Chapter 396: Chapter 399: The Change of the Immortal List_1
After establishing a general strategy, the group began meticulous discussions, filling in details and drafting a preliminary outline. A day passed in deliberation. Despite not resting for an entire day, everyone was incredibly excited because a new policy, set to change the current political landscape, was about to be formulated by their hands.
"Your Majesty, when will the Huang Family be punished?" Xiao He inquired after the discussion concluded. Until now, Qin Wudao had only verbally expressed his intention to annihilate the Huang Family’s nine relations but had not issued an explicit decree.
Annihilating nine relations was the most brutal punishment in the Qin Dynasty. For ancient clans like the Huang Clan, such a punishment would implicate millions, possibly more. Considering the severity of the penalty, the procedure for decreeing the annihilation of nine relations was exceptionally strict. It required an imperial edict, the endorsement of the three chief ministers, and legal confirmation by the Ministry of Punishments and the Ministry of Justice before it could be carried out.
"Immediately! Right away!" At the mention of the Huang Family, Qin Wudao’s expression turned grim. In less than two years, the Huang Clan had caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands. If those they had harmed previously were to be tallied, the number would likely be immeasurable. He harbored no goodwill towards this vile and bloodstained clan, wishing only for their swift annihilation.
"As you command!" Xiao He cupped his hands respectfully, his calm demeanor signaling that the Huang Clan’s fate was sealed.
"Additionally, compile the numbers of officials from local clans!" Qin Wudao commanded once more.
"As you command!" The assembled ministers rose and bowed respectfully.
"Alright, you may leave and attend to your duties!" Qin Wudao waved his hand, dispelling the restrictive barrier. Night had fallen; the light outside the hall was dim, and countless stars twinkled, resembling a silver river flowing across the celestial dome.
The ministers departed from the Imperial Study in an orderly fashion, escorted out of the Imperial Palace by guards.
"Li Ru!" Qin Wudao called out into the empty Void, sitting upright on the imperial throne.
"Your servant is here!" The Void rippled, and Li Ru, clad in a black robe, materialized. His aura was concealed, his body seamlessly merging with the Void, making him seem almost non-existent.
"Dispatch the Abyss Guards. Have them coordinate with the Hidden Guards to investigate all major clans. I want to know what they are plotting!" Qin Wudao ordered, a murderous glint in his eyes.
"This servant obeys!" Li Ru bowed, his form gradually fading until he vanished completely.
His body was like a demon, his form like a phantom! Even with Qin Wudao’s keen eyesight, he could not discern when or how Li Ru had departed.
My cultivation is still a bit weak. After dealing with the clans, I should enter seclusion and break through to the Semi-Emperor realm... Qin Wudao mused. He hadn’t finished his thought when a sudden palpitation struck him. He hastily exited the main hall and gazed up at the ’Immortal List’ suspended high in the sky.
The brilliant radiance had subsided. An aura of decline emanated from the ’Immortal List’. Just moments ago, the rankings on the ’Immortal List’ had undergone a drastic transformation. Over a hundred names had vanished, including Jin Baoqian of the Five Elements Reincarnation Body, Murong Zi of the Seven Apertures Exquisite Body, and Han Shuo of the Supreme Unfeeling Body.
The top position on the ’Immortal List’ now belonged to Soul Martial Ancestor, possessor of the Void Great Dao Divine Body. Second place was held by Dongfang Zhantian of the Time-Space Divine Body. Qin Wudao’s name, meanwhile, had soared to eleventh place!
Eternal Temple, you truly are ruthless! Qin Wudao murmured, an inexplicable chill running down his spine, making the hairs on his back stand on end. With so many prodigies fallen, wouldn’t the Sacred Lands of the continent be driven to complete madness? It was clear that a great battle was imminent!
This won’t do. The Great Qin Dynasty must accelerate its development; otherwise, it won’t be able to establish a foothold in these chaotic times! Qin Wudao clenched his fists. A potent sense of crisis made him desperately yearn for greater strength. The tide of the era surged boundlessly. To sail these waves and cross to the other shore, one must strengthen oneself.
