The Godking's Decision

In the quiet chamber, a stick of incense had been lit. The fragrant smoke drifted, filling the room. The Green Fox sat cross-legged, slowly closing her eyes, gradually slipping into a dream state.

…

The Green Fox appeared in a vast, dark world. At the center of this world, suspended high in the air, was a throne a hundred thousand feet in size. A towering figure draped in black robes suddenly materialized upon it.

“Defeated?” the Godking looked down from on high, his voice ringing throughout the world.

“Forgive me, Godking.” The Green Fox immediately knelt. “We did everything we could, and everything was proceeding according to our expectations. But who would have thought that that mere Celestial Immortal, Ji Ning, would become the most powerful force on the Grand Xia’s side? Just the Xingtian Formation that Ji Ning commanded was too difficult for us to resist… we truly had no other choice…”

The Godking remained silent, simply staring at her.

The Green Fox kneeled, not daring to raise her head.

“I have been watching your war with the Grand Xia,” the Godking said calmly. “Ji Ning’s progress is indeed very fast. But all of you are still afraid of death. Baiji in particular… disappointed me greatly. I gave him a Chaos Daofruit, and he still couldn’t achieve victory.”

“Forgive me, Godking.” The Green Fox trembled with fear.

The Godking tapped his armrest with his left hand, falling silent.

Dong, dong, dong…

The sound of tapping echoed through the dark world.

The Green Fox did not dare to make a sound. She knew that the Godking was thinking, was making a decision.

Would he support them, or not?

…

Eight Dragon Cloud City.

This reversal of the situation was already considered a great victory. The Xia Emperor had summoned a host of Empyrean Gods and True Immortals, as well as Ji Ning and some other Celestial Immortals, to the main hall for discussions.

Inside the barracks of the Northsea Legion.

“What a thrill.”

“We’d been suppressed for too long, trapped by those black chains. But the Northsea Immortal was truly formidable! He was able to lead us in breaking the black chains, slaying that True Immortal named Chi Bing, killing a White-Faced Flood Dragon, and routing the Seamless Gate in a panicked flight.”

“Absolutely stunning. Even Empyrean Gods or True Immortals commanding a Xingtian Formation wouldn’t be this strong.”

The Celestial Immortals and the vast sea of Loose Immortals in the barracks were all buzzing with excitement, each one stirred. For them, the explosion that had come at the end was simply too satisfying.

“Fire Rainbow Immortal.”

“Lady Immortal.”

Those passing by saw Yu Wei and immediately showed great respect. They all knew that Yu Wei and Ji Ning were Dao-companions, and her belly was now clearly swollen. Anyone could guess that Yu Wei was pregnant. The child in Yu Wei’s belly… would likely be the child of their commander, the Northsea Immortal Ji Ning. These Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals were naturally filled with utmost respect and caution.

Yu Wei smiled and nodded to them, occasionally replying with a word or two, then turned and entered the tent to prepare some food for Ji Ning.

A moment later.

Ji Ning returned.

“Senior apprentice-sister,” Ji Ning said as he stepped into the tent.

Yu Wei was placing dishes onto the table, smiling as she said, “I heard you won a great victory today and killed a True Immortal named Chi Bing.”

“You already know?” Ji Ning was surprised, taking a seat.

“The entire camp is talking about it. How could I not know?” Yu Wei poured some immortal wine for Ji Ning.

Ji Ning nodded with a smile. “Mm, I got lucky. I caught him off guard and killed that Chi Bing in one blow. A pity… if I had broken through a little earlier, our losses would have been much lighter.” He thought of his sixth brother, Zhang Hong Celestial Immortal, and felt a pang of sorrow. But given his Dao-heart, he quickly suppressed these emotions.

“You broke through?” Yu Wei asked in pleasant surprise.

“Mm,” Ji Ning nodded lightly, then said, “I had a breakthrough in my Heartforce Soul Method.”

Becoming a Pure Yang True Immortal…

His master Bodhi had instructed him not to reveal it recklessly. Not even Yu Wei, whom he trusted the most, nor Uncle White or anyone else could be told! If even one person knew, the Seamless Gate might find out.

