In the depths of Immortal Crane Mountain, Tao Qian's expression twisted complexly upon receiving a secret letter, half in horror and half in relief.
He was now genuinely relieved that after capturing Qin Wuxiang, he hadn't killed this "old friend's son" but instead enlightened him.
With their man inside the Alchemists, such top-secret news could be known in advance.
Just as this thought crossed Tao Qian's mind, his expression suddenly stiffened; it was the Empty Demon that had emerged, weakly explaining:
"You might have been in closed-door cultivation earlier; I couldn't sense you or find you."
"This news actually happened ten days ago."
"That goddamn Alchemist had already set their plan in motion. Now, the combined seventy-two provinces of the south and north are all clouded in the smoke of war, utterly chaotic."
As soon as the Empty Demon finished speaking, Tao Qian's expression changed again.
With a shifting flash, he immediately returned to the White Jade Tower.
Yunrong and Tao Qian had a connection beyond words; she had sensed his mental state earlier and had already cleared away many of the enchanting scenes in the tower.
Resuming her true form as Kitten, she climbed into Tao Qian's arms, cuddling obediently.
Tao Qian, concerned with the world's changing situation and wanting to know the current state, naturally lost his earlier interest, softly caressing Sister Yunrong's soft body before he began casting spells.
Ever since he had established great achievements after the Yang Sui Uprising and was placed among the stars in the sky by the Heavenly Venerate, receiving continual infusions of Human Dao Destiny, he unexpectedly acquired a seemingly insignificant yet profoundly mysterious Divine Power.
This technique, using "Human Dao Destiny" as a medium, sensed the world's major trends.
The so-called observation of qi to know destiny was nothing more than this.
Of course, if there were no major changes in the world, this technique would be pointless.
Tao Qian wished it were so, but as soon as he utilized this technique, a significant reaction immediately occurred.
Misty visions of the vast Longevity Heavenly Dynasty and its seventy-two provinces surged towards him.
Approximately fifteen minutes later!
Tao Qian opened his eyes again, his pupils brimming with helplessness as he sighed,
"It's true that a centipede does not topple even when dead. Even after suffering my root-excavating technique and successive blows, those old monsters of the Alchemists can still cause such devastation."
"In the Northern Land Provinces, those Hidden Dragon Talents, which were originally advancing slowly in their own games, have inexplicably become agitated. Day after day, they've initiated shocking wars, devouring each other, many provinces enveloped in the flames of war. Today, perhaps this governor presides, tomorrow a new warlord may take power."
"The cause is the Alchemists."
"These old monsters are trying to create an [Ancestor Dragon] out of thin air to achieve their goal. The Alchemists have even explicitly stated to all Talent forces: 'Unify the world again, restore the imperial regime and official titles. What you want, the Alchemists will provide.'"
"To prevent those dozen Southern provinces from taking advantage of the chaos in the North, the Alchemists resorted to underhanded tactics, becoming a traitor within the Tian Chao."
"With various methods, they lured Outer Realm Evil Gods to invade, countless Evil Spirits and native Evil Gods from outside the Tian Chao began to harass the Southern provinces... This time, it's far more than just Rashamon Country; nearly thirty nations including major and minor countries are involved, with their Evil Gods stepping onto the land of Longevity Heavenly Dynasty."
"The South is also in chaos."
"The Alchemists deserve death."
Tao Qian cursed, but could only curse, effectively powerless at the moment.
Even though he had received the information from Qin Wuxiang immediately, his options remained limited.
He, Master Tao, indeed had workable Divine Powers.
But how could he compare with the Alchemists?
Not to mention those dozen Daoist Transformation Realm old monsters, just the organizational depth filled with Emperors and ambitious figures was enough to astonish anyone.
Lying on top of the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty, bleeding it for over two thousand years, one could imagine how much provisions and treasures the Alchemists amassed.
Tao Qian even doubted whether the Spirit Treasure Sect and Taishang Dao, if lacking high-end war capabilities and talking only of resources, could compete with the Alchemists.
"The Alchemists are enormous yet bloated."
"Previously unguarded, they fell for my surprise attack once."
"Now that they are operating in full swing, it evidently has the momentum to overturn the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty."
"How can this be countered?"
"To truly eliminate the great disaster and save the common people, I would have to drag the entire Spirit Treasure Sect into this..."
With this thought, Tao Qian fell into even deeper despair.
Dragging the Spirit Treasure Sect down was obviously impossible.
But for the moment, Tao Qian could think of no better strategy; various thoughts flickered in his mind, examples from both past and present lives, theoretical secrets, all surging forth.
"The current situation in Longevity Heavenly Dynasty, while somewhat similar to a phase in my previous life, is fundamentally different."
"In the past life, where did Immortals, Devils, and Daoist and Buddhist spirits come from? And from where did the Outer Realm Abyss and endless Evil Gods emerge?"
"The productivity was different, and the governance systems were also vastly different; I can't even begin to apply the old ways."
With a jumble of thoughts fluttering and no solutions in sight.
Helplessly, Tao Qian released Yuan Gong from the Holy Embryo Bag.
Yuan Gong was originally annoyed that this disciple had forgotten his mentor after gaining a wife, but after hearing Tao Qian's description of the new world situation and the Alchemists' plans, he couldn't help but become somewhat interested.
Thinking for a moment, Yuan Gong immediately spoke up.
The first sentence was quite unexpected for Tao Qian.
"Kid, those old monsters of the Alchemists probably didn't just get their inspiration from that lad Ying Qingdi; it's more likely they learned their lesson from the old monster Yang Longxi, who, after being frightened, finally realized their own position. Any conspiracy or trick, in front of the Outer Realm Evil Gods, is utterly frail."
"Realizing this, they came up with a strategy that kills several birds with one stone."
"The Alchemists are willing to concede, support a universal ruler, and assist in rebuilding the [Ancestor God Forbidden Technique]. Just this point alone, whether for ordinary people or within the Cultivation World, would draw most to their side."