Chapter 1372 - 246: Surrender

Chapter 1372: Chapter 246: Surrender

"You were looking for me?"

Inside the Heavenly Prison, Shen Changqing’s expression was calm.

He was originally traveling in the Western State Domain, attempting to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth to increase his own strength.

But soon, the Demon-Subduing Division sent word to him, stating that Ji Ying wanted to see him in the Heavenly Prison.

Given this.

Shen Changqing could only return temporarily.

"Sir, I have some information to tell you. If I reveal it, could it be exchanged for my freedom?"

"You should know, releasing you now is impossible."

Shen Changqing shook his head.

He felt that the other party might still have some use; if he let him go back, it would not be easy to capture another person from the Central Profound Realm.

Moreover, with the identity of the Holy Son of Heavenly Dao Sect, even if he truly captured another person from the Central Profound Realm, the latter would not know more information than the former.

Ji Ying’s expression dimmed for a moment, then he said, "Even if you won’t let me go back, what if you let me leave this Heavenly Prison?"

"You can leave the Heavenly Prison, but you cannot leave the Capital City area, and I also need to see if your information is of value."

"The sects of the Central Profound Realm have wielded immense power for a long time, always acting very domineeringly. If someone offends them, they definitely won’t see the sun the next day. But if I’m not mistaken, since the last time, the Central Profound Realm hasn’t made any other moves."

"Go on."

Shen Changqing’s face showed neither happiness nor sadness, completely devoid of emotional change.

"It’s quite simple. The Central Profound Realm is currently holding the Qianlong assembly, which is a tradition among various forces for countless years, aiming to reallocate resources.

For the sects, this is a very important matter, so currently all sects should be preparing for the Qianlong assembly."

"Additionally—"

"The Heavenly Dao Sect, having encountered setbacks in your hands, will definitely not give up easily. After the Qianlong assembly, the Heavenly Dao Sect is very likely to ally with other sects to deal with you. At that time, you might be in trouble!"

Ji Ying didn’t wait for Shen Changqing to ask further, he had already said all he knew and guessed.

When the words fell.

The scene remained silent for a long time.

Shen Changqing’s expression was quite peculiar: "Why are you telling me so much? If I remember correctly, you are the Holy Son of Heavenly Dao Sect, right? Betraying your sect so readily is a bit unworthy of the identity of the Holy Son!"

Too cooperative!

So cooperative that he almost thought Ji Ying was his own spy planted in the Heavenly Dao Sect.

Except for the very beginning, when he was slightly tough, later on, he softened very quickly.

A person like this can actually become a Holy Son, it seems the sect leader and elders of Heavenly Dao Sect don’t have very discerning eyes.

Ji Ying smiled bitterly, helpless: "I am now imprisoned here. The Heavenly Dao Sect has long ceased to act, which shows they have abandoned me. If you were to completely fall out with the Central Profound Realm, then I believe I would have no way to survive.

Now I have told you everything I can know to show my position, hoping you will give me a way to live."

"You speak quite frankly!"

Shen Changqing nodded.

He didn’t suspect that Ji Ying was lying to deceive him; emotional aspects cannot escape his perception.

Moreover.

If one day, he truly falls out with the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Central Profound Realm, he probably wouldn’t keep the other party alive.

Eliminating him is the simplest way.

"To be honest with you, even though I appear to be the Holy Son of Heavenly Dao Sect, in truth, I’m not actually someone the sect genuinely cultivated; I’m merely a puppet on the surface, bearing the title of Holy Son but incapable of inheriting the position of Sect Master.

The sect is secretly nurturing another talent, and once he appears in public someday, I must relinquish my Holy Son status."

Ji Ying’s expression was envious, and his tone became increasingly emotional.

"Why should I give it to him... If not for him having more resources than me, his strength might not be much stronger than mine. The sect pushed me to the forefront so I could block the storm for him.

Truly, if a sect wants to eliminate Heavenly Dao Sect’s hope, the one who dies would only be me. I’m unwilling—"

His expression alternated between unwillingness and anger.

If the Heavenly Dao Sect hadn’t given him the position of Holy Son, Ji Ying wouldn’t have felt anger.

But now that he was given the position of Holy Son, full of joy believing that his future could smoothly inherit the seat of Sect Master, he suddenly realizes he is merely a puppet, sooner or later having to step down to make way for him.

In this way.

Ji Ying found it unacceptable.

With words to this extent, Shen Changqing understood why Ji Ying was so cooperative. It turns out he is a counterfeit Holy Son.

If that’s truly the case, his betrayal of the Heavenly Dao Sect becomes more plausible.

"Explain the Qianlong assembly in detail. If you’re sincerely defecting, then even if you betray the Heavenly Dao Sect someday, the Imperial Court can offer you a place."

He promised a not too large but not too small reward.

The Imperial Court’s current strength is too weak; the number of Divine Realm powerhouses can be counted on one hand.

Although Ji Ying is merely a puppet Holy Son of the Heavenly Dao Sect, to be chosen as a puppet indicates his inherent talent and strength are quite good. Recruiting him to the Imperial Court can certainly bolster its foundation.

As for betrayal.

Shen Changqing is not too worried.

Only the weak fear betrayal; the strong never fear these things.

Upon hearing.

