Chapter 272: with translation of chapter title

Here they come!

In an encrypted divine-sense communication channel, a powerful expert was shouting, causing an uproar.

Soon, a deity chimed in, wearing a mask, changing nickname, popping online, reminiscing the past, sighing endlessly.

"I still recall back when the Demon Ancestor broke out, everyone gathered at that demonic realm, teaching the Demon Ancestor how to become a god, how to spread positive energy… these are still secondary."

"The most important thing is… hey!"

"Back then we only realized, Daoist Shaoyang has a big heart, discussing heroes over boiled wine with the Rahu Demon Ancestor… uh, afterwards it seems he ended up on the Dao Ancestor's blacklist?"

"Just as Shaoyang left, the Dao Ancestor solemnly declared——we need a perfectly righteous divine being to carry out humanitarian relief in the great calamity era, mediating the conflict between the Wu Clan and the Demon Race…… tsk!"

"The killing intent in here…… is incredibly strong!"

"Yeah!" A powerful expert wearing a 'I am Huangdi' disguise surfaced, drawing much covert attention.

This reckless novice seems utterly unfazed by this, saying, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun, this is pushing Daoist Shaoyang into a fire pit…… mediating the Wu-Demon conflict, can this be done?"

"Emperor Donghua, though not weak and even quite strong…… but that also depends on who you compare with, and how many."

"The Wu Clan and the Demon Race—these two forces, which of them isn't able to summon hundreds or thousands of Lofty Golden Immortals from a single call, with powerful experts popping out a hundred-odd at a time?"

"Daoist Shaoyang, your own strength is enough to handle a demon emperor or an ancestral witch…… but nowadays, who still fights you one-on-one in these constant wars? Everyone gangs up!"

"Those who wander the world value nothing but 'brotherly loyalty'!"

"So once provoked, you've stirred up a whole nest."

"What more, it's a position recommended by Hongjun for Shaoyang?"

"Caught between the Wu and Demon, that's a punching bag!"

"Exactly! Right on! Another ID bubbled up in this channel, with the nickname 'Brother, want a divination? Blood-disaster special delivery oh', echoing above: 'Mediate, mediate, doing this job, who knows, one might disappear.'"

"You know, even in a win-win situation, there are still greedy people who want more, wanting to squeeze the other side……"

"And the current Wu Clan and Demon Race? This is practically the simplest, crudest zero-sum game!"

"As a result of mediation, whenever either side is dissatisfied, a demerit gets logged against Shaoyang."

"Over time, that will definitely land him on a blacklist!"

"'Blood-disaster' indicated that he had already foreseen Emperor Shaoyang's fate."

"Although the position recommended by the Dao Ancestor is indeed of extremely high status and rank,"

"but this is truly not something an Emperor Donghua of the Purple Mansion Shaoyang can accomplish or do well."

"Given this emperor's strength,"

"Harmonizing the contradictions of two weak forces…… well, that's doable."

"Easily done, it can make them lay down arms and cease hostilities."

"Harmonizing the contradictions between a powerful force and a weak faction?"

"Hmm……"

"Perhaps, as mediation goes on, that weak faction gets mediated out of existence."

"And if it's the Wu Clan and Demon Race, two major forces clashing?"

"Emperor Shaoyang goes to mediate, and then…… Shaoyang himself is gone."

"That's highly possible!"

"As for saying, Emperor Donghua bears the Heavenly Dao's approval and blessing?"

"The Wu and Demon have truly gone berserk-eyed, daring to strike down even Hongjun, daring to defy even the Heavenly Dao, let alone such paltry approval and blessing?"

"Before this, the Dao Ancestor was even forced into the palace, declaring he would 'proactively' unite with the Heavenly Dao?"

"What's more, this is merely a mere great divine ability wielder!"

"Replace it with a Pangu suppressing the present age, and it's still roughly the same."

"A single decree, and it becomes an unstoppable great trend…… even if it's brothers each running their own forces, they must grit their teeth and fight face‑to‑face to the death, afterwards still having to shout approval loudly."

"So to sum up……"

""Daoist Donghua, have you offended the Dao Ancestor that deeply?" a great divine ability wielder sighed, "Are they really using such a flattery‑to‑kill scheme?""

""I've been thinking…… this shouldn't be the case!""

""I've searched through ages and histories, I found little interaction between Emperor Shaoyang and the Dao Ancestor…… except for a bit of verbal sparring at the Demon Ancestor's place."

""But the main force there was also Rahu!"

