"It has come to this point after all. Although I have some evidence, at this moment, the crucial matter is not about seeking the truth anymore," Wang Ping said, frowning as he read the simulated text on the screen.
These ancient powers and old monsters were not fools; they knew someone was scheming against them and the young talents. Moreover, Wang Ping hadn't destroyed the bodies of those shadowy figures and the indigenous beings within the secret realm. This meant they had likely discovered that these shadowy figures were responsible for the attacks on the young talents.
As for who the mastermind behind it all was, that would require further investigation.
However, seeking the truth could wait for later; it was a given.
Now, what they wanted to do was seize this rare opportunity to absorb the resources of the Qin family and the Taiyi Emperor Palace. Whether it was the Qin family's precious Enlightenment Tea Trees or some treasures from the Taiyi Emperor Palace, these were things that other forces coveted.
In the past, no force would have easily gone to war with other Emperor-level powers.
Especially when it came to going to war with the Longevity Qin family and the Taiyi Emperor Palace, both deeply rooted Emperor-level powers, it was virtually impossible due to various concerns.
But things were different now. The Qin family had suffered a big loss this time, and they could use the excuse of cooperating for the greater good to stand on the moral high ground and force the Taiyi Emperor Palace to hand over the First Crown Prince for a soul search.
In doing so, they could gain a deeper understanding of what had truly happened within the secret realm and eliminate a potential threat by removing the Taiyi Emperor Palace's Crown Prince. It would be a fair outcome—our young talents are gone, and so is your only survivor, leveling the playing field.
As for the two pure-blood Phoenixes and those fierce quasi-Emperors, that could be dealt with later. They weren't Emperor-level forces, and the benefits they could provide were minimal.
Although such actions might seem unscrupulous, not immediately finding and dealing with the mastermind behind the scenes and instead targeting two other forces that had also been manipulated, it was necessary to weaken these two very powerful Emperor-level forces and strengthen themselves with their resources at the time when the Immortal Gate was about to open.
As long as one could become an immortal, any means were worth it.
"Of course, not all Great Emperors think the same way," Wang Ping muttered to himself, exhaling lightly.
On the continent of the Transcendent Immortal, there were still dozens of Great Emperors in existence. However, only about eleven or twelve had taken action this time.
As for the forces that dared to confront the Qin family, they were most likely subsidiary forces of Emperor-level powers; otherwise, they wouldn't have had the audacity.
In other words, the other Great Emperors had not yet taken action, as they didn't want to involve innocent parties and were likely investigating the mastermind behind the scenes.
Of course, they had no reason to stop the forces that had taken action; that would be a futile and thankless task.
"Perhaps, among these acting Great Emperors, there are also those with ulterior motives, those who are fishing in troubled waters," Wang Ping concluded, rubbing his chin.
Then, he continued to gaze at the screen, reading the simulated text.
"As these forces descend upon the Taiyi Emperor Palace, the protective Emperor Formation of the Taiyi Emperor Palace is truly activated, ready to defend against the attacks. However, this behavior is futile. No matter how strong the Emperor Formation is, it cannot withstand the attacks of Great Emperors, especially when so many Great Emperors are descending together."
"Next, an elderly Great Emperor takes a step forward, his voice cold, demanding that Emperor Tianyu appears and explains to everyone why, in this secret realm expedition, only you, along with the Phoenixes Hongqing and Hongyin, survived."
"In response to the command of the elderly Great Emperor, a quasi-Emperor from the Taiyi Emperor Palace, a perfect Circle of Emperors, steps forward. He looks at the elderly Great Emperor and says that in that secret realm, even many life-preserving methods were unusable, and the transformation into an Emperor could not be activated. It was undoubtedly a scheme planned by the mastermind behind the scenes. Since everyone had been manipulated, there was no need to make things difficult for the Taiyi Emperor Palace."
"The elderly Great Emperor snorts coldly, stating that all our Crown Princes have perished, and only your Taiyi Emperor Palace's Crown Prince survived. This is clearly suspicious, and it's possible that you are colluding with the mastermind behind the scenes."
"In the midst of the elderly Great Emperor's anger, a figure suddenly appears above the Taiyi Emperor Palace, accompanied by you, scanning the multitude of cultivators with a cold expression."
"This figure is none other than the incarnation of Emperor Tianyu. After Emperor Tianyu's incarnation appears, the morale of the Taiyi Emperor Palace stabilizes somewhat. However, the ancestors of the Taiyi Emperor Palace all look at you, knowing that you may be preparing to sacrifice yourself."
