The Godking's Gambit

“That Ji Ning killed Zi Cao. I want him dead too.” The green-robed woman seated above said calmly. “If you wish to act, I will arrange an opportunity for you. With your mastery over space, you can certainly kill Ji Ning.”

“Do you think I am as foolish as you believe?” the Pure Yang True Immortal named Fuhua cast a cold glance at the green-robed woman. “The Grand Xia Emperor personally intervened to protect that brat this time, even ignoring my threats. It’s clear he is determined to shelter him. This time, you sent multiple groups to attack various commanderies across the entire Grand Xia world. Although the Grand Xia Emperor commands True Immortals and Celestial Immortals, he must spread his forces to protect all regions. He simply cannot muster enough power to deal with me this time. But if I strike again, once his forces are no longer needed to safeguard the commanderies, they will likely join forces to trap and kill me!”

The Seamless Gate had long known that the Grand Xia Emperor had Empyrean Gods and True Immortals by his side.

Simply the Ancient Imperial Clan itself had always dispatched three Empyrean Gods and True Immortals to follow the Grand Xia Emperor. This was the very reason why the Grand Xia Emperor’s word was law throughout the entire Grand Xia world. Clans like the Zhuanshui, which had Empyrean Gods within them and were ancient, great clans backed by True Gods and Daofathers, still did not dare to contend with the Grand Xia Emperor for this very reason.

Even the Shaoyin clan... behind them, too, were ancient great clans. However, the Shaoyin clan’s founder, ‘Shaoyin Chou,’ had fled from his clan and refused to acknowledge his ties to that ancient power.

The top-tier great tribes of the Grand Xia world were truly not to be trifled with. Countless tribes banded together; even the Grand Xia Emperor could not forcefully suppress them and had to grant sufficient benefits, sharing the world with them.

As for the Grand Xia Emperor’s own Xiamang clan... it was, to be precise, the single most powerful tribe in the entire Grand Xia world. Destroying a single Pure Yang True Immortal like Fuhua was well within their means.

“If you want revenge, how can you avoid taking risks?” the green-robed woman said. “Do you not wish to avenge Zi Cao?”

The Fuhua True Immortal’s eyes flickered with cold light. Of course he wanted to kill Ji Ning.

But those who became Pure Yang True Immortals... were all extraordinary; none of them were fools.

“Zi Cao served you for a long time, and you control an entire force of the Seamless Gate. Killing Ji Ning would be far easier for you than for me,” the Fuhua True Immortal said coldly. “If there is truly a good opportunity, I would not mind taking action. But I will absolutely not exchange my own life for that brat’s.”

Having said this, the Fuhua True Immortal turned and left without another word.

Only the three leaders, the green-robed woman among them, remained in the magnificent hall. They raised their heads and continued to watch the scenes of battle unfolding across various locations.

“As expected, the Grand Xia Emperor has dispatched his forces,” the green-robed woman said with a smile.

“He certainly can’t just sit idly by and watch you kill his people,” the gaunt old man replied.

As time passed.

The probing and clashing of the two thousand groups of troops unfolded rapidly during this single night, and then just as swiftly concluded.

The next day, the Golden Crow rose once more, as if nothing had happened.

But in truth, during that night, the Seamless Gate side had lost sixty-nine Celestial Immortals and several hundred Loose Immortals. The Grand Xia world side had lost seventy-three Celestial Immortals and several dozen Loose Immortals.

On the surface, the losses appeared balanced.

In reality, this kind of probing engagement was always a matter of killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of one’s own.

However, the Seamless Gate’s greatest mistake in this engagement... was appearing at Ji Ning’s location! They had miscalculated Ji Ning’s power, causing them to lose eighteen top-tier Celestial Immortals. The losses at this single location alone actually surpassed the combined losses from all other locations. After all, the difference between an ordinary Celestial Immortal and a top-tier Celestial Immortal was enormous.

Of course...

Neither the Grand Xia Emperor nor the Seamless Gate cared too much about these losses.

