Chapter 736

Those who play with tactics already have dirty hearts—what more of those who play with strategy?

none.

Yang Mei stands on the bank of the river of time, gazing at past, present, and future, listening and sensing some kind of summons in the dim distance, suddenly breaks into a smile, leaps forward, goes with the flow, and traverses the ages.

Here we have the 'River of Time'. Also, 'raising eyebrows' might be a verb, not a name.

He will reappear at some point in the future, completing a cycle of cause and effect.

"Old friend Hongjun, don't blame me... Who made me helpless as well?"

"The Five Emperors... The Five Emperors!"

Amidst a faint sigh, this supreme expert who specialized in the Dao of Space vanished from the river's surface.

Leaving behind a profound lament, echoing the fragments of a shocking dark curtain.

The Five Direction Heavenly Emperors have finally taken their respective places!

They each have their own splendid performances, and will gather on the stage that marks the end of the Shaman-Demon Era, together composing a myth.

They are active, displaying an astonishing vigor.

Though he has mysteriously disappeared, everyone knows the Green Emperor is alive and well.

There's the blunt and straightforward Flame Emperor and Huangdi.

There is also the White Emperor, whose dual mask of light and darkness wavers between life and death, awaiting the yin person.

Furthermore, there is the Black Emperor, who has been striving forward, laying plans for years, preparing all sorts of backup moves to pull off a major scoop—even though he himself has no desire to be called an emperor, when the moment arrives, even if he wants to turn back, he cannot—he has no choice.

Someone will have to take the blame for this black pot.

Green, Flame, Yellow, White, Black... the Five Direction Heavenly Emperors, whether willing or not, have come to this stage, in the age when all horses fall silent after the Shaman-Demon Era, they have mustered five peak combat forces, entering the realm of the Human Dao.

When Hongjun advances against the heavily wounded, unable-to-resist Dragon Ancestor, amidst the chaotic and reversed flow of time, Xuanyuan raises his head in thought, slightly clenches his hand, and feels a growing power.

"The puzzle is finally complete."

"The Green Emperor created the world, split heaven and earth, and forged the foundation."

"The Flame Emperor governs transformation, the cycle of life and death, and sets up the stage."

"The Huangdi upholds unity, rebuilds the Human Dao, and establishes an anchor point."

"The White Emperor rules over all, myriad flowers bloom, and all tribes share the same law."

"The Black Emperor overturns the world, tempers birth and destruction, and the fruition of the Dao is achieved!"

"Creation, transformation, one clan, the myriad beings, the Heavenly Dao!"

"This is a pirate ship heading to the far shore of Pangu... once you're dragged aboard, there's no getting off!"

Xuanyuan hums a tune lightly, then returns to his duties.

The previous battle could be described as a world-shaking change.

Although the Fire Master achieved his original intention, inspiring the fighting spirit of humanity and causing countless demon beings to reflect, a trend is gradually rising within the Human Dao, with voices everywhere advocating the establishment of a human-like system, so that weaker tribes no longer have to sacrifice their interests due to the gains and losses of stronger tribes under the law of the jungle, and begin to strive for dignity for their own clans.

However, it must be noted that to achieve this goal, to unleash humanity's passion, the Fire Master's sacrifice was too great.

Moreover, the rise of the You Yi clan, Xuanyuan's bold leap, and the lingering historical problems, along with the hidden danger of 'two suns in the sky, two masters among the people,' have thrown the current human central authority into turmoil.

Who to follow?

This is a question.

Xuanyuan's previous performance was stunning, attracting the support of many new-generation clan leaders, forming a formidable force.

As for the Fire Master, he himself is the ancient-era inherited central system of humanity, and moreover possesses a formidable foundation.

Like the Nine Li!

This former member who once split off to act alone, when the Flame Emperor summoned his troops and commanders, came over; their leader was not particularly impressed with Xuanyuan's faction—this is already a polite way of putting it.

In fact, a full-scale martial confrontation nearly broke out.

However, the Flame Emperor, with his broad-mindedness, looked after the overall interests of humanity and suppressed the discord.

Xuanyuan also, knowing when to yield, showed respect to the senior Fire Master, stating he would not vie for power and profit in humanity's central authority, but would lead his supported clans to campaign in all directions, becoming the leader of the third faction that naturally attracts countless weak tribes, aside from the first faction represented by the ancient strong clans and the second faction represented by the emerging human faction.

"My department will go lead those weak demon clans that have awakened and wish to resist the bullying and violence of the Heavenly Court's powerful clans, imparting ideological concepts, guiding war consciousness, and together overthrow the Heavenly Court's hegemony directly overseen by the Heavenly Dao, so that the authority to speak on the world and on social hierarchy returns to every human Dao being under heaven."