"The incarnation of Emperor Tianyu gazes coldly at the other Great Emperors, his oppressive aura almost causing the lower-ranked cultivators beneath him to explode. If it weren't for the intervention of the Great Emperors, they might have died on the spot."
"Seeing Emperor Tianyu's attitude, the elderly Great Emperor snorts and says that Emperor Tianyu indeed has great courage. At this moment, instead of descending personally, he dares to appear through an incarnation and even dares to attack their people."
"The incarnation of Emperor Tianyu ignores the elderly Great Emperor and states that the Taiyi Emperor Palace is without guilt. He questions what right the elderly Great Emperor has to make him appear in person."
"These words infuriate the elderly Great Emperor, who believes he is being underestimated by Emperor Tianyu. In response, he attacks with anger, sending his attack toward the incarnation of Emperor Tianyu."
"In response, the incarnation of Emperor Tianyu snorts disdainfully and directly retaliates, clashing with the elderly Great Emperor. In an instant, the terrifying forces collide, shocking many experts."
"Due to the collision between the two, the incarnation of Emperor Tianyu emerges victorious, and the elderly Great Emperor's Emperor body is directly cracked. Although he instantly recovers, everyone can see that he was at a disadvantage."
"This makes the elderly Great Emperor's expression unsightly. Clearly, whether him or others, they had underestimated Emperor Tianyu. Although he was old and no longer at his peak, he was still an ordinary Great Emperor who had achieved Immortality through luck. It was very difficult for an ordinary Great Emperor to injure him using an incarnation."
"However
, the incarnation of Emperor Tianyu had achieved this, indicating how truly formidable Emperor Tianyu's true body must be."
"Thinking of this, whether it's the elderly Great Emperor or the others, their expressions grow more serious, and they become somewhat wary of Emperor Tianyu. This Tianyu Great Emperor was too low-key. They had originally thought he was the most ordinary among the five Great Emperors born from the Taiyi Emperor Palace. Now, it seemed that they had underestimated him. His strength was probably second only to Taiyi Great Emperor."
"The incarnation of Emperor Tianyu continues to stare coldly at the other Great Emperors, firmly stating that if they want to know the truth, he, as Emperor Tianyu's disciple, can reveal it. However, if they use these means to approach him, they should not blame him for exacting a heavy price for future retaliation."
"This resolute attitude makes people wonder if this is Emperor Tianyu's true body or just an incarnation; it's excessively domineering."
"As you witness this scene, your heart is filled with mixed emotions. Emperor Tianyu, you are still as domineering as ever, providing people with a sense of security. Unfortunately, we don't know where your true body is and what kind of danger it's facing."
Chapter 237: Immortal!?
In the midst of your contemplation, Emperor Tianyu's words caught the attention of the other emperors present, causing them to narrow their eyes. Emperor Tianyu's dominance was somewhat unexpected, and the idea of a revenge-driven emperor willing to go to any lengths gave them pause. It seemed too risky to challenge such a determined emperor.
After all, the likelihood of the Taiyi Emperor Palace being the mastermind behind the scenes was quite low. Their purpose in coming here was primarily to suppress the Taiyi Emperor Palace and secure enough resources.
At this moment, the Emperor of the Qin family watched the scene in silence, feeling somewhat helpless. The Longevity Qin family had enjoyed a comfortable existence for far too long, and he, as its Emperor, had grown old and cautious, lacking the boldness of his youth. If he were more like Emperor Tianyu, concealing his true self and appearing with a resolute attitude, perhaps the outcome would be different.
However, the Qin family's Emperor ultimately chuckled at himself. At this point, there was nothing more to say, and everything was too late. He truly had grown old and no longer possessed the arrogance and dominance of his youth. His only desire now was to continue the Qin family's legacy and, hopefully, nurture a new Emperor within his lifetime.
Originally, the Qin family had two hopes, but with the fall of Qin Yue, one of those hopes had been extinguished. They could not afford to take further risks. If they did, the Qin family would truly face extinction, and all would be lost.
Although he could hide in the Source of Darkness, it was not a safe refuge. Few Emperors who entered it could emerge with their sanity intact, and it required the consumption of countless living beings. Once transformed, the Qin family could still be eradicated, and he might be slain by other emperors.
For this reason, except for exceptional cases or individuals with cold, detached personalities, few strong individuals ventured deep into the Source of Darkness. The risks outweighed the benefits.
As the Qin family's Emperor reflected on these thoughts, a different Emperor stepped forward during the standoff. He was none other than Emperor Fengxin, the one who had slain the previous Swallowing Immortal Demon Body Emperor. He gazed at Emperor Tianyu's incarnation and calmly spoke words that surprised everyone present.
