"Junior Sister, don't worry. I'm doing this for Shan'er's own good," Yue Buqun was overjoyed.
Yue Lingshan was but a naive young girl of eighteen—how hard could it be to persuade her to volunteer herself as a sacrifice for the Upper God? Especially since this wasn't just a deception. The Upper God was a truly great and real existence. Young girls idolize the strongest; all he had to do was make his move, and he was sure to succeed.
So, Yue Buqun began preparing the Sacrifices anew: the Martial Arts Secret Books of the Huashan Sect, gold, silver, and jewels… He was ready to offer up anything valuable. Having seen Murong Fu's sacrifice, he knew that these offerings were trifling. The gains would be a thousand times greater than what he gave.
"However, the Sacrifices are just one aspect; more crucial are the believers. Spreading the teachings is the foundation."
With this thought in mind, Yue Buqun fell into deep contemplation.
The Huashan Sect was in decline, with only a handful of disciples. Barely a few hundred in total. Not even as many as the slaves and servants in Murong Fu's household. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to sacrifice and unify the Five Mountain Sword Sects, while simultaneously helping spread the faith of the Upper God...
Upon this thought, Yue Buqun's eyes lit up.
After discussing with Ning Zhongze, he immediately called over Ling Huchong, Laudno, and several other disciples. He ordered them to send invitations to the Shaolin, Wudang, Song Mountain, Mountain Heng, Tai Mountain, and Mount Hengshan major sects. He invited all the major sects to bring their disciples to the Huashan Sect on the fifteenth day of the seventh month to discuss the great matter of the rise and fall of each sect.
"Yes, Master," Ling Huchong and the others took their orders and left the grand hall.
"Senior Brother, what exactly is going on?" Laudno glanced at Ling Huchong and probed, "Master said it's about the rise and fall of the sects. Could it be related to the Demon Sect?"
"I don't know either." Ling Huchong shook his head, nonchalantly adding, "Anyway, Master and Madam have their considerations. We just need to do as Master asked and deliver the invitations to the various sects. We shouldn't concern ourselves with anything else."
"What Senior Brother said is very true." Seeing he couldn't get more information, Laudno didn't press further. He quickly relayed the news that Yue Buqun was inviting all sects to discuss important matters to Zuo Lengchan of the Song Mountain Sect. Laudno was Zuo Lengchan's disciple, and his purpose for being at the Huashan Sect was to keep a close watch on Yue Buqun's every move.
「At Song Mountain, in the Council Hall.」
"Yue Buqun is gathering all sects on the fifteenth of July at Mount Huashan to discuss matters concerning the rise and fall of each sect?" Zuo Lengchan looked over the message sent by Laudno, skepticism in his heart.
"What business could Yue Buqun have that concerns the rise and fall of all sects? Could the Demon Sect be making a move?" pondered Fei Bin, one of the Thirteen Protectors.
"Regardless of what Yue Buqun is up to, we'll find out when we go to the Huashan Sect on the fifteenth of July. If the Demon Sect really is up to something big, we might use this chance to unite the Five Mountain Sword Sects!" Zuo Lengchan's eyes flickered with a sharp light, and he was suddenly looking forward to his trip to Huashan.
「In the Fengyun World.」
「At the headquarters of The World Association.」
Xiong Ba's face was pale, his forehead covered in cold sweat, both shocked and excited.
God. There really were gods in this world. Although he had almost believed in the existence of the God of Hongmeng after watching Murong Fu's video, his skeptical nature still left him with a hint of doubt. It was possible that everything in the chat group was a sham, all just to deceive him. But just now, as he recited the "Meditation Method," his consciousness beheld a presence so great it defied description with mere words. Every time he recalled it, his body couldn't help but tremble with fear. That was a god. A true god. His majesty was boundless. His divine power limitless. In his presence, one felt as if facing the entire world, as if facing the vast expanse of the universe, as if facing the greatest existence in all creation. It was terrifying.
"So it's the Fengyun World that will lead to my rise or fall, huh?" Thinking of the future he saw after receiving God's Revelation, Xiong Ba's eyes brimmed with murderous intent. Just a while ago, he had been joking in the group about how Murong Fu and Bibi Dong's lives were like a tragic coffee table. Little did he expect it would be his turn so soon.
"But now, with the chat group, with the Upper God, my destiny has already changed." Feeling the powerful martial force within him, Xiong Ba's eyes were filled with intense fervor. After only one prayer, he had risen from the realm of Great Grandmaster to that of the Supreme Grandmaster.
The God of Hongmeng was indeed too generous.
"Wen Chouchou, where the hell have you been?" Xiong Ba bellowed.
