Leverage on Both Sides

The Illusionary Nether King was born from the delusions of Mortal Delusions, created by their will. Just like the Gods and Buddhas of all Heavens, and Bodhisattva, it will not disappear as long as all living beings and things exist and the thought of it continues. No wonder it was able to retreat safely under the siege of dozens of Void Returning Stage experts.

You must know that even now, the Great Qin has no way to destroy the Undying Great Roc that carries the Hundred Emperors Tomb and flies through the Void. That Great Roc was formed from the obsessions of the Six Nations. As long as the obsessions of the Six Nations remain, the Undying Great Roc will not disappear.

As long as I agree, I believe that no matter what, the Illusionary Nether King will not leave me until I completely eliminate the evil from its body. In fact, it will absolutely not stand by and watch others harm it.

From its words, Zhuge Xiang understood its meaning: in exchange, it was willing to help him with many things.

Zhuge Xiang pondered for a moment, then shook his head. No, he couldn't agree. Although it was indeed sincere, and its actions were for survival, it had been manipulating him for over ten years. He wasn't the kind of person who was indecisive and would compromise.

Love is love, hate is hate. If you hate her, then kill her. It's that simple.

As for Bai Qi's mission? Although having the Illusionary Nether King by his side would indeed be a great help, when did he ever stoop to the point where he couldn't solve his own problems and had to humble himself by borrowing someone else's strength? If there's trouble, he should just solve it himself...

Zhuge Xiang's expression hardened. With its abilities and over ten years of observation of Zhuge Xiang, the Illusionary Nether King understood the decision Zhuge Xiang made without him needing to say a word.

The Illusionary Nether King's expression changed slightly, then returned to calm. His black pearl-like eyes stared at the Ring in Zhuge Xiang's hand—the ring that had accompanied Zhuge Xiang for many years, the Ring of the Super Game System —and he said, "Actually, the reason I told you my secret without fear of you revealing it is because I also know your secret. If I'm not mistaken, this Ring is of extraordinary significance to you."

"...", Zhuge Xiang was suddenly startled. The words of the Illusionary Nether King made Zhuge Xiang's heart sink.

Along the way, Zhuge Xiang has become close to many people, such as Qin Qing, Niu Geng, Mo Lingna, and Lu Yuling. However, no matter who they are, Zhuge Xiang has a secret that he has never told them and never intended to tell them: this Ring, the Ring of the Super Game System.

Young and ignorant, Zhuge Xiang accidentally obtained this Ring, thinking that the Cultivation World was full of wonders and that he had just happened to find a Ring with special functions.

However, as Zhuge Xiang progressed over the years, his cultivation level improved step by step, and his knowledge broadened. As a result, Zhuge Xiang became more and more aware of the extraordinary nature of this Super Game System Ring.

Having cultivated to this point, Zhuge Xiang, while not claiming to know everything about the treasures of the Cultivation World, has certainly seen quite a few. He is even an Intermediate Artificer himself. However, something like the Super Game System, which can directly grant cultivation levels and even issue tasks and create rewards out of thin air, such as various Dao Item and Skill Book, is truly remarkable.

Not to mention seeing it, he had never even heard of it. Therefore, as his cultivation level increased and his knowledge broadened, Zhuge Xiang was able to better discover the extraordinary nature of this Super Game System.

This was originally Zhuge Xiang's biggest secret, but unexpectedly, today, because of the ten-year Illusionary Realm, this secret was discovered by the Illusionary Nether King. Even if he didn't know the exact effects of the Ring, his deep knowledge of its extraordinary Ring was enough to explain a lot.

"Alright, I agree..." As Illusionary Nether King said, this matter is mutually beneficial. Since the other party has leverage over him, and he also has leverage over the other party, then there are indeed conditions for cooperation.

"Perhaps these words are weak and powerless, but I still want to say them. Actually, I don't want to force you," Illusionary Nether King said, his face showing undisguised joy upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's Zhuge Xiang.

"I will spend some time with you every day to chant the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. I promise you I will do what I promised, but I also hope you will keep your promises..." Zhuge Xiang neither agreed nor disagreed with the explanation from the Illusionary Nether King, and simply said it indifferently. Although the two were now in a cooperative relationship, Zhuge Xiang found it difficult to have a good impression of him.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. During these days, the entire Great Tang Dynasty's attention was almost entirely focused on the Imperial Clan.

The Illusionary Nether King openly abducted a retainer from the Imperial Palace. Such an act was tantamount to slapping the Imperial Clan in the face. Now, everyone is waiting to see what kind of results the Imperial Clan can produce and whether they can give the world a satisfactory answer.

Soon, the three Imperial Preceptor returned, leading dozens of Void Returning Stage powerhouses. Illusionary Nether King was driven away again, but fortunately, the kidnapped retainer was safely rescued. This made the forces focusing their attention on this area understand the capabilities of the Imperial Clan.

As expected of a nation, they resolved the matter so quickly. It seems the Imperial Clan's capabilities are even greater than I imagined.

