Was what Xuan Kong said true or false?
Chong Yuan Zi’s mood was extremely complicated; he could neither judge nor decide, nor could he make a choice.
“Here, otherwise you won’t believe me…”
Xuan Kong handed the jade to Chong Yuan Zi, who immediately used his spiritual sense to detect it and found a faint trace of his father’s Yuan Shen within the jade.
“Then now, can we talk?” Xuan Kong picked up a peach from the table and started eating it nonchalantly.
Chong Yuan Zi put away the jade, his tone becoming calmer. “What do you want to talk about?”
Xuan Kong moved his eyebrows. “Let’s discuss the system of the Immortal Realm, the ancient immortals, and also talk about Shui Miao.”
“Okay, what do you want to know?” Chong Yuan Zi nodded.
After finishing the peach, Xuan Kong clapped his hands and said, “Frankly speaking, I think the plans and goals set by Emperor Wen Chang are quite good. Only in this way can the heavenly court move towards a bright future. However, you are facing tremendous challenges, especially from the side of the ancient immortals and countless other immortals who won’t easily accept such rules.”
“Yes, the difficulty is indeed great, and you are also a threat to us.”
Chong Yuan Zi spoke frankly without reservation.
“Haha, straightforward indeed, my younger brother is truly a man of integrity.” Xuan Kong grinned. “However, I really don’t count as your threat. If I wanted to confront the Immortal Realm, I wouldn’t have waited until today. The only one I’m interested in is Shui Miao. So, let’s talk about the ancient immortals. You are in the open, while they are in the shadows, and their foundation is exceptionally deep, rooted in people’s hearts. Overthrowing you would be effortless for them; even with countless magical treasures, you’d be helpless. Unless, I help you.”
“Help us? Are you so kind-hearted?”
Chong Yuan Zi looked at Xuan Kong solemnly, unable to fathom his thoughts.
Xuan Kong nodded with a smile. “You’re right; of course, I’m not that kind-hearted. But it’s not impossible either. If you help me do something, I will guarantee to assist you in dealing with the ancient immortals and help you lead the Immortal Realm towards a bright future, just as I once helped the Demon Emperor Wu Yazi. Once I make a promise, I will keep it.”
“What… do you want me to do?”
Chong Yuan Zi began to believe Xuan Kong’s words. He looked like a carefree person, but he seemed to be very trustworthy.
Xuan Kong snapped his fingers. “It’s simple, just give me the memories of Shui Miao that you obtained, and that’s it.”
“…”
This request didn’t seem difficult to fulfill.
However, Chong Yuan Zi became alert and realized that this matter was definitely not that simple.
Why did Xuan Kong need Shui Miao’s memories?
Obviously, it was because Shui Miao posed a threat to him, making Xuan Kong very wary. Therefore, he wanted to know himself and his enemy to ensure victory.
“I’m afraid I can’t help with that request. Shui Miao is my friend, and I will never betray a friend.” Chong Yuan Zi narrowed his eyes, watching Xuan Kong’s reaction.
Unexpectedly, Xuan Kong smiled easily. “I already knew you would say that. This is also where I admire him the most.”
“What do you mean? Don’t you have any friends?” Chong Yuan Zi sensed the implication in Xuan Kong’s words.
“Friends! Friends are all bastards!” Xuan Kong angrily curled his lips, then suddenly smiled and said, “Old brother, I believe you will eventually give me Shui Miao’s memories. For the sake of the Immortal Realm and the beings of the Three Realms, I believe you will sacrifice one person. Now, I don’t want to say much more. If one day you change your mind, activate this talisman, and I will come to help you. But you must give me Shui Miao’s memories.”
Suddenly, Xuan Kong waved his hand, and a talisman flew directly in front of Chong Yuan Zi.
Immediately after, the wind rose and the clouds surged, and the nearby mountains and seas of mist instantly dispersed…
The palace disappeared, and the petrified heavenly soldiers and generals returned to normal, all standing on the ground…
“What’s going on? Why are we here?”
