Human Clan Defender-Chapter 576 - 297: He Can Do It (Top 10 Bestseller Bonus - , Please Vote for Monthly Ticket)

Chapter 576: Chapter 297: He Can Do It (Top 10 Bestseller Bonus Chapter, Please Vote for Monthly Ticket)

The longevity of an Emperor is preordained by the Heavens and cannot be eternal!

This response, while it shocked Shen Changqing, also seemed as if he had anticipated it. The notion of ’destiny’ has always been elusive and intangible. His understanding of destiny was actually not very deep.

Dongfang Zhao, standing beside him, also showed a flicker in his gaze upon hearing this. Though he was the Dominator of the Demon-Subduing Division, it did not mean he was privy to everything. Some things one knows, the other might not; likewise, what the other knows, one might not necessarily be aware of.

Gu Xuanji kept no secrets and continued to speak. "The lifespan of an Emperor is but one hundred and twenty years. I ascended the throne at the age of nineteen, and now I have been in power for exactly one hundred years. Even without the battle against Great Zhou, the time left for me is limited. My death is not important, but the power of the Great Qin Nation is declining day by day. The Demon Evil Clan has always been coveting Great Qin; if they are not eradicated, I will not be able to rest in peace, no matter what."

Towards the end, a cold murderous intent was evident in his eyes. Demon Evil has always been the enemy of the Human Clan, not just for Great Qin. However, Demon Evil primarily focused on attacking Great Qin. In this, there might be intent for revenge against Great Qin from the Ghost Saint who was gravely wounded and fled a hundred years ago.

"The strength of the Demon Saint is beyond your imagination. Once I fall, even if a New Emperor ascends the throne, a New Emperor with shallow foundations will also struggle to contend with the Demon Saint."

Gu Xuanji’s tone was calm and unrippled. Shen Changqing and Dongfang Zhao both remained silent, allowing him to continue.

"Now that the Ghost Saint has emerged, he must have a certain degree of confidence. I need an opportunity, a chance to slay him at Heavenly Gate Pass."

An opportunity! What kind of opportunity? The two exchanged glances, as if they saw something in each other’s eyes.

Dongfang Zhao cupped his fists. "What are Your Majesty’s plans?"

"I plan to feign death."

Feign death! Upon hearing this response, both of their expressions changed once again.

Gu Xuanji’s demeanor remained indifferent. "The Ghost Saint is exceedingly cautious now. If I do not fall, it is unlikely that he would dare to invade Great Qin. Thus, I will give him a chance, an opportunity to brazenly enter Great Qin!"

"What if the Ghost Saint is not fooled?" Shen Changqing posed the counter-question.

"He will be," Gu Xuanji said with a confident smile. "He thinks of attacking Great Qin at every moment. It’s just that while I am alive, he has apprehensions. Once he is sure that I have fallen, he will attack Great Qin at the first opportunity."

「Exiting the study」

Shen Changqing felt as if an entire century had passed. Looking up at the Firmament, it was adorned with stars. Withdrawing his gaze, he turned his head to Dongfang Zhao. "Lord Defender, what is your view on this matter?"

"On this matter, neither you nor I have the right to decide. Now, we can only hope that everything goes smoothly!" Dongfang Zhao shook his head slightly. Despite Gu Xuanji’s talk of having the situation under control, Dongfang Zhao was very aware that there was no great certainty. Feigning death was merely a last resort. At present, Great Qin had no choice but to take a risk. Otherwise, once Gu Xuanji’s lifespan was exhausted and he fell, it would be difficult to resist the Demon Saint’s renewed attack.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing also understood. Shaking his head, he bid farewell to Dongfang Zhao and returned to his own residence. He knew that after tomorrow, the world would change completely.

Not long after he returned to his room, someone knocked on his door.

"Is Lord Shen in?"

"The door is unlocked, please come in."

As his voice fell, the door was pushed open, and Li Shou entered, bearing a tray.

Seeing the visitor, Shen Changqing smiled faintly. "Eunuch Li, what brings you here so late at night? Does the Emperor have any instructions for me?"

"Lord Shen is indeed prescient, I am impressed," Li Shou said as he set down the tray, his fingers twined like orchid blossoms, his face showing a light smile. "His Majesty said that after the battle in the Great Zhou Capital, Lord Shen was seriously injured, and thus he specially sent me to bring you some Holy Medicine for healing. He hopes that Lord Shen will take good care and recover soon."

"I see," Shen Changqing replied with understanding. He looked at the several jade vials on the tray on the table. A surge of thick Spiritual Energy was colliding back and forth inside them.

"Elixirs are classified into nine grades, and anything above the Ninth Grade is Holy Medicine. The jade vials here must contain the Holy Medicine stored in the Imperial Palace for many years, extremely rare in quantity. I believe they will be of great help to you, Lord Shen. As the night is deep, I will take my leave now so as not to disturb you," Li Shou said, turning to leave.

"Eunuch Li, take care," Shen Changqing said as he got up to see him out.

Once Li Shou had departed, Shen Changqing locked the door and looked at the jade vials on the table.

