Chapter 882: Message

In the dim cave, Lu Xiucai lay heavily on the ground, struggling to prop himself up with one hand. However, he felt as if he were carrying a white donkey on his back, immobilized by the oppressive weight and intimidating presence of the tattoo. The white light emanating from it felt incredibly heavy, like cast iron.

"How... how is this possible?! Why is Wusheng Laomu stopping me? They're man-eating evil spirits! They're all evil!" Lu Xiucai's face was etched with disbelief; he felt as though everything he had ever known was crumbling.

As Lu Xiucai struggled, the twitching centipede next to him recovered first. She violently raised her carriage-sized head and slammed it towards him. If that blow had landed, Lu Xiucai's recently recovered body would likely have been reduced to a pulp once more.

At that critical moment, the centipede's segmented body twisted inexplicably, forcing its massive head to change direction. It slammed violently onto the floor right next to Lu Xiucai, bringing the man and the creature eye to eye. So close, Lu Xiucai noticed a detail he had previously missed. Inside the centipede's head, amidst its four limbs, was carved a white donkey. It was a white donkey, just like his own!

Both paused, staring at each other in disbelief. In that moment, they both understood why Wusheng Laomu had intervened for both sides: she simply did not want her followers to kill each other.

As the white light on his back faded, Lu Xiucai struggled to his feet, scanning the surroundings. He saw eyes in the darkness and the sprawling bodies of other centipedes.

"So you really are from the White Lotus Sect?" he asked, utterly disbelieving. "How can this be? You're man-eating abominations! How can you possibly believe in Wusheng Laomu?" The black cloth on the shoulders and white cloth on the heads of the Dharma Sect followers he remembered had now been replaced by White Lotus markings.

Nothing in the cave answered Lu Xiucai's questions. Seeing that Wusheng Laomu, their deity, did not permit them to kill him, the devout creatures gradually vanished into the darkness. When even the last centipede retreated underground, the entire cave became as empty as Lu Xiucai's heart.

***

"So the people from Great Qi really said that? They are now truly aligned with us?" Gao Zhijian, seated on the dragon throne, asked calmly.

"Yes, if you don't believe me, you can send a few eunuchs to speak with them directly." As Li Huowang drew the spine sword from his back in the great hall, the imperial guards and eunuchs nearby immediately tensed up.

"No need, I trust Senior Brother Li," Gao Zhijian replied, clearly delighted by the news. A pleasant expression spread across his square face.

Since Great Qi desired Tianchen's dragon vein, their conflict was an unsolvable deadlock. He no longer had to worry about Great Qi defecting to Tianchen. With Great Qi steadfastly holding the line, Great Liang's situation would be much more favorable.

"This is excellent. With Great Qi and Great Liang united, we can surely thwart Tianchen's treacherous plot."

"Just empty words won't suffice. Great Qi alone cannot withstand Tianchen. Remember the strength of those 'unspeakable' armies I mentioned?" Gao Zhijian's smile slowly vanished. The immense power of the 'unspeakable' armies Li Huowang had previously described—if the person before him wasn't his trusted Senior Brother Li, he would have genuinely believed it was pure fabrication.

"I'm certain there are more than just a hundred of those 'unspeakable' troops. A mere hundred couldn't even defeat Doumu's avatar, let alone steal Wusheng Laomu's Heavenly Dao back then. Moreover, this is only the legendary 'unspeakable' army said to have been born from Wusheng Laomu's Dantian. We still don't know the true form of that treacherous noble who betrayed them."

Although he had secured a minor victory, Li Huowang remained vigilant; in fact, his heart grew heavier.

Hearing this, Gao Zhijian's expression turned grim. "Indeed, the people of Tianchen possess extraordinary power, capable of using divine arts that can touch the heavens."

"Senior Brother Li, rest assured. Great Liang will fully support its allies. Furthermore, I will persuade emperors from other regions to lend their full assistance."

"Simply sending supplies isn't enough. No matter how many magical artifacts you send, they need people to wield them. This time, too many people from Great Qi died. You, and the Ministry of Celestial Surveillance, should also prepare as many personnel as possible. If Tianchen truly launches an attack, your side can also prove useful."

"If Great Qi's people can't come here, can Great Liang's people be sent to Great Qi instead?"

"Of course. If not, can't you envelop them in dragon qi before sending them? The dragon vein can access any historical era without hindrance, after all. Gao Zhijian, I know dragon qi is precious, but now is not the time to be frugal with it. To confront Tianchen, we might need to borrow the power of a Si Ming." Other Si Mings might not help me, but at least Ji Zai can offer some assistance.

"This..." Hearing this, a hint of difficulty appeared on Gao Zhijian's face. Everything else was acceptable, but the dragon vein was tied to Great Liang's geomantic fortune. The dragon qi had been continuously accumulated by generations of emperors. Unless he were to die and become one with the dragon vein, each use would deplete it.

"Don't be so stingy. Once we seize Tianchen's, there will be as much dragon qi as you desire. The few hours Great Liang might lose now could very well be recouped then." Although those words were spoken, Gao Zhijian was reluctant to misuse the dragon vein in such a way. He could only agree with great reluctance for now. "Alright, I will discuss this matter with the other officials."

"Give me a definite answer as soon as possible. Tianchen's losses this time won't deter them for long. If they truly don't intend to stop, their next move will likely be a full-scale assault."

"Yes, I understand, Senior Brother Li."

"Once your discussions are complete, have Xuanpin contact me." With that, Li Huowang turned to leave.

"Senior Brother Li, won't you stay for a simple meal before you depart?"

"No, thank you. I'm not accustomed to your court's cuisine."

Li Huowang walked out of the great hall, intending to draw his spine sword and return to Great Qi. Tianchen could attack at any moment, and he wouldn't feel at ease unless he was there to monitor the situation.

However, just as he was about to act, a grand procession of honor guards moved into view from the side. Palace maids and eunuchs, carrying various items, parted their ranks, swiftly walking past Li Huowang from both directions.

"So you are Li Huowang?" a seductive yet haughty female voice inquired. Li Huowang turned his head to see a bewitching young woman, adorned with an exquisitely elaborate phoenix crown, descend haughtily from the imperial sedan chair. Two young eunuchs, with heads bowed low, held up the woman's long train on either side, accompanying their mistress as she approached Li Huowang.