Chapter 910: Motivation

The moment Li Sui embraced Li Huowang, his body instantly turned ethereal, passing through Xuanpin's robe and appearing before Huangfu Tiangang.

Immediately, everyone in the room tensed up. However, Li Huowang did not make a move this time; he simply stood less than three inches away from Huangfu Tiangang, observing.

Although Huangfu Tiangang was blind, he could clearly sense Li Huowang's killing intent. His mustache quivered slightly as he spoke with a dignified demeanor, "Li Huowang, have you considered carefully? Which holds more weight: the White Lotus Society, or the people of Great Qi and Great Liang? You can't stand to see a few people starve in Great Qi, but if a war breaks out, regardless of victory or defeat, at least half of Great Liang's population will die. Can you stand that?"

Li Huowang's killing intent vanished instantly. He looked at Huangfu Tiangang before him and spoke slowly, word by word, "Think carefully. Do they want the White Lotus Society? They want the Unborn Mother dead! Also, don't forget they once seized the Unborn Mother's Heavenly Dao! Have you forgotten what it was like when death disappeared? Do you want to experience that again? If they truly seize the Unborn Mother's Heavenly Dao, then it won't just be death that vanishes, but also compassion!"

The thought of what a world without death and compassion would be like immediately sent a chill down Gao Zhijian's spine.

"Compared to half the population dying or being injured, the temporary disappearance of the Heavenly Dao of Death and Compassion is worth it," the Grand Tutor insisted, still unwilling to give up.

"How many followers does the White Lotus Society have now? Send them all there? How is that different from half the population dying? You'd put your fate in others' hands and beg for mercy?"

"Enough," Gao Zhijian declared, and the heavy atmosphere instantly dissipated. "Send word to Later Shu, Siqi, Qingqiu, Nanping, and Anxi. Inform their emperors and the Imperial Observatory to prepare for a fight to the death. Since this calamity cannot be avoided, and they are coming for our very lifeblood, further discussion is pointless."

Li Huowang took a few steps towards Gao Zhijian. "Gao Zhijian," he said, "honestly, these people aren't very useful. If you truly want to help, I need Dragon Qi more."

If there was still a sliver of a chance to win, it would be for him to go to Baiyujing and approach it from the perspective of the Fates.

Hearing Li Huowang's words, Gao Zhijian's expression showed difficulty. After a moment of thought, he spoke again, "Alright, I'll discuss it with the other Dragon Veins. I'll give you an answer once they reply."

"As soon as possible, if it can save more lives," Li Huowang urged. Unwilling to guess whether Gao Zhijian was truly considering it or just placating him, he simply turned and left the Celestial Prison.

Only after stepping out of the oppressive dungeon did Li Huowang feel like he could finally breathe a little easier.

Po Da'er certainly knew a lot, and Li Huowang had learned much about the nation of Tianchen from him. Yet, the more he knew, the lower the chances of victory seemed—this was not a good sign.

"Fifteen," a familiar voice said from behind Li Huowang.

Li Huowang turned to look at Xuanpin behind him, seeing her tentacles wrapped around the vase containing Po Da'er. "What?" he asked.

"A day in Tianchen has fifteen hours."

The information he had once desperately wanted to know now caused no ripple in Li Huowang's heart.

"Got it. If we win this fight, Great Qi's hours will also be accounted for," Li Huowang replied. "By the way, is Tianchen's Dragon Vein alive?"

"Yes," Xuanpin replied, "but Po Da'er hasn't had direct contact with it. He only knows that the golden dragon is the Dragon Vein and is Zuo Qiuyong's mount."

"Heh, using fifteen hours as a mount," Li Huowang scoffed, "that's quite a display of prestige."

"Father, what do you plan to do next?"

"What else can we do?" Li Huowang sighed. "To them, Great Qi is full of holes; they can come and go as they please. Since we can't defend, we can only use offense as a defense. I hope we can stall for as much time as possible. When you have a chance, help me persuade the other emperors not to be so stingy," he added. "If a critical moment truly arrives, I won't be as reasonable as I am now."

"Father," Xuanpin asked, "don't you think something is off?"

"Hmm? In what way?" Li Huowang thought back through everything, but found nothing amiss.

"It's too fast; the timing doesn't match," Xuanpin explained, placing Po Da'er's head in front of her and examining it carefully. "According to Po Da'er's memory, they started preparing as soon as the Unborn Mother returned to her position."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with that," Li Huowang countered. "They might have a way to constantly monitor the Unborn Mother."

Xuanpin shook her head. Seven or eight tentacles emerged from her red robe, dragging the head inwards. "The Unborn Mother would surely be on guard; she wouldn't do nothing," she explained. "She now possesses the Heavenly Dao of Death. If she wanted to feign death, no one would be able to detect it, and that is indeed what she did. Even if Tianchen possesses immense powers and can see through the Unborn Mother's methods," Xuanpin continued, "separated by two worlds, it's impossible for them to have discovered it so quickly."

Li Huowang thought about it seriously and realized she was right. His attention had previously been entirely focused on Tianchen's immense strength, and he hadn't noticed this detail. "So, you mean there's a mole on our side sending them messages?"

Thinking of this, Li Huowang's pupils suddenly contracted. "Is it the Dice?!"

"Not him," Xuanpin replied. "He is indeed helping you now."

Li Huowang thought seriously for a moment. "True," he conceded. "Playing tricks like this wouldn't be interesting at all, and it's not the style of the Sitting-Forgetfulness Sect."

"Father, I don't think it's a mole," Xuanpin continued. "I think someone else is giving Tianchen information." She paused slightly. "Since they want Tianchen and us to fight to the death, it must benefit them somehow."

"Someone else? Besides Great Qi and Great Liang, are there other people?" Li Huowang mused. "Could it be people from another timeline?" Hearing Xuanpin say this, the situation became even more confusing.

"I've noted that point," Li Huowang said. "When I go back and catch a new informant from Tianchen, I'll interrogate them thoroughly." As he spoke, he pulled out his Spine Sword, preparing to return to Great Qi.

But just as the rift reopened, a streak of red inside made Li Huowang feel that something was wrong. "What's going on!" he exclaimed.

Li Huowang's body flashed, and he immediately entered the rift. The sounds of slaughter before him instantly stunned him.

He saw that Youdu, which had only recently been established, was now completely overrun. Everywhere was red with fire and red with blood.

Li Huowang leaped onto the city wall in a few strides. Then he witnessed an incredibly shocking sight: countless bandits continuously swarming towards them.

Tianchen had attacked! They wanted to completely conquer Great Qi!

Li Huowang pulled out his Spine Sword and violently flung it backward. "Li Sui! Come help!"

A black shadow instantly emerged from the rift, pulled open Li Huowang's stomach, and burrowed inside.

"Li Sui! This isn't enough!" Li Huowang shouted. "There are too many people! Have your illusions notify the others in Great Liang! Everyone, come help!"