The Demigod Council

Spirit Realm Dungeon: [Galaxy] The boundless universe stretched out like pure black velvet, while the sky full of stars resembled embedded diamonds, dazzling and brilliant. Starlight drifted downward, coalescing into a brilliant, massive round table flanked by fifteen high-backed chairs. Immediately following, figures began materializing around the round table one after another. There was a young, white-haired woman; a burly man with red hair and a red beard; a tiny sapling figure gently swaying; a scruffy, burly middle-aged man with blond hair and blue eyes; a fair, adorable young boy; a wise elder with white hair and a white beard... Fu Qingxuan glanced around the table. Aside from the two demigods of the Association of God of Beauty and the Merchant Guild, every demigod-level figure of the orthodox faction was present. "It's been many years, Brother Zhao. How is your divination practice coming along?" "Without devouring you, Brother Liu, my divination can hardly advance an inch." "What a coincidence, Brother Zhao, Brother Liu. My artifact-refining technique has been stuck at a bottleneck for years. Which of you would be willing to humble yourselves and offer up your authority?" "Heh, old bastard, if not for the official government's restrictions, this old man would have killed you sixty years ago." "Brother Xie, I hear the lass from the Chu family got her hands on the Demon Refining Flask. How about we join forces? You take the Demon Refining Flask, and I'll take Empress Wa's slough." "Fuck your mother, that's my descendant!" The demigods of the Musician and Scholar classes launched into "small talk" the moment they met, their banter packed with mother-cursing invective. "Silence!" Fu Qingxuan rapped the tabletop, her sharp gaze sweeping across the demigods from the Spirit Realm clans. "The Demigod Council is not the place for your petty bickering. If the Sun, Moon, and Stars do not return to their positions, what good does having administrator privileges do you? You can't even log in to the account. Whomever you devour, you'll still be useless pieces of trash. Furthermore, when the official organization was first formed, it was agreed that the three Musician clans and the three Scholar clans would share administrator authority. We have already seen the outcome of infighting within the orthodox faction once before. How that ended, you all know full well." Silence fell over the round table. Although Fu Qingxuan was the most junior among the demigods present, she was one of the official organization's demigods and belonged to the Scout class. In ancient times, that was equivalent to the Grand Marshal of All Armed Forces. Now that the Grand Marshal had spoken, the demigods of the Spirit Realm clans naturally gave her some face. The Chairman of Heaven's Punishment and the Sea Emperor, hostile toward each other though they were, also reined in their cold mockery. Just then, another figure materialized beside the round table. It was a man wearing a pink suit over a white collared shirt, sporting a silver mask and holding a glass of champagne in his hand. His hair was waxed and slicked back neatly, making him look as if he were attending some high-fashion gala. The flamboyantly dressed man walked in and patted the demigods' shoulders one by one: "Yo, quite the turnout! Since the battle for the Compass of Light, you old-timers have never gathered in such full force. Anyone care for a glass of champagne to celebrate this grand occasion?" He walked up to Old Ancestor Zhu and patted his shoulder: "Old Zhu, the Palace Master of Halting Slaughter is under my and the Lord of the Sun's protection. If you target her, you're disrespecting both of us. Careful, or once the Sun returns to its position, he'll make an example out of you." Old Ancestor Zhu, clad in a black training suit with white hair and a white beard, smiled faintly: "Void, wait until you manage to leave this council dungeon alive before talking." He glanced left and right, then asked, "Where is that Goddess of Beauty?" "The Goddess of Beauty went off to sleep with male models. She entrusted me to attend in her stead; my opinion is her opinion." Mr. President raised his head, giving a hollow smile. "Why are you standing up so high? Come down and join the meeting!" A beam of dazzling, dreamy starlight descended, condensing into a featureless, blurry humanoid figure that radiated starlight more blinding than the entire sea of stars above. "Let us convene," the figure woven from starlight said faintly. "Why don't you smash another phone while you're at it?" Mr. President leaned back in his high-backed chair, crossing his legs casually. The figure formed of starlight seemed not to hear, his voice echoing grand and ethereal, utterly devoid of emotion: "Ever since Ling Tuo pieced together the complete origin of Taiyin, this day was destined to