As for those spiritual elixirs, even those that were millennia old held no value for him; with a supreme treasure like the Shanhue Sheji Tu (Map of Mountains, Rivers, and the State) in hand, cultivating all manner of peerless immortal herbs would surely be an effortless matter. Why would he feel the pinch?

"I honestly don't know why I suddenly decided to attack the Earth Alliance. I just received the Yuan Ling (Primal Decree), and immediately brought the army of three hundred thousand here. This isn't some clandestine meeting to waste time with you, is it?" Ying Kongshi took another deep drag from his cigar before finally speaking.

"Heh heh, I always feel like this is a conspiracy, a massive one at that. Those five old coots aren't fools; they wouldn't issue the Yuan Ling without good reason. I just don't know where that brat Yan Senxu has wandered off to. Damn it, he's been roaming the Heavenly Realm for ages and still hasn't returned. If he were here, with the strength of the three of us, even if it truly is a conspiracy, as long as those old guys don't intervene, we could guarantee our safety!" Liang Xiaoke sighed deeply as he spoke.

"Heh heh..." Ying Kongshi chuckled but didn't elaborate further. Over the years, although the Ten Heavenly Monarchs only occupied three spots, and their foundation was much weaker than those true Immortals, having a treasure like the Shanhue Sheji Tu—a treasure capable of manipulating time—meant that several thousand years was more than enough time for them to accumulate immense power. If a true upheaval occurred, with the three of them leading the charge, they could handle anything. Yet, Yan Senxu had no interest in the army. Despite being one of the Ten Heavenly Monarchs, he spent his days traveling everywhere, leaving not a single trace of his whereabouts. If Luo Ruofeng hadn't kept his life-bound tablet, they might not even realize if he had been killed somewhere out in the wilds.

Both men fell into silence. After another stretch of quiet, by the time Ying Kongshi had finished his cigar, he suddenly spoke: "Do you think those five old fellows want Xuanyuan Jing to go searching for something? Launching such a grand war just to create a smokescreen?"

"Hmm?" Liang Xiaoke was startled, then continued speaking, "Did you notice it too?"

"Indeed. My people have already sent back word: Xuanyuan Jing did not march with the main army. Although nominally the Ten Heavenly Monarchs are being dispatched this time, you should be well aware that with Yan Senxu absent, and Xuanyuan Jing also gone, not to mention Xuanyuan Jing's senior brother, Daoist Mo Xuan, and Daoist Qing Xuan also absent from the army—it means that effectively, only six Heavenly Monarchs are heading to the Earth Alliance. Despite having an army of 1.8 million, they are putting on the pretense of three million men. Heh heh, their intentions are far from pure!" Ying Kongshi chuckled wickedly.

Liang Xiaoke nodded. When he received the Yuan Ling, he had already begun to suspect that the five old men on top were harboring some scheme. But they were, after all, members of the Heavenly Alliance, and the Yuan Ling was the highest secret command of the Alliance; refusing it would cause considerable trouble. Thus, even knowing it was a trap, they had no choice but to comply.

"I suspect it has something to do with that..." Liang Xiaoke pondered for a moment, piecing together the intelligence he had gathered, and offered his speculation.

"You mean... the Primal Realm (Yuan Jie)?" Ying Kongshi frowned slightly. He had considered this possibility, but the Primal Realm was essentially an ancient secret they had only occasionally learned about over the years. Furthermore, the Heavenly Alliance had enjoyed peace for millennia, ignoring anything related to the Primal Realm. Why was there sudden movement now?

"Besides that matter, I truly cannot think of anything else that would entice those five old fellows so strongly. So many years have passed; their injuries should have healed long ago, and their cultivation should have reached that final echelon. To seek out the whereabouts of the Primal Realm is not an impossible venture!" Liang Xiaoke stated calmly.

Ying Kongshi nodded but said nothing more. If this were true, then this war would certainly not be an easy affair.

After exchanging a few more words, Ying Kongshi obtained a large bundle of cigars from Liang Xiaoke and vanished in a streak of light. A full quarter of an hour after he disappeared, Liang Xiaoke gently beckoned downward.

A figure shot out like lightning—it was Liang Xing, the very one Ye Jingyu had seen in Snowfield City, Liang Xiaoke's son, a terrifying entity born as a Flying Night Specter!

One must understand that once Liang Xiaoke's cultivation reached the Desolation (Huang) level, he ceased to be a mere zombie in the conventional sense. Especially after cultivating the Blood God Art, he had become like the Shamans of the Primordial Era, regaining the ability to procreate. However, to ensure his offspring was even more powerful, he waited until he reached the Cosmos (Zhou) level before engaging in a purely physical coupling with a fairy of good talent, resulting in the birth of Liang Xing.

"Father, such a sudden change has occurred. Why didn't you tell him about Second Uncle?" Seeing the direction Ying Kongshi flew, Liang Xing asked his father.

"Heh heh, the Yuan Ling didn't come out early, nor did it come out late; it arrived precisely shortly after A'Yu awoke. I refuse to believe this event has nothing to do with A'Yu. I suspect the secret of the Primal Realm might lie with A'Yu. The Primal Realm, the Primal Realm—that is the place where those Ancient Sages went. Who wouldn't want to find the entrance? If they knew of A'Yu’s existence, who knows what they might do? In this world, there is truly only one person this old man trusts, and that is your Second Uncle, Ye Jingyu. Do you understand?" Liang Xiaoke had discarded his frivolous expression, speaking with great solemnity.

"This child understands..." Seeing his father reveal such a serious demeanor, rare as it was, Liang Xing dared not question further and replied with utmost respect.

"Then scram! Go tell your Second Uncle everything I know! By the way, leak him the information about those few people. With your Second Uncle’s skill, murdering them shouldn't be a problem..." Liang Xiaoke suddenly wore a strange smile, kicked Liang Xing hard on the backside, and Liang Xing let out a howl as he shot off like a cannonball toward the direction of the Earth Alliance.

Meanwhile, atop the Five Sages Sacred Mountain, in the easternmost reaches of the Heavenly Alliance, Xuanyuan Jing, clad in a white brocade robe and wearing a crown of feathers, stood quietly on a cleared patch of ground. Before him floated a purple meditation cushion, upon which sat an elder in long robes, cross-legged.

As if sensing Xuanyuan Jing's arrival, the elder slowly opened his eyes. Immediately, Xuanyuan Jing felt the entire world tremble; he felt as if he had been transported to another dimension.

"Jing'er pays respects to the Ancestor!" Xuanyuan Jing stepped forward and knelt down in deep reverence.

(Two more chapters this afternoon!)D