Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

The group consisted of only four people, but their presence was overwhelming. They were clearly among the top brass of the Ten Thousand Gods Alliance.

Chen Che had already learned of the Ten Thousand Gods Alliance's origins from Xiao Chan. It was simply an alliance formed by Evil Cultivators, who were reviled by all, banding together for mutual support. However, the bond between the members of this alliance was far tighter than that of the Hong Alliance.

It was considered the largest and most widespread Evil Cultivator Alliance under the Primordial Sect's jurisdiction.

Otherwise, a single command would not have been enough to summon so many Evil Cultivators to this place.

With the arrival of the four, even the most maniacal Evil Cultivators grew deferential. Those who had been resting with their eyes closed, posturing arrogantly, or radiating sinister intent all rose to their feet, instantly clearing a path for them.

The sun was just beginning to rise, its light slanting in from the east. As it fell upon the four, their shadows stretched out to engulf the entire Mountain God Temple.

In an instant, the bonfire in front of Chen Che went out.

'Four Golden Cores!'

Chen Che's eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the group strode directly into the temple.

Standing in the crowd, Chen Che sized up the high-ranking Evil Cultivators as they entered the temple.

The man at the head was gaunt, yet carried the ethereal air of an immortal. Holding a duster, he had the perfect bearing of a Daoist School master. Anyone encountering him on the road would have surely mistaken him for a member of a prestigious Major Sect.

In reality, however, he was Pei Chu, the Alliance Leader of the Ten Thousand Gods Alliance. He was once a wandering ghost from these very mountains who later cultivated a corporeal form, condensed a Golden Core, and attained a certain air of profound simplicity.

He ambled over to the Divine Statue and sat down cross-legged. The other three, judging by their appearance alone, also showed no trace of being Evil Cultivators. Each one looked more righteous and was dressed more impeccably than the last.

Pei Chu, now seated on a Pumpon, raised a hand slightly.

"Everyone, be seated."

The Evil Cultivators obediently sat down.

Vice Alliance Leader Song Yuanxing sat down beside him. Dressed like a Sword Immortal, he began with a smile.

"Are you all satisfied with this Banquet of the Gods, held in the name of the Ten Thousand Gods Alliance?"

"Satisfied!"

"Of course we're satisfied..."

The crowd roared its approval.

Lei Boyong and his sister felt their scalps tingle with dread as they listened.

'What Banquet of the Gods?'

They had known all along that this was a banquet of slaughter, with mortals as the sacrifice. It was no wonder that on their way here, they had seen Evil Cultivators committing atrocities in mortal settlements.

"Good that you're satisfied!"

Pei Chu nodded slowly, his tone suddenly growing fervent. "The Primordial Sect is cruel and inhumane, and has repeatedly schemed against our brethren. We are naturally sworn enemies of the Primordial Sect! Therefore, I sincerely invite you all to join the Ten Thousand Gods Sect!"

'So something big *is* happening!'

Pei Chu's impassioned speech made Chen Che raise an eyebrow.

'But what in the world is this Ten Thousand Gods Sect? Why have I never heard of it?'

Chen Che glanced at Chen Xi and Xiao Chan; they both looked just as confused.

"The Ten Thousand Gods Sect? Could it be that the Alliance Leader plans to transform the Ten Thousand Gods Alliance into a Sect?"

The experienced Wu Derong was the first to realize.

"Precisely!"

Pei Chu flicked his duster and nodded proudly.

The moment he spoke, the Mountain God Temple erupted into chaos, like an anthill that had been kicked over.

Some were delighted, some were tempted, some were skeptical, and some were hesitant.

Evil Cultivators generally use extreme methods, and their cultivation techniques differ greatly from other Cultivators. As a result, they are rejected by the majority, and any who reveal themselves are usually hunted down and killed. The few Sects they do have, like the Yin Spirit Sect, are tiny, with only a handful of disciples hiding away in the deep mountains and ancient forests.

It wasn't that no one had ever wanted to form a Major Sect. But first, the tallest tree attracts the wind. Second, no one was powerful enough to keep everyone in line. And third, their sects had always been nomadic and elusive; with a fixed territory, wouldn't they just be sitting ducks waiting to be crushed?

Although many Evil Cultivators had gathered here, and their combined strength was formidable, openly establishing a Sect came with a great many risks...

"Rest assured, this has been authorized by the Star-Picking Sect."

Pei Chu nodded slightly and announced in a clear voice:

"The Sect Leader of the Star-Picking Sect has personally issued a decree: as soon as our Ten Thousand Gods Alliance establishes a Sect, we will immediately receive their recognition. Not only that, they will also cede the territories of Shu and Hui States to us as our Sect's foundational domain."

Chen Che glanced at Chen Xi.

'Isn't that the territory of the Great Chen Dynasty?'

Chen Xi's expression remained neutral as she listened intently.

Hearing this, the Cultivators present had varied expressions. This was the Primordial Sect's domain; what did recognition from the Star-Picking Sect matter? And what power did the Star-Picking Sect have to cede two states to them?

"Alliance Leader, does the Star-Picking Sect expect us to fight the Primordial Sect?"

Most of the Cultivators present were shrewd and immediately guessed the Star-Picking Sect had an ulterior motive.

However, going up against such a behemoth with their strength would be like an egg hitting a rock. Recalling the recent movements of both the Star-Picking Sect and the Primordial Sect, it was obvious that they were being used as pawns.

Once they figured this out, the crowd began to hesitate again.

"You want the prize without putting in the effort? Where in the world is there such a sweet deal?"

Pei Chu's gaze swept over the crowd, taking in their expressions. He couldn't help but sneer.

