Chapter 438: Scheming

"Mysterious Lady Ancient God?"

The Ancient God Statue before his eyes was, shockingly, the Mysterious Lady Ancient God.

The appearance of this statue was somewhat similar to the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Lin Chao had some understanding of the Ancient God known as the Mysterious Lady.

It was rumored that this Ancient God was the handmaiden of the Father God, having served by the Father God's side for a long time.

She also represented some of the Father God's will.

The Ancient God Mysterious Lady was very special and held a high reputation among the common people.

Because whenever great disasters or chaos occurred, the Mysterious Lady Ancient God would manifest an avatar, descend into the human world, and help those of high virtue and prestige to defeat evil and sweep away the chaos.

Seeing this, Lin Chao did not know what to feel in his heart.

Perhaps the inheritance obtained by the Lord of the Heavenly Court originated from the Mysterious Lady Ancient God.

Looking at the Mysterious Lady Ancient God Statue, Lin Chao saw the shadow of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, and he remembered that woman he had only met in passing.

Her story was also very fascinating.

Perhaps there were still a thousand words she could pour out regarding her affairs with the Ancient Tang Divine Emperor, yet she could find no one to confide in.

Lin Chao waved his hand, and the Mysterious Lady statue shattered instantly, turning into the most ordinary of materials.

Half an hour later, Lin Chao looked at the woman before him, a flash of brilliance in his eyes.

"You are... Forty-Nine."

He had not expected that he would actually create a puppet with Strong Divine Power.

Although his technique for crafting puppets had been constantly improving, making a puppet with Strong Divine Power was merely a coincidence.

Moreover, this puppet was not an Ordinary Strong Divine Power.

"Thank you, Master, for the name." Forty-Nine stood up, her face carrying a mischievous smile, looking exceptionally lively; this kind of personality easily inspired others.

For some reason, Lin Chao saw the charm of the Lord of the Heavenly Court in her.

Lin Chao was dazed for a moment.

"Am I now imitating the Father God, creating Ancient Gods?"

Lin Chao chuckled softly.

Of course, he also knew that he was currently no match for the Father God.

What he had created was merely a puppet.

And in terms of strength, it was far weaker than an Ancient God.

In Mythical legends, the Mysterious Lady Ancient God was a Master.

"Daddy, Forty-Nine is so pretty." Beside him, Xiao Bing looked at Forty-Nine with a smile on her face.

"Later, when you grow up, you will also be this pretty." Lin Chao froze after saying this.

Xiao Bing's existence had perhaps already exceeded a thousand years.

Having not grown up for so many years, how could she grow up so easily?

Perhaps she would never grow up.

A touch of pity welled up in Lin Chao's heart.

Lin Chao did not arrange for Forty-Nine to leave, but kept her by his side.

With a deity of Strong Divine Power at his side—a deity who might even have some connection to the Lord of the Heavenly Court—he would have more certainty in taking down the Heavenly Court.

Half a month later, Lin Chao left the new Ancient God Temple; he had crafted many more puppets, yet the only one with Strong Divine Power remained Forty-Nine.

Returning to the Heavenly Court, Lin Chao went back to the Shen Fu to cultivate.

This Shen Fu was the residence of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, clean and simple, with not many things inside.

For so many years, the Lord of the Heavenly Court had lived in seclusion, rarely appearing before the various Elders of the Heavenly Court.

However, Lin Chao had mentioned some time ago that Elder Blue Fire was a traitor who had colluded with the Western Evil God.

The Fire he had set was already spreading within the Temple.

He could not be like the previous Lord of the Heavenly Court, staying out of affairs and remaining aloof; he needed to enter the game.

He was not afraid of cultivation.

The only shortcoming was that his strength was a bit weak.

"I wonder when I will be able to be invincible in this world and reach the supreme realm.

When that time comes, I will be able to rely on my limit-breaking talent to leave this place."

Lin Chao sighed with emotion.

He naturally wanted to leave this world.

