Chapter 276

Listen up!

Is this even human speech!

The temperature around Great Saint Kunpeng is extremely low, bone-chilling cold, sweeping through the Purple Azure Palace, letting all the gods know just how tumultuous his murderous fury is at this moment.

Give up the estate?

Who knows how much effort went into building such a huge estate… can it really be as simple as just giving it up?

Without these, even if one attains Sainthood, what does it matter?

That would truly make one a lofty Saint, with no say whatsoever thereafter, only able to watch helplessly as others shine on the grand stage of the age, while one sits on a cold bench, eyes glazed.

Just like the Heavenly Lord of the Three Pure Ones who oversees teaching—take, for instance, the Heavenly Lord of the Numinous Treasure among them.

Clear out its sect—all disciples and followers either dead, scattered, or captured—and a once vast sect becomes an empty husk.

Then we'll see if this Heavenly Lord will go berserk, lashing out at anyone he can catch.

Certainly!

Never mind slaying people; he even harbors the intent to destroy the world.

Kunpeng's mood at this moment is quite similar.

What's more, if he truly relinquished these holdings, how could Kunpeng still have the wherewithal to vie for a Saint's seat?

Zhunti Ancient Buddha's words are like the sharpest dagger, thrusting straight into Kunpeng's waist, nearly paralyzing him and slashing his competitiveness by over half in an instant.

The Saint's seat… is distant indeed!

Great Saint Kunpeng's face is grim; he glares fiercely at Zhunti, his eyes like knives and swords, as if wishing to carve this ancient Buddha into a thousand‑cut, ten‑thousand‑slice dish.

However.

When he is angry, there is also a small handful of people whose faces light up with joy.

—the Demon Race's core leadership.

The three Demon Emperors, ten Yao Marshals, and some lesser mighty demon gods are now exchanging glances, secretly communicating nonstop… it seems that Zhunti Ancient Buddha's stabbing remark about Kunpeng has greatly moved them, discovering a public‑opinion tool they previously overlooked but which is actually very handy, usable in the future protracted stalemate war.

"Zhunti, although his original aim was to eliminate a rival, he has indeed come up with a good idea for us."

"In the secret divine‑sense channel, Xihuang laughed, 'Kunpeng's so‑called Kunpeng Communication Platform—I think we should consider taking it over and bringing it under our control.'"

"Xihuang's words are spot on!" Báizé scratched his head while drafting a script for the recent entanglement among the four great divine beings—Yuanshi, Kunpeng, Hongyun, and Zhunti—aiming to write a 'history' that fits a particular viewpoint and stance, while also devoting a bit of attention to the discussion among the Demon Race's high‑level Councillors, giving Fuxi's opinion a thumbs‑up.

Furthermore, after giving the thumbs‑up, he added a couple of points: 'Once we master this platform, we can, through targeted publicity and message pushes, achieve an indirect, roundabout control over mortal humanity's thoughts, making them dance in our palms.'

"We want mankind to know what we want them to know."

"We don't want mankind to know certain information… even if someone leaks it, we have plenty of ways to control it."

"First, give the leaker a ban."

"Then comes a frenzy of massive entertainment, videos, hot‑topic pushes, all sorts of clickbait to scatter people's minds…… given mortal humanity's fickle thoughts and internet memory lasting only five blinks, big things soon become small, small things vanish, disappearing in countless data."

Yao Marshal Báizé is well versed in all these operations.

Xihuang merely gave a start, and he naturally took off, working out a whole set of operations.

That familiarity, that nonchalance……

One listen and you know this Yao Marshal has likely done similar work more than once—he's truly experienced.

And what's even more frightening is……

In this secret divine‑sense channel, those demon emperors, Yao Marshals, and demon gods showed not a hint of surprise…… as if they had long been accustomed to it.

Even.

The Demon Race's current Heavenly Emperor, Di Jun, also issued orders to fully exploit this communication platform's potential, attempting to build an online‑offline closed loop to achieve a 'star‑making' campaign.

"Through selective information pushes, we will cleanse and assimilate the three views of myriad mortal spirits, guiding them to become the form we need."

"Then, matching the faintly established aesthetic three views, we artificially craft idol figures, starting from the weakest‑willed young lives, assimilating and spreading, copying and infecting, thoroughly establishing the stable civilizational consciousness we need."

