Chapter 1631: Strategic World

On the 98th Yuan Epoch mark, while Wang Wei was perfecting his 1-tier Grand Construct Skill, he suddenly paused. A light the size of a tennis ball flew out of his forehead before dissipating between Heaven and Earth. He sighed deeply. Sometimes, it was a curse to always be right.

A talisman flew from the void, and he caught it. A soothing voice echoed in his mind: "I did my best, but even Samsara cannot escape the grips of politics. If it will make you feel better, this won’t affect my promotion, and I’ll gladly return your position and even upgrade it once I succeed.

"On a positive note, your grandpa and Li Jun have mastered their first Ultimate Skill, and they sent their congratulations on your ascension as a Primal. Lastly, tell my future daughter-in-law that I would never blame her."

A smile crept on Wang Wei’s face. Life can sometimes be unpredictable. While he lost something valuable, he might gain even more in the future. "I guess this is as good a time as any to stop,’ he muttered, finally deciding to end his retreat.

As soon as he left, Wang Qi came to see him. He was now an Immortal King, but he took no pride in this achievement. The loyal secretary understood he needed a higher strength if he wished to continue serving and following his patriarch. So, he’s been waiting for an opportunity in the upcoming war to change path.

Wang Qi’s report primarily focused on the politics and government of the sect. When in retreat, members of the council can choose to leave a clone or projection behind to attend these meetings, or not attend. Unless it was an emergency that required all hands on deck, it was normal for members to miss council meetings. Of course, according to the rules, members must have a valid reason for not attending.

"You said Yan Shirong is already revived?" It’s only been 100 Yuan Epoch, or 1000 Yuan Epoch inside a formation, meaning it was too short. "Did they sacrifice the sect’s luck to accelerate his return?"

"That’s right. The council agreed that it was imperative that all Primals be available for the upcoming disaster," Wang Qi nodded.

"That’s a good move," Wang Wei nodded. Qiyuan, Yan Hai, Li Ming, and Wang Wei will all be occupied with the war or working at the court, leaving only Wang Chong — who is now obsessed with his cultivation — to guard the sect. While Yan Shirong is weak, he’s still a Primal. In an emergency, the two can work together until reinforcement arrives.

Wang Qi continued his report, and Wang Wei checked information from the council to verify. Most of it was uninteresting, with the most notable being that Stone Face sent apology gifts to Wang Wei. While the man had a nasty personality, he was politically savvy.

"One last thing," Wang Qi said. "I don’t know if you still care, but the Brilliant Smile Emperor — well, now Empyrean — is now serving as a strategist directly under Cao Sicong."

"He survived the Five Feathers’ downfall?" Wang Wei asked. The last time he heard of this man, the deranged phoenix had captured him because he ascended with an entire world. In Wang Wei’s mind, this means has been eliminated since he was useless.

"I’m as surprised as you, but yes, he did survive, and now, he’s well-valued by the Dynasty Alliance."

"Can someone really go far in life by talking their way through it?" Wang Wei asked. The only impressive thing about the Brilliant Smile Empyrean is his golden tongue, but he thought such a talent could only take him so far.

"Apparently so," Wang Qi shrugged.

"Hmm."

"What do you want me to do with him?"

"Keep an eye out to see if the Dynasty Alliance will try to force ascend worlds to increase their territory, population, and luck," Wang Wei ordered. It’s a shame that Jia Ping was rejected from the alliance because of their relationship, or he would have had better means of keeping an eye on them.

"No problem. Do you need anything else?"

"Where is my nephew? Why isn’t he in the sect?"

"The sect organized an Elite Disciple Training with the Origin Seal Continent, Buddhism, Taoism, and Kong’s Academy. He’s partaking in it."

