Chapter 473 - 468: Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch Is Approaching Harmonization

’Holy crap!’

Du Youqian almost did a spit-take.

’So you noticed all those other times I borrowed power from Elder Blood Slaughter!’

’Good. True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde probably doesn’t know the real me, and who knows what sort of story he’s concocted in his head.’

True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde hadn’t mentioned the Rivers and Mountains Map, but Du Youqian guessed the man had either given it to some Tier Six cultivator in exchange for protection, or simply sold it.

Or perhaps it was a combination of both. The Rivers and Mountains Map, a Tier Seven Spiritual Treasure at its core, was by no means a shabby gift for a Tier Six Void Step Cultivator.

And whatever scraps a Tier Six cultivator let fall through their fingers would be more than enough for True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde to gorge himself on.

Besides, as a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, Zhaoxiang Guangde was already inviting disaster just by holding the Blood Slaughter Sword.

If he had also dared to touch the Rivers and Mountains Map, a passing Tier Six Demon Emperor would have likely struck him down the very next day. Then, some Void Step Cultivator would "discover" his remains, cry out for revenge, and proceed to stage a mock fight with that very same Demon Emperor.

But Du Youqian didn’t ask where the Rivers and Mountains Map went. ’If I were truly a Void Step True Monarch, I should be able to investigate that myself. There’s no need to ask this little fellow.’

The conversation having reached this point, Du Youqian chose his words with increasing care, not wanting to ruin the foundation he had already built.

He realized he wouldn’t need to waste time and energy befriending Ge Sheng’s acquaintance anymore. ’As long as I issue a decree, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde will obediently cooperate and help me retrieve people from Momenan.’

After thinking for a moment, a question surfaced that Du Youqian couldn’t resist asking.

’Momenan is the land where the Human Race preserves its last embers. Elder Blood Slaughter and Elder Jiang Shan Duojiao are Spiritual Treasures that garrison an entire world. What gives True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde the right—the audacity—to scheme against them?’

’Is he so sure that no one else from the Human Race’s leadership will investigate the situation in Momenan?’

’Or could it be that he has another Great Power backing him?’

’Thinking one layer deeper... Momenan has fallen into such decline, yet the Human Race’s leadership remains indifferent. I wouldn’t believe for a second that there isn’t something shady going on here!’

After mulling it over for a long time, Du Youqian sent a probing message: "Since you dared to make a move on Fellow Daoist Blood Slaughter and Fellow Daoist Jiang Shan Duojiao, you must know whose will is behind the situation in Momenan."

The statement was extremely ambiguous.

If True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde still had any major suspicions about Du Youqian, he would have likely tried a counter-probe.

But their previous exchange had already left True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde completely convinced.

Right now, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde only wanted to quickly satisfy the unfathomable Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch.

He couldn’t afford to have this Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch hold a grudge against him; otherwise, his only option would be to run for his life.

He couldn’t just wait around for the man to arrange for a Tier Six Demon Emperor to raze Shaoze Mansion to the ground, only for Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch to conveniently "pass by," drive off the Demon Emperor, collect his corpse, and casually take the Blood Slaughter Sword, could he?

He wasn’t actually afraid that Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch would come to kill him directly.

The Great Powers of the Human Race always insisted on having a just cause for their actions.

The one to make the move would surely be a Tier Six Demon Beast; the Great Power of the Human Race would, of course, remain righteous and unimpeachable.

So, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde answered truthfully, "I’ve only pieced together some clues from the idle chatter of others, but I’m almost certain this is the truth. The matter of Momenan is likely the will of Emperor Shu He. He probably wants to turn Momenan into a Land of the Dead Spirit and then refine it into his own Pocket World to achieve a Celestial Immortal Position."

True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde knew that as soon as he sent this message, Emperor Shu He would be able to sense it.

But the Emperor wouldn’t necessarily turn his gaze this way. After all, with so many people talking about him, he couldn’t possibly pay attention to every single one.

He couldn’t rule out the possibility that the Emperor might, on a whim someday, look back through time to view this very scene.

But that was a problem for the future. ’Besides, I didn’t say anything too outrageous, did I? The Emperor shouldn’t get angry... right?’

As for Du Youqian, he was startled when he saw the word "Emperor."

’Emperor is a title for an Immortal!’

’And only the most outstanding among the Tier Eight Immortals are worthy of the title ’Emperor’!’

’How did an Emperor get involved in this?’

But as he read on, he began to understand.

Before the fall of the Celestial Court, Tier Seven cultivators were called "True Monarchs," Tier Five and Tier Six were called "Masters," and the most outstanding among Tier Eight were called "Emperor."

But now, the titles had been devalued, much like how "King" was once the title for the supreme ruler in ancient times but gradually lost its prestige.

’Nowadays, Tier Three and Tier Four cultivators dare to call themselves ’Masters,’ Tier Five and Tier Six are ’True Monarchs,’ and Tier Seven are now bloody Emperors.’

’These titles have been devalued into absolute nonsense.’

The main reason was that before the Celestial Court fell, Immortals could live within it, so Immortals and humans were not completely separated.

Now that the Celestial Court has fallen, no one knows if any Immortals are left, but there are definitely none in the Human World.

