The Cloud Mountain Empire's Factional Strife Begins

After checking, Gudoer found that Azure Cloud Master's Divine Sense was not listening, so he released his Demonic Soul Power into the Spatial Crystal Wall to communicate with the Demon Lord.

"What's the situation? Can we get out?" the Blood Shadow Demon asked first.

Gudoer shook his head. "I'm afraid we can't get out for the time being; we'll have to wait a few more years."

"Why do we have to wait several more years? What's going on?" one of the Demon Lord asked impatiently.

Gudoer said with a serious expression, "The situation outside is more severe than we imagined."

Not long ago, we helped the Azure Cloud Sect clash with all the sects in the world, and through some means, we temporarily frightened them.

Through this experience, we have gained approximately twenty years.

Within these twenty years, the Azure Cloud Sect will have to rely on us to fight against other sects in the world, so we should be safe.

The biggest change will come in twenty years.

I think that will be the time when we are all out of trouble."

The Blood Shadow Demon asked solemnly, "Is there any hope for True Name to escape?"

"Impossible!" Gudoer smiled bitterly. "That boy from my clan has indeed inherited a Secret Method of True Name, a Secret Method that has never been seen before."

Secondly, the older kid's cultivation power is specifically targeted at us.

Therefore, once our True Names fall into his hands, we can never escape.

I want to remind everyone to be careful about this.

When revealing your True Name later, be sure to choose carefully.

The many Demon Lord fell silent.

After a long while, the Blood Shadow Demon finally asked, "What about the Prodigy Battlefield?"

"Twenty years from now will be the time for us to head to the Prodigy Battlefield," Gudoer said solemnly. "That's why I'm emphasizing that twenty years from now will be the time of the biggest change."

Whether we can fulfill the Demon Venerable's mission, or even whether we can continue to live, depends on what happens twenty years from now.

I predict that a tremendous change will occur at that time.

It was a cataclysmic change, so much so that it was impossible to say how many people would survive.

"It's possible that the Immortal Cultivation Realm will have to sink several continents before it finally comes to an end."

He had already envisioned a chaotic battle between dozens of the Tribulation Realm twenty years from now—a scene that no one could control.

The Blood Shadow Demon's fiery red eyes gazed intently at the Spatial Crystal Wall.

What happened to them afterward?

Afterwards, Gudoer shared the maps he had obtained, along with some information he had deduced, with many of the Demon Lord.

Half a day later, Gudoer finally spoke, "Our meeting has only lasted half a day... It really feels like being in prison or being visited in jail. However, the thousand-year-long straitened situation is about to be resolved. I implore you all to endure another twenty years!"

The many Demon Lord sighed; they had been imprisoned for a thousand years!

Now, even though we've seen a glimmer of hope, we still have to stay in jail for another twenty years...

Gudoer withdrew his Demonic Soul Power, and the five Demon Lords took the initiative to contact Azure Cloud Master.

Azure Cloud Master appeared and brought the five Demon Lord back to Azure Cloud Peak. Zhang Yang then sent the five Demon Lords to the West Mountain Forbidden Grounds.

After sending the five Demon Lord back to the West Mountain Forbidden Grounds, Zhang Yang resumed his studies.

Meanwhile, the Cloud Mountain Empire was in complete chaos.

Emperor Li Shiqing was extremely unwilling, knowing that he would have to abdicate in just over ten days.

However, even the most powerful Eunuch Hong in the Cloud Mountain Empire, Eunuch Hong, was no match for him. Even if he was unwilling, what other options did he have?

Although the Flying Dragon Army was powerful, it only numbered five thousand.

The Azure Cloud Sect, with just Zhang Changshan's force, had over ten thousand men, completely overwhelming the Flying Dragon Army!

Therefore, the change of emperor in the Cloud Mountain Empire is inevitable.

At this moment, Li Shiqing felt regret.

If he weren't so fickle, would there be no problem?

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs"!

After several days of chaos, he summoned his court officials and coldly declared, "I have recently been feeling increasingly weak, and I fear my time is near. I wish to abdicate and pass the throne to you. My beloved ministers, please discuss and decide, and elect the next emperor."

These words caused an uproar among the court officials.

The emperor was alive and well, so how could he be nearing his end?

The emperor has been receiving miraculous elixirs and medicines, and he even recently selected concubines for himself, so why is it no longer working?

At this moment, many people couldn't help but recall a rumor they had heard a few days earlier: members of the Azure Cloud Sect had entered the palace and injured Eunuch Hong...

"Within ten days, after a new emperor is chosen, immediately go to the Azure Cloud Sect and await their instructions!" Li Shiqing continued.

