Chapter 74: Di Jun: Even If the Whole Board Is Lost

Accompanied by Di Tian leading the gods of the Star Court, they stepped into the the Zixiao Palace.

The numerous surrounding primal divine beings and the mightiest of all races only then dared to set foot inside.

"Brother, are you alright?"

After Tan Lang left, Taiyi immediately went to Di Jun's side, his eyes filled with worry as he asked about his condition.

"I'm fine, no serious injury."

"It's only a few minor skin injuries."

Di Jun was terrifyingly calm at that moment.

Whether in emotion, expression, or tone,

he seemed like one who cultivates the merciless Great Dao.

Though there was no discernible ripple, it gave off a chilling feeling!

"The previous round we lost."

"You shouldn't have hesitated."

Hearing this, a sudden doubt flashed in Taiyi's eyes.

He immediately responded to Di Jun in his heart.

"Brother, if I were to agree outright, wouldn't I be playing right into their hands, admitting that everything from the start was fabricated?"

"Do you truly think that everything we possess"

"is solely the result of our own destiny?"

Di Jun's gaze, cold and indifferent, fixed on the the Zixiao Palace ahead.

He spoke the truth that sent a shiver through Taiyi.

"We are merely a pawn in someone's hand."

"The slanders against the Star Court, the defections, even the recent root‑foot metamorphosis, were all under someone's influence."

"They are far from our genuine thoughts."

"Just like earlier."

"You know full well the accusations against the Star Court are false."

"As long as one dares to swear, they will not receive Heaven and Earth's assent and may even suffer backlash."

"But back then we dared to proclaim to Heaven and Earth."

"Without the slightest fear of Heaven and Earth's retaliation."

【8】 "Don't you think there's a problem here?"

"Don't you think there's a problem in this?"

"Especially after proclaiming to Heaven and Earth, we not only avoided any backlash, but also received the Heavenly Dao's approval."

"These circumstances undeniably indicate that"

"we are merely a pawn for others to manipulate!"

Di Jun's words echoed continuously in Taiyi's mind.

Allowing him to gradually come to his senses.

Recalling the many inconsistencies in his past actions and words,

he froze on the spot.

The panic that could not be put into words instantly filled his heart and eyes.

When Tan Lang had just forced him earlier,

he didn't even dare to swear to Heaven, fearing retaliation.

The numerous surrounding primal divine beings and the mightiest of all races uncovered his flaw, ruining the hard‑won reputation of the Heavenly Court.

When the Heavenly Court was first established,

they knew the Star Court was powerful, a force they could not provoke!

They also knew that reckless oaths could invite Heaven and Earth's backlash!

Yet they seemed possessed, showing no fear at all!

If there were no problem within that,

how could they dare to do it?!

"Bro—Brother, what should we do?"

"Should we continue to pretend ignorance, or abandon everything, retreat into seclusion for cultivation, and ignore the outside world?"

In response to Taiyi's question, Di Jun gave no answer.

Instead, he posed a very simple question back.

"If among your soldiers there were strikers,"

"would you choose to make an example of them or let it run its course."

For this simple question, Taiyi immediately blurted out without hesitation.

"Of course, kill the chicken…"

But the moment he opened his mouth, he was instantly stunned on the spot, realizing what Di Jun had implied.

"Taiyi, think more carefully when faced with matters in the future."

"Brother, even now I am bound by circumstances."

"It is impossible to be as all‑encompassing as before, taking care of you in every way."

After a moment of silence, Taiyi's expression tightened slightly as he nodded in response to Di Jun.

"Brother, I understand."

"Only from now on, we must follow someone's plan, step by step toward death."

"Or perhaps after being fully exploited, they'll be casually discarded?"

"Cultivate properly; don't overthink."

Di Jun, his eyes deep, lightly patted Taiyi's shoulder.

He left his final admonition in his heart, along with the answer for the future.

"When the player engages, the pieces follow."

"The board rotates, black and white swap."

"Heavenly extension forty‑nine, escape one."

"Speak cautiously, act prudently, and wait quietly for the chance."

"Even if the whole board is lost, I will still defeat the Heavenly Half‑Son!!"

Having said that, Di Jun said no more.

The cold on his face faded, and a wild ambition suddenly ignited in his eyes.

His posture seemed three degrees more upright than before.

The imperial way's majesty was no longer hollow.

At last he possessed the kingly aura that a Lord of Ten Thousand Races, a Heavenly Court emperor, should have!

It seemed as if he were the one holding the pieces, the master of the game.

He lifted his head and chest and stepped into the the Zixiao Palace.

Seeing this scene, Taiyi's lingering resentment instantly turned into boundless momentum.

His eyes proudly returned, trailing closely behind Di Jun, moving with dragon‑like stride and tiger‑like steps, he entered the the Zixiao Palace!

Kun Peng gazed at the silhouettes of Di Jun and Taiyi.

Though he didn't know what exactly had happened.

But he inexplicably felt on both of them.

A certain unknown transformation must have occurred.

"Is the mud loach finally about to become a dragon?"

"It's just that Di Tian, this true dragon, dominates the world."

"You truly can complete the final metamorphosis."

"And then lead the Demon Race to the pinnacle of heaven and earth?"

Amid the tangled thoughts in his mind.

Kun Peng also didn't know the reason.

He actually began to think that Di Jun and the other could truly lead the Heavenly Court and overthrow the Star Court's rule.

The idea of letting the Demon Race stand on the pinnacle of heaven and earth, govern the four seas and eight wildernesses, and hold dominion over all beings…

"I think I'm going mad."

"To think I dare imagine anything."

While mocking himself.

Kun Peng immediately awakened Bai Ze and the others, stepping into the the Zixiao Palace.

However, a dream is called a dream only because

isn't it because it might be attainable?

Di Jun and Taiyi both underwent transformation.

There is a possibility of a mud loach becoming a dragon.

Why doesn't he try it out?

If, by any chance, it is achieved.

The gains harvested would not be a mere speck.

As for what happens if it fails?

At worst, just death.

A pitiful, spineless life forever.

Better to live once in dazzling brilliance!

When Di Jun, Taiyi, and Kun Peng's wills quietly changed in their hearts……

Di Tian also led the Star Court deities to his own seat.

Luo Hou, upon seeing Hongjun after they entered,

kept glancing at himself with peripheral vision.

He immediately smiled lightly, approached him, bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

"I've long admired the Great Dao Ancestor's name."

"The Seven Killings' transformation is still early; if I have offended, please be generous in forgiveness."

A similar bearing, a familiar smile.

Though the words were fine, there was always a bizarre, yin‑yang vibe.

These traits gathered together.

Causing Hongjun's heart to be filled with cold once more.

All that he saw and heard indicated that Seven Killings was very likely Luo Hou.

But why could no question, even the slightest clue related to Luo Hou, be deduced?

While unease and panic continuously grew in his heart.

On the surface, Hongjun showed no sign of abnormality.

He instead nodded very kindly in response.

"Little friend, you are so polite."

"I, a humble Daoist, naturally would not blame you for such trivial matters."

"Moreover, you are a subordinate of Diti's Dao companion."

"Even if you are extremely rude, you should still have Diti's Dao companion to teach you."

"If I were to strike first, it would be considered overstepping."

(End of chapter.)