Chapter 343

Minghe Mozu was cursing, not even bothering with any decorum.

Because at this very moment, he was truly angered to the point of feeling choked; myriad thoughts and myriad feelings surged in his heart.

Finally, they merged into three words, which is the essence.

Anger!

Tremble!

Cold!

Why does such a thing happen in this world?

A local tyrant is actually being jointly suppressed and restricted by two big hooligans!

Minghe Mozu, caught in the situation, upon hearing that solemn-sounding sanction treaty, was so angry his whole body trembled, in the hot weather his whole body broke out in cold sweat, his hands and feet icy cold, deeply experiencing what is called the fickleness of human relations between ice and fire.

"Where is heavenly justice?"

"Where does fairness remain!"

Minghe Mozu shouted loudly, angrily drew his sword, killing intent surging, causing some weak Great Luo to panic and change color, covering their faces and leaving their seats, daring not to directly face his blade.

Even ordinary great powers had their bodies tensed, storing energy, on high alert.

No wonder they are so tense.

It is indeed—

Minghe is strong!

This is beyond doubt.

After all.

As long as one understands the distinctive crime-and-punishment mechanism of the Honghuang world—the Red Lotus Karmic Fire—and traces the origin of this thing, which is someone's great treasure—the Karmic Fire Red Lotus—one can know how important the authority Minghe wields is, and to what extent his strength will reach.

Rewards and punishments measured, distinctions clear, have always been one of the core principles of a complete and perfected force, even civilization, a practice of pursuing fairness in the human way.

Whoever grasps the power of rewards and punishments has the qualification to command all creation.

How does that saying go?

—Thunder and rain, all are heavenly grace!

In the Honghuang world, for all cultivators, merit is like rain and dew, while karmic force is like thunder.

Top magnates, one hand holding the merit card red date, the other hand holding the karmic force card great stick, balancing and adjusting, can kick the entire Honghuang's development onto the right track.

Obediently listen, follow the Heaven's way, and merit will naturally descend, various hidden blessings, turning misfortune into fortune.

If one does not obediently listen and goes against Heaven, then karmic force entangles the body; even drinking cold water could cause choking to death.

What?

You say your talent is stunning, wisdom extraordinary, just to defy Heaven, just to do all evil, and even break through all obstacles, treating karmic force as nothing?

Then good.

When you attain the Dao and become a Great Luo, in a split second I will let you experience the severity of the demon lord blocking the Dao.

And it's the kind where eighty-one demon lords arrive together.

After all, such a person who disregards the Dao and insists on trampling the rules that all Great Luo obey—surely they can withstand such a trial?

Even the tough nuts that the Red Lotus Karmic Fire cannot burn to death will have the stork, raccoon, monkey, and licensed dogs step in to exert effort!

Merit, karmic force—this is an iron law already engraved into the origin of Honghuang.

Thus, those who wield these two authorities must be outstanding beings, the topmost powerhouses.

Among them, merit is somewhat stronger, because it can win over people's hearts, enough to secure a Holy Emperor's position.

Karmic force is punishment; generally it's hard to coerce others to death with harsh laws, it's hard to win hearts, but due to its indispensable importance, it can naturally nurture a supremely powerful Great Luo.

This supremely powerful Great Luo is Minghe.

Feasting on the dividends of karmic force, using the whole Honghuang as a whetstone for his cultivation path, honing his own Slaughter Dao……no idea how long a time has passed, he has already taken his place at the Taiyi Great Luo level, subtly grasping the thread of whether there is supreme truth, surpassing the Eastern Heavenly Emperor by three tenths.

Even if one surveys all of Honghuang, considering purely cultivation, those who could surpass him at this moment cannot even make up a handful.

That is, the Dao Ancestor, the peak-era Nüwa, and only a few others.

It is precisely because he has such cultivation.

Only Minghe can float up like that.

One hand forging the Asura clan, one hand establishing the Asura sect.

He has sufficient strength as his foundation!

Even if faced with the Wu Clan or the Demon Race, a single force pushing against him head-on, he can still hold on for a while and not collapse on the spot.

Unfortunately.

Today.

Those who press against him are not simply a Wu Clan or Demon Race.

They have developed a tacit understanding, achieving a covert cooperation.

This is the reason why Minghe Mozu is shocked and angry.

"All are too lacking in virtue!"

"Do they think I'm easy to bully?!"

Minghe Mozu glared angrily at the Demon Emperor and the Wu Ancestors, his icy sword light flashing, emitting a shocking divine might.

However……

The effect was not great.

Indeed, one could say it even produced a certain countereffect.

Facing the upright and unyielding Minghe, the bigwigs of the Demon Race and Wu Clan expressed that they found it quite interesting.

