698: Chapter 698 Using Others as a Front, Uniting with Fourteen Dou Sheng

Hun Tiandi sat in the grand hall, drinking tea, calm and unruffled.

"Hun Tiandi, what is the third step?" Bai Ye asked urgently.

"The third step: Using others as a tool." Hun Tiandi smiled faintly upon hearing the question.

Hun Xiutian exclaimed, "Using others as a tool? Wan Zhou?"

"Exactly. Wan Zhou will convince Xue Yiming for us to fight the Qin Family a second time!" Hun Tiandi spoke confidently.

"They’ve already gone once and were no match for the Qin Family. Will it really go according to your plan?" Bai Ye frowned, skeptical that Wan Zhou would make a move.

Inside the palace of Wudu City, within the imperial court.

As Wan Zhou listened to the reports from his ministers, he realized that the Great Wu Empire was falling apart. Bad news arrived one after another, leaving him with a numb expression.

In the past, such news would have surely filled his face with worry.

But after yesterday’s baptism of burning his bridges, his mindset had completely changed.

Even if the Great Wu Empire were to perish, it would not cause the slightest ripple in his heart.

As long as the Qin Family existed, it didn't matter how prosperous the Great Wu Empire was; it was all for nothing. Therefore, the Qin Family had to be destroyed.

If he could destroy the Qin Family, rebuilding a mere imperial dynasty would be easy; he had even founded a heavenly dynasty before.

With his vision expanded, his mind was no longer confined to the interests of an empire.

The most important thing was how to gather the momentum needed to crusade against the Qin Family.

How could he pull in Xue Yiming and lead the experts of the Holy Land to fight the Qin Family?

Ideally, both sides would suffer heavy losses.

For the Blood River Holy Land to enter the fray, Xue Yiming had to be convinced.

"Your Majesty, the nation is no longer a nation, and the people are in despair. Our Great Wu Empire is in peril!" a minister cried out.

This snapped Wan Zhou out of his thoughts.

"I know. You may leave," Wan Zhou said with a slight nod.

The minister was momentarily choked up by Wan Zhou's indifferent expression; His Majesty hadn't listened to a single word.

The other officials in the hall looked at Wan Zhou in surprise, doubt growing in their hearts.

Could it be that His Majesty is giving up on the Great Wu Empire?

"Report..."

A guard rushed into the palace, catching the attention of Wan Zhou and the ministers.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, someone has sent a visiting card outside the palace!" the guard said respectfully.

"Oh?" Wan Zhou frowned, somewhat surprised.

"Impudent! A visiting card? It should be sent to the Ministry of Rites and discussed after the court session. How dare you!" a minister scolded.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the visitor calls himself Hun Tian of the Da Zheng Imperial Dynasty. As he is the emperor of a dynasty, I did not dare to delay," the guard explained immediately.

An emperor of a dynasty? Someone equal in status to His Majesty?

"Invite him in!" Wan Zhou said in a low voice.

"Yes!"

Soon after, Hun Tiandi, Bai Ye, and Hun Xiutian entered the hall, scanning their surroundings.

"Hun Tiandi greets the Great Emperor of Great Wu!" Hun Tiandi smiled.

With the Great Wu Heavenly Dynasty destroyed, Wan Zhou was no longer a Sovereign, so he could only be addressed as 'Great Emperor.' By speaking this way, Hun Tiandi placed their statuses on equal footing.

"Wan Zhou, we meet again!" Hun Tiandi said with a smile.

Wan Zhou was surprised. The information he had on Hun Tiandi was somewhat strange; he knew from the Blood River Holy Land that this person came from the Yang Realm and possessed extraordinary abilities.

"What brings you all here?" Wan Zhou asked calmly from his dragon throne.

Bai Ye, perhaps appearing too ordinary, was directly ignored.

"We have come for the Qin Family!" Hun Tiandi stated plainly.

"Hmm?" Wan Zhou felt a slight surge of excitement.

"We have come for the total collapse of the Qin Family!" Hun Tiandi spoke firmly. Wan Zhou stood up abruptly, his sharp gaze fixed on Hun Tiandi.

The ministers in the hall were bewildered, not understanding why His Majesty had such a strong reaction.

"Court is dismissed!" Wan Zhou said with a wave of his hand.

"Court is dismissed!" the old eunuch announced. The many officials left in confusion, leaving only five people in the hall: Wan Zhou, Hun Tiandi, Hun Xiutian, Bai Ye, and the old eunuch.

"The Da Zheng Imperial Dynasty?" Wan Zhou stood up and walked down from his dragon throne.

"Precisely!" Hun Tiandi smiled.

"The one who pushed from the shadows to have Qin Mian ruin their reputation... was that you?" Wan Zhou asked again.

"It was."

"When you left the Qin Family back then, they must have rejected your request. Now you want to destroy them," Wan Zhou observed with a sharp gaze.

"And you don't?"

"Hahaha, I certainly do. But why have you come here?"

"Naturally, to destroy the Qin Family together with you."

"What capabilities do you have? Are you qualified to stand beside me?"

"I am no weaker than you!" Hun Tiandi said calmly.

"Jie jie jie, you have this close official behind you, Shen Xiu, and the experts of the Blood River Holy Land!" Hun Tiandi laughed.

"Correct. And you?" Wan Zhou stared at Hun Tiandi.

"I'm sure you've investigated me. I, Hun Tiandi, am not one to make empty boasts. If I say I have the strength, I have it—perhaps even more than you!"

"If you are sincere, we will join forces to destroy the Qin Family!" Hun Tiandi said solemnly.

