Chapter 158: with translation of chapter title

Using the excuse of forming a good karmic bond with Yandi, Shaoyang got involved in the security work of the Universiade.

He also used a little trick, jumping left and right, making both the Wu Clan and the Demon Race think—this guy is a teammate!

In the eyes of the Wu Clan's high-ranking members, this was the Lesser Yang Emperor showing friendliness—nominally a good karmic bond, but actually the maximum assistance and support he could give while covertly taking a side.

In the eyes of the Demon Race's high-ranking members, this was the Lesser Yang Emperor's operation to penetrate deeper into enemy territory, hoping to rely on his achievements to infiltrate the Wu Clan's core, await the right moment, and then defect in one fell swoop.

the Demon Clan

"This... is the true joy of being a double‑agent!" The Lesser Yang Emperor's face broke into a brilliant smile, the inner delight of having his hobby satisfied. "Before being exposed, to toy with the two great camps in the palm of my hand... how thrilling!"

the Three Pure Ones

He never follows the rules, never compromises with reality... Perhaps that is also why he could rise from an ordinary innate divine status, and after the Ancestral Dragon's fall, tearfully inherit its legacy, expand and grow, becoming the ultimate mighty one.

"If it weren't for being seen through, facing the certain consequence of being surrounded and beaten to death... that would be even better." The Emperor sighed with a hint of regret, "The greater the benefit, the greater the inevitable risk."

the Zixiao Palace

"As long as I can completely rally a third party before being ganged up on..."

"Even if I can't wipe out the whole situation, at least I can still protect myself."

"Let me see, which pieces still need to be put in place?"

"The Dao of the Three Pure Ones counts as our own, and Ming He of Killer's Trick—I've also been in touch with him."

"Too bad the Three Pure Ones aren't willing to go all‑out on the offense; they can only provide clunky support, backing me up a bit."

"Ming He is an assassin... but he can't just go all‑out as an assassin whenever he pleases; he needs to come in later, harvest the low‑health foes, then in one push storm the the Zixiao Palace and have a king‑vs‑king showdown with Hongjun."

"This lineup still isn't enough... I really need a few helpers who can hold up a heaven on their own and coordinate with my actions."

The Lesser Yang Emperor calculated on his fingers, lining up all the great powers of the Honghuang world one by one for screening.

"It's time; I should get in touch with Kunpeng and Hongyun."

Heavenly Circuit Stars Grand Formation

Heavenly Capital Divine Slaughter Grand Formation

Immortal-Slaying Formation

Dragon Clan Grand Formation

the Immortal Clan

Three Thousand Great Luo

Pangu

Xihuang

Not very suspicious Golden Mother

Shao Yang, Ming He, Dao De, Yuan Shi, Ling Bao, Hong Yun, Kun Peng, Zhen Yuan

A lineup of exactly eight mighty beings teamed up…… As a third party, no matter how, it can be said to have plentiful wings and great momentum

Against either the Wu Clan or the Demon Race, they are not lacking the strength to fight one battle

Perhaps they still lack a great formation to suppress their foundation

The Demon Race has the Zhou Tian Star-Dou Grand Formation, and the Wu Clan has the Du Tian God-Slaughter Grand Formation

Then, what about the Immortal Race

But, this is actually the simplest thing……

Let me combine the Dragon Race's grand formation from back then, modify the concept of 'everyone is like a dragon' into 'everyone is like an immortal', and then use the fortune that every living being possesses as the material for the formation……

With hundreds of millions, billions, even trillions of immortals forming the formation, plus us holding the fort, it could probably stand at the pinnacle of Honghuang formations, right

They could do battle with the Zhou Tian, Du Tian, and Zhu Xian

Shao Yang took out the numerous formations he had collected, simply made such a 'tiny bit' of modification, and then satisfiedly put down his pen

All right

With this, I reckon it can give my allies and would-be allies enough confidence, letting them know the Immortal Race's cause has hope, coaxing them to join in and increase their investment… The investment now will later yield a hundredfold return

There will be drops of fortune, drops of merit… Even if they endure hardship, it's just a temporary drop

Stabilizing teammates' confidence is very important

Otherwise, their mindset will collapse, they'll send up the signal and start to surrender… Could Shao Yang possibly single-handedly take on three thousand Great Luos on the other side

He isn't Pangu

With a swing of the axe, he could sacrifice all three thousand demons, achieving the ultimate feat of slaying three thousand gods

If he could truly wield such power……

Where would he still need to dodge left and right, buying time to develop

He immediately strode up to the the Zixiao Palace, summoned the gods, and after a round of 'openly friendly' negotiations, the three thousand Great Luos unanimously passed a real-name vote to 'uphold the will of Emperor Shao Yang as the era's guiding principle'

Who has any objections

They can bring them up

Let's see how Emperor Shao Yang convinces people with reason

——Do you think my sword in hand is not advantageous

Shao Yang had some acquaintance with the Demon Race's Xihuang, and he deeply believed in some words he had once said to this noble emperor——

As long as I hold Pangu's axe

Who dares say that the heavenly secrets I have divined are not true, inevitable future events

Even if I spout nonsense, those Great Luos below will automatically and consciously help me twist the future

That's why I strive so hard in cultivation…… precisely to verify the highest level of the Way of Heavenly Secrets

What the heavenly secrets predict will happen is because I want to see it……

A true man ought to be like this!