The Zhou Tian Star-Dou Grand Formation did not move.

But some equipment with special meanings had already been taken out.

"We are thinking of the safety of Honghuang; it was originally a public-spirited intention…… but, Daoist friend of the River Styx, why is your reaction so big?"

The Demon Emperor and the Ancestral Witch questioned in unison, and they also displayed a very impressive spiritual treasure.

Donghuang's gaze was subtle, a Chaos Bell hovering beside him, and the illusory, misty Chaos fog was spreading.

Di Jun's lips twitched slightly; the innate spiritual treasure he had never seriously employed even when confronting Donghuang Emperor—the River Chart and Luo Book—appeared, detailing all information about Honghuang's heaven and earth; anything that exists can be looked up here, making it the most comprehensive database… omniscience is omnipotence.

Nüwa's expression was solemn; she first set down the food-processing tools in her hands, then pulled out her most precious treasure—a cauldron-type magical artifact whose loss would make her quality of life plummet and her daily existence worse than death—the Qiankun Cauldron!

This cauldron may not be Nüwa's strongest spiritual treasure, but it is enough to express her stance; standing with Di Jun, she will go all out against the River Styx.

After all, even the utensils for eating are being used…… to ordinary people, it's no different than smashing pots and selling iron to support a cause.

And as a sovereign of the Heavenly Court, moreover a big shot of the Wu Clan, Houtu has already acted—how could Gonggong possibly remain unmoved?

Naturally, their positions will be the same.

"Huh!"

Gonggong let out a light sigh; silently, behind him a huge gate that seemed able to prop open the universe appeared, exuding an enduring aura of circulating creation and altering fate, and linked to countless beings—those of dragon lineage or with the potential to become dragons—like a boundless wide road bearing a Dao and a spirit.

On the huge gate, the characters 'Dragon Gate' had initially appeared, but they were soon overwritten and changed to the two characters meaning 'Mysterious Female'.

The gods watched this scene, each pretending not to know by lowering their eyes to their noses and their noses to their hearts.

Especially the Dragon Race's Daluo who also attended the meeting, he looked utterly bewildered…… If someone were to ask them about this, they would likely say: 'As for the Dragon Gate and such, they are properly kept within our clan; it's absolutely impossible for outsiders to steal them, so please rest assured. If you still have doubts, then you must be mistaken!'

Many people were feigning ignorance, thus letting Gonggong the Ancestral Witch toss about there.

Dragon…… the Mysterious Female Gate opened a little; in a daze, a mighty power of the ages turning, life and death, the creation and advancement of all things surged, and it resonated with a powerful clan that has endured from the most ancient era to the present, condensing into a supreme momentum that charged toward the River Styx.

This is just like an old aristocracy scolding a newly rich upstart.

The River Styx single-handedly created the Asura clan…… quite strong?

Gonggong said—— 'I…… my friends the Dragon Clan, we haven't been lacking in grandeur!'

Although we can't out-argue the Demon Race, which is like a big mishmash, nor can we outdo the Wu Clan who reasonably cheat, but we're not afraid to argue with your Asura clan!

At this moment.

The three Demon Emperors and the Ancestral Witch each brought out their signature skills, their livelihood, and together they coldly stared at the River Styx Devil Ancestor.

This truly made the River Styx feel pressure.

His sword-wielding hand remained steady and composed, not trembling.

But still, a bit of sweat seeped out unnaturally.

As his opponents, their lineup is really too luxurious.

And the most frightening thing is.

This is not yet the limit.

The Wu and Demon sides are still placing chips on the table…… they aren't directly attacking, nor unleashing the first strike that would initiate combat; they are merely pressuring the River Styx's nerves, pushing him toward his limit.

Di Jun indicated with an indifferent gaze to Donghuang Emperor, conveying a meaning——

Even if you are a traitor, at this moment shouldn't you quickly stand together with your new and old masters?

Donghuang received it.

This emperor first fell silent for a while, then let out a light sigh, shook his head and gave a self-mocking smile.

"My professional integrity tells me that implementing the law is a pursuit of morality; it ought to be the utmost pursuit of justice and equality, possessing the broadest mind, disregarding the boundaries of faction and race, and firmly resisting and rejecting any agreements that are contrary to morality."

"Unfortunately, I am also the Grand Minister of Destiny of the Heavenly Court."

"What the law pursues has no boundaries, but I, as this arbitrator, do."

"Ah…… sorry."

Donghuang placed his long sword horizontally on the table, its edge fully exposed.

The River Styx remained silent, feeling that the weight of his twin swords in his hands had increased somewhat.

But he had not yet completely given up.

As a big shot, how could he surrender without a fight?