The Main World was vast beyond compare, and there were people he wanted to see.

He needed to reach a higher realm to fulfill his own wish.

Although this world was also full of wonders, to him, it was always a Prison Cage.

"Daddy!"

"Don't leave me!"

"Don't abandon me!"

Xiao Bing, in her sleep, spoke in her dreams; cold sweat broke out on her forehead, as if she were having nightmares.

Her tone was urgent, filled with pleading, and sounded like she was crying.

Lin Chao looked at Xiao Bing, his gaze complex.

He reached out his hand, and Xiao Bing's tiny hand grasped his finger; only then did she settle down and stop talking in her sleep.

Lin Chao looked at Xiao Bing and said slowly in his heart: I'm sorry.

Before even parting, the sense of parting was already there.

In this world, he deliberately distanced himself from everyone else, just to avoid leaving behind too many attachments.

As it turned out, it was like this again.

……

Within the Heavenly Court, undercurrents were surging, and the atmosphere was gradually becoming Ghost-like.

Inside a cave dwelling, three people were gathering.

The leader among them was none other than Red Flower Elder.

At this moment, her face still bore signs of anger.

"Everyone, state your own views."

Some time ago, the Lord of the Heavenly Court revealed her stance, stirring up a wave of ripples within the Heavenly Court.

Previously neutral Heavenly Court Elders were gradually leaning toward the War Faction.

The Elders of their Peace Faction were also feeling unstable, and many were even secretly increasing their connections with the War Faction.

This was extremely disadvantageous for Red Flower Elder and the others.

"If this were several thousand years ago, our Heavenly Court could still contend with the Pantheon.

But today, the Pantheon's prestige is at its peak.

For our Heavenly Court to oppose the Pantheon is no different from throwing an egg against a rock.

If a conflict arises, I fear our Heavenly Court will be destroyed in an instant.

This old man is not one to cherish his own life; I am willing to fight for the Heavenly Court, to fight for Gu Tang, until I die in battle.

I just do not wish to die without value, nor do I wish for the Heavenly Court to be buried by our own hands."

The old man spoke with deep emotion and sincerity.

The three people present all agreed.

"Jiu Elder is the one who truly thinks for the Heavenly Court, considering the future of the Heavenly Court."

Red Flower Elder said hypocritically.

"The Lord of the Temple... isn't it just that she was defeated by the Light Master several thousand years ago and her disciple was Slayed by the Light Master, so she has been harboring a grudge ever since?

She is disregarding the interests of the Heavenly Court for the sake of a personal grievance; it is truly detestable."

Within Red Flower Elder, something called ambition was spreading.

"Red Flower Elder, be careful with your words; this is the Heavenly Court."

"With the methods of the Lord of the Temple, our words..." The remaining Elder looked cautious, as if very afraid of the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Red Flower Elder sneered: "Do you think the Lord of the Heavenly Court is still the same Lord of the Heavenly Court as before?

Back then, in her battle with the Light Master, her injuries have still not healed to this day."

"What?"

The other two Elders were shocked upon hearing this.

They knew that the Lord of the Temple was at the Sovereign Realm.

Having been defeated by the Light Master several thousand years ago, after so much time, she should have recovered long ago.

"I have my own channels for this information; it is absolutely true." Red Flower Elder wore a satisfied smile on her face. "The current Lord of the Heavenly Court has long since fallen from the Sovereign Realm, and even... she cannot even defeat me."

The two Elders were even more terrified and bewildered upon hearing this news.

That the Lord of the Heavenly Court had actually fallen to this extent was beyond everyone's expectations.

"For the sake of a personal vendetta and petty sentiment, she abandons the Heavenly Court.

How can she sit in the position of the Lord of the Heavenly Court?" Red Flower Elder continued.

The two Elders beside her both saw ambition in Red Flower Elder's eyes.

"Red Flower Elder... what do you suggest we do?" Jiu Elder could not help but ask.

He knew that Red Flower Elder inviting them this time was not simple.