Ji Ying’s heart rejoiced, becoming more respectful: "The Qianlong assembly, in fact, is all sides sending their proud warriors to compete; the winner can be allocated the most resources.

Conversely, those at the bottom will have their resources proportionally reduced.

This Qianlong assembly occurs every five hundred years, meaning if you fail in the assembly, your own faction’s forces will likely decline for five hundred years."

"I see."

Shen Changqing nodded; he finally understood what the Qianlong assembly was.

It turns out to be a method of resource allocation in the Central Profound Realm.

It must be said.

Such an approach is far better than directly going to war.

Not too many people need to die, and it doesn’t deplete the foundations of the sects.

But if defeated, the consequences are evident, just as the other side said, the defeated will fall into obscurity for five hundred years.

Five hundred years can change too many things.

"Perhaps!"

"I should make a trip to the Central Profound Realm!"

Shen Changqing thought to himself.

Rather than waiting for them to complete the Qianlong Tournament and then combine all their forces to attack the Imperial Court, it would be better to enter the Central Profound Realm first.

Even if a true war breaks out, fighting within the Central Profound Realm is far better than fighting outside the Imperial Court.

Divine King rivalry.

It’s often an earth-shattering, heaven-rending affair.

The outside world is fragile, and if the battle truly happens here, just the aftermath could significantly affect the Imperial Court.

Conversely.

If the battlefield can be placed within the Central Profound Realm, then it would be much better.

There’s another point.

Waiting for the arrival of the Central Profound Realm is a passive approach, whereas entering it proactively holds the advantage.

Between the two, Shen Changqing leans more towards the latter.

——

In the thatched hut on the mountain’s peak, a Daoist is sitting cross-legged, his spirit wandering the universe.

With each breath.

Nature’s spiritual energy is inhaled and exhaled, like a whale swallowing the sea, shaking the winds and clouds.

After a long time.

The Daoist opened his eyes, a regretful expression fleeting: "Alas, still unable to achieve a breakthrough!"

Cultivation in the God Realm is exceedingly difficult.

Although with sufficient Faith Divine Power, one can achieve a breakthrough, coagulating enough Faith Divine Power is no easy task.

This is a matter of talent.

One hundred units of Divine Power.

For those with poor talent, at least half of the Divine Power is wasted during a breakthrough.

For those with high talent, during a breakthrough, they can refine at least ninety units or even more of the Divine Power.

Comparatively, although the latter requires a significant amount of Faith Divine Power for a breakthrough, more is refined for personal use, creating a deep and solid foundation, resulting in a much stronger power post-breakthrough.

The Daoist understood well that his talent was just average.

Not bad, but not exceptional either.

After tens of thousands of years of intensive cultivation, he stopped at Divine Realm Perfection; further proof to become a Divine King seemed hopeless.

Because of this.

He was assigned here to guard the forbidden area.

"Counting the days, the Qianlong Tournament should have started. The spectacle of proud heaven contesting is truly awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to watch, otherwise, it would be greatly beneficial!"

The Daoist thought of the Qianlong Tournament, feeling increasingly regretful.

Thousands of years ago, he had also witnessed a Qianlong Tournament; the scenes of proud heaven competing indelibly imprinted in his mind.

But unfortunately.

Now assigned to guard the forbidden area, he hadn’t been able to attend the Qianlong Tournament for a long time.

Thinking like this, the Daoist slightly shook his head and began cultivating anew.

Soon after.

The action of breathing spiritual energy suddenly halted.

He opened his old eyes abruptly, a look of uncertainty on his face: "Strange, someone used a Boundary Talisman to enter the forbidden area. Could it be the Saint Heir’s return?"

Although cultivating, the Daoist’s Divine Sense always covered the entire forbidden area.

Any stirrings couldn’t escape his awareness.

Additionally.

The forbidden area manifests externally, opening an entrance and someone using a Boundary Talisman to enter; the waves of both actions are completely different.

Just now, there was a wave belonging to the latter.

At the first moment.

The Daoist thought of Ji Ying’s return.

This forbidden area is under the Heavenly Dao Sect, only powerhouses of the Heavenly Dao Sect can use a Boundary Talisman to return here. Counting over the hundreds of years, there were only a few powerhouses of the Heavenly Dao Sect who ventured into the outside world.

Up to now, only two haven’t returned.

One is the fallen Profound Yin Divine King.

The other is Ji Ying, who hasn’t returned yet.

Thinking about this.

He couldn’t sit still and immediately left the thatched hut heading towards the direction of the wave.

In the forbidden area.

Space tore open.

Two men emerged from the rift, landing in the mountains and forests.

"Back!"

Feeling the surrounding spiritual energy and that familiar sensation, Ji Ying’s expression was deeply complex.

Not long ago, he represented the Heavenly Dao Sect to punish the outside Human Clan. Now returning, he had already betrayed the Heavenly Dao Sect, completely siding with the outside Human Clan.

Such is the unpredictability of life.

That’s probably the meaning.

Yet Ji Ying felt no regret; rather than being a puppet saint heir in the Heavenly Dao Sect, why not pledge allegiance to the outside Human Clan Imperial Court for a chance at survival.

Moreover, Shen Changqing is formidable; truly staying by his side may not be much worse than staying in the Heavenly Dao Sect.