arrive. After the Moon and Star returned to their positions, the evil faction began plotting against the twin gods of Wind and Thunder. Following that failure, Ling Tuo obscured the Merit Roster, and the evil faction joined forces to besiege the Sea Emperor. "Both moves aimed to weaken the orthodox faction's demigod strength before the Sun Dungeon opens. "Now, the evil faction has no other choice. The only thing they can do is stall for time so Ling Tuo can obscure the Merit Roster once more." The Taiyi Sect Master's voice sounded as if it had been run through reverb and 3D surround sound, layering upon itself and echoing from every direction. "What fucking use is obscuring the Merit Roster?" Gang Leader Jiang boomed in a resonant voice. "We've already reached this stage, and they still expect to coerce us with ordinary mortals? How can there be a war without casualties? The evil faction can slaughter as many mortals as they want—all I care about is winning. Only victory brings a future!" As a centenarian who had lived through wartime eras, there was nothing wrong with his line of thinking. As long as the orthodox faction won the war, peace would ultimately return to the world. The mortals living today were all the progeny who had multiplied and thrived after previous victories. The Taiyi Sect Master spoke slowly: "Ling Tuo's objective in obscuring the Merit Roster is not to slaughter mortals, but to obtain that causality-type item so he can compete with me for the Sun once the Sun Dungeon opens." Just as the scruffy, burly Sea Emperor was about to speak, the Red Fire Gang Leader beat him to it: "Can't the Sun purify all corruption? Ling Tuo is a Fallen; the consequence of him touching the Sun would be purification or incineration." The Sea Emperor nodded silently. The Red Fire Gang Leader had voiced the exact doubt on his mind. He made for quite a decent mouthpiece. The Taiyi Sect Master's voice echoed in grand, layered reverberations. "Ling Tuo will not directly wield the Sun, but he can use the Merit Roster to exert influence. Furthermore, he has many ways to control the Sun—creating a brand-new soul, molding a physical vessel, and using that new incarnation as a puppet to command it. However, judging by the evil faction's current movements, they prefer awakening the Night Emperor to devour the Sun." The Chairman of Heaven's Punishment nodded. "The higher-ups of the Eternal Night Church have indeed been attempting to awaken the Night Emperor recently." The Taiyi Sect Master said: "The Sun is ownerless, its source power slumbering. Though it radiates the property of purifying all things, it cannot resist the power of the Abyss. Once the Sun is devoured, it will become impossible for us ever to claim it." Because no one could remain conscious within the Night Emperor's domain, the "Sun" would effectively sink into a dungeon that no one could ever enter. Fu Qingxuan tapped her fingers against the table and spoke: "The evil faction's ultimate goal is to have a Fallen Night Wanderer wield the Sun and attain the Spirit Realm's highest authority. Devouring the Sun would merely be an expedient measure. But indeed, if the Sun sinks into the Abyss, the initiative will lie entirely in the evil faction's hands." The Zhao family's Old Ancestor said gravely: "Currently, the initiative is in our hands. Gather the fragments of the Compass of Light, open the Sun Dungeon, and aid the Taiyi Sect Master in taking command of the Sun. When that time comes, the evil faction's defeat is certain." Having said that, he looked toward President Void. Everyone turned their gaze toward President Void—some cold, some warning, some scrutinizing, and some pleading. Swirling his goblet, Mr. President said, "The one I support is Yuanshi Tianzun, not the Taiyi Sect Master." Gang Leader Jiang was infuriated, his deep voice rumbling: "That brat only just advanced to Dominator! Who knows how long until he steps into Level 9? Void, if you insist on holding back the entire orthodox faction, we will have no choice but to resort to the most drastic measures!" Mr. President replied with a beam: "Has a mere twenty years made you all forget my gallant prowess when I took on three at once? When I lose my temper, I can grind even Asura into the dirt, let alone insects like you." The Chairman of Heaven's Punishment said coldly, "Then you'd first have to produce a demigod-grade item." Mr. President promptly held out an open palm. A gust of clear breeze coalesced in his hand, turning into a miniature tornado that spun with a rushing roar. Everyone stared at it in unison, sensing the restrained yet potent aura of a tempest. The Sea Emperor raised an eyebrow. "The item Heaven's Punishment's Chief Executive Officer searched decades for and never found is actually in your hands?" Mr. President boasted, "Good to see you recognize how deep I keep my cards