220: Choice

Ancient Underworld Emperor Continent, Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!

“Everyone, the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect’s actions are extremely ambitious!”

Eight Old Ancestors sat together. They were the Old Ancestors of the three clans and the remaining five top Holy Lands.

As the battle at Luo Shen Pass concluded, the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect’s influence rapidly spread throughout the Wuqian Territory. Wherever their army went, one either chose to comply with the Emperor Sect’s laws or face destruction.

Even they could only choose to comply with the Emperor Sect’s laws.

But if it was just this, it wouldn’t be a big deal; it would simply mean moving all actions that defied the Emperor Sect’s decrees into the shadows.

However, the Ancient Martial Assembly at the end of the month was intriguing.

This was also the reason why the eight families gathered here. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and Snow Moon Pavilion had always adhered to the principle of not participating in power struggles, and they had maintained this since their establishment.

Coupled with their intricate connections with some forces in the eastern region, they were not afraid of being targeted by the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect.

But the eight families were different. When they were still third-rank Holy Lands, they were once forces under the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect. Later, they gradually distanced themselves from the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect, and after the Calamity of Tianwu, they maintained their independence.

This move by the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect was clearly to force them to make a choice.

Having been independent for so long, each family had long grown accustomed to the feeling of freedom. Suddenly having another ‘father’ above them felt worse than eating excrement.

Moreover, it was a time of trouble. Due to the Divine Spirit Ruins, many external forces would surely arrive in the next three months. At that time, the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect would bear the brunt.

“Regardless of what you all think, our three families have already chosen to submit to the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect again!”

At this moment, the Ancestor of the Qiao Family spoke, shocking everyone.

“What? Fellow Daoist Qiao, Fellow Daoist Chi, Fellow Daoist Yu, why would the three of you make such a choice?”

The Old Ancestor of Tianyang Holy Land asked.

“If one can be free, who wouldn’t want to be free? But the Foundation of our three clans is in the Ancient Martial Emperor Continent; furthermore, with various forces gathering in the Wuqian Territory, what’s wrong with finding a backer in such a situation?” Ancestor Qiao said.

“Exactly!” Ancestor Chi echoed, “There’s also a crucial point: perhaps the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect of the past couldn’t even protect itself, but the current Ancient Martial Emperor Sect is not what it used to be.”

“Old Ancestor Wu Luo has already achieved a three-step Breakthrough to Quasi-Emperor. He can protect the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect for at least thirty epochs. In such a long period, he might even achieve a Breakthrough.”

“Furthermore, have you all forgotten the mysterious force named ‘Efeng’ behind the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect? Not to mention anything else, just the strength displayed by that army—apart from those top Emperor Sects, who else could achieve that?”

The Old Ancestors of Xuan Ling and the other five Holy Lands were shaken by these words.

“Everyone, we three will not disturb you further. The choice is yours to make. As for today, we three were never here!” Ancestor Yu stood up and cupped his fists.

Qiao and Chi also stood up and bowed apologetically.

The five Holy Land Old Ancestors quickly stood up and returned the bow!

Afterward, the three left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

The five Holy Lands looked at this scene, exchanging glances.

“Fellow Daoists, I have other matters, so I’ll take my leave first. My apologies!”

Ancestor Yaoyun and Ancestor Wuji exchanged a look and also bid farewell.

In the large private room, only the Old Ancestors of Xuan Ling, Tianyang, and Lingxiao Holy Lands remained.

“Fellow Daoist Xuan Feng, what should the three of us do next?”

Ancestor Lingxiao actually wanted to leave, but he was good friends with Ancestor Xuan Ling, so it was difficult to depart.

“Actually, Fellow Daoists Qiao and Chi were right. We first-rank Holy Lands may seem powerful, but compared to those Emperor Sects or top Holy Lands, we are too, too weak!”

“The Divine Spirit Ruins three months from now are an Opportunity for us, but at the same time, they carry too many risks. If we follow behind the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect at this time, not only will there be no worries, but we might even obtain an Opportunity.”

“Everything for survival! The future of Xuan Ling Sacred Land, the choice is up to Fellow Daoist Xuan Feng!”

Ancestor Tianyang spoke his thoughts.

