156: News of the Supreme War

One must know that the Divine Authority's Awakening, heralded by a Divine Authority's light, illuminates the entire Three Thousand Provinces. If the sudden orange light pillar was eye-catching, then the purple and orange intertwined light pillar was even more captivating.

At this moment, in the Ten Directions Immortal Court's Qin Family, Qin Mùdào stood rooted to the spot, gazing at the two-colored light pillar in the direction of the Jun Family, unable to compose himself for a long time. Behind him, the other Kings of the Qin Family, and indeed all the high-ranking members of the Qin Family, also stared blankly at this scene.

“Legend has it that Divine Authority is a special ability with its own consciousness. Besides Divinities bestowed by heaven, they also have the ability to choose their own people.”

“The first orange light pillar was an Awakening. So the second one is... a change between Divinities... right?”

“Purple and orange light pillar. Jun Lingxiao has already seized a second Divine Authority.”

Qin Mùdào said, his expression dark and unreadable. He had never imagined that the world would change so drastically overnight. First, news spread of Jun Lingxiao’s identity as a Divine Authority Holder, but fortunately, it happened in a Secret Realm, and the light pillar only appeared for an instant, so everyone was half-skeptical about the news.

But now, another light pillar rose in the direction of the Jun Family, followed immediately by a two-colored light pillar.

He, the Qin Family New King, ranked among the top three of the Qin Family Twelve Kings, had yet to even touch the threshold of Divine Authority, but over on Jun Lingxiao's side, the struggle between Divinities had already begun.

Jun Lingxiao was far, far ahead of them.

“Mùdào... compared to Jun Lingxiao, who is stronger?” an Elder, who greatly valued Qin Mùdào, asked, his expression complex as he looked at Qin Mùdào. There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Knowing the answer, yet still asking—such is human nature, anticipating an unrealistic answer.

Another King standing nearby scoffed at this, answering for Qin Mùdào: “Beneath Divine Authority, all are ants. Who is stronger? How ridiculous. The Qin Family has been at the top for too long and has grown accustomed to an easy life.”

With that, he turned and left.

This person was named Qin Hai, ranked second among the Qin Family Twelve Kings. He was powerful but not arrogant, decisive in his actions, and clear-sighted in his judgment. In terms of both strength and Heart-Nature, he was a top Prodigy of the Qin Family.

“But what if he doesn’t use Divine Authority?”

The Elder asked again.

Under such pressure, he had to step forward to boost morale, otherwise, the younger generation in the Family would doubt their lives.

“Doesn’t use Divine Authority...?”

Upon hearing this, the countless shadows that had been lurking in Qin Mùdào’s eyes dissipated, replaced by a confident, powerful, and arrogant self-assurance.

While the Qin Family Twelve Kings varied in strength, the top three were all absolute, first-rate powerhouses.

“I will win.”

He lifted his head, gazing at the sky as if seeing someone, and spoke confidently.

“Fair and square, in a head-on confrontation, I will win.”

“To step through forty-eight million rivers of blood, to face the strong as an enemy, and to prove my Dao through martial arts—I, Qin Mùdào, exist for this purpose. If I become Emperor someday, I shall refine all the myriad worlds and shatter the shackles of this world!”

“If I lose, don’t erect a monument for me.”

As Qin Mùdào finished speaking, the sky suddenly changed dramatically, yet he himself, as if nothing had happened, turned and left. After a few steps, as if just remembering, he looked back at the Elder who had just spoken:

“Is there any news from the Jun Family regarding the Supreme War?”

The Elder had not yet recovered from his shock and subconsciously shook his head at the question.

It wasn't until everyone watched Qin Mùdào's retreating back and connected it with what he had just said that they seemed to awaken from a dream, looking at each other and speaking:

“He wouldn’t be thinking of challenging Jun Lingxiao, would he?”

“Isn’t that like throwing an egg at a rock? That’s Divine Authority...”

“No, you don’t understand him. A strong person must be fearless. If he shows fear, then he isn’t worthy of being called strong. And didn’t you hear what he said at the end? If I lose, don’t erect a monument for me, because... I wouldn’t be worthy!”

After realizing this point, everyone gasped, acknowledging that Qin Mùdào was indeed a bit too arrogant, yet what he had just said didn’t sound like empty boasting. If Jun Lingxiao didn’t use Divine Authority, he might indeed win, but one cannot control another’s actions; can you just say “don’t use it” and he won’t?

“This child, Qin Mùdào... is this a Great Dao Oath? Is he that confident in becoming an Emperor?”

High above, the Qin Family’s Great Emperor Elders and Old Ancestors, among others, were naturally observing from here. While watching the Jun Family, they happened to overhear such interesting things.

An Elder gasped with a hiss. One must know that with the Laws tightly locked, Breakthrough to Great Emperor was extremely difficult now.