"In the end, we will erect a wall to iron‑clad encircle the Wu Clan, gradually reclaiming the mental battlefield they have severely eroded, and even…… exterminate!"

Di Jun spoke with iron‑blooded resolve.

"Yes!"

Xihuang agreed, showing his approval.

However, right after, he sent a mental message: 'Just…… although our discussion here is lively,'

"But…… will this Kunpeng fellow be willing to join us and make full use of his Kunpeng Exchange Platform to strongly cooperate with our Demon Race?"

"That's a problem."

"Don't let it happen that we write stacks of plans, only to get stuck at Kunpeng…… he absolutely refuses to wade into the murky waters of the Wu‑Demon war, just wanting to quietly get rich."

"Then it would be awkward."

Xihuang said as such.

"Heh…… Xihuang, don't worry." Di Jun smiled, "After this meeting ends, we will activate the entire Zhou Tian Star‑Dou Grand Array to invite him…… such a grand spectacle, such great importance, such honourable treatment of scholars……"

"I think Dao‑friend Kunpeng will surely be moved to tears, crying out to join our Demon Race, devoting himself completely to our Heavenly Court's cause until death."

"Or perhaps……"

"Dao‑friend Kunpeng has the most lofty and solitary character, wishing only to be a recluse, unwilling to take office in our Demon Race's Heavenly Court…… for this, he would not hesitate to declare his resolve with death, committing suicide."

"We will mobilize forces and go, only to return disappointed, sighing at Kunpeng's reclusive bearing, and also taking into account the bloodline descendants he left behind after his suicide—lonely and pitiful, under many covetous gazes they would not only struggle to keep their wealth but might even face mortal danger."

"So, we noble and righteous demon gods of great ability can only, with tears in our eyes, safeguard Kunpeng's Dao‑friend's estate…… when his descendants achieve the same accomplishments as their ancestors, we will return it in full…… uh, we can even add interest, to prove our frankness and integrity, with no ulterior motives."

Di Jun has already arranged a script for Kunpeng.

There are only two choices.

Either live and join the Demon Race, or 'commit suicide,' letting the Demon Race's mighty ones 'manage' his assets in his stead.

One cannot help but admit.

Di Jun…… he is a ruthless deity!

At this moment, countless the Demon Race powerhouses gaze at Kunpeng's back, their eyes full of sympathy.

However, this is also unavoidable.

Who let him control such an industry, even achieving a monopoly?

This is the source of wealth.

It is also the source of disaster.

During special times, this will certainly be valued by the higher-ups, who will extend their tentacles representing their will into it……Otherwise, how could one rest easy?

Placing the blade of one's thoughts in another's hands……Just how big is that heart?

They will surely put a rope on it, ensuring it does not lose control.

Actually, besides Kunpeng, we need to do this……there is also a fellow Daoist who also needs us to 'invite with courtesy'.

Fuxi suddenly sent a faint mental transmission, his meaning implied.

"Oh? Which fellow Daoist?" Donghuang asked, very interested.

"Of course……it's Hongyun!"

Without waiting for Fuxi to answer, Taiyi's elder brother spoke the answer and gave an explanation: "He controls the platform of cloud cultivation……What is cloud cultivation?"

I think you won't be unclear.

Di Jun let out a light sigh.

"Hongyun's stall is spread out too huge, too huge—so huge it shocks me……Cloud cultivation involves borrowing and transferring cultivation power, and the supply and trade of countless materials."

"Soon it will perfectly merge with our the Demon Race and become a lifeline!"

"If he doesn't cause chaos, that's fine……but what if he does?"

"the Demon Race won't perish, but all kinds of chaos will surely arise one after another."

"Especially, the 'Cloud Treasure System' he has recently been tinkering with can use its virtual currency to interface with material trade……What is he trying to do?"

"This is an attempt to infiltrate our economic system……or to act as an outsider of the Demon Race's high echelons!"

Di Jun's eyes flashed with a hint of gloom: 'Unacceptable……Compared to Zhenyuanzi's simple hype of production and trade on the Earth Immortal platform, this is tens to hundreds of times more dangerous!'

"Therefore, we must definitely have a good talk with Fellow Daoist Hongyun, so he understands the principle and withdraws some improper thoughts."

"Otherwise, one day he might suddenly encounter misfortune and die inexplicably."

Donghuang listened, a flash of insight appearing in his eyes, as if he had realized something.

