Volume One, Chapter 107: Zhenwu's Overbearing Power

Chapter 107: Zhenwu’s Domineering Authority

Men die for wealth; birds perish for food.

Celestial beings are still beings—don’t elevate them to some untouchable holiness.

If they don’t compete with you for territory, it’s simply because your land isn’t attractive enough, lacking what they desire. In short, being trash is your blessing; at least you won’t have countless celestial beings eyeing you covetously.

Take Earth, for example? Ha.

What Kui Mu Lang revealed could almost set the Northern Pole heavens ablaze. If this news were to become public, it would instantly unite Emperor Haotian, Emperor Ziwei, Emperor Changsheng, Emperor Gouchen, and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers in unanimous agreement to invade the Andromeda Nebula. Peace treaties, mutual non-aggression pacts—all would be meaningless nonsense.

How likely is it for a Small Thousand World to contain the Heavenly Spring?

Almost impossible.

For a Medium Thousand World?

Less than one in a hundred million.

For a Great Thousand World?

Less than ten percent.

In other words, the chance of finding the Heavenly Spring in a Great Thousand World is roughly around ten percent.

Note, this is a probability, not an exact number. It’s only a possibility. Some unfortunate Great Thousand Worlds might never encounter one for billions of years.

But do you know how many Small Thousand Worlds make up a Great Thousand World?

Nine million Small Thousand Worlds form a single Great Thousand World. Given that the Northern Pole’s Three Enclosures is a Small Thousand World with a relatively modest territorial field, what chances does it have of encountering the Heavenly Spring?

Therefore, madness is inevitable, war is unavoidable, and all sorts of conspiracies and stratagems are bound to arise.

Hence, the shock experienced by Shi Su and the young prodigy was only natural.

---

Su He felt a stir in her heart, a slight tremor, and even a touch of confusion. She asked, “Brother Hei, are you saying that Tian Qiang and the others came to the荒星 because they received news of the Heavenly Spring appearing in Andromeda? If that’s the case, why wouldn’t the Celestial Court simply dispatch troops directly into Andromeda’s domain?”

Old Hei, a seasoned divine official with a sharp mind, pondered and replied, “Sis, here’s how I see it. I think Tian Qiang and his group may not be acting on the Celestial Court’s orders. It might be that the Celestial Court itself doesn’t yet know about this news. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have coordinated with us? If the Celestial Court sent troops, we’d be the vanguard, wouldn’t we?”

Su He nodded in agreement.

“So, you’re suggesting that Tian Qiang, acting on his own, was directed by someone else?” she asked.

Old Hei nodded. “The one directing them must be a significant figure within the Celestial Court. Otherwise, with Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge’s personalities, would a common divine official be able to command them?”

Su He continued, “So, they’re actually concealing this operation from the Celestial Court? That means if we keep this news to ourselves, we can safeguard the secret and seize the opportunity to enter and search for the Heavenly Spring, right?”

Kui Mu Lang looked at Su He with admiration. “Sis, your mind is sharp. So, what’s next?”

Su He smiled faintly. “Here’s what I’m thinking: if that’s the case, we detain Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge, accuse them of unauthorized troop movements and treasonous intentions, and imprison them in the five major prisons of 锧星. Using this chance, we enter Andromeda under the pretext of eradicating the remnants of Chu Tiange on 荒星. How about that?”

Kui Mu Lang clasped his fist and patted his palm, laughing. “Could there be a better plan than this? Haha, let’s do it. I think we should inform Emperor Zhenwu. This is too big for us to handle alone. Besides, the Emperor has treated us well; we can’t be ungrateful, right?”

Su He smiled. “Of course.”

No sooner had she spoken than a booming laugh echoed through the void: “Excellent! I have not overestimated you two. Now let us head to 荒星. That little pig may not be able to handle Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge. Hei, your White Tiger Seven Mansions shall share in the spoils, haha—”

It was Emperor Zhenwu’s voice.

Kui Mu Lang was indifferent—after all, he did not answer to Emperor Zhenwu—but Su He was another matter. If she intended to hide things from Zhenwu, she was in for a harsh fate.

What kind of existence is Emperor Zhenwu? If he wished, he could surveil your divine consciousness, eavesdrop on your conversations. You think you’re at the peak of Celestial Lords?

Meanwhile, the confrontation between Old Lü and Tian Qiang Xuan Ge had already exploded into chaos, the battle so fierce that the heavens darkened and the sun and moon lost their light. Explosions and thunderous clashes of powerful techniques shook 荒星 to its core. Fortunately, both sides knew to shift the battlefield into the void, or else these mighty saints and emperors would have reduced 荒星 to ruins in moments.

In fact, Old Lü’s forces outnumbered Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge’s, and were considerably stronger. After all, they were the Imperial Guards, with countless experts, including tens of millions of Saint-ranked commanders. Ten or so Saints attacking a single Saint—especially a diminished one—meant this battle was hopeless for Tian Qiang’s side.

Fortunately, Old Lü only brushed the edge of the Emperor’s higher peak level, while Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge were truly at the Emperor’s mid to high peak, so though difficult, they managed to hold their ground.

Old Lü shouted and roared wildly, surrounded by hundreds of Saints besieging Tian Qiang, the battle raging fiercely.

Though Xuan Ge lacked an Emperor opponent, he was surrounded by the Eight Kui Star Lords wielding celestial nets. Eight heavenly nets enclosed him from all sides, leaving him utterly trapped and unable to fully unleash his power.

Just as the battle reached its climax, space rippled violently. A majestic voice thundered from the sky:

“Cease!”

That single command sent all the Saints staggering, ears ringing with a buzzing noise. They hastily withdrew from the fray, looking skyward.

Amidst the misty rain and roaring thunder, a colossal black tortoise as large as a mountain appeared, entwined by a soaring serpent thousands of zhang long. Standing proudly on its back was the imposing Emperor Zhenwu, flanked by the sharp-eyed Old Hei and the gentle Shi Su He.

Old Lü, seeing his master arrive, quickly bowed, his face so full of smiles that his eyes disappeared. Naive as he was, he was also quite obsequious. With this demeanor, it’s no wonder he earned Emperor Zhenwu’s favor; otherwise, would the Imperial Guards be under his command?

Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge were dismayed but of course, they bowed as well. Who dared refuse?

What kind of existence is Emperor Zhenwu?

Though the Three Enclosures and Four Symbols are said to be under the jurisdiction of Emperor Haotian and Emperor Ziwei respectively, Emperor Zhenwu declared, “You may have higher rank than me, but administratively, we stand equal.” In the previous life of Tu Zhe’s country, that was akin to being one of the nine standing committee members with the status of a major state leader.

“Fine, I’ll acknowledge you’re the Jade Emperor or a great emperor, but if I don’t favor you, don’t expect me to care. What will you do about it?”

So, don’t speak of rank as one of the seven great leaders of the Three Enclosures and Four Symbols. Even if you call his domain remote or outdated, if you dare ruffle his feathers, are you certain you’ll return alive to Ziwei Enclosure?

This is what it means to live under someone else’s roof—you must bow your head.

Thus, when Emperor Zhenwu ordered a halt, Tian Qiang was relieved but dared not disobey.

Emperor Zhenwu paid no mind to Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge, giving them a simple choice:

“Either resist and be executed on the spot; or surrender immediately and be imprisoned for questioning. Don’t claim you’re obeying orders—don’t think you can fool me.

Now, tell me your choice!”