Unfortunately.

Achieving such an accomplishment…… is very difficult.

"But……" Shaoyang Emperor Lord's eyes grew deep, "As long as we can successfully smash the witches and demons' chessboard?"

"Perhaps……"

Before his words faded, the emperor's figure faded away, completely disappearing from this place.

Afterward, the heavenly secrets grew hazy, as if a light mist veiled a tiny, slender branch of a long river.

That was the heavenly secret fate belonging to the immortal clan.

At the same time, the emperor wandered the eight wilds, tread over mountains and seas, met with powerful beings, and discussed the future.

……

"Daoist friend, if you want to establish the immortal clan, I have no objection." The handsome powerful being said to Shaoyang Emperor Lord, "But if the immortal clan succeeds, how will you allocate my benefits?"

"What do you want?" Shaoyang smiled, very patient.

"……" that powerful being hesitated, "I want the highest authority of one lineage, to speak for a kind of immortal."

Shaoyang fell silent, his eyes shifting, as if in deep thought.

"If the immortal clan can secure final victory, it will surely sublimate and evolve into the ultimate organization ruling Honghuang, establishing the Supreme Heavenly Court to govern all matters great and small in the cosmos." The powerful being explained his request, "Moreover, as you said, the immortal clan's purpose is to use the value dividends created by long-term promotion of Honghuang's cultivation civilization development to alleviate the short-term scramble for cultivation resources among immortals."

"This is the most macroscopic regulation, sustainable operation and development, resolving the supply-demand contradiction between heaven and earth and all beings, producing and allocating as needed……"

"But I think…… doing this seems somewhat excessive?" This powerful being sincerely suggested, "Everything is like stagnant water, inevitably affecting the development of the human way, limiting creativity and imagination."

"So then?" Shaoyang raised an eyebrow.

"So I think it's necessary to leave some leeway…… letting the immortal clan become active, giving immortals room to maneuver." The powerful being said, "After all, the purpose of acquiring resources for cultivation is to make oneself happy, to fulfill one's spirit, not to cultivate for cultivation's sake, ultimately becoming a cold, unfeeling seeker-of-the-Dao machine."

"In managing the immortal clan, fine division is needed——there are immortal collectives under the Great Luo's governance, participating in major construction in the great Honghuang, and also immortal collectives with rich markets, expanding operations, and bearing their own profits and losses……"

The powerful being blinked, "I'm pondering."

"Besides the shared division of immortal cultivation realms, we can also divide into five different professions."

"Heaven, Earth, God, Man, Scattered!"

Heavenly Immortal.

Earthly Immortal.

Divine Immortal.

Human Immortal.

Scattered Immortal.

Five kinds of immortals!

"Heavenly Immortal: one who follows heavenly will, obeys the Great Luo's allocation arrangements, participates in the construction and management of the great Honghuang. Salary and benefits are fixed, welfare good, guaranteed harvest despite drought or flood, lifelong security——these are officially registered immortals!"

"Earthly Immortal: based on abiding by the immortal clan's rules, obtaining operating permits, possessing qualifications to engage in self‑profit‑and‑loss small‑scale enterprises or individual businesses, normally paying immortal taxes……"

"Divine Immortal……"

"Human Immortal……"

"Scattered Immortal……"

This powerful being is very conscientious.

Different from the Three Pure Ones who only play support and Minghe who silently farms in the wild.

He genuinely offered strategies for the immortal clan——of course, this might also be to ensure that when he later divides the victory's fruits, he can avoid too many disputes.

"So, daoist friend, which lineage's highest authority do you want?" Shaoyang asked with a smile.

"Heavenly Immortal…… I dare not covet it." That powerful being said, "Honghuang has its own boundaries; the various Great Luo are boundlessly wise, representing that the Heavenly Immortal group managing Honghuang's foundations is necessarily the greatest entity—how could I dare reach out?"

"Therefore, if the immortal clan wins, I just want the management license for the Earthly Immortal lineage."

"Responsible for issuing entry qualifications, uh…… plus some reviews and assessments. I suppose the profits should still be decent, right?"

The powerful being was very straightforward and decisive.

"Earthly Immortal?" Shaoyang pondered briefly, then decisively gave his approval.

"No problem!"

"If the immortal clan secures victory in this era……"

"Then."

"Daoist Zhenyuan."

"You will then be the progenitor of Earthly Immortals!"

Shaoyang Emperor Lord gave that blank check very readily.

"Thank you for the kind words." Zhenyuan smiled, "For this beautiful future for all…… therefore, the immortal clan will surely prevail!"

"Right!"

Shaoyang nodded.

"The immortal clan will surely prevail!"