After all, this was merely a probing engagement. Both sides had only suffered a superficial scratch; neither had been truly crippled. Their truly powerful forces had not been moved at all! It was only when the true war began that the real, bloody, grinding battles would occur. Only then would it become a true meat grinder for Celestial Immortals, where even a True Immortal or Empyrean God might fall if they were careless. After all, this was the strongest major world under Daofather Crimsonbright’s command!

Within the same magnificent hall.

The three leaders of the Seamless Gate, Ten Thousand Demons Cave, and Bloodcloud Hall gathered once again. After arranging their subordinates’ affairs, their meeting this time was solely for the purpose of discussing ‘Ji Ning.’

“I believe Ji Ning must be killed,” the man in the fiery red Daoist robe said, his voice deep and resonant. “He is already a calamity now. Once he overcomes his tribulation and becomes an Empyrean God... he will be more than just a calamity. He might very well cause our conquest of the Grand Xia world to fail.”

The gaunt old man sighed in agreement. “This person... is truly monstrous. So monstrous that I feel a hint of fear.”

“I also believe he should be killed,” the green-robed woman said. “Ji Ning has the Eight-Nine Arcane Art protecting his body. Killing him will not be easy. We can only suppress him first, then find a way to kill him. But while we are suppressing him... I fear that his Daofather master will intervene.”

“A Daofather?”

The other two leaders’ expressions changed as well.

True Gods and Daofathers... were the true overlords of the Three Realms. And one capable of teaching the Eight-Nine Arcane Art was among the very top tier of these overlords. The mere thought sent chills down one’s spine.

“If we send an Empyrean God or True Immortal to act, and they end up being killed by a Daofather, with Ji Ning being rescued... we would have lost our soldiers and our general,” the green-robed woman said with emotion. “At this critical moment in our campaign against the Grand Xia world, it is not appropriate for us to make large-scale moves.”

“Greenfox, what do you suggest, then?”

The other two looked at her.

In terms of status, the three were equal. However, the one in charge of the Seamless Gate was typically the one with greater wisdom. Thus, during the conquest of various major worlds, the Seamless Gate leader would take the lead, with the other two supporting. If conflicts arose among them, the matter would be reported to higher authorities.

“I believe we should report this to the Godking!” the green-robed woman said solemnly.

“The Godking?” The other two hesitated for a moment.

The man in the fiery red Daoist robe said hesitantly, “Should we disturb the Godking over such a matter? Ask the Godking for help?”

“Although we could kill Ji Ning by paying a sufficient price, our losses would be immense, affecting the overall strategy for conquering the Grand Xia world,” the green-robed woman said. “The only choice is to report this to the Godking.”

“Hmm.”

“Fine.”

The other two did not object. In truth, Greenfox could have reported directly to the Godking on her own. Telling the other two was also a form of respect. This way, the three parties could coordinate more harmoniously, for the power of the Ten Thousand Demons Cave and Bloodcloud Hall was also exceedingly formidable.

...

Within a quiet chamber.

The green-robed woman lit an incense stick, and its fragrance immediately filled the entire chamber. She slowly closed her eyes, entering a dream state.

In her dream.

It was an expansive, dark space. At the center of this world, suspended in the air, was a throne a full ten thousand zhang in size. A woman appeared on the ground of this space—it was Greenfox.

“Godking.” Greenfox called out respectfully.

Instantly, a towering figure appeared on that ten-thousand-zhang throne in mid-air. He was shrouded in a black robe, his eyes seeming to be nothing more than mist. Yet those misty eyes appeared to connect directly to one’s soul. When they looked down upon Greenfox, she could not help but tremble in her heart.

“What is it?” The figure seated on the ten-thousand-zhang throne tapped lightly on its armrest, his voice booming, echoing throughout the dark space.

“Godking, your subordinate is about to launch an attack on the Grand Xia world. However, a variable has appeared in this Grand Xia world...” Greenfox said respectfully. “The impact of this variable is significant. If I were to mobilize the forces of the Seamless Gate, I fear it would affect the subsequent task of conquering the Grand Xia. Thus, I beseech the Godking to make a decision.”

“A variable?” The towering figure continued tapping lightly on its armrest.

“It is Ji Ning,” Greenfox said respectfully.

