Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1886 Chapter 504: Emerging from Seclusion, Contending for the Throne! (Part 4)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
"The other Immortal Dynasties remain unchanged, blast it, how could our Immortal Dynasty possibly stand alone against these Ancient Demons!"
"They mean business this round; there's no way to repel them. The powerhouses of the Southern Domain have converged at the Heavenly Palace, yet the Ancient Demon Emperor still hasn't shown himself. Should the Emperor of the Emperor Jiang Clan strike, who can predict how much longer the Yan God Array of our Immortal Dynasty will endure!"
Grief and fury filled the faces of these soldiers without exception.
Restricted to the Immortal Dynasty's capital, the Yan God Array safeguards only this territory, erected at tremendous expense. For years, its upkeep and provisions have drained half the Yan and Chu treasuries, all to block any Emperor from assaulting the Immortal Dynasty Palace and slaying Emperor Chu outright.
Yet despite such efforts, this mighty formation merely holds on with difficulty; it fails to offer real protection against an Emperor.
"Does the Supreme intend to let our Immortal Dynasties wear down the Ancient Demons' might first, before the Heavenly Palace intervenes?"
A general blurted out the question unable to restrain himself.
Such remarks bordered on irreverence, making colors drain from many faces in the court, though none dared to challenge them, merely glancing covertly at Emperor Chu on high.
Emperor Chu kept his features impassive, yet a shadow darkened his visage. The thoughts crossing these soldiers' minds had long occurred to him as well, and given his deep knowledge of that Supreme over the years, it seemed all too likely that the figure planned to exploit this crisis and draw out the complete power of their Seven Immortal Dynasties prior to offering aid.
"Cursed fate, failing to reach Emperor status ultimately turns one to ashes!"
Emperor Chu's fist tightened just a bit. Through all these years, his deepest desire had been to cross that threshold, but its impossibility loomed like climbing the skies, far tougher than some commoner from Yan and Chu abruptly rising to claim his throne!
"Third Brother!"
Out of nowhere, Emperor Chu murmured gently.
These words left the entire court frozen in shock, followed by waves of disbelief washing over their expressions.
Third Brother? Hadn't Emperor Chu's Third Brother perished ages ago?
As the assembly stood bewildered, the guard who had shadowed Emperor Chu faithfully for so long abruptly turned, a subtle disturbance stirring in his steady gaze.
He bowed his head faintly, poised for Emperor Chu's following words.
"I require your intervention."
Emperor Chu uttered quietly, "Support Shangguan Hong and Yuan Xinggang, keep them at bay; right now, I'm calling the ancient emperors of the other six dynasties to the Heavenly Palace for a meeting with the Supreme."
While he declared this, a burst of radiance erupted from his form, his incarnation figure manifesting for an instant before vanishing in a flash.
The guard dipped his head once more, "As you command."
In those mere two syllables, his silhouette blurred and vanished from the Immortal Dynasty.
The brutal struggles for the throne in bygone days had been merciless; Emperor Chu had granted him renewed existence, and thus for years, he stayed by this brother's side, ever vigilant.
Indeed, through the other's guidance, he had progressed from the pinnacle of Immortal King Realm to Quasi-Emperor.
Once the guard departed, chaos erupted in the court, with countless individuals displaying stunned looks.
In particular, veteran ministers stared in utter astonishment.
That guard turned out to be the Third Prince, presumed long dead, whose talent once shone without limit and who vied strongly for the emperorship?!
From his former dazzling poise and vibrant energy, he now appeared utterly transformed, unrecognizable; no soul could connect this quiet, phantom-like sentinel to the prodigious Third Prince of old.
Altering his aura and looks posed no challenge for him.
"All of you, regardless, we have to endure, for a century—no, under ninety years remain—once the True King emerges, that marks the moment the Ten Thousand Clans strike back!"
Emperor Chu's eyes roamed the chamber, his tone grave and resounding.
His incarnation, joined by those of the six dynasties' ancient emperors, journeyed toward the Heavenly Palace, seeking to implore it for a handful of Quasi-Emperors as reinforcements.
...
Moments raced by swiftly.
The lesser Immortal Dynasties across the Southern Domain lay in ruins, scenes of desperate flight and misery unfolding everywhere.
Beyond the Southern Domain, cracks had begun to form in the Northern Domain's defenses, allowing rogue Ancient Demon incursions to ravage and slaughter across the land.
Solely the Western Regions, bolstered by its formidable might and the guardianship of the Heavenly Emperor Clan alongside Saint Clans, mounted a fierce stand against the Ancient Demons, free so far from any disorder.
Word of the turmoil in every domain had inevitably come to the Immortal Immortal Emperor and the Star Empress, yet upon hearing the accounts from the various Emperors, they deemed it feasible to persist for a century, especially since rallying the forces of all clans demanded time; this initial wave of disaster would make every clan sense the peril of doom, fostering greater solidarity when the Ten Thousand Clans finally allied, united in purpose and resolve!
Weighing all these aspects, they upheld the century-long pact for the interim.
Should any domain teeter on the brink of true collapse, they would promptly convene all for the True King trials.
At present, losses in each domain remained tolerable, if grievous.
Thirty years elapsed, then fifty.
Domain after domain fought desperately to repel the onslaught, enduring decades of brutal clashes with the Ancient Demons; this looming threat of oblivion drew even the most fractious great clans into temporary harmony.
Every one hoped, every one anticipated, awaiting the True King to command the Ten Thousand Clans' hosts in deliverance.
The century slipped away like a fleeting glance.
As a surge of Daoist Charm stirred within the serene Abyss, innumerous souls roused from their states, whether deep in cultivation or contemplation—at this instant, all were pulled awake.
Seclusion's peace shattered for even the most isolated.
Regardless of participation's desire, preparations for war loomed, rendering the Star Empress's summons unyielding.
Within the Heaven Tower.
Ancient Demons on every floor stood statue-still like etched images, time itself halted; combatants locked in savage combat remained suspended, unresponsive, until the Star Empress's call to assemble echoed through.
After eight centuries of preparation, the True King trials now sought to crown ten True Kings precisely then.
"Hmm?"
Li Hao sensed the Daoist Charm's ripple delving into his spirit's core, his eyes snapping open, followed by the Star Empress's voice resounding from the Heaven Tower's peak.
"A hundred years? Already..."
A flicker of surprise crossed Li Hao, then quiet relief bloomed within him.
Thankfully, three decades prior, he had at last scarcely merged the seven Realm Hearts.