Chapter 2328

"Lord Zhongsun Xuan is Lord Zhong Sunmou's paternal uncle; Lord Zhong Sunmou was killed over a decade ago while investigating the elixir of immortality case, and was regarded as a hero. The merfolk clan has gained much goodwill in the Wang Ting." Nie Xiaolou said, "I've also heard that Lord Zhongsun Xuan's juniors are indignant and have publicly declared they will seek an explanation. Many great demons also support this. Such a scene was unthinkable before—alas, times have changed."

The Yaodi nodded.

Handling this matter is extremely difficult. The Tiangong secretly using the merfolk clan's warriors as vessels is bad enough, but they also openly invited all the celestial gods to spectate, and even directly deployed them to the public battlefield overseas, drawing everyone's attention.

The merfolk clan's grief, shock, and anger can be empathized with by other nobles.

However, even if the Yaodi and Wang Ting went to negotiate, the fact that the celestial descent has already become an established fact means it's impossible to let the Wuyao god change vessels and continue acting.

The Tiangong doing this truly shows no regard for the Yaodi and Lingxu Wang Ting's dignity.

In fact, many great demons now have a negative impression of the Tiangong.

Bekka is vast in territory, and with the recovery of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, various immortals and demons have emerged from seclusion. Bekka is overwhelmed. Compared to immortals who prefer Ling Mountain and Mou Guo, the great demons are more inclined to flock to Bekka.

Moreover, six or seven out of ten of these great demons have actually gone to Lingxu City, pledging allegiance to the Yaodi.

Not only do people seek higher ground, but demons do too.

They naturally have a rift with the Tiangong and celestial gods, so the Yaodi and Lingxu City's high-end strength has actually been rapidly expanding over the past few years, quickly widening the gap with various vassal demon states.

This has caused a subtle shift in the Yaodi and Lingxu City's mindset when facing the Tiangong and celestial gods.

Status and position are ultimately determined by one's own strength.

The Yaodi snorted: "Over the past ten years, the Tiangong's demanded tribute has increased sevenfold, and the result is that they secretly took it behind my back to conduct celestial descent experiments."

Nie Xiaolou nodded in agreement, but thought to himself, Your Excellency hasn't even paid the full amount either—you've only satisfied about thirty percent of the Tiangong's demand.

The surge in heavenly and earthly spiritual energy has not only made Bekka's material production extremely abundant, but the tributes from neighboring small states and powers are no longer comparable to before. The Tiangong demanding more tribute is thus a natural progression. However, Bekka's expenditures across the board have similarly surged, making them incomparable to the past.

Expenditures can only increase, not decrease; they can only grow, not be reduced. Aside from anything else, shouldn't the newly allied great demons pledging to the Yaodi each receive their due share of resources?

Otherwise, why would they stay in Bekka?

Furthermore, the relationship between the Lingxu City Wang Ting and the Tiangong has never been harmonious. The Yaodi also knows the Tiangong has been acting behind his back—how could he nurture a threat? Thus, this tribute will certainly not be sufficient.

Nie Xiaolou knows this is also one of the focal points of contention between the two sides.

The Yaodi uses this to pressure the Tiangong, while the Tiangong is extremely dissatisfied but powerless, for although they too have some holdings, compared to the astronomical expenditures, they are but a drop in the bucket and must still draw funds from Bekka.

The Tiangong's various expenditures are enormous—at least two levels of extravagance above the Lingxu Wang Ting.

Though it wants to speak righteously, one who eats another's food softens their mouth, and one who takes another's gifts shortens their hand.

The Yaodi spat out a mouthful of white mist gloomily: "By the way, what about the deduction you were supposed to do for me?"

Nie Xiaolou replied: "Our thirty-five personnel used the Heavenly Derivation Ball to perform a total of one hundred and sixty-seven simulations. Ultimately, we concluded: once the celestial gods descend, Bekka can truly benefit in only seven scenarios. Moreover, the precondition for these seven scenarios is that the celestial gods do not descend comprehensively."

"Seven times, huh……" Even though he had long anticipated this result, the Yaodi still felt his heart sink.

Nie Xiaolou said carefully: "If the celestial gods personally descend, their relationship with Bekka will inevitably change."

"At that time, will the celestial gods still need Bekka?"

"They likely will. After all, the human realm is too vast, and the number of celestial gods is limited. But……"

Nie Xiaolou did not continue, and the Yaodi already understood.

For the past six hundred years, the celestial gods have been unable to descend, relying instead on Bekka's rule. One could say Bekka is the celestial gods' proxy for mortal affairs, and the celestial gods cannot exert influence without Bekka. This is a peculiar parasitic relationship where both parties actually get what they need.

But once the celestial gods personally descend to the mortal realm, this balance in the relationship will be immediately shattered.

Neither will anymore be the other's essential need.

At that time, Bekka's position will become awkward. This is certainly not what the Yaodi wishes to see—so, what can it do?

The Yaodi suddenly asked: "Where is the Yin Shenjun hiding? Any news yet?"

Nie Xiaolou shook his head: "Our spies at the Louzha Lou found nothing. The name Yin Shenjun does not appear in any written records."

"This is likely a secret personally held by the instigator."

Concerning the Yin Shenjun, this is the Tiangong's top-tier major secret—even the Yaodi and Wang Ting are kept in the dark, not leaking a whisper.

Seeing the Yaodi silent, Nie Xiaolou continued: "News comes from the east—the Jiudi Dadi has begun closed-door cultivation again."

Closed-door cultivation?

"Over the past few years, taking advantage of our war with Mou Guo, Cang Yan has been thriving." The Yaodi asked, "Jiudi and Dafang Hu are closely related—has there been any new information on Cang Yan's elemental power?"

"Cang Yan has not launched any external wars for a long time, so its elemental power is difficult to assess directly." The uses of elemental power are diverse—it can be applied to astronomy, geography, and livelihood—but the simplest and most direct way to judge its strength or weakness is still warfare, "Their methods of subduing emerged immortals and demons are varied, and large-scale frontal confrontations are rare."

Large-scale military operations are the most direct manifestation of elemental power.

Cang Yan does not fight hard battles, so even the best observer cannot assess it.

He knew what the Yaodi most wanted to hear, so he continued:

"Judging by battlefield performance, Bekka's thirteen vassal demon states—Baoshu Guo has the most abundant elemental power, followed by Shan Jun Guo. Bo Lang Guo should have ranked third, but in recent years it may have been surpassed by Chi Yan Guo."

As the master of the Qinggong, Nie Xiaolou's conclusion is certainly not baseless.

He is the Grand State Master responsible for allocating elemental power, inherently a hundred times more sensitive to elemental power than ordinary officials and generals, and has conducted years of observation and research—his conclusions are certainly worthy of the Yaodi's attention.

"Shan Jun Guo's army has always been brave." Shan Jun Guo is the Tiger's Domain—strong and confident, with little to say. "Chi Yan Guo originally stood out in no way—how did it rise?"

Chi Yan Guo is the last of the vassal demon states to be established, with unfavorable geography and no particular strengths. The Chi Yan Wang also strives for governance, but Chi Yan's original strength still lags behind, ranking near the bottom among the thirteen vassal demon states.

In just these few years, it has suddenly accelerated as if cheating.

"Chi Yan Guo's governance is not bad; it suffers from mediocre talent and insufficient effort. But it has recently been reaping the benefits of the Yang Shan Archipelago, greatly boosting its national strength and livelihood—perhaps this is one of the main reasons."