Chapter 710: Master's Summons

The emperor had drawn on the might of his empire as war dawned over his capital. Though there was little left of his empire, his reserves of fortune conferred an important boon. Using that power, he had exposed Ye Dafu's identity. The same situation was unfolding in the other five empires' capitals, revealing the golden cultivators one after another.

Although Dazheng was far away, the alliance between Shenfeng and Dazheng that sparked the exchange of tens of thousands of administrative officials from Dazheng had drawn considerable attention, and many were aware of the twelve golden cultivators of Dazheng.

"Weren't they all True Immortals? How did they all become Golden Immortals together?"

"Are these twelve Golden Immortals all from Dazheng? Doesn't that mean that Shenfeng's reserves are more limited than we expected?"

"Hold on—if the twelve Golden Immortals all return to Dazheng, won't there be openings for their current positions?"

Countless cultivators were shocked by the identities of the twelve mysterious Golden Immortals that were serving as Shenfeng's vanguard. They tried to analyze how they could take advantage of their newfound knowledge.

Some were disappointed in Shenfeng's trickery, while others admired their cunning.

Regardless, the war against the six neighboring empires was coming to an end. The fighting continued in all six capitals.

The six emperors had received a notable boost to their strength, but they were ultimately still only late-stage Golden Immortals. They might be able to wound Ye Dafu and the others, but that was the limit of their strength. The emperors were on borrowed time, and their strength was rapidly draining away.

"Why are your attacks growing weaker and weaker?" Ye Dafu cried out with dissatisfaction.

"How can your damn body be so sturdy? Why can't I damage you?!" the emperor shouted back.

As the two cultivators continued to face off, the emperor's imperial might slowly faded away.

Just then, the other golden cultivator finally seized victory and killed his black-robed opponent.

"Boss, let me help you out!" he shouted.

"Die!"

The two golden cultivators attacked the exhausted emperor simultaneously, who was forced to retreat and defend. Blood splattered his body.

Even when defeat was all but imminent, he refused to give up on his empire, his life's work.

"How could this be happening? Aren't you from Dazheng? What are you doing here in Shenfeng? Are you crazy?" the emperor howled.

"Don't you know that Dazheng and Shenfeng are allies now? It's perfectly normal to borrow troops and the like. You should have found allies of your own to work with, idiot!" Ye Dafu retorted.

The emperor grimaced. He had found allies! The six neighboring empires were working together against Shenfeng, but they were still losing badly.

The emperor was sent flying, his body bruised and bleeding.

"I can't accept this!" the emperor howled.

A golden cultivator sent him flying. He was just about to retaliate when Ye Dafu beheaded him with his Golden Immortal blade.

"No!" the emperor roared.

His head fell to the ground.

His soul escaped out of his mindscape, only to be met with the other golden cultivator's fist.

"No!" the emperor's soul roared again.

Then, his soul shattered from the force of the golden cultivator's attack.

The remnants of the sea of fortune high overhead, and the fortune that had been imbued within the emperor's body, began to flood toward Shenfeng's capital.

The two golden cultivators raised the emperor's head and body up high and roared, "Your emperor has perished! Surrender now!"

Their voices resounded throughout the capital.

The defending cultivators gasped at the sight of their deceased emperor.

"Your Majesty!" they shouted in anguish.

Every emperor had a band of loyalists no matter their crimes and the extent of their cruelty. When these loyalists saw their emperor dead, the sea of fortune high overhead lost, they broke down in despair. This was the end of the empire they served.

"Surrender and live. Resist and die!" Xia Hong shouted.

"Surrender and live. Resist and die!" echoed countless Shenfeng soldiers.

The defenders' last ray of hope had been extinguished.

A small fraction of the defenders attempted to escape. The majority were either unable to flee or had obligations tying them to the capital. They chose to surrender.

One empire had fallen to Shenfeng.

The same scenario was playing out within the other five empires as well.

Without any external interference, it was straightforward for two Golden Immortals to take on one emperor each. Though there were a few incidents along the way, Ye Dafu's golden cultivators were nearly impossible to kill, and they would win every battle of attrition.

Shenfeng had been holding a session of court when the six empires fell one after another.

Given the occasion, Xiao Nanfeng had brought the Divine Emperor out of secluded cultivation in advance. She was dressed in black draconic robes lined with gold and seated on a draconic throne. An incredible aura emanated from her. Countless officials had gathered and were waiting for news from the six empires.

Just then, a flood of fortune entered Shenfeng from afar, surging into the sea of fortune that lay overhead like rivers returning to the sea.

"Your Majesty, the first, seventh, and thirteenth regiments have slain an emperor and seized his empire's capital," an official exclaimed with mounting excitement.

His avatar was on Ye Dafu's battlefield, and he was able to convey information back in real time.

"Very good." The Divine Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, the third, ninth, and fifteenth regiments have slain an emperor and seized his empire's capital!" another official cried out.

"Very good." The Divine Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Majesty..."

Reports came from all six battlefields.