“What just happened…”
“I remember we saw a young man, and then I don’t remember anything…”
“…”
A group of heavenly soldiers and generals discussed in confusion, all in shock.
“Don’t guess randomly; it was just an illusion. Now, let’s go back.”
Chong Yuan Zi moved his thoughts, then activated his magic power, wrapping the heavenly soldiers and generals and directly returning to the South Heaven Gate.
After returning, Chong Yuan Zi immediately led the army back to the First Heaven.
The ancient immortals had returned, colluding with various sects, and were systematically taking control of the departments.
Among them, several major sects in the First Heaven had already welcomed the return of influential ancient immortals.
※※※
Punishment City Hall
Subordinate immortal officials of the Tian Ji Sect successively reported that various immortal sects in the Immortal Realm had unusual activities, and the heavenly soldiers and generals’ camp had also experienced a coup.
Everyone had returned, and Emperor Wen Chang and Tian Yi De Jun had found hundreds of gifted individuals, placing them in their own spiritual realms for cultivation.
“Everyone, now that the ancient immortals have forcefully returned, they don’t even regard us as their equals. I’ve received reliable intelligence that the Jade Emperor is already heading to the Second Heaven with many civil and military officials. Erlang Zhenjun and Laozi have already arrived at the First Heaven, colluding with various sects, and are about to overthrow our existing heavenly order.”
Chong Yuan Zi spoke first.
The Ancient Immortal Realm had a total of thirty-six heavens. After the ancient immortals fell and vanished, the Immortal Realm was divided into five major cities for management. To facilitate governance, the Jade Emperor ordered the thirty-six heavens to be transformed and connected into nine heavens. Among them, the Second Heaven was originally the Great Luo Heaven governed by the Jade Emperor, while the First Heaven was originally the Tai Qing Heaven.
Since Tai Qing Heaven was governed by Laozi, this time the return of the ancient immortals saw Laozi being the first to arrive at Tai Qing Heaven.
Accompanying Laozi in his return was the first warrior of the Immortal Realm, Erlang Zhenjun.
“The situation is very severe, forcing us to make a choice. Either we relinquish the heavenly court or accept the return of the ancient immortals and allow them to rule the Immortal Realm.”
Emperor Wen Chang spoke with a heavy tone, looking at everyone. “Everyone, please express your opinion. Whether to fight or negotiate, I personally suggest we first try to talk. If negotiations fail, then we will take action.”
“The heavenly Dao is clear and evident; how can we only retreat and not advance? I agree with what Brother Wen Chang said. If negotiations fail, count me in for the fight,” Tian Yi De Jun stood up.
“Hmph!”
Holy Mother Shui Tianyi feared neither heaven nor earth, coldly snorted, “I’ve been waiting to fight all along!”
“Haha…”
Xing Tian Fazun laughed heartily. “I want to have a good fight with Erlang Zhenjun. What do you think, Old Brother Chong Yuan Zi?”
Everyone looked at Chong Yuan Zi…
Chong Yuan Zi paused, then said solemnly, “What I’m worried about is not the ancient immortals, but the demon realm and the powerful beings of other races, as well as Xuan Kong, the legendary forger of the demon realm. I think we should either do nothing or act decisively. We must achieve the greatest victory with the least loss.”
“How exactly do you propose to act decisively?”
Tian Yi De Jun frowned and asked doubtfully.
Emperor Wen Chang had a sudden realization. “Brother Chong Yuan Zi, are you thinking of using the might of Jin City?”
In the First Heaven, among the five immortal cities of the heavenly court, Jin City had been transformed by Shui Miao into a self-destructing immortal city.
“Exactly! That’s Jin City. Here’s what we can do…”
After careful consideration, Chong Yuan Zi finally revealed a strategy he had been thinking about for a long time.
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