Chapter 409: Calculating the Western Heaven War Emperor

Regarding the development of the four factions, Chu Yang was slightly surprised, yet it was within reason.

Since he had Tang Huo'er release the news, when everyone acted freely, trusting him, there would naturally be no hint of hesitation.

But this is also fine; it seems the Cloud Mist Sect and the Great Summer Empire will become the first link where his plan shows results! To achieve the maximal effect he envisions, relying only on those two is insufficient; the four factions must advance together.

Yet Chu Yang is not worried, because compared with the Great Summer Empire and the Cloud Mist Sect, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and the Hundred Flowers Pavilion have their own unique advantages.

The former consists entirely of Spiritual Array masters, and that alone is enough for many top beings to take notice of them.

The master and junior master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, namely Yun Yun and Na Lan Yanran, cultivate at a speed that defies heaven; no one would doubt they possess a precious treasure, only that this master‑disciple pair are prodigies.

Thus, compared with the powerful rise of the Cloud Mist Sect and the Great Summer Empire, the "track" of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is more like a sword taking an off‑center path.

Therefore, although these two factions are only the weaker among the super powers, they still attract much attention.

…………

Western Heaven Continent, Western Heaven War City.

This is the undisputed Holy City of the Western Heaven Continent; the region is teeming with factions, the strong are as numerous as clouds, but in the Western Heaven War City, any person must obediently tuck their tail.

The reputation of the Emperor of Hundred Battles reverberates across the western region of the Great Thousand Realm with tremendous deterrence.

After arriving at the Western Heaven War City, Chu Yang did not go to see the Western Heaven War Emperor; instead, he first sought out Yaofeng.

Yaofeng was naturally overjoyed at his arrival.

Chu Yang had once bestowed a rebirth upon him, and Yaofeng has long regarded Chu Yang as his master; in Yaofeng's heart, even the Empress's status pales in comparison to Chu Yang.

In the courtyard of a mansion, Chu Yang sat in a pavilion while Yaofeng stood beside him with utmost respect.

Seeing his demeanor, Chu Yang shook his head and laughed, "No need to be so formal, sit down first!"

Yaofeng obstinately shook his head, "The grace of Emperor Chu surpasses heaven; I dare not forget it. How could I sit at the same table with you?"

Chu Yang gave him a glance and said nothing more.

The reason he originally favored Yaofeng was that the man possessed a clever mind, adept at gauging the times.

But now it seems Yaofeng's multifaceted cleverness only manifests when dealing with others.

When confronting him, this fellow is forever obtuse, even worthy of being called foolishly loyal.

Nevertheless, this works in Chu Yang's favor, allowing him to entrust many matters to Yaofeng with confidence.

"This visit is twofold: first, to see how far you've grown; second, to assign some tasks…"

Hearing Chu Yang's words, Yaofeng promptly replied, "I will not disappoint Emperor Chu's great expectations; now I am but one step away from the Ten Million Pattern War Array Master realm!"

"In as short as a month, at most half a year, I will break through!"

Chu Yang nodded; Yaofeng's rapid growth naturally stems from the inheritance he received from the Western Heaven War Emperor and the special training on the Qi‑clashing Continent.

"If you reach the Ten Million Pattern Realm and combine it with the Nether Military's foundation, how much power could be unleashed?" Chu Yang asked softly.

Yaofeng pondered briefly, then said loudly, "Below Immortal Product, opponents are hard to find!"

"Not bad…" Chu Yang smiled with satisfaction.

Although becoming a War Array Master is a shortcut to strength, reaching the pinnacle and matching top cultivators still demands considerable effort.

Even though Chu Yang has already paved the way for Yaofeng, another person might not achieve the same level.

At best, even a newly minted Thousand Pattern War Array Master who commands the Nether Military would find reaching an almost invincible level below Immortal Product as hard as scaling the heavens.

A War Array Master's strength requires a combination of several aspects.

First is the understanding of the War Array Dao and the invocation of War Patterns.

Second is the overall strength of the army and its cohesion.

Third is the tacit understanding between the War Array Master and the troops.

And the most crucial point…

If an army cannot unconditionally trust its commander, cannot entrust its lives, then no matter how harmonious, a gap will inevitably remain.

Clearly, Yaofeng has covered every angle, and in each aspect, he is flawless.

Even Chu Yang felt a bit surprised by this.

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Yang asked, "How does the Western Heaven War Emperor regard you?"

Yaofeng thought and said, "On the surface, he seems to appreciate me quite a lot and relies on me heavily."

