Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 612 - 372: Troops Dispatched (Combined Part 2)_2

He was just a Mahayana, a mere Mahayana.

Now, with matters of great importance at hand, the only way to ensure some chance of success would be to dispatch a True Immortal led by the Emperor in person to oversee the battle.

But could he truly mobilize a True Immortal Emperor?

The move of the Jade Emperor...

Just as the Taibai Star Lord was feeling troubled...

"Your Majesty!"

A figure strode into the hall with the stride of a tiger, a terrifying aura of killing intent making hearts tremble.

It was none other than the Lord of the White Tiger Star!

"Hmm!?"

Seeing that the Lord of the White Tiger Star didn’t report in before entering, the Jade Emperor frowned deeply, but refrained from reprimanding: "Lord of the White Tiger Star, you have just come through a great battle, why do you forgo recuperation and rush here?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty!"

The eyes of the Lord of the White Tiger Star reddened with bristling killing intent, scattering the peaceful and auspicious atmosphere of the Lingxiao Hall, fully revealing the ferocity and domineering presence of a Six Calamity Immortal.

He advanced boldly before the throne, his massive stature bowing on one knee: "I volunteer to take command, to lead the army, and vow not to return until I capture and slay this villain!"

Even though he was kneeling to request permission, his intimidating killing intent conveyed not a hint of respect.

The officials all frowned upon seeing this, but quickly came to accept it.

In this recent unrest, every palace and department had suffered significant losses, after all, the cultivators of the Wandao School were too versatile, dabbling in Pills, Talismans, Tools, Formations, and a myriad of Cultivation Arts. Despite not being highly advanced in cultivation, they were more than adequate for hard labor.

This led to an unfettered rampage of retaliation by Li Liuxian, laying waste to the Four Extreme Auxiliary Courts and every palace and department, plundering them while rescuing the Academy Monks, and pocketing quite the "interest" in the process.

However, priorities must be set, and the main culprit held accountable. The loss suffered by the Western Extreme Auxiliary Court was far greater than the other three courts combined.

The other three might have lost a few sixth-tier Spiritual Roots or some middle and lower-grade Spiritual Medicine.

But things were different for the Western Extreme Auxiliary Court. The White Tiger Armory was plundered, losing an entire five Superior Immortal Implements.

Superior Immortal Implements, being of the seventh rank, had immeasurable value.

Though the Earth Immortal Realm possessed the Heavenly Secret Realm with Ancient Immortal Treasures, all of them were attached to karmic retributions and possessed unpredictable powers. Even True Immortals dare not touch them, at most emulating the insights of the likes of the Emperor of Fengdu to craft and refine copies.

Such replicas, difficult to become Immortal Treasures, are at best Supreme Immortal Artifacts.

If even True Immortals possess only Supreme Immortal Artifacts, then what more for Calamity Immortals?

Aside from a few with grand fortunes and opportunities, only Superior Immortal Implements are within reach for the rest.

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The Lord of the White Tiger Star was no exception. Though a formidable Six Calamity Immortal, his lifebound Magical Treasure, the White Tiger Heavenly Wound Sword, was merely a Superior Immortal Artifact.

The theft of five Superior Immortal Implements from the White Tiger Armory was a loss beyond imagination, hence the Lord of the White Tiger Star’s fury was not surprising.

After all, these were the foundational assets of both the Western Extreme Auxiliary Court and the Seven Palaces of the White Tiger!

...

Also a Six Calamity Immortal, the Jade Emperor gazed at the seething Lord of the White Tiger Star with tightly knitted brows, "This person has vast Divine Powers, do you have confidence in defeating him in battle?"

Unwavering, the Lord of the White Tiger Star firmly stated, "My seven brothers and I will head out together, and engaged by the White Tiger Seven Constellations Slaughter Formation, we will fight to the death."

"..."

Hearing this, the Jade Emperor too was left without a clear solution, looking to his advisors: "What are your opinions, my esteemed counselors?"

"This..."

The officials hesitated, struggling to articulate their thoughts.

In the end, it was the Taibai Star Lord who broke the silence: "That person’s cultivation level should not be of the Tribulation Realm; the strength he wields entirely relies on Heavenly Mechanics Methods and the authority of the Nine Rituals. Although formidable, it cannot endure.

Should Your Majesty grant a Superior-grade Flat Peach, and have seven Immortal Lords employ the White Tiger Slaughter Formation in battle, there lies a chance of victory."

"A Superior-grade Flat Peach..."

The Jade Emperor’s expression deepened in contemplation but did not reach a decision.

The Heavenly Court possesses a valued treasure, a Ninth Order Immortal Spirit Root, known as the Flat Peach Jade Tree.

This tree’s Flat Peaches are divided into four grades. Lower-grade ones ripen every thousand years, mid-grade every three thousand years, superior-grade every six thousand years, and supreme-grade every nine thousand years.

They are miracles of heaven and earth, treasures of the Immortal Clans, capable of resurrecting the dead, dispelling disasters and tribulations, and aiding the ascension to immortality.

The most supreme, the nine-thousand-year Flat Peach, can even help a Nine Tribulations True Immortal withstand the Three Calamities, becoming a strategic resource contested in the quest for the Heavenly Secret Realm.

The Lord of the White Tiger Star dared not aspire for such a precious treasure, but he did set his sights on the six-thousand-year Superior-grade Flat Peaches.

Honestly, the Jade Emperor did not wish to part with them.

But at such a critical juncture and given the circumstances, he had no choice but to concede.

Reluctantly, the Jade Emperor finally said, "Even so, there may still be oversights, we cannot afford the slightest mishap!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The Taibai Star Lord immediately responded, "This person is crafty and would not make a move without careful planning.

To ensure absolute certainty in eradicating this menace, I humbly request Your Majesty mobilize the Dipper Department, the Thunder Department, the Fire Department, and the Plague Department to lead millions of Celestial Soldiers, and with the Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap, we will surely level Mount Longevity."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor gave a grave nod, while the assembled ministers frowned deeply.

The Dipper Department, Thunder Department, Fire Department, and Plague Department are the four major divisions of the Heavenly Court, tasked with martial affairs and representing a significant force of military power.

The Dipper Department is under the direct jurisdiction of the Heavenly Venerable and is an elite guard; the Wugong Star previously mentioned belonged to this division.

The Thunder Department, Fire Department, and Plague Department are more diverse, with key figures, including the Four Auxiliary Imperial Lords, having their confidants among them.

The proposal of the Taibai Star Lord clearly intended to involve everyone in a joint military campaign against Wuzhuang.

With this proposal, the Jade Emperor was hesitant, as were the ministers, indecisive.

The internal dynamics of the Heavenly Court and the constant jockeying for power among the five great Imperial Lords emerged at this moment.

Seeing this, the Taibai Star Lord bit the bullet and boldly proposed, "Your Majesty, Li Liuxian has not yet reached the Tribulation Realm, and yet he is capable of such deeds. If we let him be, once he enters the Tribulation and further perfects the Nine Rituals Heavenly Sword into a Supreme Immortal Artifact or even an Immortal Treasure, it would truly be nurturing a threat within our midst."

"Additionally, the heavenly craftsmanship from the Wandao School is a shocking art of creation. Relying on the Pill Origin Gathering, he should have developed Mana Points of the Seventh Rank, thus constructing Superior Immortal Spirit Battle Armor. It is with such an accompaniment to the Nine Rituals Heavenly Venerate Sword that he could wreak such havoc in the Heavenly Palace previously."