Wang Wei had a strange expression. Cultivators in the Great Emperor and Empyrean Realm were still considered disciples and treated as such. But when he was in these realms, he was ruling the entire lower dimension and dealing with a mad Primordial Saint. His life was something else.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing," Wang Wei said. He dismissed Wang Qi before summoning the Red Mask. Then, as usual, she maintained her cold demeanor and immediately began reporting, starting with the most critical issues. The first two issues were of no immediate concern to Wang Wei since they were about Matriarch Xie Huan, who wished to serve under him again, and the fact that Paragon Jimin’s Stealing Dao has been completely integrated into the Fate Guard.

Wang Wei provided Xie Huan an opportunity to become a Paragon, and she took it. Now, it seems she might be more ambitious and wishes to reach the peak. She was quite capable, so he accepted her service. As for the [Fate Stealing Technique], Wang Wei planned to update it periodically, and after his recent improvement, it was time for a new one.

"Our plan seemed to have failed. Black Chess and Shen Tian have formed a secret alliance."

"Didn’t you leak the news to the Water Immortal?"

"I did, and they fought. He easily suppressed him, forcing him to use the sect’s array. While he survived the encounter, he seemed more timid than before."

"He probably realized there is a vast difference even among Primals. And unfortunately, he’s at the very bottom," Wang Wei uttered. Outside the area coverage of the hall’s array, Water Immortal is probably on par with a cultivator who has mastered two Ultimate Skills. And even if he uses the formation, he must be at the center to fight an A-Class Primal like Old Man Black Chess.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing," Wang Wei replied. If it were any other time, he would sow discord and use his chessboard to facilitate the division of the Limitless Exchange Hall. But now, with Maitreya’s warning and clear intention about this world’s future, he can only stop all his actions. It’s a shame after spending all that time, effort, and resources for nothing.

"Give up just like that?"

"Or what? Do you want to rebel against forces beyond your comprehension?"

Red Mask paused. "I apologize for my blunder."

Wang Wei waved his hand. It also pained him, but he was nothing if not adaptable. "Keep going."

"Grandma Ju sent news that she’s been promoted to a Supreme Seer."

Wang Wei’s eyes shone brightly. "That’s great news. And the All-Seeing Temple didn’t find anything wrong with her?"

"She reported that the Primal Seer was suspicious of her fast growth and secretly checked, but nothing was detected."

"That’s good." Wang Wei utilized the Nurture Core to accelerate her cultivation, albeit at the cost of wasting her potential. Grandma Ju had no chance at a transcendent path — not that she had a chance in the first place. Luckily, it would take observing her [Existence] to discover the truth, and even then, it’s hard to realize someone was behind. All signs indicated that Grandma Ju found a unique opportunity that drastically increased her realm at the cost of potential.

"Tell her that all eyes will soon be on the Eternal Ascension World, so she can take this opportunity to proceed with the next step," Wang Wei stated. The next step is to take over the temple, and when the time is right, Grandma Ju will reveal a prophecy about the All-Heaven Fate Calamity that removes some of the heat from people who cultivate Fate Dao.

"As you wish," Red Mask said. She paused briefly before continuing. "Lastly, Wang Ju has sent news."

"Oh?" Wang Wei’s body suddenly became straight while his eyes fluttered with excitement.

"Her Fate Guard has spread to more than 275 Chaos Worlds, 15 of which can be called strategic."

Wang Wei was surprised by this level of success in such a short period. Strategic Worlds are places with high enough destiny. All these worlds played a vital role during the Second Origin War, and some of them still wish to compete with the Eternal Ascension World for the Destiny Center Position.

"Did she say which worlds?"

"She sent a list." Red Mask replied as she handed him a recording talisman. Wang Wei ignored her discomfort. He gave all his subordinates a chance to compete fairly, but Wang Ju had a special place in his heart. But even if she did not, her results speak for themselves.

"Very well," Wang Wei said before frowning. The sect has reported that a few of these worlds contain flawed Saints. He worried about Wang Ju’s safety.

"What else did she say?"

"She said she’s ready to return home if that’s what you wish."

"No, it’s not the time yet," Wang Wei said. It’s apparent to him that Wang Ju was thriving at her work in Primordial Chaos, so there was no point in stifling her development by recalling her home.