Young Xuanyuan harbors grand ambitions, shaking the many participants in the meeting.

Thereafter, a portion of the You Yi clan will head to the most barren places under heaven to cultivate and develop—such regions, the powerful clans of the Heavenly Court look down upon, and humanity... actually also looks down upon.

However, life is the most tenacious existence.

In these places live various weak tribes unable to compete with the strong; they are trapped in harsh environments while enduring exploitation under the Heavenly Dao's law of the jungle, and Xuanyuan deems them the most suitable potential allies for developing strength.

"For any living being, we cannot but value their lives. If it is merely the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, that is a natural principle, and we can accept such a rule; but now many harms are inflicted, which the perpetrators themselves are unwilling to accept, yet they force upon the weak—this is morally wrong and erroneous."

"What we can do, yet we turn a blind eye to, is insufficiently righteous conduct, a manifestation of 'losing the Dao'... I do not wish to be such a person, so I will exert my effort to try to correct the mistakes of the age."

"If we were like clouds, gathering and dispersing unpredictably, wandering and transforming, sometimes shielding from the scorching sun, sometimes bestowing life-saving rain... thereafter, my unit shall take the name 'Cloud,' hoping that Imperial Elder Brother Flame Emperor will be informed."

Xuanyuan established his faction's title and set forth a grand guiding principle.

"You've suffered." The Fire Master sighed royally, patted Xuanyuan's shoulder at the farewell banquet, and said, "You must go to that perilous place, lead your supporters, and oppose the Heavenly Court."

"Without the richest resources, lacking convenient support, and still having to face harsh circumstances, with the Heavenly Court's pursuit and extermination... can your Cloud Master endure?"

"Things depend on human effort; I believe it can be done." Xuanyuan's voice rang out strong and powerful, showing unparalleled confidence, "Moreover, this is also good."

"We divide our forces into two paths: one with the Fire Master as the regular troops, the other with the Cloud Master as the special forces; the two battlefronts advance together, supporting each other, enough to maximally avoid the Heavenly Court's Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation strike."

"The Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation!" the Flame Emperor lamented with regret, "I once thought this formation would disappear along with the All-Heaven Gods and Fiends Great Formation, but I never expected... it has actually reappeared now."

"Even if it is merely a counterfeit now, it still possesses full deterrent power, worthy of being called a strategic-level suppression."

"If we do not break this formation for a day, we cannot completely overcome the Heavenly Court for a day."

"Splitting into two parts for battle... this also counts as a safeguard."

The Flame Emperor shook his head helplessly.

"Exactly so." Xuanyuan nodded, "Earlier I gave the East Emperor a lesson, letting him know that even though the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation exists, it is not omnipotent; I can still come and go with ease... I think this will leave a deep impression on him for many years to come."

"I'll study it seriously later and see if I can also crack this Star Dipper Grand Formation..."

"Hahaha…… young man, with ambition! I think highly of you!" Yandi laughed, under the gaze of all, made an agreement with Xuanyuan, which is also an agreement with everyone, "One day, if anyone can break the constellations, enter the Heavenly Palace first, this achievement can be called unparalleled in the world, and should be made the supreme holy emperor of our human race; I will abdicate to let them have it."

"These words are not just to encourage you……" Yandi stopped Xuanyuan, who seemed about to say something, turned to all the clan leaders present, and said, "It is also to encourage you!"

"Yandi, Your Majesty!"

The kings were moved, bowing deeply, "How could it come to this!"

"My mind is made; you need say no more."

Yandi waved his sleeve, turning over this page of the chapter.

Thereafter, the Cloud Corps went forth, roaming the four directions, shifting unpredictably, coordinating with the Fire Corps holding the line, disrupting the pace of the Heavenly Court's reliance on the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array's carnage.

When Donghuang struck the Fire Corps, the Cloud Corps struck straight at the center; the two war chariots formed from innate supreme treasures collided, and even Taiyi would have a headache.

Yet if Donghuang went mad to encircle and annihilate the Cloud Corps…… on one hand, the Cloud Corps truly lived up to its name, gathering and dispersing like clouds, ever‑changing, constantly pulling, as if the Cloud Corps were everywhere yet nowhere the main force; on the other hand, the Fire Corps stood firm, advancing all the way, their blades piercing the Heavenly River, forcing the Heavenly Court to fall back.

In single combat, the declining Fire Corps and the nascent Cloud Corps were no match for the Heavenly Court's main force.

