Chapter 986: Ignite the War We Need

Jiang Ding carefully examined over a dozen Shen transformation cultivators in the nearby ten small worlds adjacent to the Flame Stone Star Region, whom the Jiao Demon Imperial Clan called Kings.

Compared to the scarcity of Qian Void cultivators among the slave races, there were far more Kings in this region—over a dozen, all servants of the Flame Stone Emperor, with the Mo Yan Clan being the most numerous, boasting four Mo Yan Kings, while others typically had only one King per race.

The most numerous, of course, were the Jiao Demon Imperial Clan’s Kings—dozens of them.

One must admit, the Jiao Demon Imperial Clan’s bloodline was exceptionally superior; with merely a hundred million members, they had produced so many Emperors and Kings, suffocating in their dominance.

“There’s even a human King here…”

Jiang Ding’s gaze sharpened as he studied closely.

This human King was named Blood River King, a Blood Dao King; centuries ago, he was relatively well-known among the nearby small worlds, when humans were not as weak—as one of the stronger slave races, many Jiao Demon Imperial Clan Kings had taken notice of him.

But later, things changed.

According to the official notice issued by Flame Stone Imperial City, Blood River King attempted to scheme beyond Shen transformation, aiming to become a human Emperor—and was subsequently slain by a Jiao Demon Imperial Clan King of the same realm.

Blood River King’s Blood River Sect was utterly annihilated by Jiao Demon Imperial Clan Kings, accompanied by a host of slave race Kings; all humans in the surrounding area, whether involved or not, were massacred to the last.

This was why the human race in this star region was so weak—the immortal civilization had been destroyed once again, and the entire race faced extinction.

Jiang Ding’s thoughts churned, and he made his decision.

“Let us ignite a war among the Imperial Heirs.”

“As far as I know, the Flame Stone Emperor’s Imperial Heir Crown has yet to coalesce—we can hasten its birth.”

Jiang Ding turned to the Dao Sons around him and suggested.

The Jiao Demon Imperial Clan’s rule over Jiao Ming Domain was terrifyingly stable; no foreign race could shake it—only internal chaos offered a chance.

Fortunately, such internal chaos not only existed, but was intense.

Jiang Ding hoped to gain the recognition and aid of the Dao Sons around him.

Their own strength was negligible, yet the eight Great Experts were formidable, especially their celestial divination and concealment abilities—essential under these circumstances.

“Oh?”

The Celestial Mechanism Dao Son and Shadow Demon Dao Son stirred inwardly, falling into thought—as if they too had entertained similar conjectures.

“What does that mean?”

Ji Liuyue looked confused.

“The Imperial Heir War is an internal conflict among the Jiao Demon Imperial Clan—within a certain region, all below Emperor level are compelled to participate.”

“They are a warrior race, bound by many rules.”

Jiang Ding explained patiently: “Within a region ruled by an Emperor, as time passes, the convergence of clan fortune and Emperor’s destiny coalesces into a crown existing between reality and illusion—the Imperial Heir Crown.

It enhances the probability of an Imperial Heir ascending to Emperor.”

“Yes, they are weak; ordinary Imperial Heirs have low chances of becoming Emperors.”

“Typically, the crown formed under a single Emperor’s domain naturally belongs to his own offspring—that’s reasonable. But such reasonableness exists only among powerful Emperors.”

“Weaker Emperors, like Flame Stone Emperor, have no autonomy.”

“Some ancient Emperors often send their own offspring—those with familial ties to the regional Emperor and legitimate inheritance rights—to compete fairly for the Imperial Heir Crown, in accordance with Jiao Demon Imperial Clan customs.”

“Therefore, I wish to instigate a war below Qian Void level.”

“Only war can create chaos, allowing us to access fourth- and fifth-grade spiritual veins—at least temporarily seize control of these veins to deploy array devices.”

Jiang Ding explained his rough plan in meticulous detail.

These were merely preliminary ideas—just concepts.

