Everlasting Immortal Firmament

“Divine Dao plundering? If that’s true, wouldn’t Ji Dihong be unbeatable? Wouldn’t the shaman race prove invincible as well back then?” Gu Hai queried, his eyebrows furrowing.

“No, not invincible. The process comes with drawbacks. One must refine the stolen divine Dao secret technique oneself. Should the refining go awry, the divine Dao secret technique might backfire, resulting in more loss than gain. Hasn’t Ji Dihong been in seclusion lately?” Long Wanyu responded.

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard reported that after Ji Dihong killed Chiyou, he went into seclusion. He only came out a few times before going back into seclusion,” Meng Tai confirmed.

Long Wanyu explained, “That’s because Ji Dihong is still refining the world devouring’s secret technique. The divine nature of the world devouring is immensely powerful, making it difficult to refine. After all, it ranks together with the divine Dao plundering as the five main lineages back then.”

Chen Xianer frowned. “No wonder he sent the people of the Heavenly Demon Holy Land to bother us!”

“What a frightening prospect! How much of the Divine Dao Shaman Canon has Ji Dihong grasped?” Kong Xuan inquired, frowning heavily.

“The other things in the Divine Dao Shaman Canon are just minor Dao. The most powerful ones are the five main lines of inheritance: the four great zombies, divine blood replication, world devouring, mind control, and divine Dao plundering.

“The four great zombies need zombie ancestor seeds, which are certainly not easily obtained; the shaman race only had four, to begin with. They also require Jiangchen’s blood. Ji Dihong certainly cannot do anything about the four great zombies.

“Divine blood replication is even more difficult to accomplish, as it requires poison collected from all the poisonous creatures in the world. Many of the ancient poisonous creatures are extinct, so Ji Dihong can’t possibly achieve this.

“As for world devouring, he has stripped it from Chiyou, but others can’t practice it. After all, Chiyou himself expended considerable effort and had Jiang Lianshan’s strategies to practice it successfully. It’s not something others can grasp in a short time.

“Therefore, the only techniques Ji Dihong can use are divine Dao plundering and mind control. Divine Dao plundering is too domineering and powerful; Ji Dihong will surely keep it in his own hands. As for mind control, it should have its flaws, considering that Dahong could not control Essence Genesis back then,” Gu Hai said somberly.

“Regardless, this Ji Dihong remains extremely dangerous,” Mo Yike warned, frowning deeply.

Gu Hai nodded, then shook his head. “No matter how powerful divine Dao plundering is, it can’t escape the confines of divine cultivation. There are five forms of cultivation in this world: lifespan, blessings, divine, cultural, and spiritual.”

“Yes!” The crowd nodded in agreement.

“Ji Dihong is a cautious man. He surely won’t place all his hopes on the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon when dealing with my Han Imperial Dynasty. He must have other means,” Gu Hai stated firmly.

Mo Yike inhaled deeply and exclaimed, “Your wisdom is profound, Your Reverence!”

“Oh?” Gu Hai turned his gaze to Mo Yike.

“Your Reverence, I have organized a report on the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s war arrangements and the positioning of their soldiers for targeting the Han Imperial Dynasty. I await your perusal.” Mo Yike proffered a report with some urgency.

Several officials looked stunned. Everyone had been busy dealing with invaders. Even the slightest misstep could lead to the annihilation of Borderless Heavenly Capital, yet Mo Yike found time to prepare a report?

Gu Hai accepted the report but did not open it. Instead, he glanced at the gathered officials. “All of you have worked hard. You may rest for now, until we summon you again,” Gu Hai commanded solemnly.

“Yes! As Your Reverence wishes, we shall take our leave!” the officials responded in unison.

Most of the officials left.

Only Gu Hai’s family, the corps commanders, Meng Tai, Vairocana, the Unborn Man, Lady Houtu, and some others remained in the large hall.

