Book 8: Chapter 122: The Powerful Curse
Book 8: Chapter 122: The Powerful Curse
Bai Zizai paced in Yin Tiger Deity Hall.
“Milord, Gu Hai and our Heavenly Demon Holy Land have a deep-seated enmity. Moreover, with the turmoil in the nether realm, the Nine Yin Sect nowhere in sight, and Vermilion Bird Primes sidelined, it’s almost as if we and the Han Heavenly Dynasty will divide the nether realm between us. We can’t let Gu Hai grow any stronger!” The White Soul Reaper frowned.
“I understand, but the Han Heavenly Dynasty’s background…” Bai Zizai furrowed his brow.
“Milord, are you worried about Long Zhanguo? However, Long Zhanguo hasn’t shown himself up to now! It might not be true!” the Black Soul Reaper exhorted.
“Milord, do you think Underground Blood City is asking for too much?” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon inquired.
“Asking for too much? No, if they can curse Gu Hai, so what if it costs three trillion superior-grade spirit stones? Our Heavenly Demon Holy Land has several million years of accumulations; can’t we spare that much?” Bai Zizai replied in a heavy tone.
“Then…” The others were worried.
“The situation is turbulent. It’s not just Long Zhanguo; Essence Genesis is also watching closely. Let’s wait for now!” Bai Zizai said firmly.
“All right!” The others nodded.
------The people from various major factions invited by Gu Hai to the land of the living returned to the nether realm. However, the news they brought back was nothing but despair.
Essence Genesis was merciless, even more ruthless than anyone had imagined.
The Han Heavenly Dynasty did not apply any pressure. Nevertheless, the nether realm factions were more anxious than ever because an execution blade hung over their heads, set to fall in a month.
This time, the Han Nation revealed not only the cruelty of Essence Genesis to the factions but also the Han Heavenly Dynasty’s generous policies.
The leaders of the factions that surrendered in the land of the living were the best examples.
The introduction of the zither puppet also allowed the major factions of the nether realm to communicate rapidly. The conclusions they reached were all despairing.
In just five days, the first group of faction leaders arrived in Everlasting Nether Capital to surrender.
Like in the land of the living, the leaders of five major factions immediately pledged their loyalty. They were promptly received by Gu Hai and granted first-class marquis titles.
With these five leading the way, everything became much easier.
Although the Heavenly Demon Holy Land had dominated the nether realm in the past, the analysis from the zither puppets’ information showed that the Han Heavenly Dynasty was not inferior.
First, the Han Heavenly Dynasty had a substantial number of consummate Upper Heavenly Palace Realm cultivators. Second, it was rumored that most of the peak masters of the Heavenly Demon Holy Land had died at the hands of the Han Heavenly Dynasty.
Despite Gu Hai killing eight peak masters of the Heavenly Demon Holy Land, the Heavenly Demon Holy Land still dared not seek revenge.
After deciding to submit, the nether realm factions analyzed which side to surrender to.
The Nine Yin Sect could not be found, so their options were reduced to these two major factions.
The northern region of the nether realm was already under Gu Hai’s control, and the Vermilion Bird Primes had also withdrawn their blessings in the eastern region. There was no competition for the factions at this time. After analyzing the situation, most of the major factions in the east chose to join the Han Heavenly Dynasty.
All of this was within Bai Zizai’s expectations.
However, the subsequent changes in the nether realm’s southern region made Bai Zizai’s expression turn grim.
Although only one-third of the factions in the nether realm’s southern region had surrendered, most of this one-third had chosen Gu Hai instead of the Heavenly Demon Holy Land.
------
Yin Tiger Deity Hall:
In a fit of rage, Bai Zizai slammed his palm on the armrest of his throne.
“Milord, besides the western region where most factions submitted to our Heavenly Demon Holy Land, we did not absorb much territory from other regions,” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon said with an unsightly expression.
