"At that time, the Chaotic Demonic Ape and the Kunpeng Sacred Emperor, along with two other giant overlords, dominated the Immortal Ancient Era, dividing the territory of the Immortal Realm. After eons, they grew unwilling to remain mere giants and sought to transcend the Immortal Emperor realm, pursuing a more distant path of cultivation!"
"To this end, the Chaotic Demonic Ape and the Kunpeng Sacred Emperor joined forces, venturing deep into the Ancient Star Road several times in pursuit of the Great Dao. On their final expedition, they accidentally discovered the existence of the Imperial Ruins. Alas, the mysterious giant hand behind it was too powerful. The Kunpeng Sacred Emperor sacrificed his life to save the Chaotic Demonic Ape, but not long after, the Chaotic Demonic Ape was sealed within the Ancient Star Road by a mysterious expert and vanished from the Immortal Realm. Shortly after this event, another giant overlord mysteriously perished, marking the transition of the Immortal Realm from the Immortal Ancient Era to the Barren Era!"
"Alas, even the mysterious hand made miscalculations. As the Kunpeng Sacred Emperor was perishing, he passed down the unique inheritance of the Kunpeng lineage to his descendants. When the Barren Era arrived, the Kunpeng Immortal Emperor rose to prominence, continuing to trace this clue. He ventured into the Ancient Star Road and, at the cost of his avatar’s sacrifice and sealing, his true body fell into slumber. However, he did manage to uncover some secrets."
"From the Immortal Ancient Era to the current Era of Emperors, in every era, there have existed factions and races within the Immortal Realm that swore allegiance to that mysterious hand, controlling the Immortal Realm and the Ancient Star Road for that mysterious power!"
"The information from the Immortal Ancient Era is lost. As of now, perhaps only the sealed Chaotic Demonic Ape in this world knows. In the Barren Era, it was the Ancestor Crocodile clan and the Luo family within your human race!"
"The Luo family?"
Hearing this, Yang Hao queried. His mind raced, and among the surviving human races in the four regions of the Immortal Realm, there was indeed no such branch as the Luo family!
"Indeed! The Underworld Sea Era belonged to the Fire Demon Palace and the Slanting Moon Immortal Cave. As for the current Era of Emperors, well, I don't need to elaborate, do I?" Zhu Que picked up his teacup and continued to drink.
"The Ancestral Dragon Hall, the Nine Nether Beast clan, the Heavenly Horn Ant clan, and the Ancient Emperor clan!" Yang Hao stated with gravity.
"In every era, there are spokespersons for that mysterious power, controlling the Ancient Star Road and the Immortal Realm for them. I only learned of these matters in the late Underworld Sea Era and early Era of Emperors when I encountered the dormant Kunpeng Immortal Emperor within the Ancient Star Road. All of this points to the Imperial Ruins at the core of the Ancient Star Road."
"This time, in collaboration with the Kunpeng Immortal Emperor, we ventured into the outskirts of the Imperial Ruins several times and saw many familiar faces who had perished. This further solidified the Kunpeng Immortal Emperor's words. However, both the Kunpeng Immortal Emperor and I have limited strength, making it difficult to penetrate the Imperial Ruins. The emergence of the Chaotic Demonic Ape has provided us with a direction!" Zhu Que said with a heavy tone.
"Unsealing the Chaotic Demonic Ape?" Yang Hao raised an eyebrow. He was still unsure whether this Chaotic Demonic Ape was good or bad, nor did he fully trust Zhu Que before him.
"The four great giants joined forces to try and kill us. However, the appearance of the Chaotic Demonic Ape drew out the four giants: Gu Yuan, Mie Shi, Tian Jiao, and Zu Long!" Zhu Que nodded.
"The true overlords of the four great giant factions? Their rise was controlled by them!!" Yang Hao exclaimed.
"Indeed. The Kunpeng and I discovered that the four of them cannot leave the Ancient Star Road, not for their entire lives. I suspect that the mysterious power, in order to further its control, cultivated these forces!"
"Hostages?" Yang Hao inquired.
"You could say that," Zhu Que nodded. "With the four of them remaining in the Ancient Star Road as their so-called hostages, the four great giant factions within the Immortal Realm will remain obedient and refrain from rebellion! Moreover, I suspect that these four are likely residing within the Imperial Ruins, overseeing the world!"
"Ding! Reminder to host, the ultimate mission has been activated: Investigate the secrets of the Ancient Star Road and trace the source of control over the Immortal Realm and the Ancient Star Road!"
At this moment, within his sea of souls, the system's voice sounded, causing Yang Hao's heart to skip a beat. It seemed he had no choice but to venture into the Ancient Star Road.
Seeing Yang Hao's solemn expression, Zhu Que said softly, "I know you have reservations and cannot discern my stance. No matter what I say now, you will have doubts. To gain your assistance, the Kunpeng and I will create an opportunity for the Great Han to rise and develop. Furthermore, the elite forces of the four great giant factions are about to return to the Immortal Realm. This is the best time to annihilate them and seize power in the Immortal Realm!"
"The seal of the Chaotic Demonic Ape has manifested, and their focus remains on the Ancient Star Road. Therefore, you can rest assured and unify the Immortal Realm!" Zhu Que said, pointing to the sky. "Heavenly Emperor, no matter what, you have already positioned yourself against them. Only by cooperating with me can we achieve a win-win situation!"
"Alright, I have come here this time to borrow the might of your Great Han to participate in the unsealing of the Chaotic Demonic Ape. I will stay in Chang'an City for a few days. I await your reply! Farewell!"
After watching Zhu Que's figure disappear, Yang Hao solemnly stood up and said, "What do you think?"
*Tap, tap, tap!*
At this moment, Guan Zhong, Li Si, and Zhuge Liang, along with other ministers of the military advisory office, emerged from a bronze divine light passage.
"Your subject greets the Heavenly Emperor!"
After the ministers of the military advisory office emerged, they all knelt on one knee and paid their respects.
"Very well, rise. You have heard what Zhu Que said. What are your opinions?" Yang Hao waved his hand, resumed his seat on the imperial throne, and looked at his ministers with gravity.
"Our opinion is that regardless of Zhu Que, Kunpeng, and their stances, cooperating with them is indeed the best option for the Great Han to suffer the least harm. Our Great Han is unifying the four regions of the Immortal Realm, which has struck at the very foundations of the four great giant factions. In the next step, our Great Han must sweep across the Immortal Realm, and the four great giant factions will spare no effort to suppress our Great Han."
"Regardless of what is manipulating everything within the Ancient Star Road, we simply need to wait and observe their struggle with Zhu Que, Kunpeng, and the others!" Guan Zhong said with cupped hands.
"This subject concurs!"
"This subject concurs!"
"This subject concurs!"
...
The current mission is indeed to sweep across the Immortal Realm!
Yang Hao looked down and said softly in his heart. Cooperating with Zhu Que indeed aligns with the principle of taking one step at a time and exploring as we go. After all, how can one sleep soundly with others resting on one's bed!
Once the Immortal Realm is unified, the mysterious power behind the Ancient Star Road will be the final conquest of the Great Han Heavenly Court!
Only by thoroughly eradicating the Ancient Star Road can the Great Han Heavenly Court unify the four regions and become the overlord of all races!
"This matter, I have understood. You may all withdraw!"
Yang Hao waved his hand.
"Your subjects take their leave!"
All the heroes rose and departed from the study, leaving Yang Hao, with a grave expression, gazing at the distant sky.