Am I the only one who didn't ascend?

Chapter 572: Prelude to the End

When Wang Luo left the painted scroll of Demon-Slaying, he saw that he was surrounded by people.

The small courtyard of the Shi family's ancestral home was suddenly packed with people. Many people were waiting outside the gate, pushing and shoving each other, arguing and getting angry from time to time, causing a commotion in the streets and alleys.

Seeing that this rare vacation residence no longer had the tranquility it should have, Wang Luo sighed softly in his heart, stood up and looked around.

There were not many people who had the courage and authority to disturb his "vacation", not to mention that at this critical moment, those who could find him on time and accurately must be extremely perceptive and important figures. For example, the one in the front was Han Ying, the governor of Rongcheng, and behind her was Han Xingyan. On his left was Zuo Jiansi, the permanent supervisor of the Taixu Division stationed in Rongcheng, and on his right was General Li of Yueyang... There were also many other people whose names Wang Luo could hardly remember at the moment, but they were undoubtedly powerful people.

Seeing Wang Luo completely awake from his state of being half-conscious, everyone opened their mouths at the same time, each with their own questions, but all the voices were suppressed by the voice of one person.

"Master Wang, the passage is ready and can be used at any time."

The person who spoke was Han Ying, who was undoubtedly the person with the most say here. Although she was young, she had grasped the power of the governor step by step under the guidance of her father Han Guming. Now, even when Han Guming went to Xinhengfan City in person, hundreds of miles away from her, she could still perfectly perform her duties and play the role of the governor.

Hearing Han Ying's words, Wang Luo nodded slightly and asked, "What's the situation in other places?"

Han Ying slightly turned his eyes away, so the Taixu Division's Zuo Yuquan Supervisor standing aside bowed and replied: "To reply to Lord Wang and Governor Han, as of now, there are a total of ten scrolls in the Taixu Illusionary Realm that are officially used to receive the Heavenly Venerable. In addition to the "Demon Suppression Biography" you are in, there are three scrolls that have been judged to have strategic deployment value and are fully guided by the Taixu Mansion to allow the Heavenly Venerables of the two worlds to meet and collide. However, only one of the scrolls can go smoothly as expected. Before the Heavenly Venerables meet, a special person will leave a mark of defeat on Taichu Heavenly Venerable."

As he spoke, the young supervisor cupped his hands again, then cast a spell to pull only a few people around him into a simple illusion... It was a dark ocean, and the stars on the sea surface symbolized the Taixu Painting Scroll, which was now recorded and operated by the Taixu Mansion of the Immortal Alliance.

At the same time, it is also the battlefield where Taichu Tianzun may appear.

Among the thousands of stars, ten were soon magnified and marked. Six of them had dimmed, with dark red scars still visible. The remaining four were still shining, but two of them were flickering.

The scene in this illusion was exactly the picture of the overall picture of the scroll held by the Taixu Palace Master Ge Libang. And since he was able to intercept the picture on the overall picture and project it over, this young supervisor was obviously not an ordinary person with high power.

But at this time he was just faithfully playing the role of a reporter, and said in a steady tone: "So far, no new Tianzun clones have been killed. But the number of ten Tianzun clones still exceeds our first-phase assessment, so we were not able to respond promptly in all battlefields in the first place. As a result, six scrolls were swallowed by Taichu, and most of the relevant data and memories became Taichu's things, no longer under Taixu's control, and also unable to guide Taixu Tianzun to enter. As for subsequent changes, it remains to be seen. Taixu Mansion has sent an elite team to the front line to deal with it carefully, but the specific response plan still needs further research and judgment by Taixu Mansion."

Wang Luo nodded. These things had been briefly reported by Ge Libang in the Demon Slayer Biography... Although the many incarnations of the Heavenly Venerable and their simultaneous deaths were indeed beyond expectations, the subsequent changes were still generally within expectations. Once the scroll was defeated by the Heavenly Venerable Taichu, it would become the trophy of the other party. After swallowing the scroll, Taichu would not rashly use it as a springboard to invest more power, but would only treat it as a nail driven into Taixu, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Wang Luo's attention was mainly focused on the four scrolls that were still lit, where Taichu and Taixu had officially met. And the meeting between the two Heavenly Lords could only have one result.

Life and death.

Theoretically speaking, in Taixu's home court, Taixu Tianzun should have an overwhelming advantage... so much so that before this Tianzun battle, the Immortal Alliance even had to use the Nine Venerables Competition to weaken Taixu Tianzun to a certain extent, but the actual combat results are often not as simple as the theory.

