Chapter 959

Ten million li east of Tongxuan Star Island.

The Emperor of Dongxuan, wearing a purple-gold crown and a crimson ceremonial robe, stood with a group of Emperors and True Persons, gazing toward the direction of Tongxuan Star Island.

Behind him stood Emperor Futo, Emperor Jianshui, Emperor Chi Yun, and over sixty mid- and high-rank True Persons, all lined up behind the Emperor of Dongxuan.

Among them were Tianzhang True Person, Bixuan True Person, and Yuanling True Person of the Dongxuan Star Realm—all of them with faces grimly serious.

After so many years of peace, returning to war left these participating True Persons with uneasy hearts.

It’s not likely to be dire.

But worry is certainly present.

When even the Emperor must join such a great battle, the intensity is unimaginable—who lives and who dies among us remains uncertain.

For a time, the atmosphere grew terrifyingly heavy, yet the Emperor of Dongxuan made no move, simply waiting quietly on this small star island with his elite from the Star River Manifestation.

Not waiting would have been better.

Because once they moved, no one would have time to think.

Now that they were idle, everyone’s thoughts grew restless.

Many True Persons well understood: in a great war where Emperors and Emperor-rank figures would participate, even mid- and high-rank True Persons like themselves risked becoming cannon fodder.

The clever ones began writing wills immediately, settling their affairs—like Tianzhang True Person.

The even cleverer ones, like Bixuan True Person, had other ideas.

If this truly became a massive, chaotic battle, their chances of becoming cannon fodder were far too high.

Judging from the current situation, our side has relatively fewer Emperors—how many does Kongyuan’s side have?

And if the battle’s intensity were dispersed, the outcome would be entirely different.

After some thought, Bixuan True Person, relying on his status as an old minister of the Emperor of Dongxuan and one of the original Eighteen True Person War Generals, stepped forward to advise: “My Lord, Kongyuan has long governed the Tongxuan War Zone!

If we wait here, we risk letting him consolidate all the forces of the Tongxuan War Zone.

If Your Majesty leads the army to each star island, merely your appearance alone will cause every island to surrender at once.

Then Kongyuan will be left with only the single star island of the Tongxuan War Zone, while Your Majesty commands a million troops—his rebellion will be crushed with a mere wave of your hand!”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Dongxuan glanced at Bixuan True Person.

Just from this suggestion, he knew Bixuan was truly old.

Not just his body, but his mind had aged.

He had become afraid of death!

On paper, Bixuan’s suggestion was sound.

But in reality, it was flawed—because doing so would utterly fracture the Tongxuan War Zone, leaving it grievously wounded regardless of the outcome.

Then the rebellion would spread to everyone—Emperors, True Persons, Star Lords, especially the Dao Soldiers guarding each star island.

And it would trigger a chain reaction.

The alien races would surely exploit the chaos; even the neighboring Hongluan War Zone, Qingyu War Zone, and Qianxing War Zone would use the pretext of aiding in suppression to launch their own raids.

When alien races attacked islands, they’d “helpfully” intervene—but if the islands vanished, they’d bear no blame!

That would be an endless legacy of trouble!

In short, Bixuan had proposed the stupidest suggestion—its only advantage being that, under overwhelming force, Kongyuan would inevitably lose, yet the Tongxuan War Zone would likely fracture, allowing those beside the Emperor to lose fewer lives.

Conversely, if they ignored Bixuan’s advice and stayed put, Dongxuan believed Kongyuan would inevitably come to him.

Seeking a swift, decisive battle!

Because Kongyuan sought not territory, but the attainment of true accomplishment—the throne of Emperor.

Had he sought territory, he would never have rebelled.

In truth, as long as he did not come, Kongyuan was already king of the Tongxuan War Zone.

So Bixuan is old!

His mind is old!

With this thought, the Emperor of Dongxuan swept his gaze across several old subordinates—Tianzhang True Person, Yuanling True Person—and in that instant, he made his decision.

After this battle, the Dongxuan Star Realm must change its leadership!

He had not expected that Bixuan and others were not only aged in body, but in spirit.

They should have been replaced long ago.

He had been too sentimental.

“Emperor!”

Suddenly, starlight shimmered in the void; a Mid-Jin Emperor stepped forth from the starry expanse, bowing respectfully.

“Hmm, join the ranks and prepare for battle!”

One streak of starlight followed another.

In just three or four breaths, four more Emperors arrived at the Emperor of Dongxuan’s side—seven Emperors in total.

This force greatly steadied the hearts of the True Persons.

With this core of Emperors, their chances of becoming cannon fodder had diminished.

Just as the crowd was excited, wondering if any more Emperors would arrive, a vast beam of starlight abruptly halted dozens of li away.

The starlight faded, and the Kongyuan Emperor stepped forward first, followed by eight other Emperor-rank experts.

There was none of the expected confrontation—no shouting, no immediate insults.

The moment Kongyuan Emperor took a step forward, he bowed to the Emperor of Dongxuan: “Brother Dongxuan, long time no see!”

The words “Brother Dongxuan” stirred memories in the Emperor of Dongxuan; a look of recollection surfaced in his eyes: “Kongyuan, we fought side by side for so many years—this was never meant to be between us!”

“Indeed, it was never meant to be!” Kongyuan Emperor smiled.

“But now we’ve reached this point.”

“Kongyuan, you still have a chance to turn back,” said the Emperor of Dongxuan.

“Do I?” Kongyuan Emperor shook his head.

“All you seek is the attainment of true accomplishment—the Emperor throne. You know I supported this goal then, and I support it now!

If you turn back now, my promise still stands!

I will help you ascend to the Emperor throne within two hundred years—how does that sound?” Dongxuan said.

“Two hundred years? Brother Dongxuan, your old habit’s returned—you make empty promises again. Will you swear a Great Dao Oath?” Kongyuan laughed.

“Kongyuan, you and I know better than anyone how severe the consequences of a Great Dao Oath are—how could we make such a vow lightly?”

“See? Still the same old routine!”

“Fine, I can turn back—but I have one condition!” Kongyuan Emperor said.

“What condition?”

“You step aside. Give me three years. I will draw the Tongxuan War Zone star island into the Star River Manifestation, use it as a foundation to gain Heaven’s recognition—and then, without your aid, I shall ascend to the Emperor throne myself. Dare you?” Kongyuan Emperor said.

Hearing this, the Emperor of Dongxuan shook his head again. “Kongyuan, you’re joking again. The Tongxuan War Zone star island is vital to the entire war zone’s stability—it cannot be moved lightly!

If it could be drawn away, I would have let you do so three hundred years ago.”

If it could be pulled, I would have pulled you out three hundred years ago.

Kongyuan laughed. “This is why I cannot turn back—you’ve blocked my path, yet demand I return. That makes no sense!

It seems we must settle this once and for all!”

It seems we must settle this between us!