Chapter 941: The Emperors

Li Qi and Zhang Zong were facing the ancient Di Qi, Xiangliu.

This nine-headed great snake coiled its body, exhaling poisonous Qi.

The poisonous Qi permeated for ten thousand miles, crops failed to grow, leaves withered and yellowed, grass did not sprout, and turnips had no roots.

Nightmares gnawed at souls with countless yellow miasma; hungry apes dared not descend to eat, and morning birds dared not fly. The miasma was extremely vile; there were things within the Qi, unseen in form, making gurgling sounds, like being poisoned and stifled in hot soup, steaming and sweltering.

However, none of this was a problem for Li Qi and Zhang Zong; it was only a bit tough for the lives within a radius of more than ten thousand miles.

Fortunately, on the Spirit Dao side, true Mortal lives were extremely rare. Most had the Aptitude to become a god, or were already at the Seventh Rank. So, although Xiangliu's breathing was somewhat dangerous, it could also be considered their Opportunity.

If they could gain something from it, they would benefit for a lifetime.

Moreover, it was the territory of the Xiangliu Clan members nearby, so for them, this was also a great tonic. Therefore, Li Qi did not ask the other party to stop breathing.

This was just breathing. If it were truly as in the legends, bleeding Xiangliu... No wonder every place the blood touched had to be excavated and not left behind.

This was truly...

“So, besides combat power, what else can you improve for me?” Li Qi asked.

“It's simple. The Spirit Dao is an ally of Shaman Dao now, right? Haotian has always been very good to you Shaman,” Xiangliu mentioned.

This was true.

Haotian was very gentle to all beings.

And while Shaman were not necessarily gentle, ultimately, Shaman also wished for all beings to exist. Shaman preferred a more diverse Universe, and this attitude coincided with Haotian's.

Therefore, Haotian and the Shaman Gods had a good relationship, and Shaman Dao and the Spirit Dao also had a decent relationship.

Including the Spirit Dao, Demonic Dao, Buddhism, and Dao Sects, while not necessarily in harmony, they would not clash.

In contrast, what the Human Path and Demonic Dao did was something Haotian did not wish to see, to the extent that Heavenly Gods often had rifts with the Human Path, with White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva being a typical example.

“However, Haotian also has things to do, especially needing to discuss many matters with ‘Taiyi’. The Star Official Lineage, and some Di Qi, are not that peaceful, are they?” Xiangliu said.

“You don't understand outside matters, but you seem to understand the Spirit Dao's internal affairs very well,” Li Qi suddenly pointed out.

Xiangliu frankly admitted: “I don't understand the outside because the Xiangliu Clan has no other Third Rank individuals. I can only understand the outside through the Xiangliu Clan. Without a Third Rank, one cannot glimpse the truth, which is no different from being blind.”

“However, the Xiangliu Clan is still part of the Di Qi Lineage, and I am not truly dead, so I can still understand a thing or two about the Spirit Dao's internal affairs.”

Li Qi nodded, indicating understanding.

Without a Third Rank, many things could not be explored. Xiangliu could only rely on the Xiangliu Clan members, such as the Shen Yijun, to understand the outside world, so indeed, many things were impossible to understand.

It's just... it sounds like the Xiangliu Clan still has ties with higher-ranked gods. Is it within the Di Qi Lineage? The Xiangliu Clan is a Di Qi! Could it be that the Di Qi Lineage is the one that wants to destroy Mortals?

That can't be. Li Qi is a Invoker of the Di Qi Lineage. Many Di Qi he has encountered are quite easy to talk to. Compared to the Heavenly Gods' aloofness, Di Qi are usually closer to Mortals and have better relationships.

It is often heard that gods sacrifice themselves for Mortals, and these gods are mostly Di Qi, local mountain and water gods.

Xiangliu, being a Di Qi yet wanting to destroy Mortals, is truly a minority.

“So, if you unseal me, Haotian will be much more relaxed. This should be more valuable than combat power, right?” Xiangliu said.

But Li Qi raised an eyebrow, letting out a sound of disbelief: “Just you?”

Indeed, Li Qi was not polite at all.

Just you?

You, Xiangliu, are merely Third Rank. By what right? If unsealing a Third Rank could make this Spirit Dao faction abandon its pressure on Haotian, then you truly think too highly of yourself.

To be honest, is Xiangliu's death or survival truly that important to the entire Spirit Dao? The Third Rank sounds powerful, but it depends on the comparison. In the confrontation between Haotian's faction and the faction that wants to exterminate Mortals, Xiangliu is definitely not a major force.

“Do you know who the leaders of our faction are?” Xiangliu asked.

Li Qi naturally shook his head. How would he know? This was a Spirit Dao secret.

