Divine Calculation Sky Demon quickly clarified: "This is the first I’ve heard of it."
"Hmph, really? Aren’t you a cultivator too, with no association whatsoever with such enigmatic talents?"
Divine Calculation Sky Demon hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, I cultivate Mystic Gate Taoist Skill and Infinite Immortal Technique, vastly different from those of left-handed paths and Qimen Dunjia Skill. We are not of the same ilk.
However, I am somewhat familiar with this Qimen Dunjia Skill. Though it possesses unfathomable capabilities, it also has many limitations. If only employing minor skills, it’s workable. But to wield the grand technique, it requires the assistance of an Array. If Wentian Wuji aims to use the grand Qiankun Shifting Technique to maneuver forces, there will certainly be signs. By deploying more spies, it won’t be a concern."
Wang Xie suddenly intervened, "Your Majesty need not worry. We still have an army of one hundred thousand. The previous defeat of the three armies was due to underestimation and rashness, dispersing our forces. Now, as long as we unite, the enemy has no opportunity to exploit."
Long Wushang shook his head, "The Three States have a large population. If they are allowed to recruit and arm fully, our advantage in numbers will vanish."
Wang Xie confidently laughed, "Haha, Your Majesty need not worry. I have long said those Northern Barbarians, Northern Demon Clan, Quanrong Giants, are all useless trash.
The true determinant of dominion falls upon those ’Heavenly Soldiers’ I’ve trained. As I know, once those leaders fall, their respective troops will scatter. Only the few thousand ’Heavenly Soldiers’ I sent will fight to the death without retreat.
It’s a pity there are too few forces to reverse the overall situation. But if I could transform all the subordinate troops into ’Heavenly Soldiers,’ naturally, we’d be invincible and sweep across the Nine States."
Upon hearing the term ’Heavenly Soldiers,’ Long Wushang immediately snorted coldly, and the surrounding generals cast wary glances at Wang Xie.
Although these ’Heavenly Soldiers’ are formidable and fearless, obeying orders to the letter, they exude an ominous aura, resembling walking corpses. Transforming the subordinate soldiers into such beings isn’t ideal.
Wang Xie anticipated this reaction, smiling slightly, "Your Majesty need not be troubled. Transforming into ’Heavenly Soldiers’ doesn’t necessarily rely on elite troops; even ordinary citizens can become Heavenly Soldiers.
The previous three roads, having captured many local citizens, why not hand them over to me, to transform them into Heavenly Soldiers for Your Majesty’s use?"
Long Wushang seemed intrigued by this suggestion.
Yet a candid minister stepped forward, "This is unreasonable; Your Majesty aims to unite the Nine States as a magnificent ruler. Aren’t these citizens also your subjects? How can you be so cruel, turning them into..."
Wang Xie spoke coldly, "Under heaven, nothing isn’t the king’s land; on the shores, nothing isn’t the king’s vassal. All Nine States’ people are His Majesty’s citizens. Their sacrifice for His Majesty’s hegemony isn’t much, is it? Moreover, becoming a Heavenly Soldier is an enormous blessing. Once transformed, they will be free of illness and worry, impervious to evil and extraordinarily strong.
With the world in chaos, Nine States citizens suffer the havoc of troubled times. Becoming Heavenly Soldiers is considered a release.
Moreover, once Nine States are unified and an empire rebuilt, what’s the harm in the sacrifice of a few commoners?"
Though the minister wanted to argue further, Long Wushang had already made a decision.
Raising his hand: "Enough, the King’s Advisor speaks rightly. Let’s proceed as such; chaotic citizens of the Three States will be handed over to you from now on."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Xie agreed readily, inwardly elated, for his plan could finally be realized.
Turning to his three disciples behind him, he nodded slightly, "Bu Wu, Bu Yuan, Bu Qi, come with me; there are important tasks to accomplish."
Behind Wang Xie stood three Taoists identical to Wang Xie in appearance, only differing in demeanor and aura. Hearing Wang Xie’s call, they immediately followed him out.
Watching Wang Xie leave in haste, Divine Calculation Sky Demon pondered. He had been in the New Empire Army long enough to know that Wang Xie was exceedingly powerful.
Moreover, he sensed that Wang Xie harbored ambitions beyond merely serving as Long Wushang’s advisor.
Now, the fox’s tail finally revealed itself.
No matter, it’s time to play his part—but this time, it seems there will be one more adversary.
With this thought, he sent a private message.
Divine Calculation Sky Demon: Wentian Wuji, you finally acted.
Wentian Wuji: Ascension and becoming a god, transcendence beyond mortals—is such temptation truly resistible by anyone?
Divine Calculation Sky Demon: Hahaha, such transcending of mortals. However, the path of ascension is elusive and insubstantial. You understand the consequences of opposing the Pantheon, right? Are you really diving into these troubled waters? Your power alone isn’t much of a challenge for me to handle.
Wentian Wuji: Hehe, I understand the stakes, so I’ve already shared the secret of Ascension Items with Supreme Emperor, Yide Fu Ren, and Long Xingtianxia. When the three guilds join forces, I’d say you should be more worried about them than me.
Divine Calculation Sky Demon: ...Confusing the waters to fish in them, you have learned the Pantheon’s Way remarkably well.
Wentian Wuji: Since the water is muddled, let’s muddle it more. There’s no need for provocation here, Tianmo Brother. Now that the prize is set, we’ll rely on our own capabilities, but I am curious; have you found the whereabouts of the Ascension Item? With so many World Bosses out there, predators uncertain, don’t let your eye be deceived, Tianmo Brother.
Divine Calculation Sky Demon: Likewise.
Closing the private message, Divine Calculation Sky Demon’s gaze settled on Long Wushang seated on the throne. Just by sitting quietly, Long Wushang was enveloped in Dragon Qi, a feature of the Ancestor Dragon lineage.
Though diluted over millennia, few descendants of the Ancestor Dragon can now gather True Dragon Qi.
Long Wushang relies on this True Dragon Qi to excel in Martial Arts and Taoist Divine Power, becoming an unparalleled strongman.
However, Divine Calculation Sky Demon’s interest wasn’t the Dragon Qi, but the mysterious yellow light hovering above Long Wushang’s head.
The yellow light seemed alive, surrounding Long Wushang fluctuatingly, mostly hanging above his head, sometimes sinking into his body, or forming an aura behind him.
This reminded Divine Calculation Sky Demon of the Divine Light behind Buddha and spirits.
Though invisible to ordinary people, Divine Calculation Sky Demon saw it clearly.
While its nature wasn’t certain, Divine Calculation Sky Demon was convinced it related to that treasure capable of making one ascend as an Immortal God.
As the New Empire Army’s leader, this Ascension Item must be Long Wushang’s possession.