“Meng Tai, please bring Lady Houtu, Mao Tianyun, Ensnaring Performance, Longevity, Purple Subtlety, Houqing, and Mu Chenfeng to rest,” Gu Hai directed.

Whoosh!

Gu Hai brought out Ensnaring Performance, Purple Subtlety, Longevity, and Mu Chenfeng from the Gu’s Immortal Firmament.

Although Ensnaring Performance and the others were in the Gu’s Immortal Firmament earlier, Gu Hai did not hide the outside events from them, so they had seen everything.

“Master, there’s no need for Meng Tai to host them. Let me do it. This is my home. They can come to my residence; I’ll host them!” Ensnaring Performance volunteered bravely.

“As long as there’s food,” Longevity and Purple Subtlety chuckled.

“Many thanks, Imperial Emperor Gu.” Lady Houtu nodded.

As Houqing was severely injured, he had no say.

Mao Tianyun simply scratched its itch, unperturbed.

“Yes, Hall Master,” Mu Chenfeng acknowledged respectfully.

Meng Tai led the group away, obeying his order.

“Unborn Man, compile a list of the necessary materials and requirements for setting up the passageway between the two realms and give us a written report later,” Gu Hai instructed.

“Yes!” The Unborn Man looked at everyone before eventually nodding.

Chen Xianer, sensing that Gu Hai needed to discuss state affairs, quickly pulled Long Wanqing and Long Wanyu aside. “Younger Sisters, Husband is busy with his affairs. Let’s return to the palace. I have some gifts prepared for your return. Would you like to see?”

“Sure,” Long Wanqing agreed, realizing Gu Hai was busy.

“Alright! That’s great! What gifts?” Long Wanyu chimed in.

“Little Han, Shangguan Hen, Ao Sheng, you three should focus on healing here. Here are three bottles of medicine for your injuries. Make sure to use them where necessary and focus on your recovery,” Gu Hai advised, taking out the three bottles of Mending Heaven Energy.

“Yes!” The three of them nodded.

“Vairocana, could you help them with their recovery?” Gu Hai requested seriously.

“Rest assured, Mister Gu. I will assist them,” Vairocana responded, nodding.

Then Gu Hai turned to the others. “Let’s move to the study.”

“Yes!” Gu Qin and the corps commanders replied in unison.

------

The emperor’s study:

Gu Hai sat behind his desk. Gu Qin and the corps commanders stood in two columns before him.

Gu Qin, Gao Xianzhi, Chen Tianshan, Mo Yike, Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, Sima Changkong, and Long Shenying were in attendance.

“Your Reverence, my memorandum is among the documents on your desk. It includes letters of allegiance from the neighboring three imperial dynasties and three middle-tier sects!”

This caught everyone by surprise. They wondered, Besides Mo Yike, Sima Changkong was also unfazed by the external threats?

Gu Hai nodded in acknowledgment.

While he swiftly skimmed through the pile of information on his desk, the eight waited patiently.

It took him a full hour to read through all the reports, including those from Sima Changkong and Mo Yike.

Finally, Gu Hai had a clearer understanding of the significant events that transpired in his absence. Simultaneously, he became aware of the crises facing the Han Imperial Dynasty.

He turned to Mo Yike and questioned, “Ji Dihong murdered Chiyou, took over Chiyou City, and declared hostility against the Han Imperial Dynasty to all the factions in the world. He threatened anyone who dared assist the Han Imperial Dynasty, vowing relentless vengeance as if they were enemies of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Your Reverence! The Nine Li Imperial Dynasty occupied the Divine Continent’s cardinal center position. The Huang Heavenly Dynasty specially sent messages to all the factions between the center of the Divine Continent and my Han Imperial Dynasty, demanding they collaborate with the wrath of the Huang Nation and warning the flames of its anger would also burn them, otherwise,” Mo Yike confirmed with gravitas.

