Chapter 273: Chapter 275: Demon Soil Perilous, Hearts Waver


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    "Alas, it''s a time of great troubles."


    "Lord Bai, I fear the return from this journey may be indefinitely delayed." Inside a huge ship sailing on the Ice Ocean, an official in a crimson robe spoke with a tone of helplessness.


    "Lord Bai''s lessons are correct, it''s just... sigh." Zhao Jian''an''s tone carried a note of helplessness as well.


    "Jian''an, how can you say such things when you''re an official of the Fourth Grade?" The old man in a purple robe lazily popped a grape into his mouth.


    "But if this diplomatic mission goes well and secures an alliance with the magicians of this Demon Soil for our Great Nether Dynasty, this achievement will be enough for you to turn your fortunes around. When the time comes, I shall recommend you for the Cabinet, and exchanging your crimson for a purple robe could easily be within reach."


    "You''ve been an official for decades and yet you still make the mistake of judging by appearance."


    "Although it is Demon Soil, since it appeared to this day, the Qintian Bureau has been monitoring it day and night without noticing any harmful actions from the Demon Soil."


    "To think, you being a Fifth Realm magician, can''t even see such an apparent truth."


    "I''ve been climbing up all my life, and now with such an opportunity, I absolutely cannot afford to miss it." A hint of ferocity flashed across Bai Lv''s face.


    "I know you''re not satisfied. The life and death on this diplomatic mission to the Demon Soil are unpredictable, but the Imperial command must not be defied," Bai Lv started advising with a word of caution.


    Between Fifth and Sixth Grade lies a great divide; naturally, it is impossible to recruit Sixth Grade troops and heroes as casually as the Lords do.


    For Bai Lv, a practitioner at the Eighth Realm of Calming Anger, getting rid of a Fifth Realm Zhao Jian''an is truly as simple as it can be.


    Bai Lv is at the Eighth Realm of Calming Anger, which, if assessed by the "Lord Era," is Sixth Grade. The Lower Three Realms are Second, Third, and Fourth Grade, the Middle Three Realms are Fifth Grade, and the Upper Three Realms are Sixth Grade, with only Emperor Shen You of the Tenth Realm being at the Seventh Grade level.


    Bai Lv spoke with an air of ease, yet the solemnity in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts.


    For example, Emperor Shen You, as the most powerful being, naturally does not fall within the Nine Realms, but is instead categorized as the Tenth Realm, the Emperor Realm.


    After all, the natives don''t have such powerful backgrounds.


    Success means promotion and power within grasp.


    With the current state of internal strife and external threats facing the Great Nether Dynasty, and Emperor Shen You still recovering from severe injuries—having his Divine Thought hurt during his previous prophetic scrying—this diplomatic mission is just like adding frost to snow.


    But he has not given up. After all, it would be utterly ridiculous to give up without even having seen it, even if the chance is slim, it does not mean there is no chance.


    After Zhao Jian''an left, Bai Lv also sighed. He didn''t want to take on this task either, but unfortunately, being less skilled, he had no choice but to do so.


    For Bai Lv, killing Zhao Jian''an was not a big deal. Upon returning to the Great Nether Dynasty, no one would stand up for him; nobody would offend a Cabinet Minister over a Fourth Grade official.


    Magicians in the world are divided into nine realms.


    Leading them was an old man in a purple robe, whose occasional flash of Divine Thought in his eyes evidenced his extraordinary strength.


    If it weren''t for maintaining the dignity of the Great Nether Dynasty and ensuring people''s loyalty, he would be panicking too.


    If a true alliance with the Demon Soil could be formed, his contribution would undoubtedly be the greatest. With the resources granted as rewards, it wouldn''t be impossible for him to Breakthrough into the realm of Wisdom Madness.


    Thus, with the current situation in mind, he made a bold bet.


    As a result, Zhao Jian''an chickened out. Going to the Demon Soil might mean a slow death, but defying Bai Lv could lead to immediate demise.


    In a world with extraordinary powers, sometimes, strength can resolve many issues.


    After all, Bai Lv is a Cabinet Minister, wielding significant authority. Any minister wearing a purple robe had climbed their way to the top over mountains of corpses and seas of blood. To assume the person was benevolent would be a fatal mistake.


    Zhao Jian''an was forced into his predicament whereas his situation could be considered semi-voluntary. For him, it was not only the circumstances that compelled him but also the desire to turn his fortunes around.


    Zhao Jian''an, a seasoned official, quickly composed himself and said respectfully, "I thank Minister Bai for the opportunity. I lost my composure just now."


    Bai Lv was indeed painting a big picture for Zhao Jian''an, but he did not naively swallow it whole because he knew it was not just an enticing promise but a warning as well.


    Body Illumination, Silence, and Interpretation are the middle three realms. During these stages, one''s Divine Thought strengthens and the body starts to resonate from within.


    At this moment, Bai Lv understood that he could not let his own side have any issues with morale.


    This was the envoy of the Great Nether Dynasty, headed to establish diplomatic relations with Qin Muye''s forces.


    Zhao Jian''an is a Fourth Grade official, the deputy envoy on this mission, second only to him.


    Although Rank 6s are not as common as stray dogs in this world, Rank 5s are still quite prevalent.


    In the entire Great Nether Dynasty, there exists only one being of the Tenth Realm.


    As Zhao Jian''an said, that continent across from them was simply the Demon Soil. Although they had received a clear response, the messengers who returned described its inhabitants as extremely terrifying, clad in flesh, enslaving Yin Souls, and with a ferocious appearance and disdainful eyes.


    Yet, as he neared the Demon Soil, his hopes for a successful mission grew dimmer.


    Only those from the Upper Three Realms could catch the eye of the three Great Demons of Greed, Anger, and Ignorance.


    As for the Lower Three Realms and the Middle Three Realms, they are also subject to harassment from the Spirit Realm, but only by Evil Demons. If one has a firm resolve, there typically wouldn''t be any problems.


    Ever since he set out on this mission to the Demon Soil, his sole thought has been to survive, not to vie for power and wealth, for one has to be alive to enjoy any privilege.