He really didn't want to say that, but the kid emphasized it before he left.

If the new emperor of the Cloud Mountain Empire doesn't go to the Azure Cloud Sect within half a month, the entire royal family will be wiped out!

He had no choice but to do it.

The courtiers were in uproar. The Grand Tutor angrily said, "Your Majesty, what does the Azure Cloud Sect mean by this? Do they want to become the retired emperor?"

Li Shiqing said coldly, "I will abdicate in a few days. You don't need to ask me about this matter."

Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor paused for a moment, then decisively said, "His Majesty is unwell. Since he has decided to abdicate, it is only natural that the Crown Prince should succeed him. Therefore, I recommend His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The other ministers also hurriedly nominated their respective favorite princes.

However, in recent years, due to the infighting among the princes, the vast majority of court officials have been pushed to the side of the Third Prince.

Therefore, only the Grand Tutor and a few others remained in the imperial court, waving flags and shouting slogans.

For the others, there was no involvement in factional strife at all.

In their view, they were all the Third Prince's men, and no matter who came to power, no one would dare to touch them.

Because the Third Prince has become Immortal Cultivation!

The Third Prince also controls the Flying Dragon Army!

The Third Prince also maintained good relations with many officials, vassal kings, and generals.

Who dares to touch them?

Many people secretly wish that the Third Prince could ascend the throne.

Unfortunately, the Third Prince Immortal Cultivation. For an Immortal Cultivation to become emperor is a Heavenly Retribution...

Sigh, if only I didn't have to Immortal Cultivation!

However, it was the Third Prince who Heavenly Retribution. If the Third Prince were to ascend the throne, wouldn't we all benefit greatly?

The eyes of a few old foxes began to change.

In the imperial court, Li Shiqing frowned as he watched the group arguing fiercely.

The Crown Prince's faction, led by the Grand Tutor, had only a handful of followers.

The Second Prince's faction, led by the Minister of Personnel, had only a handful of followers.

The Fourth Prince's faction, led by the Minister of Ministry of Revenue, had only a handful of followers.

Is this a sign of partisan strife?

Li Shiqing had also experienced factional strife. When the factional strife began, the court was in chaos, with constant assassinations and attacks in private. That was the darkest period in the history of the court.

And now, this partisan strife... is it just a few old men arguing?

You should at least try to use your hands!

Li Shiqing looked at those who remained unmoved and asked, "Why aren't you offering any opinions?"

"Your Majesty, the succession to the throne is of utmost importance!" the Minister of War said solemnly. "Under Your Majesty's guidance, all the princes are very wise. Whoever ascends the throne, we will all be completely convinced."

As for who should succeed to the throne, I think it's best for His Majesty to decide!

Everyone cursed him, calling him a bootlicker!

He flattered the emperor profusely, but didn't say anything else.

After being flattered, Li Shiqing's mood improved considerably, his expression softened, and he scolded, "You old fool, I asked for your opinions, and you turn around and ask me instead?"

"Your Majesty, these are my sincere words!" the Minister of War said very seriously. "Although I do not know what exactly happened to make Your Majesty make this decision, since the Azure Cloud Sect has interfered in imperial power, I think we should proceed with caution in this matter."

"In my humble opinion, none of the princes you have just nominated are fit to be wise rulers!"

The Grand Tutor was furious and said, "Your Majesty currently only has a few princes who are qualified to succeed to the throne and are suitable for the position, namely the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and the Fourth Prince. Are you suggesting that the five-year-old Ninth Prince should succeed to the throne? Of course, among these princes, the Crown Prince is the most suitable!"

Because the Third Prince Immortal Cultivation, everyone subconsciously excluded him when he ascended the throne.

The Minister of War lowered his eyelids and asked in a low voice, "Does His Majesty have no other princes of suitable age?"

The Minister of Personnel was furious. "You old fool, you're just being unreasonable! Besides the ones mentioned earlier, who else is suitable? The Crown Prince, the Second Prince... you wouldn't happen to mean the Third Prince, would you?"

The Minister of War did not answer, but only looked at the top of his feet.

"Absurd! The Third Prince has Immortal Cultivation, how can he still become emperor? Isn't he afraid of Heavenly Retribution?" the Grand Tutor said angrily.

He was starting to panic.

Emperor Li Shiqing's gaze also began to wander.

The Third Prince?

My favorite son?

Wasn't he Immortal Cultivation?

The Eldest Senior Brother said, "Those who give up have a thousand reasons, but those who move forward have only one reason!"

--The Elder Brother's Sayings.

Transcribed by Liang Yi.