Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

The atmosphere among the Heavenly Monarchs seemed somewhat frigid, as something unspeakable began to fester in hidden places.

Tushan Heavenly Monarch.

Heavenly Monarch!

Just a Heavenly Monarch, who isn’t one?

In a relatively fair order such as that of the Tushan Central Court, they ascended to the Divinity Transformation Stage, unrestrained by anyone. Anyone with significant contributions could obtain the Opportunity to Transform into a Deity and the Divinity Transformation Technique.

Doesn’t this seem common?

All Opportunities and Techniques for Divinity Transformation are not obtained for nothing; they are earned through life-and-death experiences.

But!

This kind of commonness is ridiculously hard to come by in a Domain.

What’s the typical situation?

If you’re not a disciple raised by a Sect from a young age, not a relative or disciple of a High-Level Cultivator, you shall not have the Opportunity for Nascent Soul to Divine Transformation!

What is fairness?

Cultivators unite supreme power within themselves, exert tireless efforts, survive countless battles and daunting challenges, and finally ascend to Divinity. Is it so that you may enjoy fairness and benefit thereby?

Therefore, at the beginning of their ascension into the Divinity Transformation Stage, the Heavenly Monarchs are filled with gratitude, for they understand what the real world is like.

At that time, even if foreign enemies were to attack the Tushan Central Court and disturb the retreat of Tushan Heavenly Monarch, they would even be willing to fight to the death for Tushan Heavenly Monarch, without regrets even in death.

Regrettably, under the passage of a millennium, everything begins to change.

No matter how much gratitude, after a millennium of daily necessities and the tedious affairs of cultivating spirit lands and Elixirs, almost none remains.

Fairness has become as commonplace as sunlight, air, and moisture in the Tushan Central Court.

Such ordinary things are naturally provided, even ordinary mortals have them. Why harbor any special gratitude?

Nepotism, sheer nepotism!

In this world, even in the Upper Realm, the majority of powerful figures in the Cultivation World harbor various ideals in their youth. They aspire to embrace all rivers, to gather the world’s remarkable talents, not confined by Sect biases and be full of lofty ambitions.

However, as they reach their old age, these powerful individuals invariably opt for the traditional system of master and disciple mixed with the Clan System, along with slight innovations, as the foundation of their Sect’s heritage.

Don’t they know that radical systems can improve efficiency?

Perhaps they are not as explicit as Xianmen cultivators, lacking related explorations and social practices, but over the long years, they have also come to recognize this to some extent.

Why, then, do they all converge conservatively in the end?

Apart from the affection of the older powerful figures for their Direct Disciples and their clan’s descendants, these are the reasons.

All who dream of fulfilling grand ambitions and embracing all rivers, treating everyone fairly, seem to eventually meet tragic ends.

Human gratitude cannot last for very long.

In comparison, ties such as marriage alliances, blood connections, and Direct Disciples may not be foolproof—after all, there are often Demon Cultivators committing heinous acts—yet these ties are much more intimate than ordinary relationships.

Thus, the likelihood of betrayal is greatly reduced. Those stories that circulate widely in the Cultivation World about killing one’s kin or mentor serve as evidence.

Only very rare incidents become news and spread far and wide.

Many times, it has to be acknowledged that familial ties, marriage alliances, and Direct Disciples, although mundane and inefficient in administration and talent selection, hence impeding the development of Immortal Technology and productive forces of Immortality, indeed have tremendous stability advantages.

Just like now, if all the ten great Heavenly Monarchs were Direct Disciples, descendants, or wives of Tushan Heavenly Monarch, the political situation would instantly become at least ten times more stable.

Of course, it means only stability, not that there’s nothing to worry about.

Betrayal by descendants, Direct Disciples, and wives does happen from time to time; though the chances are significantly reduced, and the stability of the system greatly enhanced.

And what is the reality?

Most of the ten great Heavenly Monarchs have little emotional bond with Tushan Heavenly Monarch, and so, when making choices, they exhibit little hesitation or doubt.

”No need for idle talk!”

”Colorful Jade Heavenly Monarch, I only ask you one question.”

The Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch said coldly: ”Is Tushan still alive? If he is dead, he should not continue to occupy so many Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures, this is against the Heavenly Dao!”

His Cultivation Base needs to ascend, just like his father Bai Zu did, to the Late Stage of nascent soul or even become a Spirit Transformation Heavenly Monarch.

And ascension requires resources!

If he can obtain the countless Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures accumulated over centuries in Tushan Central Court, or even take over the entire Tushan Central Court, then... his path would be smooth and unobstructed!

”My lord, is in seclusion, and must not be disturbed by anyone.”

Gong Caiyu said angrily: ”Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch, are you going to betray Tushan Central Court? Just like the Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator Bai Zu in the past?”

With these words, the surroundings fell silent instantly.

The Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch swallowed saliva, his mouth dry and tongue scorched; he did not respond immediately.

He recalled the history of the past.

Tushan Heavenly Monarch, in contrast to his tolerance and benevolence, was that terrifying bloodthirsty madness!

If anyone thought that they could take advantage of his kindness and leniency, they would be sorely mistaken, utterly delusional.