“Gu Hai made a huge profit this time!” the Black Soul Reaper remarked, grimacing.
“Milord, no one will know about the curse from Underground Blood City. Furthermore, you can also use it as an opportunity to test Borderless Heavenly Capital, to see if Long Zhanguo is really alive. As long as you use the curse, everything will become clear, and we won’t have to worry about Long Zhanguo every day!” the White Soul Reaper suggested.
Bai Zizai remained silent for a moment, then said with a deep voice, “Alright. Black Soul Reaper, go and tell Underground Blood City that I agree to their price. Wait for fifteen days. After Essence Genesis bathes the nether realm in blood, he will probably go into closed-door cultivation and no longer concern himself with worldly affairs. At that time, we can curse Gu Hai!”
“Yes!” the Black Soul Reaper responded.
------
Although many of the nether realm factions were invited to the land of the living to witness what had happened, who would easily give up their authority and territory?
The Han Heavenly Dynasty now dominated the north and had some influence in the east. Sixty percent of the eastern factions had submitted to the Han Heavenly Dynasty. Although some southern factions submitted to the Han Nation, only thirty percent of them did at most.
Even so, the Han Heavenly Dynasty was struggling to manage everything; its officials were incredibly busy.
Surging blessings flowed towards Everlasting Nether Capital. Talents were relocated to various places in large numbers to take control of one city after another.
Gu Hai did not force anyone because accepting the current factions was already challenging. How could he apply more pressure on the other factions?
------
One month passed in a flash.
Countless nether realm factions awaited the moment with disbelief, fear, and anticipation in their hearts. They all waited for noon. A thunderous roar echoed through all the blessings cloud seas.
“The time has come. I’ve shown you all the utmost tolerance for a month. Now that the time is up, let everything be destroyed!”
Boom!
Endless primal chaos sword qi surged out of nowhere and pierced various blessings cloud seas.
Boom!
Countless palaces exploded, countless altars at sect headquarters were instantly destroyed, and all the resisting sovereigns and sect leaders were annihilated in one fell swoop, leaving no one behind.
After the great destruction, the news quickly spread through the zither puppets to the faction leaders who had chosen to disband their countries or sects and submit. Everyone gasped. Similarly, all factions were eliminated from the competition for supremacy.
Everything was so cruel.
“Gu Hai, Bai Zizai, Ba, you must quickly collect the surrounding territories over the next year or so. I will enter closed-door cultivation for some time to reach my peak condition. When I come out, we will eliminate Six Paths!” A stern voice resounded in their ears.
Gu Hai, Ba, and Bai Zizai all narrowed their eyes.
Finally, the bloodbath of the nether realm was over.
Next, it was time to organize the factions of the nether realm. The Heavenly Demon Holy Land had existed for countless millions of years, so it had firm foundations. It swiftly organized the western factions of the nether realm.
Despite Gu Hai having numerous talents from the Gu’s Immortal Firmament, he faced some constraints in the northern, eastern, and southern regions of the nether realm.
In the land of the living, Gu Hai assigned Chen Tianshan, Sima Changkong, Gu Qin, Gu Han, Gu Tang, and Gu Ming to manage the territories.
In the nether realm, Mo Yike took the lead, with Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, and Long Shenying providing full support.
Gu Hai only provided slight guidance for capturing and managing the world.
After Gu Hai’s true body handled these trivial matters in the land of the living, he went into closed-door cultivation in the Gu’s Immortal Firmament.
Gu Hai understood that there would be a brutal final battle in a year and a half. If Essence Genesis failed, Gu Hai would face the wrath of the Six Paths Immortal. Even if Essence Genesis won, Gu Hai would not be worry-free. He did not want to hand over control to Essence Genesis’s every whim, so he knew he had to rely on himself.
With time short, Gu Hai’s greatest reliance now was the Pangu Ax.
The Pangu Ax played a crucial role in defeating Zhu Liuliu last time. However, Gu Hai could only utilize so much of its might.
