Translator: CinderTL
Li Chunjun remained silent.
The Antarctic Emperor didn't press him.
An indescribable solemnity, even oppression, hung in the air.
Under this atmosphere, Tianlu, a Second-Rank Heavenly God, barely dared to breathe.
Yet...
He wasn't even the weakest person present.
After a long moment, Li Chunjun finally spoke. "I'm curious: what benefits would I gain from allying with the Immortal God Race?"
"I believe that before we can offer you any benefits, the Immortal God Race must first demonstrate its sincerity," the Antarctic Emperor said gravely. "The Void Refining cultivator from the Heavenly Palace at the Immortal Great Wall..."
"No need," Li Chunjun waved his hand. "I can handle it myself."
The Antarctic Emperor was taken aback.
Although Li Chunjun had already dismissed the Universal Transformation Venerable's disciple as unworthy, the Antarctic Emperor knew that Li Chunjun had only entered the Void Refining realm three years ago!
Many Void Refining cultivators still hadn't even completed their consolidation phase after three years.
Could this prodigy, Heavenly Monarch Li...
Really be capable of standing against a Peak of the Void Refinement Realm expert from the Heavenly Palace, backed by a Venerable?
Still, since Li Chunjun had spoken so confidently, the Antarctic Emperor chose to believe him.
The most crucial principle for a subordinate race is to never question the decisions of their superiors or followers.
Li Chunjun's most pressing crisis now was the Heavenly Palace's envoy, Luo Yao, and the relentless pressure from Universal Transformation Venerable.
However, as the Supreme Sovereign's direct disciple, once he returned to the Profound Yellow Great World under the protection of the Profound Yellow Lineage, even the Heavenly Palace might not be able to touch him.
In that case, it seemed the Immortal God Race...
...had nothing left to truly sway him?
No!
"The most crucial step for Heavenly Monarch Li now is to forge his Dharma Idol, isn't it? Although the Immortal God Race split from the Divine Race, we've accumulated a considerable amount of Dao-infused materials over the years suitable for crafting Dharma Idols, including Void and Destruction Dao Rhythm materials. I'll prepare an inventory immediately and present it to Heavenly Monarch Li. The Immortal God Race will do everything in our power to meet any needs he may have."
Antarctic Emperor declared.
While the demand for Dao Rhythm materials in Dharma Idol creation wasn't strictly "more is better," having an abundance of materials to extract essences would naturally accelerate the process of condensing the Dharma Idol.
Furthermore, Li Chunjun himself needed a sufficient supply of Void Dao Pills and Destruction Dao Pills to deepen his comprehension of these two Laws, which was crucial for accumulating Qi.
Since the Immortal God Race was eager to offer resources, Li Chunjun didn't refuse.
Li Chunjun spoke directly: "It's too early for me to consider your offer of allegiance, and it's too early for the Immortal God Race as well. I believe the Six Great Emperors haven't thoroughly discussed this matter. So, go back and reach a consensus before giving me your answer. There's no need to rush."
The Antarctic Emperor immediately replied, "The Six Great Emperors fully support any decision made by any one of us. The Immortal God Race has maintained its unity and cohesion in this harsh environment precisely because of our absolute trust and solidarity."
"There's no need to rush," Li Chunjun said, waving his hand. "Let's take things one step at a time. We all need time to observe each other."
Hearing this, the Antarctic Emperor had no choice but to restrain his impatience.
Li Chunjun's words proved he had great confidence in his future growth.
Moreover...
They also showed he genuinely valued the Immortal God Race.
Otherwise, any other Void Refining cultivator, upon learning that the entire Immortal God Race had come to his aid, would have immediately made various demands, prioritizing their own gains first.
"I've received the Immortal God Race's offer. I will seek your assistance as needed, and in the future, when I am able, I will provide you with sufficient compensation."
Li Chunjun said, "The extent of compensation is uncertain at this moment, but at the very least, it will be based on standard lending practices. The longer the Immortal God Race supports me, the greater the value I will repay."
The Antarctic Emperor understood Li Chunjun's meaning.
"Heavenly Monarch Li's words reassure me even more about our Immortal God Race's decision. You've essentially given us your word that, no matter what, the Immortal God Race will not suffer a loss."
He replied with a touch of emotion.
"Your investment of Dao-infused materials and resources already entails sufficient risk. My promise is only reasonable. The specifics will depend on the smooth and pleasant cooperation between us."
