CHAPTER 492: CHAPTER 394: SHOCKING CHANGE IN THE EASTERN WILDERNESS

Just as Ji Han had its romance, Cao Wei its integrity, and East Wu its scurrying rats, the Demon Tao and the Righteous Path each had their own rules. Acts such as ingratitude, burning bridges, or reneging on alliances were commonplace among followers of the Demon Tao—an utterly normal part of survival. As long as you kept winning, the means employed didn’t matter.

Before his transformation into a Sword Body, Hong Yuan had always acted this way. Decades ago, while pursuing Li Ziyang of Qinglu Taoist Temple between Nanyang Government and Green Sun Prefecture, he never considered sparing the innocent; he did whatever maximized his benefits. The innocent families and citizens affected by his actions were countless. Calling him a beast would not have been an overstatement. This is precisely why, in his final moments, Hong Yuan revealed to Li Ziyang that his Sword Body was named Bo Qing. It was also for this reason that when his Sword Body was cornered and collectively beaten by the Martial Saints of the Sect Alliance, Hong Yuan harbored few complaints.

The so-called Demon Tao involved not cultivating good karma, but committing murder and arson. Even if the heavens and the world turned against you, you were to indulge your passions and traverse the world unrestrained. This was the path of the Demon Tao!

Had Hong Yuan’s Sword Body not entered Eastern Wilderness Academy, not become closely associated with the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint, and not become the mentor of Hua Menghuang, the Great Dream Seed, then even if his Sword Body had decided to completely break ties with the Daxuan Dynasty, acting insubordinately and following his own whims, the Daxuan Dynasty would have been powerless against him. Unfortunately, he was set on his Sword Body ascending to the upper echelons of the Human Clan Sky Palace, to become part of the establishment. Thus, he drifted further and further down the path of the Righteous. The legitimacy and moral righteousness of the Righteous Path were enough to ensnare him! He could no longer treat the Daxuan Dynasty’s life-saving grace lightly or feign ignorance of it.

"Xi’er, has Bo Qing replied yet?" Inside the cabinet, the Daxuan Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he asked in a deep voice.

Despite the clarity and tranquility in Phoenix Princess Tang Xi’s heart, her expression was grave, "Bo Qing said he has already set out. It will take him five more days to return."

"Five days, five days, heh..." Upon hearing this, the Daxuan Emperor scoffed. Without giving Tang Xi another thought, he turned to the Elders, saying, "Gentlemen, what do you think should be done with the Ocean-viewing Taoist and Baixiang Xuanjiang?"

Feeling the cold reception from the Daxuan Emperor, Tang Xi’s eyes drooped slightly as she retreated to a corner, concealing her figure.

However, while she wished to lie low, Crown Prince Tang Anshi was not willing to let this matter slide so easily. No matter what, the label of ’poor judgment’ has to be pinned on Tang Xi before I’ll be satisfied. My dear sister, the court meeting is tomorrow. I’m curious to see how you’ll navigate this. To an emperor, the flaw of misjudgment can be fatal. Crown Prince Tang Anshi thought smugly, the corners of his mouth curving slightly as he bowed his head to his work. He certainly wouldn’t let such a rare opportunity slip away. Of course, he wouldn’t confront the issue himself directly; that would only annoy the Daxuan Emperor. He just needed someone to subtly stir the pot from the sidelines.

「...」

The situation in the Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent was chaotic. Yet all of this was under the control of high-ranking members of the Sky Palace, such as Mou Liang Great Saint and the Emperor’s Son, East Supreme Saint. If the situation escalated excessively, they would intervene and forcefully halt the war. After all, the chaotic situation in the Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent was their deliberately chosen battlefield for the Great Dream Seeds. The Great Dream Seeds were like Worms, and the Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent like a Worm pot. The last one standing would naturally be the strongest "King Worm"!

In a serene Purple Gold Great Palace, scenes flickered across numerous light screens. These water screens depicted not only the Saint Level battles in the Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent but also the slaughter among the mortal armies. Compared to the restrained Saint Level battles, the slaughter within the mortal armies was far bloodier and more shocking.

Seated on a white jade chair, East Supreme Saint sat upright, his eyes dimming as he watched the slaughter among the mortal armies.

"Mou Liang, is the ’Ten Thousand Domains Struggle’ of the Demon Clan even bloodier than this?" East Supreme Saint asked in a slightly hoarse voice.

Mou Liang Great Saint looked at the somewhat withered face of East Supreme Saint and sighed softly. Who would choose such an extreme method if they had a choice?

He immediately replied solemnly to East Supreme Saint, "Yes, Emperor’s Son. Not only that, but the path to becoming an overlord around Xuan Guangqiao was even bloodier. I’ve heard that ordinary communities of the Demon Clan were so decimated by him and his subordinates that nine out of ten homes were empty. It wasn’t until the Demon Saints opened their own territories within the Demon Realm that the Endless Sea Area slowly regained vitality..."

"Xuan Guangqiao, Xuan Guangqiao..." East Supreme Saint slowly closed his eyes, his heart feeling as if it were bleeding. As the legitimate eldest son of the Dragon Sun Emperor, he understood better than anyone the benevolence and magnanimity of the Dragon Sun Emperor. It was precisely for this reason that he felt so tormented.

But the next moment, he abruptly recalled the immense harm inflicted upon the Human Race by the Great Saint of the Demon Clan during the reign of the Soul Killing Demon Emperor.

CRACK—

East Supreme Saint’s eyes snapped open, Purple Gold Divine Light flaring and crackling within the great hall.

"I will not let such a tragedy happen again!"

「...」

Green Heaven.

Boundless seas of clouds.

A blue Water Dragon, formed from Sword Qi and sword light, soared across the sky. It aggressively tore through all obstacles, forcing wild Desolate Beasts to scatter in terror.

Atop the blue Water Dragon’s head stood a tall, slender figure. His face was handsome, and he wore a green robe, one hand clasped behind his back. He exuded an air of refined detachment, utterly lacking the sharp edge typical of a Sword Cultivator. This elegant figure stood proudly upon the dragon.