362: Which one of them isn't shrewd and calculating?

The Southern Buddha Dynasty is founded on Buddhism.

Here, a saying has always circulated: The Southern Buddha can be without a ruler, but it cannot be without a Buddha!

Those who revere the Buddha will live as long as heaven; those who deceive the Buddha will be lost for eternity!

For many years, the name of the Southern Buddha Dynasty has never changed, but the actual emperor has changed countless times. No matter who ascends to power, they must honor the Buddha.

If the protection of the Buddha is lost, imperial power will decline, and a new emperor will be chosen.

In the Imperial City of the Southern Buddha Dynasty, most of those coming and going were ascetic Cultivators. The streets were filled with people Cultivating Buddhism, and Buddha soldiers, armed with staves, swords, and spears, patrolled the entire Imperial City.

This is one of the Imperial Dynasties closest to Great Qi. The Southern Buddha Dynasty has always wanted to enter the Great Qi Dynasty, but unfortunately, heaven did not grant their wish, and successive emperors of Great Qi have always been indifferent to them.

The long-held wish of past Buddhist masters of the Southern Buddha Dynasty has now arrived. Recently, emperors from over a dozen surrounding Imperial Dynasties have come to the Imperial City to meet with the Buddha Lord and the Imperial Venerable.

In the vast imperial palace, statues of Buddha were abundant as far as the eye could see. The imperial guards were almost all dressed as Buddhist Disciples, each robust in physique and with burnt marks on their heads, symbolizing their vows.

Each of them was very strong.

In this distinctively royal inner court, Buddhist chants resonated, holy Qi lingered, solemn and majestic.

In a grand hall, emperors, dressed in solemn and luxurious attire, respectfully sat on chairs below.

Each of these individuals was the esteemed emperor of an Imperial Dynasty, holding supreme power in their respective countries. The supreme Buddha Lord of the Southern Buddha Dynasty, like them, controlled the power of an Imperial Dynasty and held a higher status than the Imperial Venerable. Yet, at this moment, all these Imperial Dynasty rulers were seated on cushions on the lower part of the hall.

At the upper end of the hall, in the position originally meant for the Imperial Venerable's throne of the Southern Buddha Dynasty, sat a person completely shrouded in a black robe, with even his face obscured by wisps of black Devilish Qi.

His aura was very powerful. The entire hall was filled with the chaotic Qi he constantly emitted, suppressing the many emperors to the point where they dared not even make a sound.

Although he was just one person, and they couldn't discern his strength, they dared not utter an extra word.

After all, this black-robed master before them was a prominent figure from the Holy Heaven Demon Sect, the most mysterious reclusive Sect in the Northern Wilderness!

There were once those who were unconvinced, but this individual didn't even move a hand; with just a glance, he directly suppressed and killed a Peak Divine Profound Realm Ninth Level expert on the spot!

A Peak Divine Profound Realm Ninth Level expert! In this Border Wilderness Region, this is a top-tier existence!

How many Soul Palace Realm Cultivators are there?

With such a powerful suppression, who would dare to object?

"Respected sir, do you have something for us since you summoned us this time?"

The Imperial Venerable of the Southern Buddha Dynasty respectfully asked.

In reality, it made no difference whether he asked or not. Which of the emperors present wasn't a shrewd individual?

They all knew it was about attacking the Great Qi Dynasty.

They had already been working on it, but each time they were repelled, which left them quite helpless!

The black-robed figure, high above, slowly raised his head and looked at the crowd, his deep voice resonating.

"The Holy Heaven Demon Sect's decree orders you to eliminate all Cultivators in Great Qi. You, with your dozen or so Imperial Dynasties combined, haven't accomplished this in a month. Can't you even handle such a small matter?"

The Holy Heaven Demon Sect's decree mandated that all controlled Imperial Dynasty forces must comply unconditionally.

It was precisely after receiving this decree that these emperors suddenly assembled armies from over a dozen Imperial Dynasties to attack the Great Qi Dynasty!

However, after several months and countless attacks, they still failed to breach the border of the Great Qi Dynasty.

The strength of the Great Qi Dynasty exceeded their imagination, and they quickly fell into a stalemate. The armies of the dozen or so Imperial Dynasties were bogged down there, unable to move.

"Your Excellency, we underestimated the might of Great Qi. They hid their strength too deeply, and our dozen Imperial Dynasties have suffered heavy losses!"

The Emperor of the Crimson Star Dynasty reported respectfully, his face filled with bitterness.

"Hmph! You are all useless!"

Unexpectedly, the black-robed figure at the head of the hall roared, and a chilling Killing Intent permeated the hall, enveloping all the Imperial Dynasty rulers present.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

In an instant, more than ten Imperial Dynasty rulers spat out blood, their faces as pale as paper!

Too strong!

