Chapter 1847: Chapter 1792—Chapter 1793 The True Competitor_2

Don’t be fooled by the fact that these two are sitting here together now, and have common interests, because in reality, they are only cooperating out of necessity due to the current situation. Their relationship is not genuinely good.

Of the Heavenly Court’s Six Imperials, the Emperor of the South Pole Eternal Life cares not for worldly matters and is beyond anyone’s reach. No matter how the balance of the world changes, as long as the Longevity Taoist Monarch refuses to relinquish authority, no one, whether a veteran Daoist Monarch or a newly ascended Daoist Monarch, can force him to do so.

The Great Emperor Houtu resides in the Nether Yin Department, as the revered deity of the mountain gods and lands, managing Netherworld authority. As long as his authority remains intact, no one can shake his position.

Moreover, the power behind him has the support of the Witch Deity Teaching and the recognition of the Fengdu Emperor, making it a tremendous force no one dares to touch lightly.

Even the Buddhism School is envious of the Netherworld, but until they can counter the Witch Deity Teaching’s power and gain the Fengdu Emperor’s recognition, they can only look on with longing.

The advantage is that the Great Emperor Houtu does not overextend, focusing only on his own territory, and never meddling in the internal affairs of the Heavenly Court. Thus, all the authority within the Heavenly Court lies in the hands of the Jade Emperor, Great Emperor Ziwei, Great Emperor Qinghua, and Emperor Gouchen, the four Imperial Honors.

The original structure among the four Imperial Honors was that Ziwei, Qinghua, and Gouchen allied to check the Jade Emperor, with internal conflicts within the trio. Coupled with the Southern Dipper Six Star Lords, Thunder Department, Fighting Department, and balance among the various Emperor Monarchs and Heavenly Kings, it maintained balance in the Heavenly Court.

However, with the Jade Emperor and Great Emperor Ziwei joining forces, the balance within the Heavenly Court was completely disrupted and could no longer be restored to its previous state.

This change also significantly impacted Great Emperor Qinghua and Emperor Gouchen, who maintained their positions primarily to check the other Imperial Honors.

Now that the balance in the Heavenly Court has collapsed, it means their roles have changed, and some of their original value has disappeared. Naturally, the other Daoist Monarchs will have different expectations of them.

Moreover, over the years, the actions and schemes of these two while holding the Imperial Honor positions were evident. Some Daoist Monarchs tolerated them because they still had value, but now that their function is gone, they might arouse other thoughts among the Daoist Monarchs.

Thus, even Great Emperor Qinghua and Emperor Gouchen have to set aside their differences and temporarily unite. Continuing to fight would only result in mutual destruction, making temporary unity the best choice.

Even though there have been numerous conflicts and unresolved grievances between the two over the years, they’ve had to temporarily set aside their differences for their safety.

But even among powerful allies, there are always frictional interests, let alone the numerous issues existing between these two Imperial Honors.

Now, everyone is cooperating because the situation forces them, not because they genuinely want to. It’s effortless for them to undermine each other slightly to establish dominance in the cooperation.

Therefore, hearing Emperor Gouchen’s remarks, Great Emperor Qinghua wasn’t swayed; instead, he inwardly mocked the other’s hypocrisy, truly a heretic of the Sword Sect.

Sword Dao Practitioners, understanding the heart of the sword, are usually straightforward people. Emperor Gouchen hails from the Sword Sect, yet his thoughts are unfathomable, surprising Great Emperor Qinghua.

But mocking aside, their cooperation must continue, at least for now, the situation hasn’t reached where they need to part ways.

“Besides the Five Old Lords, our competitors, there are some new rumors recently. Have you heard?” Great Emperor Qinghua didn’t dwell on the topic and instead brought up another issue.

Emperor Gouchen, also tacitly not delving deeper, curiously asked, “What rumors? Could there be other intentions?”

It’s understandable because, although the Five Old Lords are competitors, one can’t deny their status and authority. Even if they’re legitimately positioned in the future, it would be justified.

Others may daydream, but it’s just foolishness. Do they really think anyone can sit on the Throne of the Emperor of Heaven?

True Immortal Taoist Monarch – does one emerge from bloodlines?

It’s a saying among the human race, passed down to this day, representing the spirit of human perseverance.

Regarding the position of Imperial Honor in the Heavenly Court, even though it imposes many constraints in the eyes of Emperor Gouchen and others, it’s not as carefree.

Undeniably, it’s a top-level Divine Position, the titular highest position in the Heavenly Court. Countless strong individuals yearn for it, eager to replace them.

But the position of Imperial Honor isn’t one for just anyone. Without a suitable identity and recognition from all parties, even enough strength might not guarantee the role.

Over the years, there have been ambitious individuals wanting to seize the position, yet even with some Daoist Monarchs eager, they ultimately had to retreat helplessly.

The Five Old Lords are formidable competitors because, aside from the support of Daoist Monarchs, they are recognized by the Taoist School.

The Six Imperials aren’t set randomly; their existence balances all parties and aligns with the Will of the Heaven and Earth in the Divine Land World, making it impossible to simply add, subtract, or replace.

The Five Old Lords, being regarded as the Ancestor of Five Qi and revered in the Five Elements, naturally could inherit the Five Virtues authority of the Divine Land World if they ascend to the Emperor of Heaven position. This is why they receive support from the Daoist Monarchs.

Has another emerged in this short time with convincing claims, thinking they can easily replace these Imperial Honors?

Emperor Gouchen is skeptical!

Yet sometimes, reality is cruel and undeniable. The next words from Great Emperor Qinghua made Emperor Gouchen’s expression darken.

“Someone plans to establish the Five Directions Heavenly Emperor to replace the Six Imperials in ruling the Heavenly Court,” said Great Emperor Qinghua, revealing a shocking secret.

“Is anyone other than the Five Old Lords qualified?”

“What about the human Five Emperors?”

“The human Five Emperors!” Emperor Gouchen’s face changed dramatically.

The human Five Emperors—it was them, how had he forgotten these figures?

The Five Old Lords are indeed a formidable competitor, but compared to the human Five Emperors, they’re insignificant.

The human Five Emperors: Yellow Emperor, Red Emperor, White Emperor, Black Emperor, Green Emperor, all notable historical rulers of the human race, who led the human race to rise in their times, making extraordinary contributions and commanding supreme authority.

During the era when the Five Emperors held authority over the human race, none of these current figures had emerged. Even the Taoist School, Buddhism School, Demonic Gate, and Confucianism hadn’t appeared, and only Witch Sacrifice ruled human rituals.

The Five Old Lords are merely nominees from the Taoist School. While their identity and position are appropriate, they only have the Taoist School’s recognition. Despite the Taoist School’s strength, gaining acceptance from all sides requires effort.

However, the human Five Emperors are different; they are inherently heroic figures in human history, almost the ancestors of all current humans, giving them a substantial innate advantage.

Comparatively, the gap between them and the Five Old Lords is indeed vast.

Emperor Gouchen’s expression turned grim, eyes gleaming coldly: “Who? Is it a rumor spread by the Witch Deity Teaching?”