A smile appeared in Red Flower Elder's eyes: "Naturally, to replace her!"

The other two Elders showed expressions of horror.

That was the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Even if her realm had fallen, her combat power was still comparable to a deity with Strong Divine Power.

But the Lord of the Temple's prestige in the Heavenly Court was too great; how could they possibly defeat her?

Not to mention the Lord of the Temple, even the War Faction alone would be difficult for them to deal with.

"I didn't say we had to deal with the War Faction; we... only need to deal with the Lord of the Temple, seize her Divine Order, and why shouldn't I be able to be the Lord of the Temple?"

"Elder, the Lord of the Temple is the Lord of the Temple after all. Even if the three of us join forces to take her down, I fear it will attract the attention of the other Elders in the Heavenly Court," Jiu Elder said anxiously.

Never mind taking action against the Lord of the Heavenly Court within the Heavenly Court; even taking action against an Ordinary Elder would cause the aftermath of the battle to attract the attention of other Elders.

In that case, the conflict would intensify, and they would likely suffer heavy losses.

"I have a helper.

He has a method that can instantly turn the Lord of the Heavenly Court into ashes."

"What?" The two Elders said this word again in shock.

What method could turn a powerhouse who was once at the Sovereign level into ashes?

"What method?" Jiu Elder asked hurriedly.

"I do not know either," Red Flower Elder shook her head.

Such a secret, how could the other party tell her?

However, the other party had already promised that after the Lord of the Heavenly Court was executed, she would be the new Lord of the Heavenly Court, and Red Flower Elder was very tempted by this.

The Four Great Sovereigns have been silent for thousands of years, and finally, they are beginning to bare their fangs.

……

"A gathering at Yunshang Xiao Zhu?"

A layer of mist drifted around Lin Chao's body as he looked at the invitation before him, his expression indifferent.

This invitation was issued by Red Flower Elder, inviting him to go to Red Flower Elder's dojo for a brief chat.

It mentioned that Red Flower Elder wished to offer an apology to the Lord of the Heavenly Court regarding the matter of Blue Fire Elder.

On the surface, because Lin Chao had revealed the stance of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, Red Flower Elder and the other members of the Peace Faction were afraid, and thus were begging for mercy.

But Lin Chao knew that nothing was as simple as it appeared on the surface.

The affairs of the world have karmic connections and internal links, but accidents also exist.

"Regardless, I must attend this appointment."

Lin Chao had confidence; even if he encountered an Ordinary Sovereign, he could run away if he could not win.

Moreover, he had forty-nine guards by his side, plus other puppets, so he would not encounter any major problems at Yunshang Xiao Zhu.

After all, this was the Heavenly Court, where many Elders resided.

The sun was high in the sky, and the entire Heavenly Court was bathed in sunlight; looking up from below, the entire Heavenly Court seemed to be plated with a gold rim.

Yunshang Xiao Zhu was wreathed in mist, with cranes foraging by the lakeside, standing elegantly.

Lin Chao's figure also appeared in the field of vision of the three Elders.

"Greetings, Divine Master."

Seeing Lin Chao, the three Elders still displayed respectful expressions.

Especially Jiu Elder and the other one, who were as they had always been.

However, Red Flower Elder's tone held a rather inexplicable meaning.

Lin Chao stood casually to one side: "What is the matter?"

Mist accompanied him, making it impossible for people to see his face clearly or know his expression.

"Divine Master, the gods of the West are aggressive.

The Four Great Sovereigns even harbor the delusion of ruling over all gods.

Facing the Four Great Sovereigns, does the Divine Master have a countermeasure?" Red Flower Elder asked directly, feeling rather impatient.

One question, and it was already a thorny issue.

Hearing this, Lin Chao's voice remained devoid of emotional color as always: "Naturally, it is to stop war with war."

The right to speak in this world is held only in the hands of the strong.

So-called laws and morality are, at times, nothing more than tools.