The court officials were all vibrating in excitement. Their army had been completely victorious. All six neighboring empires had been taken down. Shenfeng had seized an overwhelming victory!

"Shenfeng's star is on the rise. Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!" they chorused.

The Divine Emperor glanced at her officials, but she was thinking largely of Xiao Nanfeng. Xiao Nanfeng had orchestrated this war, and he had handily won against six empires with the might of one—as expected of her husband.

"Though the six empires have been defeated, the same cannot be said for its hounds. Forty kingdoms have supported these six empires' reign of tyranny. Since they've chosen to ally with those empires against Shenfeng, they'll have to pay a price. We shall take down those forty kingdoms and rescue their people as well!" the Divine Emperor proclaimed.

"Understood!" all the officials chorused.

Indeed, there were forty kingdoms interspersed about the six empires' territory. The six empires had forced them to render aid to them, so it was well within reason for Shenfeng to attack them and absorb their territory as well.

Once these kingdoms were taken care of, Shenfeng's borders would be completely contiguous, and its lands would be larger than ever before.

"Court dismissed," the Divine Emperor said, rising from her throne.

"We send off the Divine Emperor!" countless officials chorused.

The Divine Emperor walked out of the hall as Shenfeng's army continued to advance.

The people of Shenfeng cheered when the news of Shenfeng's overwhelming victory spread to them. Countless cultivators who had been preparing to participate in Shenfeng's imperial examination learned of the news as well.

Some were shocked that the twelve masked Golden Immortals had been loaned from another empire, while others were taken aback by the Divine Emperor's foresight and acumen. The kingdoms in the vicinity were easy prey—and once all was said and done, Shenfeng's borders would be at the upper extremes for an empire.

"A hundred Immortal cities—Shenfeng could well advance to a divine empire from the results of this war. I'll have to make a good showing during the imperial examination."

"It's a pity that those twelve Golden Immortals were borrowed from another empire. I'm worried that, without them, Shenfeng won't be able to withstand attacks from the divine empires in the vicinity."

"You can't afford to be picky now. What do you know about Shenfeng's hidden reserves, at any rate? We've already missed several opportunities. Do you intend to let this one pass by, too?"

Countless disciples from various Immortal sects in the vicinity were bickering with each other. Some were worried, while others were expectant. In the end, worried about the potential of losing an opportunity that might never come again, no one was deterred by the identities of Shenfeng's twelve Golden Immortals.

After holding court, the Divine Emperor headed to the valley at the back of the palatial complex.

When she found Xiao Nanfeng sitting there, she happily tugged on his hands. "We've won! You managed to take down six empires during my few days of secluded cultivation—you really are amazing!"

"We have twelve Golden Immortals, after all. That's the equivalent of a few empires' worth of combat strength. It should have been straightforward." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"The twelve Golden Immortals' identities have been exposed, and word will soon spread to the east. I'm afraid your enemies might take advantage of the opportunity to attack Dazheng," the Divine Emperor said in worry.

"The Demon Child's there. There's nothing to fear." Xiao Nanfeng's smile deepened.

"That's true!" The Divine Emperor's eyes lit up before she frowned again. "But the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue and the Taiqing Immortal Sect are mortal enemies. I'm sure the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue is about to make a move."

"I have a plan for that, too. Right now, however, we need to focus on the upcoming imperial examination. We might even be able to attract a Golden Immortal into the empire."

The Divine Emperor laughed. "With you around, I'm sure we can reel in a good catch."

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "I'll have to leave for some time."

"What's wrong?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly. "I was very wary of the prospect of entering the black coffin, but it seems as if I'll have to do so regardless."

"Why?"

"My master sent word, and I'm honorbound to respond. He's been trapped in the black coffin and needs my help. That said, he claims to have a means of entering and leaving the black coffin, so there's little for me to worry about. I just have to find him," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Your master, Ku Jiang? He's currently spying on Hongyue, isn't he?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"You might not believe this, but he's since become a top official of Hongyue's court."

"What? How can that be?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"It's true! I don't know how he managed such a feat. Perhaps even the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue didn't expect he would be so bold. He changed his appearance, and no one has suspected a thing. I can't believe it myself. No wonder he hadn't been able to help me out for long in the past—he has responsibilities befitting his station, after all."

"Let me accompany you," the Divine Emperor offered immediately.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "You can't. You'll have to prepare for the imperial examination. I'm all but certain Hongyue will interfere. You'll need to remain in Shenfeng's capital to deal with whatever they try."

"But—"

"Master knows about the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue's plans, and he's aware of the danger that the black coffin represents. With him to protect me, I expect I won't be in big danger," Xiao Nanfeng said.

The Divine Emperor sighed. "It's a pity that I haven't gotten much out of my analysis. I don't feel comfortable letting you go alone."

"My avatar can contact you at any time. If I'm in serious danger, I'll inform you immediately. You'll have time to rush over to help me," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Very well." The Divine Emperor could only nod in exasperation.