Chapter 2330: The New Envoy of the Heavenly Palace

If we follow this line of thought, perhaps the method of the Lingshan has already reached a dead end. Cangyan's actions, though adventurous, have a very slim chance of success, but there might still be a glimmer of hope. After all, the changes in elemental power over these years have indeed been significant, and no one knows how much potential it still holds.

The Lingshan has spent three thousand years proving that its method does not work. Whether the repairs and modifications made by Mouguo on this foundation are truly effective remains to be seen.

Cangyan's actions, at least, represent a new path emerging under the new circumstances, awaiting verification, but no one knows the final outcome.

"As for us..." the Demon Emperor gazed blankly at the city beneath his feet, falling silent without continuing, but Nie Xiaolou understood his state of mind.

Cangyan and Mouguo have both raised the great banner of resisting the Heavenly Demons, but Beijia cannot!

For the past six hundred years, Beijia has devoted the entire nation to worshipping the Heavenly Gods. The people of Lingxu City and the Thirteen Vassal Demon States believe that Beijia's strength is inseparable from the Heavenly Gods' favor.

This belief cannot be overturned in a short time, and the Heavenly Gods will not allow it.

The Heavenly Gods may soon descend in full force upon the mortal realm. Faced with this fact, only Beijia—no, only the Demon Emperor—has not made preparations, and it may well be impossible to do so.

A large mass of clouds drifted in, filling the gap, and the mortal realm became invisible once more.

The mist that lies between the enlightened of today and the future beneath heaven is just like this, leaving people utterly unable to discern direction.

Yet they clearly know that, no matter what they do or do not do, the Heavenly Demons will certainly descend.

In the not-so-distant future.

Now, with this precious window of opportunity, what should we do?

The Demon Emperor suddenly spoke:

"The precondition for the Heavenly Gods' large-scale descent into the world is a renewed surge of spiritual energy."

Nie Xiaolou was about to respond when the Demon Emperor already shifted the topic:

"By the way, how long has the State Preceptor of Shuangye been away?"

"He set out four months ago, first meeting with Mouguo's State Preceptor Wang Xingyi, then, according to your and the Heavenly Gods' requirements, undertaking missions to several small states. Calculating the time, he will need at least two more months to return."

"This tour of the states was his own application to me." The Demon Emperor still finds it strange to this day: "Leaving like this, he must be away from the court for at least half a year—why is he so eager?"

Shuangye and Qingyang have been contending for power, openly and covertly, for over a hundred years. Behind this, in fact, lies the struggle between divine authority and royal authority. Having finally, by means of the elixir of immortality case, defeated Qingyang, the Heavenly Gods then used his hand to launch a sweeping purge of Qingyang's remaining forces in the Lingxu Wang Ting. In truth, when all is said and done, it is also a weakening of the Demon Emperor's power.

This process has continued for many years, a period of blood and gore.

Nie Xiaolou hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

The Demon Emperor noticed: "Speak if you have something to say."

"In my observation, over these past few years, the State Preceptor of Shuangye seems no longer as radical as before." Nie Xiaolou said carefully, "In court, he also rarely opposes me directly."

The usual mutual tripping up still exists. But how to put it? The State Preceptor of Shuangye's actions have become somewhat ambiguous.

Has he completed the task entrusted to him by the Heavenly Gods? Yes.

Has he fulfilled his official duties? Yes.

But besides that, the State Preceptor of Shuangye seems no longer as proactive as before. Nie Xiaolou still remembers that when he first took up the position of State Preceptor of Qing Palace, Shuangye's offensive was overwhelming—without the Demon Emperor's full support from behind, he himself could not have withstood it, let alone stood firm.

It seems as if Shuangye's earlier offensive was merely meant to give Nie Xiaolou a wake-up call, while ostentatiously displaying his own abilities; after achieving his goal, he withdrew his strength.

The Demon Emperor grunted: "His methods are ruthless and flexible, and he is over a hundred years older than you. If he were truly determined to oppose you with all his strength, he could certainly make you unable to sleep or eat. So, no mistake, he is not as fierce as before, and now he has even run off abroad—ha. Why must he go, to the point of setting aside court affairs?"

Nie Xiaolou thought: "Could it be that the Heavenly Gods have assigned him another task?"

The Demon Emperor said nothing, a faint light flashing in his dragon eyes.

In life, Qingyang detested Shuangye's origins, yet claimed he was an extreme exception—of extraordinary talent but harboring ill intentions, absolutely untrustworthy!

What such a monster thinks in his heart, no one can possibly guess.

Perhaps even the Heavenly Gods cannot.

Qingyang has always maintained that the Heavenly Gods' favor toward Shuangye in the past was a good move, but what about afterward……

But no matter what, Shuangye's withholding of effort and inaction is a great blessing for the Demon Emperor.

……

The third floor of the Zhaixing Pavilion, the main hall's secret chamber.

Zeng Guzi carefully changed the robes and groomed the appearance of the Duoyun Envoy, then helped him sit steadily in the chair before opening the door to the secret chamber.

Outside the door, a dark crowd filled the space—both high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Palace and officials of the Wang Ting. Zeng Guzi knew that everyone waiting here harbored hidden intentions.

As the door opened, everyone turned to look, holding their breath yet full of hope.

They were all waiting for a result. This result would change the course of their lives for the second half.

And this important decision was to be announced by Zeng Guzi.

Seeing that these commoners all looked up to these great figures, now so nervous they dared not breathe, she cleared her throat and spoke loudly: "Lord Lu, the Envoy requests your presence!"

Upon these words, it was clear that victory had been decided.

Hou Tianfei closed his eyes, his face bitter; Lu Yongyan, however, strode forward with great strides, unable to conceal his exalted spirit.

This was not merely a matter of superior versus inferior; from now on, these two would be worlds apart.

The Lingxu Holy Sovereign and the former Duoyun Envoy had already made their choice. Tonight, the next Duoyun Envoy of the Heavenly Palace has emerged.

This momentous news will sprout wings and spread throughout the upper reaches of Lingxu City by tonight. Countless hearts are filled with complex emotions, countless people are pondering what to do next. After all, the Heavenly Palace, this powerful organization towering over Beijia, will soon face a new round of great reshuffling.

Lu Yongyan entered swiftly, and Zeng Guzi, with a backhand, closed the door, also shutting out all the clamor, disappointment, fear, and the myriad aspects of life outside.

Inside the secret chamber, it remained as solemn and dignified as ever, without a trace of mortal air.

Here, the divine shrine stood with incense burning, and the Duoyun Envoy curled in the chair, his former Daoist immortal bearing completely consumed by the torment of illness. Once commanding wind and rain, capable in literature of suppressing the Demon Emperor, in martial arts of driving the Yao beasts and contending with the Great Fire Lingyu Torch, the Duoyun Envoy now is but a withered, emaciated old man, his eye sockets deeply sunk, his hair about to fall out.

From the frequency of his breath alone, Lu Yongyan knew he exhaled more than he inhaled, his end drawing near.

"This position will henceforth be yours." The Duoyun Envoy opened his mouth, and an abnormal flush rose on his cheeks, "The affairs of the Heavenly Palace are numerous and complex; most of the work you can gradually take over, but there are a few matters we must transfer now."

Lu Yongyan bowed respectfully, daring not to be slack in the slightest: "Yes."

This is the Heavenly Palace! He knew that the Heavenly Gods were also listening to their conversation.