Before this black-robed individual, these Soul Palace Realm Imperial Dynasty rulers had no ability to resist and were all injured by his aura!

Fortunately, the black-robed figure did not kill them.

The dozen or so Imperial Dynasties were all vassals of the Holy Heaven Demon Sect, and they were still needed to deal with the Great Qi Dynasty.

The Holy Heaven Demon Sect could not possibly send more Cultivators.

"Your Excellency, please calm your anger!"

The Buddha Lord of the Southern Buddha Dynasty quickly pleaded for mercy.

The disparity in strength made these powerful figures, who were once high above in their respective Imperial Dynasties, prostrate themselves on the ground, not daring to show the slightest resistance.

The black-robed figure's gaze flickered, and a ripple appeared on his face, shrouded in black Qi.

"The Great Qi Dynasty must be destroyed. If you don't have enough manpower, then go and win over more Imperial Dynasties to join us!"

"Since you have become vassals of my Demon Sect, you must understand what sacrifice means."

"To serve the Demon Sect is their glory!"

His cold voice carried no trace of emotion; he regarded all beings as ants.

Even these so-called Imperial Dynasty rulers were expendable.

"Your Excellency, rest assured, we will firmly carry out the Demon Sect's orders."

"However, the Empress of Great Qi is immensely powerful. She has forcefully suppressed us in several encirclement campaigns. I wonder if Your Excellency could..."

The Empress of Great Qi was the pillar supporting Great Qi.

No matter how many ordinary soldiers there were, they would eventually die, posing no real threat.

But the existence of the Empress of Great Qi was the reason for their repeated disastrous defeats.

Even the mysterious masters sent by the Demon Sect couldn't suppress her, let alone these Imperial Dynasty rulers.

The black-robed figure suddenly sneered.

A sharp Killing Intent emanated, intensely cold, making the entire hall feel as if it had plunged into an ice cellar!

It was bone-chillingly cold!

"Yan Yuzhu is doomed to die. The Demon Sect naturally has someone who can deal with her. You only need to do your own part."

"If you still cannot conquer Great Qi this time, then don't bother returning!"

The black-robed figure's words carried a chilling Killing Intent, sending shivers down the spines of all the Imperial Dynasty rulers.

But with the words spoken, they were utterly powerless to resist!

The Holy Heaven Demon Sect was too powerful, so powerful that it made all of them feel despair.

Resistance was impossible; it was better to fight Great Qi to the death, which offered a greater chance of success.

"Your Excellency, rest assured, we will prepare immediately. Within a month, we will conquer Great Qi!"

All the Imperial Dynasty rulers expressed their resolve.

This was the only thing they could do. If the Great Qi Dynasty was not destroyed, their value would diminish.

The Demon Sect would certainly not spare them either... Great Qi Imperial City.

Outside a large courtyard of the Demon and Monster Division.

Several young men, with extraordinary bearing and composed faces, sat in a circle. In the center of the circle, a bonfire was lit, and on it, a beast sizzled, emitting steam.

A rich aroma of meat permeated the air, golden and glistening with oil, making the surrounding young men's mouths water.

"You fellow, hurry up and get it ready! I've already had two pots of wine, when will this meat be done!"

The speaker was a burly man, holding a pot of wine, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the meat, wishing he could just grab it and start gnawing.

This man's strength was considerable, with a Divine Profound Realm aura that was faintly discernible, indicating great skill.

He was none other than Gui Bufan, one of the three Demon and Monster Envoys of the Demon and Monster Division, the very individual who had fought fiercely with Shen Tianxing and Qin Zhanfeng for supremacy, and also a Disciple of the Chief Director of the Demon and Monster Department!

"Gui Bufan, haste makes waste. Your temper has always been so impatient, no wonder you almost failed to Breakthrough to Divine Profound!"

Qin Zhanfeng was clearly seated not far away. Seeing Gui Bufan's appearance, he couldn't help but mock him.

"Bah! You're not impatient, your drool is almost flowing out!"

Gui Bufan glanced at him, saying disdainfully.

Both of them had now entered the Divine Profound Realm, their strengths comparable. They still bickered fiercely as they used to.

However, this did not affect their mutual affection. As masters of their respective Departments, they often collaborated. There were times of arguments, but also moments of fighting side by side. Their usual squabbles were merely benign rivalries.

Not only did it not hinder the cooperation of the Three Departments, but it actually made it more beneficial!

Qin Zhanfeng silently wiped the corner of his mouth and said nothing, while the surrounding young men all wore expressions of 'I knew it'.

Li Tongshen swept his gaze over them and said, "You gluttons, it wasn't easy to slay a Soul Palace Realm Tortoise Dragon. If you don't properly stimulate the medicinal properties within its body and just eat it directly, you'll probably burst!"

"Don't blame me for not warning you then!"

