Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery
Chapter 1073 - 1042: Horned Demon Profound Heaven Sphere

Three years later.

Jiang Ding awakened within the Divine Soul of the pillar, and in his hand, he found a dull grey stone ball, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

Behind him, they had agreed to his plan.

Not only that, but the strategic department of Xianmen Sect, along with eight Great Experts, personally took part in carving out the plan. Through their own experiences and tens of thousands of years of wisdom, they meticulously refined the plan, fully considering the Horned Demon Imperial Clan's emperors' mindsets, political struggles, mutual hostilities, and alliances—

In these matters, the eight Great Experts had an extremely rich experience and were very adept at grasping people's hearts.

After reviewing the completely new plan, Jiang Ding broke into a cold sweat instantaneously.

So many things, he had simply taken for granted.

Had he carried out the plan oblivious to the intricacies, he would likely be exposed instantly, appearing as nothing more than a clown in the eyes of the emperors—a mere laughingstock.

The Emperor might even enjoy watching the clown's performance for a while, then squash him flat at the peak of his arrogance, a trivial pleasure to spice up the tedious monotony of life.

"Lower Rank Cultivators, never scheme against High-Rank Cultivators."

"Do not presume you possess any earth-shattering wisdom or clever, deceptive tactics, looking down upon others."

Jiang Ding reflected in his heart once more: "Safety exists only in concealment by time and space."

"In short, strive to hide, avoid fame, silently grow and mature, and when you inevitably have to confront the strong, having then the power to protect yourself through the passage of time."

And thus, the Horned Demon Profound Heaven Sphere ended up in his hands.

This object was refined by the Heavenly Mechanism Immortal Palace; Xianmen Sect and other Immortal Sects provided the relevant technologies, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for support, and eventually finished the refining process. Placed in the ideal position, it could consolidate the fate of the realms and the clan, facilitating the birth of the Flame Stone Imperial Crown.

After much deliberation among the Nine Great Immortal Sects, they finally decided that Jiang Ding would spearhead this project.

This meant that Jiang Ding had temporarily been granted the power to direct the Nine Great Daoists.

This power was bestowed upon him by the Eight Great Immortal Sects.

It is known that Immortal Sects are strictly regimented. Unlike the dual-leadership structure of the Great Sun Sword Pavilion, with a Sword Master and Swordsman, the Great Experts have absolute power within an Immortal Sect, and the daoist disciples must obey the Great Experts no matter what.

Otherwise, matters of life and death might ensue.

The eight Great Experts, each one a cold and ruthless being—if they deemed it necessary, would not hesitate to sacrifice a daoist disciple.

Of course, Jiang Ding's commands needed to be reasonable and could not harm the interests of the Immortal Sect, or else they would be of no use.

Jiang Ding's Divine Sense and Sword Intent surged into the Horned Demon Profound Heaven Sphere, slightly refining it, leaving behind a Divine Sense Brand.

He quickly understood how to use it.

"Need to make contact with the Horned Demon Race Emperor's offspring? Preferably the child of the Flame Stone Great Emperor."

Jiang Ding slightly frowned.

He was not well-versed in the fate and Tianji methods within the Horned Demon Profound Heaven Sphere, but the principle was clear: to use the well-endowed emperor's offspring of the Horned Demon Race as a lead, stirring the fate of the clan and realm, and thus solidifying the Imperial Crown.

However, emperors were not easily accessible.

For example, within the territory of Xianmen Sect, he was constantly monitored by the Central Array Spirit Computer. Do not be fooled by his seemingly casual wanders; there was never an opportunity to assassinate him—all but a façade.

By the same token, the Flame Stone Great Emperor must also have measures in place to keep watch over his progeny at all times.

After all, even an Emperor does not have many children, and with only one or two who are promising, embodying their legacy and emotions, it is impossible to simply neglect everything.

"Should I entrust this task to Yingmozhi?"

A thought emerged in Jiang Ding's mind.

"Forget it, forget it, this person is too inexperienced, absolutely not reliable."

Jiang Ding sighed.

All of Shadow Demon Abyss Daozi's abilities, cultivation methods, magic, and Life Treasures, were related to Concealment, her capacity for concealment surpassing that of other Immortal Sect Disciples.

Nevertheless, her Divine Soul and Magic Intention were just average.

A mere numerical advantage could thoroughly crush her painstakingly honed concealment abilities, without any chance for evasion or retreating.

She wasn't unsuitable for such tasks; there was just some risk of exposure.

"I should do it myself, go and see the emperor's offspring of the Horned Demon Tribe…"

Jiang Ding mumbled to himself.

He didn't take any action, nor did he leave the Divine Soul of the pillar, instead continuing to wait silently.

Before long, just twelve years later, an opportunity arose.

Purple Stone City, where Mountain Suppressing Sect was located, is governed by Inkstone Ancient City from tens of thousands of miles away. Every fifty years, the Magic Stone Clan Inspectors residing in Inkstone Ancient City would patrol the surrounding areas once, inspecting the production status of local mines, Spiritual Veins, Spiritual Medicine Gardens, etc., checking if the Slave Clans were embezzling, and ensuring the collection of tributes for the coming year was complete.

