413: Immortal

"In the human world, there are a thousand shades of beauty, but I only love your kind~"

Chen De hummed a tune as he slowly swayed and staggered towards the Holy Mother Palace.

Without needing any procedures, he directly stepped into the palace that countless people yearned for.

Inside the entire Holy Mother Palace, gongs and drums thundered, filled with a welcoming ceremony for Chen De.

"Oh my, what are you all doing!"

"Get up, get up."

"I'm not that vain of a person."

"A token gesture is enough."

"You... you've really put me in a tough spot!"

"I'm so touched~"

...

"Immortal..."

"Do they truly exist?"

Inside the spacious Ancient Hall, Divine Martial Emperor Ji Hao leaned against the throne, a symbol of the empire's peak power, his head slightly tilted upwards.

A very, very, very long time ago, when his cultivation reached its absolute peak, he began to seriously ponder this question.

As the most massive force openly in the Four Profound Heavens, its internal records contained countless legends about Immortals, as well as the origins of some martial arts.

The Earth Emperor pioneered martial arts, dividing the realms before Immortals into six levels, known as the Six Martial Realms, also called the Six Post-Heaven Realms, collectively referred to as the Mortal Realms.

After the Six Realms came Immortal, Saint, and God, known as the Three Immortal Realms, also called the Three Pre-Heaven Realms.

But these were too far, too far from him. Ji Hao had never even seen an Immortal, let alone the subsequent ones.

Yet he knew that Immortals did exist.

Within their Shenwu Empire, there were still arrangements left by Immortals, which he had seen.

Countless people braved fire and water for the sake of becoming an Immortal, willing to abandon everything.

The allure of becoming an Immortal was an immense temptation for anyone in the Four Profound Heavens.

But Ji Hao's return to inherit the throne was not for this, even if it was originally his.

If not for a certain reason, perhaps he would never have returned in this lifetime, let alone inherited the so-called throne.

That was... the Earth Immortal Realm!

Ji Hao naturally knew of the Earth Immortal Realm's existence. Not just him, but almost everyone in the Four Profound Heavens who reached the peak of the Mortal Realm knew of its existence.

Even some renowned powerhouses could actively receive invitations from the Earth Immortal Realm.

Ji Hao's heart for seeking the Dao was extremely strong. Relying on the resources of the Shenwu Empire and his exceptional talent, he cultivated to the peak of the Heavenly Imperial Realm in just tens of thousands of years.

Later, he came into contact with the Earth Immortal Realm and cultivated there for a period.

Then, in just over a hundred thousand years, he reached the Saint Lord level, joined the Ancient Hall, and became a Saint Monarch within it.

Due to his identity and the territory of the Shenwu Empire, Wang Teng sought him out.

Wang Teng laid out his entire plan to him, hoping to gain his and the Empire's support, promising a chance to become an Immortal.

Logically, Ji Hao and their goals were the same; at least for now, there shouldn't be any conflict.

However, Ji Hao disagreed with Wang Teng's methods and was unwilling to let him proceed. He wanted to stop Wang Teng!

But his own strength alone was not enough, far from it. He needed the power of the Empire as a backing.

Yet he was merely a Prince; the real power lay in the hands of his elder brother, Holy Martial Emperor.

Thus, from that moment on, Ji Hao planned to either seize the throne or tell his elder brother everything.

Just as he was torn, news arrived: Holy Martial Emperor had been nearly killed by a single sword strike from the East Sea Sword Saint.

If not for the Empire's inherited secret treasure, and if the East Sea Sword Saint had no intention of pursuing him, he wouldn't have even made it back to the Imperial Palace to breathe his last.

Then Ji Hao found Wang Teng and had him secretly pressure Holy Martial Emperor.

With the East Sea Sword Saint outside, the Ancient Hall in the shadows, and his own Princes vying for power, Holy Martial Emperor was beset by troubles both internal and external.

Under such internal and external threats, Holy Martial Emperor understood that only Ji Hao could stabilize the situation, so he summoned him back.

Subsequently, Ji Hao inherited the throne and implemented a series of measures relying on the power of the Shenwu Empire.

At the same time, he maintained good relations with Wang Teng. Unfortunately, the forces of the Four Profound Heavens and the powerhouses in the Earth Immortal Realm had intricate connections, many with deep roots.

Attacking them would make it difficult to get help from the Four Profound Heavens, and the actions couldn't be too bloody, otherwise, it would inevitably provoke a backlash from the Earth Immortal Realm.

It wasn't the right time, nor was it the outcome he wanted, so he used some relatively gentle methods.

It wasn't until later that Ji Hao and Wang Teng completely fell out, no longer hiding anything.

For over a hundred years, he had suppressed sects and conquered three regions without regard for the consequences, all to increase his chances of victory.

He knew that a battle between the Shenwu Empire and the Ancient Hall was inevitable, very soon, very soon... Everything was in preparation for the upcoming great war.

If he failed, all would be over!

If he succeeded, the path ahead was still uncertain... "Hall Master, why are you so cautious with this mere Shenwu Empire?" a Saint Monarch curiously asked while reporting battle-related matters to Wang Teng.

"And why are we attacking the Shenwu Empire?"

The Vice Hall Master had died, so these Saint Monarchs were the closest in status to the Hall Master in the entire Ancient Hall, and their relationship was not merely that of subordinates.

The Ancient Hall was extremely lenient with those who came to the Earth Immortal Realm, not forcefully demanding formal membership or specific tasks.

More often, there was a sense of camaraderie, or rather, an alliance.

For instance, outside the Earth Immortal Realm at this moment, there were many free Rulers, Venerables, and even Saint Lords.

If there were any doubts, one could directly ask the Hall Master.

Of course, it also depended on whether Wang Teng was willing to speak; after all, he had the right to ask, and Wang Teng had the right to refuse to answer.

In this Saint Monarch's view, the Shenwu Empire's displayed strength was not that formidable.

Secretly, at most, there were a few Saint Lords, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to control such a large territory.

It might be acceptable outside, but in front of the Ancient Hall, it was not even worth a glance.

Wang Teng alone could resolve them all; why go through such extensive trouble?

The Shenwu Empire's ability to occupy such a large territory was merely because Wang Teng was not interested.

Of course, this Saint Monarch also believed that Wang Teng would not make an unprovoked move.

However, regarding this question, Wang Teng had not intended to hide too much; if others knew, then they knew.

"Because the Shenwu Empire blocked our path. It's one thing that he's unwilling to cooperate, but he even wants to turn around and stop us."

Hearing Wang Teng's answer, the Saint Monarch asked in confusion, "Do they have that capability?"

He had initially thought the Ancient Hall had taken the initiative, but he didn't expect the other party to strike first.

"No," Wang Teng replied very readily and directly.

The Saint Monarch continued to ask, "Then why..."

"Because they hold a trump card, a very powerful trump card, one that makes the entire Ancient Hall wary."

"Although it can't do anything to the Ancient Hall, it can tie the Ancient Hall's hands, preventing it from doing anything."

When speaking of that trump card, a hint of apprehension flickered in Wang Teng's eyes.

"What kind of trump card?"

"It is..."

Upon hearing what Wang Teng said, the Saint Monarch's eyes widened in shock on the spot.

Then, as if thinking of something, he became excited again...