How would he ever get by in the circles afterward?

Wasn't the previous Dao Ancestor who faced such a luxurious lineup also locked in a stalemate for a while before making a concession?

"I can't be worse than that guy…… I am a divine being with dreams."

The River Styx encouraged himself.

Until the final titan's stance, which truly became the chip that tipped the scales.

……

"Is there someone missing from our gathering of leaders here?"

Di Jun, Taiyi, Nüwa, and Gonggong exchanged glances, silently conveying information.

Upon inspection, their lineup seemed to be missing something.

Who?

Nüwa, belatedly, glanced toward her side, where someone sat calmly erasing their own presence, continually reaching out stealthily to take food from the table before her—a certain sovereign.

And this sovereign's face showed an expression of enjoyment, as if saying——

"Food, indeed, stolen food tastes the best."

Especially doing this stealthily, watching his own cute younger sister argue with heaven, earth, and air, beating this one, killing that one who is on the verge of transcendence, yet he himself could furtively seize the fruits of her treasures, leaving her utterly bewildered in the end, for by working for others for free he falls into doubt about his own life……

This is double the joy!

Of course.

Fuxi's double joy hadn't even been fully enjoyed when Nüwa saw through it.

Nüwa's complexion turned strange as she watched Fuxi's paws rubbing back and forth on the plate, the corners of her eyes twitching wildly; she couldn't help but press her chest, feeling that violently beating heart, and firmly told herself: outside, she wouldn't quarrel with this guy; she must be ladylike, maintain her image.

After comforting herself, she pulled out a sweet smile, grabbed a corner of Fuxi's sleeve, and stared into his eyes.

Stare—

Fuxi looked at Nüwa, whose smile was radiant but whose eyes flashed with a fleeting dangerous light, pondered briefly, felt he should withdraw that hand that had been snatching food from a tiger's mouth, sat up straight with proper posture, and joined the luxurious entourage besieging the Nether River.

Moreover, as he looked left and right, he saw that everyone else had equipment, while he himself was empty‑handed… This, although it reflected Xihuang Majesty's clean sleeves and lofty integrity, refusing to put on any superficial show.

But his prestige likewise dropped considerably, with suspicions of dragging down the top‑tier powerhouses' wealth average and seriously holding them back.

How can this be acceptable?

So.

After Xihuang pondered seriously for a while.

Amidst the Nether River's severely twisted expression, something appeared from nothing, evolving out of thin air: a delicate, small axe materialized and, with a 'pa', chopped onto the table, emitting a crisp sound.

This axe resembled the Heaven‑Opening Divine Axe in form and aura, but it was absolutely not that.

Because its name is 'Reason'.

Reason Divine Axe.

It subtly indicated that the wielder of this axe is someone who speaks with reason, possessing a personal charm that convinces others, and having the supreme wisdom acknowledged by all gods.

Xihuang wielding this axe, not a single Great Luo Divine Sage dares to treat it lightly.

Every one of them, without exception, immediately sat up straight, as if they were employees respectfully listening to the big boss speak.

Regardless of what they thought inside, their outward conduct was completely proper.

An atmosphere of harmony.

It's just that I don't know why.

Some Great Luo had legs trembling slightly, as if recalling some unbearable past experiences, having undergone the great terror between life and death.

"Mm, this might be excitement, right?"

Fuxi glanced over, feeling pleased with his own charisma, his reputation still as loud and strong as ever; under his command, the Heavenly Court achieved true virtuous court, and every living Great Luo would display full moral and capability scores.

"What a pity, the times have changed…"

"The era of pure merit‑karmic rewards and punishments is gone…"

He looked at the Nether River Demon Ancestor whose face was turning green, threw him a 'look out for yourself' glance, then firmly stood with Nüwa's side—whoever she glared at, he glared at too; if she wanted to cut someone, he'd help by handing her the knife.

Quite the picture of a thoughtful little follower.

Thus, the Nether River felt he was about to suffer a mental breakdown.

Six great powers, eyes gleaming like tigers.

Then they asked him, 'Are you moved?'

"I really am full of virtue and ability."

"Six!"

"Six Great Luo whose cultivation hovers around the Grand Simplicity level have joined forces."

"Moreover, a few of them, with special spiritual treasures and Dao support, have their combat strength increased by a third."

"I am truly honored!"

The Nether River Demon Ancestor secretly calculated: with his iron‑hard head, how many moves could he withstand now?

After his clever, wise mind had thought it over,

The Demon Ancestor had an epiphany.

He calmly put the Primordial Slaughter and Avici Twin Swords back into their sheaths, righted the overturned table, sat down again, acting as if nothing had happened, as if he wanted to completely put this matter behind him.

(End of chapter)