tkworld Chapter 232
Chapter 232
Chapter 232: Land Cession and Indemnity
In order for this operation to succeed, the higher-ups of the Palace of Calamitous Fate have indeed spared no expense. They have expended an enormous amount of rare resources, including the entire reserve of heavenly merits in the sect, to revive the two Quasi-Saint Emperors who have been dormant in the Grotto-Heaven secret realm for many years, restoring about fifty percent of their cultivation. This is not only to ensure the smooth progress of the operation, but also to prepare for the joint retaliation of Emperor Xin Yu and Emperor Qing Huan afterwards.
Although they have only restored fifty percent of their cultivation, it does not affect their ability to go all out in the short term. As long as they are not inferior to the top strategic military forces, there is a possibility for both sides to sit down and negotiate.
By then, Qin Muling will already be under the control of their own sect and will not be able to be handed over. At most, they will give Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace a share of the benefits, but the Palace of Calamitous Fate will still be the one benefiting the most.
In addition, under the orders of the palace lord, all the senior hidden chambers within Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace have been activated and used as disposable consumables. Thousands of supreme elders who have been secretly cultivating in the main altar of their own sect have also been mobilized, and multiple Innate Spiritual Treasures have been used, along with hundreds of disposable Law Weapons personally refined by the Quasi-Saint Emperors.
Before setting off, the palace lord, who also possesses quasi-saint cultivation, personally took action, disregarding the consumption of a hundred thousand years of lifespan, to reverse the yin and yang and confuse the heavenly secrets, ensuring that they would not be alerted in advance.
For the higher-ups of the Palace of Calamitous Fate, this operation is a must-win situation. They only allow for success and not failure, even if it means turning against Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and going to war. Of course, this is an extreme scenario, and in all likelihood, both sides will eventually compromise.
At this moment, at the back mountain of Imperial Dao Peak.
The nature of the dark light is quite peculiar. Any area that it pervades will undergo rapid spatial changes.
Under the exquisite manipulation of the bronze lotus, the space within three feet of Qin Muling's body, centered around him, was "cut off" by this faint dark light. A terrifying suction force emanated from within the lotus, seemingly wanting to absorb him along with the fragmented space that was cut off.
Qin Muling's body was radiant, and one after another talisman seals, from the Great Principal Golden Immortal and even those personally refined by Emperor Xin Yu, were stimulated, exerting all their strength to resist the erosion of the dark light. However, it only delayed the absorption speed of the bronze lotus, and he was unable to break free from its imprisonment.
"Indeed, there are some tricks."
Qin Muling suddenly laughed. The means to temporarily restrain the Quasi-Saint Emperors is not something that any power can possess.
"...Don't think about resisting, it's useless. This ancient treasure was left behind by the founder of the Palace of Calamitous Fate. Back then, it hunted down many powerful Innate beings in the chaotic void. With your current cultivation level, you simply cannot resist its suppression!"
A chilling voice sounded from within the bronze lotus. Considering Qin Muling's value, there is no way he does not have life-saving means bestowed by the Quasi-Saint Emperors. Therefore, this must be taken into account, and there is no possibility of giving him a chance to turn the tables.
"Is that so? Can't even this palace do anything about it?"
As a clear and pleasant voice sounded, a majestic and imposing figure emerged from within Qin Muling, exuding a dignified aura. The incarnation of Emperor Xin Yu finally made a move.
Indeed, the terrifying suction force from the bronze lotus was significantly relieved, and the heavy and eerie dark light was grasped by Emperor Xin Yu. A bluish-purple flame emerged from his slender hand, showing a trend of refining it.
"I already anticipated that you would have this move, but it still doesn't change your fate today!"
The voice from within the bronze lotus was not particularly surprised. The brilliance of the lotus body surged, and a terrifying pressure rose rapidly.
Emperor Xin Yu's face became solemn, and a heavy golden ripple appeared beside her, sweeping away the strange bronze mist. When the two collided, they produced dense black thunder, which even had the tendency to shatter and disperse the space.
At the same time, her aura was rapidly declining. After all, she was just an incarnation with limited power. The grade of the bronze lotus in the Innate Spiritual Treasure sequence belonged to the top tier, making it naturally difficult to deal with.
She could only hold on for nine breaths at most.
Qin Muling instantly made a judgment. Fortunately, he still had more cards up his sleeve. With a slight movement of his divine sense, the entire Imperial Dao Peak suddenly shook. Terrifying thunder exploded in the sky, and the hub that suppressed the mountain protection formation seemed to come alive, instantly emitting dazzling flowing light.