"Zhuge Consecrated was actually captured by that Illusionary Nether King? And? You even managed to hit the Illusionary Nether King together, but you still couldn't kill him?" At this moment, in a side hall inside the Imperial Palace of the Great Tang Imperial Family, only the emperor, the Eunuch beside him, and the three Imperial Preceptor were present. Upon hearing the Imperial Preceptor's report on the operation, the emperor's face was filled with surprise.

"Indeed, the true form of that Illusionary Nether King is unknown, and even its cultivation level is unknown. Our combined attack, consisting of dozens of Void Returning Stage, was comparable in power to gods gods and Buddhas, yet it remained unharmed."

The White National Teacher, with his white hair Childlike Face and Crane-White Hair face but an air of bewilderment. It was hard to imagine, no matter what, that anyone in the Cultivation World could withstand a single blow from dozens of Void Returning Stage powerhouses and survive.

"Fortunately, only Offering Wu Zhao, was known to have been abducted this time, and she has returned safely. Zhuge Consecrated, the Imperial Clan, remains unknown. Otherwise, our royal family would have been utterly disgraced this time," the emperor said with some relief, though he was also shocked by the strength of the Illusionary Nether King Imperial Clan.

"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to find a way to rescue Zhuge Consecrated. Although Zhuge Consecrated has a record of defeating the Great Belly Ghost King, that was ultimately due to the effect of his Zen Sound. As for the Illusionary Nether King, it seems that the Zen Sound is not strong enough to suppress him," the White National Teacher said to the Emperor with a look of urgency on his face.

Regardless of which retainer was abducted, it was a great loss to the Imperial Clan. However, since no one outside the royal family knew about Zhuge Xiang's matter, it did not affect the Imperial Clan's reputation.

"Indeed, we must go to rescue Zhuge Consecrated. However, the strength of that Illusionary Nether King is unfathomable. Even forty or fifty Return to Void Realm would find it difficult to defeat him. Which powerful figures should we send to rescue Zhuge Consecrated? Moreover, this matter cannot be undertaken with a large force. Otherwise, it will be leaked to the world..." The emperor said with a furrowed brow.

His words left the several Imperial Preceptor in the side hall speechless.

The emperor's words make sense. If too few people go, it will be of no use to the Illusionary Nether King. But if too many people go, making a big fuss and attracting attention, then even the Zhuge Consecrated, who defeated the Great Belly Ghost King, will be captured. The Imperial Clan's dignity, which had just been salvaged, will be completely lost.

"Your Great Tang, we, a humble monk, come from Tianlong Heavenly Dragon Temple in the Great Qin to seek out Zhuge Consecrated. Unfortunately, Zhuge Consecrated has been kidnapped. We ask Your Great Tang, why have you not yet organized a rescue? If needed, we, the members of Heavenly Dragon Temple, are willing to lend a helping hand..."

Inside the side hall, the emperor and the three Imperial Preceptor were troubled by this matter when suddenly, a deep and resonant voice, like the roar of a tiger and the cry of a dragon, rang out from the distant horizon. It was the monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple who spoke.

Nine monks at the Void Returning Stage from Heavenly Dragon Temple traveled from the Great Qin Empire to the Great Tang Dynasty, their purpose being to meet Zhuge Xiang, who had used the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound to convert the Great Belly Ghost King.

After much searching, they finally found Zhuge Xiang's trail and went with him to the Scorching Desert. However, before they could even meet Zhuge Xiang, they learned that Zhuge Xiang had been kidnapped by the Illusionary Nether King. And just then, dozens of Void Returning Stage experts from the Great Tang Imperial Family returned.

This made the Human Heart of Heavenly Dragon Temple extremely anxious. They were eager to see Zhuge Xiang, and even to bring him to Heavenly Dragon Temple to question him about the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. If Zhuge Xiang died at the hands of the Illusionary Nether King, not only would this operation fail, but Heavenly Dragon Temple would also lose valuable experience on how to fully cultivate the Nine Diagrams of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

Therefore, in their haste, they disregarded everything else and, not daring to enter the Imperial Palace at will, the people of Heavenly Dragon Temple Luck the Cultivation Technique of Buddhist Heavenly Dragon Roar to communicate with the emperor inside the Imperial Palace from dozens of miles away.

The people of Heavenly Dragon Temple were extremely anxious, yet dared not force their way into the Imperial Palace, so they shouted out this outburst. However, they did not realize that this outburst was far more serious than their attempt to force their way into the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Clan was in a dilemma: they had to rescue Zhuge Xiang, but they couldn't let the news leak out and damage the Imperial Clan's reputation. However, with that shout, it was as if the last fig leaf covering the Imperial Clan family's face had been ruthlessly torn away.

"Heavenly Dragon Temple! These guys!" Upon hearing this shout, the Great Tang Emperor was slightly startled, and then his face was filled with intense anger.

The three members of the White National Teacher's entourage could only manage bitter smiles. They hadn't expected their worst fears to come true; it was truly a case of misfortunes never coming singly. (To be continued...)