Xiangliu, of course, had expected this answer, so he immediately replied: “Emperor Hundun, Gonggong, Emperor Jun.”

Li Qi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

Although he was somewhat prepared, this answer was truly impactful enough.

However, since the three names had already appeared, there was no need to say more. Li Qi already fully understood what Xiangliu wanted to say.

First to mention is Emperor Hundun, the Central Emperor among the Emperors.

As the Central Emperor, just this title alone suggests he's another one vying for the 'center' with Taiyi and Yellow Dragon.

However, it's clear that Emperor Hundun didn't win the competition and should now be in a disadvantaged phase.

Emperor Hundun... Also, is Chaos among the Four Fiends equivalent? I've heard before that the Four Fiends also seem to be supporters of this faction.

And then there's Emperor Jun.

Is Emperor Jun supportive of destroying Mortals? Li Qi hadn't heard of this, but upon careful thought... it seems quite natural.

Emperor Jun had descendants, the ‘Ten Suns’, which were ten Golden Crows.

The Ten Suns hung high in the sky, scorching crops and killing vegetation, leaving the people without food.

Like the flood caused by Gonggong, Emperor Jun also had his descendants unleash a drought. All of this was to destroy Mortals.

Later, Emperor Yao took action, ordering Yi to shoot them down, causing nine of the Ten Suns to fall and quelling the drought.

And it wasn't just that. At that time, monsters like Yayu, Zaotchi, Jiuying, Dafeng, Fengxi, and Xiuishe were also committing atrocities, preparing to destroy the Mortal realm. They were likely similar to Xiangliu.

But all of them were shot down by Yi, by order of Emperor Yao, preventing the destruction from happening.

So, Emperor Yao supported Mortals, and Emperor Jun wanted to destroy Mortals...

Then, the Gonggong faction naturally needs no further explanation.

Floods, droughts, and then... the man-eating Vicious Beast Chaos and his cronies...

Are these the forces that want to exterminate the Mortal faction?

Then, in Li Qi's opinion, if Emperor Hundun were to contend for the 'central' position at this time, could he help Haotian? After all, the struggle between Taiyi and Yellow Dragon doesn't seem so peaceful. Would Emperor Hundun be beaten to death if he joined?

However, from another perspective, this might be a variable. Taiyi and Yellow Dragon might start to be wary of each other due to the appearance of this variable.

When two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. But if there's a jackal watching from the side, the two tigers might give up the fight.

It's well known that the most stable shape is a triangle. If Emperor Hundun joins, Taiyi and Yellow Dragon might actually call a truce, because if they fight now, what if they get ambushed?

Furthermore, Xiangliu is a subordinate of Gonggong, and Li Qi is a grand-nephew of Gonggong.

Then, rescuing Xiangliu, is it a gesture of goodwill from the Zhu Rong faction to the Gonggong faction? Is this a sign of reconciliation and joy between the two sides?

Emperor Jun, Emperor Yao...

Gonggong, Zhu Rong...

Emperor Hundun, Yellow Dragon, Taiyi...

Li Qi felt his brain starting to ache. He felt that the implications were too great, and he might not be able to make a decision easily.

If he helped Xiangliu, gaining an Opportunity to ease the relationship between Xiangliu and the Gonggong faction, allowing the faction of gods that wanted to destroy Mortals... let's call them the Fiendish Gods.

If the Fiendish God faction is willing to cooperate with Shaman Dao, what would be their reason? It could absolutely not be because of Xiangliu, nor could it be because of Li Qi and his relationship with the Zhu Rong faction.

At this level, everything must be related to the ‘Dao’. They must have a concrete goal and understanding to form a Dao Lineage.

People of the Second and Third Ranks cannot be bound by interests. Interests can only drive Mortals. For these Fiendish Gods, a common goal and vision are the key to cooperation and action.

Therefore, this matter must be related to ‘destroying Mortals’.

Cooperating with Shaman and freeing Xiangliu, how could that help 'destroying Mortals'?

Li Qi's thoughts spun, numerous clues swirling in his mind.

Xiangliu also remained silent. He could tell that Li Qi was thinking.

For a Third Rank, those words were already enough. Li Qi could probably guess the matters behind them, and only needed to wait for an answer.

Li Qi was in deep thought.

However, at this moment, Zhang Zong suddenly appeared behind Li Qi and patted Li Qi's shoulder.

Li Qi turned his head and looked at Zhang Zong.

Zhang Zong immediately said, “Do you think it has anything to do with the Dao Sect?”

This sentence made Li Qi's brows furrow even more tightly.

Damn it, if the Dao Sect is involved, things feel even more complicated. However, he didn't know that much about the Dao Sect, so he looked at Zhang Zong and said, “Just say what you want to say.”