「The Ninth Saint’s Court!」
The leaders of the various Sacred Lands, who were discussing a joint assault on the Eternal Temple, all looked up simultaneously. Their piercing gazes penetrated the eaves, witnessing the names vanish from the ’Immortal List’.
"Zi’er!" Ice Jade Soul of the Linglong Sacred Land cried out to the heavens upon seeing Murong Zi’s name disappear, shedding tears of bitter regret.
A name disappearing from the ’Immortal List’ meant one of two things: either the person had been pushed off the list by other prodigies, or they were dead. Murong Zi was one of the top ten prodigies; it was impossible for her to be pushed out. Thus, only the second possibility remained. The Eternal Temple had indeed struck a fatal blow!
"Han Shuo, this old ancestor has failed you!" The Elder of Qiu Dao’s eyes turned red. He slumped in his chair as if drained of all strength, his expression somewhat vacant.
The leaders of the Ground Burial Academy, the Ancient Saint Clan, and the Ice Snow Saint’s Court were also steeped in grief; their junior prodigies had also fallen.
"Vengeance! Attack the Eternal Temple! Avenge our fallen descendants!" Jin Yinduo slammed his fist on the armrest, pulverizing the chair beneath him. He rose, unleashing a terrifying murderous aura and Evil Qi that stained the entire Nine-Layered Mustard Seed World blood-red. The Void trembled violently, on the verge of shattering.
"That’s right! Annihilate the Eternal Temple!"
"Kill them! If the Eternal Temple is not destroyed, I will not die in peace!"
One after another, the grief-stricken experts roared in fury, their eyes bloodshot, radiating a berserk aura. Wisps of black energy emanated from their bodies as if they had descended into demonism. The Nine-Layered Mustard Seed World trembled; all beings living within that mustard seed world were immobilized, struggling even to breathe.
"Silence!" Dongfang Question bellowed, his formidable Emperor’s Might enveloping the area. Formations ascended into the sky, isolating the potent auras of the experts. "If you desire revenge, then listen to my arrangements!"
The authoritative voice pierced their ears, and everyone temporarily calmed down. Anger was pointless now. The Eternal Temple was no ordinary power; attacking rashly without a meticulous plan would only lead to utter annihilation.
"This war, to a large extent, concerns our very survival. We must mobilize our most elite legions, our most powerful Martial Artists, and fully unleash our hidden reserves..." Dongfang Question commanded sternly, surveying the crowd.
「Kylin Sacred Land!」
Although the environment remained beautiful, an air of decline permeated the surroundings. When they clashed with the Great Qin Saint’s Court, Emperor-realm Martial Artists fell one after another. Moreover, the Thousand Demons Saint’s Court had plundered their home, resulting in grievous losses. Later, when the East Border became a five-way balance of power, they suffered attacks from the Thousand Demons Saint’s Court, Qionghua Sacred Land, and Purple Cloud Sacred Land. Their territories were overrun, and more than half their disciples were killed or injured.
Before they could recover, the Han Shui Battle erupted, dealing a fatal blow to the already battered Kylin Sacred Land. The backlash of Fortune caused the Fortune accumulated by the Kylin Sacred Land to become exceedingly thin, merely a tenth of what it was at its peak. Furthermore, popular resentment was boiling, and with the addition of karma, signs of the sect’s imminent demise were apparent.
"Ancestor, this is terrible!" cried the Kylin Saint Lord. "Qionghua Sacred Land, Thousand Demons Saint’s Court, and Purple Cloud Sacred Land are attacking again!"
In the Ancestral Hall, Ancestor Wanlin was reflecting on life. Upon hearing the Kylin Saint Lord’s report, his expression darkened, and he grew exceedingly worried. The great war had just concluded, and the East Border had suffered grievous losses. For these three powers to attack at such a time, they most likely intended to annihilate the Kylin Sacred Land.
What should he do?
"Issue the order: the army is to consolidate its defensive lines and hold the Kylin Dao Domain at all costs..."