Gripping the Pangu Ax, Gu Hai activated it slightly.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The Pangu Ax trembled faintly, causing a ripple in the void.
“It’s not enough. I can only access a fraction of the vast might within the Pangu Ax, even less than one percent. To unlock more, I must advance my cultivation.” Gu Hai frowned.
Regarding the Pangu Ax, Gu Hai did not need a familiarization period. It was as if the ax was his most trusted companion, and the ax also acknowledged Gu Hai. However, Gu Hai’s strength was still insufficient to wield much of its might.
Although the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm’s eighth layer seemed formidable, Gu Hai knew there was still a long way to go. He could only fully unleash the Pangu Ax’s power at the consummation of the spiritual souls. Currently, he could only access a fraction of the Pangu Ax’s power, and that was only because the Pangu Ax allowed it.
However, how could he raise his current cultivation?
Only one and a half years remained; time was running short.
The Worldly Sorrowful Endowment? That was not something easy to cultivate. Gu Hai absorbed all sorts of energies and required them in vast quantities. This was something he could not solve in the short run.
“I can only coital cultivate,” Gu Hai said helplessly.
When coital cultivating, he could at least see his cultivation grow. Besides that, he could not think of any other ways.
So, Gu Hai enlisted Chen Xianer, Long Wanqing, and Lin Waner to assist in cultivation.
A day outside equaled ten years in the Gu’s Immortal Firmament.
Ten days later, Gu Hai returned to the palace in Borderless Heavenly Capital with the three women.
The women appeared radiant, and their cultivation had improved significantly. However, Gu Hai’s cultivation had only improved slightly, just a bit better than not practicing coital cultivation.
With a hint of anxiety, Gu Hai sighed softly.
“Husband, should we call Bing Ji back to try?” Chen Xianer suggested, knitting her brow.
The three women were also concerned for Gu Hai.
“Husband! What about Wanyu? How about you…” Long Wanqing asked, her voice tinged with hope.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll think of another solution.” Gu Hai smiled wryly.
Gu Hai understood his situation. Since he began practicing the Worldly Sorrowful Endowment, cultivation sometimes required significant opportunities.
“Or, Husband, shall we go to the Gu’s Immortal Firmament to try again?” Lin Waner suggested, her face flushing.
The two women smiled faintly, intending to persuade Gu Hai.
Suddenly, Gu Hai’s body swayed.
“Husband, what’s wrong?” Long Wanqing asked, puzzled.
Why is Husband swaying like this?
“Something’s not right. Husband, are you alright?” Chen Xianer’s expression changed.
Plop!
Gu Hai suddenly collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
“What? Husband, what’s wrong?” Lin Waner exclaimed.
Chen Xianer rushed over and helped Gu Hai up, her face full of panic. “Husband, are you okay? What’s wrong with you?”
Despite Chen Xianer shaking Gu Hai continuously, he remained unconscious.
“Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong! Wanyu! Wanyu!” Long Wanqing exclaimed, about to rush out.
“Wait a moment!” Chen Xianer called out.
“Elder Sister, is Husband awake?” Long Wanqing immediately turned around.
“No. We cannot let the matter of Husband fainting leak. Bring Long Wanyu over discreetly; don’t let anyone else find out,” Chen Xianer said anxiously.
“Oh! Alright, alright!” Long Wanqing left hurriedly in a state of great anxiety.
“Younger Sister Waner, immediately go to the nether realm to check on Husband’s clone. Pay attention to your expression; don’t reveal a grieving face. Husband will surely be fine!” Chen Xianer instructed again.
“Alright. I’ll do that, Elder Sister Chen.” Lin Waner rushed out.
“Husband, what’s happening to you? Your breathing is normal, your body is fine. Why did you suddenly faint? Husband, you’ll be fine!” Chen Xianer held Gu Hai, checking him anxiously while muttering to herself in distress.