Chapter 940

Most importantly, the Sub-Saint rank does not require immediate bestowal like the Saint rank, to drive the development of the Primordial World.

Since there was no need to bestow them immediately, Ancestor Hongjun simply stored all Sub-Saint ranks away, keeping them secret.

Thus, the immortals and gods of the myriad heavens rarely knew that beneath the Saints lay the Sub-Saint rank.

As time passed, Ancestor Hongjun's control over the Dao of Heaven grew stronger, and the Sub-Saint ranks, no longer of great importance, naturally became his to dispose of at will.

Therefore, Ancestor Hongjun secretly bestowed all Sub-Saint ranks upon those he could fully control or who were utterly loyal to him, treating them as his hidden reserves.

Even among the Saints, few knew of this matter.

The Supreme Saint had faintly sensed something, yet could not be certain.

Now that Ancestor Hongjun had openly revealed this reserve, it confirmed the Supreme Saint's suspicions.

Such a force had been concealed, never disclosed to anyone—not even the Saints knew of it.

This reveals Ancestor Hongjun's depth of calculation.

With these dozen or so Sub-Saints stationed in the Primordial World, the Saints are no longer as crucial as once imagined.

A single Sub-Saint may not be a match for a Saint, but a dozen Sub-Saints together can easily rival several Saints.

In other words, merely these dozen Sub-Saints.

Ancestor Hongjun need not lift a finger to suppress several Saints.

They match the Saints in combat power yet are far more obedient.

Anyone would know how to choose.

This is why the Supreme Saint believes they may very well be stripped of their Saint ranks by Ancestor Hongjun.

Once Ancestor Hongjun fully masters the Dao of Heaven, he will never allow those unfaithful to him to hold the Saint rank.

These dozen Sub-Saint ranks, secretly accumulated, are the harbinger.

"The Supreme Ultimate arises from the Formless, the pivot of movement and stillness, the mother of Yin and Yang; Yin never leaves Yang, Yang never leaves Yin. Yin and Yang complement each other, ascending to the Divine…"

After withdrawing his gaze, the Supreme Saint did not continue observing the Saint Beasts Bai Hu and Zhu Que; instead, he closed his eyes and re-entered cultivation.

Waves of Daoic chants echoed through the Eight Scenery Palace; as the chants recited, the Supreme Saint's shadowy duplicates grew clearer, as if truly about to manifest several avatars.

······

Gai Jiuyou's Underworld.

"The time has come, Xing Tian. Prepare yourself. Lead your warriors to Xi Niu He Zhou at once to intercept the Saint Beasts Bai Hu and Zhu Que."

Upon seeing the Saint Beasts Bai Hu and Zhu Que, Pingxin Niangniang knew the moment had arrived.

Ancestor Hongjun's openly displayed cards have all been neutralized by Luo Fu; he must now deploy his reserves.

Since Ancestor Hongjun has activated his reserves, Luo Fu must also play his cards.

Ancestor Minghe and Pingxin Niangniang are the cards Luo Fu intends to play next.

More precisely, it should be Ancestor Minghe and the Wu Clan.

Pingxin Niangniang, this hidden card, has not yet come time to reveal.

Two Sub-Saints—Ancestor Minghe and Xing Tian—are more than sufficient.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

A surging battle aura rose from Xing Tian's body.

This torrent of battle aura was dozens of times denser than the one Sun Wukong had previously displayed.

Not just Xing Tian alone—behind him, over ten million Wu Clan warriors also unleashed their battle aura.

The Wu Clan are born warriors; having been trapped in the Six Realms of Reincarnation for so long, every Wu warrior had pent-up fury.

Now, finally, a chance to emerge again—even if the enemy might be powerful Sub-Saints—

Not a single Wu warrior felt fear; only an uncontrollable battle aura surged forth.

······

Huoyun Cave.

"The Five Directional Saint Beasts? I never expected Ancestor Hongjun had such reserves. I wonder how the Luofu Society will respond."

Watching the Saint Beasts Bai Hu and Zhu Que appear in Xi Niu He Zhou, Emperor Huang of the Human Clan flickered with concern.

Emperor Huang of the Human Clan had always doubted whether Luo Fu could stand against Ancestor Hongjun.

Ancestor Hongjun had loomed over the Primordial World's beings for too long.

Even Emperor Huang of the Human Clan harbored fear toward Ancestor Hongjun.

Had Luo Fu not displayed astonishing methods and carried the ancestral blood of the Human Clan, Emperor Huang would never have believed Luo Fu could oppose Ancestor Hongjun.

"The Five Directional Saint Beasts? It's likely more than that—if they've appeared, the Twelve Celestial Branches must already be standing by."