Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1052 - 1052 0621 The Awakened Prince_2

Chapter 1052: Chapter 0621: The Awakened Prince_2 Chapter 1052: Chapter 0621: The Awakened Prince_2 When serving as emperors, you were able to commit those dark deeds; now that you are no longer emperors, do you really think you can turn over a new leaf and avoid engaging in those dark acts?

Qi Tian didn’t bother to concern himself with what the Huoyang Emperor was thinking. He said, “We have only temporarily resolved the crisis, but that doesn’t mean we will be safe in the future. Based on my assessment of Emperor Chaoyang, he will definitely target us in the future. He will not only continue to do everything in his power to capture me, but he will also employ various methods to deal with Jianwu Palace and Huoyang Palace, including the two of you, who will not be spared.”

At this point, Qi Tian paused for a moment, then continued with earnest gravity, “Princes, it is fortunate that you have set aside the common practice and formed an alliance, but merely forming an alliance is not enough. Why not? The reason is simple: Chaoyang Palace’s strength is too overwhelming, while Jianwu Palace and Huoyang Palace alone are too weak. A collision with Chaoyang Palace would be nothing more than an easy dish for them, and even self-preservation would be problematic. Ask yourselves, would an alliance of two easy dishes cause Chaoyang Palace any concern? Besides, apart from Chaoyang Palace, there are several other princes whose stances are still unclear. Are they merely onlookers, or will they stand with Chaoyang Palace? This remains unknown. Don’t bother trying to persuade the other princes to stand with you; that is an absolute impossibility. Elevating some while belittling others is human nature; Chaoyang Palace is high, and you are low—it’s an undeniable fact. Don’t fancy that they would support you; to not kick you while you’re down would already be their support.”

Emperor Chaoyang and the Huoyang Emperor both had grave expressions. Having been emperors for over a century, they were acutely aware that Qi Tian’s words were not alarmist but a very realistic analysis. They now had no choice but to seriously consider how to deal with the imminent threat from Chaoyang Palace, as a misstep could mean a catastrophic end for both Jianwu Palace and Huoyang Palace.

Emperor Chaoyang asked, “Master Qi, do you have any good suggestions?”

Qi Tian said, “My suggestion may not be very pleasant to hear, but at this stage, I believe it is quite realistic.”

The Huoyang Emperor hurriedly said, “No matter if it’s unpleasant to hear, Master Qi, please speak openly so we can have a reference.”

Qi Tian stated, “My advice is simple, since Jianwu Palace and Huoyang Palace, on their own, cannot ensure their own survival at this stage, why not fully merge the foundation of your former alliance into one?”

Emperor Chaoyang remained silent, while the Huoyang Emperor’s eyes flickered, sensing that “fully merging” was not a good term. Still, he patiently said, “Please elaborate, Master Qi, on how to fully merge.”

Qi Tian explained, “When I say to fully merge, I don’t mean that Chaoyang Palace and Huoyang Palace should swallow each other up, but rather bring together the strengths of both to form a unified front. Specifically, on top of the current defensive foundations of both palaces, jointly construct a unified Defensive Array against external threats. Currently, the defenses of Chaoyang Palace and Huoyang Palace are independent of each other, incompatible with one another. At first glance, it might seem that the Defense Magic Array established by both palaces has its unique aspects, equipped with Killing Arrays that could pose difficulties for others, but from my perspective, this is an illusion.”

The Huoyang Emperor asked, “How could that possibly be an illusion? Wasn’t it because Jianwu deployed a Killing Array that Yang Yongqi was scared off? This proves that Yang Yongqi was indeed wary of Jianwu Palace’s Killing Array. My Huoyang Palace also has a similar Killing Array, whose power, I dare not say surpasses that of Jianwu Palace, but it should be about the same and not far off.”

Qi Tian chuckled and said, “The prince knows only one aspect, not the other. Yang Yongqi was scared off only because he came in haste without full preparation.