So when the Harmonization Cultivators at the pinnacle of power in the Human World called themselves "Emperors," no one dared to challenge them on it.

After reading True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde’s message, Du Youqian pondered for a moment.

’So it’s the will of this Emperor Shu He... Welp, nothing to be done. Momenan is doomed. I’m out.’

Unexpectedly, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde sent another message: "Senior, could it be that you are also interested in Momenan?"

Du Youqian deployed his verbal skills to the fullest. "That is none of your concern. However, there is a small matter for you to remember. In the future, when you restore the old system, you will Guide one genius out of Momenan at regular intervals. I will arrange for someone to collect the genius you bring out. My agent will not bear any of my markings—you understand why. They will have only a password: Qingxu Tongxuan. When you hear those two words, you will know it is the person I have sent."

True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde didn’t dare to ask any more questions. "Yes, I will remember. Is there anything else I can do to be of service, Senior?"

Du Youqian shot him down. "What qualifies you to be of service to me? If I told you to hand over a Tier Six Treasure, could you even produce one?"

In truth, Du Youqian really wanted the man to provide some High Tier Cultivation Techniques.

Divinity Transformation True Monarchs had long lifespans and often possessed several Tier Five or even Tier Six Cultivation Techniques.

’But I can’t just come out and ask!’ Du Youqian thought.

’It would completely ruin my image.’

’A Tier Six Void Step cultivator asking a Tier Five Divinity Transformation cultivator for techniques?’

’The crucial thing is, I don’t even know what he specializes in.’

’I can’t just say, ’Give me whatever you have. I’m not picky; I’ll take it all.’’

’I’m not a beggar!’

’If I open my mouth, he’ll definitely become suspicious.’

’I have to find the right angle before I can make my demands.’

As he thought about Cultivation Techniques, a spark of inspiration suddenly flashed in Du Youqian’s mind.

’Ge Sheng once said that it’s impossible to teleport from the Human World to Momenan...’

’At least, that’s what’s publicly claimed.’

’And yet, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde just teleported a Nascent Soul Master in here.’

’What does that imply?’

’True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde planted a backdoor in the Teleportation Array!’

’Of course, every programmer loves planting backdoors. I can understand that.’

’But the point is, this is leverage I can use against True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde!’

’Uh, wait. Thinking a level deeper... for something this secret, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde definitely wouldn’t trust anyone else to handle it.’

’On top of that, what gives him the right to be the sole guardian of the Teleportation Array?’

’So... it’s highly probable that True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde is an Array Grandmaster! Perhaps his skill in arrays is even higher!’

And so, Du Youqian sent a message in a casual tone: "Your skill in Arrays should be at Tier Six, I presume. What other techniques do you possess at the Tier Five or Tier Six level?"

True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde felt no suspicion and replied quickly, "My skill in Arrays is indeed at Tier Six. My Divination Art and Puppetry Art are also Tier Six. Additionally, my Artifact Refining and Talisman Making are at Tier Five."

Du Youqian was overjoyed. If there weren’t someone else beside him, he would have burst out laughing.

Glancing at the True Inheritance Core Formation cultivator from the Holy Blood Sect, who stood to the side with his head bowed obediently, Du Youqian replied, "Gather copies of all sixteen Cultivation Techniques, each at least at Tier Four, and send them over. Also, make a copy of all your personal technique Inheritances for me."

Du Youqian had been about to add an explanation, but on second thought, he deleted it.

’Why should I have to explain my actions to you!’

Just as he expected, True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde merely seemed troubled; he didn’t ask Du Youqian "why."

"Senior, this may take some time. I haven’t collected all of those Inheritances yet."

"Then send over the Inheritances you already have first. As for the rest, collect them slowly. Send them over as you acquire them. I will arrange for someone to receive them."

"Yes, I’ll get right on it."

"Wait. You still haven’t told me how you’re going to compensate me. You don’t think a small task like this can substitute for proper compensation, do you?" Du Youqian said, deliberately tightening his grip on the True Monarch.

「Shaoze Mansion, Circulation Hall」

True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde wore a pained expression.

’This Qingxu Tongxuan Guanmiao True Monarch really knows how to suck the marrow from your bones!’

’But his power must be incredibly high, very close to the Harmonization Realm.’

’That must be why he’s trying to get a piece of Momenan, unafraid of retaliation from Emperor Shu He.’

If Du Youqian knew just how much True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde was overthinking things, he’d probably give him a round of applause.

"I wonder, Senior, how would you like me to compensate you?"

"As you are now, you aren’t qualified to compensate me," Du Youqian said, his tone shockingly arrogant but perfectly in line with his persona. "Let it be a debt for now. When you advance to the Void Step Realm, I will have you act on my behalf once. We will consider the matter settled then."

True Monarch Zhaoxiang Guangde breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him sincerely, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Senior."

Du Youqian found it hard to keep a straight face.

’I killed your man.’

’I stole your Tier Five Treasure.’

’I robbed you of so many Inheritances.’

’I’m even going to make you act as my hired killer in the future.’

’And you’re still thanking me.’

’You’re a real stand-up guy, you know that?!’