Skyward Path!”
To renew the dynasty’s thousand-year fortune!
…
In the rebel army’s central command tent:
“Du Huaishang described Dugu Shi to Meng Qi and others as a man of rigid principles, unyielding and inflexible. He could be described as ‘persistent’ in kind terms or ‘obstinate’ in harsher ones. His bloodline was of low standing, but he was favored by a royal relative passionate about martial cultivation, which led to his current achievements. Despite his dissatisfaction with the tyrannical ruler, he remained loyal and could not be swayed or turned.”
Meng Qi mused, “Those who become martial cultivator masters usually have their own convictions. What about the others?”
Wenshi Zhenren, standing beside Du Huaishang, replied, “Wu Tonghou Wu Che and General Kou Jin come from aristocratic families and always prioritize family interests. If we can make them understand the stakes and show them how to protect their families, there’s a chance they can be persuaded. Even if they won’t openly rebel, they might not fight with full effort.”
“General Dou Qing and Minister Liu Tui zhi are both from commoner backgrounds—one was a rebel subdued by Dugu Shi, and the other was promoted through the imperial system. The former is fickle in nature, while the latter is old and lacks vigor. Both are potential targets for persuasion. Moreover, they have long-standing tensions with Wu Che and Kou Jin, further increasing the chances.”
The rebellion gained momentum because the emperor’s tyranny had angered many aristocratic families, with several rebel factions secretly backed by them. For instance, Feng Jingtang was a nobleman and former imperial official. Without such support, under the circumstances where high-level power, resources, and bloodline cultivation techniques were monopolized by the imperial court and aristocratic families, Du Huaishang and others would have faced far greater hardship and taken about a decade to reach their current strength.
Meng Qi, Qi Zhengyan, Jiang Zhiwei, and others listened attentively, occasionally asking questions to probe the specific personalities of these four top-tier martial cultivators, seeking ways to sway them. Even if persuasion failed, understanding their personalities would help target weaknesses in battle. For example, Liu Tui zhi was cautious and conservative, so opponents could adopt a more aggressive approach, ignoring minor vulnerabilities since he lacked the resolve to exploit them.
After thoroughly analyzing intelligence on these four top-tier martial cultivators, Du Huaishang placed his hand on the hilt of the Tiancheng Sword, slightly puzzled. “Two days have passed since my recovery. I expected the imperial court to launch at least another attack, yet they’ve been completely silent. Could it be that their mysterious ancestral master has already appeared, and they’re secretly plotting something?”
He had summoned Meng Qi and others precisely to discuss this unusual situation.
Meng Qi, already suspicious, rose without hesitation. “Please, Lord Du, lend me a wisp of your divine weapon’s aura.”
The Nu River, serving as a natural divide between the north and the south, was imbued with both divine and demonic energies. Unless one swam close to the opposite shore, even those with insightful eyes could only perceive dense mist.
Following the incident of slaying the Shadow King, the enemy had heightened their vigilance against transformation techniques. Meng Qi believed that attempting to cross the river again would be exceedingly perilous. Thus, for the past two days, he had been deliberating alternatives with Qi Zhengyan until Jiang Zhiwei proposed a viable solution.
Du Huaishang, possessing a leader’s magnanimity, hesitated not. He communicated briefly with the Tiancheng Sword, which then emitted a beam of sacred sword energy.
Jiang Zhiwei clapped her hands, releasing a white rainbow that coiled around the sword energy. Both energies converged behind her, forming the image of the Supreme Sword Sage. Her mind extended across vast distances, reflecting everything within, regardless of strength or proximity.
“Universal Sword Heart, Supreme Benevolence, All Beings Equal!”
Her eyes swirled with countless sword beams, gradually revealing the river landscape on the opposite shore. There, the imperial camp had moved significantly closer to the riverbank, defying normal expectations.
In front of the camp, the river surged violently, heavily guarded with ships forming an outer perimeter and martial cultivators securing the inner defenses.
Zooming in, a sacrificial altar emerged. Its base submerged in the river, it bore numerous eerie carvings—some resembling human-shaped flames, others like water waves taking form. At its core, preparations were underway with intense urgency.
Qi Zhengyan suddenly spoke, “They are connecting Heaven and Earth, building a passage for divine and demonic beings to temporarily descend.”
With just one glance, he identified the altar’s purpose, understanding it far more thoroughly than Shen Yunqing and his group.
“Inviting gods and demons?” Du Huaishang immediately stood up. Wenshi Zhenren’s right hand trembled slightly, nearly knocking over the teacup before him.
Meng Qi’s mind buzzed with alarm, instinctively fearing that this might be a consequence of the “Divine and Demonic Wrath” karma. Or perhaps the Blood Sea Rakshasa was secretly interfering?
Karmic entanglements meant prepayment—turning difficulties into ease, killing silently, surpassing limits effortlessly. Yet, inevitably, there would come a time for repayment. Meng Qi’s greatest fear was that the Divine and Demonic Wrath would manifest in this deadly mission!
Qi Zhengyan nodded solemnly, “The imperial court’s origins also lie in divinity. Once the altar is completed and flesh-and-blood sacrifices offered, divine and demonic beings will descend temporarily. Then…”
He did not finish, but Du Huaishang had already made a decision:
“Gather all rebel forces and launch a full-scale assault on the opposite shore to destroy the altar!”
He placed nearly absolute trust in his senior masters!
Soon, Pinghai Wang Zhu Shou, Jiushan Hou Miao Hu, and others arrived. Du Huaishang spoke concisely, “The imperial court is constructing an altar to summon gods and demons. Once successful, we will be powerless to resist. At that time, with the imperial forces strengthened and divine and demonic beings terrorizing, even if you wish to surrender, they will not accept you. Fleeing to the ends of the earth will be of no avail!”
His words left the rebels exchanging glances. Had it not been for Du Huaishang’s upright character and honesty, they might have doubted his words. In reality, Du Huaishang had omitted the word “temporary.”
“We can verify this by crossing the river ourselves. If Du has deceived us, you may disperse freely. Our survival hangs by a thread—please, everyone, do your utmost. Burn your boats and destroy the altar!”
Zhu Shou, Miao Hu, and others, having become rebel leaders through their own fierce and defiant spirits, seeing no retreat, gritted their teeth and swore, “Damn it, let’s fight them to the death!”
“We’ll follow Lord Du’s orders!”
Du Huaishang’s expression turned stern and authoritative. “Wu Che and Kou Jin guard the altar’s left flank—Pinghai Wang and Jiushan Hou will attack there. Dou Qing and Liu Tui zhi are on the right—Great Heaven King and Fudi Gong will engage them. As for the frontal assault, the Martial Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Mystic will be our responsibility. The altar must be destroyed!”
“Understood!” The rebel leaders saluted.
Meng Qi, Qi Zhengyan, and others wore solemn expressions, gathering their momentum, ready to strike at any moment.
The ships set sail, charging in a mighty formation toward the opposite shore!
Dark clouds of war gathered, and the river surged with turbulent waves!
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