Not to mention that at the time, neither of you princes had your Killing Arrays ready. Even if you had prepared the Killing Arrays, aimed at Yang Yongqi, and launched an attack, do you think the Killing Arrays could have killed Yang Yongqi right away?

I can tell you unequivocally that it would be impossible. At most, Yang Yongqi would have suffered only minor injuries, not even serious ones.

The reason for this is that Yang Yongqi had equipped himself with two or three Half-step Nascent Soul level Defensive Magical Artifacts. Although the Killing Array is powerful, its lethality is only at the Half-step Nascent Soul level. Its sole advantage is that its attacks can be sustained. A single attack it launches might require others to use two or three Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts to defend against. This does not necessarily mean that the Killing Array’s power is so great that it can disregard even more Defensive Magical Artifacts.

It is almost certain that next time Yang Yongqi comes, he will not only be equipped with two or three Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts but likely more, and he might even wield artifacts above the Half-step Nascent Soul level.

“Do you two Princes still think that the current Killing Arrays in Chaoyang Palace and Huoyang Palace will pose a threat to Yang Yongqi when that happens?”

Emperor Chaoyang and Huoyang Emperor both remained silent, recalling how not long ago Yang Yongqi had broken through Emperor Chaoyang’s defenses like a flood, posing a serious threat to Emperor Chaoyang’s personal safety.

If this had been before that incident, they would have scoffed at Qi Tian’s suggestion that Yang Yongqi might possess artifacts surpassing the Half-step Nascent Soul level, refusing to believe it. But now, they had no choice but to take this matter seriously. It was no longer a mere possibility, but an inevitability, that Yang Yongqi would wear such high-level artifacts.

Before today, Emperor Chaoyang and Huoyang Emperor were completely unaware that Emperor Chaoyang possessed such powerful artifacts, let alone that Emperor Chaoyang had bestowed Yang Yongqi with the use of these powerful artifacts, which allowed them to remain optimistic about their safety. However, now that Qi Tian had pierced through that illusion, they could no longer afford to feign ignorance.

Emperor Chaoyang was the first to express his stance, saying, “I have no objections to merging the defenses of Huoyang Palace and Chaoyang Palace. What do you think, Huoyang?”

Huoyang Emperor pondered for a moment and said, “In principle, I also have no objections. I’m just unclear on one matter. When we combine the two palaces, will there be a primary and secondary distinction, or will the two imperial palaces be regarded as equals?”

Qi Tian said, “That is something you two Princes need to negotiate among yourselves. As an outsider, it would be inappropriate for me to interject.

However, I can offer my opinion. With the situation being unfavorable to us and time running short, we must adhere to the principle of ‘resolving the issue as quickly as possible’ and swiftly construct a Defense Magic Array that can ensure the safety of both palaces. The longer we delay, the more disadvantageous it becomes for you.

Besides, I am not entirely sure about the depths of resources between the two palaces, but from my observations, it is likely that even combined, they do not compare to Chaoyang Palace. And setting up a new Defensive Array will inevitably consume vast amounts of precious cultivation resources. The scale of the Defense Magic Array that can be built will depend on the amount of resources the palaces can gather.

My advice to you both is to prioritize the strength of the Defensive Magic Array over its size. It is better to have a smaller array that is sufficiently strong than to covet a larger area or so-called independence and, in doing so, sacrifice its strength.”

Emperor Jianwu and Huoyang Emperor nodded in agreement as Qi Tian continued, “I understand that making a choice is not easy for you two Princes, as any decision will likely require some sacrifices. This is an inevitable action, forced upon us by the circumstances, something we must do.

I hope you both understand that as long as the people remain, the city remains; once people are gone, the city falls. In this confrontation, people are the fundamental element. We must prioritize the principle of ‘ensuring the safety of both Princes and the elite under your command.’ As long as we are alive, temporary concessions and defeats mean little. There will always come a moment when we can turn defeat into victory.”