Chapter 92 The Envoy
Emperor Yu's Mountain Villa.
Ji Pingtian arrived swiftly.
He had brought people to the Dayu headquarters as early as a month ago, on one hand, to deal with the affairs of the Salvation Society, and on the other hand, to constrain Shangguan Xiong.
Because of his arrival, Shangguan Xiong, who originally was left chuckling in anger and intended to directly let him know who truly was the master of Dayu, had behaved himself for over a month.
Within the villa.
Not only had Ji Pingtian arrived, but also the first and strongest member of the Salvation Society, Hong Feng—Hong Chuan's own nephew and chief disciple had come.
After entering the door and having Lei Yun, Pang Long, and others secure the surroundings, Ji Pingtian went straight to the point, "We've verified the message that Zong Yan sent us, neither Red Star nor Snow Dragon's Stellar Sect has opened for several decades now, Artifact Sect... might have experienced some sort of incident."
"Hmm."
Alkaid responded.
He directly asked, "How much do you know about the Rebirth Society?"
"The Rebirth Society?"
Ji Pingtian pondered momentarily.
It took a while before he spoke, "Due to Snow Dragon's existence, even though Red Star can do as they please internationally, some deeds that enrage both heaven and humans, to the extent of being utterly inhumane, inevitably can't be carried out openly. Hence, they selected the Rebirth Society. At the core of the Rebirth Society is the goal of refining a Wanmo Blood Soul Banner. It seems...
Red Star intends to use this terrifying demon artifact to reverse the currently somewhat unfavorable situation."
"So, behind the demons is really the Wanmo Blood Soul Banner? And behind the Rebirth Society is also a certain aristocrat from Red Star?"
Alkaid inquired.
"Immortal Soldiers, Demon Artifacts, are Red Star and Snow Dragon's most central technologies, and we've even speculated before that the reason they were able to rule the world is because they were tasked with helping Artifact Sect refine Immortal Soldiers and Demon Artifacts.
Therefore, the one in control of the Wanmo Blood Soul Banner is very likely a member of the Jiang family from the Red Star Imperial Family," Ji Pingtian stated earnestly.
But...
This was not the news Alkaid wanted.
Nor did he believe it was the correct answer.
Since he couldn't get a satisfactory answer from the Salvation Society...
"I need specific clues about the upper echelon of the Rebirth Society."
Alkaid stated directly.
In the end, he added, "Ideally, the whereabouts of Mo Huang, the president of the Rebirth Society."
Upon hearing this, Ji Pingtian instantly guessed Alkaid's intention.
"Impossible," he exclaimed, "According to the information we got, Mo Huang is very likely a top-tier powerhouse who was secretly cultivated! His strength, I fear, closely follows that of the Thunder of the Stellar Sanctum!"
Thunder.
Primordial Chaos Martial Saint!
One of the publicly recognized strongest individuals of Red Star.
Moreover, compared to the Divine Intent Martial Saint, Primordial Chaos Martial Saint, having cultivated the Flawless True Body, has greatly enhanced endurance, practically equivalent to a tireless monster.
The three God Realm sages of the Salvation Society attacking together would only be exhausted by the opponent's enduring capacity, and then be killed one by one.
"Even though we are Martial Saints and from the God Realm just like them, we still have some disparities with Red Star. These disparities are not in strength, but in equipment.
The battle garments we wear are mainly of S-Level, and the primary material used in these garments is golden crow silk, which is suited to defend against thermal weapons, but the battle garment worn inside Red Star is even more advanced," Ji Pingtian said gravely.
"Against thermal weapon troops, they have battle armor, and for life-and-death struggles among martial artists, they wear vestment robes that can significantly reduce the damage from vigor. Despite not being at the Immortal Soldier Demon Weapon level, these vestment robes are extremely terrifying and can allow the weaker to defeat the stronger," he continued.
"Can vestment robes block divine weapons?" Alkaid asked.
"They cannot," Ji Pingtian shook his head, "Artifact Sect is world-renowned for its Artifact Refining. They have always wanted to spread Magic Artifact Level equipment internally so that everyone can use it.
The so-called famous swords, treasured swords, and divine swords in the market are all nothing but different levels of failed standardized Magic Artifacts, but the material they originally used is undoubtedly of the highest quality. The vestment robes of Red Star's Martial Saints certainly cannot withstand them."
He immediately added, "Yet compared to the merely better-material divine weapons, vestment robes... are genuine magic artifacts! Like the same iron, one can only be used to forge swords, while the other can be made into firearms; how can the two be compared?"
"If they cannot block, that's enough," Alkaid calmly said, "For a Martial Saint, there is no difference between swords and firearms."
Ji Pingtian was rendered speechless.
Meanwhile, Zong Yan on the side cautiously reminded, "Hall Master, you cannot look at Alkaid the same way you look at ordinary people. If he says so, he must have a certain level of confidence."
After spending over a month together, he had a clear assessment of just how fast Alkaid's strength was progressing.
"All you need to do is provide me with Mo Huang's whereabouts," Alkaid said, pausing for a moment. "Also, I have a speculation."
The gazes of Ji Pingtian, Hong Feng, Zong Yan, and others fell on him.
"The main reason for the loss of communication between Red Star, Snow Dragon, and Artifact Sect lies in Artifact Sect experiencing some kind of change, whether it has been attacked or has been directly destroyed, and the source of this disaster is the Rebirth Society!
But Red Star and Snow Dragon can't confirm this news, so they turn a blind eye to the Rebirth Society's actions!" Alkaid spoke slowly. "And this tacit approval leads you to mistakenly believe that the Rebirth Society is a chess piece launched by Red Star to counter your Salvation Society."