"I'm here, I'm here, Gang Leader. Chouchou is on his way." An effeminate man wearing a tall hat, holding a feather fan, and with his cheeks painted with girlish rouge, came tumbling into the room.
"Gang Leader, what are your orders?" Looking fawning and comical, Wen Chouchou held a small fan and gently fanned Xiong Ba, full of flattery.
Xiong Ba looked at Wen Chouchou indifferently but spoke with a serious tone, cautioning, "Remember well what I'm about to tell you. If there's a single error, beware for your dog life."
"You just put your heart at ease, Gang Leader, don't you know how I handle things? I assure you there won't be any mistakes!" Wen Chouchou, scared out of his wits, guaranteed while patting his chest. Although his martial arts were lacking, his skills in handling matters, besides buttering up, were decent as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become the Chief of The World Association.
"The first matter: immediately summon back all members of The World Association. Within three days, I want to see at least one hundred thousand disciples."
"The second matter: prepare a large ritual altar..." Xiong Ba instructed Wen Chouchou on all the materials needed for the altar's construction, the points to note, and ordered him to mobilize all manpower and resources of The World Association. It had to be completed within three days.
"Remember, the altar must not have the slightest error, and the more Sacrifices, the better. If there's a problem, beware for your dog life!"
"Rest assured, Gang Leader, I guarantee to complete the task." Wen Chouchou hurriedly assured him. With the strength of The World Association, these two tasks were not too difficult. Preparing Sacrifices was even less of a problem.
Without delay, Wen Chouchou immediately took his leave with the tasks.
「World of Heaven's Nine Songs.」
「Xianyang Palace.」
Ying Zheng's face was equally pale, filled with excitement.
"God! There really is a god! My Cultivation Level rose from Houtian to Innate? It's a pity I didn't receive God's Revelation!"
Ying Zheng was excited but not without regret. However, thinking about the grand figure he saw while chanting the "Meditation Method," his whole being became excited again.
As long as he conducted sacrificial rituals and preached, immortality wasn't impossible in the future—what did it matter if he didn't know the future.
However, Ying Zheng did not immediately prepare for sacrifice. Like a typical Emperor, especially now with Lu Buwei controlling the court, he was even more suspicious. He felt his Cultivation Level had risen indeed, but he still feared it might be some sort of illusion.
So, he summoned Ge Nie, the foremost swordmaster by his side. He asked Ge Nie to pray once. Although Ge Nie did not understand Ying Zheng's intentions, he did not refuse.
After the prayer, even with Ge Nie's composure, he was shocked and incredulous.
"My Cultivation Level has advanced from Grandmaster to the Peak of Grandmaster?"
Suddenly, Ge Nie's gaze focused, and he looked at Ying Zheng in shock. "Your Majesty, what on earth is this?"
"Did you see the God of Hongmeng?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Indeed. Incredible, indescribable. To think that Divine Spirits truly exist in this world! It's laughable how I used to be ignorant of the vastness of the world, thinking I knew all from my narrow view." Shock, reverence, and complexity still lingered in Ge Nie's eyes.
"DING. Omniscient and Omnipotent King Immortal has joined the chat group." Just then, a notification sound echoed in the minds of all members.
"Mr. Ge, please keep this matter confidential. You may leave now." Having received the answers he was looking for and hearing the chat group's prompt, Ying Zheng gestured for Ge Nie to leave and entered the chat group with his consciousness.
Huashan Sect Master: "Welcome, newcomer! Is the newcomer a great immortal?"
Soul Hall Saint Girl: "Welcome, newcomer! Group status -1."
Dominator of the Underworld Association: "Welcome, newcomer! Group status -1."
The Descendant of the Great Yan Royal Family: "Welcome, newcomer! Group status -1."
The Lord of Great Qin: "Welcome, newcomer! Group status -1."
Having the example of the God of Hongmeng before them, they trembled at the sight of the newcomer's nickname, not daring to be presumptuous. Of course, also because of the God of Hongmeng, they didn't display excessive warmth.
"Omniscient and Omnipotent King Immortal?"
Within God's kingdom, Hongmeng laughed on seeing this nickname.
If he were really omniscient and omnipotent, would he need to add those words to his name? Perhaps it was someone trying to bluff their way, creating such a grandiose title for themselves.
Omniscient and Omnipotent King Immortal: "Previously, I was discussing the Dao with the Heavenly Emperor. How could I suddenly come to such a place? A chat group of the heavens—how interesting. What domain and beings are you from, creatures of minor heavenly worlds? No matter, let me divine a prediction for you all."
All group members were silent. They didn't know the background of this great immortal and did not dare speak rashly, nor rashly seek to curry favor.
With the God of Hongmeng in the group, what to do if they sought someone else's favor and the God of Hongmeng took offense?
So, everyone silently lurked, waiting to observe the situation first.