Chapter 2689: The Differentially Treated Shen Guo

The forms were truly diverse—barbarian demon states never imagined humans could come up with so many tricks.

At this point, the original problem surfaced: the barbarian demon state had expanded too hastily, overextended itself. Just the state of E Ling alone had attacked ten small states and sect regions in the past three years, while also stirring up trouble and provoking local conflicts elsewhere. Now, resistance flared up across the regions like a prairie fire, leaving it overwhelmed and scrambling to respond.

But most of the small states it attacked had not been reported to or approved by the Wang Ting of Bekka, and the spoils were only meagerly distributed to Lingxu City, thus placing it in the same predicament as the former Bolang State:

Lingxu City simply couldn't be bothered to care.

Moreover, the actions of these barbarian demon states, aside from strengthening and developing themselves, also had to generate vast amounts of nightmare energy for the Heavenly Demon.

When the gods descended en masse, they were converted into nightmare energy within the Punishing Dragon Pillar, the amount was simply incalculable. This should have been Lingxu City's duty, but the Demon Emperor was not particularly enthusiastic about it, so the Heavenly Demon could only drive the barbarian demon states to do it.

Currently, the setbacks and retreat in the barbarian demon state's foreign campaigns directly affect the quantity and speed at which the Heavenly Demon acquires nightmare energy.

The state preceptor of Mou Guo described Lingxu City's attitude toward Cang Yan as: raising a great blade high, then bringing it down heavily—but in the end, it was not Cang Yan who was cut, but rather their own barbarian demon state!

The chaos in the mortal realm is rapidly approaching that of the heavenly realm.

However, the mutual struggle among the three great powers has created a bit of space for Shen Guo.

Bekka is preoccupied with multinational affairs, glancing westward: fine, the war between Shen Guo and Baoling is still ongoing, and the Heavenly Demon can still manage things there.

Shen Guo and Baoling actually face reduced pressure, and the scale and intensity of the war have also diminished.

Although Cang Yan did not directly send troops to aid Shen Guo, it similarly achieved the effect of easing things for it. He Chunhua is also a seasoned strategist, knowing that the Nine Abysses Great Emperor is striking from the side, secretly helping Shen Guo overcome its difficulties.

The relationship between Shen Guo and the Nine Abysses Great Emperor is too special. If Cang Yan were to directly send troops to Shen Guo, it would instead make it easy for Bekka to seize a handle, and a forceful strong attack would also destroy the current environment of "fighting without breaking."

Actually, someone in Lingxu City has also noticed this point.

When the State Preceptor of Xia Gong and the State Preceptor of Qinggong appeared together before the holy presence, they mentioned that the intensity of the Shen-Baol war has recently significantly decreased, and Shen Guo's continued advance against Baoling has slowed.

Lingxu Shengzun issued three orders and five repetitions: Bekka must increase the supply of nightmare energy. As a model, Lingxu City must at least fulfill its own minimum quota.

And forcing Shen and Baol to fight, Bekka expends little effort but gains good results, and can also contribute to supplying the nightmare energy needed by the heavenly gods.

In the treasure hall, the Demon Emperor slowly shook his head: "Shen Guo originally was a mortal force of Naluotian, but Naluotian has recently been repeatedly pursued by the Holy Venerable, leaving it no spare capacity to attend to Shen Guo. King He Chunhua of Shen Guo is actively seeking a new protective umbrella abroad."

The State Preceptor of Xia Gong expressed mild surprise: "Could it be that Shen Guo has also attached itself to the gods of Lingxu?"

Do the gods of Lingxu look favorably upon Shen Guo?

These heavenly gods have always rarely accepted new followers around Bekka; otherwise, Bekka would be bound hand and foot, making action inconvenient.

The strangest thing is, the King of Shen Guo is the biological father of the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, while the latter is precisely the most resolute representative force opposing the Heavenly Demon.

"No." The Demon Emperor glanced at the State Preceptor of Qinggong beside him.

Nie Xiaolou understood, took up the conversation: "According to the intelligence we have received, He Chunhua may currently be in contact with other deities of Chali Tian."

"So it's still from Chali Tian that they're seeking?" The State Preceptor of Xia Gong exhaled, "Then what problem would there be in letting them continue their campaigns?"