Emperor Fengxin stated that there was no need to be concerned about Emperor Tianyu's threats. Even if Emperor Tianyu were to hide and seek revenge against them and the forces behind them, it would be of little use. He claimed to have a method to find Emperor Tianyu's location, lock onto it, and eliminate the threat permanently.
Upon hearing this, you felt a shiver down your spine, and the thoughts of the other emperors began to stir. If Emperor Fengxin truly possessed such a capability, they could act decisively, annihilate the Taiyi Emperor Palace, eliminate Emperor Tianyu, and divide the Taiyi Emperor Palace's resources among themselves.
Most of the forces involved in this war had significant grievances with both the Qin family and the Taiyi Emperor Palace. While some, like Emperor Fengxin, might not have as strong a grudge, they were opportunists seeking to exploit the situation. If they could truly eradicate the Taiyi Emperor Palace and Emperor Tianyu, they would not hesitate to act.
As the atmosphere grew tense, the people from the Taiyi Emperor Palace wore changed expressions. Emperor Tianyu's incarnation also grew uneasy. As for you, you gazed at Emperor Fengxin with deep suspicion, convinced that there was something amiss about him.
Then, you stepped forward and, even though you knew your words might be in vain, you declared that you had already separated from the Taiyi Emperor Palace and hoped that the esteemed predecessors would not target the Taiyi Emperor Palace any longer. However, this gesture only resulted in shaking heads from those present, as they considered you too naive.
Nevertheless, many cultivators were astonished by your courage. They admired your determination to stand up in this situation and speak on behalf of the Taiyi Emperor Palace, even if it meant sacrificing yourself to protect it.
However, at this moment, Emperor Fengxin spoke again, asking how you had managed to escape certain death. He wanted a detailed account to uncover the truth, as there must have been many hidden factors involved in the calculations that led to the deaths of the other young talents. How had you managed to survive and escape unharmed, along with the two young pure-blood Phoenixes?
Facing Emperor Fengxin's inquiry, you couldn't help but silently curse him in your heart, convinced that he was deliberately seeking trouble. Nevertheless, you maintained a composed exterior, taking a step forward and revealing your Half-Step Supreme cultivation and mastery of the Time and Space Dao Patterns.
This revelation left the powerful individuals unable to discern your true cultivation level, causing their hearts to tremble. They hadn't expected you to conceal your true strength so effectively. It also reminded them of your previous victory over Gu Xuan with a Great Sage cultivation, making them reevaluate your capabilities. You had clearly taken advantage of your superior strength in that battle, and their opinion of you shifted subtly, realizing that you were no pushover.
[Emperor Fengxin, upon seeing your display of Time and Space Dao Patterns, remained calm and simply remarked that it wasn't enough.]
[You remained expressionless and revealed another trump card. Since you couldn't demonstrate your innate talent, you decided to reveal your Source-Shattering Heavenly Eye. Although you felt that revealing this talent might trigger an extreme reaction from the group, you had no other choice at this point.]
[When you displayed the Source-Shattering Heavenly Eye, everyone was astonished, even the emperors. There was no doubt that your showcased talents were terrifying: the combination of a Time and Space Dao Body with the Source-Shattering Heavenly Eye. Such talents made even Gu Xuan, with his Immortal Bone and Dual Emperor Bloodlines, pale in comparison.]
[Undoubtedly, aside from the visitors from various realms, within the upper realms, you were the most monstrous prodigy to have ever appeared. Throughout history, no one could compare to you.]
[At that moment, many emperors felt a mix of emotions, thinking that you were truly extraordinary, but lamenting that you weren't their disciple. Many emperors envied Emperor Tianyu.]
[Next, you decided to directly project your memory images using your divine technique. You entered the secret realm, encountered an ambush, rescued Phoenix Melody and Phoenix Qing, practiced in seclusion, comprehended Dao patterns, improved your strength, were besieged, counterattacked, engaged in a fierce battle with Gu Xuan, and ultimately killed him. The process was crystal clear, though you intentionally omitted certain parts of the conversation between you and Gu Xuan.]
[After presenting the evidence, you showed no fear. You scanned the emperors, and your gaze settled on Emperor Fengxin, arrogantly stating that you had the strength to kill all the enemies, break out of the encirclement, leave the secret realm with Phoenix Melody and Phoenix Qing unharmed, and asked if the predecessors had anything more to say.]
[Emperor Fengxin was left speechless in response to your inquiry. With what you had displayed, it was clear that you had the power to overcome any challenge, and there was no need for further scheming. Your memory images also served as evidence.]