In the boundless sea of clouds, a dazzling purple sun appeared, enveloping the vast Imperial Dao Peak in a splendid radiance. Under the unprecedented suppression of immense power, all living beings on it were temporarily imprisoned and unable to move, causing even the movement of the bronze lotus to slightly freeze for a moment.
In the next instant, Qin Muling's figure faded and disappeared from the original spot.
"...This is impossible?!"
The voice inside the bronze lotus finally lost control, revealing a hint of astonishment and anger, as well as disbelief. "Even a peak Great Principle-level expert cannot escape from the constraints of this extraordinary treasure. How...how did he manage to do it?"
Another voice sounded faintly, "With supreme luck on his side, even the slightest hope can become a reality. Besides, we don't know all the secrets he possesses, so it is entirely possible for such an unexpected situation to occur."
"So what should we do now?"
"Although reluctant to admit it, this operation has indeed failed. Let's retreat! Unless you want to be trapped here by those two and unable to return!"
With a sigh of regret, the bronze lotus quietly disappeared.
At this moment, the high sky surged with wind and clouds, and the faint sound of thunder echoed. A towering and starlight-shrouded giant tower illusion appeared, floating motionless in the air, exuding a devastating pressure.
This was the Falling Phoenix Nebula Tower, the guardian artifact that had been stationed at the core of the mountain protection formation, accumulating power from the void spiritual energy. It seemed that Mu Yinghua had made a move.
The four majestic and dignified figures confronting each other in the clouds also slightly revealed themselves under the pressure of this artifact's domain.
"Looks like your operation has failed this time," Emperor Xin Yu's true body smiled faintly. "Even in a half-crippled state, you dare to cause trouble. Aren't you afraid that I will send you back to sleep again?"
Emperor Qing Huan sneered, "Later, I will personally visit the Palace of Calamitous Fate's main altar. I want to see how capable you are, daring to disrupt the grand plan of the Dao Court!"
The two Quasi-Saint Emperors of the Palace of Calamitous Fate remained silent for a while before saying, "Since that's the case, let's call it quits for today. Afterward, the Palace of Calamitous Fate will offer a good compensation as an apology. How about that?"
Emperor Xin Yu sneered, "Backing down when you can't win? You really know how to think! Have you asked for our opinion?"
"In today's matter, we are in the wrong. However, if you really want to turn hostile and take action, your side will have to pay a sufficient price. Currently, the calamity caused by the Demon Race has not yet subsided. It seems that both the Dao Court and the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace should avoid unnecessary conflicts and engage in a full-scale war with us?"
"That's just your opinion. Now that we have the advantage in strength, what can you do even if we go to war? It's only right to teach you a lesson."
Emperor Xin Yu stood his ground, not giving an inch. The higher-ups of the Palace of Calamitous Fate were playing their cards cleverly, thinking that everyone else was a fool!
"If you insist on pushing us to the limit, the two of us can only destroy the main altar of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace at the cost of our lives. Are you willing to let that happen?"
Emperor Xin Yu's expression faltered. If the foundation of their heritage was destroyed, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would undoubtedly suffer heavy damage. It would take who knows how many years to recover.
"You can choose to go down in flames, but the Palace of Calamitous Fate will also become history, sinking into the river of time. That would be a worse outcome for you, wouldn't it?"
Emperor Qing Huan said with a smile. If they were truly willing to sacrifice their lives and take action, they wouldn't be resorting to empty threats.
"What do you want then? State your conditions!"
The Quasi-Saint Emperor of the Palace of Calamitous Fate sighed. The two of them were crucial to the overall situation of the sect. If they were truly forced to perish here, the Palace of Calamitous Fate would become a toothless tiger, destined to be besieged and divided by other Supreme-level forces sooner or later.
Offending the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and one of the three giants of the Dao Court, and still expecting to leave without shedding blood? That's impossible.
As for the Heavenly Human Race, they couldn't count on them either. The two sides had always only used each other for their own benefit, without any real friendship. It wouldn't be surprising if they watched the Palace of Calamitous Fate fall and then kicked them while they were down.
The four Quasi-Saint Emperors discussed in the clouds.
In the Supreme's Cave Mansion.
Mu Yinghua was working with dozens of elders, using the power of the Imperial Dao Peak to inspect the entire sect's main altar inside and out. When she saw Qin Muling's figure appear, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"It's good that you're okay."
Without caring about suspicion, Mu Yinghua pulled the beautiful young man over, embraced him, and checked him up and down. Only after confirming that he wasn't injured did she feel relieved.
