Chapter 973: Helping Out

Li Huowang turned his head and saw Bai Lingmiao walking towards him. She walked up to Gao Zhijian and bowed to him. Compared to the previously somewhat distraught Bai Lingmiao, she now appeared completely natural, as if nothing had happened.

"Your Majesty," she said, "please grant the White Lotus Sect the status of state religion. Not only do the White Lotus followers include humans, but there are also numerous evil spirits who believe in the White Lotus, all of whom can dedicate themselves to your great cause!"

The dignified Gao Zhijian looked at her and slowly replied, "Granted."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Bai Lingmiao said. She then went to Li Huowang's side and led him out of the main hall.

"Evil spirits also believe in the White Lotus? When did this happen? Do they also become 'Shamanic Corruptions' and summon the General and Prime Minister?" Li Huowang asked Bai Lingmiao. If this were true, it would significantly increase their chances of success.

Bai Lingmiao didn't answer Li Huowang. Instead, she declared resolutely, "Li Sui can be saved!"

"What?" Li Huowang's heart trembled at her words.

"I said Li Sui can be saved! Our Si Ming cannot do it because we lack the Heavenly Way of resurrection, but the Si Ming of the Blessed Life Heaven might be able to."

Bai Lingmiao's expression gradually became more excited. "As long as we find a way to seize their Heavenly Way, we can bring Li Sui back! Not only can we bring Li Sui back, but we can bring anyone back we wish!"

"Miaomiao, are you alright?" Li Huowang asked, somewhat worried.

"Me? Of course, I'm fine."

"But you just..." Li Huowang, with a complex expression, didn't know how to explain. The other party's method of resurrection might not be what Miaomiao truly wanted, and his own method seemed more reliable.

Bai Lingmiao gently shook her head, her hands continuously twisting the corner of her clothes, a faint smile on her face. "I've cried enough. Now it's time to wipe away my tears and get to work. Don't forget, I'm her mother, and she's my only daughter."

"Besides seizing their Heavenly Way and saving Sui Sui, I want them to die. I will kill everyone who harmed Sui Sui and avenge her!"

By the end, Bai Lingmiao was practically gritting her teeth as she spoke, like an enraged female beast.

"Sui Sui..." Li Huowang took out the clay figurine from his embrace, looked at it for a moment, and then put it back.

"You're right," Li Huowang said. "Crying won't bring Sui Sui back! I want them dead! We must bring Sui Sui back!" He pulled Bai Lingmiao into a hug, patted her back firmly a few times, and then released her. At that moment, their hearts were finally in sync.

The Corrupting Edict began. Weapons left behind by the Death Strategists were gathered and passed among the common people, who touched them one by one. As enough common people became corrupted, not only did brawls and life-or-death struggles increase within the capital, but an ominous aura also began to permeate the skies above.

This was merely the beginning. According to the Dragon Veins' plan, soon the entire capital, as well as the populations of Daliang and Hou Shu in Qingqiu, would be afflicted by this ominous aura. This was a desperate measure. To counteract the methods of the Si Ming of the Blessed Life Heaven, they could only rely on the General and Prime Minister.

Li Huowang stood within the Four Repositories, examining the best information from the Imperial Observatory. As the Chief Astronomer of Daliang, he now had the authority to view anything within the Four Repositories. What Li Huowang was currently reviewing was a book titled "The Grand Play of Battle Formations," which contained information about the General and Prime Minister. He wanted to understand why the General and Prime Minister possessed such formidable power.

According to the book, he discovered that the General and Prime Minister differed from other Si Ming. It was formless and thoughtless, without spirit or consciousness, always siding with conflict, which allowed it to be utilized. Such highly unusual Si Ming were rare but not nonexistent; examples included the Everlasting Heaven and Danxi. According to the Imperial Observatory's records, believers and worshipers of such Si Ming across the world varied greatly: either very few people believed, or many believed but most only superficially.

Through this book, Li Huowang finally understood that what Qingwang had told him earlier was not nonsense but the truth. He had once said that among those he dealt with, he had won over everyone he could communicate with, leaving only those who could not be swayed or communicated with. Li Huowang had never imagined that his words had such a meaning; it turned out the "uncommunicable" beings he spoke of were these special Si Ming.

"It is possible to communicate with them, and even have them help you, but it requires fulfilling their conditions." As the image of the General and Prime Minister flashed in Li Huowang's mind, a murderous intent and rage uncontrollably surged within him. "If the General and Prime Minister can be utilized, doesn't that mean that if I find a way, those uncommunicable Si Ming could also become my allies?"

"If these Si Ming truly act together, wouldn't that mean several major forces have joined our side?"

Although the other side involved projections of Si Ming, there were no clues there. Therefore, starting from this side might actually lead to some possibilities. Thinking this, Li Huowang's heart burned with excitement. If this were truly the case, their chances of victory would significantly increase!

Just as Li Huowang had asked the eunuchs who worshiped the God of Wealth to help him search, he heard a dense array of footsteps behind him. He twisted his face to the back of his head and saw that the newcomers were Gao Zhijian's honor guard of eunuchs and palace maids.

"It's even better that you're here," Li Huowang said. "Help me contact the other Dragon Veins. They are all very knowledgeable; I need to know everything about the other Si Ming!"

"Senior Brother Li," a voice replied, "let's discuss those matters later. I've brought you a helper."

Li Huowang twisted his head back and continued his search. "No need," he said. "I have achieved mastery in the Six Revolutions of cultivation, and I am only one step away from becoming a Si Ming. Your helper probably won't be much assistance to me."

"That may not be the case," various layered voices resounded simultaneously.

Li Huowang turned his head back in confusion, and then saw a colossal wall of faces appear before him. Between these grotesque white faces, various white tassels filled the gaps.

"Lion Dance Palace?" Li Huowang recognized the entities before him, beings who resided beneath Qingqiu and practiced the Way of Union.

"A great calamity afflicts the world; we can help you," all the round, face-like entities of the Lion Dance Palace declared. Wrapped in white tassels and various scattered organs, they surged towards Li Huowang.

"Stop! Stop!" Li Huowang halted them. "I know your methods; there's no need to try anymore."

As the Lion Dance Palace retreated, it was noticed that several eunuchs and palace maids had mysteriously disappeared.

"Senior Brother Li, what do you think? With them, your cultivation abilities can reach new heights."

"Really?" Li Huowang sounded somewhat unenthusiastic. "Thank you, but unfortunately, what I lack right now isn't more 'truth'; what I lack is 'falsehood.' If you could find the dice and let me devour them, that would be a much greater help."

"The dice..." Gao Zhijian's brow furrowed in thought. After a moment, he nodded. "Alright. I understand. I will instruct my subordinates to handle it as soon as possible."

Li Huowang felt there wasn't much hope regarding Gao Zhijian's words. If the dice were so easy to deal with, they wouldn't have caused trouble for so long, and they just wouldn't die. Especially now that they were colluding with the Si Ming of the Blessed Life Heaven, it was even more problematic.

"Let's put other matters aside for now," Gao Zhijian said. "A great calamity is imminent throughout the world, and I'd like to ask Senior Brother Li for a favor. At this moment, only you can help with this."