Chapter 589: The Origin of the Chaotic Era
Chapter 589: Chapter 589: The Origin of the Chaotic Era
The four Heavenly Realm experts were beyond his reach.
Nie Fancheng, though he had never displayed his power, was someone capable of founding a heavenly court like the ancient God Tong. He was an ally recognized by God Tong himself, cooperating to attack the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Nie Fancheng's strength was undeniable, at least top-tier among Heavenly Realm experts. Otherwise, how could that old eunuch, also a Heavenly Realm expert, willingly serve him?
The other three needed no explanation: an emperor, a supreme leader of a clan, and a holy land master! Such figures could only reach these heights by being unparalleled in their prowess.
Three of the world's most powerful figures were besieging Nie Fancheng.
Moreover, it was clear that the Taishou Heavenly Court had mobilized so many people, even inviting the Longevity Realm Master. There must be a grand conspiracy behind this.
They had come specifically to ambush Nie Fancheng?
It had to be. Otherwise, why mobilize such overwhelming forces for the Eternal Sacred Platform?
Ambushing Nie Fancheng? How did they know he would return? How did they anticipate ambushing him here?
These questions were secondary. The primary concern was what would happen after the ambush.
If they succeeded in ambushing Nie Fancheng, what would that mean?
The Great Li Heavenly Court would collapse! Various dynasties would converge, waging war for the Great Li's territory. Although Nie Fancheng had several princes, could they compare to God Tong's princes?
It wasn't that they lacked strength or courage, but they didn't have the same pedigree. The greatest advantage of the princes of the former Da Luo Heavenly Court was their remarkable father, God Tong. God Tong wasn't just any emperor; he was a groundbreaking figure.
His prestige alone was enough to make other empires hesitant to target his princes. Many powerful figures had also received primordial purple energy from God Tong, indebting them to him and deterring them from causing trouble for his sons.
But what about Nie Fancheng? He was merely an emperor. If he died, the Great Li Heavenly Court would be engulfed in flames of war, chaos spreading throughout the northern part of Shenzhou. Major forces would redivide the territory.
That wasn't the most important part. The crucial point was that Zhong Shan thought deeper.
Why did the Taishou Heavenly Court want to ambush Nie Fancheng? One was in the west, the other in the north of Shenzhou. They typically had no interactions. Why ambush Nie Fancheng?
Moreover, half a year ago, the Taishou Heavenly Court had destroyed the Western Empire of the Yan Hong Dynasty and then conquered it. They must have mobilized forces in other areas as well.
The Taishou Heavenly Court was preparing for a massive conquest of the world?
Eliminate Nie Fancheng, then plot to dominate the world?
Realizing this, Zhong Shan was shocked.
Shenzhou was about to descend into chaos! The once peaceful Shenzhou would be engulfed in smoke and flames. A battlefield covering at least half of Shenzhou was about to unfold. Half of Shenzhou? Would the remaining half remain tranquil? It would inevitably be affected. This meant that all of Shenzhou was about to plunge into turmoil.
A chaotic era was about to begin!
The assassination of Nie Fancheng would be the spark, igniting a widespread chaos throughout Shenzhou!
A chaotic era? Zhong Shan's pupils contracted. His keen political insight allowed him to foresee the coming turmoil. Among those present, apart from those already in the know from the Taishou Heavenly Court, only a handful could match Zhong Shan's political acumen.
Understanding all this, Zhong Shan focused even more intently on the four Heavenly Realm experts in the sky, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Nie Fancheng and the others.
Suddenly, Nie Fancheng burst into laughter, his laughter echoing through the sky. It was both joyous and filled with a strange sense of unresolved tension.
"The Purple Gold Gourd? The White Jade Purity Vase? The Five Fires Seven Birds Fan? Hahaha, Lu Guitian, you really have a knack for scheming. So this is your plan," Nie Fancheng's laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by a cold tone.
"No matter how clumsy the plan, you still came, didn't you?" Lu Guitian replied confidently.
"Do you think you can stop us with just your forces?" Nie Fancheng said coldly.
"Not you all, just you. Your subordinate is already contained by the Ten Suns Sky Formation. As for you, with the three of us here, do you think you can escape? This isn't your Great Li Heavenly Court. Wu Jiutian and your shadow subordinate aren't here. Let me see how you've refined the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers'!" Lu Guitian said sternly.
Hearing Lu Guitian's words, Zhong Shan's pupils contracted. From Emperor Xuan Zha's information, Zhong Shan knew the names of the so-called Ten Great Treasures of History, and the Map of Mountains and Rivers was one of them. Nie Fancheng had indeed refined one of these immensely powerful artifacts.
What surprised Zhong Shan even more was that these legendary treasures, such as the Immortal Slaying Flying Blade, the Heaven-Opening Axe, the Taiji Diagram, and the Map of Mountains and Rivers, were also familiar to him from Earth's mythology. Though his memories were somewhat vague, the names of these treasures were almost identical.
With a wave of his hand, Nie Fancheng produced a scroll. The scroll emitted a green flame-like aura, exuding a powerful presence that spread in all directions.
