Chapter 1610: Being Poor Makes Me Rise With Force and Spirit (I)

The developments at Skyward and Red Moon’s decline following the deaths of multiple seventh ranks were two major happenings in the chaos these days.

The third was that Red Moon intended to form an alliance, but after its devastating losses, its thoughts pivoted in another direction. It still did want to partner with other major worlds, but now set covetous eyes upon Orchid Forest.

Red Moon’s ambitions were almost on clear display. They didn’t say or do anything, just employed the excuse that Orchid Forest’s defenses were lacking. As a show of goodwill, Red Moon would send some mid ranks to help Orchid Forest oversee some of the cracks in their world barrier.

If Orchid Forest accepted, that was solidly setting foot in the trap. If they didn’t, then those exalted emperors out in the open might turn into exalted emperors in the shadows. The key was that without Red Moon’s deterrence, Orchid Forest might face attacks from chaos wanderers.

As for who those chaos wanderers were... if they were truly chaos wanderers or not... Everyone was well aware of the truth.

“He’s forcing my hand!” growled the world master as he kept the world’s dao under control. “That one has lost so much himself that he’s putting everything on the table. We only have two options available to us.

“One, we either voluntarily fall in step beneath their banner and look to them for succor, melding ourselves into their world and dao universe. He might grant me the chance to set foot into seventh rank then.

“Two is that they still care a bit about their dignity and won’t go on the offensive, so that it doesn’t induce sympathy for us from the other worlds in the area. But they’ll goad or manipulate those so-called chaos wanderers to launch a fierce offensive on Orchid Forest. He’ll try to bring us to heel that way! If we don’t surrender to them then, Orchid Forest won’t be surviving the onslaught either!”

There were eight exalted emperors in the surroundings—a mixture of mid and low ranks. These were his confidantes. Some of his other confidantes were outside standing guard over the fissures. Another portion was keeping the situation under control in the world.

Some were also the confidantes of the previous master of dao. They’d been marginalized in the Orchid Forest power hierarchy ever since the dao master’s death. It was also because of these people that Red Moon had so easily set up camp on Orchid Forest.

They were so afraid that the world master would eradicate all of them that some voluntarily reached out to Red Moon. It was a detestable course of action!

“Do you guys wish to become part of an eighth rank major world?” The Orchid Forest master looked at the exalted emperors next to him.

“Of course not!” someone intoned.

Despite the immediate reply, the world master knew that there must be some who were willing. They were subordinates in Orchid Forest and would be exactly the same in Red Moon.

Red Moon was an eighth rank major world. After this round of devastating losses, this was precisely when they needed people the most. Although the damage was significant, their eighth rank world master was still hale and hearty. That made their setbacks less severe in the eyes of others.

Hence, this was a chance to join Red Moon. The only one unwilling would likely be the Orchid Forest master, as well as some exalted emperors who did not wish to see their world be swallowed. The others probably didn’t care.

As the world master continued to calm the swaying of the great dao, he said slowly, “I don’t care if all of you really think this way or are just responding with what you think I want to hear. All I want to say is that if we can stabilize Orchid Forest’s great dao, that will propel me into seventh rank.

“When I am a seventh rank and the great dao is calm again, it can be melded with the world. A rising ride lifts all boats. Fourth ranks can enter fifth rank, fifth ranks can enter sixth rank!

“If I am a seventh rank, all of you will be stronger as a result. Even if we do become part of Red Moon... do you wish to do it now while we are limping and gasping for breath, or should we do so in high morale and commanding immense strength?

“Red Moon has lost three seventh ranks! If I become a seventh rank and make the world part of myself, I will not take one of those seventh rank spots. On the contrary, the strengthened world will make Red Moon even stronger then. Talent is most desired when it is needed. Red Moon will have to give us an additional seventh rank spot when we join in order to recruit more powerhouses!”

These weren’t complete flights of fancy, it was the truth. If Orchid Forest became part of Red Moon in its current state, only the world master would be given a seventh rank spot. There were limits to the number of seventh ranks that an eighth rank world could hold—Orchid Forest would not be given a second spot.

But if Orchid Forest joined as the seventh rank major world... then it would be a collaboration between powerhouses. Red Moon would pay a greater price then.

“Whether I ascend to seventh rank or not, I am certain to become one if we do join Red Moon,” said the Orchid Forest master. “The same holds true in our current state. But I wish better for Orchid Forest!”

His tones softened when he looked at the group. “All of you are exalted emperors who’ve lived for countless years and are aware of this logic yourselves. We would be bowing and scraping in front of Red Moon if we joined them right now and not trade our surrender for any increase in status or wealth.

“Instead, the fiercer we come across, the more benefits we obtain! Red Moon will not dare easily invade Orchid Forest because there are Nether Moon, Skywave, and Cold River around. If they destroy us today, what of tomorrow? Who would dare work with them then? Red Moon would be isolating themselves in the chaos as no one would dare partner with them after that.