"But since the news of your return from the Abyss spread a few days ago, he has begun gradually withdrawing my authority in the Western Heaven War Hall,"

"Moreover, he has left many hidden contingencies; if I try to leave the Western Heaven War Hall, there will likely be resistance…"

Chu Yang squinted and said, "Since he doesn't want to release anyone, you need not think about leaving the Western Heaven War Hall…"

"Moreover, the ten‑year term hasn't expired; forcing a departure would be like tearing your face open with him and handing the reins to others."

"In contrast, staying peacefully in the Western Heaven War Hall is actually a good thing."

Yaofeng's mind, clever and swift, instantly grasped Chu Yang's intention and tentatively asked,

"Emperor Chu, you intend for me… to sideline the Western Heaven War Emperor, to seize control of the Western Heaven War Hall?"

Chu Yang shook his head, smiling meaningfully, "To me, and to the Great Summer Empire, the Western Heaven War Hall holds little value; the Western Heaven War Emperor's value is far greater…"

"After all, with his innate talent, breaking through to Saint Product Heavenly Supreme is merely a matter of time."

"So you might consider a different approach…"

Prompted by his hint, Yaofeng's eyes brightened, "You mean… to win the Western Heaven War Emperor's trust, then bind him to the Great Summer Empire?"

Chu Yang nodded, "The gist is correct, but the timeframe is too long."

"Soon, I will set some actions in motion and will inform you in advance when the time comes."

"After this, even if the Western Heaven War Emperor is unwilling, he will have no choice but to join the Great Summer Empire!"

Yaofeng widened his eyes, feeling somewhat incredulous.

The Western Heaven War Emperor, as a hegemon of the Great Thousand Realm, was once hailed as the most outstanding genius in nearly a millennium; would he willingly submit to others?

Getting him to join the Great Summer Empire is no easy task! Yet Yaofeng does not doubt Chu Yang's words; in his eyes, Chu Yang is a god who can accomplish anything, and even the most implausible deeds become natural when handled by Chu Yang.

"After breaking through the Thousand Veins, I returned to the Douqi Continent; the Nether Army's reserves have already finished their special training."

Chu Yang rose and said, "Once the Nether Army expands, it will be enough to support you in reaching the summit of the War Formation Path!"

Having spoken, his figure flashed and vanished on the spot.

Yaofeng inhaled deeply, bowed respectfully, and only after a long pause lifted his head, his eyes flickering with excitement and yearning, soon replaced by a hint of resolve.

He fully understood that everything he possessed and his current achievements were bestowed by Emperor Chu, and he knew what he should do in the future.

…………

Western Heaven Continent, Lesser Western Heaven Realm. Upon arriving here once more, Chu Yang could clearly see that the forces in the Lesser Western Heaven Realm had dwindled considerably.

The Four Great Divine Clans virtually ruled every region of the Lesser Western Heaven Realm; the remaining factions were either reduced to their vassals or had already vanished.

Chu Yang knew that, in the current Lesser Western Heaven Realm, the Luoshens Clan could still outmatch the other three Great Divine Clans.

But as the Lesser Western Heaven Realm gradually stabilized, the other three Great Divine Clans would set their sights on the Luoshens Clan.

After all, the Luoshens Clan had once produced a Luoshen, whose inheritance and profound foundation were lacking in the other three Great Divine Clans.

In this situation, the increasingly waning Luoshens Clan appeared to them as nothing more than plump lambs.

Chu Yang's goal was clear; he entered directly into the territory ruled by the Luoshens Clan, moving upstream along the lower reaches of the Luoshui River.

Throughout this process, his attention remained fixed on the Lu River.

Or, more precisely, his journey to the Western Heaven Continent was for the Lu River; meeting Yaofeng was merely on the way.

All the way, Chu Yang wore a thoughtful expression, and only upon reaching the gates of Luoshens City did he finally settle his thoughts.

Glancing at the Lu River's surface, which shone like a starry sky, Chu Yang murmured, "Since a few hundred years later Lu Li can merge with the spirit of the Lu River, it shows that the ancient Lu River was not completely destroyed…"

"The remaining portion today cannot be merely symbolic!"

The Lu River was once one of the marvels of the Great Thousand Realm and could be called a blessed treasure.

However, in the battle where the Luoshens fell, the Lu River was also destroyed; now only this surviving tributary remains, long bereft of the myriad mysteries of antiquity.

And without disciples of the Luoshens performing the Luoshen Rite, the Lu River would never briefly display its ancient splendor.

Of course, over these many years, there must have been those unwilling to give up, seeking to investigate.

Yet even as a mere tributary, the Lu River remains unfathomably deep; even some cultivators of the Earth Supreme Realm have become lost within it, their bodies never recovered.

Over time, those coveting the Lu River have all given up their ambitions.

