Chapter 1095, The Clever Zi Shu

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

 

Compared to the battle-hungry powerhouses of the Society of Demons and Fiends, the Heavenly Court was not faring well.

 

At least at this moment, the Heavenly Court’s assembly was met with utter silence.

 

“So far, our Celestial Soldiers have suffered tens of thousands of casualties. 47 Tier-5 Divine Generals have fallen and among the 28 Constellations, three have perished…”

 

Each report further plunged the assembly hall further into silence.

 

Since the founding of the Heavenly Court in this era, never had they suffered such devastating losses.

 

Celestial Soldiers and Tier-5 Divine Generals, they could still be replaced.

 

After all, it was just a matter of time and resources.

 

But the 28 Constellations, they were the true prodigy. Losing even one was a crippling blow, let alone three.

 

Right then…

 

*Haaa…* A long, deep exhale broke the silence.

 

Dang Mo raised his hand, signaling that he had something to say.

 

However, just then…

 

*Cough, cough…* A sudden cough drew everyone’s attention, prompting everyone to look.

 

When they saw who it was, the Heavenly Court powerhouses could not help but tremble slightly, for before their eyes, the invincible, God-like Crimson Emperor looked deathly pale. His face was devoid of any color.

 

It was a clear sign that he was gravely injured.

 

Sensing their stares, Crimson Emperor slowly lifted his head, meeting their gazes.

 

Then, he let out a soft sigh. “No wonder Zhang Yue Lu, Yi Huo She, and Zhen Shui Yin all fell there… I never expected that seemingly unremarkable Golden Ant to be so terrifying…”

 

“Uh…” The expressions of many Heavenly Court members stiffened, and the hall once again fell into deep silence.

 

Even now, they could not forget that day’s scene: A crimson radiance pierced through the sky, ripping apart the sky itself. And then, a single hand grabbed a continent-sized meteor, and hurled it toward them.

 

It was awe-inspiring, earth-shaking.

 

It was simply unbelievable that such power came from merely a Tier-5 Late-Stage True God.

 

However, the cruel reality was undeniable.

 

While they were still treating same-tier opponents as their greatest rivals, a Late-Stage Tier-5 had already set foot on the Tier-6 battlefield.

 

And right under their noses, he had severely injured a Tier-6 Overlord—Crimson Emperor himself.

 

Though Crimson Emperor had been careless, that earth-shattering power was undeniably terrifying. So much so that many sitting in the hall still hadn’t recovered from the shock.

 

Some would even jump back in fear involuntarily whenever they saw an Ant beneath their feet.

 

“That Golden Ant should be the number one Direfiend within the Society of Demons and Fiends…” Heaving a sigh, Dang Mo shook his head helplessly.

 

Then, he looked toward a nearby Celestial Soldier and asked, “What’s the update on the reinforcements I requested a few days ago?”

 

The soldier bowed and replied, “Lord Dang Mo, the Four Heavenly Kings are already en route.”

 

The mention of the Four Heavenly Kings left the Heavenly Court powerhouses within the hall completely stunned.

 

The Four Heavenly Kings ranked above the 12 Zodiacs. They were some of the strongest prodigies in the Heavenly Court.

 

Each of them stood at Tier-5 Peak, with some already at Half-Step Tier-6.

 

For such figures to be deployed all at once, it was clear just how seriously the Heavenly Court was taking this crisis.

 

At that moment, as if something had just come to mind, Zi Shu (Rat) took the initiative to ask, “Lord Dang Mo, why not summon the Emperors? In a war like this, only the Emperors can truly turn the tide…”

 

Emperors were the rulers of the Heavenly Court.

 

Dang Mo and Crimson Emperor both held this esteemed title.

 

Currently, the Heavenly Court was ruled by five Emperors.

 

Aside from Bright Emperor, who still hovered at the Half-Step Tier-6, the other four were genuine Tier-6 Overlords.

 

This was the Heavenly Court’s greatest foundation.

 

After all, even the Angel Clan, both in the light and in the shadows, had only two Overlords. If not for the sudden emergence of a third Angel King, Alarion, they would have fallen to the Void Clan.

 

Other major Forces, such as the Titan Clan and the Elemental Clan, each had only one Overlord, at least to the public.

 

The fact that the Heavenly Court had four Tier-6s in the shadows was a solid proof of how terrifying the Heavenly Court truly was.

 

*Haaaa…* Dang Mo could not help but heave a long sigh, revealing a hint of helplessness.

 

The Emperors were not so easily deployed.

 

After all, Yellow Emperor and Azure Emperor both stood as guardians of their own Small Worlds. If they left, those Small Worlds might fall into danger.

 

More importantly, if the Five Great Emperors all rushed to the battlefield and suffered total annihilation, wouldn’t that mean the complete destruction of the Heavenly Court’s foundation?

 

Thus, a strict decree had long been established within the Heavenly Court: The Five Great Emperors must each oversee their own domain and rarely gather. Even in times of great need, only two may act—the others must remain stationed at their respective strongholds.

 

This decree existed to prevent the Heavenly Court from being wiped out in one fell swoop.

 

This, however, was a secret known only to the Five Great Emperors.

 

The rest of the Heavenly Court had no knowledge of it.

 

Which was why Zi Shu had asked his question.

 

“The Emperors are the Heavenly Court’s foundation. They must not be mobilized lightly.”

 

After a brief pause, Dang Mo continued, “Moreover, I don’t think any other Tier-6 would be interfering in this battlefield. As for the Void Emperor, Crimson Emperor and I will keep him preoccupied. Meanwhile, the Four Heavenly Kings will suppress the strongest forces of the Society of Demons and Fiends. Your task is to cooperate with the Four Heavenly Kings, break through the Society of Demons and Fiends, and reclaim the Minor Secret Realm.”

 

Hearing this, the assembled forces of the Heavenly Court all straightened their backs and answered in unison, “Yes, Lord Dang Mo!”

 

However, at that very moment, no one noticed that Zi Shu’s expression flickered with uncertainty.

 

Among the 12 Zodiacs, he was known as the most intelligent and perceptive.

 

He felt that something was off.

 

[Certainly, the Four Heavenly Kings are powerful, but compared to those powerhouse of the Society of Demons and Fiends, their strength does not seem vastly superior. Especially that Golden Ant, with that Three Heads and Six Arms, he looked like a Devil’s incarnate. He is, without a doubt, stronger than the Four Heavenly Kings.]

 

“Uh…” Deep inside, Zi Shu couldn’t help but feel an uneasiness settle in his heart.

 

[Who exactly is backing the Society of Demons and Fiends? If their true backer is really the Void Clan, then why haven’t they been corrupted by the Void? The Void is terrifying, but it shouldn’t be this easy to cultivate such a Force within the stars.]

 

[And during the battle, they kept referring to their ‘Master.’ Is it truly the Purple Dragon?]

 

One question after another spun through his mind, his eyes flickering with deep contemplation.

 

For some reason, his innate wisdom whispered to him, ‘This Society of Demons and Fiends is not as simple as it seems.

 

Perhaps, just perhaps, this Society of Demons and Fiends is far more terrifying than what the Heavenly Court has imagined.’