“That is why we should face this crisis together and defeat those chaos wanderers. We should kill them and use their dao strength to make ourselves whole! We should even kill a few Red Moon exalted emperors so they can see we are not easy targets!

“Surrendering on our knees is a completely different concept from surrendering after we kill our opponents, but reach the end of our tether in doing so. In the chaos, opponents only respect you if you hurt them!”

The Orchid Forest exalted emperors carefully considered their world master’s speech. They were no fools and understood his meaning. He made sense, but there was one point that remained unsaid... Would he really be willing to surrender still once he reached seventh rank?

Not necessarily!

But if they really could become a seventh rank major world, these exalted emperors might not wish to join Red Moon either. There was so much competition in that world and outsiders would always be outsiders.

Upon further thought, perhaps preserving Orchid Forest was in everyone’s best interest.

“The world master speaks truly!” the exalted emperors quickly concurred.

The Orchid Forest master left the conversation at that. Some conversations were easier when everything was out in the open. Just as the rest were thinking, he was disinclined to surrender once he reached seventh rank.

But if he did, then what he’d just laid out would come to pass. Red Moon would pay a bigger price for their presence. Whatever the result was, protecting Orchid Forest and reaching the status of a seventh rank major world would be a worthwhile endeavor.

The world master only hoped for higher fighting spirits among the exalted emperors. At the moment, they drooped whenever they heard that Red Moon had designs on them. A reaction like that would truly mean the downfall of Orchid Forest if it was prolonged.

He had to expend large sums of energy to suppress the great dao and incorporate it into himself. The world master had to depend on his confidantes to kill the exalted emperors causing trouble throughout the world.

“Whether it’s Red Moon or the chaos wanderers, there’s nothing to fear! Their strongest is sixth rank, none of their seventh ranks will come. Those have gone to Skyward or are standing guard on their home worlds.

“Red Moon only has one seventh rank left now. Do you think he’ll take the risk of coming to Orchid Forest? As strong as sixth ranks might be, don’t forget that this is home turf! We can suppress foreigners in moments of need!”

The world master’s words rang with logic, prompting nods from the various exalted emperors again.

“Everyone, hardship and trial faces our home at the moment. I need to keep the great dao in check, so I depend on you for Orchid Forest’s safety!” This was the world master’s goal in saying so much.

“We will do our utmost to fight for Orchid Forest!” the other exalted emperors replied solemnly. The world master nodded without saying anything else. He would wait and see if they meant what they proclaimed.

If some of them ended up rebelling and joining Red Moon, then...

I won’t be getting away since I’m a seventh rank, but the rest of you need to think this through. You’ll still be mid to low ranks in Red Moon and I’ll be around as well. You’ll have to face the consequences then!

“You may leave, I can keep this place under control by myself!”

“Yes, my liege!” The exalted emperors quickly departed the dao universe. It was in a much better state than before. The dao universe had truly threatened to break apart when the master of dao died.

Thankfully, they’d made it past the most critical moments. This was also why the Orchid Forest world master was so confident. If the situation was still when the New Martial Human King had first killed the dao master, then it would be difficult for him to handle.

But now, the advantages of timing and geography are on my side. Those chaos wanderers should take a look in the mirror first if they want a share of the spoils!

......

All was uneasy and shaky within Orchid Forest.

Outside Orchid Forest.

Li Hao loitered for a while, in no hurry to enter. He was observing and waiting, not hiding his tracks as he did so. Soon enough, someone broke through the air to approach him—it should be another exalted emperor.

The powerhouse circled Li Hao, approaching cautiously after a while. “Fellow daoist, are you seeking to enter Orchid Forest?”

As I thought!

Li Hao had guessed that there was a hand in the shadows behind Orchid Forest’s disturbance. It was ninety percent likely to be from Red Moon and ten percent the other major worlds in the surroundings. It looked like reality was as he thought.

“That’s right!” Li Hao nodded. The person who’d come to him had a shifty expression on his face. Actually, upon closer inspection, wasn’t this... a rat?

Could rats become exalted emperors?

Fine, even cats can be seventh ranks, so what of rats?

The universe is certainly a rich and varied place. It looks like there are worlds with rats as king!

“I’d like to enter Orchid Forest, does the fellow daoist have a way?” Li Hao transmitted.

“Of course!” The rat spirit cackled, rubbing his fingers together. “But...”

“How many crystals?”

The rat looked knowingly back at Li Hao, a light dancing in his eyes. “Not many, just one thousand dao crystals...”

“Are you trying to rob me?” Li Hao stared down the rat spirit. It would take a first rank three years to coalesce one thousand dao crystals. It wasn’t a robbery, but it wasn’t cheap either.

“The fellow daoist wounds me! It’s only a mere one thousand dao crystals. Everyone shares a similar goal in visiting Orchid Forest now. If you are fortunate enough, this is a dao universe and a major world!”

“Do I look like someone who can seize a major world?” Li Hao snorted at the rat. “I’m just here for the fun and to see if there’s any pickings to be had. There’s even a possibility for danger to my life. Let me in for one hundred. I just want to watch the show.”