“Your Heartforce Soul Method finally broke through?” Yu Wei was delighted. “That’s great! With your Heartforce Soul Method breakthrough, the power you can draw upon to control the Xingtian Formation will increase tenfold or twentyfold, reaching its current level. Once you become a Pure Yang True Immortal in the future, the power of the legion you command will surge again.”

“Haha, at least for now, no one can beat me. Even if the True Immortal Baiji, the Green Fox Sect Leader, and a White-Faced Flood Dragon commanded by an Empyrean God join forces, I can handle them,” Ji Ning said with rare bravado in front of Yu Wei.

“I knew you were amazing, junior apprentice-brother,” Yu Wei said happily.

The stronger Ji Ning became…

The greater their chances of surviving this great tribulation.

The meal was a happy one for both Ji Ning and Yu Wei. When they finished eating.

“Mm?” Yu Wei suddenly felt dizzy.

“The Godking?” Startled, Yu Wei realized that the Godking was forcibly summoning her.

The Godking had left a mark in her soul; she could not resist. The Green Fox would need to wait for her to be in a dream to contact her, but the Godking could forcibly summon her whenever he wished.

Yu Wei did not dare to hesitate. She immediately said, “Junior apprentice-brother, I’m full and a bit tired. I’ll go rest for a while.”

“Go on, take your rest,” Ji Ning said quickly. His senior apprentice-sister was pregnant, so he dared not delay.

Yu Wei went into a partitioned room beside them, lay down on the bed, and closed her eyes.

…

The vast dark world.

As soon as Yu Wei appeared, she saw the throne suspended high in the center of the dark world, as well as the towering figure of the Godking on the throne. She also noticed the Green Fox Sect Leader kneeling to the side. She hurriedly knelt down as well. “I pay my respects to the Godking.”

“Yu Wei,” the Godking said. “A great battle just occurred between the Grand Xia Dynasty and the Seamless Gate. Are you aware of it?”

Yu Wei was startled, then nodded. “I am aware.”

“The Seamless Gate suffered a great loss,” the Godking said. “The Grand Xia won a grand victory. Do you know why the Grand Xia was able to win?”

Yu Wei hesitated for a moment before answering, “Because of my Dao-companion, Ji Ning.”

She knew that the Godking had definitely learned about the war between the Seamless Gate and the Grand Xia. There was no point in hiding it.

“Right. It’s because of Ji Ning,” the Godking said slowly, tapping his armrest again. His voice carried a hint of doubt. “How did your Dao-companion’s power increase so much? Did he become a Pure Yang True Immortal? Or did he comprehend the Heartforce method that Old Man Yuan taught him?”

“Your subordinate does not know,” Yu Wei said respectfully.

“You do not know.” The Godking looked down at her.

Yu Wei’s heart trembled, but she endured it.

“I think he became a Pure Yang True Immortal,” the Godking said.

Yu Wei’s heart jolted.

The Godking knew?

“You cannot lie before me,” the Godking said calmly. “I summoned you today to ask a few questions, merely to test you. But in the future, if I ask you about the Grand Xia’s intelligence and you dare to hide the truth… I will banish you to the Infinity Hells. If that happens, you and Ji Ning’s child will never come into this world.”

Yu Wei’s heart shook.

This was what she feared most. Her greatest wish was to live long enough to give birth to the child.

“Forgive me, Godking,” Yu Wei quickly said.

But the Godking merely glanced at her.

Whoosh. Yu Wei disappeared.

“Godking?” The Green Fox looked up at the Godking, full of questions.

“So Ji Ning did not lie to Yu Wei,” the Godking said slowly. “This Ji Ning really did comprehend the Heartforce Soul Method. If I allow him to continue growing, he will likely become another troublesome Empyrean God or True Immortal of the Nuwa camp in the Three Realms.”

The Green Fox was even more confused.

“Ji Ning told Yu Wei earlier that he had broken through,” the Godking explained to this absolutely loyal servant. “He said he broke through in his Heartforce Soul Method! But I was worried Ji Ning might have lied. To determine if he lied… Yu Wei is his Dao-companion and knows him best. If Ji Ning lied, Yu Wei should be able to sense it. From my probing, Yu Wei also believes that Ji Ning truly did break through in his Heartforce Soul Method.”