""Who knows?" another powerful expert replied, "Perhaps there have been some secret clashes behind the scenes we don't know of, where the Dao Ancestor suffered a major loss in the presence of Donghua or behind Donghua, leading to retaliation and striking at him…… the Demon Ancestor incident is merely a pretext"

""Or perhaps Hongjun, relying on his transcendent cultivation strength, overlooked the grand trend of time, caught some possible variable, glimpsed certain layouts and schemes of Daoist Shaoyang that pose a great threat…… thus he struck first, using the so‑called righteousness to flatter‑to‑kill him."

""If it's the former, that shows Shaoyang's background is not simple; if it's the latter? Then it's even more interesting."

""What exactly did he plot in this era where the Wu and Demon run rampant? That made Hongjun wary, deciding that while he himself was imprisoned, he would leave a back‑hand and take it away?"

""Whether it's the former or the latter, both show Emperor Donghua is not simple"

""If, even though we all know how perilous the situation is, Shaoyang still dares to take on this mediation job, rather than decisively shedding the righteous shackles on himself, risking self‑defilement to preserve his life……"

""Then it's not just 'not simple'—it must be described as terrifying."

""A top‑tier great divine ability wielder in both mind and strength, yet he puts his very life on the line, indifferent to his own death…… ha!"

""This is truly ideal outweighing life's weight, sparing no cost to achieve the goal…… such a person is the most terrifying."

"If he doesn't even care about his own life or death, would he still care about others'?"

""I reckon, this Donghua move is mostly about setting a trap to pit people…… everyone, take it easy, stay alert."

""This is a peak‑level kings' game; one misstep…… could drag many down."

"……"

"In the Purple Aurora Palace, the further forward the seat, the more experienced the powerful figure, possessing extremely high insight into scheming and anti‑scheming."

"Although, putting it into practice might be another matter."

But, if this is merely talking about tactics and hanging up some awareness, then each and every one of them is a peak king.

After all, they've witnessed too many examples; even their eyelashes are empty.

Furthermore, who doesn't have a couple of massive think‑tank teams behind them?

Here they hold a meeting, while over there the speculation‑analysis documents may already have stacked up to fill an entire palace.

Still that saying —

These days, who still goes it alone?

Using one's own weakness to attack the opponent's strength?

Everyone has brains and wisdom, knowing the principle of playing to strengths and making up for weaknesses.

Especially those who can stand at the peak, they early on grasp their own detailed situation, then learn what they can make up for, and for what they cannot or do not wish to make up for, they spend money to cultivate high‑quality talent, deploying them decisively when needed.

Thus, the Donghua Emperor's situation was analyzed word by word, and in a short time it became crystal clear — what to choose? Why choose that way?

In broad terms, roughly everything can be sorted out.

But in the details and execution, there are many information black holes… examples that look easy at a glance but fail when attempted are all too many.

Especially players like the Donghua Emperor often defy common sense, turning very low‑probability things into reality… the chessboard path is unfathomable, not taking the usual route, leaving onlookers hard to fathom.

Just like now.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor enthusiastically recommended, letting Shao Yang take the lead in establishing a joint mediation mechanism for the war‑torn era, with killing intent everywhere and its sharpness not hidden at all… many Great Luo believe this emperor might take the initiative, adding some black history to his past — like group gatherings, group sports, and so on.

Using the Great Luo's authority here, although it's truly awful… it's very effective.

Adding this kind of personal moral blemish, which isn't truly a fatal flaw that can be blamed, is enough as an excuse to shirk Hongjun's arrangements.

Wait for the rumors to die down, then bring in a navy to whitewash it — a romantic talent visiting brothels can become gossip, and the Donghua Emperor rescuing a fallen maiden, how could it not be whitewashed?

But!

This emperor, however, showed no retreat or compromise, remained as calm as before, even able to smile in the face of a bad situation, without waiting for some arranged Great Luo to start leading the rhythm, he spoke first: "Hongjun Dao Ancestor, truly of lofty integrity and virtuous conduct, worrying for the myriad beings!"

"Even if about to merge with the Heavenly Dao, he still keeps in mind the future of the human Dao, the fate of all spirits, thinking of establishing such an organization."

"Fellow Dao friends all have such an ideal; I, Shao Yang… how could I not obey?"

"I will naturally sacrifice my life to accompany the gentleman!"

The emperor stood tall, clasping his hands in a deep bow.

After rising again, his expression was calm and composed, he met Hongjun's gaze, his eyes deep and unfathomable, leaving the Dao Ancestor speechless.

Shortly after, the emperor said again: "This work ultimately faces the whole Honghuang world; it's not something we can decide in private discussion… we still need all the Great Luo fellow Dao to vote, to show fairness, and record it in the register."