After giving pointers to his own subordinates, Di Jun then turned to the group and said: "Kunpeng, Hongyun—these are our key targets of attention; we cannot relax in the slightest."

"Especially now, it is a special period of competition for the Heavenly Dao Saints……I don't want complications, letting these two fellows mix into that saint's position, or bring along their industries."

"My meaning……you should understand, right?"

"Of course we know." Jimeng Yao Marshal sent a mental smile: "If we really let them become Heavenly Dao Saints, we would find it hard to act……Heavenly Dao Saints, after all, fall under Hongjun's jurisdiction."

"Strictly speaking, our the Heavenly Court also follows the will of the Dao Ancestor……even though it often seems unreliable."

"Before the Saints come to provoke us, we also cannot openly shout for battle……Where would that put the Dao Ancestor's face?"

"So, when the voting session comes later, I know what to do best."

"And I think everyone should know that."

"Right……we all know!"

Many great the Demon Race gods conveyed the same opinion.

The industry controlled by a the Heavenly Dao Saint must be unrelated to the bigger picture.

They can be pure and noble, or grand and mighty, casually gathering three thousand disciples and causing trouble everywhere.

But!

When it truly involves the lifeline of the human realm, what can most directly and swiftly cause an impact?

Then one must be extremely cautious, or even simply view it with biased eyes.

From this point of view.

Kunpeng, Hongyun, and Minghe, in the Demon Race's judgment, are all unsuitable Saint choices; they will be firmly obstructed, and targeted layouts will be carried out in the years to come.

Seize authority, making the Heavenly Court's prestige supreme!

Of course.

The Demon Race's will is certainly important, but it is not absolutely the sole factor……after all, there is also the Wu Clan's existence.

Their vote count is also solid and genuine.

When they enter the scene, perhaps they can alter the outcome decided by the Demon Race.

And just as the Demon Race's high-level covert deliberations were taking place.

The Wu Clan, in secret, was also conducting discussions.

……

"Who do we support?"

"And who do we suppress?"

"This is a very important decision."

"Please, speak freely."

Nüwa returned to the Zixiao Palace in a flurry.

She wore a dark face, dragging along a smug Fuxi the Great Sage……No one knew what had happened behind that.

After gritting her teeth and casually placing her no-good brother in a corner, she openly returned to her seat, sitting upright and paying attention to the verbal sparring and mutual refutation among the ten Saint candidates; secretly, she presided over a meeting, opening a very hidden communication channel that allowed the ancestor Wu wearing disguises, top-tier great Wu, and excellent strategists to join in, discussing matters concerning the Heavenly Dao Saint.

Of course.

As an old hand, Fengxi knows——when the top superior has a comprehensive consideration, at this moment her letting you 'speak freely' should absolutely not be taken literally.

And like the major event of the Heavenly Dao Saint power struggle, there had been a foreshadowing since the previous Zixiao Palace meeting……In the endless stretch of time, how could Nüwa not have considered all kinds of situations and accordingly made preparations?

Fengxi believed that, at this moment, Lady Nüwa's heart must already have a complete plan.

At this time, all he needed to do was to play the straight man appropriately, letting her shine and excel, merely to highlight her wisdom and valor.

Rather than speaking with full confidence to point out the mountains and rivers.

So, after Nüwa's words fell, he first appeared deep in thought, unable to comprehend, then sighed and spoke, neither showing his own inability nor failing to give Nüwa a reasonable pretext to display herself.

"Time stretches on, causes and effects entwined……The complex situation among the top experts of the Honghuang world, Xi is unaware, so please forgive Xi for being unable to do anything about it."

Fengxi sighed emotionally, "Perhaps only you, Lady Nüwa, who deeply knows all these inner workings, whose merit rivals creation and who stands high and looks far, a supreme great wisdom, can make the most correct decision and lead our Wu Clan to victory."

He lifted Nüwa high up.

In response, Nüwa returned a relieved gaze—it seemed the mental blow she had just suffered in Xihuang's presence, unknown to outsiders, was somewhat eased at this moment.

"Cough—... Since that's the case, I'll simply say a couple of sentences."

"First, I support the Three Pure Ones."

"These three friends have always used Pangu's banner, working diligently and down-to-earth, teaching the human path……The various ideas they convey actually share many points of agreement with our Wu Clan's pursuits."

"Now, let them become Saints, further expanding their influence……This is actually beneficial to us."

(End of chapter)