Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
This man that walked out of the Middle World was the Great Zhou Empire’s Grand Advisor, the Marquis of Xuanji Zhu Hongwu.
Upon seeing Zhu Hongwu, the Great Zhou cultivators that welcomed him all entered a slight trance.
Zhu Hongwu walked in void space calmly, as if he was on level ground. But he didn’t reveal his aura or the energy that often came along with a Martial Way cultivator.
He didn’t turn his Immortal Soul into human form. Rather, he combined both his Immortal Soul and flesh. The figure of him now was his real physical flesh.
However, he wasn’t supported by any mana or spiritual energy. He simply stood in void space. Nothing seemed to be amiss, but one could sense how frightening he was upon closer observation.
He left all of the Great Zhou Empire cultivators petrified.
Following his calm breathing, every inhalation and exhalation seemed to mark the creation and destruction of a small universe within his body.
Zhu Hongwu appeared very serious right now. He stood tall and straight, and the two streaks of hair to the sides of his head were slightly white. But he didn’t appear elderly. He looked at the Great Zhou Empire cultivators in front of him and nodded his head. After that, he asked, “Has the Celestial Sect of Wonders acted?”
The Great Zhou Empire cultivators answered hurriedly, “Zhu Yi, Shi Tianhao and Li Yuanfang followed Shi Zongtang to Tianjing. They even brought the Crucible of Divine Lands and Two Elements of Creation Formation along.
The Great Zhou Empire cultivators appeared fearful when they mentioned the Two Elements of Creation Formation.
Beside Mount Yujing that could shift freely, the Two Elements of Creation Formation could also be shifted. Was it really used to guard Mount Yujing? It was more of an offensive formation used to attack other places!
Zhu Hongwu didn’t seem to react to the Two Elements of Creation Formation, but his gaze straightened when he heard about the Crucible of the Divine Lands. “Crucible of the Divine Lands? It’s a pity…”
The Great Zhou Empire cultivators continued to say, “In addition, Yue Hongyan has occupied the Blizzard County now and is in pursuit of our officials and cultivators. Prince Youyun and the Frontier Galleon have both been suppressed by the Saros Magical Tree on Mount Lan in the Blizzard County.”
Zhu Hongwu didn’t appear surprised when he heard this. Because of their alliance with the Great Void Sect, the Great Zhu Empire couldn’t back off when dealing with the Celestial Sect of Wonders. Otherwise, they would offend the Great Void Sect.
Liang Pan and the Imperial Palace of Emperor Tai seized part of the Cheng Heaven Great Void Celestial Light when they used the Draconic Energy to aid Mount Baiyun. There was no free lunch in the world.
Offending both the Celestial Sect of Wonders and Great Void Sect at the same time would mean that they exterminated themselves in the Divine Lands.
This was unless the Great Zhou Empire submitted to the Celestial Sect of Wonders and ditched the Great Void Sect.
But the conflict between the Great Zhou and Celestial Sect of Wonders couldn’t be resolved. This was especially so because of the rivalry between Zhu Hongwu and Zhu Yi.
Zhu Hongwu crushed a Voice-Projecting Crystal and Liang Pan’s voice rang from the other side, “Hongwu, congratulations on exiting your retreat.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern.” Zhu Hongwu answered. Before he continued speaking, Liang Pan said, “Although there’s progress over at the Ying Sea, our preparations are not yet done. But we have to be prepared for the worst this time.”
Zhu Hongwu said, “Your Majesty, please be relieved. You’re just slightly bothered by inconsequential matters. You have experienced countless ups and downs and reached your current position after making your own significant rise to greatness. Although the Great Zhou Empire is facing a crisis now, it has great fortune and we don’t have to be too worried about the problems that we’re facing now.”
While this might be true, it’s always best to be enjoying the good times. However, Liang Pan and Zhu Hongwu were very resolute. Although Great Zhou was in a crisis now, they still remained very calm and composed.
If there was something that bothered them and left them displeased, it wasn’t the Celestial Sect of Wonders.
Although Zhu Yi and Shi Tianhao approached with a ferocious momentum and Yue Hongyan even seized the Blizzard County, Liang Pan and Zhu Yi were not under too much pressure.
If Lin Feng came himself, this battle would be over even before it started.
While Lin Feng allowed Zhu Yi and the others to bring the Two Elements of Creation Formation and Crucible of Divine Lands along, he still remained on Mount Yujing. He didn’t even send his avatar over.
This left the Great Zhou Empire perplexed although the pressure on them was relieved.
Even now, the Great Zhou was still a major powerhouse in the Divine Lands. It was even possible to claim that the Great Zhou Empire was the strongest power apart from the Great Void Sect and Celestial Sect of Wonders, given that the Mount Shu Sword Sect, Hall of the Dead and Great Qin Empire had all been dealt huge blows.
Liang Pan was still one of the few major characters in the Divine Lands.
But the current Great Zhou and Liang Pan weren’t able to measure up to Lin Feng. Although Lin Feng didn’t even leave Mount Yujing, the Great Zhou Empire still felt as if they were facing a formidable opponent.
It was not long ago that the Great Zhou Empire regarded the Celestial Sect of Wonders as a rising power that only deserved some of their attention.
