Chapter 81: The Gathering Storm: The Grand Summit of the Ages (5)

With an air of ominous authority, Ruler White begins to speak once again "The Fourth Heavenly Way," he reveals, his words laced with a sinister undertone, "has cunningly modified his counterpart, the Fourth Nine Serenities Ruler, into a Jet-Black Sun, that he possesses when the time calls for it."

Gasps of astonishment ripple through the audience, for this revelation unveils the intricate machinations of the Fourth Heavenly Way.

Turning his attention to the representatives of the Coalition of Cultivators, Ruler White's eyes narrow, gleaming with an unnerving intensity. "It is only natural," he remarks, his voice dripping with disdain, "that you could not recruit the 'Star Exterminating Cult' and the 'Sun Worshiping Sect.' They, too, are organizations under the dominion of the Fourth Heavenly Way."

But the depths of the Fourth Heavenly Way's nefarious schemes are far from exhausted. Ruler White's voice takes on an even darker timbre as he unveils the true extent of the Fourth Heavenly Way's malevolence. "During his reign," he discloses, his words chilling to the core, "he devised a malevolent virus, the Star Destroying Virus, infecting the very stars that illuminate the universe as an insidious backup plan."

Silence envelops the chamber, broken only by the collective intake of breath from the astounded cultivators. The magnitude of the threat becomes apparent, for the Fourth Heavenly Way's ambitions extend far beyond ascension to Heavenly Way. His designs are nothing short of cataclysmic.

"He seeks to usurp the body of the upcoming Heavenly Way," Ruler White continues, his voice reverberating with the weight of impending doom. "Using the vile «Tyrant's Usurpation Secret Art» he plans to take over the body and then, he wants to unleash the virus, triggering a cataclysmic destruction that will completely destroy All Heavens and Myriad Realms."

The room trembles with a mixture of fear and disbelief, as the cultivators grapple with the unfathomable scale of the Fourth Heavenly Way's ambitions.

"The resulting destruction, as he believes, will allow him to transcend the Heavenly Way and reach the rank of a Transcendent." White continues.

The room falls silent as the attendees process this information. The stakes have never been higher than now.

Suddenly, Reincarnation Blade speaks up. "I can vouch for the truth of Ruler White's report," she says. "I have seen firsthand the lengths to which the Fourth Heavenly Way will go to achieve his goals." she continues while thinking back to the time she spent with the Fifth Heaven and how she always cursed her predecessor as pure evil.

In the hushed chamber, Ruler White's voice echoes once again, commanding the attention of all who have gathered. His piercing gaze sweeps across the room, each eye meeting his with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. "Before we delve into the details of breaking the insidious «Tyrant's Usurpation Secret Art»," he declares, his words a tantalizing promise, "let us proceed to the second part of my report. The part regarding the situation of the Nine Serenities!"

A murmur of anticipation ripples through the assembly, for the mention of the Nine Serenities, the realm shrouded in darkness and ruled by the Nine Serenities Rulers, is enough to send a shiver down the spine of even the most stalwart cultivators. The Coalition of Cultivators, their resolve firm yet tinged with uncertainty, braces themselves for what Ruler White is about to reveal.

"Coalition of Cultivators," Ruler White's voice resonates with a mixture of derision and twisted delight, "I have heard whispers of your intentions to assail the Nine Serenities. Allow me to lend you a helping hand, for I, too, have unfinished business within that accursed Eight Ruler."

Eyes widen in disbelief as the revelation hangs heavy in the air. The embodiment of evil, the very ruler of the Nine Serenities, offers his assistance to those who seek to challenge his dominion. It is a twisted dance of betrayal and convenience.

"I bear an unpaid debt," Ruler White confesses, his voice dripping with venomous ire, "to the Eighth Nine Serenities Ruler. This despicable being who dared to 'seal' me in the Black Lotus World, confining my power. He currently reigns over the Nine Serenities with an iron fist, his tyranny casting a dark pall over all who dwell within."

"When the time comes," Ruler White's voice resonates with chilling determination, "when you clash with the forces of the Nine Serenities, I shall personally face the Eighth Ruler."

The room falls silent, the weight of Ruler White's proposition pressing upon the hearts and minds of all present. To form an alliance, however uneasy and fragile, with the very embodiment of evil, a calculated risk that could either bring about their salvation or plunge them further into the abyss.

However, this entire operation of attacking the Nine Serenities is but a mere distraction, a lure to coax the true targets out from their hidden recesses.

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Two weeks have passed since the commencement of the grand meeting, and still, the esteemed cultivators find themselves immersed in the labyrinthine depths of their schemes. The air crackles with an electric mix of anticipation and tension, as plans and strategies are meticulously woven to shape the destiny of the All Heavens and Myriad Realms.

Amidst the fervor of discussions, the mysterious figure, veiled in a cloak of darkness, has raised her voice on multiple occasions. Her words, like whispers on the wind, carry an enigmatic power, sparking curiosity and unease in the hearts of those who listen. Yet, she remains an enigma, refusing to unveil her true identity and purpose.

However, patience wears thin, and the limits of tolerance are tested. It is Demon Emperor É finally reaches his breaking point. With a voice that echoes through the grand hall, he proclaims, "Enough is enough! Your veiled presence and refusal to disclose your true self have tested our trust for far too long. If you persist in this secrecy, I shall personally remove you from our midst!"

And then, in a surge of energy, Demon Emperor É launches himself forward, his movements a blur of raw power and fierce determination. The shockwave of his attack ripples through the room, shattering the fragile tranquility that had clung to the meeting.

Gasps of astonishment mingle with apprehensive murmurs, as the other cultivators witness the unprecedented act unfolding before them.

Silently, the others find themselves torn between conflicting emotions. While they, too, have questioned the mysterious person's presence and purpose, they have been hesitant to take action, fearing the repercussions of their defiance upon the intervention of Zenith Heaven Emperor.

They look towards the Emperor, yet, to their astonishment, the great ruler remains seated, his countenance shrouded in inscrutable contemplation.

As their collective gaze returns back to the Demon Emperor, a sense of disquiet settles in. Demon Emperor É, frozen in mid-motion, stands suspended in time, his imposing figure a testament to the unfathomable forces at play. The room itself seems to hold its breath, caught in a momentary pause, as if the very fabric of reality hesitates to proceed.

As the room reverberates with the frozen stillness of Demon Emperor É's halted attack, a voice, rich and commanding, resonates through the air. Its majestic timbre fills the space, commanding attention and stirring a sense of awe among the gathered cultivators. "Zenith Heaven, I hope you don't mind if I remove him," the voice intones with a hint of regality.

The words hang in the air, their weighty significance settling upon the consciousness of all present. It is the majestic voice of the mysterious figure, and the use of the name 'Zenith Heaven' strikes a chord of recognition within the hearts of Cheng Lin and Song ONE. A spark of realization ignites within them, illuminating the shadows of uncertainty that had plagued their thoughts. In unison, they exclaim, their voices mingling, "So it's really you! But why do you hide your identity? This is unlike you!"

Their words hang in the air, mingling with the currents of curiosity and doubt that permeate the room. The others, save for Ruler White, find themselves caught in a maelstrom of confusion and intrigue. Who, possesses the audacity to address Zenith Heaven Emperor by such a name in this day and age?

Zenith Heaven Emperor, his countenance a mask of serene wisdom, turns his gaze towards the mysterious figure. In his eyes, a depth of understanding and familiarity shines, a silent acknowledgment of shared history. "We still need him," he replies, his voice carrying a note of resolve. "You can take care of him after this is all over."