"The Divine Spirits are in full retreat?"
Gu Jinlai, who had moved the battlefield to a region of asteroids, quickly sensed something unusual.
Immediately, he split his Spirit to activate the Divine Origin Plate and entered the Ten Thousand Gods Realm.
He soon perceived a formidable will towering over the Ten Thousand Gods Realm, and upon slightly sensing it, he felt the pressure of a Divine Emperor Level presence.
"The Immortal Venerables from the three major overlord-level forces have entered the Ashen Star Domain to besiege all Divine Spirits. Those entering the Ashen Star Domain rashly will bear the consequences."
Gu Jinlai read this message without much surprise.
Even though the Divine Spirits’ perception of time isn’t sharp, the fall of over a thousand Divine Spirits in the Ashen Star Domain recently surely made the high-ranking Divine Emperors in the Ten Thousand Gods Realm notice something was amiss.
"Since even the Divine Emperors have publicly issued a statement, next, even if God Emperor Leize and others are worried about causing ’diplomatic incidents’ due to my identity as a Divine Son, they still have to let me personally explain the Ashen Star Domain matter... They should have already included me in the list of suspects."
Gu Jinlai speculated internally. Content orıginally comes from 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵
Similarly, with the Divine Spirits’ concept of time, once suspicions arise, it won’t be a matter that resolves in decades or centuries. For the next few millennia, perhaps tens of thousands of years, there would be Divine Kings, even Divine Emperors, scrutinizing his every move.
"This account is probably a lost cause now."
Gu Jinlai felt a bit regretful.
Based on the communication components recorded in the Divine Origin Plate, he browsed through the messages left by various Divine Spirit "friends."
These Divine Spirits were initially persuaded by him, willing to lend a hand for the sake of ten Immortal Artifacts. But now, they’re all changing their tune.
Some even bluntly accused him, questioning whether there was some hidden conspiracy involved.
There were still a few bold Divine Spirits, citing the Ashen Star Domain as more dangerous than before, asking him to increase the payment.
Apparently, even though Divine Spirits are naturally cautious, among their large numbers, there are those who advocate the philosophy of "seeking fortune amidst danger."
For these Divine Spirits, he readily accepted their offer, quoting higher prices for them to assist.
He was sure that among these people, the majority were dispatched capture teams from the suspicious high ranks of the Ten Thousand Gods Realm.
But it didn’t matter.
This account was already ruined, and it naturally should proceed to the final stage.
"Yuan Miao? Come see me immediately!"
At this moment, a Divine Thought pierced through the void, directly landing on Gu Jinlai.
It was God Emperor Leize.
However, things had come to this point, and Gu Jinlai didn’t want to waste time with these Divine Spirits anymore. He responded bluntly: "What’s the situation? Are other Divine Spirits not allowed to enter the Ashen Star Domain anymore? There are still so many Divine Spirits in the Ashen Star Domain, all facing threats to their lives, but now you don’t want others to enter and assist; are you just going to watch all the Divine Spirits die there?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the powerful Divine Thought quickly condensed into an image of God Emperor Leize.
This Divine Emperor sternly said: "Why are so many Divine Spirits flooding into the Ashen Star Domain? Isn’t it because you’ve been stirring things up from the shadows? If you leave the Ashen Star Domain with us, no more Divine Spirits will enter it."
"An easy fix? What about those Divine Spirits already in the Ashen Star Domain?"
Gu Jinlai bolstered his Divine Thought, arguing logically: "When I first entered the Ten Thousand Gods Realm, you told me its primary purpose was to unite all Divine Spirits against the oppressors, the cultivators. But now, at least a hundred Divine Spirits, including myself, are in peril, and you’re ignoring it. What use does the Ten Thousand Gods Realm have if it cannot unite and assist? Or was the Ten Thousand Gods Realm established just to serve the ambitions of a few?"
He didn’t restrain the fluctuations of his Divine Thought with these words, attracting everyone nearby.
Soon, the gazes of many Divine Spirits fell upon him and God Emperor Leize’s Divine Will.
These Divine Spirits joined the Ten Thousand Gods Realm at the risk of being devoured by others precisely because the unity within provided a sense of security.
In the Ten Thousand Gods Realm, one could seek aid in times of danger, instilling some confidence within them.
But now, if the Ten Thousand Gods Realm stands by watching the fall of many Divine Spirits in the Ashen Star Domain without action...
Though it wouldn’t lead to the complete dissolution of the Ten Thousand Gods Realm, it would chill these Divine Spirits to the core.
The most vital cornerstone of trust and reliance within the Ten Thousand Gods Realm would collapse.
God Emperor Leize’s face changed.
The decision for the Ten Thousand Gods Realm to abandon the rescue of Divine Spirits in the Ashen Star Domain could be made secretly, even mutually understood among the high ranks, but how could it be publicly acknowledged?
Seeing the focus of numerous Divine Spirits concentrated on him, God Emperor Leize had to say in a deep voice: "Higher authorities are dealing with this matter, beyond what we can understand at our level. Now, come with me; His Majesty God Emperor Yongyang wants to see you."
"What can’t be said here? We have done nothing wrong. Why the need for secrecy?"
Gu Jinlai, stirred by Divine Thought, declared righteously, "Moreover, you have already become a God Emperor, do you still not count as a high-ranking member of the Ten Thousand Gods Realm? Are you telling me that you, as a God Emperor, are completely unaware of the decisions of the various Divine Emperors?"