Although she knew that Emperor Xin Yu had set up many traps on Qin Muling, when it came down to it, worry and concern were inevitable.
Yu Lingzhou said angrily, "These despicable and cunning bastards! I've had my eye on them for a long time, but I never thought they would actually dare to come and snatch someone today. They... will definitely be destroyed in the future!"
The surrounding elders were equally furious. Qin Muling was now the key to the rise of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, and his value was even greater than that of the Supreme and the Emperor. Anyone who dared to harm him would forge an unending hatred with the entire Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.
Qin Muling asked, "Now that this has happened, how will the sect handle it? Are we going to go to war directly with the Palace of Calamitous Fate?"
Mu Yinghua pondered for a moment and said, "War is inevitable, but it's unlikely to happen now. We still need time to further strengthen our own power."
The Palace of Calamitous Fate is not an ordinary Supreme sect after all. Their strength is too formidable. Although the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace can ensure victory in battle, it is currently impossible to completely annihilate their heritage. The price to be paid would be too great.
So Mu Yinghua does not advocate tearing their faces apart immediately. At present, time is on the side of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. The later the war starts, the stronger their own strength will be, and the smaller the price they will have to pay. I believe Emperor Qing Huan also has this plan in mind.
"Well, let's leave it at that for now," Qin Muling said. "Let's see what the two emperors can negotiate with them. Even if they don't turn hostile now, it is inevitable for Palace of Calamitous Fate to cede territory and pay reparations."
Half an hour later, the negotiations between the four Quasi-Saint Emperors finally reached a conclusion. Palace of Calamitous Fate ceded two hundred rich territories in the Great Star Domain and compensated with forty-eight sets of Acquired Spiritual Treasures, three thousand sets of top-grade Law Treasures, twenty billion merits, and two thousand five hundred Supreme Grade spiritual crystal veins... There were more than thirty terms in total. Even with the strong foundation of Palace of Calamitous Fate, this was considered a major loss, a bone-deep injury.
If we consider the huge cost paid in this operation, along with the many losses suffered by Palace of Calamitous Fate, it would take thousands or even tens of thousands of years of recuperation to fully recover.
"They got off cheap!" Qin Muling said after learning the terms. These benefits were indeed considerable. Even Emperor Qing Huan would not be indifferent. However, with Qin Muling present, it was only a matter of time before they obtained even more benefits from the Illusory Mist Secret Realm. Therefore, he did not attach much importance to it.
Before long, the senior spies who participated in this plundering event on behalf of Palace of Calamitous Fate were all captured and brought before Mu Yinghua after their cultivation was suppressed.
There was one Great Principle-level elder, four Supreme Primordial Golden Immortals, eleven Golden Immortals, and some lower-level female cultivators among them. The positions they held were also quite important. It was their secret collaboration that temporarily disabled the sect's mountain protection formation, allowing the people from Palace of Calamitous Fate to secretly infiltrate the sect's main altar.
Under normal circumstances, even Quasi-Saint Emperors from hostile forces would not be able to sneak in without triggering any warning mechanisms due to the power of the mountain protection formation.
"I never expected that there would be such high-level moles in the sect! If it weren't for this incident, who knows..." Mu Yinghua and the elders were shocked and angry, but also deeply afraid. These spies had been in the sect for tens of thousands of years, always diligent and had made significant contributions to the sect. They had also undergone rigorous secret tests and examinations multiple times without any abnormalities. They never expected...
No decision-maker would remain indifferent when the core of power was infiltrated to such an extent. They didn't know if there were spies of this level still in the sect.
Emperor Xin Yu, on the other hand, took it lightly. "There's nothing to regret. You have all done your best. No matter how tight the counter-surveillance measures are, it is impossible to completely avoid such incidents. No lineage or power is an exception. So, let it be!"
Qin Muling agreed deeply with this. If the high-level of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had been infiltrated to such an extent, the situation in other sects might not be much better, including Dao Court. It was a reciprocal relationship. In the past, in the interactions between countries, such infiltration and counter-infiltration were common. In this world where the power of heaven and earth belonged to oneself and the lifespan of cultivators was long, such situations would only be more exaggerated.
At least, according to Qin Muling's knowledge, a core elder of Jade Pearl Star Palace had been a member of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace for hundreds of thousands of years. One of the favored concubines of a prominent figure in Dao Court was also an informant for Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. A vice sect master of Lu Hua Palace was an important undercover agent for Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. There were many similar examples...
Speaking of which, as a pure female cultivation lineage, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had a more obvious advantage in this regard. Over the millions of years, how many female cultivators who were married off were actually planted as spies, no one knew.
(End of this chapter)