"That is natural."

At this moment, a great god Bai Ze, in the role of Historian, stood up and stepped forward: "If we want the mediation mechanism to have formality and legitimacy, the relevant procedures must be followed."

"Next, please have the gods vote; over fifty percent approval means it passes."

"The voting result will be signed and approved by the Dao Ancestor on behalf of the Heavenly Dao, and finally recorded by me into the archive."

He gestured slightly, and the voting began.

This was a vote without any hesitation.

After all, the parties involved don't resist, even voluntarily take responsibility; what else could others say?

Especially given that it's a big pit.

Someone is willing to step on the landmine… everyone naturally echoed agreement.

However, compared to ordinary Great Luo who know little about Shao Yang Emperor, the strongest, ancient great god‑level beings have heavier hidden worries.

Shao Yang has never been a pushover!

"Tsk… now I'm even more worried, afraid that many weird things will pop up later," an ancient god sighed.

"I feel the same… but after thinking seriously, it probably isn't that serious," another powerful being chuckled lightly, "After all, the two biggest factions of this era are the Wu Clan and the Demon Race — compared to others, they have overwhelming power advantage and a solid base!"

"I admit, Dao friend Shao Yang's methods and abilities are extraordinary, but can he still form a third pole outside these two extremes? I think it's impossible."

"After all, all the bases already have masters, let alone being able to win over strong ones."

"So relax, the main contradiction of this era should still fall on the Wu‑Demon."

They were discussing in low voices.

However, the procedure still proceeds as planned.

Ninety percent approval, one percent abstention, passed the joint appointment of Shao Yang Emperor's work… this has become the trend!

Hongjun Dao Ancestor looked at Shao Yang Emperor, furrowed his brows, feeling that his action was certainly putting him over fire to roast, but it might also give him an opportunity, and when scheming against opponents he could fall into his own scheme… but since he made the decision, he won't regret it.

He held the voting result and solemnly announced —

"The Immortal Clan, hereby established!"

"The main post drives reform of human‑civilian social organization forms, specialized cultivation education and directed training transformation; the deputy post handles humanitarian relief in war‑torn areas and mediation of war‑party interests……"

"The gods voted, electing Donghua Purple Palace Shao Yang Emperor as the first supreme leader of the Immortal Clan, King of Immortals!"

The Dao Ancestor held the Jade Disc of Creation, turned the supreme Heavenly Dao, and issued this decree.

He paused, looked at the emperor, then spoke again: "Dao friend Shao Yang, it's not that I distrust your morality and character, but considering fairness and justice, there needs to be corresponding management and supervision."

"So, we still need to assign you an assistant, to provide some oversight and assistance, ensuring the Immortal Clan institution develops positively."

"You… any objection?"

"None." The emperor nodded, "The fairness and justice of rules and procedures are worth upholding."

"That's good." Hongjun nodded, his gaze sweeping downward.

No one knows what he is thinking.

Finally, he selected one from the twelve Saint candidates.

Grandmother Yuanjun of the Myriad Qi of West True Taihua!

Also known as the Golden Mother Yuanjun of the Jade Pool!

Lone yin does not grow, lone yang does not arise; one yin and one yang is called the Dao.

The Dao Ancestor said solemnly, "Consider the principle of yin-yang balance and mutual generation, and the needs of social reality, and gender equality in study and work; please, fellow Daoist, take the position of deputy leader of the immortal clan… Golden Mother Daoist, are you willing?"

The Golden Mother Esteemed Lady's brows were tightly furrowed; she seemed somewhat reluctant, not wanting to step into this fire pit.

Although she has a background.

Even if she falls into the fire pit, she can retreat calmly.

If the Lesser Yang Emperor dies, she might not even lose a few hairs.

But…

If possible, who would want to plunge into this fire pit?

But it was soon.

It seemed as if someone had sent her a mental transmission; this top-tier female expert relaxed her brows and nodded in agreement.

"Good, very good." Hongjun's eyes held a smile, he turned to the gods below and said, "Please, everyone, vote; any objections?"

……

Golden Mother's appointment also went through smoothly.

Thus, the two leaders of the immortal clan took their positions.

The Lesser Yang Emperor of the Eastern Heaven Purple Mansion is the foremost of the male immortals.

The Grand Void Ancestral Mother Esteemed Lady is the foremost of the female immortals.

And in overall affairs, the Lesser Yang Emperor takes the lead, responsible for operational management, while the Golden Mother Esteemed Lady assists, overseeing.

(End of chapter)