As the great battle approached, the various factions within the Imperial Court stirred restlessly, each harboring their own hidden agendas.
The Imperial Observatory seemed intent on slacking off, offering only token effort.
The Dragon Tiger Celestial Sect, on the other hand, aimed to accrue merit and seize the position of the Imperial Observatory.
Meanwhile, the imperial family's Nascent Soul Ancestors, their auras visibly waning, were clearly nearing the end of their lifespans. They could afford to remain inactive normally, but in the upcoming "Huang Jiang Great Decisive Battle," activating their core powers risked hastening their demise.
These old hoarders of life, cherishing their existence, harbored intentions similar to the Imperial Observatory: to contribute little and act as mere spectators.
On the southern bank of the Huang Jiang, within the rebel army's encampment, "engineering teams" were toiling away with great fervor.
What were they actually building?
The Imperial Court dispatched numerous scouts to the southern bank to gather intelligence.
Soon, they discovered that the rebel army was constructing "Merit Statues."
Was it madness to build "Merit Statues" in such a location?
The Imperial Court camp had some awareness of the "Di Hua Divine Cult," but they didn't attach much importance to it.
In their eyes, such a "wild sect" was, at best, no different from the "Merit Statues of the Heavenly Dragon Dharma King" erected by the Great Xin Dynasty, posing no threat!
Only the leader of the Imperial Observatory's triumvirate, "Ghost Emperor," instinctively sensed something amiss.
He proposed that the "Merit Statues" being built by the rebel army might be problematic and that they should launch an offensive against the rebels before the statues were completed.
The "Ghost Emperor's" suggestion plunged the Imperial Court camp into a prolonged internal debate.
Some supported him, agreeing that the ongoing construction of "Merit Statues" was indeed suspicious and that decisive action was needed to thwart the rebel "scheme."
However, a larger faction held opposing views.
The rebel army was currently riding a wave of momentum. The Imperial Court camp should prioritize defense; proactive offense was too risky and difficult to manage!
As the dispute raged on, the Imperial Court camp received four "uninvited guests."
Fairy Shen Yu.
Fairy Luo Yan.
Fairy Bi Yue.
Fairy Xiu Hua.
These four fairies were the "Four Great Immortal Consorts" meticulously selected by Wang Ge Bi!
According to the original plan, Wang Ge Bi intended to break through his bottleneck and ascend to the "Integration Stage" by dual cultivating with these "Four Great Immortal Consorts."
However, later, in an effort to curry favor with the "mysterious senior" in the Eastern Barren Mountain Range, he had dispatched the "Four Great Immortal Consorts."
Logically, the "Four Great Immortal Consorts" should have been in the Eastern Barren Mountain Range at this time. Why had they returned?
The unexpected return of the "Four Great Immortal Consorts" drew widespread attention from the Imperial Court camp. The Nascent Soul Ancestors personally met with them.
"Why have you four returned?"
Sensing that something was amiss, the "Ghost Emperor" stepped forward and inquired of the "Four Great Immortal Consorts."
The "Four Great Immortal Consorts," extremely anxious, spoke in unison.
"This is terrible, a major incident has occurred!"
"We just escaped from the rebel side, and we discovered a vital secret of the rebels!"
"The Merit Statues the rebels are building are extremely dangerous!"
"Those Merit Statues seem to be connected to demon gods and the dragon race. They can perform long-range attacks, and through the blood sacrifice of living people, they possess the power to remotely bombard Nascent Soul Ancestors!"
Good heavens!
So formidable!
Upon hearing this, the Nascent Soul Ancestors' faces contorted with shock.
They believed the "Four Great Immortal Consorts'" words implicitly!
What was there to doubt?
The "Four Great Immortal Consorts" were their own people, fiercely loyal to Wang Ge Bi, and would never betray them.
Therefore, those "Merit Statues" were indeed perilous, posing a threat to the lives of the Nascent Soul Ancestors.
"Damn it, the rebels are too shameless! Sacrificing living people, they are truly heartless and deserve to die!"
A Nascent Soul Ancestor stepped forward, roaring in anger.
The atmosphere in the vicinity became incredibly heavy!
The Nascent Soul Ancestors were less concerned about the "living sacrifice" itself. Their worry stemmed from the rebels' attack.
Through "living sacrifice," the rebels could acquire the strength to kill Nascent Soul Ancestors. This was no laughing matter!
Their very lives were no longer guaranteed!
This cannot be tolerated!
This situation is intolerable!
A Nascent Soul Ancestor from the Dragon Tiger Celestial Sect stepped forward and bellowed.
"Before the rebels finish constructing the Merit Statues, we must strike preemptively and destroy them!"
"Yes, strike first to gain the advantage!"
"We can't wait any longer. We attack tonight!"
…
This time, the Nascent Soul Ancestors exhibited unusual unity. They unanimously agreed to launch a surprise attack that very night, heading to the southern bank to destroy those "Merit Statues"!
That night.
The moon was dark, and the wind was high.
Even the heavens seemed to be aiding them.
Over thirty Nascent Soul Ancestors from the Imperial Court camp set out in unison.
However, "Ghost Emperor," "Blade Emperor," and "Pig Emperor" remained behind.
Their reasoning was sufficiently plausible: they needed to stay and guard the "Merit Warehouse"!
Bah! Shameless!
The remaining Nascent Soul Ancestors were deeply contemptuous of the "Ghost Emperor" and his two companions.
The "Ghost Emperor" and the others possessed formidable strength, especially the "Ghost Emperor" himself, who was at the "Nascent Soul Grand Completion Stage."
When Wang Ge Bi was at his peak, he could suppress the "Black Emperor." Now, however, the "Black Emperor" stood unmatched within the Imperial Court camp.
Despite their inner scorn for the "Ghost Emperor" trio, the other Nascent Soul Ancestors dared not utter anything overly offensive, resorting only to veiled sarcasm.
Given the "Black Emperor's" cunning nature, he paid no mind to such "child's play."
Let them talk, it wouldn't cost him anything!
Thus, the more than thirty Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Imperial Court camp split into two groups.
One group, the "main force," quietly advanced towards the rebel encampment on the southern bank.
The other group consisted of the "Black Emperor" and his two companions, who remained to guard the "Merit Warehouse" on the northern bank.
"Brother, Second Brother, are we really going to do this, not contribute a single effort, and just watch from the sidelines? Isn't that too shameless!"
"Pig Emperor," twitching his upturned nose, grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Pig Emperor" still harbored his hatred and wished to go and kill the rebels.
The "Ghost Emperor" frowned.
"Blade Emperor" quickly interjected.
"Third Brother, don't speak carelessly. How can you call this shameless? This is called conserving strength! Right, Brother! Oh, Brother, what's wrong?"
"Blade Emperor" noticed the "Black Emperor's" grim expression.
Having followed the "Black Emperor" for countless years, he had never seen his master, who was always meticulously planning, display such a troubled look. Had something happened?