I’m Definitely Taking This Power-Fantasy Protagonist Role! Chapter 92

The High Priest was still in a fit of impotent rage, while the forces of the imperial dynasty surged toward their destination with great momentum. The Mirror of the Ancient Gods could easily connect the two realms, opening a direct tunnel to the imperial capital for a surprise attack, allowing for a decapitation operation that saved a lot of trouble. However, Changhua Yuanjun insisted on making a grand entrance, leading a magnificent army that was both imposing and filled with killing intent, stirring countless people along the way.

They looked up at the sky, their expressions serious. Although they were nominally subservient to the imperial dynasty, they chose to watch from the sidelines at the first opportunity. The leader of the Shangyang Sect exchanged a glance with the Grand Elder, both recognizing the complex emotions in each other's eyes.

The warships flew overhead, marked unmistakably with the emblem of Changhua Yuanjun. They would not mistake it. As the large army passed by, shrinking in their line of sight, the leader of the Shangyang Sect let out a soft breath, “Changhua Yuanjun is really going to tear the mask off and confront the Human Emperor directly.”

The Grand Elder was not surprised by this, speculating, “Changhua Yuanjun has endured for a long time; suddenly breaking the deadlock and choosing to act—could it be that she has gained greater confidence and support?”

The leader of the Shangyang Sect pondered, “I haven’t heard of any major events at the Ascending Immortal Academy today.” He paused, sighing, “If there were truly significant matters, they wouldn’t be easily leaked for others to know.”

The Grand Elder proposed another theory: “It is said that the Human Emperor once promised Changhua Yuanjun a position as a consort. Could it be that seeing her power waning, he is bringing up old matters again?”

The leader of the Shangyang Sect sneered, “The Human Emperor has too many jokes; it wouldn’t be surprising if he capsized one day.”

Who wouldn’t be wary of the Immortal Court behind the Human Emperor? The upper realm was unfathomable, and they dared not act rashly. Those who chose to watch were secretly guessing what had prompted Changhua Yuanjun to tear off the mask now.

Of course, there were also the Human Emperor's sycophants, who unhesitatingly chose to stand by his side. Having climbed to their current status by riding the coattails of the imperial dynasty's rise, if the Human Emperor fell, they would surely be attacked by the masses. Therefore, the dynasty could not fall, but intercepting the Ascending Immortal Academy now would be laborious and wouldn’t earn them enough merit.

As a result, the large army of the Ascending Immortal Academy was so arrogant, flowing smoothly without any obstruction, with no one to stop them. This left Jiang Baiyu astonished and puzzled.

He stood on the deck, leaning against the railing, looking down. The warships of the Ascending Immortal Academy had been sailing for a full six days without any hindrance, the waters calm and peaceful.

“What are you thinking about?” A voice came from behind, and a figure stopped beside him.

Without needing to turn around, Jiang Baiyu already knew who it was.

“Nothing much, just feeling a bit emotional,” Jiang Baiyu turned around, leaning his back against the railing, relaxing his body. “Although I know the dynasty seems to be intimidating, with all the noble families and sects bowing to the Human Emperor, like stars surrounding the moon, in reality, they can’t hold it together anymore, each with their own schemes. If they really wanted to tear off the mask and swagger into the capital, they wouldn’t even have a decent obstacle, allowing us to pass through the territory without any hindrance.”

Lin Zhao Ren replied, “They’re just watching. Once the Ascending Immortal Academy fails, they will jump out to scold and blame, packaging themselves as the most loyal subjects, ready to kick us while we’re down. Conversely, if the Academy succeeds, the Human Emperor will become the most despicable villain in their mouths, with a long list of crimes, and they will lament the unfair treatment and suffering they endured, thanking the Ascending Immortal Academy for their great kindness, and jointly recommending her to become the new Human Emperor.”

Jiang Baiyu naturally picked up the thread, “When the Immortal Court is furious and sends envoys to the lower realm, they will watch from the mountains, hoping for a mutual destruction. If the Dean fails, they will kneel and beg for mercy, just like before, shouting about the might of the Immortal Court, eliminating the calamity of the world, and saving the lower realm. A new round of power reshuffling will begin; whoever can please the Immortal Court will have a chance to grasp more power, even competing for the new Human Emperor.”

“When the Ascending Immortal Academy plotted rebellion, they didn’t participate in assisting; they merely watched passively. If there’s blame, it’s on the Human Emperor’s incompetence and poor governance.”

“To the Human Emperor, they are just going through the motions; to the Ascending Immortal Academy, they don’t exert effort, adapting to the situation, preserving themselves.”

Lin Zhao Ren mused, “We’ve been sailing for six days. No matter how much they turn a blind eye, those who should be alerted must have caught wind of it by now. The dynasty will definitely take action; they won’t let us sail our warships to the capital so easily.”

“Even if the noble families and sects along the way are going through the motions, the cultivators raised by the dynasty are still loyal.”

Jiang Baiyu agreed, then thought for a moment, “No wonder the Dean said the Human Emperor is fundamentally unable to escape the traces of the mundane world.”

Because the Human Emperor did not have absolute power to ensure the supremacy of the dynasty, he could only rely on imperial authority to maintain his power. He could not trust the noble families and sects that were subservient to him, as each had the ability to carve out their own territory. Yet, to strengthen his own power, he had to absorb some, suppress others, and eliminate some, dividing and conquering. Otherwise, even with the Immortal Court’s support in the shadows, it would be difficult to achieve unification.