Wan Zhou's brow furrowed. Could he really summon a group of Dou Sheng experts? According to his investigation, where would he get so many Dou Sheng experts?

"Where are your people?"

"When you are ready, my people will appear!" Hun Tiandi said confidently.

Whether it was Wan Zhou, the old eunuch, or even Bai Ye, they all looked deeply at Hun Tiandi. Bai Ye was screaming internally.

What capital do you have? Stop bragging! Where are these allies? Xuan Chen will never charge into the Qin Family!

In the palace plaza, there were only six people.

Hun Tiandi, Hun Xiutian, Bai Ye, Wan Zhou, Shen Xiu, and Xue Yiming.

They sat around a circular table. Wan Zhou sipped his tea, lost in thought.

"Holy Lord Xue, what do you think?" After speaking, Hun Tiandi looked at Xue Yiming, who set down his teacup and stared back expressionlessly.

"What is your decision, Holy Lord Xue? Everything is ready except for the final push," Wan Zhou added.

"The timing is right," Shen Xiu nodded slightly.

Bai Ye, watching from the side, felt odd. From the initial setup to the current negotiations, this entire series of schemes was aimed at agreeing to attack the Qin Family.

Hun Tiandi hadn't hidden anything from him, allowing him to observe the entire process.

As the master of a Holy Land, Xue Yiming naturally had many considerations. If he were invited directly, he would surely refuse.

But with Wan Zhou and Shen Xiu's persuasion, it was much more effective.

Xue Yiming's gaze swept across the group, finally landing on Hun Tiandi.

"Hun Tiandi, how did you enter the Underworld?" Xue Yiming asked.

"That is my secret!" Hun Tiandi laughed.

"Hahaha, and where are your people? You're relying on just this one Three-Star Dou Sheng?" Xue Yiming said calmly, looking at Hun Xiutian.

"And yours?" Hun Tiandi countered.

"Six Dou Sheng experts!" Xue Yiming said in a low voice.

Six Dou Sheng experts? That would be Wan Zhou, Xue Yiming, Shen Xiu, the old eunuch, and two Elders from the Blood River Holy Land.

Thus, Xue Yiming was not lying; as the master of a Holy Land, lying would only lower his own status.

Hun Tiandi pondered for a moment upon hearing this.

"Do you have that many?" Xue Yiming mocked.

Taking a deep breath, Hun Tiandi looked up at Xue Yiming and said, "Exactly two more than you."

Xue Yiming frowned slightly, as did Bai Ye and Wan Zhou. What exactly was Hun Tiandi's background?

He found eight Dou Sheng experts? Was it true or false?

With such combat power, he could charge into the Qin Family alone. Why even bother recruiting them?

Bai Ye's eyes widened as he looked at Hun Tiandi in shock. He had already thought highly of him, having witnessed all his calculations over the past few days.

Every step of the plan was precise, but this was even more exaggerated.

He actually had eight Dou Sheng experts.

Could this be a bluff? Eight? And Dou Sheng experts at that?

"Hahaha, two more? How many Dou Sheng experts are there in the entire Underworld? Have you gone mad?" Xue Yiming looked completely skeptical.

"As long as the Holy Lord agrees, I will let you know who my people are." Hun Tiandi was not in the least bit hurried.

"Holy Lord Xue, why hesitate? Fourteen Dou Sheng experts! What is there to worry about if we all charge into the Qin Family together?" Shen Xiu urged immediately.

"Indeed, it's a rare opportunity. Are you afraid?" Wan Zhou said displeasedly.

Both of them already intended to strike back. With Hun Tiandi's strength, this was their only chance, provided Xue Yiming agreed.

"Fine, as long as you show your strength!" Xue Yiming took a deep breath.

"Good. Holy Lord Xue's word is his bond. Then, I shall show my hand!" Hun Tiandi smiled.

Everyone looked at Hun Tiandi with different emotions: Xue Yiming was serious, Wan Zhou and Shen Xiu were excited, and Bai Ye was full of anticipation.

With a flip of his hand, Hun Tiandi took out a Jade Slip and handed it to the Holy Lord.

Xue Yiming caught it, puzzled. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Take a look first," Hun Tiandi said calmly, picking up his tea and taking a small sip.

Xue Yiming activated his Dou Qi, and a projection appeared for everyone to see. It was the scene of Xuan Chen fighting the eight powerful experts on the Yellow Spring Road.

Xuan Chen alone was fighting eight Dou Sheng experts, and had even managed to kill one of them.

The fierce might of the Creation Heavenly Palace was on full display. It was overwhelmingly powerful—the Body of the Saintly Dao, the Body of the Heavens, and the One Body, Three Divisions technique were incredibly monstrous.

The eight Dou Sheng experts were certainly strong, but Xuan Chen was even more of a freak.

They were utterly defeated and fled.

After watching, everyone exhaled. They had missed that world-shaking battle on the Yellow Spring Road, and seeing the projection made up for that regret.

"How was it?" Hun Tiandi asked.

"How was what?" Xue Yiming was confused.

Everyone looked at him strangely. You don't think that Xuan Chen and the seven remaining experts could charge into the Qin Family, do you?

"The Creation Heavenly Palace has no grudge against the Qin Family, so they wouldn't become enemies," Xue Yiming said in a low voice.

"I am talking about the remaining seven!" Hun Tiandi spoke.

"As long as Holy Lord Xue agrees to go to the Qin Family, the seven Dou Sheng experts will go with us!" Hun Tiandi was extremely confident.

"Oh? You can get them to agree?" Xue Yiming frowned.