Chapter 216: with translation of chapter title

You are indeed quite abstract.

However, your abstraction is merely a stratagem, for although you only asked Jin Bing for an 'Xuandu Reincarnation' identity, both sides know that you, a Golden Immortal, are a big boss wherever you stand!

On the surface you joined this pirated team with the identity of 'Xuandu Reincarnation', but in fact you indirectly controlled them; in the wilderness where strength reigns supreme, although Jin Bing is nominally your lord, from the moment you joined them with a legitimate identity he has already become your puppet.

You do this, of course, to seize this Sea of Blood foundation: countless True Immortals, Heavenly Immortals numbering in the millions, Mystic Immortals numbering in the hundred thousands… such a piece of fat meat, since you have fortunately encountered it, you certainly won't let it go.

Once you control this force, adding your Heavenly Court, the two united, not to mention occupying all five realms of the wilderness, at least effectively controlling the Xihuang territory is basically no problem!

This is one of your schemes; after all, you still want to do something within your power for the people struggling on this desperate land of the wilderness…

Furthermore, it is to use them to explore the secret of the River of the Nether; you believe that since the River of the Nether created them, there must be a reason, they themselves represent the River of the Nether's thoughts back then, preserving them may someday allow you to discern the mystery of the myth's demise!

In short, you are sure to profit without loss!

……

After you two agreed on the terms, Jin Bing began to act; he first summoned Xuandu, ordering him to hide his name and abandon this identity from then on.

Although Xuandu was bewildered, he still obeyed the order… and regarding giving up his identity, Xuandu not only felt no sorrow, but felt relieved: after all these years, even if everyone didn't know the truth at first, by now they basically know it in their hearts.

They are not the person from the myth, but counterfeit goods fabricated by someone; the so-called magnificent life is merely a fabricated false life…

The more illustrious the mythic identity, the more they feel uneasy in their hearts, for they think they are unworthy of it!

Take Di Jun as an example; many of them have considered ending this false, ridiculous life by suicide.

And some, though not so extreme, also want to discard the name and past that do not belong to them, and instead begin a truly their own life with a fresh identity!

Only Jin Bing is an oddity; although he also feels unworthy of this name, he does not think of life or death, but truly accepts this identity and intends to, like the real Jin Bing, become a savior who saves all spirits of the wilderness!

Now the wilderness is at the end of an era, people struggling in dire straits; each time Jin Bing sees this, he seems able to enter the heart of that Golden Heaven Emperor: his ideals, his greatness, his pursuits… he can feel them all.

Precisely for this reason he created the present Sea of Blood spirit stone market civilization, cultivating countless immortals, attempting to become the main body sun that brings light and hope to the wilderness!

But the ideal is plump, the reality is bony; his ideal full of heroic ambition encountered setbacks from the first step… because he lacks the political ability of the Golden Heaven Emperor.

He can't even govern his subordinates, only able to stubbornly use the Blood God Son to brainwash…

Di Jun wanted to commit suicide, Jin Bing firmly forbade it, Xuandu wanted to give up his name, Jin Bing also forbade… thus a barely viable large regime was established and continued, hobbling along.

And now that you have taken over Xuandu's identity, it actually lightens his heart; at least he can start a new life without psychological burden…

Thus, regarding your impostor identity operation, others are envious and jealous: 'Damn it, how is my identity any worse than Xuandu's? Why don't you want mine!'

In short, amidst a variety of thoughts, you openly became everyone's recognized 'Xuandu Reincarnation'.

……

Since you have received formal investiture, you no longer pretend, directly seizing the many markets of the Sea of Blood!

You took the Blood God Son from Jin Bing's hand; after a simple refinement, this Blood God Son became yours, thus you also seized Jin Bing's control over his subordinates.

But even so, you did not directly depose Jin Bing, instead continuing to maintain his nominal position as 'Heavenly Emperor'…

You suddenly became a usurping minister; Jin Bing has become your puppet Heavenly Emperor, while you, as 'Xuandu', have actually taken his place!

Regarding this arrangement, Jin Bing is somewhat regretful but says nothing more, for this was originally the price of pulling you into the fold; as an outsider big boss, joining meant seizing power, which does not depend on his will.

And if he refused to let you join… he would not dare refuse; given your absolute strength advantage, being able to give him some face is already a stroke of luck among luck…

Moreover, besides seizing power, you have not done anything heaven-defying; he can see that your addition to the Sea of Blood forces is only beneficial, with no harm.

At the cost of one person losing power, to benefit myriad people… Jin Bing silently thought: even if it were the true Golden Heaven Emperor, he would surely not refuse.

"As long as everything proceeds on the correct path, then all is good…"

He sighed once, adjusting his puppet position.

……

Only after successfully taking the Sea of Blood did you know how fat this piece of meat is: Mystic Immortals numbering in the hundred thousands, Heavenly Immortals numbering in the millions, True Immortals beyond count!

This is the result of occupying this treasure land of the Sea of Blood; under nearly limitless spirit stone resources, this place has actually revived the scenery of ancient myth; were it not for the Golden Immortal heavenly tribulation constantly pressing on everyone's head, one would estimate that Golden Immortals would not be few here, and Taiyi and Daluo might also be present…

This is utterly an imperial foundation!