Especially in such a world enslaved by gods.

Gods and humans are, furthermore, two different species.

"With the power of the Heavenly Court, how can we resist the Pantheon?

Once the four Sovereigns of the Pantheon make a move, who among us can resist them?"

Red Flower Elder raised her head, looking at Lin Chao, wanting to discern Lin Chao's reaction.

Unfortunately, separated by mist, she could not see Lin Chao's expression at all.

"Does that mean we should not fight?

And become servants of the Pantheon?" Lin Chao chuckled.

"Divine Master, this move will drag the Heavenly Court into an abyss of no return; I ask the Divine Master to think thrice!" Jiu Elder also spoke up at this moment, quite appropriately.

"Is this what you all think?"

"Divine Master, the ten-thousand-year foundation of the Heavenly Court cannot be destroyed in our hands!" Red Flower Elder spoke, her face solemn. "If the Divine Master insists on acting arbitrarily and leads the Heavenly Court to its doom,

I, Red Flower... will have no choice but to commit an act of disloyalty and force the Divine Master to abdicate!"

Without any communication at all, Red Flower directly forced the palace.

After all, when one has absolute certainty, why bother with so much communication?

She had craved that position for too long.

"Interesting." Lin Chao chuckled. "I am quite curious, who gave you the courage to speak to me like this?

Or is it that... you have prepared a backup plan, capable of eliminating me silently?"

Lin Chao remained very calm, not even showing any panic.

"As expected of the Lord of the Heavenly Court; in this situation, you can still remain fearless in the face of danger."

Just then, a robust voice came, and a man wearing blue and white robes appeared here.

Looking at this man, Lin Chao was slightly surprised.

This blue and white robed man was none other than... the God of the Sky.

Although he had never seen the God of the Sky, the Divine Power on his body was very easy to identify.

"Your trump card is him?

Could it be that the Light Sovereign has come here?"

"To deal with you, why would a Sovereign need to come in person!" the God of the Sky said with a haughty voice.

He had not truly seen the Light Sovereign for thousands of years.

His arrival at the Heavenly Court now was due to a voice transmission from the Light Sovereign ten years ago, instructing him to do some things.

After falling from the God Kingdom, he had come here.

"Oh?" Many thoughts flashed through Lin Chao's mind.

He was pondering what exactly these people's confidence was based on.

"The Master has entrusted me with an item that can make you vanish into thin air in an instant!"

The God of the Sky is extremely fanatical toward the Master of Light.

After all, he was only able to achieve Strong Divine Power because of the divine office bestowed upon him by the Master of Light.

It can be said that everything he has was bestowed by the Master of Light.

He strode forward, holding an object in his hand covered by a piece of black cloth.

"Lord of the Heavenly Court, this thing... do you recognize it?"

The black cloth dissipated, and a ray of blinding radiance lit up in Yunshang Xiao Zhu.

Beneath the black cloth, there was nothing else, merely a wisp of Divine Power.

However, it was not the Divine Power of an ordinary god; it was unmistakably the Divine Power of the Master of Light.

Lin Chao instantly understood the Master of Light's intention.

Within the body of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, there was a split consciousness of the Master of Light.

The Master of Light was occupied by other matters and could not attend to that wisp of consciousness in the Heavenly Court.

Although that wisp of consciousness held the upper hand, the Master of Light understood that it could not truly erase the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Therefore, he had ordered the God of the Sky in advance to carry his Divine Power to find the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Once this wisp of Divine Power entered the body of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, something terrifying would happen.

The principle behind this was the same as what Lin Chao had seen when the Lord of the Heavenly Court passed away some time ago.

However, that was the Lord of the Heavenly Court actively triggering it to perish together with that wisp of the Master of Light's consciousness.

Now, the God of the Sky had brought that wisp of consciousness, prepared to let the Master of Light's wisp of consciousness trigger it actively, with the goal also being to perish together.

The Lord of the Heavenly Court could not resist such a method at all.

(End of this chapter)