The first to decide the outcome was not the Legend of Demon Slayer, but a rather niche scroll, Fairy Garden, a love scroll that focuses on relaxing farming. It was unexpected that it would become the first battlefield between Taichu and Taixu. It was all thanks to the timely response of the guide in the scroll and the desperate fight of the subsequent rotation team that they were able to hold on until the end of Taixu Tianzun.

However, the efforts and sacrifices of these people were all gone with a crisp explosion. The duel between the Celestial Lords in the Fairy Villa ended with the victory of Taichu Tianzun, and the entire star turned dark red in an instant, adding another ugly scar to the Grand Illusionary Realm!
"I was defeated so quickly..." Han Ying couldn't help but exclaimed, his face looking a little nervous and gloomy.

The Left Supervisor said, "General, Fairy Villa belongs to the third category in the classification of Taixu Mansion, which is a type where the outcome is difficult to determine. After the Nine Venerables Competition, Taixu Tianzun's performance in the third category of scrolls was particularly unstable, so the defeat in this battle is not surprising. What is important is whether we can get enough details from the defeat to provide benefits for future long-term battles."

Han Ying nodded: "Yes, I understand."

As soon as he finished speaking, the winner of the second place was revealed.

This time it was finally Taixu's turn to win. The star that symbolized the Legend of Demon Slayer suddenly burst out with a tall and magnificent white light, as if the gate to the immortal world in the sky had opened... Then the light slowly faded away, and the starlight belonging to the Legend of Demon Slayer flickered, but still insisted on shining.

Obviously, the scroll itself was under great pressure from being used as a battlefield by the two Heavenly Lords, and was on the verge of collapse. But it finally held on, and the remaining battlefield was priceless.

The Left Supervisor added: "I have sent someone to look for Master Qiu Heng, and the relevant scroll materials will be collected as soon as possible."

Wang Luo said: "Okay, thank you for your hard work. Then..."

As he was speaking, the last two battlefields burst into white light at the same time, indicating that Taixu Tianzun had won a complete victory!
Supervisor Zuo was a little surprised: "Eh, [Bingyu Muzhou] also won? The rotating team over there didn't manage to defeat Taichu beforehand, and the scroll itself was only of the second category. Taixu actually won..."

Wang Luo couldn't help but shift his attention over.

According to the overall plan before the war, an elite rotating team had to fight Taichu before Taixu Tianzun took the field, and try to "defeat" him with all their might... The most important reason was that according to Taixu Mansion's estimation, without the blessing of the "mark", if Taixu Tianzun and Taichu Tianzun fought directly, they would most likely be at a disadvantage!

Theoretically, Taixu Tianzun is naturally stronger than Taichu, but unlike Taichu who has worked hard for thousands of years to break through, Taixu's way of existence is quite comfortable and indifferent, just like a rich man who has not exercised for a long time, while the opponent is as vigorous as a wolf and a tiger in his prime. In addition, there is a weakening of the Nine Venerables Competition. Overall, in a direct confrontation between Taixu and Taichu, the odds of winning and losing are about 40% and 60%.

This layout was naturally carefully designed.

Taixu Tianzun must be at a disadvantage to a certain extent, so that after the war, the Immortal Alliance can unite with Taixu and use Taixu. If Taixu is too strong and can crush Taichu by itself, then the Immortal Alliance will be in an awkward position.

The so-called keeping the enemy to protect oneself is the same principle.

However, Bingyu Muzhou's results now show Taixu's strength, which seems to be even beyond the expectations of Taixu experts.

The projection of the Left Inspector in the illusion was naturally not enough to judge the situation on the scene, so after paying attention to it for a while, Wang Luo turned his attention back to other places.

"The winners and losers of the ten battlefields have been decided. Afterwards... Taichu has no further actions?"

Just as Supervisor Zuo was about to answer, he saw a burst of brilliant light suddenly burst out from the thousands of stars in the illusion! More than a hundred scrolls sent warnings at the same time, warnings of the coming of Taichu! At this moment, the young Supervisor also lost his composure, his face froze, and he was speechless for a moment.

However, Han Ying calmly withdrew his gaze and softly repeated what he had said before: "Master Wang, the passage is ready and can be used at any time."

Wang Luo was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, take me to the Shanlei Fortress."