This aura was peculiar, as if it had a soul-shaking effect, causing a slight tremor in the souls of those far away.
"This is the Map of Mountains and Rivers? Truly worthy of being one of the Ten Great Treasures of History. Even unopened, it exudes such power!" Lu Guitian remarked with a hint of admiration.
Nie Fancheng didn't hurry to unfold the map but glanced at the three before him, a faint smile on his lips.
"Do you three really think you can keep me here?" Nie Fancheng said with a smile.
"Three of us can't keep one of you?" Lu Guitian replied with a confident smile.
"One? Who said I am alone?" Nie Fancheng suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha, are you expecting your old eunuch to come to your aid?" Lu Guitian sneered.
"I wasn't referring to him!" Nie Fancheng said coldly.
"Not him? Then who?"
"Don't listen to him, he's stalling for time!" crowed Wuhuan, the Crow Clan Supreme.
"Do I need to stoop as low as you?" Nie Fancheng said, his eyes turning cold.
"Xu Fu, are you just going to stand by and watch?" Nie Fancheng suddenly shouted downward.
Xu Fu? Hearing Nie Fancheng suddenly call out a name, the three Heavenly Realm experts all raised their eyebrows. They didn't doubt Nie Fancheng, knowing he wasn't one to bluff.
Xu Fu? Following Nie Fancheng's gaze, the three turned their eyes downward.
On the Eternal Sacred Platform, Xu Fu stood in a purple robe, his clothes fluttering in the wind, holding the White Jade Purity Vase, the Purple Gold Gourd, and the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan. He looked up at the sky, standing proudly like a pine tree in the snow. Behind him, Bai Ye was completely overshadowed by Xu Fu's imposing presence.
Xu Fu?
The three powerhouses simultaneously extended their spiritual senses toward Xu Fu. To their surprise, they found that Xu Fu's aura was faint and elusive, difficult to discern.
Unable to discern his true nature, they realized that only someone at the Heavenly Realm could elude the perception of the three great powerhouses. Another Heavenly Realm expert?
The situation turned extremely strange. Xu Fu, the alchemist of Great Qin?
At the same time, everyone understood why the previously dominant Nie Fancheng had restrained his aggressiveness upon meeting Xu Fu and instead presented the three treasures, speaking reasonably to claim the Eternal Sacred Platform.
It was because Xu Fu possessed the strength that commanded Nie Fancheng's respect.
Xu Fu had been unknown before the Ten Thousand Pills Conference, even among the Heavenly Realm experts. Now, this enigmatic figure revealed himself to be at the Heavenly Realm, which struck everyone as bizarre.
All four powerhouses focused on Xu Fu, who responded with a faint smile.
"The Holy Emperor of Great Li truly holds me, Xu Fu, in high regard," Xu Fu said with a smile.
"So, will you help or not?" Nie Fancheng asked sternly.
The three Heavenly Realm powerhouses—Shen Ya Daojun, Lu Guitian, and Wuhuan—felt a sinking feeling as they recognized Xu Fu's cultivation. This unexpected variable made the situation precarious.
"Xu Fu? Alchemist of Great Qin? Do you intend to intervene in the affairs of Taishou and Great Li?" Lu Guitian asked solemnly.
"Intervene in the affairs of two courts? There are only three heavenly courts in the world. Why should I stand by and watch?" Xu Fu said with a serious expression.
As soon as Xu Fu spoke, everyone felt a tightening in their hearts. Was Xu Fu definitely going to intervene? Nie Fancheng, however, showed a faint smile.
"But, Holy Emperor of Great Li, if I help you escape, wouldn't that just replace your predicament with mine?" Xu Fu looked at Nie Fancheng.
If Nie Fancheng escaped, there was a high chance that the three powerhouses would turn their fury on Xu Fu, leaving him to face them alone.
"What do you want, then?" Nie Fancheng asked sternly.
"Back in the day, during the siege of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the alliance of the three heavenly courts agreed to mutual assistance. Given the situation today, I naturally adhere to the emperor's agreement. But I won't risk my life for yours. I'll help you hold off Wuhuan, but I won't deal with the other two. Also, during the time I hold him off, you can't escape. If you flee, I'll leave as well. If they catch you again, it's none of my concern," Xu Fu said casually.
"Hahaha, good. The Holy Emperor of Great Qin indeed keeps his word. With your assurance, that's enough. Soon, he will break through, and you won't have to trouble yourself," Nie Fancheng laughed heartily.
Xu Fu nodded slightly.
"You think you can hold me off?" Wuhuan sneered.
Every Heavenly Realm expert had their pride. Despite being of the same realm, none considered themselves inferior to the others. Wuhuan, as the supreme leader of the Crow Clan, had his own pride. The recent conversation between Nie Fancheng and Xu Fu, treating him like a mere commodity to be handed over, infuriated Wuhuan. Especially since his opponent was an unknown Heavenly Realm expert, Wuhuan naturally believed he was stronger than Xu Fu.