1077 Traitors?
"So, you're doing all this because of pride? You will allow trillions to die for such a stupid thing?" asked Wang Wei.
"Not just any pride, but the pride of martial artists," replied Qian Heng. "If we back down now and surrender, the collective martial art will of all the cultivators in this world will shatter, turning our cultivation system into a waste."
The core idea of their martial arts system is that they can bend and stretch but cannot surrender. Otherwise, no one will ever pass the Death Realm, let alone condense a Golden Body. So, this war has become one to preserve their world, culture, and cultivation systems.
"Not to mention, I believe you're a scourge to the lower dimension," continued Qian Heng. "I hope our resistance signals other worlds to resist no matter whether they are destined to lose."
Wang Wei's eyes squinted after hearing those words. He noticed a strange destiny gathering around Qian Heng.
'Interesting. Is this a natural response to True Heavenly Dao's Balance Mechanism?' True Heavenly Dao must function based on balance, at least in the lower dimension. As such, even if the latter favored him and blessed him with a great destiny, it would also place difficulty in its path.
'Or is this Supreme Unity's last-ditch effort to prevent me from making the lower dimension enter an era of prosperity?'
Supreme Unity is one of the few things that can disturb True Heavenly Dao's Balance Mechanism, making it act out of character or with true selfish motives.
'Qian Heng or anyone who inherits this destiny is not a threat to me, but I should still watch them closely to prevent any unknown variable,' concluded Wang Wei. His gaze shifted beyond Qian Heng into the fog.
"What about you guys?"
His voice penetrated the fog and transmitted to all the top echelons standing in this world's court, watching and strategizing for this war.
"Do you also share the same idea as Qian Heng? Do you want your world to suffer because of his choice?"
The room was quiet until Lightning Fist summoned the courage to speak. "We do." She would never allow Snake Saber's sacrifice to be in vain. So, she was prepared to fight until her dying breath and would kill anyone who betrayed the world or surrendered. After she spoke, the others also followed: whether they honestly shared this sentiment or wanted to follow the crowd, it did not matter since they agreed on fighting until their last breath.
"What a shame," sighed Wang Wei before his eyes shifted to Reverend Tranquility. Although he was not present in the room, everyone could tell who he was looking at.
"The people from the Celestial Harmony World?"
"What? What are you talking about?" said the reverend with an ugly expression.
"What a brilliant plan," continued Wang Wei. "These Taoists cut off one of their legs to ensure they could leave a pawn in this world, and then they began their invasion from the shadows. They controlled 70% of this world's professional Dao, especially the Alchemy Dao.
"Then, when the time comes for their return, they only need to stop providing their service, and this world will enter a long period of chaos as people realize they can no longer acquire the resources they need to cultivate. By then, an invasion has a much higher chance of success. What a brilliant strategy. I wonder who came up with it."
The room's temperature immediately dropped to freezing as countless eyes stared at Reverend Tranquility.
"Don't listen to him," said the Taoist martial artist. He's planting seeds of doubt, trying to disintegrate us from the inside."
Despite the logical arguments behind these words, the people could not stop their wariness as the First Heavenly Emperor's words contained a glaring truth: the Peaceful Life Palace does control 70% of the Professional Dao's market, and if something happens to them, the world would be chaotic.
The Peaceful Life Palace has had a monopoly on the best resources for Tier 4 to 6, which is the realm that requires the most resources. Numerous top Emperor Lineages spent a lot of money buying Life Energy Pills (and its varieties like Yin-Yang Life Energy Pill) for their factions. They might have the recipe and alchemist to refine some of these pills, but they want their Heaven Chosens to use their best, and only the Peaceful Life Palace can provide these pills.
"Reverend Tranquility is right. Don't listen to his nonsense," said Qian Heng.
"Tell these Taoists that I'm interested in a conversation with them," said Wang Wei before his gaze shifted to the new Eternal Powerhouse of this world - the Celestial Demon Cult Leader.
"The same for the people behind you."
Wang Wei left, not caring about the chaos his words will cause. He walked to an established tent and summoned the Eternal Powerhouses.
"You should all be careful as this war might have outside interference. Don't be careless and suffer," warned Wang Wei.
"We understand."
"Ao Shen, go on a diplomatic mission to the Sea Race leader. Convince him to join our side," explained Wang Wei before summoning a healing pill.
"What is this for?" asked Ao Shen.
"These martial artists injured him when he refused to join their side. He is currently hiding in the sea with a few surviving demon races. Give this pill as a gift even if he does not join us."
"There are surviving demons?" He had scanned this side of the world and the ocean and found nothing.
"Yes, but only a small percentage," nodded Wang Wei before giving him the location. "Be careful and respectful. That old turtle is very powerful; it took all their Eternal Powerhouses to injure, and even then, they only succeeded because he was protecting his people."
Wang Wei was not exaggerating as he was shocked when he saw what happened; he had never met such a powerful Immortal Sovereign.
"How strong are we talking about?" asked Ao Shen.
"Compared to 5-Fold Battle Realm, and he's equal to 6-Fold in the ocean."
"A hidden Eternal Emperor?"
"No, he's an Immortal Sovereign."
"Can they reach such a power level with the lower dimension's suppression?" asked Ao Shen.
"Apparently, yes, but only with enough time."
"How long has this turtle lived?"
"He survived the Null Era, so he can be called ancient."
"Now it makes more sense," nodded Ao Shen.
"Go discreetly," added Wang Wei before dismissing everybody. Then, with a wave of his hand, a screen floated before him, showing a beautiful face after a few minutes. Sword One appeared on the screen without her mask.
"Sect Master," she saluted.
"We're alone, so there is no need for the formality," Wang Wei replied casually. "What's the latest news?"
"The same. They want to intervene in this confrontation but still fear you. They've been putting more pressure on He Shiyi, asking him to fulfill his promise."
Wang Wei nodded, "What's He Shiyi's response?"
"We haven't found out exactly, but we know he's placated many factions while the rest are still mad at him."
"So, he might be already prepared or still preparing," uttered Wang Wei. "Has our business been affected?"
"On the contrary, it's booming better than before. They are trying to appease us and have opened many doors for us," explained Sword One. "Of course, that's a facade. When the moment is right, they will strike and take everything."
Wang Wei nodded as this tactic was obvious. "What about the Star Beast World? How is their business?"
"Some people tried to sanction them until we intervened, and they backed down; they also started treating them like us."
Wang Wei did not say anything as he became lost in his thoughts for a few seconds. "Anything else to report?"
"Someone wants to propose expanding the hub to all world communities before gathering everyone's power to deal with us. We've temporarily delayed him until you decide what we should do."
"There is no need to delay him. A rapid expansion at this stage of the game will only scatter their forces and make them even more vulnerable. If they are stupid enough to do such a thing, I would praise Heaven," commented Wang Wei.
"As you wish. Any other order?"
"Tell Wang Ju to keep watch on the Abyss Gap," added Wang Wei. "I don't want these bastards to release the seal out of desperation."
"I will."
After this call, Wang Wei contacted Gao Buqin and Desolate On in the Battle Spirit World to check on He Shiyi's actions. He received some bad news as the alliance of Emperor Lineages Gao Buqin created to balance the Spirit Genesis Sect contained some traitors. Some information has been leaked, and they have lost their ability to monitor He Shiyi. Wang Wei promised to send them more Fate Shadow Guard to rectify the situation before ending the conversation.
'Once this war ends, it's time to finish things with He Shiyi, Emperor Jia, and the Commerce Hub,' thought Wang Wei. He looked in the distance and smiled before disappearing.
