Chapter 715: with translation of chapter title

Awakening in loss, reviving in deathly stillness.

Yingzhao the Yao Marshal

none.

He once stormed the Underworld, but crashed headfirst into Houtu's grasp and was slain on the spot.

Back then.

His body was shattered, like chaos being split open; a slice of the Myriad Heavens took shape, settled in the Underworld, condensed into mountains and rivers, becoming a secret realm.

His soul was torn apart, fragmented into trillions of pieces, each severing its ties, erasing original memory, starting from zero, and moving toward rebirth.

Using the Underworld's Dao to infect his own Dao.

Using the spirit of reincarnation to stain Yingzhao's soul.

Even if a single spark of indestructible primordial light remains unextinguished, it still exists.

But over the endless ages, he was destined to endure a great tribulation—this is imprisonment, as well as the grinding of thought, the reshaping of the three views, and reflection and introspection.

According to common sense, it should have been this way.

However.

Who let there be special circumstances?

Faced with a tumultuous and changing situation, the new edition, lacking a pillar general like Fengxi among his subordinates, decided to recruit fresh blood and bolster strength.

He could not mobilize the forces of the many Fire Sect headquarters, otherwise he'd have trouble answering to Nüwa; thus, when setting up a new stove, he had no choice but to consider seeking external aid!

Thus, Yingzhao welcomed his spring.

Divine radiance surged, blurred memories resurfaced, lost years were reclaimed, dim spiritual light grew bright, and the former great terror once again swept across his heart.

——His struggle in dire straits was the most resolute resistance, his blood and divine power burning, in the instant between creation and annihilation, the myriad worlds' illusory vistas, the myriad Dao, laws, and spirits emerging, divine might boundless, battle intent sweeping, myriad ages resonating, the River of Time above and below, the Three Realms and Six Paths' heavens all crumbling, only his own self transcending……

——Moreover, there was the peerless female sage, her brilliance unmatched; if the Heavenly Emperor stepped upon his body, suppressing and eroding all resistance, it would all be in vain, only legend would endure for ages……The Heavenly Emperor steps on Yingzhao!

"Houtu… Nüwa… Human Emperor!"

The will in the void, growing from weak to strong, emitted tremors that shook hearts; if spirits wailed, the sound grew louder, all panic, anger, and astonishment condensed within, as if seeking to overturn the entire Underworld.

If it could truly be spread abroad.

That would indeed be capable of overturning the Underworld.

However, as clever as Fengxi, he had long sealed this span of time and space, leaving not a crack.

He coldly watched a faded Yao Marshal vent his spiritual emotions, gradually calming down, attaining stability and harmony, able to engage in dialogue and conversation.

"Yingzhao." The Human Emperor spoke in a low voice, "The grand design of the Human Dao, the great righteousness of all beings—have you felt it clearly in this cycle of reincarnation?!!"

"I give you a chance to rechoose your side."

"Now, tell me, what is your choice!"

The Human Emperor issued an ultimatum.

In order to achieve a smooth clearance with minimal loss, Fengxi could accept those who surrender and rebel.

"Do I still have a choice?"

Yingzhao the Yao Marshal let out a long sigh, a glimmer of spiritual will communicating with the Human Emperor, his tone slightly helpless.

"Cultivation follows the Dao, like rowing against the current."

"If I am trapped here in boundless calamity, upon emerging later I will already have fallen behind the times."

"In the past, the Demon Ancestor Luohou—what mighty power, unrivaled in the world!"

"At its peak, it was second only to the Dao Ancestor Hongjun!"

"But just because he withdrew midway, now looking back, how many could beat him?"

"I don't want to follow in his footsteps."

Yingzhao is also a god with dreams and aspirations.

Having Luohou as a prior example, after personally experiencing another suppression, and learning that the version update weakened the gods, this is an excellent opportunity to fully unleash one's might……

How could he then stubbornly cling to a dead duck's beak, utterly abandoning the chance to advance?

"However, Human Emperor, do you dare trust me?"

Yingzhao suddenly sneered.

"Once, I misjudged, not knowing you and Her Majesty Nüwa were playing so grand—actually swapping roles, secretly promoting to Taiyi Daluo, digging a trap, waiting for me to fall in."

"Today, the times have changed!"

"In terms of battle power, you can no longer perfectly suppress me!"

"Aren't you afraid that if I leave, I'll just flee far away?"

Yingzhao is also a god with a temper.

At the same time

In his eyes, the Human Emperor was always shrouded in mist, making him feel wary, yet he could never pinpoint the source of that wariness.

This is very unsettling.

"Since I dared to let you out, I naturally have the confidence to make you work wholeheartedly for me." Fengxi said calmly, "You don't need to test me like this; I can tell you what I rely on behind me, so you won't have any wishful thinking."