[At that moment, the invading emperors were caught in a dilemma. Although they knew that the Qin family was likely innocent and couldn't have planned this, they still held the Qin family responsible, given that they had led a group of young talents into the secret realm. They were justified in pressuring the Qin family.]
[However, with the evidence you presented and your undeniable strength, continuing to pressure the Qin family would only make them a laughingstock in the eyes of all the cultivators in the upper realms.]
[Apart from that, even without having unrivaled power, they still needed to abide by the basic rules, as they couldn't afford to alienate other forces. Their situation would become precarious if other forces viewed them with suspicion.]
[As the atmosphere became tense, a strange laughter echoed, drawing the attention of many cultivators. Then, they saw a masked figure appear in the scene, wearing a starry mask and speaking cryptically.]
[The figure's words implied that if they continued to target the Taiyi Emperor Palace despite the innocence of its disciples, it would suggest that some among them had ulterior motives and possibly connections to the Gu family. It would appear as if they were trying to act preemptively, shifting blame, and weakening forces that posed a threat to their plans.]
[Upon hearing these words, the faces of the emperors present darkened. They dared not accept the blame for this situation. Moreover, the appearance of one of the Nine Stars suggested that some members of the Nine Stars Pavilion might be involved and had taken the side of the Taiyi Emperor Palace, which was unexpected.]
[You, on the other hand, looked at the masked individual with suspicion, believing that this person could be the Dark Star Great Sage. Otherwise, why would the Nine Stars Pavilion choose to support you? The Dark Star Great Sage had invited you to join the Nine Stars Pavilion during the end of the world period and had plans to take you to a certain location in the Nine Stars Pavilion.]
"This situation is truly frightening, with more and more powerful figures getting involved."
Wang Ping looked at the simulated text, feeling overwhelmed.
However, there was no way around it.
Losing so many young talents in one go was like poking a hole in the sky.
Nevertheless, the appearance of the Dark Star Great Sage and his support was unexpected and a significant development.
Wang Ping then collected his thoughts and continued to gaze at the screen, eager to see how it would all unfold.
[With the entrance of the masked figure and their statement, the situation took a subtle turn, leaving everyone on edge.]
[It was at this moment that another emperor stepped forward. This emperor was none other than the Emperor of the Qin family. He remained expressionless as he stated that if the Gu family had issues, and the Taiyi Emperor Palace was innocent, then the Qin family had also been manipulated. He suggested that everyone should go to the Gu family together to seek answers. Engaging in internal conflict would only amuse the hidden mastermind.]
[As the Emperor of the Qin family spoke, more emperors who had been watching from the sidelines came forward, expressing a clear desire to join the expedition to the Gu family and seek clarification.]
[The change in the situation prompted the expressions of powerful figures like Emperor Fengxin to relax, and they chuckled, explaining that they had acted out of frustration over the deaths of their descendants and had misunderstood the situation. They hoped that Emperor Tianyu and the Qin family would forgive them.]
[Hearing these words, you inwardly cursed their shamelessness, thinking that they changed their stance faster than flipping a book.]
[Nevertheless, you also breathed a sigh of relief. You had thought it would be difficult to achieve a favorable outcome, but you had successfully navigated the situation. It could be said that Emperor Tianyu's resolute stance and the intervention of the Dark Star Great Sage had played a crucial role. Otherwise, they might not have been so hesitant to act.]
[Following the lead of the emperors, countless powerful individuals marched toward the Gu family, intending to seek answers and uncover the Gu family's true nature.]
[If the Gu family wasn't as powerful as they had imagined, they would take direct action and make the Gu family pay for their actions. At the same time, the Gu family's resources would be claimed by them all.]
"Is it finally time to unveil the mystery of the Longevity Gu family?"
Wang Ping looked at the simulated text, his gaze flickering.
If the Gu family wasn't as powerful as they thought, the Gu family could indeed face annihilation.
The fury of so many emperors was not easy to endure.
Whether they were here to stir the pot or seeking revenge, the Gu family had to confront these emperors head-on; otherwise, they wouldn't even have the qualifications for negotiations.
"But, I have a feeling it won't be that smooth," Wang Ping frowned, having a bad premonition.
While his intuition wasn't always accurate and had its fair share of errors, there were times when it was incredibly precise.
Because of this, Wang Ping felt that the upcoming developments might be unexpected.
As Wang Ping pondered, the simulation continued.
[Numerous powerful individuals surrounded the Gu family, drawing the attention of many cultivators. The scale of today's events was immense, almost overwhelming. It could be said that a complete upheaval had occurred.]