Li Chunjun said.
"Heavenly Monarch Li's attitude of treating us as equals gives me full confidence in persuading the other Imperial Lords to make their choice."
After saying this, the Antarctic Emperor immediately added, "Besides a small portion of Dao-infused materials and resources, the Immortal God Race has also made some progress in personnel matters. If Heavenly Monarch Li has any needs, please feel free to ask."
"Personnel..."
Li Chunjun's heart stirred. "Since the Immortal God Race borders the Great World of the Gods and the Great World of the Heavenly Demons, you must have sufficient intelligence on these Great Worlds, right?"
"Indeed!"
The Antarctic Emperor immediately said, "We have deployed the most intelligence agents in the Great World of the Gods. We are well aware of our position: the Human Race hopes to use our strength to divert the Divine Race's attention. Therefore, to demonstrate our value, we spare no effort in this regard."
After a pause, he added, "Besides the Great World of the Gods, we have also stationed a large number of agents in the Profound Yellow Great World. Our intelligence-gathering capabilities there are no less than those of the Taixu Sword Sect or the Wu Ji Sect, the original overlords of that world. As for the Great World of the Heavenly Demons, we only maintain a defensive posture due to its proximity. If not for this, we wouldn't have allowed a branch of the Heavenly Demons' Heart Demons to infiltrate our Great Earth Immortal World and incite the Heart Demon Chaos back then."
"The Great World of the Gods..." Li Chunjun seemed to recall something. "I've heard rumors that the Human Race plans to declare war on the Divine Race. Is this true, according to your intelligence?"
"It's likely true," the Antarctic Emperor replied. "Before the Profound Yellow Great World joined the Immortal Alliance, the Great World of the Gods of the Divine Race, the Profound Yellow Great World of the Human Race, and the Great World of the Heavenly Demons of the Demonic Race maintained a relatively balanced situation. However, with the Profound Yellow Great World's integration into the Immortal Alliance, the Divine Race, the Demonic Race, and the Myriad Transformations Race now face a precarious situation."
The Imperial Lord clearly knew these details well. "Even if the three races united against the formidable Human Immortal Alliance, they would still feel a sense of despair. To this day, both within the Divine Race, the Demonic Race, and the Myriad Transformations Race, divisions run deep. The Pro-War Faction and the Pro-Surrender Faction are locked in endless debate..."
He paused. "But whether they're Pro-War or Pro-Surrender, they share a common understanding: once the Human Race launches an offensive, the Divine Race is doomed to defeat. The Pro-War Faction fights on solely out of fear that surrender will lead to either complete annihilation or enslavement. They hope this 'jade and stone burn together' mentality will force the Human Race to retreat."
"So you're saying... if the Immortal Alliance were willing to offer the Divine Race relatively fair treatment... even the Pro-War Faction would choose to surrender?"
"Yes."
The Antarctic Emperor gave a bitter smile. "Why do you think the Immortal God Race was able to split from the Divine Race so smoothly? Human support was one factor, but another was the Divine Race's desire to see if our path could succeed. They hoped to use our 'indirect salvation' strategy to preserve their own lineage."
Li Chunjun felt a sense of unreality wash over him.
It was one thing for the Immortal God Race to be overly respectful and flattering toward the Human Race, but now...
The Divine Race was actively seeking to integrate into the Human Race's system?
And the Human Race was refusing?
Or were the Divine Race's demands simply impossible for the Human Race to meet?
This completely contradicted the understanding he had gained during his Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Primordial Spirit stages about the wars between the Human Race and the Divine Race.
"In truth," Antarctic Emperor said with a bitter smile, "based on our Immortal God Race's observations of the wars between the Human Race and the Divine Race, Demonic Race, and Myriad Transformations Race over the years, the Human Race theoretically possesses the power to utterly annihilate all three races. But..."
"The Human Race needs to keep these races alive to ensure the stability of the Profound Yellow Great World."
"Keep these races alive to ensure the stability of the Profound Yellow Great World..."
How could that possibly work?
Li Chunjun could guess, but...
It was hard to believe.
"Of course, it's also possible that we simply can't comprehend the thinking of the Human Race's top leaders, or that we're simply not privy to the level of understanding possessed by those at the Dao Unification, Supreme Sovereign, or even Peerless Supreme Expert levels."