After he spoke, a deep and mighty aura surged forth, sweeping across this realm of time and space, making Yingzhao's soul shudder, rendering him unable to voice any further discontent.

— Human Dao!

"How is that possible..."

Yingzhao was stunned, feeling the absurdity of the human world.

Good heavens!

The Human Dao has jumped into the fray!

"What's impossible about that?"

Fengxi let out a long sigh, "the Heavenly Dao can even become a spirit, achieve the status of the Grand Harmony Dao Ancestor, preside over the system, and grasp the heavenly principles."

"Humanity, what is it that it cannot rely on to give rise to a willful tendency and foster its own enforcers?"

"In this era, the Lich Great Tribulation has claimed too many lives!"

"Even a rabbit's death evokes sorrow in the fox; how much more so for humanity?"

"You think my talk of humanity's great picture and the righteousness of all living beings is mere jest?"

"Hah!"

"The Human Emperor let out a cold laugh."

"——Do you think I'm just shouting a slogan to deceive people?"

"——Wrong!"

"——I am truly representing all living beings!"

"——Everything I do is solely to verify one saying……Water can carry a boat, yet it can also capsize it!"

"Humanity, rise up!"

"All living beings, too, have risen!"

"Yingzhao listened to Fengxi's explanation, and suddenly felt a bone‑chilling cold in his heart, stronger than the fear he had felt when Houtu had trampled him to death."

"This is an instinctive perception stemming from his innate divine status."

"One's position determines one's thinking!"

"'The Lich Great Tribulation brings calamity to all living beings.'"

"'Has such sacrifice finally provoked the ignorant humanity?'"

"The Yao Marshal felt a chill in his heart and stammered, unable to speak."

"Only those with lofty ambitions who dare to sacrifice can call for the sun and moon to renew the heavens!"

"The heavens… have truly changed!"

"However."

"Amidst the panic and trembling, Yingzhao also nurtured some ambitions."

"——Humanity's dissatisfaction is destined to bring about a great reshuffle."

"——In such a process, if one aligns with the right target, one should…… reap considerable gains, right?"

"One cannot deny that Yingzhao's heart was moved."

"So that's how it is."

"Yingzhao, while pondering his thoughts and considering the future, also built himself a step ladder to go and curry favor with the Humanity's envoy."

"Behind all this, there actually lies such a grand game of strategy and struggle……"

"It is because my vision was too narrow; I once went down the wrong path, failing to comprehend the hardships of all living beings, which brought upon me the disaster of imprisonment."

"From now on, I am willing to sacrifice my remaining strength to contribute my share for humanity and all living beings!"

"Yingzhao, the Yao Marshal, spoke with earnest conviction."

"This situation opened up all at once."

"This is not about following one's heart, nor about going weak‑kneed; it is for the sake of all living beings! For the sake of righteousness!"

"Fengxi also didn't quibble over this minor detail, stubborn as a dead duck."

"After all, he was merely recruiting enforcers!"

"Of course, we still need to put on a show."

"'Comrade Yingzhao, to have such awareness brings great comfort to my heart and to humanity.'"

"Fengxi concealed the authority of humanity, let the supporting power dissipate, gave verbal praise and commendation, then proceeded to discuss future work arrangements."

"'Tell me, what can you do?'"

"'Given the work you once held in the Heavenly Court, how could it be useful?'"

"'Use…' Yingzhao fell silent for a moment, then hesitantly replied, 'I find it hard to be completely certain about its usefulness.'"

"'After all, with the changing of the times, I can no longer attend important meetings of the Heavenly Court, so I am unclear about many personnel arrangements.'"

"'However, if I start from my past knowledge, whether intentionally or not, I can still restrain some of my peers.'"

"'For example, Qinyuan the Yao Marshal.'"

"Yingzhao named one of the Demon Race's commanders."

"Qinyuan!"

"She is a heroic figure among the goddesses and also the top expert in charge of assassinations in the Heavenly Court!"

"She specializes in assassination; at her peak, even those of the Taiyi level could feel threatened!"

"Even in this era of updated versions, her threat level has not diminished much; in fact, it has become even more terrifying."

"She doesn't need to confront head‑on; even if her overall offense and defense drop, it doesn't matter, because the opponent's defenses will surely drop far more than her output!"

"This is a blade that walks in darkness."

"In the past, countless Dragon Sect masters have died resentfully at her hands, even including one of the first‑generation Four Sea Dragon Kings!"

"Now, the Dragon Sect is half‑crippled, and humanity has become the main target drawing fire……Thus, such a high‑risk individual has come into the Human Emperor's sight and requires specific handling."

"Yingzhao pointed her out, indicating he could resolve this issue……Fengxi felt somewhat pleased."

"'Are you sure?'"

"Just in case, Fengxi asked a follow‑up question."