Next, we must report to the Immortal Sect’s Strategic Research Chamber, request further support, formulate a more rational and efficient strategic plan, and secure the backing of the eight Great Experts in causality, divination, and celestial concealment—otherwise, even the most brilliant stratagem is useless.

A single caprice from an emperor can kill all the lowly ants.

“How ruthless…”

Ji Liuyue paused, stunned.

After all, she was a Dao Son of the Eastern Pole Demon Sect—perhaps the Eastern Pole Demon Sect had once endured an era as a slave sect under the Xuanwu Heavenly Palace, giving her ample experience with such matters.

“Hmm?”

Jiang Ding fixed his gaze on her.

“That’s brilliant.”

Ji Liuyue gave a forced laugh.

“Currently, the Flame Stone Emperor’s Imperial Heir Crown doesn’t seem to be in the process of coalescing?”

The Shadow Demon Dao Son asked.

He had considered this plan, but abandoned it quickly—there was no such luck that the Jiao Demon Imperial Clan’s Imperial Heir War would erupt precisely when they arrived.

“First, historically, the Imperial Heir Crown typically coalesces during an Emperor’s twilight years, formed by the convergence of clan fortune and Emperor’s destiny.”

“I compiled statistics on 1,721 recorded Emperors of the Jiao Demon Imperial Clan and found the probability exceeds 95%.”

Jiang Ding handed them a table.

“Unluckily, Flame Stone Emperor is now in his twilight years.”

“His Imperial Heir Crown should coalesce within one or two thousand years—possibly even naturally within a few centuries.”

“If we assist, could we accelerate its emergence?”

Jiang Ding posed a question.

This involved Qian Void-level immortal techniques—he could not answer; only the Immortal Sect and the eight Great Experts of the Eight Immortal Sects could consider such matters.

Situation.

“Possible.”

The Celestial Mechanism Dao Son nodded, giving a definitive answer.

The Celestial Mechanism Immortal Palace was the most profound researcher of celestial fate and destiny within the Nine Spirit Domains.

“Currently, Flame Stone Emperor has one son and one daughter: Flame Stream Imperial Heir and Flame Flower Imperial Heir—they will certainly not relinquish the Imperial Heir Crown, as it concerns their hope of becoming Emperor.”

“In contrast, the true sovereign of this star region, the Cangyan Ancient Emperor, has numerous offspring, many of whom are related to Flame Stone Emperor by blood—uncles, nephews—legally possessing full inheritance rights to the Flame Stone Imperial Heir Crown, albeit lower in succession order.”

“Historically, the Cangyan Ancient Emperor has repeatedly dispatched his own Imperial Heirs to contest for Imperial Heir Crowns—even in other Ancient Emperor’s domains.”

“According to Jiao Demon Imperial Clan custom, the top ten heirs in succession order are eligible to contest the Imperial Heir Crown—Flame Stone Emperor himself rose through such a struggle.”

“This is tradition; the sovereign greedily expands his family’s influence within the rules.”

“If the Flame Stone Imperial Heir Crown coalesces, I believe a war we need may erupt—then, the weaker Imperial Heir might be willing to accept the allegiance of unfamiliar Kings.”

“At that moment, perhaps it will be our chance.”

“It’s possible.”

“But what if the war we need doesn’t erupt?”

An Tu Zi asked: “Historically, if the Emperor and the regional Ancient Emperor have a good relationship, or if the only legitimate heirs are the Emperor’s own children, there is never an Imperial Heir succession war.”

“Then all our efforts will be wasted.”

“We’ll just find another opportunity—that’s inevitable.”

Jiang Ding replied without hesitation.

He answered each Dao Son’s questions, then concluded: “Do any of you have further questions—or better plans? If not, please sign this plan document and send it to the rear for review and feedback.”

“Our cultivation is low, our vision narrow—we’ve overlooked many things; the rear must supplement and correct them. The rear is our true foundation.”

“If the rear approves, we execute.”

“Excellent.”

The surrounding Dao Sons pondered long, then affixed their seals to the plan document, passing it to the Shadow Demon Dao Son to transmit to the rear.

There’s another chapter tonight.