Then he pushed open the door and left.

“Sigh…”

Ancestor Xuan Ling sighed. His original intention was to gather a few families to form an Alliance and jointly explore the Opportunity within the Divine Spirit Ruins. If they could achieve a Breakthrough to Quasi-Emperor, all problems would be resolved.

But the plan was aborted before it even began.

“So be it!”

Ancient Time Land!

At this moment, a group of Heavenly Army soldiers were escorting a group of sacred souls towards the Primordial Heavenly Pool, with Heavenly Army soldiers constantly being generated; another group of Heavenly Army soldiers were sending corpses into the Myriad Spirits Altar, harvesting cultivation crystals.

This scene, which outsiders would find extremely evil, did not cause the slightest ripple in Xu Qing’s heart.

Among the living beings in this world, once they embark on Cultivation, how many truly have clean hands?

To become stronger, one needs resources. Where do resources come from? Is it not through conflict and plunder?

The so-called Righteous Path, Demonic Path, or Buddhism, Confucianism, and so on, are all just methods of Cultivation. Ultimately, they still rely on conflict to seize resources and strengthen oneself.

“This time, you did well! Take these cultivation crystals; how you reward them is your business!”

This time, the number of corpses Xu Duoduo brought was astonishing: two Quasi-Emperors, 14 Saint Monarchs, 31 Half-step Saint Monarchs, 274 Saint Emperors, 697 Saint Kings, 12368 Great Saints, 21992 Small Saints, 56272 Saints, and approximately 447 million Half-Saints and Divine Emperors.

Xu Qing didn’t actually need these corpses right now, because the two major gold-devouring beasts within his clan had already been sent out. If they wanted to improve their Cultivation, they had to fight for it themselves.

Moreover, the last batch hadn’t even been used up, so he didn’t need them.

Therefore, he bestowed them upon Xu Duoduo, allowing him to lay the Foundation for the upcoming Wuqian Empire!

That’s right, that day Xu Duoduo arranged for Wu Luo to host a banquet precisely to prepare for the establishment of an Empire, with the entire Wuqian Territory as its Foundation.

This would facilitate the Ancient Martial Emperor Sect’s rule over the entire Wuqian Territory; secondly, it would also bind the entire Wuqian Territory together like a rope, forming a strong cohesive force!

Moreover, after these cultivation crystals were used, these powerhouses would become the Xu Family’s most loyal supporters. Why not?

Furthermore, Xu Qing did not take any of the resources obtained this time, except for Quasi-Emperor level treasures. Too many resources were needed to establish an Empire, and the resources of the three Holy Lands could serve as the Foundation of the Wuqian Empire.

“Yes, Clan Chief!”

Xu Duoduo was overjoyed. With these crystals, he could quickly Cultivate a group of powerhouses.

“Here is the other half of the Nirvana Pill. Bestow it upon Wu Luo. The residual energy from the previous half of the Nirvana Pill is still in his body. With this half, the Nirvana power within him will be completely activated. You can take him to Cultivate in the Ancient Time Land!”

Xu Qing handed the half of the Nirvana Pill to Xu Duoduo.

“Thank you, Clan Chief!” Xu Duoduo quickly accepted it.

“As for you and A Hui, wait a moment. I will give you both a great Opportunity!” Xu Qing added.

“Master, A Hui doesn’t need any reward. Being able to stay by Master’s side is enough!” A Hui quickly said.

Xu Duoduo’s heart trembled upon hearing this. This was truly something Niu Ge would say.

Xu Qing couldn’t help but smile at his words.

“Go and make your preparations! The subsequent cultivation crystals will be sent over continuously!”

Xu Qing waved his hand.

“Yes, Clan Chief (Young Lord)!”

The two left the Ancient Time Land!

Xu Qing came to the hall where the Primordial Heavenly Pool was placed, his eyes filled with fervor.

This time, the Divine Souls and sacred souls were only more, not less, far exceeding the number of corpses. All of this was A Hui’s doing.

The Wujian Hell Ox Race, this was a race specialized in capturing souls.

His original plan was to establish a Heavenly Army of ten million, with ten major Heavenly Armies, each with a million soldiers. This time, he could gather them all.

In at most half a year, all of this could be accomplished.