The classification of ’Ninth Grade Elixirs’ was just an official distinction of Great Qin. In fact, in the Jianghu, there was no such differentiation. The reason Great Qin’s officials categorized Elixirs this way was to express their potency more clearly. For example, inside the Demon-Subduing Division, the Elixirs redeemable by a Defender Envoy of Heaven Rank, per official estimations, belonged to the Fifth Grade Elixirs. Once an Elixir reached the Sixth Grade, it could affect even experts at the Grandmaster Peak level. Each grade represented a different level. Ninth Grade Elixirs, in theory, were powerful enough to significantly help either a Great Demon or a Defender Envoy of Venerable Rank.

As for Holy Medicine, this was the first time Shen Changqing had heard of it. But given its categorization beyond the Ninth Grade, its effectiveness was certainly extraordinary.

From the three jade vials, he picked up one and popped the stopper. Instantly, a terrifying burst of Spiritual Energy erupted from the vial, followed by a round Elixir flying out from its mouth, about to escape the room. Shen Changqing was quick to react, capturing the Elixir in his hand. Upon contact, he could feel a strong struggling force. Pinching the Elixir between his fingers, he raised his hand to eye level to get a clear look. It was pale green, about the size of an adult’s thumb, with golden patterns carved upon it, as if sealing the mighty power contained within.

A living thing? No, not a living thing, but the Elixir has generated a faint spirit, which is an extraordinary feat indeed! Extraordinary. Truly extraordinary. Even with Shen Changqing’s temperament, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat shocked upon encountering Holy Medicine. Elixirs are inanimate objects. To refine one that develops a spirit, tending towards becoming a living thing, is quite unusual. It’s similar to forging a Divine Weapon into Spirit Arms, which requires an extremely powerful method. He hadn’t expected that the Imperial Family would have such high-level Elixirs hidden away.

One jade vial held a single Holy Medicine, so three vials meant three Holy Medicines. Considering Gu Xuanji could produce three Holy Medicines at once, it’s likely the Imperial Family has quite a few more. Such resources are indeed astonishing. If the Emperor was not bound by fate and had a set lifespan, with the Imperial Court’s foundation, it would have been effortless for him to break through to the Great Grandmaster realm.

Shen Changqing couldn’t help but sigh. Actually, there was another doubt in his mind: since an Emperor cannot live eternally, why wouldn’t one give up the throne, let a New Emperor ascend, and retreat to operate from behind the scenes? In doing so, wouldn’t that break the preordained limit that an Emperor cannot live forever? But this thought was just that, a thought in his mind. Gu Xuanji did not take such an action; he must have had his considerations. It could be an unwillingness to relinquish the throne, or perhaps abdicating would still be in vain. Specifically, he would have the opportunity to understand more in the future. There was no need to think too much about it for now.

Straight away, Shen Changqing pinched the Holy Medicine, disregarding the Elixir’s struggle, and directly popped it into his mouth. As soon as the Elixir entered, he swallowed it down. The thrashing force seemed somewhat negligible against his formidable Flesh. Once the Elixir reached his stomach, Shen Changqing used his Qi and Blood Force to shatter it. Instantly, the Elixir shattered, and the powerful energy contained within was released in its entirety. At that moment, his Flesh vibrated, and his qi and blood boiled. Having been nearly depleted, his qi and blood were replenished by this energy surge, revitalizing much like a withered tree springing back to life, becoming full once more.

One hour later, Shen Changqing’s consciousness emerged from his Flesh, his expression one of astonishment. Merely one Holy Medicine had restored around forty percent of his Qi and Blood Force. It should be known that although he was at the Great Grandmaster realm, his foundation was no less than that of top Great Demons. Despite this, one Holy Medicine was able to restore forty percent of his Qi and Blood Force. This shows just how powerful Holy Medicine truly is. The word ’holy’ is indeed fitting.

Afterward, Shen Changqing looked towards the other two jade vials. He did not hesitate and immediately opened both. With the experience from the first time, the moment the vials were opened, the Elixirs had barely left them when they were caught by his large hand. Both Elixirs were ingested.

Two hours later, Shen Changqing’s consciousness emerged from his Flesh once again. By then, the depletion from the battle in the Great Zhou Capital was completely recovered. His qi and blood were at their peak; he was already in a supreme state. Then, he calmed his mind and looked at his panel.

My Divine Soul is at the ninth level. One more step and it will officially enter the tenth level. When that happens, with both my Flesh and Divine Soul at their peaks, I will be on the verge of entering the Great Grandmaster’s Ultimate Peak. Below a Demon Saint, there probably isn’t anyone who is my opponent. As for the Demon Saint, there is still a considerable gap...

Having never truly fought a Demon Saint, but sensing that aura in Great Zhou, Shen Changqing knew there was a substantial gap between himself and a Demon Saint. Unless he broke through further, shattering the Great Grandmaster’s boundaries, he would not be able to contend with a Demon Saint.

And the method to break through the Great Grandmaster realm, as far as I know, is to achieve Refinement of a domain’s destiny, thus transforming oneself. How to achieve Refinement, however, I don’t know. But according to what Gu Xuanji said, the path of Destiny Sealing the Gods isn’t the best. I myself haven’t considered the path of Destiny Sealing the Gods. Speaking of which, the biggest difference between myself and ordinary Martial Artists is the presence of the panel. Once my Divine Soul reaches Perfection, I should be able to break through further. At that time, I will likely carve out a new path for myself.