Another Elder, looking at Qin Mùdào’s figure, slightly frowned. Instead of agreeing, he looked at the Qin Family Old Ancestor beside him and said: “Old Ancestor, the coming era belongs to Divinities. The Jun Family has reached its current height because of one Divine Child, Jun Lingxiao, while their other Dao Children are completely irrelevant. So I’m thinking, shouldn’t our Qin Family also change?”

“One must know that Jun Lingxiao’s achievements are inseparable from the Jun Family’s policy: all Family resources are tilted towards one Divine Child. While the risk is extremely high, the returns are also great. And while our Qin Family Twelve Kings are also very powerful, at this moment, no matter which one we pick, or even if they all go together, they are absolutely no match for Jun Lingxiao. So I’m thinking, shouldn’t we abolish some positions and free up more resources? Otherwise, it will probably be difficult to contend with the Jun Family in the future.”

As soon as this Elder spoke, he was immediately met with skepticism from the other Elders.

“What do you mean? Abolish the Twelve Kings?”

“Not abolish, but reduce, concentrating more resources on a select few.”

“That sounds good coming from you. Why don’t you make your own Family member voluntarily withdraw and give up resources to others?”

“...”

“Does our Qin Family need to learn from his Jun Family?”

“This proposal is very interesting. If implemented, how would we select people? A few individuals would receive all the resources. But what if this person disappears like Jun Chengtian of the Jun Family, or becomes an enemy? Our Qin Family would definitely suffer a great loss of Origin Qi, the risk is too great.”

Among the many Elders, there were supporters and opponents, but more were skeptics.

Yes, how can you guarantee that someone who receives all the resources won’t disappear like Jun Chengtian? Resources are one thing, but how do you make up for lost time? If you cultivate a person for a hundred years, and he disappears, the next person to rise would be a hundred years later. Who can guarantee the Family won't decline during that century? Or, who can guarantee that this person, having received all the resources, can become the next Jun Lingxiao?

What if you raise a good-for-nothing, or just someone of ordinary Prodigy level?

“Enough!”

As everyone discussed, the Qin Family Old Ancestor finally spoke. He sternly interrupted them.

The Qin Family Old Ancestor was also an old man with an immortal demeanor, dressed in a white robe bearing traces of time, with a head of ancient white hair, but his eyes were calm and wise, appearing profound and full of stories.

He was the least talented, oldest, and yet the most clear-sighted of the three Celestial Emperors.

“The decline of the Qin Family is obvious to outsiders, but only you cannot see it!”

“The times are advancing, and every day is different. Sticking to old rules will only lead to death. Look at his Jun Family? The Jun Family’s combat power ranking has always been the standard for measuring Family Disciples, with the strong revered above all. But now? That list has been directly removed! The Jun Family is changing, and we cannot stick to old rules either.”

“Distributing resources evenly among the Twelve Kings indeed carries little risk, but also little reward. Throughout history, our Qin Family has produced few Geniuses who shook the past and present, and now it’s time to change.”

“Pass on my command! The Twelve Kings are to be directly abolished! Replaced by Six Emperors! A full Family selection will be held within the Family soon. Then, with a hundred-year limit, one Emperor will be chosen from these Six Emperors. Once an Emperor is chosen, the other five Emperors will be directly abolished, and all Family resources will be tilted towards this one Emperor.”

“I know your schemes, who supports whom behind the scenes, who nurtures certain forces, expanding opportunistically. And secretly, forming factions and so on. I didn’t care before, but if I ever see anyone forming factions with selfish motives to elevate someone again...”

“They will be executed without mercy!”

Saying this, the Qin Family Old Ancestor looked at the Great Emperor Elders, who had shrunk their heads from his words, and fiercely continued:

“Not just one person will be executed, but your entire lineage, everyone, will be executed!”

With that, he took a deep look at Qin Mùdào’s retreating back before disappearing, leaving the Elders to look at each other in dismay, eventually dispersing to carry out the Old Ancestor’s command.

A similar scene also occurred in the other Ten Chiefs Families.

Those in the Lower Thousand Realms would only exclaim at the spectacle of the light pillar, while those in the Middle Thousand World would lament that things were changing. Those in the Upper Thousand Realms, however, would say meaningfully that things were changing, and then, by unspoken agreement, they would all gravitate towards the Jun Family. Many ancient worlds even declared their intention to become subsidiaries of the Jun Family.

And the Ten Directions Immortal Court, seeing the light pillar, deeply sighed, the Jun Family was now... unstoppable.

— — — — — — — — — — — —

On the Jun Family’s side, Jun Lingxiao was already injured, and after the light orb entered his body, he immediately fainted.

Fortunately, it was only because the two interwoven Divine Authority powers within him were too strong. After taking a Divine Pill and with the Old Ancestor personally watching over him, he was fine.

When he woke up again, he saw his grandfather approaching with a joyful smile and good news.

“Lingxiao, the invitation for the Supreme War has been delivered.”