Chapter 483 - 399: Won’t Live Past Five Years
Chapter 483: Chapter 399: Won’t Live Past Five Years
This made it clear that the Demon Race’s World had long since given its tacit approval.
Xiao Mo could understand the perspective of the Demon Race’s World.
Currently, the various races in the Demon Race’s World were entangled in grudges, fighting amongst themselves and frequently consumed by internal strife.
If the Human Race were also embroiled in chaotic infighting, that would be something they could accept.
But now, the Human Race in the World of Ten Thousand Laws was on the verge of unification. How could that be allowed?
How could the Demon Race’s World possibly rest easy then?
Although the war would become more difficult with the involvement of external forces, Xiao Mo had never once thought of backing down.
This was the best opportunity to unify the World of Ten Thousand Laws. If he missed it, who knew how many thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years he would have to wait for another chance.
Furthermore, Xiao Mo had been making his own preparations.
Aside from training elite soldiers and recruiting new troops, Xiao Mo had his generals "visit" the various Sects in the mountains.
Since these Sects were within the Qin Kingdom’s borders, they had to obey the Qin Kingdom’s commands!
Xiao Mo demanded that these Cultivation Sects contribute forty to fifty percent of their Cultivators—all at the Foundation Establishment Realm or higher—to the Qin Kingdom’s army.
If they refused, the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry would raze their strongholds to the ground!
After all, the Blessed Land Grotto Heavens were permanent, but the Sects were transient.
Destroy one Sect, and he could simply support a new one to take its place.
At first, there were indeed a few troublesome Sects that refused to heed the Qin Kingdom’s call, thinking, ’What does your Dynasty’s war have to do with our Sect?’
But after Xiao Mo actually annihilated a few Sects, the rest quickly fell in line and began to cooperate.
Even some Sects with ancestors in the Ascension Realm or Immortal Realm were unwilling to clash head-on with the Qin Kingdom.
First, these Cultivators of the Upper Three Realms cherished their lives. And with Xiao Mo’s reputation preceding him, they truly believed that in a fit of rage, he would order the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry to charge their Sects.
Second, the compensation offered by the Qin Kingdom was genuinely good.
If the Cultivators didn’t want military merits and titles, the Qin Kingdom would give them more Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.
Moreover, Xiao Mo was extremely generous, and the rewards were far greater than what their Sects offered for completing missions.
Therefore, rather than opposing the Qin Kingdom, these Sects found it more beneficial to send their disciples to enlist. Not only could the disciples gain valuable experience, but the Sects could also take a "commission" from the rewards.
Finally, Xiao Mo traveled to Tianji City.
Tianji City was located in the Chu Region.
The City Lord of Tianji City was a Cultivator in the Immortal Realm, and the "Tian Yan Jue" technique he practiced could divine heavenly secrets.
Tianji City had always remained neutral, and its disciples often performed Divination for disciples from various Sects and even for Loose Cultivators.
As a result, Tianji City had built up a considerable network of connections, and successive kings of Chu had always treated the City Lord of Tianji City with courtesy.
But Xiao Mo couldn’t care less about any of that.
The disciples of Tianji City were mostly from the Daoist Sect or the Yin-Yang school and were proficient in Arrays. Xiao Mo desperately needed them for the great war to come.
And just as Xiao Mo personally led a large army to the gates of Tianji City,
the City Lord of Tianji City was already waiting there with his disciples.
"This old one, Weixingzi, pays his respects to the Frost King."
The City Lord of Tianji City bowed respectfully toward Xiao Mo.
Seeing the other party’s courteous reception, Xiao Mo naturally softened his sharp demeanor.
Xiao Mo dismounted, strode forward, and returned the bow. "Xiao Mo of the Qin Kingdom pays his respects to the old City Lord. We have come unannounced today. I ask for your forgiveness, Elder."
"You are too kind, Frost King," Weixingzi said with a smile, humbling himself and giving Xiao Mo plenty of face. "I have long heard of the Frost King’s great name. Seeing you today, you are truly as remarkable as they say. Not only do you have the majestic air of a lion, but also the refined grace of a scholar."
"You flatter me, Senior. I have long heard of your miraculous divinations and have admired you from afar. It is only because my duties have kept me so busy that I was unable to visit. I hope you can forgive me."
Xiao Mo returned the flattery, referring to himself as a junior.
’After all, pleasant words cost nothing. He’d say as many as the other party wanted to hear.’
"Hahaha... To be remembered by the Frost King is my honor. Frost King, please, come inside. I have already prepared a banquet. I hope you will not find it lacking."
"Not at all, Senior. After you, Elder."
Xiao Mo, along with his three accompanying Vice Generals, entered Tianji City with the City Lord.
In the City Lord’s Mansion, Weixingzi hosted Xiao Mo and his men with great hospitality.