The Antarctic Emperor said, "Perhaps to those at Dao Unification and above, the conflicts between the various Great Worlds and races are utterly meaningless, much like how we might view a group of Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators fighting to the death over a few dozen or hundred Spirit Crystals."
Li Chunjun fell silent, pondering the Antarctic Emperor's words.
He wasn't at Dao Unification and couldn't fathom how those at that level perceived the world.
But the idea of Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators fighting to the death over a few dozen or hundred Spirit Crystals...
He could certainly relate.
Countless people on the Two Worlds Mountain Battlefield had risked their lives for Spirit Crystals.
After a long moment, he asked, "You must have heard about the destruction of the Azure Sea Domain. Have you been able to determine which Divine Lords were behind it?"
"Yes! We'll provide Heavenly Monarch Li with detailed information within a year at most."
The Antarctic Emperor responded without hesitation.
"Also, give me a copy of the Heavenly Palace's and the Wu Ji Sect's intelligence reports."
Li Chunjun requested.
"We have the Wu Ji Sect's intelligence, but for the Heavenly Palace... we only know their forces stationed in the Profound Yellow Great World. We don't know much about their full strength, as their main base isn't located here."
"Just give me what you have for now."
Li Chunjun said, "We're about to face the lineage of the Universal Transformation Venerable. Knowing our enemy is half the battle."
The Antarctic Emperor immediately took action.
Before long, the Tianlu Heavenly God, standing nearby, produced a Jade Talisman.
Li Chunjun scanned the talisman with his mental power, quickly skimming its contents.
Wu Ji Sect...
This native power, capable of rivaling the Taixu Sword Sect, the Overlord of the Profound Yellow Great World, was undeniably formidable.
But the Heavenly Palace...
"The Demon-Quelling Great Emperor!?"
Li Chunjun stared at the Antarctic Emperor in astonishment. "The Heavenly Palace only has one Supreme Sage stationed in the Profound Yellow Great World—the Demon-Quelling Great Emperor!?"
"That's correct," the Antarctic Emperor replied. "Their stationed protectorate rotates every ten thousand years. A thousand years ago, the Great Longevity Emperor was stationed here. When his term ended, he was replaced by the Demon-Quelling Great Emperor to safeguard the Heavenly Palace's interests in the Profound Yellow Great World. However, this Great Emperor dislikes worldly affairs and spends most of his time cultivating, rarely making public appearances. Our information on him remains incomplete..."
After a moment, the Antarctic Emperor seemed to realize the significance of Li Chunjun's question.
He paused before continuing, "Having a Supreme Sage stationed here already demonstrates a high level of importance! After all, even the Wu Ji Sect, a native power as powerful as their Great Camp, only has nine Supreme Sages stationed here!"
Li Chunjun glanced at the Antarctic Emperor...
So the Immortal God Race's Six Great Emperors' lineup isn't actually weak?
"I thought that Council-level sects like the Heavenly Palace, the Wu Ji Sect, and the Taixu Sword Sect would have at least hundreds or even thousands of Supreme Sages. Otherwise, how could they possibly deserve the title of a Dao Unification Realm power?"
"Hundreds or thousands of Supreme Sages..."
The Antarctic Emperor's lips twitched, unsure how to respond.
After a moment, he understood the logic behind Li Chunjun's question.
"Celestial Sovereign, do you believe that only such a large number can produce a Dao Unification cultivator?"
"Shouldn't it be that way? Or is it that the path from Supreme Sage to Dao Unification is somehow easier than the path from Primordial Spirit to Void Refining?"
"There's a possibility..."
The Antarctic Emperor pondered, "It's because of lifespan."
"Lifespan?"
Li Chunjun's mind cleared instantly at the Antarctic Emperor's words.
The lifespan difference between Primordial Spirit and Void Refining is forty to fifty times.
But the difference between Void Refining and Dao Unification...
Is it not over a thousand times!?
Li Chunjun turned his gaze back to the Heavenly Palace's records.
One Supreme Sage!
Seventy-three Dharma Forms!
Nine of those who had cultivated top-tier Dharma Forms had entered the Council of Elders.
The rest were mostly ordinary or high-grade Dharma Forms—the kind Li Chunjun could handle one or two of if he gave it his all.
So...
"So..."
Li Chunjun's Heart-Mind wavered. "I've already reached this level?"
At that moment, he finally realized that he had completely completed two consecutive class jumps.
(End of the Chapter)
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