Chapter 321 - 259 Aftermath

"This is good too; at least we’ve tested his true strength and can avoid suffering losses later on!" Lin Fang said with a smile, trying to comfort those around him.

He was very clear that being defeated by the Jade Emperor had always been a knot in Feng Jiu’s heart. Even now, with her own little world, Feng Jiu still longed to defeat the Jade Emperor and wash away the disgrace of the past.

But now it seemed that this wish was not so easy to fulfill, as the Jade Emperor’s strength far exceeded everyone’s imagination.

That sword Qi that spanned across the sky had actually made Lin Fang involuntarily think of the Leader of the Tongtian Sect’s Sword Dao.

While it couldn’t compare, the gap was not as vast as he had thought.

"Hmph, what a secretive character, and I have no idea how he managed to cultivate such formidable Sword Dao," Feng Jiu said resentfully.

Looking at her indignant face, Lin Fang laughed and responded, "After all, he is the Heavenly Emperor who presides over the Three Realms. If he didn’t possess some genuine skills, he probably wouldn’t be able to sit in that position. You should have been mentally prepared for this."

"That such a cunning person can become the Jade Emperor, really is..."

Lin Fang chuckled, not voicing any opposition, but he thought to himself that perhaps only such a person could become the Heavenly Emperor.

"I’m also curious about what they’ve done with the information we provided. I wonder what the state of Marshal Tianpeng is now."

Lin Fang had a poor impression of the Marshal Tianpeng who had taken Zhu Bajie’s place and didn’t know if he had chosen to betray.

Little did he know that at this very moment, Yin Qi was filled with regret. Once the glorious Marshal Tianpeng, wherever he went he was met with the envious gazes of the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals; but now, he was like a rat crossing the street, chased and beaten by everyone.

Numbly, he followed the procession toward the Immortal Slaying Stage, where he and the other rebels were to meet the end of their lives.

Yin Qi seemed to have already smelled the scent of death. This gradual approach toward one’s demise drove him mad.

But now he was helpless. In the past, he was a favored courtier of the Jade Emperor; he could request an audience at any time he wished, but now, even a distant glimpse had become a luxury.

As he stepped slowly onto the Immortal Slaying Stage, surrounded by the authoritative presence of the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, the giant Battle Immortal Axe hovered in the air, its axe blade flickering with a chilling light.

Perhaps as a result of slaying too many immortals, this Battle Immortal Axe emanated a heart-shaking power, one that inspired awe in those who looked upon it.

"Execute!" With the Execution Official’s command, the heads of countless immortals flew up, their bright red blood staining the once white stone platform.

Oddly enough, after seeping into the platform, this fresh blood would slowly disappear, and in moments the platform would return to its pristine whiteness.

At the same time, the air seemed to resound with the wailing of the souls of the dead immortals. Those killed on the Immortal Slaying Stage had no chance to enter into reincarnation and be reborn.

Their souls would be imprisoned within the Immortal Slaying Stage, never to transcend.

As Yin Qi’s head was placed on the execution platform of the Immortal Slaying Stage, the fear of death bit into his spirit like a venomous snake, and he couldn’t help but let out a mournful cry.

"Your Majesty, spare my life, oh, spare my life Your Majesty!" His voice was exceptionally woeful as it echoed across the Immortal Slaying Stage.

However, the only response he received was the contemptuous gaze of the onlookers.

In the midst of everyone’s mocking gazes, Yin Qi walked the final steps of his life. With a single decree, the terrifying Battle Immortal Axe descended from the heavens, severing Yin Qi’s head from his neck in an instant.

His soul howled in agony as it was torn from his body and slowly fell into the Immortal Slaying Stage.

Seated on his throne, the Jade Emperor gazed distantly at the Immortal Slaying Stage, watching the immortals who had incited rebellion wail incessantly. Not a hint of joy could be found on his face.

The corner of his mouth slowly leaked fresh blood, giving this Supreme being’s complexion a touch of frailty.

"I still can’t understand why he would betray me," the Jade Emperor said softly to himself.

He had trusted Yin Qi completely, entrusting him with the most powerful weapon of the Heavenly Court. Yet, who knew he would choose to betray at such a crucial moment.

"Then why didn’t you capture him and ask him clearly?" the Divine Exorcist Great Sage said softly.

If it hadn’t been for thorough preparation, the Jade Emperor might have truly died this time, and even so, he had sustained serious injuries.

"It’s nothing more than greed blinding the wise. A person like him will never be satisfied. I was too careless; such an important position should not have been given to him," the Jade Emperor sighed softly.

Following this event, he began to reflect on his own methods.

"This is perhaps for the best. It’s an opportunity to see the true colors of these individuals. Otherwise, they might become a drag on us in future battles," the Divine Exorcist Great Sage said, comforting the Jade Emperor in a rare instance and making the look on the Supreme’s pale face a tad better.

"It’s time to set things right—the long years have made these pampered nobles forget their duties. It’s also time to start stirring them into action," a hint of coldness flickered in the Jade Emperor’s eyes, his mind already made up.

From that day on, the Heavenly Court began a vigorous overhaul of personnel. Those showing cowardice were removed, while those eager for battle were promoted.

In the past, those who were demoted would always cause trouble, but this time, with the might of a great victory at his back, all were too fearful to voice any dissent against the Jade Emperor.

Having witnessed the Jade Emperor’s heaven-shaking, ghost-weeping Sword Qi, who would dare to provoke him, unless they wished to be struck by his sword?

Although the Heavenly Court had gradually stabilized, the ripple effects of the rebellion in the Three Realms had only just begun.

The countless Demon Kings of Luzhou in the North celebrated wildly upon hearing the news—the rebellion in the Heavenly Court, Marshal Tianpeng beheaded for all to see, and Gouchen falling into the cycle of reincarnation.

Such news undoubtedly signaled the decline of the Heavenly Court, leading some to marvel at the Jade Emperor’s strength while also seeing the Court’s weaknesses, igniting the flames of ambition in their hearts.

Of course, the most apparent issue was that the Heavenly Court could no longer control Luzhou in the North. Due to Yin Qi’s betrayal, the Celestial River Naval Forces required a top-down purge, leaving the Court unable to spare enough manpower for patrols in Luzhou in the North.

The monsters living there tasted the breath of freedom for the first time.

However, for the monsters at the bottom, this wasn’t necessarily good news. Without the repression of the Heavenly Court, the various Demon Kings of Luzhou in the North began frenzied conquests as if trying to vie for the position of Demon Emperor once more.

In a short period, Luzhou in the North experienced numerous clashes, with countless monsters dying in the conflicts.

Lin Fang took his band of monsters on the road, sensing the spirit of the times, and sighed lightly, "The essence of war is speed; we need to unite Luzhou in the North in the shortest time possible!"