Li Tongshen had now become close with the masters of the Three Departments. Firstly, he was Shen Tianxing's person, and Shen Tianxing's prestige in the Three Departments was unparalleled!

Secondly, Li Tongshen was also a straightforward person; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get along with these unruly fellows.

Besides these two points, Li Tongshen's cultivation was also a reason for everyone's conviction.

Since Li Tongshen arrived in Great Qi, in several encirclement campaigns against powerful demons, monsters, and ghost Cultivator Sects, he always led the charge, beating those masters whom they once all looked up to into a state of utter disarray.

Only a strong person could earn the respect of these fellows, and Li Tongshen had certainly achieved that.

The last person to achieve this was Shen Tianxing, but now Shen Tianxing was completely different. He had long surpassed everyone, and his name was already a legend in Great Qi.

"Li Tongshen, your strength has increased too quickly. Do you have any secrets? Tell us about them."

"You've already entered the Eighth Level of Soul Palace Realm now. Soon, you'll probably step into the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm. Don't forget your brothers then."

It was Ling Feiyang who spoke. The current Ling Feiyang was formidable. After participating in the Southern Domain battle, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and he was already a Carefree Realm expert!

Of course, this was later achieved with rewards from the Empress and some help from Shen Tianxing, which ultimately allowed him to grow.

Ling Feiyang was already a Chiliarch, with both his strength and status greatly elevated. He was now a capable figure among the Three Department Envoys.

The reason he could associate with these powerful figures was his deep connection with Shen Tianxing and his excellent talent, which allowed them to get along.

"Feiyang is right, hurry up and tell us!"

Qin Zhanfeng and the others also clamored.

The Tortoise Dragon before them was a Fifth Level of Soul Palace Realm expert, a prominent figure in the demon and monster lineage who had Cultivated for many years. Just three days ago, Li Tongshen had slain it outside the Imperial City.

Li Tongshen's strength was enough for him to lecture them on the Dao and guide them in their Cultivation direction.

Upon hearing this, Li Tongshen grinned. Wasn't this just showing off in front of others?

He was good at this!

So, Li Tongshen smiled, put down the meat in his hand, and chuckled, "This, you've asked the right person."

"I have quite some insights into the Dao of Cultivation. Now that we are fighting both internally and externally, it is a time when experts are needed. Listen carefully, and if you can gain some enlightenment, you will surely benefit when we depart for the border this time!"

He loved this kind of act of being a master the most. He had seen his lord show off countless times in front of others in the Outer Sea, and now it was finally his turn. How could he not seize the opportunity?

The tension that had been weighing on everyone's hearts about going to the border was dispelled by his few words.

"Come, come, sit here, sit here. There's excellent fine wine here."

Ling Feiyang quickly offered the wine in his hand.

Li Tongshen glanced at him; this young man was sensible.

Taking a big gulp, Li Tongshen put down the wine pot, then clasped his hands behind his back and walked back and forth in front of everyone.

"The Dao of Cultivation values enlightenment!"

"All things in heaven and earth, all forms of life, birds, beasts, fish, and insects, all possess spirituality!"

"All those with spirituality are objects that we Cultivators should observe and comprehend."

"Cultivation must not be rushed, otherwise, you will end up like Gui Bufan, either suffering Qi Deviation or stagnating."

"Only by perceiving heaven and earth with your heart and following the rules of nature can you achieve something."

Once Li Tongshen started speaking, he chattered on endlessly, recounting the insights into the Dao that he had heard from Shen Tianxing and Liu Xianyun.

The main reason his strength could increase so rapidly was his exceptionally high innate talent, coupled with Shen Tianxing and Liu Xianyun frequently lecturing him and Liu Yueying on the Dao.

Even if he didn't achieve a Breakthrough at that moment, after careful reflection and comprehension, he would undoubtedly be a step ahead in his future Cultivation path!

His growth was continuous; as long as his strength reached a certain level, Epiphanies would occur, making him feel like a fish in water!

Whether it was Gui Bufan, Qin Zhanfeng, Ling Feiyang, or the other important figures from the various Departments, they all listened with rapt attention!

This method of Cultivation was completely different from what they had heard before.

They felt a larger world, like a scroll, slowly unfolding before them. And now, they were like standing outside this great door, needing to part the clouds and mist to step across the threshold.

Once they stepped through that great door, the profound Dao before them would become clear to their hearts.

This was enlightenment!

Qin Zhanfeng and Gui Bufan's talents were not bad; what they lacked was vision and the scope of their Cultivation!

Without a broad vision, they simply didn't know how vast the outside world was, nor did they know that there were countless paths to Cultivation, each of which could help them achieve their goals.

Now, Li Tongshen was using Shen Tianxing's insights into the Dao to guide their Cultivation, which naturally felt like parting the clouds to see the true meaning!