The so-called passage is a very simple transmission passage that goes directly from the Shi family's ancestral home on Shi Street to the Shanlei Fortress west of Lingshan. Even after the end of the land reclamation, the Shanlei Fortress is still the strategic core of the Immortal Alliance. Many major events concerning the future and fate of the 10 billion people in Tianzhiyou are discussed and voted in the meeting room of the Shanlei Fortress. On the contrary, the Immortal Alliance headquarters far away in Song State was a little deserted for a while.

Now, for a major event like the arrival of Taichu Tianzun, the Immortal Alliance's high-level decision-makers need to gather to discuss countermeasures. As the master of Lingshan Mountain, Wang Luo naturally has an obligation to do so.

The distance from Stone Street to Lingshan was not far, and with the power of the Lord of Lingshan, he could reach there in an instant with just a thought, and he did not need anyone to prepare a transmission channel for him. However, going to the fortress through the Immortal Alliance's dedicated channel was undoubtedly an official announcement to everyone that he had officially returned from his vacation.

This is the meaning of the so-called procedure. Wang Luo did not intend to go his own way, so after Han Ying's gentle urging, he walked in front of Han Xingyan, who unfolded a special talisman and placed a circular formation.

On the other side of the circle is the mountain fortress at the foot of Lingshan Mountain.

In one step, Wang Luo arrived in front of the familiar fortress.

At this moment, the fortress was busier and more bustling than ever before. Countless practitioners from heaven and earth were rushing past with hurried and even panicked looks on their faces.

However, before Wang Luo could take a closer look, a familiar and gentle voice came from in front of him.

"Master Wang, the meeting is about to begin. Please follow me."

Wang Luo turned his gaze back and saw only a brilliant purple… Mo Yu, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, actually came in person to welcome his return.

This was naturally part of Lu Youyou's plan. Through the flexible identity of the General Manager of the Imperial Household Department, she gave Wang Luo a clear mark of approval and also cleared some troublesome obstacles for him to return from vacation.

Wang Luo accepted the good intention calmly: "Okay."

Under Mo Yu's guidance, Wang Luo quickly walked into the conference room on the top floor of the fortress.

After not seeing it for a while, this conference room has been specially expanded and the internal space is large enough to accommodate 3,000 people... Generally speaking, discussions and votes with too many people will often slow down efficiency, but at this time Wang Luo clearly saw that the venue for 3,000 people was almost full, and staff members were constantly coming in and out, adding seats in every corner to make room for more people.

Obviously, the scale of this impromptu conference was unprecedented.

As expected, Wang Luo's seat was in the first row of the venue, next to the leaders of the five major powers. Seeing Wang Luo's arrival, there was another round of discussion in the venue. But soon, with the clear sound of a wooden block hitting the table on the host's podium, the noise of thousands of people suddenly quieted down.

Of course, not everyone kept their mouths shut, but the person presiding over the meeting forcibly blocked out all the noise.

"Okay, the main personnel are here. Next, the meeting will officially begin."

Lu Youyou spoke calmly, ignoring the unnecessary doubts and continued to push forward the meeting process.

"As you all know, Taichu Tianzun has officially descended on Taixu Fantasy Realm and has fought against Taixu Tianzun on multiple battlefields. The situation is roughly in line with our early research and expectations, but there are also many details that are beyond our plans. We need to reunite our cognition and make decisions for the future."

After a brief opening speech, Lu Youyou looked at the old man at the end of the first row of the venue.

"Next, please allow Taixu Palace Master Ge Libang to introduce the situation in Taixu Illusionary Realm to us again."

After saying that, Lu Youyou flashed and returned to her seat in the first row. Between her and Wang Luo, there were Lord Changsheng and Lord Yulong, but as she spoke softly, her gentle voice had no obstruction and reached Wang Luo's ears alone.

"Thank you for your hard work during this period..."

Wang Luo smiled and said, "It's not hard for someone on vacation to work hard. It's you who manages the entire Immortal Alliance in an orderly manner, and that's the real hard work."

These polite words made Lu Youyou feel obviously uncomfortable.

"How do you...see it now? Or, how do you see the present?"

Wang Luo answered seriously: "Just as expected, nothing surprising."

"Ha, calm." Lu Youyou couldn't help but laugh, and many of the questions she had prepared disappeared.

Calm and composed, I'm afraid only Wang Luo can say this.

Because even as the two were whispering in private, Grihama on the stage had already spread out the overall map of the scroll in his hand with a gloomy face, announcing bad news to everyone present.

"The latest news from the front line is that the second round of the Celestial Lord descended, sending down a total of 108 avatars. Among these 108 battlefields, the Immortal Alliance only won three games."

(End of this chapter)