You even dare say that in the wilderness between heaven and earth, absolutely no force could reach such strength, for this place is a 'miracle land' jointly created by resources and policy; they not only have spirit stone resources, but also the effect of Jin Bing's commands.

To cultivate sufficient manpower, Jin Bing has always strictly ordered: no one is allowed to go to Zhongzhou to pursue the so-called 'Immortal Realm'!

Regarding this, you curiously asked Jin Bing: 'Why not allow going to the Immortal Realm? Do you also know the Immortal Realm is a pit?'

Jin Bing scratched his head: 'I don't know, I've never gone in, but over the years those who pursued the Immortal Realm have never returned; even thinking with your butt you know there's a problem…'

"Moreover, the reason immortals pursue the Immortal Realm is essentially to pursue limitless spiritual energy and resources… and the Sea of Blood just happens to have them!"

Jin Bing's answer surprised you, but upon reflection it makes sense: sitting on such a huge 'treasure basin', the spirit stones under the sea cannot be exhausted; merely gnawing on spirit stones can produce this many Mystic Immortals, so why risk pursuing an Immortal Realm that surely has problems?

After understanding this principle, you couldn't help but exclaim: 'A lucky hit!'

Old-timers all know the Immortal Realm has problems, but what exactly the problem is, outsiders can't say, and those who went in can't explain… coupled with the yearning for limitless resources, people of other realms, even if they have doubts about the Immortal Realm, mostly cannot resist hope and choose to try their luck.

Only the Sea of Blood family, because it was originally overly wealthy, allowed Jin Bing to enforce the 'travel restriction order', keeping everyone on this land in the Xihuang Sea of Blood, thereby resulting in such a rich foundation…

"So, what will you do next?"

Jin Bing looked at you with a complex expression, wanting to know your plans after seizing the Sea of Blood; although he cannot stop whatever you want to do, he hopes you will bring this Sea of Blood family into a bright future.

You thought it over and solemnly said: 'I will prohibit spirit stone mining!'

Jin Bing: ……

Jin Bing was dumbfounded at that moment: 'No…… what do you mean by coming up and cutting the root?!'

"Spirit stones are the foundation of the Sea of Blood's development; if abruptly cut off, disaster may ensue!"

Jin Bing, frightened, hurriedly urged: 'You may indulge your desires however you like, but why cut this lifeline?'

Without spirit stones, how can we resist the degenerate age!

You calmly replied: 'It's simple; everyone just stops cultivating immortality.'

Jin Bing: ……

You…… are a bit extreme.

"I not only want to prohibit spirit stone mining, but also forbid mortals from cultivating immortality, eradicating at the root the sinful behavior of people eating people!"

Jin Bing: ……

You are too extreme!

Facing your righteous and stern words, Jin Bing earnestly advised: I know you despise cannibalism, I despise it too! But the Immortal Way must be passed down; now is the Age of Dharma Decline, lacking the spiritual qi of heaven and earth, if one wishes to cultivate immortality, they can only retreat a step.

"Compared to the chaos elsewhere in the Four Wastelands, at least we still have order… Moreover, those souls turned into spirit stones are all people who died in various places of the Primeval Wasteland; their deaths have nothing to do with us, and anyway there is no reincarnation now, piling them up forever cannot bring them back to life!"

"Rather than letting them lie there in a dazed heap, wouldn't it be better for us to make use of them? Why not?"

Jin Bing tried to argue the reasonableness of this to you, but your expression never changed… He finally grew anxious: 'Even if the true Golden Heaven Emperor came, he would do the same!'

Speaking of the Golden Heaven Emperor, his eyes seemed to blaze with fire; to him, the Golden Heaven Emperor was a righteous sun worth following, already a holy symbol!

In his view, faced with the title of the Golden Heaven Emperor, you would surely be moved and heed advice!

However……

"What the Golden Heaven Emperor does is none of my business!"

In his dullness, you furrowed your brows: I am I, he is he; even if he came in person to advise me, why should I listen to him?

"I have my convictions; even the Golden Heaven Emperor cannot stop me!"

You bluntly rebuked this nominal 'Heavenly Emperor': 'I am certainly not Jin Bing's little fan; what right does he have to sway my will?'

Not to mention Jin Bing, even the Three Pure Ones, the Two Sages, Nüwa, or even the Dao Ancestor in person—if they dare advise me to continue tolerating cannibalism, I will destroy them all!

"Right now, immediately, issue an edict banning the mining of spirit stones and forbidding mortals from cultivating immortality!"

Since this puppet dares to pressure you with power, you might as well give it a taste of its own medicine… You immediately produced a blank edict and solemnly ordered the Heavenly Emperor to write it.

Arrogant, to this point!

Jin Bing wore a look of grief and indignation, but could only write the edict as ordered……

When this edict was sent out to all places, every market erupted in an uproar!

A surge strong enough to stir the Sea of Blood began to churn!

……

(End of chapter)