"'It should be certain…' Yingzhao mused, 'In the past, to infiltrate the netherworld and to carry out the Heavenly Emperor Majesty's strategy for better covert assassination, I had cooperated with her, and we came to understand each other.'"

"'Whether intentionally or not, I can set a trap to kill her and remove her from the picture.'"

"'Very good.' Fengxi nodded, feeling somewhat satisfied."

"Being able to remove a top‑notch assassin from the picture is good news."

However, the good news Ying Zhao brought him was not just that.

"Besides that… to be frank, I still have some foundations in the Heavenly Court."

Ying Zhao demonstrated his value, "Some close aides and department generals; I am confident I can persuade them to switch sides and follow the great cause of humanity."

"Oh? What are they? Tell me." Fengxi became interested.

"There's Tulu, Baihua…" Ying Zhao patiently listed.

He has deep connections.

Numerous great fiends and strange beasts, to varying degrees, can establish connections with him, giving him a certain influence.

It is obvious that Ying Zhao has taken deep root in the Heavenly Court; he is a skilled hand at forming cliques for personal gain.

"What a huge stronghold!"

After hearing that, Fengxi let out a light sigh.

"Your ability to cultivate connections is not much inferior to that of the Yao Emperor."

"Who doesn't have a bit of ambition?" Ying Zhao replied, "Making more connections, knowing a few more people—maybe someday they'll be put to use, and the connections will be cleared."

"Cultivation isn't just about fighting and killing; it also involves worldly affairs."

Ying Zhao is quite adept at playing god.

Perhaps, after countless ages have passed, he could still hope, relying on his connections, to run for the highest leadership of a force, as a major faction, participating in the election against Pangu.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Although he is not very strong now, he has laid the foundation for future strength.

Opportunity is left for those who are prepared.

"Very good."

Fengxi examined Ying Zhao and determined that he is a high-quality comrade who can play a fairly crucial role in the cause of humanity.

Then he flicked his finger lightly, and in silence, the sealed spiritual light of Ying Zhao the Yao Marshal was released, no longer imprisoned.

"Of course."

To ensure the secrecy of the operation, the secret realm formed from the Yao Marshal's remnant body cannot be taken away.

Only Ying Zhao himself can spend time to condense his combat body.

Another Yao Marshal has been liberated and joined the human faction.

"Shall we launch now?" Ying Zhao asked Fengxi.

"Don't be so impatient." Fengxi smiled, "You've just come out; you may not understand enough about our human race's current situation, so you need to go out more and see more."

"Perfect, I have a work assignment for you here."

"The Dongyi lineage is not behaving well!"

"They have too many petty thoughts; you represent my will, covertly infiltrate, and observe for a while."

"The issue of identity…… coincidentally, I have a young person I greatly admire there, named Wenming."

"Go serve under him, assist him, and have a cover for your identity."

Fengxi casually arranged a pit of fire.

For a Yao Marshal of great seniority, it's hard to guarantee his reliability and loyalty absolutely.

"But it doesn't matter."

"There is a great expert who can do it!"

"Wenming…… the Eastern Heavenly Emperor!"

"Once the Grand Minister of Destiny of the Heavenly Court, he can even be traced back to an ancient Pangu!"

"Placed under such a person to be tempered for a while, it would surely smooth out Ying Zhao's temper completely, making him a suitable, handy tool!"

"Ying Zhao still doesn't know who he will face…… Wenming? He's never heard of it! Perhaps it's just a fire-master spy who infiltrated the Dongyi royal court."

"Trivial!"

"Yes, sir!"

Ying Zhao slightly bowed his hands and accepted the appointment.

"Go……"

Fengxi waved his hand, letting this Yao Marshal leave.

After he left, he went again to a deep, dark prison, where…… there was Bifang!

……

"My little team is finally formed!"

Nüwa was tossing and turning her base on Ling Mountain, reported to the fire master, and she also counts as having raised a troop.

The ten wizards of Ling Mountain gradually fell into place.

They took 'wizard' as their surname, adopted other personal names, founded a state, each performing their duties.

Wuxian, Wují, Wùpàn, Wùpéng, Wùgū, Wùzhēn, Wùlǐ, Wùdǐ, Wùxiè, Wùluó…… ten wizards, they supported a complete system.

Some handled divination, some handled rites, some handled medicinal logistics…… and so on and so forth.

Though the sparrow is small, it has all five viscera.

"However, though the team is formed, it still needs to gain fame."

Nüwa calculated, 'Should we just go out to wage war?'

"Seems improper…… relying on brushing battle merits, how can we outshine those old-established factions?"

"Or we must take an unconventional approach, first make a name for ourselves……"

Thinking and thinking, she recalled something.

"Perhaps…… I can go bump into a porcelain?"

(End of chapter)