Zhang Zong replied, “The internal struggles of the gods do not interest the Dao Sect. The reason we had to come is that some actions of the Manifested Daoist Faction have become too entangled, and we must intervene to stop them. Otherwise, the entire Dao Sect would be dragged onto the Human Path's war chariot, which is something Penglai is unwilling to see.”

This statement clearly revealed another secret.

the Manifested Daoist Faction, they had gone too far on the Human Path, to the extent that they would even drag the entire Dao Sect into it. Before that happened, the Hidden World Faction needed to stop the Manifested Daoist Faction's deeper actions.

The Hidden World Faction was like Shen Shuibi; these idle people were unwilling to participate in any form of struggle. They only wanted to cultivate the Dao and achieve immortality, and no one should disturb them.

It's just that when their tranquility was disturbed, they didn't mind taking action.

So, the question arises.

What exactly did the Manifested Daoist Faction do, to the extent that they could even force the Hidden World Faction to join the war? Was it something essential?

Li Qi didn't know; he was waiting for Zhang Zong's answer.

And Zhang Zong said, “The Taiyin Star Lord is Chang Xi, you know her, right?”

Li Qi nodded. Of course, he knew Chang Xi, the Great Shaman. He had even drunk her wine.

“She is not only the Taiyin Star Lord; she also has a half-body, Xi He. Her husband… is Emperor Jun. And it was she and Emperor Jun who together gave birth to the Ten Suns and the Twelve Moons.”

The Ten Suns and the Twelve Moons were both Emperor Jun's descendants, and these were all born from the power of Emperor Jun and Xi He... which is Chang Xi. Chang Xi is the Moon God, and Xi He is the Sun God.

“Wait, you said half-body?” Li Qi keenly picked up on the meaning in Zhang Zong's words.

Empress Luofu once held a banquet with Chang Xi! (See Chapter 701 for details)

Mount Luofu's foundation lies in the Dao of Yin and Yang. The so-called ‘Mount Luo’ and ‘Fu Mountain’ combine to form Mount Luofu. This is the combination of the two Yin and Yang mountains. At the same time, the Opportunity found by the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron was also the ‘Sun-Moon Orbit’.

The essence of the Sun-Moon Orbit is movement, and chen ji is the fundamental core.

Is this related to ‘Xi He’?

Chang Xi was once one with Xi He, but now they are not one?

Zhang Zong nodded: “That’s right, Chang Xi and Xi He were separated. Her original name was ‘Xi’, and it is recorded: Xi, the creator of calendars, respectful to Haotian, observing the Sun, Moon, and stars, respectfully bestowing human seasons.”

“Now do you understand?”

Li Qi's eyes were trembling. He truly understood now.

In other words...

Mount Luofu has now joined Shaman Dao, fighting against the Human Path with Shaman.

The Heavenly God named Xi, for some unknown reason, was split apart, becoming two goddesses, Chang Xi and Xi He.

And Xi was Emperor Jun's wife.

Emperor Jun... just now, he had been thinking about Emperor Jun's role in unsealing Xiangliu—

Damn it, there are too many characters, the relationships are too complex, and too many things are involved. Li Qi's brain was about to explode.

If these were so many relationships among Mortals, it would be fine.

But it involves Great Powers, and behind each Great Power is a network of relationships, involving too many things. A single Great Power can even affect numerous Dao Lineages, and different Dao Lineages will have different reactions, the people below, the worlds involved, the clash of numerous thoughts, the choices of different people...

Tsk.

So, Li Qi gave up on thinking alone and gestured to Zhang Zong, asking him to say a few words.

Zhang Zong didn't irresponsibly tell Li Qi to figure it out himself, but instead said: “From my personal perspective, I believe that Emperor Jun actually wouldn't mind taking down the Sun-Moon Orbit and giving it to ‘Xi’. Xi can also use this thing.”

“So Mount Luofu is related to Chang Xi because Mount Luofu also wants to borrow power?” Li Qi guessed.

It's not impossible for Mount Luofu to want to borrow power from the gods. They don't necessarily have to put all their eggs in the Shaman God Mountain basket. Although it's a foregone conclusion that the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron will lose the Sun-Moon Orbit, who it will ultimately go to is still uncertain.

Zhang Zong then said, “I can’t say for sure, but as for Xi herself, she is now split. Perhaps she doesn’t need to directly obtain the Sun-Moon Orbit; merely letting her see it once is enough? Who knows, it might allow her to recombine? Yin and Yang merging is the fundamental method of Mount Luofu, isn’t it? The essence of the Sun and Moon by your side is just like that.”

Zhang Zong's answer made Li Qi lower his head in thought.

What Zhang Zong said also made sense.

If that were the case, Emperor Jun... would be very willing to act, right?