But once they coordinated, it was different; under complementary advantages, even if they could not win, they could nauseate the enemy.

"This situation is not bad."

The commander of the Nine Li—Chiyou—said to Yandi, "But this way, that fellow Xuanyuan ends up like a fish in water."

"Back then, Your Majesty Yandi, you should not have let him leave so easily……"

Chiyou said, shaking his head, "Even if we don't take his life, we ought to use some means to put him in shackles."

"Is that so?" Yandi gave him an interested look, "Then you tell me, what good methods do you have?"

Chiyou fell silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth, "Power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

"I observe that Xuanyuan is truly a rare military genius; letting him command troops is like letting a fish swim in water, and he becomes hard to check."

"To deal with such a commander, we should give him an exalted but hollow post, keep him at the center, and meanwhile scatter his officers, wearing down his morale."

"After a period of time, his ambitions and designs will naturally dissipate seven or eight tenths, and he can be used by our Fire Corps."

"You speak well." Yandi sighed lightly, then suddenly frowned, "Cough cough……"

He coughed lightly, blood froth seeping from the corner of his mouth; the wound from that battle years ago has never fully healed, and thus the Fire Corps up and down feels a hidden sense of wind and rain tossing about.

Chiyou watched, his eyes holding hidden worry.

"Alas, times change……" Yandi coughed, then spoke softly, "My situation here is not very good; forcibly suppressing Xuanyuan here, even while upholding righteousness, besides breeding his resentment, what positive effect could there be?"

"If I were at my peak, that Xuanyuan…… what would he amount to?"

"Our levels are roughly equal…… and my being one step ahead is enough to suppress him for a lifetime."

Yandi shook his head, "Moreover, to contend for power and profit, one must also look at the situation…… today the Heavenly Court is indeed a trouble."

"Once the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array appears, our human race must divide forces to check it, until we find a way to break this counterfeit array."

"Great Chiyou…… your opportunity has come."

Yandi patted Chiyou's shoulder, earnestly urging, "A complete Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array is naturally not something you can break."

"Don't say you…… even back then, that was using a hard‑to‑replicate miracle, Nüwa, Your Majesty, reconstructing Pangu's fleshly body, confronting it with absolute violence."

"A complete Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array is a perfect miracle."

"But today, a mere counterfeit……"

Yandi coughed, "You should go mobilize manpower to deduce the method of breaking the array."

"In this matter, Nüwa, Your Majesty's connections are your connections, all can be mobilized by you."

"This is the track on which you can be sure to win."

"How could Xuanyuan, this young man with shallow foundations, compare with you?"

"You must have confidence, to win openly and honorably, aboveboard and righteous."

Yandi spoke with a guilty conscience.

But Chiyou could not understand.

Moreover, he was still hot‑blooded, his fighting spirit overflowing.

"Your Majesty Yandi, you are right!"

"Xuanyuan suddenly rose to power, he only has that little family property; how could he compare with us!"

"Even in fair competition, he is not my match."

"I should not quarrel over petty gains…… it would only narrow my vision and bring in scheming airs."

Chiyou reflected, "Otherwise, when Nüwa, Your Majesty later reaps the victory, people will still blame her behind the back for winning by dishonorable means, a black heart."

"……"

Somehow, Yandi felt a twinge of guilt.

Yet he sensed someone advancing in the source of the human path, crimson light illuminating his surroundings, and he sighed inwardly.

"Let him go……"

Secretly shaking his head, his gaze deep, "Breaking the array should be done as soon as possible."

"We all know the key to this war; how could Taiyi not know?"

"The Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array is indeed the Demon Race's greatest threat, but he will certainly not place all his hopes on it."

"He will surely find ways to break the stalemate, shatter the current situation where our Fire Corps is the orthodox and the Cloud Corps the unexpected, and seize the high ground in the war between humanity and the Heavenly Court."

"I…… have already sensed the feeling of an approaching storm."

"Your Majesty, what do you mean……?" Chiyou started.

"A turbulent autumn……" Yandi's gaze shifted, looking toward the distant east, where on those mountains and rivers now a good show is being staged, many fighting fiercely.

Perhaps in terms of momentum, it cannot compare to the battlefield here of the Fire Corps.

But in terms of the complexity of the situation……

That, even as mighty as Nüwa, to this day she only knows half, unable to see the whole picture.

"The mischief over there in the Eastern Barbarians is no small matter..." Yandi took a deep breath, "I'm very worried; the Heavenly Court... will do something there."

"If the Eastern Barbarians collapse, the trouble for the human race... will become great!"

(End of chapter)