“Him?” The towering figure paused slightly. “He just killed eighteen of your Celestial Immortals. Hmm... judging from the scenes of that battle, this Ji Ning is indeed quite monstrous. For a cultivator at the Void stage to be this powerful... such power cannot come from divine abilities alone. His sword-finger attack hasn’t even reached ‘Grand Mastery of the Sword Dao.’ He must have grasped some sort of ultimate power. Sword Force? From the battle scenes, his Sword Force has only reached the first level. It must be some other, invisible power... Heartforce? Taiyi Force? Wuji Force? or the Power of Spacetime?”

The towering figure pondered for a moment. “Your reminder is timely. I hadn’t yet noticed such a monstrous prodigy appearing in the Grand Xia world. It seems he has at least a fifty percent chance of overcoming his tribulation and becoming an Empyrean God! Once he becomes an Empyrean God, he will be a top-tier Empyrean God. Given a little more time, he could reach the level of Lu Dongbin. He is indeed a calamity.”

There was a consensus among the top powers of the Three Realms: if you don’t act, I won’t act either.

It was a kind of tacit understanding.

Both sides were preparing... preparing for the critical moment when they would uproot the other side in one fell swoop! To achieve complete and absolute dominance! Before that, at most, Empyrean Gods and True Immortals would act; True Gods and Daofathers would not easily intervene. Therefore, a top-tier Empyrean God had a tremendous impact. Furthermore, such a top-tier Empyrean God had a very good chance of taking another step forward and becoming a True God or Daofather!

“However, this Ji Ning’s master is that old fellow, Subhuti. He’s not someone to be trifled with,” the towering figure said.

“Patriarch Subhuti?” Greenfox gasped.

Heavens!

Patriarch Subhuti?

She had long guessed that the Daofather behind Ji Ning was formidable. Anyone capable of teaching the Eight-Nine Arcane Art had to be powerful. But she had never imagined it would be that old monster, Subhuti.

“I can’t even fully fathom the power of this old fellow. During that battle where the Primordial Pangu World shattered, although he saved some people, he never truly participated in the war. Yet he is absolutely one of the most supreme Daofathers in the Three Realms. Moreover, among his disciples, there are several Daofathers!” The towering figure’s left hand tapped lightly on the armrest, the ‘dong, dong, dong’ of the tapping slowly echoing through the dark space.

Greenfox held her breath.

Several Daofathers?

She also knew some secrets. She knew that among Patriarch Subhuti’s disciples, there was a mysterious senior apprentice-brother who was definitely at the True God or Daofather level. As for the rest, she didn’t know.

Now, hearing the Godking say this, Patriarch Subhuti actually had more than one Daofather under his command! But even knowing this, she did not dare to leak a single word. She was absolutely loyal to the Godking. Furthermore, the Godking knew all... If she dared to betray him even slightly, the Godking would know immediately! For instance, during the battle with Ji Ning, the Godking had only needed a single thought to instantly see the scene of that engagement.

“But this old fellow is on Nuwa’s side!” The misty eyes of the towering figure were as deep as the endless void. “So let’s take this opportunity to kill one of his little disciples and see how he reacts.”

Greenfox listened carefully.

“Activate the pawn, Yu Wei,” the towering figure said. “Have Yu Wei lead Ji Ning directly via Greater Teleportation to the Fifth World. The Fifth World is one of our main headquarters. I will personally hold the line there. In the Fifth World... even if Subhuti himself comes, he will be helpless.”

“Yu Wei?” Greenfox was startled.

There were quite a few pawns within the Grand Xia world. Yu Wei was originally not considered important, but after becoming a disciple of Patriarch Lu and a Celestial Immortal, she had instantly become the most crucial pawn. Logically, she could exert great power in the future. But now she was to be used on Ji Ning. It was clear that the Godking believed trading Yu Wei for Ji Ning’s life was worth it.

“Yes.” Greenfox replied respectfully, then vanished from sight.

The dark world was left with only the towering figure on the void throne. His left hand continued to tap lightly on the armrest. “Subhuti... we’ve never crossed blows before... I’m really looking forward to it...”

Asking again for recommendation tickets. We almost made it to first place!