"If we don't take real action, why would the Star-Picking Sect ever recognize us? My fellow cultivators, after all your years of Cultivation, you should understand just how precarious our situation is."

"Don't you all wish to walk the world freely? Once you join the Ten Thousand Gods Sect, rewards will be distributed based on merit. You, my friends, will become the Sect's Chiefs. Your Direct Lineage disciples at the Qi Refining Realm will all be granted official disciple status."

"In the future, you can be like those from Jinyun Valley, openly revered and worshiped by the masses. Or would you rather spend the rest of your lives hiding in the shadows, never to see the light of day?"

"Everyone, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Pei Chu's gaze was deep and unsettling, his voice laced with a mesmerizing quality.

"Bastards!"

Upon hearing this, the color drained from the faces of Lei Boyong and his sister, and they couldn't help but curse furiously under their breath.

The Star-Picking Sect was actually doing this—granting these mass-murdering Evil Cultivators the right to operate freely. And seeing the fanatical expressions on so many faces, they feared that after today, the Primordial Sect's domain would truly have a new Major Sect composed entirely of Evil Cultivators!

"Master, should we agree?"

Zhao Sheng asked in a low voice.

"Of course!"

Wu Derong's eyes burned with fanaticism and yearning. "Think of the ancestors of my Yin Spirit Sect! Every one of them was hunted like a stray dog. Even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like myself doesn't dare reveal my identity."

The more you lack something, the more desperately you desire it.

For Evil Cultivators, a promise like this was indeed a powerful temptation.

However, where there were those who were willing, there were bound to be those who were not. But with everyone caught up in the fervor, jumping out to refuse would be suicide. Even the Evil Cultivators whose minds had been warped by their Cultivation didn't dare to openly refuse. They could only ask furtively:

"Alliance Leader, do you have any proof of this? What if the Star-Picking Sect goes back on its word?"

"Of course!"

Just then, another voice called out from outside.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

Chen Che, who had thought everyone had arrived and that he could seize the chance to wipe out the entire 'Ten Thousand Gods Sect' in one fell swoop, paused. He hadn't expected more people to show up.

A man with a full head of silver hair, a long banner slung across his back, came striding in.

"Gongyang Shuo?"

A murmur of recognition went through the crowd.

Chen Xi and Xiao Chan recognized him as well. They hadn't expected him to be here.

As for the Evil Cultivators present, most of them only recognized him because of the wanted posters issued by Jinyun Valley.

"Fellow Daoist Gongyang is an Elder of the Star-Picking Sect. He is here today precisely to officiate the establishment of our Ten Thousand Gods Sect."

Pei Chu rose to greet him respectfully.

The three Golden Core Cultivators behind him, including Song Yuanxing, also rose to their feet.

"Congratulations on the founding of the Ten Thousand Gods Sect. Henceforth, this land will have another Golden Core Major Sect to anchor its destiny. This is truly a joyous occasion worthy of universal celebration." Gongyang Shuo returned the salutation, then flipped his hand over.

A Scroll immediately flew out. It unfurled slowly, and countless characters materialized in the air:

"The Star-Picking Sect, born of this land's fortune and with a legacy spanning one thousand and nine years, now ascends to the rank of a Nascent Soul Major Sect..."

The countless characters, written in a flourishing, draconic script, all spoke to the majestic power of the Star-Picking Sect.

'They're ascending to a Nascent Soul Major Sect, annexing the Primordial Sect, summoning Evil Cultivators to join the Ten Thousand Gods Sect, ceding Shu and Hui States as territory, and threatening to eradicate anyone who doesn't comply...'

Chen Che summarized the contents in his head.

'This Scroll is a classic carrot-and-stick approach.'

Everyone saw it and understood the situation perfectly.

No one dared to object. Once the Star-Picking Sect devoured the Primordial Sect, they would immediately turn on the unaffiliated Evil Cultivators. Anyone who wasn't a member of the Ten Thousand Gods Sect would be exterminated. This was basically forcing them to join.

Seeing their reaction, Pei Chu knew it was a done deal. He glanced back, and Song Yuanxing produced another scroll. "In that case, please leave a drop of your Essence Blood and a sliver of your Soul on this Blood Contract Book."

This was the founding roster, a custom shared by all major sects and families.

The book was crimson all over, as if soaked in blood, and exuded a sinister aura. It was clearly no ordinary artifact. Of course, leaving behind one's Essence Blood and Soul also meant being controlled by the Ten Thousand Gods Sect from that day forward.

But under the circumstances, they had no choice.

But just as everyone prepared to obey, Pei Chu suddenly smiled.

"Wait just a moment."

"An event as grand as founding a Sect must first begin with exterminating a few rats that have snuck in."

At his words, the Evil Cultivators in the Mountain God Temple were stunned for a moment, then erupted into boisterous laughter.

"What's this?"

"There are rats who dared to sneak in here?"

"Haha! With the Alliance Leader, three Vice Alliance Leaders, and a Star-Picking Sect Elder here, they've walked right into the lion's den!"

As the saying goes, there's courage in numbers.

What's more, with several hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators and five Golden Core experts present, they had more than enough power to annihilate a Golden Core Influence. Otherwise, the Star-Picking Sect would never have tasked them with confronting the Primordial Sect.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the Mountain God Temple, the faces of Lei Boyong and his sister turned deathly pale. Their eyes filled with terror as they finally realized they had been discovered long ago.

'It's over!'

'With so many Evil Cultivators here... falling into their hands, I'm afraid even death would be a luxury.'

However, before the two of them could even think of what to do, a voice called out from the crowd:

"Looks like everyone's here. In that case, it's time we made our move."

"..."

The words instantly silenced the thunderous laughter of the Evil Cultivators. A strange quiet fell over them as they all turned their heads in unison to look...