These were the foundations of the Magic Stone Clan, not to be neglected.

This time, ten years before the scheduled inspection, the Magic Stone Clan Inspectors arrived at Purple Stone City.

This is not because of Jiang Ding.

His lifespan is long; a decade is nothing, and when needed, he could wait for a century, doing nothing, quietly waiting for the natural opportunity to arise, without unnecessarily complicating matters.

The early arrival of the Magic Stone Clan's Inspector was due to a 'Blood Demon Disaster' that occurred a thousand miles away in a certain boundary. Several leaders of the Slave Clan at the Yi rank and their clansfolk died, their blood essence and divine souls plundered, leaving behind only their smooth white skeletons.

Among these deceased leaders of the Slave Clan, one was from the Slave Clan of Purple Stone City, a Golden Pill stage clan leader of the Bull Stone Clan.

The Golden Pill stage, within the hierarchy of the Horned Demon Imperial Clan, is known as 'Yi rank.'

The Nascent Soul stage corresponds to 'Jiang rank.'

"Greetings to Lord Kuo Yan!"

Firm Stone True Person, as well as members from the Fox Tribe, Tiger Clan, Vine Demon Clan and other Golden Pill Demon Cultivators, bowed deeply and kowtowed to a giant as imposing as a Little Mountain, striving to express their utmost humility.

This Little Mountain-sized giant had the aura of the Golden Pill stage, his entire body pitch-black like ink, constantly emitting low chants of demonic language, shaking one's heart and spirit, involuntarily instilling fear.

Clearly at the same Golden Pill stage, these several dozen Golden Pill Demon Cultivators of the Slave Clan in Purple Stone City appeared no more than quails before him.

"The Blood Demon Disaster of Mirror Lake has been dealt with."

"The Blood Demon has been slain."

Kuo Yan didn't bother with pleasantries and bluntly said, "The clan leader of the Bull Stone Clan is dead, but the tributes to the Bull Stone Clan cannot go undelivered."

"You must take it upon yourselves."

"The Fox Tribe will take two shares, the Tiger Clan three shares, the Human Race one share..."

He didn't ask any questions, merely giving orders as they came to him.

He clearly understood the situation of each clan very well, not as careless as his massive stature suggested, capable of ensuring maximum exploitation without entirely draining them.

"Any objections?"

After speaking, Kuo Yan released a heavy oppressive force, coldly surveying the several dozen Golden Pill Demon Cultivators of the Slave Clan.

"We shall faithfully execute Lord Kuo Yan's command!"

The faces of the Fox Tribe, Tiger Clan, and other Golden Pill Demon Cultivators showed pain, yet they didn't dare to speak out, respectfully bowing their heads.

"You all understand what's more and less important."

Kuo Yan's expression softened: "As for the remaining clansfolk and territories of the Bull Stone Clan, they will be distributed to you as well, don't say I, Kuo Yan, have been harsh to those below."

"Thank you, Lord Kuo Yan!"

The surrounding Slave Clan's Golden Pill were overjoyed.

With the supplements from the Bull Stone Clan, things wouldn't be so difficult; even if this year was tougher, they should be able to make up the tributes.

Kuo Yan, appearing untroubled, sat there without saying a word.

"Lord Kuo Yan, you've had a hard journey..."

The Fox Tribe's clan leader was a handsome man, who smiled charmingly and clapped his hands. Two pretty Fox Tribe cultivators timidly stepped forward to attend to the huge Magic Stone Clan cultivator.

"Not bad, not bad."

Kuo Yan showed a smile, slowly opening his mouth and closing it.

Crack.

The two handsome Fox Tribe cultivators were left with only a pair of legs twitching, eventually falling to the ground.

"The taste remains so exquisite."

Kuo Yan praised.

"As long as the lord is pleased,"

The Fox Tribe clan leader was delighted.

Then, the Tiger Clan, Vine Demon Clan, Human Race, and others all presented their gifts, which varied from Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures to Spirit Stones, to their own people, differing in kind.

The gift from the Human Race was a third-rank medium-grade Purple Jade Stone.

Kuo Yan accepted each one with a smile, storing them inside his pitch-black stone body.

"The tribute must be delivered in full."

Kuo Yan's tone softened somewhat, repeating.

These gifts only ensured he would not further impose additional tributes; the original ones still had to be paid, otherwise he would have to make up for them himself.

At that time, it would be time to kill.

"Yes, Lord Kuo Yan."

The many Golden Pill of the Slave Clan showed no surprise, once again bowing down respectfully.

No one noticed that in the pitch-black stone body where the third-rank medium-grade Purple Jade Stone was placed, the Spiritual Light twinkled faintly, and an invisible force flowed along the pitch-black stone body, pouring into the soul of the Magic Stone Clan cultivator.