"The deity of Helu Tian specially came to inform, letting Bekka know it currently need not concern itself with the Shen-Baol war."

"Helu Tian's deity?" The State Preceptor of Xia Gong startled: "What does this matter have to do with the deity of Helu Tian?"

"Unclear." Nie Xiaolou whispered, "Helu Tian would go out of its way to come to Lingxu City to give instructions on such matters—we are also very surprised."

The State Preceptor of Xia Gong recalled: "Isn't Helu Tian related to the matter of Yanxia Bay..."

Of course, the Wan Shen Dian of Tiangong enshrines the spirit tablet of Helu Tian, but Helu Tian rarely appears in person to negotiate with Bekka Wang Ting.

The majority of heavenly gods of Lingxu usually do not directly converse with Bekka officials.

Heavenly gods also have their own rules to observe.

"Yes!" Nie Xiaolou interrupted him, "The Emperor infers, or perhaps Lingxu and Chali Tian have some prior dealings, thus temporarily no need to apply strong pressure on Shen Guo."

The State Preceptor of Xia Gong suddenly understood: "Are they winning over some deities of Chali Tian?"

"If other heavenly gods of Chali Tian take over the sphere of influence of Naluotian—including Shen Guo—and then reach some agreement with Lingxu's heavenly gods, then it might be possible to temporarily preserve Shen Guo." Nie Xiaolou shook his head, "Chali Tian has never been a monolith; on the contrary, it is far more scattered than Lingxu's heavenly gods."

This is also one of the reasons why the heavenly realm has always been ruled by Lingxu's heavenly gods.

The relationships in heaven are also becoming increasingly chaotic, leaving mortal followers more and more at a loss. The State Preceptor of Xia Gong exhaled: "Recently, several barbarian demon kings have not stopped going to the gods to file complaints? I heard that the King of E Ling just received praise from Jiaolu Tian, and these days he's busy showing off. Hah, when was the last time a barbarian demon king alone received praise from a true god?"

The frequency of imperial summons to the Tiangong has clearly increased. But the conversations within the Zhai Xing Lou, even these ministers cannot attend as listeners, only knowing that after the Emperor leaves the Zhai Xing Lou, there is always some displeasure.

"Several decades ago. The heavenly gods were dissatisfied with Lingxu City's relationship with Cang Yan, believing the Emperor should impose extra harsh punishment on the small states aided by Cang Yan, so they would know who truly deserves reverence." Recalling that Cang Yan's reputation has recently surged again due to opposing Bekka, the State Preceptor of Xia Gong's tone revealed dissatisfaction, "Cang Yan's move of sowing discord is too obvious—Nine Abysses Great Emperor gained prestige, yet the Emperor unjustly bore the heavenly gods' harsh demands!"

Cang Yan specially severed the extending limbs of those barbarian demon states, yet on the surface grew even closer to Lingxu City—this tactic of sowing division, how could Lingxu City fail to see through it?

"Nine Abysses uses open schemes; even if we all see through it, what then? To completely break face with Cang Yan would bring Lingxu City a hundred harms and no benefit; whereas Cang Yan's actions may not be without benefit to us."

Everyone present is a shrewd person; Nie Xiaolou also has no need to spell things out.

Cang Yan borrows skins everywhere to strike, cutting off the Heavenly Demon's acquisition of nightmare energy, which will affect Lingxu Shengzun's plan for the descent of the myriad gods;

Cang Yan and Mou Guo's military actions, such as assassinating the Bolang King and exterminating the lackeys and military strength of the barbarian demon states, will weaken the strength of the barbarian demon states supporting Tiangong.

Are these harmful to Lingxu City?

The Demon Emperor does not say he dislikes hearing it, but at least he will secretly give a thumbs-up to the Nine Abysses.

Precisely because of the Emperor's indulgence and tacit approval, Cang Yan has room to leap about. The people are foolish, yet they only know to praise the Nine Abysses Great Emperor's divine wisdom and martial prowess.

The Demon Emperor suddenly asked the State Preceptor of Xia Gong: "Regarding the antidote for 'Qian Chang,' has the Xiang Xiang Wang made a decision?"