“Oh? All the factions stretching from the Divine Continent’s cardinal center position to the cardinal north position? How did they respond to it?” Gu Hai asked solemnly.

“From the Divine Continent’s cardinal center position to the cardinal north position, the most direct path crosses fifteen imperial dynasties, sixteen middle-tier sects, and many royal dynasties and lower-tier sects. Of the fifteen imperial dynasties, four willingly ceded five cities each. Similarly, three middle-tier sects gave up four cities each. These cities given to the Huang Heavenly Dynasty form a panhandle extending the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s territory to the north, heading towards my Han Imperial Dynasty,” declared Mo Yike solemnly.

“The long, thin strip of territory extends from Xuanyuan City towards our Han Imperial Dynasty. What do you believe is Ji Dihong’s plan, Mister Mo?” Gu Hai inquired.

“Ji Dihong aims to drive the power of the entire Huang Nation,” Mo Yike replied gravely.

“Oh?”

“Ji Dihong has apparently seen the vast potential of my Han Imperial Dynasty. Between the Yan Heavenly Dynasty and the Han Imperial Dynasty, he chose to confront the Han Nation first. Although the territory is thin, it can extend to the border of the Han Imperial Dynasty. Once it reaches the border, he can move the capital there, drive his blessings at the Han Nation’s border, and mobilize his forces against the Han Nation, thereby doubling the effectiveness of his efforts and preventing unforeseen circumstances. This shows how cautious he is being, and how wary he is of Your Reverence,” Mo Yike explained solemnly.

“Hah! Wary of us? Ji Dihong is merely picking the low-hanging fruit!” scoffed Gu Hai, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Mo Yike remained silent.

“He must prepare for broken teeth if he dares to take a bite out of us, believing the Han Nation to be as it was!” Gu Hai’s eyes grew cold.

“Indeed!” agreed Mo Yike, nodding his head.

“The Han Imperial Dynasty has matured, almost ready to take the leap to a heavenly dynasty,” mused Gu Hai, his eyes focused.

“A heavenly dynasty?” His listeners’ eyes lit up.

“The Huang Heavenly Dynasty is threatening the various factions; we cannot fall behind. Mo Yike, draft a decree to inform the world. The Huang Heavenly Dynasty and Ji Dihong murdered our brother, Chiyou, through despicable means. This is an irreconcilable grudge! The enmity between the Huang Heavenly Dynasty and the Han Imperial Dynasty shall not end until one falls. Those forces aiding the Huang Heavenly Dynasty shall be seen as enemies of the Han Imperial Dynasty, a feud that shall not cease until one is destroyed!” declared Gu Hai in a solemn voice.

The assembled corps commanders shared knowing smiles. Ji Dihong threatened many factions, and now their emperor would do the same. They wondered how those forces felt about the imminent clash between the Han Nation and the Huang Nation.

Far from feeling timid, the prospect exhilarated them. They had weathered many storms, after all. While the Huang Heavenly Dynasty was indeed powerful, it had not reached the level of being able to suppress the entire Divine Continent. Victory against the Huang Heavenly Dynasty in this war meant the Han Imperial Dynasty would advance to a heavenly dynasty.

A heavenly dynasty? Just the thought of it ignited a spark in their eyes.

“This decree is likely to throw the various factions into turmoil, caught between a rock and a hard place,” Chen Tianshan mused with a smile.

“Perhaps not.” Gu Hai shook his head.

Mo Yike nodded in agreement. “The Huang Heavenly Dynasty is still a heavenly dynasty, after all. Despite the rapid rise of the Han Imperial Dynasty, we are still an imperial dynasty. These factions may lean more towards the Huang Heavenly Dynasty. Your Reverence, this official wishes to ask, how should the Han Imperial Dynasty retaliate if these forces persist in assisting the Huang Heavenly Dynasty?”

“Annihilate them swiftly!” Gu Hai declared.

“Yes!” the corps commanders answered.