"Impossible!" As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Feng, who had been eager to interrupt, promptly contested, "How could Artifact Sect fall under attack? Your understanding of Artifact Sect is far too superficial; you have no idea how immense this power is! The sacred place where they reside is beyond our wildest imagination, a supreme immortal country! They...
how could they possibly be destroyed..."
Alkaid glanced at him.
His tone of voice...
It was as if his statement had trampled on the most sacred ideal he held dear in his heart.
Not just him, but Ji Pingtian also shook his head.
"In a while, I will give you detailed information about the Artifact Sect, and after you read it, you won't speak like that anymore. The Artifact Sect is indeed far more powerful than you can imagine. Zong Yan previously told you that behind Red Star is an Artifact Sect Elder who has forged a Dao Foundation, but those powerhouses are still not their limit.
Above them, it's said there are even greater beings... Their brilliance rivals that of the sun above the sky."
He looked at Alkaid: "The ultimate weapons controlled by Red Star and Snow Dragon are simply the ways their inner energy circulates. Masters of Artifact Refining within the Artifact Sect have mastered the bare basics by reverse-engineering the patterns of their energy circulation, and that's how they developed such weapons, so..."
He paused: "Do you think, an organization with such great beings presiding over it would fail?"
Alkaid glanced at Ji Pingtian and said no more.
He, Hong Feng, and many other Martial Saints, were fervent supporters of the Artifact Sect.
The tradition and recognition passed down through countless years had long since sanctified the Artifact Sect in their hearts.
That place was the ultimate dream they all aspired to.
To belittle the Artifact Sect was to desecrate their dreams.
But...
Alkaid was different.
He had only been in this world for a little over a year.
And, having been immersed in another world, he didn't harbor a deep-rooted yearning for the Artifact Sect.
This was a difference in perception.
Just like how ancient people were bound by the three cardinal guides and the five constant virtues of loyalty, filial piety, propriety, wisdom, and faith, unable to break free.
In this world, although thought had begun to liberalize, it wasn't thorough.
Therefore, continuing the conversation was pointless.
"Search for the whereabouts of the Rebirth Society's leader for me."
Alkaid changed the subject: "The truth of the matter...will reveal itself in half a year at the earliest, or within a year at the latest."
Ji Pingtian nodded his head.
...
While Alkaid and Ji Pingtian were in conversation, a guest also arrived at Dayu's military base, where Red Star was stationed.
Accompanied by the personal reception of Shangguan Xiong, this man over two meters tall, clad in a black leather coat, quickly entered the visitors' lounge amid a throng of personnel.
Throughout the process, Shangguan Xiong was extremely warm.
"I never imagined that a trivial matter would warrant a visit from you, my brother-in-law," Shangguan Xiong said with a smile.
"The matter isn't so trivial; a 'golden phoenix' flying out from a chicken coop is certainly worth a look from our Jiang family," the man responded coolly.
Surnamed Jiang, and Shangguan Xiong addressed him as brother-in-law.
If Zong Yan of the Society for Relief were here, he would recognize him instantly as the Sixteenth Prince of the Red Star Imperial Family, Jiang Zhengming.
A prodigy who attained the Martial Saint Realm at the mere age of twenty-three.
Of course, by now, his brilliance was overshadowed by Jiang Xuntian, who was in his prime, and since he was still unable to achieve Divine Intent at thirty, his status waned year by year.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have married a daughter from the Shangguan Family two years ago to consolidate his standing.
"Alright, where is Su Alkaid? Where's the man? Have him come to see me. After my father, the emperor, heard of him, he became quite interested, sending me, his prince, personally to extend an invitation... haha... the last one to receive such treatment was six years ago," Jiang Zhengming said nonchalantly.
"This..."
Shangguan Xiong hesitated.
"Is there a problem?"
"My brother-in-law might not be aware, but upon learning of his early achievement as a Martial Saint, I had already invited him. Yet unexpectedly, this Su Alkaid is full of youthful arrogance, paying no heed to my invitation and even blatantly stating that he walks his own path while we go ours, evidently wanting to break free from our control... Moreover..."
Shangguan Xiong paused: "According to the information we have, Su Alkaid is quite close to the Society for Relief, with substantial support from them. Not only did former council member Zong Yan move into his residence to attend to him, but the Society's leader, Ji Pingtian, has also personally come here and is stationed at their local branch, making it clear they will back him up."
"The Society for Relief?"
Jiang Zhengming scoffed: "That group of rats who dare not see the light now dares to step forward?"
"Yes, it's because of their arrival that I summoned some of the local people, intending to teach this Su Alkaid a lesson on seniority. Resultingly, all those cowards dared not make a move."
Shangguan Xiong complained.
"Heh, it seems some people are forgetting their place. We are busy with important matters and can't be bothered with them, yet they are increasingly out of line. I will inform the emperor and declare the Society for Relief a terrorist organization. Let's see if those little nations in the Middle East still dare to support them.
Any nation that dares to stand up will be overthrown, not just the Society for Relief but also the countries behind them." Experience tales at empire
"You're right, brother-in-law," Shangguan Xiong said, quickly agreeing with a smile: "The moment we speak up, there will be plenty of people willing to serve as our dogs and overthrow the current rulers of their nations for us."
"Well now, having come here, we still have to follow the due process. We of Red Star are people who abide by rules, but lest he fails to see the situation clearly, let the Society for Relief pluck out one of their own thorns first."
Jiang Zhengming leaned back and ordered nonchalantly: "Wait until the Society's people realize who their true master is, then send a message to that youngster Su Alkaid, summoning him to pay homage to this prince."