The two sides chatted about trivial matters, but Xiao Mo did not bring up the main purpose of his visit.
After three rounds of drinks, the City Lord of Tianji City proved to be very perceptive and took the initiative to say, "The Qin Kingdom is at a critical juncture right now. For the Ten Thousand Islands Country and the Demon Race’s World to dare interfere in the affairs of our World of Ten Thousand Laws—this old one simply cannot stand by and watch.
If you would have us, Frost King, Tianji City is willing to send half its disciples to join your campaign and offer what little help we can."
"Thank you, Senior! With Tianji City’s help, I am confident we can repel the Ten Thousand Islands Country and the Demon Race, and unify the world!" Xiao Mo said, bowing earnestly. "Furthermore, I can guarantee on behalf of His Majesty that Tianji City will remain independent in the future. And if you ever need anything, should the Qin Kingdom be able to help, we will lend our aid."
"Hahaha, you are too kind, Frost King. This is what we at Tianji City should do. But since you have put it that way, then I must thank you."
Weixingzi smiled and toasted Xiao Mo with a cup of wine.
The conversation between the two grew increasingly pleasant.
At first, Weixingzi had only been flattering him and pretending to enjoy the conversation because he was the Frost King of Qin and was worried about what Xiao Mo might really do to Tianji City.
But as they continued, Weixingzi found that the man’s conversation and knowledge truly exceeded his expectations, putting him completely at ease. As they talked, it even began to feel as though they were old friends from different generations.
"It has been some time since I have performed a Divination. If you would permit it, Frost King, I could perform one for you."
Flushed from the spiritual wine, Weixingzi stroked his beard and spoke to Xiao Mo.
"Not to boast, but my ’Tian Yan Jue’ is quite formidable."
"I would be delighted. I have also been wanting to witness this ’Tian Yan Jue,’ which is hailed as an ancient divine technique," Xiao Mo said with a smile.
"Hahaha, of course, of course... Please follow me, Frost King."
Led by Weixingzi, Xiao Mo came to a tower.
Stepping into the tower, Xiao Mo was met with pitch-black darkness, so deep he couldn’t see his own hand in front of his face.
It was clearly daytime, but this tower blocked out all light from the outside.
However, Xiao Mo wasn’t worried that Weixingzi would harm him.
’It was simple. He wouldn’t dare.’
"Please wait a moment, Frost King."
Weixingzi spoke, then walked forward and stepped onto the core of the Array in the tower.
In an instant, the light from the Array illuminated the entire tower.
Xiao Mo glanced around.
The floor of the tower bore the design of the Yin Yang Fish.
Lifting his head, he saw a sky full of stars.
All around them, runes of the Daoist Sect and Yin-Yang school drifted ceaselessly through the air.
"Frost King, please come here," Weixingzi said to Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo nodded and walked over to stand before Weixingzi.
Weixingzi handed a blank yellow Talisman Paper to Xiao Mo. "If you trust me, Frost King, please write your birth characters on it."
Xiao Mo took the Talisman Paper, glanced at Weixingzi, and wrote down his birth characters.
"And what does the Frost King wish to ask about?" Weixingzi asked with a slight smile.
Xiao Mo thought for a moment. "My lifespan."
The deaths of those around him, one by one, had made Xiao Mo keenly aware that fate is unpredictable, especially when navigating the battlefields of the Imperial Court.
Therefore, Xiao Mo wanted to see how much time he had left and whether it would be enough to accomplish what he needed to do.
"Very well."
Weixingzi nodded, and after taking the Talisman Paper, he ignited it with a Technique.
The ashes of the Talisman Paper fell into the Array.
The Array beneath Xiao Mo’s feet began to change, and the stars above his head spun ceaselessly.
Weixingzi sat cross-legged on the ground, a dense aura of the Dao swirling around him.
Xiao Mo didn’t know how long it would take, but he wasn’t in a hurry, so he waited in silence.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Weixingzi’s eyes flew open. His face was deathly pale as he suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
"Senior!"
Xiao Mo jumped in alarm and hurried forward.
"I’m fine..." Calming himself, Weixingzi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand. "It’s just that the karma involved is too immense. Fortunately, I managed to glimpse a corner of heaven’s secrets."
"The karma...?" Xiao Mo asked.
Weixingzi grabbed Xiao Mo’s arm, his aged hand trembling noticeably.
"Please forgive me, Frost King, but I truly cannot speak of the karma involved.
But!
As for the lifespan you asked about, that I can tell you!
If you trust me, Frost King, you should resign from your post and leave the Imperial Court. With your talent, you will inevitably ascend to the Upper Three Realms in the future. There will be nowhere in the world you cannot go."
"And if I don’t leave?" Xiao Mo asked with a frown.
"If you do not leave, Frost King..."
Weixingzi swallowed hard.
"Your lifespan... I’m afraid it won’t exceed five years..."