hidden." The demigods seated around the council table found the situation deeply troublesome. At this moment, the grand, layered reverberations returned like surround-sound acoustics as the Taiyi Sect Master spoke: "This meeting was convened precisely to resolve this matter. "I offer you two options: First, gather the full power of the orthodox demigods to hunt down the Goddess of Beauty and Void, completing the Compass of Light fragments. No matter how heavy the cost, the orthodox faction shall bear it together. "Second, abandon the Sun Dungeon and initiate an early final showdown against the evil faction before Ling Tuo gains control over the Merit Roster. The price is that everyone's Morality Points will drop to zero and we will be placed on the Spirit Realm's wanted list. Naturally, at that point, Morality Points will no longer matter. However, I cannot guarantee how many mortals in the mundane world will survive. "For both of these options, I have already formulated detailed plans and arrangements. The voting shall now commence. You need only reach a consensus. Once the vote concludes, it will be executed immediately, and no one may renege." "I have no objection!" the Zhao family demigod declared first. Next followed the Chairman of Heaven's Punishment, Gang Leader Jiang, the Lord of the Central Court, the Sea Emperor, and the exquisitely feminine Palace Master of the Water God. The little sapling swayed side to side. "Go... with... the... flow..." Ancestor Xie remained silent for a moment before sighing, "We have no other choice. This old man has no objection either." In the end, only Fu Qingxuan remained. The white-haired Marshal pondered for a long time, then looked at Mr. President: "What are the odds of Yuanshi Tianzun advancing to Level 9 within half a month?" Mr. President sighed. "Zero!" Fu Qingxuan couldn't resist rolling her eyes and snapped: "Lunatic!" She immediately raised her hand. "I have no objection either." As an official demigod and the Grand Marshal of All Armed Forces, she could not pin the safety of the world on a fantasy. The Taiyi Sect Master fixed his gaze on the Void demigod, his voice grand and layered: "The vote begins!" The Xie family demigod sighed: "An early decisive battle against the evil faction means disregarding the lives of ordinary people. This old man does not agree with making the world pay for the willful whims of a few. Therefore, I vote to hunt Void and the Goddess of Beauty." The Lord of the Central Court fell silent for a few seconds. "Likewise!" Fu Qingxuan said coldly, "I vote for an early war." Old Ancestor Xiahou nodded. "Void can fight three single-handedly. I agree with going to war early. As for the lives of ordinary people, this old man doesn't give a damn." Gang Leader Jiang's logic was simple: "This bastard is slipperier than a loach. I also vote to go to war early." Ancestor Liu conjured a tortoise shell in his palm. "No rush, no rush. Let this old man divine a hexagram first." The Chairman of Heaven's Punishment said in a deep voice, "Hunting Void and the Goddess of Beauty will inevitably cause casualties among the demigods of the orthodox faction, but if we can elevate the Taiyi Sect Master to become the Lord of the Sun, that will more than compensate for the loss." The Sea Emperor immediately retorted, "My choice will always be the opposite of yours." The Palace Master of the Water God said, "I do not agree with an early war." The head of the Zhao family stroked his beard. "My choice aligns with the Palace Master." The head of the Liu family poured copper coins from the tortoise shell, squinted at them, and sighed, "An early final battle is an omen of great calamity. Internal strife in the orthodox faction is likewise an omen of great calamity. Since both are terrible, why shouldn't we unite against external foes?" The vote stood at 5 to 5. Everyone looked at the little sapling. The little sapling swayed side to side. "Go... with... the... flow..." Gang Leader Jiang exploded in rage: "It's down to your single vote! Which way are you flowing?!" The little sapling: "Either... way... doesn't... matter..." Just then, Mr. President clapped his hands with crisp slaps: "As expected of the Lord of the Stars, the best in the world at setting traps and laying out pieces on the board! Quite the open scheme you've played. Feigning rascality really can't stall for much longer, and my Lord of the Sun has failed to live up to expectations, so what can I do? "As a demigod of the orthodox faction, I ought to keep the big picture in mind. I concede. I can hand over the fragments of the Compass of Light, but before that, you need to answer me one question." The figure condensed of starlight slowly nodded. "Speak." Beneath Mr. President's silver mask, an inscrutable glint flickered in his eyes. In a solemn voice, he asked: "Back then... why did you kill the Demon Lord?!"