His words resonated with many Divine Spirits, even attracting some nearby Divine Spirits who were drawn to the scene, their eyes falling on God Emperor Leize, waiting for his response.
"Yuan Miao, does every internal affair of our Divine Race need to be reported to a Divine Son like you?"
God Emperor Leize sternly said, "Moreover, the higher-ups have their plans, but these plans must be carried out step by step. The first step is for you, the main culprit behind the fall of countless Divine Spirits, to withdraw from the Ashen Star Domain!"
"I am the main culprit behind the fall of countless Divine Spirits? Clearly, I am just a victim too!"
Gu Jinlai’s tone also became severe: "Why have so many Divine Spirits flooded into the Ashen Star Domain? Don’t you all know the reason? It’s because there’s an organization within the Ten Thousand Gods Realm that profits from selling their compatriots’ information, leaking the location of my transactions with other Divine Spirits, which is what led so many maliciously-intent Divine Spirits into the Ashen Star Domain!"
He shouted loudly, "Am I at fault? I just wanted to sell ten Immortal Artifacts, what’s my mistake!? The real mistake is those Divine Spirits who claim to be as one family with the Divine Race, the real mistake is the dark organization that sold internal information! Do I even need to name that organization? Everyone knows! Come, one by one, I will name them, Eye of True Knowledge, Tree of Wisdom, The Universe Bell..."
God Emperor Leize roared in anger.
"You tell me to be silent, but I insist on speaking! What, dare to do but not to admit? Who stands behind these forces? Aren’t they those Divine Emperors!? Can I interpret the actions of such forces as the Divine Emperors at the top leading the sale of the Divine Race’s interests!?"
Gu Jinlai’s Divine Thought echoed over the Ten Thousand Gods Realm, attracting an ever-growing number of Divine Spirits eager for a spectacle: "If not, give me an explanation! If so, in such a Ten Thousand Gods Realm, what safety or privacy do we have to speak of!? Do you mean that anyone you want to kill wouldn’t be able to escape your clutches!?"
"Yuan Miao, you are just being unreasonable."
God Emperor Leize’s voice turned cold: "Furthermore, according to our investigation, you are connected to that Immortal Venerable who caused chaos in the Ashen Star Domain. It’s likely you are cooperating with that Immortal Venerable, luring countless Divine Spirits into the Ashen Star Domain to be hunted one by one by that Immortal Venerable, while you take advantage of the chaos to strengthen yourself by degrading Divine Spirits."
This God Emperor seemed to run out of options, directly issuing a strong order: "Now, remain where you are, we will send someone to request your investigation, those who are clean will be proven innocent. If you didn’t collude with that Immortal Venerable, we will ensure your safety, but if you dare to resist, it proves your guilty conscience..."
Gu Jinlai laughed loudly, "If you desire to accuse someone unjustly, words are not hard to find! Everyone who has achieved Divine Spirit status can’t possibly be fools; me, a Divine Son, colluding with an Immortal Venerable? What would I gain from it? Would that Immortal Venerable let me off easily when the time comes? As for surrendering myself... Once you’ve captured me, how you decide my guilt is entirely up to you, isn’t it? What means do I have to resist it!"
These words caused a stir among the Divine Spirits.
Evidently, many agreed with Gu Jinlai’s statement.
As beings capable of becoming Divine Spirits and Divine King Level, they long understood the truth is in the hands of the powerful.
"Our Ten Thousand Gods Realm will never falsely accuse a bad person, nor will it let a good person go!"
God Emperor Leize stated solemnly.
"Then what about the Divine Emperor behind the Eye of True Knowledge selling information about other Divine Spirits? You’re simply taking ’lying with open eyes’ to its extreme!"
Gu Jinlai appeared to be extremely angry yet laughed, "Fine, fine! Since you insist on accusing me of collusion with that Immortal Venerable, fine, I’ll confess! I am that Immortal Venerable hunting Divine Spirits in the Ashen Star Domain! Is that satisfactory!?"
"Since you’ve confessed, then it’s simple..."
God Emperor Leize was about to say something else.
But at this moment, a God Emperor who feared implications stepped forward: "Leize, you have gone too far."
He glanced at Gu Jinlai, "We are at a critical moment in forming an alliance with the Ancient Divine Race, aren’t you afraid your overbearing actions will affect the alliance between us Divine Spirits and the Ancient Divine Race?"
"Indeed, a Divine Son, yet you accuse him of being an Immortal Venerable? Are you trying to drag our intellect through the mud?"
Another God Emperor stood out.
God Emperor Leize’s words were too preposterous.
Yuan Miao an Immortal Venerable?
It wouldn’t even deceive a ghost, let alone a god?
If he dealt with it , the divine spirits of the Ten Thousand Gods Realm would all be disheartened, and should it affect the cooperation between the Divine Race and the Ancient Divine Race, the problem would be severe.
God Emperor Leize was about to say something again when the Divine Will of God Emperor Anchen resounded in his mind: "That’s enough, we’ve already locked onto his position through the Divine Origin Plate, he remains in the Ashen Star Domain."
God Emperor Leize was delighted.
His lengthy discourse with Gu Jinlai had aimed at getting him to activate the Divine Origin Plate to achieve a lock on his location, and now...
Finally, Gu Jinlai’s position had been locked.
Since this is the case...
"Yuan Miao, whether or not you are the Immortal Venerable of the Ashen Star Domain is not up to you to decide. Our Ten Thousand Gods Realm will conduct a public trial to set the record straight!"