When the Secret Manual of Kun Peng was opened in the North Polar Sea, the only Immortal Soul Stage cultivator from the Great Zhou Empire that graced the vent was only the Cheng Yun Holy Man, Li Yao.
During the Scramble for the Ying Sea, the Great Zhou Empire suffered great losses. Not only did they not obtain the Penglai and Yingzhou Celestial Mountains, they even lost their Fangzhang Celestial Mountain. But at least they could rival the Celestial Sect of Wonders then. Both parties used fair tactics to tackle each other.
However, now……
Even if Liang Pan and Zhu Hongwu were very resolute, the huge changes that happened still left them feeling very complex.
“Lin Feng shall regret his actions eventually.” Zhu Hongwu remained calm and said slowly, “This will be a battle. We don’t have to cut our enemy any slack even if they don’t go all out. Let’s deal them a massive blow and lower their confidence first.”
“Your Majesty, I shall not be merciful this time since this is going to be an ultimate clash between both sides.”
Liang Pan replied, “Gauge for yourself. But I can’t keep your son and Shi Tianhao over at Tianjing since they brought the Two Elements of Creation Formation and Crucible of the Divine Lands along. They have the resources to split up to find you. It’s likely that your son will come seeking for you.”
Zhu Hongwu answered, “I will proceed to the Blizzard County first and attack them first. My unfilial son will have no choice but to go to the Blizzard County, and I will wait for him there. I’ll clear this mess up. But Lin Feng will be forced out from his mountain after all this. I can return to aid Tianjing, but I won’t make it in time to help you seize the Crucible of the Divine Lands.”
“No worries.” Liang Pan replied, “Just pay more attention yourself. Try to stall for more time. I’ll inform you when the preparations at the Ying Sea are done. It’ll be our time to stop them then.”
“The War of the Two Worlds has just ended. While the demons were defeated, they’ll still be monitoring the situation in the Divine Lands. The Great Void Sect sealed their mountain and Lin Feng has no choice but to worry about the Barren Expanses. This’ll be our chance.”
Zhu Hongwu said respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After cutting their contact, Zhu Hongwu said to the Great Zhou cultivators beside him, “All of you will do your job.”
After he finished speaking, he broke open void space and disappeared from where he was.
Li Yuanfang sat quietly amidst the Two Elements of Creation Formation outside of Tianjing. The huge formation revolved slowly. It unleashed a tremendous force, and Tianjing didn’t dare to underestimate its power.
Outside of the formation, Zhu Yi, Shi Tianhao, Shi Zongtang and the bunch of Great Qin cultivators stood together. They watched Tianjing quietly.
Zhu Yi placed both his hands behind his back. He remained calm as he looked in the direction of Tianjing. But on closer look, it was clear that he had no focal point in his eyes.
In his eyes, the word ‘Yi’ appeared subtly appeared. Streaks and streaks of radiances surged and a mystical power concept was revealed. It’s as if countless things were evolving.
Zhu Yi was slightly moved suddenly, and he broke one of his fingernail. Spots of radiances flowed out from his finger, as if they were blood spewing out.
These radiances were gathered by Zhu Yi’s powers and they were slowly turned into real traces of blood.
These traces of blood burnt in void space before converting into flowing lights that shot into the distance. The ‘Yi’ word in Zhu Yi’s eyes flashed and his gaze seemed to condense into a real entity that chased after the flowing lights. It transcended boundless time and space.
“My father has exited his retreat, but he’s gone to find trouble with Fourth Junior. He’s trying to make me divide our forces. His target is me.” As he saw Shi Tianhao and Shi Zongtang looking over, Zhu Yi said quietly, “Youngest Junior, I shall leave it to you and Sixth Junior over here.”
Shi Tianhao smiled, “I wish you success, Second Senior.”
As he spoke, a light projection flashed above his head. A mighty city that appeared a little wrecked, but was bigger than Tianjing, appeared.
Li Yuanfang also changed the spells in his hand and the powers of the Two Elements of Creation Formation were unleashed. They suppressed Tianjing.
The Imperial Palace of Emperor Tai above Tianjing appeared with a shocking radiance and power aura. The formation guarding Tianjing guided the Draconic Energy and its powers were enhanced too.
Liang Pan summoned the Imperial Palace of Emperor Tai, which capitalized on the geographical advantage of Tianjing. Although it was very powerful, it couldn’t stop Zhu Yi from leaving. With Shi Tianhao and Li Yuanfang at one side, Liang Pan was helpless.
Zhu Yi pointed his finger towards his temple. The Dual Dimension Vacuum Charm was initiated, and he disappeared. He was replaced by the Great Sun Avatar.
Zhu Yi’s main body appeared beside Yue Hongyan instantly. He lifted his head to look at void space above him.
Just when Zhu Yi arrived, void space in the Blizzard County broke open. An ordinary-looking middle-aged man that felt like a satanic god walked out. He was Zhu Hongwu.
Both Zhu Yi and Zhu Hongwu looked at each other immediately. Their gazes caused the surrounding Heavens and Earth to be slightly distorted.
Zhu Yi stared at Zhu Hongwu calmly and said, “Father, you have finally exited your retreat.”