As for cultivators of the Heavenly Supreme Realm? Perhaps some covet the Luoshen inheritance, but no one dares to strike the Luoshens! The Luoshens fell fighting the Outer Evil Tribe, once pioneers defending the Great Thousand Realm; if a Heavenly Supreme cultivator tried to bully the Luoshen descendants, the Great Thousand Palace would be the first to refuse!

Not only the Luoshens, but throughout the Great Thousand Realm, many ancient cultivators' sects or clans remain, the vast majority of which are gradually waning.

Regarding these forces, the Great Thousand Palace does not grant special favor, but does restrain cultivators above Heavenly Supreme.

Of course, whether they wither gradually or are devastated in power struggles, the Great Thousand Palace will not intervene.

As long as no Heavenly Supreme meddles, even if descendants of the Immortal Great Emperor encounter trouble, they can only blame their own ill fortune.

Shifting his gaze back, Chu Yang naturally intended to explore the Lu River, but before that he had to at least greet the Luoshens.

The Great Thousand Palace has constantly shown him deference and spared no effort in currying favor; moreover, with Qin Tian now the decision‑maker of the Great Thousand Palace, Chu Yang would certainly not violate its rules.

Just as Chu Yang stepped through the city gate, a sound of something tearing through the air rang from behind him.

Turning his head, he saw a dozen figures stepping through the void, landing before the gate in a hasty, dust‑covered manner, rushing inside.

Leading them was a young man, his features chiseled like cut stone, his build robust, yet his face was filled with anxiety and grief, cradling a blood‑soaked woman in his arms.

"Move aside! Move aside!"

The youth sprinted while shouting, and in the blink of an eye was before Chu Yang.

Chu Yang glanced at the woman in his arms, raised an eyebrow, and softly said, "She's already dead…"

The youth's steps abruptly halted, he turned and glared at him, his eyes blood‑red as he spat, "You're talking nonsense!"

But he did not linger, continuing to charge forward.

Chu Yang spoke again, "But I can save her…"

Both times his voice was soft, yet clearly reached the youth's ears.

This time the youth finally stopped, turned, stared at Chu Yang, surveyed him from head to toe, and with a trembling voice asked, "You… what did you say?"

How could he possibly not know that the woman in his arms was already dead?

He simply was unwilling to give up and refused to accept the fact.

Chu Yang stared at him with a calm expression, saying nothing.

The youth clenched his teeth and said, "Do you know what consequences await anyone who dares to deceive me in this Lesser Western Heaven Realm?"

Chu Yang raised an eyebrow and replied, "Is this the attitude you take when begging for rescue?"

The youth hesitated briefly, then gritted his teeth and, with a thud, knelt, "I am blind and foolish, having collided with you; please do not hold it against me!"

"If you are willing to act and save her, the Luoshens Clan will pay any price!"

"You can represent the Luoshens Clan?" Chu Yang was slightly surprised.

He had just, while observing the Lu River, sensed a distinctive aura.

And the same aura was present on this youth.

Thus Chu Yang guessed that the man was likely of the Luoshens royal line, which explained his earlier words.

Otherwise, he would have no time to meddle in others' affairs.

In the Great Thousand Realm, countless people die each day; if one had to attend to each individually, even a Saint Product Heavenly Supreme would die of sheer exhaustion!

There has never been a case of pies falling from the sky; the saintly mother's indulgent good people often meet a tragic end.

"You don't recognize me?" the youth was stunned again.

Chu Yang frowned, and the youth quickly added, "I am of the Luoshens royal line; my father is the current clan head of the Luoshens!"

Chu Yang nodded; he hadn't expected to meet a junior clan head of the Luoshens just after arriving at Luoshens City—a pleasant surprise that could spare many troubles.

"Being adaptable is commendable, but you must know she's already dead…"

Chu Yang pointed at the woman in the young man's arms, then changed his tone, "I can keep her alive, but the unpleasant truth must be said first…"

"After this, I will enter the Lu River; I might cause a great commotion, and it may also affect the source of the Lu River."

"If the River God Clan agrees, I will personally intervene to rescue her."

"Otherwise, nothing will be discussed!"

Chu Yang also sensed that special aura on the woman.

Combined with the young clan leader's attitude toward the woman, he could almost be certain that she holds a very high status within the River God Clan.

"This…" the young clan leader of the River God Clan hesitated, unable to give a clear answer for a moment.

Although he can speak for the River God Clan, the Lu River is the clan's very foundation, and he cannot decide on such matters.

At that moment, an aged voice suddenly came from afar.

"I, representing the River God Clan, accept the young friend's terms!"

"As long as the young friend can rescue the young lady, they may enter the Lu River; regardless of what changes occur in the Lu River, our clan will not hold them accountable!" (End of chapter)