By granting glory and privileges to those who were subservient, allowing them to bite at other noble families and sects, they gradually turned into mad dogs in his hands, capable of biting both others and each other.

The downfall of the Tianji Sect was merely a test of obedience.

Only with continuous turmoil and severe internal strife within the cultivation world could the dynasty maintain its superiority.

And it was precisely because of the Human Emperor’s extremely sinister methods that he ended up shooting himself in the foot.

As Lin Zhao Ren said, this calm could not last forever. On the seventh day, the obstruction finally arrived.

A beam of spiritual light flew from afar, instantly transforming into a massive rune that blocked the path of the Ascending Immortal Academy.

“Changhua Yuanjun, heed my command!”

The deafening voice echoed through the sky, reaching every corner of the large army.

“Are you gathering to show disrespect to me? Hurry and retreat!”

Changhua Yuanjun’s figure suddenly appeared at the bow of the ship. This enormous rune was like a chasm, and the warships before it were nothing but tiny ants, incredibly insignificant.

There was no doubt that this was a threat from the dynasty. The Human Emperor had been able to sit in this position for many years without being toppled, which was due to his considerable abilities.

Changhua Yuanjun was unafraid, “If I do not retreat, what can you do to me?”

“Impudent!” A powerful reprimand rang out, “Changhua Yuanjun, I am lenient, considering your hard work in cultivation. As long as you retreat today and return to the Ascending Immortal Academy, it will be as if nothing has happened. Yet you show no gratitude and instead act aggressively! Do you really think I cannot do anything to you?”

“As long as an edict is issued, the people of the world will rise up against the Ascending Immortal Academy, and at that time, there will be no place for you to stand!”

“Stop now, realize your mistake; I am not someone who lacks tolerance!”

“Changhua Yuanjun, though I am merciful, you must know when to stop!”

Changhua Yuanjun scoffed, showing no fear of the Human Emperor, and sarcastically said, “If I return now, that would truly be foolish! The arrow has been loosed; how can there be a way to turn back? The Human Emperor’s claims of tolerance and generosity are likely just a delaying tactic, pretending not to care, while in reality, you have already dispatched the loyal cultivators of the dynasty to prepare to eliminate the Ascending Immortal Academy.”

“If I really listened to the Human Emperor’s coaxing and turned back, that would be a disaster. Hesitation, combined with an imperial edict, would lead the noble families and sects to follow suit, viciously tearing at me, all driven by the dynasty.”

“If I charge forward without hesitation, before reaching the capital, no one will dare to stop me.”

Changhua Yuanjun mocked, “The mad dogs raised by the Human Emperor are all waiting for the chance to save the day, hoping to gain greater benefits.”

“How pathetic, the dignified Human Emperor has to personally deceive the rebels. Why hasn’t the High Priest come to relieve the Human Emperor’s troubles? Is it because he doesn’t want to?”

The Human Emperor seemed to have stepped on a painful spot, “You dare to speculate without basis!”

Changhua Yuanjun coldly laughed, “I dare to rebel; why wouldn’t I dare to speculate?”

The other end of the massive rune fell silent for a moment before the Human Emperor’s cold voice came through, “Changhua, do you want to become the Human Emperor?”

“Ha ha ha.” He sneered twice, “I consider myself not unkind to you. You refused to enter the palace as a consort, and I did not force you. You did not offer the Immortal Pool, and I also agreed. Yet you have developed such audacious thoughts, defying me.”

“Do you really think I cannot do anything to you…”

Changhua Yuanjun directly interrupted him, coldly saying, “Your Majesty, we shall see the truth on the battlefield!”

“Changhua, you…”

“I have something I’ve wanted to say to you for a long time.” Changhua Yuanjun enunciated each word clearly, “Lie Qingtian, you are truly disgusting.”

Even from a distance, one could feel the defensive breach through the massive rune.

Changhua Yuanjun showed no mercy, ruthlessly exposing the Human Emperor, “The humiliation I suffered that day is etched in my heart! It was not your generosity that allowed me to leave; you had already made up your mind to obtain the Immortal Pool at all costs when you summoned me to the palace! It’s laughable that even after becoming the Human Emperor, supported by noble families and sects, you are still just an ordinary man at heart, just as arrogant and disgusting, thinking that as long as you confine me in the palace, over time, I would submit. If you had a child, I would lose myself to become your Lie Qingtian’s vassal, willingly becoming a wife or concubine!”

“It was I who forced the water of the Immortal Pool into my body to forcibly raise my realm, and with self-detonation as a threat, that made you have to give up. It was not your magnanimity; it was your insidiousness and cowardice, unwilling to lose your life over a woman, unwilling to lose everything you had. I remember clearly how ugly your face was when you ordered to release me that day!”

“You, a shameless little man who only knows how to use cunning schemes to maintain the Human Emperor’s position, never dare to confront me head-on!”

“Unwilling to let others discuss how you forced me to be a consort to scheme for treasures from other families, you publicly smoothed over this matter, pretending everything was peaceful, while secretly making things difficult for the Ascending Immortal Academy. I remember it all clearly!”

“If I have achieved today, Your Majesty, you indeed have a great contribution!”