In past history, there have been numerous elites, Ice Field Heavenly Monarch, Ice Phoenix Heavenly Monarch, and his father Bai Zu, Heavenly Soldiers and Generals from the Upper Realm... All of them, every single Heavenly Monarch who violated his Tushan Law, all had to die, their Divine Souls utterly annihilated!

Not a trace of pity, not a single exception.

There is no benevolence in Tushan Heavenly Monarch.

The Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch glanced around.

Great Love Heavenly Monarch, Scorching Sun Heavenly Monarch, Six Paths Celestial Monarch... and the Demon Race’s Bai Bing, he was quite sure that none of these many Heavenly Monarchs were kind-hearted, all harbored similar intentions as himself.

Are these allies?

No one responded to his gaze.

”Colorful Jade Heavenly Monarch, you must be joking.”

Under such terrible pressure, Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch carelessly said: ”The Central Court is where I was born and raised, how could I possibly betray it?”

”It’s just that we are concerned about the Heavenly Monarch’s well-being, hence the inquiry.”

”Now I suspect...”

Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch stared fixedly at Gong Caiyu, coldly stating: ”The Heavenly Monarch is now gravely injured, at a critical juncture between life and death, urgently requiring our rescue. And you, Colorful Jade Heavenly Monarch, for personal gain, have isolated the inside from out, cutting off the Heavenly Monarch’s channel to contact us for rescue, putting the safety of Central Court at risk!”

”Isn’t this the truth?”

Tushan, indeed, is strong.

But how much strength is left after being severely wounded by the Thunder Department Heavenly Soldiers and Generals of the Upper Realm, as well as that terrifyingly powerful being?

This is a heaven-sent opportunity!

If we miss this chance, there might not be another in the future!

”That’s not true.”

Gong Caiyu calmly stated.

She did not take action.

Because she wasn’t completely confident in defeating Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch, she never relied on personal strength, especially since everyone present was formerly an Elite of the Nascent Soul Stage.

As for summoning the Central Court’s army...

Gong Caiyu sighed slightly in her heart.

As for the Heavenly Monarchs inside, after a thousand years of infiltration, how many of Central Court’s army could she be sure of were reliable? It was unclear to her.

She only knew there would be no shortage of corrupt insiders; the greed and corruption were severe with much collusion inside and out. The Inspection Hall had struck down corruption again and again, yet it seemed to resurge shortly after each time.

Seeking the aid of other Heavenly Monarchs to kill those who violate the law?

This thought surfaced again in Gong Caiyu’s heart.

However, who to turn to?

Qingyun Heavenly Monarch seemed reliable.

Because her master had said, he was upright and dependable, but also said he would not fight to the death over anything, at most he could constrain one or two peers of the same strength.

Besides him, who else?

Ice Snow Heavenly Monarch? Great Love Heavenly Monarch? Ye Yue Heavenly Monarch? Or Six Paths Celestial Monarch, the enemy of her past master from the Northern Plains Families? Or Scorching Sun Heavenly Monarch from the Great Sun Sword Sect? Or...

Too many possibilities, too many unknowns.

This is why Gong Caiyu dared not act rashly.

If power is insufficient, one must often compromise in many situations—this is the world’s helplessness, not shifted by human will.

”You say it’s not true, and it’s not true?”

”Who would believe that?”

Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch sneered, revealing his true colors: ”I must see the Heavenly Monarch!”

”This is my right. How could you, a mere maid, obstruct me?”

”Rebellion!”

”Seeking death!”

Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch stood up, staring fixedly at Gong Caiyu, as ticking and writhing sounds came from his hair, skin, and flesh, terribly horrifying.

The terrifying Divine Power of Divinity Transformation radiated, pressing down on Gong Caiyu, solidifying the space around, where any Nascent Soul Monk would suffocate if they were present.

”Would you obstruct me?”

Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch enunciated each word.

Clang!

Gong Caiyu drew her sword, ready to meet the challenge. The grand momentum of the Nascent Soul Stage spread out all around, and as her intent to kill finally began to show, she no longer restrained herself: ”Hundred Poison, you’re courting death...”

The surrounding Heavenly Monarchs watched with indifference, seemingly unconnected to the affair.

Suddenly, at a certain moment.

All their expressions changed drastically, and they all stood up abruptly.

”Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch! How dare you assault the Governance Sect Master? What crime should you bear?!”

This was the stern reprimand of Six Paths Celestial Monarch.

”Death penalty!”

”Hundred Poison, harboring wild ambitions, I’ve gathered evidence for a long time, finally revealing your true face today!”

This was Ice Snow Heavenly Monarch Mu Tiansnow, with her longsword that flowed like fresh blood drawn, unfolding her Blood Path Domain, cutting off Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch’s retreat.

”Hundred Poison, I’ve disliked you for a long time...”

In that instant, Great Love Heavenly Monarch, Ye Yue Heavenly Monarch, Bai Bing, and all the others burst out with violent intent to kill against Hundred Poison Celestial Monarch, instantly suppressing his presence like a lamb, no longer possessing the grandeur of a Heavenly Monarch.