The two mighty beings exchanged glances and burst into a hearty, unrestrained laugh.

……

"Daoist friend, are you willing to join the immortal clan?"

"Joining is profit!"

"Opportunity must not be lost, for it will not come again!"

Shaoyang stood on the Northern Dark Sea, employing rhetoric, waggling his three‑inch tongue that never rots, and lured the kun into the group.

"Don't trick me!" Kunpeng glanced sideways, "Back when we worked together in the Ancestral Dragon's divine court…… you're what kind of god, I still don't know."

"Daoist friend, don't spew blood and slander gods." Shaoyang said solemnly, "I am so pure and upright, a rare god in the world—how could I engage in deceitful conduct?"

Hah, I really don't believe it." Kunpeng snorted, "Don't tell me you don't know that the immortal race is walking a tightrope between the Wu Clan and the Demon Race."

If you misstep and fall, you're guaranteed to die without a whole corpse!

You dragged me into this, aren't you hoping I die in an ugly way?

Kunpeng was extremely wary.

I'll tell you the truth.

I already have an investment in the Wu Clan, going all in..." Kunpeng said loudly, "For the sake of our old friendship, I won't expose or report you... but don't expect anything more."

So... I should thank you?" Shaoyang raised his eyebrows.

No need, no need." Kunpeng shook his head repeatedly, "Among the mighty ones who have come through from the Dragon-Phoenix era, who doesn't know your ruthlessness and terror... I'm worried that if I expose your plan, you'll drag me down with you on your deathbed."

That would be too unlucky.

So, if everyone could just pretend nothing happened today... that would be best.

As for Shaoyang, Kunpeng was very wary of him.

But who exactly is Shaoyang?

How could he give up so easily?

Old Kun... I know you have investments in the Wu Clan." He said solemnly, "Even which ancestral Wu you invested in, I know it clear as day.

But!

The Wu Clan has so many ancestral Wus!

Even if the Wu Clan wins, you won't get the biggest share!

Not to mention, the Demon Race is eyeing us covetously.

To be a Kun, you need to have ideals.

How about this?

I'll help you devise a good plan.

Even if the immortal race collapses.

You could also clear your name and come out ahead... even gain a share of wealth out of nowhere in the Demon Race, truly achieving hedging your bets, profit rain or shine?

Really, such a good thing?" Kunpeng didn't believe it.

Of course." Shaoyang said frankly, "I have no need to deceive you on this.

What would I have to contribute?" Kunpeng remained skeptical, "If the immortal race crashes, you wouldn't gain anything, would you? Do good deeds for no reason?

There's a kind of rebirth called feigning death and returning to life." Shaoyang's mouth twitched slightly, "As for what you need to contribute... my demands aren't many.

Passing along some information in a half-hidden way—rest assured, it's all true, not meant for you to deceive others.

Also, when you learn something shocking, stay silent and selectively forget.

That simple?" Kunpeng's heart stirred—this didn't seem so hard?

Right." Shaoyang nodded, "Exactly that simple... if it gets complicated, dangerous, I'm afraid you'll turn on me and expose me directly.

Hahaha..." Kunpeng used laughter to cover his embarrassment, "How could that be? I've always kept my word.

Hopefully that's the case." Shaoyang said, "As for how to also acquire a share of wealth in the Demon Race, come closer...

Like this, like this...

Thus, thus...

Set up such an enterprise... if the immortal race fails, you can just wait to be pacified.

……

You shouldn't have come." The red-robed divine being stood with hands clasped behind back.

But I came anyway." Emperor Shaoyang said.

If people found out we were together... we'd be ganged up on and attacked." The red-robed mighty one said solemnly, "In the era of the Dragon-Phoenix catastrophe, we were actually having a blast.

There are definitely plenty of mighty ones who have our names written in their little notebooks.

But standing together, our resistance is scattered... we'd die even faster." Shaoyang shook his head.

Also..." The red-robed mighty one fell silent, then extended a hand, "Since you've come, you must have a plan—let me see it.

Sure." Shaoyang casually tossed out a jade slip.

The red-robed divine being took it, swept it with his divine sense, and pondered briefly.

After a moment, he threw the jade slip back, "I fully understand; I will cooperate with you wholeheartedly.

However, after success, I need control over a special platform.

Oh?" Shaoyang's eyes lit up, "What kind of platform?

The platform responsible for saving and releasing surplus idle resources, balancing the management of Honghuang world's wealth, making up for deficiencies from excess—that kind of platform... you know what I mean.

I understand." Shaoyang said clearly, "But this can't all be given to you; many mighty ones are watching.

After all, this involves the very foundation of Honghuang—qi luck and merit!

Part will do." The red-robed divine being said.

Then there's no problem." Shaoyang smiled, "If you master this platform... perhaps you'll have much in common with Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan.

Really? Then I'll wait and see.

The red-robed divine being said lightly, his tone very flat.

This, too, is a top mighty one of the Honghuang heavens and earth.

His name—

Hongyun!

(End of chapter)