Yu Wei had not spoken, but the Godking had already seen through her heart.

However—

The Godking did not know that Ji Ning had not told a single soul about his breakthrough to Pure Yang True Immortal. He had lied to Yu Wei. First, Ji Ning’s Heartforce was too strong; lying to her left no trace of deceit. Second, although Yu Wei had some vague suspicions deep in her heart, she trusted Ji Ning completely. Ji Ning was the most important person in her life; she could not bring herself to doubt him.

Thus, when the Godking investigated through Yu Wei… he naturally concluded that Ji Ning had broken through in his Heartforce Soul Method.

…

The Green Fox quickly said, “At least it’s good that he’s not a Pure Yang True Immortal yet.”

“Good?” The Godking glanced down at her. “You don’t understand what a breakthrough in the Heartforce Soul Method means. Among the Three Realms, there are many who become Empyrean Gods and True Immortals. But those who comprehend the Heartforce Soul Method… probably number less than a handful.”

The Green Fox was shocked.

“Old Man Yuan taught Ji Ning, but I didn’t expect him to comprehend it in just three years,” the Godking said. The misty eyes beneath his black robes flashed with lightning. “Ji Ning had already grasped a sliver of Sword Force long ago. His comprehension of the Dao of the Sword is very high. For his sword Dao to reach the level of a Pure Yang True Immortal is completely unhindered—it’s only a matter of time.”

“But for him to comprehend the Heartforce Soul Method is extremely difficult.”

“Now that the hardest part is done,” the Godking said. “With his Heartforce Soul Method fully comprehended, the power he can channel into the Xingtian Formation has increased ten to twenty times, reaching its current level. Once he becomes a Pure Yang True Immortal in the future… the power of the legion under his command will skyrocket again.”

“When that happens, he will become extremely troublesome. The Nuwa camp will gain another ace.”

The Godking was worried.

In the battle between the two camps, every step was carefully planned, every inch of ground fought over!

Each time they weakened the opponent a little, over many such times, those small advantages would accumulate into a huge lead. Right now, the True Gods and Daofathers of both sides were unwilling to make a move, because both knew that any move would result in heavy losses. But this great tribulation was unavoidable; they had to fight. That was why they were building advantages from the very beginning.

The Empyrean Gods and True Immortals were fighting, contending for the Qi of fortune.

Once it reached the end…

If one side realized they had no more chance to compete for the Qi of fortune, they would likely begin the most frenzied counterattack.

That would be the final decisive battle.

For now, both sides believed they still had a chance, that they could strengthen their Qi of fortune. And when the Qi of fortune grew strong, all of heaven and earth would stand with them.

And in this contest for Qi of fortune… some very special Empyrean Gods and True Immortals could play a decisive role. For example, the Eight Immortals led by Lu Dongbin, and a few terrifying archers. If Ji Ning were to comprehend the Heartforce Soul Method and become a Pure Yang True Immortal, leading a great army, he would also become a variable capable of affecting the overall war situation in a region.

…

Time passed.

The Godking tapped his armrest with his left hand. Dong, dong, dong. The sound seemed to strike the Green Fox’s heart.

Suddenly, the Godking’s hand stopped.

The Green Fox also looked up. She felt the entire dark world freeze.

The Godking’s misty eyes condensed into a bolt of lightning. He said coldly, “The final confrontation with Crimsonbright is inevitable. Then… let that war take place in this Grand Xia world. Make preparations. I will have the power of the Fifth World descend upon the Grand Xia world as quickly as possible. Prepare for a Realm War, and take the opportunity to eliminate that Ji Ning.”

“Realm War?” The Green Fox was shocked.

A war to conquer a major world, once it escalated, and the great powers on both sides continuously sent reinforcements, it would form an ultra-large-scale war. In a single realm, most of the Empyrean Gods and True Immortals would participate, and the number of Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals would be incalculable. Such a war was also called a ‘Realm War’.

“Go and prepare immediately,” the Godking commanded.

“Yes.” The Green Fox respectfully acknowledged, then immediately left this dark world.