Chapter 1970: Chapter 1916-1917: The High Price and the Taoist Monarch Battle

“The earlier one achieves Taoist Monarch status, the sooner they can gain more initiative.”

This is the consensus among the powerhouses of the True Martial Sect. In order for the True Martial Emperor to achieve Taoist Monarch status sooner, they have mobilized almost entirely, going all out like the previous plan to replace gods with humans.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t provide the equivalent costs that the Xiao Sect needed and couldn’t acquire those items to help the True Martial Emperor achieve Taoist Monarch status.

At this time, the Jade Emperor approached voluntarily, telling them he could provide what was needed to help the True Martial Emperor achieve Taoist Monarch status.

And neither the True Martial Emperor nor the True Martial Sect needed to truly form an alliance with him, nor join the Jade Emperor’s campaign.

At that time, the True Martial Emperor and the True Martial Sect truly had no reason to refuse, even if they knew it would cost them something.

But sometimes paying a price to obtain something is always better than not even having the opportunity to pay the price.

However, they had not yet been completely carried away; for this reason, the True Martial Emperor specifically ascended to the Shenxiao Domain to seek Pei Xuanjing’s understanding.

“Regarding his plea, I could only agree. Could it be that after all these years of friendship, we end up breaking ties over this? Obstructing someone’s path to Dao is like killing one’s parents — utterly unforgivable!” Pei Xuanjing sighed softly.

Seeing the expressions of those around him change, he decided to offer an explanation.

The fact was when the Jade Emperor proposed this condition, unless Pei Xuanjing was willing to use the Xiao Sect’s resources to help the True Martial Emperor achieve Taoist Monarch status, his words would have no meaning.

Though the other party came seeking understanding, they had already resolved to lay their cards on the table.

Regardless of whether Pei Xuanjing agreed, they would not miss this opportunity.

After so many years of friendship, if one obstructs another’s opportunity to achieve Dao, no matter the relationship, it would inevitably disintegrate at that time.

Therefore, Pei Xuanjing could only go with the flow and agree, because he understood that he would make the same choice if their roles were reversed.

Seeking the Dao is all; no one has any right to stop others from seeking the Dao.

“Indeed, we cannot stop them, for the Jade Emperor is offering something we cannot provide,” Pang Hong remarked quietly.

His master’s words were true; no matter how good the friendship, one cannot obstruct another’s pursuit of Dao, especially when they cannot provide what the True Martial Emperor needs.

Granted, the True Martial Emperor was a good friend, but one cannot give away what is scarce to their own, especially when the other party can’t provide an equivalent exchange.

“Is the True Martial Emperor so easily trusting? Isn’t the Jade Emperor afraid the True Martial Sect will take what’s offered and then deny the relationship?” Wan Fayi wondered.

Yu Zhenzi laughed, “The relationship between the two is far deeper than you think. Before the Great Ming ascended to Divine Dynasty status, the True Martial Sect could almost be called the state religion of Great Ming. The commendations and rewards from successive Great Ming emperors to the True Martial Sect were never unheard of. Nowadays, the Vice Institute Master of the Taoist Academy, Qingyang Zi, was once the teacher of the Wuzong Emperor. Even if circumstances had not changed, even the current Jade Emperor, upon assuming power, would likely have had his Martial Arts teacher from the True Martial Sect.”

“Over six hundred years of ups and downs, the ties between them have deepened significantly; countless True Martial Sect Taoists have gone down the mountain to serve in the Great Ming Empire, and innumerable members of the Great Ming royal family have joined the True Martial Sect. Even after the Taoist Alliance was established, taking control of some authority, the interests of the Great Ming royal family were never harmed,” Pang Hong revealed some secrets unknown to Wan Fayi.

Yu Zhenzi also reflected, “Moreover, the Jade Emperor is decisive; his gesture this time is significant. Even if he can’t use those items himself, being able to decisively offer them to win over the True Martial Emperor is impressive.”

If the Jade Emperor heard Yu Zhenzi’s reflection, he might not think the other was admiring him, but rather mocking and ridiculing him for having no capable followers.

Items capable of helping a sixth-layer True Immortal increase the chance of achieving Taoist Monarch status are the most core resources for any faction, even a top immortal sect like the Xiao Sect, only obtainable for those who perform meritorious deeds.

Although the Jade Emperor, as the Heavenly Court Master, possesses many resources, it doesn’t mean he can disregard these items and casually give them away.

The reason he acted so is actually simple; it’s due to the current forced situation, leaving him with no choice.

For the Jade Emperor, though the current situation seems prominent, he faces an essential issue: the lack of true top-tier combat power. Even with the support of Emperor Wenchang, they only have two Taoist Monarch-level combat powers.

While two Taoist Monarchs supporting a top immortal sect seems adequate for defense, it’s insufficient for advancement, and given his current position, retreat is not an option, even partial seclusion is impossible.

The Xiao Sect has Longevity Taoist Monarch sitting in charge; one Taoist Monarch can match several others, so there’s no rush. They have patience to wait and cultivate Pang Hong to achieve Taoist Monarch status, and those resources can be reserved to nurture individuals like Yu Zhenzi, after they accumulate sufficient foundation over time.

But the Jade Emperor’s subordinates presently have only just broken through to the True Immortal Sixth Layer, even after recently paying a great price for this breakthrough. Although there is hope for achieving Taoist Monarch status, when that will be is anyone’s guess.