[Soon, an emperor berated the Gu family, demanding an explanation. In response to the emperor's reprimand, a figure from the Gu family stepped forward.]
[He was also an emperor, one that most cultivators had never seen before, but his aura as an emperor was even more vast than most emperors.]
[However, if it were in the past, other emperors might have been extremely cautious when facing this Gu family emperor. But today, with dozens of emperors united, no matter how powerful the Gu family emperor was, he couldn't be their match.]
[As a result, the emperors still harbored hostile intentions, questioning why the Gu family had conspired against their disciples. If the Gu family couldn't provide a satisfactory answer today, they would raze the Gu family to the ground.]
[The Gu family emperor surveyed the crowd, his expression calm, showing no signs of fear. He simply stated that Gu Xuan was his son.]
[This statement left everyone stunned, including you. This Gu family emperor was incredibly audacious, daring to speak these words in such a situation, seemingly unafraid of infuriating the emperors to the point of attacking him directly.]
[In the face of the cultivators' skepticism, the Gu family emperor calmly stated that this matter had nothing to do with the Gu family. He believed that his son, Gu Xuan, had also been manipulated by someone. Therefore, the Gu family was searching for the mastermind to bring them to justice.]
[Hearing this, the emperors regarded him with cold suspicion, not believing the Gu family emperor's words. If the Gu family's young master had been so easily manipulated, it would be too unbelievable.]
[After all, who could manipulate the Gu family's young master so easily, even making him their subordinate without anyone noticing? It seemed far-fetched. If the other party had such capabilities, there would be no need for elaborate schemes.]
[Faced with the skepticism of the many cultivators, the Gu family emperor maintained his composure, stating that they would find the truth and hoped that everyone would leave now. If anyone was unwilling to leave and wanted to take action against the Gu family, they were welcome to try.]
[Confronted with the Gu family emperor's strong and domineering attitude, the crowd furrowed their brows, pondering whether the Gu family emperor's words were true or false.]
[Now, there were simply too many mysteries, and if even the Gu family wasn't the mastermind, then who had the power to manipulate everyone to this extent?]
[However, as you thought it over, you felt that the Gu family turning Gu Xuan into a shadowy figure and putting him in a perilous situation was indeed incredible. It didn't seem like something a normal father would do.]
[But you couldn't figure out who had the power to manipulate everyone to such an extent. It suddenly struck you that only forces from various realms could achieve such a feat.]
[Only these kinds of forces could use special abilities or items obtained from the paradise of various realms to accomplish such a task. Alternatively, the mastermind themselves might come from another world, possessing abilities comparable to the highly-optimized "golden fingers" of the chat group.]
[If that were the case, it seemed to explain why they had the ability to subdue so many prodigies, including Gu Xuan.]
[While you engaged in this mental exercise, another emperor angrily accused the Gu family, believing that the Gu family emperor was spouting nonsense. He urged fellow cultivators to join forces and destroy the Gu family first. Once that was done, the truth would naturally come to light.]
[Upon hearing this, many emperors' gazes turned icy as they prepared to take action. After all, Gu Xuan's appearance in the secret realm was indeed highly suspicious. Furthermore, they couldn't simply take the Gu family's word for it. To prove their innocence, they needed evidence, and it was evident that the Gu family either couldn't or wouldn't provide any.]
[In such a situation, they had to be resolute. Regardless of the circumstances, they had to make the Gu family pay a price. Their goals extended beyond seeking justice and uncovering the truth; they also wanted to uncover the Gu family's secrets.]
[As the emperors pressed on together, the expression of the Gu family emperor became slightly more solemn. However, his demeanor remained remarkably calm as he spoke firmly, "Since you, fellow cultivators, insist on attacking my Gu family without discerning right from wrong, then you can't blame my Gu family for your downfall."]
[While saying this, the Gu family emperor didn't look at the other emperors but instead directed his gaze toward the direction of the Immortal Mansion.]
[This scene sent shivers down the spines of some, and an ominous premonition began to grow within them.]
[At this very moment, a terrifying aura emerged, surpassing the level of emperors. It was unclear whether it was a divine treasure or if someone from the Gu family had achieved immortality.]
[With the appearance of this dreadful aura, even the emperors present displayed various expressions—astonishment, fear, and wild joy. Their expressions were incredibly complex.]
[You, too, were deeply shaken, staring fixedly at the Gu family emperor. You never expected that the Gu family would have an immortal presence. Immortals were supposed to be mythical beings, and the fact that the Gu family seemed to possess one was nothing short of astonishing.]
(End of this chapter)