Chapter 710: Masters Summons

Chapter 710: Master's Summons

The emperor had drawn on the might of his empire as war dawned over his capital. Though there was little left of his empire, his reserves of fortune conferred an important boon. Using that power, he had exposed Ye Dafu's identity. The same situation was unfolding in the other five empires' capitals, revealing the golden cultivators one after another.

Although Dazheng was far away, the alliance between Shenfeng and Dazheng that sparked the exchange of tens of thousands of administrative officials from Dazheng had drawn considerable attention, and many were aware of the twelve golden cultivators of Dazheng.

"Weren't they all True Immortals? How did they all become Golden Immortals together?"

"Are these twelve Golden Immortals all from Dazheng? Doesn't that mean that Shenfeng's reserves are more limited than we expected?"

"Hold on—if the twelve Golden Immortals all return to Dazheng, won't there be openings for their current positions?"

Countless cultivators were shocked by the identities of the twelve mysterious Golden Immortals that were serving as Shenfeng's vanguard. They tried to analyze how they could take advantage of their newfound knowledge.

Some were disappointed in Shenfeng's trickery, while others admired their cunning.

Regardless, the war against the six neighboring empires was coming to an end. The fighting continued in all six capitals.

The six emperors had received a notable boost to their strength, but they were ultimately still only late-stage Golden Immortals. They might be able to wound Ye Dafu and the others, but that was the limit of their strength. The emperors were on borrowed time, and their strength was rapidly draining away.

"Why are your attacks growing weaker and weaker?" Ye Dafu cried out with dissatisfaction.

"How can your damn body be so sturdy? Why can't I damage you?!" the emperor shouted back.

As the two cultivators continued to face off, the emperor's imperial might slowly faded away.

Just then, the other golden cultivator finally seized victory and killed his black-robed opponent.

"Boss, let me help you out!" he shouted.

"Die!"

The two golden cultivators attacked the exhausted emperor simultaneously, who was forced to retreat and defend. Blood splattered his body.

Even when defeat was all but imminent, he refused to give up on his empire, his life's work.

"How could this be happening? Aren't you from Dazheng? What are you doing here in Shenfeng? Are you crazy?" the emperor howled.

"Don't you know that Dazheng and Shenfeng are allies now? It's perfectly normal to borrow troops and the like. You should have found allies of your own to work with, idiot!" Ye Dafu retorted.

The emperor grimaced. He had found allies! The six neighboring empires were working together against Shenfeng, but they were still losing badly.

The emperor was sent flying, his body bruised and bleeding.

"I can't accept this!" the emperor howled.

A golden cultivator sent him flying. He was just about to retaliate when Ye Dafu beheaded him with his Golden Immortal blade.

"No!" the emperor roared.

His head fell to the ground.

His soul escaped out of his mindscape, only to be met with the other golden cultivator's fist.

"No!" the emperor's soul roared again.

Then, his soul shattered from the force of the golden cultivator's attack.

The remnants of the sea of fortune high overhead, and the fortune that had been imbued within the emperor's body, began to flood toward Shenfeng's capital.

The two golden cultivators raised the emperor's head and body up high and roared, "Your emperor has perished! Surrender now!"

The people of Shenfeng cheered when the news of Shenfeng's overwhelming victory spread to them. Countless cultivators who had been preparing to participate in Shenfeng's imperial examination learned of the news as well.

Some were shocked that the twelve masked Golden Immortals had been loaned from another empire, while others were taken aback by the Divine Emperor's foresight and acumen. The kingdoms in the vicinity were easy prey—and once all was said and done, Shenfeng's borders would be at the upper extremes for an empire.

"A hundred Immortal cities—Shenfeng could well advance to a divine empire from the results of this war. I'll have to make a good showing during the imperial examination."

"It's a pity that those twelve Golden Immortals were borrowed from another empire. I'm worried that, without them, Shenfeng won't be able to withstand attacks from the divine empires in the vicinity."

"You can't afford to be picky now. What do you know about Shenfeng's hidden reserves, at any rate? We've already missed several opportunities. Do you intend to let this one pass by, too?"

Countless disciples from various Immortal sects in the vicinity were bickering with each other. Some were worried, while others were expectant. In the end, worried about the potential of losing an opportunity that might never come again, no one was deterred by the identities of Shenfeng's twelve Golden Immortals.

After holding court, the Divine Emperor headed to the valley at the back of the palatial complex.

When she found Xiao Nanfeng sitting there, she happily tugged on his hands. "We've won! You managed to take down six empires during my few days of secluded cultivation—you really are amazing!"

"We have twelve Golden Immortals, after all. That's the equivalent of a few empires' worth of combat strength. It should have been straightforward." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"The twelve Golden Immortals' identities have been exposed, and word will soon spread to the east. I'm afraid your enemies might take advantage of the opportunity to attack Dazheng," the Divine Emperor said in worry.

"The Demon Child's there. There's nothing to fear." Xiao Nanfeng's smile deepened.

"That's true!" The Divine Emperor's eyes lit up before she frowned again. "But the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue and the Taiqing Immortal Sect are mortal enemies. I'm sure the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue is about to make a move."

"I have a plan for that, too. Right now, however, we need to focus on the upcoming imperial examination. We might even be able to attract a Golden Immortal into the empire."

The Divine Emperor laughed. "With you around, I'm sure we can reel in a good catch."

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "I'll have to leave for some time."

"What's wrong?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly. "I was very wary of the prospect of entering the black coffin, but it seems as if I'll have to do so regardless."

"Why?"

"My master sent word, and I'm honorbound to respond. He's been trapped in the black coffin and needs my help. That said, he claims to have a means of entering and leaving the black coffin, so there's little for me to worry about. I just have to find him," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Your master, Ku Jiang? He's currently spying on Hongyue, isn't he?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"You might not believe this, but he's since become a top official of Hongyue's court."

"What? How can that be?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"It's true! I don't know how he managed such a feat. Perhaps even the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue didn't expect he would be so bold. He changed his appearance, and no one has suspected a thing. I can't believe it myself. No wonder he hadn't been able to help me out for long in the past—he has responsibilities befitting his station, after all."

"Let me accompany you," the Divine Emperor offered immediately.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "You can't. You'll have to prepare for the imperial examination. I'm all but certain Hongyue will interfere. You'll need to remain in Shenfeng's capital to deal with whatever they try."

"But—"

"Master knows about the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue's plans, and he's aware of the danger that the black coffin represents. With him to protect me, I expect I won't be in big danger," Xiao Nanfeng said.

The Divine Emperor sighed. "It's a pity that I haven't gotten much out of my analysis. I don't feel comfortable letting you go alone."

"My avatar can contact you at any time. If I'm in serious danger, I'll inform you immediately. You'll have time to rush over to help me," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Very well." The Divine Emperor could only nod in exasperation.